Inspiration Post by Kami

Today I have a little inspirational post from Kami of Kamika Kraftz, one of my lovely sponsors.  Im sure this is one that alot of us could gain some insight from.
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Hi everyone, I am super excited to be sponsoring Violet bella this month! I love LOVE this beautiful blog and find it to be very inspiring and uplifting. On that note I wanted to share with you all a post I once wrote when I was going through a very difficult/emotional time of my life. Just the simple act of writing this post helped get me through a really tough time, and served as a reminder of what I wanted to do, and who I wanted to become. I do hope you enjoy it, and that it can help you all discover your own personal “soundtrack”. Xoxo

It is said that if you can change your thoughts you can change your life...or something like that. Many of us, myself included, walk through life with a broken record playing in the background. I don’t know about you but I could use a better soundtrack!  It has been proven that negative thought patterns not only effect our bodies but also weave deep, complicated, and negative thought pathways into our brains....making it hard to "get out of a funk". Our brains literally become hardwired to expect, almost look for, the worst. But by simply thinking something different, and believing it to be true, wanting it to be true, you can re-boot the stubborn hard drive that is your brain. Are you ready to give it a try? I know I am!

The secret is, its really quite simple…it’s all about positive affirmations!  But honestly, not many of us can keep a straight face while they look in the mirror and tell themselves how freaking awesome they are, unless your Barney Stintson.

Just the word affirmations is bound to bring something like this to mind.
Yet as much as we make fun of affirmations, there is something to be said for the power of words. If you have ever been bullied you will know this to be true. If you call someone stupid for long enough, the sad fact is that eventually… they will start to believe it. So what if we take back that power and flip it on its head? What if we got over the giggles and silly feelings and told ourselves every morning how much we love ourselves? How awesome we were? After all Masaru Emoto proved that words effect water....simple water crystals can be affected by the power of words!



Considering that well over 50% of our bodies are comprised of water, it kind of makes you think twice about the "fat talk" eh? Imagine how all of that negativity, all of that self loathing affects the very molecules of our being?

I don’t always have the healthiest "script", and it’s been on repeat since I was 16 years old. SCREEEEEEEEECH! It's time to yank that needle of the record and play a new track! How's about something like this?

What will your new soundtrack be? How can you re-write your script?

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Thank you Kami!  And all of my lovely readers, dont forget Kami is offering up a 20% discount in her shop by using the code 'VIOLETBELLA'.  And check out her blog here.

PEACE,
Laura

The Sewing Bug...

Yesterday I got to break in my sewing room.  I enjoyed it so much I sewed all day long.  And even sewed up some things for my own summer wardrobe, which I never ever do.  Im thrilled b/c Ive had the shopping bug lately in the worst way and its been sooooo hard to contain myself.  So this satisfied it a bit :)

Here is a few snaps into my room and projects.  Still working on photos for the home tour, eeek!  Ill probably do it in segments, by room.  ...My nanna gave me these velvet swatches... they are vintage and completely inspiring in color and texture.  Its like they used all of my favorite colors in each swatch.  And Ive always been in love with velvet.  Ive been enjoying incorporating them into my designs here and there.  And they are so pretty just to look at and touch.


This sewing room makes me one happy girl.  I cant wait to start busting out some new digs for the shop!  Oh my Im inspired right now.  The hardest part about being inspired is having all of the 'right' pieces at my finger tips.  I have alot of stuff, but my mind is always dreaming of something just out of reach.  But it always comes together in the end after a bit of digging and pondering.

PEACE,
Laura

Crochet Envelope DIY...

Hi Violet Bella readers! Thanks for having me here! A few months ago an Etsy friend and I decided to take our internet friendship to the next level and become pen pals! It is so much fun because the act of physically writing down my feelings, troubles, and joys to another person is a great way of releasing stress. Also, I just love getting mail. :-) In such a technologically driven world, the art of letter writing is dying away. I decided to start writing letters because I know I won't remember a single tweet or blog post in 20 years, but I will still have my letters. That's why I wanted to make this crochet envelope pattern to store the letters from my sweet pen pal. If you don't know how to crochet, this is a great way to get started! The pattern is simply a square done up in all single crochet stitches. You can really use any kind of yarn you like, so long as it ends up as a perfect square. If you change the yarn, remember to change the crochet hook too, to obtain the correct gauge.


Materials:
Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Seaspray
Size G6 crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Pattern:

Finished Dimensions: 6 in. x 6 in. (when flap is closed)

Envelope:

Chain 32. (should be 8.5 inches)

Row 1: SC (Single Crochet) in each stitch across.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn, sc in each stitch across
Row 3: Repeat row 2 until it is 8.5 in. (or 37 rows)

Bind off.
 
Bring three of corners together to the middle. With your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, sew together two of the corners to the center. 

Sew in ends.
 
Envelope flap loop:
Chain 15
Row 1: SC in each stitch across
Row 2: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across

Bind off

Attach the loop to the envelope where the top flap will be most secure underneath.

Weave in ends.
 
Now store your letters, stationary, movie stubs or any memories you want to keep. It'll even hold a pen for you too! 


Thanks everyone! I hope you give this a try, and if you do, I'd love to see pictures! Just send me an email at sheepishknitcrochet(at)gmail(dot)com. 

etsy //  blog

*thank you Meredith for this adorable DIY!  love it*

p.s.  you may remember this post i did wearing a pair of Meredith's adorable monkey sock wrist warmers... love!!!

PEACE,
Laura

Makes My Heart Sing - Springtime Florals


It's been a while since Ive posted an inspiration post of pretty photos.  This one is inspired by springtime, florals, soft colors and dreamy textures...

1.  This photo via The Color Collective.

2.  The colors and flowers in this photo are just the sweetest.  via Litchi, i could eat up all of her photos.


3.  cutest knee highs and heels, found via Street Smart.

4.  goodness i would love these overflowing bouganvillas in my backyard.  gorgeous.  found on pinterest via The Haystack Needle.

5.  the prettiest swim wrap ive ever seen.  i think i would go between wearing it and hanging it on my wall.  gorgeous photo by Johanna Rene Lindsey, who is super inspiring.

6. i adore everything about this photo.  its like a sweet modern day time warp, darling.  found via Irina The Lonely White Dove.

7.  my dream couch and chair.  these two colors are perfection together.  found via Trendey.

8.  this is just a precious look on a very pretty girl.  darling.  found via pinterest here.

For more amazing visual pleasure, go check out Ruche's new lookbook.  hands down, the best so far!

Enjoy the spring eye candy!

Later today Ill be posting a fun DIY... and if you missed it yesterday, check out the sweet giveaway going on this week!

PEACE,
Laura