Bella Blvd Studio Blog

CHA: Day One

Today is the first day of CHA!!! Everyone at Bella Blvd has been working extremely hard, to prepare for this big day, and we're all so excited that it's finally time to show everything off. The show doors just opened a few minutes ago, and I have a feeling the Bella Blvd booth is already busy at work! Make sure to keep up with Bella Blvd's Facebook page, for updates through out the day.

All the new collections will begin shipping on August 15th, to local and online retailers. Be sure to tell your local and online retailers to stop by Bella in the next couple of days. Send them an email, post on a message board, tell them you want them to buy some Bella!

Last week we showed you our four brand new collections! We have been hearing lots of great responses and comments about our new designs, and it makes us so proud and happy when people love our products! Starting today, we are excited to be sharing with you all the great projects, that our CHA Designers created with these new collections. They all did such an awesome job on these projects, and they look fabulous hanging all around the booth!

 

 

 

"I Love Sports", by Katherine McElvain.

 

"We Did It", by Gretchen McElveen.

 

 

 

"Congrats" card, by Alice Carmen.

 

 

 

"Fall", by Michelle Lanning.

 

 

 

"Happy Fall" card, by Michelle Clement.

 

 

Fall Birdhouse, by Morgan Bandkowski.

 

 

 

 

 

"Yummy Treats", by Tanisha Long.

 

 

 

"U R Too Cute To Spook" card, by Alice Carmen.

 

 

"Trick or Treat" treat box, by Sheri Feypel.

 

 

 

 

"Visit To Father Christmas", by Kerryn Fry.

 

 

 

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" card, by Gail Hoecker.

 

"Merry December", by Michelle Clement.

 

We hope you'll keep checking back in on the blog. We have tons of projects to share, over the next 2 weeks. Stephanie will also be posting on the blog Wednesday evening, from the show!  You won't want to miss anything!

And I don't want to forget our winners of yesterday's giveaway. Our first winner, will receieve the "Christmas In July Mini Album" class kit.

 

And our second winner, will receieve the "Summer Times Mini Album" class kit.

 

Congratulations girls! Please email me with "CHRISTMAS IN JULY MINI ALBUM CLASS KIT WINNER", and "SUMMER TIMES MINI ALUBM CLASS KIT WINNER" in the subject line, along with your mailing addresses, to lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com.

CHA Set Up: Day Two

Ciao Ciao Bella peeps!

Well, we've completed the booth set-up and are ready to get our beauty sleep after 2 very HOT HOT and HUMID set-up days. Luckily we are good company to be around with lot of giggles, fun and sarcasm!

 

The biggest task of the day was to make the booth "beautiful." Hanging the project samples is always very time consuming and strategic, but it's my favorite part.  First, we lay all the samples out on the table.

 

Emily and Angela helped hang the projects throughout the booth. 

One thing we really pride ourselves in at Bella the amount of inspiration in our booth. While it is *A LOT* to look at, it's a great FREE source of inspiration for everyone. We hope retailers will be inspired to create their own versions in their stores! 

 

The other task of the day was to complete all the product panels and put the new papers, stickers, chipboard, stamps and blooms on display.

 

 

The Simply Simona alphabets that were initially released with the Sophisticates collection were a huge hit. So much so that we have released them in 3 new colors and number too! The Simona numbers give you a full sheet of numbers in black and white (great for sports) and red too (great for your December Daily mini albums this year!)

 

Emily put together this darling shadow box featuring all the colors and new numbers.

 

The Christmas Corner in the booth debuting our new Christmas Wishes collection is full of so many cute ideas.

 

From home decor ...

 

to layouts ... to cards, paper crafts and more! Here's some more peeks into day's work!

 

 

 

 

And we have some fabulous fun neighbors too! This is our view from the Bella booth!

FINALLY, if you'll be at CHA, be sure to stop by BOOTH #1943, place an order and you'll get some free product and one of these super sweet pink Bella Blvd water bottles!

 

 

They couldn't be more perfect for these 100-degree days!

 

 

Be sure to tell your local and online retailers to stop by Bella in the next couple of days. Send them an email, post on a message board, tell them you want them to buy some Bella! It's hot hot hot! 

Tomorrow's day one ... wish us luck!

 

CHA Show Happenings + GIVEAWAY

Only one more day before CHA opens! The show opens at 10am (CST) on Tuesday morning and we can't wait! The Bella team is hard at work in Chicago, and they cannot wait to reveal the freshened up booth. It's all white this time, so it's nice and bright! They are going to be blasting everyone at the show with tons of layouts, cards, mini albums and altered project inspiration! And I (Laura) will doing the same thing here on the blog, for everyone at home.

We want to remind our retailers, to log in to your retailer accounts to access all of Bella's CHA summer product information. This includes order forms, catalogs and product images. If you have any questions at all, or want to place an order, everything can be sent to sales@bellablvd.net. Stephanie and her team are checking in each evening, after the show, and will take care of you.

Bella Blvd is hosting/teaching 2 different workshops at CHA. We want to thank everyone that signed up, and that will help to make these classes a success! Our enthusiastic teachers can't wait to see you, educate you more about Bella, and of course, give lots of freebies away too! Want a peek at our class projects?

 

Christmas In July Mini Album

Actual size: approx. 4x4" chipboard album

 

 

 

Summer Times Mini Album

Actual Size: approx. 6x6" sheer binder album

 

We want to thank our multiple sponsors, for their generous donations to help put together these classes: Beacon Adhesives, Fiskars, Helmar Adhesives, Kaiser Kraft, May Arts Ribbon, Maya Road (albums), and Therm-o-Web Adhesives.

Classes are all sold out, but we would like to giveaway two class kits today on the blog. We are going to give away one Christmas in July class kit, and one Summer Times class kit. Kits come complete with color step-by-step directions, and everything you need to create the mini albums.

To be entered in the giveaway, just leave us a comment, and tell us what you'd like to see from Bella Blvd next. Collection ideas or new products you'd love to see. I know CHA doesn't even start until tomorrrow. But Stephanie is already planning on starting the design process for the next round of collections at the end of next month! She's always open to feedback, and ideas, from her favorite customers and fans. We will randomly pick 2 winners to announce, tomorrow morning.

CHA Set-Up: Day One

Ciao Bellas! It's Stephanie here, checking in from Chicago with a recap of our first set-up day at CHA. We thought it would be fun to share some of the behind the scenes stuff with you.

 
{so much stuff to get organized}

Today went great. We arrived safely, unloaded our cars and made our way to the Bella Blvd booth. As many of you know when we arrive there is no booth. Just a small little chipboard sign that reads, "Bella Blvd 1943" and the cement floor. Our 3 crates were there waiting for us. Right away we get organized and unpack the things we know we need right away for wall/framework assembly.

 
{setting up walls}

Then we begin putting the walls together...one by one.

 
{2 more walls}

Today was very challenging in the fact that for the next week (including today) there is a heat advisory indicating a heat index surprassing 100 degrees.

 
{outside wall, facing the concessions}

While the air conditioning was on.....we are the back by the concessions-also where the loading garages are. Needless to say, there was no AC near us. 

 
{putting up molding light panels}

We were sweaty, hot, working hard, and the lighting above makes us look even worse. Just keep that in mind, as we share these photos with you, since we're not looking our prettiest ;) We promise we clean up nice, and we will look fresh and new on Tuesday morning for show opening.

 
{angela}

This show at the booth, representing Bella, you'll see Angela, our customer service representative.

 
{robin and therese}

Robin (sitting down), who i like to call our "Operations, Sales and Finance Queen".

 
{therese and angela, using teamwork}

And Therese, who is our Make N Take extraordinaire. 

 
{stephanie and angela. 100 degrees with heat index}

And of course, I'll be there too! 

 
{when we left tonight}

At first glance, these big honkin' garbage bags look like we haven't throw out our trash yet. But you'd be wrong to think that! There's actually some great PINK giveaways inside for all customers placing orders at CHA! ;)

Have you caught us on Facebook yet? Be sure to "like" Bella Blvd, so that you can follow us and see all the photos and updates (and maybe even a giveaway), live from the Craft & Hobby Show! Wish us lots of luck as we have one more day to finish it up, and make it all beautiful for everyone!

 

Two Days Until Summer CHA

Summer CHA is only 2 days away! Stephanie and her Bella Blvd team left this morning, to make the 1.5 hour drive from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to Chicago. As soon as they arrive, they will be working like "dogs", preparing the booth for everyone to see! Stephanie will be checking in when she can, and will do her best to get us some behind-the-scenes photos from the show. She will also posting, directly from the show and sharing photos, late on wednesday evening.

They are really looking forward to seeing everyone, when the show starts on Tuesday. The trade shows are some of their favorite times of the year, since that's when they get to interact with all of Bella's awesome customers, fans, the press, and designers too.

For the retailers, they have some great incentives at the Booth, as a "Thank You" for making the trip to Chicago. You will enjoy oodles of inspiration in the freshened up booth display, FREE make n' takes, and show specials and discounts. They will also being having giveaways of adorable water bottles, for customers that place an order at the show (while supplies last).

You can find Bella Blvd at booth #1943. 

You can also find our newest catalog supplement HERE.

Bella Blvd will be offering FREE Make N' Takes at the booth (while supplies last), with a different one each day! They love doing the make n' takes, since it gives everyone attending the show the opportunity to play with some of the new collections hands-on, and take back a fun little project/inspiration with them. And hopefully, they will use that to help inspire someone else!

 

Tuesday - Making The Team, mini album.
Sponsored by Bazzill Basics Paper, Beacon Adhesives, May Arts, and SEI.

 

 

Wednesday - Too Cute To Spook treat box.
Sponsored by Aurora Products & General Box Company, Beacon Adhesives, May Arts, Therm-O-Web Adhesives.

 

 

Thursday - Christmas Wishes gift card greeting.
Sponsored by Bazzill Basics Paper, May Arts, Therm-O-Web Adhesive, Unity Stamps.

 

And for those of us that are at home, and unable to make it to Chicago, we have something for you too. If you are lovin' these projects, we have prepared a FREE project sheet just for you, with color photos and directions. You can find it HERE, and print it out to use when you get your hands on these fun collections!

If you're on Facebook, make sure and "like" Bella Blvd, so that you can keep up with Stephanie's updates. And keep coming by the blog every day, because we'll be sharing TONS of inspirational projects this week, with all the new collections! It's a HUGE week, and you won't want to miss a single part of it!

Introducing: Unity & Bella Blvd Stamps

Bella Blvd has co-branded with Unity Stamps again, for a new round of stamps that coordinate with our four new collections. We're excited to reveal these new designs to you today. 

 

Making The Team stamp set.

 

You're A Hit stamp.

  

Silver Lining stamp.

 

Finally Fall stamp set.

 

Thinking of Who-o-o stamp.

 

Leaf Without You stamp.

 

Too Cute To Spook stamp set.

" 

Best Witches stamp.

 

Shake Your Bootie stamp.

 

Christmas Wishes stamp set.

 

You're Cool stamp.

 

Deer Friend stamp.

Just a reminder, to check out our last few posts and see if you're one of our lucky winners. There's a few that we havn't heard from yet. And now for our randomly picked winner for the Christmas Wishes giveaway.

 

Congratulations Wendy! Please email me at lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com, using the subject line "CHRISTMAS WISHES WINNER", with your mailing address and we will ship your prize out to you as soon as it becomes available.

Introducing: Christmas Wishes Collection

 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas this year with our newest holiday collection. Get all wrapped up in the whimsical patterns, cheerful borders, and festive new miniatures! You better not pout, you better not cry, because Santa sure is delivering this season! Make your wish list complete by celebrating with Christmas Wishes by Bella Blvd.

Double Sided Patterned Paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers.

 

 

 

Ciao Chip Chipboard Stickers.

 

 

 

"It's Christmas" layout, by Laura Vegas.

 

 

 

 

"Christmas" card, by Laura Vegas.

 

Want to win the Christmas Wishes collection? Leave a comment below, telling us what you think! We will randomly draw a winner, to receive the collection, before it comes out in the stores. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning, along with another reveal! We've shown you all four of our new collections, and now we get to show you something really fun that's going to work perfectly WITH your new collections!

And now for our randomly picked winner for the Too Cute To Spook giveaway.

 

Congratulations Wendy! Please email me at lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com, using the subject line "TOO CUTE TO SPOOK WINNER", with your mailing address and we will ship your prize out to you as soon as it becomes available.

Introducing: Too Cute To Spook

 

Document the gh'oul times with Too Cute To Spook this Halloween! It's sure to be a treat for all your spooky snapshots this year! The patterned papers are frightfully adorable and the coordinating cardstock stickers are wicked too! Check out our newest stickers, Miniatures; they make for perfect details on your creepy October cards.

Double Sided Patterned Papers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 

Ciao Chip Chipboard Stickers 

 

 

Here are some projects, featuring the Too Cute To Spook collection.

 

"Cute Witch" layout, by Laura Vegas.

 

 

 

 

"You Are Boo-tiful" card, by Laura Vegas.

 

 

"Halloween Candy Bucket", by Laura Vegas.

 

 

Want to win the Too Cute Too Spook collection? Leave a comment below, telling us what you think! We will randomly draw a winner, to receive the collection, before it comes out in the stores. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning, along with another collection peek!

 

Congratulations Janet! Please email me at lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com, using the subject line "FINALLY FALL WINNER", with your mailing address and we will ship your prize out to you as soon as it becomes available.

Introducing: Finally Fall Collection

 

Harvesting your memories this year is as easy as pumpkin pie! It's no secret that at Bella, we're known for our fabulous fall products. Our latest edition, Finally Fall, is the perfect recipe of cozy colors and crisp patterns. We've got it covered, from trees and leaves to owls and apples! Capture those piles of smiles and enjoy this season's lazy days of Autumn.

Double Sided Pattern Papers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 

Ciao Chip Cardstock Stickers

 

 

Here is a project, featuring the Finally Fall collection.

 

"Pumpkin Pickin" layout, by Laura Vegas.

 

 

 

Want to win the Finally Fall collection? Leave a comment below, telling us what you think! We will randomly draw a winner, to receive the collection, before it comes out in the stores. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning, along with another collection peek! 

Our winner for yesterdays "Making the Team" giveaway is:
I have two boys and this collection would be perfect for them!
Posted by: Jamie Greene

Congrats Jamie! Email me at lauravegas.bellablvd@yahoo.com with your mailing address, and we will get that sent out to you as soon as we can!

Introducing: Making The Team Collection

 

Get in the game with our newest sports-themed collection! Cheer on your favorite all-star with these fearless patterns and lively embellishments. Eat, breathe and scrap the big game before you forget the final score! There's definately no competition. Making the Team is a guaranteed slam dunk this season.

Double Sided Pattern Papers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 

Ciao Chip Chipboard Stickers

 

 

 

Here are a few projects, featuring the Making the Team collection.

 

"Softball Is Her Game" layout, by Laura Vegas.

 

 

 

 

"All Star Coach" card, by Laura Vegas.

 

Want to win the Making The Team collection? Leave a comment below, telling us what you think! We will randomly draw a winner, to receive the collection, before it comes out in the stores. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning, along with another collection peek!