Last post 174 days ago!  Yikes. 

So sorry, kittens!  I WILL try hard to blog more often.  I HAVE done a better job of keeping some commentary going on the Dresed Up Cat's Twitter (@DressedUpCat) and on my Facebook page.  (If you aren't in Facebook, you can just go to my homepage, www.dressedupcat.com, where you can also see my commentary from Facebook. )

I'm getting ready to enter the upcoming Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York--have a few pieces in mind but no final selection yet.  What do YOU think I should pick?  I'm partial to a new series I have featuring shells.  Shell Shock, Shell Game.......    My biggest success with the Awards was in 2008 as a finalist with "Summertime".  SUCH fun!  In fact, I want to savor that just a little more--will you indulge me please? 

Here I am again, at the Awards show at the New York Historical Society hall in NYC, June 16, 2008, with my entry "Summertime", which was selected as one of 5 finalists for "Best Green Handbag".  That year, the second for the awards, received over 600 entries from all over the world for the 5 categories! Since then, Emily Blumenthal, genius creator of the awards, has picked up mega name sponsors like InStyle magazine, Swarovski, Timberland, Vitamn Water and others.  This year's Iconoclast Award will go to Peter Dooney of Dooney Bourke.  Who DOESN"T love their lush, delicious workhorse bags.  The year I was there the Iconoclast went to Judith Leiber, who I had the thrill of meeting!  Any otehr indy designers out there seeing this?  Throw your hat--make that BAG--in!  It's great fun!  handbagdesigner101.com/ihda 



Have some other goodies up my sleeve, including some new distribution avenues, and soon hope to have news on the possibility of the first book of my bags, along with their limericks, of course.  What do you think?  Thumbs up?  Thumbs down?  Great idea?  Lame?  Let me hear from you!

Thanks so much for your interest in my work.
Know that I wish you All the Best!!! 

I'm just a girl up from the farm
Many things in life could cause alarm
But finding a man: it's not one cuz with that part I think I'm all done
My Prince Charming, he's here on my arm!

All men crave a tale of a fish
Snag a whale's what they all seem to wish.
With the best reel & bait, he's go only to wait
But those fish tails, they're gone with one swish!

This bag is a favorite:  it's a vintage python clutch with big flap and neutral-toned-leather body. A large hand-carved wooden fish chases a "lure" in the form of a hand knotted tassel with stone, wood, vintage ivory and clay beads. Beautiful python front and back, hand laced edges, snap closure, two interior side pockets. Zippered center interior pocket. An outside pocket under the flap has its own with mini-flap and own snap closure. 10" by 8" by 1.5" (bag expands to 3"). As always, each of my bags has its own (recycled) brass name tag & fabric dust cover included. $295.00. www.shop.dressedupcat.com

"I'm Leaf-ing You for the Navy"

Vintage blue patent leather frame bag with chain and cascading leaves.

"I'm Leaf-ing You for the Navy.
I want a horizon more wavy 
Please don't try to stop me; attempt to re-pot me--
The cook there, he makes better gravy."

I'm followed around by My Stalker -

He's proven not much of a talker -

Keeping track of my travels o're pavement or gravel -

Don't worry, he's only a gawker!

"My Prince Charming."

I'm a girl who's just up from the farm -
Many things in life, they cause alarm -
But meeting men ain't one, with that part I'm all done -
MY Prince Charming? He's here on my arm!


                                                                                                          

NEW NEW NEW!!!!!!  You love my designs & titles.  NOW each of my bag comes with its story--as a limerick--with its photo on a frame-able, signed artist certificate!

"Just Keep Your Head Above Water"

As a zebra, you get much advice
More than robins, or aardvarks, or mice.
"Keep your head above Water!"  I know that I ought-er....
But down there with the fishes seems NICE!

Ok, Ok, I'm finally ready to admit that yes, it's true.  Those of you who've said it for years will finally be glad to know I've admitted it:
I am a Twit. 

Yes, I have finally succumbed and am now "twittering" about my latest "finds" for Dressed Up Cat artwear bags, my thoughts on where Dressed Up Cat and artwear fashion is going,and the all rest of the fun in short updates to your email or cel phone.  Ihereby promise to to drive you nuts.  Log in to Twitter.com and sign up to follow me under the name @DressedUpCat at twitter.com.  

All this is so that I won't just be--much as I'd sometimes like to be-- isolated "In My Own Little World!"  Even this one!

In stressful times--actually, in all times--I think its so helpful to focus on those things you can change or do something about; the things you can control.  Everything else is, by definition, out of your control. If it's out of your control and you can do noting about it, do NOT give it one iota of your precious time, energy or attention. 

Easier said than done, but it works.  I try hard to focus on just two things every day:  1)  doing the right thing in action, speech and thought (no "thought arrows allowed!"), and 2) dealing the the inevitable adversity that does arise (we're human--it IS inevitable)  with as much grace as I can possibly muster.  That's it.  Those two things.  Period.  I don't always succeed at this grand plan, but I try.  And I think it works.  That's my "two cent's worth" today.                    

So for the purposes of illustration, I wanted to put in this bag today:   " WHAT a Tart!"

It could conceivably fall OUTSIDE the guidelines of the plan.  Depending on whether it refers to pastry, or a person of female gender.  You make the call.   

(And try to stick to the plan anyway.  Yes, this IS a case of "do as I say, not as I do!"