Not so extreme makeover

Hey guys, I am bringing an official happy 2011 greeting with the all new revamped Lisscat Creations Blog. Hope you like the new layout. Thought it would be fun to do something new with the new year! Right now its a not-so-extreme-makeover, but the blog did get a fresh new design. I will be adding more artwork soon, along with more frequent blog posts, and videos too!

I also spent quite a bit of time working on Erica, my best friend in the whole world's, blog. She is continuing her nutrition/fitness career this year with an awesome new blog about living a healthy lifestyle, both physically and spiritually. Her blog is called "Grace for e.r.i.c.a (Eating Real In a Crazy Age)." She is just putting the finishing touches on it but be sure to check it out soon, by clicking here.

Well its been a busy day trying to catch up on life, and putting away Christmas stuff. I really need to finish the sketchbook since its due in only a few short days!

Hmm I need some inspiration...what are fun little things you would want in your own world? Example: Everything would be covered in chocolate :-)

Hopefully tomorrow is the day I will have a fun little contest up for you guys. We will be giving away a gift certificate so be sure to check back soon.

Have a fun, safe, creative, and inspiring Saturday night.

Blessings!

Try a refreshing sip of the all new 2011

And now presenting the first post of 2011!

I think its safe to say that I, like everyone, am sooo ready for this new year. 2010 had its good moments, and bad moments, but its time for a much needed fresh start.

So what are all of your creative goals for the new year? I have alot of ideas for Lisscat Creations and am very excited to start to bring them to you. By the way, thank you for everyone's support over the past year, it means so much! :-)

So 1st on the line up for 2011 is finishing my sketchbook. Those of you who follow me, probably remember me mentioning my sketchbook is taking part of a multi city tour across the US along with many other pieces of art, before becoming a part of the the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Library.

I have about a week to finish 10 more pages. Ive attached a couple of pictures from the sketchbook. 

The theme is "If you lived here" and is just going to be inspired, light hearted, and fun.

I have pages like "If you lived here, cats couldnt meow before 10am". Anyone who is a pet owner can appreciate that one! :-)

Well, I hope you all are ready and inspired for a new year. Remember we are blessed to have this fresh start, and you each are still here for a reason. This is the time to go after your dreams and get ready for an awesome new year.

Oh, PS.... I am really really going to try and keep up with weekly updates for you guys. Keep me accountable and let me know what you wanna read or see!

Love to you guys and happy new year!

Pick Me! Read Me!

Ok, can anyone tell me where this year has gone? Its mid November and a blog post is well overdue! Let me first tell you about my newest Lisscat Creation... the "Pick Me" hand painted card (pictured above).
Did you know, roughly, there are 147 million orphans world wide. Thats a lot of sweet kiddos out there with out families to call their own. I go through days where I think I have it rough, then I think about these kids out there.
It kinda breaks my heart, and i truly respect the lovely people out there who care for, feed, and shelter these orphans. That is why we are donating to the organization, 147 Million Orphans. This was started by two very passionate women, who between them have 13 kids, including both national and international adoptions. They are amazing women, and have done so much work to help feed and find homes for orphans worldwide! check out 147 Million Orphans here!

So I just returned from a book reading event for the book, "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist. She is a breath of fresh air! She is so real, and so very supportive and encouraging of people living out their dreams by their God given abilities. Her writings have inspired me multiple times to continue making my art, at times when I may have been overwhelmed with doubt or discouragement. And yes, I will admit, though I am not a crier at all, her words of encouragement have brought me to tears ( happy tears of course!) If you havent yet read them, I'd encourage you to go out and read "Cold Tangerines" and "Bittersweet". :-)

So as you go into this weekend and Thanksgiving week, stay encouraged. Live in the moment, and remember God gave you your gift for a reason, so dont be afraid to use it!

Also don't forget to get your hand painted "Pick Me" cards now. $5 of every card sold will be donated to 147 Million Orphans. Click here to get your card now!

Cat on a tree...

Well, now that Pink month is over we are back to your basic black font. October was a somewhat slow month for cards, but we still managed to raise $10 that will be donated to fight Breast Cancer. I am very thankful for the donations that were were able to raise! Thanks for all who helped.
So do you ever feel like it's too quiet? Ya keep hanging on trying to do your thing, whatever that is, hoping for a change. Then BAM, suddenly opportunities fly at ya!
I came across a very appropriate scripture this week, right after I got through complaining to God that I felt like I wasnt seeing results in my life...
"Remember Jesus' example. Wicked people were doing evil things to him, but he held on. Never get tired and give up".
For me, that was confirmation that no matter how hard the world tries to block you out, or push you down, you gotta keep believing in what you are doing, and refuse to let it go.
I have some great opportunities coming up for my artwork. Not sure which them will work out, or which ones wont, but I am going to step out and give them a shot, because I truly do believe that what I am doing will someday make a positive difference!
So if you've ever felt like that cat hanging on the tree branch that says "hang in there"....remember it's going to be worth it!
This weeks pic is a painting I did last weekend and was blessed enough to sell it to a good home only days later! :-)

Paging Dr. Me....

Hey All,
No super amazing updates this week but just wanted to check in and show ya a couple of new cards.

Oh by the way, I am keeping the pink font again this week since its still October and still Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you haven't checked out the featured card this month, please do.
Remember $5.00 of every card will be donated straight back to Susan G Komen. 

  (click the picture for more information)

I know money's been tight for everyone, so as much as I would like to encourage you all to pick up one of these hand painted cards, I understand if you can not. What I will ask though, is if you would please take 5 seconds and repost this on Facebook or retweet on Twitter. The more exposure we can get, the more money we an raise for a great charity. And hopefully a few extra smiles will be had when they get their new "A Shade of Hope" card.

Last night I got a random burst of creative inspiration and popped out 4 new custom cards. This was for 2 birthday, a wedding, and a sympathy card. I felt like a Dr delivering babies, running from room to room trying to find the materials to build each of the cards. It was fun and refreshing! Hope you like them!

Remember you can always email me with your special card requests. melissa@lisscatcreations.com

Stay blessed this week and thanks for reading! :-)

PINK....is the new HOPE

As many of your may have noticed, it is October. And with that comes cool weather, beautifully colored landscapes, warm apple cider...and Breast Cancer Awareness month!

I spent a lot of time trying to find a good charity to give back to this month. And then God laid it in front of me to help to find a cure for breast cancer! It seems that everyone has been effected, or atleast knows someone who has been effected by cancer. So for all those of you who have dealt with this, my prayers go out to you. I hope that this week's painting will help to give you the hope and peace you need to keep pushing forward. 
I would encourage you to send this to someone who may need a pick-me-up, or a little hope to keep on living!
Just a reminder that no matter how rocky your journey seems, God is with you the whole way, and in only an amazing way that He could plan, there is a special purpose lying for you down the road.

Each hand painted card is only $15.00 and $5 of that will be donated directly back to charity to help fight breast cancer. For  those confusing legal reasons, I am not allowed to  mention the charity's name but they are extremely well known and the initials are SGK. Trust me, your donation will be going towards a good cause. 

Please consider getting one and sending someone a smile in this new fall season!


Click here to get your "A Shade of Hope" painting for Breast Cancer.

www.lisscatcreations.com/cards 

It's good to have a little CATtitude...

Dear readers,

So sorry for the amount of time that has passed since my last blog post. Guess I havent done so well with posting consistently every week this year! As usual life gets busy and it seems dreams get pushed aside only to remain dreams for a little while longer. And to add to my list of excuses, I've been hit with a bit of discouragement lately. Last week was a slow month (for sales), not just with my day job, but with Lisscat Creations as well. Trust me, I understand its hard for everyone right now, me included. I guess the part that is so hard is the possibility of disappointing others. Though a fun little card, the "Truth Hoots" card wasn't a big hit, and when I say wasn't a big hit, I mean it didn't hit at all. Last month we tried to raise money for my brother in law and his college ministry at Marquette Univ. I hated to tell him that the fund raiser didn't go so well.

But enough of the excuses and not-so-happy posting...that was just a little dose of honesty that needed to be vented across the WWW.

Instead let me introduce the new cards, and share a little quote about persistence.... 

"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places" and "Nobody trips over mountains.  It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.  Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain. "

.....Pretty good, huh?!

So I've been getting a lot of requests for affordable printed card sets with the same Lisscat Creations design....so here they are introducing the new 6pc card set "CATtitudes".
Each set comes with 2 of each design shown (6 cards total), and 6 envelopes, all for only $12.50. And as always, shipping is free, and 10% will be donated back to the charity of the month. This set can be purchased at here.

Please help me to help you! Just drop me an email or leave a comment to tell me what kind of cards and sets you want to see. Special requests are always welcome! Email me at melissa@lisscatcreations.com 

Thanks for reading and God Bless!