Faerie Enchantment

2012-01-21T16:50:00.000-08:00

Turn Your Artwork Into Jewelry!
Sometimes you look at your illustrations and think what else can I do with them, you can photocopy them and mount on chipboard or turn into ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), have them printed onto greeting cards, postcards or turn into prints. But why not try something different, what about making jewelry with your illustrations, simply photocopy your artwork to fit the size of the piece you are working on, trim and insert into open cab pieces, jewelry casings, watch casings, into bottle caps, jewelry frames, or transfer to fabric and stitch onto the images, so many possibilities.

Here is a piece of jewelry I made using one of my illustrations:
Lacy's Halloween Party
This is a preview of my new illustration's I created for product licensing!

This piece is called: Lacy's Halloween Party!

Lacy is a young wizard who lives the town of Agatha Mews just 40 miles south of Boston and loves to sprinkle magic everywhere she goes......

This original piece was made on Strathmore Bristol Board, Oil Pencils, Markers and Acrylics!

I then photocopied it and turned it into a necklace called:

Enchanted Soiree!
Using my illustration, rhinestones, vintage pearls, metal roses, aurora beads, clasps, and glass covering!
Hope this inspired you to turn your illustrations into some jewelry or accessories.
Magic and Joy,
Lisa

2012-01-19T19:02:00.000-08:00

Piddlestixs Covers Vol.1-Vol.5

Piddlestixs Vol.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are all available at lulu.com

2012-01-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

The Wonderland Chronicles!

Before Alice fell down the rabbit hole, chasing after the white rabbit who is actually the grandson of S. W. Rabbit, and great great grandson of Elmerious Rabbit, before the mad tea party which was retold in carroll's story, Wonderland was more then a countryside fantasy trap of riddles and rhymes, all in the hopes of Alice finding her way back home....................

Wonderland was a mysterious place, one wrapped in secrets and hidden labrinyths, good against bad, friend or enemy, what lays underneath the green hat, could be a never ending hole, a time travel back to Cheshire E. Cat's first of his 9 lives, inside his apothecary shoppe at the corner of Pigeonwood Court and Tweedle Pine Lane, inside Wonderland City.

No one knows what's lurking behind every corner, keep your magic near by for you never know when you will need it. Come with me and visit Sir Wilford Humpty's Photographie Studio and glimpse through his cabinet of cards, and read about the wonderland chronicles.

Pictured here is The Queen of Hearts, a few feet from her croquette field, which is always having its roses painted!Pictured here are Addie and Austin Rockfellow, part of the Hatter Family!Here is young Madson Hatter, practicing magic at his first tea party. Later he would become known as The Mad Mad Hatter.
Here is young Cheshire, and a young age, in the beginning of his first life, followed by Fiona and Lucinda's Grandmother and Alice's Grandmother Hailey.The Wonderland Chronicles, Wonderland City by Lisa Kettell!

Welcome to Wonderland City, This is the place you never saw or heard about in Lewis Carroll's Story: Alice In Wonderland.

On a recent discovery of an old chest, I found hidden chronicles which have started to un-covered the real story of Wonderland, a secret world filled with magic and loads of secrets!

2012-01-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

Come Join Me At: Gypsy Jamboree!

When: April 13-15, 2012
Where: St.Augustine, Florida

Fill this Unique leather bound Journal with all your secrets, wishes and dreams.
My post bound spine with accomodate even the heaviest of embellished pages and still lay flat. Just imagine all the GYPSY Memories we can keep in here!Here are some sneak peaks inside:And more sneak peaks:....Besides creating an enchanted 3-dimentional journal, attendees will create:

Their very own Gypsy Fortune Teller with a secret fortune waiting to be told.

Fellow GYPSIES will assemble a framed work of art with this beautiful porcelain gypsy and a collection of goodies to decorate. You are encouraged to bring some of your own jewels, trinkets and baubles to make this project Unique to your own inner gypsy Soul as instructed by Elaine Smith and Karen France.

Some Event Details:
This Nomadic Weekend in Sunny St. Augustine, Florida promises to be a Unique Journey thru the Creative depths of your Soul!
Our three main projects will be highlighted by make and takes, Shopping at the Open Air Gypsy Bazaar, Fabulous FOOD, SWAPS that will make you Swoon and a Bonfire Night! Of course there will be FREE TREASURES and multiple Raffle Gifts.

Registration thru Pay Pal is NOW OPEN! The price will be $500.00

Here is a sneak peak at the retreat headquarters:

Your Three day Gypsy Jamboree Art Event will take place here, in the home of your Hostess Michelle! This beautiful St. Augustine beach home is the perfect getaway to relax and put you at ease , the perfect atmosphere for creativity! Your Brunch on Sunday will be served in Michelle's beautiful kitchen Dining area. A special menu has been planned you will not soon forget! Relax, create, eat, enjoy the historic old city and most of all enjoy the company of fellow art lovers!

For more exciting details at to register visit:
http://www.gypsyjamboreevent.blogspot.com

2012-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Madeline Merbrights Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!

Madeline Merbrights Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!
Enjoy previews of my up and coming illustrated novel called: Madeline Merbright's Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!
This story revolves around a young girl named Madeline, whose summer on Pixie Isle will change her life forever.

Welcome to Grimshaw Alley located in Pixie Isle along the Merwin Sound. Pixie Isle is part of the Pixie Region of Wistica and located 25 miles from land. Since Wistica is south of England, the whole area has many British characteristics.

Pixie Isle is considered a premier seaside destination and famous for the Tri-Sea Pixie Pageant, last years winner was August Platmoore.

Lavender, coral powder and moongrass are indigenous to the island. While Wentmoore Holloway made the area famous with his delicious tea called Holloway's Teasers, with flavors such as: Mervander's Twist, Licorice Sunrise and Lavender Vanilla, and many more, which have now been made into scrumptious taffy and candy confections.

Madeline Merwright is pictured here waiting for Percy Spellbinder to start his summer potions class, held every thursday evening at 8pm. $100 pixiepents gets you 8 classes. This is a must do for any young and curious pixie.

This summer will be the opening of the Pixie Boutique on Pixie Isle. FiFi and Trixie LaBlume, have been preparing all year for their fashion show at The La Dolie Opera House. This would be the first fashion show for the two pixie sisters who had left The Phantom Chillarie Theatre Group just last year to pursue their love for designing.
Their debut line will consist of a variety of cutting edge bustiers with vintage ribbons and tulle skirts layered over funky leggings. There will be lots of frills and glam in this collection, complete with dazzling Austrian Crystal colorful tiaras and blown glass flutter rings to accompany the pixie wings.

Pictured here is Polly Andrews, the lead model for the show, who was just featured on the cover of The Faerie Princess Magazine and in The Pixie Times. Polly with her velvety blonde hair, comes from the Rouge Agency and so does her friend Lisette, a new up coming model with gorgeous violet eyes and radiant long brown hair.

To show no hard feeelings that the La Blume sisters didn't renew their contract, The Phantom Chillarie will provide the props and flowers for the show, along with some advertising, other sponsors include: The Paris Magic Group, Hollowood Bank and Trust, Langley Grace Designs and The Garden Bug Cafe.

Every show has a theme, FiFi and Trixie choose a carnival theme. They even transformed the Opera House into an acting Carnival with Pierrots, Ballerinas, Acrobats, and a Lion Tamer, all courtesy of The Percy Peapack Carnival which opens on the Isle two days later. Some of the models will ride down the runway on elephants costumed in LaBlume clothing, others will roller skate while eating cotton candy and the rest will walk with balloons and candy apples.

At the end of the show, guests will be ushered into the opera promenade where they will be given either cotton candy light puffs or sparklers. Then the models, circus performers and The LaBlume Sisters will be whisked away in the Vintage Hot Air Balloons, in an eclectic blend of shapes and designs followed by a magnificant firework display.

I was impressed with the show, however, Lisette, who has no last name, seemed weird, quite strange if you ask me, there was just something about her that bothered me, I don't know what it was, she just did. What's even more strange is that the owner of The Phantom Chillarie has never been seen, only his liason, Groman Felsaunt, who is the appointed, head of the Chillarie. I asked my parents why no one has seen him, they claim, its because of his involvement with the dark arts. Rumors have circulated that he has a secret den where he tortored Pixies and Wizards for their magic, but it can't be proven.

Every August, The Percy Peapack Carnival comes to Pixie Isle. The Carnival stays on the Isle for 10 days, which are filled with lots of magical fun.
Cotton Candy Filling Stations are one of my favorites, You pay one price and can refill your cotton candy sticks all day and choose between 24 flavors. The carnival also features Percy's Cherrie-ettle Corn which is cherry flavored pop corn, there are also Comet Cakes, Snow Cones, Ice Cream, Pickles Fudge, Candy Dandy Apples and Moon Juice.
The seahorse carousel always has a line and changing lantern lights, the ferris wheel extends over Scullivers Park, The Le-Mer-Mystique Dancers put on a water sky-show and elephant rides are a must!
Every year a Carnival Princess is choosen, this year, the title went to Maddy Spellbinder, the daughter of Mrs. Spellbinder. Here Maddy, short for Madison, is shown in her cotton candy gown, her picture is then placed in the Carnival's signature stardust background and placed in the Percy Peapack hall of fame, along with a spot in the Pixie Isle Town Hall! Did I mention her mother is on the Woman's Club Board of Trustees!

This novel/story and the illustrations are Lisa Kettell C.2006-2012

Enjoy all!
Magic and Much Joy, Enchantment and Love!
Lisa!

2012-01-01T09:43:00.001-08:00

New Years Day

New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome. With most countries using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, New Year's Day is the closest thing to being the world's only truly global public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that date that followers of some of the Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.

In cultures which traditionally or currently use calendars other than the Gregorian, New Year's Day is often also an important celebration. Some countries concurrently use the Gregorian and another calendar. New Year's Day in the alternative calendar attracts alternative celebrations of New year.

Telugu New Year (Ugadi), Kannada New Year (Yugadi) is celebrated in March (generally), April (occasionally). Traditionally, it is celebrated as Chaitram Chaitra Shuddha Padyami in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to mark the event of New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India.

It falls on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March–April) and Ugadi/Yugadi marks the first day of the new year. Chaitra is the first month in Panchanga which is the Indian calendar. Panchangam (almanac), is read in temples to mark the start of the Year. (For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi)

Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is the first day of the lunar calendar and is corrected for the solar every three years. The holiday normally falls between 20 January and 20 February. The holiday is celebrated with food, families, lucky money(usually have red color outside), and many other red things for good luck. Lion and dragon dances, drums, fireworks, firecrackers, and other types of entertainment fill the streets on this day.

Sinhalese New Year is celebrated in Sri Lankan culture predominantly by the Sri Lankan Sinhalese, while the Tamil New Year is celebrated alongside it by Sri Lankan Tamils. The Sinhalese New Year (aluth avurudda), marks the end of harvest season, by the month of Bak (April) between April 13th and April 14th. There is an astrologically-generated time gap between the passing year and the New Year, which is based on the passing of the sun from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere. The astrological time difference between the New Year and the passing year (nonagathe) is celebrated with several Buddhist rituals and customs that are to be concentrated on, which are exclusive of all types of 'work'. After Buddhist rituals and traditions are attended to, Sinhala and Tamil New Year-based social gatherings and festive parties with the aid of firecrackers, and fireworks would be organized. The exchange of gifts, the cleaning of the house, the lighting of the oil lamp, making kiribath (Milk rice), and even the Asian Koel are significant aspects of the Sinhalese New Year. (For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhalese_New_Year)

Tamil New Year (Puthandu) is celebrated on 13th April or 14th April. Traditionally, it is celebrated as Chiththirai Thirunaal in parts of Tamilnadu to mark the event of the Sun entering Aries. Panchangam (almanac), is read in temples to mark the start of the Year.

Thai New Year is celebrated on 13th April or 14th April and is called Songkran in the local language. People usually come out to splash water at each other to reduce the heat, which is at its most intense during this time of the year in Thailand.

Hindu New Year falls at the time and date the Sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar. This is normally on 14 April or 15 April, depending on the leap year. The new year is celebrated by paying respect to elders in the family and by seeking their blessings. They also exchange tokens of good wishes for a healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years by the related cultural continent. The holiday is also celebrated and observed by many parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in the Indian sub-continent as the new year. The moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and Iranian families gather together to observe the rituals.

Islamic The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic new year (Arabic: رأس السنة الهجرية‎ Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah) is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. New Year moves from year to year because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar.The first day of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.

Israel is one country that uses the Gregorian calendar but does not formally celebrate the New Year's holiday — mainly due to objections by religious parties on the holiday's non-Jewish origins. However, there are Israeli Jews who partake in some sort of celebration. The date of the Jewish new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah no matter where the location.

Japanese New Year in Japan is celebrated on January 1 because the Gregorian calendar is now used instead of the Chinese calendar.

Korean New Year called Seolnal is the first day of the lunar calendar. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the Gregorian Calendar. People get a day off that day while have minimum three days off on Lunar New Year. People celebrate New Year's Day by preparing food for the ancestors' spirits, visiting ancestors' graves, then playing Korean games such as Yutnol'i {say: yun-no-ree} with families. Young children give respect to their parents, grandparents, relatives, and other elders by bowing down in a traditional way and are given good wishes and some money by the elders. Families enjoy the new years also by counting down until 12:00 a.m., which would be New Year's Day.
Ethiopian New Year called Enqutatash. It is celebrated on September 11 or September 12 based on the leap year. Ethiopia uses its own ancient calendar. However some say it has connection with Julian calendar. The new year is the end of the summer season and where you see natural flowers every where in the country.

New Years Eve

January 1 represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of the passing year, including on radio, television and in newspapers, which starts in early December in countries around the world. Publications have year-end articles that review the changes during the previous year. In some cases publications may set their entire year work alight in hope that the smoke emitted from the flame brings new life to the company. There are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year.

This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the 1900s has also become an occasion to celebrate the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve. There are fireworks at midnight at the moment the new year arrives; watchnight services are also still observed by many.

First Night

First Night is an artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve, taking place from afternoon until midnight. Some cities have all their events during the celebration outside, but some cities have events that are hosted indoors by organizations in the city, such as churches and theaters. Since it happens on New Year's Eve, First Night celebrations are actually held on the last night of the old year. The real first night occurs on New Year's Day. First Night celebrates a community's local culture, often featuring music, dance, comedy, art, fireworks and, in some cities, ice sculptures and parades.

First Night began in Boston in 1976 by a small group of artists who sought an alternative way of celebrating New Year's Eve, creating an event where the consumption of alcohol is banned.^[1] Soon other surrounding communities started their own First Night celebrations. By the 1990s, the First Night Boston event was attracting works by over a thousand artists,^[2] and in 2006 more than a million visitors were in attendance.^[1]

In Boston, live coverage of the final part of First Night, including the countdown to midnight and fireworks over Boston Harbor that begin at the stroke of midnight, is broadcast by WBZ-TV; the station's parent company CBS is an official sponsor.

During the Late 2000s Recession, several First Night celebrations faced financial difficulty, being scaled back or canceled, while others found the funding to continue.^[3]^[4]^[5] Alternatively, other celebrations have sprung up. For example, in 2003, First Night Providence announced they would not be able to continue their celebration which had been continuing for 19 years. A group of local artists banded together to create Bright Night Providence,^[6] an artist-run New Year's Eve celebration based on the idea and spirit of First Night.

Despite changing economic conditions the First Night model continues to evolve and thrive as a positive force in the arts not only in Boston, but throughout the United States and Canada. First Night USA is the national off-shoot of the parent organization, tasked with engaging stakeholders, opening up communications and creating networks that share ideas and best practices with the numerous First Night licensed events spread throughout the United States.

In addition to the New Year's festival, First Night is deeply involved in Boston's art and culture communities via the Neighborhood Network. Started in 1994, the Neighborhood Network partners First Night with 25 community organizations throughout Boston's neighborhoods- including Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and South Boston- to engage young people and families in creative workshops with artists and educators. In 2000 First Night launched Summer Beat, a series of summer camp like dance and music workshops spread around the city of Boston.

2011-12-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Here is a holiday recipe for you to enjoy!

Holiday Whiskey Cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 package (18 1/2-ounce; 2-layer size) yellow cake mix (without pudding)
1 package (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
5 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup whiskey
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chocolate chips

***Glaze***
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons whiskey, depending on desired consistency
OR
2 tablespoons milk, mixed with
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maraschino cherries or walnut halves for garnish

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large mixing bowl, blend together dry cake mix and dry pudding mix. Add eggs, oil and whiskey and beat together until well-mixed. Blend in walnuts, maraschino cherries and chocolate chips.

Pour into well-greased Bundt pan and bake about 40 minutes, or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool before removing from pan.

To make glaze: In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, butter and whiskey. Frost cake and decorate with maraschino cherries or walnut halves.

2011-12-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

Bottle Brush Whimsy!
Here is an array of holiday projects I created using bottle brush trees and wreaths, which I either bleached or hand dyed, then decorated with vintage embellishments and Lisa style!These doll are the Sweetie Swizzleberrys!

Meet Miss Sweetie Swizzleberry, a bottle brush tree doll ornament. Made from vintage bottle brush tree, vintage millinery, paper wire, distressed old fashioned tinsel, chenille, my handpainted vintage styrofoam heads, crepe paper, mercury beads and more.

Sweetie's tree body was hand bleached, dyed and painted, then lightly sprinkled w/clear glitter.
Meet the Bottle Brush Wreath Ornaments!This is one I made using a bottle brush wreath I dyed a kitchy pink and added a pine cone doll I made and aged with distress inks, and other fun embellishments!Here is another bottle brush wreath ornament I made using a hand dyed kitchy aqua bottle brush wreath, hand dyed pink bottle brush tree, vintage flocked deer which I hand dyed and various other embellishments!Here are two more versions:
Now meet another version, The Matryoshka's!Meet: Pollyanna and she loves fairy tales!

This new piece is made from a hand dyed, vintage bottle brush wreath I created, then embellished with vintage kitchy pieces, vintage beading, millinery, berries, my own scrapbook paper and my handmade Matryoshka Dolls, glitter, paints and more. Meet: Nellie and she loves fairy tales!

This new piece is made from a hand dyed, vintage bottle brush wreath I created, then embellished with vintage kitchy pieces, vintage beading, millinery, berries, my own scrapbook paper and my handmade Matryoshka Dolls, glitter, paints and more. I hope you enjoyed some of the fun I had with bottle brush trees and wreaths. All were made from recycled bottle brush ornaments which I dismantled, re-dyed and re-made into my own style!
Have a wonderful Holiday filled day!
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-12-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

The Pink Baseball Cuff!
Note: I have one left in stock of the Pink Baseball Cuff!

Who doesn't want to be Queen of her own Baseball Game? Now you can with this baseball cuff created by me!

The cuffs are created from leather baseballs, rhinestones, felt, clasps, sewing, etc.

All cuffs fit standard wrist size, if your wrist is larger, the cuff can be adjusted to fit your wrist specifications.

I have been making these cuffs for years for customers, friends and family. These cuffs are the original, one and only, Lisa Kettell Baseball Cuff aka the B-Cuff.

The B-Cuff's are original to my idea, creation and design, no two are alike and can signify your love for the game.

The cuffs have been featured in Bead Unique Magazine, several print magazines, blogs, etc., and now I am can offer them as a custom bracelet for you!

PLEASE NOTE:

This is a pink shabby chic baseball cuff for the frou frou baseball fan, made w/hand dyed baseball in a pink color, salt water taffy color insert, clasp, pink rhinestones, lacing and tiny pearl strand.

Most of the baseballs I use are vintage ones from game left overs and lots.

This cuff is now for sale in my Artfire store!
Any questions, please ask,
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-12-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

More Original B-Cuff Baseball Cuffs!

Its that time of year when orders for the B-Cuffs are at a high, from Yankee's fans to Red Socks fans, High School teams, College teams, Little Leagues and Regular fans all ordering cuffs.

This group of cuffs incorporated the customer's colors and teams, Texas AM, Sonoma State, Yankees and the Basic Original Style. The next batch will have more Yankee fan cuffs, a pink cuff, pink polka dot cuff and Angeles Cuff.

Each of my cuffs are original, the one and only B-Cuff, as published in Bead Unique, Up-cycled Jewelry, Stitchin Steampunk, NJ Herald, Pipeline Newz and more to come.

Thank you for buying an LK original designer B-Cuff, check inside the cuff for the label, LK....Its original.....

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Lisa!

2011-12-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

Cougar Ville, Men vs. Woman, Vintage Marriage to Modern Day Socializing!

Today I came across a very interesting article that a friend sent me:

Cougars Inc.: The Lady Predator Lifestyle
The phenomenon of older women dating younger men

This was an article written by Peter Savodnik on Bloomberg Business Week, which discusses the Cougar Economy and gives an inside glimpse on older woman dating younger men.

A fascinating highlight of the article:In the decade since Valerie Gibson published Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men, the very notion of older women dating younger men has gained acceptance in popular culture, in part, due to the emergence of high-profile women—such as Demi Moore, Katie Couric, and the fictional character Samantha Jones on Sex and the City—who have no qualms about dating younger partners. "There is a new archetype that's emerging," says Amy Luna Manderino, the reigning Miss Cougar International. "There have always been free-thinking, vital women over the age of 40. The difference today is our numbers have reached a critical mass." Christine Lehtonen, a principal at Asterix Group, a marketing and advertising agency in San Francisco, says there are more women in the U.S. aged 51 than any other single age. "Can you imagine what could happen," she says, "if all these women were marketed to?"

The article also elaborates on the widespread trend of this topic through extreme marketing in various circles from television (cougarville), books, groups, themed dating sites, conventions, pageants, fashion and beauty, there is a huge market for this and people are cashing in, but how long is this trend going to last? Is it a phase or a re-emergence from history, perhaps a reversal of roles, begun by men in which case it wasn't uncommon for a man to marry a much younger girl in early times as portrayed in the photo at the beginning of this post, its an age disparity in relationships.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_21/b4229073020278_page_2.htm

According to a reference in wikipedia:
In a Brown University study, it has been noted that the social structure of a country determines the age difference between spouses more than any other factor.One of the concerns of relationships with age disparities in some cultures is a perceived difference between people of different age ranges. These differences may be sexual, financial, and/or social in nature. Gender roles may complicate this even further. Socially, a society with a difference in wealth distribution between older and younger people that may affect the dynamics of the relationship.Sexually, it is noted that older people tend to have lower sex drives, and younger people tend to be sexually inexperienced. Legally, there is the issue of consent, where minors and older people with certain health problems are considered unable to consent to a relationship.

Relationships with age disparity of all kinds have been observed with both men and women as the older or younger significant other. In the modern Western culture, older men often seek younger women.Older women often date younger men as well, and in both cases wealth and physical attractiveness are often relevant.

On average in Europe, most men marry women around three years younger. A study released in 2003 by the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics concluded that the proportion of women in England and Wales marrying younger men rose from 15% to 26% between 1963 and 1998.

In August 2010, Dr. Michael Dunn of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff completed and released the results of a study on age disparity in dating. Dr. Dunn concluded that "Not once across all ages and countries...did females show a preference for males significantly younger than male preferences for females" and that there was a "consistent cross-cultural preference by women for at least same-age or significantly older men." A 2003 AARP study had previously brought results that 34% of forty-year and older women were dating younger men.

Sociobiological considerations

For women the average age of menopause is in their late forties and early fifties, and before that infertility is known to increase with age. While men do not necessarily become sterile with age, infertility does go up with age.

Definition from Urban Dictionary:

Cougar

An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man. The cougar can be anyone from an overly surgically altered wind tunnel victim, to an absolute sad and bloated old horn-meister, to a real hottie or milf. Cougars are gaining in popularity

cougar
	An attractive woman in her 30's or 40's who is on the hunt once again. She may be found in the usual hunting grounds: nightclubs, bars, beaches, etc. She will not play the usual B.S. games that women in their early twenties participate in. End state, she will be going for the kill, just like you.

cougar
	An attractive woman in her 30's or 40's who is on the hunt once again. She may be found in the usual hunting grounds: nightclubs, bars, beaches, etc. She will not play the usual B.S. games that women in their early twenties participate in. End state, she will be going for the kill, just like you.

cougar
	An older woman who is past her prime & who is attracted to younger men, often as an act of desperation or as a last resort. That woman's a typical cougar, unable to score with men of her own age so she's out chasing younger men.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cougar

So what do you think about being an older woman dating a much younger man aka boy, is their a balance? Is he your equal, will it work? There is a lot of pressure for woman to look their best and to gain acceptance. I think if I had children, what would they think, my family, my friends, then again age could really just be a number. But I'm not in my mid 40's, never been married, no children, so what does that make me, a cub?, lol...In the wild that is what it could be referred to, a cub! The reversal is I'm desirable to a much older man, a lion I guess he would be called, lol.

As I type this post and come to a close I found :
Dorothy Parker on the subject of romance:

Dorothy Parker

By the time you swear you're his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying -
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

—Dorothy Parker,

Love

If there is any aspect of dating which is common for both sexes, then perhaps the idea of being in love can be scary; one said "being really intimate with someone in a committed sense is kind of threatening" and described love as "the most terrifying thing." In her Psychology Today column, research scientist, sex columnist and book author Debby Herbenick compared it to a roller coaster:

There's something wonderful, I think, about taking chances on love. Going out on a limb can be roller-coaster scary because none of us want to be rejected or to have our heart broken. But so what if that happens???????

To me, if that happens, you can look at it many ways:
-He or she wasn't the right one
-Bad timing
-Served a purpose for the time they were in your lives
-You weren't meant to be together at the time your heart breaks, but if you set a bird free and they come back, then that is when it is meant to be

I believe sometimes we have breaks in our lives, we are always recycling our emotions, especially with love. One partner will love more then the next, one will not, one will carry the torch and the other one won't. One man's trash is another man's treasure, we discard old toys and make way for the new one, once the novelty of the new has worn off, do you just discard again and move on, or do you face it head on, and figure out what you can do to re-invent it. Communication is the key to everything never hold back from this, make that vow to yourself.

One thing is for sure the universe is always working, that karma you put out there eventually comes right back so make sure its positive and good!

Have a wonderful day and celebrate who you are everyday.
xoxo
Lisa!

P.S. Enjoy all the vintage images....

2011-12-06T04:57:00.000-08:00

Pink Circus Themed Tree at Piddlestixs!

Every year I try and pick one or two themes to decorate in during the holidays, this year my themes are:
Pink Circus
Purple Steampunk

The back of my store is filled with yummy pinks and circus-y delights. As a store with a budget, I am always recycling and up-cycling items giving them new purpose all the time. For the circus tree I needed a garland that symbolized and screamed circus, but what would fit? After seeing this stack of connected red tickets, something exploded, this would make perfect garland and now has become one of my fave decorating materials. I simply wrapped the ticket strand around the whole pink tree, voila, the finishing touch!

The whole tree was filled w/artsy and circus-y style ornaments, handmade, vintage and some new. Even after Christmas I might keep this tree up, brings the area so much whimsy!
I continued the circus theme right into my studio located in the stage area at the back of my store! This tree I add to all the time and leave up all year! This is filled with my personal carnival and circus goodies, cupie dollies, elephants, rabbits, handmade crafts and more.The moon ornament is one of my faves, I picked it up for 50 cents at a rummage sale this past October, so excited about it!Tomorrow I will showcase the Purple Steampunk tree in the front of the store!

Have a magical day!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-12-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

Ice Tree Queen Doll Ornaments!

Every year I create a new set of vintage inspired, recycled and up-cycled ornaments for the holidays, here is another new creation I did to resemble the handmade ornaments straight from a Dennison Book or vintage holiday tree.

I made the doll heads from wood, which I painted and drew the faces to look like the vintage wood or spun cotton heads from Japan. Then I attached DMC tapestry wood threading for the hair, wrapped pleated crepe paper around a paper cone, attached head, aged pipe cleaner and kitchy vintage embellishments.

I kept one of the dolls for me, the other 3 will be in my artfire store or at Piddlestixs.

Hope you enjoyed these easy, fun dolls using recycled items!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-12-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

The Gilded Age, Scrapbook Layout and Top Hat Project!

Here is a layout inspired by the gilded age, filled with golds, tinsels, blacks, brass and everything in between. Everywhere I have gone this hoiliday season from decor to fashion the theme seems to be the gilded age, with everything to dress up yourself or your life with gilded glitz, so why stop at scrapbooking and art projects?

Here is a layout I created using gilded gold and distressed paper I bought at ACMoore, vintage sequin trims and appliques from Tinsel Trading, vintage buttons my friend Wanda brought to Piddlestixs, dress form die cuts, vintage images from my collection and more.

I finished off my layout using handmade top hats lines with ribbon or velvet trim which can be found at any craft store or at piddlestixs, also check my artfire store for supplies, the top hat instructions are at the end of this post, they can be used to make small embellishments or big ones.

Here is another more simple version of this layout:

Top Hat Instructions

1.Cut a strip of black cardstock, cut 1/4 inch fringe strips into one side of the strip.

2. Now roll into a cylinder shape, hot glue in place, then bend in the cut fringe.

3. Trace a small bottle lid or disk shape onto cardstock, cut to form a circle.

4. Hot glue the circle to the bent in fringe.

-For a wearable top hat, trace 2 circle shapes, one small for the top of the hat, one large circle for the bottom of the hat, cut a hole into the bottom disk, and voila you have a top hat.

2011-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

My Steampunk/Alchemist Paper Line:
Mermaid Mercantile
Storybook Steampunk!

Wizard Ballet
>Steampunk Lab
height="198" alt="Doctors Steampunk Scrapbook Paper">Apothecary Steampunk
Ice Cream Steampunk!
Steampunk Fairies Steampunk Luggage
Storybook GrungeKazbaar Here is just another sampling of my papers, these are apart of my Alchemist Line filled with steampunk, apothecary and everything in between!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!s

2011-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

My Scrapbook Paper Line
Attention all scrapbookers, paper lovers, artists and party-nista's, I have added some new designs to my scrapbook paper line. Here is a sampling of some of my papers from all three lines, each accompany my parts and embellishments line of products perfectly!Lots of circus and carnival, cupies and crowns!And Fairytales, Storybooks, Dolls and Sweet Marie!
And Sweetness Too! Tommorrow I'll preview more of my papers available through me directly or at my store: Piddlestixs!

2011-11-16T20:25:00.001-08:00

Circus Cupie Scrapbook Layout

Circus Cupie Scrapbook Layout!

Here is a scrapbook layout I made using scrapbook papers from my line:

-Sweet Shoppe Carnival:
Queen of Pink

-Sweet Shoppe Carnival:
Pink Candy Crowns

Along with my doll parts embellishments:

-Full length flat back cupie, pink hair
-Flat back carnival cupie head, pink hair
-Flat back lion master cupie head

Vintage fairy image from my collage cd:
-Fairytale Follies

-My crepe paper rosettes

and other supplies:

-chipboard, rick rac, trims, felt, colorbok and K& Co pieces, glitter, zip dry, kids choice glue from Beacon Adhesives

This layout was inspired by vintage storybooks, carnivals, and circus dolls. All Lisa Kettell Designs supplies can be purchased through my online store, artfire store or in person at Piddlestixs located in Lafayette, NJ!I hope this layout inspired you to create a whimsical layout of your own!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-11-14T09:10:00.001-08:00

Playtime Carnival Scrapbook Layout

Here is a fun, whimsical and easy to do scrapbook layout I created using a variety of supplies from Making Memories products, K & Company products and Lisa Kettell Designs products.

Supplies:
-Scrapbook Papers, Making Memories
-Decadent Edges, Sabrina Collection, Making Memories
-Vintage Frames, Pink, Sabrina Collection, Making Memories
-Medium Kit School, Vintage Findings, Making Memories
-Mini Kit Baby, Vintage Findings, Making Memories
-Looking Glass Stickers, Giggle Kids, Making Memories
-Gem Collection, Pink, Making Memories
-Metallic Chipboard, Colorbok
-Baby Cutout Set, K& Company
-Dress Me Bailey, Doll Part, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Baker's Twine, Wilton
-Vintage Images -Baby Bells, Pink, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Pink apothecary plastic charms, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Ribbons, Trims
-Glues: Zip Dry, Kids Choice Glue, Beacon Adhesives, Adhesive Tape

Directions:
1. Attach adhesive tape to back of decorative cut scrapbook paper and attach to scrapbook paper base of of choice, I choose pink polka dot paper for my base.
2. Lay your images across the middle of the page, making sure you center the main vintage image.
3. Begin filling in the open spaces under the images with the decadent edges strips, ribbon and trims.
4. Cut a strip of bakers twine and place diagonally across the top of the page. Then cut triangle shapes out of the scrapbook paper and glue to the twine using kids choice glue.
5. Begin decorating your page with various embellishments such as the dress Me Bailey part, bells, jar, trims, gems, and more.

To purchase the pink bells, the mini apothecary bottles, the bakers twine and The Dress Me Bailey Doll embellishment visit:
-My store: Piddlestixs, Lafayette, NJ
-My Artfire Store (click on the link here)
-Email me direct

2011-11-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

Kettell Geneology, Part One!

A few nights ago, an ancestor named Lionel Kettell visited me in my dream, thus embarking me on a journey from the past, present and future, sparking my interest to further investigate the Kettell name with my direct ancestors and linkage! Here is one part of my the story which will revolved around Ralph Kettell, founder of Kettell Hall, Oxford!

Ralph Kettell (1563–1643) was an English college head, the third President of Trinity College, Oxford. In a long tenure he built up the college both in terms of architecture and its academic reputation.

He was the third son of John Kettell, gentleman, of King's Langley, Hertfordshire. He was nominated to a scholarship at Trinity in 1578 by Lady Elizabeth Paulet of Tittenhanger, the widow of Sir Thomas Pope, founder of the college. One of his contemporaries and friends at Trinity was Edward Hoby. Kettell was elected Fellow in 1583. He graduated B.A. 1682, M.A. 1586, B.D. 1594, and D.D. 1597, and, after filling various college offices, was elected president in 1599, on the death of Arthur Yeldard. Among those who as students were under his care while he was either tutor or president were the bishops Gilbert Sheldon, Henry Glenham, William Lucy, Gilbert Ironside, and Robert Skinner; also Sir John Denham, James Harrington, Edmund Ludlow, Henry Ireton, George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore and Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, William, Earl of Craven, and Sir Henry Blount. He rebuilt the college hall, and added attics or 'cocklofts ' to the old Durham College quadrangle, of which the east side still remains. About 1620 he built for the stone house in Broad Street which is still known as Kettell Hall, an investment of his own which later came to the college.

Kettell was one of the older heads of houses who disliked William Laud's high-handed reforms. He saved the old paintings in the college chapel from the puritan commissioner, William Fiennes, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele. Outside Oxford Kettell held the rectory of Garsington, which was attached to his office of president, and was private chaplain to Sir Francis Walsingham's widow and to Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winchester. John Aubrey, who was admitted to Trinity in 1642, and knew Kettell in his old age, narrates many anecdotes.

Kettell died about 17 July 1643, and was buried at Garsington on 5 August. Aubrey states that 'he had two wives, if not three, but no child,' and that his second wife was the widow of Edward Villiers of Hothorpe, Northamptonshire, whose daughter Elizabeth married George Bathurst, and was the mother of Ralph Bathurst, president of Trinity College; but there are probably some inaccuracies here. His wife was buried at Garsington in 1624, and an infant daughter in 1606.

2011-11-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

Antiquing in Andover!

In early summer I went to visit my friend Wanda's space at Made in the Shade in Andover, NJ, which is about 20 minutes from my store. Wanda has the sweetest and most vintage chic items, it was so much fun waltzing around her booth.
Notice the adorable ballet slippers, I have a ton of pairs from a friend, which I am waiting to adorn with jewels and millinery, after seeing these ballet shoes, Wanda inspired me to decorate mine.That day Wanda had given me a extremely large bag of vintage doilies, laces, trims, and cloths, which I have been using in my stitched projects and in some of the workshops I host at Piddlestixs, my store in Historic Lafayette, NJ.
After leaving her space, I decided to incorporate my visit into Piddlestixs Vol.5 which will be ready at the end of the month! To learn more about Wanda and to see more of her store pick of Piddlestixs Vol. 5 at the end of the month!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-11-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

The Halloween ATC Book!

Here is a project I wanted to complete last Halloween and finally finished it the other day. Its an ATC Accordion book, a variation of a project from my book; Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books!This is a fun and easy project to create using your left over collage images, scrapbook papers and embellishments. In the book I chose a circus/carnival theme, for this one I chose a gothic, yet whimsical Halloween theme using some images from my book, which I photocopied, digital images I made, vintage images and re-made ones, adding bits of paper, recycled leather, vinyl and trims.
The base of the accordion book is made from 2 pieces of matte board (the stuff from frame shops) and sturdy cardstock, which was cut into a 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 strip, folded and sandwiched between the two pieces of matte board, then layered upon with more papers, images and embellishments, I added an additional cover using a hole puncher and jump rings.
I know Halloween has passed, but there is something so magical and Harry Potter like of this holiday, that I can't stop creating around it or incorporating some of its mystery into my other works, mixing it into my next fave season, Christmas!

Try following this project and creating a holiday atc book, a wonderland atc book, or a santa's workshop atc book, so many possibilities out there to explore, a fun project to also do with your children or friends.

For instructions on how to make this and collage images, visit the ATC chapter inside my book: Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books. Visit my flickr for additional collage images inside my free vintage images folder.

Any questions, please let me know,
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-11-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

Cupcake Liner Dolls, The Fashion Plate

Here is another example of my cupcake liner dolls, his time using more frou frou and embellishments to resemble a fashion plate illustration, using one of my restored fashion plate images found on my flickr site.

In addition to more crepe paper, I used pastel yellow bakery string and extra millinery, mostly vintage. Many of these components are available in either my artfire store or at my store front: Piddlestixs, located in Lafayette, NJ.

Here is the link to my flickr site for the vintage images set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157603511546861/
Here is the link for the project instructions on how to make these dolls:
http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/2011/11/cupcake-liner-dolls-cupcake-liner-dolls.html

2011-11-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Cupcake Liner Dolls!

Cupcake Liner Dolls!

Here is a perfect sugar craft recycled project for a rainy or snowy day at home!

All you need is cupcake liners, a photo copy of one of my fashion plate images, millinery, trims, glitter, crepe paper and glue.

Turn into ornaments, dolls, garland and more!

Materials:
-Various cupcake liners in colors of choice
-Chip board or sturdy card stock
-Photo copy of Marie Fashion Plate image (found in my flickr site)
-Crepe paper or crepe paper streamers
-Bamboo stick (wood cooking skewers)
-Trims, ribbon
-Various millinery
-Glitter
-Zip dry and glitter it, Beacon Adhesives
-Hot glue gun, hot gun
-Scissors

Directions:
1. Pierce holes into the center of the cupcake liner using bamboo stick, thread the bamboo stick with the liners, layering each one on top of each other, leaving a little space, hot glue in place.
2. After you are satisfied with the skirt height , cut the access bamboo stick, leaving 2 inches sticking out of the top liner.
3. Download fashion plate image, shrink to desired size, print, cut out and glue ontop of chipboard using zip dry, cut out and place on the top of the cupcake liner, hot glue to the 2 inch left over bamboo stick using hot glue, let set.
4. Pleat crepe paper, fold in half and hot glue around the image base.
5. Add millinery, trims and ribbons to your doll.
6. Finally rub on some glitter it glue on parts of your doll, sprinkle with glitter, shake off excess and you are done.

Tips and Tricks:
-If you don't have wood bamboo skewers, layer the cupcake liners on top of each other, gluing sides together or use tooth picks, or strip of sturdy card stock or chip board.
-Use vintage greeting card images in place of the Marie Antoinette image.
-Use your childs or family members photos instead.
-Spray paint the liners for holidays. For Halloween use black liners, a vintage image, chipboard wings and black glitter.
-Make a Christmas tree using green, red or pink liners cut to fit, add mini bulbs or glitter dots.
-Make extra large ones using various sizes of liners or coffee filters.
-Transform these into ornaments, cake toppers or garland.

Hope you are inspired to recycled your party wares!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-11-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

Up-Cycled Doll: Ginger's Wedding

Here are the vintage dolls before they were repaired and dressed! These upcycled dolls are vintage from the 1950's, early 60's which needed some repair, clothes, decorating and magic!Here is the doll I named Ginger which I repaired and turned into a vintage upcycled wedding/bride doll, before her make over.Here is Ginger after her make over. I upcycled her by cleaning her up, fixing her hair, added embellishing to her dress, hand stitched vintage pearls, jewels and millinery to her. I poofed out her dress with lace, tulle and added appliques to her main dress base, here is her story: Ginger has always wanted to get married, dressing up in her mom's wedding dress and sisters soiree dresses as a young girl. Then one day she met her Prince and now its here day to get married!

Hope this inspires you to upcycle one of your vintage dolls!

Magic and Joy,

Lisa!

2011-11-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

Halloween Carnival Boat!

With all this bad weather, Halloween was canceled for the tricker treaters since there was too much snow, ice and now power throughout the state of NJ and neighboring states in CT, PA, NY, MA, so as a tribute to my favorite holiday I wanted to share with you the Halloween Carnival Boat, made from vintage images, scrapbook paper, card stock, recycled items and other fun spook-tacular delights!

Welcome to The Halloween Opera Carnival Follies Boat, this is another boat I have made in my series of Dream Boats, made from a paper mache box and other magical supplies.
This boat is an upgrade of the first, with an actual carnival scene on top, complete with moveable ferris wheel and carousel, which spins around. This piece has lots of hidden elemenst waiting to surprise you, look for the Halloween Opera Carnival at a port near you! Many of the images to make this project are available on my flickr site or my collage cds!

Have a magical day,
Lisa!

2011-10-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

The Carnival of Toys at Piddlestixs!

The carnival has arrived at Piddlestixs, Lions, Tigers and Bears oh my....Piddlestixs now has a bevy of carnival/circus delights, toys, dolls, oddities, supplies, animals, circus animals, stuffed and plastic, all vintage and new, tons of items to fuel your imagination.
If you do not live in the NJ area and can't reach Piddlestixs in person, but still want to shop, continue to look at the pictures I post, if there is something you want or looking for, just ask, we ship world wide.
Many of you know I am a circus fanatic and love everything about it and I try to stock as much of this memorabilia as possible, even cookies, candies and treats. The front of the store has edible treats and sweets sure to fuel your shopping snack desires, lol.

So come one, come all, to the Piddlestixs Carnival, where magic awaits your arrival.

xoxo
Lisa!

2011-10-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

New Vignette Area in my Studio at Piddlestixs!

Everyday I try to come up with enchanting ideas to enhance my store and my studio space at the store, which has become my creative sanctuary, the place where I create and get inspired in. My studio in case you didn't know yet is located on the former stage of a playhouse/theater from the turn of the century in a 150 year old building located in Historic Lafayette, NJ, in the back of my store at Piddlestixs.
I comb flea markets, auctions, rummage sales, yard/garage sales, salvage yards, and dumpsters (lol) to find pieces for my studio and the store, always on the hunt for a glass cabinet, shelving or prop to decorate my store with. I have a total obsession with vintage stamp trays, cigar boxes, old fruit crates and trunks. I love apothecary glass, rusty books and of course dolls, especially my beloved cupies, kewpies, celluloids and charlottes, with a love affair of anything circus, carnival or storybook.

If its wizards, witches, fairies, mermaids or odd, I'm going to love it, the mystery behind these icons and folklore legends has always fascinated me from a young age, the works I do revolve around them and anything of magical enchantment. I'm always on a mission to find things which can bring me to a magical world and allow for my imagination to soar. The hardest part is doing this on a budget as furniture can be pricey, that is why I comb thrifty locations for furniture, and have wonderful friends and customers who bestow goodies onto me, lol.
A few weeks ago I enjoyed the town clean up week, where I found a few amazing tables, shelves, hutch, stamper trays, cigar boxes and fun pieces to re-purpose in my store, plus a friend recently gave me a box of dolls, some broken parts and TLC dolls, which I fixed and added to my studio, especially loved my cupies I received, I see some new molds in the works, lol.
In this post today, I wanted to share with you some of the newest areas of my studio, hope it brings you some inspiration and some magic, it doesn't take a whole lot of money to create a magical workspace, just a bit of creativity and some imagination!

If you are in the area, come on my store for a visit!

xoxo
Lisa!

2011-10-24T07:52:00.001-07:00

Art Bar and Steampunk at Piddlestixs!

I have been very busy at Piddlestixs, re-organzing and enhancing some of our latest sections such as the new Art Bar and Steampunk area's which are filled with the most unique artful oddities from supplies to vintage finds and handmade items.
In our steampunk area you will find handmade steampunk jewelry from Auroratique aka Joan Kettell, Top Hats, dress forms, journals, clock parts, vintage keys and everything steampunk.
The art bar section consists of everything from vintage keys, chess pieces, game boards and pieces, vintage sewing supplies such as zippers, patterns, buttons, notions, chandelier parts, hardware, ephemera, doll parts and supplies, glitter and more.
Search for vintage bottles, cigar boxes, crepe paper, craft kits, scrapbooking supplies and fabrics.

Piddlestixs is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, occasional Thursday's until middle of November. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday!

2011-10-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Vintage Fun at Piddlestixs!

Come on over to Piddlestixs and explore all the new vintage items we got in, from ballerina and fairy costumes, to dolls, toys and artsy goodness.
Whether you are a collector or a crafter, we have tons of stuff to fill your needs, even grab a cookie or box of candy to enjoy while you shop, maybe relax for a bit on our Princess and the Pea bench or under our Big Top Umbrella on the porch, enjoying the sounds of the river stream. If action is your thing, sign up for one of our many art workshops or rent the space for a party with your friends.Piddlestixs is a place to let your imagination soar and have some fun, now un-happy faces please...So come on down for a visit! Happy Friday!
Magic and Joy!
Lisa

2011-10-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

Curbside Find, Up-Cycled!
I live to recycle/upcycle items to use in my works, my displays and my decor, Something always has a purpose no matter what. Recently it was clean up week in my area, and to my delight I came across some amazing pieces to re-finish and up-cycle to a new use. Here is one of those finds, a hutch top, that really only needed some sanding and paint.After seeing this, I hauled it over to my store, carried it up the stairs and started sanding it. I then washed it off and began its first coat of paint in creamy dove followed by a sweet taffy blue color for the trim, here is the result!After the paint dried I placed it into my store in a new area designated for girly girl, pink, 50's kitch and pastel color items all vintage and new.Here are some close ups of the shelf vignettes!Hope you enjoyed my newest upcycled design! Have a magic filled day!

P.S. Come on over and visit us at Piddlestixs!

2011-10-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Watson's Magic Shoppe!
Watson's Magic Shoppe is an Art card (ATC) project from my book!

This piece is called: Watson's Magic Shoppe!

Materials

-Chip board from Paper Source
-Steampunk apothecary paper from my scrapbook line, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Leather grunge paper from my scrapbook line, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Book grunge paper from my scrapbook line, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Watson doll part from my embellishments line, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Velvet Ribbon, Ruby rock-it
-Card stock, black
-Wire,
-Glitter from Art Glitter
-Kids choice glue, Beacon Ahesives
-Zip dry, Beacon Adhesives
-Distress ink pad, Ranger Ink
-Scissors, small star punch

Directions

1. Cut chipboard to atc size 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches, layer with steampunk apothecary paper, adhere to chipboard with zip dry, trim access paper.

2. Cut a strip from the book grunge paper, adhere to bottom of the atc using zip dry, set aside.

3. Layer velvet ribbon onto atc using kids choice glue.

4. Glue the Watson doll part to the center of the atc using kids choice glue, let dry.

5. Distress the edges of the atc using distress ink pad of choice, by swiping it around the edges, let dry.

6. Cut a 2 inch by 2 inch square from the leather grunge paper, then make a diagonal cut down the center of the square to form a triangle shape, fold over to form a cone glue in place with kids choice glue, attach to Watson's head for his wizard hat.

7. Pierce paper or floral wire into Watson's left hand, secure with kids choice glue. Now punch a few stars from black card stock using a small star punch, glue to Watson's wand and around the atc using kids choice glue.

8. Cover the stars w/more kids choice glue, sprinkle with art glitter of your choice, I used Ancient Gold color.

Tips/Tricks:
-Buy my un-finished parts to paint the way you like and use one of them in this project.
-Use felt or leather for the wizard hat.
-If you don't have my paper on hand, use a skeleton stamp to decorate plain card stock and use that as the atc base.
-Try blue or purple German Glass glitter or colors of choice.
-Try adding bat wings for more fun.

2011-10-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Up-Cycled Project: Vintage Butterfly Silhouette Frame!
Here is another quick and easy up-cycled project I created called: Vintage Butterfly Silhouette Frame.

This project can be made using items that you might have around your house such as small frames, holiday ornament or floral butterfly, ephemera such as piano paper or book pages, black card stock, ribbons, glitter and glue.

Materials:
-Small Frame
-Holiday Floral Butterfly
-Piano Paper
-Black Card Stock
-Black Ribbon
-Silhouettes Book ( Dover Publications)
-Glitter/Glue: Antique Silver Glitter, Silver Glitter (Martha Stewart), Hot Glue,
Mod Podge (Plaid), Zip Dry (Beacon Adhesives),
-Tools:Hot Glue Gun, Paint Brush, Tiny Scissors and Large Scissors,

Step One:
Find a small frame, remove the frame paper insert, and trace onto piano paper, cut out, set aside.
Step Two:
Photo copy silhouettes from a silhouette book, trace onto black card stock and cutout.
Step Three:
Attach cutout silhouette to cutout piano paper using zip dry, place inside the frame.
Step Four:
Hot glue the floral butterfly to the back of the Frame, apply mod podge to frame sprinkle with antique glitter, let dry. Then apply more mod podge to the butterfly sprinkle with silver glitter let dry. Add a black ribbon, tie a bow and your project is complete.

Tips:
-Draw your own silhouettes
-Use German glass glitter
-Use a paper butterfly
-Try vintage book pages in place of piano paper.

2011-09-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

Up-Cycled Ruler Frame!
Up-cycled Frame!
Here is a frame I up-cycled using a wood frame, photocopies of vintage rulers, hardware and glue.

Materials:
-Wood frame
-Vintage ruler photocopies or originals
-Vintage or modern metal hardware/findings
-Mod Podge or decaupage medium of choice
-Matte sealer
-Epoxy glue
-Foam brush or paint brush
-Scissors

Directions:
1. Cut ruler images to fit frame, glue in place with mod podge using a foam brush, let dry.
2. Apply matte sealer or finish of choice using foam brush or paint brush, let dry.
3. Attach hardware to frame corners using epoxy glue, let set about 10 minutes.
4. Insert vintage or modern photograph into your frame and enjoy.

Tips:
-Use original vintage rulers instead of photocopies, glue to frame w/epoxy glue or clear caulk.
-Use measuring tape instead of rulers.
-Age frame with antiquing medium.
-Jazz up frames w/steampunk pieces, rhinestones or broken jewelry.

2011-09-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

Witches Tea Party Event:Book of Spells Project, More Layouts!

Come Join us for the 3rd Annual Witches Tea Party at Piddlestixs, located in Historic Lafayette, NJ, this years project is the Book of Spells.

Come create a spellbinding vintage book of spells using a variety of vintage, found and new objects, resin, parchment, clay, metals, broken jewels, all sure to add some magic to your day.
The Layout in the book of spells, was made using my line of steampunk scrapbook papers: Steampunk Fairy, Storybook Grunge, Steampunk Apothecary, images, diecuts, vintage supplies, glass glitter, vintage trims and more!w

All my scrapbook papers and products can be ordered online or bought in person at my store: Piddlestixs!

To register send an email to me at:
lisakettell@yahoo.com
or at www.artoperanj.com

For payment options please contact me!
xo
Lisa!

2011-09-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Witches Tea Party Event:Book of Spells Project, Layout 2!

Come Join us for the 3rd Annual Witches Tea Party at Piddlestixs, located in Historic Lafayette, NJ, this years project is the Book of Spells.

Come create a spellbinding vintage book of spells using a variety of vintage, found and new objects, resin, parchment, clay, metals, broken jewels, all sure to add some magic to your day.
The Layout in the book of spells, was made using my line of steampunk scrapbook papers: Steampunk Fairy, Storybook Grunge, Steampunk Apothecary, images, diecuts, vintage supplies, glass glitter, vintage trims and more!

All my scrapbook papers and products can be ordered online or bought in person at my store: Piddlestixs!Here are some of the sponsored goodies for the students!

To register send an email to me at:
lisakettell@yahoo.com
or at www.artoperanj.com

For payment options please contact me!
xo
Lisa!

2011-09-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

Up-Cycled Project: Wicker Shelf turned Arsty!
Turn a boring wicker or rattan shelf into an artsy piece. All you need is a wicker shelf, which can be found at most thrift stores, garage sales or probably in your attic, some glue, water, foam brush and recycled book pages, music sheets or newspaper.
Step One, Mix 3 parts all purpose glue w/one part water, stir with foam brush, set aside.Step Two: Gather pieces of recycled ephemera such as book sheets, dictionary pages, music sheets or newspaper.Step Three: Coat wicker with homemade decaupage glue medium using foam brush, saturate paper with glue and press onto wicker, brush additional medium onto the paper, repeat until the whole shelf is coated in paper, let dry.Step Four: Coat piece w/sealer or finish of choice, then start adding your fave items to it.Here is my finished shelf used as a display for some artful goodies at Piddlestixs!
Tips:
-Add die cuts, silhouettes or dresden scraps/trims to your shelf.
-Add broken jewelry, paper pinwheels or trim to your shelf.

The possibilities are endless. Remember recycling something can be rewarding and save you money too!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!c

2011-09-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

Join Us For a Crafty Tea at
Sally Lunn’s

Featuring Our First Craft and Tea on
Thursday September 29, 2011 at 6pm-9pm
$75 per person, seating limited

Includes Tea, Scones, Scrumptious Desserts, project and other goodies
Featured Project

Marie Antoinette’s Necklace

We will take you back in time to 18th century France where the essence of glamour and fashion frou frou was born

Register Now at Sally Lunn’s Tea Room
9 Roosevelt Street, Chatham, NJ 973-635-2007
or email me: lisakettell@yahoo.com to register!

2011-09-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

3rd Annual Witches Tea Party, Book of Spells

Come Join us for the 3rd Annual Witches Tea Party at Piddlestixs, located in Historic Lafayette, NJ, this years project is the Book of Spells.

Come create a spellbinding vintage book of spells using a variety of vintage, found and new objects, resin, parchment, clay, metals, broken jewels, all sure to add some magic to your day.

To register send an email to me at:
lisakettell@yahoo.com
or at www.artoperanj.com

For payment options please contact me!
xo
Lisa!

2011-08-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

The Newest Illustrations, now on new products, rubber stamps, etc.
Hi all here is a preview of some of my newest illustrations now available as rubber stamps for your arts and crafts projects, cards, etc., Also available on a variety of other products as well. Please visit to order: scrapbookstampsociety.com
To enhance my illustrations I used my new fave paints: Shimmerz, these gave some of my illustrations an enamel type glimmer, which I did to one of the hats in the picture!

2011-06-28T05:27:00.000-07:00

The Studio at Piddlestixs!

Many of you know I own a shoppe called Piddlestixs, located in Historic Lafayette, NJ. I have officially owned it for 1 year, and have worked hard to cultivate it into the magical world I want it to be, and share with you. Each day is a work in progress, finding props, furniture to create the displays and the ambiance to make it unique. The look for me this year is Coney Island Carnival meets Harry Potter Enchantment.

My store is located over the Millside Cafe in a former playhouse/theater, the stage portion of the store is where my studio is located, that's right my studio is located in the former stage performance section of the store, this is where I have been creating the past year, my labor of magic and love.
Piddlestixs is where my creativity happens, where I heal from the outside world and where I find the my inner magic. This week I begin working on the cupcake/sweet shoppe portion of the store, complete w/seer sucker carnival umbrella's and fun. Enjoy candy apples, chocolate apple sticks, cotton candy, gourmet cupcakes and more.

I'm also working on Piddlestixs vol.4 available in 2 weeks, which is both a print and digital independent artistic magazine I produce and is the basis of where the name of the store came from. Over the next few weeks you are going to see new merchandise, and handmade products from a variety of artists, including work from the amazing, Joan a Sugar loaf artist w/handmade children's apparel and fellow Sugar loaf artist and teacher, AmarettoGirl. Her faux sweet shoppe and cupcake pieces are fabulous.We will be teaming up to do some collaborations this summer and fall, stay tuned....

Next week I will be getting some more apothecary style pieces from a friend who believes my store should have them and I believe she is right, lol. So if you are in the area of Lafayette, come on by and say hi. For now enjoy some pictures of my studio located inside the magical Piddlestixs!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-06-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

Loving Sweet Pink Dollies!
Are you loving pink? Its that time of year when all the taffy, salt water, cotton candy sweet colors come back for the summer season. Think carnivals, fete's, birthday's and storybook parties. As a huge fan of pink and the sugary sweet colors of summer, I have pulled out some of the pinkest and sweetest parts from my embellishments line, to get you started on a summer of sweet fun.Most of my parts and embellishments come in a variety of colors and if they aren't listed in pink color, they can be ordered with pink color or details. Just let me know. For now all my pieces are available in my artfire store, my websites and at piddlestixs.All these embellishments are perfect for a variety of crafting and decor from scrapbooking to assemblage, party favors, party decor, jewelry and more.Have a magical and pink filled day!
xoxo
Lisa!c

2011-06-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

Museum of Natural History: Planetarium!
What can be more fun then spending a sunny and warm afternoon at the Museum with good company, great scenery and close to home, some things come close, but the museum for me is first in line, first stop: The Hayden Planetarium!Charles Hayden b.1870-1937, his vision and philanthropy helped to create the first Hayden Planetarium in 1935. The Hayden Planetarium is a public planetarium, part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. My friend Roby and I arrived at the Planetarium around 3pm and walked around to explore all the magical scenery, objects and exhibits while we waited for the Journey to the Stars Program at 4:30pm. Now we all know if I'm aimed with a loaded camera and an adventure, lots of pictures are going to be taken, I won't say how many I took, but it was a tough call to pick the best ones to download, not to mention having fun in the gift shop, lol.Isn't the planetarium amazing, so magical, like you literally entered another world or planet, a living sci-fi movie, think Lost in Space, Star Trek and Star Wars, I was having a blast, looking around everywhere, making sure I didn't miss a thing.Does life exist elsewhere in the solar system? is the title revolving around this exhibit, the teranium scene in this crystal like ball, brought me to another place, allowing my imagination to soar, thinking about hidden worlds and envisioning an exploration or astrology room in a grand castle or mansion, something straight from Harry Potter. This exhibit also inspired me to create some new pieces I am working on now and will un-veil soon.Since I was a little girl I was obsessed with the unusual, tiny worlds, science, space, astronomy, potions, fantasy and minerals, so being here was a real treat for me, alot of my work revolves around these themes in some way, and keeps me inspired, aka Lisa in Space, lol.For more information on the museum or planetarium visit:
http://www.haydenplanetarium.org
Have a magical weekend!
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-05-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

A Summer Party!
Its that time of year, Graduations, Birthdays, Weddings, Showers, Circus, Carnival's, Fete's, Bazaars, Flea Markets, Festivals and Unique Events, it must be summer time.Let's not leave out the joys of summer camps and crafts, library crafts and lazy day fun. Do you remember heading out to that fave amusement park or carnival, collecting prize tokens and tickets, to trade in for the toy of your choice, years ago those toys would have been cowboy hats, toy sets, penny dolls, Kewpie dolls and carnival cupie dolls. These kitchy items have become quite collectible now and have always sparked my inspiration, something so unique about a cupie doll, which has lead me to create my own versions, which my customers have been enjoying for years. Each style in my line has been carefully hand molded, hand pressed and hand painted for you all to enjoy.

My pieces can be used in everything from doll making, scrapbooking, assemblage, altered art crafts, children crafts, party wares, party supply, jewelry making and more. Choose between, un-painted and painted styles, rounded or flat back depending on your project. Some designs come in paper mache, bisque, polymer, resin or foam body clay, and states that in each listing.

For craft ideas using my products, please visit some earlier posts, my blog on Artfire and my other sites, stay tuned for some new ideas here on my blog. To purchase my products until my Etsy Site is restored to normal due to the hacking incident, please visit my artfire store, my websites or my store front in Lafayette, NJ.

http://www.artfire.com/users/MoonfairesWorld
http://www.moonfairesworld.com/curiosity_shoppe.htm
http://artoperanj.com/

2011-05-20T05:09:00.000-07:00

More Custom Baseball Cuffs, aka B-Cuff!

I recently made a few more custom baseball cuffs for customers in shabby pink, Colorado Rockies, basic white, glam and a few other color styles and team spirits. I have been making these cuffs since mid 2005/2006 using recycled baseballs, many of the cuffs and their variations have been published in magazines, books and online, with more new book releases and project ideas being released about them this year and next. My cuffs can be purchased through my sites, my store and other store locations. The following images are of some of April's cuff orders and designs, My favorite is the shabby pink design, where I hand dye/rub coloring into the baseball leather. For more examples of my B-Cuff designs visit my flickr site, back blog posts or pick up some of the publications listed on the left side of the blog. Stay tuned for photos of the baseball and softball cuff necklaces, belts and purse styles, fab colors and designs, coming soon.
Note:These cuffs are the one and only original B-Cuff, if you use this idea/concept please keep in mind the many copyrights associated with them due to their design, printed matter and details, if making for re-sale of more then a few cuffs, if submitting your version to a magazine please contact me for permission, as I am flexible and try to support fellow artists and their inspirations.

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-05-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

Glass Vignettes For All Occasions !
No matter what the occasion is, glass vignettes make a welcome addition to any home, studio or party. These vignettes have been called by a few different names: Captured Jar Fairies, Jar Fairies, Memory Jars, Image Jars, Glass Houses, Glass Orbs, Recycled Jar Scenes, Snow Globes, Glass Theaters and more.Glass Vignettes can be made from practically any glass vessel, with a wide enough opening to insert items into such as dolls, paper imagery, millinery, moss and paper shards. These vignettes can be made from wine glass, medicine bottles, canning jars, candle jars, candy jars, glass vases, clear holiday bulbs, peanut jars, baby jars, perfume bottles, gumball machines, clear plastic eggs and vessels, fish takes and discarded clocks.These vignettes can be made as bridal shower and baby shower favors, given as gifts to the bridal party with special imagery inside, used to make vacation memory jars filled with special items and a picture to capture that vacation, create birthday party vignettes, make ornaments from them, re-create a fairytale scene, or insert whimsical fairies inside, the possibilities are ended. I have been making these tiny scenes for years and have included some glass scene projects in my book; Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books, 2009. Inside you will find a glass fairy orb wand, fiji mermaid jar scene and jar cozies, just to name a few. As for custom orders, I have created custom wedding favor jars, bridal shower jars and baby shower jars, including a set of jar wedding fairies I made for each wedding party member for a wedding I was in. I recently was asked to custom make 2 flower fairy jars for two sisters who shared similar birthdays, including a circus themed birthday using my circus follies characters inside the jars, which matched the circus follies cake toppers and pics, each was hand sculpted and adhered to the jars which would comprise of a huge circus scene complete w/Giraffes, Ballerina Elephants and Mer-Bears.For some of the vignettes, I enhanced the outside of the glass jars using additional imagery, sculpted items, millinery, glitter and broken jewels, all depending on the theme of the jar being created.Here is a more Gothic toned Witch/Wizard Glass Vignette, made with vintage shredded paper, vintage imagery, vintage 1800's lace/trims/velvet, German glitter, Velvet Flocking, Rhinestones and more.

For more examples and variations of glass vignettes, box vignettes and cage vignettes visit my flickr gallery at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157594563774774/with/2653140669/

2011-05-06T04:55:00.000-07:00

A Storybook Circus Party!

I recently was commissioned to create a party set for a customer's party, a 1rst Birthday Party for a little wee girl named: Brooke, set in a whimsical, vintage, yet sweet storybook carnival theme, with lots of sugary colors, a rainbow of circus surprise.The party fare consisted of a set of custom circus follies cake picks, matching toppers, name blocks, and banner. Each piece was handmade with a variety of materials, all to resemble a storybook circus. I further developed some circus follies character designs I already had such as the Ballerina Elephant, the Marionette and the Harlequin clown.I added a few new character designs to the set such as the Circus Pony, Ballerina Bear, Frou Frou Poodle, Party Bird and Sierra the Mermaid, just to name a few.These are just a sampling of some of the items I made for the party, in my next post I will share with you more photos of the cake toppers, the name blocks and the banner that I created for this fabulous and sweet birthday party.

These party designs, other designs and custom orders are available through me, please check out my website, and artfire stores now, or contact me directly. Please note, my Etsy store was hacked and will be re-built soon, so for now all orders must be made through my Artfire, website or myself directly.

Have a magic filled weekend,
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-03-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

More B-Cuffs in a Glam Style!

Baseball season is upon us, opening day games are taking place all over the country, Yankee opening day is tomorrow and the start of my favorite season with my favorite team.

Many ladies out there love the sport, played it in high school, college, on leagues, parents to boys and girls on leagues, married to baseball junkies and well just love the ambiance and fun of a stadium game, not to mention the drinks, snack foods and good company.
When you go to the game, do you wear a jersey, paint your face w/team colors, wear a cap, t-shirt or related color? I for one wear my lucky Yankee Cap and one of my B-Cuffs aka Baseball Cuff. I have 3 of my own, one basic, one team oriented and one chic and rocker glam.

Many customers have requested color cuffs and chic glam ones instead of basic styles, so they can wear them anywhere. The glam B-Cuffs are $10-$15 more then the basic custom cuff.

The basic custom cuff comes w/your choice of interior color, pearl strand, threading and rhinestone initial in front, most of you order "Q" for Queen of the Outfield. All rhinestones and colors are based on availability as well.

The Glam B-Cuffs are a little more girlie and ornate, usually coming with a custom color cuff, vintage or modern rhinestone pin, and strips, etc. They are blinged out to shine. In this post I am showing you examples of customer blinged out glam B-Cuffs that I recently finished. One for Sherry, Claire, Marie, Jenn and Polly, these are your cuffs, which were shipped today.
Now the pink is my fave, we all know I love pink and aqua. I'm going to make one similar for me!

To order your own cuffs visit:
http://www.artoperanj.com/category_38/Custom-Baseball-Cuffs.htm

or my artfire store:
http://www.artfire.com/users/MoonfairesWorld

For the glam cuffs, email me for an invoice!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-03-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

Fantasy Fabric Blocks Art and Crafts!
I am proud to announce that I am a new artist on board at Fantasy Fabric Blocks. My illustrations are now available at Fantasy Fabric Blocks Art and Crafts. Now you can incorporate my illustrations into your fabric works from quilts, handbags, atc's stitched assemblages to fabric books, stitched jewelry and more!

The first set of illustrations I released are the Enchanted Carnival Collection of illustrations. The originals were created using Strathmore Watercolor paper, pen, ink, watercolors and tea/coffee aging, you can find that quick recipe and technique in my book: Altered Art Circus!
Each one of these have a rustic meets whimsical look and are inspired by vintage storybook images, The carnival/circus, parties, primitive art and Indie art all set in a whimsical tone. The aged backgrounds give the illustrations a distressed and prim look.

This series of images are available in the form of printed fabric blocks made from the highest quality, ready for you to use in your works. When you purchase these fabrics, I'd like to see what you do with them to put on the blog and showcase at Piddlestixs.

To start purchasing my artwork designs and other artist's designs on the fabric visit: http://www.fantasyfabricblocks.com

Magic and Joy, Lisa!

2011-03-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

Rockin Ruby Rock-It!

Over a year ago, I attended CHA Winter 2010 and during one of my free moments I walked the show and stumbled upon Ruby Rock-It Designs, I instantly fell in love with their products and the fabulous people behind the products, who frequently visit the US to bring these products to you, all the way from Australia .

Joanna and Warren's passion for Ruby Rock-it is like no other, then add in a warm and friendly group and you have a fabulous product.

Fast forward to CHA Winter 2011 and you have a happy Lisa, why, because I got to see my pals for Australia and their new collections, which instantly got me excited, two collections I just love are the Avalon and Le Jardin Lines, filled with everything a scrapbooker, paper or mixed media artist is going to want from: Felt cuts in the shape of chic silhouettes, girlie patterns, and Birds/Birdcages, sophisticated and chic ribbons and flowery trims, dazzle/rhinestone effects, fun lettering, enchanted butterflies and other must have embellishments.Many of their papers have double sided patterns filled with chic patterns, Bo-Ho, Light Steampunk and Garden Sophistication, some are rounded shape which make nice layered additions to your layouts, add pop dots for some added dimension when layering your papers.Ruby Rock-it also has a great collection of brads and ribbon flowers, they are one of my sponsors for the workshops, Mid Spring Nights Dream held at my store, Piddlestixs, where each student will receive a few surprise goodies from their line of products.
I am currently working on a few paper projects and layouts using their fabulous products which just arrived. They inspired me to make a new Kewpie which I will be adding into one of the pieces I am making. The Avalon Collection with the silhouettes, has me thinking Paris Storybook Romance, Soirees, Tea Parties and Frou Frou, One of the pieces I am making is a Soiree 3-dimensional layout, Birdcage and a castle, stay tuned for sneak peaks on some of the finished items.

For now I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into the wonderful world of Ruby Rock-it and have fun with their products!

To Purchase or for more info:
http://rubyrock-it.blogspot.com
http://www.rubyrock-it.com

Have a wonderful day,
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-03-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

More Baseball Cuff Colors, New Season!

I'm working around the clock to bring you a variety of new styles for the new season of the B-Cuff.
I have been getting requests for frilly frou frou B-Cuffs, Pastels w/Rhinestones, Lace inserts, pink pearls, and little league team colors.

I periodically get in color baseballs and vintage/used baseballs, some are hand dyed by me and sometimes new baseballs are used.

Several customers ask for their team colors from The Angels to the Red Socks, The Yankees and The Mets, no team is excluded, even though I am a Yankee's fan, lol, I respect all the teams. I currently am working on the Baseball Cuff Necklace and Baseball stitched Purses. The Necklaces will be up next week and are similar to the cuff bracelet, but more edgy for the neck, some will have a chain clasp and others tie on ribbon, so you can see the variety of styles.

The B-Cuffs are available in my etsy, artfire and web stores. If they sell out and you can't find the link contact me about a custom order or how to purchase one.
http://www.artfire.com/users/MoonfairesWorld

http://www.artoperanj.com/category_38/Custom-Baseball-Cuffs.htm

Attention League moms and Baseball girls, there are group discounts on B-Cuff orders and I offer wholesale to stores, so contact me regarding those requirements and pricing. Each and every cuff is handmade by me from every last detail.

These cuffs, their concept and design are a Lisa Kettell original aka LK Designs copyright 2006-2011

2011-03-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

The Original Baseball Cuff is Back!

Are you ready for opening day? Will you be wearing your B-Cuff? The B-Cuff is in its 5th season and getting ready for Opening day in a few weeks. Many of you have been following the cuff from its beginning, ordering them to wear, and reading about the similar styles like my article and project idea in last Spring's Bead Unique Magazine.

The Cuff is on the rise again with more variations, articles and in a published book, all coming out this year.

Who doesn't want to be Queen of her own Baseball Game? Now you can with custom baseball cuffs created to fit your teams colors or the theme of your choice.

The cuffs are created from leather baseballs, rhinestones, felt, clasps, sewing, etc.

All cuffs fit standard wrist size, if your wrist is larger, the cuff can be adjusted to fit your wrist specifications.

I have been making these cuffs for years for customers, friends and family. These cuffs are the original, one and only, Lisa Kettell Baseball Cuff aka the B-Cuff. All Baseball cuffs are original to my idea, creation and design, no two are alike and when you wear one can signify your love for the game with style and a bit of Glam, lol!

PLEASE NOTE:

I now have pink baseballs in stock, these go fast, so check for availability on this color and see what dyes are in to match your team.

Most of the baseballs I use are vintage ones from game left overs and lots.

To order, click below: Custom Baseball Cuff Order Link Bracelets are $40.00 plus $2.95 shipping/handling Total: $42.95 Order 2 or more and save additional money! Please allow 2 weeks for delivery, if a rush order, please inform me! Any Questions, please let me know, Magic and Joy, Lisa! Buy 2 or more and receive $10.00 off
Price:

2011-03-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Altered Art Circus Week, Contest and More!
We are running a contest called the 100 mile. Every autographed altered art circus book that is bought through me will be entered to win a $100 gift card, plus other surprises, exclusively for the book buyers. Once you buy a book at the link below, you will automatically be entered to win. I will randomly be choosing winners for small gifts and surprises. Contest starts now!

Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books, Lisa Kettell, 2009-2011
Autographed copies now available,
Quantities limited....

Please inform me if your want a personal message written out inside the book!

Lisa!

Price:
$24.95 plus 4.95 shipping
total $29.90

http://www.artoperanj.com/category_37/Altered-Art-Circus-Lisa-Kettell-Autographed.htm
Here are some sneak peaks of techniques and projects in the book:

All fans of my book are encouraged to send photos of projects they made from the book or projects inspired by projects and images in the book. You can email me photos or send your completed projects to me to be displayed in the Altered Art Circus Vignette currently being created at Piddlestixs!

Reach out to me for details on sending your work for the Altered Art Circus Display, all artists who send in their works will get a special surprise and certificate of display.

Good Luck!
Contest ends on or before April 5, 2011 or when we sell out of the last book in the shipment, book quantities are limited!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Altered Art Circus Projects, Sneak Peak!
Altered Art Circus By Lisa Kettell, Quarry Books is a book filled with artful magic. Its not your A-typical art and crafts book, there is a lot more to it. Each project inside the book tells an actual fact or is accompanied by a story, a story of magic, whimsy, a story which takes you on a journey into your imagination.

The projects are simple and easy to complete, try them out with your children, your friends, family or make some of these projects for yourself, each one can be made simple or elaborate, there are no rules. I choose these projects as a way to spark your imagination and creativity, I didn't want projects that you would be afraid to try or had to go out and buy expensive materials for, you can recycle items around your home or pieces from left over projects to make these.

I include simple age and distress techniques/recipes using coffee, cocoa and tea, all items that can be found around your house including liquid starch and bleach.
Even old or recycled books, piano papers, newspaper and scrapbook papers, all inexpensive and easy to find. Recycling is good for the environment, perfect to teach children and costs nothing, I am a huge advocate of recycling and do everything I can to recycle.

Some of Lisa's Recycle Checklist include: Bottles, Jars, perfume bottles, Garden paper cups (peet pots), cigar boxes, books, ephemera and doll parts. The jars are used for captured glass fairies and scenes. The bottles for dolls and decorate, books for altered books, assemblages and for scrap.

To the experienced artist my book is perfect for inspiration, applies great techniques and brings you back to a not so serious world, a place we found in our childhood but might have lost as an adult, like trying to re-locate wonderland again.

Some of my favorite projects are the circus toys, the circus carts and the glass scenes. I'd love to know what your favorite projects in the book are? How have you used one of my projects or ideas in your work? I'm currently working on new project variations from the book. Example, replacing the paper doll in the Princess and the Pea Project with one of my handmade clay dolls and parts.

I'm creating other circus animal toys using hippos, birds and elephants, incorporating wizard and fairy themes to them, I'm creating newer circus cart assemblage examples, one is Ollie The Wizard which I blogged about a few days ago. For Ollie, if I wanted to turn him into a circus cart, I'd just add wheels and some ephemera.

The Jar projects are perfect projects to incorporate into party and favor ideas for weddings, showers and birthdays. Replace images with ones of your loved one(s) and personalize it, so many ideas.

I hope you enjoyed a sneak peak into some of the projects from my book and the new variations of them that I continue to create.

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-03-13T20:25:00.001-07:00

The Mini Carnival Cupie on the Block!
Meet the newest parts on the block:

The Mini Carnival Cupies, which measure 2 1/4 inches tall!

All are now available for you to use in your works!

Each one is hand molded, handmade and hand painted!

These new embellishments come on sweet shoppe fun colors:

Taffy Hair
Cotton Candy Hair
Lemon Hair
Sky Hair
Cherry Hair

If a different color is needed such as black hair, silver hair, purple hair, green hair, please let me know. Soon I will offer these colors in sets as well, but for now, they can be requested at no additional fee.

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-03-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

Everlasting Love For My Dog: DJ!

It was the summer of 2007, on our way back from Bethany Beach, that we scooped up our little guy: DJ, a baby golden retriever. His breeding roots are one of show dogs, stars and celebrity owners, so he shouldn't be shy from the camera, especially having a momma like me who love, love, loves taking photo's, anyone who knows me well, knows this to be true, lol, since I was a child I would haunt people with my camera, I still do today, so watch out, I could be around the corner with my camera, lol.
Holding this little guy was a pride and joy, since I had never had a dog of my own, we knew it would be alot of work, but it was worth it, DJ was the missing void in my life, the glue which would bond it all together.
Within weeks DJ was bathroom trained, but he was a nibbler and a jumper, lol, chewing on everything, jumping up on everyone, but soon he out grew that, but didn't out grow his love for people and the ones he cares for. DJ is a party dog, he likes to be where the action is and be apart of the fun, when its too quiet he gets sad.

Playing with other dogs excites him and when he has had enough, he lets you know, I'm tired, so I'm going to lay down right here, his best buds are: Knuckles and Howie, friends dogs who love hanging out with him. When Howie stays over, DJ lets him share his bed, lol.
When you come home or visit DJ, is there to greet you, to let you know, hey I'm here, glad to see you, now lets play, eat and play some more, then I'll cuddle with you, he's a hoot, barks at people outside until you call out his name to say hi, its his way of saying hello, DJ is like the neighborhood mascot, your buddy on the hill. When he is outside, DJ can be found frolicking around on the grass, rolling down the hill, investigating the land with his nose and checking to see where the action is.

Inside DJ has his favorite spots, the mud room, the kitchen and the living room couch, aka the Livy! Where he sometimes sleeps or hangs out. DJ is a true friend, over the years he's been there for me, I taught him how to catch, play ball and key command words, we've learned he loves Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanut Butter, Pasta and Pig Ears, his fave toys are tuggies and rope toys, or someone's shoes.

DJ named after Derek Jeter, yes Yankee fans here has a new collar very sophisticated almost like a coach bag, but its his collar, very debonaire if I say so myself. The spring and summer is coming DJ's favorite time of year, means more outside time and playtime, even his baby pool.

Furry children are apart of our lives, they add joy and happiness all day and everyday, so take of your furry friends and furry children, because their love for you is un-conditional and loyal!

Have a magic filled Golden Day!
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-03-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Mid Spring Nights Dream! Some of the Sponsors/Contributors!

www.rubyrock-it.com
http://rubyrock-it.blogspot.com

www.craftychica.com
http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com
http://www.ilovetocreate.com/craftychica.aspx

http://suziblu.typepad.com
Suzi is contributing one of her free online workshops, to one lucky winner at Mid Spring Nights Dream! The online workshop is below!
http://suziblu.typepad.com/a_lovely_dream/2010/11/self-guided-video-portrait-classes.html

Beacon Adhesives is another one of our premier sponsors, their glues are always on the top of my list!
http://www.beaconadhesives.com

I will be doing another post in a few days of additional sponsors and contributors. Remember this event is limited to 40/45 people. Some seats left!

See you tomorrow!
xoxo
Lisa!

2011-03-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Ollie The Wizard!
Meet Ollie The Wizard!

Ollie lives in Pemberly Woods, 2 Hours North of London. Ollie is a young wizard who attends Pemberly School of Wizards...................
This piece is made from a doll closet I transformed into a shadow box, vintage fabrics, DMC floss, fabric Tac, German glass glitter, and my newest doll part: the Ollie Style, in the costume doll collection of doll parts. This doll part and the 4 others will be available this week in my etsy and artfire stores.I have always loved creating little magical worlds, the inspiration for this piece came from a project in my book; "Altered Art Circus", Quarry Books, 2009, the cover of the book showcases little circus cart assemblages made the same way only using paper images instead of clay dolls or figures. The unfinished version of the Ollie Doll is available and can be painted to your specifications its is labeled under the Bailey Style doll parts in my etsy, artfire online stores and at my store front: Piddlestixs!Ollie is currently spreading magic inside Piddlestixs, but I will be listing him in either my Etsy or Artfire Store tonight!

Ollie will also be available soon as a cake topper and cupcake toppers, custom orders can be made as well!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

2011-03-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

THE ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE BLOG TOUR

Welcome to The Art At The Speed Of Life Blog Tour, I am day seven, lucky seven of this incredible blog journey revolving around my dear friend Pam Carriker's latest book and her creative journey.

Pam and I met several years back and became instant friends, along with Julie Bergmann and a few others when we met in Pleasanton, CA. Our creative paths crossed for a reason, one filled with inspiration and passion, a path that would take us on a phenomenal journey, with this book: Art at the Speed of Life, Pam has taken the reader and the artists involved in it on a road into our inner creative soul.

It offers mixed-media art projects, along with tips for getting organized and getting inspired, a book filled with a plethora of ideas for the individual whose Quote: "creative goals sometimes get stymied by the frantic pace of modern life."

"Making things every day can be a joyful reality instead of just wishful thinking."

Each chapter inside Art at the Speed of Life includes both essays and project ideas from a variety of contributors, the projects are inspiring, yet easy to complete on a tight schedule, and include techniques such as assemblage, image transfer, and collage. A bonus seven-day journal project helps you track your work as you go.

When I received that email from Pam, asking me to contribute, I didn't hesitate for a second, I jumped right in. The pieces I choose for the book were lighthearted, whimsical and reflected my personality, bringing someone back to innocence to a time in their lives where everything was sweet and carefree is what I do, once you can re-experience your innocence, then you can tap into your imagination find those storybook worlds and let the magic begin.

Several of the projects I contributed were created with the doll parts I mold and make, whimsical papers and quotations. I am known for being called" "Fairy Queen", "Queen", "Doll Land" and "Magic", these themes always find a way into my work no matter how light or ultra serious the project is, I'm fascinated by these elements and try to incorporate them into various aspects of my life.

Over the past 6 months I have taken another journey, one back to my original roots of muted colors, vintage grunge and steampunk, re-exploring other worlds wrapped inside my head. Since I am always on the go, I carry a journal and pen, to capture and sketch new ideas, Pam's book for the past month has found its way with me everyday, bringing me inspiration and joy.Recently Pam and I met up for some fun at CHA Winter Show 2011 in Los Angeles, to share insight on our recent creative journeys, our goals for 2011 and how we are both expanding our artistic vision. At the CPS meet-up we ended up having a Art at the Speed of Light meet-up, with the arrival of Julie Bergmann and Suzi Blu, that was four artists from the book, getting over excited. Each of these ladies are more then just artist they are inspirational role models, friends with a passion for their work and to help one another, I am truly honored to have such soulful friends.

Currently there is a book blog tour for Pam and her amazing book, below is a list of artisans on the tour, please visit each of their fabulous sites and read what they have to say about the book, their experiences, projects, and inspiration. See you on the tour!

xoxo

Magic and Joy,

Lisa!

Tour Calender

3/1
Crescendoh - Jenny's Blog
http://jennydoh.typepad.com/

3/2
Suzi Blu
http://www.suziblu.typepad.com/

3/3
The Altered Page
http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

3/4
Thrift Collage Artist
http://www.thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/

3/5
Sue Pelletier Laugh*Paint
http://www.suepelletierlaughpaint.com/

3/6
All Norah's Art
http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/

3/7
Faerie Enchantment
http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/

3/8
My Collage Art
http://nancylefko.blogspot.com/

3/9
Always Chrysti
http://alwayschrysti.com/always-chrysti

3/10
Lisa Bebi's Art Blog
http://lisabebi.blogspot.com/

3/11
Sweet Repeats
http://www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com/

3/12
Living Out Loud
http://loudlife-laurieblaumarshall.blogspot.com

3/13
The Feathered Nest
http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com

3/14
Paulette Insall
http://www.pauletteinsall.com/blog