The Story of…Astronaut Kitty Cat

Valerie — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 17:00:06 +0000

For those that don’t know, I live on what is known as Florida’s Space Coast. The reason Brevard County is called the Space Coast is because Kennedy Space Center is located here.

Now, my brain tends to lean more towards the creative side rather than the scientific. However, I feel very lucky to have the Kennedy Space Center near by. Not only is it a fun place to visit and truly has a little something for everyone, I’ve been able to see shuttles and rockets go off while sitting on my own front lawn!

Final flight of Discovery February 2011
Photo Credits: ©Valerie Waters

In addition, I was lucky enough to be selected for the GRAIL tweetup at KSC. (If you ever have a chance to attend a NASA tweetup, do it!) At the tweetup I got a behind the scenes tour, to see a shuttle up close, to see old friends and meet new people and got to hear talks by people like Nichelle Nichols and Neil deGrasse Tyson! Plus, I also got to see the Grail launch.

Sign welcoming fellow tweetupers to the Grail Tweet Up
Photo credit: ©Valerie Waters

Also, for those of you that don’t know, I have two cats. One is a black and white one named Oreo and the other is a gray tabby named Olivia. For one reason or another, they tend to inspire a lot of my art work.

Astronaut Kitty Cat Jelly Belly Tins by ValeriesGallery

Around the time that Astronaut Kitty was born, there was a lot of talk about NASA’s budget, the shuttle program ending and various missions and such. Also, it’s impossible to live in Brevard County and not know someone who works at the space center. Even businesses that aren’t directly related to space are affected by what happens at Kennedy Space Center. So its safe, especially around that time, to say that a lot of people had space on the brains.

So in short, NASA and space on people’s minds + my cats as inspiration = Astronaut Kitty being created!

Did You Know:

Astronaut Kitty Cat was originally going to be called Catronaut

Astronaut Kitty’s patches are as follows:

-one that says CATS
-A rocket ship
-Molecules
-Planets

Astronaut Kitty is available at Valerie’s Gallery on Zazzle, Skreened, Red Bubble and Cafe Press

I wore my Astronaut Kitty shirt to the Grail Tweetup

The cat part of Astronaut Cat is based on my gray tabby cat, Olivia

Olivia the tabby peers down from her perch
Photo Credits: ©Valerie Waters

Have you ever been inspired by space, animals or current events? Let us know in the comments!

A huge thanks to Abundance Love Trip for giving my Five Orange Birds in a Tree Poster an awesome art award! Check out her blog Val Creates!

Another huge thanks to Bebops for featuring my Better in the Morning Tote Bag on the blog, The Daily Rainbow.

Astronaut Kitty Cat not your thing? That’s okay! Here’s some other space and cat art to inspire you:

Unexpected Visitors Canvas Prints by FractalFire	Astronaut 5th Birthday card by Lori DeLeonardis-Aman	Colorful Planets Custom iPad Sleeve by DizzyDebbie
Sarcasm Cat Button by WestCreek	We’ve Adopted, Photo Card, Announcement, Pet, Cat card by Sharon Fernleaf	Scruffy Cats Quadrille Gift Wrap Paper by IconDoIt
TEE The Wayfarer Poster by teepossible	Take Me To Your Birthday Cake Alien Spaceship card by Tamara Dawn Adams	Dog & Cat Rocket Ship Pillow by DoloresDesigns
Kitten on top of the world mug by samupress	It’s your birthday, cute Persian kitten illustration with red balloon. card by Micklyn Le Feuvre	Alien Kitty Wallet by geo_barr
Zombie Cheerleaders From Space T Shirts by AbundanceLoveTrip	Birthday Party Invitation with alien and rocket for boys custom text card by © Cheryl M Hall	Dreaming of Space Cat iPad Mini Cover by ValeriesGallery

Great Photography Spot: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Valerie — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 18:35:54 +0000

I’m lucky to live in a state like Florida which has interesting wild life, beautiful spaces and great places to take photographs. One of these places is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located in North Brevard County, which is on Florida’s east coast, near the Kennedy Space Center. There is an entrance in Titusville (located in Brevard County) and Oak Hill (located in Volusia County).

Alligator in the Water Canvas Prints by ValeriesGallery

The refuge is a great place to see wildlife! I’ve seen alligators, roseate spoonbills, herons and so much more! It’s really awesome to be able to see the animals in their natural habitat. I love the variety because nature and wildlife are some of my favorite things to photograph.

In addition to the hiking trails, I also recommend driving down Black Point Wildlife Drive. (There is a small fee, but it’s totally worth it!) There are several spots available to stop and observe the plant and wildlife. (And bonus, there’s also a public bathroom!)

Reddish Egret Poster by ValeriesGallery

The Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge is a great place for photographers and non photographers a like. I recommend going in the winter because the weather is beautiful then. (In the summer, not only is it brutally hot and muggy, you also have to worry about afternoon storms!)

Where are some places you like to take photographs? Share in the comments!

A big thanks to Goosebury for featuring my Bee on Sunflower Ornament on the Home Accents Blog.

And here’s some Florida inspired artwork from other artist you may enjoy!