LilyBean's Paperie

happy little messes...

We are so good at messes around here....I make them with paper, scraps, buttons, bits of trim, glitter, flour, chocolate chips, coconut, zucchini,...all of that delicious stuff.  My little girl makes them with Polly Pockets, GI Joes, books, puzzle pieces, ummm...cat food, dress-ups, Play-Doh, bubbles on the bathroom floor, lip gloss, applesauce, Hershey's Syrup, Rice Krispies on the kitchen floor...all of that good stuff...I love it and wouldn't change a thing.  It means we are happy, busy, fulfilled, in one of the most delightful seasons of our life...I fear it will end all too soon.

 
My little mess maker is tucked in snug as a bug with sun-kissed cheeks and long lashes...I can't help but fall more in love with her each day.  Now that she's sleeping I have a bit of time to play catch up and share with you a few things I have been working on.

One of my simple pleasures is homemade strawberry jam on warm, buttery toast.  I have leaned on my sweet mom to supply me with endless amounts of her strawberry jam, but  decided it was time to stop my mooching and get after it on my own....I'm happy to report that making homemade strawberry jam is oh, so easy and my fridge and freezer are full for a while with beautiful, dark jars of it. 

I created these gift tags and recipe card using Darkroom Door's new stamp set called From the Kitchen.   I'm particularly smitten with the flour sack image...so very retro and charming.

Next up is a little something shabby and sparkly...created for the Maya Road booth at CHA....it's their new Keyhole Album.  You can also see little snippets of the new Organza Ribbon.  I could never get enough of it...you'll love it too.

And new trim as well...

The new Maya Road Fancy Bird Coaster...love it so.

And, another peek at the Organza Ribbon and trim.   

And, lastly...a little something created for the Emma's Paperie blog.  We were challenged to created cards with matching envelopes, so if you're looking for some ideas, there are plenty waiting HERE.

Well, tomorrow I pack and clean and get us ready to head out....maybe I'll surprise  you with a post...but it not, I still love ya.

Night.

Melis
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  

 
 

home sweet holiday home...

I'm so happy to get to share with you a few projects I created for Melissa Frances using her new Home for the Holidays line...to say I fell in love instantly with the new products would be an understatement...

 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  We're getting packed up to head out one more time before school starts.  We'll be on the road to Yellowstone this weekend...can't wait.

I'll be back soon with some Maya Road and Crate Paper sneak peeks.

Thanks for your visit!

Melis
  
 
  
  

greet each new day...

I love the way my little one greets the morning sunshine....she has a routine that will long be remembered by her daddy and me.  For the last little while, she has been waking up early and heading outside...sometimes  getting herself all dressed up, but most of the time  creeping out in her jammies.  I watch her from the window as she heads down to the chicken coop to talk to her little flock, making sure they have what they need, and then heading off to work on the clubhouse she is making for her kittens.   

She's made then shelter under a large sagebrush, has made them a little campfire area, a path, a gate, and her latest...an oven made from hay to bake cedar berries she picks from the cedar trees.  She comes in smelling so delicious.  After about an hour, as it starts warming up to the point that the kittens are ready to have a morning snooze, she comes on in for breakfast.  I adore it....I adore her...what would I ever do without her?  Before long, school will be in session, and these sweet summer mornings will be lost again...we are loving every  moment of them.

This little fairy, reminds me of my little one...rosy cheeks, wildflowers in hand, and for a moment...very sweet....:)  Like any home, we are up and down here with a hundred different emotions expressed in any given moment....but lots of happy times thrown into the mix.  I used Papertrey Ink's Background Basics:  Botanicals and  Friendship Jar Fillers stamp sets, Lavender Moon and Vintage Creamcardstock, and Ocean Tides and Spring Moss ink.  The frame is from Tattered Angels and is coated with a generous dusting of Cherry Blossom Glimmer Mist.  The sweet vintage image you see is from Crafty Secrets new Birds & Blossoms Double Sided Creative Scraps.  You have to check out the Crafty Secrets blog to see all of the new products coming out at CHA....oh, my....beautiful new stamp sets and more double sided Creative Scraps!

And....because I could go for Halloween all year round...I couldn't resist making something sweet and spooky to share...

This card uses Crafty Secrets new Halloween Greetings Double Sided Creative Scraps....I have never seen anything so  irresistible I tell you...

I had to make two in fact...perhaps I'm a bit obsessive compulsive...but in a good way....

The chipboard frames you see on both of these cards are also from Crafty Secrets.  One is coated with Raven Glimmer Mist and the other with Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Mist....who's ready for a caramel apple and cider?  I love fall :)

Come back tomorrow for some Melissa Frances sneak peeks....you will melt over her new products...I sure have.  In the meantime, there are some beautiful projects waiting for you on the Melissa Frances blog.

I'm craving zucchini bread today...I've missed baking and so today's the day...then shish-ka-bobs on the BBQ tonight and some porch time.

Have a beautiful day and thanks for visiting.

Melis

  
 
  
 
  
 
 

just a country girl...

So much to catch up on...so happy to be home, but so very honored to have been asked to attend and teach at Kim Caldwell's Artistic Affaire....I found myself blinking and trying to clear the beautiful haze from my mind as I sat in the midst of so many talented artists and women.  I still can't believe this little country girl was there...thank you from the bottom of my heart Kim, for inviting me.

 
I have a few pictures to share...but I haven't edited them yet.  I don't have too many of the event as I handed off my camera to my husband through most of my stay in California and he and Sierra took care of taking pictures of the fun things they did while I was having fun teaching...I didn't want to miss out...so stay tuned for some beautiful photos soon.

The highlight of the weekend for me was meeting and getting to know Kim Caldwell...she has such a magical way about her...the ability to manage and balance oodles of things all, at the same time....to think about the tiniest, most beautiful details, all the while making all 50 or so of us feel like we were the most important person in the room...she is a sweetheart and truly so genuine...I'll miss her.  If you haven't had a chance to shop her boutique...you just have to...she works shabby, wonderful magic with fabric and florals. 

Another highlight was meeting and visiting with Jenny Doh...she has to be the most adorable, tiny, sophisticated, down-to-earth, and lovely woman I have every met.  She is fascinating to listen to...and has the ability to put you at ease in an instant...it was such a treat to meet her and listen to her heartfelt speech....talk about inspiring!  She is a beautiful soul.

A special treat for me was getting to take the other teacher's classes....so while there, I learned to bead from the very talented Holly Stinnett, sculpt from the amazing and sweet Jenny Hernandez, and for a moment take a peek into the creative mind of Julie Haymaker Thompson...she is adorable and has the wonderful gift of making you feel like you're her best friend...all three were so lovely and welcoming...I appreciate and admire each of them.  

I've just completed somewhere around my 250th or so project for CHA...everything mailed, and my heart is singing....so happy to breathe a little easier and enjoy the last 26 days with my little bean before she heads off to be a big 2nd grader....I already miss her...but she is counting down the days, so I'll be happy for her.  Both of her tiny, bottom, middle teeth are wiggling now...I can only imagine how darling she'll be with a lisp and sweet gap there.

I've neglected to share my Papertrey Ink new release projects with you...and I'd just feel horrible if I didn't enable you in some way to spoil yourself with a stampy treat...so I'll get started. 

This card uses Betsy Veldman's new stamp set called Just the Ticket, the coordinating die, and the Spiral Notebook Page die.

This card uses the new Library Card and Fillable Frames #6 sets along with the coordinating Fillable Frames #6 die.   

The It's Official  stamp set was used on this card along with the Library Pocket and  XL Rick Rack Border dies. 

The School Time and Additions stamps were used on this card along with the XL Rick Rack border die and the Spiral Notebook Page die. 

And lastly, the Birthday Bash Sentiments set was used on this card...so many fun sentiments perfect for birthdays at any age....I love this set. 

If you haven't been to Emma's Paperie lately, there are oodles of projects there for you...I'll post some tomorrow...there's a sale going on there too.

The first card uses Papertrey Ink's All About You Additions stamp set, Simply Chartreuse ink, and Spring Moss buttons.   The scrunched seam binding is from This Good Day. 

Have a toasty day :)

Melis
 
 
 
 
  

 

Crafty Secrets DT New Product Challenge...

I'm back from teaching at the most beautiful event I have ever had the privilege of being part of, Artistic Affaire Les Sirenes.  I have so much to share, but am catching my breath, catching up on sleep, and laundry, and all of that good stuff....then I'll dedicate a sweet little post to all I learned and loved while away....I must say, I am smitten with Manhattan Beach....and The Strand, and bicycles with baskets, and delicious Mexican food from Panchos.

I only have a minute this morning, but wanted to show off a few of the new products available through Crafty Secrets....I can't begin to tell you how much I love Crafty Secrets....always so soft, shabby, vintage, and charming.

I'll have more details on these sweet wooden houses soon...I used Crafty Secrets new double-sided Birds & Blossoms Creative Scrapshere...little snippets that love so much.

This little grouping shows more beautiful images available in this set...shabby roses, songbirds, vintage letters...sigh...

I stamped the houses with Papertrey Ink's Background Basics:  Text Style II and Simple Valentine stamp sets.   The sweet foil heart and crown were purchased a my new favorite shop, The Little Pink Studio. And the beautiful scrunched seam binding is from Memrie Mare and This Good Day.    

Lastly....a card set using Papertrey Ink's new release, Year of Flowers:  Larkspurand Creative Scraps from the Birds & Blossoms collection...

I love the perfect sentiments included in this stamp set....I will use them over and over again for sure.  I also used the new 2009 Bitty Dot Basics paper, and Book Print Impression Plate. 

Here are some beautiful links for you to follow in order to see even more Crafty Secrets new products:

Vicki ChrismanTeam Leader

Pam Hooten

Marisa Grosson

Linda Duke

Michele Kovack

Flo from France

Julie Campbell

Heidi Blankenship

Thanks so much for stopping by....it's wonderful to be home....wonderful to get back into the swing of things again...I've missed my little blog.

Melis

P.S.  Throughout the week I will be updating my etsy shop and filling it again....some cute wooden houses, bookmarks, etc.

 
  
 
 

 

Paper Crafts Magazine Presents: A Card Style Mystery Blog Hop

I was so excited when asked to be part of Paper Crafts Magazine Card Style special issue....it was a dream come true to be assigned to create cards in my favorite style, that of Shabby/Vintage.  I pulled out all the stops and used all of my favorite embellishments, papers, vintage finds, and toppings on each card.   

Now that the issue is on stands, I have been pouring over all of the creativity that jumps from each page....so much fun to celebrate card-making in various styles....there are things I love and want to try as I explore each style, but for some reason, my fingers, my heart, my mind...all pull me in the direction of the Shabby/Vintage style.   This shabby, little card was created just for you, in celebration of this special issue.

To me, the Shabby/Vintage style feels like  home....like a warm, cozy blanket wrapped around me...like soft, pink slippers on my feet...I don't know why this style speaks to me like it does, perhaps it's because it gives me a chance to celebrate all the things I love wrapped up in one special package...and it all comes tumbling out in the form of aged, weathered, loved, timeless, sparkly, tea-stained goodness...I can't try to explain....I just know I dream in shabby :)

If you're on the hunt for more inspiration, I would love to point you in the direction of the next Mystery Blogger celebrating this special issue who has created a special card in her own wonderful style.  Click on the image below and off you go!

Also, be sure to visit the Moxie Fab World Blog and the Paper Crafts Connection to learn how you can earn  20 chances to win a prize package valued over $350.00.  All you have to do is comment on each of the 18 mystery blogs, including mine, and on the two I mentioned above.   Three winners will be chosen.

So....tell me, what style inspires you...what style are you drawn to....do you create in the style you love, or do you create what comes most naturally?  I'd love to know.

Thinking shabby thoughts...thanks for your visit!

Melis

 

 
 
 

 

all booked up...

 
I have been excited for tonight's Papertrey Ink group post from the minute that Nichole sent out sneak peeks of the new stamp set called All Booked Up....it is so sweet and completely unique.  It takes our love of paper-crafting, books, sharing, and gift-giving and wraps them all up together so perfectly.

 

There is something so relaxing and soothing about reading....I wish I had more time for it....perhaps in another season of my life.  For now, I read when I can and seem to collect books with pretty covers that call to me at the bookstore and save them for road trips....I'm going to start on Summer at Tiffany on Wednesday and can't wait. 

I love sharing good reads with friends and my sweet mom....it seems we are always passing books back and forth.  I'm so excited because this beautiful little stamp set ties in so perfectly with that love we have of exchanging and sharing...dressing up a book with a card, a sweet sentiment, even a handmade bookmark...it takes it all to a whole new, beautiful level.

I adore the thoughtful sentiments included in the set as well as the silhouette images...sigh...I'm a sucker for a silhouette.

And then of course...there's the corresponding bookmark die....be still my heart....so much fun to dress up and make to match the book your sharing with someone special...or perhaps to keep for yourself...

I can't wait to share with a friend...

Off to peek at what the other designers have thought up....enjoy!

Nichole Heady

Betsy Veldman

Dawn McVey

Debbie Olson

Heather Nichols

Lisa Johnson

Mish Wooderson

Niki Estes

Kim Hughes

Maile Belles

Erin Lincoln

I used Papertrey Ink Ocean Tides felt, Sweet Blush buttons, Sweet Blush and Vintage Cream cardstock,  and Library Ledger patterned paper, Memrie Marescrunched seam binding and satin angel wings, vintage rhinestones and assorted trims, and Tattered Angels Crushed Shells Glimmer Mist.

Enjoy your week.

Melis

 
  
  
  
 
 

flowers of the soul...

Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year - it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.  ~Author Unknown

Thinking of you and thought you should know :) 

We have had much excitement here, but I must say the highlight for me is a loose tooth...our first here...she has been squealing with happiness, calling her grandma, grandpa, and best friend, Chloe, and looking at herself non-stop in the mirror...what a treat for me.  A new memory planted in the garden of my heart.
Melis

Bloom card

Supplies used:
Papertrey Ink Spring Moss and Vintage Cream cardstock, Butterfly Dreams and Spiral Bouquet stamp sets, Prima paper and flower, Tattered Angels chipboard frame, Doodlebug glitter, vintage sheet music and trim, and scrunched seam binding from Memrie Mare.

 

comfort love...

my home...wherever my husband is...in the scent of my sweet girl's hair...with my parents, feeling their strength...my husband's hands...the gentle, powerful strands of music...in prayer...in the choices I make...through faith growing...in knowledge...woven throughout memories...in kind eyes and warm embraces...deep inside the heart of my family...in long drives home with time to think...in home cooked meals...in my own bed...in hope and faith...

Thank you all for sharing the things that bring you comfort....we all have so much in common and I love hearing your thoughts....they are comforting to me.

I am home from a camping trip that was truly so special...on my birthday with cakes and cupcakes and dutch oven stew, a hike for the perfect stick to roast a marshmallow on, canoe rides, fishing, a lazy moment or two in a hammock, reading, playing games, staring up through the tall pines and aspens, breathing in the mountain air, and having the best sleep I have ever had camping...I loved every minute of it.

Then off to spend a few days with my parents....who spoil my little girl and love her through and through, for fireworks, a parade, and a fair....I miss them already, but am so happy to be home.

I created this little wall hanging for Emma's Paperie this month....it is covered in my most favorite Melissa Frances goodies....you can find a complete supply list and instructions HERE at Emma's and some beautiful creations from the other designers.

I have a special polka dotted watch waiting for............Natalie Winterstein!  Her name was chosen randomly...thank you all for participating....more fun will come soon. 

I will be away for another little while....I promise to be back when I can.

Enjoy summer!

Melis