YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Theres no place like Home

And I've got a NEW ONE.  Yep, Yapping Cat is moving.

So click those heels three times and follow me HERE! 

 

-c

More Journal Pages

Now, I'm a journal page geek today.  I've been playing with some pages off and on all day.  I think you can click on above to make it larger. 

I found that quote on Pinterest  this morning.  It reads, "The trick is on what one emphasizes.  We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong.  The amount of work is the same".  Loved that.  And since I've been a grump for about two weeks straight now, it really resonated with me.  And I decided a journal page would be good.  I ended up doing two corresponding pages, so that I could have room to write the "personal stuff".  :)

-c

Play Time with a Friend

Yesterday, I got the chance to spend some time with a dear friend.  My friend, Ruthe, had been interested in learning how to create some of the artwork  that I do for my journal pages. 

To her, my pages always looked like they were created in Photo shop.  I assured her, that was not the case, and proceeded to teach her how to layer with inks and collage. Above is her beautiful finished work!  Isn't it wonderful?  I'm so proud of her!

I loved her art work so much.  After I scanned it, I got to thinking it would be a great piece for my journal.  I had been looking for something to do the lyrics "Blackbird" on.  I thought this was perfect.  Above is after I added my hand-writing to her artwork.  I hope you don't mind, Ru...its too perfect for my journal.

Before Ruthe came over, I was practicing some inking and layering.  Here is my before and after of some of my artwork, that I had photocopied.  You can really see the difference.  The after is just several layers of inks, Prisma Pencils and coffee spray. 

There's nothing like a day of creativity and good gab with a dear friend to make the world seem right.  Thanks Miss Ruthe for coming over to play, I hope we can do it again soon. 

-c

Book Cover Redo and things Italian

All day long I've thought it was Wednesday, and its Thursday.  Which has kinda thrown me off kilter.  But I did enjoy Monday off with the Sweet Hub, so I guess it was worth the confusion for today. 

Above is after, before, after.  LOL.  Somehow I ended up with a pile of old Reader's Digest Condensed Book single covers.  I've taken some time today to alter them with paint, ink and more. 

This one has been sanded, inked, painted over, sanded some more and re inked.  I added some coffee dyed and inked scrim, along with an old calendar picure, that was also sanded and inked, and a couple of broken, vintage frame pieces. 

As you can see on the right hand side, the before cover is altered quite a bit.  I've really gotten into the whole "layering" thing.  I find it really fun to continue to build and build upon layers to get the finish that I want.  I even used an old doily to layer some inks, so that there were areas of gradiation. 

The last cover has been sanded, and painted and the edge taped down and sanded, but I've not yet started to apply the inks yet.  When I'm finished this will be an "Italian" Memory book.  Not sure how its going to end up, but I'm going to try and use all vintage goodies inside. 

Its actually not going to be to terribly hard to use all vintage things, as Dad and I hit a great Estate Sale a few weeks back.  The home owners must had traveled to Italy several times, as they had many numerous items from there.

Post cards.

Calendars.

Books and more.  Love this tray and I might just keep this for myself.

Loved this book of Opera.  Its in excellent condition, I really don't have the heart to cut it up when its in good shape. 

But my favorite find where these:

These are little calligraphy pen nibs.  They are bronze.  But the coolest part is,

that they are shaped like little pointing fingers.  I love it.  I put some in my Etsy shop along with some of he other Italian items. 

Most want to go to Paris, but I have an earthier destination in mind.  Warm sun, great food, wine…I want to go to Italy.  Perhaps one day.

-c

 

I'm having an affair.  Wtih old things.  I can't stop.

Each Estate sale, each flea market, each antique mall calls my name and beckons.  And what is it that has me in its clutches?  It is the thrill of the hunt. 

Its rounding the corner and seeing that thing that makes your heart go pitter pat.  Or seeing a table full of junk and playing eye spy with that one tiny treasure that gleams above the others.

Old books, old letters, and more are piling up in all the corners of The Studio. 

And I'm trying to add them to Etsy shop as fast as I can. 

Will the madness stop?  Hopefully never.

-c