LilyBean's Paperie

good day sunshine...

It's been such a nice day today...just the three of us.  We've been to a parade, planted the garden, and finished up with a BBQ tonight.  

Another card created for Frost it Pink.  The supplies are listed below.

Fancy Filigree Parisian Resist Paper by Pink Paislee

Lilac House Needlepoint Paper by Fancy Pants

Vintage Whimsy Sticker Market Sticker Pad by Girls' Paperie

Love and Romance Vintage Cuts by Crafty Secrets

Portobello Lost & Found Decorative Brads by My Mind's Eye

Aqua Mist Hand Dyed Crinkle Ribbon

White Lace Butterfly Doily

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Melis

 

 

 

shabby chick...

So happy today...school is out for the summer in just a few hours.  I am looking forward to so many things over the next few months.  I love having my little buddy here with me...I've missed her.  We've got plans to travel, relax, spend time at home, picnic, take hikes, watch movies, swim, read books, and be crafty.  

This first card was created using a beautiful postcard image from Made by Janet, Melissa Frances paper, rubon, and die, Maya Road chipboard scroll, glitter, and stamps from Papertrey Ink including Background Basics:  Sheet Music and a sentiment from the 2010 Anniversary Set.  My mom crocheted the sweet flower for me.  

This little pincushion uses a Homespun Cotton Scrap from Crafty Secrets Family Collection.  The trim is from Prima, trinket pins, chandelier beads, and chipboard heart from Maya Road, and the Neptune Cabbage Roses Ribbon from Memriemare.

(woman'sday.com)  Better try and make this for Memorial Day...so heavenly.

 
(greenweddingshoes) Can't wait to try some of these pretty, little things!

(une-deuxsenses) Sweet, chocolatey pumpkin cookies for your soul...

 

Happy day today!

Melis

creamy...

Meet Creamy...a new little chickie joining the flock here.  She's a beauty.

 

Another set of projects for you today, using supplies from Frost it Pink.

This project uses the remaining coasters from the Maya Road Fancy Bird Chipboard Coaster book.  I've got the supplies used  listed below.

Melissa Frances Tissue Paper Garland

White Lace Butterfly Doily

Petite Angel Head with Wings

German Glass Glitter Stars Pink

German Glass Glitter Stars Silver

1/2" Tea Stained Twill Tape

Dresden Silver Foil Crowns

Silver Rhinestone Chain

Girls' Paperie Chipboard Alphabet

Girls' Paperie Vintage Whimsy Frou Frou paper

Webster's Pages Natural Fringe Trim

Webster's Pages Postcards From Paris Trim

Prima Aire Collection Flowers

K & Co. Flora and Fauna Charmers

Antique White acrylic paint

Making Memories Cream Metal Flower Brads

Papertrey Ink Postmarks stamp set

Maya Road Decorative Scrolls Chipboard Set

 

 

Be back tomorrow!

Melis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

make home happy...

A little something I created for the Frost it Pink blog using a Maya Road Fancy Bird Coaster.  I've dressed up the remaining coasters a bit different than this and will share them with you on my next blog post.  Supplies are listed below for you if you'd like to recreate one for yourself.

Fancy Bird Coaster Book by Maya Road

Jenni Bowlin Pearl Charm

German Glass Glitter Silver Star

1/2" Tea Stained Twill Tape

Silver Rhinestone Chain

Satin Pleats Ivory Trimming

Melissa Frances Tissue Paper Garland

Papertrey Ink Postmarks stamp set

I'm currently working on another card kit for Frost it Pink and hope to have some sneak peeks for you by the end of the week.

And, because I think this is the most beautiful treasure ever...I have to share it with you.

(Designsponge)

What I wouldn't give to find this on the side of the road.

(via Pinterest)

What sweet, sweet curtains!

And, because I live by this very sentiment...

(homemadeholidays)

Night.

Melis

out comes the sun...

Printable image from Made by Janet, paper from Fancy Pants, My Mind's Eye, and Melissa Frances.

Chipboard heart from American Crafts, scrunched seam binding from Craft Spot.

Postmarks and Tiny Tags stamp sets from Papertrey Ink.

(via dandeedesigns)

 

(via a-ladys-finding)

(via a-ladys-findings)

(via a-ladys-findings)

(via a-ladys-findings)

The sun is finally out after several days of much needed rain.  I love the rain, but it is so nice to see the sun and blue skies.  Just sharing a few things that made me smile.

Happiest of Sundays!

We're making Inside Out Apple Pie today!

Melis

 

 

soft vintage...

Papertrey Ink's First Fruits  and Love Lives Here stamp sets, My Mind's Eye and Pink Paislee paper, Pink Paislee die, Memriemare cabbage roses ribbon, Maya Road trinket pin and chipboard, Doodlebug Lily White Sugar Coating, and vintage buttons.

Happy weekend!

Melis


 

love mail...

 

 Stamps from, Papertrey Ink Fruit Fusion:  Melon and Background Basics:  Text Style.  Printable image from Made by Janet, scrunched seam binding from Memriemare.

(via fortheworldtosee)

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(via fortheworldtosee)

(via pinterest)  This little beauty has my mind whirling and dancing...I think I'll dream about making some of these tonight.

Write a note, make a card, share some love, make someone happy today.

Melis

 

 

feed your soul...

A thing or two to share...I've been making time each day to work on my Photoshop skills, or lack thereof.  I've had the software for a couple of years now, but haven't taken any time to learn it because it forces me to sit down, read, study, practice, etc., and that's kinda hard to do sometimes.  Anyway...I'm enjoying it very much!

A new favorite sentiment of mine...you may be seeing it pop up more often.  This card uses one of my very most favorite stamp sets of all time, Wreath for all Seasons from Papertrey Ink, and the "everything" stamp from Little Bitty Bird.  I used the Limitless Layers:  2 1/2" die collection as well, Making Memories, My Mind's Eye, GCD studios, and Crate Paper paper, Prima velvet leaves, a Kaisercraft flower, Memrie Mare scrunched seam binding, and Prima trim.

And, a few of you have asked for my cookie recipe, so I'm posting it below for any of you interested.  Promise to not skimp on the Ghiradellis.

Lilybean's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Oodles of chocolate chips...the more the merrier...I use Ghiradelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips.

**Cream shortening and sugars.  Add in vanilla and eggs.  Cream thoroughly.  Add in flour, baking soda, and salt.  Combine and at this point, I add in about 2 Tbs. milk...just until the dough gets a bit gooey and sticks to the sides of the bowl.  Throw in those chocolate chips...eat a few...give some to your helper...and then add some raisins!  Ohhhh....all of you non-raisin lovers....they are like candy all warm and plump from the oven....we love them here...but you can ignore them if you choose.  

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I'm reading For Every Mother right now, such a wonderful book not only for mamas, but for anyone with a heart, who loves, cares, and nurtures.  Thanks to my sweet mama for giving it to me.  

 
 I'm just starting into it, but have already found several memorable stories and quotes...the following is one of them:
"The world never stops rushing you...Don't let others set your agenda.  Find your own pace.  Slow down.  Do less.  Listen. Savor. Simplify.  Feed your soul.  Remove distractions.  Create a sanctuary within.  Live in grace.  The greatest gift you have to give others is you...unhurried and refreshed.  Drink deeply from the well of your own life.  It passes like a dream." 

Melis

 

 

 

pixie dust...

A note from Sierra, left beside her bed tonight:

"Dear TinkerBell,

Please write me a note.  All I want you to know is can you give me a little pixey dust.  I belive in fariys.  But some of my friends  don't.  I'm your best friend.

Sincerly Sierra"

I wonder what she'll find in the morning...kinda cold here lately and Sierra informed me that pixies don't like the cold.  I hope she'll find a little surprise waiting for her though.

Just a couple of cards to share.  The first uses the Postmarks stamp set from Papertrey Ink, Maya Road chipboard keys, Doodlebug Lilywhite Sugar Coating, Graphic 45, Basic Grey, and Papertrey Ink paper, tea stained and dyed twill tape, and Prima trim.

This card uses Papertrey Ink's Night Night Moon and Postmarks stamp sets, Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye, and Creative Imaginations paper, Memriemare scrunched seam binding, American Crafts chipboard, and Maya Road chipboard butterfly.

Sweetest dreams.

Melis

farm boy...

This month, the Crafty Secrets design team members are focusing on masculine cards since Father's Day is coming up quickly.  A few readers have pointed out that masculine cards aren't necessarily my thing and perhaps aren't your favorite things to look at.  I'm aware of that myself, but certainly still enjoy making them.  I have a lot of fun making cards whether they are my style or not and don't want to lose that love or limit myself because after all, I do this because it is fun.  So today's card is for my husband, my farm boy.  I love him so much.

I used Crafty Secrets Farm Fresh Double Sided Creative Scraps and Down on the Farm stamp set.  

The corrugated heart is from Jillibean Soup.

And, all of the paper is from the Melissa Frances Kitschy Kitchen line.

Here are some fun links for you to follow on this beautiful Monday:

• Vicki Chrisman Team Leader
• Pam Hooten
• Heidi Blankenship
• Linda Duke
• Michele Kovack
• Julie Campbell

        Heartwarming Vintage Blog
        Crafty Secrets
 

 

mid-may...

Well, settle in if you will for plenty of photos tonight.  I've got oodles to share and catch up on!  May is flying by so quickly, days don't seem as long as they used to.  Oh, to be a child again where the days just stretch out before you.  I need to take more time to capture that feeling again and slow down a bit and enjoy my little girl at 7...she's only this age once.  

This first card was created for Emma's Paperie and is based on a beautiful color challenge there...no surprise that I kind of love aqua and cream together.  A favorite combo of mine for sure.  You can see many other projects from the other designers on the blog.

A sweet new find for me below.  I've wanted a photo/card holder for quite some time and ran across this beat up shabby little number while in the big city a few days ago...I adore it!

 

Next up, my Papertrey Ink projects are ready to share with you.  I have all of the supplies listed in my gallery at Papertrey Ink if you'd like more information.  

This first card uses the new Garden Variety and Wildflower Garden stamp sets...I must say that the "fleurs" stamp is a fave of mine.  Such a pretty, sophisticated word for this po-dunk country girl.  I also used the Button Card and Garden Variety dies. 

The Road Trip  and Think Big Favorites #4 sets are used here...both so fun.  You can also get a glimpse of the new Road Trip paper here as well.

Garden Variety mixed with Year of Flowers Collection sets used on this card along with the Seed Packet Frame die.  The fun dotted paper is from the Road Trip collection as well.  

Heather Nichols' sweet Wildflower Garden was used here along with the Beautiful Blessings set and Background Basics:  Sheet Music.  

Flower Fusion #4 stamp and dies used on this simple card.  

Dawn McVey's sweet Whale Wishes set used here.  

One of my favorite sets...Nichole's Wonderful Words Additions and die shown here.  Incredibly fun to use.  

And lastly, Tag-its #4 mini set, Think Big Favorites #4, and Fruitti Tutti patterned paper.  

Little lady is tucked in tight for the night and I'm ready to relax.  It looks like a busy week is waiting for us here.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Melis

garden variety...

 
Some of you reading this post tonight  have natural abilities when it comes to gardening...others, like myself, haven't an ounce of green in my thumb.  However, I enjoy the beauty that comes from flowers, gardening, fresh produce, a weathered picket fence with wildflowers weaving their way across it, gardening gloves that bring back memories of my grandma, vintage tools I envision hanging in a potting shed, watering cans...oh, what a fetish I have, and then of course...seed packets.  Don't get me started on them.  I've even got a little collection of them started.  There are the regular run of the mill variety, but then of course there are the hidden treasures with the delicate frames, vintage images, windows to peek at what's inside, etc.  I love 'em.  These lovely little packets are the springboard behind the new Garden Variety stamp set from Papertrey Ink, beautifully brought to life by Nichole.  I hope you like what you find even if you aren't a gardener...the sentiments are perfect expressions of thoughtfulness, friendship, love, caring, and creativity.

I created this little packet in order to create a beautiful place for a mini memory, inspired by the photo of my little girl, and of course the sentiment.  The packet was cut from Kraft cardstock using the new Seed Packet die and the Seed Packet Frame die.  I love the detailed frame Nichole created for this set...so beautiful.  You'll see a peek at another new die here, the Picket Fence cut from Fine Linen cardstock,  also available on the 15th.  I couldn't resist framing it in and letting those wildflowers climb their way towards the sunshine.

The back of the seed packet is embellished with the photo of my little one, and inside holds the tag with the sentiment that suits how I feel about her so perfectly.

I hope you enjoy this sweet set as much as I do.  Thank you for visiting!

I can't wait to see what the other girls have created to share with you.

Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Mish Wooderson, Danielle Flanders, Maile Belles, Erin Lincoln, Jess Witty, and Nichole Heady

 

Melis

P.S.   Just sharing some seed packet love with you...

(via 79ideas.org)

(via ritzybee.typepad.com)

(via vintagegreenlimited.etsy.com)

(via hitched.co.uk)

(via bridalbubbly.blogspot.com)




 

fruit fusion...

Something sweet is coming your way from Papertrey Ink.  The Fruit Fusion Mini Sets are irresistible and tonight each design team member is highlighting a different set in the collection.  I chose to share the Watermelon set with you tonight, but there are also cherries, grapes, apples, pears, etc. for you to enjoy.

I couldn't resist trying a pink, plaid watermelon with a Simply Chartreuse rind.  Each set also has coordinating dies available to make it even easier to whip something up in a hurry.  I used the Limitless Layers 1 3/4" die collection here to create a tag to hang from both the card and care package.

Here you can catch a peek of a new Edgers which will be released on the 15th as well.

And, to wrap up a gift for someone special, I used a gable box from Papertrey Ink, Hibiscus Burst Bitty Dot Satin, and patterned paper.  A perfect gift for Sierra's teacher this year.

Many ideas waiting for you...thanks for visiting.

Melis

Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Mish Wooderson, Danielle Flanders, Maile Belles, Erin Lincoln, Jess Witty, and Nichole Heady

 

 

est. 1776...

Much to share tonight!  I'm happy to be highlighting  est. 1776, a new stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  It will be available for purchase on May 15th.  Since I happen to be an Independence baby, I have always considered the 4th to be my very most favorite holiday, with many special memories attached.  I love everything about it from the fireworks, to the parades, to the juicy watermelon busts.  I am happy to have had the chance to focus on this holiday and have a few things to share with you tonight.

This first card uses a tea-stained gift enclosure stamped with images from the est. 1776 set, Background Basics:  Gingham, and the Limitless Layers 1 3/4" die.

I used the Seeing Stars die set on this card along with the Double-Ended Banner die.  

And lastly, little treats bags containing Red Hots for the 4th.  The Limitless Layers 1 3/4" die collection and Double-Ended Banner dies were used here as well.  

So many things to love about this set...the distressing is one of my most favorite characteristics.  Many more peeks of new stamps sets are waiting on Nichole's blog and I'll be back very soon with more for you.

Before I go, something I have been excited about for months now...something oh, so beautiful...and now it's time to share it with you.

 
 

One of my all-time favorite crafters and inspiring women is Amy Powers.  I adore her publications and can never get enough of what is spread throughout each page.  She has a new publication out called Inspired Ideas:  The Happy Birthday Issue and, it just happens to be available today...in all of its delicious glory.  Oh, yes, and I have a little some thing in there too. Thank you Amy!  The line-up of artists is incredible...you'll love it, I promise.  You can read all about it HERE and find out how to purchase your own...available online currently...for only $3.30.  

Thanks for visiting!

Melis

 

 

 

honey and sugar...

Just popping in quickly today with a card I created using a sweet new stamp I ran across...I adore it.  You can find one HERE at Emma's Paperie if you think  you might adore it too :)  I just love the sentiment.

(Photo from Country Living)

 

(My most favorite saying to date...from Wide Open Spaces)

(sweetest tea cup I've ever seen...from Country Living)

(photo from Poster Lounge)

And...just because I think it's sweet and oh, so true...

(Photo from Tiny White Daisies)

This reminds me of my little one as she loves to receive mail, but gets a little blue when there isn't something waiting for her...so I've tried to remind her of just what this sweet illustration means.

Have a wonderful day.

Melis

all I want for Mother's Day...

Let me preface this post by saying, that all I want for Mother's Day BESIDES my little sweetheart and husband...is one of these tall, dark, and glorious beasts...

(photo and recipe from picky-palate.com)

This looks so  heavenly!  I think Mother's Day should totally be a freebie day...meaning that we girls should be able to  shove all of the sugary, chocolate-y stuff in our mouths that we want, all day long.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with snacks in between...with no extra cushion being applied to our hips or behinds whatsoever.  Seems completely fair to me.

One last Mother's Day card before the special day is over, created with a beautiful digital image from Made by Janet.  I could go on and on and on about how talented she is.  The stamps are from Papertrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages and Background Basics:  Gingham stamp sets.  The scrunched seam binding is from Craft Spot, paper from Melissa Frances, and chipboard from Maya Road.

 

Enjoy your day!

Melis

snippets...

I created this album for Emma's Paperie this month.  Maya Road is our product spotlight.  I love anything Maya Road-ish and have always been drawn to their chipboard items.  I love painting, sanding, glittering, stitching, stamping, etc. on chipboard and so for my project I selected a chipboard album and set out to work.

I've used Crafty Secrets Altered Fairy scraps throughout...little snippets here and there of party hats, wings, fairies, etc.  

Supplies and instructions to make your own are waiting on the Emma's Paperie blog.  

A couple of Gathering Kits created with Papertrey Ink Button Boutique stamp set and coordinating dies.  This first kit, Grandma's Garden, also uses the Love Lives Here die collection and a sentiment from the Star Prints stamp set...If I had to choose, I would say that the "Enjoy Life" sentiment from this set is my all time favorite stamp.  I just love the fonts used, the way it's stacked, and of course the sweet sentiment.  The flourish is from the Postmarks set.

I used Sugared Grape Cabbage Roses Ribbon from Memriemare, trinket pins from Maya Road and Hennytj's etsy shop, vintage sheet music and trim, and the tiny ribbon slide and millinery flowers are from The Little Pink Studio. 

The Speckled Egg Gathering Kit uses same Button Boutique stamp set as above and oodles of little trinkets.

A few things used here were sent to me from Stephinka, scrunched seam binding from Craft Spot, paper from Melissa Frances and Fancy Pants.  

Lastly, a peek at something coming on May 15th!  

A fun collaboration between Nichole and myself  for Papertrey Ink...lots of little extras included  with this set.  Can't wait for you to see more.

Hope you have a wonderful day and if I don't make it back, heartfelt Mother's Day greetings from me to all of you special women, mothers, aunts, friends, sisters, daughters, and grandmas out there.

Melis

 

the little things...

I love the little things.  Truly, they are what make the world go 'round for me, the tiny details of life that take but a glance and are gone in a heartbeat, but what make me happiest as I think back on them throughout the day.  Things like, her long piggy-tail braids with bows tied at the bottom...how much longer will I be able to do her hair before she'll be wanting to do her own?  Things like the rooster crowing as I was out on my run early this morning...I've always wanted a rooster and love my time outside before the day gets too busy.  Things like her freckles which are popping up like crazy, her toys lined up in the bathtub, the Indian Paintbrush that is blooming everywhere out here in the desert, something funny my husband said before heading out the door that made my day...thank goodness for the little things.

Nothin' but a couple of cards for you today.  As always, I've got at thing for cupcakes and couldn't stop at just one.  The chipboard cupcakes are from Maya Road, paper on the first from Melissa Frances, Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, and GCD Studios, flower from Prima, fabric from Moda, button cut using the Papertrey Ink Buttoned Up #1 die, rubon from Melissa Frances, and scrunched seam binding from Memriemare.

This second card uses paper from GCD Studios, My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, and The Girls' Paperie, fabric from Moda, stamps from Unity and Papertrey Ink, die from Tiny Tags, satin angel wings from Memriemare, and scrunched seam binding from Craft Spot.  The delicous glitter used on both is Lily White Chunky glitter from Doodlebug Designs.

 

So....what little thing made your day today?

Thanks for your visit.

Melis