LilyBean Paperie

love.lives.here...

Spring has been singing the sweetest songs to me this morning....maybe you heard the same songs at your house....birds, silence, lawn mowers in the distance, more silence....all topped off with fresh, cool, air whispering in through the windows.  We've been getting rain showers almost everyday here for the past few weeks....they bring a smile to my face, as there is nothing that cheers me as much as seeing the rain clouds roll in, the temperatures dropping a bit, and smelling the earth as it is touched by rain....it's been the most wonderful spring.

I only have a few minutes this morning before we head off to church, but I wanted to share a little something with you.  I created this for the Emma's Paperie blog after this tiny phrase had been floating around in my mind....I knew what I wanted to say, but didn't know how it would come together until after it was complete.  I used a sweet Melissa Frances chipboard house as my focal point and then went to town.  A complete supply list and step-by-step instructions can be found on Emma's blog.  This was such fun to make as I had my own little house in mind as I created this.....hopefully what is felt within the walls of our home is always love.....I want it to seep into every corner and be felt as the doors open....it is so important to me.  I want my family to feel safe, loved, accepted, at peace, and like themselves in my home...it's an ongoing quest, but one I enjoy each day.  We are careful what we listen to...what we watch and mindful of how we speak to each other.  I want the angels to feel welcome in my home and for the Spirit of my Heavenly Father to dwell here as well.  It seems we all need a haven...a place to call our own, and I hope my family will find it here with me, wherever our home may be...always.

I'm looking forward to some fun Summertime creating and first on my list is the latest workshop by my friend, Lisa Pace.  I have enjoyed her past workshops and this one really excites me as it's all about my most favorite holiday.  You can read more about her Americana Workshop and get signed up and ready to go by visiting HERE....it begins tomorrow :)

Off I go....hope you have a wonderful Sunday today.

Melis

shabby apple...

 Happy Summer Break :)  Lazy mornings in jammies, sweet, green, grass between our toes, swaying in the tire swing, and hot afternoons at the pool...I am looking forward so many things this summer.  This is officially our "first" summer break as mommy and little one, and I can already begin to feel myself relaxing.  I decided to set some summertime goals for myself, and today thought of my first.....

Summertime Goal #1:  Learn how to bake homemade bread

I'll let you know how it goes and will happily take any pointers or delicious recipes...I can't guarantee mine will turn out delicious, but I'm going to try my darnedest :)
  Here is a little peek at what Sierra and I made and delivered to her teacher today on this last day of Kindergarten.  We made her a some fresh Cowboy Cookies, a handmade card, and picked her out a sweet Honeydew candle.  The colors were inspired by Miss Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge.  The cute apple and sentiment stamps are from the Teacher's Apple stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  I also used the Polka Dot Basics stamp set, Vintage Cream cardstock, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics paper, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, and Dark Chocolate ink, Spring Moss Grosgrain, Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon, a large glassine bag, and Vintage Buttons, in Hibiscus Burst and Vintage Cream.  The glittery paper is from K&Co. Cut N Paste, the glittered heart from Melissa Frances, and the blossoms from Making Memories.

And...as mentioned previously....another birthday card for you.   I used a vintage image from Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps Girlfriend collection.  Oh yes....I love these images :) 

Oh yes...how could I forget to share these darling dresses I'm drooling over for my little Bean from The Shabby Apple :)  How can I choose just one ?

Perhaps I love this one the best....

Or maybe this one....

This one has most definitely stolen my heart....

Gonna be a toughie....need to practice some self-control, eh?  Perhaps I just thought of my next goal.

Summertime Goal #2:  Make Sierra some sweet Summery dresses :)

Melis

the princess and the pea...

Sweet, fleeting, innocent childhood.....Little Lilybean....one day when you read mommy's entries,  I hope you are smiling and can feel my arms wrapped around you.  I have watched you grow right before my eyes...leaps and bounds in a matter of moments it seems.  Today you graduated from Kindergarten...I tried my hardest to not  let the tears come....but it was such a bittersweet event for me.  I adore every little inch of you....when you're sassy, when you're sweet, when you try my patience, when you love me and accept my imperfections....all of it...I'll take it because it is what encompasses you and makes you my original little 5-year old.  Right now I can't help but be fascinated by your imagination.  The other day you were sneaking around...in and out of the house, I knew something was up, but didn't want to interrupt what was bound to be a memory to make me smile.  Sure enough, you grabbed my hand, pulled me up to your bedroom and showed me your new pet.  It was a perfectly round Rollie Pollie as you like to call them...Tato Bugs is another name for them.  You put your sweet bug in the microwave of your play kitchen, tucked him in with a blanket, poured him a bubble bath with real bubbles, and picked him fresh leaves from the apple tree for dinner.  His name is Pea...because he reminds you of the green peas we like to have with dinner.  So....I can't help but smile as I peek in your microwave when I tidy your room up....I never want you to lose your imagination...it is as priceless as you are.  Thank you for being mine :)  We have one more walk to school tomorrow....I have enjoyed our morning walks, hand in hand...I realize this is the last as we will be living too far out of town to enjoy this simple pleasure...so I can't wait to have one more morning stroll with you, although I would happily take one each and every day for the rest of my life.

To my friends, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement...for your own tales of motherhood, sisterhood, friendship....you are each so special and I have so enjoyed getting to know you all.

Get ready for a few days of birthday cards as I have been working on quite a few....I seem to enjoy the frills, glitter, and glam that come with making more feminine cards....but I have quite a few masculine cards to share as well. Lots of Melissa Frances on this first card...paper, rubons, gems, sticker, and clear stamp.  The rubon crown is from Heidi Swapp, and the flowers and dotted paper are from Prima.

  Melissa Frances paper here, Basic Grey paper, Maya Road chipboard, Little Yellow Bicycle sitcker, and Papertrey Ink stamps.

Last one for today... I adore this little sailboat stamp from Papertrey Ink's Men of Life stamp set.  Along with the stamp, I used Ocean Tides cardstock, Smokey Shadow and True Black ink, Vintage Cream twill, and of course Background Basics: Text Style stamp set.  The journaling spot is from K&Co. and the paper from Basic Grey.

And....just look what is popping up all over our property where we're building....we couldn't resist snapping some photos of our landscaping :)  They are so beautiful and vibrant..happy to have some color out my windows.

Hope you're all having a wonderful week.

Melis

so thankful...

Happy Memorial Day everyone. 

 

Melissa Frances paper, metal button, glitter chipboard star, and die cut star along with Jenni Bowlin paper, and a Maya Road Bingo card rubon.  Tattered Angels Glimmer Chip and Glimmer Mist also used.

Jenni Bowlin paper, Crafty Secrets Creative Scrap, Melissa Frances ticket stub, and a 7gypsies tag used here along with a Tattered Angels Glimmer Chip and Glimmer Spray.

These were created for the Tattered Angels blog.  Details on both projects can be found HERE. 

I have so much and so many to be thankful for today.

Enjoy your holiday.

Melissa

four walls...

Our little country house in the mountains is coming together....I am just now allowing myself to get excited.  We are getting so close...I am so in awe of my husband and his able hands....to know that he did this on his own with the help of some very generous and helpful friends and family warms my heart and makes it even more special.  Today I picked the cabinets of my dreams....I am smiling at the thoughts of what they will look like when they're all done....my kitchen will indeed be the heart of my home...here's a peek at what I am going to be doing.... 

Photo from Country Living magazine

Seeeeee the beautiful ceiling tiles used as the backsplash!!!   I love it....HE loves it which surprises me.....so we're doin' it :)  I even get some painted pieces in my kitchen and crafty room...good GLORY!  I have some major quirks in my decorating style....so, I never know how things will go over....but my boy is always happy to turn me loose...I think it will come together beautifully. 

A quick post for you tonight...a little something created for Emma's Paperie this week.  This card is based on a sketch by Lisa Dorsey....lots of ideas waiting for you on the Emma's Paperie blog....ohhhh...and I happen to know that if you're lookin' for the new Early Bird line from October Afternoon, that Emma's has a fresh shipment just waitin' :)

Good night my friends.

Melis

proud pink love affair...

Happily, joyfully, tearfully, touched to be part of this... I was invited by Stephanie Ackerman to join in creating a little something beautiful...filled with love...for an auction to benefit and support the fight against Breast Cancer.  My heart is with all of you who have been touched in some way by this disease in any form.  I'll be sure to keep you posted as this event progresses.

Before I go....foolin' around in some glitter and paint again.   I created this using chipboard from Maya Road, Heart Prints and Fresh Alphabet stamp sets from Papertrey Ink, along with, Berry Sorbet cardstock, a Hibiscus Burst Vintage Button, Vintage Cream twill and ink, and a bit of Dark Chocolate ink as well.  The velvet leaves and pretty, pretty journaling paper are from Prima, and the background paper and sweet pink polkas are from Melissa Frances.

Just a few more days until it's Summer Break....that means staying in jammies, lazy, warm, drippy, Popsicle days, and enjoying the last few months of my little one being 5....

Melis

raspberry red and sunflowers..

Hello Monday :)

Was it ever hard to wake up this morning....I let my husband and little one both sleep in and get a few extra winks...today will be busy and toasty here.

This morning I have a fun blog relay to share with you.  Tattered Angels has paired up with Cosmo Cricket. The Design Team members from both teams are mixing in products from these wonderful manufacturers and have been creating some beautiful things.  Today it's my turn to share....and to shout out my love for Cosmo Cricket....lucky me...I was able to work with the Girl Friday line...I couldn't resist smiling the whole time.  This line is adorable.

  I mixed in colors from this inspirational picture I have had tucked away from Country Home.   I think you'll be seeing this combo over and over again around here as I LOVE it....Summer is on it's way :)

Along with the Girl Friday line from Cosmo Cricket, I used Tattered Angels Framed Fonts from the Nature Alphabet and Regal Alphabet sets.  I used beautiful Glimmer Mist in Mimosa and Sunflower to brighten then up and bring them to life. 

Yukari from Cosmo Cricket's Design Team will be sharing her work on her blog.

And, Michelle Van Etten from Tattered Angels will be sharing her work on her blog. 

Thank you to both manufacturers for sponsoring this fun blog relay...I enjoyed myself so much!

Tattered Angels Blog

Tattered Angels

Cosmo Cricket Blog

Cosmo Cricket

And, as if you haven't had enough from me already, I have another card to share using a new stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  This card uses the Bird Watching and Bird Watching Additions stamp sets along with Kraft cardstock, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics paper, Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate, and Hibiscus Burst ink, Sweet Blush Satin ribbon, and a Hibiscus Burst Vintage button. I also used some Melissa Frances paper and gems, a Jenni Bowlin ticket stub, and a bit of K&Co. Madeline paper. Lastly, I must mention the adorable vintage leaf trinket pins I've been using...they're from Maya Road and you can find them HERE....I'm just sayin' :)

Enjoy your Monday.

Melis

evening song...

There's something I love about the song that comes with the evening...maybe it's because my husband comes home about then....I love the long shadows, the quiet rustle of the leaves in the trees, the cool evening air, the crickets singing....I love it all and it's a beautiful way to wrap up the day.

Today I have a card and a recipe for you as promised.    I was thinking about my mom while making this card the other day....I always love to create with someone specific in mind.  She is someone I love from head to toe...inside and out...day in and day out.  She's the type of person that is always put together...she always smells so sweet and yummy...tidy as a pin....involved in just about everything there is to be involved with...and can do anything.  I need to share her Chocolate Ice Box Dessert recipe with you...it's pure heaven I tell you, and it only tastes good when she makes it.

I used many of my favorite things on this card...Melissa Frances paper, gems, and elements from a Attic Treasures  Postcard kit (picture and resin photo corners), a Glimmer Chip from Tattered Angels, along with Pink Bubblegum Glimmer Mist...I included a close up of the leaf so you could see the beautiful shimmer that is left when the mist dries, and a couple of my most favorite stamp sets from Papertrey Ink, including Life and Background Basics: Text Style stamp sets, Spring Moss cardstock, Dark Chocolate Ink, and Vintage Cream buttons.

Now, here's the Blueberry Cream Muffin recipe for you.  The only addition I made was sprinkling sugar on top of the muffins before I baked them.  They're so good.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Cream-Muffins/Detail.aspx

Enjoy your Spring evening.

Melis

flower patch and screen doors...

How I wish I had a green thumb....I love to buy flowers and plant them...I love to eat fresh veggies from the garden....but if my flowers live long enough to enjoy, and my veggies make it to the picking and eating stage....it's a wonder.  I can grow squash like no-body's business though. 

I've been enjoying the new Creative Scraps from Crafty Secrets lately....the vintage images take me away and make me dream of life long ago where you hung your linens out on a clothesline, bottled up fresh peaches and pears, and put your best dress on to head to the grocery store :)  I am enchanted with anything vintage and the stories behind each element.

A favorite image of mine from Country Home...I'm a lover of old weathered Coca Cola crates...so this picture is heaven to me.  I used it as an inspiration piece for my card this morning.

See this is the flower patch I enjoy in my dreams.  I used Papertrey Ink's Gold Shimmer cardstock, White Sympathy stamp set for the beautiful flourish, and Beyond Basics:  Borders sentiment for the sentiment.  The ribbon is beautiful Dark Chocolate grosgrain, ink is also Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Fizz.  The journaling label is from Creative Imaginations, paper from DCWV, the flowers have been dusted with pink glitter, and here is a link for the darling vintage image from Crafty Secrets Creative Scrap Garden collection.

Today as the fresh morning breeze flows through my house and my little one plays house and chatters to all of her stuffed animals and imaginary friends, I am so content and happy and thankful for every little thing.

We're getting everything ready for a BBQ with daddy in just a couple of hours....I love Saturdays.

Enjoy your day today.

Melis

P.S.  I'll post the muffin recipe for you tomorrow :)  Thanks for waiting.

sunshine afternoon...

What a beautiful day....picnic at the park...3 adorable little ones...messy and happy and letting their imaginations run wild...a sweet talk with a friend in the sunshine (something I needed and appreciate)...and now, one tired and cranky little bean :)  She'll sleep snug and sound tonight.  Life is good and I have so much to be thankful for.  Tonight I needed my husband....not for any other reason than I was just worn out from the duties that come with being mommy...I needed his solidity and strength, but I'm pretty good at just plugging through those feelings and soon I'm alright again...he's so busy right now, and I support him by being happy and strong myself.  I don't want him to ever think of me as being ungrateful for all he does.  But tonight, it seemed like a little prayer was answered because out of the blue, he was home, if even for just 15 minutes, and it was just what I needed....a happy note...I adore him. 

I get to share my Papertrey Ink May projects with you tonight.  I mentioned before how much I love the sets in this month's release...oh, they're beautiful. 

  This card uses 2 of my favorite sets....the wings are stamped with the new Background Basics:  Text stamp set and the beautiful flourishes you see are from the new Fancy Flourishes stamp set.  I'm worried I'm going to wear both of these sets out....a must have, a staple, keep reaching for, use again and again, sort of fetish I have with them.  You can also see the new Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow color I used here to stamp with...it's so lovely.

  Next is the sweetest patriotic set ever...I'm a sucker for the 4th of July...my porch is a fine example as my husband teases me that it looks like I'm ready for a yard sale when I get out all of my decorations...I love the good old red, white, and blue :)  Lisa Johnson designed this set called Let Freedom Ring... hope she knows how much I love it. 

  Next up is the Day at the Beach stamp set designed by Candice Aguilar....holy cuteness....the ONLY bikini I have ever loved and am proud to show off :).  This is such a fun stamp set...flip flops, umbrellas, star fish, fruit....

  Irresistible little birdies in this new set from Melissa Bickford.  Her sets are called Bird Watching and Bird Watching Additions...bird houses, signs, beautiful sentiments, and of course the darling birds. 

And, one more if you're still with me.  This uses the Fancy Flourishes and Background Basics:  Text stamp sets....addicting, but a very healthy habit in my opinion :).  Oh, and another petite maison from Kim Hesson...thank you Kim!

Be sure to check out the amazing creations from the other Papertrey Ink Designers....such a treat for your eyes.

Enjoy your Friday.

Melis

I made ya breakfast...

cause I'm sweet like that :)

  Blueberry Cream and perhaps a chocolate chip or two....that's the only way I'll eat 'em is if I have a chance of finding some chocolate somewhere within.

  I was invited to participate in the sketch this week for the Got Sketch? blog.  I have always loved Valerie Salmon's creations and her sketches are so inspiring, so I happily played along.  I used Papertrey Ink's Beautiful Blooms and Recipe Box Label stamp sets, Kraft cardstock, Green Tea Leaves paper, Ocean Tides and Dark Chocolate Ink, Aqua Mist Grosgrain, and Hibiscus Burst Vintage Buttons.  I also used Melissa Frances paper and adhesive pearls, trim from Kim Hesson's etsy shop, some Graphic 45 paper, and my favorite vintage book print.

Lastly....another thank you to you from me :)  I created this some time ago for a Paper Crafts magazine special issue...I just adore the birdie stamp here from Melissa Frances...one of my faves. 

So...midnight tonight...is Papertrey Ink Release night...I can't wait....I have to say that this could just possibly be my most favorite release yet....you can visit Nichole's blog to see what I mean...she has made samples upon samples of the most amazing projects using these new sets...lots of fun.  See you then.

Melis

i give you my love with each flower...

to give forth sweet fragrance a whole lifetime through...

My sweet Primary children sang this song, one of my most favorites, on Sunday...I Often Go Walking.  It was so beautiful and the words have been replaying in my mind ever since.  Nothing like little ones singing their hearts out to their mamas :)  My little one picks the most beautiful weeds for me...we keep them alive in a paper cup just as long as we can, and this song reminds me of the love she shows me as she presents them to me each time.  She also made me the most beautiful card...lots of hearts and x's and o's and wet glitter glue :)  Being a mama is absolutely the best thing in the world.

  I have found a new beloved, treasured, item to add to my use forever stash.  I met Kim Hesson just a couple of weeks ago and brought home a sweet little stash of her hand cut wood items...the house you see on this card is one of hers from her Trois Petites Maisons package....I adore these little treasures....so much fun to shabby up...and even the way she packages her items is enchanting...I can't wait to use them again and again.  Her shop is called Miss Alayneeah...cute and quirky :)
I also used a healthy supply of Melissa Frances products here such as paper, a cardstock sticker, ric rac, glitter chipboard, rubon, and resin photo corner.  A touch of K&Co.'s Cut N Paste paper was used as well. 

And, a fruity, juicy color inspired card here created for the Emma's Paperie blog.  I love these colors together...they make me smile as do the projects from the other designers....you can see them all HERE. 

So much to do....but big, fat, allergies dragging me into the ground these past few days.....good news is that I can' t sleep....more time to create....bad news is that I can't sleep :)

Enjoy your Tuesday...did ya know that Papertrey Ink Release night is almost here?

Melis

star prints...

Wishing you all a wonderful Mother's Day...mine was just as sweet as it could possibly be.
Tonight is a fun Papertrey Ink group post introducing a new stamp set called Star Prints...it's adorable.  My project theme centers around a girly teen birthday....you can check each of the designer's blogs to see themes ranging from baby to graduation to a child's birthday, etc...  We were asked to incorporate one of Papertrey Ink's Timeless Templates into our card and gift set and I used my new favorite template called Ready, Set, Wrap.  Talented Lauren Meader comes up with the sweetest templates and this one has won my heart because of how quickly and easily it comes together, not to mention it's unique shape....I adore it.

 

 

  I used my Timeless Template to contain a sweet flower hair clip....my sister-in-law makes these cute things and I couldn't resist snagging a few for my little one...a button and gems were added to coordinate with the packaging.  While I know that thankfully she isn't a teen yet....I love it when I see these beautiful flowers floating around and clipped into her aunt's and cousin's hair.  She not so happily modeled one for me :)  I've been so inspired by this color combination lately.  This image comes from Country Home and I couldn't wait to use it in my project.  I used Papertrey Ink's Sweet Blush and Raspberry Fizz  ink, Hibiscus Burst Vintage Buttons, White Cardstock, and Aqua Mist Grosgrain.  The paper is lovely Melissa Frances from her Fresh Twist line, gems also from Melissa Frances, the flowers from Prima, and the trim from Kim Hesson.

Here are oodles of links for you to enjoy for many more ideas using this stamp set:
Nichole Heady, Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olson, Geny Cassady, Heather Nichols, Lauren Meader, Lisa Johnson, Mish Wooderson, Niki Estes, and Becky Oehlers.

Happy Monday.

Melis

frou frou...

It's my thing....not to wear, not to decorate with, but to look at, dream about, and create with....I can't help but enjoy fussy frou frou :)  The trims, the buttons, sprinkles of glitter, layers of paper and elements...details, details.  I bought Somerset magazine's Marie and Life issues to pour over while I traveled last weekend....and I can't wait to look through them again...truly mesmerizing. When I close my eyes at night...these are the things that float through my mind.

I wonder what my little one will love....she's always been an outdoorsy girl...follows her daddy around with a wrench while wearing her cowboy boots and hat.  The other day she told me that when she is a mommy, she's going to teach her honey how to ride a horse and be a cowgirl.  So many things about that one sentence have been repeating themselves in my mind.  The fact that she wants her to be a cowgirl just like she is....that she wants to teach her (very sweet and the thoughts of this in many years warms my heart), and that she already refers to her little girl as "her honey".  Sigh....5 is sweet...sometimes downright maddening, but when I sneak up to her room to check on her after she's asleep,  I love to kneel by her bed and study her beautiful face, and then all of the not-so-perfect things we've experienced together during the day, seem to fade away and I look forward to trying again the next day.  I love her fun quirky style....most definitely not frou frou...but completely enchanting.

  I love these shaped Kraft card bases from Worldwin Papers...they are some of my favorite to play around with.  I used Melissa Frances paper, rubons, resin, cardstock sticker, gems, and chipboard on this along with a Maya Road flower, Creative Imaginations die cut, and trims from my friend Debi, and some I purchased from another new friend, Kim Hesson.  I met her at the Reflections Event, and found the funnest stash of vintage ephemera.  She was so kind and sweet as well.  You can shop her etsy store to see for yourself.  It was a treat to meet you Kim :)

Lastly a little something for my cowgirl's room :)  I used more Melissa Frances paper, rubons, chipboard, cardstock stickers, gems, and dimensional stickers here along with K&Co. paper ribbon, and assorted things purchased at my craft store.

Off to mop, dust, vacuum, and...all of the not so frou frou things that the reality of life bring....

Enjoy your day.

Melis

roses and cream...

A sweet, Spring night to you :)
I love the unwinding hours of the day....windows fly open to let in the cool evening air, the day is wrapped up with bath time and stories, and most of all looking back on the day...remembering the things I loved...memorizing certain moments...and promising myself to try harder, do better, and learn from the mistakes I made today.

I met a sweet new friend at the Reflections Event...her name is Debi, and it was such a treat to meet her. She brought me the most lovely package of vintage trims, buttons, and ribbons...I have been pouring over them and smiling as I think about the wonderful experience I had.  So today...a little card made using some her sweet trimmings...thank you Debi.

  One big favorite of mine right now is K&Company's Cut N Paste collection...the paper here is from this line....it's the kind of stuff I want to hoard...along with a bit of Jenni Bowlin, and a Basic Grey rubon.

Well....off to make some cookies to send with my little one tomorrow...she is setting off on a big adventure...one that is killing her mama as I am letting her go without me, but one that I know she will love and always remember.

Enjoy your Thursday.

Melis

beyond all lessons...

Today I am teary....the realization that my little one will be gone away from me all day as she starts 1st grade had been on my mind continually.  My life truly changed for the better the day she was placed in my arms.  She has made me stretch, grow, bend, and melt in ways that I needed...mothering has softened me and I am so thankful that she is the sweet little girl I have the privilege of loving forever.

I was given a kit from Bety not too long ago and was asked to create a few Mother's Day cards using it.  I couldn't resist including a peek at my Artistic Bliss Josette Craft Tote in the last picture :)  I adore it...

This kit is just as sweet as can be...I enjoyed working with the soft colors, trims, and darling accents.  You can purchase Bety's Mother's Day card kit HERE in her store called Dream Designs. 

I'm so looking forward to Mother's Day...it is truly a special day for me personally and I have the most wonderful mom...she  means the world to me.  My mother-in-law teaches me so much, and my sweet grandmothers who have passed on quite some time ago, have left such an impression on me.  I feel so lucky to have had these amazing women in my life.

I'll leave you with another favorite quote today, and then it's off to get my babe from school.

"Beyond all lessons, beyond the model she provided, my mother gave me a parent's ultimate gift:  she made me feel lovable and good.  She paid attention; she listened; she remembered what I said.  She did not think me perfect, but she accepted me, without qualification."

FREDELLE MAYNARD 

 

Melis

life is but a dream..

I don't know quite where to begin, except to say, that I am still smiling and thinking of my time teaching, laughing, and meeting new friends at the Reflections Event.  It truly was an experience I will never forget.  I have been thinking so much about those that I met...their love and friendship and support means so much more than they'll ever know.  I enjoyed talking with them while I taught...getting to know them and appreciating them for the wonderful women they are.  I remember names such as Mary, Collette (perhaps she spells it with a K?), Cybil (perhaps she spells her name with an S :)), Annie, Suzy, Katie, Mara May, Susan, Debi, Deena, Kim and Kim, Christine, Cheryl, the Las Vegas girls :), Maggie, Elena, Karen, Stephanie.....I wish I could remember the names of each person I met....but believe me, I will remember your beautiful faces, and the warm welcome and friendship that you shared with me.  I hope we get to meet again. 

I brought home the sweetest, shabbiest, dreamy craft tote I've ever laid eyes on made by Kim Caldwell...such a treat to meet her.  Thank you Kim for chatting with me and making me smile.  My bag's name is Josette....and she has a prominent place in my home :)  You MUST check out Kim's bags....words can't begin to describe them.

Tonight, I smell fresh cut green grass and baby lotion as my husband is out mowing the lawn in the dark :), and my little one has just had her bath and smells just as sweet as can be.  I hear crickets and silence and it feels so wonderful to be home, although Newport Beach has to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited....I am completely enchanted with Balboa Island and feel the need to leisurely stroll down each quaint little street.

Before I head off to catch up on many things, I'd love to share a card I created for Emma's Paperie.  While I was creating it, I was planning on donating it to the silent auction that took place over the weekend to raise money for heart disease....such a wonderful cause and it made creating it much more meaningful.  Step-by-step photos and instructions along with a supply list can be found on HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog along with many beautiful projects from the other designers. 

It's wonderful to talk with you...hope you all had a wonderful week and that this one is off to a sweet start.

Melis