Blog Interview #9 ~ Laura Youngren, all about Pretty!

I am thrilled to have Laura Youngren, the lovely and affable creator of all about Pretty! with us today. Good morning Laura ~ please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a young at heart forty-something single lady with 2 cats and 2 dogs. No, as lovely as I am, no man yet, but I know my prince is on his way, he's just a bit lost. I moved a couple years ago from the love of my life, Vancouver, British Columbia to a teeny tiny town in southern Alberta to live close to my parents and sister for awhile. I miss the beauty, the culture, my garden Zone 8a, the mild weather, even the rain and my fave place to antique shop, Washington, only a hop skip away! But for now, I'm enjoying my cute little cottage sitting on a big yard with way too much lawn. I'm slowly digging it up and filling in with lots of pretty, pretty flowers! I've just finished building my little backyard boutique and hope to have my first opening this spring. I've always dreamt of being a shop owner and filling it with decor, my art and all the vintage pretties I find in my travels. It's a scary thing to quit your day job and jump into opening a business so I decided to just start small and do it in my backyard. I work from home for my day job so that is a blessing but I dream of the day that I can say adios and work full time at creating and shop keeping.

Why did you decided to blog?
At first I was a mad blog hopper staying up till 3 a.m. loving all the pictures (I am very visual) and was in awe of all the prettiness out there. I especially love the Scandinavian blogs. I have always felt like a black sheep, a bit weird, not one of the gang because all my friends and family could not understand my taste, my art, my decor ~ you get the picture. They couldn't understand why I would want to spend a weekend running around Washington state shopping in all the dusty musty antique shops when I could go whale watching or sailing with them. When I discovered blogs and found "the others" who had the same taste and ideas I finally felt like I was home, like I belonged. That's when I decided I just had to start my own blog.

How did all about Pretty! get its name?
The name I started using in Vancouver was Voila "delightful whatnots" but when I moved here I wanted a fresh start. I was chatting with a girlfriend about my little shop. I mentioned I didn't want my name to trap me into a specific style or look because I love to change all the time. I told her to sum it up, my stuff is really just all about pretty. She said, "Wow, that's a good name" and I said, "What?" I didn't get it until she explained, "All about pretty, you just said all about pretty." Did I mention I'm blonde? Anyway, I finally got it and thought, that's it.

So you started all about Pretty in November 2007, what did you talk about in your first post?
My first post was "Yippeee my first blog!" I introduced myself and talked a bit about my dreams and passions.

Have you met people through blogging?
Yes, I've met many, many like-minded gals and that has been such a blessing to me. I finally realized I'm normal and my tastes are not unusual as I was led to believe. My very first friend was Karla from Sugar Bear Designs. She really took me under her wings and introduced me to the blog world. She helped me with any questions I had on blogging and we've kept in touch ever since. She truly impressed me with her kindness. Of course, my other blog friends, Dawn Supina and Arlene Travnik have been a great blessing, always so encouraging. However, with working full time and creating the rest of my free time, I don't have as much time to blog and communicate with all the amazing people that I meet as I would like. I hope one day when I'm not sitting 8 hours a day at the computer for my day job that I can spend more time with my blog friends.

Did you design your blog or did you have it professionally done?
I'm not technically savvy at all, so I had Sara from Sadie Olive design my blog. She's so patient and helped me so much since I was really lost on how to use Typepade when I started. I'm a fast learner though and think I have it down now.

Have you ever been featured in Artful Blogging?
Well kind of. I was asked to submit some photos for an article on OWOH 2008 but they didn't make it in. Then when I was reading the article I noticed they used my comments on participating in OWOH.

What does your "About Me" say on your blog?
"I'm a true girlie girl and love all things pretty. I'm a self taught artist/designer and I am passionate about creating and using my imagination. I believe this passion is a gift from God and I give Him all the glory. I love to treasure hunt in my travels, combing the antique shops and flea markets. My work starts there then God gives me ideas for whatever I stumble upon. So I never really know what I'll be coming up with next and this mystery is what motivates and inspires me. I love many different styles, cottage glam, rustic country, pretty primitive or shabby chic, so my designs vary but to sum it up my love is creating art with an antique look. I love the patina of old things, rich sepia tones, worn, torn, tattered, plenty of flowers, pearls, rhinestones, just all things pretty. Each piece is handcrafted or restyled and often I have a result that I call a "happy accident" but I know it's just another way God influences my creations. After all He's the #1 Creator. My hope is that my creations bring you joy and inspire you to add a little pretty to your home and life!

Do you ever blog when you "don't feel like it"?
No I don't think so. I don't blog as often as most and I sometimes feel guilty but I decided to only blog if I have something I'd like to share whether it's a new creation or the latest pic of my fur-babies.

Let's talk about the future of all about Pretty! Are there any new directions you would like to take it?
I'm a very distracted person and have to continually work on my focus so I try not to think too far into the future; it just gives me even more to distract me. I try to just do one day at a time in my life, so I'll do the same with my blog.

Please do venture over for a little visit with Laura at all about Pretty! and check out her LolliShop and Etsy shop. Just savour the prettiness of it all!