Here are some random items I've made over the last few months, but haven't had time to post.  Enjoy!

2009 - I'm trying to expand my art.  Trying to move beyond the expected, to explore different mediums. Trying to embrace imperfection which will enable the exploration of more real emotion. Sure I've always used "out of the box" stuff, (my husband just shakes his head when he sees shaving cream, duct tape, onion skins, eggshells, etc.), but I'm stretching myself to use more sketching, canvas, paint, ephemera and such...with my paper and stamps.  It did not help when we attended a university gala event praising my uncle for his world's fair collecting, or when we visited the 1000 Journals Project exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.  I'm exploring art in real life - art in worship - the art of living.  I'll share more later.

My mom and I decorated a table for a school dinner/auction, and I handmade some of the items. The theme  was harvest blessings.  Each year people sign up to decorate a table any way they want in keeping with the theme, so all the tables are different. 

Below you can see the place settings, and then a close up photo.

I used my Cuttlebug to cut and emboss napkin holders, favor boxes, confetti on the charger plates (the embossing doesn't show up), and water glass coasters. 

Favor box:  Once you have made the box using the pillow box die, then run it through the Cuttlebug in the pumpkin harvest embossing folder (be sure to fold it on the scored lines before embossing). Then I put the box together adhering it with sticky red tape.  For the center pumpkin on the tag I embossed a sheet of very vanilla cs and then punched the pumpkins out an sponged the color on.

Napkin holder: After using the Top Note die, I folded it in thirds, and on the back I punched holes with a small SU square punch. Brown grosgrain ribbon when through the hole and then were tied it together (sorry no photo of that, I'll try to get one later).  After using the pumpkin combo die on very vanilla cs, I gave it color by sponging ink on it. 

Coaster: The center of the coaster (hard to see it) and tag on the favor box were embossed with the Cuttlebug pumpkin embossing folder then punched out. I sponged ink on the favor tag (as well as the pumpkin on the napkin holder).

Confetti:  The photos don't really show it, but they were also embossed with Cuttlebug Leafy Branch and Pumpkin Harvest embossing folders before being punched out.  

*** A special thanks to my UDI friends, Michelle and Alicia, who helped me out when my SU dies were on backorder!! ***

I made this for a friend battling cancer, so I wanted it to be extra special.  Last night I did the stamping, watercoloring and cutting. Tonight I did the rest. After I used the cuttlebug paisley embossing folder, I used the nestabilities oval for the hole. Then I mounted the cut oval on another piece of CS and attached the cut flowers. I then mounted that to the inside of the cover, hoping to create a little bit of a diarama look - however I think the dimensionals I used were too thin - I should have doubled them (but I am mailing the card so maybe it's just as well). I used the piercing tool on the scallop frame and drew in the faux stitching before adding it to the card. More cut flowers and leaves went on top, and I finally added glitter to the stamens (which you can see it you enlarge the photo enough).  TLC 191

I went to bed with it by the door ready to mail, but in the middle of the night I woke up and realized it must have a shimmery organdy bow!! So I used my bone folder to gently open the envelope flap (so I could still use it and the stamp) to put that all important pink bow!!  Whew! Now it can be mailed. 

Here is my project for DIVAIC13, DIVASC3, and SCS CC188.  

Click here for the inspiration photo and sketch layout: UDI blog challenge. 

I clear embossed the outline image on black CS, then bleached inside the lines. Then I colored with a Q-tip and Stampin' Pastels. The image was pretty flat, so then I put gobs of Crystal Effects to make the image pop out (to make it shiny but also kinds of 3D).  I layered the image on Nestabilities oval/scallop dies, and Cuttlebug textile embossing folder. Pretty in Pink brads and organdy ribbon finish it off.

I was playing with my new set, Flower Fancy. This is a simple card, no layers even.  But I love the cheerful colors. Stamp on the front, and in the top right corner of the inside. Cut the front corner to the inside peeks out. Sponge the cut edge to define it more.  

UDI blog inspiration challenge.  Here is my submission for the week of Oct. 2.

I bleached the flowers from Heartfelt Thanks, then used a sponge dauber to make them more so saffron.

Diva Inspiration Challenge for September. Click here to go to the Utah Divas International blog for all the details. Thanks to my friend Maria, for being the hostess for this challenge!! See the projects I've made below:

If you've been here before, please scroll down for an improved photo of my Week #2 project.

Here is the inspiration photo for Week #4 of the Sept. challenge (Sept. 25):

Wow, the inspiration photo was interesting to me this week. Pretty busy design! But I immediately thought of birds: owls or partridges. Then I thought of the old TV show, "The Partridge Family," though these colors here are much more subtle the brightly painted bus on the show!! LOL!

For my project, I used similar colors and layout to the inspiration project, used the faux stitching, but made the one shape into a bird...I think of it as a partridge.  The Pocket Silhouettes set just arrived today, so I had to use that! I added ribbon, buttons and a brad for the eye.  I am happy with the end result, I especially like that the design seems more balanced to me, and a little less busy.  I hope you like it!!  This concludes the Sept. challenge contest, but I believe that UDI blog will still post a new challenge each Thurs.  My goal is to keep doing them, or at least some kind of challenge each week! 

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

Thanks again to Maria, who's been the hostess for these challenges!!! You rock!! These challenges have made me go beyond my comfort zone...it's been good to stretch!

FINAL WINDS OF GRACE project done!

Here is a work in progress... from rough drafts to final project.  I'm working on a masculine card, but I'm not sure if the colors are manly enough.  I know, men appreciate sunsets no matter what the color in real life, but what about in a card?  Here is my first try... 

I will add embellishments later, maybe a hemp knot, or eyelets, etc. but for now I'm focused on color.  

Scroll down for more.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

Below is #2.  I tried to use darker colors for the sunset. Unfortunately my scanner isn't the greatest, since the background paper both above and below is the same, but look different here: apricot appeal. I also like it on So Saffron CS.

Scroll down for final project.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

Final design for my  "work in progress."

For the final project, I decided to try Beate Johns's "Striped Wipe" technique from SCS. It definitely created the more dramatic sunset I was looking for. I punched the sun with 1/2 in. circle punch on a sticky note, and did the striped wipe technique over the top of it, then removed the sticky note. I tried to make extra blue "clouds" in the  pink and mustard stripes.  Barely Banana is the CS base.  Sail is Vellum cardstock and the lighthouse was cut out and layers over the original image.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

Here is the inspiration photo for week #3 (Sept. 18):

Just want to send some hugs to my friend and hostess of these challenges, Maria, since her family and home were effected by Hurricane Ike! I'm thankful you are all okay, and I hope you are able to fix the damage quickly!!!!!!!!

As you can see, I once again I used  the Heartfelt Thanks which I clear embossed on Regal Rose CS. Then I sponged Close to Cocoa over that (it gives it a soft feel). I also embellished and layered with ribbon and a brad.  Simple but sweet I thought... But after I looked at it a day, I decided it needed some bling. So I stamped some more flowers with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to add some sparkle.  I hope the photo does it justice (I've had some problems using my scanner and camera lately).    Thanks for visiting and come back next week for the Utah Diva Inspiration Challenge Week 4.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2007

Here is the Inspiration photo for week #2 (Sept. 11):

This immediately reminded me of our wedding cake 17 years ago, which was also frosted in a weave pattern.  As I was brainstorming what to do for my project, I thought of the lattice or "Cut 'n Tuc" technique tutorial I have on my website, and all my retired rose stamp sets.  To the right is one of those, which could probably work with this challenge.  

However, I decided to focus on the weave pattern (which I have never done), and used the current set, "Heartfelt Thanks" for my project (Boo hoo, I don't have any current rose sets to use).  I used Very Vanilla CS for the weave, which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and also Pretty in Pink and Pixie Pink ink and CS. Pink rhinestone brads and punches - designer label, key tag, circle and ticket corner finished it off.  Here's my project for divaIC8 challenge:

The full card measured 8 1/2 x 4 inches when folded. It will fit in standard long envelope. I think this will be elegant to use for a wedding we'll be going to next month. Thanks for visiting! Come back next week for Week 3 of the Challenge.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

Utah Divas Inspiration Challenge - Week 1.

I am going to take the Diva Inspiration Challenge for the month of Sept.  You can too!  Just participate each week by making a project inspired by the inspiration photo! Click here for the instructions for Sept. 4, 2008 challenge.

Here is the inspiration photo for Week #1. 

Here is the card I made based on the photo above.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2007

This features the stamp set "Simply Said" and the 5-Petal Flower punch.  I tried to use a similar color scheme (Pretty in pink, basic black, white and Certainly Celery, So Saffron). I designed the spotlighting technique to be tall and thin. The green horizontal "belt" piece does fold over from the back, you have to slide it the right from under the black and yellow flower parts. Finally, I chose the saying to also go with the "headless model."  

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2008

This was fun to do, and I ended up with something I wouldn't normally do!! Check back next week for my next Inspiration Challenge project.

Oldie but goodie.

I've been trying to get back into watercoloring.  So was looking through my retired sets and came across Dreams and Dragons. I made this card for a UDI challenge. I used watercolor wonder crayons and Aquapainters.  It was very enjoyable to make and complete a project in one evening. I'm glad I took a photo because as soon as I did, my dd came and begged me for it, so it hasn't been seen since!!! (In real life the colors all blend together, the hues seem a little off in this scan).

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Images copyright 1989-2007

This is what I made for all my students at school... it had to be a quick and easy project.

Artist: Lisa Goodell

Mini Christmas Album

Another name for this project is a Wallet Photo Album.  First photo shows how I made it fold into a triangle to sit on on a table (instead of folding it completely closed, like a wallet).

Second photo shows it open vertically, and the third photo shows all the flaps open.  It can hold up to 9 photos! 

1989-2007

1989-2007           

Christmas favor

I took a gold take out box from Dollar Tree, pushed the flaps inside, and then added shredded crepe paper, candy canes, and a chocolate gold coin.  I stamped a matchbook pouch with Reindeer food inside. And I had a red tag with a gold embossed reindeer on it to go with the cello bag of chocolate covered raisins. A big gold ribbon finished it off.

Little clipboard composition books. 

I created one of these mini composition books for a UDI friend, and one for my daughter. I got the clipboard idea from a wonderful friend, Charmaine George.

Doodle This Carrot and gift set

This is a gift set I made using Doodle This and Doodle That.  I thought the carrot would be a fun springtime box to make with these sets.  I should also say I made it with Whisper White cardstock, and sponged on the pumpkin pie and green galore ink after stamping the doodles with only orange and glorious green ink. 

The little pouch was made using the 5 in 1 card envelope template. I lengthened and adjusted the small pouch in the middle of the template.  Finally I also stamped on the purple tissue paper, and put it all in a cute pail from Target's $1 Spot.  

Edited to add: I was so excited last night because I got an email from Debbie Olson, my favorite stampin' designer and blogger!!  I couldn't believe she emailed to say she liked my Doodle This carrot!!  Please go see the incredible art on her blog here. Thanks Debbie, for making my day!!!

Pocket Note Cards Purse

This is a purse to hold Pocket Note cards. I got the idea from JanTink's blog, where she has a great template to download. I made these for my Stampin' Sister and for a swap I was in for UDI.

Decorated purses.  Here are some purses I decorated.  This one had pockets for artist trading cards (ATC's). There's 3 more ATCs on the back.

Below is the other one.  It has a cardfront sized pocket on each side. See below for the backside. I need to try to get the colors more correct on these photos (I used Enchante DS pattern papers).

Click for my popular Stamping on Wall Photo Tutorial

Artist:  Lisa Goodell