Surprise Surprise

Guess what, after countless projects and wonderful clients for these 3 long years, *drumroll* I'm finally opening my own site!! *applause please! what? no applause? sigh, a little smile perhaps? :) thank you! I know you can do it!*

I have had been asked numerous times, "What is your Etsy shop link?" or "Why won't you open up an Etsy shop?". Sadly, but I think Etsy is not for me. There are a lot of substitutes for Etsy, of course, but I have look around and can't find one that fits babalisme.

So here it is, my own babalisme dot com. It's still under construction, but I can't wait to share the news with you, I'm sharing it now!! Please be sure to drop by again when the store's held its grand opening. I'll tell you when for sure! Also my new facebook page and twitter account. I know I'm not much of a FBer or tweeter but I'll try my best! Like and follow me please :D because more surprises coming right up!

On the lighter side of surprises this week, I won a giveaway at cocomomo. This is the first time I've ever won a giveaway held by fellow Indonesian, and I'm quite surprise the snail mail package arrived in less than a week. Usually if I won something from abroad, it'd take months to arrive. By the way, ain't the camera pouch cute? Check out cocomomo for more pouch-y cutey.

Matryoshka Madness : Thank You Tags

***** October 2013 Update : I'm so sorry, due to all the troubles caused by the download link, this printable is no longer exist. Please stay tune for newer, more exciting printables on the blog! ***** 

Here it is, everyone! Scheduled to be out on Sunday but I think we all love Fridays so much, we posted it TODAY! YAY!

Surprisingly, the printable today won't be here at babalisme blog. (What? It's no surprise? Oh, well.. I tried my best.. ) You can all head down to Kelly's wonderful blog of crafts Running with Glitter to download your latest Matryoshka party kit. Boy, do I love her tagline : "mama said don't run with scissors but she didn't mention glitters". BIG LOL. er.. mama? You could have mop the floor for a week and it still has some glitters on it.

one of Kelly's tutorial : How to make Boo boo Box!

Don't forget to check all Running with Glitter crafty tutorials, healthy recipes, and Happy Healthy Me Link Up! A great motivator if you're starting to live healthier, including fitness tips and products review, healthy menu, and inspirational stories about healthy living. You should read through all the links or even submit one!

Happy crafting! Happy Partying! Happy Weekend, everyone!

As Easy as ABC

I'm a typo addict. Seriously, when I was a kindergartner, when mostly everyone learns to write the alphabet, I was trying my luck copying the exact arial typo they used in student's book. I'm really really frustrated why my "A" wouldn't look exactly the same as the "A" printed on the book. Silly, huh?

SO ... enough babbling. Here are the most awesome ABC's you'll ever know! found on SharesomeCandy.

Daffodil flower alphabet by Vladimir Koncar.

And their names also stand for each letter! Andrea Kalfas.

Daffodil flower alphabet by Vladimir Koncar.

And I want to apologize for the fifth and last matryoshka party kit, it will be up on Sunday instead of today. I'm guest blogging for the last party kit so be sure to find the kit elsewhere. It's a secret place. If you know before I tell you on this blog you're super cool! HAHA!

Have a nice week everyone!

Hey Hey

Hey there, if you were wondering if I am still here or have ended up in a morgue somewhere, well I'm here. Sorry to disappoint you, though I hope you're not, and I secretly hope you're happy instead. I have been busy with my works (who says freelancers has much "free" time?) and planning the big surprise. The surprise would be a great big leap for me since I'm always a scaredy cat on anything. I learnt how to swim at age 12 (*roll eyes* I know!!!) So, I'm really hoping all of you loyal readers of babalisme the blog would give me a huuugeeeeee support on this one. Fingers crossed, I hope all go well.

And some info on the matryoshka party kit, tomorrow will be the last one. Can't wait to see your parties/projects using the free printable. Anyway the kit will be a surprise too. I just love surprises.

And, Oh! All these eye candies were from my latest find in home decor blogosphere, sukkertoy for oyet which coincidentally means "candies for the eyes". It need some goggle translator in action, but it was worth all the 3 seconds translating.

Do you have some new blog finds? Let's share! I love reading new blogs!

Matryoshka Madness : paper plate

***** October 2013 Update : I'm so sorry, due to all the troubles caused by the download link, this printable is no longer exist. Please stay tune for newer, more exciting printables on the blog! ***** 

Another party essentials that often overlooked by a hectic mom planner / momzilla: coordinating paper plate. Very quick and easy trick to add extra color to any table arrangements and can be multi-purposed too! Think of using it as a giant garland, dessert tiered stand, bouquet holder (a little snip snip required), or yes, an invitation or thank you notes if you wish.

Got any more ideas? DO share with us! How would you use this paper plate?

Sail Away!

Remember the nautical mood I share this summer? Well one mother was inspired and decided to recreate the whole theme for her daughter's first birthday and sharing them with us! WoooooT! All aboard for Sarah's first anniversary!!

The party was celebrated at Sarah's preschool, the party included lots of water activity for kids and toddler, and of course, those who is young at heart, to jump into the pool. Apart from getting wet, the children did some bucket-painting and take their art home as a favor! What a great idea to have them sit still for at least 30 minutes.

Love love love all the details, the nautical shaped cookies, the buntings, the welcome aboard sign, and did you notice how big the stage is!! I bet many wondrous things happened there! Happy Birthday, Sarah! You had a swell party!

All photos are courtesy Monica, Sarah's mom, taken by Iski, private photographer. Due to privacy reason we can't share whole party pictures nor exact location of the party and other details such as link to Monica's page. Sorry :) If you have any questions email me, and I'll forward it to Monica.

But I can tell you who provides all the printables... *wink wink*...LOL... Yep including that gigantic stage backdrop. It's enough to send my PC to hibernate mode automatically.

ps. I still had some more matryoshkas printable coming right up, sorry for the delay! And some surprises too!

Matryoshka Madness : straw label

***** October 2013 Update : I'm so sorry, due to all the troubles caused by the download link, this printable is no longer exist. Please stay tune for newer, more exciting printables on the blog! ***** 

Another party kit brought to you right now! Straw labels!! Well, I called them straw labels, but really you can use them for anything, garlands, favor tags, stickers, mostly anything you can think of!

To use them as straw label, all you have to do is put a double adhesive tape to your straw and stick the matryoshka to the straw. Or simply thread a ribbon/ baker's twine through each of them to make a garland. In any size you want. Do share with us if you have more creative projects using these babies! If you're shy, let me put them up for you, just email me at babalisme at yahoo dot com.

Have fun!

Mmmmm.. Monsters!!

Another great ideas for summer party themes, this one is suitable for both gender you have at home. (Just in case your boys puke on the idea of matryoshka party)

MONSTERS!!!

Loving this orange-fuschia-neutral combo by spaceshipsandlaserbeams, it made the whole them bearable for pink addicted girls yet fun enough for the monstrous boys. And the dessert table do teach us that you don't have to craft an award winning cupcakes fondant nor cakepops, even slices of fruits make nice and eye catching dessert table food. Sorry, Amy Atlas, but this time I have to agree on the fact that not all moms have your budget and your team of bakers. Ditto for dessert table properties, what cupcake tiers?

Great ideas, great execution, great design. Simply love it. If I could vote, this maybe the best dessert table for summer. Not to mention the framed monster family pictures as the background! Too cute!

found via craftgossip.

ps. Another matryoshka printable coming right this week. This week's favorite alphabet definitely : M. What's yours?

Dear Matryoshka

The whole world is probably smitten with this Russian lady, I mean, who wouldn't? I get a great feed back on this set of printable, thank you, and I think the matryoshkas haven't lost its charm. So, I got a lot of question regarding the "nesting" invitation. Here's how it actually look like when folded, ready to be sent.

You may want to cut all through the connecting matryoshkas. I let few inches between them for safety (so that you won't easily disconnect the 4 ladies) but if you like yours to be clean and you are very confident in your cutting skill, please welcome to snip clean between the matryoshkas.

Imagine the biggest matryoshka and the "patterned" silhouette beside her is a regular greetings card. Fold them the usual way you'd want to fold a card, it's a "mountain" fold. Do another mountain fold with the 2 smaller ladies and tuck both inside your "card".

Write any desirable messages inside, put it in an envelope, voila. Happy inviting/greeting. :)

Matryoshka Madness : Cupcake topper

The most versatile of all party kit! Cupcake topper! Simply can't live without them. For more ideas on how to use this toppers read here. Do share your creations/ ideas with us!

***** October 2013 Update : I'm so sorry, due to all the troubles caused by the download link, this printable is no longer exist. Please stay tune for newer, more exciting printables on the blog! ***** 

I got many questions about the invitation, particularly about the folding, I will post about it tomorrow. For the mean time have fun with the topper.

ps. can anyone make a matryoshka looking cupcake? I'd love to see!

Matryoshka Madness

She's the ruling queen, the it girl of craft community, loved by children (and their mommies) of all ages, and especially by you, dear readers!! Please welcome,

Miss Matryoshka!

** big applause and standing ovation **

So you love matryoshka so much right? I can hear the poupee girl crying in the dark corner somewhere, hang on there, girl, there will be next time for you.. And since June is babalisme's birthday month, you are all welcome to host a party. All printables needed will be provided FREE on this very babalisme blog. Excited? Well I am. The party could be a birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, slumber party, heck, even those just-because tea parties. Just print, cut, and embellish anything on your party with the printables. Easier than ABCs.

***** October 2013 Update : I'm so sorry, due to all the troubles caused by the download link, this printable is no longer exist. Please stay tune for newer, more exciting printables on the blog! ***** 

What's a girl gotta do first when throwing a party, you say? Send out the invitation of course! Here's the thing you'll need right now, a nesting doll invitation!! YAAAAAY!! Go on click here and print as much as you like. Fold each doll and make accordion folds with them. The littlest ones should tuck safely behind the big card. Voila, a nesting invitation.

Enjoy!

FAQ

• I have a printing/letterpress/party business can I sell printed/end products to my customers?

of course, you can not. I give out these printables free for personal use, no commercial purposes allowed. Please respect my rights as the maker, and don't do it behind my back, it hurts my feeling, really. And I may stop giving away free printable. And you might get boo-ed by my loyal readers. Just, don't be a jerk.

• I have a printing/letterpress/party business can I give printed/end products to my customers for free?

if your main intention is still commercially promoting your own business using someone else's hard work... no.

• I want to host a party for my best friend's bridal shower can I use your printable?

whatever your party is, if it won't give you commercial gain, please, be my guest and print as much as you like. I'd love to see some pictures in action though, consider it my payment :)

• A friend of mine like the printables so much, can I give her my copy?

do ask your friend to download herself on this blog, I love making new friends, so your friend can be my friend too :)

• I like the design so much I want to use it on my name card/ blog buttons/ facebook profile picture/ twitter background/etc?

Well, I'm sorry, you can't alter the design that is already made, digitally speaking. However you can always use it creatively AFTER you print it out. For example, you may print it on t-shirt transfer paper and iron it on your t-shirt! Just don't sell the t-shirt afterwards.

• Can I order you to make me a custom invitation/paper doll/ schedule/ party kit/etc!

Sure you can! from the mean time please email me at babalisme{at}yahoo {dot}com. I am still considering about Etsy. :)

JUNE Pick A Theme

It's finally here again! Babalisme's anniversary free printable month!!! Can't believe it's Babalisme's third year on the blogosphere and I'm really really anxious too see that followers count into 1000! one thousand! That's many followers! Thank you!

So as a gratitude towards Babalisme's loyal readers I'm going to make a party kit for you, FREE download, FREE printables! Personal use only though.. Just make sure you don't sell it afterwards. Anyhoo, if you are reading this post and feel left out, here are one of the previous year party kit in Lemonade theme, still available to download FREEEE!! (why the heck I keep stressing the word FREE?) or just browse through the "printable" categories and you'll be taken to a full array of free printable.

For now, pick your favorite themes!! The theme with most votes will be made into a party kit and will be shared for free at the blog. Without further ado.... *drumroll* Please welcome theme number one.....

in the blue corner.... The Queen of all Craft world, the darling in every crafters' heart, the Russian celebrity.... Matryoshka party theme!!! Let's hear you scream TEAM MATRYOSHKA in the comment to vote for this lady!

In the red corner... A rookie contender of croissants, macaroons, and everything nice, A French girls special... Le Petite Poupee!! or.. er... The Little Dolly, in Parisian style. If you like her so much, please comment : TEAM POUPEE!

So there you go. Use your own imagination in how each theme could be addressed in a party. And along with your vote, let us know, what will there be in your party!

Vote away, dearies!

Thank you!

Red Carpet Moment

Yet another award! Thank you printiland! The award title might be a little reminder to that cheeky love song Peter Cetera sings, but I'm so honored! I never consider myself inspirational in a way, I was thinking of "you're you sweet" or "you're so funny" award instead of "you're an inspiration"! I am used to think that inspiration=Oprah, so, WOW! Thanks again printiland!

So without further ado, the award ceremony :

1. Thank and link back the person awarded this to you.

I did it twice!!

2. Give the award to 10 other blogs which all are inspiring in their own ways

diana's blog, for her journey in life that is a little less ordinary

kiki's create, for her ruffled bedcover. nuff said.

http://akihiko-yoshida.tumblr.com/, for he is a legend in game illustration and a gaming geek.

The Chops' blog, for their offering of ultimate good time and good craft.

veren's blog, a little too cute for my age, but I wish my daughter would look as cute.

lia's space, make me try (a little) to start sewing.

christy's blog, for her collection of everything nice. In a very accurate dose.

tamu's blog, for bright colors and big smiles! all those fashionistas should wear more colors and smile a bit don't you think?

fifi's blog, for her wide collection of designer's stuffs. And she's cute too!

mymom's blog, for numerous time I spent procrastinating looking at beautiful ladies.

So there goes the award. ...and sssssoooo.. it's June again. Time for Babalisme's free printable month! Can't believe I started Babalisme the Blog three years ago. Since then, the printables have flown across the globe to loving crafters. What's up for this year? It's a surprise! Yes, you gotta vote again. See you around!

Eureka

If I had a F.A.Q corner this one might be the most frequently asked question by email from babalisme readers: "How do I create a professional looking, coordinating party decoration without spending much money/creating much DIY crafts?".

Fair enough, I think, most of party decorations demolished or even perished/lost/damaged in less than 12 hours after the party started. So, no one wants to really invest much time or money or effort in creating decorations, right? You know how fast party balloons gone? They're quite affordable, thankfully. But here is a little trick to boost extra "oooomphs" and generate extra "aaaawwws" to your party without breaking any bank account: Use cupcake topper ANYWHERE. Yes, I mean it, anywhere. These little dudes are usually easy to make and affordable as well. And..they are so versatile in terms of shapes and wording they can be used anywhere. Here are some of my ideas :

the cupcake topper "modeled" here is free, get it here if you haven't.

I may set the font too small to read so here are what's actually written there :

• as a cupcake topper, doh!
• as a party garland
• as a favor tag
• as a lunchbag name tag
• as a lollipop or party straw label

Do you have any ideas on how to make your cupcake toppers work real hard at a party? Or even after the party? Do share with us!

and in and out of weeks ..

where the wild things are still

....and almost over a month I abandon this blog. *sob* Currently in high summer holiday mood, so I spent much time running barefoot in the garden with Baby G, spraying water hose. I don't know , I kinda avoid anything high tech during summer. Also the fact that Baby G will start her first real school without me *gasp* terrify me a bit. You know, how much I will miss her during those 2 hours everyday?

anyhoo..

Unable to meet my nautical holiday dream, I am currently mesmerized over other summer holiday probability: a nice lazy summer afternoon under the trees. Think : Where the Wild Things Are. Rope hammocks and tents are purely a must. Enough with words, let the wild rumpus start with these pics.

swoon worthy party spotted at ohdeedoh

cute cute interpretation at jackieculmer's blog

Flower girls can't be any cuter. Spotted at howtotietheknot.

Space 15 twenty Pop up store. via foxisblack.

And the cutest Max I have seen so far.

So, what are you doing this summer?