My Bella Colle My Beautiful Life

AGGGHH!

Okay.. I'm sick.. just sick...I lost the lovely banner Cathy of Avalon Rose Design made for me... and so this is the new one I set about creating ... I wanted to add a couple of catagories.. and now the site is messed up...

If anyone would share how to add an image to my pages out of the goodness of their heart... I would so appreciate it!!  I would like to add my own tag.. and make sure each page's links are fixed! AGGGHGH... I want to add my own tag...

I designed... I'm not stupid! I'm just so frustrated with this whole thing... I know a smidge about of html... I just can't figure out Pappashops pages...

Anyone out there?! .... help.......

Patina something Lovely...

Patina: (pat'n-a) noun. 1. A fine crust or film on bronze or copper: it is usually green or greenish blue and is formed by natural oxidation; it is valued as being ornamental. 2. Any thin coating or color change resulting from age, as on the surface of old woodwork.

I patina-ed some larger collage charms I made many moons ago today... I love how they turned out! They have a wonderful quality of loved and aged treasures from long ago.

Some folks have the luxury of being able to buy brand new high end furniture and accessories.. but we don't here..But that's okay because being the sentimental fool I am, worn and loved is what I prize!

This charm says " Keep up appearances what every you do" and have a Victorian lady on the front.

These two are the backs of " He's tough ma'am tough" and "Has anyone seen my dog Totto?"

Here it is as a drawer pull on a loved dresser at the top of our stairs that holds our linens... These larger charms are so much fun! They add whimsy and interest where ever they are...

Patina is so beautiful in my eyes.. I use estate silver everyday, and no it's not bright and shinny.. Things that have acquired this wonderful warm look always remind me of older relatives homes... a feeling of comfort and fun...

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Who is the 'Queen of Patina'? There is no one in my mind that embodies this sense of timeless elegance The.... Carol Hicks Bolton You can find some of her wonderful creations at Homestead Hico

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999} Can't you just see these wonderful treasures coming from some wonderful estate somewhere? Aged and loved pieces have history... that is what makes them such a wonder to me. Who owned this originally? Was this a wedding present? Things like that...

{Mary Engelbreit Nov. 1999}

And if you do find a treasure but it seems abit too new.... you can patina it your self with a bath of coffee... or there are patina acids that turn metal that wonderful color like what I used on my charms...

Patina... something lovely this Friday...

Have a wonderful weekend!

XO

Who's afraid of Color?

{Designers in Residence 2000} Who's afraid of a little Color ? I must admit I am...a bit color shy when it comes to room colors...granted I have a dove gray bathroom..and a sage green hallway. But I've never been so carefree to add wonderful color. I stick to neutral backdrops...tan..white..lightest of pink, NEVER reds! or orange or yellow.. {Traditional Homes May 2008} But, I think once we can sell this house we are in and move.. I will try some wonderful new color palettes!! Would you just look at the wonderful colors in this living room!! My scanner didn't truly pick up the colors like it should... that is chartreuse on the ceiling ladies and gentlemen! The chairs are pink with yellow piping..Aren't those curtain a wonderful splash of freshness?

{Traditional Home May 2008}

This wonderful settee is yellow and hot pink! These bright colors really do warm up the room. If you are color shy like I am, simple throw pillows would be a great 'baby step' to inject a room with a punch of color. Hmmm..I'm really digging the pinks!!

{Designers in Residence 2000}

Liven up a dinning room in red?!! Never in a million years would I put such a dramatic color on the walls..till now... color is wonder! It brightens the mood and can evoke wonderful feelings of comfort or excitement.

Why not try some color today?! Hmm..where is that hot pink spray paint?!lol....

Happy Wed. everyone.

XO

p.S...day 7 with the nails! And they still look great.

Friiidaaay!!!

YaaaY!!! It's Friday!! What a week...whew... and tomarrow is opening day for #2's little league season... Busy Busy... Just wanted to pop in and share a new blog banner I'm going to have for sale in my etsy store... Oh yeah, two new sites I found! Lookin' for ephemera and images? Check these sites out... DigitalCollageSheets and finchleypaperarts Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Nail update! It's been 3 days and they still look great!! I've cleaned..done dishes and fought with changing sheets and other laundry and they have stayed put!

Cast Iron

I have some wonderful cast iron pieces that will be going in the Shoppe after the blog coupon sale is over... I have a set of 4 iron 'shabby' white drawer pulls. I love the rusty'ess' of them!

Can you see the lovely scroll work on them? Wouldn't these look neat in a bathroom?

Here is a wonderful 'spade' shaped finial.. put it in the garden this Summer..and it will be lovely and weathered to add a vintage touch for your indoors this fall.

Fleur-de-lis anyone? Can't you just see this adorning a lovely Victorian fence? Neat new items coming your way.. New..but you and I both know that these can be weathered and rusty in no time and inject that 'little' something your space needs....

Happy Monday everyone!

XO

Bella Colle at Cafe Press

Well! I just had to get into the CafePress act too! I think this is the coolest thing next to sliced bread..well..maybe not that, but still lots of fun.

I have lots of styles to choose from and there is a mug and hat and bag....

I only have these two 'Bella Colle' designs...but now that I know that I can create these wonderful items the sky is the limit!!

I could even create a custom design for you! Wahoo! Check it out! BellaColle at CafePress!!

Happy Tuesday!

New blog banners

Gawhs! I'm on a roll today! I have been having some lovely 'Mommy' time and was able to satisfy the creative fix I've been so desperately seeking these days.

These two lovely blog banners are available for purchase in my etsyshop .

I've got some more fabulous banner and etsy store banners swimming in my head, I will try and create soon! Fun stuff.

Anyone feelin' the tax time pinch? We sure are..and well... a girl still has to go shopping right? I will be having my first ever Bella Colle' sale for all my bloggy friends! I have to figure it out, but starting next week I will have 10%-20% off! Stay tuned! LOL

Happy Friday! Thanks so much for stoppin' in.

XO

New digi collage for Katydid designs

Yay! It's Friday!! The sun is shinning... the birds are singing... medicine for ones soul!! I just wanted to share real quick this fun blog banner I created for the lovely Laura of katydid designs It's fun..and showcases some of her wonderful creations! Laura really is a talented gal. Why not stop by her blog and say "Hi" XO

Thank you

Hi! Hope your Easter Sunday was blessed..Thank you to everyone.. no more posts for the giveaway please..you lovely folks who have posted on mybellacolle.blogspot for my digi giveaway You ALL WON.....all4..I will contact soon...

XO

Digi collage delicious!

I found some new stuff for making 'digi' collages... Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Spring!! You know.. I would love to make a blog banner for someone.. or a blog button.. logo... I want to eventually incorporate this service into BellaColle my dream is to offer web design services as well. I have a few on my EtsyStore of some Etsy banners for sale... simple... but fun. Hey, how about this.. a little give away.. go and visit my blogger blog... mybellacolle.blogspot and tell me why you are so excited for Spring and I will pick one on Easter Sunday for a free blog banner or button. Something you might have been wanting to spruce up. Hey, I'd be honored if you'd let me try. Free of charge! What do you have to lose?! Hope your week has been going well. XO