Nature’s Notebook – A Giveaway That Gives Back

Thursday, October 14, 2010 by Lolli 74 Comments

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 http://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! **

About Lolli

Lolli has written 3732 post in this blog.

I became a mom in 1996, and in 2005 I had my fifth. Yes, 5 kids. In 2007, this blog was born (my 6th baby that will never grow up) and I've been sharing recipes, photography tricks, parenting tips, and everything in between. (Formerly Better in Bulk)