Keeping Calm & Carrying On

St. Peter Altar inside the Vatican

Hope you're having a wonderful, breathtaking weekend!

Italy Recap: February 2012

Ciao Ciao! I'm home from Italia, caught up on my sleep and back at work! I couldn't help but share some pictures from the beautiful "homeland", Italy.

Returning to Italy is always bitter sweet for me. Ever since I studied there and lived there during college, I can't help but get sappy when remember the European way of life, the delicious food, and the overall atmosphere. Allyson traveled with me this go around, five months pregnant and all! We arrived in Napoli (or Naples) at dinner time, the night before our first workshop.

The weather was chilly, but the hotel was beautiful! Check out the amazing rooftop! I can only envision what it looks like in the heart of summer!

Our room was white, clean and so fresh! Check out the beautiful arch!

I loved this little bed-tray in the room. Very sweet and charming, don't you think?!

This is Lory. She's the event planner and organizer of the Paper & Co. Show in Italy.

Upon arriving Lory informed Allyson & I that our workshop kits had still not arrived and that they were held-up or "stuck" in customs. Panic quickly sunk in. What are we going to do? How are we going to teach our workshops? I have never not had my kits show up ever!  Thankfully, Lory was wonderful and helped put our worries at ease. She translated every word, her and Teresita were wonderful helpers and we made the most out of what we had with is. We spent hours in the hotel room organizing pieces and creating remnants of projects for the workshops.

It was craziness. But in the end the students were understanding and very nice. I felt awful, even though there was nothing I could do to help the situation: the boxes were in customs and I could not do anything to change it. So the classes were a bit shorter than anticipated, but as the boxes of product continue (still today) to arrive in Italy, Lory and her team are mailing out the complete kits to all the attendees.

So, in reality the students got even more than they paid for-product wise. It was just very difficult to teach without all the materials.

This is Antonella. Isn't she beautiful? She was wonderful, and so funny. I could listen to her talk all day. I did my best with the little Italian that I speak to understand and communicate with her. But she was just so darling, and smiley and happy. Loved her ;)

Making new friends is always such a blessing that comes along with owning Bella Blvd. To teach alongside Celina Navarro and Donna Downey was an honor. They are both so generous and friendly and have so much wisdom and creativity to offer!

And even though the weather was "the coldest it's been since 1985" (yes, that's all we heard EVERYWHERE we went!) we made the best of it and enjoyed a couple days in Rome after the event.

Just as I remembered it. Astounding. Breathtaking.

The streets are my fave. Just wandering around and getting lost, walking and discovering sweet little shops, beautiful fruit stands and people watching. It's such a great way to take it all in!

And, it just so happened that Mamma Mia was playing at the theater. So we went...it was AWESOME! Even though it was all in Italian we knew the story line and loved every minute of it!!! Worth. Every. Penny.

Well, that's all for now....hope you enjoyed my short little tour of Italia!

Layout: Painting Party

Ciao ciao! Today I have a fun, simply and colorful birthday layout to share with you! Using my Sunny Happy Skies summer-themed products and an enlarged photograph, I documented my neices birthday party!

With a pencil, I freehanded the scallop edge and cut the border. A couple embellishments and a sticker title later, and wha-la! Finito!

It feels good to be getting layouts done! Don't you love that feeling of accomplishment? ;)

I'm Back: Sneak Peek

I'm home safe and sound from two fabulous Bella Blvd trips. I can't wait to tell you all about them and share more photos! I will be back here regularly .... thanks for waitin'!

I've just completed the latest edition of The Bella Buzz. Laura Vegas, my Design Team & Special Projects Coordinator, has put together some awesome content for this month's issue which features lots of love and Valentine themed inspiration! 

It will be officially released tomorrow, Februrary 15th. Be sure to visit Bella for the free download!

I've Been Traveling....and Still Am

For those of you that follow me through Bella Blvd (and here also) you know I've been in California releasing my new products at the CHA Winter 2012 Craft & Hobby Trade Show.

That's me! Hi. ;)

The show was wonderful. It always is. The booth turned out great. I'm so grateful for all the designers, assistants, Bella employees and family and friends that help me prepare for this big week of business!

The new paper collections received great responses. But I have a gut feeling that Baby Boy & Baby Girl will be our top paper sellers.

This is Laura Vegas, my Design Team & Special Projects Coordinator. She lives in California so it was wonderful that she drove over to hang with some industry friends, help us out at the Bella booth and come along on some fun business dinners!

As always my girl rocked it! I'm always amazed when I watch them with customers. We've made so many wonderful friends through this hobby & industry and always look forward to catching up with them.

This is Tonya and Cynthea. They are with the adorable Doodlebug. We've been friends since I was in high school. Bucca Di Beppo's was our meeting spot for din din one night. Great times.

The two have bets on my wedding colors: Cynthea's vote is for Pink & Gray while Tonya is cheering for Pink & Brown. oh boy! (btw, I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT ANYTHING WEDDING! STILL just very happy to be engaged!)

Thank you for always reading, for supporting me and telling all your friends about Bella Blvd too! I feel blessed. 

Today I will be arriving in Napoli, Italy where I will be teaching at the Paper and Company Show. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures...so I can share with you soon!

I'm excited to be a part of this awesome group of teachers!

It's going to be wonderful and I've been doing my best to brush up on my Italiano with a few books while in the air! Wish me luck!

Arrividerci!