Bel Kai Designs

I've moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:51:00 +0000

Update your rss feed, bookmark, toolbar, brain...

however you remember to come and visit...

and I'll see you over there!

HTTP://WWW.BELKAI.COM/BLOG

the design process ::

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:33:00 +0000

sketch - scan - color - add finishing touches - print - set in sterling silver bezel...

add some love + some secret steps {this is a business after all} ;)...

My little babushka!

I've been wanting to show you the basic design process so you know the work that goes into it. It really is a lot of fun - I love seeing how it's going to turn out in the end. Because sometimes it just flops. {You don't see those.} I'm always learning ways to simplify and improve the process.

So, do you watch Color Splash? I catch it from time to time and I normally love David Bromstads' designs. He has life-size nesting dolls in his new studio...and they inspired me to sketch a little babushka of my own. Then I remembered that my best friend growing up, Andrea, used to call me that...my little babushka. Am I remembering right, Andrea? So, that, my reading friends, is the inspiration behind this piece. And I think it's the cutest.

And you can find it here.

it's times like these...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:24:00 +0000

...that will always stand out in my mind as a mama. The impromptu dates with my children. Just him and I. Unplugged. Listening to all he has to say...about the fly buzzing around the window while we ate...the boy that sat at the next table who also happens to be in Ms. Sue's class at church...what the plan was for the rest of the day. I always forget, that children are just like us...just littler. The time we spent together Saturday morning was not only a special time for me, but for him too. It's all he's been talking about since. Just a minute ago - he looked up from the book he's reading and said - "I have a great idea! We could go on another date today." Music to my ears. If only there were time today...

new design :: voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:46:00 +0000

I love this quote...

I saw it on a travel journal a few years ago and it stuck with me. I find myself dreaming of the day when we can travel more...not so much dreaming of where, but when. Wondering if we'll EVER get to cross off some of the places we'd like to go. It's a long list. It would be easier to make a list of places we don't want to go. I want to go everywhere. anywhere. nebraska, even. I bet there's a really cute main street somewhere in nebraska.

So, I added this to the shop a moment ago. Really, it's just another necklace I made for myself and I thought I'd share it with you {I'm nice like that}. It is an original design in an antique brass setting and accented by an orange jade & turquoise charm. Also. There is another bead -- and I can't remember for the life of me, what the stone is. Up close, it looks like a buttered popcorn jelly belly. Do you like those? You either love 'em or hate 'em. I happen to looove them.

You can find it here.

new design :: mod flora

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:06:00 +0000

For some reason, it has taken me a long time to re-adjust to real life. Could be the time change, maybe that we all came home sick...but I'm finally there. Readjusted AND caught up. My inbox only has 4 emails in it! I can't remember the last time I could say that.

Lance just took the boys out for the evening - and I used the time to add a few new items to the shop, finish some orders and oh yeah...to breathe and appreciate the fact that no one was hanging on me. And even though they came home with jamba-juice-berry-smoothie-stained shirts, I was ready to love on them again with open arms. It was just the right amount of time I needed. {Thanks Lance!}

I've used this paper before - but I'm not sure I've ever had it in the shop. It was quite popular at the trunk show I had in Indiana a couple of weeks ago - so I decided to go ahead and add it. You can find the ring here and the necklace here.

See you soon!

last days...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:25:00 +0000

We are back home and instead of focusing on how incredibly awful our flight home was (one especially - out of 3 flights), I decided to post photos from the last days of our vacation...we really packed a lot of summer fun into 2 weeks. We had such a great time. It's good to be home with Lance and get back into our normal {if you can call it that} routine.

We celebrated the 7th birthday of a very special girl...my niece Mackie {Mckenna}...she's on the left, just in case you can't tell which one is now 7. ;)

took a walk to the park...

a walk down the pier...

a {very warm} afternoon at the county fair...

one last boat ride...

and a certain little girl woke up on our last day and decided that it was the perfect day to get her ears pierced. She was so brave - it was fun to be there for the occasion...

winding down...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:10:00 +0000

A couple more days here in Indiana - we are going to soak up as much family time as possible...
and I'll be gearing up for another long travel day home. Have a splendid Monday!

more stuff of summer...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:31:00 +0000

Sparklers & Lollipops...does it get any better?! Happy Saturday to you!

the creative collection

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:25:00 +0000

I am beyond excited about this new collaboration with Marisa Haedike {Creative Thursday}. I have been a fan of Marisa's work for a couple of years, so I thought of her right away when I was envisioning a new collection - perfect for little girls' and with just enough whimsy for...ahem...more mature girls {like me!}. I've been wearing this one for days - I just love it - wears so well with everything I wear. Marisa is a girl after my own heart - if you've poked around my blog for any time at all, you know I adore Paris and dream of going again one day. She shares the same love {just got back from spending a month there...lucky girl!}. This collaboration has just felt right. From the start. I've been so excited about sharing it with you.

So, this is what it looks like when bel kai designs & creative thursday bump into each other ::

I really can't think of a sweeter gift for a newly pregnant mama. This one is extra special - two for the price of one - one for each sister or friend. Cuteness! Personalize this piece for an extra special gift for your bestest & sweetest girl that loves to dress-up and pretend...I'm fairly certain that is every little girl you know.

Which is your favorite?

signs of summer...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:41:00 +0000

tricycles - sparklers - ice cream - fires - smores -

summer corn - boating - friends - and lots and lots of sticks...

enjoying the little pleasures of summer

{missing dada lots, though}

happy fourth!

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Last night, we went out on the boat & enjoyed this gorgeous sunset...

and these beautiful fireworks...

HAPPY FOURTH!

busy boys

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Everyone is thanking me for bringing the beautiful SoCal weather to Indiana - I have to say, in my memories of living here, I don't remember it being this gorgeous for so many days in a row. But, we're going on 4 now and it's going to last through the weekend. No complaints here! We are loving it...lots of outdoor play, collecting sticks & rocks, boating, tricycles, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, parks, baseball...these boys are busy!

Have a great holiday weekend!

new design :: primary peony

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:19:00 +0000

I know I'm late to the party, but I'm really into primary colors right now, mostly yellow & navy... and stripes. It's probably an outdated trend now...I don't really know...I hardly consider myself fashion forward. Anyway, I like what I like, when I like it. {speaking of stripes...have you read this? hee, hee!}

Also...peonies...where have you been all my life?! They are such beautiful flowers. I am fairly certain I knew they existed, but my, I don't know if I had ever seen them or smelled them until a few weeks ago. When I saw them at our farmer's market, I was so inspired.

So, that, my readers, is the inspiration for this new design - I whipped it up for myself a couple of weeks ago...because I don't do that often enough...but I want to share it with you, too! You can find it here.

*I'm on pins and needles to show you something I've been working on for awhile. It'll be sometime soon - I suggest you keep checking in.*

i like choices...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:47:00 +0000

...do you?

I've been so thrilled with the response to the fear to freedom necklace that we unveiled a couple of weeks ago that I decided to offer it in sterling silver, too! It is now available in the shop here.

we made it...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:06:00 +0000

...exhale. That's how it feels being here at my parents' home - like
one big satisfying deep breath.
See you again soon - I'm sure to have many pics. Ciao!

where to begin?

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:09:00 +0000

I've been slowing up on advertising lately, to give myself some room to breathe {and play} and also to focus on some things that I need to do to prepare my business for the future. This idea of planning for fall and the holiday season in the summer is new to me. So strange! And I'm hoping to be able to relax a bit and enjoy my family while on vacation the next couple of weeks.

The fact that orders have been coming in this week at a slow trickle is very welcomed. I have been making list upon list of what needs to be done and trying to figure out what aspects of my business I am now going to outsource or give to an assistant to do. The phrase "time is money" has a whole new meaning to me these days. It has taken conversation with a couple of encouraging & honest friends for me to realize I am at full capacity. And there just isn't room to grow when you are tapped out. In terms of a business that is growing, a bigger investment means a bigger return. That's hard for a risk-sensitive girl and {I'll admit it} a control-freak like me. While it is more comfortable for me to be doing it all...it's just not a possibility anymore.

Back to my list! I had breakfast with a friend yesterday and was complaining about how long it takes to get things done these days...you know, in between diapers, time-outs and that pesky responsibility of feeding my children...it is definitely the hardest thing about working/owning a business and staying home with my kids. Before kidlets, my current list could be checked off in a few weeks. Now...my goal is by December 31st. No kidding! Big *sigh*. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Oh - and shout out to Chickabird/randL on etsy - I received this notebook (above) as a gift - journaling and list-making is so much more fun with a freshly sharpened pencil & a beautiful notebook - it helps me stay focused and inspired. It's the little things.

new design :: tagged necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:48:00 +0000

I'm stuck in another 'color rut' - orange & turquoise. I guess it should come as no surprise. Turquoise has always been my favorite color. Elliot is really into 'favorites' and 'colors' lately. Always asking me my favorite and I tell him..."you know...you asked me that yesterday...do you remember?" And he says 'nicodemus'. Ha! You know how things get stuck in your head? Apparently, at some point, when I said turquoise, he thought 'nicodemus'. So, there it is...a new color name for Crayola.

This new eclectic design - added to the shop today....the tagged necklace. You can personalize with names or inspirational words. The necklace comes with one tag & one freshwater pearl charm (you can add more charms here).

sweet face

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:03:00 +0000

Apparently, my little man, Silas, looks just like me? I don't know - you can't see it when it's you, ya know? Maybe that is why every.single.human.being that comes in contact with him says 'she' and 'her'. I know it's a common mistake...he is awfully cute...and then there's his lashes. Again with the lashes - I know..I'm envious. Elliot is the spitting image of Lance - especially when you look at photos of them at the same age. I'm headed to my parents' house next week - you can bet some old photos will surface at some point during my visit - and I'm going to search for some of me at this age and compare.

{Don't let the sweet face fool you - he has been a stinkpot this week - something about growing 18 teeth at the same time, I think.}

the world feels a little smaller

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:39:00 +0000

It's fun making small world connections...especially through the internet & blogging community. Because blogging can feel, well...lonely. After all, I am sitting here in my house, boys asleep, husband folding laundry {I'm lucky!} and writing to you...and I don't even know who you are.

So, I found Sarah Markley a few years ago through another blog and re-visited about a year ago when she shared with the world about her affair that rocked her marriage. She is a gifted writer and shares with raw honesty and vulnerability. It really is such an admirable thing. It's hard enough blogging about day-to-day life to anyone, everyone, no one -- wondering what people are thinking, worried about whether or not you come across as your true self, etc. But to share your sin and open yourself up in that way is rare. And refreshing.

So, after reading her story, I suggested her to come to speak to our MOPS group this past semester and she graciously accepted. It was a great reminder to all of us in the thick of life with littles how to make your marriage a priority. Fast forward a few months and we correspond a little bit more through a mutual friend....become Facebook friends...and realize we have even more mutual friends. It's always wild when that happens. It makes the world feel just a bit smaller. Makes you feel like you have a history with each other...when you really don't. I like that.

Go and visit Sarah today...where she eloquently tells the story of our friends serving in Thailand. Say hello. And while you're at it, enter the giveaway for a Fear to Freedom necklace.

Happy Monday!

taking time...

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:07:00 +0000

...this week to s l o w down. Enjoying some play time with the boys after a few very busy weeks. Today, it was a ride on the carousel...

and playing in fountains.

I know...it's been a quiet blog week. Feeling a lot like this lately. But I could never put it into words as eloquently as she does. Speaking of...is Creative Thursday new to you? I've been a fan of her art for awhile. Don't own a piece of her work.....yet. She's one of those artists that makes it so difficult to choose, because every print is better than the one before. Love that!

Have a great weekend!

new design

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:57:00 +0000

a beautiful modern mum print...accented by a sweet freshwater pearl...

I am loving this color palette with a crisp white blouse. In the shop now!

celebrating baby

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0000

I threw a shower {with lots of help, I might add - the only way to do it!} for my dear friend, Rachel, yesterday - it was a beautiful afternoon in a gorgeous backyard setting {thank you Meredith!}. Rachel is a natural-living-mama, so it was only fitting that we throw an eco-friendly shower...with as little waste as possible...and we even played up the color green everywhere we could.

The invite :: Words and I don't get along very well, so I scoured the interwebs for a verse for the invite...I found several cute ideas and merged them into:

pink or blue? it remains to be seen,

but for jon & rachel, we're all going green

organic & clean, chemical-free

it's an eco-baby shower for our mother-to-be

I know - she hardly looks pregnant - and she's only 7 weeks from her due date!! So not cool for the rest of us. {*wink}

For favors that doubled as placecard holders, I planted succulents in glass teacups - I scored and found all 16 teacups in one thrift store. An easy and inexpensive idea. Plus, Rachel used to live in England and is a big tea lover, so it was another way to add a personal touch to the shower.

Last week was crazy, and as much as I wanted to make some fun cupcakes, time did not allow. So, I procrastinated and found myself looking for a carrot cake, the day before the shower {eek} and found one at Costco. It was delicious, but. Oh my. Look at what they did to it...
I saw the potential. There is no need for that much sugar on top of an already sugar-laden cake. Am I right?

So, now that the shower is over...I'm even more eager to find out whether or not she's having a boy or girl! Won't be long now.

amy's farm

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:42:00 +0000

We went here today...

It was fun! I'm tired. See you tomorrow!

more birthday & a giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

You didn't think that was all with the birthday pics, did you? Here's more...

Here's a great {and inexpensive} idea for birthday favors. We don't do large birthday parties {yet - maybe one day we'll get there, but so far, our tradition has been one friend per age - seems appropriate and doable}. I made t-shirts for the little ones attending...and of course, one for Elliot, so he wasn't left out. The tees - not a fancy brand - just Hanes or Fruit of the Loom - in a package of 3 or 6 - and transfer paper - print your image - iron it on - easy peasy.

Cake-eating...

Laughing, opening presents, playing with the paper & boxes {certainly not the gifts}, friends, good food, gorgeous weather, an all-around great day...

And, there's another giveaway happening today! Can you stand it?! And a discount code. So head on over to Mom-Nom.com for a chance to win.

birthday boy

noreply@blogger.com (Whitney Hannah Hill) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:59:00 +0000

So, little Silas turned one this past week. And now I get the whole - the 1st birthday party is more for the parents than the baby - deal. Although, I think that I deserve a lot more than a birthday cake and playing with friends. What a rough year. I still can only claim 7, maybe 8, full night sleeps in the past year. Something's wrong with that.

In keeping with tradition {can you call it a tradition when you've only done it once?}, I made Silas a shirt for his birthday party. For Elliot's 1st, I used a Curious George image from the Jack Johnson cd...our soundtrack from his 1st year. So, in thinking through this last year, I decided to go with a character from Where the Wild Things Are...he's definitely a Wild Thing - and that's taming it down a bit.

It all seriousness, the spunk in Silas can really be fun - he definitely greets life head on - has a lot of perseverance. And he is turning into a sweet, sweet boy - is a bit of a mama's boy - still cuddles - will climb onto things he has no business climbing on - and loves to get into trouble.

Sidenotes on the photo above :: Is it just me or do I look 10 years younger with Elliot...and it was only 2 1/2 years ago?! Eek. And Silas' thighs? Oh my cuteness.