Lisa Souers Designs

All Grown Up

Seriously.

Where did the time go?

She's actually graduating the week after The FarmChicks Show.

And I think she's actually pretty "okay" with it...

Thank Goodness it wasn't the SAME week or I would of been on the

CRAZY TRAIN

I look at these three amazing girls and realize the power of best friends.

Through thick and thin, girl drama, boy drama (really, not these girls, but you get the picture of most girls I swear), and just plain "growing up" and growing together for so many years.

 

They have taught me more than they will ever know.

Alot about what it means to be solid with each other. What they have built will stay with them forever.

And most of all.

Never, ever, forget to have fun.

A Little Decluttering

 

Well, that was a bit of a misleading title.

It's more of a big decluttering.

I don't know the last time I have actually "seen" this side of our garage.  I am still wondering about "a random hole in the wall actually got there", but I am sure it is somewhat due to sloffing around gads of furniture and "useless crap" in this garage.

And I have to say. 

The "little decluttering" is feeling magical.

Even though I would much rather be planting all of these

I feel like I'm a fork in my junking road where , mind you, I really never had an emotional connection to "junk".  A few pieces.  Yes.  A few remourseful sell offs where I say "crap, I wish I would of kept that piece"

Maybe this will be one of them this year at The Farmchicks Show"

But where would I really put it?

It's not going to fit anywhere.  And I have no plans on opening a store where it needs to truly be for a front counter.

So nope.  No emotional ties to getting it out of my driveway and onto the Big Show.

So decluttering this year has truly been about just "getting rid of it all" for the sake of I "don't need it, don't want it, don't want it around, and I am not holding on to it for a garage sale, and would rather donate it to those who could use it" philosophy.

 

But decluttering in a different way too.

And today was very interesting when my little "bestie" text me a "one minute speech" her daughter was presenting today on "character".

You see.  I think "decluttering" also is about myself, the way I live my life.  Not just junk, but my thoughts, the way I treat others, or random chance encounters, or how I allow others in my world to change my path that I want to be living.

And then I get this text of the "speech" a very "wise little 18 year old is giving today".

 

I wanted to share it with you all.

If you say the word “character” to me, I will think of my father.  He is wise,
strong, authentic… but most of all, he is steadfast.  He is consistent.  My dad
is the same person everywhere he goes.  Abraham Lincoln once described character
as being a tree, and our reputation as the shadow.  The shadow is people’s
perception of who we are, but the tree is the real thing.  We must be in reality
what we wish to appear to others.  We see many people in our society today that
are adapted to cutting corners – who can walk in their surroundings and be one
person, and look in the mirror to find another.  Those with character have the
authenticity and the consistency to follow through with their morals, just like
my dad strives to do.  Like we say before our softball games – we have to leave
everything out on the field the right way before God, because at the end of the
day we want to look into the mirror knowing we gave everything we had and
remained steadfast to who we are.

 

Something to ponder while decluttering today. 

 

 

 

 

Six Months of Happiness.

Six months ago I thought life would be completely changed.  You see. I was given a gift of being able to be free from the "daily grind" of being in charge of an incredible responsibility of a huge million dollar +  program, and responsible for lifes of others, budgets, grants, deadlines, hirings, firings, layoffs, squabbles, backtalking, people not happy with my decisions, people "happy" with my decisions, blah, blah, blah blah blah.  The fact is.  I really loved an amazing amount of what I did and acheived for 18 plus years but was so blessed to have the gift to move forward with my art and spend more time with those that I love, friends, family and more....

 

I have to say.  Its not all it's cracked up to be on some days. 

But. My Great Aunt taught me in her 93 plus years of amazing wisdom, "Life is what you create Lisa".  "And remember. That if those around you, or you are feeling that life isn't where it needs to be, than you are the one to create the happy by giving back to those around you, and not worry about what you cannot control as it won't really matter, will it? "  She was so wise.  So wise indeed, that she kept a "Happiness Calendar". 

Everyday. 

Everyday she would write down "one thing that made her happy" that day. Even if it was the worst of days.  I never knew her worst days, because her "happiness calendar always said what "made her happy" that day.   Her worst days would consist of losing her husband days before Christmas in a car wreck.  (widowed years before anyone should of been). She could only think of making sure everyone had Christmas Gifts.  (she never got rid of any of his items.  She just "tucked them deep away")

I know she had many "worst days" after that.  But she always found "happy" to share with others.  I remember many times her friend would call her and "complain of all her ailments or attempt to gossip about their other friend".  Auntie Beth would "accidentally turn of her hearing aid".  She would always switch the subject about something happy.  Mind you.  She wasn't always a saint.  She did strike a mean water gun to the neighbors cats or if you "wrong'd her", she did let you know that you truly disapointed her, and it wasn't easily forgotten.  Forgiven.  Always. Forgotten was difficult.

Why  am I rambling?

My Six Months of Happiness. 

I have had check in with my late Auntie Beth and be reminded of her "Happiness Calendar" and start my own. And to forgive but not forget when I have been frustrated. And to remember why I have chosen my path of art.... And to share my Happiness with you all.  Because if I get stuck in the frustration of  as my Auntie Beth says "you can't change it, so why get frustrated about it?, I go back to my happiness of what is really important in my world.... and she reminds me everyday...

page 108

 

It may not be very exciting to many of you

but to me

 

I love that I made page 108 this month

 

And that I had to use my "teeth" to rip open the package when I saw the words beneath the plastic

One of my most favorite magazines

She had asked me to send a few pieces in months ago

And page 108 made me smile really big today

 

Thanks for letting me share

And continuing to support the "little artist in me"

 

Lisa

Updating

 

It's Spring.

 

a perfect day to update my blog, my website, my laundry room.  What else would one be doing on a Spring Day.

It's so stinking blustery out and I've been fighting a super fun cold so I thought "Spring Cleaning" indoors.

This whole working part time now has made me a wee bit more scattered so trying to acomplish anything worthy of  a finished project has been, let's say,

difficult. 

I don't know how those "stay at home Mom's" do it.  There jobs are hard. 

I said "jobs"

Because that is just what it is.  Just because it's not the same monthly dollar pay, it's such a different job and I am finding out, structuring a day is my most difficult challenge.

So Updating is what I am calling my Spring Day.  As I cough through it all.

 

Life has a funny way of "updating" it all for us.  And not allowing us to "update" it the way we think it all should work out.  I'm learning to allow things to "be as they are suppose to be" and am actually learning to love it".  Reading between those lines, letting go of all the control I use to have in my past life.  Not an easy task, but it's growing on me.  Letting go of those in the sandbox who can't play nice and surrounding myself with a world of fun, and creative energy. 

 

Updating.

That also has including my "work space".  Tearing out walls that were "in the way".

Even got Mr. Souers to hang a "ceiling tin" wall....

 

 

Useless.  Not of function.  Getting in the way. Creating a space that is creative and fun and less distracting.  Finally finishing the ENTIRE painting of the floor black.  That only took a few years.

And getting rid of clutter that I have never had the time to do.  (it will be a GREAT spring GARAGE sale you junker/hoarders won't want to miss...).

And feeling like I can really make "great coffee now" and not feel like a schmuck when I put on my green apron at work. (it only took 5 months)....

 

So updating on a cold Spring Day... working on a digital catelog because my PDF looks like crap. I finally realized my 3g iphone which I mourn the loss over really did "take crappy pictures" when I couldn't get a good picture of "Chumley" of Pawn Stars 150ft away at the Mountain West Championship Game in Vegas for my mother in law, I broke down and got the 4gs... the camera rocks....

But at least I got these great photos of My Mr. Souers and my Father in Law when his New Mexico Lobo's won the Mountain West Championship to make it into the NCAA tournament...

And updating my website for a section just for my wholesale accounts (when I can truly figure all that out)  and just a section for retail, and one of a kinds.  And letting you all know when and where I will be locally selling to get in on the goods....

 

I look forward to Spring and all that it holds. 

 

My Auntie Beth's Buttercups always lets me know it's so close. And that something fresh is always on the horizon.

 

She's At It Again.

 

That Serena.

 

She's at it again.

 

Wait until you see what she's up to now...

 

 

Not only does she do one of my most Favorite shows in the world that I am stock piling for like a

fat winter squirrel

 

 

But she has this amazing thing called "My Favorite Find" coming soon that is the coolest thing since....well. 

You will have to be the judge of that.

We junkers like this sorta thing. 

Remember.  I said "junkers".

Not Hoarders.

That would have a "negative spin" on our little addiction.

 

"I can get rid of stuff". 

That makes me a Junker. 

I am in the category Serena calls "My Favorite Finds". 

 Not My Favorite Hoarder.

Hoarders can't get rids of their goods.

 

So after a little Beta Testing of her site...

I can't wait to play on it more...

 

And see what everyone else has been "finding" as well.

 

(until then, check out her facebook page to get caught up!)

 

So until then...I'll keep "finding" goods for June for The Big Show

 

Sweet Auntie Beth

Some people come into your lives and never leave

They become a part of you.

 

My Sweet Great Auntie Beth was that person.

 

Today would of been her 98th birthday.  We joked that we would see her picture on the Early Show announcing her 100th birthday by Willard Scott someday.

I'll just celebrate it every February 15th instead.

She always spoke the truth, said she could never "drink" because she was a "mean person when she did" and "being mean to others never served anyone well".  She always "gifted to others" before herself, believed in "random acts of kindness" and never believed of doing for others for the sake of "getting recogition for it". She always served for her God and church and those in need and believed in always putting others needs ahead of her own.  She had a sharp tongue when she thought others were spiteful or,  oh dear when it was a Presidential Election Year, watch out.  Never interrupt her during her nightly news where she obsessivly kept her weather stats or religiously watched Jeopardy.

She loved her Paul deeply and lost him to a car wreck soon after he returned from War.  She never married again, and I know she wepted for him many a night she missed him.  She always presented a "strong front" when we talked about him, but I could see it in her eyes that he was her soul mate and missed him so.

 

 

Summers with Auntie Beth were priceless.  Whether it be learning the value of a dollar by learning to "earn money with chores", walks to the local library for my ration of weekly story books" or the endless arts and crafts to sooth my creative soul", summers were the best with what "summers were suppose to be".

She always bragged about "Daddy's Store".  What I would of done to step 'back in time" to see inside of this store".  The General Mercantile.  She worked there growing up before she became a school teacher, working the "phone lines" in back. 

My greatest gift is that she lived a beautiful, relatively pain free life to the ripe old age of 96 and she got to know my daughter Hannah.  And Hannah her.  It was always my fear that this would never happen as she was a gift to share.

Happy Birthday My Auntie Beth. 

 Feb 15, 1914- Mar 10th, 2009

A Studio Birthday

Some girls want jewels for their birthday

 

I get a "honey do" list completed from my Mr. Souers

 

Which is better than jewels in my world I tell you

 

A little back story.

When we moved into our early 1900's home about 7 or so years ago, I laid "claim to the basement".  Yes, pretty much the entire basement, minus a little cubby area that was held claim for the laundry room makeover (to get the "laundry room out of the entranceway upstairs)

The basement had been currently a "horrid rendition of a mustard yellow Mother-In Law Quarters" when we moved in, but I could see past the greeen and yellow shag carpet and matchy matchy mustard walls and appliances in the area I would soon call my own.  Well, not soon, but a "work in progress".

So with little by little projects to "call it my own", and a good little red head that watered too close to the house one summer, the "ugly shag carpet" came out quicker than I am sure the Mr. was expecting, the "studio" basement was shaping up.

A couple weeks ago, I had woke up to the dream of "tearing out a , excuse me, a "bastard of a wall" that was the old bedroom" that was just "getting in my way" and causing me issues of being a catch all of a room.  And not getting to a final project of calling the studio closer to being finished.  So with that little dream, Mr. Souers, ahem, tore that wall out, and did a "little expansion work".

Still not finished.  I started with this "white wall", collaging it with a newspaper print pad, a bit of wood glue, Ralph Lauren glaze..a fabulous start to a cool wall that I could "continue making it a work in progress"....but it was killing me that it would never be finished. Staring at it, I knew it would be on the "birthday honey do list".

And my handy-dandy Mr. Souers and his portable generator and air nailer came to the rescue.

And so did the leftover Victorian Ceiling Tin we had from our Kitchen Remodel went to work. 

 

(I know, really haven't shown pictures of that project that is finished) 

And I finally have a true home for one of my most prized possessions of my Auntie Beths.

Her couch.

And her name plate that I took of her screen door before we sold her home after she passed away. 

The couch had to be taken out our front door, walked down the street, through the garage to the studio basement.

My neighbors do love a good Saturday show.

And for a few more "honey do"s.....

Yes. Another chandelier. Or two.

And this amazing English Pub Coat and Hat rack I have also HAD FOR EVER ...

 

And wanted to find a home for.

Now this side of the studio is "feeling done".

My table is still a mess.

But I'll show more photos of the rest of my studio soon.....

 

And I got a few more treasures while working Saturday ...

 

My friend Pam gifted me with the new Flea Market Style Magazine and a fabulous Brownie Cake.

 

I knew the ad for Junk Bonanza had my mug in it (thanks Ki :)...

 

and of course my little friend Jane and her wall of trunks...

to see it in person last September in Minnesota at the show was 10 times this shot... but her smile in it was priceless... it makes me so dang excited for the road trip AGAIN this year!

 

And my sweet Hannah?

Drew me the MOST incredible drawing for my birthday.

 

Can you see what it is?

 

The Starbucks Mermaid

 

With an incredible human heart on it, amazing details...

 

and read the FRENCH phrase...

 

You figure out what it says. I'll leave that up to you.

 

My birthday was priceless. 

Literally.

 

Wearable Assemblage Art

 

I "heart" Yakima.

 

Most days.

We moved here a wee bit over 18 years ago to raise our sweet daughter, start our careers and build our lives here.

 

Except when I am trying to explain "what I do" to the locals in attempting to get my

"art" screenprinted on t-shirts

 

 

A few of the darling responses.

 

"What is that?"

"Can't do that here"

"Too many details"

"You'll never get that on a t-shirt"

blah blah blah blah blah...

 

And then I met another little entrepreneur here who

 

"loved to think outside the screenprinting box"

And I can now mark of my

 

"art bucket list"

My original mixed media collage art.

On sweet little American Made T-shirts.

 

Something I have wanted to do for years and now I have three limited edition designs created and more on my art table to come...

 

 

Available now on my website

LisaSouersDesigns.com

(and the tshirts are bright white as are the designs crisp and straight.... a dark and gloomy night with poor lighting makes a poor camera taker in me...)

Enjoy!

 

 

 

A Tattered New Year

 

 

It's January. 

 

I think I forgot how to blog.

I'm always on Facebook where I seem to

"update my random thoughts and useless wisdom"

everyday.

 

But blogging?

 

I think I had forgot how to "do it"

 

But it's a "new year" and I thought I better get to it.

 

And I thought I would start it with a look at my

"tattered couch" 

that my Hannah and I hauled to the amazing Tiffany's house in September for Hannah's Senior pictures.

 

Then after the January edition of Romantic Homes was out and off the shelves, she told me it was in that "edition" 

 

"Hey, did you see your couch in the issue" ?

 

So I still haven't gotten a subscription to this great magazine, and of course, it was

"off the shelves" by the time I meandered to the grocery store.

 

You see. 

We don't have a Barnes and Nobles and the Borders all have shut down.

 

So even finding a "Romantic Homes" in this town is slim to none.

We can find any knitting or hunting, or "hair styling" magazine to your hearts desire"

 

But this one was a hard one to find.

But my girl Timi came to the rescue and sent one to me (and the February issue) too!

(thanks for the sweet surprise sweet Timi!)

 

And I could see my Tattered New Year starting off right.

 

And Tiffany's fine work in print again.