Revisting our feature in the Madison Spirit in September 28, 2009

I was thrilled to have Gregg L. Parker from the Madison Spirit interview me for a feature in their paper back in September 2009. Sadly, it has since been removed from their online archives so I am re-publishing it here so that those that may wish to read it. Thanks!!

Liv Wilson promotes letter-writing magic
Custom stationery business emphasizes the personal touch

"In the past 13 years, Liv Wilson has worked as a bookseller, florist, accountant and paralegal. She has been the happiest the past three years as a graphic artist and stay-at-home-and-work mom.

Wilson runs Belle Announcements, an Internet based and locally owned business for custom stationery with Southern charm.

Wilson wanted her company name "to represent both my Southern heritage and the main product - announcing an important event in a client's life from birth announcements to party invitations."

She believes that postal mail is quickly becoming lost in the information overload era of Twitter and Facebook. "Letter writing is the solution to the electronic clutter in our lives."

While e-mail messages and phone calls are good, she said, "Nothing beats receiving a thank-you message written on beautifully personalized stationery. It gives me joy to design and print a small bit of magic."

Belle Announcements designs and prints birth announcements, party invitations, stationery, Christmas cards and other items. The products are printed on 110-pound quality card stock in flour paper textures - glossy, linen, pearl and an eco-friendly recycled.

But Belle Announcements' trademark, Wilson said, is superior customer service.

At her first job with B. Dalton Booksellers, her boss taught her all about customer service. The store had one-third wood flooring at the entrance, the rest carpet. "If a customer reached the carpet without a greeting from a bookseller, we were fired."

Wilson said she is usually disappointed with customer service that has "taken a back seat to automation and a "serve the masses" priority."

Wilson encourages special requests and enjoys the creativity of designing new cards. "It makes my day," she said.

She recently responded to a client who wanted an invitation for her daughter's painting party. Wilson's online gallery didn't include the party theme, so she designed a card "with an adorable blond sweetie with big blue eyes painting on a vibrant pink canvas."

"We gave her a unique, quality product with a customer service that reflected Southern charm and manners and prompt delivery."

Wilson holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Alabama. Her husband, Brent Wilson, works as an engineer for t he U.S. Army and has loyally supported her endeavors.

"We joke that Brent is my "delivery boy" because he handles all local business orders," she said.

The Wilsons have two daughters. Abby, who's 3 years old, wants to become an astronaut. Five-mon-old Holly smiles and laughs all day. The couple moved here about three years ago. "We didn't want to raise our child on the coast. We wanted a city more family-driven."

Custom Return Address Labels have arrived!

How cute are these little cowboys?! So many more to come!

Send your letters with these custom address labels and make your friends and family smile in delight.

Add a touch of style to your envelope with these rectangular labels. Labels measure 1 by 2 5/8 and are printed on a sheet of 30. Please convo me if you need multiple sheets and I can adjust the listing for you.

My labels can be customized so if you don't see a design you like, convo me and I can post a new listing for you with a brand new design. I can also design a matching invitation if you don't see one or vice versa a matching label to any invitation in my shop.

Please use the Comments to Seller box during check out to list the name and address as you want them printed.

Thank you!

Cowboy graphic ©PeachPoPsClipArt, thank you for letting me share your talent!

Amazing new Earth Friendly Products and Giveaway

So I am a huge follower of Leslie Love's Veggies blog. She always has some unusual and fun new products that I have never heard of and would probably never have found without her blog. This week she posted a giveaway for Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods. 


They provide products that are safer for families and easier on the environment. Dandelion is about using more eco-conscience materials, less packaging and greener office practices…about taking small steps to do more. Their Slogan, Choose Dandelion…better for your Baby, better for your Environment is right up my alley! With two children, I am always hyper aware of what I feed them, what I put the food I feed them on, etc. Is it BPA Free? Is it PVS free? What are the ingredients!? These questions are always in my head when I am selecting new products. According to their site, all Dandelion, Earth Friendly Goods are BPA free, Phthalate Free and PVC Free Naturally. 

So what are these products made from you may ask? Corn! How cool is that!? Seriously, I am excited about these products, how often do you find truly natural products?

If you are interested in trying out these products, enter Leslie's Giveaway. Good luck!

Cool off with a water bottle party favor...

As more and more events are happening outdoors, it is very important that you keep your guests hydrated! We have introduced a new line of Waterproof Water Bottle Labels custom designed for your event. Instead of giving away expensive party favors, keep your costs in check with water bottle labels. Most likely, you planned to have water available to your party guests, here is a special way to give it to them.

Place your order in our Etsy Store.

First Book- North Alabama Donations

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, each year First Book distributes millions of free and low-cost books to disadvantaged children and the programs that serve them.

Formed April 27, 2010, First Book-North Alabama is committed to making a difference in the lives of children right here in the Tennessee Valley.  To show our appreciation for their commitment we have donated select printing services. Check out these adorable folded stationery cards. Mecca Musick, from FBNA, requested cards that looked like books! What do you think? These were printed on 110 lb Linen Cardstock. 

What else does FBNA need? Bookmarks of course! Their main focus is books so the obvious paper choice for a card full of information is a bookmark! 

Their goal in 2011 is to put 30,000 new books in the hands of children in North Alabama. You can help: all it takes is $2.00 to buy a book.

Give a book - make a difference. Make an online donation.

First Book-North Alabama is made up of volunteers from throughout the community. We are always looking for passionate volunteers who want to make a difference in children's lives. If you are interested in volunteering with First Book-North Alabama, email us at northalabama@firstbook.org.

New Cupcake Toppers & Super Bling

It was time to branch out and start some fun projects. I was ready to get back to a more hands on, glue gun and crafts paper styling. So out of that has come two new items, cupcake toppers and Super Bling. Please forgive the photos, as much as I would like to be, I am definitely not a product photographer! Maybe I can get my good friend Dana M. to photograph these cards for me. :)

Cupcake Toppers

Super Bling!

Hippity Hoppity! Easter is on it's way!

Celebrate Easter this year with a card that showcases your family! Order a custom card, designed around your family photo. Send it via bunny mail or email! Post it on your facebook and twitter! The joy of printables is the ease in which you can share them!

Adorable Custom Photo Card: available in our Etsy Shop