Simple Pleasures

October 27, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 57 Comments

Explore. Slow down to appreciate what surrounds you. Enjoy the sound of the rain, look for the shimmer in the frost and snow, and the bursts of color nature provides. Keep a journal of ideas and scribble illustrations. Take pleasure in seasonal feasts and harvest. Tell stories. Mark your legacy. Cherish handmade. Try your hand at a new hobby. Wood burning, bird watching, painting, and gardening. Renew and restore something old into new. Everyday, take a moment to slow down to admire the moment of the season. Breathe deeply, live beautifully and choose kindness.

Taking in the simple pleasure of the season. An Autumn Frost.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Much love,

Lisa

Nature’s Way

October 21, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 55 Comments

It amazes me how fast the landscape can change. How quick we can slip from summer into fall almost seamlessly. This weekend, the wind whipped through the trees changing the landscape once again. Many leaves have fulfilled their purpose and now decorate the ground with their fading color. So much work to do in the garden, but the fresh cold air will be a bit of relief after the humidity of this past summer. Nature seems to be taking hold in many parts of my life.

What I wasn’t ready for was seeing the big snowflakes that covered the ground in a thin blanket of white. With that blanket came an unexpected sense of peace. The responsibility of outside chores were washed away. The thought of driving anywhere had vanished. Perhaps winter is our time to slow down to appreciate the things around us.

As you can see, I have much work to do in my yard. The wind knocked down many trees this season, but I’m afraid it will be work to do in the spring.

For now, I have started a new ink drawing of an Ox Eye Daisy that I will share soon on IG. There is also a new set of four bird prints at my shop.

2 Crimson Finch Invoice Paper 8 x 10 JPEG Watermark

Great-billed Gerygone Invoice Paper 8 x 10 Watermark

What do you like to do when the season keeps you indoors.

Have a beautiful week!

Much love,

Lisa

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When Fashion and Nature Collide – Autumn Edition

October 17, 2018October 16, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 59 Comments

Crimson and gold, pumpkin spice, and layered fashion of Autumn are upon us. Pumpkin farms with corn maze fun, black crows, and the anticipation of Halloween. Vivid memories of costume parties, Trick or Treat fun make this time of year extra special.

Welcome to our October edition of When Fashion and Nature Collide. On the third Wednesday of each month, we will post a new collaborative edition. You will see beautiful fashion and accessories styled and modeled by Dominique from 3C Style and original art made by me, Lisa from Lismore Paper that were inspired by Roda now at Indigo Acres Apiary critter pictures and Darren from the Arty Plantsman flower pictures and his original art. For the full feature be sure to visit Dominique, Roda, and Darren.

Halloween Ephemera 1876

Memories is what this conjures. Days of trick or treating with family and friends, picking out just the right costume, and filling that bag full of candy. Visit 3C Style DIY post for a fun way to make your own Halloween fun with my refurbished ephemera. Taking an image from the public domain and making it new again is a great way to get the vintage flair with a modern day edge. Look at these great ideas! Roda’s little black kitten was inspiration for us!

The Blackbird

There is so much mystery surrounding a blackbird. Writers love to pour their souls into words on paper, artists paint black feathers with a cast of blue, and fashion mimics the colors and flow of the mysterious creature that calls and cackles a chilling tune. My favorite, The Raven. by Edgar Allan Poe. (published 1845)

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.”

This inspires art, fashion, and costume. Speaking of costume, you have to see our team, it was so much fun! I have a total costume crush! Look below at Domenic, she styled this perfectly.

Orb Spider

When I originally saw this, I emailed Dominique telling her she is a perfect cat woman. Then when I saw the Orb Spider inspired by Roda and heard the back story on these photos (friends having some serious fun in Montreal) I knew what I had to do! Sorry Dominique, I had to turn you yellow, and turn you into an Orb Spider. Thank you kindly for allowing me to let my creativity run with this. The orb spider and spider web was captured beautifully by Roda. I believe Darren captured the original picture of Dominique pointing out the great webs. Doesn’t she make a great superhero!

Autumn Paper

Inspired by these photos of Dominique, I thought a nice Autumn Paper would be in order. Using ephemera backing, watercolor, and a bit of acrylic I wanted to capture the colors of Autumn. A friendly little spider ventured onto the page.

Please feel free to download the paper by clicking on the image to save to your device.

It wouldn’t be complete without the four of us dressing up for Halloween!

The team: Darren Sleep, Dominique Nancy, Roda Shope and Lisa Lawrence.

Hope you enjoyed our October edition of When Fashion and Nature Collide. Our next edition is November 21st.

Happy Halloween!

Much love,
Lisa

Halloween DIY Trick or Treat T-shirt and Canvas Tote

October 15, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 13 Comments

Look at this fantastic DIY made by Dominique from 3C Style! Make Halloween memories! 🎃👻💗

Halloween is right at the corner. If you’re anything like me you must LOVE -read “be obsessed with”- this holiday. So, you took your pumpkins out, decorated your home and front door, sent out the party invites and even planned a menu that will friendly spook your guests. Everything is ready; the scene is set for when your friends and the neighbourhood kids ring your doorbell. Perfect! Well almost… You just don’t feel like dressing up in a costume. BOO!

No worries. I’ve got an outfit idea that will have you carry on the spirit of Halloween, without the fuss of putting on weird clothing and make-up. This awesome Black Cat artwork from Lisa Lawrence over at Lismore paper (see image below) makes a great October 31 theme T-shirt. Just have it print on a tee or better yet do it yourself with an iron-on transfer paper. Wear it with…

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Halloween Art – Die Willy 1836

October 14, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 16 Comments

Quite a title, “Die Willy” is a piece from 1836. I really love so many things about this. The back ground characters are my favorite. Vintage Halloween art is fun.

In a scene worthy of modern-day Halloween, a young woman with long hair, wearing a knee-length dress strains to hear a sound or voice. In her right hand is a tambourine. She is surrounded by all manner of eerie and mysterious folk: a bat-like figure playing a violin; a dour female drummer; a black cat; the ghostly head of a bearded man rising from the earth. In the background, a chorus line of skeletons and spectral figures; a full moon illuminates all.

On Wednesday, October 17th, is the next edition of When Fashion and Nature Collide. We are having a Halloween of a good time! Click here to see a past edition.

Hope your Sunday was spectacular!

Much love,

Lisa

The Power of Mother Nature

October 7, 2018 ~ Lisa@LismorePaper/SimplePleasuresJournal ~ 59 Comments

We all aspire to have a better life. Live with little stress and enjoy the efforts of our hard work. We need to look after ourselves, make sure we take care of our body and that includes our mind. We need to be in our right element to root properly, take shape, and prune away when needed. Life tends to get in the way sometimes with work, households, and family members who are sick and/or aging. I am learning this first hand.

Even though we learn while taking care of loved ones how patience and compassion helps in the caregiving/healing process. We need to extend this to ourselves. When we don’t, it stifles our minds and ceases the creative process.

This has hit home with me. I needed a refresher, a break from the fishbowl and the noise. Feeling overwhelmed with simple tasks, I needed a reset. Realizing this, I decided a visit with Mother Nature was needed.

Even though it has been raining here for days and days, I grabbed my camera, rubber boots, and began exploring by myself. I needed to feel the mist on my face, hear the graceful sounds of the forest floor, and breathe in the crisp air of Autumn. The colors are just beginning their show and I am anxious to repeat my hike within the next week to capture more of the crimson and golds.

With each step I took, the baggage of life began to drop. The virtual weight of boulders fell to the ground. All of my senses began firing again. Mother Nature has a way of nurturing the soul naturally. The stress build-up washed away with the rain. I felt refreshed again and able to create. I hunted for solace and peace, finding it just a few steps away. It soothed my restless soul. The Midnight Hunt was a product of letting go.

Midnight Hunt by Lisa@LismorePaper

A look at a few steps along the way…

Remember to take care of yourself on this Autumn Day! What is your favorite thing to do to reset yourself?

Much love,

Lisa