Wee Cottage Lane Christmas

Wee Cottage Lane  Christmas
by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

Thursday, December 30, 2010

My first birdie ornament

I've been working on this design in my head for a few weeks now and it is finally in the real world! Oh, I just love it! Soooo.... cute. I've been playing with exactly how to sculpt, paint, and finally what to use for the hanging loop. I wasn't sure what to put on the bottom, but I really like to little organza pouf of a tassel.
First birdie ornament all finished!

I'd love to know what you all think. I plan to offer this on my ETSY site, so feedback is welcome.

I'm off to Mount Shasta, CA to celebrate the new year with my folks. I hope that your new year's eve is a wonderful celebration!

Blessings

Monday, December 27, 2010

New Year, New Projects... so excited!!!

As each new year approaches, I feel invigorated and excited about the "starting over" that New Year's Day brings. This year I plan to launch an ETSY site and do some craft shows. I love making art and sharing it with others. When I made my first birdies, I made them because they got in my head and I wanted to see them in real life. Then a neighbor fell in love with them, too and I've been making them to order for her and her bird-loving family. So, I plan to offer some on ETSY. I think that doing craft shows allows us to talk with people and get real feedback from people about our work. The combination seems like a good idea (we'll see how it pans out in real life!)

I also do work with stained glass, painting, fabric... Someone once told me I have ART ADD. That may be, but I prefer to see myself as someone who has many interests and likes to explore them all!

Something I've been playing with is the idea of putting a hole through a birdie and running a ribbon through it's body so that it can be an ornament. Here's the first one I'm gonna try before I've painted it.
first birdie ornament before sanding or painting
You can tell by the size of it in my hand that it's pretty tiny. I love the super little ones, this one is sort of medium sized. I can't wait to see how it looks finished. Maybe I'll even give her a tiny nest.

The creative process pulls me along and keeps my sunny side up. I can't imagine living without it.

Art makes me happy. I hope you are having as much fun as I am!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

I'd like to wish all who visit today a wonderful holiday. Mine has been so fun! All our kids were here (plus one!)
for presents this morning. I'm pretty sure everyone got what they were hoping for along with a few surprises!

As for me, I've been longing for a little ipod to replace one that left my life last summer. :( Jim fooled me by sticking the darn thing in an old shoe of his and putting that in a box before wrapping the whole mess! I was certainly surprised! How fun! We enjoy taking trips and my iphone is always searching for a connection when we're in the country, so an ipod works much better. I'm loading it up already.

I'm so excited to be planning my art projects for 2011. I plan to focus on birdies and make some for craft shows and etsy. Also, I've got a quilt or two to make... Yippeeee!!! Ain't life grand?

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Seal Beach book signing

Karen Wall Garrison and Laura


Diana and Jim Liston at Seal Beach book signing
While in Seal Beach to do a book signing, I was blessed to have some wonderful friends come by to celebrate and pick up a copy of the book!

Wonderful book signing events!!

Hello again, blogging friends! We had such a wonderful time at the two book signings in December. I'm pleased to share some pictures with you. The first signing was at Caffe Santoro in Cameron Park, California. Here are a couple of pictures with special friends, Carrie and Mari, from that day.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Hello, Bloggosphere!

I know it's been a while... but here I am! I had a wonderful book signing. It couldn't have been a more wonderful day! So many dear friends stopped by to show their support. My darling, Jim made yummy snacks for everyone... It was really special. Even the weather knew it was an important day for me and took a break from the rain we'd had for days. I hope that you may find yourself in such a love-storm some day. I'm so greatful.

I'm scheduled to do a signing in Seal Beach California if you are in the area , please stop by. It will be at Bogart's Coffee shop right by the warf on the 16th at 7pm. I'd love to meet some new friends in person!

I've gotten a few notes asking about buying the book. I'd love to send you an autographed copy, so just drop me an email at laurapallatin@gmail.com and I'll we can work out the best way for you to get the moolah to me. :) The price per book is $14.95.

Blessings to you all! Hope to see you in Seal Beach!