MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sorry, no Friday Favorite today.  After a whirlwind work season, I've decided to take a little break and unwind.  I'll be spending Christmas with my family, and I can't wait! 

I'm not sending you to an etsy shop today.  Quite honestly, it's getting a little late for holiday shopping on etsy, right?  And, of course, you should all be well prepared for Christmas by now, right?  (She says sheepishly, because she is NOT ready.  Not quite yet.  Oh, my shopping is done. But there are still several things to tick off my to-do list.) 

Here are a couple of my Santas, coming to wish you a Merry Christmas, and bringing little gifts.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

Stocking Stuffer Santa

 

Santa's Sweet Sack

 

Christmas is a time for celebration and for looking back on the year and counting your blessings.  I am so blessed to be able to do what I love, every single day of my life, and to be able to share my work with all of you.  I'm so happy you all take the time to read my little blog and to visit my etsy shop.  I'm looking forward to bringing you lots of new whimsical creations next year!

 

Have a very Merry Christmas and I wish you all the very best for 2013!

With love

Lisa

 



The Last Two

Well, since Christmas is now LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY (gulp!) I am going to share the final two designs from my 2012 Limited Edition Christmas ornament collection. 

Stocking Stuffer

 

Santa in his bright red suit is set against a blue metallic night sky with tiny snowflakes falling gently around him.  He is filling a green stocking with a darling little teddy bear and a candy cane. 

 

A Joyful Noise

 

A pair of children are bundled against the cold winter's night with snowflakes falling around them.  A cute little dog has joined them in their joyful carol. 

 

Both of these ornaments are still available in my etsy shop. 

 

I hope you are all a lot closer to being ready for Christmas than I am.  I'm getting there.....slowly but surely!  I can't wait to spend some time with my family. 

 

Lisa 

 

 



Friday Favorite--Rustic Road Studio

I'm sorry I didn't take you to a shop last Friday.  The week just got away from me.  But I'm back today with a wonderful, seasonally appropriate shop.

Rustic Road Studio is full of beautifully hand-carved Santas. The attention to detail is amazing.  The faces are exquisite.  The details in the clothing are wonderful.  The colors are perfect.  Each of these Santas has a charming personality all its own.  It's hard to choose which one is my favorite, because Erik does such wonderful work.  But here are a few that I love:

Santa in Green Robe with Walking Stick

 

Traditional Santa

 

Santa Holding a Sack

 

Santa in a Snowbank

 

Slim Santa

 

Santa in a Red Robe with Walking Stick

 

I will admit, I'm a sucker for a Santa.  My house is full of them right now.  I'm very particular about my Santas now that I have so many.  These certainly would make the cut!  I would LOVE to have one of these in my collection!

 

I hope you enjoyed our visit to Rustic Road Studio, and I hope you will go have a look at the rest of Erik's exquisite work.  Which one is your favorite?

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa

 

 

 

 

A Different Take on Two Favorites

I've mentioned before that sometimes it's difficult coming up with fresh ways to make the holiday's most iconic characters---Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus.  Here are two ornaments that I think fit that criteria.  Yes, they are Frosty and Santa, but in an unexpected way.

 

Celebrate Winter

 

This is Frosty's most favorite time of year, and he loves to celebrate the season.  He's off to a holiday party, wearing a polka dot party hat and a ruffled collar made from lime green, bright green and red metallic clay.  Doesn't he look festive?

 

Angular Elf

 

Someone asked me why I called this one an elf and not Santa.  Well, Santa is a 'right jolly old elf'.  This Santa is short and wide and a little bit angular---sort of a modern take on a traditional motif.  He wears a bright red suit trimmed with white, with little triangle toggle buttons.  He has lime green mittens that match the sprig of holly on his hat.  Even his beard is a little bit pointy.  An angular piece of clay has the year and another spring of holly cut from tiny pieces of clay.  A shiny silver jingle bell finishes off this adorable elf. 

 

You can find either of these whimsical ornaments in my etsy shop.  They are also available here, on my Pfatt Marketplace page, during the month of December.  Pfatt Marketplace updated on Monday, with each artist offering new creations.  If you haven't checked out this awesome site I encourage you to do so.  The artists represented are wonderfully talented.  I feel honored to be among them.

 

I hope these two unusual ornaments put a smile on your face!

Lisa

 

Here is a look at one more ornament.  A little bit more traditional version of Santa.  Sadly, this one is no longer available.  It joins the list of retirees for 2012. 

 

Father Christmas

 

Dressed in a long, red coat with white 'fur' edged in teeny-tiny holly leaves, Father Christmas is on his way to deliver a few toys.  A doll, a toy soldier, a tiny wrapped present and a candy cane stuff his pouch.  He is carrying a walking stick with a candle lantern on top.  I loved this one!  



 

 





 



Elvin and Holly

At this time of year I have new found respect for Santa's elves, because I feel like one!  I'm busy every day in my studio creating pieces that will bring joy to others come Christmas morning.  I am not, however, quite this cute....

 

When I am hard at work, I tend to be in yoga pants and a t-shirt (or sweatshirt, depending on the level of chill in my studio).  I am NOT dressed in a fun little holiday outfit like Elvin and Holly.  Look how happy they are in their bright red and green!

 

 

This is Elvin.  He is one of Santa's hardest working elves.  I think he might be in charge.  He loves his job so much, as you can tell by the joyful expression on his face.  Right now he is working to decorate the sleigh with red flocked sleigh bells and green polka dot ribbon. 

 

 

Elvin's bright red and green outfit is sculpted from clay, and trimmed with chenille, crepe paper and tiny white pompoms.  His shoes have itsy-bitsy bells on the toes.  I found some tiny fabric Santa hats at Hobby Lobby that fit him perfectly, and added a bit of green ribbon and a glittered holly button. 

 

His cute little face is hand sculpted with pointy elf ears (you can't really see them here).  His big, round eyes are hand painted green and I added very, very blond wool roving for his hair.  Isn't he just adorable?

 

 

This is Elvin's very best friend, Holly.  She works very hard too, and is very happy to do it!  She's been in charge of decorating the Christmas tree with tiny acrylic snowflakes.  It's going to sparkle when it's finished! 

 

Holly's striped bodysuit is sculpted from clay, but her darling skirt is a bit of pre-pleated trim.  It was the perfect length to make a skirt for an elf!  LOVE IT!  I added a bit of sparkle with a glittered holly button.  Red chenille and crepe paper finish off the look.  She also has tiny bells on her shoes. 

 

 

I love Holly's sweet little face!  She has a very full lower lip, and it almost looks like she is sticking her tongue out, but she is NOT!  She would NEVER!  That would put her on the naughty list, and no one wants to be on the naughty list!  Holly has a cute button nose and pointy elf ears and big,  hand painted green eyes.  She has tried to tame her wild, unruly wool roving curls by tying them into pigtails with green satin ribbons. 

 

 

Holly and Elvin are both available in my etsy shop.  You can find Holly here, and Elvin here.  They would be happy to come over and decorate your home for Christmas!

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if EVERYONE was this happy during this joyful season?

 

Have a great day!

Lisa













And the WINNER is....

Well, it took a while, but we finally got there!  I have finally acquired 30 followers to this little blog of mine!  YAY!!  Most of you are following through your email subscriptions, that's why you only see nine little faces on my sidebar.  So, as promised, one of you is about to receive this adorable set of four quirky snowman ornaments, just in time for Christmas!!

 

 

Now, for the winner.  Let's hear a big YAY! for STACY H.  YAY, Stacy!  You have won!

 

I want to thank EVERYONE who follows A Piece of Lisa.  I'm sorry I couldn't give you all a prize, because I value each and every one of you.  Stay with me.  We'll have more giveaways in the future.

 

And to those of you who READ but don't subscribe, why not take the leap?  You missed out on the chance to win these really cute ornaments.  I'd hate for you to miss out on the next prize, too!  I do appreciate ALL OF YOU who take the time to read these little musings of mine.  I know you are out there, in this big, wide world of ours.  I'm glad you have let me in to your little corner of it!

 

Anyone who didn't win, but would like to have these cute little fellas, head on over to my etsy shop.  I have them available for sale there.  And as a special THANK YOU to you all, use this coupon code to enjoy 10% off until December 15!  QUIRKY4

 

Thanks to everyone!

Lisa

Three More Ornaments

Can you believe that Christmas is just THREE WEEKS AWAY??  I find that amazing!  It always seems to creep up on me!  I'm hoping you are all in better shape with your holiday preparations than I am!  I'm so behind, but eventually it will get done.  It always does....

Since the holiday is quickly approaching, I want to show you a few more of my limited edition ornaments today.  Each of these is still available in my etsy shop.

I like to give my ornaments titles, and I love a silly play on words.  These three each have a bit of whimsy to their names.

Willie Melt

A cute little skinny snowman, with tree branch arms, a sporty green vest, a navy scarf and little red earmuffs. He's got a really long carrot nose and he's holding a silver star with the year.

Will he melt?  Probably.

 

Snowfall

This must be one TINY Santa if he's holding on to a snowflake!  This jolly old elf is dressed in a bright red suit with holly and teeny candy canes in his pocket.  He's holding a little teddy bear in his other hand.  A real jingle bell hangs from the year.

 

Snow-Ho-Ho!

Is it a Santa?  Is it a Snowman?  It's both!  Snow-Ho-Ho features the best of both iconic Christmas icons....a bright red Santa suit and a carrot nose.  He's hugging a tiny teddy bear and a silver star with the year and a white jingle bell hangs from his other mitten.

 

I wish you all a season full of whimsy!

Lisa



 

 

 

 

Friday Favorite--TwoLeftHands

A couple years ago during my annual visit to my best friend Marian's, we were 'playing with dolls'.  We were exploring different ways of making dolls.  I taught her some techniques of making faces with polymer clay.  She showed me some easy ways to dress a doll.  Then she brought out this wonderful book by Salley Mavor called Felt Wee Folk, and we attempted to make these tiny little dolls using chenille stems and embroidery floss, and then dressed them in little wool outfits with embroidered details.  They were cute.  But NOTHING like these from TwoLeftHands.

I don't know the name of the artist behind TwoLeftHands.  It's not listed on her profile page on etsy.  But I am so impressed with her (I'm making a big assumption here).  This work is amazing!  From someone who has attempted these little dolls, I can tell you that she has mastered the craft!  There is some very fine and tedious handwork necessary to create tiny dolls this lovely.  I'm so happy to share some of her work with you.

She, too, is inspired by the work of Salley Mavor, and has cited her as inspiration for her work.  I think she has done Salley proud!  Take a look at the wonderful details on these little whimsical dolls. (Keep in mind that these dolls are all between three and five INCHES!)

Girl Elf Christmas Ornament

 

Woodland Gnome

 

Forget-Me-Not Gnome

 

Flower Fairy

 

Little Red Riding Hood

 

 

Big Bad Wolf

 

I could add a bunch more, but I think you get the point.  TwoLeftHands is a shop worth visiting.  I sure hope you will stop by that wonderful little shop on etsy and check it out. 

 

Have a nice weekend! 

Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naughty or Nice?

He's making a list.  Checking it twice.  Gonna find out who's naughty or nice. 

Making His List

 

It's time for Santa to make his list and pack up his sleigh.  He's thinking very hard about who goes on the nice list.  He doesn't want to make any mistakes and leave someone out on Christmas morning.

 

 

Santa is hand sculpted from polymer clay, wearing a bright red suit.  He is holding a long paper scroll, handwritten with a list of names.  Do you think your name is on it? 

 

 

I used a sprig of artificial holly to make Santa's quill pen.  The base is dusted with fine Japanese glass glitter. 

 

You can find this adorable Santa here in my etsy shop.  He would love to come spend the holidays with you!

 

Christmas is getting closer.  It's amazing to me that December is just days away!  My list of things to do is nearly as long as this Santa's!  Somehow, it always gets done.....or at least the most important stuff does.

 

I'm off to work!  Have a happy day!

Lisa

 









Retirees

I've been a little slow getting my ornaments shown here.  Sometimes an ornament edition sells out much more quickly than I anticipate.  What is it about some designs over others?  I'll never quite figure it out!  I always try to predict which designs are going to be the first to go.  Occasionally I will get it right.  Most of the time, not so much.

I was right about this one though.  I knew it would be a popular design.  It is one of my very favorites this year.

Winter Wonderland

 

Elves are usually pretty popular, so I wasn't too surprised that this one got snatched up early.

 

Lighting Up Christmas

 

I wasn't so sure about this one, but there is something about a Santa dressed in white that intrigues my collectors.  Yep, this one is sold out too!

 

White Christmas

 

These three might be all gone for the year, but I still have plenty of others available.  Like this really cute snowman:

 

Bringing Christmas Cheer

 

This chubby little fellow is dressed in a bight blue scarf, green mittens and a squatty black top hat.  His gift to you is a pretty present and a yummy peppermint candy cane.  He would love to spend Christmas on your tree!

 

You can find Bringing Christmas Cheer and many other limited editions in my etsy shop.  Hurry though!  You don't want to miss out on your favorite!

 

Have a great day!

Lisa





 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I wanted to send Helga and Hazel to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.  These two little witch sisters have been out gathering pumpkins and berries for their autumn feast.  They are warmly dressed in flannel skirts and wool felt vests with matching hats.  Autumn is their favorite time of year....a time to celebrate nature's bounty and the blessings of family and friends.

Helga

 

Helga's strawberry blond hair is straight and unruly.  She has to keep it tied up in pigtails, but it still sticks out in all directions!  She wishes she had pretty curls like her sister, Hazel.

 

Hazel

 

I'm taking a much needed break from my work this week, and spending time with my family for the holiday.  I'm so blessed in so many ways....with a wonderful husband, a big loving family, fabulous friends and I job I LOVE.  I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and that your blessings are far too many to count!

 

"Praises we give for the bounties of fall,

But the harvest of friendship is blessed above all."

 

with love

Lisa

 

PS--Neither of these adorable autumn witches have made it into my etsy shop.  If you are interested, send me an email at apieceoflisa@cox.net







Friday Favorite--Lori's Place Gourmet Delights

I'm doing something a little different today.  Instead of showing you jewelry, or sculpture, or painting, I'm taking you to Lori's Place Gourmet Delights.  No, she doesn't work with any traditional craft medium, but you cannot deny that Lori is an artist.  She has chosen to make edible art--cookies! 

Since the holidays are quickly approaching, I thought I would show you these adorable frosted cookies.  Aren't they wonderful?  They almost look too good to eat! 

Lori is the self-proclaimed Cookie Lady.  She is a real pastry chef with a passion for baking, and you can see that in her artistry.  She has cookies for all occasions--birthdays, babies, bridal--but I've chosen to showcase her Christmas designs.

Frosty the Snowman Cookies

 

Christmas Mittens

 

Penguins

 

Heart Santa Face

 

Christmas Elf

 

Christmas Cookie Mix

 

I know how busy the holidays can get.  Who has time to cut and frost cookies?  And honestly, would they look as cute as these?  Not mine.  Why not look Lori up and have her to all the work?  According to her etsy shop, orders should be placed by December 12th, but it's best to order early!

 

Have a sweet day!

Lisa

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Just Santas

I love Santa.  I've mentioned that.  Snowman are pretty cool, too.  (Sorry about the pun.)  But there are other winter characters I like to use in my Christmas ornaments as well, and one of those is penguins.  They are pretty cute, and something not everyone thinks about for Christmas.  Here is this year's penguin ornament.  (I try to do a penguin ornament every year.)

Joyful Penguin

 

 

This fun little guy is wearing a cheery striped scarf and red earmuffs.  He's waving a Christmas greeting against a metallic blue night sky, surrounded by tiny little snowflakes. 

 

Joyful Penguin is available in my etsy shop, and for the month of November, on my Pfatt Marketplace page.  Like all my 2012 ornaments, this one is limited to an edition of five. 

 

Thanks for dropping by!

Lisa