La Mia Vita, La Mia Musa

new year...new Bella...

I am getting back into the routine of things...what a wonderful Christmas season we had!

I know It's over..but I wanted to share some pictures...I had DH keep the tree up so I could take some pictures with my new camera!! DH was sooo wonderful!! He surprised me with a Canon Rebel T1i...it's got 15 mega pix...tons of options and whistles... 

  what is so amazing about these pictures is that the only light that was on is the tree lights and a tiny lamp on another table.... but this camera captured exactly the mood...cozy

  The resolution is low... I'm still learning.. but I'm just couldn't help but share!!

I know there are sooo many amazing things I'll be able to do with this wonderful camera!

  I've been able to re evaluated some things and take my time again creating... I've created three new collages for a Valentine series! Yes... I will have charms available for Valentines...

Peace...Hope and Love...

 
Love will find a way...it always does..just when hope is gone... It finds a way to warm your heart and give you Peace!

Ciao Bellas!!  
  

Wishing everyone a wonderful and Happy New Year!!

 
  Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Here's to all of my wonderful blog friends! lot's of love...may your New Year be blessed..lot's of stuff 'cooken' here at BellaColle'... share soon!

Ciao Bellas!

a Happy Birthday.. and..

are you busy?...like all of us...our weeks are packed now with Christmas programs...shopping..family get together... work..basketball...

But my #2 son turned 13 this past Thursday...

  a Birthday... isn't that what this season is about anyway?

  as I added the candles to his cake... I remembered each year..when he first walked... when he learned to throw that killer curve ball.. oh yeah, when he first began to read! {I had the privilege as a stay at home mommy..to home school my babies for a few years..}.. when he accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized....

{my handsome #2 and his bestest friend... #2 is in the green shirt..and bestest friend lost a tooth thanks to those milk duds!looong story..lol...}

 I am still recouping from sleep deprivation..anyone who has a young man and his friends over for a sleepover knows where I'm coming from..lol...

I do want to remember what this season is about... it's not about 'fashion'...or if the house is the envy of all the neighbors for it's  wonderful decorations...or if our outfit will make everyone stop and drool for that Christmas party.... it's about a Birthday of a King.... the gift of peace, salvation and joy He gave us!! 

... I just opened my present from my wonderful sister in law...scratch that...my sister in heart..she thought of me and sent me something to keep my toes warm during this Wisconsin Winter...Thanks Pam!! You have reinforced in me..what it's about...you rock my Vintage Sista!!!...

Blessings Friends...

XO

   

Buon Natale!!!

I wish everyone a Buon Natale! Some new creations... two sweet charms that have the sentiment on the back..

 
..and St. Nick on the front as well as a happy snowman..not really a happy snowman here!lol..it's now -8!! The snowman's buttons are glitterfied..

..I had this bracelet that broke on me, and I just couldn't part with it..so I made this little button and soldered it to the top! The inscription on the bracelet says " A mother holds her children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.."  I love that bracelet! I reminds me every time I wear it that "Mother hood" is a gift, a duty that I've been entrusted with and shouldn't be taken lightly..

Sooooo.. are you done with your Christmas shopping? Cookies baked?.. gifts wrapped?... as for me? NOPE! Still got lots to do. But this past weekend was such a blessing, I just stopped and created! It's amazing when there is no stress..no self imposed deadlines how creativity can flow. I haven't been able to create for "Bella" like I used to, it makes me sad..but maybe the good Lord is having me regroup and get grounded on what BellaColle' is all about..

we actually have two trees this year...#1 son really wanted to have a big 'ol tree...I resisted at first..'but mom, it would really make me happy..' how could I say no..and #3 wanted a little tree. #3 says that 'little trees are less worldly mom...' what's a mom to do? So, I got the big tree for the living room and this little one for the hallway..it makes the hallway soo cozy..

..Tracie from My Petite Mason is the only lovely soul who responded to my prior post soo..made my job easier! She wins!! Tracie is such a sweety..visit here...

so Bellas! Wishing you all a happy Monday..and Buon Natale...

Ciao!  

Happy Thanksgiving...

Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!! 

 I am thankful for God, my family and YOU! My blog friends... sooo I'm off to brine the turkey..and prep the veggies... Take care.

XO 

Christmas count down...

  Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.. I am finalizing store shopping for Thanksgiving.. I found some fun decorations for Christmas..some chestnuts for our dressing for the turkey bird..

  I wanted to share some inspiration for the season. I pulled out my Mary Engelbreit collection of magazines! I have everyone since day one..I'm actually sad that Home Companion isn't around anymore.

  So, I'm paging through and just had to share the many pages of true home decoration..art inspiration JOY!! 

 These pictures all came from my December 2004/ January 2005 issue of Mary's Mag....

  anybody notice the theme I have found? Wonderful bottle brush trees!! I love the collection of the ones on the mantle with the warm fire and mirrors..oh and how about the ones on the table..they make a fun center piece!

.. I will be sharing more pictures from the pages of Home Companion... stay tuned..

Ciao.
 
 
 

a Halloween..

  There is a nip in the air now.. the corn is turning brown... I spy pumpkins across the way..

glitter..and candy.. and all things mysterious..

a child's fascination with spooky...

a hand crafted rosette or two..

 

  For more Halloween crafty and vintage ideas..

follow the links here... Theatre of Dreams.... The Vintage Halloween...

Beware of the black cat bearing gifts!....

 

home...

  ohh.. we are home now from a much needed vacation.

Some special family members flew all the way from PA... to join us on our camping trip..gosh, it felt so good to just relax and enjoy life again..{oh yeah... wonderful DH fixed the camera!! }

 We spent a few days at our homestead before heading up to Peninsula State Park in Door County WI...steaks on the grill... sunsets.. catching up since Jan... the special family members are DH's brother and his wife , my fabulous sister-in-heart.. we haven't seen them since my mom-in-heart passed in Jan. and it feels like it was just yesterday..that incredible feeling of 'Famille' ...OHANA..Famiglia

 one of the joys of living in the country is when a special event happens.. or when you just want to let loose and shoot some off!... booyahh! crack bang.. and boy did we!

lots of pics taken, lots of memories.. I'll share more later..one thing that was stylish AND useful.. my Ballard bags.. I loaded these bags down and they didn't even blink!! I mean, they are sturdy and the leather handles are riveted into the stylish burlap.... waaay strong! lots of treks to and from.. loooove 'em! They come in a rainbow of colors and you can design the logo to say just the right thing...

Ahh.. it's good to be home..but I will have such wonderful memories of this wonderful vacation we had... good to be back Bellas!

Ciao!

she sells sea shells...

Well, only one more week and we will finally be leaving for vacation!! wahoo!!

 How was your vacation? Did you go to the Mountains? Did you go by the sea? Was it a family one? Or did you and your honey get to sneek away?

We will be going to Door County again...it was so much fun last time..we will be joined by DH's brother & sister-in-law..sans pets... it will really be a fun time!

I really miss the beach.. I remember all the shells we collected as a family when we used to live in Savannah Ga.. What is your favorite vacation memory?

Thought I'd share some inspiration as to what to do with all those shells you might have collected on your vacations... What do you think about the ladies?? Fun!

{ All photo's courteous of The New French Decor by Lanlade and Trillard}

Ciao Bellas!

Wishing everyone a Happy & Safe Independence day!!

 

God Bless America..May Everyone have a safe and Blessed Holiday...

 

We will be having a subdued 4th.. How about you? .. Let's remember what this country stands for..what were the principles that It was founded on?..