LilyBean's Paperie

penny candy...

Happy weekend everyone!  I realize that as you are reading this, your weekend will have come to and end, but I hope it was a wonderful one.  As the weather is warming up here, we are spending more and more time outside enjoying the perfectly good temps before they climb to the point where it is a little too uncomfortable to be outside much.   My little one loves for me to tell her stories about myself as a child each night before I tuck her in for good and say goodnight.  Tonight's story was about what I would spend my few, treasured coins on now and then...bits of change I would earn from doing special tasks around the house without being asked, such as straightening my dad's shoes.  I remember my mom taking my little brother and I on errands and if we had to stop for gas, she would always stop at a station called Thrifty C.  It was tiny, but had the sweetest, friendliest little lady working inside always.  I think her name may have been Lois.  Anyway, she had rows and rows and jars and jars of gummies, bubble gum, tootsie rolls, etc. and they were each a penny.  So, she'd hand us a little brown bag and we'd get to think over all of the goodies we wanted and make our careful selections of what we were going to spend our coins on.  It's so funny that such a simple thing would stay with me for so long...ahhhh, the simple, carefree days of childhood.  I often wonder what my little one will remember.  Goodness, I love that little lady.

Today's project was created for Frost it Pink.  I created a bundle of party packets using Papertrey Ink's Seed Packet die as my base and then piled on the brights, the happys, the fruitys, and the sparkles!

I love bold, bright colors, mixed with vintage touches, images, colors, and distressing...kind of fun for a change.

Before I head, I have a yummy recipe to share with you...I think you'll love it as much as I do.  This recipe I will be keeping and using for years to come!  I found it on m very most favorite recipe site called Six Sister's Stuff and they are called M&M Samoa Blondies!  I didn't have any M&M's floating about, so I just used semi-sweet chocolate chips and holy cow!  Just a heavenly, little treat!

Enjoy your Monday and thanks for your visit and sweet comments!
Melis

 

Party Packets Supplies Used:

InLinkz.com

be happy...

Good morning.  Today I have a fresh and fruity card set to share with you inspired by a sweet photo found at Emma's Paperie.  

I have used oodles of my favorite Dear Lizzy Neapolitan products on these cards along with some Queen & Co. Washi Tape, Cosmo Cricket tags, Prima flowers, and My Mind's Eye paper.

A complete supply list can be found HERE at Emma's Paperie.

(lexiphilia)

 

Enjoy your day!

Melis

into the sunset...

She's getting so comfy in the saddle.  Her daddy has been taking her on lots of rides and little by little letting her take the reigns all by herself and she is SO proud of herself.  I tag along and snap shots of the two buddies...it warms my heart and soul I tell you.

Last night the sun was just setting by the time we got ready to ride and I loved the soft glow that spread across the land...she always looks so pretty in the softness of evening.

The chickens were happy to roam freely last night too.  This is one of my favorite little hens.  Sierra named her Sunshine and the name suits her perfectly.  She's sweet and friendly and lays the prettiest pale green eggs.  

Today I have a fun and fresh project to share with you created for the Simple Stories blog.  I love all of their sweet collections and the rustic, worn, aged look that accompanies each collection, but couldn't resist using the new Fabulous collection first.  I love the color combos and the patterns...I'm always lured in my gingham!

I created a card set using paper, memorabilia pockets, and cardstock stickers from Simple Stories.  The scrunched seam binding is from Memriemare and My Craft Spot.

My blog post can be found HERE along with more details about this project!  There is a new project posted on the Simple Stories blog just about every day, so if you need a little inspiration boost, you might want to make a visit each morning.

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Melis

 

healing packet...

Hello friends!  Happy new week to you all.  Today's project satisfies my craving for sweet, soft, subtle colors that I am always so drawn to.  It seems that I tend to shy away from creating anything sympathy related and so for my project today I focused a bit on that theme and created a healing packet filled with stamped tickets with healing sentiments, tags, and gentle little bits and bobs, images, and elements to help lift the soul.  

I used the Prima Songbird collection once again, Melissa Frances cardstock stickers and resin, My Craft Spot scrunched seam binding, and Maya Road organza roses and pleated velvet flowers.

I used Papertrey Ink's Seed Packet die and Pink Paislee's London Market paper to create the packet.  

The Just the Ticket die and stamp set were also used along with the Healing Touch and Blooming Button Bits stamp sets.  

The vintage image is from the Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Sticker book and the satin wings can be found at Memrie Mare.  

And, one more before I get busy for the day...I created this card to play along with my own challenge posted on the Papertrey Ink forum, that of shaking up your style and creating a card out of your normal style.  So, for me, that meant going the clean and simple route and controlling the amount of STUFF I love to pile on my cards.  It was a hard challenge for me...I sure love the clean and simple cards that others create, but think I had better leave it up to them from now on :) I used Papertrey Ink's Baby Button Bits, Background Basics:  Chevron Stripes and Hearts, Say it With Style, and the Signature Series:  Mini Cupcake stamp sets.   

 

Have a wonderful day!
Melis 

mother i love you...

What a beautiful Saturday!  My husband is home, we're working on to-do lists around the house that never seem to end, cleaning, getting dirty, riding the horse, baking, getting a sunburn, and just enjoying our Saturday together.  

I've got mothers on my mind as Mother's Day is just around the corner.  I have the sweetest mama in the world and think of her always.  I would not be who I am today without her, and I love her for all of the wonderful memories I get to hold close to my heart this day.  I think of her as I create and go about making my home a happy, loving little haven.  Today's card was created for Frost it Pink.  I used lots of beautiful My Mind's Eye papers and products as well as fun Maya Road goodies, and glitter of course.  I've included a supply list at the bottom of this post in case you feel like doing a little shopping.

I've got Vanilla Macadamia Nut cookies in the oven and, we're having kabobs on the BBQ and banana squash left over from last year's harvest.  Hope your Saturday has been wonderful too!

Melis

 

I Love You Mother Supplies Used:

Lost & Found II Blush Princess Paper

Lost & Found II Sweet Bouquet Paper

Lost & Found II Blush Beautiful Girl Brads

Maya Road Alterable Canvas Flowers

Maya Road Mini Chipboard Cameos Set

Maya Road Rose Organza Tea Garden Trim

Maya Road Vintage Round Pearl & Hot Pink Heart Trinket Pins

Pink Paislee Nantucket Ephemera

Vanilla Bean Hand Dyed Crinkle Ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

shabby songbird...

It's time again for another Vintage Cafe Card Challenge...I look forward to these challenges so much.  This week's challenge is based on a beautiful sketch you can there.  I pulled out my stash of lovely Prima Songbird paper and embellies and set to work.  By the way, this has to be my very most favorite Prima collection EVER!  It's so shabby and endearing.

I also used Vanilla Bean scrunched seam binding from My Craft Spot, vintage trim, a tea stained tag, a Maya Road trinket pin, and a Melissa Frances rub on.

 

Before I go...a few things I love.

(mandylynne.com)

(lahabitaciondekate)

(thediydish)

I'm ready to nestle in for the night.

Night.

Melis

a day to make you sing...

It seems I have a love for layered, pieced together flowers lately.  I love to cut bunches of them in all shapes, sizes, and mediums, and then have them on hand when I feel like layering.  Today's card uses the new Notched Flowers die from Papertrey Ink along with the Beautiful Blooms II #1 die.  I hand cut the leaves from Simply Chartreuse felt and ran them through my sewing machine before tucking them under the petals.

The stamp sets are Little Bitty Bird Additions and Framed Out #3.

The Daisy Embellishment, Heart and Cloud Washi Tape, Chevron Twill, Kraft Shipping Tag, and trim can be found at Freckled Fawn.  

 

Hope your day is a sweet one!

Melis

saddles and strawberries...

Meet the new guy.

He's very photogenic as you can see.  Loves to nuzzle and wipe his furry, sometimes goopy nose across any clean item you might be wearing.  He loves to get up close and personal....a right in your face kind of guy, which is why this is the best shot I can get of him for the time being.  He's so sweet and lovable...all he asks for is fresh hay, an apple or two once in a while, and a scratch here and there.  He fits perfectly under Sierra's Great Grandpa Boley's saddle too.  He needs to be nursed back to health which is one reason Cisco gets to come and stay with us for a while, not to mention the little girl who blooms and grows when it comes to animals and the special connection she has with them.  He is so good for her and she is the extra sweet medicine he needs.  Before she's even dressed in the morning, she heads right outside in her jammies and coat to feed him, talk to him, and spend Sierra time with him.  One of my favorite things to do each morning is watch her through the window, when she doesn't know I'm there, talking to him, holding up her cat to introduce the two of them, and just be her sweet, wonderful self. Thank you to her Gramps for bringing him up to us.

Well, I knew it was going to happen...my love affair with the Strawberry Patch and Strawberry Patch Sentiments stamp sets.  I knew I wouldn't be able to put them down.  I added a challenge to the forum at Papertrey Ink last week, and am just know getting around to finishing it myself.  You can see the darling inspiration project I used which was created by Danielle Flanders and try it out for yourself if you'd like HERE.  

I used Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, and Simply Chartreuse ink and the Strawberry Patch, Filigree Border, and Small Scallop Border dies here as well.  

The Heart and Cloud Washi Tape can be found at Freckled Fawn and the chipboard flower is from Cosmo Cricket.  By the way...Freckled Fawn has oodles of the cutest new things in stock and ready to take home right now.  I think I'll do a little shopping today, how about you?

Thanks for visiting!

Goodbye for now.

Melis

papertrey ink april...

Have you had enough of me this week?  Today I bring you oodles of projects showcasing the new release items from Papertrey Ink.  We'll start with this first card set using the Trendy Tree Tops stamp set and coordinating dies.  

This next card uses the Tagged Sentiments and Background Basics:  Postmarks stamp sets.

More Background Basics:  Postmarks here (this is one set I'm sure to wear right out) and also the Think Big Favorites #15 set used here as well.

This fun card uses the Background Basics:  Postmarks set along with the Framed Out #3 set and coordinating die.

The Baby Face stamp set is used here along with the new Script Alpha die collection.

Love, love the new Tweet Talk stamp set shown here along with more Background Basics:  Postmarks.

And lastly, the Heart-2-Heart #3 stamp set is used on this card....another fun and favorite set of mine.

Thank you for stopping by, each and every time!  I have supply lists ready to go for you below.  Please email me with any questions you may have.

Here are some beautiful links for you to follow where you'll find more creations from the other design team members:

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

 

Hello You Card Set

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Trendy Tree Tops
Ink:
Classic Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream and Kraft
Accents:
Classic Kraft and Summer Sunrise buttons, Rustic Cream Button Twine
Tools:
Trendy Tree Tops die collection

Other Supplies Used:
Simple Stories paper
Vintage trim

The 1 For Me Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Background Basics: Postmarks, Tagged Sentiments, Garden Variety
Ink:
Canyon Clay, Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst
Accents:
Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse, and Aqua Mist felt, Sweet Blush button
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream, Sweet Blush, and Simply Chartreuse
Tools:
Notched Flowers, Movers & Shakers Poppers, XL Rick Rack border, Buttoned Up #2, and Rosie Posie dies

Other Supplies Used:
Echo Park and Simple Stories paper
Maya Road trinket pin

Hello Sunshine Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Think Big Favorites #15, Just the Ticket, and Background Basics: Postmarks
Ink:
Summer Sunrise, Fresh Snow, and Hibiscus Burst
Cardstock:
Sweet Blush, Rustic Cream, and Simply Chartreuse
Tools:
Rick Rack Border, Just the Ticker, Notched Flowers, Buttoned Up #2, Beautiful Blooms II #1, Beautiful Blooms II #2 dies
Accents:
Hibiscus Burst felt, Simply Chartreuse grosgrain, Summer Sunrise button

Other Supplies Used:
American Crafts and Glitz Designs paper
Queen & Co. Washi Tape
Vintage trim
EK Success trinket pin

You Are My Sunshine Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Framed Out #3 and Background Basics: Postmarks
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream and Melon Berry Stripes
Ink:
Lemon Tart, Melon Berry, and Berry Sorbet
Tools:
Filigree Border, Frames Out #3, Happy Trails, and Edgers #1 dies
Accents:
Aqua Mist and Berry Sorbet buttons, Harvest Gold Grosgrain

Other Supplies Used:
We R Memory Keepers paper
Melissa Frances gem

4 Baby Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Baby Face
Ink:
Classic Kraft
Cardstock:
Rustic Cream and Sweet Blush
Accents:
Sweet Blush button
Tools:
Medium Scallop, Limitless Layers 2 1/4" Oval, Script Alpha, By the Numbers dies

Other Supplies Used:
Prima paper
Copic Markers

Under the Weather Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Tweet Talk and Background Basics: Postmarks
Ink:
Dark Chocolate, Spring Moss, Canyon Clay, and Ripe Avocado
Cardstock:
Aqua Mist and Rustic Cream
Tools:
Cloud 1 & 2 and Heart Prints dies
Accents:
White Silk ribbon and Summer Sunrise button

Other Supplies Used:
Copic markers
Doodlebug gems
Simple Stories paper
My Mind's Eye paper

Your Thoughtfulness...Card

Papertrey Ink Supplies Used:
Stamps:
Heart-2-Heart #3
Cardstock:
Kraft and Rustic Cream
Ink:
Smokey Shadow, Dark Chocolate, and True Black
Accents:
Vintage Cream buttons
Tools:
Heart-2-Heart and Heart Border dies

Other Supplies Used:
Simple Stories paper and sticker
Melissa Frances adhesive pearl

garden variety continues...

Here I am again with another Papertrey Ink group post.  This time we are highlighting the new Garden Variety II and Year of Flowers Titles stamp sets...both so springy and fun.  Our assignment was to find an inspiration piece and then create a project inspired by it using these sets and the new Seed Packet Frame 2 die.

I have long admired French General.  Their site is the loveliest of lovelies.  It is the kind of beautiful that makes me dream, takes me away to a lovely place I have only dreamed about, and the kind of beautiful that inspires me to no end.  I had to use the sweet inspiration photo above for my project today.  I love the button cards in their elongated shape and with several different elements attached...do you love it as much as I do?

I used the Seed Packet and Seed Packet Frame 2 dies to create a pocket to hold my own handmade button cards made with the Just the Ticket Border die and stamp set.   The packet was created using patterned paper while the Seed Packet Frame 2 die was cut from Rustic Cream cardstock and is stamped with Hibiscus Burst and Classic Kraft ink.  

The tickets are cut from Kraft, Sweet Blush, and Rustic Cream cardstock and stamped white Vintage Cream, Classic Kraft, and Hibiscus Burst. Wouldn't a pocket full of these handmade tickets make such a fun gift for a crafter?  I love sweet, little, unique embellishments. 

All it takes are some of Papertrey Ink's vintage buttons in White & Cream mix and Sweet Blush, a bit of Rustic Cream Button Twine, and a few of your favorite vintage buttons and you have yourself a sweet bundle to present to someone crafty.

For the front of this seed packet, I added a layer of Classic Kraft felt behind the packet and just inserted a few trinket pins to go along with the theme of my project.  The flower on the front was created using the new Notched Flowers die, Buttoned Up #2 die, patterned paper, vintage trim, and a button, and then of course a strip of Vintage Cream satin ribbon was wrapped around and tied in a big bow to finish things off.

For my second project I created a fun gift tag using the new Garden Variety II, Year of Flowers Titles, Seed Packet Frame 2 die, and Seed Packet die.  I thought this would be a fun way to present a little note to a friend...a mini clothespin attached to a wooden spool wound with New Leaf Baker's Twine.  

I used the Year of Flowers Titles stamp across the bottom by adding "Chrysanthemum" stamped in Classic Kraft ink, the Seed Packet Frame 2 die was created with Sweet Blush cardstock and stamped in Pure Poppy ink, and the beautiful image from the new stamp set was stamped using Classic Kraft, Pure Poppy, and Aqua Mist.  I used more images from the new Garden Variety II set and stamped them on a Tiny Tag attached to the bottom of the packet.

Sweet, easy, fun to create, and a little something that could remain on display.

 

Thank you again for your visit!  Now, off to see what the other designers have waiting for you to enjoy:

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

Have a wonderful day!

Melis

strawberry patch...

Welcome to Papertrey Ink's first group post of April!  This is a berry long post with berry many photos...so lets get started!  Mish Wooderson and Nichole Heady have teamed up once again and have created the sweetest stamp set yet called Strawberry Patch!  I love so many things about this set and coordinating dies.  

This first project uses the Strawberry Patch stamp set, coordinating dies, and the Berry Basket die.  It is filled with items for a crafty friend.

The basket was cut using just two sheets of Kraft cardstock.  It is such a cinch to assemble which allows more time for the fun stuff!

The front of the Berry Basket is embellished with the new Perfect Patches die cut from Classic Kraft felt as the bottom layer and a stamped Vintage Cream die for the top layer...I LOVE, love, love Perfect Patches!

First up in the crafting kit is a pincushion embellished with a handmade flower cut using the new Notched Flowers die collection, the Strawberry Patch die collection, and the Sending You and Heart Border dies.   

Sweet Blush Topnotch Twill was used to wrap around the pincushion and Classic Kraft, Pure Poppy, and Simply Chartreuse felt were used in the dies. 

I used the new Seed Packet Frame 2 die and Seed Packet dies to create a pocket to hold scissors.  The packet is stamped with Simply Chartreuse, True Black, and Pure Poppy ink.

I stamped up a batch of Tiny Tags using the new Strawberry Patch stamp set...strawberries in all sizes are available.  This tag is attached to a small wooden spool which holds Pure Poppy Baker's Twine.

Another little tag attached to the top of the scissor pocket...

A fun little embellishment for the crafter using the Strawberry Patch and Button Card die collections and the Strawberry Patch and Button Boutique stamp sets.

I tied a strip of Sweet Blush Grosgrain at the top of the button card and clipped another stamped Tiny Tag to the top using a mini clothespin.

A mini stash of fabrics, Simply Chartreuse felt, and Copics are tucked snuggly inside the Berry Basket as well with a stamped Tiny Tag added as an accent.  A fun gift for a crafting friend!  What will you make using your Berry Basket die?  It's the cutest thing on earth I tell you.

On this card I used the Berry Basket die again and cut it to fit the front of the card and simply stitched down the sides and across the bottom to create a pocket.

I love the solid and outlined images of all of the elements included in the Strawberry Patch stamp set.  If you're a color-Copic-lover, you'll love the versatility of this set.  Here I used the Strawberry Patch die collection and my Copics to color in this juicy berry.  It is centered on dies cut from the Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle die collection.

Mmmm...I've decided that Kraft cardstock, Classic Kraft ink, and Vintage Cream ink and so delicious together.  I used the Tag Sale #5 die and stamped my berries onto sheet music.  I was curious to see how it would turn out once I added Copics and love the look.   And, I can't forget to mention the sweet sentiments included in this stamp set.  

Next up is a little home decor piece using a wood block that I painted and distressed.  I added patterned paper, a stamped Perfect Patches and Strawberry Patch die, Simply Chartreuse felt, Pure Poppy Baker's Twine, Ripe Avocado Grosgrain, and a stamped Tiny Tag.  Pure Poppy ink makes the most delicious looking berries I've decided.

The Perfect Patch die is stamped with an image from the Strawberry Patch stamp set using Berry Sorbet ink...such a yummy contrast with the Pure Poppy berry.

Next up is a card and matching envelope using this set with a new color combination.  

I used Melon Berry, Spring Moss, and Simply Chartreuse ink, Simply Chartreuse, Sweet Blush, and Vintage Cream cardstock, the new Limitless Layers 3.5" Ovals die collection, Perfect Patches, and Strawberry Patch dies.  

The patterned paper is the Simply Chartreuse Gingham and I added a Melon Berry Grosgrain bow to the front.  

I cut a small heart from Vintage Cream felt using the Heart Prints die and added it to the front of the berry to add to the sentiment of the card.  

A strip of Simply Chartreuse Gingham cut using the Small Scallop Border die was added to the flap of the envelope along with more images from the Strawberry Patch stamp set.  

And lastly, I couldn't resist a Lavender Moon berry!  It sits on dies cut from the Perfect Patches die collection and is stamped with Autumn Rose and Simply Chartreuse.  I trimmed down a Double Ended Banner die cut from Simply Chartreuse felt and added it behind the berry to add one more layer.  This may be my most favorite sentiment of the set...today anyway :)

I used the Banner Borders die and patterned paper across the top to bring in just a bit more of the green I love so much.  Just a fun card set to end with, but so many more ideas ready to roll with this sweet new stamp set.  The Strawberry Patch stamp set and all of the coordinating dies you've seen here will be available for purchase on April 15th.

The other girls have oodles of ideas ready to share with you and I can't wait to see them for myself:

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

Thanks so much for your visit!

Melis

fresh blooms...

Pheeew....what a busy week!  I don't mean to ignore my little blog, but I've had my head down and have been working and creating like crazy.  Lots to share with you very soon, but for today, I'm forcing myself to sit and post a bit.  Things around my house are looking so fresh and spring-y.  I am learning to find the beauty in this old, desert wasteland of mine, ha!  My husband's eyes light up with all that surrounds us and I am learning to see the why he loves it so much here.   The Indian Paintbrush are popping up everywhere, wildflowers are making their way out of the earth and up towards the sun, even some buds beginning to open on our trees, and I can't forget to mention the baby calves that sprinkle the fields on our drive into town.  We try to count them , but there are too many to number.  I love all of theses sweet signs of spring and am so inspired by them...something about the freshness, the new life, and the hope that spring brings.  

This first card was created for Emma's Paperie with My Mind's Eye as our focus.  I LOVE My Mind's Eye.  What an inspiring company!  It was fun to stock up and create a little something using their products.  

You can find a complete supply list and instructions HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.

Lastly, a fresh and fruity number.  I love mixing in the weathered woodgrain patterned paper from My Mind's Eye with soft elements such as a Freckled Fawn doily, Prima flower, and Memrie Mare scrunched seam binding.  I love the combination of rough and weathered with gentle, soft accents.  The Black Heart Lace Washi Tape is also from Freckled Fawn and I love the punch of boldness it adds.  The sentiment and floral cardstock stickers are from the C'est La Vie Melissa Frances collection and I used Papertrery Ink's A Little Argyle stamp set along with the Button Card die to add lots of layers.  Definitely a hodge podge of what was scattered on my desk, but I love left-overs!  They inspire me.

Have a beauty!

Melis

 

easter wishes...

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the Freckled Fawn Gift Certificate.  It's been a wonderful, busy, lazy, happy, relaxed Spring Break and I'm sad to see it coming to an end.  There are Polly Pockets, Barbies, Pet Shops, and little signs of my bean everywhere and I love the messes, the happy distractions, and the sweet gift of having here around all day.  Summer break will be here before we know it!

The winner of the Freckled Fawn Gift Certificate is.................

BARB MURPHEY!

Barb, please email me and I'll make sure your Gift Certificate finds its way to you!

Thank you all for participating.  

I created a few new wall hangings using the Sizzix 3-D Fringed Flower die and vintage images from Iralamija and Digital Paper.  The scrunched seam binding can be purchased at My Craft Spot.

 

Enjoy your Saturday and Happy Easter!

Melis

new memories...

Well, we did it!  A monumental occasion around here...one that makes our hearts grow and we are so happy for a sweet, new memory.  I had talked to my little one before we had her hair cut about donating her lovely locks to help another child, so to all of you who asked and encouraged, that was already in the works.  Thank you for your lovely suggestions.  She looks so completely irresistible.  I am smitten with her.  She is smitten with herself.  And, her daddy...he hasn't really said much to me about it, so I'm just letting him ease into it, but just tonight I heard him talking on the phone to his brother and he was going on and on about her looking as cute as a button and how much he loved her sweet, new haircut.  Too cute and tender.  Just when we thought we couldn't love her more....

Today, in honor of all things girly, how about a shabby, frilly, glittery card?  I created this as I start on my new adventure with the Vintage Cafe Card Challenge blog.  Our challenge this week was simply to use pearls. This girl loves pearls, so I had a fun time with it.  I used Papertrey Ink's Wildflower Garden and Bitty Background Blocks stamp sets, and my favorite die cut chipboard technique including painting, stamping, sanding, distressing with ink, and adding glitter.  I used the Large Scallop Border die and the Flower Fusion #11 die.  

Be sure to stop by the Vintage Cafe Card Challenge blog to see what the other designers have created.  I know I can't wait to see their creations!

 

Happy weekend!

Melis

freckled fawn...

Hi everyone!  Today I have some exciting news to share...a couple of items actually.  The first you'll notice at the top of this post.  I have been asked to join the Freckled Fawn Design Team and I am so excited.  I think their products are the sweetest bits of craftiness and they inspire me so much.  Today, I am participating in a blog hop/giveaway announcing the new design team members and we have each been asked to create a little something for you using items from Freckled Fawn.

Freckled Fawn is full of beautiful Washi Tape and I have been having so much fun using it.  I used my favorite Heart and Cloud Washi Tape on the card above along with a doily and trim, also found at Freckled Fawn.  

Trims, tapes, doilies, ribbons, labels, tags, etc....so many sweet and unique items can be found there.

Another of my favorite items found at Freckled Fawn are the Daisy Embellishments.  They just make me smile looking at them.

In order to properly celebrate Freckled Fawn's first Design Team, each designer is giving away a $5.00 gift card to the shop along with another, larger giveaway found on the Freckled Fawn blog.  All you have to do is tell me what your favorite product found at Freckled Fawn is.  I know I can't wait for the Wild Flower Washi Tape to make its appearance! 

Leave a comment on this post and I will announce the winner on Saturday, April 8th!

Be sure to visit the blogs of the other designers and enter to win their giveaway.  These girls are amazing!  I am so happy to get to know them better and enjoy their work.

Marcy Penner

Anna-Maria Wolniak

Lastly, while you're reading this, I am out of town, taking my little one to see her Grandpa and Grandma.  My little bean informed me today that she is ready for some change, because a girl needs change...her words.  So, my mom and I are taking her to get her hair cut.  You might be wondering what the big deal is...well, her hair goes all the way down to her bottom...I LOVE her hair and love doing all sorts of things with it, and we're going with a drastic change here in this little 8 year olds life...she wants a bob.  So, off goes about 14 inches or so!  Her daddy is having a very hard time with it.  Me, I'm excited and can't wait to see her sweet, blue eyes peeking out from her new do!

Have a wonderful few days.

Melis 

monday with...

My little one...home on Spring Break and I love it! We are super low-key and relaxed around here without too many plans other than a trip to see Grandpa and Grandma later in the week.  For now though, lots of doing whatever we feel like doing.  

I have added a challenge to the forum at Papertrey Ink if you want to play along sometime when you find you have a minute.  Here is the recipe:

 Create a card or tag using the following ingredients:

1. A heart
2. Birthday themed
3. Scallops
4. A background stamp
5. Buttons

 

Easy and fun...no stress, pressure, or deadline, just create because it's good for you and makes you happy!

My card uses Papertrey Ink's Background Basics:  Wrought Iron and 2012 Birthday Tags stamp sets, Edgers #5,  Limitless Layers 2 1/4" Ovals, and Small Scallop Border die collections.  The paper is from the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection, scrunched seam binding from My Craft Spot, and the darling button in the corner...my new favorite thing, is from [a flair for buttons] by my friend Shelley Haganman.  They are so much fun!

 

Happy Monday!
Melis 

Year of Flowers Revisited...

Happy April!  Today I have a fun Spring project for you created for Papertrey Ink's Sr. Design Team Challenge.  We were asked to revisit the Year of Flowers stamp sets and create something new to share with you.  I love this series of stamp sets...each one so beautiful and detailed.  I chose to use the Year of Flowers:  Violets set as this flower reminds me of my Grandma Haslam who always had these lovely, delicate flowers growing in her house.  I remember their deep, rich purple and the feel of their soft, fuzzy leaves. 

I used Papertrey Ink's medium glassine bags and die cut the top using the Small Scallop Border Die.  I then broke out my silver embossing powder and set to work transforming the glassine bags by stamping the violet image using the VeraMark Watermark Stamp Pad and embossing powder.  I haven't ever tried this technique before on a glassine bag, so I was excited to see how beautifully it turned out.   

I then used the Limitless Layers 2 1/4" Oval Die Collection and created tags for the front of the bags.  Once again I used the VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad and this time Stampendous Winter Wonderland Opaque embossing powder.  The sentiments used on both tags are from the Year of Flowers Collections Stamp Set.    

For this first bag I die cut bookprint paper using the Bloom Builders #3 die to create a  handmade embellishment.  I topped it with a button cut using Vintage Cream felt and the Buttoned Up #2 die.  

I created another handmade embellishment for this bag using the Loopsy Daisy die, bookprint, Vintage Cream felt, the Heart Border die, and the Beautiful Blooms II #3 die.  For the center of the flower, I rolled the felt border cut from the Heart Border die and turned it upside down so the pointed ends were showing.  

A bit of vintage trim tucked into the flower finished it off ...such a fun flower to make!

The vintage images are from Digital Paper and were printed here at home.  I then used the Tag Sale #1 and Tag Sale #6 dies and created tags from the digital images.  

Thanks so much for visiting.  The other Sr. Design Team members have projects to share with you as well.

Betsy Veldman
Maile Belles
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols

Before I go, I wanted to tell you about a beautiful Russian challenge blog I am happy to be part of called the Vintage Cafe Card Challenge blog.  For all of you shabby, vintage lovers out there, this is a perfect place to come and be inspired and to play along with the challenges.  I can't wait to get started!

Melis