Something Special

There is something special about a handmade gift, don't you think?  I was just sitting here thinking about some of the amazing artist friends I have met in the last few years who handcraft beautiful jewelry, fine art pieces, pottery, soap and lotions, fiber arts and other amazingness in their home studios, garages, and sometimes kitchen tables or storefronts.

Around this time of year,  although the jack o' lanterns may not even be cut yet, if we're smart, our thoughts will be moving on ahead to Christmas.  If you are one of those smart people and you have people for whom you need thoughtful gifts, consider something that's not only handmade but something that is made especially for them and no one else.  It's really one of my favorite things to do. I love taking little bits and pieces of people's lives and making them into a piece of art that can only be theirs.  Today, I'm sharing some of the custom art I've made.  I can make some for you, too!

This was a gift for my niece's graduation.  It includes her favorite Bible verse and a little piece of a letter dated 1923 from a niece to her aunt and uncle.  In it she tells them how important it is that she get an education.  

This one was for my son to hang in his dorm room. Some of his favorite Bible verses are in the background.  My friend Valerie took this great photo during a game a few years ago and even lived to tell about it.

I made this for my brother's family.  I thought the photo of their kids taken by one of their friends was super cute. I printed it in black and white and then recolored it.  Then it begged for a vintage map covered canvas and the perfect Emerson quote.  

This is my sister-in-law's dog, Ralph.  The vintage sheet music included a verse that spoke of kind of love a dog brings to our lives.

The original poem came first.  Then the gift morphed to a poetic blessing box for my baby niece's first birthday.

I've shared this one before. I made it for my mom for Mother's Day several years ago.  The photos are of her with each of her three kids. There's also a photo of her as a baby with her own mom.  The flowers are pieces of my grandmother's vintage aprons.  There are other family papers in the background including a note that my grandmother wrote on the flyleaf of the Bible she sent with my grandfather to World War II.

If I can make something for you, please check my About and Contact page for all the ways you can get in touch with me.  I'd love to hear from you and make something great for you.

I hope you are having a blessed Saturday!  

<3 Lori

Why Did the Wild Hog Cross the Road

So.....I don't think some people really believed me when I posted this on Facebook this morning:  

We don't live completely in the boonies, although I'm sure it seems like it sometimes to you.  And to me, actually. It's been 14 years since we've lived close enough to a town to order pizza for delivery.  If I forget bread, I have to drive 6 miles to get it...unless it's after 8 pm, in which case I'd have to drive 17 miles.  It's 30 miles to "town" where civilization and things like movies and shrimp scampi are.  I buy a lot of gas and more tires than seems right.  It's weird to me that this is a whole other culture for some people because, except for 4 years in College Station (although even then we lived rurally, but that's a whole 'nother story) and 8 years in Houston, I've always lived "out in the country".  That's how I like it.

Anyway.....here is part of the herd of wild pigs. The first group passed in front of us and got away while I was in mortal combat with the seat belt.  This bunch passed behind us and almost got away while I was desperately attempting to remain upright.  Since I was shooting into the sun and just aiming in their general direction, I'm as surprised as you are that I even have this rather Sasquatch-ish photo.

 I love sharing these little glimpses of West Texas wildlife with you.  Thanks for being here! 

<3 Lori


PS--To be completely historically accurate, there were an additional three years of town living while I was in high school and junior college, but as evidenced by the fact that I just now remembered them, I have blocked out those years, so...there's that.

Friday Night Lights

My ability to formulate a catchy title is dwindling, don'tcha think?  

So...it's Friday.  I took the day off from my real job because 1) I'm plumb tuckered out, 2) I wanted to do some stuff for LeissnerArt, and 3) I got my evaluation yesterday and I figured I ought to end the work week on a good note and quit while I'm ahead.  I love my boss.  My job...er..well....not so much sometimes.  But that's why I have this place, right?

I made a light box today.  A friend of mine (Violet at KellyMaeKreations--check out her shop. She makes great jewelry!) looked over my shop for me and gave me some pointers about fixing the place up a little bit.  I knew my photos were not that great, but I just hadn't had time to do anything about it.  Today was the day to get started.  So I watched some videos on YouTube, checked out a lot of tutorials like this one and then kind of winged it to make this light box.

I must admit it. I'm pretty proud of myself. It's only cardboard, tissue paper and poster board, but, dadgummit, I made it and it works.

So here's an image that was on Etsy before of some cute little tea cup art:

And here's the one from the lightbox:

Hmmm...well.  It is brighter, so you can see the details a little better. Since it's pouring down rain today, I surely can't try to get natural light photos.  And since most of my LeissnerArt work needs to happen after working at the real job, a light box will help.  I need different lamps and light bulbs.  After that, I think I'll be able to rock this box. Um...as soon as I find both my camera power cords that are lost at the moment.   I took this one with my Ipad. ::sigh:: Seems like it's always something. 

If you need any info about my light box foray, feel free to hit me up. And check out my Etsy shop for new listings.

UPDATE:  Found my camera power cords!!  Yea!

May the good Lord bless you today with his brilliant light and may you let it shine.

<3 Lori

The Blog Post That Shall Not Be Named

I've been sitting here for 30 minutes staring at the screen trying to think of a clever title.  But I have a giant crick in my neck which is apparently hindering the oxygen flow to my brain.  I cannot be clever.  I'm kind of in a bullet point mood.  So here goes....the top 7 events of the last week, in no particular order.

7.  It was my birthday.  I don't know how old I am. I always have to do the math. I'm not that good at math.  My neck hurts so I can't reach my calculator.  But I bought myself this.  She doesn't have a name yet, but she will. I like to name inanimate objects.  My printers are Goliath and Eppie.  I'm sure that's some kind of disorder:

II.  While my kids went to California to hang out with their cool, you-can-do-whatever-you-want uncle and his family, the man and I went to Kentucky for a few days.  He had a work reason to go there and I went along.  It was hotter there than I thought it would be.  I'm not very good at geography either.    But it was really pretty and green there.  Green.  Not blue.  That confused me.

c.  I'm going to have to retake all the pictures for the my paintings on Etsy because my new has-no-name-yet camera takes such great pictures.  Can't wait to practice with it and see all that it really can do.  Even dead things look pretty.

iii.  I'm kind of stoked because I have a bunch more stuff listed in my Etsy than I have ever had.  I'm going to add these guys over there too--20 inch square down filled canvas pillows with my art prints attached. HMU if you want one.  I also have some bookmarks, necklaces and new prints.  Check in there over the next few days as I try to get the rest of my new things added.

12.  I like to talk Twitter sometimes.  Like "HMU" above.  It makes me feel like I can hang with OOMF.  My daughter thinks I can't.  RME.  She thinks it's cray.  SMH.  The kids don't value my mad skilz.  SOML. 

This photo has nothing to do with anything.  I just think he's cute.

Goodnight, friends.  Let's be honest.  If you are reading this blog post, you are already pretty blessed.   May the good Lord continue to bless you and give you just enough challenges to make you thankful for what you already have.

<3 Lori