Warm and cozy kitties....

I realized that I haven't done any cat chatting since I had my last foster kitten in January. I have been taking a break from trapping and spaying/neutering and fostering partly because it is WAY too cold for TNRing and also because my heart needed some mending. But that doesn't mean that it isn't still cat crazy around here! Two of the feral kitties that have been here since we moved in a year and a half ago, have started coming inside!!!! I have always given them the opportunity to come in, but they were very wary and never seemed to want to. Well, once temps got into the teens and the snowstorms began, i basically pushed them in the door and they have been enjoying every minute of it :). Missy aka Chumba Wumba is especially happy. I am sure that she used to be someone's cat and has just been surviving the streets for years. I just adore her. Her son, Magee, is also enjoying warm naps by the fire and in our bed, but he still likes to go outside for long romps. I am sure they will both want their outdoor life back full time once spring arrives. But for now, it makes me happy to have them safe and cozy inside!

Chumba's favorite napping spot...


Where's Chumba???


Magee lounging....

Spring SnipPet WIPs!!

I have been sculpting non-stop for the past 2 days and still have a lot left to do, but I am definitely making progress. The rabbits are multiplying like crazy in my art room! That sounds really strange coming from the spay/neuter policewoman :).

I never used to sketch out any of my designs, but I have started to now and I really think it helps me think through my ideas and ultimately, the finished pieces are more successful. I did a few pages of very rough sketches on the plane ride to New Orleans. It was so nice to have that uninterrupted, focused time to just sit and THINK and jot down notes and draw.

You will see a few ornaments in the works....a flying pig, a "chickpea" and two rabbits. Then, there is a standing carrot bodied rabbit...he will be a lot of fun once I get some more details sculpted. I started on a juggling candlestick rabbit (still needs hands!) and hope to get a few more done in the next few weeks. And of course, i had to do a few rabbit eggs before Easter sneaks up on us. My quirkiest new project will be a custom order wedding cake topper.....a rhinoceros bride and groom!!! The groom's last name is Ryno, so that's the story behind it. I love having the challenge.

MAJOR! HUGE! Super Spring Cleaning Sale!

Another post for today...making this a quick one!! Shoowee, I have been busy in my Etsy shop putting 34 wonderful SnipPets on sale!!! I have been itching like crazy to do some spring cleaning before spring actually arrives :). I am really wanting to streamline my shop, and I have all sorts of new designs in the works. Click here to head straight to my Sale Section.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of my wonderful customers, collectors and blog friends!! THANK YOU sooooo much from the bottom of my heart for your support and encouragement!! You are helping me live my dream, and that is a HUGE blessing. I am extremely excited to see what sort of art adventures this year will bring! Lots and lots of hugs and purrs to each and every one of you~~~~~~

Livin' it up in New Orleans!

My husband had a marketing conference in New Orleans, and I got to tag along! It was perfect timing since my birthday was on Sunday. We had a blast and indulged fully in everything New Orleans has to offer! We enjoyed some fantastic meals. The fried oyster and soft shell crab po' boys at Casamento's were simply amazing! Simple perfection. AND they have a super sweet, chubby kitty named Midnight who lives in the back! She was living the high life....all-you-can-eat seafood and lots of attention. We stopped at Cafe du Monde twice for their sinful beignets. (Why can't they have those in Lexington??) Thank goodness we walked for miles checking out shops and galleries and hopefully burned off most of the calories! We had a wild night out on Bourbon Street on Friday. We were told to beware of colorful drinks in test tubes, but we succumbed to them anyway. We danced the night away as if we were 20 again...too bad we didn't bounce back the next day quite as well as we did then. Oh well, it's fun to pretend every once in awhile. Unfortunately, Brian was pick pocketed during our evening and that ended things a bit badly. He had both of our driver's licenses, our credit card and a debit card in there. Yikes. We took care of everything and still managed to get on our plane sans identification! A few more food recommendations..... you can't miss Mother's for breakfast/lunch and Brigtsen's for a cozy and incredible dinner. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend getaway!

I am catching up on emails, phone calls, laundry and errands today. I can't wait to get back to the art table tomorrow!!! I did some sketching and brainstorming on the plane, so I am totally motivated and excited to get going on a whole slew of new designs!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

I didn't take very many photos...always forget to pull my camera out unless there is a cat or something sweet involved!!!

Midnight, the precious housecat at Casamento's...

Late night stop at Cafe du Monde....

Meeting a few furry new friends on Magazine Street....

Savoring every moment :)....

The beignets and Cafe Au Lait...

Peas and Carrots, please?!

This bunny rabbit has been busy picking peas and carrots in the garden! I wanted to create a rabbit with a spring feel, but not quite Easter-y (yet!). He's in my Etsy shop right now.

Who's lucky day is it???!!!

I just used the random integer generator to pick my One World One Heart Giveaway winner, and Arlette is the one!!
Looks like my little kitty SnipPet will be packing her bags and moving to Costa Rica!!! I might have to jump in the box and join her because I KNOW it is warmer and sunnier there than it is here :)! Congratulations to Arlette!

My little SnipPet crew thanks everyone who participated in my giveaway.

Spookytime Jingles February Update!

It's almost that time again!! The always exciting Spookytime Jingles update will take place tomorrow night at midnight! I think this month is particularly fun because in addition to the usual Halloween and Christmas creations, the STJ artists are also offering Easter and spring treasures. This makes it feel like spring is getting closer. I am counting the minutes!!!!

So, here is what i've got for the STJ update! A Witch Kitty Pull Toy and a little Easter Bunny Egg. The Flying Cheshire Cat ornament I posted about a few days ago will also be available.

Spreading the Valentine LOVE!

Yesterday evening after I finished up my sculpting for the day, I decided to have a floor picnic of sorts. I pulled out a blanket and spread Valentine supplies all over the place! While I snacked on French truffles, I packed up little Valentine goodies and cards and gifts for friends and family. It seems like my cats always sense when I am doing art projects because within minutes i was surrounded by furry onlookers who wanted to partake in the fun....especially "helping" with beribboning packages :).

I recently purchased a wonderful sheep painting from fellow Etsy and STJ artist, Lisa Nelson. She included the sweetest surprise made just for me! LOOK at that snipped Valentine kitty!!!! SOOOO purrfect! Click here to check out her lovely artwork: Bucks County Designs



...and here are some adorable little zipper pouches from Kukubee. I love these!! Can't wait to give them to of my cat lady friends.



These "Anytime Valentines" from The Black Apple are super cute.



Rooney, my very special assistant!

~~ Little Red (and Blue) Hen Pull Toy ~~

Here she is....the mama of the year! My SnipPet interpretation of The Little Red Hen is happily traveling along with her chicks and her nest of golden eggs. She has her hands full :)! Creating this piece was such a joy....a colorful and vibrant escape from the dreary winter weather. You can just feel the sun shining down on this little family. This Signature Collection pull toy will be available at midnight tomorrow at the Pfatt Marketplace.

Superbowl Sunday SnipPets

No football for me today, but my husband has been glued to the tube! So, I holed up in my workroom and finished up some SnipPets instead. I'll be sharing my two newest pull toys with you in the next few days, but thought i'd give you a peek at these funny little ornaments. The colorful hen will be available on the Pfatt website on the 10th and the flying cheshire cat will be up for grabs for the Spookytime Jingles update on the 13th.

Happy Valentine week to everyone!!!!! xoxo

~~ xoxox Valentine SnipPet Sale! ~~

Happy almost Valentine's Day to all!!! A quick post to let you know that Valentine munchkins and this white rabbit collage painting are now 20% off (plus free shipping) in my Etsy shop! Each sweetie will arrive in a festive, beribboned bag with a SnipPet bookmark. It's the perfect little gift for that special someone!

I'll be posting some new artwork this weekend....i have been having a blast with my new creations....I can hardly pull myself away from my desk :).

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!