Lisa Souers Designs

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.

 

Cabinets for Christmas

I'm not a bling sorta girl

More sort of a "wood and metal" make me so happy kinda girl

 

So those of you who keep asking for kitchen pictures

I keep ignoring you

It hasn't been finished

Because all those great cabinets I keep selling at Serena's show over the past 8 years?

You would think I would of had a premenition that

"one day Lisa, you might just need them for yourself"

Nah

 

But Santa has already delivered me not a lump of coal this year

 

But my most favorite cabinet to date

 

 

And it's finally in my kitchen

 

And the cool original details still in tact

 

And instead of my wishful thinking this second  beast would actually "fit in my art studio"

 

 

It's a work in progress in our kitchen

 

Like it was always "meant to be here"

Just a bit o trim and finish up underneath it....

 

Oh happy Christmas.  Pass on the bling in the Souers House

 

Souers Santa can bring me large heavy cabinets down my chimney anytime.

 

Something for free

Everyone loves something for free

Ususally the "free box" isn't worth digging in...

I always do. And can find some good treasures.

 

But my "something for free" for the rest of December

 

Isn't her

 

 

Or her trinkets

 

But the shipping of her trinkets from my website is FREE

 

Buy one, but a box load.

Fill 'er up.

 

Ship it free.

 

And I'll have more cuffs on in the next day or so.

 

And the cool new chunky industrial crosses that are around her neck.

 

I know.  That was a tease.

 

Merry Holidays to you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuffed

 

One month down with this whole "artist thing" and I think I have never been so busy.

(not complaining, I just dream metal and "what goes into a Coffee Misto" right now)

 

I thought I would have time to eat those "bon bons" everyone said I would be doing.

Have time to hang my curtains that are still sitting on my floor after painting my living room

Or mop my floors on a regular basis

Nope

But I think it's just my personality to fill my time with busy

And create what has been on my mind for a long time.

 

And these are just one of the things that has been tucked away deep in the cobwebs of my little pea brain

Cuffs

Bangles, bracelets, cuffs.

" a little assemblage piece of art wrapped around your wrist"

That's what I like to call them

 

I had to tear this one off my Hannah

( not really.  She knows where the "source is" if she wants the pick of the litter)

More to come very soon.

These are the beginings.  I love how they are morph however they choose.  Afterall, they all start out the same.  Like all of us. And then we become the individuals that we all all.  So very unique.

 They should be ready and fabulously one of a kind for these cool show this weekend in the wee little town of Tieton Washington. 

Come join me?  I have some cool one of a kind pieces I have created just for this show.

Dear Family

 

 

Dear Family.

 

I am so excited to be spending the day with you.

 

Just the three of us on Thanksgiving

 

 

 

Creating art

 

Loading my website with trinkets for the Holiday Season

 

Catching a bit of Football with my Mr. Souers.

 

Making the holiday meal with Hannah

 

(teaching her to "go in for the guts of Mr. Turkey...)

 

"You want to be a Doctor, 

Hannah, just reach in there, and get it...."

 

Her response....

"I don't want to stick my hand in something I am going to eat"

 

 

(we have so much to teach her before college....) 

 

 

Thinking hard...

 

Do I "really want to go to Target tonight at Midnight?"

 

(we really do need a new Sonicare Toothbrush and those Cheap Barbies and Matchbox cars are needed for the Toys For Tots Boxes)

 

And my biggest appology

 

 

 

I was too lazy to peel my own sweet potatoes this year.

 

 

I did have Hannah "doctor them up" with more butter, brown sugar and marshmallows waiting for the oven when the turkey is about finished...

 

(so I don't feel that bad that Costco did the work for me)

 

I have better things to do with my time today

 

Like spending it with my family.

 

 

Hope you all enjoy your valuable time with your family as well.

 

And maybe I will see you at Target at midnight too.

 

Then Saturday?

Trinkets for the Holidays

 

Where does the time go?

It's the holiday season already.  The weatherman flipped a coin on tonights news and predicted snow.  After the super gusty winds the last couple days (we were the "good neighbors" that picked up our leaves before "sharing them" with everyone) we are due for the snow .

Then I will know the holiday season is here.

 

And making sparkly trinkets.

Something about Vintage Glass Glitter

that makes it

 "holiday season"

 

This Saturday I will have a plentiful of trinkets on hand for "buying local" this season

Come find me in Yakima at the

Holy Family Bazaar

 (corner of 56th and Chestnut)

(never understood that word for a little show, I chuckle everytime...bazaar...it's my life at times)

(especially learning how to be a barista.  But that's another blog post)

This Saturday

November 19th,  9-3:30pm

I'll be there with my vintage "nut machine" with tons of trinkets for "gift giving"

Hoping this year, people "really don't think I am selling Hot Nuts".

 

Who Knew?

 

 

Did you ever see the movie

     Coyote Ugly?

My first day at Starbucks seemed a bit similar.

I felt way out of place, (no, I didn't dance on the bar), but felt like I was a bit, well,

"out of my element".

 

But I did learn.

A ton.

 

Especially how much I love it.

 

And I guess they wanted me back

 

As I got "my very own apron"  to prove I didn't get fired on my first day.

 

 

 

(and you really should try the new sugar free peppermint mochas...only 100 calories for a tall)

 tee hee

 

A turning point.

Life is funny. Sometimes it takes  a little nudge to "take a leap of faith".  In my life, it's that grinding voice in my head that kept kicking me and saying..."just do what you love and it will all come into place".  And then there are all those amazing girlfriends who keep giving you the inspiration and faith that , yes, one more little nudge will help. You know who you are...you are the ones that give me the little tidbits of wisdom, words of support, those little nudges I have been tucking away for awhile...keeping track, keeping tabs on when it would be time. ...

But sometimes, driving 1800 miles, I mean 1800 miles, "each way" to Ki's "Junk Bonanza" in September where I was so honored to be asked to be a part of, I can honestly say was my turning point.

It really wasn't sitting in a car and driving 24 hours straight through from Washington State to the great state of Minnesota with my Mr. Souers. Or the fun facebooking I did with my Little Red Shop friend Julie who was also making the road trip trek (mind you, a "whole lot slower that we were") . Or the fact that my Mr. Souers was taking a leap of faith with me that "yes honey, this is the bomb of a show and we really should drive to it because I want to bring a killer display for our gems".

Or the fact that I had been working at the same place for 17 years and my aching to "just be an artist" was really taking over.

 

Or the fact that when I am at places like the Bonanza...

I get to be me.

And I get to have friends hug and support "me being me".  Even if it means seeing if I "really can fit my little bootie in this washtub" (I later thought it could of been my "thinking tub", but I was laughing too hard wondering if I would ever get out)

Or friends that drive the distance and make sure to come find me to chat.

Or maybe it was to make me laugh some more as we stacked her finds super high

 

Or happy customers "so happy they were the one that one my "Lucky Friday" gift certificate....

 

Or make sure my Mr. Souers "isn't working too hard"

 

Or my Friend Jane. 

 

Who continues to support me.  See. My friend Jane and I met at another amazing supportive friend's show...you might know it...The Farm Chicks Show?

See my friend Jane is as wild as I am.  And when we are together... oh lordy.  It's part of my turning point that reminds me why I love being an artist and being me. She gets me laughing so hard I think I am going to pee my pants.  Being me, usually doesn't involve incontinence, but laughter is good for the soul and sometimes, well, you know..

And then Jane brings out the Midwest treasures.

And then I get to bring them home.

At least I didn't bring this home...I'm pretty sure it wouldn't of fit... but man...I really wanted it.

But see, it could be all of this, or the customers who support the little artist in me.

 

At the Bonanza, a little nervous, I am "different that these midwest gals"...What would they think?  And then my Mr Souers said as he tried to get back to the truck to get my missing pliers as the doors opened on Lucky Friday...

'Lisa, do you know what a Tsunami feels like?"  (um...no.)

"Well, they are coming"... just like one...

And they did. All weekend long.

 

 

My turning point. 

 

It had been the ache to become a fulltime artist for awhile... but my Mr. Souers (who still smiling after 2 hours sleep, traveling cross country, dragging him to "Hunt and Gather" in Minnesota and after a long selling weekend of one of the most amazing weekends...says....

"It's time".

His only request?  In order for me to be as social as I love to be when I am not out and about doing shows, in my art studio basement, trunk shows, and more... I would have to get a part time "fun job".

So I did. 

Coffee and Art.  I walked into Starbucks and "asked them to hire me".  I think he thought I was crazy.  Mind you. I went in cold calling, with a Master's Degree, asking for 10-20 hours a week to be a Barista, not a Supervisor or Manager, just a barista so I could spend the rest of the time creating art.  Looking back.  Yep.  I would think I was a bit "cuckoo" too... 

He hired me 2 days later.

 

Today is my turning point.  Today is  my last day at my real job of 17 years.  There's a party in my  honor.  Not thrilled about it... I hate the commotion, attention... just give me a sweet hug and let me do what I am striving to do.... People ask if I am afraid of leaving...I tell them no, I would be afraid to stay and not take the chance to be everything I hope to be.....

So there you go...

Support "your local artists" this season... (there's my one and only plug!)

 

 

Milestones

 

 

I tell you.

 

There is something about

One Amazing Red Head

 
 

4 Best Friends

 

 

One Fabulous Hotel

Where Girls Think they are the Cat's Meow

 
  

And Greasy Fries

 

That make the best Birthday Party "eva"

 

You see...

 

My H said I couldn't be "emotional" when she turned 18.

 

But it's a milestone in my book.

 

But to her

It's being with her Forever Friends.  Doing what Forever Friends do.

 

They Play

 
 

They Shop

 

They Eat at High Class Restaurants with People that mean the world to them

 

And I get the Parents

Out on the Town

 

And I get to see

 

"My" Forever Friend whom we only know each other as "Cuz'ins"

 

And to this day she still thinks I am the one who taught her to swear in our "backyards" at the wee age of 4 on our swingsets.

This time we got to blame it on my Dad because we could "tag team him"in person

 

But I get this that makes it all worth while

 

 

So yes.  A bit emotional.

 

My H is 18 today.

 

And yes she got her stink'in boots

 

 

A wee bit early. 

 

We had a Party for Goodness Sake... What's a Party without gifts?

 

 

Such a Bad Mom

 

 

I've been told

 

I'm a Bad Mom

 

I'm holding out

 

You see

 

There is a "certain Red Head" who is kindly been named

H1

 

 

who thinks

"I'm a Bad Mom"

for not

"gifting her"

Her "oh so chosen gift

 

Before Her 18th Birthday.

 

If I was

"such a bad Mom"

 

Would I have "so allowed" this Little Red Head

 

To Dress Like a Ninja Turtle and Go Trick or Treating at Such a
"Fine Young Age"?

 

 

Or Act so "Gangster" in Such a "Fine Attire"?

 

Or "Be Left Unattended" with Such Fine Goods as these

at The FarmChicks Show?

 

Or Been Able to "Be Royality" with her Bestie and also so named an "H"

For a Weekend?

 

Or Paint Trees in The Backyard when we have enough fine trees already Planted?

 

Or let her ride in Police Cars?

 

"Just Because"

 

Or Act Like Such a Tom Boy when she's really such a Little Girl in my Heart?

 

Or Hang with Such A Bunch of Other Tom Boys every Summer and Get so Grungy Dirty that we have to stop apologizing for the dirty clothes every weekend?

 

 

I must be such

"A Bad Mom"

 

Because I get Smiles Like This Every Day

 

 

And Random Notes that Tell Me

 

 

 

So This Bad Mom is

 "Holding Out"

 

She can wait to

"Get The Goods"

 

 

Because as she learned along time ago

 

Tantrums never worked to get her way.

 

(but she's such a good kid she usually got what she wanted anyways)

 

This time

she just has to wait