Lisa Souers Designs

spring junking.

spring I can say is "finally here" in the pacific northwest.  I cannot say the same for the Minnesota area, at least when I was there a week or so ago.

I planned on packing "light".  You know.  50lbs in a piece of luggage doesn't go far when you love metal.  So I thought.  Pack light.  Ship some great stuff home in your luggage.

 

I would of paid dearly for a pair of mittens.

I did wear my sweet friend Pam's "spare winter jacket" pretty much for 5 days.

thank goodness I didn't pack my favorite work boots.  flip flops.

 

spring junking to me means ....well.

spring.

 

 

not 9" plus snow in mid April.   I can drive great in the snow, so the offer for a "4 wheel drive" from the rental car place was kinda silly. 

 

so is driving a "compact car" not much bigger than a smart car.

(they do great barodies in the parking lot though :)

 

 

But spring junking is still

Spring Junking.

And Minnesota and it's surrounding farmy country "brings it".

 

chippy, rusty, metal, farm cupolas .

and cubbies, cupboards that make my heart go crazy.

 

I have plenty of cubbies, drawers, metal at home.

 

But I "just had to have this one". (and thankfully can store it at a super cool store until we drive back to Junk Bonanza in the Fall. )

  snow free.

Hanging with my Minnesota family is the best. 

 

Ki and Jane rock a killer show.

 

Sara is a bad ass driver to "get it done". 

And seeing my cross country friend Kim is "always" the BEST.

 

The weather didn't stop shoppers, crazy cool junk and super amazing fun for "spring junking" whatsoever. 

 

record crowds for some amazing goods.

 

perfect perfect fun.

spring love

a very laid back easter.

have my favorite girl and Mr. around...

you forget how "time flies" until you dig through old photos and smile....

 

I have to say, I don't really miss the "early morning hiding of the easter eggs before the wee one wakes up".  my tradition now is buying a "second bunny" days before Easter because I have already eaten the "first one" meant for my H.

 

super low key, but have been needing a "super low key" sorta day.

 

holidays for us are about family and hanging out together. 

 

there was alot of "walking dead zombie marathon" going on.  They chased me last night in my dreams.      stupid addictive tv.

 

i didn't even "work" much this weekend while my girl was home for the long weekend.

 

I probably should have as spring is here and it's tumbling fast with shows and fun just around the corner, but life has been at full speed the last couple months and a laid back weekend was just perfect.

what's really cool is the "full speed" ahead has been incredibly fun and planning for shows, junking and much unexpected fun as well....

catch me in April in Minnesota with my "minnesota girls, jane and sara"/

I cannot wait to hang with them and midwest rust and treasures for 5 days!

 

 

 then our yearly tradition ...Farmchicks.   This little show was just a handful of us 'years ago"...and now?  200 amazing vendors and people traveling across the world to shop and enjoy the Northwest best "treasures".  I stockpile like a winter squirrel for this show.

 

I'm not one to just sit around, so the fast paced of getting things acomplished, things marked off my "bucket list" is just perfect... these last couple months have been just that.

 

spring is here and I'm working on being ready to enjoy it with my friends and the adventures it has in store

 

xo Lisa

sparkles and projects oh my.

 

I'm rushing the season.  I know. 

 

We've had a few days of sunny skies, warm enough temps that I could get into refreshing for Spring.

After so many days of fog, freezing fog, ice that won't go away, it's amazing what a sunny day will do for a soul.

 

So a few days of hunting and adding to my vintage stash of "Mr Projects" and my insatiable love for chandeliers.... the last week has been a fun one adding to our home.

 

This little beauty was a fun find.  I needed one more for an area that was "lacking" some sparkle.  Notice the "needing".  

 

Like I really needed another "chandelier.

 

 

But it was calling my name.

 

"pick me, pick me".

 

I had to go with that inner voice and

you know.

 

"pick it".

 

They say, you really have to listen to that "inner voice".

 

 

I then have one spot where I have picked up 2 cabinets for.

count them.  2.

 

And neither are working out for this reason or that. 

 

Well.  One reason. 

The Mr. stating... "um, not in the mood for that big of a project this weekend".

(one day he will be in the mood for it, but if I am to complete my honey do list, neither one will do .  for now)

 

 

But he loved this pick

and didn't feel it would take too much work to get her back to it's glory.

 

And the size was almost "perfect" for that empty spot. 

(the "one" empty spot in our house)

 

So if the days continue to be sunny and warm,

It will be a great weekend to finish off that

"never ending list of things I want to get done that never seem to get done"

 

Now if it only will warm up a wee bit more so I can wash the outside windows without icicles forming out of the hose.

 

xo

Lisa

 

 

Get Your Junk On

I love FREE

And even closer to loving FREE is being apart of this AMAZING show!

Last year my Mr. Souers and I were so honored to be a vendor at the Junk Bonanza.

Wasn't so thrilled about a 24 hour drive to get there.

But I do love a "good adventure"

So this year

Our plans are to

"actually take a few days to drive cross country"

And enjoy the view

And junk along the way.

But until then

You all have a chance to WIN BIG

And you really do want/need the VIP Tickets

to score the BEST of the BEST treasures

Before the MASSES of shoppers come in behind you.

* Two VIP tickets, which allow for admission all three days of the event, including the coveted Early Bird entry on opening day (which lets you in two hours before the show opens to the general public).

and...

* A Junk Bonanza tote with a copy of the latest Flea Market Style magazine, rolling off the press around the beginning of September!

The annual Junk Bonanza brings together the most amazing vendors and unique finds.

  This year's event will take place on the following days at

Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota:

Thursday, September 13th: 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, September 14th: 9 am to 5 pm
Saturday, September 15th: 9 am to 5 pm

 

Entering the contest is easy! Just head on over and like my Facebook page by clicking here and let me know you've done so by leaving a comment on this post.

Even if you have "already liked" my page, leave me a comment and let me know and that you would really love some "free goodness"

Hopefully this will entice you to attend this crazy fun show!

  The giveaway will end Wednesday, August 15th with one winner chosen by a random number generator.

Learn more about the Bonanza at www.junkbonanza.com,

or on the blog at junkbonanza.blogspot.com,

Junking at it's finest.

 

One Amazing Show

 

Every weekend I swear there is a "show"

 

Hard to keep up, attend them all, or even be a part of them.

 

Wouldn't it be great if we could attend them all?

Not possible.

Last year my Mr. Souers and I were blessed to be a part of Joe and Jermonne's show and have to say, it's

"style friggin overload"

And that's a pure compliment to all the amazing vendors that bring their serious

"A Game"

So this year, I opted out to spend my last summer with my Hannah before she goes off to college in less than a month.

So.

If you do get a chance to attend the Barn House Show this Saturday.....

Enjoy it, savor it, and bring home some killer treasures for me....

 

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?