YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Canton Fatigue

While I found some fun goodies yesterday, but Canton Flea just kicked my butt.  It was still sweaty hot and warm, but thank goodness for the nice, cool breeze that was blowing.  I thought I'd give ya a peep!

 

OK, loved this.  And yeah, it's faded, and beat up, but so am I.  So we fit.  LOL.  But seriously, that just adds to its charm.  It makes me think of back to school and yellow pencils and those little tiny cartons of milk. 

 

It's a picnic tin.  And ever since the first Paper Cowgirl when those cool Austin gals brought their supplies in these, I was well, smitten.  And I've wanted one ever since.  They had some prettier ones that were in better shape, but I like this one.  And it was cheap.  It'll do.  And each time I carry it I'll pretend I have on a school jumper and white knee highs.  LOL.

 

A wee iron.  And (not pictured) ironing board.  And I was just saying that I would love to have both of these things cause they would be so cute with this little dress.

What are the odds right?  Things like that rarely happen to me.  And that old wooden sewing box in the top pic, matches this dress perfectly.  Too sweet. 

 

Loved the look of these.  I especially love the typeface on the red one.  Not sure yet if I'll put these in my Etsy or not!  May have to look at em for awhile.

 

I have such a weakness for Aunt Martha's patterns.  This was so cute, loved the veggie motif and it had never been opened.  Again, not sure if destined for Etsy yet or not.  

While I did not get to make it over to Laurie Anna's permanent shop (drats! there are something's Dad just can't be pushed into), I did run by her booth in the Arbors.  It was as beautiful as always.  She is one talented gal.  I love the way she puts things together.  Was unable to take pics, hopefully next time.

And well, that's about it.  OH yeah, a huge thanks to FallinStyle for adding my Princess Memo Chalk board to her Gossip Girls BTS treasury!  Cool.  I've never been in one before!  Fun.   

Well, hope yours is a good day. 

Let's Go Shopping!

Or, Yes. I'm crushing on Etsy today. 

I, personally, love it when other blogs show their favorite Etsy finds.  I hope that you will feel the same and indulge me as I do that very thing today.

I'm still learning all the ends and outs of Etsy, but so far, I've managed to find several shops that I love.  Quite a few of you mentioned that you loved that cute, blue ribbon that I used on some tags.  It was this one:

 

It is adorable, isn't it?  This came from "the other Cindy". LOL.  She has a great little Etsy shop called Junque Art Studio.  She has a range of adorable vintage goodies as well as wonderful hand-made things.

 

Ohmygosh...I adore Lisa Cook's Etsy.   Yep, I do.  Where does she find all this cool stuff?  And cheap too!  Right now she has some wicked cute Halloween and Fall things.  I'm awaiting a package myself.  Above is one of the ones I had gotten over the summer, which hopefully I'll get around to making a little gardening book out of.  Check her out.

 

Sorry for the glare, but are these not the most beautiful cards you've ever seen?  LOVE Bella Sera Designs.  I love that she uses the vintage image and then just adds the tiniest hint of something extra.  To me, these are just the prettiest cards.

 

This was one of my favorites.  I have a "bee thing".  And yet I don't know why, they scare me to death.  Hello Sigmund?  Anyway, I digress.  She has great tags as well.  And I love the way she "crinkles" her ribbon.  See, it's the little things.  As I like to say, my simple mind is easily amused. 

 

And speaking of bee's.  These lovely tags came from Blue Bird Lane.   *sigh*  She had me at her shop name.  LOL.  And everything in her shop is simply adorable.  I challenge you to find something that you don't love.  Seriously.  Go.  Go look now!

And oh, I could go on and on...Paper Eclectiques, Brandywine Boutique, Shelly Massey (she has the most wonderful collage work), well...I could go on and on.  But I'll leave you with this handful to peruse and enjoy.

Happy Tuesday.

A shop of a different color

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to be able to run over to Athens and check out the grand opening of a great new shop called Winnie and Tulula's. 

 

One enters through the shop Sweet Peas .  Which is not slouch itself when it comes to decorating and goodies to decorate with.  I've long been a fan of the bedding made by Gloria.  Her bedding is truly the stuff sweet dreams are made of.  Lovely in color and texture.  And "ahhh" factor.

See that gorgeous bedding?  (Click on pic to enlarge).  LOVED it. 

And this table was perfect.  Sweet Hub was less than impressed, but he does not really like "girlie". 

There were lovely, delish color combo's scattered through out the Sweet Pea store.  My current love is brown and apple green and there was plenty of that to be found. 

And you know I love me some red.  This little area was adorable. 

Once you head through Sweet Peas, you step into Winnie and Tulula's.  As they say in the blog, "this is not your mother's antique mall".  And indeed it is not.  And just look at the line up of "who's who":
Curious Goods by Donna & Rhonda,, Garden Antiques byTeresa Cano, and Mindy of Primitiques, Junk Palace by Lilly Bussey, and The Veranda by Maggie Lopez, Ethel's Just Junke, Talking Trash Debbie & Danny York, Country girl Collection's by Diane Taylor, Monochromatic Home by Liz Caudle, Simply Cottage by Pat Williams & Amy Seabolt, Virgins, Saints and Sinners, by Tina Bordelon and Donna Fussel, and Ruff by Margo Arrick.


Loved this odd colection of this and that.  Forgive me for not remembering whose booth I was in at the time.

Lit candles afloat in this old concrete birdbath were simply enchanting.

I just loved the patina of this old wall.  And the various wrought iron was set off nicely by it.

It was great fun to see Maggie( (The Veranda) ), and to meet Deb (Talking Trash) and her Cat Daddy.  I hated to miss seeing Teresa (Garden Antiques) (again).  I swear I don't think that gurl and I will ever get to meet.  LOL. 

The gals said that they had been hit pretty hard through the day and many booths were already picked over by the time we got there.  But still lots of awesomeness to see.

This is Teresa's booth.  It was quite amazing too.  Lots of little lovelies to look at.

And you know I'm a sucker for these.  LOL.

So if you get a chance to get over to the corner of Hwy 31 and Hwy 19 in Athens, Texas, do drop in.  You won't be disappointed. 

Sew Bazaar

I've spent my morning going through a big bag of sewing supplies that I found at the last Estate sale that I went to.  I love to find sewing stuff.  Which is very ironic since I can't sew.  Sewing envy perhaps?  I think probably "sew" (sorry!).  So, for a "needle pulling thread" experience, tag along, and I'll show you what I found.

Ribbons, lots of lovely ribbon.  This is the expensive kind too, nice to find at such a good price.  Last time I was a JoAnne's the really cost stuff was like 7.00 and 8.00 a yard.  Ugh.  

Love these little rose medallions.  SOLD!  Thank you!

This was my favorite. Loved the colors. Sold!
 
Pretty in pink.  Sold

Fun needles (love the packaging, probably from the 50's at least), velvet ribbon and pink lace.

Who doesn't love Aunt Martha?  Or her patterns.  I just love Aunt Martha's patterns.  So sweet and charming.  I keep intending to take one and paint it in on a canvas, rather than sewing it.  Since paint, I can do.  But alas, that has not happened yet.  And I've had that idea for three or four years now.  Best laid plans and all that jazz.  It probably has not happened cause I'm too busy going to Estate Sales.  Sold

I loved this apron.  Look at the sweet details of this two-sided pocket.  Rick Rack is so stinkin adorable.  And the vintage rose material is equally sweet.  Unfortunately, it has not been finished out, the top is un hemmed and just a big hunk of material and it needs strings.  I had originally bought it to cut it up, but I just did'nt have the heart to do that. Sold

This wee box of mending thread.  The back of it has instructions for darning a hole.  Does anyone ever do that anymore?  Certainly not me.  Since I can't sew and all.  That is what I tell Sweet Hub anyway.  Who can't understand why no one darns socks anymore. 

And last but not least, this was a fun find.  Nothing to do with sewing.  LOVED the packaging.

Yeah, cause at my age, my Pantys certainly need new life.  LOL.  So do my Bra's.  They definitely could use a "hitch up".  Ah, gravity, gotta love it.  What the old joke, gravity makes 36 C, a 36 Long.  Har.  Sad, but true. 

Well, thanks for tripping through my goods with me and probably learning more than you wanted to know about by bra situation.  I've posted all of this fun stuff onto my Etsy.

And I did not have the heart to show you the wonderful paper-stitched tape measure.  I'm a meanie I konw.  But you can take heart in knowing that I have saggy boobs.  :D  Paybacks are tough eh?

Happy Sat.  **Thanks y'all for buying my junk!  :D

  

Sad Little Flea Finds

OK.  Not that the finds were sad.  Sad that there were so few.  LOL.  Thought you might like to see.

Are these not the sweetest little things?  So tiny!  I was instantly hooked.  They are not in the best of shape.  Looks like maybe the pattern underneath the stitched flowers had stained a bit.  But they are so cute.  Perhaps a souvenir from the 70's?

Rusty, grungy, funky..keys.  The booth dude said "Engineer Keys".  As in Train Engineer.  He had some other cool train stuff too, hats and such. 

I thought this was a hoot!  Loved the illustrations and typeface.  That was why I picked it up.  But it really has some cool, albeit 50's slanted, party tips inside.  Just add your own drink umbrellas and pineapple!  Those wacky folks at Dole put this one out. 

Hee!  Insert your own joke here.  LOL. 

I paid way too much for this old school binder.

But I thought the tabs and inserts on the inside were way cool.  1932?  Is that crazy or what?  I can't believe it was in as good as condition as it was. 

And that was about it.  Boo!

But swung by my friend S. Estate Sale on Saturday and found some awesome fabric remnants.

I think it is one of those things where they are so ugly, they are kinda cute.

These were really neat.  But they seriously reminded me of my Grandma's couch.  You know, the one with the plastic cover.

Definitely a 50's or 60's vibe here.  But I can't tell if they are vintage or repro.  They look like they came out of a sample book, but it mentions Scotch Guarding.  But that was invented in the 50's.  So, I don't know.  Would be fun in artwork or I think they would make cool jewelry cuffs.  But then again, I do like different.  LOL. 

Well, all of this fun stuff and more are on my Etsy shop .  Take a peek if you like. 

To Sell or Not to Sell...

...That is the question. 

I just don't think I can part with it.

For one thing...its so wonderfully shabby.  Not to mention the obvious...it's red.  As in "red-is-my-favorite-color-Red". 

I can just see it in the studio...holding stamps, ink pads, clips...oh numerous things.  So handy.  And did I mention, it's red. 

I think given all that, this little booger has to stay with me for awhile.  Sometimes its like that with some flea market finds.

And thank you all so much for your sweet comments and prayer on behalf of my friend "J".  They are still trying to decide if she should start chemo this week or not.  I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. 

And, is the little "welcome" post confusing?  Perhaps so.  It is a new feature that Typepad was showing this last week and I thought it looked kinda fun.  But maybe it is more confusing than informative.  Hmmmm.  I might just pull it back down.  But I thought it was cool in that you don't have to go click on my profile to get the poop.  Its right in front.  Confusing you!  LOL. 

Sell or not?  Confusing or not?  It's a Monday.  And (here anyway) a rainy day Monday.  Hope yours is Happy.  And dry. 

Finds at Lone Star Antique Mall

You may recall this so very recent post.  Since then a few people had emailed me and asked me if I had found anything.  I did find a few things so I thought I would share them today.

 
On the vintage end, I found some spools of thread, and there were tons of multiplication cards, but I only got one.  And I loved this old record book.  Nothing has ever been written in it.  It's big too.  I'm considering listing it on my Etsy.  It has neat lettered tabs as well.

I thought this "altered" gift bag was adorable.  So simply and yet so sweet.  Love the patterned paper being used as tissue. 

And these BIG scissors are made out of wood.  I love her little touch of ribbon and a vintage button and the key (click on pic to make larger) at the top.  Not sure where their permanent home will be, but for now they reside in the Studio.  The math card, bag and scissors all came from The Shabby Y booth.

So there's a peek for ya. 

And here's a tease for ya: 

Tomorrow's post will feature this lovely little combo.  Don't you love these colors?  If Sweet Hub would only agree to those vowel renewal's on our 25Th (hint hint honey) these would be the colors I would go with.  Silvery gray, greenish turquoise and pearl white.  Yummmmmmie.  Isn't silver the 25th?

Happy Thursday.

A "Simply" Charming Place

Simply charming is what I would call Lone Star Antique Mall and SimpliciTea's Tea room.  But not simple on size, for it is a grand 60,000 square feet and has over 200 dealers. Wares range in variety from primitive to county, jewelry, ephemera and more.  There are several great cottage dealers as well.  All with affordable prices.  Affordable!

I found Lone Star Antiques (in Ft. Worth) through a tip from Theresa over at Garden Antiques blogspot.  She had stopped in on her last whirlwind tour of this side of Texas and thought that I might like it too.  And I did. 

And I had a simply charming afternoon yesterday, spent there, in the company of a dear friend.   We had a nice afternoon of lunch, girl talk and browsing for antiques in this wonderful mall.

We started the afternoon with lunch at SimpliciTea's Tea  Room.  It was so very good.  I had a wonderful homemade chicken salad and pretzel bread, as well as a spinach bisque and a delicious chicken and apple quiche that was fantastic.  They had lots of lovely desserts and chocolates as well, but we were good gals and abstained. 

 
The tea room is open and inviting.  And lovely, live, piano music was a treat.  One very, young man excitedly exclaimed, "that's Toy Story!" as she begin to tinkle the ivories with the tune, "You've got a friend in me".  But once lunch was finished, it was time to shop.

This cute, garden style booth had a lovely mix of vintage and new.  Lots of vintage,garden goodies.  There was a great gate (say that three times fast) that I tried to convince my friend would look good in her entry way.  She was not having any part of it.  LOL.  She's a "modern decor" gal.  But that's ok, I like her anyway.  :D

I was told by a customer in the know, that this little, lovely booth by Flea Chic did not look like this yesterday.  LOL.  And it was so very pretty.  These kind of set-ups make me wish I could take the entire look home! 

I thought the simplicity of this single strand of pearls within a large frame with very sweet. Wouldn't that be a wonderful highlight of Grandma's or Mother's pearls?  Instant art.

This lovely booth was called The Shabby Y. 

She had a beautiful assortment of vintage and lovely handmade things.

The Y was so full of delight and wonder in each little nook and cranny. 
Wonderful, wire baskets adorned with a simple clock face. 

 

A little booth called Bountiful also held a lovely mix of vintage and hand-made.  Which I always enjoy and appreciate.  Especially if one compliments the other.

I especially loved this wonderful wreath.  Lots of lovely lace bits, old photo's and silver spoons tucked amongst the twigs.  All of her booth was done in creams, whites and a wee touch of black. 

And there were many more wonderful spots as well. 

I always have to have a touch of color.  And this shabby old bench and bright yo-yo throw were to me, the perfect combo.  I always go week in the knees for red/white gingham and aqua.  Seriously.

So if you get the chance, drop into Lone Star Antiques and have a bite to eat and take a look around.  You won't be disappointed.  In fact, I think you too will find it "simply" delightful.

Today is Good Friday and I wish everyone a blessed Easter weekend.

Little Shop of Delights

If you've ever heard the quote by Charles Baudelaire that reads, "A multitude of small delights constitute happiness" then you have something of an idea of what you will find at Chesare Vintage Home, in McKinney, Texas. A multitude of small delights.

Delightful herself, owner Bridgette Adams has filled Chesare with an array of found goods, hand-painted and hand-made.  Bridgette caters to clientele that are looking for cottage style home furnishings. 

I love the way she mixes everything together, from tea cups to iconic.

Here, vintage pottery mingles happily with very well loved books.  Browsing through Chesare is like rummaging through old Aunt Edna's attic.  Goods are piled here and there in higgledy piggledy fashion. 

You never know what you will find.  Loved this jar filled with spoons.

As well as this stack of silver trays that long again to hold sandwiches and serve tea.  Or Cheetos and Ho Ho's.

But my very favorite part of the store is The Collage Bar.  Bridgette has an area specifically filled with wonderful bits of old photos, ribbons, and calling cards.

Perfect for the altered art or collage artist.  Small delights indeed.

Tiny silk boxes of buttons.

Vintage metal baskets full of old correspondence and calling cards.  I even found tickets from an old dry cleaning store that had my last name on them.  Perfect.

Tantalizing.

 

And she does beautiful hand-painted furniture that she sells as well.  Lucky for all us, she is currently at work on a soon-to-be up and running website.

Till then, if you are in the area, head over and rummage over for yourself.  You are sure to find something that will make you happy.

 

And tell her the Yapping Cat sent ya.

Happy Wednesday!

Funky 60's

No, that's not my age.  But some days I feel like it is.  No, what I'm about to show you were printed way before my time.  OK, a tiny bit before.  OK, maybe the year of?  LOL.

Country Living magazine had listed fun, food cookbooks from 40's-50's as one of the hot new collectibles.  So, while at Canton last time, I could not help but dig through several boxes of old pamphlets, in search of some. 

For whatever reason, I could not stop picking up these little line art drawn booklets instead.  I don't know what it is about the artwork that appeals to me so.

The line work I guess.  So fun and whimsical.  Loved this body-builder (dig that outfit and hair) promoting the "He-Man vegetable combos". 

Look at the great cover.  Pity someone stamped their name all over it.  The Contadina Home Economist, Ellen Eden, takes us through our paces using fancy tomato paste.

Can't find a year, but has to be from the 60's right?  Love their slogan...8 great tomatoes in that itty bitty can. 

The bright pink and black is very eye-catching.  And look at all the details in these fun drawings.  Some hard-working artist really did a great job on this.

This one, called "Gel it!" by Knox Gelatin Company was printed in '63.  Great colors and graphics.

Sorry this is sideways.  Picnik is being a pain tonight. 

Now, some of the recipes here are kinda scary...like the dinner ring for instance, "bits of meat, fish or poultry are suspended with crisp vegetables  in this clear shimmering main dish".  Hmmmmm.   Not sure about that one.  I don't know if I want  "bits of fish" suspended in anything.  Shimmering or not. 

(click on this to make larger).  But I do like the lettering and the drawings.  I know, I already said that.  Just had to say it again.  And, with the exception of the cover mauling, these are in really good shape. 

Especially this one.

(Again, sorry for not cropping...Picnik tonight...grrrrr!). 

This one, from 1950 by Beltx talks about, you know..."our visiting friend".  I know my eyes certainly look like that when "my friend" comes to visit. The hypno-eyed "Betty Kay" takes us through the "bugaboo's" of that favorite time of the month.

One page reads, "There might be times, of course, when (insert the "m" word here) is a nuisance.  Sometimes it's uncomfortable.  But much of this is due to our state of mind".  Uh...what?  Yeah, I'm betting a man wrote that little pearl of wisdom. 

It even had a Dial Calendar in back to help keep track of your friends arrival.  Clever.  And to think all this time, I've used a mere regular calendar.  I guess things were better back in the olden days  However, I'd like to think the bright colors and hyper, antics of Betty Kay helped many a gal of the 60's, keep their "secret" safe, as page 12 told them how. And I still can't figure out why her eyes look like that on each page. 

Ah, how times have changed.  And in this case, that's a good thing I guess. 

It's a Friday.  Have a great weekend.