As a photographer myself, I am drawn to other people’s photos. I love viewing through another person’s eyes the things that catch their attention and the perspectives that they chose. I was instantly drawn to Courtney Noelle’s Nature’s Notebook beach photos, and loved what she was doing with her talent as well as the natural resources around her. In addition to agreeing happily to an interview, Courtney has also donated a print to give away to a lucky reader. Read on to find out what’s special about this print.
Laura: How did you come up with the idea to make messages on the beach into works of art?
Courtney: Well being a Pisces, i have always been drawn to the ocean. I started by making a valentine for my (now husband) 9 years ago and then started making framed works of art for my friends and family. I had a very wealthy boss at the time that had everything! So for her Birthday I made her a Nature’s Notebook with her children’s names. She loved it and from that I had holiday orders from everyone that worked at the company.
I was driving along and thought. . .i need to start a website, a perfect name popped into my head….Nature’s Notebook because God has created a beautiful tablet in Nature for me to inscribe words or thought.
Laura: How long have you been designing and selling your unique prints?
Courtney: 8 to 9 years. Being a trend setter, I was the first artist creating this concept and trademarking the saying will not wash away! After being featured in many magazines, television shows, many boutiques across the nation picked this concept up.
Laura: Do you take pictures of anything else? If so, what is your favorite thing to photograph besides the beach?
Courtney: I love the beach, and the sky!
Laura: What kind of camera do you use?
Courtney: CANON SLR
Laura: I love that you have prints especially dedicated to breast cancer, and that you donate a portion of each sale to breast cancer research. How did you come up with that idea?
I believe in giving back to the community, and am always aware of that. I want to honor and help women who have strength, faith and courage to fight breast cancer. So I thought it would be a perfect match and help make waves in the industry.
Laura: Anything else you’d like to tell my readers….where you’re from, hobbies, family, etc.
Courtney: I was born and raised in Colorado, and moved out to California after I graduated from college with a bachelor degree in Fashion Design. Nature’s Notebook is a 2nd company. My 1st company I own with my best friend. It is called Girl ExtraOrdinaire, and we design clothes with positivie messages for Girl ExtraOrdinaire’s of all ages :)
I appreciate everything and every customer. With out all of you I wouldn’t be able to share my passion!
Laura: Tell me about the Giveaway piece.
Courtney: Sometimes words can perfectly capture your deepest emotions and desires. and encouragement. Declare your faith, love and strength to the world with this framed photography keepsake while helping to find a cure. You can also choose three words that are dear to your heart and I will carefully write those words in the sand. Beautiful ocean photography provides the perfect background to create a lovely custom beach photograph.
10% of the sales for select pieces from my store will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation (Look for the pink ribbon!).
The Giveaway:
One winner will receive one of Courtney’s stunning 8×10 Framed “Inspirations” valued at $40 (pictured directly above).
To enter:
–Tell me what inspirational words you would love to see written in the sand.–
Extras:
- Follow me on twitter and Tweet this message (post a link in the comments): Be “Inspired” by this Beach Print #giveaway with @1momof5 and @naturesnotebook https://foodfunfamily.com/?p=4096
- Subscribe and/or follow me via Google Friends Connect (see postage stamp buttons at the top of my sidebar)
- Check out Nature’s Notebook on OpenSky and tell me about your favorite print
- Tell me what your favorite item in my OpenSky store is
- Vote for your favorite recipe at theamazingavocado.com (you don’t have to vote for me, but of course I won’t discourage you!)
- Enter one of your recipes in the the Big Hit call for recipes (for a chance to win $100!)
This giveaway will end on Friday, October 22, 2010 at midnight. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!
Note: I did not receive anything in exchange for this giveaway. The thoughts about the artwork are mine.
**Nature’s Notebook has several items on sale on OpenSky right now! **
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It’s very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
Nice site you have here ill be sure to bookmark and visit often.
I’d love to see an inspirational quote.
i follow your blog
Dream and inspired would be great
google reader subscriber
voted for recipe
GFC follower
I like the groovy bronze peace sign necklace.
I like the framed name written in sand
I like Seize The Day
i like the custom beach photo collage!
id love to see blessed written!
“Grateful”
thank you
Corinne
ckurzmann@yahoo.com
Subscribe on GFC! Thanks :) Amanda
strawberryshimmer (at) gmail (dot) com
I would like to see ‘*Our Last Name* Family’ written in the sand with a heart – I think that would be so pretty! Thanks for the great giveaway :) Amanda
strawberryshimmer (at) gmail (dot) com
I’m following you through google friend connect.
Believe!
I voted on theamazingavocado.com suelee1998 @ gmail.com
I follow you via gfc suelee1998 @ gmail.com
I love the carnival one! I would love my daughters name on it. suelee1998 @ gmail.com
My favorite item in the store is the Garmin GPSMAP 60 Portable GPS – I need one of those. :)
Follow you on twitter and tweeted at https://twitter.com/justicecw/status/28376343252
I am an email subscriber
I am a GFC follower = christine/justicecw
I think one that said Footprints would be neat. Thanks for the chance.
My favorite is the TOSHIBA SDP94S 9″ Portable DVD Player. Thank you!
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I follow you via Google Friend Connect (Sewmuchstuff).
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I’m a twitter follower (@sewmuchstuff) and I tweeted
https://twitter.com/SewMuchStuff/status/28361971274
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I would love to see “Dream It, Do It”. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Gratitude
I’d like to see “Love”
Lovefool827 (at) yahoo (dotcom)
I follow you wiTH GFC
I would love to see the word hope written in the sand.
Extraordinary.
https://shopopensky.com/betterinbulk/buy/melissa-and-doug-furnished-dollhouse
I am a email subscriber
follow your blog
8×10 Framed Photograph Lovers Names with Heart in the sand NN open sky store-a favorite
~~ Live,Laugh,Love~ words I would like written in the sand
thaqnks
I would love to see the word Pray
I love the Alexis Apron!
I LOVE the ask beleive and recieve!
I subscribe by email!
I think courage would be a good one!
I follow on GFC
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/dwalline/statuses/27858756680
I would like to see “trust”
I would like Blessed.
I gfc
I like the words “He Cares”
I would love to see the word KINDNESS.
Love the “Family Talk” cards. Great for Family Game Night.
I really like the Bride and Groom print. Something to consider for my nephew’s wedding in a year.
Would love to see “Love” on the picture.
HOPE & STRENGTH
FOLLOWING YOU ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT AS “kytah00” kytah00@yahoo.com
NEW RSS SUBSCRIBER OF YOURS HERE kytah00@yahoo.com
FOLLOWING YOU ON TWITTER USER NAME “kytah00” & TWEETED https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/27798493662 kytah00@yahoo.com
MY FAV ITEM YOU SELL IS “The Mini Stash” kytah00@yahoo.com
MY FAV PRINT SHE SELLS IS THE “8×10 Custom Date Written in the sand” kytah00@yahoo.com
“I LOVE YOU” WOULD BE NICE TO SEE kytah00@yahoo.com
Persevere. Faith. Believe.
WAIT
Listen and Learn.
New Follower # 1324
I would love to see Gratitude or Thankfulness written in the sand, or Blessed.
In the beginning…
I’d like to see the word GRACE written in the sand. Great message.
i voted for your recipe!!
my favorite print is the celebration of life one
i am a follower
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE WITH BELIEVE WRITTEN