Lisa Souers Designs

"Treasure Houses"

Thanks for all the kind comments on my "Kaleidascope Series" on my website.  I have more I have been working on but haven't yet added yet.

Here's another one just added.....

 

My Treasure Houses below were actually  "second thought" to "Kaleidascope Series" I have been working on. 

I thought...if I can create Round Bezels, I can surely create Houses...

Not as easy, but oooh, I do love creating them.

 

The first two " Treasure Houses "went to the Allied Arts "Art of Giving Gallery Show" that begins today.

 

 

 
 
 

These two one of a kind Treasure Houses are on my website now.

I don't know about you, but I am not one who loves mass store shopping, more one of a kind Trinkets and Baubles for my true gift giving spirit this time of year.... or even "random acts of giving kindness"....

This "ART" House is all hand forged, patina-d and one of a kind.

 

Tucked deep inside is a vintage watch case with the word "Art" and vintage German Glass glitter that moves freely about when worn.

 

A Little Metal Bezel with a vintage 1900's Number tucked below

 

French Script on the back.

All hung with a Rusty (sealed) chain.

Measures 1" x 3" long

Chain hangs 20" long.

 

 

"FRANCE" House

Vintage Watch Case

 

Vintage Rhinestone Embelleshment and Key

 

Enjoy

Lisa

 
 

 
 
 

"A Way In" to my Creative Mind....

 
When the holiday season starts peeking around the corner I start getting super excited to get even more creative......

Growing up with My Auntie Beth it was always about "making gifts" for those we loved for Christmas, so I think that's where I get that joyful feeling to making "different" trinkets for the holiday season.....

 

But before I show what I have been working on, I always get inspired by what I find on the side of the road. 

I am so grateful I have a conscience and didn't have a shovel. 

This would of so nicely fit inside the bed of my truck.

Okay, it "really would of stuck out all over the place because the hand is as BIG as my truck.."  I just wanted to believe it was meant to go home with me.

I about "ran out of gas coming home from a quick trip to Spokane this weekend....you know that feeling... "I have plenty of gas".  "I can make it to the next exit...where the Starbucks is"...  Not this time.  So I took an exit before my "regular Starbucks plus Gas Exit", one that I have never taken before that looked like it could be from the movie "Deliverence" and this sign greeted me.

 

I couldn't believe I had never seen it before.  But why would I?  I have my route.  If there isn't Coffee plus Gas, I don't exit.

 

The trucker thought I was a bit on the wacky side taking a picture.

 

Think how wacky he would of thought I was if I had been digging it up.

It still calls my name....

 

But on to a "way in"....to my creative mind....

 

 

"Kaleidascope Series"

 

 

 

I have listed 3 on my website but have been working on a few like these as well soon to be on there as well...

I have always been intrigued with kaleidascopes so I tucked deep in my art studio and worked on these little trinkets....all one of a kind little stories in them....

 

This little fella is going to the Allied Arts Gallery with about 8 other one of a kind pieces for an Art Show/Gallery Show.  I was honored to be asked to be a part of it... but the 
"House Collection" will be on my website next weekend. 

All one of a kind metal hand forged bezels.

 

So that's the "Way In" to my Creative Mind for now.....
 

 

 
 

Happy Halloween.....

"From my Family to yours"

Enjoy

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

"2 fer 1"

I have my most favorite stores to shop in.

Some I dream to shop in.

But mainly just window shop because I am not really a new girl shopper, but get very inspired by Anthropologie

 

But  let me tell you, this about rocked my world when two of my most favorite shops were located "NEXT TO EACH OTHER"   

I couldn't believe it.

 

So of course, I had to take a picture of the signs because it wasn't real.

 

The Harbor Freight cashier inside the store must of thought I was a bit nuts.

He probably thought that anyways when I was just shopping in there spending as much time going through each bin as Mr. Souers did.

It's my most favorite store.

Yep hardware store.  Cheap, metal, tools.  I salivate just thinking of it.

Oohing and aahing. 

"What I could do with that new tool."  "Ohh.  Didn't know they had that!"  

"Been looking "for one of those"

And 2 fer 1 stores next to each other.

Restore 

Reclaimed salvage goods. About as good as it gets. 

If you saw The Farmchicks Booth last year that I designed for Serena, it pretty much all came from Restore.  The vintage Laundry room tables, chairs, and rolling wheel laundry carts.  All from there.  All stuff that would of ended up in the landfill.

All reclaimed and repurposed into a design.

So when 2 fer 1 of my favorite stores end up next to each other on a drive by...

We always stop.

"Chance Encounters"

 

I truely believe that we never have "chance encounters in life". People cross our paths for a reason.  There are never just chance encounters in that every person that crosses our path, whether it be the grocery checkout person who remember to give us the right change back, or someone "you accidentially meet" on a shuttle bus , we are meant to meet.  We may not know it at the time why we held a conversation with that person, or our paths have crossed at "just that moment". .. but was it really just a chance encounter with that person....

 

But there is purpose.  And if we live with our "eyes wide open" and in that moment, just notice that chance encounter, something may come of it.

 

My friend Lucy is just that.

 

I met "Lucy", aka, Roberta on a shuttle bus a couple years ago at art classes.  We chatted.  Was it a chance encounter?  I believe our paths crossed at that moment for a reason.

 

We have been great friends ever since. 

 

Last week more than once I have been reminded of the value of true friends and what that means. 

 

So when Lucy said she would be up from California and wanted to spend a day in Seattle before heading to art classes in Port Townsend ("and had never seen Seattle!"), I jumped at a chance to see my "Chance Encounter Lucy Friend"....

 

So, how do you show someone in a few hours Seattle who has never been?

 

Why you take them on a Duck of course!

If you have never been, you must take the "cheeseiest, 2 hours, land and water tour of Seattle" 

 

 It's a great way to see a glimpse of Downtown Seattle and Lake Union...and yes, it goes in Lake Union too.

Lucy thought it was pretty cool.

 

Of course we had to see Pike Street Market as well...

The colors were in full force of Fall...

The next time you casually "meet" someone, ask yourself the question.

"Was it really by chance our paths crossed or what was the real purpose today we talked, or met? "

 

What would of happened if I played shy and didn't say hello to my Lucy Friend that day on the random shuttle bus?

 

I wouldn't  want to know.
 
 

  

"I've been tagged..."

I've been tagged by Junebug in Spokane... A great Mother and Daughter team that just held their first show that I was unable to attend due to other plans but from the sounds of it, was a great success...

 

So I guess when you are tagged, you have to answer the following questions....

I struggle to follow rules, so I will do my best!

 

________________________________

1. Thank and post URL to the blog that gave the award

2.  Pass the award along to 6 brilliantly over the blogs (blog you love!) Alert them so they know to recieve the award.

3. Copy and paste this quiz... Change the answers, ONE word only!!

4. Have Fun

___________________________________

1.) Where is your cell phone? "In my huge vintage bag...way at the bottom, only found with a "ring"

2.) Your hair? "Open question... does that mean I have hair?  Or color?  A funky red/brown...Got tired of the question, Where does your daughter get her red hair?"  The milkman joke got old..."

3.) Your mother?  "Lives in Spokane, Very Independent, lives by her own rules...sounds quite familiar..."

4.) Your father?  "Fisherman"... Loves  a good game of Cribbage.  Taught me I better "count all my points or he was going to take them from me".

5.) Your favorite food?  "Indian, Curry, Sushi"...not just one".

6.) Your favorite drink? Americano Coffee...The stronger the better.

7.) Your dream last night? "The Martha Show"  yep, really.

8.) Your dream/goal?  "Being able to market every design in my head..."

9.) What room are you in? "My studio"

10.) Your hobby? "Jewelry Design"

11.) Your fear? (seriously, only one word on this?) "Fire"

12.) Where do you want to be in 6 years? "Right where I am."

13.) Where were you last night? "Tucked tight with my family."

14.) Something that you aren't? "Shy about my beliefs or opinions"

15.) Muffin? "None.... Not a Muffin Girl!"

16.) Wish list item? "Finish my stink'in Front Porch"

17.) Where did you grow up? "Spokane, Washingoton"

18.) Last thing you did? "Drove through Starbucks"

19.) What are you wearing? "Best Frye Biker Boots...most favorite."

20.) Your TV? "Flat Screen... Love the Vintage Bubble ones...wish they would create a "new /old" one of those!"

21.) Your pets? "Charlie the Agoraphobic Troll Cat"  Lives Just in Hannah's room.  "  Easy clean up.

22.) Friends? "Quality not quanity is always my motto."  They know who they are.

23.) Your life? "Goal Driven, Random, Abstract,  Just the way I like it".

24.) Your mood? "Content"

25.) Missing someone? "My Auntie Beth"

26.) Vehicle? "Toyota Tacoma truck".  Use to have a 1966 Karman Ghia.  Not an easy car for junking trips.  

27.) Something you aren't wearing? "Glasses"

28.) Your favorite store? "Restore, Habitat For Humanity, Any Architectural Salvage stores."

29.) Favorite color? "Black"

30.) When was the last time you laughed? "Everyday"

31.) Last time you cried? "My Aunt's Funeral"

32.) Your best friend? "Mr. Souers"

33.) One place you go to over and over? IKEA  A great place to get lost in home goods.

34.) One person who emails you regularly?  Anthropologie.  To remind me what I can't afford.

35.) Favorite place to eat? "Pho Tan.  Love those noodle bowls."

_____________________________________

Tag you are it....

Serena...    Her Web Journal

Kasey   @ Lola B's ...

Roberta...An Amazing  Artist...You have to check her work out...

Jeanne  @ A Bushel and A Peck

Tiffany @ Shabby Scraps

  

"today's gonna be a good day"....

Some things make me smile from ear to ear...

This one made me smile bigger than that...

I had to watch it over and over again.

(turn your volume up first before hitting play)

If you haven't seen

"Oprah's Kick Off Party with the Black Eyed Peas" 

you gotta see it now..

 You will be smiling ear to ear too how one person can make so much happen.

Watch the girl in front, and the "plant" dancers next to her...

 If this doesn't make you have a good day...nothing will :)

Enjoy.

 

"Crazy Cat Week"...

 

Post done.

....................................

Okay, maybe not...

That was last week.

This should be a better week. 

Sunday's are a good day to get'er done.  Finish what the week didn't let you finish or at least attempt.  Start anew. I always try to start a Monday with a breath of fresh air and remind myself Life is Good.  There is no reason to have another Crazy Cat Week. I create those weeks where there is so much to do, but if there wasn't so much to do I spin circles like those that have no choice to spin circles.

So today after a Crazy Cat Week. I have got alot done...

Even had time last night to Chuckle.

 "Gut bust'em laughin" with my Mr Souers...

He just wanted to take a "cute picture". I hate getting my picture taken. We had just gone out to a fundraiser for the UW Girls Softball Team in Yaki-Vegas, rummy from being "overly tired".

This is my

"Posing so he can just take the picture" picture.

Fine...he got his picture.

We got to spend quality "family time" while I worried about finishing my

Crazy Cat Week

 But when you can see your daughter "gut bust'em laugh like you do...

It reminds you that "Life is Good" and Crazy Cat Weeks do go away. 

So....

I did accomplish alot on my Sunday while Hannah and Mr. Souers headed out today with those wild UW Girls pictured above to an all day Softball camp, then 2 softball games... I caught up on my website with new gems, here and other places on my website,  worked on our new laundry room (finished pictures coming soon!)

and looking forward to next week...

2 days of work then off to 4 days  just for me....

 

 

Reality Check....

Have you ever watched the show "Hoarders"?

 

My "real job" works with children and families struggling with issues with mental illness so watching a show about those who hoard useless items, or items that we view as useless intrigues me. 

 

But then again, we are "Junkers".

Who's to say we aren't "Hoarders"?

"The obsessive need to acquire and keep things"

 

Junkers sounds so much better.  Junkers collect cool stuff.  We find cool stuff others want. We repurpose, beautifully display our cool stuff, mindfully "hoard" great finds...

Sounds so much better than "Hoarding".

 

I dream of the next sale, scour the ads for a "Estate Sale of 90 years of treasures", dream I was going to the

 

and wonder "I could drive a U haul and bring some great treasures home"

 

Everytime I watch that show I feel their pain to some extent....

 

I walk downstairs to my art studio and mindfully notice I can't throw away "that one piece of french paper".  Justifying it that it will make the perfect piece of jewelry. Or that one piece of of vintage furniture I found " that needs just a bit of work"..."it was such a deal",  tucked in the back of my garage for 3 years..."I'll get to it someday"  Why would I get rid of that?  That one scrap of roses barkcloth?  Wouldn't that be perfect for that bench I will recover for the next Farmchicks Show?"

 

We are Junkers.  We are Hoarders.  We can justify it anyway we want.  We sell, we get rid of stuff, these people don't, so we aren't like them...

We don't get emotionally attached to our "stuff".

 

I watch another night of Hoarders (I love the start of it where they say "More than 3 Million People are Compulsive Hoarders...These are 2 of their stories)   then I proceeded to go out and clean my garage.

 

Two more loads to the local Goodwill.

 

Embracing Change....

 

I have met many Strong Women in my life...

But Serena is evokes that characteristic more than most...

My Great Aunt has always taught me that

"Change Is Always Good"...

You just have to be open to Embrace It....