Lisa Call

Oh so blue...

A few weeks ago I spent some time dying vintage lace.  I hope to make a cuff bracelet with some vintage velvet ribbon.  I am also thinking about making some flower pins with the little doilies...crochet some flowers and layer some wool with a vintage button.    Maybe a little lace on a journal? 

 

 

Inspiration

Inspiration comes from many places, and I am constantly jotting/scratching down ideas.  I have tons of ideas just waiting to be made.  Here is a picture of Jeff stacking some rocks on a family outing by the river...now I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with inspiration...so keep reading

 
and one morning I woke up thinking stacked pmc pieces...now I wanted to make some organic shapes to mimic this idea, but when I got down to my table, I just decided to stack some little bits that I already had...and here is the result.

I purchased the strands of roman glass at a bead show months ago and they seem to just go with this design.  I need to make some organic PMC pieces to continue this project, but I do like how these turned out.  The little circles are just left over from when I make circles or  the centers of rings that I have made. 

 

Jeff is also my biggest sources of inspiration and support.  I am a lucky girl!

Studio

"I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to."

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

I used to do all my jewelry work in the master bedroom.  I set up a little table behind a sitting chair and worked happily in my room at night.  I think Jeff grew tired of stepping on beads and created a work space for me downstairs one Christmas.  I don't think he realized how this would grow...and now I have my workspace, the guest room for sewing, and a craft closet stuffed to the brim.  He jokes that I spend more time organizing and cleaning than actually working.

I finally found a chandelier to add much needed light at night and in the winter...still need to tear into the ceiling drywall to actually hardwire it...but that will have to wait.  Since that will involve me cleaning my work table.

More frames...

 
 

This is my place of enchantment.

Connections

My blog started out as a way to maintain connections I had made at art retreats and in blogland.  I grew up in a time when computers were not in every home, and  I love how we can connect via words and images all over the world via the internet.  So each week, I am going to try and post about one of the many connections that inspire me.  I hope you will too. 

Isn't the doll above darling?  The creator and artist, Tara Rossis someone I met at one of my very first ArtFest retreats.  I attended this retreat alone and not really knowing anyone.  I didn't know what to expect, but figured it would be a great adventure away from home and family for a few art immersed days.  I was staying in a dorm when Tara saw me in the hallway and invited me to visit in her room that was across the hall.  She is the sweetest and kindest person and I am always amazed at her ability to create art each week.  She also has been very helpful in sharing information on rug hooking.  I was shocked that there weren't more resources locally, but I just emailed Tara and she filled me in on great places to find wool etc. 

Tara is actually a mixed media artist and will be teaching at ArtFest this year.  Check out her blog...you will be glad you did.

Projects

I have a number of projects waiting to be completed and here is one down...2,000 more to go.  I am slowly going to try and do one project a week in my pile of some day projects.  Fabric was my first true love and still is today...so here is a vintage cart liner that is created with new and re-purposed fabric.  The inside liner is made from one of Lauren's old baby blankets (Rachel Ashwell's line) and Belle Note linen crib skirt.  I love how it turned out.

I was proud of my self and thought it looked cute, so I showed this to my husband and he looked at me quizzically and said..."What are you going to use that for?"  Lisa, "I thought it would be handy at antique shows for hauling all my finds."  Jeff, "You need a rolling cart?"  Perhaps I should have left the part about hauling my finds out.  I also think it will be great storage for rolls of paper or fabric.  You guys can see how useful this will be right?

Art & Soul Portland

Art & Soul Portland was wonderful.  It is about connection, learning and growing all rolled up into one. The scarf here is by the talented and lovely Lorrie Scott.  She is a teacher and artist that I had the pleasure of rooming with this year.  I also got to have first pick of her lovely items.  The only problem was to narrow it down to just a couple of items. I have a wonderful blue one too and I can't tell you how many people comment on this scarf. 

The image below was taken by Belinda Schneider...did't her 3D PMC house turn out cute?  I took a felting class with Belinda a few years back and it was fun to have her in my class. 

 

There was a little shopping in Portland.  I toured Portland with art friend and student Deb, and we had a great time and found some wonderful items. A visit to the Clog Shop where last year I found some great turquoise Danskos...so this year I went with these warm orange/red shoes.  Sad to say they are discontinuing this style.

Lots of vintage finds too...We wondered to a couple of stores on Mississippi Street and found Porch Light and other fun vintage shops...love this glove box. 

Turquoise Caddy...

 

Oh...this blue velvet album from vendor night.  Sorry the picture isn't better, but I am sure it will be in many more photos in the future.  As I was running back to my room after setting up for vendor night I saw this out of the corner of my eye and had to have it. 

Another picture by Belinda of Nellie Wortman and me...vendor night was fun.

 
  

Free Textures to Add to Photos

I have been playing around in Photoshop again and got free textures for layering at www.lostandtaken.com.  Here is my practice picture.  I love how the texture shines through.

I will be posting on Art & Soul soon.  I was discussing with a friend that we need to create a group for bad bloggers.  A support group if you will, but really I am going to try and be better.  I have been thinking about why I blog and how I can move forward in this blog world.  So I am going to start with small goals.  You may see more  pictures than words, but I hope to be a better blogger.

Where to Start?

Summer seems to happen and then I get carried away with all there is to do when the sun is out and so many things to do outside. I should start by saying I found my soften lens and was giving it a whirl and too lazy to take it off when snapping pictures...so in many cases the blur is intentional.

I love finding happy surprises at Michaels...a sale on Martha Stewart kit in my favorite colors.  They are sitting here until they find a home hanging somewhere.

 

There was some studio cleaning...

 

and organizing...

 

more storage...

 

There was some shopping at the Portland antique show where I ran into the lovely Sally Jean and Lisa Kaus.

 

lovely vintage ceiling tin added to one of my tables from the Barn House flea market

My darling daughter's 13th birthday party filled with color, crafts, and water balloons...

 

 

the corn harvest...

 

Some knitting and gathering...

 

The Church Mouse on Bainbridge Island that Renee had told me about.

More projects...purses perhaps?

 

Of course there was shopping for beads and a great class with Sherri Haab that I will post about later.  I will try and post more soon, but just a few more days of summer and then the kids go back to school. 

Dreaming of Paris and Brush Fun

I am dreaming of a trip to Paris and created this necklace with a lovel little charm I purchased from Sally Jean and a vintage Eiffle Tower I found locally.   What makes this picture even  more exciting is that after a few minutes of completing an online tutorial in Photoshop by Jessica Sprague, I was able to load frames and brushes to my photo.  So if you want to take a great tutorial, I highly recommend her site.

 

Class Projects

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to take a class with Lisa  Kaus in her home studio.  I love her work!  What a great class and here is my project...

  

Bottom

 

Once I got home, I also decided to red0 some journal covers...

  

I just love how the wax seeps into the vintage paper.  I hope to be in Portland again next weekend for the big antique show.