Lisa Souers Designs

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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".

 

Come Find Me at The Barn House Show

 

I have no idea how to pack anything except a 24 ft uhaul

 

I had to learn sometime.

 

  So when The Boys asked me if I wanted to do their amazing show I thought

 Rock On

 Then packing up today

 It was a

 

What the @#$&*#$@%?

 

 

Pack up just a 10ft Utility Trailer? 

 

 

 

I have no idea how to do that.

 

But finally Mr. Souers, the "Master Junk Packer Upper" did just that.

 

And didn't mind me asking a "million and one times"

 

" Do we really need the spare tires"

 

 

"They are just taking up valuable Junk space"

 As he already changed one tire for

"overloading the trailer"

 

( I believe the answer unanimously was a yes after that)

 

and they I look around and find my

"random piles yet to be packed"

 

Come find me in Battleground Saturday 9-4pm

With an overpacked Utility Trailer, amazing Junkers and Friends and a most beautiful setting and hosts.

The BarnHouse Boys Vintage Market

 

A rock'in good time it will be.

Come Find Me at The Big Show.....

It's Here

 

 

We wait all year for Serena's Big Show

 

 

We Create

 

 

We Hoard

 

We Pack

 

We Re-Pack

 

to fit it all in

 

 

We Design and Display

 

 

(image from last year's show)
 

 

We Bust our Little Booties

 

 

 

"Just for You All"

 

 

 
 

For The Most Amazing Show 

 

"This Weekend"

 

 

 So Come Find Me and My Most Amazing Family and Friends

  

(Say Hi to my "Two Hannah's this weekend")

 
 

 They should be out of their Fastpitch Gear and ready to work like crazy

(Our "second Hannah" has no idea what she is in for :)

 

At The Farmchicks Show in Spokane this weekend

 

I'm right when you walk in the door...main Plaza.

look immediately to the left.





You can't miss our

Huge Silo

(the neighbors are thrilled it's out of the driveway) 

and tons 0' industrial metal, found treasures, and gems I create

 

 
 

I look forward to seeing you all there :)

 

Lisa



 

 

Deconstructing "farm" art.

 
 
It all started with a text.

 

Hey.

 "We are cleaning out a farm and there might be a few things you might want"

 

Who knew it would of ended up to be "so much fun" in the world of

 

"Deconstructing Farm Art" 

(ok. not to her, or my neighbors, or to the little kids that lived there eating popcycles watching us, or to anyone else who "doesn't get it like I do when I see something I can create with")

 

Laughing with a Great Friend

 

Renting a Uhaul

My Neighbors again "Questioning The Sanity of The Girl Across The Street"

 

Facing my Fear of Clastrophobia

 

Appologizing to The Uhaul Manager for Being 2 Hours Late.

(Not for me being 2 hours late, for me reminding him of what customer service should look like and having a "back up plan" when his employee  shows up 2 hours late).

 

Getting ahead of myself.

 

It started with a text.

 

Then a fun ride with my great friend.

 

 

Then it went downhill after that

 

She got a gun.

 

 

(It was a bb gun.)

 

I got all excited when I saw this.

 

 

Holy Moly I said

"I want this"

 

She went

"Um Ok....I'll ask if it's Ok". 

Not what she thought when she text me.

 

Yep. 

Pretty stinkin excited

 

Text Mr. Souers.  "The logical one." 

 

"Um. Just how big is it" (he asked)

 

I didn't show him that picture right away.  I just said

"Oh...it's going to be the perfect Jewelry display this year at The Farmchicks Show"

 

He got happy. 

 But again. 

Mr. Stinkin Logical. Asking questions I avoided like the plague.  

Repeat question #1.  (how big is it?)

"Um. No tape measure sweetie, but I know we can deconstruct it and reconstruct it for the show". 

 "I have a vision"

 

Married 17 plus years.  Usually goes well.

I sent the picture. 

 

Silence.

 

Alrighty then.

Day 2 with Mr. Souers.

 

He's the logical one. 

 

 But I am the impatient one. 

 He's trying to "logically" figure out a way to take the pieces apart. 

 

I tell him

 

"Just Tip The Sucker Over"

 
  

 

I love getting my way. 

 

 Especially when it works.

 

It was rough going I tell you.

 

Not the right tools.  Torrential Rain Storm. Had to Face the "fear of clastrophobia" and had to get in the beast.

I usually dig rust. 

Not today. 

Not in a rainstorm and on rusty bolts that have no desire to turn unless I get "inside and hold them while Mr. Souers. is on the outside.

 

 

First time I am glad it's cold.

The wasps are sleeping inside.

Top comes off. 

Friggin Wasps are alive and well. 

 

 

Briefly. 

 

 Thank goodness I didn't wear "my other work boots". 

 

Those flip flops I usually wear are Mr. Souers favorite work boots I wear.  I thought I would be more helpful this time. 

Afterall.  I was asking "quite a bit" this time.

Still on Day 2 of our Desconstruction. 

 The question we are both thinking and still not really talking about is.  How is is really going to get home. 

 

We are getting it apart.

 

Sort of.

 

We hit Day 3.

 

Because Day 2 we had run out of time

None of the pieces fit into our trailer. And the rusty bolts have beaten us. 

Even with rust remover ( I would be a spokesman for this product I kid you not.) the damn legs have not come off yet by the end of Day 2.

 

 

But Day 3.

We are serious now.

 

We have brought in the "Big Guns"

 
 

 

A hacksaw.

 

 

 

And a U Haul.

 

 

*remember.  I had  gotten ahead of myself.

  Butt chewing to the Uhaul Dude. Back up plan if your worker doesn't show up.  Time's a ticking. 

 The Farmchicks Show is just around the corner. 

I don't have time to waste if someone's alarm doesn't go off. 

I did applogize thinking that something aweful had happen to his employee. But 1-800 customer service was not oh so customer friendly. 

I know.  It's my issue. My thorn.  Bad customer service. 

 

 

 

Start with an Empty Uhaul.

16ft. One.

 

Needed to haul this beast out.

 

 

 

 

Full Uhaul.

 

 

Then had to

Set it up in our driveway at home. 

I could be rich by now charging all the

"lookie loo's " that kept driving by.

 

I do miss living out in the country at times like this

 

 

After a "very loud trip home. 

 Thought we were being shot all the way home but the metal moving in the truck. 

 

 

 

Hannah was a bit concerned if we got pulled over that someone would of thought we had an "alien spaceship recovery project" in the back.

And that we might not make it home.  

 

Or worse . 

 

To the show in the next couple weeks.

 

I can't wait for you to see

 

"the finished product"

the Deconstructed Farm Art piece.

 

aka. 

 jewelry display in our booth

at The Farmchicks Show.

 

coming soon.

 

Hope to see you there.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

One Girls Junk

 

 

Hey

 

What happens when a

 

Bunch of Girls

 
*image courtesy of Serena's blog

 

Have a "bunch of junk"...er I mean "treasures"

 

er, I mean

 

 garages so full that we can't keep junking for a

 

"really big show the first weekend of June"

 

 

We all get together

 

Fill our trailers

 

 

Find a reason

to

 

"Rent a Grange"

 

 

 

And have a Sale

 

 

One Girls Junk

Is another Girls (er hoarders, thrifters, garage salers, whatever you need to call yourself to "justify our sickness") Treasure

 

 

You don't want to miss this sale.

 

Saturday April 30th

8-3pm

3024 W Strong Rd

Five Mile Grange

Spokane