Open Gate - Weblog of Lisa Cook

Christmas Time is Here

My favorite village pieces.  My dad bought a set like this for his mother back in the early 1930's.

 
I love collectin boxes of tiny old Shiny Brite ornaments.  This sweet little snow girl was created by Vintage by Crystal

Believe....

Etsy Christmas Gifts

I have been so negligent.  I really don't mean to be.  I have been selling a lot of fun kits for Christmas on Etsy and they go so fast that I hardly have time to show you.  But it has slowed down now and I just have two left.  Here is a unique red and silvery grey one.  Come visit my Etsy shop

I have been doing some shopping there as well.  I bought this wonderful piece from Kimberly Laws who creates lovely vintage yumminess.  Shop HaNdMaDe and shop ETSY for Christmas!

Ingrid Michaelson "Maybe"

Ingrid Michaelson "Maybe"

Check out the link to Ingrid Michaelson's video "Maybe." If you like puppetry and paper cutting take a look!  I think it is really unique and of course, I love this girl's music.  I am going to her concert next Saturday in Madison!  Egad. I am 57 years old and I can't wait to go to a music concert! 

Fall is in the Air

We are due for our first hard frost tonight here in central Wisconsin, so Fall is in the air!

Come visit my Etsy shop to see the sweet mini packs I listed for fall and Thanksgiving.  Little treasure bundles of vintage millinery and trims that coordinate with old postcard images and German scrap. 

You know that is what I love.

Maybe you do too.

Teal, Gold, Red, Green - the colors of Fall!

Somerset Studio Article!

It is with pride that I announce I have a new article in the Sept/Oct issue of Somerset Studio.  I love the colors and fonts, don't you?
If you saw the article please leave a comment and let me know.  I often wonder who sees these things and if anyone ever tries the technique!  Do let me know.
Here is the large project in full view:

By the way, the egg and bird images come from my friend's Etsy shop:
shoparteology
Give her a visit as she has EXCELLENT goods!

Thinking Fall and Halloween!

Are you itching for some witches, pumpkins, orange, black, and boo?  I collected some vintage fun for your creative urges!  Stop on over to My Etsy Shop to see what I have listed.

Wedding Cupcakes with Sugared Violas

I decorated 200 cupcakes for a good friend's daughter's wedding last weekend.  It sounds and looks harder than it is.  I did not have to bake the cakes, so I just had the FuN part.  I swirled the base using the Wilton 1M (large) decorating tip.  Then I piped spring green leaves with #352 leaf tip and easily finished off the tops with sugared violas that we prepared back in June when the violas were fresh in the gardens.  Violas are edible!

How to Make Sugared Violas
1.  Pick violets or violas on a sunny dry day - pick about 2 doz. at a time so they don't wilt and leave a small stem piece on so they are easy to handle.
2.  Beat up 1 egg white just until frothy.
3.  Hold the viola in one hand stem hanging down and the flower resting on your fingers. Use a small soft paintbrush to paint the egg white on the top part of the flower.
4.  Generously sprinkle sugar over the flower.
5.  Gently lay the flower on wax paper and allow to air dry for a few days.
6.  Your hands get sugary so you will need to rinse and dry them off as you progress.

I store the flowers in a little cookie tin with a little silica get in the tin to keep the flowers dry.  You can often find little packages of silica get in your box of new shoes, so hang on to them.  The flowers last a long time. I did this one summer and saved the flowers for a January birthday cake. The violas can be a little bit fragile, so put them on the cakes carefully. I gently snip off the stem with a little scissors instead of trying to snap it off so the petals do not crush. 
 
SO PRETTY!

A FuN Find Today!

Don't you love it when you can find something you have wanted for a LONG time?
I scored this sweet old blackboard/easel for $9 this morning at a junque store rummage sale marked down from $21.
The teacher in me swooned....

And speaking of school...now that I have a little summer time I have been putting some fun collage packs together for my Etsy shop.  Come visit!

Passages

 
Proud?  You bet. 
That is our son standing with the dean of each college from which he received a degree (double major of Fine Art and Communication) as well as the chancellor of UMD. 
James was chosen to give the commencement speech out of 1,200 students who walked the stage. It was a cold day in Duluth but my heart kept me warm and smiling. You should have seen that kid get up in front of thousands and speak like it was no big deal.
Our last child goes out into the world....

I experienced another passage the same week when my father left this earth for another one alive with dogs and ice cream.  I miss him dearly.
Death frees us from all infirmity.
What a blessing.

Vintage Wallpaper Card Tutorial

Hope all you mothers had a wonderful day and perhaps you had a chance to spend part of the day with your own mothers as well.
I made my mother this sweet little card, so I will share how with you.

1.  Cut a piece of vintage wallpaper to fit a folded piece of cardstock.
2.  Cut a small doily in half.  Roll up the half piece to form a little nosegay holder.  Glue to hold.
3.  Arrange vintage flowers in your holder.  When satisfied place glue into the bottom of the doily and add the flowers.
4.  Glue the little nosegay to your card.

Easy!  But not the easiest to send in the mail.  Best to present this one in person.