Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Accepted!

I'm thrilled to announce that my piece entitled 
'Midway Atoll Disaster'
has been accepted into 
Birds in Stitches
that will debut at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the Visitor Center 
*see below for details and s showtiimes

I designed this piece specifically for this show. 
(detail) 
This piece is 30"W x 29"L
It has been machine quilted, painted, hand embroidery and has been hand lettered. Some of the materials I burned holes into and the edges.  Cheesecloth was used and quilted down extensively throughout. (and no, that material is NOT fun to work with! LOL) The text are lines from the poem 'The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner' as well as maps of the Atoll.  I also attached plastic straws, bottle caps, milk rings, and various plastic debris I picked up on just one 3 mile walk in my own neighborhood.  (believe me, I had more but couldn't include it all)

There are images of Layasan Albatross (adults and chicks) that were transferred onto silk and stitched down. The main image (bottom third near the right side)  is of one of over 2000 albatross chicks that died from starvation.  The chicks were fed regularly by the parents but they were fed on plastic refuse from the ocean. Since the birds were left where they were found you can clearly see what was in them, brightly colored plastic lighters, bottle caps, etc.  Given that the Midway Atoll is 2000 miles from the nearest continent this gives a crystal clear view of how our consumerism reaches it's deadly tentacles so far from our own suburban streets (that are swept clean of debris we habitually and carelessly toss out) .  
If you would like more information on this disaster please visit  This Site

I am so thrilled that this piece will be seen in a place where birds are so cared about!  

This is my favorite photo and he can be seen poking out of one of the holes I  burned near the middle.  
If you don't know much about Albatross, check out the wikipedia link.  They are incredible birds that spend 90% of their lives on the wing over the ocean (sometimes just inches over the water) gliding along four hours and hours at a time.  They are true masters of flight! 

Here's the info on the show.  

Monday, August 29, 2011

Two for Tuesday

(shamelessly stolen from cheezburger but I. Don't. Care. )
I could simply stare at it for like.... ever

That Woman

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Order UP!

When those lizzards a come out; I'll be riiiiiiight here... 

OOOoohhhh it's so hard to be The Cat

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hiding in plain sight

Heya kittehs 
can you see me?

That Woman was surprised to see me here


I was like 'So?, Can I help you?'


It's Sunday, wishing all you kittehs your easy. 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Freaking Hot Friday

The space between the grass and cement is apparently the coolest spot today. 
Let's watch Ms. Stella's technique


Ms. Stella, would you like to comment on today's unusual heat? 
Ms. Stella? 
*sigh* 

OH LOOK! Is that Mr. D?
"What! Where?" 

"Oh, I C; you are attempting humour..." 
"lemme think; what haven't I peed on lately?"




Monday, August 22, 2011

Spreading the Love

This glorious creature stopped here today
to rest in the shade
it's dainty feet softly gripping the silken pure white rose petals

As if by magic; it slowly opened it's wings to caress the 
beautiful flower
we remain captivated

Bon Voyage Love!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Oh Cod!

It's the Paw Police!
And on a Monday too.
Is nothing sacred anymore??

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Eau de Nearly Spittycat

Totally makes me think of Sir Spitfire! 
and possibly Penelope. 
either way; adorable fabric I NEEDED! 

Ciao!

Caturday Yoga

Sharing this from Conscious Cat

MOL; these youngsters!

xoxo
Ms. Stella O'Houligan
Ciao!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Just lending a helping paw


Hiya Kitties!

Wanted youl to know That Woman has been super busy working her day job and creating new quilts and ridin' her new bike to work.   BUT, she heard there was an auction for one of our cat blogosphere furrriends.  Sammy, Andy & Shelly!  So *I* said we could donate a CatNip Quilt!  I am happy to volunteer That Woman for this opportunity, I know she appreciates me updating her on all the scoops!  heh heh.  Anyhow; check out the BLOG HERE and happy bidding if'n you want one!  

SuPerSeCRet FrIeNd CoDE:  If you mention in your bidding comment you found the auction from MY blog (that's Me, Ms Stella, I'll have her toss in a CatNip Burdz too!  She just loves me being so magcatimus on her behalf! 

Ppp: SSSS; the bidding starts at $15.00

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Whisker Hump Wednesday

(borrowed from The Cloon)
This is the Inaugural Post of "Whisker Hump Wednesday" in tribute to the Big Mancat Kismet who originated the term "Whisker Humps" and is the standard against which all whiskers will forever be measured.  Kismet passed into Kitty Heaven on August 13, 2011.  In honor of Kismet, the Cat Blogosphere is declaring that each Wednesday shall be "Whisker Hump Wednesday". 

Be Well Sweet Kismet
 
::from Ms. Stella, 
We only met you today at your memorial,  but we have always known you and loved you and until we all meet again, 
Farewell,
Sweet Prince! 
 
 
The Houligan
 
Miss Jenga
    
That Scrappy Cat!

 Miss Jack
xoxo

Monday, August 15, 2011

Monarch Update!

Hey guys; That Woman here. 
Just wanted to let you know there is a Monarch Butterfly Map for their Fall migration (which started beginning of August. 

You can go on their website and see the maps where all the sightings are!  It's totally exciting to be a part of something really huge.  Even given that it's about something really small but Mighty.  I'm totally stoked that I was able to enter both my sightings (saw one today at work) and now they show up on the main map! 

Certainly, birds migrating is a beautiful thing; Ducks, Geese, etc.
But for something so tiny; you can't even say their brain is as small as a...? (cos I can't think of anything that small)  for an insect, to fly thousands of miles completely fascinates me!
I mean, I've seen them in my yard, they flit here, they flit there,  they go to the neighbors yard, then come back, looping and gliding.  They are like the worst 'Sunday drivers' of all time and yet they manage, year after year.  Astounding 

So... heads up

Ciao!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sunday scenes

 all photos can be clicked
spent the morning 'hunting' in my favorite tree

found some small prey at first

 tiny golden empresses hard at work

I love this shot... First thing that came to mind? 
"Oh go stick your head in a flower!"


But then I was tantalized and teased playing hide and seek (through at least 20 shots) to wind up capturing this lovely traveler
isn't it just glorious! Monarchs are such beautiful, fierce creatures!  This one never opened it's wings for me  but who cares! 

Then.... 

hummmmmmmmmmm

 and the money shot

Such beautiful accidental shots.  Wish I knew what speed I should have used to get the wing 'stop' and how to set it on my daughters camera.  Guess I should figure it out for future though.  Wish  you could hear the tiny squeaking and furious chasing we have going on over this tree.  There is a pair of Rufus hummers and a couple Anna's and it gets pretty noisy and sometimes they practically collide into you!

and a wee story if you will permit. 

  My one and only cactus was originally rescued (I swear there isn't much in my house that isn't a rescue!) out of a trash bin in from a nearby office at my work.  When the tenants had moved out, they simply dumped it in the trash.  It stayed in my office for nearly a year all crunched up in her 4 inch plastic container and root bound as hard as a rock.  Whenever she was watered it would simply run off the top so I brought her home and she remained in the back yard like that, though I watered her much more frequently and left her in direct sunlight.

Several months ago, she was begging me to be replanted so she could bloom.

I ignored her.

Finally two weeks ago she was replanted in a  roomy, sandy, container and watered with miracle grow.  But sadly, I was too late.  And in her embarrassment she pleaded to her neighbors for assistance and they responded with love.  


She is growing quite voluptuous and her button tops (the whiteish areas) are very soft and downy with new growth.  I am so happy for her and next year when it's her time; I promise to capture her own glorious flowers that will be abundant I'm sure. 

My bleeding heart is doing well in front 



And somehow the forgotten October 2010 pumpkin that finally decomposed where it sat is surprised me with this! 

I totally  LOL'd!  Poor things are in complete shade.  You can see them  stretching out for the sun.  You can even see the pumpkin top and other seeds!  I imagine miss Rocky will have something to say about my negligent gardening habits!  What would be very cool though is if it did flourish and flow down into the planter below and we would have pumpkins for Halloween this year right  at the front door!  

I did sigh with frustration because now that I see them trying so hard I feel obligated to water the dang  things will fret over them now.  ugh. 

we'll keep ya posted
ciao!





Friday, August 12, 2011

Caturday Funnies

 #1 Funnee:  Mr. Riley sent us another chuckler! 
At first we didn't see the 'unintended angel '
Wasn't until we put it in Pshop that we realized it was there! 
Thanks Ms. Deb & The Riley! 

#2 Funnee:
Please send sympathies to me as I'm having a difficult time with That Woman!
I've had to listen to her whine all week about how sore she is, how tired she is, how she can't hardly bend over to put the food in the bowl! (I tole her; my bowl is on the table so she don't have to bend down!)

Since The Gurl is working odd, long hours and That Woman only haz to go two miles to work; she bought a wheelie thing so The Gurl can have the car (on acounta The Gurl haz further to go).

Look how cute! (The Gurl taking it for a spin)
And for inquiring minds, NO, Cats do not ride in the basket:  there wouldn't be enough room for all the tuna AND cats anyway.  And I have been assured since we are being so green there WILL be LOTS more TUNA.

funnee part is That Woman could probably walk from here to Texas without even breaking a sweat, but this wheelie thing has her licked!  

MOL!

Ciao!
xoxo
Ms. Stella O'Houligan

Thursday, August 11, 2011

We interrupt the regularly scheduled post

To bring you this important humble request
 will someone please bring
 the foodz closer to my mouth?
Pllllleeeeeaaaaase, As you can see, I'm starving to death