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!

Happy Holidays!

Preparing for Christmas 1 - Fine Art Print
JKphotography

It's been a long (and forced) break from blogging for me but between back to back colds, a rush of Christmas orders and packing and traveling to Portugal for our holiday break, there was no time!! 

We'll be back next week and hopefully resume our normal schedule. We also have some new ideas for the shop, new designs and coupons. All of that to come in the next few months.

In the meantime, we would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and wonderful 2011!

Saturday Shopping Day

The perfect companion for a shopping day, this shoulder bag has room for all your essencials and much much more! It's made from a sturdy cotton canvas and lined with a super fun and colorful print.

You can find it in my Etsy shop. And in the next few days I will be adding some matching zipper and clasp pouches for the perfect Chrismas present! For now, head on over to Zsazsazsu's blog for more Saturday Shopping day ideas!

Awesome Caddy

With only a few weeks away, I have started working on my way down my Christmas shopping list. And on my search for a present for my little girl, I came across this awesome writing caddy.  She's still too young to really appreciate it something like this so I am tempted to get it for myself! No, seriously, I will have to wait a couple of years but it's amazing how much great educational and fun products are out there for kids. In the meantime, I may have to stick to Legos.

November iCandy

1. Waste another day

2. Vintage 1950s Bermuda Green Samsonite suitcase

3. Handspun Art Yarn 

4. Green Aventurine Silver ring

November already. How did that happen? When did the days get so short and the weather so cold?

But it's not all bad!

My birthday is coming up at the end of the month (with a weekend away in Paris to celebrate, yay) so here are a couple of things from my wishlist, just in case you need some ideas - yeah, you know who you are!

Shop Update

The last 2 weeks have been a little slow for us. We spent a week in Lisbon,  where we had amazing, Summer-like weather.

Unfortunately, I brought back a cold and spent the first couple of days nursing it. Finally, I started working on a custom order.

I am very pleased with the results!

Today I am starting on a new custom order, this time a laptop sleeve and I am hope that I will be able to add some new clutches to the shop next week.

Stay tuned!

The Search for the Perfect Cowl

As the days get colder and the warm sweaters and jackets find their way back to the front of the closet, I have been on the lookout for the perfect cowl/neck warmer. 

I want something soft and cozy that will keep my neck toasty, even out on the bike, on a cold Dutch winter day. Something like this:

1 - Chunky Neckwarmer / Cowl - Oatmeal - Knittles
2 - Fig Larger than Life - Trucks and Pearls
3 - Chunky Scarf in Olive with Coconuts Buttons - Tomiffy
4 - Cable Neck Tube in Heather Grey - Tomiffy

How to choose?....

If you are feeling crafty, though, you can always follow this tutorial from Cheri on WhipUp.net and use an old sweater make your this nifty scarflette! 

Image via whipup.net

Happy October!

October is here and there is definitely a chill in the air reminding us that cold weather is just around the corner!

To celebrate the new season and making the most of the local fabric market, here are the new additions to the shop, in a cozy felted wool:

I'll be adding more bags and pouches in different fabrics and styles in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!

DIY Gift Bag and Bow

A few days ago, while making the rounds of my favorite blogs, I came across two very useful and fun tutorials.

Jessica from the blog How about orange, shows us how to make a stylish bow and gift bag from a magazine and a newspaper. Not only the result is very original and striking but it's super eco-friendly and economic!

Whether because you find yourself suddenly with a gift to wrap and no wrapping paper or because you like to present your friends and family with an originally wrap packaged, these two tutorials can come in very handy. 


Making a gift bow from a magazine page:

Get the tutorial here.

Making gift bags from newspaper:

Get the tutorial here.

So the next time, instead of panicking and rushing to the store to buy some overpriced wrapping paper and ribbon (which will end up in a landfill), head on over instead to the newspaper and magazine basket and give it a try!

Week Round-up

The days are getting shorter, temperatures are getting cooler and the leaves are starting to turn color. Autumn is definitely in the air. At least in Holland.

 

And even though I will miss the long Summer days and trips to the beach, we have been very busy at Casa b*lota! Supplies have been ordered, new fabrics picked and the sewing has begun.

Here are some of the new listings for this week:

1. Dainty Daisies Storage Fabric Basket2. Small Clasp Purse - Wizard of Oz on Natural

We're back!

It's been a long month and we have done a million things! There was a beach vacation, family visits and weekend getaways and lots and lots of fun. And suddenly it's September and there is work to be done!

I did manage to work on some custom orders in the past couple of weeks and even made this back-to-school book bag!

This sturdy tote is made from canvas and upcycled denim and large enough to fit books, your favorite magazines or to use as a shopping buddy! You can get it soon on my Etsy shop.

There are tons of new projects in the pipeline, so tune in for my weekly updates here on the blog or check out the b*lota Facebook Page.