Belle Announces

Last Minute Printable Owl Valentine Cards

2012-02-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

This bold, fun Valentine featuring Owls is ready to print, sign and mail for only $5. This design is priced so that everyone can give a custom, beautiful valentine. I recommend printing these 3 inches by 3 inches. Then cut a second piece of cardstock 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches to make a nice backing as well as a border. Use a bold color to match the design or as I have shown, a sparkly slice of brushed pearl cardstock.

Purchase for $5

Pocahontas Princess Party Invitation

2012-02-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

Having a Pocahontas party!? Celebrate with this custom invitation. You can purchase the printable for $15 or Cardstock for $38.50.


Pocahontas @ Zenware Designs

Mulan Princess Party Invitation

2012-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much Zenware Designs! While I would love to design every single one of my graphics, there is just not enough hours in the day. So thank you Zenware for sharing your extraordinary talent with me!

Princess Jasmine Party Invitation

2012-02-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

Celebrate your Princess with a Perfect Party Invitation custom designed with your child's favorite princess. Shop my Birthday Invitations.

Pink Leopard Shower Invitation

2012-02-04T09:34:00.001-08:00

New Design Alert- This baby shower invitation can also be a party invitation or bridal shower. Just let me know and I will customize it to match your event! The pink and black leopard print can also be customized to match your party.

Elegant Pearl Baby Shower Invitation

2012-02-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

Elegant Pearl Invitation perfect for baby showers or bridal parties!

View all the Shower Invitations

Glitz and Glamour Diva-to-be Baby Shower Invitations

2012-02-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

Celebrate the Diva-to-be with a with a glitzy and glamorous custom shower invitation.

Purchase the Printable

New site coming soon

2012-02-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

As many of you recently read on my facebook page, Belle is switching modes and I am so excited about the new direction. Motherhood changed the way I look at milestones and that is reflected in the fine stationery I design. Belle Announcements shouldn't be a point and click site so I am making changes with the help of a very talented writer and will be updating over the next few weeks! Thanks for your continued support.

Houndstooth Monogrammed Stationery Notes

2012-02-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

Personalized Houndstooth Monogrammed Stationery will make the perfect gift for the Alabama Fan in your life. Or treat yourself to custom notecards. Cards ship within two business days. Happy Shopping or should I say Roll Tide!

View your initial in my store

Junior League of Huntsville Butterfly Project

2012-01-31T08:25:00.000-08:00

I recently had the honor of working with the Butterfly Project. This is an amazing event organized by the Junior League of Huntsville. They collect prom dresses, shoes, purses and jewelry so that they can dress over 100 young seniors for their prom. In addition to that several young ladies are given scholarships to local universities.

About Belle Announcements

2012-01-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for visiting Belle Announcements. My name is Liv and I started Belle back in 2007 because quite simply, I adore snail mail. I have written notes and letters ever since I learned to write. It has been a joy to send little bits of happy and it's a joy to receive them.

Evites and emails are so impersonal. I really want to encourage snail mail. I honestly believe that letter writing is the solution to the electronic clutter in our lives. It's a magical art that inspires smiles and happy feelings! You don't get that from a tweet or an evite.

I am determined to make sure your birth announcement or cupcake invitation stays on the fridge for months. A beautiful, quality card will be gently placed in scrapbooks and memory boxes for years to come. I want to design that card for you not only as an artist but as a mom. It's important to me that your announcement or invitation be a treasure.

I take great pride in the quality of the products that I offer. I am happy to custom design an announcement, invitation or stationery card for you. I started Belle because I felt like stationery companies were becoming very automated. You design it online and it’s mailed to you. No frills or personalization. I want to offer you the best customer service as well as the best design options with all the extra bells and whistles. If you like a design but want to adjust colors, simply ask!

Vintage Hot Air Balloon Invitation

2012-01-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am obsessed with this hot air balloon! I can't help myself, here is the new baby girl shower invitation. Coming soon will be another baby girl version as well as a blue boy! Celebrate your friend's pregnancy with this classic baby shower invitation.

Cardstock or Printable available

Introducing 130 lb Matte Cardstock

2012-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

We have introduced a new cardstock option - 130 lb Premium Matte cardstock. It is by far the thickest of all our papers, feels smooth and looks fantastic. The thick matte stock absorbs the liquid ink for a rich, smooth finish. The images on our designs are printed with liquid vs thousands of tiny dots. This extra steps makes all the difference in your custom experience. Want to see for yourself? Email us your address and we'll send you a sample pack, free!

Vintage Hot Air Balloon Gender Reveal Invitation

2012-01-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

Of late most of our custom requests are centered around vintage and unique themed parties such as Gender Reveal Baby Showers. So we've combined the two requests into this Vintage inspired Gender Reveal Invitation featuring baby blue and pink hot air balloon! I personally am in love with the hot air balloon so you can look for many more stationery cards with this fabulous balloon. You can purchase the 5 by 7 cardstock from our main Belle Announcements web store. I highly recommend the pearl cardstock! It's gorgeous!

If you enjoy the DIY projects, you may also purchase this design as a printable from our Etsy Store for $15.

Vintage Hot Air Balloon Save the Date

2012-01-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

The colors in this design can be customized to match your wedding theme.

Top Selling Christmas Photo Card for 2011

2012-01-16T15:22:00.000-08:00

Drumroll please!!!! This year's winner truly surprised me. I really thought that Classic Holiday Blue would be the top seller. When I designed this I fell instantly in love. I used it as my family photo and though we printed a lot of them, it was not our top card.

Our top card for 2011 went to Christmas Tide! This was the year for tide for sure. This design along with other houndtooth designs on our site were made for all the dedicated Alabama Fans out there. Never have I printed so much Houndstooth!!! Roll Tide! After an amazing Christmas of printing Crimson and Houndstooth inspired cards, I watched the Tide win the 2011 National Championship Game to become the 2011 BCS National Champions! Rock on!!

Printable Valentines $12

2012-01-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

Shop now and Print tomorrow!

Our Top Selling Invitation in 2011

2012-01-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

Our top selling invitation for 2011 was our Gender Reveal Party Invitation with a Football Ticket Theme! Thank you to everyone who made 2011 a success! This item is available as a cardstock invitation and is gorgeous in Pearl! Or you can purchase it from our Etsy Printable store for $15!

Pink v. Blue

Custom Photo Stationery Giveaway!

2012-01-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

Announcing our 12 giveaways of 2012! Each month we will be offering a giveaway on our Facebook Fan Page.

Our first giveaway is going to be a set of 12 Custom Photo Cards. These are printed using solid ink and 80 lb cover stock. They are folded notecards. Envelopes are included.

To enter this giveaway, follow these quick steps!
1. You must first "Like" our Facebook Fan Page.
2. Post a link to our Facebook Page on your Wall and ask your friends to join. You can use the SHARE link under our post for easy linking or use http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belle-Announcements/89474002726
3. Ask your friends to post on our Wall with your name. For example, "______ referred me"

The person with the most referrals by 8 pm central time, January 13, 2012 will receive the Custom Photo Cards. Happy Referring!

Available for purchase Exclusively in our Etsy Store

Shiver me Timbers! Pirate Party Printables

2012-01-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

Arrrrrrrrrgh! Our Pirate themed printables have hit shore!
Blimey, your maties will cast off for your party shores when this invite floats ashore. You'll be seeking grog for sure after your hunger is aroused by these cupcake toppers. Yum yum mates, the whole crew will want one of these candy bars before casting off for distant ports. Your cask of rum, aka bottled water, will quench your thirst as you grab onto these nattily-labeled bottles.

Printable Pirate Candy Bar Wrapper

Printable Pirate Waterbottle Labels

Printable Pirate Party Invitations

Printable Pirate Cupcake Toppers

Font Shopping

2011-12-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-08T19:59:00.001-08:00

Our Elf...

Our Elf on a Shelf

2011-12-06T19:59:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

How cute are these?!

Sweet Cupcake Birthday Photo Invitation

2011-12-06T05:30:00.002-08:00

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

2011-12-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

New holiday cards!

See the back!

Peaceful Blue Holiday Photo Card

2011-12-05T22:04:00.001-08:00

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

$15, buy today and print tomorrow!

Brown Aged Vintage Save the Date Announcement

2011-12-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T14:16:00.001-08:00

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

Printables available for $15

New 4 by 8 Birthday Invitations

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

View enlarged

Scrapbook Kit Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

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…

2011-11-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-20T17:55:00.001-08:00


Cardstock or Photo Paper

Christmas Gift Photo Key Chains

2011-11-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-19T19:28:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-18T21:36:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-18T19:24:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-17T13:35:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-13T18:35:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-09T16:34:00.000-08:00

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

2011-10-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Baby!

Looking for a unique and personal gift towelcome a little one to the world? Olivia the Owl is at your service. It’s the latest Nursery Wall Artdesign from Belle Announcement. Thewhimsical owls will sure to delight the new parents and quickly become a favoritekeepsake.

Shop Olivia Owl Wall Art

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

Congrats to our winner!

2011-10-02T12:54:00.001-07:00

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?

2011-09-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-06T18:20:00.001-07:00

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

SEC Football Birthday Invitations

2011-09-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-08T19:51:00.001-07:00

Look for additional sport options to arrive soon!

Bold Gender Reveal Football Ticket

2011-08-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

$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

2011-07-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2009's Best Selling Photo Christmas Card

2011-07-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are making steady progress updating the improved website to include our Christmas Cards. Tonight we added our 2009 Best Selling Photo Christmas Card, Santa Baby. If you purchased this card, please consider leaving feedback so that our clients can make informed decisions on their Christmas Card purchase!

Santa Baby

July Updates from Belle Announcements

2011-07-02T18:48:00.001-07:00

After months of hard work, we are finally previewing our new website. The new features include customer reviews and a search engine to help narrow down your results. If you have made a previous purchase from Belle Announcements, please take a moment to login and review the invitation or announcement. This will help new clients visiting out site for the first time. We appreciate it!

Other features include order tracking, twitter and facebook updates and more!

We have not completed the upload of all of our galleries. You will see the Enclosure Cards, Christmas Photo Cards and other galleries begin showing up as we wrap up the summer. If you have previously seen a design that is no longer on the site, please email us at belleinfo@me.com and we will take care of this for you within 24 hours! We appreciate your patience as we continue to complete the new website and we hope that you enjoy the new features!

Another happy Mom!

2011-06-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

New Pea in a Pod Baby Shower Invitations

2011-06-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

We are excited to introduce two new cards to our baby shower gallery! Introducing, Precious Pea and Pea Pod... I know, the names are not very exciting but on the business end when you're thinking google ranks and SEO, they work! We'll be introducing more including Twin Peas in a Pod so please leave us a comment with your best name idea!

Precious Pea in a Pod

Pea Pod Shower Invitation

New Baby Shower Invitations - The Peony Collection

2011-06-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

These fresh and stylish baby shower invitations are available in three colors. Currently availably only in our Etsy store as a Printable!

Coming soon to our main site.

Thank you so much!

2011-06-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for visiting Belle Announcements. I started Belle back in 2007 because quite simply, I adore snail mail. I have written notes and letters ever since I learned to write. It has been a joy to send little bits of happy and it's a joy to receive them.

Evites and emails are so impersonal. I really want to encourage snail mail. I honestly believe that letter writing is the solution to the electronic clutter in our lives. It's a magical art that inspires smiles and happy feelings! You don't get that from a tweat or an evite.

I am determined to make sure your birth announcement or cupcake invitation stays on the fridge for months. A beautiful, quality card will be gently placed in scrapbooks and memory boxes for years to come. I want to design that card for you not only as an artist but as a mom. It's important to me that your announcement or invitation be a treasure.

I take great pride in the quality of the products that I offer. I am happy to custom design an announcement, invitation or stationery card for you. I started Belle because I felt like stationery companies were becoming very automated. You design it online and it’s mailed to you. No frills or personalization. I want to offer you the best customer service as well as the best design options. If you like a design but want to adjust colors, simply ask!

I have launched the new storefront! You can now search for specific designs, narrow your results by color or number of photos as well as leave feedback for other clients to read. However, I am still getting everything up and running so you will see that there are over 100 designs missing. Yikes! I am working as fast as I can to get everything loaded. In the mean time if there is a specific design you have previously seen or you would like a custom design, please email me!

Happy Shopping!

Who knew fonts could be so exciting?!

2011-06-22T16:33:00.001-07:00

I personally love fonts. To me, an amazing font is better than a gorgeous pair of shoes. It's crazy how obsessed I can be in looking for new fonts to use on designs. Today, I added two fonts to my growing collection and found this article about fonts in the early days. Very interesting!

"Type design has always been an exacting, highly skilled profession, but that was doubly true in the early days of digital fonts. These faces had to work in highly demanding, challenging environments: CRT monitors, low resolution printers, and in a rapidly evolving newspaper industry. This month we are talking to one of those individuals who tackled the limitations of technology head on. His pioneering techniques, first developed under Wim Crouwel, were later employed by Bitstream and URW, and utilized on road signs and in newsprint, establishing a body of work admired the world over, both for its pragmatic, steely clarity, and its warmth and openness. He has now teamed up with TypeTogether, a foundry run by two of his former students at Reading. It is an honor to welcome Dutch designer Gerard Unger, one of the most original minds in contemporary type design." Continue reading here

Our #1 Baby Shower Invitation

2011-06-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

We are so thrilled that this invitation has brought joy to so many! We have made some updates to the design adding the pink and blue colors to the text. We hope you will continue to enjoy this Gender Reveal Party Invitation! You can purchase this design here.

We highly recommend printing this design on Pearl Cardstock. It is absolutely stunning! If you have previously purchased this design, please leave us a review! Reviews are part of our brand new website.

Gender Reveal Thank You Notes

2011-06-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

The Gender Reveal Party Invitation has been so popular, that we have designed a matching thank you note. This card is folded and from our new Essentials Line.

Pirate Inspired Party Invitations

2011-06-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

We received two requests in the same week for Pirate Themed Birthday Invitations, here are a few new additions to our gallery!

Purchase Shipwreck

Purchase Treasure Map

Purchase Ahoy!

Silhouette Ballerina & Baby Shower Invitations

2011-05-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

We are having so much fun with these new silhouette invitations! Definitely look for more to come! These are currently available as Printables in our Etsy store and will be showcased on our brand new website coming this summer!

Hopelessly Nostalgic

2011-05-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

It happened naturally, a wise crack here and a little snort there. Now every time I am online I find my grammar snobbery creeping in. It might begin with a gasp at a run-on sentence, then a common word spelled with extra letters but once it begins I find my editing nature takes over and I just want to start writing on my screen.

My commentary is often ignited by an excess or absence of the beautiful little commas or upper case letters I have come to love and miss like friends from my childhood. I tell myself it is my background in communication and the English degree asserting itself, trying to find use in my stay-at-home mom world. My red pen sits dusty and neglected in my bedside drawer. Yet, as I sit here I realize the more likely story is that I am neurotic and hopelessly nostalgic.

At this very moment I am obsessing about the many possible errors I will make in composing a commentary on grammar. This is where the nostalgia wins out. I’ll take this risk for the precious wistful feeling I get when someone takes the time to write a note, put it in an envelope and actually mail it to me. I ask you, is there any greater surprise on an otherwise ordinary day than to receive a personalized card from a friend or loved one? When we put the pen to paper, I believe we are more concerned with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. I would never write a card to my mother with nothing but lowercase letters, but I cannot tell you that my texts or emails always get the same attention.

All these thoughts made finding Beck McDowell’s blog, feel like a breath of the freshest air. Not only does this wonderful author blog about writing, she does so with wit and grace. She also offers advice to hone your own writing skills. The first post that jumped out at me was “Dashes Are Not Your Playthings” and I was drawn to it because I’ve been known to sling a dash here and there.

I always need reminders of the rules that seem to be quickly fading from common knowledge. Those rules were carved in our brains when we were young, but with every text I send and status I post I see my own grasp on them diminishing. Blogs like Beck’s are a great place to revisit the foundation of how to communicate effectively. Then you can put that knowledge to good use in a handwritten card you actually have to put a stamp on and mail.

Vintage Styled Baby Shower Invitation

2011-05-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

This vintage inspired baby shower invitation is perfect for the modern expecting mom who wants a little something extra! Thank you Allison H. for the idea! She requested Vintage Styled Wedding Programs. We loved the final design so much that we wanted to share it with mom-to-be's too!

Each card is printed on 110 lb matte white cardstock and is hand cut to 5 by 6. White envelopes are included with every order.

Colors of "shower", the dotted line and "momma & baby" can be matched to your theme, be sure to let me know the color choice in your comments to seller along with all the party info! I look forward to helping you make this day special for your friend!

View more in our Etsy store!

Say "FIRST BOOK" to help strengthen childhood literacy in North Alabama

2011-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Join FBNA this Friday, May 6th at the Jones Valley Barnes and Noble in Huntsville where we will be accepting donations to provide books for local children affected by last week's devastating storms. We are the special guests of local author Beck McDowell who will be signing copies of her book, Last Bus Out. The fun starts at 6:30! And remember to say "First Book" at the time of purchase at any Barnes and Noble from May 6th-8th to help us strengthen literacy in North Alabama.

Not in North Alabama? Use ID number 10443018 at any Barnes and Noble nationwide or online for a portion of the proceeds to benefit First Book-North Alabama.

Follow FBNA on Facebook.

Beach Themed Water Bottle Labels

2011-05-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun tropical themed water bottle labels! These are perfect for any outdoor event especially a luau, beach or pool party! Each design is customized for you and your event. Consider water bottles for your next party favor.

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

2011-04-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-04-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

Funky Frames are hip for Spring

2011-03-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

It would seem that the theme this spring is a funky frame! Check out our newest additions and look for more soon! These are designed as shower invitations but can be custom designed with your colors and theme!

You can purchase this in our Etsy Store

Also in our Etsy Store. These are part of our 2011 Printable line.

I couldn't have said it better

2011-03-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

The email blast from Real Simple Magazine today was the perfect post for today!

"If you do just one thing…Surprise someone with a handwritten note. In the age of email, texting, and tweeting, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch. But, for those times when electronic communication just won’t cut it, brush up on your note-writing skills."

So get out that pen and paper and write a friend a note! Let them know you enjoyed the movie last night or dinner last week. Maybe you've just been missing them, a handwritten note arriving in a few days will make them smile. And hopefully you too!

Sarah Bigelow, Athens, AL Photographer

2011-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

We love to support our local community. Small business success really comes down to buying local. So while we appreciate those that purchase their stationery from us, we also strive to purchase locally.

You have dozens of choices when it comes to local photographers. What's important is choosing a local photog vs. a chain store. It's also important to match your style with the photographer's style.

Sarah Bigelow is based in Athens, Alabama. She specializes in infants, children, and families, seniors, engagement, and weddings. She is an on location photographer with locations such as local park, your home or your favorite hot spot.

Sarah works with limited props, simple and subtle backgrounds, and, whenever possible, by natural light. Her style of photography is both classic portraiture, as well as vintage. "I want your portraits to hang on your wall and to be cherished for a lifetime. I want them to preserve your memories in a unique and loving way." said Sarah. She strives to capture her subject's unique personality rather than force an artificial pose.

After having lived in Texas & Germany, Sarah made North Alabama her permanent home in 1991. Her days are spent with her husband of 2 years and her two princesses. Princess Kylie is four and Princess Anneliese is one. In order to give her best to her family as well as her clients, only a limited number of sessions are available each month. It is a promise to her family as well as to her clients. Limited sessions is the best way to offer the most personalized service she can.

You can contact Sarah by calling her 256 653 6450 or by email bigelowphotography@hotmail.com. Take a moment to visit her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Bigelow-Photography/111804628847810

Introducing Robot Invitations

2011-03-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

I am happy to introduce to you, Reena the Robot! She will be featured on party invitations, baby shower invitations (think gender reveal!) as well as children's personalized stationery! Please give a warm welcome to Reena!

xoxo,
liv

The ability to search...

2011-02-27T05:58:00.001-08:00

I have been a busy bee working on the new website. It has always been important to me that Belle have the ability to offer clients a search option. Do you know how impossible it is to build a search option on a website? Well... three years in the making, the search is almost complete and the power will be in your hands!

Soon, when you visit Belle Announcements you will have the option to type "owl" in the search box and wala! All things owl will come up! You will see all the designs with owls on one page. No more scrolling page by page. If you want a Sushi invitation, wala! Search "sushi invitation" and there it is.

This opens so many doors for us. In the past we have done custom jobs such as cupcake toppers and wrappers but never put these items on the website because we only have 3 or 4 options. Those designs will now be on the website.

Another amazing addition will be matching products. When you are looking at the Sushi Invitation, you will see all it's matching stationery items from thank you cards to enclosure gift tags.

More to come...

Snail Mail + 44 cent stamp = Smiles

2011-02-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

I love getting things in the mail. Okay, I lied. I don’t like getting bills in the mail or the random pizza coupons (but I do love me some coupons!) However, I-big-fat-squishy-heart-it when I get something that has a hand written address on it. I’m giddy when I tear open the envelope and there is a whole page of that delicious mix of print and cursive that we all fall into when we long-hand a letter. I’m sure our English teachers are crawling out of their skin right now, but I digress.

Beautiful, soul-filled letters are getting fewer and farther between. It’s just easier to send a text message with everyone and their Beagle walking around with a smart phone or to fire off an email. We get digital messages with sentiments of “Happy Birthday! Happy Graduation! Congratulations on your marriage! Welcome New Baby!” How…..sad. Aren’t the life-changing moments our friends and family experience worth five minutes, a piece of paper and a $0.44 stamp?

My husband’s grandparents spend their winters in a warmer climate. We don’t get to spend much time with them because of that, but luckily for us, twice a month we open the mail box to find a letter that Grandma B and Grandpa J have sent. They tell us of their latest adventures – mostly of tours of a historic landmark they visited or the local flea marketthey spent the day browsing. Not anything that will be made into a movie, but to us? To us, it is a precious piece of our day. Over a thousand miles away, our family is sitting down and sharing their day with us. They’re not recounting the tale on a computer screen but telling a story. You can see the tempo of their writing change during the parts that are exciting and you can see the words slow down and become deliberate when Grandma writes how much she loves and misses us. It’s a gift to receive something so filled with the love of the person who wrote it.

Take the time so sit down and write a letter or even just a short note to a person you care about, or perhaps have lost touch with, today. It will take less time than what you just spent reading this but I can guarantee the smile will remain on your face for much longer. Bonus: in 3 days (give or take) when the recipient takes it out of their mail box, you can share that same smile with them.

Hi-Fi Wedding Fest

2011-02-06T15:36:00.001-08:00

Belle Announcements recently attended Hi-Fi Wedding Fest; an independent bridal fair showcasing local businesses! It was exciting to meet all the brides and grooms-to-be. We debuted our Vintage Collection and got some rave reviews. Check out our Etsy store to see the new line, including: Retro Music Save the Date, Vintage Photo Save the Date, Vintage Teal Bridal Invitation and more. Are you looking for an easy do-it-yourself set of invitations, save the date cards and reception cards? Look at our DIY Retro Swirl Wedding Invitation Set.

Of course we can always make an original design for your wedding day! Just email us and we can customize invitations, save the dates and/or thank-yous to meet your needs. We look forward to being a part of your special day!

Gender Reveal Party Invitations

2011-02-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

Since we introduced our first Ticket Stub Gender Reveal Party Invitations, we have received dozens of requests for additional designs. You've spoken and we have answered. Here is the first in our series of 6 Gender Reveal Party Invitations.

You can purchase this exclusively in our Etsy Store here.

Preschool Valentine's

2011-02-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

You have a preschooler now and you are quickly discovering the strange relationship you are beginning to have with parents you’ve never met before. You communicate with them via little cards to their children from your child, written by you. The card is then intercepted in the friend’s backpack for Mom or Dad to read, because our sweet little beans are currently focusing on the letter “L” and not quite ready to read notes.

It was funny to me when I thought about it after my daughter’s first preschool Valentine’s Day experience. It is true with any of the holidays, really. I realized I was sending cards to the other parents and just pretending to be my daughter. Their kid can’t read my handwriting. They don’t care what is on the card. Let’s be honest, if there isn’t candy attached to it...I lost the kid’s attention immediately. Then I kind of asked myself why I was fretting about writing little notes and spending all this time making them look pretty.

This is where Belle’s personalized Valentine’s Day cards not only save time, they make the most sense. My daughter loves pictures of her friends. She is as excited by a photo as I am. Parents enjoy this as well. I can’t wait to share our personalized Valentines from Belle Announcements this year. They are exactly the type of card that would end up in our scrapbook so that we could remember the smiling face of that friend in preschool we loved so long ago.

Introducing our 2011 Valentine Collection

2011-01-26T22:07:00.001-08:00

As a mom of two girls, I love all things pink! Pink tutus, pink nail polish, pink barbies, oh how I could go on! My oldest, nicknamed Ace, is almost five and adores all holidays but most especially those featuring giant pink hearts!

Last year was her first year at a mom's morning out program and they celebrated Valentine's Day be exchanging Valentines Day Cards. It was so exciting for us! I took her to the store and let her pick out the cute little box of character cards. But this year, I want it to be even more fun for her.

So for the past few days I have been burning the midnight oil designing a 2011 Valentine's Day Collection featuring your child's photo. Today as I was uploading them to our Etsy store and facebook page, Ace walked in and fell in love with one of the designs.

But Ace is not one to choose from the shelf, she wants her own personal touch on everything. Her independent personality is one of the reason's I offer the custom design option.

So, she preceded to tell me in great detail how she wants her Valentines Day card to look, down to the last heart and text. She then sat down and asked me to write down all her friends names as she excitedly named each and every one of them. Tomorrow she and I are going to sit down and design her card together. It is so much fun and I treasure moments like this.

However, I recognize that not everyone has the computer program to do their own designing so I am here to help! Go through the designs in our Etsy store and see if any of them strike your precious girl or boy's fancy, then email me with any changes. I am happy to update colors to match their favorite colors, change the text, etc. It is my pleasure to capture your child's personality for a custom card they can be proud to share with their friends.

$100 Gift Certificate this weekend only!

2011-01-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

A bit more info about our upcoming event!

Hi-Fi Weddings Fest is a unique wedding fair that is bringing together like-minded vendors looking to help you celebrate love and make your day unique to you!

Join us for a vintage fashion show, live DJ sets, dancing, giveaways, photobooth fun, talented vendors, and more as we ring in the new wedding year with great ideas and inspiration! The fest beings at noon and lasts until 6pm at Lowe Mill (2211 Seminole Drive, Huntsville, AL). This day will be fun for the bride, the groom, and the whole family - as there are THREE floors of artists and artisans around every corner.

facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=104558536258836
site page: http://hifiweddings.com/hi-fi-fest/

We hope to see you there!!! A $100 Gift Certificate will be up for grabs for one lucky couple!

Throw away the wedding playbook!

2011-01-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

What is a wedding if it doesn’t reflect the two people getting married? A wedding truly comes to life when the event showcases the individuals pledging their lives to one another. The more personal the event is, the more meaningful it becomes. I love it when a bride throws the old wedding playbook out the window for the sake of making the day about the people. A wedding is about everyone present. It is a day that elevates the love of two very individual people standing before the people they love and committing to the future, together. This process is strengthened in the details. Making the day truly personal and unique is often dependent on the details.

Using local, creative-minded vendors is the best way to achieve the type of event most brides are dreaming about these days. These extra, thoughtful touches are what really make a wedding stand out and extraordinary.

These special, sentimental weddings are the inspiration behind Belle Announcement’s new Vintage Save the Date cards.

These cards will make their debut at an event you simply can not miss. The first annual Hi-Fi Weddng Fest will be held on January 29th from 12-6 p.m. at Lowe Mill. This free event will showcase the like-minded vendors that strive daily to provide sentimental details that create just the type of wedding day you might currently be dedicated to planning.

At the same table with Belle Announcements you will find Loletta’s Designer Jewelry. This amazing jewelry is so beautiful, you will surely find yourself in awe of the one-of-a-kind pieces.You will find Loletta’s Jewelry has something for every bride.

The Hi-Fi Wedding Fest is going to be an event you shouldn’t miss.. All the vendors involved are dedicated to offering a service to make your day heart-warming, unforgettable and your fairy tale come true. It is about being conscious and coming from the heart and The Hi-Fi Wedding Fest is about bringing just those type of vendors into one space for one day to truly have the most awesome wedding fair ever!

Meet Jenna! Our crafty, coffee drinking sweetheart

2011-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I’ve been privileged enough to be blogging for Belle Announcements for the past 2 months now. I’m enjoying the experience and hoping to add more contributions now that the holiday chaos has subsided. Unfortunately, in that 2 month period I have failed to properly introduce myself. So today I would like to formally say hello.

My name is Jenna, I’m a thirty something working mom and first time blogger. My wonderful family consists of my husband Tom, our two beautiful daughters and of course our 2 pups. By profession, I’m an I/T geek but as much as I love technology, I tend to gravitate toward more “human” things.

I’m a crafter… I love to create; knit, sew, scrapbook, bake, I enjoy it all. Whether it is needful or for fun, to make something out of nothing provides a feeling of satisfaction that is sometime lost in this digital day. My projects give me a chance to step away from technology, just for a bit, and get back to basics.

I’ll also admit to being a coffee fiend! It’s not uncommon on a Sunday morning to hear the kids ask, “Daddy can you make the coffee now so mommy can wake up?” That smell could rouse me out of dead slumber, which is great because I am not a morning person. Our current obsession right now is the French press. What a lovely cup ‘o joe that makes, Tom has the process down to a science. And doesn’t a cup of coffee taste better when someone who loves you makes it?

We’d love to hear from you! What are some of the things you like, your hobbies? Your favorite place for a good cup of coffee?

Enchanting Keepsake

2011-01-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Have you seen them? Belle Announcements recently started offering beautiful Birth Announcement Wall Art. Well, my “babies” are 5 and 3, announcements have long been done. But I still couldn’t resist I needed one for each of my girls. They are adorable, fresh and quite unique.

When I received my wall art I was blown away by the quality. They are printed on Kodak Professional grade photo paper, mounted on 1/8 inch thick white matboard and look sharp! I went with a ballerina theme, since my girls are prima ballerinas. They were so excited to hang them in their rooms. To the girls, they are pretty pictures with their names on it. To me, it is a beautiful reminder of when they were brought into this world with the added benefit of reflecting their personalities.

Obviously, this not the first time I’ve purchased from Belle Announcements but it is these types of purchases that inspired me to start blogging for them.

What is in a name?

2011-01-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

What is it about personalization that means so much? In this world where we constantly get lost in the shuffle, stuck on hold and are reminded more often than not that we are just a number– we long for that personal touch. When birthdays hit, we often get overwhelmed trying to figure out what to buy and we struggle as we search for the gift that will not only please, but accurately convey the feelings we have for the recipient.

When I was pregnant with my children, I had to find out what I was having. I couldn't wait to know, but also I wanted to give them a name as soon as possible. Something about naming them, even in the womb, allowed their identity to begin developing for me. Every gift I received that was personalized in some way with their name brought me to tears.

Seeing your name printed communicates meaning. When someone receives a gift with their name on it, there is no question about the intention. This gift was bought for the recipient and no one else. You honor the recipient of the gift by showing them the time and care you put into selecting something for them and then personalizing it as well.

As you flip through the Stationery cards trying to select your favorite, don't forget that Belle Announcements customizes everything! If you are buying for someone that loves daisies, ask for a custom design featuring daisies. Belle strives on personalizing and making every card perfect for you. There is no mass printing, every design is hand made with joy and passion for snail mail.

Kids and adults delight when they see their name in print. It says: you have been and you will always be remembered. We would love to help you give meaningful, personalized cards and gifts this year that truly reflect the sentiment and love you seek to share.

Baby Gender Reveal Party

2011-01-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

I received a custom design request today for a gender reveal party invitation. I had no idea such a party existed. How fun does this sound? The expecting parents have a party with a fabulously decorated cake. You know the one that looks too gorgeous to eat?! Instead of the usual vanilla or chocolate cake, the expecting parents have asked the baker to dye the vanilla cake pink or blue. No one knows the gender until the cake is cut. So the guests spend all night staring at the cake in anticipation of the great reveal! Boy or Girl?

To make the party even more festive, the guests are asked to wear their "team colors." If they believe it's a boy, they wear blue and if they believe it's a girl, they wear pink of course! I want to host one of these! I may have to beg all my pregnant friends, can I please host a gender reveal party!?

So here is what we came up with. The client really liked our tailgating invitation, currently sold exclusively in our etsy store. So we morphed this design into a cute Pink v. Blue Party Invitation.

Here is a preliminary sketch of what we came up with.

So next time you get pregnant, have a hip, gender reveal party to celebrate! Or if you are like me and two precious monkey's is plenty, host a party for your best friend. You can purchase your party invitation exclusively in our etsy store.

A simple thank you

2010-12-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you. Two ordinary, easy words that we often forget to say, let alone write.

The simple thank you note has been forgotten, saved for weddings and showers. Something happened over the last couple decades that this customary etiquette has gone to the wayside. Email, Facebook, Twitter. Has modern communication replaced the hand written note? No, it hasn’t and nor should it. Whenever you receive a gift or an act of kindness it is considered good manners to send a thank you note.

Etiquette aside, wouldn’t you want to let someone know their efforts were appreciated, noticed and enjoyed. What a wonderful way to show your gratitude. It doesn’t even need to be fancy or flowery, just a genuine, handwritten, thank you. And who doesn’t like getting correspondence in the mail instead of bills and advertisements? What an easy way to brighten someone’s day.

So let’s end 2010 on the right foot and start 2011 with a new habit, showing our appreciation and sending a thank you note.

Happy New Year,

Capturing unique beauty!

2010-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

After only 400 years, we were treated to a total Lunar Eclipse on Winter Solstice. And what a treat it was, lasting three and a half hours. The reddish-orange hues on the moon's surface made it worth standing in the chilly night at 3:30 in the am.

If you take this occasion and turn it into a greeting featuring the Eclipse and first day of winter scenery just think of the joyous expressions on the faces of those with whom you correspond. Turn your awe into their Wow! Belle Announcements can help you capture exactly what you are looking for.