That's my Cat

Valentine Purrs

2012-02-14T17:34:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Purrs & Hugs to all my 2-legged & 4-legged friends!

xoxox

Pawprint on My Heart!

2012-02-09T15:53:00.000-06:00

I completely forgot to post my newest painting last week!

I wanted to do a more "subtle-toned" painting for Valentine's Day with RED being a rich accent color. I think my tuxedo kitty with his pawprint/heart greeting card turned out very sweet!

"Pawprint on My Heart"

is up for auction on EBAY right now. Go have a look-see!

Siamese if you Please

2012-02-01T14:00:00.000-06:00

A NEW ADDITION to my Etsy Shop today!

A sweet hand-painted & hand-sewn cat art doll for you or maybe your special VALENTINE!

You can find "YING THE SIAMESE" in my shop HERE!

Starting work on a new FRIDA doll soon & another Valentine painting.

I can tell 2012 is going to be a creative year for me!

Happy Hump Day to you! meow

Frida & her Furry Friend

2012-01-30T21:16:00.000-06:00

I was in the mood to paint FRIDA last weekend!

She is such a FUN subject!

This is another version of a painting I did a few years ago (below).

I wanted this one to be RED & TURQUOISE!

Of course she still has her CAT!

"Frida & Her Furry Friend" is available right now on Ebay. Just click HERE!

Prints of the other painting are available in my Etsy Shop!

Hope you're having a purrrfectly wonderful Monday! meow

Purrfect Valentine

2012-01-25T21:42:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day is coming soon!

Just listed this sweet little 5x5 painting "Be Mine" on Ebay.

Miss Vivian is trimmed in a pretty bow & ready to be your sweetheart!

Did you notice the black patches on her coat are heart-shaped?

purrs & kisses...

Warm Winter's Nap

2012-01-18T19:50:00.001-06:00

This tabby has the right idea!

When it's COLD & SNOWY outside ~ find a nice warm bed with cushy pillows & curl up for a long winter's nap! You can always enjoy the view from the window!

This sweet 8 x 8 painting is up for grabs on Ebay right now!

Check it out HERE!

Guest Room Makeover!

2012-01-09T13:07:00.000-06:00

Inspiration Room & My Take on it

These photos are the main reason I didn't get many Fall or Christmas art projects done this year!

My oldest daughter graduated from high school & moved out so I had a fun new GUEST ROOM to create! (& I wanted to finish it before company came for Chrismas!) My sister had given me the bedroom photo on the left (she definitely knows my taste) & I carried it around for a few years vowing to someday model a room after it. I finally got my chance & went to town!

I did find an awesome iron bed but it was after I found this great antique oak bed so the iron bed went in the other guest room. I tried to go as inexpensive as I could on the furnishings & think I did pretty well. The bedding came from Target & Walmart, my talented sis made me the green & white Irish quilt, the snowflake pillow is from Tuesday Morning & I made the 2 small green leaf pillows. The furniture is all from Craigslist or local antique shops. The pretty plates above the bed are from Etsy & the rest of the furnishings I either had already or bought cheap. I did splurge on the adorable wool hooked CAT pillow from Chandler 4 Corners! LOVE Laura Megroz's designs! One of the lamps I ordered went on backorder so I'm still waiting for it.

It was SO FUN making up this room & putting it to use when all my family was here for Christmas weekend!

Here are a few additional photos of the room:

I even found red NOEL letters like in the photo!

You can't see them very well but I have CUTE set of embroidered towels hanging on the black painted shutter against the wall & there's also the coolest CAT rug on the floor I got from Urban Outfitters! I'll post pictures of them on my next post ~ along with my other guest room I made over. This one is already long enough! :)

Just wanted to show off my new room! I should've taken a "before" picture ~ this is a FAR CRY from my daughter's..... ummm..... dump heap!

HAPPY HAPPY MONDAY! (as happy as Monday's can be)

New Year - New Painting!

2012-01-04T13:10:00.000-06:00

Winter Saint Francis & Cat

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We had a houseful of people here for the weekend & it was awesome! Time spent with FAMILY is the most special thing of all during the holidays!

Well, the festivities are over, the candy & cookies are all gone, the decorations are coming down & now it's TIME TO PAINT! I decided to do a "winter themed" St. Francis with a snowy white kitty this time. This new original painting is available NOW on Ebay ~ Just click HERE!

Wishing you a blessed New Year full of JOY & PEACE!

xoxox meow

Christmas is Coming!

2011-11-27T23:13:00.000-06:00

Visit my ETSY SHOP to check out these cute Vintage Cat Christmas Pillows!

I love this fabric I found SO much I think I'm gonna have to make myself a pillow!

Also finished a cute pillow ornament/door-hanger that I'll get listed tomorrow. Making Christmas things is so much fun! I really need to get out & do some more Christmas SHOPPING though. My plan to slow down this year isn't working out so well. Too many FUN things to do!!!

Vintage Christmas Kitties

2011-11-21T22:29:00.000-06:00

Hi There!

Sorry ~ I know my posts have been FEW & FAR BETWEEN lately but I'm still alive & kickin' in my little art studio here! Lately most of my time's been taken up by making my daughter's old room into a new "Guest Room". It's just about finished so I'm looking forward to having more time to get at least 1 or 2 Christmas paintings done & some more vintage pillows & ornaments!

Above are pictures of a new pillow & stuffed ornament I finished last weekend. They have already SOLD but I wanted to show them to you. I just got some more fabric so hopefully more pillows will be on the way soon!

Right now I'm trying to worry less about getting artwork done & concentrate more on the JOY of the season & spending time with family & friends! I never seem to have enough time to bake & go to all the holiday activities I'd like so I've vowed to slow down this year! So if I'm not posting much over the next month - that's why.

Hope YOU are taking TIME to enjoy this beautiful Christmas season! God Bless.

The Cutest "Meow" Song Ever!

2011-10-31T21:46:00.001-05:00

You may have seen this already but it's SO CUTE I had to post it!

The boys have beautiful voices & did a great job of keeping a straight face.

Anyway, ENJOY IT!

Vintage Halloween & WIP

2011-10-21T16:44:00.000-05:00

Cute Vintage Kitties

Sweet Vintage Witch

I just LOVE the old vintage holiday images! Hmmm...I think I just said that in one of my last posts.

Oh well, I DO love them & last week I found this adorable Trio of Cats wooden cut-out. Their hats & bows are so cute! Couldn't resist.

I also keep seeing more & more of the cute little witch & her black cat. I've had the little framed picture for a few years, recently found the candle globe at a Yankee outlet store (cheap!) & made the pillow for my Etsy Shop.

I decided to do my own interpretation of the little witch in a painting & below is my sketch. Hopefully I can get her finished this weekend & listed in time for Halloween.

Work in Progress

HAVE A FABULOUS FALL WEEKEND!!!

New Homes for my Fosters!

2011-10-17T18:16:00.000-05:00

FELIX - adopted 10-13-11

FIONA - adopted 10-8-11

FRANKIE - adopted 10-13-11

SO HAPPY to report that 3 of my recent foster babies were adopted last week!

Felix, Fiona & Frankie all have furrever loving homes now.

I'm sure they are being completely spoiled & loved to pieces by their new owners!

SO rewarding to have helped them on their journey to their new lives.

Little Fifi, my other female tux kitten, was just shy of 2 pounds when I returned her so she has to gain a few ounces before she can be altered & then placed for adoption. Should be any day now though.

Working on some FALL projects & will post them when finished!

Happy Monday!

Halloween Pillows with a Vintage Touch!

2011-09-29T12:55:00.000-05:00

It time to decorate for HALLOWEEN!!!

I just LOVE vintage greeting cards & was so excited to find some fabric printed with lots of the old images! I especially like the ones with CATS on them (of course). The sentiments are great too - love the "Jolly Halloween" one!

I made 3 cute new Halloween pillows & appliqued the fabric image blocks on the front with a blanket stitch. They are all in the SHOP right now so have a look & have fun getting your house all decked out for the holiday!

HAPPY MEOWLOWEEN!

Feline Friday - Foster Furries

2011-09-23T10:06:00.000-05:00

Little Frankie

Fifi

Felix

Fiona

Here is my latest crew of foster furries. They are 4 littermates - 3 tuxes & 1 lone gray. It took me a few days to learn to tell the tuxes apart! I have them for 2 weeks so they can grow big enough to be altered & placed for adoption. They are SO adorable & playful!

I LOVE the picture of little gray Frankie on the chair with the stuffed bear! I'm a bit partial to him because he's the smallest & sweetest of the bunch. He also has the same name as my late dad & that makes him even more endearing to me.

They are all eating well & using their litter boxes ~ with the exception of someone who had diarrhea yesterday & left several small deposits on the floor for me to clean up! I later ran to the grocery store to mail an order & looked down to discover I had poop on my sleeve! The life of fostering kittens!

FALL IS HERE! Have an awesome weekend!

New Cat Nappers!

2011-09-22T20:52:00.000-05:00

I haven't made any of my Cat Nappers in a looong time ~ sooo...

I got busy sewing last weekend & kicked these 4 new ones out!

The stores have such adorable fleece prints out right now. These turned out super cute & they even come with matching handmade TOYS!

If your kitty or your friend's kitty needs a special treat, check these out in my Etsy Shop!

MEOWWW!

Fall on the Farm

2011-09-14T13:48:00.000-05:00

Just listed a new FALL painting on EBAY!

A sweet little addition to your Autumn decor!

Click HERE to check it out!

Happy Hump Day to you!

Time for a Halloween Painting!

2011-09-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

Look what you can do with the top of an old FENCE PANEL!

We had a fence repaired recently & I rescued the tops of the panels that got chopped off. They are the cutest "house-shaped" wood blocks & I knew I'd have fun coming up with some creative paintings for them!

Just HAD to do a haunted house for Halloween season! Really happy with how it turned out. I sanded the wood but love how it's retained all the texture & knots ~ gives it more charm & character I think!

You can find "Trick or Treat House" on Ebay ~ just click HERE!

I am SOOO loving this COOOL weather that's finally here!!! FALL is my FAVORITE!!!

My Latest St. Francis & Cats

2011-08-29T11:15:00.000-05:00

St. Francis has found some more kitties to bless!

This painting is now up for grabs on EBAY - Click HERE!

HAVE A PURRFECT MONDAY!!!

It's been a LONG time!

2011-08-26T17:09:00.000-05:00

Commissioned Painting

Sorry about my absence for the past several weeks!

The summer has been crazy with lots of traveling & household projects to get done plus I just felt the need to take a break from "social networking" for a while. It's pretty important if I'm going to get my art out for the world to see but it's also time consuming & tiring trying to keep up with everything & everybody else. So I just thought hey, I'm not gonna worry about how often I'm posting on my blog or Facebook or whatever. Sometimes I find myself sitting in front of the computer more than I'm sitting at my art table & that's just not right!

Sooo.....this summer I redid a bedroom, moved our oldest daughter out for college, had both my son & his twin sister take overseas trips - Cole to England & Kayla to Spain for World Youth Day, took a fun family trip to Sarasota & did 2 commissioned paintings for a customer in Australia (shown above). Before I knew it school started again & that reminds me that FALL is just around the corner - my absolute FAVORITE time of year & I'm really excited to start on some new paintings & other creations! I just finished a new Saint Francis & Cats painting in autumn colors & it will be up on Ebay tomorrow so check back! I'll post a photo & the link here on my blog!

Thanks for checking in & have a wonderful weekend!!!

Feline Friday - Cat Independence Days at KHS!

2011-07-08T23:37:00.002-05:00

Join us for Cat Independence Days 2011

Friday, July 8 & Saturday, July 9

Open extended hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Adopt a new furry friend, shop for pet supplies and create a custom ID Tag.

•Cuddly kittens only $17.76•Adult cats - Pick Your Price (9 months & older)

•We haven’t forgotten about our dogs or small mammals! Adopt them for 20% off the standard adoption fee.

Not only do you get a new furry friend, your adoption fee includes the following veterinary and shelter services:

Complete Physical Exam

•Spay or Neuter Surgery
•Age appropriate vaccinations
•Microchip
•Dewormer
•Nail Trim
•Free 30-day Pet Health Insurance Coverage
•5lb Bag of Science Diet Food

All adoptions will be held on a first come, first served basis until all felines are adopted. There is a limit of two cat adoptions per household.

Watch the video below to get a sneak peek at some of patriotic kitties ready for adoption during Cat Independence Days. **My 3 former foster babies are in this video & I'm SO happy to report that ALL 3 were adopted! YIPPEEE!

Head on over to the KS Humane Society this weekend & bring home a furry new family member!
Happy weekend! xox

Feline Friday - Need Soap?

2011-06-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

I found this funky vintage soap holder at an estate sale a few weeks ago & couldn't resist!

He was just so funny looking! Love his skinny legs & curly tail! The chippy paint on the heavy iron is wonderful too!

Still haven't found the purrfect place to put him yet. I wasn't planning to use him for an actual soap holder. Kinda wanted him out in the living room where everyone could see him instead of hidden in the bathroom!

I thought he was an AWESOME find for $5.00!

Any of YOU find a unique estate sale treasure lately? I'd love to hear about it!

New Foster Crew!

2011-06-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

I have 3 new babies I'm fostering until they are big enough to be spayed, neutered & availabe for adoption!

Two sweet orange tabbies & an adorable calico with the neatest markings I've ever seen!

It's so nice to have healthy babies & not the usual sickly ones I have to give meds to & syringe feed. I adore the sick ones too - it's just so hard to see them feeling so bad, although very rewarding to nurse them back to health & see them playing again!

These 3 are just a bundle of FUN! I've had them a week now & the littlest one just tipped the scale at 2 lbs. (the minimum for altering at the Humane Soc.) so I'll be returning them soon. I know they'll be adopted quickly - they are just too precious!

ON THE ART FRONT - I've been taking a little break from painting & working on some sketches for potential commissions & doing some projects around the house. Plus, it's summer & I hate to spend too much time sitting in front of the computer so I haven't been blogging much. I'll be back on track soon & post more often!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Feline Friday - PRICELESS PURRS!

2011-06-17T09:37:00.002-05:00

***It's the purrfect time to adopt a sweet furball!***

With over 75 cats and kittens available for adoption, the Kansas Humane Society is hosting a special promotion – Free Cats & Kittens from 2 – 4 pm on Saturday, June 18. This promotion will help find homes for our current felines and allow KHS to care for more pets this summer.

All free adoptions will be held on a first come, first served basis until all felines are adopted or until 4 p.m. There is a limit of two cat adoptions per household.

Each adoption includes the following veterinary and shelter services:

•Complete Physical Exam
•Spay or Neuter Surgery
•Microchip
•FVRCP Vaccination (cats 8 weeks and older)
•Feline Leukemia Test (cats 4 months and older)
•Dewormer
•Nail Trim
•Free 30-day Pet Health Insurance Coverage
.5lb Bag of Science Diet Food

Anyone interested in adopting a free feline from the Kansas Humane Society is invited to visit our facility at 3313 N. Hillside or call (316) 524-9196 for more information.

The "SHUN" Season!

2011-05-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

As Bishop Jackels said at our daughter's graduation ceremony, "This is SHUN season!"

ConvocaTION.....GraduaTION.....CelebraTION

That's what we've been busy with these past few weeks (& why my blog's been so neglected).

We had a house FULL of family last weekend for the big Graduation & Open House.

Lots of food, lots of fun & lots of emotions. Still can't believe my first born is all grown up & about to leave home.

Anyway, just wanted to share a few pictures. Check out the dessert table! Mmmmm...that chocolate fountain was the greatest!

Once I get back in gear I'll have some new ART to post. Had to take a little break & recover from all the SHUNS!

Feline Friday - Tower of Towels

2011-05-13T14:41:00.000-05:00

Zoolou ~ Queen of the Towel Pile!

Man, I am SO behind on my blogging! All of you who have kids in school know how busy & crazy the last few weeks of school are. With all the activities going on there just hasn't been much time to blog, paint, sew or much less keep up with Facebook (I seriously don't know how people can be on there & post several times a day)!

My oldest daughter is graduating High School & we're getting ready for a houseful of company next weekend ~ planning, shopping & doing all kinds of projects around the house. She'll be getting ready for college this summer too so we'll have lots to do preparing for that. I can't even describe the EMOTIONS I'm having through all this! If you've been through it you KNOW! It's kind of slow torture. sniff...

Anyway, I had to post this picture of Zoolou. Both our cats come running whenever I'm folding towels ~ without fail! They just roll around on them & think it's a big party. I couldn't believe Zoo jumped up on the pile without it toppling over. I snapped a pic before she got too rowdy. It turned out really cute & I think this just might be the inspiration for my next painting!

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Spring Painting

2011-05-03T13:23:00.002-05:00

"Front Porch Flowers"

Catching up on some SPRING paintings!

Just listed this one titled "Front Porch Flowers" on EBAY. Kitties Chester & Charlie are having loads of fun playing hide & seek in the pansy pots!
Have a look!

My Vintage Prom Daughter!

2011-05-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

Her Gorgeous 1950s Vintage Dress!

Matching Vintage Pearls & Pumps too!

At Mass before the Dinner & Dance

Outside Sumo Restaurant

Kickin' up her heels!

(Why is there always some random person in the background of your best pictures?)

Hi All! Just wanted to show off my daughter in her gorgeous VINTAGE dress she wore to Prom last Saturday night!

I just think it's so cool that she wasn't afraid to wear a 50-something year old dress when you know all the other girls were in slinky, modern, skin-baring, bejeweled numbers. We found it on Etsy (of course) & when she first tried it on we knew it was just made for her! We also scored vintage pearls from Etsy & found her some matching pumps. A sweet sweater shrug & ruffly handbag (got both for $27 at the mall) completed her look ~ which I must say she ROCKED!

Thanks for letting me brag a little today! :)

I'm proud of my vintage daughter!

Vintage Kitty Ornies

2011-04-26T17:36:00.001-05:00

I got a little sewing done over the weekend & here is the result!

A TRIO of cute Vintage Cat Pillow Ornaments!

They are already in my Etsy Shop so go check them out!

We had a nice, relaxing (cold & rainy) Easter!

Hope you had a happy one!

Feline Friday - Shop Cats

2011-04-23T00:21:00.001-05:00

Meet Jasper!

This handsome boy helped show us around the "Nelson & Taylor Interiors" shop in Weston, MO. Weston is my favorite little town just north of Kansas City. My daughter Kayla & I road tripped there today for the Annual Antique Show. I can't believe I have a teenage daughter who likes to look at antiques with ME! The show was held in the Weston Burley House ~ a 100 yr. old tobacco warehouse! It was a really cool building (only didn't smell so good in some parts - ha). We had a blast & saw tons of great stuff. I almost came home with a bed but talked myself out of it ~ plus I didn't know if it would fit in the van!

After the show we hit the shops on Main Street. I LOVE how so many shopkeepers there bring their cats to work! Noone seems to think anything of it. This one (Jasper) jumped up on a display table & wound his way around GLASS items & noone gave him a second glance! Weston is a very pet loving community ~ just another thing I love about it. Not only is it beautiful & unique, I get to see 2 of my favorite things ~ antiques & cats! There were actually 2 cats in this store. The other was sleeping on the couch in the background. Of course my daughter & I quit shopping to pet the cats & take pictures. heehee

Happy Easter Weekend!

Extreme Chair Makeover!

2011-04-20T12:48:00.002-05:00

Remember my shabby old $12 chair?

What a difference some sanding & a little paint will do!

I LOVE how it turned out & think it really completes the hearth area around our kitchen fireplace! I ordered the cute wool-hooked chair pad online.

NOW... on to my next project ~ 2 new Frida & cat dolls!

The Church Window

2011-04-18T12:59:00.000-05:00

Finally a NEW PAINTING to share!

I wanted to do at least ONE Easter painting before the actual day came so this was my weekend creation. I thought I'd do something different rather than the usual bunnies, eggs & Easter baskets so I went with a religious theme & painted a cute little stone church with a kitty sleeping in the window. She's waiting to greet Easter morning!

"The Church Window" is now available on Ebay right HERE!

You can bid or "Buy it Now" if you want it in time for Easter!

Have a GLORIOUS week!

Feline Friday - Vintage Kitties

2011-04-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

My latest home decor!

I do NOT need anymore cat pictures in my house but I'm a pushover for VINTAGE cats & could NOT resist this adorable picture I found at an antique store last week!

Vintage painted cats are so sweet & I love the old props you see in the pictures ~ hats, gloves, bows...

I already have 4 framed prints of vintage cats in our living room & have no idea where I'm going to put this one but I'll find a place I'm sure. I LOVE the gold frame & it's hard to see but there's a strip of linen (I think) inside the frame. It just makes me happy when I look at it!

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm working on a new painting I hope to have done tomorrow!

A Vintage Prom!

2011-04-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

dress from The Vintage Studio

I'm so excited! My16 yr. old daughter is wearing VINTAGE to the Prom!

No modern midriff-baring designer dress for her! She found a gorgeous 1950s strapless number on ETSY! And yes, she'll be wearing pearls & crinoline too! In her words, she & her date will "stand out & look classy". You bet they will!

I'm really proud of her for embracing her vintage taste & not being afraid to wear something different. She's going to look amazing! And she knows NOONE else will have the same dress!

I'll be sure & post pics from the big day!

Art ..... Interrupted

2011-04-10T19:16:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Well, I'd love to be showing off some new paintings or needlework but my art has been temporarily interrupted by LIFE!

I have 2 daughters going to Prom this month & 1 daughter graduating next month so needless to say I've been BUSY dress shopping, getting announcements & invitations ready to mail, planning the Open House party & doing as many projects around the house as I can to get it looking good for guests!

My artwork will just have to be put on hold for a little while.

In the meantime, one of my projects is a wonderful OLD chair I got for $12 at an antique store a few weeks ago (pictured above). It's a great old chair ~ solid & sturdy & even flips over to make a handy-dandy step stool! I'm painting it black & putting it by the fireplace in our kitchen opposite our antique black rocking chair. I've already ordered a neat wool-hooked chair pad for it & I'm picturing an old quilt folded up & tucked in the little shelf underneath!

Can't wait to get it done! I'm almost there after hours of sanding, priming & about 7 coats of black paint! ugh... All that's left is the varnish! I'll post before & after pics in a few days.

I just love buying old things & making them NEW again!

Feline Friday - I LOVE this commercial!

2011-04-01T13:28:00.001-05:00

This is just about the sweetest commercial I've ever seen!

It's called The Engagement & is just so precious it almost makes me cry.

I love how there are NO words at all - just music.

I like to think there really are guys out there that would do this!

The best ingredient is love...

Happy weekend! Watch & enjoy.

Latest Kitty Commission

2011-03-30T11:31:00.000-05:00

Recently my niece had me do a custom painting of her friend's cat to give her for her birthday.

I have to say this was one of the funnest paintings I've done & now one of my favorites!

I was given the photo above for reference & immediately LOVED the rug the cat was on in the picture! The gray tabby against all those rich colors in the rug I thought was purrfect so I just went with that & I was told the kitty liked to play with flipflops so I added one of those. Despite the fact that I changed the color of the flipflop 3 times it all fell together easily I'm really happy how it turned out! More importantly, my niece's friend loved it! Yay!

Happy Hump Day! Maybe spring will come back one of these days!?

Two New Tabbies!

2011-03-21T16:47:00.000-05:00

Georgie the Ginger Tabby

Tia the Tropical Tabby

Meet Georgie & Tia ~ 2 new Art Dolls now in my shop!

I've had the fabric cut out for these dolls since about a year ago & just ran across it over the weekend so thought I might as well finish them up. I needed some new dolls in the shop anyway.

I've had a request for another Siamese doll so that's my next project after an Easter painting I'm working on. I LOVE doing spring paintings ~ flowers, birds & all the pretty colors (along with cats of course)!

Happy Monday! We're on SPRING BREAK - YAY!

Feline Friday~How Quickly They Grow!

2011-03-18T18:16:00.000-05:00

Our little furry children are all grown up & almost 6 years old!

Look how sweet they were as babies!

They're still sweet now - just bigger. Especially Koda! He's a whopping 95 pounds now!

I don't really miss the kitten years since I can have foster kittens from the Humane Society all spring, summer & fall. There are usually plenty of babies to give me a good kitten fix!

Just ran across these old photos & thought I'd share. They grow up SO fast don't they???

Kiss your babies & have a happy weekend!

Happy St. Patties! Have a Cupcake!

2011-03-17T16:42:00.000-05:00

I was feeling Martha Stewart-ish this afternoon & made some yummy cupcakes!

Delightful with a wee cup of tea (or coffee) for HERSELF!

Hope you're having a fun St. Paddy's day!

I'm off with my girls to go see an Irish Dance Show!

New Furniture ~ Pet Approved!

2011-03-17T10:58:00.000-05:00

I LOVE my new furniture!!!

We were looong overdue for some new living room furniture so after receiving some Christmas money from Craig's family we finally went shopping! We actually picked out a new couch, matching chair & 1/2, & a red chair with a matching ottoman, but after it was delivered we realized our living room SHRUNK! The chair & 1/2 was humongous & completely blocked the entire view of our living room from the entryway (which I've always loved)! We ended up returning the huge chair (more like a small sofa!) & also the red ottoman which we decided we didn't really need, for a full refund. I knew it was meant to be because I had just found the coolest antique rocking chair on Craigslist for a steal that I knew would look PERFECT in our living room! I picked it up the same day we returned the other stuff to the store & I absolutely LOVE it! The former owners recently had it reupholstered in the green & cream toile fabric so it's like new & so comfy. Of course the trick now is to train my furballs to keep their claws OFF it! So far so good.

I picked out the red chair because I loved the vintage look of the design on the fabric. And of course I love RED!

As you can see, the furniture passed the "Pet Approval" test so I guess we'll keep it - hehe!

I do have a new painting to post but it's a custom order birthday gift & I don't want to give away the surprise so I'll show it to you next week after she receives it. I love how it turned out & think it's one of my favorites!

Geez how many times did I say "LOVE" in this post???

Anyway ~ Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya!

xoxox

Feline Friday ~ The Sunny Spot!

2011-03-11T17:43:00.000-06:00

Is Markie trying to tell me our house is too cold???

Our sweet boy can always be found where the sun is shining!

Ahhhhhhh.......

Wishing you a happy SUNNY weekend! purrrrr...

Kitty Clover

2011-03-09T14:10:00.001-06:00

Kitty Clover

Seamus thought his brilliant ginger coat looked wonderful against the bright green shamrocks!

You can find "Kitty Clover" on EBAY now.

It's a 5-day listing so it can be delivered in time for St. Patrick's Day!

B'Gosh & Begorrah ~ go check it out!

Little Bit O' Spring!

2011-03-07T16:25:00.001-06:00

Small prim table in living room

Are you thinking SPRING? I am! Seems like I just took down my Christmas decorations & rearranged the winter decor & now it's almost Spring! I don't mind winter myself though I know a lot of people are sick of it by now. Anyway, I spent most of yesterday spreading my Springy decor around the house! Thought I'd share a few pics of my various vignettes with you. I LOVE that little red suitcase I found at

Country Bumpkins, my favorite antique/primitives shop!

Entryway table

I was so excited to find this awesome entryway table! The wood is gorgeous & it's the perfect long-skinny size for the space. It's flanked by 2 cute red antique chairs. Got all 3 at Country Bumpkins!

Old antique chest by the stairs

I just love birds & flowers! I got the cute plate from Pier One last year. It comes in other colors too!

Bakers Rack by the kitchen

The bakers rack tends to be where all the leftover stuff goes but I try to pull it all together with a theme depending on the season. The wooden box was made by my DAD who passed away 7 years ago. I keep momentos & keepsakes of him inside. Do you see my motto on the wall at the top?
"One day at a time." I live by it!

Anyway ~ here's a little bit of Spring from me to you!

Have a wonderful week!

Feline Friday - FeralVilla

2011-02-25T21:57:00.000-06:00

FeralVilla Outdoor Shelter

FeralVilla Feeding Station

If you or anyone you know cares for feral cats you must check out the

FeralVilla Outdoor Shelter

& the

Feralvilla Feeding Station!

These are the COOLEST products for feral cats I've ever seen! The shelter comes painted with a shingled roof, has 2 exits & an insulated upstairs "bedroom" area made to reflect the cat's own body heat. I'm sure our furry friends would appreciate a house like this during the cold winters! I had one of these myself for 2 strays I was caring for a few years ago & it was great ~ very sturdy & my brother-in-law put it together in about half an hour. I put it on the side of our house with the kitties' food & water but they preferred to walk a few steps & hang out in our garage instead so I ended up making them a bed with a heating pad in the corner & they were happy - hehe. Yeah, I'm a pushover! Anyway, they have since gone to new homes & I gave the Villa to my bro-in-law for their strays!
FeralVilla also has Feeding Stations ~ both large & small. These also have shingled roofs & are made to protect the bowls from the elements.
The products are wonderful, reasonably priced & ship quickly!
Check out their website HERE! Awesome products & great information on feral cat care too!

Feline Friday-Furry Shoulder Wrap

2011-02-18T14:47:00.001-06:00

Ever since Zoolou was a tiny kitten she's been jumping up & perching
on my shoulders!

Doesn't matter what I'm doing or where I am, she'll vault off the nearest piece of furniture, land & wrap herself around my neck where she'll stay as long as I let her. Maybe my neck is nice & warm or maybe she likes being up high.....I don't know. She's usually swishing her tail in my face & digging in her claws but she's SPOILED & so darn CUTE & she's my baby & I LOVE her
... so I let her.

She does make quite a lovely accessory doesn't she? Silly Cat!

China Kitties

2011-02-15T10:04:00.004-06:00

(source)

I was in Dillards yesterday & saw the absolute cutest cookie jar ever!

It's part of the "Butterfly Meadow" china line by Lenox. See it all HERE! I could've sworn it was Marjolein Bastin (love her stuff!) but it's by the artist Louise Le Luyer.
There's also a sweet little kitty bowl & a set of salt & pepper shakers. ADORABLE! The pattern includes all kinds of springy flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, even bunnies & roosters! Everything in pretty pastels. Makes me think of SPRING & EASTER! I want the whole set!!! At least that adorable cookie jar! It wouldn't match my "country French" kitchen but I'd make it work. Don't you wish you could change your decor for each season??

Happy Tuesday! THINK SPRING! :)

Feline Friday (Sat)-Cat Up a Tree?

2011-02-12T10:58:00.001-06:00

(source)

I found this article in our paper this morning & thought I'd share it for Feline Friday (which is now Saturday-oops). I had trouble finding computer time yesterday.

The story is about Ben Roberts from the Pierce County, WA area, who scales TALL, TALL trees to rescue poor kitties who get stuck & can't get down. We've all seen heartwrenching stories on the news about poor kitties stuck for days up a tree or on top of a telephone pole pitifully meowing. Armed with a harness, lanyards, a handsaw & a bag to carry the cat down in he's rescued 30 cats & has a 100% success rate (YAY!). He does charge a fee but considering the time & effort it takes I'd happily pay it if my cat needed help.

To read the entire arcle click HERE!

I also learned from this article that Lo & Behold, there is a website dedicated to Cats Stuck in Trees, run by Dan Kraus who himself has rescued nearly 750 cats in the Pacific Northwest! The site (HERE) is full of articles, information, stories & links. You HAVE to check it out if only to see the ADORABLE moving graphics on the home page! They are also having a segment on Animal Planet's new show "Must Love Cats"! Gotta watch that! Don't know which show Dan Kraus will be on but the show airs TONIGHT! Check out the show's website HERE!

Alright, that's quite enough info for now! Happy Saturday! :)

House of Purrs

2011-02-10T13:46:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the "House of Purrs" ~

the Bed & Breakfast for cats in LOVE!

This is my 2nd in a series of "Little Wooden House" paintings I'm making from the tops of fence panels I rescued from the trash. I meant to get it done earlier for Valentine's Day but so it goes... I finished it last night & it's on Ebay now if you'd like to check it out.

We got another snowstorm Tuesday! Most people are sick of the snow but I'm lovin' it! Winter is so much prettier with snow, the kids get fun snow days & I even think it's kinda fun to drive in!

Happy Thursday! Stay warm & toasty!

Happy Ending for Lizzy!

2011-02-07T10:56:00.002-06:00

SO HAPPY today!!!

I found out my stray/foster kitty LIZZY got adopted yesterday from the KS Humane Society!

I told her story a few posts ago if you'd like to read more about her. In short, she was homeless, cold, pregnant & had worms. But she is the SWEETEST cat ever & deserved a home. I had her spayed, dewormed & vaccinated & fostered her until I could take her to our Humane Society. She passed the admissions "assessment" & was placed for adoption. (luckily they had room) Not even a week later she was ADOPTED & has a forever home now! I just can't believe it all happened so fast!

Happy Endings are possible. Miracles happen if you believe.

All it takes is a little work, lots of love & prayers!

*** PLEASE SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PETS! ***

Feline Friday~$5 for Rustic Hollow?

2011-02-04T09:02:00.000-06:00

1 of many outdoor enclosures

Fun Kitty Accomodations

Hello Blogger Friends! For today's F.F. I thought I would pass on an e-mail I received from Rustic Hollow Shelter ~ a cat sanctuary for "special needs" cats (see below). I encourage you to read more about this awesome place on their website! Thanks for giving this a moment of your time! Happy Weekend!

(e-mail from R.H.)

Today is FRIDAY and

Today is also $Five Dollar Fan Friday

for the Fur-balls at Rustic Hollow Shelter

Please donate just $5 via our website at www.rustichollowshelter.org

on our Donation page. You may donate as many $5 as you can

This Friday’s donations will go to help a kitty named Ramses who has Diabetes Insipidous and his rescue group sent him to us for care. He needs meds Every day and I just found out today that his prescription refill is going to cost $372 next week!! Your $5 donation will HELP fund Ramses medication for the month.

The generic cannot be ordered at this time and that usually still costs around $175 but this time it is going to cost $372!! Please help Ramses if you can.

Ramses is a beautiful black kitty with such purrsonality. He is happy and healthy as long as he gets his daily shot. He loves to play and lives in The Kitty Kottage.

Ramses also needs a monthly sponsor if anyone would like to sponsor him.

Donate as many $5 as you wish. And you can always mail your donation to us too:

C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter, Inc.

PO Box 67, Nashua, IA 50658-0067

Thank You for Helping the Furs at Rustic Hollow with our $Five Dollar Fan Friday for the Furs ‘Fun’-d Raiser!!! Thank you for helping Ramses!!! You are all AWESOME!

Carmen & Wanda, Burnie d.Katt & staff and board of directors of C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter

About Rustic Hollow: C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter is a non profit, tax exempt life care, cage-free sanctuary for special needs felines with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, those with Feline Leukemia or FIV, and felines displaced at the death of their guardian. We are one of the few sanctuaries in the U.S. to give Feline Leukemia and other ‘adoption challenged’ felines a ‘chance at a lifetime’.

Good News for Lizzy!

2011-02-01T18:35:00.000-06:00

My foster kitty Lizzy passed the "Assessment Test" at the Kansas Humane Society & is now being placed for adoption!

I'm so happy & relieved! I've been caring for her these past few weeks (helping out a friend who couldn't keep her) & although she's friendly & loving, my 2 resident cats did not approve of her presence in our house. She & our cat Markie got in a little brawl the other night & the stress in the house was building so I knew I needed to make some kind of arrangements for her soon.

I spoke with the staff at the H.S. yesterday & they said everything sounded encouraging & I could bring her in whenever I wanted. They were so nice & even told me their busiest times to avoid. I decided to go ahead & take her yesterday before the big storm hit & it went much smoother than I'd anticipated. I was actually the only one there at the time. I was so impressed with the staff in Admissions ~ they were so kind & took Lizzy & I into a separate room where we went over the forms I filled out & talked about Lizzy. It helped a lot that I'd already had her spayed, vaccinated & dewormed, etc. & also this being there slow time of year with not as many cats in the shelter. They told me it would depend on how she adjusted to the shelter as to what their decision would be on accepting her. I did sign the "reclaim form" just in case she wasn't accepted. I was worried sick all last night & this morning hoping she was doing well & being sweet! I finally got the call from the H.S. early this afternoon & they told me she was doing great & they would put her up for adoption! HUGE SIGH of relief!!!

I'm just so glad everything worked out for her & I know she'll be adopted soon. I'll even be able to keep track of her on the Humane Society's website. Hopefully I'll see her on that "adopted" page soon!

We had a BLIZZARD today! I loved it! The kids just found out school is closed again tomorrow!

It's another sleepin' in, hot chocolate & movies day! YIPPEEE!

I Heart U!

2011-01-30T11:29:00.000-06:00

Just want to say

I HEART U

for being such WONDERFUL blogger friends these past 2 years!

Have a super Sunday!!!

P.S. "I Heart U" is available on EBAY! purrrrr

Valentine Cat Dolls

2011-01-25T17:12:00.001-06:00

Rose the Siamese

Trixie the Tuxedo

Been busy sewing & stuffing these last few days.

These 2 cuties are all ready for a new home for Valentine's Day!

They're available in my ETSY SHOP now!

Rose & Trixie say "BE MY VALENTINE"!

xoxox

Cozy Cat Cabin

2011-01-22T13:32:00.000-06:00

"Cozy Cat Cabin" now on EBAY!

A wood cabin painted on REAL WOOD!

We had to repair part of our fence recently & I had the workers save all the tops of the fence panels they were planning to throw away. They are the perfect "house-shaped" wood blocks great for paintings. I'm starting a series of cabins, cottages, holiday houses & all kinds of dwellings! Stay tuned!

Feline Friday ~ Lizzy's Story

2011-01-21T12:14:00.000-06:00

Lizzy

I got an e-mail early this week from a very sweet gal who had a cat show up at her house during our snowstorm last week. The kitty wouldn't leave so she generously took it in & cared for it even though she already has 5 other cats. She knew she couldn't keep her, & knowing me & my foster experience through my Etsy Shop & Blog, she asked me for help, and sent along this picture :). How could I say "no" to that sweet face?

We met at my vet's building yesterday morning. She is the nicest woman & "Lizzy" is the sweetest kitty! She got an exam & vaccs & her tests came out negative (yay). The vet said she looked to be about a year old & quite healthy. Took her back in to be spayed this morning & all went well. She did have roundworms but was treated with a "single dose" med that should take care of those & any other parasites she may have.

Picking her up this afternoon & will be glad to have her safe in my "foster guest room" where she can rest & feel safe, warm & cozy.

Planning to foster her for a few more weeks & then hope to find her a new home or get her adopted out from the Humane Society. If anyone in KANSAS is looking for a gentle, loving, sweetheart of a kitty, I have the purrfect one here!

Have a happy weekend! xoxox

First Painting of 2011

2011-01-15T10:41:00.000-06:00

Snowy Winter

I painted this in honor of our FIRST SNOW (finally!) & our recent BrrrCOLD weather!

"Snowy Winter" is available now on EBAY!

Have a happy, snowy Saturday! If you are so lucky!

Feline Friday~Computer Desk Companions

2011-01-14T09:12:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday All!

I am never ALONE when I'm working at the computer! As you can see, I have 2 furry helpers busy at tasks such as taking inventory of cabinets & testing boxes out for naps. You can't really see it, but Zoolou IS in a box. I've since gotten her a bigger one! :)

What would I do without them?

I have a new painting almost finished ~ my FIRST 2011 creation! Will post pics soon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Oh the Possibilities!

2011-01-10T17:09:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 2011!

Sorry for my absence but I spent the first week of the New Year sick with the flu or a bad sinus infection or something! I'm just glad to finally be feeling better so I can get started on some fun new things in my studio!

Above is a collection of things that will soon turn into my first creations of the year!

Old vintage quilt fabric for Cat Dolls

The tops of wood fence boards for paintings

A sketch all ready for the canvas!

I had every intention of painting cool Haunted Houses for Halloween & Manger Scenes for Christmas on the house-shaped wood blocks but just ran out of time! Maybe they can be winter log cabins or spring cottages?

Hope to have something to show you very soon!

We FINALLY got some SNOW today! Yippeee!!!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

2010-12-30T16:41:00.001-06:00

Jagger's New Clock

I just finished my new great nephew's (makes me sound old!) Christmas present!

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! The colors will match his bedding & the "anchor" paintings I did for his room. I used scrapbook paper, chipboard numbers & letters, a cute anchor I painted, & red buttons.

I can't believe I found that little anchor! It looks just like the anchors in the paintings I did. I also painted the clock hands navy blue to match (they were black) & the second hand red. It's kind of hard to see but I added a little starburst at the end of the second hand.

What I thought was going to be an easy project turned out to be a lot trickier. I searched all over town for a WHITE clock but could only find black in the size I wanted. I ended up buying a $7 thermometer at Home Depot (ha). After taking it apart I found the hole in the center was teeny tiny. I had to get a little knife & very carefully scrape away plastic to make the hole big enough for the clock shaft. I can't believe I did it without the whole thing cracking! Anyway, with luck & my artistic skill (heehee) I got her done & the end result is just how I wanted it!

Can't wait to give it to him on Saturday when my family gets together! Now I'm off to make some pumpkin bread for my nephew. The house is gonna smell good!

Hope the NEW YEAR brings you all lots of HAPPINESS!!!

xoxoxo

Feline Friday ~ GOOD MEWS!

2010-12-24T15:06:00.000-06:00

My sweet little foster kitty, Kappy, was adopted Wednesday!

He was the little guy I had to syringe feed for a week & didn't even know how to drink water yet. We weren't certain he would even make it but neither of us was about to give up & he turned into a strong roly-poly furball! He'd been "in the system" at the Humane Society for over 4 months including a stay with another foster family when he caught a cold after I brought him back. Poor guy's been through so much.

My one wish for Christmas was that he would be adopted & that wish just came true! I'm so happy that sweet little boy has a new home just in time for Christmas! YAY for Kappy!!!

I LOVE happy endings!

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

& the most WONDERFUL of NEW YEARS!!!

xoxox

Early Christmas for the pets!

2010-12-24T11:56:00.000-06:00

Koda enjoying his new toy!

Zoolou gettin' happy with some catnip!

Zoo trying out the new scratching post!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE!

Christmas came a day early for the West pets! Koda's going to the boarders today so he got 1 of his presents early ~ a stuffed toy to tear up ~ his favorite! The cats' new scratching post came this morning so we went ahead & set it up & it's already being used as you can see!

I have another "Feline Friday" post coming later so check back for some "GOOD MEWS"!

Have a wonderful day! Hope your shopping is done & you get to relax a little!

New Christmas Kitty Doll!

2010-12-17T16:56:00.000-06:00

Sabrina the Siamese

Sabrina the Siamese is a hand-sewn stuffed Art Doll with a hand-painted face.

She wants to come & decorate your holiday home!

She's available NOW in my Etsy SHOP!

Happy weekending everyone!

Hope you have something fun & Christmassy planned!

Feline Friday~What's YOUR Cat Getting for Christmas?

2010-12-17T10:52:00.000-06:00

(source)

Little furry mice! I think just about every cat LOVES these little critters! They're cute, cheap & now they make ones that rattle! Just make sure you buy a bunch because they always disappear under furniture! My two will be getting a new supply of these in their stockings this year.

Their other gift is a replacement post for their "Purrfect Scratching Post". As you can see, their previous one is down to the bare bone! I ordered this post online HERE about 4 years ago & it's the greatest! I highly recommend it. It's solid, sturdy & strong enough for even the heftiest of felines!

Do any of you remember the old Hartz Catnip Mouse that came in a pink box??? When I was growing up our cats always got one every year at Christmas. I tried to find a picture of one but couldn't. Nowadays they have to make fancy, elaborate toys with all the bells & whistles. Cats couldn't care less. The old Hartz mouse was plain blue with tiny stitched eyes & a tail. It was always fun to give it to our cat & watch him try to tear open the box to get to it!

What is YOUR cat getting for Christmas???

Waiting for Santa

2010-12-14T13:12:00.000-06:00

"Waiting for Santa"

Little Thomas just can't stay awake while waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve!

Maybe it was the few sips of milk he snuck while noone was looking!

Now up for grabs on EBAY!

A purrfect gift for any cat lover! Meowy Christmas!

New Kitty Stocking! hohoho

2010-12-11T16:13:00.000-06:00

Does your kitty need a new stocking this year?

Here's a really cute one all ready to go!

It's available right now in my ETSY SHOP!

I'm having a lovely Saturday ~ painting & sewing with my yummy smelling candles burning & Christmas music playing while the wind whistles & blows outside!

Hope you're having a lovely day too! hugs

Feline Friday ~ "Furry" Decor

2010-12-10T11:59:00.000-06:00

A holiday table just isn't complete without a cat.

At OUR house anyway!

"I make a better centerpiece than that stupid Santa!"

HAPPY HAPPY WEEKEND MY BLOGGER FRIENDS!

xxoooxx

Current Foster Babies!

2010-12-09T10:25:00.000-06:00

Meet Giles & Gretta!

~ my latest foster babies

Giles is the handsome orange & white boy & Gretta is the pretty, exotic-looking brown tabby. I can tell Giles is going to be a BIG boy & Gretta has the softest, silkiest fur ever! I've had them for a week & a half now. They both had mild colds at first, then Giles decided to get all congested & I had to take him back for a clinic check. He's now on an antibiotic & back to his wild self! They are both such good kitties ~ playful, but not destructive or too messy. And when they get tired out from romping they snuggle up & purr!

Giles has 7 more pills to take so I'll have them for another week, then I'm really hoping they get adopted & have a loving new home in time for Christmas!

Someday I'll grow into my ears!

When does "Top Cat" come on?

So far ~ all 14 of the fosters I've had have ALL been adopted! Little Kappy, the scrawny little black boy I had to syringe feed for a week, is still awaiting adoption at the Humane Society. That sweet boy has got to be adopted soon! That would be the best Christmas present of all for me!

Working on more Christmas creations for the shop today! Hope you're enjoying this wonderful Christmassy time of year! I could sure go for some SNOW!!!

I'm featured in Anipal Times!

2010-12-02T11:33:00.000-06:00

I was interviewed a while back by "Cokie the Cat" from Anipal Times & my article was published last week.

Click HERE to read my story!

I also have NEW PRINTS in my shop!

My vintage fabric Christmas pillow & ornies just sold so I'll be busy sewing up some more!

Should have my kitty stocking finished soon too so stay tuned!

HAPPY PURRSDAY!

Vintage Ornies now in the Shop!

2010-11-29T12:17:00.000-06:00

This cute set of 2 Vintage Fabric Kitty Ornaments is now available in my SHOP!

Working on a set of Christmas Kitty Cards today & tomorrow I'm attempting a Kitty STOCKING!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving & are getting in the Christmas spirit!

New Vintage Kitty Ornies!

2010-11-22T17:55:00.000-06:00

The FIRST of 4 new Pillow Ornaments from vintage fabric!

I have 3 more to make but wanted to post this one so you could see what I've been working on. I just LOVE vintage fabric, especially when it has CATS on it!

I don't know about you but with all the hustle & bustle this time of year I'm finding it hard to keep up with blogging, facebooking & all the networking that goes along with Etsy & Ebay. Sheeeeesh!

I'm barely finding time to create anything, much less post about it. Goes with the territory I guess!

Got new foster kitties too ~ more on than soon! HAPPY MONDAY!

Cute New Cat Napper!

2010-11-13T23:26:00.000-06:00

This Cat Napper is one of the items I donated for the

Beaufort Community Cat Project

in North Carolina for their fund raiser auction!

Hope they raise lots of money for the kitties in need!

I'll have a Cat Napper just like this one available in my shop soon!

Hope you're having a marvelous weekend!

Feline Friday~Cats Don't Drool

2010-11-12T17:29:00.001-06:00

Source

JUST MORE PROOF THAT CATS RULE!

I saw this on Good Morning America this morning & thought it was pretty interesting.

I looked up the article online & below is a little snippet. If you want to read the entire article (it's short) click HERE!

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A cat's delicate lapping does not scoop up water but uses inertia to create kind of a backward waterfall, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

Understanding such movements help physicists sort out the relationship between gravity and inertia, they said, and can help design robots and other mechanisms."

WHO SAYS CATS AREN'T SMART???

Happy Happy Weekend!

New Vintage Pillow & Ornies!

2010-11-08T14:07:00.000-06:00

NOW IN MY ETSY SHOP!

**NEW VINTAGE FABRIC GOODIES**

FOR CHRISTMAS!

A set of 2 pillow ornaments

AND

A decorative pillow

Visit my shop HERE!

I had SO much fun sewing over the weekend! I have a new CAT NAPPER to list soon too! Haven't done one of those in quite a while.

Now it's time for a new Christmas painting!

Vintage Christmas Cats

2010-11-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

**Just a sneak peek at my next Christmas project!**

This cute vintage fabric is about to turn into cute pillows, stuffed ornaments & maybe even a stocking!

HO HO HO ~ MEOW!

Feline Friday~Cat Wisdom & an Adoption!

2010-11-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

Zappy!

Happy Feline Friday! I'm so happy to report that my foster kitty Zapp was adopted last Sunday on Halloween! Another success story - yippeee! Isn't he a sweet face?

I was reading my book Cleo the other night & had to post this excerpt! It's just SO TRUE & I think we should all adopt this "cattitude" once in a while!

Excerpt from Cleo, by author Helen Brown:

"Guilt isn't in cat vocabulary. They never suffer remorse for eating too much, sleeping too long or hogging the warmest cushion in the house. They welcome every pleasurable moment as it unravels, and savor it to the full until a butterfly or falling leaf diverts their attention. The don't waste energy counting the number of calories they've consumed or the hours they've frittered away sunbathing.

Cats don't beat themselves up about not working hard enough. They don't get up and go, they sit down and stay. For them, lethargy is an art form. From their vantage points on top of fences and window ledges, they see the treadmills of human obligations for what they are ~ a meaningless waste of nap time."

Love that last line!

Happy weekend & don't forget to embrace your inner cat!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T19:32:00.000-05:00

CAT-o-Lantern carved by ME!

Creative Carving by my Kids!

Busy Carving!

Shelby dressed as a gypsy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS!

Just sharing a few of my Halloween pictures from today.

The pumpkins are carved & lit, trick-or-treaters are coming, got a scary movie on & my bottle of Hallowine open!

BOO & CHEERS everyone!

Feline Friday (on Saturday)!

2010-10-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU!

I completely forgot about "Feline Friday" yesterday so I thought I'd just post a pretty picture of my diva cat Zoolou posing by our kitchen table fall centerpiece.

She's trying to look innocent after playing & chewing on the flowers! I keep trying to tell her they're fake!

Have a great day!

I plan to spend mine painting, watching scary movies, carving pumpkins & opening up my bottle of Hallowine! CHEERS!

Anchors Away!

2010-10-28T16:33:00.000-05:00

FINALLY ~ a POST!

These paintings are just 1 of the many reasons I've been neglecting my blog lately. October is my absolute favorite month of the year & there are just too many FUN fall things to do to be sitting in my studio all day!

In the last month & a half I've had trips to Maine, Colorado & Kansas City, taken care of 5 foster kittens & had 2 commissions to do so I didn't get my usual Fall & Halloween paintings done but never fear ~ this weekend I'm starting on new Thanksgiving & Christmas themed creations!

The picture above shows 2 of 4 anchor paintings I'm doing for my nephew & niece's new baby's room! She is due in just a few weeks so I'm scrambling to get them done. I think they're turning out really cute! The colors match the crib bedding & I painted the outside borders to match the stitching on the trim.

Anyone doing anything FUN for Halloween this weekend? I love to light all my candles & watch scary movies while waiting for trick-or-treaters, and of course eat half the Halloween candy!

BOO!

Feline Friday~Cleo

2010-10-15T17:47:00.000-05:00

Happy FRIDAY all! For Feline Friday today I wanted to show you the sweet book my sister gave me for my birthday (which was Oct. 4th by the way).

It's called "Cleo" ~ the Cat Who Mended a Family.

Good Housekeeping calls it "the next Marley & Me". I just started reading it last night & already know I'm gonna love it! I can't believe I hadn't heard about it before now. I just hope it's not sad like so many animal stories are.

Here's just a snip of the back of the book:

"Through happiness and heartbreak, changes and new beginnings, Cleo turned out to be the unlikely glue that affectionately held Helen's family together. Rich in wisdom, wit, heart, and healing, here is the story of a cat with an extraordinary gift for knowing just where she was needed most."

Sounds lovely doesn't it???

Happy weekend to you! Enjoy FALL wherever you are!!!

Markie's enjoying the backyard view!

Back in Town!

2010-10-13T19:45:00.000-05:00

Boulder, CO

Good Grief! I feel like I've been away from my blog FOREVER! Sorry.

Last weekend my daughter & I made a trip to Colorado. She visited Colorado University in Boulder where her cousin goes & had fun staying in her sorority house & attending a few classes. While she was there I got to relax & be totally spoiled at my sister & brother-in-law's beautiful house in Aurora! We talked & ate & walked & just had a great time relaxing & catching up. LOVED IT!

You know how hard it is to get back in the groove when you've been away for a few days with NO responsibilities & no schedule? Well, that's where I am now & I'm still trying to get my butt back in gear! I'm hoping to get started on a new painting tomorrow...but you know how it is. I've been thrust back into the grind of school activities, homework, foster kitty care, etc. etc.

Better run. Gotta edit my son's research paper. fun, fun! :)

Missing Maine!

2010-10-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

Hi Gang! Just wanted to share some of the BEAUTY of MAINE with you!

We had a wonderful, relaxing time & I don't think I've EVER seen anything as breathtaking as the scenery there (and I've been to Hawaii)!!! I wonder if all the folks who live there know how lucky they are to be surrounded by such natural beauty! They're within a stone's throw of a lake, pond, woods, hiking trail, carriage road, mountain, harbor, beach & ocean no matter where they are! What I'd give to live in a place like that!!! I'm a true "New Englander" by heart! My birthday was Monday (the 4th) & it was awesome celebrating it in Maine!

Our trip went waaay too fast & I'm having a hard time getting back into my daily routine. Feel like I'm falling WAY behind on my artwork & this is the holiday time of year when I usually have more items available. I took my foster babies back the day before we left for our trip & had to go pick them back up again when we got home because 4 of them caught colds - UGH! Luckily, they went through the worst of it while I was gone & are doing fine now.

Better quit rambling & get to work if I'm going to get any creating done!

Have a good one!

Off to Maine!

2010-09-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

This is where we're staying

Hubby & I are off on a much needed getaway to celebrate our anniversary & my birthday!

We're going to Mount Desert Island on Southwest Harbor, MAINE!

This is our room at the Kingsleigh Inn

And this is our view!

I'll be back Sunday night & will get caught up on all your blogs & creations!

I'm looking forward to gorgeous Maine & lots of RELAXING!

Have a wonderful week & I'll see you here soon!

xoxox

Fundraiser Painting

2010-09-26T20:18:00.000-05:00

Saint Francis and Friends

HAPPY SUNDAY!

This is the painting I've been busy at work on last week. I'm donating it to a great organization called

"Animal Advocates of Moore County, NC".

They are having a BIG fundraiser in December & this will be in their Silent Auction.

I'm happy to have been asked to be a part of a special event that helps animals.

I hope they raise a TON of money for all the sweet furballs!

Check out their website HERE!

Feline Friday~The Ups & Downs of Fostering

2010-09-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Sweet Kappy~those eyes melt my heart!

Kappy feeling much better & PLAYING!

Rich & Squeak having fun in the box!

Wrestle Mania with Zapp & Kappy

Well, after my last bunch of sicko kitties I was glad that my current kittos were all healthy & just needed fostering so they could grow big enough to be spayed & neutered. All went well the first week & then poor little Kapow (I call him Kappy) decided to quit eating & began losing weight. I took him in to be checked & was told he may have "Fading Kitten Syndrome" which is where for no particular reason the kitten just fails to thrive & that he might not make it. I was devastated but NOT ABOUT TO GIVE UP ON HIM! He seemed to do fine the first week I had him but I noticed he was only gnawing on his food & when drinking he wasn't lapping with his tongue but "sucking" like he was nursing. When the other 4 kittens were romping & playing, he just wanted to curl up in my lap. He'd look at me with his big round eyes as if to say "I'm still here. Don't give up on me." Sniff... I felt convinced he was just a "late bloomer" & only needed more practice & a little help to mature. I began syringe feeding him 4 times a day & he's also on 2 different meds. Now 3 days later he's a different cat! He's gained 7 ounces, is eating more on his own, has learned how to "lap" water correctly & today he was actually playing & wrestling with the other kitties! I cried. That's the "rewarding" part of fostering that keeps me doing this! I can't wait for the day when I see his picture on the "Adopted" page!

My other 4 rascals are fat & happy & 3 are going back to the Humane Society today. I'm keeping Squeak here to keep Kappy company while he gets bigger & healthier.

HOMECOMING GAME TONIGHT & DANCE TOMORROW!

Between kittens & kids activities maybe I'll get some painting in!

In LOVE with FALL!

2010-09-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

Weston Red Barn Farm

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

Weston Red Barn Farm

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Happy Thursday!

My lack of posting is due to a painting deadline, trip preparations (will fill you in soon), & mostly 5 rambunctious foster kittens, 1 of which fell ill & I'm having to syringe feed 4 times a day - whew! He's better now & you can read about him in my post tomorrow for Feline Friday.

Today finally felt like a real "fall" day ~ my absolute favorite time of year ~ so I thought it would be fun to make a "Top 10" list of my FAVORITE things about this time of year! And they ARE...

Going to the grocery store & seeing pumpkins & mums out front!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes - yummm!

My favorite little town in northern Missouri ~ Weston!

Watching "Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" over & over!

Pumpkin patches, corn mazes & hayrides

Scary movies ~ with popcorn & milk duds

High School football games

Halloween & the decorations!

Colorful leaves & cool, crisp air

Outdoor fire pit on a chilly evening w/ a glass of wine

So what are YOUR favorites of FALL? Would LOVE to hear them! :)

New Cards & Print now in the Shop!

2010-09-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

Frida's Funky Braids~Art Print

Halloween Note Cards

All Packaged up Cute!

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone's having a great day! I've been spending mine getting a few new things listed in my Etsy Shop! Hope you like them!

My son & I are going to the "Kansas" concert tonight! Our Wichita State University Symphony is playing with them & it should be awesome!

CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON!

Feline Friday~A Little Late

2010-09-17T17:59:00.000-05:00

Look at cute little Coco, my good friend Allison's cat.

She found a nice bed inside her mom's scrapbooking case! TOO CUTE!

Allison was my next door neighbor for several years & moved to Colorado last year. We used to have coffee & wine talks, take Irish Dance together, talk about our kids & our dogs even played together! I miss her! She & her daughter were in town last weekend & we got to have lunch together so I'm thankful for those times. She adopted Coco from the Kansas Humane Society before she moved. She was one of her fosters & is now enjoying the good life of a Rocky Mountain cat!

I'm working on a painting I've been asked to donate for a fundraiser coming up soon in North Carolina. I'll post some pics as soon as I can! HAPPY WEEKEND!

I'm a Double Winner!

2010-09-14T10:58:00.000-05:00

Cute Skelly Ornie by Skellyton Art!

Last week the members of American Holiday Artist Studios had a "vitual" Marketplace Blog Hop where each had a giveaway of one of their awesome creations!

I had so much fun checking out everyone's blog & entering all the drawings! I just found out in the last few days that I won 2 of them - YAY!!! It's my lucky week for sure!

This cute skelly ornie is by Shirley Kelly of Skellyton Art. I love it!

I'll post a pic of my other prize soon. Have a super Tuesday!

Frida Art Doll!

2010-09-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

I've always wanted to do a FRIDA doll & I'm excited to finally get one done!

I hand painted her face along with her arms & black kitty. She also has 2 pink buttons sewn on her dress & bright pink crossbones on the back of her head!

I love how she turned out ~ very prim but bright, funky & lots of fun!

She's in my ETSY SHOP now & would love to go home with YOU!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! (you know Frida would!)

Feline Friday~Cool Shelter Donation Ideas!

2010-09-10T10:03:00.001-05:00

Source

Happy Friday all! Today I want to showcase 2 really awesome items you can donate to your favorite animal shelter!

One is the STRETCH AND SCRATCH ~ a corrugated cardboard scratcher designed for shelter cages. It attaches to the door of the cage & provides kitty with exercise, entertainment, enrichment & encourages natural behavior! CATS LOVE THEM! You can order off their website & they will ship directly to your shelter of choice. A GREAT gift for kitties awaiting their furrever homes! I had a case sent to our

Kansas Humane Society & they were a big hit!

Source

Another great item in the CAT KURANDA BED! You've probably heard about the Kuranda beds for dogs, well they make them for CATS too! They are made to fit in shelter cages & provide kitty with somewhere to jump, perch on or hide under. Our KS Humane Society has a goal to get one for EVERY cage in our lofts! We have 7 (I believe) lofts with approx. 21 cages in each. The lofts are where kitties are placed until there is room for them up front in our large "Kitty Cities" & "Cat Condos". These beds can be ordered from their website & delivered directly to shelters also! GREAT!

Don't you think EVERY shelter cage needs a "Stretch and Scratch" AND Kuranda Bed???

Source

I sure hope it cools off here & we get some MUCH NEEDED RAIN!!! We got cheated out of the 2-3 inches we were expecting from Tropical Storm Hermine. All we got were clouds & a few sprinkles! Keeping my fingers crossed for storms expected this afternoon! Yeah...we'll see...

HAVE A PURRFECTLY WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Little Skelly Painting

2010-09-06T21:45:00.000-05:00

Spook & Skelly

I finished up this little Halloween/Day of the Dead painting today.
I'm really LOVING skulls right now! They are SO much fun to paint! The decoration possibilities are endless!
"Spook & Skelly" is available on EBAY right now just waiting to scare up your house!

Foster Kitty Pics!

2010-09-06T16:53:00.001-05:00

Squeak (Squeaky)

Sweet little Gina

Zapp (Zappy)

Rich (Richie)

Here are my new babies! They are the sweetest things! Please note that I'm not responsible for the odd names (heehee). The folks at the Humane Society have to come up with hundreds of them every week & I'm sure they run out of creative, unique ones & sometimes just have to go with whatever comes to mind at the moment. 3 of these guys are named after "sounds" ~ Squeak, Zapp & Kapow. I know...strange. The 2 gray & white cuties are Rich & Gina, probably a couple somebody knows. Anyway, it doesn't matter. They are healthy, playful, cuddly & so EASY to take care of after having my 4 sick ones last month! Kapow is missing from the pictures ~ he's all black & I couldn't get a good photo of him. I'm working on it though.

I have a cute new HALLOWEEN painting done I'll scan & post later tonight!

Hope you're having a GREAT Labor Day!!!

FRIDA Day of the Dead Painting

2010-09-03T12:31:00.001-05:00

Frightfully Fun Frida!

Just wanted to post my new FRIDA painting I finished last night! She's all ready to celebrate Day of the Dead!
I love how she turned out ~ not too scary & not too sweet!
She is now listed on EBAY! BOO!

Feline Friday~A Prayer for Animals

2010-09-03T10:18:00.000-05:00

I love this Prayer for Animals by Albert Schweitzer! I wish everyone had the same sentiments!

Speaking of animals ~ my last 2 foster kittens were adopted a few days ago so that makes every 1 of my former babies with loving new homes now! I couldn't be happier! Of course my foster room doesn't stay empty very long...I brought home 5 new little rascals yesterday! These guys aren't sick (thankfully!) just too young to be altered so i'll have them a week or 2. Pictures coming soon!

Have a fun Labor Day Weekend!!!

Triple Good Mews!

2010-08-31T14:53:00.000-05:00

Wally

Erma

Charlie

Just a quick post to spread the good mews!

My sweet fosters Charlie, Erma & Wally ALL 3 were adopted last weekend! YIPPEEE!

I had just taken Erma & Wally back to the Humane Society last Thursday after they finally recovered from their colds & a mere 3 days later they have a new home! I LOVE it when that happens! That just made my weekend! And I'm not 100% sure but I think my other 2 former fosters, Clarence & Muffin, who have been placed in our Petsmart, have also been adopted. They aren't on the "Available" page anymore so I'm waiting to see if they show up on the "Adopted" page soon. Keeping my fingers crossed!

YAY for my babies & their furever new homes!!!

Working on my new Frida Halloween painting today & should have a photo later tonight or tomorrow.

Check back! Happy Tuesday!

Sketch for a New Frida Painting!

2010-08-25T23:10:00.001-05:00

Well ~ SCHOOL has started & that means the craziness has begun! It also means less time for blogging so that's my excuse this week for the lack of posts. Not to dwell on that though...

I managed to get a rough sketch done today of a new FRIDA painting I want to do for Halloween! I can't wait to get this on canvas & color it up all spooky looking! Unfortunately it'll probably have to wait until Sunday but for a good (and FUN) reason! It's our ANNUAL GIRL'S WEEKEND & I'll be busy having an awesome time with my mom, sissies & niece! We have a theme every year & this year it's FRIGHT NIGHT! Lots of scary stuff will be goin' on! Can't wait!

On the FOSTER front ~ I'm so happy to report that Chia, one of my former fosters, was adopted last week! YAY! I took Clarence & Muffin back last week since they were healthy again & tomorrow I take back Erma & Wally. I had to keep them a little longer since they weren't quite well but now they're good as new. I'm sure going to miss those sweethearts!

Hope you're having a great week & now I'm going to go catch up on all YOUR lovely blogs!

Feline Friday~Getting Even!

2010-08-20T10:59:00.000-05:00

Zoolou: "I'll show that dog he can't treat me like a couch cushion!

I'll help myself to his dog food!"

(You may remember this picture I posted a while back)

Zoolou wasn't going to take that lying down!

Here she is trying out my new antique chair I got last week, which I LOVE by the way! I actually got 2 of them ~ the other has a slightly different back. They are now gracing our entryway. I want to get an old vintage table to put inbetween them!

Taking my foster babies back for a check this afternoon. Clarence & Muffin will probably stay since they are completely over their illness but I'll probably bring Wally back home. He started coughing & sneezing again yesterday - ugh. And I might keep Erma home with him too so he won't be by himself.

HAVE A HAPPY PURRY WEEKEND!

Commission Complete!

2010-08-18T22:37:00.000-05:00

St. Francis & Friends

FINALLY the commission I've been working on (for what feels like forever) is finished!

My client is overjoyed with it so I'm happy! She wanted St. Francis, fall colors, sunflowers, 2 Great Pyrenees puppies & a bluebird. What? No CATS??? heehee.

I'm so excited this painting will be hanging in a brand new baby's nursery!

And his name just happens to be Francesco!

A Sight for Sore Eyes!

2010-08-16T21:18:00.000-05:00

Breakfast Buffet!

Saturday morning I walked into the kittens' room & was SO EXCITED when ALL 4 of them jumped off the bed & came running over to eat breakfast! I almost cried I was so happy. I can't tell you how great it felt watching them fill their little tummies with food & water after a week & a half of trying to get them to eat! I got to the point where I wondered if they would ever get better but they are happy, playful kitties now! They were all put on antibiotics last week & after a couple days it seemed to do the trick. They're all feeling so much better & I can finally relax & quit worrying about them. And YAY~no more syringe feeding! That was NOT fun!

Just wanted to give an update.

And I FINALLY finished my commission painting! Whew! I'll post a pic of it later.

HAPPY MONDAY & BACK-TO-SCHOOL WEEK!