Tuesday 24 July 2012

Interview: Anne Harwell

It is my great pleasure to host today artist and designer Anne Harwell
of the very successful and aesthetically inspiring blog


Anne is an artist with an elegant and sunny attitude that I appreciate most in her beautiful work. She is also one of my favorite people in blogoland, ever. I consider myself  fortunate to be able to call her my friend. What's more, Anne is offering Happy Turtle readers a 15% discount with the code: HAPPYTURTLE15 , which I urge you to use!
Here is our interview with a sample of her work.

 
1.Anne, how did you get started on Art?
I have always been artsy and crafty since preschool, but I never grew up with any sense or goal of being an "artist" per se. I honestly kind of just fell into it in my 20's after finding I liked working in watercolors on boring Winter evenings
2.How did you find your personal artistic language?
I think that it just developed over time through practice and outside influences of other art and images that I was exposed to.


3.Tell us some more about your creative process. What gets your creativity flowing?
So many things!  I am extremely visual and am always absorbing, so I take in massive amounts of images via magazines, the net, books, travel, etc. Somehow, little fragments come out in different combinations. I am self-taught, so I don't base much at all on any academic knowledge of art and so I just "do". Coffee helps boost my creativity, too!
4.Your art is feminine, full of joie de vivre. Do you have a specific space in mind when you are creating a painting?
Not really, I just think that I paint what I like and tend to use varied versions of a similar color range/palette. I do think that white walls and plenty of light are always a great place and welcoming atmosphere for any piece of art, though.


5.Your work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Domino and House Beautiful, even a movie, as well as many happy customers' blogs around the web. How do you feel when you see your work in the spotlight?
It's always encouraging and gratifying, for certain. I have also learned not to go up and down with the praise or the silence, though. You learn that over time when there are instances of getting cut from magazines or no one noticing. You need those setbacks, too, to keep yourself balanced. These things keep you humble and prevent you from starting to think that you are somebody great. LOL.
6. You have also introduced a line of needlepoint kits. I think it fits so well the feminine nature of your paintings. How did that come about?
It was a total suprise! The owner of Art Needlepoint contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in partnering with their company. It's been a great collaboration that I've enjoyed.

7.What do you love most about being a creative person?
Definitely the independence, autonomy and freedom to create. It's a lot of responsibility, but the freedom and lack of frustration with being held back by others is well worth it!

8.Any dreams that want to come forward that you'd like to share with my readers?
I'd love to have an expanded line of fabrics, homeware, wallcoverings, etc. That would be a lot of fun. My dreams are more based in who I want to become than what I want to "achieve", though.
I believe we are created by God for a unique role and purpose and the best path is when we follow His plan, rather than coming up with our own. My main dream is to follow that plan.

 Anne is offering Happy Turtle readers a 15% discount with the code:
HAPPYTURTLE15

 
Thank you, Anne, for letting us take a peak into your creative universe.
My dear readers,
Do use the 15% discount that Anne is offering. You will love her work gracing your universe!



love, Irene


Monday 23 July 2012

Apple MacBook Air Giveaway - Blogger Event


Another awesome event brought to you by Pregnancy Forum & Joys of Life for their wonderful members

Apple Macbook Air Giveaway -

Worldwide Blogger Sign Ups - July 20 to September 15. - Receive 1 FREE Link of choice either Facebook/Twitter, with announcement post or $5.00 without announcement.

Additional links $1.00 each. Increase your page visits, purchase hosts slot. Hosts slots available for $10 (Facebook or Twitter). Will remove this option once I get my desired number of hosts - I am looking for 200 signups - which means you will be getting traffic from those 200 blogs and pages when you host a Facebook or Twitter. Cash giveaways will get you a ton of followers!


All the amount received will go towards the giveaway.

Those who refers the most bloggers to signup the event will get their Blog Name with a link back to their blog for free on the giveaway post.

Paypal email:  prettyinpinkmom@gmail.com - this email is only for payments, do not send any help or questions to this email. Send the payment as a gift.

Event Dates - September 17 to Oct 17. I will send html out on September 16.

Requirements: Publish an announcement post for the giveaway signup in order to get your Free links

Once giveaway is live promote 3x times a day You must have a blog/website where you can publish the giveaway text and rafflecopter code to participate.

Will you join?



love, Irene

Thursday 19 July 2012

Guest post: Joanna: Cool Neutral Interiors

Hello, dear friends,
Recently, I have asked you if you would like to guest post for me, while some major changes are taking place in our lives.

I am glad to welcome today, Joanna, with a lovely post that I believe you will enjoy, too.

Remember, if you'd like to guest post for The Happy Turtle, you are most welcome to
e-mail me at happyturtledeco {at} gmail {dot} com.
Enjoy!


Hello, I’m Joanna. I write for Arcadian Lighting, an online source for beautiful chandeliers, wall sconces, and lighting fixtures in many styles and finishes. I love interior design. Luckily, I get to spend my days writing about it. I gather lovely decorating images and ideas and share them on blogs like Happy Turtle. The post that follows is centered on neutral interiors. I included different styles and tones so hopefully you’ll find a room you love.

Neutral Interiors

This is such a beautiful neutral space with its taupe walls, leather bed and warm wood floors. The chandelier is so elegant.

Neutral Interiors

A modern dining room in neutrals of cream, white and grey boasts a mixture of wicker and plastic furnishings. The huge clock is grand.

Neutral Interiors

This farmhouse kitchen is charming with its apron sink, whitewashed floors and rustic furniture. It is so bright and cheery with its windows and door.

Neutral Interiors

An eat-in kitchen features a mixture between traditional and country. A collection of white and cream ware looks lovely in open shelves above an apron sink.

Neutral Interiors

A mother of pearl light fixture hangs above a casual farm table surrounded by woven bamboo chairs. This look would be lovely in a seaside cottage.

Neutral Interiors

This bedroom has a romantic feel with its greige walls and mixed neutral bed linens. It’s the perfect space to curl up and enjoy a good book before bed.

Neutral Interiors

An eclectic bedroom features neutrals on the walls, floor and furnishings. I especially love the cowhide rug mixed with the formal furniture.

Neutral Interiors

A neutral bathroom is the perfect setting for a stunning silver tub. The contrast between the rustic light fixture and the tub’s shiny finish fits the space nicely. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Which room is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for affordable and brilliant lighting fixtures, ceiling lights, and pendant lights, as well as lighting ideas!




love, Irene

Thursday 12 July 2012

Update

Athens









I hope you are all having a wonderful time.


love, Irene

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Will you guest post for me?

Hello dear friends, 
 Things are kind of busy in great many ways around here. I do apologise about my absence from writing and visiting you all. So here is what I would like to ask of you. Would you like to guest post for me? We've been together for years, at least with many of you. So you know I like all things happy and beautiful. Anything that makes our lives prettier, happier and sunny. 
Will you, please? 
Please e-mail me at
 happyturtledeco at gmail dot com 
 I so look forward to reading your mails and posts!


love, Irene 

Best buys