YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Snow Day!

Means a play day!  And play I did. 

Paint, paper and glue makes the best ingredients for a play day. 

So I got those things out and started repainting some canvases and then decided to collage on top of them, rather than repaint.  (I was actually trying to work faster, but that didn't happen). 

But it was fun.  And I was happy with the way each one turned out. 

Tee had done a tut on paper cowgirl back in September.  This was a faux beeswax technique for collage artwork.  Each little canvas just needed a little "extra" and so I followed her directions to use the gel medium and inking techniques.  I was very happy with the results.

And I love the sizes of these.  So much fun to display in different ways.  Here, I've layered a vintage transfer ware bowl with fiber shavings, a butter dish (filled with buttons) and a tiny canvas is propped inside of it.  Along with a wee bird. 

This is my favorite.

The berry fairy.  And yeah, I know, most are tired of wings and crowns.  But I still like em.  

I really liked the way this one turned out (although the subject matter is hard to see - its a nest in blue flowers with a blue bird flying above it).  It really looks old and funky in person.  This one is going to a dear friend of mine.  I hope she will like its little funkiness!

I've had lots of fun putting them here, there and everywhere this afternoon.  But they are all going on Etsy in just a few.

As for that snow day....

Twelve and a half inches.  I think it broke a record for the state.  I know in all the years that I've lived here, well, my whole life, I've only seen this happen twice before.  Beautiful and made some darn good snow balls!  

Some of us here today, made the choice to snooze away the day.  I was happy for Studio time.  Hope you are warm and cozy where you are! 

-c

Where Has the Week Gone?

Boy Howdy!  Wednesday has snuck up on me like nobody's business.  And for the life of me, I can't figure where the week has gone.  Seems like I have gotten very little accomplished.  I know I did something on Monday, but I can't remember what.  I worked yesterday.  And even though I've been up since...about 4:30 this morning...this is all that I have gotten accomplished today.

 

Six canvases.  Six. Only six.  And what's really sad, they are only 2"x2" each in size.  

 

I did get these done as well.  So, OK.  Nine canvases.  And these are a bit bigger...3"x3".  Whoo. 

(The last one is my fave.  I modeled it after one that Kijsa did in last years BH&G Holiday Crafts magazine.  I'm a huge fan of her work, I love her style.  So this is my "tiny" interpretation of the larger one that she did on a wooden plate.) 

And seriously, that is all that I have done.  Craft wise anyway.  Tonight I made a great dinner.  Last night I reached the halfway point in "the book".  But craft wise, well, I pretty much got nuthin.   I have loads of stuff TO DO, but nothing done.  Hence, no bloggin.  Oh well, as Scarlett used to say, "tomorrow is another day".  

Happy Wednesday!

A truly enchanting Cottage

Before I show you a few pics from the bridal shower this weekend, I have to show you the lovely, little cottage that housed our get-together. 

"The Cottage" used to be one of the best tea rooms in Texas.  The owners left no detail undone.  It was the best place to get great food that knocked your socks off as well the most perfect atmosphere one could wish for. 

Like a doll-house, only for grown-up girls.  But now, the wee house is available only for rental and when I realized we were going to have a number of gals for our shower, well, I knew I would need more room.  And I knew this would be the perfect spot!

 

The whole house is simply delightful!  Done up in great colors of pinks and soft greens, it truly does enchant.  Some of you may recognize this also as the site of our Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat Vendor Night Craft Shows.

Above is the front room of the house as one enters from the street.  It has a sweet little fireplace just to the left of this table.

 

This bright, sun-filled room is the garden room.  (Enlarge any pic to see the details).  I painted the words above the window several years ago, as well as many of the other areas of the house as well.  Love the bird houses hanging in each window, don't you?

 

While the pinks and greens are sweet...it goes without saying that this is my favorite room in the house!  Reds, yellows, polka dots and cherries, yep this is my fave!

 

This wall was the most difficult to paint, as the owner wanted it to look like the first page of a bed-time story. 

 

Like I said, with such cute teapots and bunnies, it is truly a grownup place house for gals. 

 

Love this.

 

And its just the little details that delight.  This miniature, bedecked chandi is just adorable and fun.

 

Even the bathroom delights, with this painted door.

 

Dolled up soap atop a sweet painted set of drawers in the bathroom.

 

The main room implores one to view life from this view.

 

While sitting in a chair fit for a queen!  All one needs is a cup of tea and a scone to be in play-house heaven!

Hope you enjoyed our little tour.  Tomorrow, a few scenes from a bridal shower.

"Back in the Saddle Again"

LOL.  Sorry, could not resist a "Cowgirl" pun. 

And it has been hard to get "back in the saddle" of everyday life.  With all of the June Paper Cowgirl put to rest and then the Fab 4th (which was a "blast"...LOL, pun intended).  Well, now here we are, back to the hum drum of everyday routine, hence, back in the saddle again. 

I've not had anytime to work on anything new, so I thought I would show you what I taught at PC. 

I'd been playing with journaling.  And since I taught a hand-writing class at Paper Cowgirl, I threw a "little journaling" in, so students could use their new found penmanship skills.  I still have much progress to make, but I like the start. 

I loved the idea of using an old book (Reader's Digest Condensed - cheap! and usually plentiful).  Gluing a few pages together and gessoing over the text is a good way to start.  But then I found, I liked the page better without the gesso.  (Click on any page to see larger).

This page was fun to do, and I loved the quote.  I did a packing tape transfer (the chart).  The page is simply dry-brushed with an acrylic, dried and then I used Prisma Color Pencil on top of acrylic and hand-writing.   And for the little colored details and the nest in her hair.

This page was basically the same thing.  I love the printed page showing throw just a little bit.  And I love Emerson...love this quote, sounds like an "enchanted forest" to me. 

On this page, again, a light acrylic paint, dry brush, and then, stamping, gluing down paper bits and doodling.  This one incorporates a napkin transfer (one of my fave things to do).  Those can be painted over, scribbled over, or stamped over...once dry of course.   I hope to experiment more and more and become bolder in the pages that I do.  This, is just the beginning.  I'll share along the way.

Oh, another reason for that title is this:  Tee and I are working on a "mini" Cowgirl.  Yep, a special, one day event, to be held on Saturday, October 3rd.  Three wonderful new teachers and three new classes, a Beeswax painting, a Stitched Wristlet and a Crown Class.  We hope to have the details up on the Paper Cowgirl blog later this week.  Or Click on the Cowgirl button above, and like Dorothy's slippers, it will take you to the blog.  

Happy Monday.

Paint a Happy Little Cloud

I promise.  This is not going to become the "all painting, all the time" blog.  Although lately it seems like it.  I can't remember the last time I've been so engrossed to paint, what feels like, 24/7.  But believe me, my fingers are itch-in to get back to paper fun. 

I started not to post this new painting.  Cause this one is well, pretty personal.  But this is an ART blog, and we do like to discuss creativity....and l think the circumstances surrounding this one are kinda cool. 

I had sent this particular scripture to a friend a few weeks ago.  She is possibly battling cancer.  For the third time around.  It seemed like a hopeful verse to me.

Last week having been in the mood of "all things aqua" lately, I had painted this flat canvas in shades of white and aqua and tossed it aside to dry.  And it promptly got buried.  And as they say, "out of site, out of mind".  I forgot about it.

Yesterday morning, I found it, while digging for something else, of course.  I pulled it out and I began to play with painting the little nest.  That's not the strange part.  I paint nests all the time.

Here is the odd thing.   I had a WHOLE lot of white space, ok blue space, but you know what I mean, left at the top.  I put the canvas aside to dry for a moment.  I wasn't sure what to do with the rest of it.  I popped over to check emails, while waiting and thinking.  (Cause there is nothing like watching paint dry.)

There was an email from my Aunt that began with scripture.  Familiar scriputre.  It was in fact, the same one I had just sent my friend a few weeks ago.  What are the odds.  The story (she sent me) was about a little dove that was "mothering" a little bunny.  Keeping the bunny warm under her wing.

Inspiration struck me again, this time really hard too.  Ouch.  I ran back into the studio and worked patiently away.  Falling into that wonderful groove where things fall into place and line up as you "see them" in your head.  Rarely happens.  But I do love it when it does.

That scripture fit the empty space perfectly.   I worked until I finished it and was happy with the end results. 

So there you have it.  One more little piece to add to the "aqua and roses" theme I can't seem to shake lately.  But this one....a little more personal.

If you have a minute, and are so inclined, can you say a little prayer for my friend J. today?  I know she would appreciate it.  As do I.  Thanks for taking a peek today.

Happy (and be safe this weekend) Friday!

Cottage Goodies for Spring

Aqua and roses.  To me it is such a happy combo.

Little signs, birds and hearts.  All gently "twinkled" with fairy dust.

A little heart to tuck into a bowl or silver creamer.
Painted photo frames.

Little birds that encourage you to WISH, DREAM or BLISS.  Each tied with crinkly seam binding and an old vintage necklace bead.

Pretty to hang on a wall. Or tuck in a wreath.

Hand-lettered.  And embellished with tiny painted roses.

I have just listed these on my Glitter and Grunge site.

Thanks for looking.  Happy Tuesday.

Bluebirds & Roses

I've been on a roll with painting, rather than paper play lately.

Overall I was pretty happy with the way this bowl turned out.
T
The underside is that portion of the song, "I wish you love" that I seem to be obsessed with lately.  Lovely to leave that big old, Made In China sticker on the back.
Here are some other things in the same vein.

I'll show you some more of this tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

Spring feels near

Even though it is a windy, 61 degrees as I write this, the sun is shinning brightly and the birds twittering madly.  So, it feels springy.  Especially as I paint these.

I just have a thing for nests.  There is something about them that draws me in.  In the winter, when the leaves are absent from the trees, I love how you can see each one, perched in the between the branches. I work at The Dove's Nest which is really cool.  Cozy, sweet little nests are just a favorite thing of mine.

Bird song is always a fave as well.  As opposed to Sister song.  Which is not me being mean.  She knows it annoys me.  Her singing.  And just like a real sister...well, I'm convinced she does it on purpose.  But bird song, always lovely.   

That was the inspiration for this little 7x7 canvas.  I added bits of vintage sheet music, seam binding and vintage buttons.  I liked it so much, that I decided to go mad and paint lots of things with a bird nest on it.

Picture frames.

Peat moss cups.  I have looked for these FOREVER.  Was delighted to have finally found them. 

Thought it might even make a cute house warming gift for my niece, personalized for her upcoming wedding date. 

A flower pot.

And of course, tags.  Today if it sits still long enough, it just might get a nest painted on it.

Maybe. 

Happy Friday.

PS...all of these nestie stuff...on my Etsy.

I'm talking and I can't shut up!

There was a friend of mine that we used to tease...when she rambled.  That she was talking and she couldn't shut up.  Sounds mean, but was funny at the time.  Since I can't seem to shut up about little houses, I felt it applied to me as well.  Here's my favorite of the bunch.

I think it would be fun to have an aqua house in real life.  I don't know why.  I'm sure the neighbors would be annoyed.  Specially a blue house with a red door.  It just sounds fun.  I love aqua and red together.  For some reason it always makes me think of pink.  And then that makes me think of cotton candy.  Hmmmmm.  Hello?  Freud?  Anyway.  That was not the thought process behind this  house.  I'm not sure what was, but I think it turned out cute. 

My favorite part is the little vintage Santa. 

And I promise when I post next.  It will be about something other than houses. 

I'm off to look for cotton candy.  Or maybe some bubble gum. Pink Lemonade maybe?  LOL.

Happy Tuesday.

On Dasher

Now becomes the great dash.  The dash to buy gifts, decorate, plan, buy food and all the while enjoy.  Seems like a catch-22 does'nt it? And for me, being too stupid to begin actually making stuff back in July, well, I can add that to my to do list as well.  Yep.  A catch-22 indeed. 

Oh well.  Such is life for the procrastinator (again, read my name here).  Anyway, too much ham and dressing.  I think my brain is clogged this morning.

And even though I like to "bah! humbug" about never having enough time to enjoy everything.  I usually manage at some point to find delight in the lights.  Breathe in the frosty, cold air and enjoy a cup of cinnamon laced hot cocoa.  And have a grin or two, finding the joy and wonder in the season.

And did I have had a great time making these little houses. 

These are the colors I want my "real" house painted in.

I think I'd like to make these all year long.

If so, who knows.  I could actually be caught up by next Christmas.  LOL.

New stuff on Etsy   And on Glitter and Grunge (click on button on right, go to artist page and click on my name at the bottom of the page). 

Let's let the dashing begin.