LilyBean's Paperie

the blue in my sky...

It's Monday once again.  Back to a busy schedule, back to missing my Bean, but happy for all I've got!  Today's card uses more of Crate Paper's Paper Heart collection...can't get enough of the sweet, happy, cheerful colors!

(photo via iamblessed)...sweet words for my husband.

(photo via bowerbird-blog)...This photo inspires me...gonna have to try a little something with it I think.

(photo via bopeepbaby)...makes this mama's heart melt.

(photo via cottonbirddesigns)...sweet, shabby, inspiring!

Hope your day is sweet!

Melis

 

Love Card Supplies:

InLinkz.com

xoxo...

A few sweet treats to share with you today.  First up is a set of Valentine treat bags all dressed up in polka dots, reds & whites, crepe paper, and bling.

I have so much fun creating for Valentine's Day.  What a fun excuse to spoil those we love with thoughtful, handmade, love notes, and gifts.

This next set is a card and envelope made to coordinate in order to make the giving even more fun.  Dressing up envelopes is a new little fetish of mine.  Why not, huh?  You can see the Basic Grey Kissing Booth collection in action here...such sweet and juicy colors.  Have you snagged you some yet?  You'll love it.

The envelope...waiting and ready to send off!

Feeling extra munchie tonight...how 'bout you?
The image and recipe for these Valentine Brown Sugar Blondies can be found at Baked Perfection. 

 

Valentine Treat Bags and Hug and Kiss Card Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

vintage attic treasures...

I'm back to share a couple of projects using another beautiful new collection from Melissa Frances, Vintage Attic Treasures Vol. 3.  There is so much to love about this lovely and shabby new line.  I love the heritage feel to it.

This first card uses new papers, die cuts, and banner stickers.

And, this second card uses the new line as well....more to come on the specific products you see here very soon on the Melissa Frances blog.

Thank you once again to The Craft Spot for the delicious Raspberry Truffle scrunched seam binding!

Be sure to visit the Melissa Frances blog for another giveaway...this time the new Attic Treasures Vol. 3 collection!

For those attending CHA, please stop by Booth #1991 to see these products in person and place your order!

Be back soon!

Melis

stitched together...

I'm popping in today to join in the Papertrey Ink January blog hop.  For the challenge, we were asked to pick out our favorite project from 2011 which was created using Papertrey Ink stamps and then create a second project that was inspired by the first.  I went back and searched through my things and kept coming back to the same project where I used a happy and vibrant  color combination and decided to give it a go.

We'll go backwards and start with my second project first:

I realize it may be hard to tell what the quirky little item beside the card is...I keep looking at and laughing and images of Dr. Seuss houses pop into my head, all topsy-turvy and whimsical.  Yes, it is a pincushion...a love shack of sorts inspired by pincushions I found on Pinterest created by retromama.  Her houses are ADORABLE!

(photo from retromama)

She has a pattern and tutorial on her blog.  Obviously I should have followed her pattern and read through her tutorial, but no...I just decided to start cutting and having fun, hence the Dr. Seuss cottage :)

 

Anyway, back to the challenge.  I loved the colors in my original project, so I pulled by fabric scraps, paper, and stamps together and created this card.  I used Papertrey Ink's Simply Jane stamps and dies, and Flower Fusion #12 stamps and dies.  

 

I adhered a Tim Holtz metal bookplate to the front of the love shack and embellished it with vintage trim, gems, etc.

Papertrey Ink's Tag-Its #11 was used on the tag along with a Maya Road trinket pin and vintage mushrooms that I think are the sweetest things ever!

Now onto my original project:

I created this back in October of 2o11 using the Flower Fusion #9 stamps and coordinating dies.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Melis

 

True Love Card and Pincushion Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

c'est la vie...

Let the sneak peeks begin!  Melissa Frances has a many beautiful new things debuting at CHA this week, one of which is her new C'est la Vie collection.  This collection celebrates life in its imperfect, inherent messiness. Like Melissa's Thankful collection, these papers will have part proceeds donated to www.breastcancer.org, Melissa's charity of choice.  Below are just a couple of the things I created using this new line.

As always, this collection is filled with beautiful vintage images in shabby colors, some soft and some more vibrant.

Melissa is hosting a giveaway on her blog where the winner will receive the C'est la Vie collection.  Please visit her blog and leave a comment to be eligible!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Melis

me time...

Last night, I treated myself to a challenge found on the My Mind's Eye blog.  I was craving a little something to inspire and nudge me a bit and ran across a sketch challenge there that I just couldn't wait to try.  I love being inspired by sketches and beautiful products.  My husband was traveling, my little one tucked in bed, my house tidy and quiet after a busy weekend, and it was just what I needed, so I turned on a little HGTV and pulled out my supplies.  

Before I go, I wanted to announce the winner of the Macaron Note Card set created by Georgianna.

 The winner chosen randomly is, the lucky first lady who left a comment, Lilliana Avignale!  Congratulations Lilliana!  I will be in touch in order to get your address.  Thank you Georgianna for creating such beauty for us to enjoy!  Her shop is full of wonderful things to share with friends or loved ones or to enjoy all by yourself...they are all so romantic and sweet I think they are perfect Valentine gifts.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Melis

 

 

It's a Beautiful Day Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

InLinkz.com

collecting hearts...

Today I have a few Valentine Treat Envelopes to share with you created with another sweet Valentine collection I couldn't wait to bring home...Kissing Booth from Basic Grey.  Love, love, love it!

I was originally inspired to created these after running across a darling Valentine project from Damask Love.  I loved the little heart cut-out window on the front of the gift, so I set to work.  On a side note, I just love this blog.  Her clean and simple style is amazing to me and her creativity is endless.  

For the envelopes I used Papertrey Ink's Gift Card Greetings die and Hibiscus Burst cardstock.  I then matted the die with patterned paper, die cut to fit the front of the gift card holder and adhered in place.  

Next I used the Heart Prints die collection and die cut a large heart out of the front of each gift card holder. 

I filled a small glassine bag with Valentine candy and secured the little package of treats inside the gift card holder.

To finish each envelope, I wrapped Autumn Rose Grosgrain around the flap to secure it tightly closed and tied it in a bow near the top.  I created tags using the 2010 Love Tags set and Raspberry Fizz ink, and attached them to the center of each bow using Button Twine and buttons.  A millinery flower finished each off.

The Kissing Booth collection comes with chipboard pieces and die cuts which are the perfect little additions to each heart window.

Hope your day has been sweet!

Melis

 

P.S.  My new favorite must-try....homemade POP-TARTS!

(photo and recipe from caplanmiller)

(photo and recipe from weelicious)

(photo and recipe from bakememore)

Making these is definitely on my list for this weekend...my little lady will love helping and eating them!

the season for pink...

A few things dressed in pink to share with you today...just cause I love the color!  This first project was created for Emma's Paperie with our focus being on stickers this month. I quickly snatched up the sweetest Pebbles inc. stickers and coordinating paper and set to work creating a card and matching treat bag.  

See the little pink buttons that look like candy?  They are stickers too...I believe I will be ordering them in every color.  They're darling.

A treat bag filled with sweet Tootsie Rolls for my Little Bean...pink of course, cause who can resist pink Tootsie Rolls...a quick and easy gift!
You can find a complete supply list HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.

The next project was also created for Emma's Paperie and is based on a beautiful color challenge found there.  

I used a Melissa Frances glass dome and filled it full of pretty pink findings, rub-ons, chipboard, crystal flowers, etc.

Not to forget, finished off with a sweet Melissa Frances glass bird.  A supply list for this project can be found HERE.

Lastly, something in pink created with Papertrey Ink Rosie Posie and Tag-Its #11 stamp sets, Rosie Posie dies, Dear Jane paper, Crate Paper chipboard, and scrunched seam binding from My Craft Spot.

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Melis

key to my heart and a giveaway...

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards created using printable products you can print right at home.  There are so many beautiful images  available for every occasion under the sun.  I have loved searching for them and have a small collection saved in one of my Pinterest boards just waiting for me to use them.  

Both of these cards use the same printable images.  The tickets are from Made by Janet and come in a collection of the most beautiful colors.  

The lovely scalloped, floral printable is from tania-wildheart.  Her images are soooo pretty!

The stamp set used on both of these cards is Lock and Key from Papertrey Ink stamped in Aqua Mist and True Black.  The chipboard frames and Glimmer Mist are from Tattered Angels and the lovely scrunched seam binding is from Memriemare.

Before I go I wanted to share with you a most beautiful place to visit...one that has become my favorite not only because of the incredible art that can be found there, but also because of the sweet friend I have made there who is the talent behind it all...Georgianna.  Her blog Georgianna Lane, always has a way of transporting me to a calm serene place of peace and beauty.  Her photos are mesmerizing and life just seems to slow down a bit while I soak them all in.  Her etsy site is filled with all of her beautiful photos made into calendars, note cards, pendants, prints, etc.  I recently bought her Paris calendar to spoil myself a bit as the images fit so perfectly in my craft room.  

Here is a small inside peek at it:

As a way to welcome in the New Year and as a thank you to you from me, I wanted to host a giveaway of one of her beautiful gifts here on my blog.  Leave me a note on this post and I will enter your name into a random drawing where the winning name will be sent this beautiful Macaron Note card Set:

These cards are the sweetest things...what a fun gift!  Thank you G~ for sharing your beautiful heart and soul with us.

The giveaway will extend to this Saturday the 21st at midnight.  I'll post the winning name selected randomly on the 22nd.

Thanks for visiting!

Melis






 

sweet, happy, cheerful heart...

I've got my best buddy home with me today.  We've been building lego buildings, vehicles, this and that, putting bows in her dolls hair, checking on the chickens, have popcorn and a movie, ice cream after breakfast...why not?  I love having her here.  Her happy, little heart just warms my soul.

Something about these colors lately that just melt me...I crave them.  They seem to buoy me up and make me smile.  I think that Crate Paper's new Paper Heart collection is my favorite of all time.  I think I've mentioned before that Valentine's Day is my most favorite holiday to craft for, so for the next little while I think we'll just go with it around here.

The little tag was stamped using an image from Papertrey Ink's Love & Marriage set.

And, then of course, my most favorite Background Basics:  Hearts set was just across the bottom...I can't ever resist hearts and sweet, script-y, lovely words.

I've been busy wrapping up CHA projects and hope to share them here with you soon.  The new Melissa Frances products are swoon-worthy!

Off to start Beef Stew and Cheddar Bay Biscuits.  Have you tried these?  They are heavenly!

(photo and recipe from the-girl-who-ate-everything)

Night.

Melis

 

papertrey ink january...

Another month has come and gone which means more Papertrey Ink release projects.  I have lots to share, so let's get started.  This first card uses the Lace Bouquet set...it's a beauty!  The sentiment across the top is from the new Think Big Favorites #12 set.  

The flowers were cut from Aqua Mist felt using the Beautiful Blooms II #1 die, the leaves from Simply Chartreuse felt using the Sending You die collection.  The paper is all from Crate Paper's Paper Heart line...it's delish!

Happy Birthday Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Lace Bouquet and Think Big Favorites #12
Ink:
Aqua Mist
Carstock:
Rustic Cream
Tools:
Beautiful Blooms II #1 die, Limitless Layers1 3/4" Circles, and Sending You die collections
Accents:
Aqua Mist and Simply Chartreuse felt, Spring Moss button, Pure Poppy Baker's Twine

Other Supplies Used:
Crate Paper paper

This happy little number uses the new Tag-Its #12 set....love, love, love Heather's Tag-It's series of stamps.  

Cherish Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Tag-Its #12, Fancy Flourishes, and Background Basics: Hearts
Ink:
Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, and True Black
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream
Tools:
Heart Border and Fancy Flourishes dies
Accents:
Pure Poppy Baker's Twine

Other Supplies Used:
Melissa Frances gems
Crate Paper chipboard and paper

The Happily Ever After set is showcased here along with Lace Bouquet once again.

Much Love...Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Happily Ever After and Lace Bouquet
Ink:
Raspberry Fizz and Spring Moss
Cardstock:
Spring Moss, White, and Sweet Blush
Tools:
Heart Border and Spiral Notebook Page dies
Accents:
Vintage Cream buttons

Other Supplies Used:
scrunched seam binding
Melissa Frances gems
Pebbles inc. paper

I love the new Handmade Hodgepodge set...it's just sweet and charming.  It's one of those sets that just begs to be used because it's so cute.  This project also uses the new Flower Fusion #12 set....love the gingham flowers.

Just Because Card Set and Bag:

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Flower Fusion #12, Lace Bouquet, Handmade Hodgepodge, and Script Sentiments
Ink:
Pure Poppy and Ripe Avocado
Cardstock:
Harvest Gold
Tools:
Limitless Layers 2.25" Ovals, Flower Fusion #12, Heart Border, Jar Label, and Filigree Border dies
Accents:
Sweet Blush button, Sweet Blush Satin, Vintage Cream felt
Packaging:
Medium glassine bag

Other Supplies Used:
Crate Paper paper
vintage trims
Epoxy stickers

This card uses the new Celebrations set and a bit of the Happily Ever After set as well.  I also used the Cover Plate:  Lace Die.  It's so beautiful.  For this project I covered the plate in Sweet Blush ink before running it through my machine and I love the shabby, antiqued feel it gave the Vintage Cream cardstock.  Reminds me of gorgeous metal ceiling tiles that I love.

Happy Wedding Day Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Celebrations and Happily Ever After
Ink:
Aqua Mist and Spring Moss
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream, Autumn Rose, and Sweet Blush
Tools:
Love Lives Here, Celebrations Frame, and Cover Plate: Lace Die
Accents:
Autumn Rose button, Vintage Cream felt, and Aqua Mist Swiss Dot Satin

Other Supplies Used:
Melissa Frances paper and resin photo corner

The other designer's have their projects ready to share on their blogs as well:

• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Lisa Johnson
• Betsy Veldman
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Maile Belles
• Jessica Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Danielle Flanders
• Mish Wooderson
• Debbie Olson

That's it for me...except to share a delicious recipe I made the other day which I found on Pinterest.  It's comfort food at its finest...you'll love it.  Thank you to the mastermind behind it...Banana Bread will never be the same at my house :)

Sour Cream Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread from Savory Sweet Life.

 

Thanks for stopping in!
Melis 

 

simply jane...

Hello!  I'm so glad you're back for another Papertrey Ink group post.  This post will focus on another beautiful set designed by Nichole Heady called Simply Jane.  Are you a Jane Austen fan like I am?  My little girl even loves to sit and watch a Jane Austen flick with me....something about the twirling ball gowns, the long gloves, curls piled high, elegant speech, and just the overall dreamy feel.  This set is totally girly girl and romantic and timeless and classic and suitable for so many occasions...my list could go on and on.  

I created a matching card and bookmark set that is bundled up in coordinating wrap made using the new Dearest Jane patterned paper and the Front & Center #2 die.  

The card, bookmark, and wrap use Lavender Moon cardstock for the base.  I created my own patterned paper by using floral images from the Simple Jane set stamped on Rustic Cream cardstock in the new Raspberry Fizz and Summer Sunrise ink...I LOVE these new inks! 

The coordinating dies available just take creating with this set to a higher level.  My creativity was really sparked once I got my hands on the dies.  For the bookmark I used the new Mega Mat Stack 5 and Limitless Layers 2.25" Oval dies along with the Simple Jane die.  I cut a strip of Fine Linen felt to layer over my vintage trim using the Rickrack Border Die.  I paired the Lavender Moon cardstock with a bit of Raspberry Fizz to add a little life to the party!

You can catch a peek at the new Lace Bouquet stamp set on the bookmark here as I used it as a background.

Lastly, everything was bundled up in a coordinating wrap which used the new Front & Center #2 die and more images from the Simple Jane set.  The flower was made using the Bloom Builders #2, Beautiful Blooms II #1 die collections and Fine Linen and Vintage Cream felt.  

The new Handmade Hodgepodge set is the sweetest thing in the world and you can see a bit of it here as I used the Tea for Two die collection and created a tag for finishing off this gift set.

I can't wait to stop by the other designer's blogs to see what they've dreamed up:

• Nichole Heady
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Lisa Johnson
• Betsy Veldman
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Maile Belles
• Jessica Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Danielle Flanders

Thanks for your visit!

Melis

mat stack 5 collection...

Welcome to the first Papertrey Ink group post of January.  Nichole has designed a beautiful set accenting the Mat Stack 5, Mega Mat Stack 5, and Layerz Mat Stack 5 dies.  This set is so much fun to use with endless variations just waiting to be discovered.

For my first project I created a card and used the Mega Mat Stack 5 die and images from the set that helped build and accent the die.  The die was cut from Kraft cardstock and is stamped using Autumn Rose ink.  I used the new Limitless Layers 2.5" Oval die collection to accent the center of the Mega Mat Stack 5 die and stamped it with another sweet image from the set using Spring Moss ink.  Sweet Blush buttons were used to embellish the sides, while hearts cut from Fine Linen and Vintage Cream felt using the Heart Prints die collection were stacked in the center.  I used the Heart Border die to cut a subtle border to add across the bottom using Rustic Cream cardstock.  

For my second project I created a layout all about my sweet little bean.  I used the Mega Mat Stack 5 and Layerz Mat Stack 5 dies and coordinating stamp set using Kraft cardstock, Autumn Rose, and Spring Moss ink once again.  

You can catch a peek at the new  Limitless Layers 2.5" Oval die collection here again.    

 The new Block Alphabet Upper Die collection was used to cut part of my title from Autumn Rose cardstock.  I used the Wonderful Words die collection and Kraft cardstock to cut the other portion of my title with the Love Lives Here die collection and Heart Border die both used as accents.  

One of my favorite stamp sets from this release is the Lace Bouquet set and you can catch a glimpse of it here stamped in Spring Moss ink.  It's so pretty!

Thanks so much for visiting!  Be sure to stop and visit the other designer's blogs as they've created beautiful things to share with you as well.

• Nichole Heady
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Lisa Johnson
• Betsy Veldman
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Maile Belles
• Jessica Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Danielle Flanders

 

ruby love...

I'm so happy that the time for hearts, glitter, pink  gum drops, cinnamon lips, ruby red, chocolate, and cupids is getting closer.  I love creating for Valentine's Day and all of the sweet things that come along with it.  I have a thing for ruby red...I love the delicious splash of happiness it carries with it.  I have painted rooms in my house this color and have happy, warm, red accents in just about every room. I love rubies period as my birthstone is a ruby and I  vividly remember my sweet Grandma Anna's hands and the mother's ring she wore with a ruby gracing it.  I tell my little girl about her hands from time to time.  They were the softest hands I have ever known...beautifully wrinkled with lines that each told a story.  I remember her gently holding  my face and bringing it down to hers so she could have a kiss.  Rubies always remind me of her and must be why I love the color so much.  I have always wanted to name a baby girl Ruby Anna after her.  I will hold that name in my heart instead.

Today I have a few cards for you that I created for Emma's Paperie.  Our spotlight was on Hambly Studios products.  They have such a fun, unique, trendy, whimsical, and inspiring line of products. 

For a complete supply list visit Emma's Paperie.  

Next up...a little more ruby red love.  I recently contributed a few things to Paper Crafts magazine's newest special issue called Cool Tools.  This was such a fun assignment and pushed me into trying new things using tools I have had on hand for years and a few new tools.  You'll love this issue...as I looked through it I found so many things I wanted to try.  I am so amazed by the creativity that others have.

For this project  I created my own buttons using the Button Studio Tool.  I loved making coordinating buttons in my favorite patterns.  

I used Papertrey Ink's Button Boutique stamp set and coordinating die along with the Fruit Fusion - Cherries set.  

Lastly, I have really missed posting a color photo challenge for myself and any of you who enjoyed the challenge in the past.  So...from time to time, when I need a little pick me up in the creativity area and run across something that I love and that immediately inspires me, I will be posting it. Feel free to play along and let the photos tempt you as well.  I couldn't let the next couple of photos slip by without creating something inspired by them...you'll see why!

Both photos are from Mandylynne.com...she is AMAZING!  I love discovering new and beautiful places and people....that will be a fun, fun part of our challenges together as well.  Be sure to visit her sweet etsy shop filled with her photos.

I especially love this one:

(photo from skippydesigns.etsy.com)

 

Enjoy your day and thanks for your visit!

Melis

franny, birdie, mimi...

Meet Franny.

Lady Birdie in blue.

And the extra sweet Mimi.

It's been a cozy, blustery, stay inside and stitch kind of Saturday.  I will be back to my regularly scheduled paper-crafting next week...promise.

This is Crush.

A little Smooch.

And, cute Cupid.

These will go up in my etsy soon!

Enjoy your weekend.

Melis

be still my little heart...

That's my little beauty with the big, blue eyes on the cover of the February Scrapbook Trends!  I love her, I love her...how I love her.  I originally created the page for Papertrey Ink, but gathered up my courage and submitted the page for publication, never dreaming to see my sweet little lady  inside or on the outside.  I'm just so happy...she is my lucky charm I tell you.  I really need to make more pages.  They are so therapeutic.  I look at this picture and can remember absolutely everything about this photo.  Our nature walk one spring afternoon...the horney-toad she scooped right up without hesitating and named Claw...the itty bitty spider she was afraid of and  screamed at right after picking up the ferocious horney-toad, her singing a lullaby to Claw to help him sleep, her kissing her toad...I need to make more PAGES!!  I love the memories that just overwhelm me while I do.

And, before I go, another hanging heart pincushion.  I love, love the sweet and springy colors in this.  They remind me of blue skies, lilacs, and daisies...three of my favorite things.

Time to get dinner started.  I feel like a big bowl of homemade chili tonight and some warm chocolate chip cookies later.

Thanks for stopping!
Melis 

hearts & flowers...

Back to business around here...business that I love, that of being a momma and wife and all of the wonderful things that come with those roles, back to a familiar routine that I love, and heading into a new year.  I have to say that I find the beginning of each year so refreshing and exciting.  I find hope in it and inspiration.  This past year has been a bumpy, hard one for me personally, with so many blessings intertwined that I am happy to seek for each day.  Searching out and recognizing them makes me feel loved and somehow the hard things just seem to be a bit more manageable, they don't go away, but I can handle them.  I have so much to be thankful for and am looking forward to a new year to grow and explore and push myself out of my cozy, comfort zone and into new territory!

I have a couple of cards to share with you today, this first uses Prima paper and a Glitz Design cardstock sticker. The chipboard heart in a circle is an oldie but a goodie from American Crafts.  

The stamps used are from Papertrey Ink's Embellishments and Love & Marriage stamp sets.  The scrunched seam binding is from My Craft Spot, the trim is vintage, and the pearls are from Melissa Frances.

This next card was made for Emma's Paperie and has the sweetest sentiment I have ever come across.  It is from a chipboard piece found in a collection from Prima...I just love what it says, reminds me of how I feel about my beautiful mom.

You can find a complete supply list HERE at Emma's Paperie if you feel like doing some shopping!  

Lastly, one of many hanging heart pincushions I have in the works.  I'll be listing them in my etsy shop here in the next few days.  I love the warm colors in this one.

Little lovelies, crocheted by my mom.

Hope your day is wonderful!  Thanks for stopping by.

Melis