Preserving your photos - memories well kept!

This morning, I found these gorgeous honeymoon photos from 1939 floating around in my Newsfeed.

In this age of never-ending seemingly replaceable digital imagery

and a very short attention span, it's worth stepping back and taking a moment to think.

We constantly bombard ourselves (or are bombarded) with new images of our family, friends, pets, landscapes, and more.

And what then? When we're done looking at those, we move on, hungry to see more. New. More. New. More. We file them away, and then....... we forget about them. They slide into a maze of folders in our computer or on some cloud far away.

These honeymoon photos, thought to be lost for the last 75 years, were recently found by the couple's grandson, Barney Britton, while cleaning out his grandmother's attic. They were shot in color -- a novelty at the time -- using 35mm Agfacolor film.

They had been printed and preserved and are now available for their family to enjoy (and share via the internet;) The point is: they were physically printed out, and even though they were believed to have been lost for a long time, they are now here for us to view as a part of history.

So, I guess what I am saying is: preserve your memories, treat them as if they really are special moments in your life, even if you are planning on having many more: you never know when you would like to look back!

And if you'd like to frame them to preserve them. we can help you with that too. The materials we use today are all archival and UV protective, so you can safely display those images without worrying about them fading over the years. Ad faded photos can be digitally restored and refreshed. (See link at the bottom of the page.)

 A gallery of favorite moments is a great way to share something about yourself with your friends, and to make you remember why you love your family or take a journey through some great times or trips.

This is a triptych of my mother, myself and my grandmother I framed a few years ago, it hangs over my desk, and it brings back so many memories for me on a daily basis.

(And as you can see, Dachshunds run in the family.)

If you are interested in the rest of the gorgeous English honeymoon photos mentioned, click here:

Have a great day, start digging through those boxes of photos, 

PRINT & PRESERVE YOUR IMAGES 

& see you soon!

Beate

PS: I love C-Ville's  Stubblefield Photo Lab for my photo needs!

La Linea Bella ! via the Huff Post on May 16th, 2014

New Whites

Roma Moulding's AMBIK in "Shimmering White" on

Lorie Leigh Lawrence's DOUBLE CACTI in our new "Crisp Whites" section in the gallery.

First matted with Crescent's VIVID WHITE Rag Mat

then floated between glass with a 1" border using UV protective glazing,

followed by ROMA Moulding's gloss white "wavy/textured" AMBIK, which is glossy on the face with finger joined pine on the outer and inner edge.

I love the organic texture with the contemporary feeling, cool ,crisp surface right next to those vivid greens!!

(Below: "Prickly Rest", also by Lorie Leigh.)

LaLineaBella.com

La Linea Bella ! Fantastic Framing & Art

McIntire Plaza - Charlottesville, Virginia

2014

ROMA MOULDING & 3LPHOTOGRAPHY

Scouted!

The new SCOUT GUIDE is out, we're a part of it, and the Scout Team is on a mission to keep you up to date with all of the BEST of what's happening in Charlottesville (and beyond!), so don't miss it!

You can pick up a new copy in our showroom!

Click here to read the current guide online:

Follow them, your local favorites (and us) on

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

and 

subscribe to the Scout Guide here!

LLB is proud to be part of C-Ville's best of local businesses, featured in this year's issue!

(Jen Fariello caught me painting French mats here.)

LLB brings you great locally artisan hand crafted picture framing, and the best and most creative designs we can help you whip up! 

Stop by Tuesdays - Saturdays to see what's new on our walls or to design your projects

 (we just rearranged and improved our layout) and be inspired!

From contemporary and sleek to classic and ornate, I'll help you come up with a design that will dress up your art - and your walls.

 If you think you need some extra time, just give me a ring at (434) 244-3050 and we can set up a special time.

PS: This May we are celebrating with new art, frames and designs: Happy Birthday, LLB!

See you soon!

Beate

www.LaLineaBella.com

1718 Allied Street, McIntire Plaza

Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Find us on Pinterest, Facebook, online and/or subscribe to our Newsletter via the website!

Pampered pet? A look behind the scenes:

Recently, our Chief Style Consultant Titus was part of a really lovely blog post by the The Scout Guide.

It was titled "In Praise of the Pampered Pet" and it featured some of The Scout Guide's own alongside other famous (pampered) shop dogs or favorite pets. We loved it and he was super flattered to be a part of it!!

Here's that shot of Titus again, pictured with his favorite ROMA Moulding  basket weave LA TRECCHIA frames (reminds us of a little basket for him to sleep in), and this photo (well, the two photos actually) was taken by Kay Taylor of Sheridan Avenue Studios.

Bow tie courtesy ReThreads Charlottesville (that's where we find or special order the best ties for him!).

But our little man Titus wanted to set the record straight. About being "pampered", that is.

The truth is, when Titus is not modeling or guarding the shop, or helping you design that one super-fab piece you won't ever to be able to live without again, he is hard at work and  helps us out in the workshop, diligently building frames and tending to other important parts of the process. See?

He is an awesome frame builder and thought it was important that you knew how irreplaceable he is at La Linea Bella ! and how much he loves being a part of it all.

So the next time you pop by LLB, give him a pat on the shoulder and go tour the workshop with him. He surely deserves the pat, and he'd love to show you around!

See you soon!

Beate & Titus

c/2014 La linea Bella ! Fantastic Framing & Art - Charlottesville, VA

www.lalineabella.com

Properly storing your art

Every week I get this question: How do I properly store my art?

Everyone knows the sadness that comes over them when they pull out that diploma they thought they had safely stashed away in that cardboard tube in order to frame it later on. It's now half yellow, half white, and irreparably curled for eternity.

Or the now leopard-pattern-spotted (foxed) print of Paris that you "safely" put away in between two sheets of cardboard in your attic or basement five years ago, hoping to frame it when you moved into that new house with more wall space.

Not to mention those irreplaceable family photos from the 70's, showing your parents in denim bell-bottoms and furry "fros" at some great outdoor festival in Colorado (I guess you just got a glance into my past;).

Once they're cracked and faded you'l never get those back. (The photos, not the parents.)

What could have prevented such malheurs?

Here's what I recommend (and it's so easy!):

-Go to your local art supply dealer.

-Purchase some acid free foam core and cut two pieces slightly larger than your art.
(Rag board will do, but it will bend more easily.)

-Purchase some glassine paper or acid free tissue.

-Cut your foam board into two pieces, approximately 1" larger than your art. 

-Fold the acid free tissue/glassine in half and insert your art in between. Then gently fold the rest of the tissue around the three outer edges of the art to safely encapsulate the art. Insert in between your foam board, tape the edges to hold the boards/folder together (NOT masking tape, preferably chose an acid free tape) and "Voila!", you can now store your art. NOT in your attic or basement where there is a lot of fluctuation in temperature and humidity, but in a dry, low-lit space or closet or, actually, underneath your bed is totally fine: wherever you have some air circulation to keep your art dry and unexposed to humidity (or gnawing pets - we've seen it all...).

If you are a print collector like me and you store a lot of art, invest in some acid free print folders/boxes. For serious moisture control, use some Silicone paper.

And for photos, you can purchase special acid free storage boxes. (Purchase all these here.)

If you encounter any damage from improper storage, we recommend consulting a paper conservator to repair as much of the damage as possible. Our favorite resident Charlottesville paper magicians are Robert and Martha Orton of Blue Ridge Book Conservation and I'm happy to tell you more about them and sing their praises, just give me a call or pop by with your art.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the best form of storage: 

Beautiful conservation-minded archival framing!

Not only are you storing your art or documents, you are enjoying them at the same time while they beautify your home and even turn some heads. 

See you soon, I hope this was helpful!

Shoot me any other questions you may have that we can share here.

Beate

c/2014 La Linea Bella ! Fantastic Framing & Art, Charlottesville, VA. 

www.LaLineaBella.com

Tsi La Natural Perfumes for Spring

Spring is almost here, and it's time to let your nose do some work again!

A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.

 Christian Dior

Stepping outside should be fun again soon, and I cannot wait to smell the scents of spring.

Just like colors, scents do amazing things: the evoke memories and the enliven the senses. They can also affect your mood and therefore how your day will unfold.

Just like our wonderful line of LURK perfumes, Tsi-La does this naturally.

Holistic aromatherapists, botanical formulators, and organic advocates Natalie Szapowalo and model Annie Morton founded Tsi~La Organics with the goal of offering pure and natural perfumes and skin care products that benefit your overall well-being. 

With 40 years of combined experience in the fashion and beauty industry, as well as extensive studies in natural health sciences, shiatsu and aromatherapy , Natalie and Annie created their "Green Luxury" Tsi~La product line as a healthy alternative to a predominately synthetic market. 

Pure organic products = Pure organic beauty 

Tsi-La's Living Flower Organic Perfumes:

• 100% Flower and Plant Based
• Plant Essences And Raw Organic Oils
• Super-Fruit And Phytonutrient Infused
• Ultra-Pure Natural Ingredients
• Vitamins And Minerals
• Zero Synthetic Chemicals
• Preservative and Colorant Free

100% PURE, AUTHENTIC & BEAUTIFUL

Stop by and explore our line of all natural, organic Tsi-La fragrances. 

They are a big step above and a bit more refined than the sandalwood and patchouli versions of other more earthy natural alternatives.

I love them and they've become a staple in my day.

Bring your nose and come in to check them out!

Beate

www.LaLineaBella.com
Charlottesville, Virginia

KiraKira Trunk Show this Saturday!

Join us this Saturday, February 8th, 11 a.m. till closing

for a special

Valentine's Trunk Show 

with KiraKira's founder and designer, Suz Somersall.

Special SIP AND SHOP event with wine and cheese from 5 - 7 p.m.

Wines by our friends at Stinson Vineyards.

(Please R.S.V.P. for the sip and shop here.)

We are also introducing our new LURK hand blended, all natural luxury perfume oils from NYC.

Free samples with every jewelry purchase - while they last.

We'll see you on Saturday!

xoxo Beate & Suz

La Linea Bella!

Fantastic Framing & Art

is located at

1718 Allied Street, McIntire Plaza

Charlottesville, VA 22903
(map it)

(434) 244-3050

www.LaLineaBella.com