Hello, Goodbye! Come say hi!

It's been just shy of a year since I publicly bid adieu to Hello Bella on this blog, and at the very end of that blog post, I said " I hope to finally enrol myself in a graphic design course, and continue to hone my skills to create pretty printable materials. It won't be anytime soon, but keep an eye out for Hello Bella invitations, printable parties, labels and much more." 

Well, here I am announcing I have finally found an outlet for my creative energy, and would love for you to join me on the ride! I took a slightly different path than I thought; I have focused more on organizational and household labels than event graphics, however there will still be the odd thing here and there for weddings and events.

I really struggled with my branding this time. I feel like I moved a bit too quick with Hello Bella, and although I loved my cute little moniker at first, it grew old really fast. I also felt that unless you added the wordy "Weddings and Events" to the end, that it really wasn't descriptive in any way, which wasn't doing me any favours.


I have, ummm, about 2000 Hello Bella business cards and about 500 promotional postcards sitting in a box in my office. I was extremely tempted to stick with Hello Bella for my little graphics business so that I could recycle all of my printed materials, but in the end I just couldn't. First and foremost, this is a completely different baby than Hello Bella was, and I wanted that to be clear. And second, I made a lot of mistakes when starting out and branding HB, that I just needed a clean and fresh slate.

So The Paper Society was born! To be completely honest, it happened much quicker than I was planning because of a feature about my labels on the popular blog iHeart Organizing. I wasn't going to roll out my etsy shop until I had a good inventory of ready made label templates, professional photography, and solid branding (and a mini business plan of course!), but when the feature opportunity came up, I knew I had to be ready. Fortunately I've had the name settled on a for a few months and haven't tired of it yet. I feel like it's solid, it evokes a certain kind of lifestyle, and is fairly descriptive without having to force the words "labels" or "graphics" into it. The logo, on the other hand, is not officially locked in and was something I had to whip up to pull the etsy shop together in time. I'm liking it for now, but open to it evolving over time.

There is a point to this lenghty, boring post, I promise! This is likely the last time I will ever post on this blog, and there are still 50 or so of you subscribed to it. I'm not even here to shamelessly plug my etsy shop or my facebook page, but actually wanted to invite you over to my personal blog The Social Home. I PROMISE the posts won't be wordy like this one! I'm mainly chronicling my adventures in diy decorating our home as well as the odd label design (and freebie). I spend a lot of my free time doing household projects, and a lot of them are share-worthy, so perhaps you will find something useful over there! 


That is all for now! If you stop by my blog, please say hi! I'm really looking forward to this next chapter! 


All the best! xox J

Rum and Eggnog Cupcakes: The Recipe

Mmmm mmmm good.

These tasty little holiday treats were actually born from my in-the-making Christmas Bella Bash (consider this a sneak peak). Although I probably won't be throwing my own Christmas party this year (shocking, I know), I wanted to make my Bella Bash photo shoot realistic so I brainstormed some festive goodies I would have served were I to have played hostess. Well, lets just say the photo shoot is days away, and the cupcakes are ready right now. Thank goodness it was my mom's birthday tonight, because it definitely saved me from eating them all (and I didn't have to bake her a birthday cake- yay!)

Why rum and eggnog cupcakes? Rum cake is a family birthday staple in my household, and well, eggnog is eggnog, it doesn't need any explanation because it's just that good. The rum cake all started with my dad, who likes a little bit more rum than cake, but got us all hooked after requesting this moist and delicious treat for every one of his birthdays. My mom makes the best rum cake, and for those who have tasted Tortuga Rum Cake from the Caribbean, well, her's puts it to shame. She just uses boxed cake mix, putting a little spin on it by adding vanilla pudding powder and substituting rum for some of the water in the directions. She uses a rum/sugar glaze for the actual bundt cake, but for cupcakes, we'll stick with the eggnog buttercream.

To make the rum cupcake batter:

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 
  

Follow instructions on cake box and spoon into cupcake cups.

To make the eggnog buttercream icing:

1 C. room temp. butter

6-8 C. powdered sugar

2 t. vanilla

1/2 C. eggnog

1-2 t. nutmeg

(for an extra punch, add a few drops of rum flavoured extract. If you find your buttercream too thin, add more icing sugar, or a little meringue powder to stiffin it).

Cream the butter for 30 seconds until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until combined. Use a pastry bag and round tip to pipe onto cupcakes, and sprinkle with a bit more nutmeg.

Because of the eggnog in the icing, the buttercream will expire so make sure to use it up quick (like that will be a problem). Also, the cupcakes are best served chilled, straight out of the fridge. The icing will get fairly soft if left at room temp because of the amount of liquid and butter in it ;)

Enjoy!

Classic Bridal Shower on the Bella Bash Boutique

Here is the third and final party from my premiere collection. It's classic and simple, and was inspired by the elegance of traditional wedding stationery. I love cerulean blue and figured it would be a great palette to work with for those wanting to host a very non-themed, elegant bridal shower for a like minded bride to be. I'm all for uber girly, but not everyone else is! I actually think this set would be perfect for a high tea shower. Have the girls wear white gloves and a fancy chapeau, toss in some petit fours, mini scones and little sandwiches, and you're set to go!

The Classic Bride Party includes:

Invitation & Envelope
Thank You Card & Envelope
Cupcake Wraps (for Regular and mini cupcakes)
Cupcake Pick Toppers
Napkin Wraps
Candle Wraps
Favor Box
Favor Bag
Gift Tags/ Place Cards/ Labels
Gift Log
Patterned Paper

Check out my etsy shop The Bella Bash Boutique!

Western Baby Shower on the Bella Bash Boutique

Cupcake wraps for both mini and regular size cupcakes!

Cupcake picks

Favor box and napkin wrap used on a water bottle

My second party from my premiere collection is probably my fave (might have something to do with the principle color?).I kinda have a thing for pink, and a pretty major crush on western fonts, so this theme was a no-brainer for me. I've got this party ready to go for a baby shower (or baby birthday) but it can also be used for a bridal shower or birthday party.

For those who may still not quite get this printable party concept (like my mom), I've included an example template to check out. Feel free to save it, print it, and test it out for yourself (make sure it fills the page completely so you don't get a teeny tiny little favor bag). Score the folds first with a ruler and knife and it will fold much easier and prettier!

The Western Party Includes:

Invitation & Envelope
Thank You Card & Envelope
Cupcake Wraps (for Regular and mini cupcakes)
Cupcake Pick Toppers
"Oh Baby Shower" Banner OR "Bride To Be" Banner
Napkin Wraps
Candle Wraps
Favor Box
Favor Bag
Gift Tags/ Place Cards/ Labels
Bingo Cards & Bingo Markers
Gift Log
Patterned Paper

Some DIY ideas for your Western Party:

1) Instead of using the favor bags for favors, try filling with snacks and treats like popcorn, nuts and bolts, chips etc.

2) Playing baby shower games, like chugging the juice out of the baby bottle? Use a napkin wrap to customize your baby bottles.

3) Make yourself some pretty, fluffy tissue paper pom poms. Hang from the ceiling, extending the string down through the pom so that you have a piece of string that hangs about 6 to 10 inches underneath. Attach a star label to the string hanging from the pom. Once you have a bunch of them done it will look like a pretty mobile or baby chandelier.

Check out my Western Party on etsy right here!

Vintage Silhouette Party on the Bella Bash Boutique

Say hello to my very first printable party! I was inspired by the timeless beauty of a simple black silhouette, framed by one of my favourite colours, vintage-y blue-y green. Is vintage-y blue-y green even the name of a colour? Nope, but I can't think of anything else right now. The photographs don't capture the exact colour that I used, so just imagine a faded Tiffany box, or a vintage teal stove.

This party would be PERFECT for a bridal shower or a birthday party, but I've created it in a way so that it could pretty much be used for any kind of party (well, except for your husband's birthday... he might not appreciate it).

This party includes:

Invitation & Envelope
Thank You Card & Envelope
Cupcake Wraps (for Regular and mini cupcakes)
Cupcake Pick Toppers
"Celebrate" Banner
Napkin Wraps
Candle Wraps
Favor Box
Favor Bag
Gift Tags/ Place Cards/ Labels
Gift Log
Patterned Paper

Want some creative things that you can do with your party? Try out some of these great DIY ideas:

1) Use a napkin wrapper and a candle wrap to customize a wine bottle as pictured above! Not serving wine? Use the wraps for water bottles, vintage soda bottles, paper cups, etc. You get the idea!

2) Punch 2 holes in the circular tags and put a straw through it for an adorable drink accessory.

3) Use the large blank tags for labelling your candy buffet, or for tagging your gifts for the guest of honor.

4) Print one side of a page with the full pattern, and the other side with the template. When you cut and assemble your favor box or bag, you'll have the pretty pattern on the inside instead of just plain white. This makes your work look uber professional!

5) Blow up the silhouette to fit an 8.5 by 11 inch page, place in a glass-less frame, and give silver pens to guests to sign their name on the black silhouette. Perfect guestbook and gift all in one!

6) Make a silhouette chalk board. Using the same enlarged silhouette, trace the image onto a purchased piece of chalkboard decal (Winners and Homesense has some right now). Stick your silhouette decal onto the wall, the door, or a frame. Use chalk to write any message you like, or list the menu for the fabulous meal you'll be serving.

Check out my etsy listing here for the Vintage Silhouette Party.

Introducing... the Bella Bash Boutique!

I am so excited to announce to opening of Hello Bella's very own Etsy shop! As many of you may know, I love etsy, and I love paper, so it seems only natural to open up a shop selling printable paper party wares!

Some may already know what a printable party is, but for those of you who don't, well here's the low-down. You purchase a party from the Bella Bash Boutique, decide if you want it customized with a monogram (free for November!), and then wait. For customized parties, you will receive an email in your inbox within 48 hours (non-custom parties it's just 24 hours). This email will include all of the pdf files you need to print off your very own party. For best results, I suggest emailing the files to your local Office Depot print shop and getting them printed on a minimum of 80lb white cardstock (18 cents a piece), but you are also welcome to use your printer at home. Once you print as many copies as you need, you cut, assemble, and party! Every party is accompanied by easy to follow directions and a supply list.

Why a DIY printable party you may ask? Well, as an event planner I am well aware that not every one can hire a designer or planner for parties such as birthdays and showers. People have come to accept that custom and stylish event design is just for a wedding (or for a host with mad graphic design skills or an enviable budget). My goal with the Bella Bash Boutique is to make sure you never have to walk down that craft/party aisle again to buy over-priced, over-used, and often tacky party wares for the event that you're hosting.

What do you get in your party? Everything from invitations, to favor boxes and bags, to cupcake wrappers and more. Essentially, add the food and treats and you've got yourself a party!

Currently I've got 3 parties created and ready to go, which I will be rolling out on my blog over the next few days (complete with fun DIY projects to compliment each party). Also expect to see custom digital invitation design for weddings and more!

I have more parties in the works, but I want to hear from YOU what themes you think I should create for my next collections? Please leave your feedback, and I will select one poster at random to receive a free party of their choosing!