My daughter's ever expanding library

My 7 year old loves to read and as an avid reader myself, it is the one thing I can't say no to. If we are in a bookstore and she finds a new book she wants to read, I am all about it!! We have tried our local library but it's small and she doesn't have a lot of options. There is a larger library across town but honestly by the time I drive the 25 minutes to and from and then to and from again to return it, I spent the cost of the book on gasoline.

So getting to the point of my long winded blog post. She is also starting to share her books with friends. Today her buddy brought over 8 new Rainbow Fairy books for my daugther to read. Since we are starting to share our books, I thought it was important to put her name in them. My hand writing is not pretty so of course I designed book plates. They turned out adorable and since I print them in 25's we can do new designs often. Both my girls are thrilled and we went through the first set of 25 in about an hour.

If you need book plates designed, let me know! I am happy to design one around you or your child's favorite things, sports, hobbies, colors, pets, etc. And the fun thing is, years down the road, you'll remember when you bought the books and what your child was interested in because of the themed bookplates. You can purchase your set for $24.50 here or request a custom design.

Click the image for a better view

Things You Should Know About Me

I have recently found the blog, Little Miss Momma, and I love her! So on the side of her blog, she has this post featured “Things You Should Know About Me if We’re Gonna Be BFF” I clicked on it right away and thought, let's do this!!! So here is my post in response to hers.

I am the little sister.
I love to read romance novels.
I love bacon.
I love potatoes in any form.
I rarely wear make up.
I do not like wearing socks.
I think Tom’s Shoes are ugly but they are super comfy so I suck it up.
My favorite number is 11.
I think seeing 1:11 and 11:11 on the clock are good luck and I make wishes. Thanks dad!
My husband made me toss my VHS tapes and I miss watching Clueless but haven’t bought the dvd out of principal.
I straighten the books at Barnes and Noble. Sometimes I even alphabetize entire sections.
I eat frosting straight out of the container.
I can’t go to bed without putting lotion on my feet first either!!! (Saw this on Little Miss Momma’s blog and was shocked there was another one out there!)
I will never drink Coke Zero again. It made my eye twitch.
I am allergic to milk and eggs. Eggs will give me an anaphylactic reaction and it totally bums me out because I enjoyed eating eggs for the first 29 years of my life. 
I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
If I could redo high school with what I know now about the wonders of a flat iron, I’d totally do it!
I think Dasani and Smartwater are the yummiest tasting waters!! My husband thinks they all taste the same but nooo... these are the best.
I wish I had gone to an SEC college.
I can’t swim under water without holding my nose.
I love watches and feel naked if I am not wearing one. When I was in high school I wore two... one on each wrist.
I love taking photos.
I like reading on my nook in the dark.
I am not a fan of doing crafts that involve glue. Can't we just tape everything together?
I love all things paper.
Sharpies are my go to pen.
I can't go into Staples without buying new post it notes or pens.
I have to turn the email alert sound off on my phone or it would drive me nuts.

That's all for now! And borrowing this from Ashley's page, Your turn. Three things. Ready, go!
Or write your own post and link up in the comments.

Pottery or Painting Party Invitations

These invitations are all about bold, fun color just like your party! If you're having an art themed party, these invitations are the perfect fit. Design features a playful apron with splashes of color. All text can be customized to fit your event.

Purchase a printable for $15

You can purchase a printable jpeg for $15. This is a high resolution, image file that you take and print at the location of your choice. Or I can print these on linen, pearl or glossy cardstock. I print using real liquid ink for a beautiful, deep finish. No ink dots or laser lines. 25 cards/envelopes are $38.50 plus tax and shipping.

Tell Your Story!

Old letters are important, they tell a story of family, religion, education and yes, even romance.

Summer Activities with the Family

My parents will tell you that my favorite part of school is the supply shopping. I absolutely love all things school supplies. Office supply stores are seriously like Toys R Us to me. If you are in need of a gift for me, buy me a gift card to Staples. It's like handing me the last piece of Birthday Cake. From Sharpies to notebooks, I am in absolute heaven when I go to Office stores. And as luck would have it, so are my girls.  Staples is their favorite of all the office stores because it has... The Easy Button!

Now the reason for my blog post....this morning my oldest daughter asked me to print her some Bubble Guppies coloring pages. We are big fans of the nickjr website. While I was on there I found a Restaurant Activity pack that included a menu, foods, order slips and money.

Both girls have been having a lot of fun playing restaurant lately so I thought this would be a perfect way to spend the day. Here is where my love of all things office supplies comes into play. I am not one to do things half way. After pushing print (twice, because of course each kid needs their own pack), I turned on my industrial size laminator to begin warming then pulled out my guillotine paper cutter. All I needed was velcro which required a trip to Staples.

An hour later, I have cut out the money sheet, menus, order slips and little food rectangles. 

 After everything is cut, I put them in laminating sheets, laminate and then cut again.

After everything is laminated, I attached velcro square to each piece so that everything can be reused. The activity pack included little squares of food. It wouldn't be fun to glue them on once so I put velcro on all of it and wala! Now the menu's can be changed and best of all, no messy glue!

 

The girls are using erasable crayons to put prices next to each menu item. 3 hours later, I am still playing restaurant!!

 

Moral of the story, everyone should have a laminator, massive paper cutter, and velcro!! :)

Beach Inspired Personalized Stationery

I designed these for an amazing friend who recently celebrated her retirement! She loves the beach, specifically Key West so I designed this set of Watercolor Beach Cards to give her as a gift. She loved them and I hope you will too!

Purchase a set of 10 for $14 in my Etsy Store

It's all in the details

I really am very lucky. I truly love what I do. Being a graphic artist has allowed me to combine my love for snail mail, photography and art. I am also a control freak! So I love being able to add little details to every design I do. The back of this Mermaid invitation is an excellent example. I could just leave it a blank white or the water but that wouldn't be nearly as fun as pail of beach must-haves and a cute little fish going about his business.  My children were born in the colder months but they may have to have a summer pool party just so I can use this design myself! And my brain is already going to all the possibilities, matching thank you notes, candy bar wrappers, cupcake toppers... I am rubbing my hands together as I type!! This is going to be fun summer!

 

And don't you love Instagram!?! Best App ever!! I love taking quick photos for the blog and facebook page with it! 

 

You can view this invitation in my Etsy store here.

Happy Summer!

Butterfly Inspired Stationery Set

Make a fluttery statement when you say thank you with these personalized Stationery Cards. This stationery set is customized with your name with a watercolor butterfly accent.

Purchase your set of 10 or give it as a gift.

University of Alabama Graduation Gift

Monogrammed Houndstooth Stationery is the perfect gift for the Alabama Graduate or soon to be Freshman!

Purchase your set here for only $14!

Best compliment ever!!

A facebook fan and favorite client of Belle Announcements posted this on my wall today,

"While listening to the Radio this morning two DJ's were talking about how no one hand writes letters or Cards anymore and that for Mothers Day they really should write their mother a letter or card and get away from Technology for a day! My mind went straight to Belle Announcements! I am so grateful for Belle who hasn't forgotten the long lost art of old fashion Letter Writing. I am thankful for your service!"

Lauren S.

Thank you Lauren!!! You made my day!