Lisa Souers Designs

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. 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

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!)

 

 

The End

It's the

End of Summer.

 

I finally gave into socks.

And realized I haven't blogged for months. 

 

But I realized even though

The End of Summer is Here

 It's just been grand.

 

 

It included an amazing Barn House Show that Mr. Souers thought "loading in" was the "Cheese to his Macaroni".  Seriously simple. 

And Incredibly Fun.

with

The Most Amazing Fun Boys Ever

 

And of course I didn't take pictures because I was too busy "sweating to the oldies"

in Good ol' Portland Humidity

 

But I "borrowed a few pictures from other blogs

Tiffany and Jermonne in all their glory...they had me gut busting I tell you...

 

 

I think Jermonne took this picture of me "hard at work"...

I do like to tell the Mr. I do "work hard". 

Thank you for the proof!

 

We brought some great gems

 

Made some great new friends.

And saw some friends we hadn't seen in awhile

 that were so wonderful to reconnect with again

 

But with the end of Summer

comes the

 

End of The Tigers Era

 
 
 You can tell they were "so upset."

 

You see, it wasn't just about

'So Many Summers of Tiger Ball"

 

It was about Friendship and Fun

 

 

To me it was about Family

 

 

So the

 "End is Near"

 

But

 

The Fun is Just Beginning

in a whole new part of the Country

 

Won't you come Join Us?

 

 

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



 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Trip

I wish I was feeling this creative

 

 

But it's an all day road trip

with my Mr. Souers

 

And I didn't think the above outfit was

appropriate

 

for the entire day

 

It would of been for

 

Timi's

 

"Ruffles and Rust Show"

 

I am dragging him too.

 

(it sounds painful for him, but he really does love junk as much as I do)

( he just quietly admits it at times)

 

 

He wouldn't be the one wearing the cool hat pictured above.

 

Guaranteed.

He does love me alot .

 

But he does have his limits.

 

(thank goodness )

 

January Junking

 

I love January Junking

 

 

No not really.

 

It's frigging cold.

I have to get up when it's super dark.

 

Figure out socks, a warm coat, a warmer hat.

(never found the coat)

 

Where's my mittens?

 

Do I need a Flashlight?

Way too much thinking on a cold dark morning.

I shall sleep in a wee bit more.

But my favorite girls were having a great sale

 

No that is not my Lucky Beer and Tupperware 

(Pam and Rozanne have the BEST sales in Yakima) 

 

Dear God, I have to really fight the crowds as it's a Dog Eat Dog world in January as the Pickin's are Slim in January in Yaki Vegas.

 

But I don't really have that Super Edge to me in

 

January Junking

 

A little Edge.

 

 

But not alot

 

Because I was too embarrassed to show you my

 

# 20 in line this morning.

 

I am usually

 #1 or #2

 

I got teased this morning for being a "Slow poke", "lazy nelly", "Decided to get out of bed this morning Lisa"?

"Where have you been?"

"What?  My number is ahead of yours"?

 

Cracking me up.

 

My response.

 

My junking style has changed.

Small trinkets is my game.

You all can drag that big ol stuff home 

 

Of course unless I find a killer score.

Or a smaller killer score that makes my heart pitter patter

 

Vintage Metal Tool Holder....

 

Pitter patter Pitter patter

 

And some other super fun items so worth getting out of my cozy warm bed for.

 

Okay, these make me smile everytime I look at them

 
 

 

And 4 layers of ceramic vintage letters in many sizes?

Smiling big again.

 

But my favorite score?

 

 
 
 

Four Vintage Prom or Bridesmaid Dresses

 

I totally can't wait to try them on.

One is very similar to the one I wore at my Prom

And to Timi's Ruffles and Rust Show last October

I now have more choices if I ever feel a "dress up need again"

 

Pitter Patter Pitter Patter