YAPPING CAT STUDIO

No computer means more creative time

Yay.  Sort of.  First I had to get over my compulsion to run into the other room and see who was on Facebook or see what Pamela had just pinned.  Once I got past that, I was able to sit down and catch up on some things I had been meaning to do, mainly craft.

I had found some cool metal goods the last time that Hobby Lobby had the sale on, well, metal things.  Should have taken before pics, but i forgot.  But here they are after I added to or changed the decorative elements on them.

I added a nest to this little metal picture, as well as ribbon and some vintage buttons.

I changed the decorative design on this bird cage.  LOVED this image. Petticoate Junction Etsy has some of the coolest images and I fell in love with several things that she has offered. 

Some of them I used on the metal decorative items and some I used to re-cover some comp books.

Changed another metal thing.  And I did remember to take a before pic of this one.  I'll show you tomorrow just how easy it is to change these out.

Added more pages to my ever growing funky journal.

I really am going to try making some of these for my Etsy shop.  And speaking of Etsy, what do you think of my new shop look?  I'm changing some things around, freshening up a bit.  I've added the comp books there, and hope to add the metal decorative items next week.  And I've got TONS of new vintage to add. 

Dad and I hit two awesome Estate Sales in the past several weeks.  I just need to shoot photo's and such. 

Well, off to feed the real "yapping cats". 

-c

Monday Pretties too!

Monday, Monday.....and here it is dreary (again) and grey (again) and damp (again).  Having always considered myself a girl that LOVED that kinda day, imagine my surprise this morning when I found myself craving some sunshine!  

And I found it!  Susan at Hometown Girl posted about Monday Pretties!  It cheered me up greatly.  So, I figured I would follow suite and jump on her bandwagon and drag along too.  So here is my version of Monday Pretties!

Found a new blog that I absolutely ADORE!  Bluebird Papercraft!  Elizabeth is like a whiff or fresh roses on a cloudy day, with a cup of hot tea AND a really good piece of chocolate to boot! 

Look at that Valentine...is that not the cutest?  Elizabeth not only shows you what she is making, she gives you detailed instructions and diagrams so that you can do it too!  She is quite talented and of course, she had me at the red and cherries!  Go check out her blog and just smile.

MaryJanesFarm mag, the Feb-March 2011 issue. 

 

I knew this one was good, when I rounded the corner at B/N and Sweet Hub had a copy of one in his hand as well!  :)

 
There are several great pieces on paper crafts , as well, as that sweet wee house (that every one has had on their blog), as well as many other great articles.

LOVED this tag page! 

Well, here is hoping that you find inspiration in your little neck of the woods.  Happy Monday.

-c

 

 

Pretty Presentation of a Package

I like to make a pretty presentation.  Sometimes its more fun than the actual gift! 

I went back over the lettering just a little, to darken them up.  (Sorry this photo is not as good as the first). 

The little paper bird is wire wrapped with pearl ribbon (that I sell in my Etsy shop) and then I tucked just a few vintage paper posies in.  I hope my friend likes her little giftie.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

-c

Finished my project, a tiny book

So here it is.  This is what I did, instead of doing the things I shouda done. 

Now, nothing else to put off for.  So I must get to those things that really need to be done.  Yeah.  Right.  There's always laundry. 

I got this idea from Julie Collings blog (see her Jan. 14th, 2010 post for how-to's).  I wanted to make just a tiny book.  Something that little photo's or bits of this and that to could be tucked into.  Just a little keepsake to recall those first heady days of moving into a new home. 

As opposed to an old one.  That always needs cleaning.  LOL. 

OK.  Now I must make myself go work on other things.

Oh.  ohhhh kaaay.  gah.

-c

Projects, project everywhere!

I've been working on Thank You notes for Paper Cowgirl.  Yeah, I'm only a month and half behind.  Blame that White Rabbit syndrome! 

I'm not really happy with the way the handwritten text above turned out...but sometimes it happens.  But I do LOVE the saying.  The author was unknown, but I thought it marvelously fit the spirit of Paper Cowgirl!

The text reads, "May you always find a new road to travel, new horizons to explore, new dreams to call your own!".  I love it.  To me it signifies the spirit that Tee and I wanted to push in Paper Cowgirl, that it is an adventure.  To find your authentic and creative self.  I hope that I can carry it on in that spirit for Tee.

 

Now, in addition to thank you cards (I'll reveal the total card on Monday), I've been working on my Fall project for A Wicked Tea!  And the inspiration is from the book above.

I've always been fascinated by the Witch Trials in Salem.  Such a dark, grim, time in New England.  Before it was all over, nineteen had been hanged and one pressed to death.  I've made several trips to Boston, but have not been able to make it to Salem yet, maybe one day.  (And Martha's Vineyard too!)

The book above mixes fiction and reality to tell of the days leading up to that event (the witch trials) and the effect on Connie, in the year 1991.  Katherine writes wonderfully and the book is magical and descriptive, along the lines of Practical Magic, but a little darker and more serious.

And that led me to do further research for my project for PC, "The Shadow Book of Prudence Caulders".  It will be a small journal, with a mix of my funky handwriting, and some great journal techniques.  I hope to have pics by next week.  And a little more insight into the project as well.

Much to do. 

ttfn.

-c

Oh Yo!

Have you noticed that "YO's" are everywhere now?  I mean, they've practically reached celebrity status!

We've gotten new merchandise in at work, and Yo Yo's seem to be on everything from paper clips to tea towels. 

I was thinking of stitching some to polka dot flats that I have.  And maybe even to an oven mitt or two.  The ones here are going to be made into scrapbook embellishments.  I've always been fond of the little fellers.  And now, my mind is a twirl with possibilities. 

To quote Laura San Giacomo in the movie, Pretty Woman, "oh yo, work it, work it".  Yep.  That's what I'm thinking.

You can get some here.

Recipe for Snow

Snow, those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow, oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

Ah, thank you Mr. Berlin for those wonderful words of song about snow.  Beautiful, glistening snow. 

Here in Texas, its a pretty rare thing, unless you have a recipe!  And we do.  But first, we need something to put our "snow" in.

 

We're going to use this ordinary, glass lid.  I found it at the flea market last week.  We turn it upside down.  See, it becomes a tiny, cake stand.  Sorta.  But trust me, it will work.

The first thing we need is our "base".  Rummage in your pantry for your Kosher Salt.  Grab it.  Now, dash to your craft area and grab some pretty white glitter.  I use Sulyn (purchased at Hobby Lobby).  Its inexpensive and pretty.

With my upside down lid in front of me, I'm going to fill it with Kosher Salt.  Yep, dump it in.  I bring it just to the rim.  Now, I take my Sulyn and lightly dust the top, just enough to give it a little sparkle.

See?  Snoooooooww! 

I carefully add my building and a few tree's and viola!  Snow!

Brrrrrr!  A few tree's and a picket fence and you've got yourself a snowy, little scenery.  Just makes ya want to grab your mittens don't it?  This is also pretty in a jar with bells or Christmas balls or snowflakes. 

Snow, it won't be long before we'll all be there with snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep
And dream
Of snow, snow, snow, snow, snow*

Happy (bedtime) Tuesday!  Nite!

*words to the song, "Snow" by Irving Berlin from the movie White Christmas

A Peek at the Show

Just slamming out a very quick post this morning, to give you a peek at the show.  When we first started kicking around the idea, it reminded me of the Little Rascals, "hey kids! let's get together and put on a show!"  Yeah, I know, I'm REALLY dating myself there.  LOL.  But it was a very enjoyable day, perfect weather for it and I think it got everyone to thinking about Christmas.  Cause it really is just around the corner.

Anyway.  Here is my meager spot:

In hind site, I wished that I had put those ornaments (on the right) on a small tree, but oh well.  Live and learn. Here are my tables in front...they got a little hodge-podgie.  LOL.

Books, tiny paintings and a few assorted things.

Princess chalkboards, wands, books, monogrammed ornines and a a pitch for custom painting.  After I got it all laid out...I thought, what have I been doing for the past month?  Should be way more stuff than this.  *sigh* That's what happens when you are the Pokey Puppy Crafter.  LOL.

Here's some of the other girls!

 

You can't really see the details on these!  Pity, cause they are wicked cute.  Cora does tiny details in glitter, like adding hats, teddy bears, and wings.  They are adorable and a different take on dressing up the cabinet photo.

 

And sock monkeys!  Cora carries sock monkeys and some of the cutest vintage baby stuff you've ever seen.  Carol was next to her, doing her handmade clothing.  Cute stuff and always a crowd gathered there.

 

The "tutu" girls had it going on.  They were one of the hottest rooms in the house.

 

As was Deb's jewelry.

 

And Sharon's.  Sharon's DIL Mandy and her hubby make the wonderful crosses (in the background).  They are beautiful and they sold several as well.

Yay!  Always fun to meet a fellow blogger!  Pam was a delight and I loved her whimsical little girl paintings (even though on a strict budget, I had to have a magnet!).  Visit her website to see more of her whimsical cuteness.

 

JuJu had some cuteness going on herself!  These pincushions were wonderful.

 

As where these fabric punched crosses.

 

At the end of the day, there were NONE of these left.  They were too cute and I wish I had grabbed just one (budget?) before they were all gone!  

And it was all held here!  I did not even take ya into the kitchen and show you all the wonderful goodies that Carol Ann (of Two Sisters) had for sale.  Yummy cupcakes, breads, banana puddings...yeah, I spent too much time in that room. 

 

Thanks for taking a peek!  Off to pack and ship Etsy orders!

Happy Monday

-c

Keepin It Real.

These pics are not for the faint hearted.  Those that are squeamish, avert your eyes now.  This is the "craft zone".

 

This is the Studio.  Various paper projects are littered here and there, like trash on the freeway. 

PIP (page in progress). 

Here we have painting central, formerly known as the dining room. 

 

TIP (tiny paintings in progress)...no wait..that would be TPIP. 

But wait...there's more.  Now you see the crazy spills over into the laundry room.  *sigh*

 

Oh.the.horror.  LOL.  Seriously, it feels like it is scattered from one end of the house to the other.

But just a few more projects to finish.  All of this work only produced enough goods to barely fill a laundry basket.  Gah.  I should fire myself. 

But, I'll take pics of the booth tomorrow and show you the show set up.  I hope we have a good turn out.  Weather is supposed to be in the high 70's (almost 80).  Yeah.  That will put em in the Christmas mood.  ha.  Fa. La. La. La. La.  

Ain't She Cute?

I made her from a sweet little kit that I got from "the other Cindy".  I just fell in love with her and had to have her. 

I made a few modifications here.  As no glitter on her wand (sorry, German Glass Glitter just scares me!, LOL).  I gave her orange and black stockings and a wee pumpkin.  But that was just a few minor changes. 

Here she is in her entire-ty!  She is a little Halloween Queen!   Stop over and see all the cute things that  Cindy makes!  She is a very talented gal! 

Only a few days away now!  whoooooooooooooo!