52 Books

I was updating my 2011 Book-Learning page when I noticed that I am only four books away from reaching my goal for the year! If you can't remember what that was all about, I refer you to this post, which took me forever to find, mind you. I need to revamp this whole blog-thing!

Anyhoo...I was thinking I should celebrate this upcoming milestone with a giveaway! Hazzah!!

And so, I am giving away one of my favourite books and, cause I love y'all so much, a $10 Chapters gift card!

Leave a comment here with a little book recommendation of your very own and you could win!!

I have set myself up to probably finish early, but not super early! I am struggling through a long book with tiny font right now, and I might have to open up a re-read to get through this month!!

UPDATED: I realized long after the fact that I forgot to put a deadline on this! Let's say, midnight on November 22nd! M'kay. That gives you lots of time, and I'll be sure to give you lots of reminders too!

winner???

I didn't totally forget about announcing the winner in my first Lime Door giveaway. I've just been feeling sort of crummy lately, so I've been putting things off.

And the winner is...going to have to watch their mailbox for the next week or so!!! HA!

That is all. You have until the 23rd to place any Lime Door orders...although, I'm not holding my breath and might just close down shop early so I don't risk the auto billing going through again!

Lime Door Giveaway!

I hope everyone has had a chance to enter the first Lime Door Giveaway! I've got another for your today...

I love my woollaces! I like to thing of them as totally awesome friendship bracelets-turned necklaces.

On "Eye of the Tiger" I've used two thick yarns - green and orange - and a nice skinny ivory. The beads are vintage ones from my GG's stash and one big wooden macrame bead from my Mom's "forgotten hobbies" bin! These necklaces are funky and fun, look great when layered with other pieces, and are great for the fall...the wool reminds me of old sweaters and cozy socks.

To enter this giveaway please leave a comment on this post! You don't have to follow my blog, click on any supporting links, or jump through any hoops, flaming or otherwise!! Just say hi...I would love to say hi back! You have until August 23rd to enter the giveaway. I will contact the winners by email, so make sure you either have your email listed in your Blog profile or in with your comment.

Thanks again for stopping by...I'll announce the winner of the previous giveaway later this afternoon so you still have some time to enter!!

Green Living - Recycle Those Cups!

When in my local Starbucks this morning, I noticed a recycle bin near the pick-up area! I was excited, but upon peeking inside I saw that it was already just being used as another garbage can.

Here is an interesting article on Starbucks and their efforts to make all of their cups recyclable:
Starbucks Greens Its Coffee Cups

I bought a new to-go mug there the other day, with the intention of giving it away on my blog...but it's too good! It keep my coffee hot for two hours! That's unheard of! And it was warm for at least another hour after that...yes...it takes me a long time to drink a mug of coffee! Which is all the more reason for me to be in love with this mug!

As part of my Master Composter/Recycler Outreach plan, I am starting a recycling program at TM. One of the main reasons is because of all those darn Tim's iced coffee cups that end up in the garbage there. They are recyclable, so darn tooting, I'm going to help Chan recycle hers!

Funny thing...I don't like Tim Horton's (like, at all...I despise them...I'm not even joking), and I found someone who (sort of) feels the same way! Check this out: The Cult of Tim Horton's. It's an old article (she talks about Tims not taking debit!), and I do not agree with her statement that their coffee is "just plain good." But it's a good (short) read nonetheless.

My Point Today: Most "paper" coffee cups are not totally paper. They are mixed with wax and whatever else to insulate them, which makes them really really tough, if not impossible, to recycle. So, instead of getting your morning Cup O Joe in a disposable cup, bring a cup from home! I try to remember to keep one in my car. And they don't have to be fancy, or brand name or anything. A good coffee place should refill your mug even if it has the name of your company on the side!!

And for you Frap-drinkers, Starbucks has a great (like, super great) reusable cup for their cold drinks. Russ bought one ages ago, and he loves it! We also use it at home for nice cold pop on a hot day. It works wonders!
*****

Okay...you twisted my arm...I'll give away a mug! What!?! Did she just type what I thought she typed!? You read that right...I am giving away a re-usable Starbucks Mug.

Giveaway Deets:
To enter: Leave a comment here telling me what your favourite Starbucks drink is, and make sure I can contact you (email, blog, etc.)
For one extra entry: Tweet and/or blog about the Giveaway. Don't forget to leave an additional comment!
Deadline: May 15th, PM
Who Can Enter? Everyone is free to enter, internationals or whatever!
Also: Please also let me know if you would prefer a "cold cup", or a "hot cup", and I'll try my best to accommodate. For those "hot cup" peeps, you will get a smaller version of my new fave mug! Cause it's the best, yo!

Here's to Green Living!!

P.S. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

OMG...a vlog...

Yes. Now you too can enjoy the sounds that I make in your own home. I don't need an invitation, and I can't be uninvited...just one of the many ways I am superior to a vampire...

Also, you have to watch all the way through for the fabby giveaway! EEK! Please leave a comment below doing what the video tells you. You have until polls close in Alberta on Monday May 2nd to comment and enter to win the thing that I tell you is up for grabs.

Fashion Un-Able Vlog from Lisa Kercher on Vimeo.

Good Luck! And enjoy...I'm only a total dork for about 10 out of the 10.25 minutes this thing runs.

p.s. Happy Easter Monday...yeah, it's not technically a holiday for anyone here except Teachers and Students...oh well...

WINNING...I mean, winner!

Yay Chantel! I'll drop off your prize tomorrow.

I used the very scientific method of selection involving throwing all the entry slips up in the air and awarding the prize to whomever landed on my keyboard.

And since I actually got five responses, I'm throwing in a runner up prize...for Nadine. Your yet-to-be-determined prize will go in the mail tomorrow.

And now I leave you with a photo of two of my current favourite things. Adorable Lucas...awww! And my fabulous Eames Reproduction rocking chair that I picked up last night c/o Dude from Kijiji! Eek! I am so excited and in lurve with my new chair!

That being said, I now have a rocking chair that I need to sell! It's ~6 years old, like new (no wear marks) solid wood (oakish, I guess). I'll take $20 for it.

It's going on Kijiji itself this afternoon if I don't get any takers through the blog (Twitter or Facebook). You can email me to get the ball rolling: lisakercher[at]gmail[dot]com

I'll see you later skater alligator for another post (which I am now re-thinking...hmmm)

Giveaway Reminder!

You have one more day to enter to win my Elle Studios giveaway. Check out this post for all the details.


Remember I said if I got at least five comments I would throw in a runner up prize? Well, it doesn't look like that's going to happen people! WHAT THE!?!?


Why don't you like winning things? Just log your little self in and leave me a note...that's all it takes!


A little visual reminder of what we're playing for...

And I've been collecting other fun things to add to this...maybe you'll even get a little handmade goodie from me! Ooh la la!


later skater alligator

365 Project...Fun Mail, Jenga Robots and Freebies!

Monday, March 7. We played no-name brand "Jenga" which inevitably turns into building things after the first collapse. Tonight it was robots. I made an awesome TicTacToeMohawk Robot. Lucas tries to name his, but he usually just copies my name exactly then tacks on a word at the end that's different!

Wednesday, March 9. Sending some fun mail to my aunt in Texas. I am using an old Purolator envelope that I found stacks of in the office. I had to cover up all the "Purolator" branding on the envelope, so I got creative with duct tape, and a giant label (on the other side). And what's fun mail without a fun doodle!?

March 9, again. Lucas did a craft! Eek! If it involves paint, he's more-likely-than-not going to be interested. This is a little wooden lizard he got as a favour from Damien's party. It was awesome. He freaks out when the paint won't come off his hands...must not be my kid! HA! Those funny treat-looking things at the bottom of the picture are not bribes...not really!

And speaking of fun mail...March 9 brought some my way, and I want to share the love! I got my Elle Studios package in the mail, and it is full of cute things! CUTE CUTE!! And there is a lot of it, more than I will use. So I pulled some pieces I felt I could definitely part with, and am giving them away! EEK!

Leave a comment here with your name, and I will draw a winner in one week (that's the 23rd). If I get 5 comments on this I will throw in a runners-up prize! Ooh la la! The winner will receive what you see above, as well as some other matching goodies I can rustle up! And the runner up...well, we'll just have to wait and see!

later skater alligator

Sketches 2 Scrapbook...awesome!

I love my Sketches 2 Scrapbook app! It's no surprise really, based on how much I loved the Twisted Sketches DT job. Every time I sit down to scrapbook, I put my iPod on the speaker dock, turn my tunes up to an appropriate level based on the fact I have a sleeping kid in the next room, and open up the S2S app.

I created these two fab layouts awhile back using the app, and I can safely say that it made the whole experience much more satisfying, and go much quicker! I can choose a sketch, get the basics down, then add my flair to it!
*****

Sketch #41...Romance

Supplies List

Pattern paper: My Mind's Eye, The Girl's Paperie     Word sticker: Crate Paper

Ribbon: May Arts and Value Village lace     Pearl: Zva Creations      Badge: Pink Paislee

Stamp: Tim Holtz's Stampers Anonymous     Ink: Distress Ink (Fired Brick) and Stampin' Up (Going Gray)

*****

Sketch #37...Let It Snow

Supplies List

Pattern paper: Making Memories, Sassafraslass and Basic Grey

Brads: My Mind's Eye           Bling: Doodlebug

Stickers: American Crafts (snowflakes) and Jenni Bowlin (stars)

Letters: My Little Shoebox (stickers), Stampin' Up (stamps w/ Buckaroo Blue ink)

*****

And now that you've got a taste of all the wondrous-ness of this app, I'm going to up the ante and make the sweetness even sweeter...I'm giving away a copy of the app so you too can have this awesomeness on your mobile device of choice! Hazaa!!

Leave a comment here with your name, email address, and your favourite number (mine is a tie between 17 and 23). I'll draw a name in one week, on the 1st of March.

And to the winner will also go these two ATCs that match the layouts...a little extra inspiration when you go to use the app!

later skater alligator

How Many?

If someone ever tells you that Kindergarten kids don't receive homework, someone is lying.

Lucas has to bring 100 "things" to school tomorrow to count, to celebrate their 100th day of school. I think we're going to fail that assignment.

He also has his Sharing book to complete for the week. We have to find something that starts with the letter Q and he has to write three things about it and draw a picture. And every two weeks we do it again with another strange and obscureletter. I have a feeling a lot of kids fail that assignment.

And since this month is Valentine's Day, I am busy finding a cute printable Valentine card online that he can write some names on to give away on the 14th.

This lady must be a mom...she has posted a lovely list of Valentine printables around the web. She is my hero today. I also found these beauties on kate.net.

And Style Crush/Pepto Girl's ones from last year are still my favourite to give my friends!

Now I just have to decide...

Kindergarten is tough. Being a Kindergarten Mom is tough too.

later skater alligator

Giveaway!

yay free things!

Danielle over at Sometimes Sweet has a great sponsor giveaway going on right now. The deadline to enter is the 24th (I think)

So you should check it out!

CLICK HERE

-Lisa

"real" post coming later skater alligator

Try this on for size

updated 9/29...pictures of the prizes added!
______________________________________
Do you like to have fun?


Do you like to document those fun times had??


If you answered yes to either of the questions above, or are just a person who is reading my blog, you should enjoy this.


Vimeo's "One Day on Earth" is a project involving artists and others around the globe on October 10, 2010 (10.10.10...get it!?). Essentially, you document your day and make a video out of it. In their own words: "Across the planet documentary filmmakers, students, and inspired citizens will record the human experience over a 24-hour period. By participating in this historic event you will help capture the diversity of experiences of life on this planet. Together we will create a document that is a gift to the world."


Now I would like to issue a challenge to my blog readers. Wherever you might be on October 10th, whatever you might be doing, document your day. I will probably be waking up early to get Lucas off to swimming with Dad. Then bumming around the house for the whole day while waiting to go eat some turkey somewhere for dinner (thank heavens for Thanksgiving Day weekend!). And I will be scrapbooking the heck out of that day! Pictures and mementos and all that good stuff.


Here are some ideas:
- Interview the people who spent the day with you...names, ages, occupations, their favourite colour or jungle animal...whatever! Write it down, and make copies for everyone.
- Document your day in photos...grab a disposable camera and just wander around your city or neighbourhood and take lots of random photos. Make sure you get at least one of yourself! Put all of these together in a little album, just for that day.
- Find the day's headline (it's a Sunday, so it might be a sleepy news day), or an article in the paper that interests you and frame it. Write the story of your day, as if you were reporting it for the local paper, take a photo and print the whole thing out and frame it.
- In the spirit of Vimeo's project, you could make a mini video about your day. Grab the closest video camera, or regular camera with video capabilities and record something. Challenge yourself to make it under 5 minutes, or 2 minutes, or whatever. Involved your roommates, your partner, your kids, your dog...
- And for the scrapbookers out there, make a mini album or a layout to fill with your thoughts and images of the day. That's what I'll be doing!


This is just for funs people, not homework! But isn't it neat to think that people from all over the world are contributing to this project? That there will be so many unique, wonderful, happy, terrifying stories to come out of this? It excites me more than you can know.


If you post your project online somewhere I would like love to see what you came up with! Please share it here as well, even just by including a link in the comments! I'm excited to see what the world has to share.


In tribute of this fun day, I am setting up a giveaway! Yes, another one! Please leave a comment here to win one of the following super fun gifts:
#1. A disposable camera to document 10.10.10 in photos

#2. A fun little photo album in which you may stick all your 10.10.10 photos

#3. A handmade, Lisa-original mini album to fill with scrapbooking goodness of your 10.10.10

#4. A second handmade, Lisa-original mini album to fill with yadda yadda yadda 10.10.10

When you leave your entry comment, please specify which gift you would prefer to be entered to win. Deadline for entering is October 5th (so I have enough time to mail out your gift before 10.10.10). 


If you are a winner you need to contact me with your mailing information. I could probably chase everyone down, but that is not how I roll!


later skater alligator

Ha! Made you look...

So I just love all those pretty home tours people show on Flickr or their blogs. (I'm holding up my "sarcasm sign" as I write this.) Mainly because my house never ever ever looks like that, and I can't imagine that the house featured in the tour looks like a magazine house all the time either!

And some of my more organized and decor-sensitive friends have been posting "home tours" on their blogs as well. And I envy their clean floors and clear tables and other flat surfaces. Go give Kim and Nadine some love for me! They have actually inspired me to tackle some home projects that I never would have dreamed of, so I can't hate them completely for their "perfect" homes!

And I wonder if they have just pushed the clutter out of the frame, or if the house actually looks like that on an everyday basis. (probably the latter thought)

Because my house just doesn't!

So I thought I would share some photos of my main floor as it is right now. No editing, or shuffling clutter into the kitchen, or a quick tidy before the flash goes. Just plain, real, life in the Kercher world.

This is my real life...prepare yourself accordingly!

You can sort of see the dining room table in this photo. It is usually covered with mail, bits of projects I am working on, Lucas' stuff and the laptop. You can also see the ginormous cooler we took camping in August, but haven't found a permanent home for yet. I should start calling it a "hope chest" and maybe it can become a permanent part of my living room decor! HA!

In this shot you get a lovely view of the Green Wall...as well as the empty box for my new winter boots on the floor, and an assortment of "stuff" on my precious antique desk. If the dining room table is full, the stuff ends up here.

The living room floor is usually covered with toys. I try to get Lucas to pick up after himself, but it's usually not worth it. That green bin is full of toys that need to go downstairs...so why don't I just take it down there already!?

New clothes from Lucas' birthday (one month ago), empty gift bag (birthday...one month ago...again), empty water bottle that I should put in the wash, random collection of birthday cards and craft stuff. This is also where I store some of my spray paint for ease of use (outdoors, dontcha know). No surface is safe!

More stuff that I should just take downstairs...do you see a theme developing?

So this is my main floor in real life...do you like what you see? You can's even tell I painted the walls from these photos!

To help me clear some of this clutter, I am doing another giveaway...sort of. One of the winners of my previous giveaway never got back to me! So I am "re-gifting" the giveaway she was supposed to inherit. I think it's the mixed vintage details from the last big giveaway I did in the summer. A lot of people said they liked this one, so I'm hoping to get lots of comments...please validate me and my lifestyle choices! Deadline for entering is next Monday (the 27th...Happy Birthday Cousin!)...good luck!

Blurry photos by Lisa...if you want to use them please list the source...wait, why would want to use them? Gosh the light is so bad in here today. I just want to pull on another sweater and drink coffee until the cows come home (or I go pick them up...no freak out today at school by the way...PROGRESS!).

No DIY today...sorry...I just haven't come up with anything terribly exciting lately. But I'm always thinking of new things, so I hope to bring back this favourite Feature before too long!

later skater alligator
and thanks for putting up with fickle me! I love ya for it!

life and etc.

This article makes me feel...something...it's like vindication, but not really. Like satisfaction. Or camaraderie. Or a connection beyond time with the moms of the world. it's peace really, knowing that I'm not the only who feels this way.

Kyla sums things up perfectly, re: my thoughts on "soul mates" here. Read on: I really don’t like the idea that there’s only one person out there for you, and if you don’t meet them you’re out of luck. My experience of the world isn’t nearly so straight forward, and I don’t like the idea that we’re all on one narrative track. The world is full of so much mystery, I think it has much more interesting stories up its sleeves for us than that.

To me, a more exciting and grounded idea is that there are a whole range of people out there, scores of them even, who would make all of us happy. The idea is to narrow that down to the person you’re most fascinated by, and who you can really help and grow with. That puts the romance in the choice to be together and in making a happy life together, that sounds like much more fun to me!

Isn't she one smart chickie! I think so...she is my new current favourite blogger. she has a fabulous blog!

what else...

if you haven't checked out Pugly Pixel, you must. Even though I don't know my way around all these png filey things, I am quite in love with her washi tapes and macaroons, and paper buffet and all other clever freebies on the site. digital freebies. I must figure things out, and then use these up to my heart's content! hoorah!

this site is crazy good. i really like the Moby Dick one. i've been craving some super rad t-shirts lately. so threadless is on my check-daily list of sites. this week's tees: boy in the weeds - which you can also buy as a wall graphic, and it would only be better if there was a hay bale on it somewhere

let the game continue - which I think KC would really love!

the communist party - because who doesn't love a party? or rather, even Communists like to party!

k. am done babbling for now.

what a random post? I {heart} randomness. I wonder where I will be when this post actually goes live? in bed?? hopefully.

later skater alligator

p.s. if any of y'all have a super rad site or sites that you just love, link them up here and share the love peeps!

Friday DIY and a WINNER

And the winners of the Sweet Sweet giveaway are:
#1. Ginger


#2. Kelly


#3. Rachel


#4. Nadine

So if I don't have them already, please email me your mailing address, and I will get these babies shipped out as soon as humanly possible! Congrats!! Note: if any of your are from south of the border, I have learned through experience that it takes around two weeks for anything from me to get to you...FYI...so you don't think I forgot!!

lisakercher[at]gmail[dot]com

*****

And here is your DIY for the week...a lovely headband!

I knitted a narrow rectangle, with a thin grey yarn. I don't know the official name of the stitch, but it's knit 2. purl 2. Make it as long as you want...mine goes from one ear to the other.

Then I attached it to a piece of white ribbon from the store using white embroidery floss. It's messy, but it does the job. Make sure to overlap with the knitted piece 1"-2", and add a lot of stitches!

 

The knitted piece makes it a little stretchy, so I made sure the entire piece was tight against my head. For now it will remain plain, but I might add a felt flower in the future (when I figure out how to make one just right)

And you can also kind of see how short my hair is. It's very short. It took me approximately 1.5 seconds to "do" my hair this morning. loves.

today was superb, by the way. thank you kara for the perfect "date". plus I got to cross off another 30 Before 30 item! we did some great thrifting, and art supply learning, and girly clothes shopping. plus Greek for lunch...couldn't ask for a better day. also, I learned that I really love "jazz shoes" and images of bows on dresses. go figure.

I will take pictures later to share my goodies. but for now, i'm going to get a work out in before I finish the prep for my class tomorrow.

congrats again to the winners...but remember you are all winners in my book!

keep your eye to the sky for more giveaways in the next month or so. I've got a bunch of great ideas again!!

later skater alligator...

a biscuit giveaway

I love Biscuit's giveaways. Maybe today is my lucky day!



cross your fingers for me...or heck, just go enter for yourself!

but be warned, she makes you work for it!

Sweet Sweet Giveaway

Make that giveaways...that's plural...meaning more than one! I found such a treasure trove of goodies, I am doing FOUR giveaways tonight! And I would have been here sooner, but Blogger was being a dork, and then it was dinner time. And then we played some games. Then dishes. Then bed. Then workout...and now here I am!

#1. Summer Sun

2 - American Crafts badges from the "Made With Love" line
2 - wooden dimensional stickers (sun and moon)
1 - Mickey Mouse paint chip in "Ariel's Afternoon Swim" blue
1 - diskette album with orange binder ring
1 - shiny blue "C"
1- blue barcode sticker
1 - "Projects" journaling card
1 - "Buzz Off" sticky note
Assortment of butterflies punched from dictionary pages and woodgrain Contac paper
Assortment of shiny stars
Assortment of doodled frames

*****

#2. Mixed Vintage Delights

5- vintage book pages from The Cruel Sea
2- Prima journaling notes
1- black felt chandelier (from Michaels)
1- "Vintage Chic Caribe" paint chip
5- mini playing cards
1- square epoxy sticker
3- "Food for Thought" quotes
1- vintage "Learning Wrap Ups"
Assortment of butterflies punched from dictionary pages and woodgrain Contac paper
1- Handmade hairclip
1- handmade notebook

*****

#3. Who's That Pretty Lady?

1- handmade felt pocket (fits an iPhone or iTouch)
1- purple slipper cell phone holder
1 bottle- sparkly green nailpolish

*****

#4. Share Wear

1- super awesome altered t-shirt...a FormerlyLisaS original!

Ricki's brand, size large, 95% cotton, 5% spandex. And it's a beautiful emerald green...these photos just don't do it justice!

*****

To enter:

1. Become a follower of my blog

2. Leave a comment in this post telling me which giveaway you would love to win...you can pick more than one! Heck, you can pick all of them!

3. To earn an extra entry, blog about this giveaway. Make sure you leave a separate comment if you blogged it, so I count you twice!

4. Check back here in one week for the winner! That's next Friday, July 16th.

Good Luck!

(p.s. International entries totally welcome!!)

yawners

My pal Electra has a super cool Giveaway going on right now. Check out her Blog for all the sordid details. She is celebrating 365 posts! Woo hoo! And she is quite the artiste, so it is worth a read fo' sure.

I thought of something else to write, and now I have forgotten.

for those of you keeping score, today is Wednesday, which means Blizzard treat with the Fam. I also got to dig in my garden today and get nice and muddy and wet...love love love. Now if only there was something other than dirt and dead grass growing there.

please note, that whatever "wrong things" I have done as a momma, I got one thing right. Lucas eats all the vegetables on his plate first, cooked are best. And he tells me he doesn't like the sausage and perogies. Go figure.

later skater alligator

hay is for horses

This is what I tell Lucas when he says: "hey mom"...yes, yes I am this much of a goober in real life!

Giveaway announcement...on Kellie's blog.

Check it out by clicking on the click. And read her other posts too, eh? She's a sweet blogger!

happy monday peeps...check ya later

I heart giveaways...

mine or somebody else's...it doesn't really matter!

Biscuit's are always so rad! maybe this time I'll be lucky!

click here to enter yo!