tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81210114178917047202009-07-12T18:50:48.210-07:00...or, my artsy life in the catnip forest.Kathy-Catnip Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08494802011573058411catnipstudio@msn.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121011417891704720.post-32959455445902564902009-07-12T08:00:00.000-07:002009-07-12T14:36:56.660-07:00

This is my first mosaic birdhouse, finally completed. The banner on the front, and my ceramic "signature" on the back, were handmade for me by CMK Sculptures. Except for the mass market ceramic tile green leaves, the rest is broken china from plates and miniature teapots. Here it was a few months ago, partially unfinished. Upon delivery of this birdhouse to Ms. Lynn's Teahouse in Montague,

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More vintage treasures from my local Humane Society Thrift Store. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the old badges; I just liked their bright graphics. I'm not a knitter, but knitting needles in beautiful jadite green I just had to have. I'll repurpose them in some way, eventually.

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These hand embroidered (by yours truly, age 12) handkerchiefs were recently found amongst my mom's Storage of Lost and Forgotten Things. I made them for my grandfather back in the seventies; probably one of those gifts where it was the thought that counted ;-). Mom insists that he treasured them, and that's why he never used them (ummm, okay). Kind of like those Father's Day ties, you know the

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Kathy-Catnip Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08494802011573058411catnipstudio@msn.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121011417891704720.post-89334985822179048002009-06-26T08:00:00.001-07:002009-06-26T08:31:53.159-07:00

This pink-loaded broken vintage china tabletop bench is almost finished! The top is grouted, just the brace and sides are left to grout. I'll post new pictures, and a link to the listing in my LolliShop, when it's finished.

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Old glass porch globes with flat bottoms (yessss!). Vintage orphan sugar/jam/creamer lids.Vintage kitchen melon scoops in yummy green.Two of the lids were the right size at the inner ring. Wouldn't these be great for bath crystals, lavender seeds, or loose glitter? I have none of those, so I improvised with a bag of decorative sand pebbles.

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I decided to move the results of my fledgling beginnings in digital image editing to a new blog for just that purpose, Vintage Catnip. Visit me there for my latest free downloads of charming vintage images!

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I created a gift box and tag set to compliment the angelskin peach pink colors of this recently sold brass filigree necklace from my LolliShop. The necklace features morning glory and lovebird brass stampings, and palest pink dyed freshwater pearls, vintage frosted glass cabochon, and a new vintage reissue La Mode button with an etched brocade pattern. The matching bracelet is shown below.

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A very uncooperative guest to the catnip forest, Mr. Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata scincicauda - Oregon Alligator Lizard) was as cranky as any mega-movie star being intruded upon by paparazzi during a Sunday picnic with said star's children! Hissing (or whatever it is that lizards do) and lunging at my hand (I admit I did pick him up a few times, and put him on the lawn where he would

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I received a package from Denmark the other day - it was my embroidered linen hearts from tinybear! Aren't they delightful? Vintage MOP buttons and netting add to their romantic mood, and I've added an old pair of wire rim glasses and my grandmother's 1934 Graduation Memories keepsake booklet (more on that in a future post) in keeping with the vintage look of the hearts.Decorative PincushionAlong

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Remember when flattened beer bottle ashtrays and wine bottle vases from stretched glass were all the rage about 35 years ago? Hated 'em then, hate 'em now. And yet...this upside down green and amber stretch glass vase from my mom, vintage ugly transformed into a garden accessory, actually looks pretty amidst the white violets, especially when it's sparkling in the sun or sprinkler mist. Makes me

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What can I say? I am soooo lucky, and grateful, too. This treasury of Etsy handmade art, curated by Sigmosaics, was on the front page yesterday, June 1st. My sandblasted ceramic tile is in the lower right corner.Sunburst Shell TileThis is Sunburst Shell's encore showing; the first one was back in October of last year.

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My fleur de lis paper tags were on the front page of Etsy last Friday, May 29th. I like this eclectic pastel collection with touches of gray and black compiled by Etsy Admin.

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While the French Lilac blooms are already spent, our Dwarf Korean Lilac is just getting started. If you find one in your garden center, snatch it up! The aroma is heavenly, and they are remarkably sturdy. Not to mention the bell-flower-on-a-stem lavender pink flowers. And that it's a rebloomer later in the summer...

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I've long admired the website, blog, and photography of Blondheart. The owner makes OOAK fine collectible mohair bears and other animals for grownups, and I am now the proud owner of one of her handmade creations - a beaded and painted mohair starfish! Here it is, at home above in my decorative bowl of smooth rocks. My photo doesn't do it justice, so be sure to visit the artist's blog,

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My parents have a big hen house for all kinds of chickens, even a couple of araucanas, and one (figurehead, only) rooster. My dad converted the interior walls of an old travel trailer into their roosting places, and surrounded it with a sturdy fenced and roofed chicken yard to deter freeloaders like bears, cougars, and other rural inconveniences. My mom goes through the trailer door to gather

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I suppressed squeals of delight upon discovering these vintage beauties at our local Humane Society Thrift Store.Paper drink umbrellas, all but two unopened! Homemade Christmas brooches, I think. Only one still had the glass-headed pin.Colorful glass bead rosaries.

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I've been told that though our local commercial garden centers will stock dogwoods, the plant tends not to bloom here in Siskiyou County. Well, my little dogwood has proved the naysayers all wrong. Though it did not bloom last spring (one year after planting), look at it now! All I can account for is: used coffee grounds, water, shady to partial sun lawn placement, and hope.

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...will there be crafting supplies in Heaven?

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Lamb Tags - EtsyMy newest animal tags - cute little lambs! These were made from hand punches - large and medium scalloped rounds, and a plain oval cut in half for ears. Lamb Tags - 1KM

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Blue Willow TagsMy love for broken china mosaics and plate patterns occasionally influences other areas of my crafting. I came across some willow ware rubber stamps, recently, (teacup, pitcher, plate) and just had to have them! Red Willow TagsBlue Willow transferware, or willow ware in any color, is perfect for broken china mosaics. The romantic back story combined with the appealing design and

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Victorian RoseThough I work in many arts and crafts mediums, broken china mosaics are my first love. I tend to work on them the most through the spring and summer months, and I just finished these thrifted silverplate trays featuring vintage broken china rose focals. The large lazy susan pedestal tray above consists of antique and vintage chinas in sage greens, burgundy reds, and golds grouted

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First pickings from the vegetable garden - hot and spicy radishes!A female acorn woodpecker, at journey's end, found a place to rest at the edge of the water bowl.

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May 09 - It's certainly been some time since I updated Crafting Outside the Box! Here's my most recent gift box and tag, made to match Lilac Earrings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Aug 08 - Now that I've discovered stamping inks, I got to thinking...what a great way to add some decorative interest to my collaged jewelry boxes! Then I took it one step

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