Top 5

1. Rebecca Hansen Weddings gorgeous lighting. soft touches. beauty.

2. Max Wanger 2011 year. in. review. I seriously have an affinity towards this kind of photography.

3. Nicole Ziegler Photography  3 out 5 are photography-related... maybe I'm in the wrong business.

4. Stay Golden. Love gold.

5. This blog.

My blog reminds me of happy times.

I used to write in the blog when I had lost a love.

Then I wrote in this blog TO a love.

Now I write in this blog as my love.

The XX

Heart skipped a beat
and when I caught it you were out of reach
but I'm sure
I'm sure you've heard it before.

#onrepeat #listenhere

A golden bow...

sits atop my finger.
It's mishapen from wear.
I purchased it this way—
for a mere $40 it's "tied" to my soul:
a reminder to never forget.
The things that I've dreamt,
the things that I desire,
A reminder of where I came from—
and what's to come.

Let's not forget:
vinyl and the first kiss,
throwing caution to the wind,
the first heartbreak,
living abroad,

elevators and origami,

the second heartbreak,
my family away from family,
the climbs–and the falls.

This is where I am.

All over, but here.

Basically, I am all over the internet. Everywhere but here. Since this is a personal blog, I've kept it private and unsearchable via Google. I'd like to keep it that way. For the few trusted subscribers, I hope to share with you more of my hopes and dreams as I come into myself: a girl of 26 going on 27.

Find me on:

Twitter

Pinterest

Cargo Collective

my Portfolio Website

More to come.

I miss this blog and

I'm so happy it's still here. Maybe I will write in you again soon.
Love, Lisa

I'm an Auntie!!!

Bennett Kai

November 7, 2010

Top 5 time-bleeding activites

I've been so busy since I came back from Penland! Ironically, I do not have a lot to report despite finding less and less time alone. However, I assume since you are reading this, I must have some pull of interest, and if this be the case, humor me, and read on.

1. United Way

I have volunteered to be the official United Way Volunteer liaison in my office, aka United Way cheerleader. Rah rah! Yay, United Way. I'm actually quite enjoying it. The UW of Story County is an amazing organization helping to improve the quality of life in my community. They provide financial support to organizations that provide housing to low income families, food to pantries for those who cannot afford a meal, immunization for young children whose parents cannot afford it, and so much more. In my office, I've organized weekly bake sales, a recycling can drive, a silent auction, and a food drive to raise money and awareness for the United Way. I'm loving my new cheerleading role!

2. Painting

My friend Jaci and I are taking an acrylic painting class at the ISU Workspace. Although this is a beginner level class, I love that I have taken time out of my week, to sit down, be creative and spend time with my baby. She and I have been friends for four years now, ever since I met her at The Café, September 2006; she was only 18! Whoa, that's crazy.

Ken, climbing out of the cave.

3. Climbing

I climb every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday if I can. After my foot surgeries, it was tough to get motivated to return to climbing. It's not that I didn't want to, it's that what once was an easy route, was and is a more difficult problem for me. Since July, I've been slowly working my strength and pain tolerance back to it's prime. It's been a slow journey, but I was recently able to climb out of the cave 3 times in one trip. That's huge for me.

4. Shows

Last week Brandon and I went on a double date with my friends Anj and Marty to see Built to Spill. All music evokes feeling in me, but this is one of those bands that isn't just one feeling. I could listen to them on sunny days or rainy days, and both can fit my mood perfectly. Favorites include: Else, Strange, Center of the Universe, The Plan, In Your Mind, The Weather. Upcoming shows this week? Local Natives and Band of Horses. Unbelievable. Best week ever.

5. Website?

So I think you all have seen my website. And if you have, you know that it simply must be updated. Well I'm workin on it. Since I first landed my gig at the ISU Alumni Association in 2008, I haven't touched it. It's time for a change, new projects, new look, the whole shebang. It's time consuming and difficult, especially when web is not my specialty. However, I'm enrolled in a one day seminar in Minneapolis, Oct. 7th, that should help. I'm looking forward to the workshop. I'm really motivated for self improvement lately. Workshops, classes, anything to become better. I hate to think that I'm not enough, but when I see the amazing things my colleagues have done with the same degree that I achieved, I wonder "What am I doing?"

Aren't we cute?!

Penland Letterpress 2010 Top: Karin, Amy, Virginia, me, Beth, Jessica, Phil; Bottom: Alan, John, Miranda, Kathy, and Mary Ellis.

Last minute print.

I decided last night I wanted to do a second poster to pair along side my XO poster. I thought perhaps since I started with a mushy hugs-n-kisses theme, the second in the series would be the opposite of mushy: heartbreak. If you've ever listened to Elliott Smith before, you know how he encompasses tragedy. I fittingly picked the song named "Waltz #2 (XO)." This song appeared in my music biography around 2004, when I was breaking up with my long-time boyfriend, Jonathan. I listened to the song again just to make sure it pulled on the heart strings a little bit. It did.

Final.

Set type on the #4 Vandercook.

Linen text paper! I LOVE linen paper.

Today:

LISA: the girl twin: A 5x7 typographic study.
I created one for each member of my family.  
Linocut and letterpress on Rives BFK.

XOXO! MUAH! I LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. 
 I made 10 sets of four greeting cards.  
Linocut and letterpress on laid paper.

PRINTED BY: Yours truly.

Dear Letterpress, xoxo!

Here I am setting my type on the Vandercook #4.

And here is the final result! What do you think?

Penland School of Crafts:

Update, Ly

1. Sheng is completely moved in. It's tight, but homey.

2. Brandon's finally back from Kansas City. He's had a successful internship at Bernstein-Rein, and I couldn't be prouder.

3. Leaving for North Carolina in less than 13 days. I'm sort of not ready but also feeling completely ready, if that makes any sense. I want to get out of here, run away for a while, and work on myself; I feel a little bit lost. I thought this letterpress workshop was going to be a good move for my career and creative spirits, but moreso, I think it will be a good spirit awakening.

4. Church. Every year I go though a phase, where I'm all about it: I'm excited to go every week, I read the Bible, listen to songs from church,  I'm just in love. But also... every year, I go through a phase where I avoid it like the plague. That's what I'm in right now. It started in January when I had my foot surgeries and has continued through summer. I'm ready to start the other phase now. Please.

5. The Cafe. I've been back to work since May. I guess that means about 3 months now. I'm still a little uncomfortable. I'm not really sure why, but maybe this is a good thing. Perhaps my life in the restaurant world is over (suggested by my discomfort). I'm sort of reading it as a subtle sign, quietly hinting I should move on. Move towards the prime of my life... whatever that may be. The thing is, I don't know what my "purpose" will be... I just want to feel more fulfilled.

Just like home.

So, I'm well into my mid-twenties, decently successful, depending on your definition, independent and content, right? I make my own money, feed myself, pay my bills... What's next?

Why it would only be natural to move back in with your family, right?

Okay, perhaps this is not everyone's idea of next steps, but I think it's the right move for me. Well, let me clarify, I'm not moving at all. Rather my family is moving in with me. Sheng & Lacey, roomies, welcome.

So what is my motivation, besides love for the siblings? Well my ulterior motive is for Sheng to take over my lease, absolving me of permanent dwellings. Not only that, but I will save more money for my ultimate goal: moooooooving. I'm ready for a change. I have been for a while. Somehow I'm finally motivated to do something about it. I think the stars finally aligned: convenient sublet, saving money, happy to move boyfriend, motivation to update my website (still in progress), and... discontent. I'm 26 and I've been living in Ames, Iowa, for 8 years now! Time to move on, see new things, meet new people.

I'm feeling excited. Currently listening to "Ten Cent Pistol" by The Black Keys.

but he smells like ranch dressing!

I dig the Black Keys.

Max Wanger

I love this.

Also, I can't sleep.

:(

Must be done.

You must really download Bedroom Covers by the Morning Benders.
Really. It's a must.
So sweet and melodic.
Perfect for an evening coffee-shopping...
editing vacation photos...
like my little marmot friend!

MMMMMMM

MMMMMMorning Benders cover Fleetwood Mac.
I want it to be raining when I hear this cover.
It's so chill. Thanks to B for finding it.

Also I have a new celebrity crush: John Isner.

MMMMMMan-tennis-player.
All 6-foot-9 of him.

I heart vinyl.

Mayer Hawthorne has done it! 

Combined my loves: catchy tunes + graphic icon. 

Mmmm! Yes please!