Good bye 2009 - Welcome 2010

2009... ...Was one year filled with intense and timeless learnings with many expectations, some with success and others in still wonders. But everything running to reach out the best of us.
We all try to get to our best. Everyday.
I have to say a BIG heartful THANK YOU for all good things we shared and as for this blog, that I like it the way it is - always fresh and clear - I hope to bring in here for the upcoming year more cute bellies and "eye-candies" to sparkle up our creativity and give the projects the "WOW" touches.

There are some news coming up for 2010.

Until there - HAPPY 2010...

From the BlueBellies Family

Happy Birthday to my little one

Today is my 3-years young boy's birthday - YAY!!

Even though he is not totally "in the mood" of a birthday yet, we as parents know how this is such a special day...for all of us!

Right now I'm in the transition of the "old" computer to a new one so I no longer have my favorite pictures handy, they are all safely kept in a portable HD. Well...I'll share some nice photos in here for the upcoming postings.

In the meantime, I found this image online and I wanted to show it now.

Remember we all can do little things to make a BIG difference in the world. Just as each piece of this fancy tree built by small parts. SO, stand up and do something you can to make others feel better or just to smile.

And, Merry Christmas - dear BlueBellies Friend!

From our Family to yours,

Lots of freshies to you!

BlueBellies

Cards for Kate and Eric - BlueBellies' prize winner

Again something to share...

I decided to add a post here to help me reach the winner of BlueBellies Sampler Pack "PRIMICIA".

Since the day Jennifer (jennifermcguireink.com) announced in her blog, the winners names for the Card Drive, I was trying to contact the winner without success. The email keep jumping back to my inbox.

This was 11 days ago.

I just sent her another email. Hope she can get it now...

Or - dear winner - please contact me by email:

mybluebellies@gmail.com

And just to know, Jennifer is having another card drive, now for many kids. It's really worthy to check it out. Visit her blog for more details.

Thank you.

BlueBellies.

FUN+STUFF #005

Hi there...

Got something interesting ( if you already know it, just keep it as reminder...) I have to share:

"Ok, so, you've filled your shower with an assortment of shampoos and conditioners in the pursuit of perfect hair. But you may be surprised to learn that what you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your hair.

Your hair is a reflection of your overall health. If you eat a healthy diet, it shows. So if its silky, shiny locks you crave, maybe it's time to step out of the shower and into the grocery store."

The shopping list for amazingly healthy hair

Hair Healthy Food # 1: Water

We don't always think of water as a food, but staying well-hydrated is the most essential component of any healthy lifestyle. Water not only hydrates your body - the moisture also makes hair supple and helps keep your hair silky and shiny.

Hair Healthy Food # 2: Eggs

The key here is high-quality protein. Almost 90% of our hair is made of protein, so it is the basic building block of healthy hair, helping to keep the hair shaft strong, reduce damage and prevent dullness and color loss. Eggs also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

Hair Healthy Food # 3: Salmon

Like eggs, salmon is an excellent source of protein, but it also contains essential omega-3 fatty acids, which condition hair from the inside out. Salmon also delivers iron, which is necessary to help carry oxygen to the hair. Without enough iron, hair gets starved for oxygen.

Hair Healthy Food # 4: Leafy Greens

With all the spinach he ate, Popeye probably had a head of thick, lustrous hair under that old sailor's cap. That's because it contains vitamins A and C, which support production of the body's natural hair conditioner, sebum. Other good sources include broccoli, carrots, oranges, kale and cauliflower.

Hair Healthy Food # 5: Legumes

Legumes is just a fancy word for beans, which are one of the most well- balanced, nutrient-rich foods you can eat. Almost any old beans will do - kidney beans, lentils, black beans, garbanzos. They provide all sorts of things that are good for your hair, from protein to promote hair growth, to iron, zinc and biotin for strong hair.

Hair Healthy Food # 6: Nuts

You've probably heard that eating nuts can help to keep your skin smooth and soft. Well, your hair is made of the same basic building blocks as your skin, so what's good for your skin tends to be good for your hair. For example, cashews, pecans and almonds all provide a mega-dose of zinc to help prevent hair shedding, while Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium and walnuts deliver omega-3 fatty acid, both of which support scalp health.

Hair Healthy Food # 7: Whole Grains

If you're beginning to see more products labeled "whole grain" on your grocery store shelves, there's good reason. Whole grain foods are higher in things that support hair health like zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Whole grains also are high in fiber, which helps to flush toxins from the body. Go for granolas, cereals and whole wheat bread.

Hair Healthy Food # 8: Dairy Products

When you were a kid, your mom told you to drink your milk so you could grow up big and strong, right? Well, milk and other dairy products don't only promote strong teeth and bones - the calcium and protein in foods like milk, cheese and yogurt also is important for hair growth.

A little bit more for our hair....

Dieting?
Don't Starve Your Hair!

What's good for your body is good for your hair, and what's bad for your body is bad for your hair. Case in point: crash diets. When you dramatically reduce your food consumption, you starve your body of essential nutrients, and before you know it, you're looking down at a drain full of dull, brittle hair. Don't do this to yourself or your hair.

Remember, when you eat healthy, you look healthy.

How about adding some blueberries as #9?

Happy Week!

BlueBellies

Happy Holidays!

We're once again stepping in the most beautiful month of the year - I love December!!

December is when we get the full meaning of the Family, in the deepest way.

We want to be the best of ourselves and offer what we can to help each other.

The wonderful feeling of Christmas.

And for me, it's when we celebrate our baby's birthday(so much LOVE...)

Look what I found...

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key."
Lyrics from Already Gone, peformed by the Eagles for their 1974 On the Border album

Hope it can inspire you too!

Did you visit my Etsy shop today? I have a special for you this month. Go check it out.

BlueBellies - love my blues without the"blue".

FUN+STUFF #004 & SHOP UPDATED

I received this today and wanted to share it - I made mine already and happy(or better, thankful...) to say the result came up to me as I'm among the people who enjoy life being grateful to others!

"Do you light a candle or curse the darkness? Do you bless each and everything that comes your way, trusting that its meaning will become clear--even if you can't possibly see how in the moment? Take our quiz and compare your score with scores from a random sample of 1,200 other respondents." (Copyright 2000, Michael E. McCullough and Robert A. Emmons)

http://www.beliefnet.com/Holistic-Living/Quiz/Are-You-Grateful.aspx

Also I listed another bellies set last night at my Etsy's. Just to know.

:)

Have a great day!

BlueBellies - giving thanks today & always

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I have a THANKs List:

• Thanks God we're all here today celebrating - not with overeating feast nor the big sales running out there - but the fact that we ARE here, with our family, friends, loved ones. Thriving.
• Thank you for reading my BlueBellies blog, leaving comments and making my visitors counter "adding up"...
• Thanks for our everyday creativities, common sense, kindness and artistic souls!

Make this day not just another holiday or day-off, but a moment to fill your heart with love and gratitude.

BlueBellies - just a grateful heart.

Just a story but real love

I know...it still months for Valentine's Day, but why wait to spread some love?

So here we go...

A British man and a Spanish woman rediscovered their romance and tied the knot, after a lost love letter had kept them apart for more than 10 years.

Carmen Ruiz-Perez was a foreign student in her 20s visiting the UK when she fell in love with Steve Smith 17 years ago.

They dated for a year and got engaged, but circumstances eventually drove the pair apart—that is, until Ruiz-Perez's mother renovated her fireplace.

The builders uncovered a letter that Smith had sent to Ruiz-Perez's mother's house just a couple of years after their breakup. It was a plea for them to rekindle their romance, but it had fallen behind the fireplace a decade earlier before Ruiz-Perez knew of its existence.

And now, the inspirational story has a happy ending. After finding the letter, Ruiz-Perez called her old boyfriend and the two met up again, finding their love was still strong. The couple married in July.

"When we met again it was like a film. We ran across the airport into each other's arms," Smith told the BBC.

"I never got married and now I'm marrying the man I have always loved," Ruiz-Perez added.

This love story was found in an internet inspirational website and just wanted to share.

Bluebellies , learning how to live - laugh - love always and better.

make a child's day better

Hi there, look what I found...this is for the lovely card makers out there:

"We'd love for you all to help -- Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5-yr old son in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are celebrating Christmas - maybe his last - THIS weekend and Noah loves Christmas cards."

Please consider this and take a minute to send a card to: Noah Biorkman, 1141 Fountain View Circle, South Lyon MI 48178.

The image I'm sharing it's a baby food (apple sauce) that happened to show a heart shape on it and on the lid. Sounds like a silly thing but I found it pretty interesting to share and to tell that we can always find little - neat - different - even cute things in our everyday life.

Well, in this case, even in a jar of baby fruit puree.

:)

Have a great day!

Bluebellies - living, watching, capturing life's little goodies.

SWEET NOVEMBER for all of us

It's November...love this month!

It's when the air starts to chill, nights-at-home become even cozier and it's time to highlight the thankful hearts for all sort of blessings in our lives.

It's also my daddy's and my hubby's birthdays. They celebrate their days @ same day in this month! So cool!

Swweeet coincidence...

Now updates for my Bluebellies etsy shop:

• I've added the first sample pack - named Primicia.

It comes with 10 hand picked bluebellies - with the glue dots - ready for use!

• This month's deal : For every 4 bluebellies sets you purchase, you'll receive another set for FREE*. Here are some samples of how it works:

• With item A U$3.75+ item B U$3.25+item C U$3.25+item D U$2.25= FREE item U$2.25
• With item A U$3.75+ item B U$3.50+item C U$3.25+item D U$3.25= FREE item U$3.25
• With item A U$3.50+ item B U$3.50+item C U$3.50+item D U$3.50= FREE item U$3.50

Have a great week - enjoy the month!

Bluebellies

...Be thankful and enjoy the everyday blessings...

sweet and sassy

Still in this "flower power" force in the fall time - well, maybe with some seasonal colors.

Just listed another one of my bluebellies to the shop and wanted to let you know.

I'm feeling strongly that I have so much things to do/to share but just so little time. This drives me "mad", I'm not saying crazy but really makes me feel bad. Wish I can get more time.

My "wish-list" right now:

1. reorganize my crafty room - got many new supplies and need to find them home desperately;
2. prepare more bellies and samples - can't promise but trying my best;
3. make-make-make cards and layouts for next 2 months' events(sighs...);
4. this should be the first, but here we go: recycle many stuffs around the house.

Anyone feeling the same? Please feel free to leave a comment to share some idea or so...

LOL - always lots of love!

Bluebellies - time catching challenge

An October Afternoon

Good evening...

I'm glad to show my new flower rounds - with Scripture back made from one of my favorite Bible verse and kraft paper.

The verse says:" THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul..." Psalm 23:13

It has been a challenge for us around here, and even when we're in our weakest moments finding everything wrong, God has been generous enough to carry us on to keep walking through.

And I'm ALWAYS thankful because of this LOVE.

Thank you for stopping by,

BlueB*

FUN+STUFF #003 & SHOP UPDATED

Some new stuff in here...should I wish that flowers last all year long.

I'm so huge fan of everything related to flowers.

Scrapbook layouts, cards, keepsake boxes, creative paper crafts, clothes, and oh...even tea with flower flavors. Have you ever tried a nice and hot, light fragrance and sweet taste cup of tea made of flower petals?

That is just WONDERFUL.

Now that the weather is cooling again, I'm looking myself going to get more and more teas...and you're invited to do the same! It's such a treat!

Pour some of your favorite flavor of tea and enjoy some cozy time, while thinking about your next scrapbook or card project.

:)

Well, about the shop update - happy to say I have 2 more options of flower bellies freshly listed at my ETSY SHOP. They are lovely made with printed periodical page paper and hand sewed by myself. I look foward to create some more soon... in the meantime, you're welcome to check them out!

The picture you see I put the colored and B&W flowers together but they can be found in separate sets to be ordered.

Thanks for dropping by!

BlueBellies

NEW BELLIES AT ETSY

Hello...I'm just getting ready for some new BELLIES to be listed at ETSY!

Have been quite some busy days and so, but always watching for new sparkling ideas for my bellies.

More buttons, anyone?

:)

BlueBellies

little treat with a lavender color

This purple-like lavender is my favorite among other "romantic colors*" I love.

I'm suspicious to say this must be the QUEEN of the colors wheel. so..I got this to make my wedding favors years ago. So the passion for this shade can't fade throughout the time...

When I saw this organza bag, I thought that I could give it as a little treat to people who'd order some of my BlueBellies at Etsy Shop. And I'd send it along with the bellies, plus a gift tag that is not shown here...well, just to keep as an SURPRISE element for now.

:)

I'm still working on some new stuff around here for this month's bellies.

And of course there are sample projects coming up.

By the meantime, I ask, what are you doing? Are you making some "thank you" or "just because" cards?

Are you keeping your precious pictures in some AF/LF papers withing gorgeous layouts?

Are you planning the upcoming holidays gifts or keepsakes for loved ones?

Think ahead the time and get your list done...because the next holiday is around the corner....!

Happy Creating!

Bluebellies - new/renew/share/inspire@lways

BELLIES SAMPLER SET - NEW!

This is a sampler set plenty of new bellies that features as my contribution for the Cards for Kate, by Jennifer McGuire's blog.

I'll also have some similar listings* @ my Etsy shop that you can purchase to have some of my handmade bluebellies samples, please come soon to find out more!

And the September is right on!

Happy Day - oh my!

Bluebellies, always happy and blue

DAYS OF COLORS

Moments that I got to work on my little etsy shop are just so precious to me. That means those spare breaks in between my little boy things and my inspirations.

They may be one or 2 hours, half hour, or just some minutes(I know...sounds weird, but it is enough to put something in its place if mixed up), when I find myself with some new or renewed ideas, with supplies I may have already in my stash or something yet to be purchased.

These are such some colorful days for me. I love these colors of mine.

I've been little late to put on more bellies but I'll catch up by the weekend....:D.

Already took some pictures of some new ones!

Oh, so colorful!

This is such an amazing season, splash citrus of summer and upcoming autumn romantic shades. I love these colors of nature!

Tonight I added some more bellies in the shop. Be sure to check them out!

Also, a BIG thanks to Victoria, who sent me some sweet and heartwarming comments, thank you for your words of kindness!

Good night!

Bluebellies of all colors.

More I (eye) candy flowers!

Here we go...more { I } candy flowers just listed - FRESH - to my Etsy!

I know...we are almost at the end of August...how fast the time goes by!

I'm working on some new bellies and goodies to be shown by September, until then, there are some more eye-candies up here!

Night-night!

Bluebellies, candy-flowers-n-more.

:)

Presenting some new bellies...

...The fresh {I} CANDY FLOWER COLLECTION from Bluebellies shop!

They all have a girly name followed by a fruit or a flavor that reminds a fruit and the color shade!

This set you see in here is called Annabella Cocoa...(smelling chocolate?)

It's meant to be just as yummy as those fruity candies any kid's hard to resist. But for paper crafts instead.

:)

I created this collection thinking about the easiest way to use them as embellishments for a card, a page layout, a keepsake box top, and anywhere else the creativity goes to. Put the adhesive and done! Easy and pretty.

Starting next month, I'm planning to post sample projects by using many of the bellies from the etsy shop, while I'm still working on these, please come often to check more of them coming soon.

Always refreshing,

Bluebellies and {I} CANDY FLOWERs

LOVE MY FLOWERS

Oh yes...I love these (and others, of course) flowers very much!!

Because of the delicate and intrigate "nature" of the flowers, I'm learning and enjoying more and more about these little beautiful things!

I know, they are JUST handmade and hand picked - from paper or fabric or other material (I can think about it...) from my heart....what can I say!

And they are truly made with lots, lots of love. I spent some time making my flowers as well as other bellies that come fresh directy from my creative garden!

I have many fresh HM flowers listed at my ETSY!

And some more coming soon...

:)

Have a beautiful week (of flowers)!

Bluebellies, floral talk

FUN+STUFF #002

Recently we took a nice and sunny saturday and went to a local amusement park and zoo. I love to see these big pals like giraffe,hipo and elephant.

We were watching this elephant walking and when my husband went away after our little boy - to check out another big fella - I realized that this one was just standing up right in front of me, like "dancing", smoothly, just moving its huge body.

Well, I had to grab my camera to click this and the picture you see above is what I got from this funny moment.

A natural dancer! Woww...

That's it, sharing fun stuff!

Bluebellies

ALL BUTTONS "UP"!

Hi...

Do you like to use buttons for your scrapbooking, card making or any other paper craftings?

Doesn't matter if you are about altered art, mixed media, shabby shic, classic, romantic or simple style. Buttons are good for every creative surface!

I became a conscient button collector "not" long time yet - this means that I already was in love with these little ones, just not consciously keeping them as a important part of my embellishments collections as I do today, but JUST having fun and enjoying them as the creativity soars for my projects.

Recently I reorganized all my buttons and added some different ones. The result of this happy homework you may see in my etsy shop(go to the side bar of the blog to see more), started this month.

This morning I listed the set you see below that I call Button Colors (Scallop Rounds). They are simply COLORFUL-HAPPY and CUTE AS A BUTTON!

If you like cute buttons like I do now, come to see me often! And let me know if you've got any ideas about them, let's SHARE!!

Happy Button-enjoying!

Bluebellies(buttons)

NEW BELLIES AT ETSY

Hi everyone!

There are some new "delicious" bellies just listed in my Etsy!

Be sure to check them out and/or leave some comment here...

Thanks for visiting my blog and helping to spread the words about my little BLUEBELLIES!

I'm working* on more of them and some samples to show you the many ways to use them (my ways of course!)...

Working always during my little one's napping. So his curiosity does not get me out of the table!

:)

Fun week for you!

Bluebellies - creating cuties now.

BE HEALTHY, BE HAPPY

I found some interesting facts about blueberries-the fruit that I wanted to share here:

Blueberries and Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries containanthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables. (extr. from http://www.blueberry.org/health.htm) Be healthy and happy! Bluebellies - lover of these blue fruits

FUN+STUFF #001

This is what a friend of mine(Bren) posted on her blog recently.

I found it pretty nice to share:

(as she said there, you can also copy and put your own words!)

One Word(or 2+):

you’re feeling: Procrastination

to your left: Books
on your mind: Christmas and my kid's birthday(2 days before Christmas)
last meal included: Juicy angus beef hamburger made by sweet hubby
you sometimes find it hard to: Refuse
something you have a collection of: Stickers
a smell that cheers you up: Baby of mine(specially after bath...hum!)
a smell that can ruin your mood: His diarrhea(sorry but it's true)

how long since you last shaved: (shhh...)
the current state of your hair: Short :)
the largest item on your desk/workspace right now (not computer): Trimmer
your skill with chopsticks: Pretty good(ha!)
which section you head to first in the bookstore: Crafts (need to think about it?)
…and after that?: Inspirational ...and then back to crafts!
something you’re craving: Chocolate brownie(sweet and dangerous)
your general thoughts on politics: Still with hope (naive?!)
how many times you’ve been hospitalized this Year: Nada - thanks God!
a favorite place to go for quiet time: Bathtub
you’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: Artist-pianist-writer-knitter-designer-life lover
something that freaks you out a little: Heights
something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Humm?
you have never: Cheated
you never want to: be Helpless

ROUNDS & SQUARES

Hi there...

The butterfly square set of bellies you see here is one of the items I listed today.

As I'm adding new items every other day now, I also find myself in the process of creating more fresh bellies.

There are many different things I'd like to put together to see how the results will come up or the final design will look like. Well, there are lots of ideas.

I'm trying to restart (I had a break due some timing issues) another etsy shop of mine - maybe by the end of the month or next month -just working "hard" in between taking care of my baby boy and my little business stuff to get the items done and ready to be listed there.

I'll post here when all things are set up and ready to "go".

By the meantime, keep checking my posting and listing to see what I have to share with you.

:)

Thanks again!

Bluebellies - mommy and bellies-maker.

GOT FLOWERS?

I know, seems like mostly ( or...maybe everybody?) of the scrappy-crafty ladies out there are now so much into flowers.

Well, I was never an exception. Just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE, these God happily-made little creatures.

I've been doing some shopping in my (favorite) local craft stores - found some interesting stuff I could be adding into my bellies-making. There are new ideas coming up - SORRY... - I can't list them here now. You have to come back to see. :)

It's my creative process and I do hope to share with you, every time when it is ready to.

What you can see today is the vintage style flowers I just listed...

And I'm sure to list(etsy) and post(here) more and more!

You can leave a message here to let me know about your love for flowers! I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Bluebellies - all about flowers.

AN ORDINARY DAY

Yes-I was supposed to be busy doing more bellies, listing(etsy) and posting(here) today but....my little one was still kind of "sicky" - he got a viruse last week since then our time was not enough for anything else but taking care of him.

I had just an ordinary day as mommy. Got few time for my new etsy shop stuff but the inspiration was always sparkling in my mind. I was "drawing" mentally what I could make while playing with my kid and feeding him.

Anyways, thanks God he is getting better AND eating more. That's all that matters.

I want to list and post new items daily for this month.

And I'll do my best for it.

:)

Well, this is one of the fresh bellies you can find at shop.

Have a great week!

Bluebellies (mommy)

SHOP OPENING TODAY!

It's about time!

I'm so happy to share this news - my BLUEBELLIES is oficially open!!!

By this month I'll listing(there) and posting (here) new bellies every day - you are welcome to check them out!

I already added the etsy mini at my sidebar so this may make your visit even easier...just click on the item you 'd like to see!

This is the beautiful bouquet I got for today and I want to share with you too!

:D

I'm planning some more specials during the month - come often to see!

Have a sunny sunday!

bluebellies

SWEET SNEAK PEEK

Good afternoon...

Starting tomorrow you'll find some of my bluebellies here and "there*", handmade by me with my favorite materials and paper crafting supplies, from one vintage button to a piece of patterned paper - all crafted with love.

*There means my new ETSY store - almost "ready" for the opening!

Yes, there are some fresh bellies coming up...

And the sneak peek - just to let you get the idea about what I'm talking "about"...! ENJOY!

Please remember that by purchasing these and more bellies from my ETSY store, you'll surely be helping me to build my young kid education fund as well. And I want to thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you tomorrow and then,

Bluebellies :)

Good stuff to inspire

Hello!

I'm so happy to announce my BLUEBELLIES shop grand opening date: Saturday, August 1st!

Just so excited getting more things done, pictures and blog updates!

Be sure to visit me and see more about it!

I'll post a SNEAK PEEK here at friday...

:)

As for today I want to share this .

This picture is a recent finding of mine. I liked so much this shop sign, its colors and the butterlies. I could not resist, I'm so into butterflies* - I've been into these wonderful creatures when I was little because I was curious about these colorful wings. And I saw some really beautiful ones. I was just afraid to touch them and scare them to fly away.

Note*I've made many of my bellies with butterflies, you'll see soon!

See you soon!

Bluebellies Blogger

The blue colors of life

Day One of my blog about little good things of life.

Just like these cute and nutricious fruits we called blueberries.

They are really good, we know and we love.

Sometimes they are not looking BLUE at all, but they got the same goodness in each of the little ones.

Good for health.

Good for eyes.

Even good for sparkling some creativities.

Such as mine, in here.

And surely great for all kind of fresh inspirations!

HAPPY COLORS!

bluebellies blogger