Polka Dot Bumblebee Buzz

New Farm Barnyard Invitation

2010-01-29T03:53:00.003-05:00

We're excited to show you another adorable design that we've been working on! Celebrate your little one's big day with all of his or her favorite animals from the farm!

New Birthday Invitations

2010-01-29T03:46:00.003-05:00

We are happy to unveil 2 new birthday designs that have already become a favorite here at Polka Dot Bumblebee Custom Photo Cards & Stationery! Check back soon to see matching greeting stickers!

New Pirate Birthday Invitation

2010-01-26T21:02:00.004-05:00

Shiver me timbers!
This adorable pirate party invitation is a new addition to PDB!
Also available in girl colors with a just as adorable girl pirate!
Click on it to see all of the cute details and wording!

New Greeting Stickers & Address Labels

2010-01-24T05:16:00.002-05:00

Birthday Invitations

2010-01-18T19:20:00.004-05:00

Introducing Monthly Onesie Stickers

2010-01-17T14:50:00.005-05:00

Your baby will change more in their first year of life than any other time. Capture every month milestone with these adorable stickers. Simply peel, stick and take your pic! When the year is through you will have 12 personalized photos perfect for scrapbooking, framing or gift giving!

Better yet, head back here and use them for a memorable first birthhday invitation!

Our Introductory price is only $12.99. Our stickers are professionally printed on white sticker paper. You'll receive months 1-12 in whatever style you choose!

Check back often for more styles and options!

Custom Candy Bar Wrappers

2010-01-17T10:53:00.013-05:00

Favorite Fonts

2008-11-20T23:56:00.003-05:00

To say that I'm a little bit of a font fanatic is an understatement. I have my favorites (and so do my clients) and here they are for you to select from!

No matter what the occasion or style you are going for... you are sure to find a font to fit!

New Cupcake Birthday Invite

2008-11-20T23:54:00.002-05:00

A twist on the traditional stripes and polkadot design that is SO popular here at PDB! Introducing our new design "Icing"... perfect for any little one's birthday bash.

Early Bird Special

2008-11-14T00:44:00.002-05:00

Be sure to order your custom holiday photo cards soon! You can take advantage of our great early bird special.

Order 50 photo cards - get 5 FREE. Order 100 or more and get 10 FREE!

We also have some fun freebies that we'll be including in orders... while supplies last!

Hurry ... they are going fast!

More New Holiday Designs

2008-11-01T23:39:00.000-04:00

We feel like Santa's elves... always working on a fun new surprise for YOU! Some new designs that we just cranked out of our workshop...

We feel like Santa's elves... always working on a fun new surprise for YOU! Some new designs that we just cranked out of our workshop...

New Holiday Designs

2008-10-25T21:54:00.000-04:00

You may think that it's early to start thinking about holiday designs - but it's the perfect time! Before your to do list gets any longer with holiday happenings - choose your design. We will even work with you on color and font changes. You can then add your pic at a later date!

We will be adding many new designs to the holiday gallery soon. Here is a sneak peek!

Congrats to our Recent Winners!

2008-09-10T00:34:00.000-04:00

Maria, Carly, Cameron, Michele and Renee!

We look forward to working with you soon!

New Birth Announcement Designs

2008-08-01T00:13:00.000-04:00

We are always designing new photo birth announcements for our customers. Here are a few of our latest new ones! So darling, sweet and simple and the perfect way to announce your little one to the world.

New Custom Shower Invites

2008-06-24T00:03:00.000-04:00

Whether you are celebrating a new little bundle of joy or your happily ever after - we are happy to custom design your perfect invite! This is a small sample of our recent custom work! Two of our FAVES!!

New Birthday Designs

2008-06-19T16:03:00.000-04:00

We've been busy cranking out the new designs! Here are a few of our favorites! They are quickly becoming best sellers!

Recent Custom Photo Card Designs

2008-05-19T22:09:00.009-04:00

Congrats to our Recent Winners!

2008-05-15T18:18:00.003-04:00

A big cogratulations to our recent winners in blog giveaways across the web:

Emily, Debbie, Michele, Laura, Meagan, Christina, Rainie, Diane & Nicole!

We look forward to working with you all soon!

Thanks for entering and check here for more giveaways soon...

Polka Dot Bumblebee custom photo cards and personalized stationery!

Graduation Custom Photo Cards

2008-05-07T22:32:00.003-04:00

So many folks have been asking if we do Graduation custom photo cards, announcements and invites. Well, the answer is YES! Many of our designs can be tweaked for graduation purposes and we are happy to use our color matching technology to match your school colors! We also can do a cap with a color coordinating tassel and scroll.

Here is an example of one of our exclusive graduation custom photo card designs.

Spring Sale! Spring Sale!

2008-05-07T22:21:00.005-04:00

I've been so busy with orders that I haven't been able to post about our Spring Sale!
Take advantage of it soon - it's a limited time offer!

Can't wait to work with you on your custom photo cards!

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T23:04:00.003-04:00

Photo: NASA

I thought that today would be a wonderful day to talk about ways that Polka Dot Bumblebee is a green business.
Polka Dot Bumblebee is proud to be a green website and works to make conscientious decisions when it comes to our vendors, products and packaging methods.

We use recycled office products and limit packaging materials. In addition, we work with a printer that uses wind powered electricity to generate power. We also participate in a monthly tree planting initiative.

We are proud to be a member of the Co2Stats Project that makes our website environmentally friendly. CO2Stats monitors how much electricity is being used to power this site and you as you browse it, and then it "offsets" the emissions by investing in renewable energy projects that help to counteract global warming.

We are continually reminded of our favorite Native American proverb, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

We are delighted to be featured by WAHM Business Opportunities Blog about being both earth-friendly and mom-owned!

Happy Earth DAY! Now go hug a tree... ;)

Blog Buddy: An Island Life

2008-04-21T22:49:00.004-04:00

Need to get a taste of the Island Life? Hop on over to one of my new Blog Buddies, Kailani over at An Island Life

She also happens (*wink*) to be doing a review of Polka Dot Bumblebee custom photo cards & stationery(another *wink*)

If you stop by be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win. And if you subscribe to her blog or blog about it yourself - you will earn another entry!

Whenever I come back from reading her blog - I swear that I have sand in my shoes.... ahhhh... I wish!

I'm off to catch a moment of bliss in paradise! Mahalo!

P.S. Be sure to visit Kailani's beautiful Etsy shop for tropical inspired goodies for the babies in your life!

Toddler Activity: Change It Up

2008-04-21T22:40:00.002-04:00

Today's toddler activity isn't about an activity really! It's about a series of activities - and changing up your day! Baby Bee and I did just that today and it was really fun!

Have breakfast in bed...or breakfast for dinner! Always go for an evening walk at the park? Try one first thing in the morning. Bedtime bathtime the ritual? Dive in when it's the middle of the day. You will both love the change of pace and you'll find yourself planning a "change it up day" much more often!

Little Love Notes

2008-04-16T15:21:00.005-04:00

With our new line of Personalized Stationery we hope to bring back the art of note writing!

Here is a new favorite design! It is called Love Note!

Stumble Upon - Hope Revolution

2008-04-16T15:01:00.006-04:00

One of my newest favorite finds is Stumble Upon. It's a neat little button to add to your toolbar and you can stumble upon some new sites. You rate them with a thumbs up or thumbs down and the handly little icon starts to recognize your likes and dislikes. You also set if for certain interests such as organic living or do it yourself crafts.

I recently stumbled upon a little project known as Hope Revolution. What started out as a random act of kindness has bloomed into a nationwide campaign to spread hope.

Maybe you feel funny about leaving random notes for strangers - then why not create a few hope notes for friends or family and send them to spread the message. The site even has printable pdf ones - but really it can be as simple as writing a favorite quote on your toddler's scribbly drawing or sticking a label with a message on the back of a photo of a flower.

The thing that I like best is that there are no rules and it's open to your interpretation.
So what are you waiting for? Go spread some HOPE. This heart pic was done by Baby Bee. What a masterpiece. I'm one proud mama!!

Hope Revolution

We're a Five Minutes For Mom Best Site

2008-04-12T21:09:00.002-04:00

Polka Dot Bumblebee is so honored to be recognized as one of the best mom-owned business sites on the web by the much respected Five Minutes For Mom website.

Congrats Laura!!

2008-04-12T20:44:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all of you that buzzed on over to Sweet Pea Cakes Etc. Blog and left a comment about their favorite design!

Congrats to Laura for winning the big prize! I look forward to working with you soon to create your Polka Dot Bumblebee custom photo cards!

Reintroducing our custom candy bar wrappers!

2008-04-12T20:26:00.003-04:00

How sweet it is! Our custom candy bar wrappers have always been a huge hit! We mail you a high res digital file and you can print them at home or have them printed at a local printer. Trim, wrap and stick and you will have the perfect addition to your celebration.

Whether it's a birth announcement, first birthday favor or a memorable save the date - Polka Dot Bumblebee will be delighted to create your perfect custom candy bar wrapper!

Choose from our countless pattern and font choices or have us create a custom announcement to match your theme and colors.

Sweet Pea Cakes Etc. Reviews us

2008-04-07T23:45:00.004-04:00

Hop on over to the adorable Sweet Pea Cakes Etc. site to check out our review!

Please stop by and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite design so that you will be elegible for the contest!

They expecially loved that we are a green business!

From using recycled office products to working with a printer that utilizes wind powered electricity we are happy to do our part in keeping this earth a better and greener place!

Stop back soon for a blog all about our monthly tree planting initiative!

Ice Cream Social Birthday Invitation

2008-04-07T23:07:00.002-04:00

I've enjoyed working with this particular family for several of their custom photo card designs!

This particular one is now one of my all time favorites and I'll soon be adding it to my gallery! Her custom request was simple and I enjoyed creating this darling, whimsical invitation for a darling little girl's 3rd birthday!

Happy Birthday!

New promotion on custom photo cards

2008-04-07T22:57:00.003-04:00

The free shipping promo is over! We hope that you enjoyed it and we wanted to extend a new promotion in honor of our anniversary which is coming up!

4 x 6 Custom photo cards are now just $.80 a piece with matching white envelopes.
5 x 7 Custom photo cards are now just $1.05 with matching white envelopes.

You do not need a promo code to take advantage of this offer - you simply use our add to cart buttons on our order page!

Click here to order!

Thanks too to all of the leap year families! We enjoyed working with each and every one of you and we ended up giving away close to 1000 custom photo cards instead of the original 500! Congrats again!

Check in often because we will be having lots of promos, sales, specials, giveaways and contests!

An Old Favorite - Pretty in Pink

2008-04-05T23:20:00.004-04:00

This pretty in pink custom photo card announcement continues to be one of my favorites and it's become one of our most popular designs! We love the complimentary pink, green combo and the simple beauty where your photo takes center stage!

Play a Simple Game to Donate Mosquito Nets/Combat Malaria

2008-04-05T23:08:00.005-04:00

Grammy Bee introduced me to a great site tonight that I knew I wanted to share with you all!

Please visit the site Nothing But Nets and play a quick game of "Deliver The Net" and a mosquito bed net will be delivered in your name. They usually sell for $10. You can play up until April 25th and you are not limited to how many times.

Be sure to send this link to friends and family too!

Here's a little more on the program from the site:

"In the poorest parts of the world, where effective window screens are lacking, insecticide-treated bed nets are arguably the most cost-effective way to prevent malaria transmission. One bed net costs just $10 to buy and deliver to individuals in need. One bed net can safely last a family for about four years, thanks to a long-lasting insecticide woven into the net fabric."

Studies show that use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates.

Currently, nets are treated with pyrethroid insecticides. These insecticides have very low levels of toxicity to humans, but are highly toxic to insects. By repelling the mosquitoes, a bed net can protect other people in the room outside the net. When enough nets are used in an area, the insecticide used in the net fabric makes entire communities safer even for those individuals who don’t have nets.

Please leave me a comment on this campaign after you have played or email me and I will choose one winner at random to win 25 custom photo cards.

Interview at the WAHM Spot

2008-03-31T22:04:00.002-04:00

Stop on over to The WAHM Spot for inspiration and resources for work at home moms. My favorite feature is the WAHM mom interviews!

We were delighted to be featured in their interview column last week.

Get to know the Queen Bee behind Polka Dot Bumblebee by clicking HERE!

Check out our review on This Full House

2008-03-31T21:52:00.003-04:00

During the Ultimate Blog Party I met so many wonderful WAHMs and Liz from This Full House is one of them. I love, love, love her tagline, "Don't make me have to use UPPERCASE". How cute is that?

You'll love this busy mom's take on life and we are happy to call her one of our new blogging friends. Check in for recipes, photos, reviews and funny blog posts that will have you coming back for more!

One of her "freshed brewed reviews" was us! See what Liz had to say about Polka Dot Bumblebee

And leave a comment and tell her we sent ya!

Product Review: Fanci Free Diaper Bags

2008-03-31T21:38:00.004-04:00

I consider myself to be somewhat of a diaper bag afficianado. I have small ones, big ones and in-between ones. I have a striped Mothership bag, a camo inspired Wendy Bellisimo one, an asian brocade one, one for short trips (handmade by a WAHM) an industrial-not-too-cutesy-one for daddy to carry and finally a Fanci Free All In Motion bag in the Circles In Motion pattern.

It is my new favorite and here is why:

2 side pockets for sippie cups or bottled water

one large pocket in center and two on either side

made of durable light weight water resistant nylon

included bag for wet/dirty items

protective metal feet

and my two favorite details:

secure cell phone holder that is attached to the top of the bag *brilliant*

long strap stay put strap and they include a stroller strap attachment too.

This gets my Polka Dot Bumblebee
stamp of approval!

Get yours here!

Could this be any cuter?

2008-03-26T23:01:00.003-04:00

We had to share this adorable custom first birthday design that couldn't be any cuter! We love the color combo and fresh look! Tooooo adorable!

Beautiful Birth Announcement

2008-03-26T22:52:00.002-04:00

This custom birth announcement design is becoming very popular!

We love the classic simplicity of it!

Font Options

2008-03-26T22:43:00.006-04:00

Did we mention that we have hundreds of fonts? No Kidding! And you are welcome to change them and/or the patterns to create your perfect announcement! Check out our favorite fonts and patterns!

This family happened to substitute with one of my favorite fonts! It's the one that I used on my precious nephews announcements and has a special place in my heart.

2008-03-26T22:43:00.001-04:00

A new friend

2008-03-26T22:37:00.003-04:00

I wanted to share with you the adorable custom birth announcement that we did for a wonderful family! Welcome precious little one to the world! That is one adorable baby girl!

We love that the proud parents chose to go with a fresh spring green in place of the usual pink.

Another Leap Year Baby

2008-03-25T23:31:00.006-04:00

I wanted to share this other adorable leap year baby custom photo card! We have had a tremendous response to our promotion of 500 free custom photo birth announcements. We've reached our fill of 10 families, but we have a great deal for other famillies interested. Simply email us for the details.

Congratulations ERICA! our UBP winner

2008-03-24T22:54:00.004-04:00

A big ol' congrats to Erica of Butterfly Kisses winner of 50 custom photo cards from Polka Dot Bumblebee! We see that Erica welcomed a little one on Easter morning. Congratulations Erica!

We look forward to working with you to create a boy photo birth announcement sometime soon!

Stay tuned...we'll be choosing a winner from our comments by the end of this week that will 50 more custom photo cards!

Good luck!

Who is Expecting?

2008-03-24T11:51:00.004-04:00

Of course you know about the big name celebs who are expecting - but did you know that Marissa Jaret Winkur (actress and current DWTS contestant) and Judah Miller (television writer) are expecting their first bundle of joy? Marissa is a seven year cervical cancer survivor and had her uterus removed as part of treatment. The couple is using a surrogate mommy (with their biological child) who is five months along.

And Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston of Biggest Loser 2 fame will be adding to their bunch! They are busy with 9 month old Rex and will be even busier with 2 under 2 in a matter of months!

Congratulations from Polka Dot Bumblebee to both couples!

Happy Spring! Toddler Activity #3 Coffee Filter Flowers

2008-03-21T10:26:00.005-04:00

This is a super simple activity. You need 3 things in the way of supplies!

Coffee filters
markers
spray bottle full of water

You'll want to lay a box or a plastic sheet under the project area. Simply color in the center of the coffee filter with one color. Then let toddlers go to town coloring the outside with different vibrant colors. Spray with a water bottle and watch the magic! It's like instant tie dye!

You then let them dry. Once they are dry stack a few, gather them in the center and use a green pipe cleaner as a stem... or simply twist tightly as we did! These look darling gathered in a vase or pitcher and will last forever! Perfect for a Mother's Day or May Day gift.

A big thanks to Auntie L who gave us this idea!

Halle Berry Releases Baby Daughter's Name

2008-03-19T01:12:00.003-04:00

Photo: Flynet

Welcome to the world... Nahla Ariela Aubry!

The name is pronounced ["GNAW-lah ARE-ee-EL-uh"]

"We didn't have a name picked out until just before we left the hospital. For us it was hard to name the most important person in our life until we met her."
Halle told Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell.

Halle's rep confirmed that she is "doing great" and a source close to the Halle camp said that she had a long and natural birth.

Congratulations to Halle and Gabriel (a first baby for both) from Polka Dot Bumblebee!

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party!

2008-03-17T23:59:00.004-04:00

*this is a sticky post - see below for new blog posts!*
Party Hats? CHECK! Dance shoes? CHECK! Music? CHECK! Guests? CHECK!
Welcome to my little corner of the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 minutes for Mom!
Take a look around and be sure to drop me a line! One lucky party guest will be winning 50 custom photo cards from Polka Dot Bumblebee Take the time to email me about your favorite design and you'll be entered in a second drawing for 50 4 x 6 custom photo cards!

My name is Veronica and I am the owner of Polka Dot Bumblebee custom photo cards & stationery. You can find out a little bit more about me here!

Check out our hundreds (over 500) of original designs here!

If you are looking to create a BUZZ with your next event - our custom photo card designs are perfect for you. With other 500 designs we are sure to have something to suit your style whether it's fresh&funky, cute&classic or sweet&simple!

Be sure to get a FREE sample as well!

Now on to the party!

No party in my house is complete without my famous salsa and guacamole.
Here's the recipe (that I rarely share with anyone):

4-5 roma tomatos
2 cloves of garlic
1-2 jalapeno peppers
½-3/4 white or red onion
Juice of 1 lime
(as you can see I just sort of wing it until it looks good!)
2 avacados

I use the Rick Bayless Salsa Chopper which saves me lots of time in chopping. You simply chop everything but the avacados in 1 inch pieces and throw it in! A few spins of the handle and you are done!

Now here's my dirty little guacamole secret.. I simply scoop half of the salsa out and then add the 2 avacados to the remaining salsa and VOILA (!) instant guacamole. Add the juice of a half a lime to both the salsa and guac and salt and pepper to taste. I prefer to serve my salsa and guac with blue corn chips because of their nuttiness!

Be prepared because your family will want this on a weekly basis! It's super simple and you'll feel like a domestic goddess whipping it up in a matter of minutes! If you really want to knock their socks off, serve it in a hulled out red or orange pepper. If you'll be serving it in warm weather, be sure to pop them in the freezer beforehand!

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to look around my blog and my site Polka Dot Bumblebee Be sure to leave a comment so that I can return the favor!

Please be sure to check out my slideshow in the post below - and scratch off the ticket to get a special offer for UBP guests!

BEE HAPPY!

Minnie Driver Confirms She Is Expecting

2008-03-13T23:38:00.006-04:00

Photo: Getty Images

Rumors have been swirling for weeks and tonight Minnie Driver revealed to Jay Leno that she is indeed expecting her first child. Jay joked with her about taking one too many trips to the buffet table and Minnie playfully responded asking of Jay had noticed her tummy.

According to Page Six she was seen shoopping for baby girl duds in Los Angeles. They then reported that she was seen outside of a doctor's office sharing sonogram pictures with a friend and talking to the baby's daddy - a mysterious English man named 'Matthew'.

She is keeping mum about the identity of said Matthew.

Congratulations Minnie from Polka Dot Bumblebee!

Easter Ecard Designs Coming Soon

2008-03-13T15:13:00.005-04:00

We will soon be adding custom photo ecards to our line and we are starting off with a few Easter Designs!

Show off your little ones in their Easter best by delivering an ecard to the inbox of all your friends and family! We will be offering several more designs so check back soon to Polka Dot Bumblebee!

Ecard designs are not suitable for printing because of resolution and size constraints and are intended to be delivered electronically as a jpeg file.

Get your own custom easter photo card design for just $5. This is a special introductory price for the Easter season and a portion of our proceeds will be going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Happy Easter!

Introducing one of my leap year babies

2008-03-11T22:53:00.005-04:00

Polka Dot Bumblebee was delighted to extend an offer especially for babies born on February 29, 2008 of 50 free custom photo cards! We've had many families take us up on the offer and there are a few more spots left if you know of any leap year babies!

This custom design was so adorable that I had to share! The proud parents wanted to add a frog to their design so I added this little critter to the Polka Dot Bumblebee Family and dressed her up with a pink bow to match the darling scheme of the design!
The creative mommy came up with the line "leaped into our world".

Could this be any cuter?

P.S. I will be sharing many custom photo card designs in the future. I will always have parental permission before doing so and will never include personal info.

Toddler Activity #2 - Rice Sand Box

2008-03-10T09:47:00.003-04:00

Check in to Polka Dot Bumblebee Buzz for weekly baby/toddler activities!

It's easy to create an indoor sandbox for hours of fun! Simply take a large container (with a lid is best - like an under the bed storage container) and fill it with a few large bags or boxes of rice! Add some scoops, plastic cookie cutters and funnels for instant fun!

For easy clean up place a plastic table cover or better yet a Splat Mat from our friends at Just Buzzin By!

Baby Bee loves her rice sandbox and especially loves to fill a plastic muffin tray with rice and build lanscapes for her royal Weeble court!

Have fun and don't be surprised if - like sand - you find rice everywhere - like between your toes! The best part, of this activity... easy clean up and if you get a storage box with a lid you can easily put it away for another day!

Play Date Cards

2008-03-09T17:24:00.005-04:00

I am having a blast with the Ultimate Blog Party. It is so fun to blog-party hop and learn about so many other SAHMs who have turned a hobby or passion in to a business.

I love getting a peek into their lives and have met some incredible new friends! I'll be hosting a "virtual playdate" in a few weeks to get to know these gals and their kiddos better. There will be prizes and giveaways galore!

Here's another sneak peek at my stationery line...of course, it's a personalized play date card! You asked for it - and you got it!

Welcome

2008-03-06T20:56:00.001-05:00

Scratch the ticket above like a lotto ticket to see a special offer for all of my guests!

South 'n France Bon Bon Mom of the Year Contest!

2008-03-05T23:25:00.006-05:00

South 'n France is THE destination for the most decadent and delicious bon bons! Stop by in a few days for my in depth review of their treats!

This husband and wife team are so adorable and a match made in heaven. She: a product from the South and He: raised in the French countryside. A chance encounter and a long distance relationship ensued. Followed by a whirlwind engagement and the ultimate marriage and blending of two cultures.

South 'n France grew from their desire to create a company that offered the best of both Southern and French lifestyles. Read more about their union here.

Their signature product: hand dipped bon bons that feature southern ingredients with an old French family recipe. The result: heaven!

Check out the South n' France website to see adorable pictures of bon bons enjoying a bubble bath or a day at the beach. The pictures look so yummy - you could eat them!

South n' France is celebrating Mother's Day with a Bon Bon Mother Of The Year Contest. Enter yours today - or get your delightful family to nominate YOU! The prize package includes a bon bon studded tiara, feather boa, a gift basket and one year's worth of yummy bon bons! Good LUCK!

Sneak Peek Polka Dot Bumblebee's Stationery Line

2008-03-05T17:13:00.004-05:00

I am getting so excited! I am busy designing a stationery line that will have many adorable original designs. You'll be able to select your bakground pattern, style (monogrammed, initial, full name) and font. They will be custom JUST for you and your little one!

You'll also find mommy calling cards, playdate cards and kid contact cards in our new line!

And to whet your appetite - we're sharing one of our favorite designs... and of course we picked the one with polka dots!

We would love to see a revival in letter writing, especially with our young children! With our new Polka Dot Bumblebee stationery line you're sure to want to put pen to paper!

What's in a name? Polka Dot Bumblebee

2008-03-04T22:57:00.005-05:00

For 7 + years we were known as Secret Stork Surprise. We started out focused solely on baby gifts for expectant parents. We loved being part of welcoming a new baby and when our own baby bee came into the world, we searched for a perfect birth announcement to show our precious new little one off to the world. We also wanted something that wouldn't break the bank. We ended up creating something from scratch and a new business was born!

For a while now, we felt like Secret Stork Surprise didn't suit us. We worried about changing our name though because we had worked long and hard to build a solid reputation as the destination for adorable and affordable custom photo cards. Our turn around time and customer service became legendary and we found our business booming mostly from word of mouth and happy customer referrals. See our KUDOS page to see why! We haven't even added all of our testimonials from our hundreds of holiday orders!

So, with the new year came a new name! Polka Dot Bumblebee has many meanings for us.
Imagine a little bumblebee who isn't afraid to do his own thing... instead of stripes he wears his polka dots proudly and doesn't sting - but instead gives kisses (notice the heart shaped trail that he leaves?) and spreads a little love everywhere that he goes! A little cheesy, yeah - but we love him and we know that you will too!

Our new tagline: Create a BUZZ with your custom photo cards!
Our new motto: BEE original never cookie cutter.
Major Players in this Blog: Queen Bee, Veronica - Baby Bee (my child) and Hubbee (my hubbby)!

This post comes with a blanket apology for the corny puns that I will be using from here on in! :)

It's easy "beeing" green

2008-03-04T17:05:00.002-05:00

We are proud to be a member of the Co2Stats Project that makes our website environmentally friendly. CO2Stats monitors how much electricity is being used to power this site and you as you browse it, and then it "offsets" the emissions by investing in renewable energy projects that help to counteract global warming.

What are you waiting for, go get your button and do the same! GO GREEN!

Going Green: Our Business

2008-03-03T22:21:00.002-05:00

Polka Dot Bumblebee is proud to announce that in '08 we'll be making even MORE strides to become a greener biz! For starters, we are buying more recycled office products and we use a recycled envelope manufacturer.

We've also partnered with a new printing company that is powered with wind generated electricity. And we're happy to announce a new monthly tree planting initiative that we'll be kicking off later this month.

With every decision for this business, I'm reminded of the Native American proverb: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

Quite simply, It's easy being green!

Going Green - Customer's Favorite Photo Card Designs

2008-03-03T17:25:00.009-05:00

I don't know if it's that Spring is right around the corner or the influence of St. Patty's Day. We all have a little irish in us, I suppose, when March rolls around! I've been seeing a BIG increase in our custom photo cards that highlight one of my favorite colors - spring green!

Above you will find 3 of our most popular designs. The third one is an oldie but goodie that is one of the first that I designed but continues to be a popular choice!

If you are getting in on the green action - don't be limited by our gallery choices - we can change the patterns on all of our designs. Click here to see your countless choices! We can also work with you to create a custom photo card design from scratch to announce your little leprechaun!

J LO releases baby names

2008-03-02T10:51:00.005-05:00

Photo by: INF

Be sure to stop by to Polka Dot Bumblebee Buzz Blog for the latest in celebrity baby buzz!

You have probably heard that JLO has finally released the names of her twin babies, and it's being widely reported that they are Max & Emme. But did you know, according to an insider, Jennifer and Marc have been overheard calling them Maximiano and Emelina? We'll have to wait for more details and the highly anticipated (and big ticket) photos of the little ones in People!

Here at Polka Dot Bumblebee Buzz, we're happy that someboy bucked the celebrity trend of weird & wacky names and went with something sweet&simple (Max & Emme). Even the longer versions get our approval.

Hmmm, with both versions rattling around the internet, maybe you should hold off on getting those baby gifts embroidered just yet!

Join me at The Ultimate Blog Party

2008-03-01T16:53:00.006-05:00

You're invited to the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by the gals at 5 Minutes for Mom! Stop by and leave a few comments, blog hop and enjoy the festivities. Not to mention you have a chance to win from a list of fantastic prizes! One lucky winner will win 50 custom photo cards from Polka Dot Bumblebee - custom photo cards.

I'll be joing in the fun in cyberspace and sharing with you my famous homemade salsa and guac recipes along with other fun goodies! Be sure to stop in and say 'HI'!

Click on the pink link to the left to learn more!

Happy LEAP Day - special offer for leap year babies

2008-02-29T17:50:00.008-05:00

Happy Leap Day to everybody! I hope that you are enjoying this extra day that only comes around every 4 years. Take some time to do something special to mark this unique day.

To celebrate any leap year babies born today, February 29, 2008. Polka Dot Bumblebee - Custom Photo Cards will be giving away 500 free birth announcement to leap year babies, also known as "leaplings".

The first 10 families to contact us. with leap year babies will receive 50 free custom 4 x 6 photo birth announcements with a design of their choice.

According to the Honor Society of Leap Year Day, the chances of being born on leap day are 1 in 1,461. It is estimated that there are 200,000 American leaplings who share in this special birthday ... and will ultimately stay forever young!

Fun Activity for you and your Baby Bee

2008-02-24T11:21:00.008-05:00

I may be an entrepreneur and designer. But my favorite role is that of mommy. I take that job very seriously. The benefits are long lasting and my pay is in lots of big hugs and sticky kisses. Not to mention soggy cheerios and goldfish crackers!

My charge is my adorable Baby Bee - (a happy, bubbly, funny, energetic and oh-so-sweet toddler) and every single day is an adventure with her. To keep things fun and fresh - we've decided to try one brand new activity or project a day. Just last week we made puzzles, a matching game, friendship bracelets like Dora, decorated love notes that we sent to special people in our lives, made a personalized book of Baby Bee on an adventure with Dora, made a sandbox out of rice and made homemade play dough!

More on the other activities later! We are sharing with you today the perfect play dough recipe. Get the cookie cutters and rolling pins out! You are sure to love this surefire old favorite!

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11543

P.S. We chose to do yellow play dough because it minimizes the "stain" factor! We also left out the veggie oil. We'll add a few drops as it starts to dry out. Enjoy!

Grand Bee-Opening Offer

2008-02-20T16:28:00.010-05:00

We are delighted to announce the Grand "Bee"-Opening of our site! We were formerly known as Secret Stork Surprise and have become known for our one on one customer service, affordable prices and adorable designs.

We thank all of our customers who knew us as Secret Stork Surprise and invite you to take a look around the new site. You'll find it has a fresh new look and feel. Bee sure to check out our galleries to see brand new designs. We'll be updating them every few days so check back often.

To thank our old friends and welcome our new ones... we are offering a new promo code. Use the promo code BUZZ for 5 FREE cards on orders over 50 photo cards and 10 FREE cards on orders over 100 photo cards!

We look forward to working with you soon and creating a BUZZ with your friends and family about your oh-so-original-never-cookie-cutter custom photo card design!

Be sure to leave a comment or email us on the new name, website or designs. I'll be selecting one comment randomly to win 50 free custom photo cards from Polka Dot Bumblebee! The deadline for entry is March 17 2008 11 pm EST.

BEE HAPPY!