Monday, November 8, 2010

Vignette Design's One Year Anniversary and a Giveaway!


Giancarlo Gasponi

Vignette Design is one year old today!
I knew when we were in Italy that I wanted to bring home some souvenirs for a giveaway to commemorate my one year anniversary. Of course, they had to fit in the suitcase, which limited me to books, paper and fabric!

We found a fabulous English bookstore in Florence where I bought this wonderful coffee table book for my one year giveaway. "Tuscany, A Marvel of Man and Nature" is beautifully photographed by Giancarlo Gasponi, a famous Italian photographer. The book comes in it's own protective sleeve and is a joy to look at. His photography is incredible, and almost every page has a gorgeous photo of Tuscany and Florence.

Here are a couple of teaser photos, above and below.




Also included in my giveaway is an apron from Ristorante Buca Mario, where we ate in Florence with our son Alex and his friends...

...and this envelope of beautiful Florentine stationery.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment. (Make sure you include contact information should you win.) If you aren't a follower yet of Vignette Design, I would love it if you hit that "follow" button on my sidebar! Leaving a comment and being a follower is good for two entries.
To increase your odds, posting about my giveaway on your blog, Facebook page or Twitter will give you a third chance.
The winner will be announced on Friday, November 12th.
(Sorry, but the Giveaway is available only to those in the USA and Canada)
Good Luck!

I didn't know when I started blogging a year ago, what a blog even was! I didn't think anyone would ever read what I wrote or even care what I had to say!
At first only my sister-in-law and a few friends followed me. Then I got my first blogging follower! Laurie from Bargain Hunting With Laurie! I'll always remember how she took me under her wing and gave me some very important pointers.

Which is exactly what bloggers do. They encourage and support one another. One of the biggest surprises about blogging has been meeting some wonderful people online and sometimes in person. People like Laurie, Heidi, Kathysue, Joy, Julio, Lori, Artie, Kelley, Kim, Terri, Kat, Coty and so many more I would love to mention--you know who you are! I could go on and on! Because of Vignette Design, I have formed friendships that I otherwise wouldn't have. I don't know how long I will keep blogging, but for now, it's what I still love to do!

Thank you all for your support and for all your lovely comments this past year!

~ Delores


96 comments:

  1. Beautiful, I lake it!!!

    Big kisses.

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  2. Happy BDay!

    Your blog is beautiful!
    Your inspiration also, I think have not a person that don't like Tuscany , just wonderful place.

    Happy Birthday! =D

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  3. Hi Delores, congratulations on your first year! Ok, I'll admit it, I want your life sometimes :)! I've been a follower for a little bit and look forward to seeing your new posts. I'm linking to your giveaway, check it out! Have a great day, Carol

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  4. Congratulations on your one year blogiversary! You have a beautiful blog and I enjoy reading it. Thanks for entering me in your sweet giveaway.

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  5. I was so happy to find and follow your blog :-)

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  6. Congrats on your 1 year blog anniversary!

    The book looks wonderful!!!

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  7. Happy Anniversary! I am a happy follower and look forward to each and every post!
    Lacy

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  8. Delores, congrats on one year of blogging. I am so glad you started blogging and sharing your beautiful homes and all this glorious eye candy. I am sure to come away with some sort of inspiration to copy. lol. Thank you for allowing us to share in your home and family life. I hope you don't stop. The gifts you are offering look amazing and I will be keeping my fingers crossed!

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  9. Thanks for the chance to win. I'm just getting my blog off the ground myself, though in terms of time, I'm approaching a year too. Wish I had more time to post more often. Have a file with ideas, though. Been following a while.

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  10. Happy Anniversary Delores!

    What a beautiful blog you have created over the past year. I've been a follower for a while now and just enjoy my visits so much. The photographs of Tuscany are gorgeous! Such character in those old faces.. Everyone would love to win your giveaway! Thanks for the inspiration this past year!

    Miss Bloomers

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  11. Congrats on a wonderful year of blogging. I just started this year and have a lot to learn. Your blog is one of my favorites. My daughter moved to San Franciso recently and I visited her. We went to Napa and I saw places you have mentioned as well as in San Fran. It made it that much more special to me. I've had the pleasure to visit Tuscany and just love it. Your give-a-way looks great.I look forward to many more posts and gorgeous photos!

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  12. Congrats on your one year anniversary and your blog! I was hoping your giveaway would be your house ... because you know I love it. But, I guess I would settle for a book instead! Hugs-Diana

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  13. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. I have been following your blog for awhile now, and always enjoy your photos.

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  14. we are the lucky ones that you took up blogging and share your wonderful world with us~

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  15. Congrats on your 1-year anniversary Delores! Your home and blog are beautiful and it is always fun to come visit.
    Sherry

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  16. Congrats on your One Year Anniversary!! Such a milestone. This past year has certainly flown by hasn't it? I look forward to many many more from you. Your give away is so generous and beautiful. I would certainly enjoy having it in my home. hugs ~lynne~

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  17. Your blog is such an inspiration and it's one of the best I've found. Keep up the good work! Oh..... and I would love to win the apron!:)

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  18. Happy Anniversary. What a fabulous giveaway... almost as good as going to Italy in person (almost!!).

    :)
    ButterYum

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  19. Oh, forgot to mention that I was a follower.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  20. Wow, I had no idea you've only been blogging a year!!! A hearty congrats to you. I'm amazed at how many of us began last year around this time and what a wonderful experience it's been for all of us. I was just hanging out with Reichel from Copy Cat Chic last week and we were talking about getting a group of Bay Area Bloggers together. I remember you and I spoke about that too!! I'm thinking maybe a Christmas Party now... what are your thoughts! We all have so much to celebrate and be grateful for!!
    Happy Bloggyversary my friend. What a fabulous giveaway you've brought from Italy!!!
    XO

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  21. Happy Anniversary! I am so glad I found your blog. I love your design style and your photography is beautiful.

    Please enter me in this wonderful giveaway!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  22. What a lovely give away and congratulations on your one year anniversary to blogging. Such a thoughtful way to celebrate. I am a follower and thoroughly enjoy your blog. You are truly an inspiration. I find myself often telling friends about your post about the Mondavi dinner party. I was so wowed by that. My daughter and her hubby are going to the area soon and I mentioned it to her recently and thought she should definitely tour that winery. I will also menton your generous give away on my blog.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  23. p.s.s. I have added a link on my sidebar to your giveaway!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  24. Delores,
    Love your postings and have only discovered blogging in the past several months. Have enjoyed so much being taken along on your trip to Florence. We are thinking that Florence has oved up on our short list of places to visit again!
    Thanks so much!
    Gwen www.smockingwithgwen.blogspot.com

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  25. I just love your blog. You have great talent. I already follow you.I just could not wait til you returned from your trip to read about your adventure. My daughter visited Europe last summer and she loved the experience.I really loved the evening with the Mondavi family post.I will post today about your blog.

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  26. I love reading your blog...I feel like I get to travel to Italy again...it is my most favorite place! LOVE this giveaway!

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  27. Congratulations on your 1st blogaversary! Hope you have many more to come :o)
    Best wishes
    Rose H

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  28. whaaaaaaaat ... it feels like I've known you forever!

    you'll always be one of my favorite girls!!

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  29. Congratulations on your one year blog anniversary! I love your blog and can't wait to view it each day! My husband and I will make it to Tuscany one of these days. In the meantime I surround our home with the colors, style and charm of Tuscany. Thank you for sharing your talents and your beautiful homes! Tammy

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  30. Congratulations!!! One year is such a milestone. I have so enjoyed all of your posts and love to see where you've been and what you are creating. I look forward to the next year of posts also. Fabulous giveaway. Please put my name in the hat. Hugs, Marty

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  31. Congratulations on your anniversary!
    Thank you for such a generous giveaway. I also am a follower.
    Have a great week!

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  32. Delores my sweet friend, Congratulations!!! One whole year and what a wonderful year it has been for me as one of your readers. I always enjoy coming here and living vicariously through YOU!!! I love your lifestyle and your approach to home, family and friends. I feel so lucky to have met you and had a wonderful day getting to know you better. I consider you one of my sweet bloggy buddies. Congrats and here is to another great year, Love you,Kathysue

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  33. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! Your blog is one of my very favorites so I hope you continue on for a long time. Thanks so much for entering me in your giveaway! (terriklugh@gmail.com)

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  34. Hi Delores,
    I have been a follower for quite awhile and have thoroughly enjoyed all of your posts. Love your homes and the decor that you have shared with us.
    We don't travel much and I would love to be the lucky winner so I could travel to Tuscany via this lovely book.
    Carolyn in NC cge4211@bellsouth.net

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  35. Delores, I came to your blog from Kim and just adore your places. It is my style so I love seeing every post, but your pictures are worthy of your book, they are stunning. My dream is to go to Italy some day so I would love to win anything from Italy!

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  36. I am a follower for a second chance, yeahhh!

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  37. You've been a favorite of mine for sometime now.

    Love your blog!

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  38. Delores,
    Love your aesthetic & blog and have been following it for sometime. Especially love your photos from your trip to Italy!
    Please keep blogging!

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  39. Dearest Delores,

    Congratulations on your one year of high quality blogging!

    Oh my what a great book about my most favorite area. We both LOVED it. Also my Boutique's upscale quality silver jewelry, frames and gifts come from Tuscany! Giovanni Raspini's company is nestled in Tuscany, Italy in the heart of Val di Chiana, between Arezzo and Siena...
    So that said, I am all game.

    Have a great week and enjoy the afterglow of your recent trip.

    MariettesBacktoBasics

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  40. * Sweet D~ While all of US have been blessed with YOUR blog, YOU seem to have been blessed with A LOT of friends /followers/ supporters... Annnd when I saw you mention LAURIE, I thought you should know she has been a REAL friend to ME, too, & especially supportive during the issues with my broken back! (And, as YOU know, I don't even HAVE a blog!!!)...

    This book looks like a FABULOUS read, as well as an enjoying time just VIEWING the pics! Annnd, How GRACIOUS OF YOU TO "SHARE YOUR TRIP" like that!

    Again, HAPPY "YEAR-A-VERSARY", WELCOME HOME, so GLAD you're SAFELY BACK...... and Thanks"!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda in AZ*
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  41. Congrats on your 1 year! Beautiful book and what sweet giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

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  42. It's my dream to travel to Italy some day! I would be THRILLED to win and enjoy a taste of Italy now! I am a new follower! Love your beautiful blog! ♥

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  43. Congratulations on your 1st year! I really enjoy your blog very inspiring. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  44. Congrats on your one year anniversary of blogging. I love the book of all the beautiful pictures. What a great giveaway!

    Roxanna Morgan
    roxemor@aol.com

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  45. I only discovered blog land a few months ago & have been a follower of yours for just a little while. Love your style & beautiful home. Tuscany is on my list of places to visit someday.

    Roxanna Morgan
    roxemor@aol.com

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  46. Happy 1 yr blogaversary! Love your blog! Thanks for all the great inspiration! Vanna

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  47. Congrats Delores on this great day. I always enjoy your blog am am a follower. ♥O

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  48. Congratulations on your one year blogiversary!!! I have been a follower since just about the beginning and have always enjoyed your blog! Being of Italian descent I love anything Italian and love the beautiful photos of your trip and your beautiful home. Thanks for such a generous giveaway.

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  49. Congrats on a lovely blog. Love your taste and both of your homes. I check you out on a daily basis!
    What a generous giveaway!
    When I send this on Google account does that mean you have my info? Don't know how that works for sure..

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  50. Your blog photos are the most beautiful that I have ever discovered in "blog-world". Thank you for sharing your life of bliss and beauty with us, Delores. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

    Sheila, north of Seattle

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  51. Congratulations on your anniversary! You have the most beautiful blog.

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  52. I'm so happy that I stumbled upon your blog. I was born and raised in Sebastopol CA and each visit to your blog is like a visit home. I breathe in deeply of the beauty of northern California each time I visit, and it tides me over until my next visit. It has been many many years since I have been in CA, Missouri is my home now, but since coming across your blog I have felt this gentle tug on my sleeve and a quiet whisper saying "come home, come home" The beauty of the hills and valleys of the wine country are imprinted on my soul. Perhaps that is why I love Italy so much as well, and upon landing in Rome, it too felt like home. Thank you so much Delores for sharing your life, your home, your beautiful photography with so many people. Your site has been a gift to me.
    Terri
    tmuetingmuet@yahoo.com
    ( i tried t post earlier, but it didn't seem to go. Sorry for the duplicate.)

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  53. Congratulations on one year. Fabulous!!

    Thanks so much for giving us a chance to win your beautiful giveaway.
    xo bj

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  54. I am making a button of your giveaway to live on my sidebar, announcing to the world of your generous gift to some lucky someone.

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  55. I blogged about your giveaway and your lovely, beautiful blog

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  56. Happy and blessed 1 yr blogging anniversary! so glad to have found your blog. what a sweet giveaway... something for the winner and something perhaps to give as a gift and share! Love each gift in the package.

    cathy b
    pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
    http://palmbreezeliving.blogspot.com
    @projecthope7 twitter

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  57. How serendipitous to find your site! There are not too many blogs I follow~ Blessings, Beth

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  58. Delores, I just read your comment about todays post. I know aren't they great ,the one with the grapes and vines totally made me think of you!! You should get those. I just love mine, Hugs Kathysue

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  59. Congratulations, Delores! I so look forward and enjoy your posts -- each unique, pages of your life. Celebrate your success!

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  60. Delores,Happy 1 yr. anniversary! I'm new to your blog and the whole world of blogging but, yours quickly became one of my favorites! I have so enjoyed glimpses of your lovely home in Asti and I have been drooling over your beautiful posts from Italy!! What a wonderful and generous giveaway! Thank you for sharing your home and travels with your blog friends!

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  61. Congratulations on your first anniversary! This is a fun blog and I always enjoy stopping by! and now I am a Follower via GFC! this is a really nice giveaway you are hosting! Thank you so much for including me!

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  62. Congratulations and a very happy blogiversary to you! I hope you got an extra copy of this gorgeous book for yourself.

    ~jermaine

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  63. Delores - Your blog is my very fav! Love to receive your postings in my email box. So does my mom! I would love a chance to win the Tuscany coffee table book. Your pics of the area are gorgeous and it looks like you had a wonderful vacation there. Jill

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  64. Delores:

    Thank you for bringing home a little bit of Italy for your giveaway. At the risk of being redundant, I have to join the others who have said they can't believe you have only been blogging for a year. I feel as though we have been friends a lot longer. I hope your love of blogging last a long, long time because I would miss you too much if you left us. I am touched that you value our relationship as much as I do. A very happy anniversary and sincere wishes for continued success my friend. xoxoxo Julio

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  65. A big congratulations Delores! I enjoyed following your trip. We stayed in a villa in Lucca for two weeks and toured around. It's something you never forget. Jacqueline

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  66. A huge happy "blogday" Delores! I am new to the blogging world and am just finding my feet,I just love, love, love your blog.....congratulations on such a beautiful blog and thank you so much for being such an inspiration and sharing your life with us! xoxoxo

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  67. Delores.. BIG congrats on your anniversary... the first of many I hope! You have given me so many San Fran shopping ideas and I so enjoy your table and room decor style!
    bdotkilpatrick@mindspring.com

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  68. I absolutely follow VIGNETTE DESIGN... I check for your new posts every morning!!!

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  69. Delores, I am thankful that you are a blogger and share your beautiful home and creative tables with us so we can drool and learn! Coming to your blog is better than buying a magazine because I am NEVER disappointed! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary and all the success you have had. I too have made many new friends. I would love to win!! Linda

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  70. Hi again, I am also a follower!! A very happy one! Linda

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  71. Hi and congratulations on your one year anniversary. I am fairly new to blogging and have a lot to learn. I have been following your blog for a few days now and think it is beautiful. Thanks for giving us a chance to enter your give away from Italy. Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm

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  72. Happy Anniversary.

    I would love to win the book and all.

    I have been following your blog since I discovered it months ago.

    I also Twittered about your giveaway.

    Thanks!
    Allison
    Atticmag

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  73. Congratulations and a very happy anniversary to you! I was so thrilled to find your blog many months ago and I remember it took me forever to get the courage to leave a comment on your beautiful blog. And I have been a follower for many months too. I hope you continue blogging for a very long time. Congratulations!

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  74. Thanks for the opportunity! What a pretty blog you have.

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  75. New to your blog and enjoying it very much. My husband and I are hoping to go to Tuscany in the not too distant future. I would love the book

    Jeannette

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  76. I started following your blog a few weeks ago. I got hooked when I saw that you were in Italy. My mother took me to Italy 25 years ago. We went to Florence when I was 15. Italy left quite an impression on me. I have my degree in Architecture and love Interior Design and travel. Thank you for showing me some amazing places that I was not able to visit, in person. I look forward to more posts by you, my friend!

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  77. Your blog is a real favorite of mine. Just found it a couple months ago, but it's a real visual treat and you've got great inspiration shots and an interesting life! Happy One Year!!

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  78. Thanks for offering the giveaway!! Fingers crossed. The pictures look gorgeous, I can see why you had such a great time.

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  79. Delores,
    Thanks for sharing your photography and thoughts with us. I recognized my favorite little church in one of the books!
    A presto,
    Julie

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  80. Congratulation on your blogaversary! What a wonderful year it has been. It's been great to meet you through your magical blog. It looks like you've brought back some wonderful treasures. The writing paper looks outstanding.

    - The Tablescaper

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  81. Happy Anniversary, Delores! Your blog is a great asset to blogger cause your photos are such a joy to look at and your adventures so nice to read about. I have been a follower since Laurie told me all about you when you first started blogging....Christine

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  82. Happy Birthday Vignette Design blog! I love that the landscapes of Tuscany look similar to the landscapes in Asti...no surprise that the Italians felt at home in Sonoma Valley, CA. Keep blogging Baby!

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  83. Congrats on your one year! I really enjoy your blog. The book looks wonderful. Pat H

    pattygary@kc.rr.com

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  84. I am a follower...thanks for sharing...Pat H

    pattygary@kc.rr.com

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  85. Hello, Delores
    Happy Blog anniversary!
    I have certainly been enjoying your blog and your postings of your wonderful trip.

    Thank you,
    Chris Ann

    treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

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  86. I follow as Chris on GFC and I also receive your email.
    Kindly,
    Chris Ann

    treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

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  87. Happy blog anniversary! I would love to go to Italy some day, but for now I have to see it through different ways.

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  88. Oh MY! just found your blog and cannot wait to read it all...and your giveaway? Perfecto! I'm travelng there, all by myself, as a gift from my husband! to check off my bucket list. Learn their language, their customs, their loves. Renting an apt for a homebase but plan on hopping trains every day or every week(whatever "I" wanna do!) to visit every city and photograph every landscape. I've been once on a photography seminar and fell in love. Your book would be such an asset for my trip!

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  89. YOU ARE KILLING ME!!! I just read every one of your Italy posts...gorgeous images...and so many of the same places we photographed when were there...florence, tuscany, rome, venice....and your windows? HA! I bet I got at least 1000 shots of windows..heheheh! And please tell me you got to Verona to see the window and balcony where Romeo,Romeo...whereforartthou Romeo??!!!!!

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  90. You have created a beautiful and restful place here. I always enjoy browsing your pages. I came here tonight to say thank you once again for your very kind words of last November when I posted thoughts on the death of my nephew. Thank you, Dolores.
    Please keep this going. I love stopping by to bask in the warmth!

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  91. Oh my. I would love to gift the book to my aunt, she has been to Florence a couple of times and I am sure it would bring back so many good memories!

    thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com

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  92. I am a blog follower.

    thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com

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  93. Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. Comments are now closed for this post. I will announce a winner later today.

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  94. Ahhhh Delores, thanks for the mention. I knew the first time I saw your blog that it was going to be a huge hit in Blogville. I didn't do anything to help - I just loved coming here and seeing all of the beauty you were sharing. I still love it. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. You have a few visitors other than your s-i-l now!! I sure hope you will blog forever, because I would miss all of this beauty way too much if you ever quit blogging. Hugs, laurie

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