HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! OFF TO THE BIG APPLE!!!

SORRY HAVING CAMERA TROUBLE SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO POST NEW PICTURES... I WILL HAVE A NEW ONE THIS AFTERNOON.. I WILL BE LEAVING FOR NEW YORK TO VISIT FAMILY.... CAN'T WAIT.. I WILL TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES WHILE VISITING NEW YORK CITY...SEE YOU NEXT YEAR... HAVE THE HAPPIEST HOLIDAY FILLED WITH ONLY LOVE AND THE BEST MEMORIES!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!! XOXOXO LAURA

VERBENA...Nested Treasures...Holiday Window..

Hi my blogging buddies...I was able to borrow a camera & took lots of pictures of my shop & my Moms... for some reason these are the only pictures I was able to download... I am going to see if I can retrieve them & post them for you to see... If not tonight tomorrow I will post.. I want you to see my moms wonderful shop filled with Chocolate, truffles cheese & lots of gourmet treats.. Her name is Edie & she is know as Edie Gourmet....Anyway hope you like.. my shop is very small..But ... the best things do come in small packages... right.
Oops.. forgot to turn the lights on the tree & outside... you get the effect I will take more pics tomorrow...... xoxoxo Laura
More pictures. down under...

Thank you Ocala Historic Preservation!!!

I was very surprised... and I am honored to have received this award this made my day!!!!! Thank You. xoxoxo Laura

Verbena Holiday displays.. con't..

Verbena's Holiday Window...

I need a new camera!!!

Detail from a fresco by Blessed Fra Angelico (Dominican Friar) 1387-1455

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10

Last night the Historic Society of Downtown Ocala gathered around the Downtown & drove around to take notes & vote on the best business windows & entrances decorated for the Holidays.. as I was taking a picture of Verbena's Nested Treasure's window I created for the Holidays... I dropped my camera... not working... dead... bye bye...Santa needs to get me a new one~~~~ xoxoxo laura

TODAY UPDATE!!!! guess what??? the Historic Society arived today with a big sign & red ribbon!!!! I won First Place... I was so surprised...never did I think I would get that... what an honor.. Thank you Ocala!!! see how the Good Lord Works.... now if I can only get a camera.. I will use my brothers tomorrow to post my pictures...xoxoxo Laura

A lot on my mind...lately

Running the store some days can be very challenging especially when you are helping three customers at the same time ( in a very small space) and the the poor crazy homeless lady comes in accusing me of selling off her $ 145.00 Bari j bag she told me to hold?, I tried to calm her down even gave her a bar of French soap.. ( she was offended)....these long work days, trying to run a household, kids, school, dogs, customers, custom work, late nights sewing, making jewelry, juggling money, some days I ask myself what am I doing... should I get a real job... no because there aren't any out there... at my age being a single mom trying to survive does put a lot on my mind...but I guess I am following my heart & doing what I love.. Is anyone feeling like they have a lot on their mind lately?? fell free to share & lighten your load..I call them blog vents we all need one once in a while.. ..xoxox Laura

Miracle Art....

Churches to me are the most beautiful works of art... I am mesmerised by the architecture and miraculous beauty of these sacred buildings.. Many years ago while visiting Barcelona I was very fortunate to have seen the early development & building of this fascinating Church
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia or simply Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue at least until 2041, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark. Trying to get into the holiday spirit... we must not forget the true meaning of Christmas.... xoxoxo Laura

Making Pretty new creations out of leftovers...Button Tassel Pendent

AFTER COUNTLESS HOURS MAKING MY OLIVIA ROSE NECKLACE TO SHIP OUT TO CUSTOMERS... I HAD A PILE OF HAND DYED SILK SNIPPETS LEFTOVER FROM MY NECKLACE CUTTINGS...PLAYING AROUND WITH THEM & THINKING WHAT I CAN DO TO USE THE RIBBONS... I CAME UP WITH THIS NEW CREATION.. ( It might be related to the octopus family) I DO REALLY LIKE THE WAY IT TURNED OUT.. I THINK I WILL MAKE A COLLECTION OF THEM. THIS ONE IS A FRENCH STAMP & BIRD DETAIL PRINT SOLDERED IN AN OVER SIZED BEVELED GLASS FRAME.. IT IS LONG..I USED REAL VINTAGE BUTTONS, MOTHER- OF -PEARL BUTTONS WITH VINTAGE RHINESTONE DETAILS...ALL RIBBONS ARE HAND DYED SILK.. TOP OF NECKLACE IS A COORDINATING RAINBOW OF MUTED COLORS WITH THE RIBBONS ALL TIED TOGETHER... I LOVE THE SOUND OF BUTTONS TAPPING EACH OTHER ALL GATHERED TOGETHER CREATING A SOFT WHIMSY TASSEL...LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.. I WILL HAVE A PRETTY ASSORTMENT FOR SALE IN MY SHOP OR YOU CAN CONTACT ME FOR DETAILS...XOXOXO LAURA

I AM ALSO FINISHING UP ONE WITH A RHINESTONE CROSS ON CHOCOLATE BROWN VELVET..I LOVE THE WAY IT IS TURNING OUT... I WILL POST WHEN I AM FINISHED...

XOXOXOLAURA

Passion For Putti's

The putto (pl. putti) is a figure of a pudgy human baby, almost always male, often naked and having wings, found especially in Italian Renaissance art. The figure derives from Ancient art but was "rediscovered" in the early Quattrocento. These images are frequently, and erroneously, confused with cherubim.<sup>[1]

I have always had a passion for these sweet little angels.. I have a few special ones.. this one is over my bed. If you have any putti's I wold love for you to share your photos.. xoxox Laura</sup>