Published...sort of.

I was very excited to receive the latest issue of Porch Magazine in the mail today and see my belt buckle on the back cover and also on the inside of the magazine.  As this is only the second time my work has appeared in a magazine, it completely thrills me.

The first time I was published as part of a photo shoot of a client's home in Romantic Homes.

I had done mural work in her home and they had my name and contact info wrong.

This time my name is nowhere and the credit is given to my good friend Debi Beard of Out of the Blue.

Needless to say, I am very happy for my good friends, Debi, Rita, Christie and Deb who were published, but did feel a little deflated that my name was not there next to my work.

Oh well, they say third time is a charm, right???

Man, I looooove that belt buckle and at least the photo made it in!!!

Mannequin Madness

Over the years, I have made many a mannequin/dress form.

I adore them and they are all over my home studio in various forms.

Thought I'd share a few with you...

 

  

 

I have turned dozens into chandlier floor lamps and sold them to shops and private clients.

Mosaic tiles, decoupage, seashells...trying every medium I can.

The above are from my private collection.

These are but a sampling...more to share with you in the upcoming days.

Enjoy and be Be FeArLeSs...with your creativity!

Mermaid's Mercantile!

 

Join myself and some fabulous artists at this monthly event in the Cedros District of Solana Beach.

Sunday, February 28th 10 am to 5 pm.

See you there!

Only a Smile

I have long adored/collected books am an avid reader.

When in college it was my plan to double major,

in Art and English, with a minor in Music.

While cleaning up my Cottage yesterday I ran across this little book and thought I'd share it with you...

 

Simple in both form and sentiment, copyrighted in 1907.

If Humanity today could heed these simple words,

wouldn't the world be just a little sweeter?

Have a beautiful weekend and remember to share a Smile!

The REAL studio Madness

Each of my Artist friends and I can agree that when you open wonderful Magazines such as Somerset, Where Women Create or the old Mary Englebreit Mags, the Artist's studios

are always so beautiful and pristine.

Pisha, I say!

As many of my friends and I have commiserated, most of us LIVE within our respective studios...

with our families.

So when creativity is full force or you have a show coming up, the mess migrates to every horizontal surface in the house.

Glitter in the kitchen...YES!

Sewing on the Dining room table...YES!

I have two studios, one is the Family room and my second is a tiny cottage in my back yard...

Cute...huh?

Just wait until you see the inside...

 

Yikes....think I need to clean up!

So, there you are ladies...the Real studios, before stylists show up and make everything look pristine.

For me, creativity is always cyclonic!

See you tomorrow after my stylist shows up...oh, wait.  

That's me.

Happy Thursday!

Cottage Antiques

On Saturday I spent the day at Cottage Antiques in Ocean Beach participating in a Trunk Show with some fellow artists.

Here are a few pics of my work, theirs and Cordelia's Beautiful Store!

My little corner of the show...

 

One of my Kewpie necklaces.  I was happy with this shot!

 

My Lovely Friend Rita Reade of http://mammabellarte.blogspot.com/

 

Some of Rita's Beautiful soldered Charms.

My other Friend Christie Repasy with her beautiful Paintings. 

 

One can't help but feel a deep sense of calm when looking at Christie's work.

They are so peaceful.

http://www.christierepasy.com/defaultNet.asp 

Oh, and we had this to snack on...like all day!

Can you say, WHAT diet???

Cordelia has a beautiful store and creates so many wonderful vignettes that it is hard to choose a favorite.

 

I have to admit, the massive architectural pieces had me swooning...

I could keep posting, but I really need to get into the studio...

Okay, one more pic!

 

Bye for now and have a blissful Tuesday!

xo,

Lisa

Valentine's Breakfast

For Valentine's breakfast for my sweethearts, 

I made homemade waffles with Strawberries and whipped cream.

The strawberries were sweetened with my homemade mixed berry preserves, lemon juice and almond extract.

My honey and I being the non traditionalists, after breakfast parted ways to spend Valentines Day apart,

He with his son and myself with my daughter Emily.

Emily and I headed to Rainbow to meet up with Gal Pals, Rita from http://mammabellarte.blogspot.com/ 

and Christie of

http://www.christierepasy.com/defaultNet.asp.

The four of us hit the coolest Antique haunts...OMG.

Then came home to Dean, Rita's husband (a phenomenal cook),

who had prepared lunch for us....Enchiladas and salad.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the fabulouso Cappucino the Reade's make.

If you ever are invited to the Reade B&B...don't pass it up.

I arrived home early evening to my Beau with a glass of wine in hand.

We watched the movie Motherhood with Uma Thurman with the kiddos and climbed into bed.

I recommend this movie for any Mother...boy can we all relate to that character!!!

It was a lovely Valentine's Day spent with many people that I LOVE!!!

Hope yours was as Lovely!

The tradition of St. Valentine

There are a couple hypothesis to the origination of St. Valentine's Day.

As I adore my sweetheart and we celebrate our love every day, not just Valentine's Day,  I wanted to know more about the Holiday.

 

This was a few years ago at the Ranuculus fields in Carlsbad, Ca.

  This was my favorite Story...

The Story of St. Valentine

In 270 A.D., marriage had been outlawed by the emperor of Rome, Claudius II. Claudius issued this decree because he thought that married men made bad soldiers since they were reluctant to be torn away from their families in the case of war. Claudius had also outlawed Christianity in this time period because he wished to be praised as the one supreme god, the Emperor of Rome. Valentine was the bishop of Interamna during this period of oppression. Valentine thought that the decrees of Rome were wrong. He believed that people should be free to love God and to marry. Valentine invited the young couples of the area to come to him. When they came, Valentine secretly performed services of matrimony and united the couples.

Valentine was eventually caught and was brought before the emperor. The emperor saw that Valentine had conviction and drive that was unsurpassed among his men. Claudius tried and tried to persuade Valentine to leave Christianity, serve the Roman empire and the Roman gods. In exchange, Claudius would pardon him and make him one of his allies. St. Valentine held to his faith and did not renounce Christ. Because of this, the emperor sentenced him to a three-part execution. First, Valentine would be beaten, then stoned, and then finally, decapitated. Valentine died on February 14th, 270 A.D.

While in prison, waiting for his sentence to be carried out, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, the blind Asterius. During the course of Valentine's prison stay, a miracle occurred and Asterius regained her sight. Valentine sent her a final farewell note. He signed his last note, "From Your Valentine." Even today, this message remains as the motto for our Valentine's Day celebrations.

May you each have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

XO, Lisa

My Mountains

The recent rain has brought even more snow to the mountains and foothills behind my home.

As you can see, the mountains are still cloaked in clouds this morning, but much 

of what you are seeing is snow on the foothills in front of the mountain.

I LOVE living in the shadow of Cucamonga Peak and Mt Baldy.

(well not really in the shadow as I am on the south face)

It is so pretty to see each day.  It was 40 degrees at 7:30 this morning

when I drove my son to the High School.

I Love the mountains.

Will get some clearer pics later today.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

When Life hands you Lemons

Last week was a toughie for me.

I was barely able to work on my business.

Emily had a huge project due for school.

As smart as that child is, she is a challenge.

Then my 24 year old...top center, came to pay me a visit on Tuesday.

He has lived at with his Dad, my ex husband for the past 5 years.

Seems he and his girlfriend of 4 years are expecting a baby.

Now, one would think this is a happy momentous occasion.

I want to be happy, but their lives are honestly a mess.

Timing is everything they say.

You see, I had Brandon when I was 19 and unmarried.  

It was HARD.  I dropped out of college and worked full time to support him.

I have worked so hard with my kids to educate them, in hopes that they would not make the same mistakes as I have.  But, they each have to find their own way and this is just the hardest

part of parenting...Letting go and letting them find their way.

My emotions were a bit frozen last week...as was my work.

Their baby is due the same date my youngest daughter Emily was due. October 4th...which is St. Francis of Assisi's birthday...a good sign I say.

As I said to my son after he told me...
"you can't cry over spilled milk and when life hands you lemons make lemonade."

Life is good, I love my family...and soon there will be one more member to LoVe!

CrAcK-Berry

Well, sadly...my son dropped my Crackberry...ooops

I mean Blackberry last week. I find it amusing that I really can call it a "Crackberry" now!

Pictures of CHA are trapped inside, so I can't post them.

SOO...I did however create something that was inspired by CHA.

It should actually be on my other Blog, but what the heck.

It is a Framed sign for me to use at shows.  As well, I want to use it at CHA

next year when I rent a booth to try to license my artwork.

Unless work takes a different course, that is my new goal.

FABULOUS old Aqua Rhinestone bird Brooch...YUMMY!!!