Bella Blu Designs

Sunday, March 29, 2009

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.

Friday, March 20, 2009

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:

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

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.





Friday, March 13, 2009

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.
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