snowflakes

snowflakes
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

These are little handcut and glittered snowflakes for my friend Tasha's wedding. She is getting married outdoors on New Year's Eve in an ice castle built by her fiance. How romantic is that!! It's a very casual affair for the guests, we only need to show up in warm cozy snowsuits , hat, mitts and boots!! But for Tasha she wants to have a little glitz and bling added to her white coat and asked me to come up with something. These little snowflakes should do the trick! I drew them out, cut them but hand, added glitter and rhinestones. The back of each has velcro which can be applied to the buttons on her coat and Voila!! Easy eh???

snowflakes

snowflakes
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Originally uploaded by l_art2000

The Christmas season is really my favourite time of year. People seem more giving and to a certain degree...happier. I'm one of the few that try hard not to stress about it. It comes around every year and with some planning and saving it can be accomplished without stress and breaking the bank. Christmas is not about feeling stressed and it saddens me that it is such a burden to some. Since my husband and I have always had to budget, due to lay offs and other bad luck,
my kids have been used to having a little less than their friends but really appreciate the things they do receive. I also think that because we've had to struggle, it really taught them some valuable lessons about life. There is absolutely no doubt that times are getting tough and life is very expensive, it is downright scary some moments, but by putting things into perspective and being thankful for what we have and not what we wish we had really helps. I am so thankful for my healthy children and my husband and it gets me through the hard times. I hope everyone out there has had a wonderful, stress free Christmas and enjoys the company of their friends and family as much as I do. Those are the gifts that I most look forward to every year.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE...

OH CHRISTMAS TREE...
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

This is the perfect Christmas Tree !

This is the perfect Christmas Tree !
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

We picked the best day to get outside and find our tree. The sun was shining , the temperature wasn't -35 like it had been, and it only took us 5 mins to find it! This year it was only Mark and I (and our dog, Storm) It seems that every year it gets harder to have all the kids home together for this event! It makes me sad that life is moving so quickly! Wasn't I just sitting at the table helping them spell out all the treasures that they wanted from Santa in their letters?
When my kids did get home that night I saw a little glimmer of excitement in their eyes when they saw the tree and that made me smile. Even though they weren't with us when we cut it down they would help me decorate it right?? Oh what a great night it would be! I'd put on the Christmas music, sip some egg nog, take some family photos.....
Oh well, there's always next year!

Snow Day???

Snow Day???
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Hoping for a snow day but no such luck!! Winter is definately upon us and is bringing some COLD weather! -32 today with the wind chill, YUCK!

Christmas Gift

Christmas Gift
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

A co-worker wanted to give her mother a special Christmas gift and gave me this family photo to play around with. I hope she likes it as much as I do!
The photo is sandwiched between 2 pieces of 8X10 glass then soldered and bejeweled! It was a great project and my only boo-boo is in the photography.....that's my shadow in the glass taking the picture! Oh well, I have never claimed to be a professional photographer now did I ? The opposite side has "Christmas 2008 " in text from an old childrens book.
I think I'll be making more of these !!

Black and Silver Necklaces

Black and Silver Necklaces
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Black and Silver Necklaces

Black and Silver Necklaces
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Black and Silver Necklaces

Black and Silver Necklaces
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Well it's that time of year! Time to clean , cook, bake, buy presents, wrap presents, decorate....well you get the picture! I'm embarassed to say that I am running behind this year and have only just begun my cleaning, cooking, shopping etc. The one thing I did find the time to do was take off every crystal on my chandelier, wash them, and re-design it! This little gem was a $5 treasure I found at a yard sale about 4 years ago and I painted it and cleaned it all up. It's gorgeous, but I love it even more now that I added some extra "bling" to it !

The other candle chandelier was a find for $10 and so I re-blinged it as well and when those candles are lit the crystals come alive and sparkle and shine! I just love it!

Tomorrow I think I'll work on the chandelier for my daughter, which is another yard sale find but with my own little surprise touches just for her. I'll take some snaps! Well I'd love to sit and chat, but apparently I have a lot of cleaning , cooking , baking, shopping, and wrapping to do!

Until next time, Stay Creative!

Remembrance Day

In Flander's Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.

Liet. -Col. John McCrae

Window Art

Window Art
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Window Art

Window Art
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Window Art

Window Art
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Window Art

Window Art
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

A special gift for a co-worker of mine to give to her sister for Christmas. Mary is a survivor of cancer, a teacher and mother, who is loved very much by her family. I hope that this gift of love from her sister, Donna, will give her some joy!

A woman I work with at work had seen some of my jewelry and told me she had some pieces for me . The very next day she brought these wonderful pieces in for me and told me that they used to be her mothers and since she doesn't wear them or want to do anything with them she thought I'd like them!! I love them and cannot wait to start playing around with them.

Thanks Rachelle!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

What fun I had today with the grade 3's today! Everyone was dressed up so fun and SCARY!! The weather turned around and it is BOO-U-TIFUL for all those ghosts goblins and us witches! I love dressing up and having a bit of fun, my children were slightly embarassed of me this morning while I drove them to school. I dressed up like a witch....a good witch..... and treated myself to a Tim's coffee. "MOM YOUR NOT GOING LIKE THAT!"

So funny those kids of mine, they need to lighten up and be silly once and awhile. So I went into the clothing store with Cam and helped him find a new winter coat....dressed like a witch...What's the big deal??? Jeeesh! So I stopped at the High School and greeted Michaela and her friends...dressed like a witch.....her friends thought I was "The Bomb..." I think that's a compliment! And Brendan...well I drove him to work this morning and it was his friends that gave me my extra large, 2 cream, 1 sugar at the drive thru window. They laughed and he cringed. But it's over now and I'm finished playing dress-up for today, I know one day they will look back and remember their goofy mom and maybe then they will have a good laugh about it like I did! Happy Haunting!

There is just something refreshing and wonderful about the first snowfall of the season ! The air smells better, kids are excited, and the birds are fluttering around the bird feeder with their little bodies all puffed up trying to stay warm. Before we know it, the white stuff will be here to stay and we will be wishing it would go away so for now I am just going to enjoy it's early arrival .
The fire is going in my studio and is beckoning me to go in and play and so I do believe that is exactly what I'm going to do!
Stay creative (and warm!)

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO MY DEAR FRIEND....

I had a long night last night tossing and turning thinking of my sweet Akeela being so ill. I was so happy to see her but my heart broke when I realized just how much she much have suffered out there in the dark,cold,lonely bush. My happiness quickly turned to sorrow and I knew in my heart that this would be our last night with her. I built a fire for her inside my cabin studio where she had for many days and evenings spent at my feet while I painted and created. This studio had become her home as well because as the nights grew colder, her and Storm would sleep in there safe and warm. As the fire burned and I watched her weary eyes take me in, I said a prayer of thanks. Thanks for giving me this time with her, thanks for allowing me to say good-bye, thanks for giving me closure . It was as if she stayed alive all this time in the bush trying to make it home so she could see us again one last time. Michaela and Cameron took turns going out to the cabin to spend some time with her and check in on her. She was pacing and vomitting up a frothy white substance. She could'nt keep any water in and was clearly in alot of discomfort so I put her outside, led her to her pillow in our woodshed and allowed Storm to spend the night out doors with her.

I came inside and tried to sleep whispering another little prayer, "Please God if she is suffering just take her"

When I awoke I threw on my robe and went out into the dark cold morning calling out for Storm and Akeela. Storm came out of the shed wagging his tail sleepily and I let him off his chain. I called and called for Akeela and checked her empty pillow. I began to panic and my heart started to break I knew she was gone . I took a quick look around and followed Storm over to my cabin knowing what I'd find. My dear sweet Akeela laid down by my cabin door and went to sleep.

It's so hard losing a pet but I do find some comfort in knowing that she came back to us and gave us a few more hours. She is no longer in any pain, no more horrible food allergies and she is at peace. We have been so fortunate to have had her in our family and I will miss her dearly. Every time I light a fire in my cabin I will picture her by feet sleeping while I paint.

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR CAMERON

This Thanksgiving was definately a time for me to reflect and realize the importance of my family. My son Cameron (17) , who is our official dog-walker, went out for a walk with our two dogs after dinner. After sometime he returned upset because our German Shepherd, Akeela, was seperated from him and our Black Lab, Storm. This was on Tuesday night October 7th. We live in an area that is surrounded by bush and lakes and it has bike trails and side roads as well. At night it becomes impossible to see anything so we thought that she would find her way home on her own. By the third night however, Cam decided that he would go for a walk and try to find her one more time and so I thought that would be okay since it was only 5:30p.m. It was cool and raining out and he left the house with only a light jacket. I started to get worried when at 7:30pm there was still no sign of Cam. I went out side and standing by the door was my lab Storm , lease still attached to him and no Cameron. My heart started to race and I jumped into the Tracker and started the search down every dirt road and driveway I could find. Every scenerio went through my mind. "What if he tripped and fell bumping his head as he went down?" "What if he's lost and a bear or pack of wolves find him!" I was a MESS!

I quickly phoned my daughter at home and she said he just called from a friend of ours......ACROSS THE LAKE!!! I raced home and waited for our friends to drive him home . Was I glad to see him! He was freezing cold, soaking wet, and clearly shaken. He had gotten turned around in the bush and could'nt find his way out! At one point he said he just laid down and thought that he'd have to spend the night. He also did'nt want to wander to far incase he got into a worse situation. He was pretty scared but then decided to try one more time. He finally found a dirt road and followed it until he found another road that he recognized. He followed that until he found our friends house . God heard my prayers!!

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Today ,to make things even better,when I returned home from work who do you think was in our driveway waiting for us??? AKEELA!! She is very thin and weak and cannot eat so I pray she will survive. She is such a sweet dog and has suffered so much in her life. 2 surgeries, almost drowned, severe allergies, and lost in the bush..... She's amazing a survivor just like Cam!

BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MARGOT!!

I just love making these personal pieces for special people in my life, and Margot is definately one of them! I try to incorperate little treasures that mean something for just that person. The tree is cool because she owns a business in which she sells seedlings to customers for wedding favours, for Earth Day, or even big business ground breaking events! She's amazing and an inspiration to me! ( Check out her web-site at http://www.evergreenmemories.ca/)

I am going to be making a few more of these pieces for some of my co-workers and they will give them as Christmas gifts this year! I'm excited that others love them as much as I do!

MY ELEMENT......

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world. And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly. Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life. You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful. You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person. With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!

DO FAIRIES EXIST? pg. 1

DO FAIRIES EXIST? pg. 1
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

DO FAIRIES EXIST? pg. 2

DO FAIRIES EXIST? pg. 2
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

DO FAIRIES EXIST???

DO FAIRIES EXIST???
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

I was feeling whimsical and colorful so this beauty is what I came up with. Hope you like!

PUG!!!

830 017
Originally uploaded by Tiffany Allen

Okay, I am so getting one of these little puppies one day! Look at that adorable smooshed in face! How can anyone think that these dogs are any thing but adorable!!
I'm driving everyone in my family bonkers everytime I see one of these pups, "Yes Mom we know.....you love PUGS!" Good, I'm glad they got the hint because one day I'm sure there will be one of these cuties under my Christmas tree!

Art Journal- Reflection pg. 1

Art Journal- Reflection pg. 1
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

I am a very bad blogger... I know and I am really REALLY trying to set some time aside for my art but I'm so busy and it really sucks!
This entry in my art journal is a reflection that I do pretty much every fall! I love this time of year and it is often that during this season I am at my most creative place...in my mind. Sometimes when I am at this "creative peak" I start to crave new things as well. Things that inspire me, make my mind work, and or just a little unexpected surprise!
Also, I was just thinking of how some of us need to work a little extra to make sure we are putting the best of ourselves out in the universe, a little smile, picking up some litter, not judging others, good manners.....it all goes a long way and can really make someones day !!
Anyway that is the whole idea in this entry and I hope you all enjoy it and find all that you crave this season!!
XOXO
Lisa

Art Journal- Reflection pg. 2

Art Journal- Reflection pg. 2
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Art Journal- Reflection

Art Journal- Reflection
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

Clay Wine Charms

These are a few of my newest creations!! Handmade andhand painted clay wine charms. I think these are very funky and cool and would love to wrap them around my wine glass!! I think I will pour a glass right now!
Margot is putting these little goodies on her web-site for me along with the clay charms which I've already sold 100!! It's good to have wonderful people in my life who believe in me, and Margot is definately one of them. Thanks Margot! "Here's to us! Cheers!"

Michaela's Braces

My little girl got her braces put on in Winnipeg this month and so it was a good excuse for a road trip with Marnie! We had so many laughs and some serious shopping sprees! Good thing we brought the van! Another awesome moment was when Marnie saw a little Pug in the pet shop at the mall. I swear I'm going to have one of these little guys one day! I cannot wait for another road trip with Marnie, what a hoot!

window art

window art
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

I made this for our friends as a wedding gift.

Gift from Germany!

Gift from Germany!
Originally uploaded by l_art2000

My friend Margot brought me back this gorgeous journal,pen and nibs, and bottles of ink from her trip to Germany! I cannot wait to play with all this yummy stuff!