Monday, May 3

Paper & Cowgirls

This weekend's project was all about my Paper Cowgirls.  When I say 'my', I mean the girlz who will be taking my class in June!  I wanted to send a note to introduce myself & say thanks. 
I couldn't just send an email,  OH NO?! 
I certainly wasn't going to send store bought note cards. No Way!  Keeping with the theme of paper, I set out to make my own special stationary.  A few hours & many steps later I had something that I hope will show my students just what's in store for them in June.
I started with grocery sacks, I'm keepin' it green girls! Free is my favorite word.
I used cream card stock & grunged it up with coffee crystals.  After they dried & were ironed flat, I copied an image that I layered with text in photo-shop. Then I sewed the letter to a piece of grocery bag & trimmed the edges.
Next I gathered my supplies & set up a one woman assembly line.  No child labor today, they were busy swimming.

I made resin charms as a thank you, & to get them excited about my class.
Then I just folded each side over & sealed each with a vintage Dennsion labels for my return address.
Addressed & ready to go.  Too much... over the top?  I don't think so.  I hope when they open them up in a day or two, their eyes pop & a big smile is on their faces!
 Money doesn't come easily these days, & there are more & more art retreats for people to choose from. I want to make sure the that my class Wows them!
Since I'm talking about paper, I wanted to show you a few books I bought last week.

I just can't get enough old readers, but only the ones with engraved pages. I found these at my fav resale store, for cheap, Cheap.  But it gets even better, I open the book up & whats inside?
Look at that awesome cabinet card, like a little 'gift with purchase'.
I did actually get that little blob of stuff off the edge, but took this picture before I messed with it. (just in case)  Click on it twice & look at that hat she's wearing, it's like a wedding cake!
Then I stopped in Cottage Panache to talk to Maureen, & I spotted this awesome autograph book.

It's just filled with the most beautiful handwriting & sentiments, dated 1882.  I love her name, Neelie. Remember Neely O'Hara? I'm dating myself there.
You should be able to see these really close, click 2x. 

I got it for a great price, too.

These sketches are too cool!
I'm putting these in my blog-shop, under Free Stuff.
Well, hope you had a great weekend. I'm off to the post office!
(pray they let me mail my cards)

35 comments:

Heather - Speckled Egg said...

Such cute packages!!! They will LOVE them!

Rebecca said...

You are the bomb, girl.
Have a great week
Blessings

The Feathered Nest said...

I want to go!!!!! How wonderful is this???!!! I love these handmade pouches Lisa, and the gorgeous little bauble gift is perfect to give as a little treat to your students ~ and the books? You KNOW I love them!!! I hope you have a great week sweetie, hugs and love, Dawn

FILIGREE MOON said...

Lisa, your welcome letters are fabulous! And your found treasures...swoon!!! Have a great week! ~ Angela

Unknown said...

oh lisa..those cow gals are going to jump through hoops when they see those parcels! way magnifique! LOVE your weekend finds! will be blogging about mine today. dont ya just luv junkin? :)

Anonymous said...

Lisa, your class looks 'way cool and I just LOVE the way you packaged everything in brown paper! You know, just like the song....some of my favorite things - brown paper packages wrapped up in string! And the autograph book...fabulous!!

Diane

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I am sure your students will be thrilled. I would be!

Cottage Panache said...

They are definately going to be wowed Lisa! Kudos! Talk to you soon!
Maureen

Calsidyrose said...

I think your pins and the paper techniques you used to make the packaging are so awesome! Just looking at them made me want to do a Happy Dance! Your books finds are cool, too!

Yrs, Cathi

Debby said...

I love the packages you put together for the girls. You are very sweet and kind, everyone will love getting these in the mail. Your new books are awesome, love the writing and isn't that funny that there would be a cabinet card in the one book, it was meant to be yours.
debby

Dorthe said...

Hi sweet Lisa,
Please let me be one of your students !! -this is a wonderfull,welcome letter, and ,Every one recieving this will as you say,-smile and feel special, and happy.
The little bubbles I got from you, is still laying here ,right in front of me, making me feel blessed and smile ,whenever sitting here.(that`s often).

And your buyes,Lisa, are just to envie--( I did not say that,lol)
whow so beautifull both books and card.

Happy evening and hugs,
Dorthe

Vicki Boster said...

Love your designs - your friends are going to love these! Those books - oh my - they are all wonderful - especially the journal. It is just the best ever. A great, great find!

Vicki

Diane said...

These are perfection--they will love this!! and I always love what you find--I'm drooling over the books and cabinet card.

abymacbeth said...

I hope you posted days after sending out these little welcome packages... spoil alert?

Chani said...

The charm packages are the cutest! And you were so lucky to find those books...

Kateyed said...

YOU are the nicest teacher. I think Paper Cowgirl sounds wonderful. Of course, I live in Minnesota so it isn't exactly close!

Love your treasures, too.I think I need to check your Etsy shop, too.

Anne Lorys said...

Oh Lisa, this is just incredible!
I can't believe all the wonderfulness you've planned for us. Well, yeah I can, actually. You're just very thoughtful and giving that way. :-)

Love ya bunches!
Anne

Lori said...

Lisa, the gifts you made for your students are SO gorgeous...they are going to be excited for sure when they see those...that was a really sweet and thoughtful thing for you to do...LOVE all the old books that you found...and that cabinet card is a stunner...too funny, i thought immediately that the fancy hat looked like a cake...so cute!!!

Cottage Rose said...

OH Lisa; your hand made cards are so pretty,, love the little lockets,,,, what a lovely thing to send them,,how excited they will be when the receive them.. I sure would be.... great finds with the ledgers that photo is so beautiful.. have a great week.

Hugs;
Alaura

Maija said...

Your students are so very lucky to have such a kind and generous teacher!! Your finds rock! Come be my friend on my blog and enter a giveaway!
www.maigirlz.typepad.com

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

You are sooooo awesome. I wish I could come. Where are you anyway?

cindy@stitches

Beth Leintz said...

I'm excited about your class, and I'm not even in it-what a sweet pre-class surprise!

(I know who Neely O'Hara is- I shouldn't admit it, but I love that book)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

They will love their packages...so creative! I just love the wonderful old books! (and I remember Neely O'Hara, too...)

Unknown said...

WOW! I love your announcements! You did a great job. I bet they will send them... :)

Love your great bargains.

~Liz

Erica@ZunkyChic.com said...

You're kidding, right? I use to sell with Maureen at Golightly's! I have not been out to her store, so now I must go. Love all your treasures.

Where did you find those lovely books and "gift with purchase"?

One of these days we are going to run into each other while we're out shopping and not even know it!

Erica@ZunkyChic.com said...

And I forgot to mention - when I cam back from vacation and went to sign up for your class at Paper Cowgirl, it was already sold out! Congrats, but please let me know if you'll be teaching anywhere else any time soon.

Unknown said...

Lisa, I think those Paper Cowgirls will be more than WOWED! What an awesome thing for you to do. You always go the extra mile.
And now for that wonderful little Signature book...SIGH!!! Don't you just love the beautiful handwriting? So elegant.
hugs

Unknown said...

Seriously awesome Lisa! You are sooooooooo creative and so talented!!! I just love the little packages you mailed off to the lucky people taking your class!

Fabulous books too!

Hugs ~

:) T

DeeDee said...

I am postitive your class will wow! them..so wish I could be taking it too....love your work....have fun always.love your envelopes...

Gaby Bee said...

The packages you put together for the girls are gorgeous! I'm sure they will love them! The old books are adorable!
Gaby xo

Lynn Stevens said...

Your class will Love those bags and your extra goodies!

Thanks so much for signing up and entering my giveaway and best of luck!
Lynn

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

The girls will for sure be wowed, Lisa! What a lovley gift to make them even more excited about visiting the retreat and taking your class. Who would expect such a great gift from a teacher. I wish I could participate in the event, sigh.
Big hugs,
Julia (still so excited and looking at the gorgeous treasures all the time :-))

LizlovesVintage said...

Great ideas!!LizlovesVintage

BellaRosa said...

WOW.....Amor, Do you EVER rest???...triplets, care for a home, your amor and create??? You da woman :) I bow to you :) But your still.....NOT THE BOSS OF ME :) But you are... a wonderful, beautiful and oh so talented creative friend that FB could never replace :) oh and because I love you...I won't mention anything about the stencil...LOL I mean it's not like you were in the shower and an earthquake hit :)Hope you guys are having a wonderful time...NOW...put away the laptop and enjoy the sunshine with your bebes and your love! Miss you! Besos, Rose

ps...you know if you were on FB this wouldn't even be an issue...and I am not an addict..I'm not, I'm not :)But I do love all these lil treasures that you made for your class peeps...hey where's mine? I am a long distance student...member, you member??? :)

Barbara Jean said...

Lisa,
I absolutely go berserk every time i come over here.
So many wonderful creative things, and sweet offerings from you

thank you so much.

blessings

barbara jean