Craft Room Updates

Yesterday I spent some re-organizing my craft room a bit. This room is basically a glorified storage room for all of my fabrics and such... I dont ever actually create in it. It is way too cluttered. I create throughout the rest of my house, which is small, but I make it work.

I began hanging up all new vintage clothes that are coming to the shop soon! They look so pretty together. Im so excited to introduce this to the shop. I think for a while I am just going to add them to my current shop, and just have a separate section for Vintage Clothing. I just dont have the time right now to create a whole new shop and spend lots of time promoting it. So for the time being, thats the game plan.

I collect these vintage wooden bowls for my craft stuff, mostly buttons. I have two large ones, and several small single bowls. I love them so much, and always find them at thrift stores. I cant wait to have a BIG studio one day and lay them all out!

I cleared off the big desk in the room for James's Yudu. He is getting all of his inks and stuff in and were getting close to starting on his shirts! I am so proud of him. He has lots of ideas for shirts, and its going to be so fun to create them together. Im designing some girly things for his line too!

I love my box organizers from Target. I wish I had like 20 more of them!

My ever growing collection of vintage sheets, doilies and embroideries.

I keep alot of my vintage sheets in an old kitchen china hutch.

More boxes! They are everywhere, seriously. All over the floor, stacked up the walls!

My moms pin cushion. My boyfriend in high school was named West, and he put his name in her pin cushion like that... and she would never let me take it out. so even now, I still cannot remove it, even though its kind of odd to have an ex's name lingering around like that.

A while back I put up the table covers I made for my wedding as curtains in my bedroom. I love them...

Snack Date with Violet

Last night I was waiting for some of my girlfriends to show up... so I decided to have a little mommy/daughter time with Violet. I laid out the mat under the maple tree and tied her leash to the tree.

I had cous cous with cherry tomatoes and water and she got two heart shaped biscuits. I dont usually give her two at a time, but it felt special, so I did. She even got her own little plate :)

I really enjoy moments like these. And this morning, I also came to the conclusion that I thoroughly enjoy making my bed everyday. How about you?

PEACE,

Laura

My Wonderful Customer - Felecia

*Introducing a new little series... My Wonderful Customer*

dedicated to the amazing people that make Violet Bella what it is, because without them, I would not be able to do what I do...

First runner up is Felecia. She is just about the most adorable woman ever. So sweet and genuine. I have just loved forming a relationship with her through Violet Bella.

The rest is what she has to say about Violet Bella

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When I found Laura’s store “Violet Bella” on Etsy it was love at first sight. She really captures the imagination with her clothing and transforms fabric into remarkable pieces of wearable art giving new life into an upcycled product. When I look through her store I find pieces that speak to me. I look for something with a theme, a fabric or print that makes sense in my life, something that has significance and by wearing it I am sharing my loves and interests with others and thereby creating my own expression. I unfortunately do not have any artistic gifts but what I have found is that I have a gift for seeing, recognizing and appreciating this gift in others. And that is the case with Laura.

Here are some examples of what her work has meant to me: The first piece I bought from VB was a pillow case top with kitten embroidery that she had from old linen that was the same kitty pattern that I had on my blanket when I was a baby. It was like destiny because I LOVE my blankie and to be able to have that design on something to wear was an amazing tribute with great sentimental value. Little by little, the fabric was put to use in different clothing items and I collected an apron dress and a jumper with the remnants.

Then…it was onto deer. Being in love with the deer that graze in my backyard I asked her if she could remake a deer jumper that she had made herself. She was able to make one uniquely mine with touches that were thoughtful and relevant to my tastes. Then she started putting out these cuff bracelets that were each so beautiful but I found one with some vintage style deer and doing some more digging in her store she had a headband with the same deer fabric. It was a way for me to express my love of these gentle creatures.

I have started to collect a few teddy bear items. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy just like a sweet bear hug. And I like the pieces I have with her aunt’s crochet squares. It makes me feel close to my late grandmother who crocheted me an afghan that kept me warm and feeling loved when she wasn’t there.

I guess it is funny that my art is in my closet, but I love wearing unique and one of a kind items especially those that are made from previously loved fabrics, clothing and linens in an eco-conscious way. And when I know where my clothing comes from, who is making it, how she works and designs and the extraordinary talent and dedication that goes into her art it makes me feel good to know where my money goes. I feel like buying handmade, whether on Etsy, or in your local community makes the world a little bit smaller, friendlier and that we can make an impact when choosing whom to support.

I am so grateful that I found my clothing language and someone who speaks it so fluently and beautifully!

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Is she not the sweetest?

Its the people that truly love and appreciate what I do and make that give me the most inspiration, so thank you!

PEACE,

Laura

Goal Share - whole foods

One of my goals this year was to get back to eating healthy. Something I was very fond of just over a year ago, and have stopped caring about since being so involved in my business. Well, its taken me this long into the year to do it, but Im doing it. On our way back from Louisiana, we grocery shopped at Whole Foods. We dont usually b/c its pretty far away, over an hour from our house. But we enjoyed it so much, and it was so inspiring to come home and eat better, that we have decided to start shopping there more regularly.

We used to shop at Sun Harvest, a smaller healthier grocery store, but they dont carry some of the things I like to get. Only whole foods does. I feel like the extra drive and a few more pennies per item are worth my excitement about getting back to it. I need this. My body is telling me so.

So, one way to make your normal boring grocery trip exciting, is to take your camera along! On our way out we got yummy fresh fruit smoothies, which curved our hunger until dinner! Yay for whole foods!

And of course, I wore my favorite PPP shirt since there was a bit of a breeze in the air :)

Do you have any favorite whole food recipes you want to share? Leave it in the comments, Im sure everyone who reads would love to get some new ideas!

PEACE,

Laura