She knows the best places to get a great slice of pizza for lunch and hosts some of the most amazing dinners.

Laura knows all the hot spots to shop and the best place to get some late night gelato.

She schedules amazing sight seeing excursions but also allows you enough down time to explore the area on your own.

The week I spent with her and her incredible group of ladies is one I still reflect on to this day. It was an experience I thought at the time was a once in a lifetime experience, I’m so glad I was wrong. I’m looking forward to returning to the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Apartments where I will chat once again with old friends and make new ones. It is going to be an amazing week of creativity and friendship filled with loads of laughter and cherished memories.

I look forward to seeing you there and teaching some awesome mixed media classes. To read about all the incredible details for the 2014 A Kiss on the Chic’s Creative Retreat in Italy click HERE.

The most important thing to remember is… SIGN UPS open to the public, June 3rd. The cost for this amazing week long event is $3,250.00. Laura does offer a 10 month payment plan for those interested.

June 3rd, is this first day to sign up and pay the $350 nonrefundable deposit to SECURE YOUR SPOT. PLEASE NOTE: Laura can ONLY take 40 people on this incredible journey, so SIGN UP QUICKLY! She already has over 100 people on the INTERESTED LIST. Sign ups are first come, first serve, once it reaches it’s max at 40 people it’s SOLD OUT! 

Below are several blog posts from my teaching experience at last years event. These posts will give  you a wonderful view of what to expect in 2014.

Creative Retreat 2012 Part 1

Creative Retreat 2012 Part 2

Creative Retreat 2012 Part 3

Creative Retreat 2012 Part 4

Abbracci!

I’m happy to let you know I’m a guest designer on the Petaloo Blog, today. This entire week has been their Color Me Crazy & Ranger Ink challenge. Cheryl at Petaloo sent me a package of the Petaloo Color Me Crazy products and asked that I only alter them using Ranger Ink products. To see how I created this mini shabby chic clutch and read how to recreate one of your own, hop on over to their blog and check out the tutorial I posted. This mini shabby chic clutch is a fun project to make and girls/ladies of all ages will want one of their very own.

Below is a complete list of all the manufacturers and products used to recreate this project.

Petaloo: Color Me Crazy Canvas Fabric Flowers ~ Shabby Cut & Straight Cut, Cotton Paper Color Me Crazy Medium Leaves

Ranger: Distress Stain ~ Spun Sugar, Faded Jeans, Mustard Seed & Peeled Paint, Coffee Archival Ink, Diamond Stickles, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Mutli Medium ~ Matte

Antiquated Collection by Lisa M. Pace: Perfumery ~ Stamp Set

Maya Road: Vintage Jewel Iridescent Rhinestone Trim, Vintage Pearl Trinket Pin, Crystal Trinket Pin, Canvas Wristlet

Jenni Bowlin Studio: Stick Pin

Hugs!

When I saw the Petaloo Color Me Crazy Chipboard Fairies (1581–004) I knew I had to make a little something for my nieces to hang in their room. So I decided on a door hanger. I tore two long strips of natural muslin and wrapped them around a 3″ Styrofoam wreath until the entire wreath was covered. I then attached the end of the muslin to the back of the wreath using fabric adhesive.

Next, I wanted to add just a little wording here and there on the muslin so I inked my Perfumery stamp with Archival Ink ~ Coffee and randomly stamped the words here and there around the wreath. I didn’t use an acrylic block to stamp the words. I just held the stamp with two fingers and rolled the stamp onto the muslin. I like the you get when doing this as the stamped image ends up looking more random this way.

I picked flowers from the Mulberry Flowers Mini Canterbury Assortment (1575–000) and the Cotton Paper Flowers Med/Minis (1533–000) and colored them using Dylusions Ink Spray in Calypso Teal, Lemon Zest and Bubblegum Pink. Once the flowers dried I applied a small amount of Diamond Stickles to the center of the Calypso Teal and Bubblegum Pink flowers.

I altered the Color Me Crazy Chipboard Fairy (1581–004) using Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash ~ Butterscotch and Perfect Pearls Mist ~ Biscotti. Once the sprays dried I applied a light coat of Diamond Stickles on top of the wings.

Using fabric adhesive I then attached the flowers and fairy to the wreath, creating a 3D collage style grouping. To finish the collage arrangement I placed several Maya Road Green Leaf Trinket Pins among the Color Me Crazy flowers.

Tomorrow, the tutorial to recreate the project below will be featured on the Petaloo Blog. Make sure you check it out. Today, I’ll leave you with a few sneak peeks.

Hugs!

This past Mother’s Day weekend, I went to Beaumont and had a wonderful visit with my parents. One thing mom, dad and I love to do is go junkin and when I roll out of bed, throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, pull up my hair and head out the door with no makeup on… it’s serious junkin time. We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday at a great flea market, in some awesome antique shops and a super great junk shop. We found so many great finds for upcoming Delight In The Art of Collage Kits that I’m going to have a hard time letting these finds go to new homes.

Here’s just a peek at some of the awesome things I purchased. I’m talking vintage trims, vintage earrings, fabric for quilt squares, vintage children’s book, view master slides, valentine’s day cards from the 50’s that have never been used, greeting cards, paper dolls from the 30’s and the list goes on and on and on. Now I just need to figure out how and when I want to kit them as they are going to make some awesome collage kits.

Hugs!

This mini canvas was a snap to create and altering the Petaloo Color Me Crazy Petites, Butterflies, Fancy Frames and Keys are easy breezy lemon squeezy when using any of the products Ranger Ink has to offer.

To create this mini canvas I first covered the mini canvas using a Paris themed napkin. If you have never used designer napkins as a base for a project fear not as this technique is super simple.

• First peel the printed napkin from the solid white napkin backing
• Using a paint brush and Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium ~ Matte apply the Multi Medium all over the canvas
• Place the napkin on top of the wet Multi Medium
• Gently apply another coat of Multi Medium on top of the napkin
• Once dry you can accent the images using Diamond Stickles.

I really wanted the Color Me Crazy Petites (1535–000) to match the flower color on the napkin so I could create a pretty 3D effect on the canvas. So using a blending tool I applied Tim Holtz Distress Ink ~ Scattered Straw and I was super happy to see that Scattered Straw matched the flowers on the napkin PERFECTLY! Once inked I lightly misted each flower with water. Misting them with water makes the ink wick into the Color Me Crazy Petites allowing the ink to blend into the flowers beautifully. Please note the photo below was taken before the water was applied to each flower.  Next, and of no surprise to you all I’m sure, I applied Diamond Stickles to the stamens of each flower.

To pull a bit of the dark pink color from the napkin I thought altering a Color Me Crazy Butterflies (1539–000) would be the perfect accent. Again hoping to match another color in the napkin, this time the dark pink, using a paint brush I applied Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Picket Fence over the entire butterfly as I knew if I just applied the Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Fired Brick directly onto the butterfly it would be too red. Next using a paint brush I applied Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Fired Brick… BAM another perfect color match! To outline the butterfly wings I used a Ranger Ink White Opaque Pen and of course Diamond Stickles.

Loving the beautiful blue color in the napkin I decided to alter a Color Me Crazy Fancy Frames (1580–004) using Tim Holtz Distress Stain. Again, I knew if I applied Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Faded Jeans directly onto the Fancy Frame it would be too dark. So I first applied a coat of Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Picket Fence then lightly dabbed the Tim Holtz Distress Stain ~ Faded Jeans on top. The blue  this combination created was PERFECT. I tell ya I was in color matching heaven while creating this mini canvas. I accented the Fancy Frame using Diamond Stickles.

To finish off the piece I decided to accent a Color Me Crazy Key (1581–008) using Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber ~ Metallic Gold and of course, Diamond Stickles. Once all the embellishments were dry I attached them to the mini canvas using a Aleene’s Tacky Glue.

I really like how the Color Me Crazy Fancy Frame, framed the Eiffel Tower perfectly. These Color Me Crazy embellishments worked perfectly in creating a beautiful Paris themed 3D collage mini canvas. I hope this project has inspired you to try altering any of the awesome Petaloo Color Me Crazy products. They work perfectly with Ranger Ink.

Here is a little sneak peek of another tutorial I will be sharing this week using more Petaloo Color Me Crazy & Ranger Ink products.

Hugs!

Some of you  might have seen this post earlier in the week and wondered what in the world is she doing… well I’ve always said I’m not a techy kinda girl. I had the wrong post date so it posted before I had the blog post finished. This is one of the classes I taught at Crop & Create. It has so many techniques and ideas that can transfer on to other different projects.

The decoupaged Pink Paislee Coffee Filters on the roof can easily be placed onto a canvas,  mini album, paper mache box, wooden plaque and lots of other items. The Pink Paislee Mask and Gesso Technique can be placed on the projects I just listed as well as tags. And oh goodness you can do so many cute things with the Maya Road Skinny Wood Spools, Twine Cording and Fabric Tapes. You can create cute Fabric Flags using any of the Maya Road Trinket Pins as the flags pole.

The Maya Road Barn Red Gingham trim can be placed on any project and it will look adorable. This trim makes the cutest bows. You can make adorable ornaments using the Maya Road Ornate Chipboard Tags. These can be inked, misted, painted, glittered and embossed using Texture Fades. And everything looks great with button and rhinestone accents.

Doodlebug Design has some really cute ones and in all kinds of awesome colors. Their rhinestones are the best as they sparkle beautifully.

The Maya Road Afternoon Tea Milk Blossoms are great to mist and accent any project. FYI… Maya Mists can be heat set. Did you know this? The Maya Road Mini Wood Butterflies are perfect to paint, ink, mist and heat emboss. They are the perfect size for all projects.  As you can imagine these are super popular.

Maya Road Trinket Pins are the simplest embellishment to use on your projects. They accent the smallest of space perfectly. And any project accented with one of the Maya Road Metal Dress Form Clips is stylin. The Dress Form Clips are my favorite design. The Kraft Mini Jotter Tags look great alone or clustered together with several different designs.

The Jenni Bowlin Kraft Feathers are super fun to alter. I painted and cut mine. And the Maya Road Vintage Memory Glass Vials are so fun to fill with Doodlebug Design Lily While Sugar Coating Glitter and accent with Twine Cording. The Glass Vials can be filled with anything from glitter, sand, small shells, a child’s lock of hair, colored sprinkles etc. Accenting shadow boxes with these is a must.

So there you have it a load of inspiration and ideas for you to start your own shadow box project. I listed all the products I used by manufacturer so you can visit their websites. I figured it would be much easier for you this way.

Pink Paislee: Coffee Filter Words ~ Mask Flowers, She Art ~ Inspire & Soar Patterned Paper

Doodlebug Design: Sugar Coating Glitter ~ Lily White, Bumblebee Assortment Buttons,  Rhinestone Jewels ~ Tangerine Assortment

Maya Road: House Shadow Box, Ornate Tags, Apple Red Mini Gingham, Afternoon Tea ~ Milk Blossoms, Metal Clips Trinket Dress Form, Vintage Wood Spools, Skinny Wood Spools, Button Trinket Pins, Antique Gems Trinket Pins, Kraft Mini Jotter Tags ~ White, Lavender Fields Twine Cording, Memory Glass Vials, Fabric Tape ~ Pink Blossom, Gingham, Barn Red Gingham, Sun Yellow Gingham

Ranger: Diamond Stickles, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Semi Gloss Acrylic Paint Charcoal Black, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium ~ Matte, Distress Ink ~ Vintage Photo, Peacock Feathers, Distress Stain ~ Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Broken China, Jet Black Archival Ink, Cut n Dry Foam

Tools Needed: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, Paint Brush, Foam Square Adhesive, Glue Stick or Tape Runner, Fabric Adhesive, Tim Holtz by Tonic Studios Paper Distresser, Sand Paper or Sanding Block, Non-Stick Craft Sheet or Craft Mat, Black Gelly Pen

Tomorrow, is FLEA MARKET day for me… I’m so excited and ready to dig for more awesome finds to include in future Delight In The Art of Collage Kits. Actually, who am I kidding… it’s FLEA MARKET WEEKEND for me.

Hugs!

It’s time again to share this weeks wonderful thrift store finds. I spotted this beautiful doll from across the store and seriously could not get to her fast enough. As soon as I saw her I had instant tunnel vision and was ready to start hurdling furniture if I felt it was warranted. I’m simply giddy, I love her so much. Her rust colored satin dress is a little worn in areas and her pantaloons have darkened with age but all I see is pure beauty. I’ve named her Laura and you will see her lots in blog posts.

I also scored a great vintage piano book filled with beautifully aged music sheets. I cannot pass up vintage music sheets. They are one of my favorite items to use in collages. The five cute 4.5″ leaf shaped dishes are part of the Spring Violets collection by Rossetti. They are stamped Occupied Japan, Butter Pats. These will be used as photo props to hold bits and baubles for my Delight In The Art of Collage Kits. The ceramic jewelry or trinket box was made by Ucagco (United China and Glass Co.) in Japan and is about 7″ long. This box is perfect to store the vintage earrings I’ve been collecting for a future collage kit. And lastly, this cute rolling pin is actually an 8″ long recipe card holder. The bottom is flat so it doesn’t roll and it has a slit across the top to hold your recipe card. This will be great to hold and photograph cards and tags.

This weekend I’ll be doing some serious flea marketing. I love the thrill of not knowing what awesome goodies I’ll find. I’ve given Alan, mom and dad a list of things I’m hunting for so we are all good to go. We have a plan and money to spend… it’s gonna be a great weekend, just two more sleeps.

Hugs!

WOW, thank you so much to everyone who purchased my first kit, Delight In the Art of Collage ~ Antiquated. Today, I’m busy packaging up all the kits and will get them in the mail, tomorrow. I wanted the packaging to be something you can use as well so I used seam binding to wrap the bags together and stamped a small manila tag using my Antiquated Collection ~ Society Lady stamp set. There are just a few kits remaining and then Delight In The Art of Collage ~ Antiquated will be sold out. THANK YOU!!!

Tomorrow, I hope to start playing a bit with this kit to create a mini collage canvas. Once completed, I’ll share a step by step PDF  tutorial with those who purchased the kit. You can create a similar canvas or one just like mine if you wish. This PDF is just a small way of showing you my gratitude.

Hugs!

To me, there is nothing like creating with discarded items and giving them new life. It doesn’t matter if you create collage canvases, jewelry, home decor items, mini albums, altered journals, cards etc. these kits will work perfectly for any style and any project. At this time, I will not have subscriptions and plan to keep my collage kits limited in quantity. This means… if you like the kit, you best purchase the kit or you will miss out on the kit. Once it’s sold out there will be no more.

The fun thing about these kits is if you have a love for vintage but not necessarily the digging part I’ll be doing all the dirty work for you. I love the thrill of the hunt and this is the one and only time I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I plan on hitting as many flea markets as I can to stock up on unique items I feel you will love to work into your vintage inspired creations.

Each Kit is only $19.95 with Flat Rate Shipping at $5.50. I’ll post on my blog a few days in advance each month to let you know when a new kit is available.

Delight In The Art of Collage Kit 1 ~ Antiquated ~ Contents
15 — K. Wolens Department Store Gold Stamps (30 if you count the back)
1 – Vintage Music Pupil’s Lesson Book & Practice Record Sheet
1 Page – 1942 The Observer’s Book of British Wild Flowers (flowers will vary)
1 — Stanley Home Products Receipt Set (store copy, carbon copy, customer copy)
1 – Lavender Paper Flower Bunch (5 flowers)
1 – Cream Iridescent Leaf
3 – Vintage Milk Caps (assorted)
1 – Vintage Wood Domino
4 – Paper Doilies (2 Alterable, 1 Dictionary, 1 Music Sheet)
1 – 1942 Square Dance Card (cards will vary)
1 – Yard Orange Twine
1 – Yard Vintage Scallop Lace
1 – Yard Gold Seam Binding
7 – Assorted Vintage Wallpaper, Music Sheet & Flocked Paper Pieces (1 each design)
3 – Vintage Handwriting Tablet Tags (3 different sizes)
10 – Vintage Shell Buttons (assorted shapes & sizes)

Click HERE to purchase.

I hope you like what you see as I had such a fun time putting everything together.

Hugs!

I have a few remaining Floral Chic Card Kits left over from teaching at Rocky Mountain Memories, this past weekend. If you are interested in purchasing one of these kits please send an email to lisa@lisapace.com and I will email you a paypal invoice for $35.50. In your email please include the email address you wish for me to send your invoice to.

The Floral Chic card kit includes step by step instructions as well as color photos of each completed card. You will create 6 different flowers using beautiful Tu-Tu Tulle, Antique Alterable Scallop Trim, Tulle Pleat, Vintage Lace, Organza Roses and Zipper Trims. Once each flower is created it will then be used as an embellishment to accent an all occasion card.

You will create with papers I’ve scanned and printed from vintage magazines and French seed packets which are all from the early 1920’s. Each kit even includes a yo yo flower made by my mom, just for you.

Your kit will be shipped flat rate at a cost of $5.50.

Floral Chic Card Kit Cost: $30.00 ~ this price is discounted from the original cost of $45.00 since you will not be using the supplies listed below which I brought to share while teaching.

Supplies Needed: Paintbrush, Scissors, Paper Trimmer, Ronda Palazzari TCW Stencils, Vintage Photo & Distress Inks of your choice, Blending Tool, Diamond Stickles, White Acrylic Paint, Juniper & Metallic Gold Paint Dabbers, Jet Black Archival Ink, Antiquated Collection Perfumery Stamp Set, Fabric Adhesive, Glue Stick or Tape Runner

All Other Supplies seen in the photos are included in each kit.

Hugs!