Feature & Giveaway: Laura Belle

I've admired Laura's style and captivating use of font and color for the past year and I'm honored to feature her on my blog :) As you look through her pictures and work, I think you'll fall in love and discover how special and talented Laura is! xo, LA

Hey there! This is Laura Belle and I'm a freelance designer and maker, living and working in lovely Minneapolis. Here's a little collection of things I love.

I worked in the advertising/design biz for a few years in Chicago. It was alright but it wasn't for me so I moved back to Minnesota and opened up two shops, OhHi and Locality.

OhHi is full of colorful typographic stitched pieces. I love bringing together a modern aesthetic with such a traditional technique. Lately, I've been making a lot of custom name stitches for the upcoming holidays. I'm planning some fun changes for OhHi in 2011 so stay tuned!

Locality, my other type-based shop, focuses on larger display pieces for your home. All of my paintings are hand-lettered using words, phrases, dates and names from clients to create a totally unique custom painting. This is probably still my favorite thing to work on because I'm able to learn so much about the people and the important stories in their lives. Along with large hand-painted canvases that can go up to 36x48", I also offer smaller digital canvas prints.

Giveaway

Since Freckled Nest readers are the best (seriously, you guys are awesome!) I'd love to giveaway a 4x4 ampersand stitch

How to Enter: Visit Oh Hi and Locality and tell us which item(s) you'd want for Christmas (share in the comments of this post along with your name/email)! We will announce the winner of a 4x4 ampersand stitch in a few days! Everyone can enter :)

Here is my/our Big Surprise!!!!!

I am (as you can tell) overjoyed and thrilled to have Kyla on the Freckled Nest team, to share a studio space with one of my best friends, Jill (her Lune space is coming along beautifully, I can't wait to see it finished) and to have the office of my dreams! I've sat in this room quite a few times already basking in the power of a dream & hardwork and I'm so so glad to share it with you!!!
Love Leigh-Ann

Sponsor Feature & 13 Giveaways!!!

Today's feature and giveaway encourages you to travel through my sponsors shops & blogs leaving encouraging comments along the way! And as a reward, one person will win all 13 gifts from our sponsors! I love my sponsors and hope you will too :)

How to Enter the Big Giveaway

Leave an encouraging comment on each blog linked below, then write your name and email address in the comments of this post and in a few days, we will draw & announce one person who wins everything!

Chantilly: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Your choice of a screenprinted tote.

Katie: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Gold and Vintage Bead Necklace

Alison: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Burgandy Granny Square Earrings

Savannah: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: 'My Name is Beautiful' Necklace

Kaelah: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: an Autumn Themed Rosette Headband

Robyn: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Holiday Made Simple E-Book

Jenny: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Plaid Bow Pouch

Roxy: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Merry Mustachasaurus

Becky: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: 'Where does love come from?' Embroidery

Elizabeth: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Blue and Brown Slouchy Cowl

Kami: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Mini Dress and Jeans Handstitched Ornaments

Wendy: Blog (with items for sale in the sidebar)

Giveaway: 'Destination Unknown' Minibook Kit with PDF Sample Book

Jill: Blog & Shop

Giveaway: Teal Bandeau

If you'd like to Sponsor Freckled Nest in December, please email me at FreckledNest@gmail.com :)

Good luck everyone! xo, Leigh-Ann

4 Things :)

1. This is another clue :)

I'm making a video this weekend to share the news and will post it Monday afternoon. It includes a dance sequence ;)

Two summers back...

2. When we're thrifting and he sees a bike or scooter, I turn around and he's off riding it THROUGH the store... poppin wheelies, ringing the bell and zooming past me. I giggle uncontrollably and kinda worry he'll get in trouble, but it's ultimately pretty funny. He loves making me laugh :)

3. My new blog is set up and ready for launch on December 1st... I'm seriously so excited (and I can't stop looking at it)!! My sponsor section has changed and improved (rates the same, sizes/layout different)... I'll share details tonight :)

(random picture)

4. I've messed up my sleep again (i was doing good for a while) and am heading to bed now. When I wake up, I'm entering email headquarters and the mission is to respond to them all. Then, I'm making a big giveaway post that will blow your mind. You may just 'self destruct' (still going with the secret agent schtick).

To all my American friends and readers, I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

ps. this is funny,

I started a Formspring :)

It's a site where you can ask me questions and my answers are posted public :) 
http://www.formspring.me/FreckledNest

Rainbows and Butterflies

This weekend was Olivia and Kennedy's fourth birthday :) I tried to pick out vintage toys for them but couldn't find things in two so I hit up ToysRus where Aunty went a little overboard and came home with enough for birthday, christmas and extra toys for there toybin at my house. My favorite gift for them was new butterfly wings; they have a pair that's pretty much an extension of Kennedy's body but it was getting worn out & Olivia needed a pair too. When they opened them up, they were so excited-- it was perfect :) Once the guests left, we fluttered around the gym (where the party was) like 3 butterflies, really unspoken and sweet. I love them so much and their birthday party was really fun and adorable :)

Amanda used Kyla's recipe and made this tasty Rainbow Layered Birthday Cake.

Happy Birthday Girls!

4 Stories: Old Photos

This weeks topic is "Old Photos".


One. Flea Markets
Four years ago, a friend and I were at the Flea Market and we found a set of 5 small albums documenting a couples 2 month honeymoon in the late 1930's (estimated). My friend bought the set and we pieced together the story through the photo albums... three interesting points: they traveled on the original Queen Mary, the groom looked quite wealthy, always held a cigar and the new brides wardrobe through the photos was extensive and beautiful. It was a really interesting find and totally gave us a look back in time... but we always wondered why the family didn't hold on to such a love gem. 


Two. Isn't it weird
(More of a thought/observation than a story) Isn't it weird how much photography and the production has changed overtime? Even looking at my childhood photos, they're so brown, small and not naturally lit (but still really great). At antique stores, I see photos in cute little folders with the year stamped along the side, or a border around the image or a decorative edge on the photo print. People also posed so much back in the day and rarely smiled (probably because of the photography method) and over time, how people have loosened up in photos. The culture of photography has changed so much, I wonder if there's much more that can change in the future?


Three. Ma Mere
In my grandmas house (Dad's mom), there is a picture of a beautiful woman on the kitchen wall. As a little girl, I thought she was the photo that came with the frame because it was that type of amazing photo. I asked about the photo and it's light carved wood frame one day and grandma lit up. It's a photo of her mother "Ma Mere" and ever since, she has told me (and our family) many wonderful stories about Ma Mere. My favorite is that Ma Mere had her first perm done for that photo. Grandma once took the frame off the wall and wrote me a message on the paper back, dedicating it to me when someday she passes. I'm honored to appreciate Ma Mere in my home someday, christened with Grandma's love and handwriting on the back :)


Four. Photobooth Drawer
Since I was 16 (and once as a kid), I've loved photobooths! I become a hyper cookie when I'm out with a friend and we pass a photobooth... but I'm horrible at splitting/sharing the strip so I always pay for them so I can keep all 4, lol. When I got my new buffet a few months ago, I reserved a drawer just for all my photobooth pictures and it feels like a snapshot journey through my life & friendships. I light up everytime I open it :)

Four Stories Details:

- You can read about the 4 Stories Group blog series here (all stories here). Everyone is welcome to join :)

- Feel free to use the header/topic pictures in your weekly post.

- If you participate in 4 Stories, please link back to FN in your post and invite others to participate.

- Find 4 Stories widgets in the right sidebar (if you like).

- Please leave a link to your 4 stories post in the comments so we can read each others :)

it's Haturday!

Almost every Saturday, I sleep in way too late and get up quickly to head downtown with Keith for our Saturday date (we go thrifting, flea market and grab lunch at Opa, our favorite place in the mall foodcourt). This rushed beginning always results in a hat and today, I renamed it "Haturaday" ;)

My favorite part about Saturdays is our detour past the trainyard (logan and main). I always take this route because it reminds me of my dad, who is an electrician at the train station... but as a kid, I thought he built trains all by himself. He's a train hero in my child mind :) We also grew up taking vacations every summer on the VIA train (Mom would take us 3 to Edmonton and Vancouver to see our family, and it is one of my very favorite childhood memories!).

Anyways, the main reason I love THIS train yard is because when we drive by, Keith and I park and yell "HEY" at the top of our lungs over and over until the birds fly around. My most magical moment in life is when birds fly in swarms and change direction all together, repeatedly. It's a gasper! And this place guarantees me a magic fill :) It's my very very favorite place in Winnipeg :)

We're on my way there now. Today, I'm looking for the perfect gift for Olivia and Kennedy... it's their birthday tomorrow and I know they'll appreciate a special vintage toy. I'm also giving them a 6 color collection of buttons on a carousel.  Lala's trained them well, even at four ;)

Time to get my hat on, bye! :)

ps. 4 Stories coming tomorrow. FF will resume next Friday.

House Update :)

My house makeover has been at a bit of a standstill for the last month because I've been busy and the contractor is finishing a few other projects. Amanda and I have thrifted a perfect collection of new furniture but I'm holding off with photos because I really wanna share everything in a big reveal once my floors, paint, accessories and window treatments are done. My goal of a completely vintage home is happening and it feels really cozy and sweet in here. I love everything we've picked out :)
*

With all the new furniture choices and my sisters talent of smart storage, I have so much storage and display spaces now... what a gift in a 700 square foot house with just 3 closets (1 linen, 1 in my room and a tiny one in the guestroom). I even have empty drawers... does this mean I can shop more?

Fun Things and Help Wanted

1. I love this photo set 

[ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros ]

2. If you hang out with me, you'll hear many impersonations and Oprah's one of my faves... when I found this mash-up, I cracked up!

3. Click this... it will definately make your day!!!

4. I'm working on my blog makeover which will launch December 1st but I'm at a stand-still and I need your help please. I'm looking for a signature font and the 'Sweep' font on this little box I saw at the Flea Market is exactly is what I want it to look like. If you know where I can find a font like "Sweep", please email me or leave a link in the comments. It doesn't have to be a free font, I'll pay for it if needed. Thanks for any help you can give :) 
(Note: I've already seen Tamarillo and Wendy Std but they're not quite right).

I can't wait to share my new FN blog with you!!!

a Clue & 2 Winners

This is a *CLUE* to the big news I'm announcing next week!

The winner of the October Big Giveaway is...

The winner of the Tegan and Sara CD is...

Congratulations Laurie-Beth and LeeLeeLark!! Please email me your mailing address and your wins will be shipped in a jiffy!

Thank you to everyone for supporting Freckled Nest and my wonderful Sponsors! This week, we'll have the November Big Giveaway... it's a B-I-G one!!