Oh my...it's my birthday...

Hi guys!!
It's my birthday today... I'm stepping back...takin' a deep breath today... and it's a good day...

Thank you everyone for your kind words!!
I'll be posting later for new years.. Hope everyone is having a good day too!

Favicon...No?

Hi guys! I'm totally exhausted.. after two hours trying to upload..well I'm quite speechless..I received an up to date laptop for Christmas and I'm still trying to get the kinks worked out! I upload, it adds two photos instead of one..it can't figure out which link I want...So I'm back on my dinosaur.
Okay..deep breath... Here is one of my hopes and prayers for Bella Colle for the New Year, I just want a small piece of the pie..It doesn't have to be a big one, but I think I've got some neat stuff and well Ladies, Isn't there enough for all of us to go around? 2007 has taken my breath away as to how incredibly hard it is here in the WI.. and on the web to start a business...Someone one grabbed my husbands hand when we joined our first church up here in WI and said "You won't find the Southern hospitality and welcome up here any where..except for a born again Christian..." This person 'hightailed' it outa here back down South... What is that supposed to mean? DH and I thought.I have since learned 7 yrs later that there is an incredible coldness out there..a true scence of selfishness..I miss my homeland!
Anyway, I'm sorry for not being upbeat and happy tonight.
Ahhh..Deep breath... I wanted to share with everyone about Favicon! This is a neat way of linking an icon to your site. I know you've seen it... A for Adobe.. The 'CBS' 'eye'.. Anyone have others? Here is a site to learn more..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favicon
There are blogs that have these, anyone know how to add them to blogger?...

I made this..
And this one...
Yup, this one too, I need to shrink this with Photoshop. I really like the idea of being able to have an icon that would be totally original to Bella Colle.. These Favicon icons are so original and much better than the old 'E' for Internet explorer.
Okay... I'm emotionally and physically spent tonight.. I'm sorry for all the misspelled words and gramar..I don't know if I can keep doing this...Good night my TRUE blog friends..Hope to hear from you soon..

hugs.

Soapy

Just wanted to remind everyone..I have luscious Ginger Orange handcrafted soap in the store!
http://www.bellacolle.com/.... It works up to dreamy lather and gentle for even children's skin!
You can purchase a generous size 3ounce bar for $3.75. The bars are approximately 3inches x 2 inches.


I'm actually posting from my Christmas present..I've been trying to get the hang of it..haven't been able to visit everyone much seeing the fastest I can get this puppy to connect is only 26k..and well my old dinosaur is able to connect to our dial up at least 40k...
Hope your week has gone well...and that you had a lovely Christmas too!
hugs.

What's in a name?

What's in a name anyway? When you hear a persons name whom you didn't get along with in High School, does it evoke feeling extreme distaste? Or vice versa, how about when you hear the name of the love of your life, does it bring on all warm and fuzzy feelings?

Well... I'm sure folks have paid alot of attention to naming their blogs and even their businesses..
I did. give careful thought to it. #1 and I were rolling around so many names about this time last year actually.. I love Italy.. I loved France and Spain when I visited it...

I adore Collage.. the pasting and gluing, the careful thought that goes into each piece. My life is a beautiful collage!

Well... that's me...Bella Colle...Beautiful Collage! The 'e' in Colle sounds like a long 'a'...

I hope that answers 'the who' and 'the what' is in my name...

I hope everyone's Christmas was grand!

hugs..

Scenes of Christmas

Okay..if you can just humor me right now..can you vision/hear the song from the Nutcracker...Nutcracker suite..let this song play in your head as you see each photo..We had such a blessed Christmas, jammed packed..and full of life! I'm sure you have too.
This is one of my best friends Debbie, she graciously plays Mrs. Santa through the season at so many functions in cities in the area!.
We had three wonderful choral performances to attend...gosh, can you guess which one is #3..the only one lookin at the camera! He is such a ham..lovin it!
We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service at church. Brothers!

It's a tradition of our family to read " Ordinary Baby Extraordinary Gift" by Gloria Gaither each year on Christmas Eve..well, since we have been at the church we are at, I read it every Christmas Eve there too! Lovely book..so many have come up and said that it is the best for Christmas!
Don't they look peaceful?!! A few moments later it was a tornado...
Yes.. Me.. I look soo mean..so sorry! My DH said it's the same look he gets every Christmas morning..Hey...I haven't had my latte yet! LOL! After two hours of wrapping gifts in to the wee hours..give me a break!LOL!
Yippee... #1 ...I hope you and your family had a blessed day..not about the gifts, or fru fru.. but that it was peaceful.. full of God's peace.
That's our Christmas..and we're stickin' to it!

Christmas

Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas... Each special person who has left comments this year has really blessed my heart. Thank you...
Thank you... Warmest Christmas Blessings for you and your family. Thank you for your blog friendship..Hugs.

Last orders..before Christmas

Well..the orders are filled...the shopping is completed..House is ALMOST clean. Yup, I think I'm ready..
This neat little one is a mini glass button about 1/2 inch in diameter..
This one is a mini one as well.. my best friend called me " Oh My GOSH! I forgot my sister-in-law!"..."Have no fear! Bella Colle is here!" LoL..
I love the font on this one, I just might have to make one for myself!LOL..
So, all you, my blog buddies! May you take tonight and catch your breath..
hugs..

I've been tagged!

Well.. howdy!.... I've been tagged by Rhonda over at http://farmhousestyle.blogspot.com/

This is a fun little trivia game... Thanks for taggin me! =)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper... Thanks to DH..we have to wrap EVERYTHING!LOL...

2. Tree- Real or Artificial? Real..love the smell..

3. When do you put up your Christmas tree? Absolutely after Thanksgiving and any time we can...DH has a busy work schedule!

4. When do you take your tree down? New Years day...but now I'm thinkin' that's the reason for all our bad luck!!lol and not eatin' enough black-eyed peas and collards on NewYears Day!LOL!

5. Like EggNog? Oh yes.. both versions..LOL (adult and regular)

6. Do You have a Nativity scene? Several

7. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Dream House

8. Hardest person to buy for? #1 son

9. Easiest person to buy for? My husband

10. Worst Christmas gift? Haven't gotten that yet.

11. Mail or Email Christmas Cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nativity

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Waaay toooo late..

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.. that's just tacky...

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Ham..with cloves..

16. Clear or Colored tree Lights? Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? Angels we have heard on high..

18. Travel during Christmas or stay home? Oh no! Tried that once..won't do that again till the boys are much older!!lol!

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blixen...and of course Rudolf...

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star..

21. Open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning.. when the sun comes up. LOl..no one is allowed up till the sun comes up..

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that it's about everything else but Jesus!

Well..now that I've bored you to tears..I tag: RuthAnn of http://warmpiehappyhome.blogspot.com/ Aannnddd... Sherry or http://prairiehome.typepad.com/prairie_home/ sisters...

Hope your week was good!

hugs..

Gratitude

I am feeling soo 'Thankful' tonight! For so many reasons...
I recieved an unexpected lovely necklace in the mail today! I don't know who it's from..but whom ever sent it..Thank you.
You guys who have voted for my other blog!! You guys rock! Thank you!! I don't feel like such a "0" zero any more!
I am soo thankful for the privilege of being able to get/make Christmas gifts! I am officially done! There is a family right in my own wee church that it was questionable if they were going to be able to purchase gifts for their small children...and keep their lights on... God provided. He always does!
That is where I'm at tonight... Thankful for God's gift! Jesus!
That is the meaning.. Christmas.. Christ..our gift from our amazing Heavenly Father!
That's right..a gift to you! You don't have to do anything but accept it...
Romans 5 : 15
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

Hugs....

Thank you Bellas!

Hi! gifts are a goin' around here... some from ...some to!
Amazing how life kicks into high gear this time of year..well, I went to my mail box and I finally received my 'Silver Bella' hoodie! http://www.teresamcfayden.typepad.com/silverbella/
Silver Bella was an event of amazing talent gathering to enjoy some 'Silver' goodness..amazing talents like Teresa Mcfayden..Kim Kwan...Corrine Ayers..lots and lots more..Hope Wallace..oh gosh, the list goes on. The event took place in November, well, I found about the event and this amazing group waay too late to purchase tickets. I was able to order a sweatshirt that commemorated the event... it went on sale waay before ..me, being the wanna be that I am.. I ordered and I was informed that there would be a wait..okay. It's a month later and I still didn't receive the hoodie.

That's me though..the nerd..lookin' in and it would be MY order that was forgotten..oh well..the wall flower..

But I did email the ladies..boy, everyone I spoke with via email were sooo nice and soo genuine! Put it this way... there were circumstances that prevented orders from being filled...I am soo the bug for eva!! So, to make up for the mishap... My hoodie was mailed and then some!! OH MY GOSH!!

the hoodie.. aand an amazingly large bag! Some ephemera.. and then some..
The below..cutest 'bling' crown...

Your generosity ladies is overwhelming!! Thank you!!

There is a new focus now..Paper Bella! http://paperbellastudio.com/kits.html I have signed up for the fun!! You should too!! What an inspiring way to spend the 'Winter blaahs..'

Ready for Christmas? The day to remember Christ's Birth? Almost here...

Hugs.

Something Random

Hi...hmm.. stairway to no where?Random stuff for this Tuesday ..
I'm pooped! DH and I have been Christmas shopping all day and well... This is the best I can come up with!LOL! Stairs... up there...Yawwwn... to my bed....

I've been known to paint just about anything...and for some reason the corners of my stairs where calling me one day.. Each side has a building the other side has a tree...
Or..a ship...
Or a lighthouse...
Anyone ever just have this kinda random acts of embellishment? I get these kinda things in my head sometimes and it's just gotta come out!!LOL!

Oh, my... my stairs are truly calling again... "Come...climb me... YOur soooO sleepy..."

Well, I hope your week is grand! Lets remember the "Reason for The Season"...

hugs....YaaaWWaann...

Happy Birthday Cicero!

Happy Happy Birthday to You! #2 is now 11.. Gosh, dosen't he look like Dennis the Menace?!LOL..He's my little man..my athlete...all boy...full of life! First one to give me a hug...
I just want to say I thank God for the privilege of being your mom James! May you be blessed with wisdom and strength..and many many more years!! When God looks at you, may He be well pleased..
This young man already has a relationship with Christ... loving and kind hearted..
Sniff...sniff... Happy Birthday... We, your family, love you..
Hugs and kisses.

Busy..Before Birthday

Hi! Busy...Busy day..busy week! I'm sure all you guys are... As always I've waited to the last min. to finally tackle Christmas shopping. Every year I vow I wont and sure enough...
Anyway..It's #2's birthday today! James is 11.
I have some errands to run.. cake to bake. Just thought I'd share a bit real quick. I was so inspired with some of your pink Christmas trees, well I just had to have one! Found this one and it fits perfectly in the bedroom.
I finally finished our Christmas cards! Couldn't find ones I liked so I pickup a few stamps and went to town!lol! Add some glitter and there you have 'em.
Will post more later.
Have a fabulous day!
hugs.

European Inspiration

European style.. I know you have heard of it! What does it evoke in your mind? I remember traveling to the southern coast of France, Italy and Spain...There is soo much history in the buildings and the food.. As you see in this picture, the little ally has soo many textures and colors. According to http://interiordesign.lovetoknow.com/Mediterranean_Style_Interior_Design Unlike formal Parisian drawing room style or dark Florentine or Madrileno design, Mediterranean design is carefree and casual, emphasizing the colors and textures found in the surrounding landscape.
I love the fact that there is a 'history' to the pieces used..Great Great Grandmas Armoir used with another inherited piece say a oriental rug... I love the textures.. and colors! (This is my hallway)
Color isn't sparse! Patterns are equally vibrant, we all know of Toile which actually translates to cloth in French...Which I have seen in almost every color of the rainbow.
This dinning room photo is from a home in Mas de la Vit in Lot, France. I love the transparency of the drapes! And the color is warm and sunny.
You see here an example of a more 'airy' approach to European design. This room was designed by Simone Dumont. The designer mixed period pieces and I think the room has the casual elegance I just love!
Here is a corner of my living room... The walls are the faintest of pinks and I used stencils around the top to add interest to the already beautiful textured walls! (Never mind the mic... and piano..LOL)
So, when I hear someone speak of European Inspired.. I think of the timelessness and beauty of loved furniture... beautiful linens.. and the eclectics of it all! I think it all boils down to using what you love! What inspires you?

hugs...

(Photos courtesy of Country French decorating fall/winter..and my house..)