Font Shopping

There is something very addicting about shopping for new fonts! I am in the midst of purchasing new fonts for our 2012 designs and it's such a tough choice. I am in awe of these amazing artist's talent! So how do I shop for new fonts? I look at the trends of course but I also look at what inspires the artist in me. If I can look at a font and see it in action without ever stepping foot in Illustrator than I know I have found a keeper!! So look out, new fonts, new designs and new fun items are coming your way from Belle Announcements!

Giveaway from a Talented Artist

There is something special about buying customized gifts for your friends and family. Ann-Margaret's Tea Shoppe features the photography and art of a very talented woman. Ann-Margaret makes amazing necklaces, belt buckles and now in 2012 she is introducing her new mixed media mug! I for one, cannot wait for this!

In excitement for the debut of her new mixed media, Ann-Margaret is offering a Christmas Giveaway that includes 2 $25 Gift Certificates and a tall travel mug with her new mixed media! She is covering the shipping costs. It really doesn't get any easier to suppoert a local artist. Buy something special for yourself, your sister, your friends, etc. Let Ann-Margaret design your next classic jewelry piece. 

You can enter her giveaway here.

Elve's really do love syrup!

Our Elf...

Our Elf on a Shelf

I am truly amazed at the power of this small Elf in my house. I would have thought that my 5 year old would start to doubt a stuffed creatures power. I would  have guessed that she would compare this Elf to her 400 other stuffed characters and start to question... but alas, to her delight, he continues causing mischief in our house. Our 2 1/2 year old has jumped on board 110% and thinks Elf is the silliest Elf ever. Today she said, Elf is silly, all while covering her mouth and giggling like a sweetheart.

So to the toy genius behind Elf on a Shelf, I give you accolades!! And thank you pinterest for taking up hours of my time searching for ways my curious Elf can entertain my child.

Last Night

What she will find tomorrow

Tell me, what's your Elf up to!?

Doodle Photo Save the Date Card

Love this font!! Thank you Casey Cooper Photography for the gorgeous photos!

How cute are these?!

Sweet Cupcake Birthday Photo Invitation

Brand new 4 by 8 designs are coming! Here is one fabulous cupcake birthday invitation!

Purchase here for 90 cents each!

Peace Love and Joy Holiday Photo Cards

New holiday cards!

See the back!

Peaceful Blue Holiday Photo Card

Thank you Love, Louise Photography for this sweet Santa Photo!

$15, buy today and print tomorrow!

Brown Aged Vintage Save the Date Announcement

Hot off the press, our brand new vintage Save the Date photo card featuring a brown aged design and three personal photos. This design is a 4 by 8.

Purchase from our Etsy Store

Alabama Houndstooth Baby Shower Invitations

Introducing new Alabama Baby Shower Invitations featuring Houndstooth with pink and blue!

Printables available for $15

New 4 by 8 Birthday Invitations

Custom photo birthday invitations with pirates, princesses and cupcakes are coming soon! Sneak Peak!

View enlarged

Scrapbook Kit Giveaway Winner!

And the winner is.... #2! Ashley Rose! Enjoy your new hobby! Your special code will be emailed to you. Congrats!!

And for the rest of you, don't forget MyMemories gave us a unique discount code to save $10.  Use promo code STMMMS47725 during checkout at MyMemories.com.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Sale

Save 20% on all our cards, including Printables available in our Etsy Store. Use coupon code blackfriday during checkout at http://belleannouncements.com or http://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketliv?ref=si_shop

Thankful Times…

Just a few more days before Thanksgiving and I’m doing the standard running around like a fool routine.  I notice a nice trend on Facebook, friends are making their daily status things in their life they are grateful for.  So tonight, I sat with the kids until they fell asleep, thankful that they still want me by their side.  I am thankful that my husband loves me and that our marriage is strong and alive. I’m thankful for my family; they are a fiercely loyal and caring bunch.  I’m thankful for my wonderful friends who have brought such wonderful new experiences and enrichment to my life.  Lastly, I’m grateful for God’s Grace, how generous He has been to me.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude.

P.S. This would be a wonderful time to send out a “Thank You” note to someone who has had an impact on your life.

Mississippi State Maroon Inspired Christmas Card

Cardstock or Photo Paper

Christmas Gift Photo Key Chains

Photo key chains are the perfect addition to your Christmas Gifts!

Heart keychain is approximately 1.9” x 1.4”.

Puzzle key chain is approximately 2” x 1.8”.

Image size is approximately 1” x 1”.  The key chains have a durable high gloss surface. They are sublimated silver colored.

Delivery may take 2 1/2 weeks and your item is shipped via USPS Priority Mail.

Shop here!

Top Selling Card of 2011

This has been an exciting year for Belle Announcements! We want to thank everyone who has made this year a success and cannot wait to see all your family Christmas Photos for this year's card! Until then, I am so excited to announce our top selling invitation this year was our Gender Reveal Football Invitation. I had no idea this invitation would be so popular. We have made matching water bottle labels, thank you cards, address labels and so much more. What an awesome, modern shower theme!

If you purchased this design, please do us the favor of posting your review online! We appreciate your business and wish everyone an amazing Thanksgiving filled with good food, family and fun!

Post a Review or Shop this invitation

Enter to win a Free Christmas Printable!

We have partnered with A Delightsome Life to offer a FREE Printable Christmas Card to one lucky winner! Enter to win and enjoy this delightful blog while you are there! 

 

Special Savings for IVillage Members

I used to post a ton... I mean a LOT... as in 14K plus posts in about 3 years on my IVillage expecting group. It was such an amazing group of ladies and sadly when IVillage changed their forum format we all left but have kept in touch via facebook as often as we can. It's just not the same as our daily DYK posts though!
So in honor of all the beautiful women out there, here is a 15% IVillage Savings Coupon! Use code IVILLAGE15 during check out and you will save 15% off your total order! 

Happy Shopping!

AU-some AUBURN Christmas Card

Introducing our first Auburn University inspired photo Christmas card for 2011!

 

Purchase the $15 Printable here 

Purchase Cardstock or Photo Paper Versions here

My Memories Suite Giveaway & Coupon

I believe I mentioned some time back that I’m a crafter.  One of the crafts I enjoy is scrapbooking.  So when I was given the opportunity to try out the MyMemories Suites scrapbooking software I was excited.  Not that I don’t like my cutters, croppers and paper, but my craft closet is only so big.

The biggest draw for me was the concept of “fixable mistakes”.  There have been many of times where I cut a piece of paper wrong, cut a picture too small or just plain wasn’t happy with a page.  With a digital scrapbook I could experiment on a page over and over until I got the results I wanted… without one wasted picture.

So off to www.MyMemories.com I go.  The download instructions were clear and easy to follow. Your registration code is emailed to you, nice for me because I hate having to print receipts.  Like most software, there is a reboot at the end of the installation so be sure to save anything you may have been working on.

The software is fairly straightforward and easy to use.  I thought it had a Microsoft Office feel to it.  Being that most everyone has at some point in their life used Office I think that is appealing to a broad base.  There is also a handy online manual that has almost any question you can think of in there.

The basic software comes with about 30ish basic designer templates. I was thrilled when I found a treasure trove of free designer kits on MyMemories site. So if you don’t find what you are looking for in the initial download, search the site. There are some adorable kits for sale too. I thought they were reasonably prices, in most cases less than a paper pack at the store.

End result of my testing was me staying up to all hours of the morning creating various pages with our summer vacation pictures.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!! That's right, MyMemories.com will provide one lucky winner with their Scrapbook Software! Plus a discount code for all our readers, use promo code STMMMS47725 during checkout at MyMemories.com to receive a $10 discount.

We have a number of ways for you to enter, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each one and return on November 30th to see if you're the winner!

1. Mandatory entry – Pop on over to MyMemories.com and take a look around, then come back here and let everyone know which Digital Scrapbook Kit is your favorite by leaving it in the comments
2. Become a fan of Belle Announcements on Facebook  - if you already are a follower – let us know.
3. Visit Belle Announcements store and let us know which Christmas Card is your favorite!
4. Share our Etsy Store Link on your Facebook page. Use link ---->  http://www.etsy.com/shop/rocketliv?ref=si_shop
5. Follow My Memories on twitter - @MyMemoriesSuite
6. Tweet about this giveaway with @_BelleAnnounces and @mymemoriessuite in the message
7.  Post an entry about this giveaway on your blog or website and come back here to link it!

Entries must be received by November 29th! The Winner will be announced in a new blog post on November 30th as well as on Facebook. Winners will be chosen using random.org.

Happy Cropping!

Remember our Soldier's at Christmas

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching. As you shop for Christmas greeting and gift cards don't forget to snap up a few extras for our boys overseas.  Send a greeting to a soldier in Afganistan or Korea or a sailor with the 7th Fleet in the South Pacific or on board a ship of 2nd Fleet in the Med. If you don't have a specific soldier to send a card to, let us send one for you! We'll print an extra card and mail it direct!

Mini Christmas Photo Cards and Gift Tags

Have Yourself a Mini Little Christmas

Merry Wishes Mini

The Christmas Mini is a 3 ½ by 2 inch photo card that can be used for anything from gift tags to enclosure cards.  Perfect for attaching to client gifts or even using as a festive business card.  You can attach them to your holiday cookie tray or your office potluck dish.  Need cards for your kids to pass to their friends and classmates?  The Christmas Mini is sure to delight.

Crimson Holiday Mini

These little cuties are sold in sets of 24 with your choice of coordinating envelopes (red, green or silver).  How would you use your Christmas Minis?

Featuring: Owl Wall Art

Hello Baby!

Looking for a unique and personal gift to welcome a little one to the world?  Olivia the Owl is at your service. It’s the latest Nursery Wall Art design from Belle Announcement.  The whimsical owls will sure to delight the new parents and quickly become a favorite keepsake.

Shop Olivia Owl Wall Art

We adore our Nursery Wall Art, the personalized birth announcement turned playful, modern art piece.  Printed on Kodak professional grade paper and mounted to a sturdy mat-board, the quality of Belle Announcements pieces are obvious.   Check out all six designs.

Congrats to our winner!

Alyse Taylor, you have won the 25 Free Christmas Card Giveaway! Please email us at belleinfo@me.com to claim your prize! Thank you so much!

Whooo’s getting ready for Halloween?

We are, of course! With the first day of fall and cooler weather upon us, it’s hard not to get into the spirit.  The next few weekends are going to be jam packed with pumpkin patches, apple picking, hay rides and corn mazes. Being the crafty mom, I’m sure there will be many long nights in front of the sewing machine creating new costumes for the girls. 

All of this is topped off by the best trick or treating party at Auntie Jeannie’s.  We all gather at my sister’s with over filled bowls of candy, stickers and small toys.  With a bon fire and apple cider to keep us warm, we set up camp in the driveway and wait. 

Droves of monsters, witches, princesses and superheroes flood the streets with their sacks in search of loot.  Only the brave dare to come up the drive without a costume, leaving (good naturedly) as a pile of silly string.  We head inside to fill our tummies with chili only when the parade of characters retreats back from where they came; wrapping up yet another epic Halloween.

Check out Belle Announcements latest Halloween Invitations.  They are spooktacular!

Auburn Baby Shower Invitations

I live in the south where football is very important! Here are two new Auburn themed Baby Shower Invitations. More SEC teams to come! Look for that amazing pattern to show up on Christmas cards too! I am in love with it!

Tiger-To-Be
Cardstock - http://belleannouncements.com/auburn-party-invitations.aspx

Printable - http://www.etsy.com/listing/82247159/auburn-sec-themed-baby-shower-invitation?ref=v1_other_2

Auburn Belly
Cardstock - http://belleannouncements.com/auburn-party-invitations.aspx

Printable - http://www.etsy.com/listing/82247318/auburn-belly-silhouette-sec-themed-baby

Christmas Cards from $15

We know that Christmas is an expensive time of year! Shopping for friends and family is fun but comes with a cost. Buying that cute dress for the company holiday party is worth the feeling you get when you wear it but again, adds to your holiday expenses. On top of that, it's your turn to travel to family this year. We understand that the rising cost of food, gifts and traveling has made your budget strings tighten. This is why Belle Announcements offers three main print options on our Christmas Photo Cards. We want you to love your Christmas card. Let's face it, we all display the cards proudly on our wall, fridges and mantles. It's exciting to receive them in the mail and see how all your friends and family are changing and the kids are growing. We don't want you to break the bank in order to have gorgeous cards but we do want you to have gorgeous cards!

This is why we offer three main print options at Belle Announcements.  On our main website you can purchase 25 5 by 7 Cardstock Christmas cards for $46.50. These are double sided and can have photos on the front and back. If you prefer something a little less expensive and don't necessarily want photos on the back, you can purchase 25 5 by 7 Photo Paper Christmas cards for $36.50. They are just as stunning printed on professional grade Kodak Paper, they simply do not have a backside. These are both great options for those that want a quality design.

Our third option is a printable option for $15 sold exclusively in our Etsy Store. We email you the design in either a 5 by 7 or 4 by 6 format and you can print them at home, at your local photo lab or order online. This can be an inexpensive way to send an impressive custom Christmas card. If you google free prints you will find a lot of options at places like Shutterfly, WinkFlash, etc. that offer 50 free 4 by 6 prints. All you pay is shipping. Last week we had a client do this. She paid $15 for the printable and used a print code from Shutterfly for 25 free prints. She paid $3 in shipping so she received 25 Custom Birthday Invitations for only $18. She can mail them in a regular size envelope that she already has at home.

So celebrate your family and send a treasured Christmas card to your friends and family this year using the best print option for your family. We are here to customize your card to make it as unique as your family.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Belle Announcements!

Crimson Tide Photo Christmas Card

Introducing our first 2011 Crimson Tide inspired Photo Christmas Card! Roll Tide Alabama fans and enjoy your houndstooth Christmas Card.

SEC Football Birthday Invitations

Here is a preview of our new SEC Football Birthday Invitations. We will be rolling out all the great SEC teams. We can customize your team player's jersey and helmet colors but we cannot use the official logo or copyrighted material.

Shop our Tailgating invitations!

Win 25 Photo Christmas Cards from Belle Announcements

We are so excited for our 2011 Christmas Season to begin that we're giving away cards! We have gained our inspiration for this year's line from Love, Louise Photography.  Keep an eye out for even more cards to begin showing up on our website! The full line up will be online by October 1st. Until then, why not try to win a free set of 25 Cardstock Photo Christmas Cards?

 Open to US residents only. 


HERE’S HOW TO WIN:


1. Become a fan on our Facebook Page. Come back here and post in the comments letting me know you have done this or post that you already are! Thanks for already being a fan. (1 entry)

HERE’S HOW TO WIN ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Post a comment to this blog post for each completed entry.


2. Tag yourself in your favorite 2011 Belle Announcements Card. You are not obligated to use this design should you win this contest. (1 entry)
3. Submit your email to our newsletter. We send up to 4 emails per year. You'll barely notice we're there. (1 entry)
4. Become a fan of Love, Louise Photography on Facebook (1 entry)
5. Follow Belle Announcements on Twitter (1 entry)
6. Tweet our giveaway using this blog link ( http://belleannounces.blogspot.com/2011/08/win-25-photo-christmas-cards-from-belle.html )and include the direct link to that tweet in the comments below (1 entry) You can do this Daily 
7. Click the google +1 button below. (1 entry)
8. Blog about us on your family blog. (5 entries)  If you have ordered from Belle Announcements previously, let your friends and family know about your experience. The blog must include a clickable link to our Photo Christmas Cards -- > http://belleannouncements.com/photo_christmas_cards.aspx  Make sure to post 5 comments to receive your 5 entries.

This contest will end on September 30, 2011. The winner will be notified on October 1st via email as well as a blog post on this blog and will have two days to contact us back. If we do not hear back from the winner, we will redraw. Winners will be chosen using a random number generator.

Start shopping our Photo Christmas Cards and get ahead start on your holiday preparations!

New: Cow Gift Tags

Thanks to the custom request of a very special client, we now offer these adorable Cow Gift Tags! :) Gift tags are the perfect embellishment to any gift from baby showers to birthday parties. Save the money you would spend on 2 greeting cards and receive a set of 12 tags.

These are currently available in our Etsy Store.

New Announcements featuring Life's Captured Photography

We are introducing four new birth announcements featuring the photography of Life's Captured Moments. You can read more about them on our site. Mention this blog post when you book a photo shoot with them and you will receive $25 off your sitting fee. This is valid until the end of 2011. We appreciate the talented Cindy Shaver and her kindness in sharing her photography with Belle Announcements.

Chandelier's are all the rage!

Chandelier's seem to the new hit these days. I see them everywhere I go from wall hangings to cards. They are a classic piece so we are proud to add Chandelier's to our gallery of designs. This design can be customized for any type of event from bridal shower to baby shower. There is never a charge for customizations. It's all part of the Belle Announcements Trademark Customer Service!

 

View this invitation on our website

NEW Gender Reveal Baseball Ticket Style!

Look for additional sport options to arrive soon!

Bold Gender Reveal Football Ticket

Here is a Bolder take on our popular Gender Reveal Invitation featuring a football ticket style and sweet baby colored helmets!

Vintaged Wedding Program Fans

We were thrilled to see this gorgeous wedding featured on Chez Wedd. We had the amazing opportunity to work with the bride on a few of her paper needs. She was very artistic and new exactly what she wanted for her Save the Date cards as well as her Wedding Programs. After meeting the bride, we were able to turn her ideas into a beautiful, vintage wedding program that served the duel purpose of wedding program and send off!

The bride was not able to use rice at her wedding venue so she instead requested the words Hooray, Yippee and Super be printed on the back of the program fan. The result was stunning. You can see the send off in the below photo

Congrats to Allison and Jeremy! We thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your beautiful day! View more of Allison's stunning wedding here.

Stunning Photography is copyrighted to Whitmeyer Photography

Post your review and enter to win a $50 Belle Announcements Giftcard

Our new site features customer reviews! We are so excited about this feature as it will aid future clients in reviewing our products! Recommend your favorite cardstock and designs! We will give you a $5 coupon for reviewing your previous purchases. We will also enter you in to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Belle Announcements! We appreciate you and hope to read your reviews soon!

Pirate Cupcake Toppers

$8 in our Etsy store

Love these new cupcake toppers! Aarg!
Order here! You will also find matching invitations, thank you notes, juice box labels and more!

Gift Certificates are now available online

It's the ideal gift for the expectant mom, party planner and stationery lover in your life. Belle Announcements gift certificates are perfectly practical and absolutely appreciated by family and friends. Customize your certificate by including a personal message for a unique and personal gift. 

Gift certificates can be applied to any order and can be used in combination with all web discounts and coupon codes. We will ship your gift certificate in a coordinating envelope via USPS first-class shipping. There are no shipping costs on gift certificate orders. 

If you have a previously issued 7 digit Gift Certificate, please email us at belleinfo@me.com for an updated certificate number. We have upgraded our system and unfortunately were not able to carry over past issued numbers. Thank you so much for your patience as we continue to improve your shopping experience.  Purchase your Gift Certificates today!