Goodbye Blogger, hello Tumblr!

After some consideration, I have decided to put this blog out of its misery. As it turns out, you can't do it all (or at least, I can't). 

Between the kiddos (they are cute, though, aren't they?), the out of control laundry, the faint attempt at a social life and spinning classes, trying to fit in some sewing time is hard enough so everything else just slips through the cracks. 


So I decided to simplify. I started a Tumblr blog, which still allows me to share some of the things I love and that inspire me. I like to think of it as an ever evolving mood board. If you like it, just hit the follow button!

So, hopefully, this isn't goodbye. Just see you later.

Summer has arrived! Well, sort of...

We've had all kinds of crazy weather in the Netherlands in the last few weeks, rainy and cold days followed by tropical temperatures followed by thunderstorms and hail. You can never really put away your sweaters and boots but you want to keep your summer dresses and sandals at hand!

And just in case the planets align and a warm, beautiful day comes along and you want to head out to the beach or the pool, you want to have a roomy bag and cute (and practical) accessories handy:

Large Shoulder Bag - Engine Red & Polka Dots

The small zipper pouch is perfect to hold you telephone, wallet and keys and the large wet bag very convenient to stash in wet bathing suits and clothes (and dirty diapers?).

I'll be adding a few more bags in the next week so make sure you check the shop for updates!

 

Our little girl arrived almost 6 weeks ago. And she is beautiful. 

It's wonderful to have a baby in the house again although I had forgotten how much work they are! Between poorly slept nights, taking care of both girls and house chores, I barely have time to sit down, much less to get any sewing done. 

Hopefully soon, as we start establishing a routine, I will be able to start working again and make new things for the shop. So please bear with me and keep checking the shop for updates!

Spring Shopping!

Just a few more days until our baby arrives and the shop has never been busier! Sales, custom orders, wholesale inquiries. And we still have 2 more days left on Euro Week!

Between orders and redecorating our bedroom - new bedspread and linnen arrived yesterday, yay! - I finished a new bag yesterday:

I love the bold print in classic black and white combo! You can find it here. And don't forget that you can still use the coupon EUROWEEK10OFF and get your 10% discount until tomorrow evening!

More Saturday shopping? Check out Sandra's lovely blog here.

It's Euro Week!

 

 

 

down my street - A4 cityscape Print
by lauraamiss

From March 21 through March 27, 2011, Etsy is going to be celebrating the European art and artists with special home pages full of products from throughout Europe.

To mark the occasion, many shops including b*lota, will be running a week-long discount so be sure to check it out!

We are also donating items to the European Street Team's charity shop Europe for Charity which is currently benefiting Japan via Architecture for Humanity.

A Little Saturday iCandy... Bedrooms

In the last couple of months, as the nesting drive took over, I have been remodeling and re-organizing  our house. After buying new bookcases for the living room and ordering new chairs for the dining area, I turned my attention to the bedroom - a problem area since pretty much ever. 

Unfortunately, our budget (and hubby) doesn't allow me to take rip everything out and start fresh so I will have to work with the current Ikea furniture and focus on the soft furnishings: curtains, bedding, light fixtures. Plus, we are going to share the room with our new baby in the next few months!

Mmmmm, what to do, where to start... Naturally, I turned to the internet for ideas, advice and eye candy! 

Luckily in the last couple of weeks, some of my favorite design blogs have had features on bedrooms, giving me tons of ideas:

On Apartment Therapy

Dream Bedrooms: Maximalist or Miniamlist?
Alternative Nightstands: Think Outside the Box

On Design*Sponge

Best of Bedrooms (Part 1)

Best of Bedrooms (Part 2)

Best of Bedrooms (Part 3)

On Decor8

AURA by Tracie Ellis bedding

Now the challenge is to get it done before the baby comes! Oh, I better get started!!

Shop Update: Organic Explosion

Last week was very productive so a new batch of baskets and snack bags made their way into the shop. 

 

Using organic cotton, upcycled leather and Oeko Tex certified waterproof fabric, the new listings are not just cute, they are Earth-friendly too.

 

I'll be adding some more snack bags in different prints and wet bags in the next couple of days, so don't forget to check back!

Round-up: IKEA Hacks for Kids

In the last couple of weeks I have come across some clever (not to mention cute) ideas for storage and display of books, toys and artwork. To top it off, these are cheap solutions and require virtually no DIY skills!

First up, the kids book shelf/Bekvam Spice Rack. Simple and perfect for keeping the books handy and visible. Genius.

via Table Tonic

Next, there's the Kid's Art Gallery/Dignitet Curtain Rod, which allows you to display those precious works of art and add/change them easily.

 

via Ohdeedoh

And finally, the Toy Car Storage/Magnetic knife holder:

So guess where I am going this weekend?! For more IKEA hacks and ideas, check out this website.

Saturday Shopping Day

With the new addition to the family unit arriving in just a couple of months (!), babies are definitely on my mind. Sorting through my daughter's baby clothes, checking that I have enough bedding for the crib, tracking down the maxi cosi. Baby fever has also reached my studio and I spent yesterday making new baskets:

Not only are these adorable but they are 100% environment friendly, from the organic cotton prints to the interfacing, to the upcycled soft leather handles! You can find them in my shop.

For more Saturday shopping ideas, check out Zsazsazsu's blog!

And we are back!

I can't believe it's February already. Where did January go?! Anyway, we are back and buzzing with plans and ideas for new projects and dreaming about Spring! 

Unfortunately, it's still pretty cold and gray in the Netherlands, so to cheer myself up I decided to use some beautiful floral prints and bring a little Spring to my studio:

Large Frame Clutch - Plum and Pink Vine on Natural

Cluch in Floral Navy, Marigold, Turquoise and White on Natural

You can find all new listings in the shop!