A time to celebrate...

Yep!  Its my birthday!  So let's celebrate together.  Tell me what your favorite birthday party/gift/memory you have!  Let's all remember our special day.  Above I am wearing my new sunglasses and sandals that were part of the loot I got from my hubby!  Those silly sunglasses were only $1.50!

PEACE,

Laura

A few thoughts...

There are times, where it is really quiet around here.  In this new house, next to no one we know, especially while James is at work.  I usually fill the house up with song during these times.  And moments like now, when I dont, remind me of how isolated my life really feels sometimes.  I have some of the best friends in the world a girl could ask for, so dont get me wrong when I say this, but sometimes I wish I had a few more real life friendships that I could participate in more regularly.  Some that enjoyed coming over to my house and making stuff with me or watching girly movies with me.  I wish some of my online friendships could be real life ones.  Even some of my real life friendships, I feel so out of touch with at times.  Some I havent seen in ages.  I know its most likely my own fault, for being so busy all of the time.  Does anyone else who crafts for a living ever feel this way? 

One of my favorite new pairings of garments is my hubby's tee pee tank top with my crochet doily vest... perfect!

Miss Violet Mae lounging in her chair looking out the window.  I have so many photos to share of her that I have taken this week, I got some really precious ones.  Im afraid this little blog of mine just might turn into a dog blog soon, ha ha!

A while back we were at the craft store getting a few supplies and I was on the stamp isle and James spotted this little owl and got so excited about it!  So we got it just for him to use on his Skyline Fever packages.  He was very pleased to use it the other day for the first time.  How cute is that?

Ive been collecting these beautiful little tri-colored feathers from my little birdie Nico for a long time.  I have a few stored up for a new necklace for my Roots and Feathers shop, its going to be quite adorable!!!  Cant wait.

I found my macrame owl my Nanna gave me, her mother made it!  I love it so much.  It now hangs in my kitchen holding one of my favorite vintage aprons (which I collect)... So cute!  Thank you again Nanna for giving it to me!

For the next 9 days, I have to really watch my internet usage or we are going to go over again!  Which is going to be hard b/c I have so much I want to share, along with some features and giveaways to do this week.  I just have to choose wisely what I can look at.  Its hard not even being able to read some of my favorite blogs on a consistent basis for fear of going over our usage.  

One last thing, I have a favor to ask of you.  Please go to this site and vote for my work to be featured, you must chose 'yes, definitely' for it to count.  Our amount of bills this month due to Violet's vet bill and our internet crazyness is a bit outrageous, so this is like my last resort thing to do.  It will give anyone who buys a voucher from them just over 50% off things in my shop.  It will be alot of work for alot less $$$, but should generate enough sales to cover these bills.  I kind of knew something would happen since we just bought a house and now have a bigger monthly payment, but this was a bit more than expected for our second month here.  So it would help alot if you just voted for me!  Thank you.  Even if you dont want to buy anything from my shop, you may want to sign up with this site, its a great place to find deals from many etsy sellers!

PEACE,

Laura

50% off sale...

 Im having a big sale in my Violet Bella shop right now.  Get 50% off $100 or more, that's right, half off!  You must enter the code 'summer' at checkout to get the discount.  I will announce when sale is over.  Happy shopping :) click the images below to be taken to the shop!

Etsy violetbella

PEACE,

Laura

Wanna sponsor Violet Bella in July?

If you are interested in advertising your shop or blog on Violet Bella for the month of July please click here to see the rates and email info. 

PEACE,

Laura

Crafty gifts from friends...

The other day I received two wonderful packages from two of my current sponsors this month.  I have come to know both of these girls to find they are super sweet and very crafty.  They are good friends in real life and do alot of crafty things together, like craft shows and photoshoots for their products together.  Both of their work compliments each other so well.  I can only imagine that it is great fun to be able to do this with one of your girlfriends.

I was waiting to receive a box of hand me down clothes from Leah of Sookie Says and she sent along this sweet little headband she made for me as an extra goodie.  Its darling, and James said he really liked it, which I thought was cute.  Sometimes the things I think he will totally hate, he surprises me and tells me its cute. 

And as soon as I saw Tia of A Cup of T post her new collection of embroidered vintage fabric earrings, I fell in love.  She made me this custom pair.  I picked the fabric/thread combo and requested a larger size, and they came out perfect.  You must check out this little collection, they are just soooo sweet.  And speaking of these two ladies, there will be a feature of them coming soon!

And speaking of getting things in the mail, today I received one of the most sweetest gifts ever, but I must wait until I snap a proper photo, and you will know why when I post it!  Can I just say, I LOVE MY JOB.  I have met so many wonderful people along the way b/c of it.  Seriously the relationships I have formed with so many people across the world are outstanding.  Yes, I occasionally get the bad apple who leaves a rude comment here, but those people I could care less about.  Im about quality, not quantity.  I dont care how many people read my blog.  I just love that I have made friends with so many people who do.  Its one of the biggest perks of my job and I feel truly blessed in this community of amazing people.

PEACE,

Laura

My birthday wishlist...

Since it's my birthday week, I thought Id share of few of the things on my wishlist.  I always have an ever-rotating storage of things that would make me smile if I had them.  Things I dont really need, but would love...  So I picked three for my body and three for my home to share with you.

1. I adore this dress from Ruche.  I really have not been a big fan of the one shoulder look on most garments, but when I saw this dress I fell in love.  It swayed me to the other side.

2.  And this dress is also from Ruche and one of my most recent favorited items.  I love the simple style of this dress and the pattern is beautiful.

3.  These shoes are on my wishlist in a big way.  I know they are knock offs of some amazing Jeffrey Campbell shoes, but I honestly could never afford the real deal.  I found these on ebay, and one day... I will snatch them up!

4.  For my home, Id love these 3 prints below.  Im super picky about the art I put in my home.  This print made by Charmaine Olivia is just stunning.  I love her work.

5.  I have been a fan of Tel Aviv's work for some time.  Her etsy shop Tushtush is definitely a favorite.  This is one of her semi recent works.  I saw it as an original and asked her if she was going to make it a tiny print, and she did!  I would love to collect several of these tiny prints to display in our home over time.  Starting with this one.

6.  I think this bird and teapot print would look adorable in my kitchen.  I love the colors and the feather.  So sweet.

PEACE,
Laura

Gretel Girl Hoops...

Today I received my much anticipated custom hoops from Gretel Girl.  She contacted me a while back about using my photograph for inspiration on some of her hoops, and I quickly said yes.  I think her work is outstanding, super high quality, creative & original.  All of the things that make a great artist.  She was so kind to even send me two as a gift!  I dont know which one I love more.  I hung one in my sewing room, and one by our bookshelf next to another friend's painting.  Now I will see it everytime I pass through to my bedroom.  She has a few others in her shop that I would like to collect over time, especially this one.  She has even more awesome work on her website. And even her packaging is pretty adorable with vintage pattern paper and striped twine.  Thank you so much Tracy for finding my photograph inspiring enough to work with, and for sending me these two very amazing pieces of artwork. 

And how ever so funny, I was just clicking on her sites to share the links, and noticed she posted a little blog about me yesterday!  how sweet! 

PEACE,

Laura

Violet Mae update...

Violet Mae is doing really well.  She is adjusting to being indoors beautifully.  She even comes back inside on her own sometimes (while being on the leash).  And she has finally given in to going to the bathroom while on the leash.  She felt so much better after she did, like instantly.  She has been enjoying chillin in the bed, on the porch in the early mornings before it gets hot, and in her chair we pulled in from outside so she can sit by the window when it is too hot to be outside.  We are definitely going to get through this, I feel it.  Thank you again for all of the love you have shown my sweet pup.  xo.

Oh, and in the chair photo above you may notice little rainbows all over the wall.  I have a crystal hanging in the window and at the right time of day, it shoots those rainbows all over my entire house, its truly magical!

PEACE,

Laura