New stationery

Where, oh where, did the weekend go? I can't believe it's come to an end but I am so pleased to report that I spent the better part of today getting completely organized. All of my fabric is now conveniently stored in drawer bins by pattern and color. I finally ditched about 50 lbs of proposals and presentations I've been lugging around for nearly 7 years - samples from my days as a desktop publisher at KPMG in Atlanta. Don't get me wrong - they were beautiful accounting documents; I just think it's time to clean out and trim down my stash.

I've also decided I need to use some of my superfluous paper and fabric supply - especially the stuff I haven't touched in well over a year. It seems a shame to toss it so I decided to make some notecards from left over Amy Butler paper:

Set of six lined booklet notecards in Amy Butler paper ($7.50):

I had so much work to do this weekend but it's all done and I am ready to face the new week ahead. Last week was so busy with work meetings and some big year-end projects. For the first time since probably December my horizon is clear for catching up on some of those little "I'll-get-to-it-later" odds & ends.

I am also breathing a huge sigh of relief since I met with my CPA last Thursday evening to hand over all of my tax documents. I'm a little nervous to get word on the final damage but for now, it's all in the hands of a professional.

Polka lab

Fun new polka dot lab! I've had this fabric for ages but haven't made anything out of it til today. Love it!

Spring has Sprung

It's been the nicest, quietest week around the office (thank you, spring break!) and what better way to end it than with the beginning of Spring. This week Austin is hosting the world for our annual South by Southwest (SXSW for short) music, film and interactive festivals. The city is a buzz with celebrities, indie bands, and techno-junkies alike.

As I prepare to meet a friend for lunch and play hooky for the afternoon, enjoy some fresh spring finds from Etsy.

Clouds by Kathryn Knudsen:


Swirl posts, celery from Sofia Masri:


March No. 6 from Fernanimals:


Linen Pinafore (natural) from PamelaTang:


Linen and Lace Lovebirds from Cotton Bird Designs:


Polka Dot Camellia Custom Dog Collar from Pecan Pie Puppies:


Prickly Pear pin cushion from PrettyLilThings:


3 gift cards with vintage chairs and applique from LeiLiLaLoo:


Herb Garden Plant Markers - Mini - Nickel from Nina Gibson Designs:


Pastel Gingham Bunch. flower plushies (set of three) from La Pomme:

Everyone is Irish on March 17th

As promised, here are a few of my favorite green items from both Irish and American Etsy sellers:

pillow slip - spider mum from yorktownroad:


Lime Green Chrysanthemum Earrings from Candy's Art:


Pear green mini scarf from Emily Sparks:


Irish Petite Pillow or Pinkeep from SugarAndSpice:


Paddy Bunting from redpossum:


Six Crochet Flowers in Blue and Green Shades from AnnieDesign:


Aventurine and Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Stud Earrings from MariellesCrafts (I ordered these yesterday from this Irish seller and can't wait to receive them!):


Eat Your Greens. BUTTON MOON BLOOM. Wearable Art brooch MAXI from TanyaMac:


5 FELT Needle Felted Wool Acorns - Leaf Green from truLuxe:

Pinch me...

Happy St. Paddy's Day, y'all!

All of the Irish hype is cause for reflection on my trip to Ireland last fall. Some of you may remember the blog my sister and I set up to document our trip - The Pink Shamrock. I was laughing to myself as I read through and remembered all of our adventures... and in turn posted this little ditty to KO's Facebook wall:


I'll be back with some of my favorite green finds later this morning but in the meantime, enjoy this snippet of Irish trivia:

Erin Go Bragh is the Anglicization of a Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever", and pronounced /ˌɛrɪn gə ˈbrɔː/.

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

St. Patrick's Blue, not green, was the colour long-associated with St. Patrick. Green, the colour most widely associated with Ireland, with Irish people, and with St. Patrick's Day in modern times, may have gained its prominence through the phrase "the wearing of the green" meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing. At many times in Irish history, to do so was seen as a sign of Irish nationalism or loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith. St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. The wearing of and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the saint's holiday.The change to Ireland's association with green rather than blue probably began around the 1750's.

Hand drawn hilarity

I recently stumbled upon Kelly is awesome's Etsy shop and her truly hilarious hand drawn 'Pop Princess Pigs.' The hilarity may be lost of some of you with more discerning musical taste but I laugh out loud every time I look at these. Enjoy!

Hand drawn with ink and water color on handmade paper. 3.5 x 5 inches. $15.

Rare Bird Finds

I was so excited to awaken to a message from Amanda Toris at Rare Bird Finds notifying me I had been include on their lovely shopping blog. Amanda uncovers her favorite Pampered Pets finds for the blog and I am honored that my lab dog onesie and pant set in coral star paisley made the cut!

So what is a rare bird you ask? Well, according to their blog:

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Rara Avis (Latin) n. rare bird; a rare or unique person or thing.

Rare Bird Finds is your source for unique gift ideas.

No matter the shape, size, or category, we only pick items that are hidden gems. While no one pays to be featured, advertisements and sponsored posts are clearly marked, and we do use affiliate links now and then.

We hope you enjoy our finds as much as we do.

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This was such a delightful way to start a dreary, rainy Friday.

Soap & Glory

Like every good red-blooded American woman, I love Target. I mean, I really, really love Target. I love their displays, their marketing, their presentation, the whole nine yards. I particularly love the fact that they carry a broad selection of Soap & Glory products. My friend Lindsey first got me hooked a few years ago when their line was only available at Barney's Co-op. It's now gone mainstream and I highly suggest you check it out if you haven't been already been lured in by their witty product names and sassy packaging (that's right, I said sassy).


I am addicted to their Clean On Me shower gel and this little number, The Scrub of your Life (it really is!):


I also like this Righteous Butter since it's very moisturizing but not too greasy. Brilliant! And the smell is to die for.

{Sorry, I'm in marketing... my life is a giant sell}

Go Speedracer, go!

They say no good deed goes unpunished and I can add that no unnecessary shopping trip goes unpunished, either. I started my morning at the dentist for a cleaning and two itsy bitsy fillings. So small in fact they didn't even require needles or drills... my day was off to a great start! Since I finished sooner than expected at the dentist I decided to make a quick pitstop at Nordstrom before heading into work. I was feeling pretty good about my two purchases and as one of Austin's finest might argue, so good in fact that I was paying no attention to my speed. Sure enough I was pulled over for doing 42 in a 30 although the cop was nice enough to lower my speed to 40 on the ticket. Ugh, I drive Safely.com, here I come.

It's my friend Meredith's birthday on Thursday so I just ordered her this adorable shoe bag from Moon Garden Design:


Andy's out of town for the week so it's scrambled eggs for dinner and an evening of sewing. I feel jetlagged or off-kilter with the time change. Odd that it is light so late.

Happy Monday (and slow down, tickets are expensive!).

March give-away now closed

Thanks to everyone who participated in my March give-away contest by commenting on my new Etsy shop banner!

I have the names & comments from all participants but I am missing a couple of email addresses. Just in case yours is one of them, please drop me an email at christy@bellabludesigns.com if you commented at any point over the past week. I want to be sure I have everyone's contact info.

Thanks!
Christy

Don't mess with Texas

I've been working on an order for one of my friends from work and was inspired to create this little Lone Star creation. I am not originally from Texas but over the past 6.5 years of living here, have come to understand the state pride that is uniquely Texas.


State of Texas onesie and burpcloth set in Cowboy and Bandanna prints ($28):


I was thinking it would be cute to try some other states, too. But for now I am back to work on a few other items to complete this order.

Super model

My friend Angela gave birth to the most adorable little guy in early February. Check out Baby Grayson in his BellaBlu onesie - made just for him with the likeness of his only sibling, mini schnauzer Stella. He's too cute!

Moon Garden Design: Shop Make-over

A few months ago I mentioned that my mom-slash-sewing-guru started her own Etsy shop called Moon Garden Design. She sells the most beautiful shoe bags for traveling in style - super handy (and cute!) for stowing shoes in your suitcase. She's also got some travel laundry bags and various other sets, all of which make great gifts for mother's day, teachers, bridesmaids, etc.

Last weekend while I was working on the re-do of my shop banner, I gave her shop a facelift while I was at it. Check it out!


While you're there, browse the adorable shoe bags like this fully lined pink and celery bag - a steal at only $15!

Don't forget! Comment to win

Don't forget that Saturday is the last day to comment to win any one item from my Etsy shop. I'll be drawing a winner at random on Sunday! There may be special prizes for the non-winners, too so don't miss out.

For no reason other than the fact that it's so darn cute, check out this green cupcake stand from Vessels and Wares:


My cake plate is one of my favorite things in my kitchen (even though it's rarely occupied with cake) and I am thinking it could use a little buddy like this one.

Become a fan of BellaBlu designs on Facebook!

BellaBlu designs has officially taken the leap into Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaBlu-designs/58231116015

Become a fan today!

New look! Comment and win the item of your choice from my shop!

You may have read my online rant about a month ago when I had a total failure of my hard drive (total failure = total loss of data). I've been slowly re-building my new system and while it is a pain in the butt, I am also finding it cathartic to have to start over on some things. I am better organized -- a forced clean-out will do that to you! -- and I am reconsidering some of my identity. Last night I decided to swap out the banner in my Etsy shop as well as my avatar:

Take a look and let me know what you think! I'll leave the comments section of my blog open for the next week and with the help of random.org, will draw one winner next Sunday, 3/8. The lucky winner will have your choice of any one item from my Etsy shop (excluding invitations or party favors) - free of charge including shipping!

So let me know what you think and put your name in the hat for this special offer!