11.30.2009

ALL ABOUT LAURA PHOTOS


Okay, here are the pictures you guys asked for!

Thank you Jamie, Amber and Olivia!

{Jamie, I did not get my favorite beauty product photographed, but it would either be my Bare Minerals because it covers up all my imperfections, or my "Satu" cologne from Anthropologie that my husband picked out for me to wear on our wedding day, and I love it!}

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THE TATTOOS:

*this shoulder tattoo is actually a cover up, unfortunately neither of these photos show the whole thing, i just realized. but below the birds is a big magenta peony flower that covers up my first tattoo. it was a black celtic love knot from when i thought i was going to get married at 18, kids, dont get tattooed for your wedding proposal!!!*

I got the cover up with the two birds and the flower when my mom got sick the first time. She lost her hair, eyelashes and breast all to chemo and radiation. At that time we thought she was going to be okay, and she was going through lots of emotions of 'letting go'. Letting go of what made her feel like a woman, letting go of her life before cancer, letting go of so much vanity.

At the same time I was ending a relationship I was in since I was 16, we were together for 8 years. I was dealing with emotions of losing him and possibly losing my mother, so serious emotions of 'letting go' as well.

So I chose two bluebirds of happiness in flight to represent this for me.



This tattoo is only half way done. I got this after my mother passed and it is all about her. I have always wanted an art nouveau piece, and this image just struck me and made me think of her. It is a work from Alphonse Mucha. I changed the colors though. The words say "I WISH I HAD A RIVER I COULD SKATE AWAY ON". They are lyrics to the Joni Mitchel song River. My mother sang this song to me when I was a baby. When I was older we would sing it together, she gave me a serious love for Joni Mitchel. Then as she was dying, I sang it to her when she could no longer sing.

I am planning on adding peacock feathers, butterfly, a cardinal and some other things to it.

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THESE ARE MY TWO BABIES THAT MAKE UP VIOLET BELLA:

This is Violet, my dog.

She loves car rides, nature trailing, ice cream (she only gets a few licks every now and then), sneaking bellas poop from the litter box, wildlife animals like deer and squirrels.
This is Bella, my cat.

She loves being lazy, crafting, the color pink, peas and corn, playing chase.
I am going to do a whole post on these two guys because I have so many adorable photos of them!
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CRAFTING:

This is one of my crafting areas. Pretty much anywhere I am I craft, and Bella ALWAYS finds a way to be near me, see her on the shelf?
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HOLIDAY ITEMS:

I made this stocking for James, I will make one for Violet, Bella and Nico, our bird.
This is my favorite ornament. My mother made it when she was pregnant with my brother, her first child.
And these are my favorite decorations. I made them when I was 9, and they have held up through the years. I always wanted to be the one to put these little angels on the tree each year, I think I was secretly proud that I made them, and I think I still am a bit!
HOPE YOU ENJOYED, THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG!

PEACE,
LAURA

ps... today is the last day of the sale in both my shops, go check out my new items!

11.28.2009

Holiday SALE Extended!!!


SO I DECIDED TO EXTEND MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE THROUGH CYBER MONDAY!

Here are some previews of BRAND NEW items in my shops!

WOOD BLOCKS

{I have been ready to create these for forever now! So happy to introduce these to the shop. I only have one listed right now, but you can custom order any photo for a wood block}

You can find this in my photography shop:






And here are some new things in my Jewelry shop...

SHOP THIS WEEKEND TO GET THE SALES!






PEACE,
LAURA

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!


AND THE WINNER IS...

Olivia from S and O Productions!!!

Congrats to Olivia, and a BIG thank you for always leaving me such warm and sweet comments and being one of my most loyal followers!

I hope you enjoy!
{send me your mailing info here: violet_bella@hotmail.com}

James picked the winner while I photographed! Thanks babe!




For all of you who didnt win, thank you so much for participating and spreading the word, you guys are awesome! And I anticipate having at least one giveaway a month! Each one will be run on a theme, so send me some ideas of themes you would like to see in a future giveaway!

P.S. I have so much I want to post about, thanksgiving, Lost Maples and fall weather family photos, the pics from 'what you want to see', and more, so check back soon!

PEACE,
laura

11.27.2009

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!!

GO GET YOUR SHOPPING ON!

ONE DAY, INCREDIBLE SALE!

My Jewelry Shop


*Buy two items and get the 3rd one free*
*20% off $50 or more*
*39% off $100 or more*

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My Photography Shop



*Buy one 5x5 print, get one free*
*Buy one set of 4, get one set of 4 free*
*free shipping on calendars*
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GO SHOP!

Peace and Tummy Aches from Thanksgiving food,
Laura


11.26.2009

Thanksgiving SALE



Thank you for your comments from last night, I woke up feeling a bit better.

I have decided to kick off Thanksgiving right with a SALE in my shop!

STARTING TODAY AND ENDING FRIDAY EVENING...

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS

10% FOR ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS, JUST CONVO ME AFTER YOU PURCHASE!

{I will refund the difference after payment has been made}

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Dont forget about the 2010 Calendar!


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ALSO, MY GIVEAWAY ENDS FRIDAY!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment, go to my blog titled
GIVEAWAY - MY FIRST ONE

and leave your comments!!!
.......................................................

AND, today or early tomorrow is the last chance to ask me what you would like to see a photo of from MY life! Anything youde like, for more info, visit my blog titled
ALL ABOUT LAURA



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Today I am going to give thanks to my husband. He is here for me when I need him, all I have to do is ask. Thank you James. He is also the one who opened me up to God's love. He is the first one in my life who made me feel okay about it. I have always had my reservations about religion, not quite knowing what to believe, and I still do to an extent, but I have opened my heart to the possibilities of what most people call God. Watching my mother seeing people in 'heaven' when she was almost gone opened me up as well. She said she was holding hands with my grandfather who had passed away 10 years prior.

This is a photo of me and James on our wedding day, this is my favorite photo from the day.


This is a photo of my mom in Italy. I can just feel the contemplation on her mind, she was a daydreamer at best!

I am thankful for the 25 years she was in my life. I do not believe I could of had a better mother, in any way. She was my best friend and my soul mate. And we told each other that all the time. I feel sadness in my heart knowing that so many people in this world do not get to experience the kind of love that my mother gave. Anyone who ever met her would agree, she was 'an angel flying to close to the ground'.



Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends in cyberspace! I love you all. You have become an extension of my life in a real way, thank you!

Peace and Love,
laura

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11.25.2009

God, Lift Me Up

I wanted to make a post of what I am thankful for...but I hate to admit it, I am a lump of sadness at the moment.

I was working on a quilt I made for Bella earlier today and I broke a Christmas ornament. I thought it was my parents first Christmas ornament from when they got married. I cried like a baby, twice, over it. I just realized that it was NOT that one, it was just a handmade one that looked like it. I felt so silly. But this incident brought on an ache for my mother like nothing else. I miss her so badly. I was looking through my photos on my Mybook and I hardly have any photos of us anymore. I lost them all when I lost all my photos last year. This is one of her and my brother, when she cut her hair short for the first time because she knew she was going to loose it to chemo. She always had such beautiful long hair and I never wanted her to cut it short, but when she did, she looked so adorable, I loved it.

I miss my brother too. He is away on another job. I hate it when he leaves. I hate that he is missing so much of his son's life because of work. I know he hates it too.

God, I feel like such a smuck to not saying thanks. I am thankful for sooooooo much, believe me. Maybe I will post my thankfulness after thanksgiving when I am feeling better. The list is LONG.




I love you mom.

11.24.2009

Random Inspiration

I asked, and you replied, random inspiration...

This is my goal for my hair. Maybe not quite thislong, but the cut and style for sure. I have tried growing my hair out for years, but always end up cutting it. But this time I mean business!!! I just started taking pre-natal vitamins, so maybe this will help speed up the process???



I love this string of inspiration. I started one at home, but there is not alot of room anywhere to put it, so its in an awkward spot. I'll rethink this project more later...



would someone please get me the blank couple patch from RVA???
its a patch with a line drawing of two people and you fill in the hair and clothes and accessories!

so adorable.


It's time to start breaking out the vinyls more, open the door, let the autumn breeze in and jam out to the beautiful crackling sound of simple 70's vinyls.

What is your favorite band from this era?

My top favs:

Neil Young
Bob Dylan
Joni Mitchel
Rolling Stones
CSNY
Led Zepplin



Peace,
laura

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Beautiful Treasuries

THREE TREASURIES I MADE:

Eggshell Blue and Golden

ends tomorrow




AUTUMN BEAUTIES

I love this one...



SHADES OF CRANBERRY

with touches of teal, brown and pink





{I ALSO MADE IT INTO FOUR OTHER TREASURIES CREATED BY OTHERS, CHECK MY ETSY PAGE TO SEE THE LINKS}

Go show some love!!!

Peace,
laura

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11.23.2009

2010 CALENDAR LAUNCH!!!

I am so excited to announce the launching of...

Violet Bella
2010
calendar


Each month features a different Violet Bella photograph handpicked according to the feel that month brings me. As well as words for each month to inspire and uplift you throughout the year.


Each card is 5" x 8 1/2", they are big enough to enjoy the artwork, yet small enough to do whatever you would like with them.

String them on a banner in your work studio, pin them all to a cork board, keep on a small easel on your desk, you get the idea!


Comes on a pretty brown ribbon so you can hang it on the wall as well. And also gives it a cuteness bonus!

Simply untie the ribbon each month to take off the expired card.


It also come with a cute cover that wraps around the pack. It has a little hand-stamped and signed card on the back that you can write in if it is a gift!


For the comforts of home...


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SPECIAL PRICING FOR MULTIPLE ORDERS:

1 calendar- $18
2 calendars- $32 {you save $4}
3 calendars- $45 {you save $9}
4 calendars- $56 {you save $16}
5 calendars- $65 {you save $25}

so if you get 4 or more you are basically getting some free!

PLEASE CONVO ME TO MAKE YOU A SPECIAL LISTING IF YOU ARE BUYING MORE THAN ONE!

Calendar is for sale in both etsy shops, I will link you to one here:


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Peace,
Laura

AMAZING INTERVIEW!!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GO CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW THAT SUNSHINE STUDIOS DID WITH ME! SHE DID SUCH AN AMAZING JOB!

AND THERE IS ALSO A GIVEAWAY THERE TOO!


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Also, dont forget to enter my giveaway!
see previous posts for details!

And dont forget to tell me what you want to see photos of,
also in previous posts!

And later on today I went be launching the new 2010 calendar!
*so excited*

BIG LOVE AND PEACE,
laura

11.22.2009

All About Laura


For those of you who missed the post earlier, I have joined in on the fun of learning more about me.

Let me know anything you would like to see a picture of in my little world!!!

Think outside the box:
{examples}

-favorites of anything specific
-tattoos
-favorite coffee shop
-Xmas items
-a room
-ANYTHING

I'll be posting all of the pics some time this next week.


WARNING: me being silly.

This was on the way home from The Botanical Gardens one day. James had these two Mountain Laurel seeds {there is a story behind them} in his car and I couldnt help but put them in my nose :)




I promise the calendar will be coming out soon, I am just trying to figure out what paper I want to use, any suggestions?

Also, dont forget about the
GIVEAWAY

Peace,
Laura
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11.21.2009

Craft Supplies and Giveaway Update


Time to let our little friend go.


I let her stay on the porch last night because it was rainy. I realized she could not fly because half of one side of her wings had been torn off. So this morning, it was no longer wet outside, and the sun was even shining! So I put her in my neighbors bushes, which are low to the ground, so she can crawl around and still be in nature. She probably only had about a day left to her life, since they only live a few days. {which by the way, I think its so ironic that they live in coccoon form for so long to only live for a few days as a beautiful butterfly} I contemplated carrying her with me today, but Im glad I didnt, b/c our day got busy! Plus I decided that was really only gratification on my part and would be taking her away from her natural elements...so I let her go.

She danced on my scarf for a minute before though!

I went to the city to visit with my nanna today. Thinking we would just have some quiet time, it ended up an all day shopping marathon. Which was kind of fun b/c I never go shopping anymore, that word hardly exists in my vocabulary it seems. I could of bought a million things for myself at Target, but I refrained. I stuck to crafting items and Xmas supplies...

Here are the goodies I got!

I am going to learn to knit or crochet, so I got some amazing mustard green threads!
-some really cute bird and cage wrapping paper
-some nice tissue paper for xmas and orders
-new clear baggies for orders
-pink paper for my tags in my local shop
-2 pairs of fancy scissors (on sale)
-1 handmade stamp
-hole puncher for my calendar
-necklace clasps
-ribbon (just for the heck of it)
-and the most amazing colors of embroidery thread!

Ive never actually bought thread yet, Ive been working out of a bag my mom had. I had no idea the amazing colors, I could of bought them all! I think this might be my new addiction!



And thank you to everyone who is participating in the GIVEAWAY!

I am working on the kinks.
I redid the links to the banners, they now link to my blog.

so for those of you that know html, just click and save the image and link it to my blog.

for those of you who dont, please pick out which image you want to use and I will send you the code. But dont respond in that thread, email me here:
violet_bella@hotmail.com

convo me with any questions!

PEACE,
laura

11.20.2009

GIVEAWAY - MY FIRST ONE



OKAY BLOGGER FRIENDS...

Violet Bella's first ever GIVEAWAY!!!

I am doing an AUTUMN inspired giveaway that will end next FRIDAY!

ONE WEEK!

You will receive all of the items pictured below!!!

1- pair of Violet Bella earrings
2- 5x5 autumn photo prints
1- 2010 Calendar
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POINTS AND RULES:

You can leave 1 comment for each thing below that applies:

*follow my blog*

*blog about this giveaway and link it in your reply*

*add any of my banners with a link to my blog or shop on your blog*
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE HAVING PROBLEMS, I CHANGED THE LINKS TO THE IMAGES, BUT IF YOU NEED THE HTML READ BELOW...
pick which banner from the sidebar you would like to use and email me at violet_bella@hotmail.com and I will send you the html

*buy and print below*
*buy anything in the shop below*

THAT'S 5 CHANCES TO WIN!

I will randomly select the winner at the end of Friday, Nov 27
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earrings {$14 value}

{5x5 photo prints - $15 value each}


{calendar $18 value}

THAT IS A $65 VALUE INCLUDING SHIPPING!

{someone is going to make out like a BANDIT!}

So...get to replying and blogging!!!

PEACE,
laura