LilyBean Paperie

a thankful heart...

Thanksgiving has always been my most favorite holiday....something about having those I love around me....focusing on one another....a time to sit, relax , play, and catch up together without interruptions...I find it a very simple but incredibly meaningful holiday.  Mine was a very sweet Thanksgiving...my little shadow and I stuck around longer than we usually do for our visit while sending daddy back home without us...but I'm so glad we did....now comes the part of missing my family once again.

I don't have much to share today, but wanted to let you know of a couple of Christmas card kits I designed that are up for sale at The Scrappy Gourmet.  The first is very vintage and oh, so lovely....    Here are just a few of the cards, but this kit comes with instructions and supplies to create 12 vintage Christmas cards.  You can find it HERE.

The 2nd kit is merry & bright....I love the colors and patterns....a quick and easy set to whip up in a hurry.  Here are few peeks...

   
 
 
 
  This kit also comes with instructions and supplies for 12 holiday cards...you can find it HERE.  

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

Melis 
 
 
 

sugared, shabby winterland...

Most of you are on the road or already at your Thanksgiving destination.  Lots of you ARE the destination spot for a warm resting place for your loved ones....some of us will be leaving very soon to spend time with families.  It seems that Thanksgiving means more to me this year than in the past...I'm sure that age has a lot to do with that, but I also feel that we all share a very common bond this year....that of holding dear the things that are the most precious to us as things around us aren't what they used to be.  I am indeed so thankful for my family.

Before I go, a little treat or two to share with you... I'm hooked on these sweet, bare paper mache houses that come in many sizes and shapes....they make the cutest packages....now to find the perfect gift for the inside.   
I used the Home Made stamp set from Papertrey Ink as it is absolutely adorable and makes this process so easy.

I'm thinking of making a few of these to sell....and will sell this little lady as well.  Please email me @ [email protected] if you're interested in a pretty package made just for you.

And....one more before I go....created for Emma's Paperie this week.    Mmmm...I love these pale, creamy colors.  A complete supply list can be found HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.
 
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving.  Life is wonderful.  I am so thankful for each of you.

Melis
 
 

holiday treats...

The girls at Crafty Secrets have all been busy working on a Christmas-themed blog challenge.  For my project I decided to wrap up a Papertrey notepad using a Crafty Secrets Homespun Cotton Scrap.  It seems that my holiday baking list never ends, and so this year I thought it would be fun to create a beautiful spot to hold my oh, so important lists of grocery items, lists of goodies for neighbors, etc.   

I used the Holiday Treats and the Merry & Bright stamp sets from Papertrey Ink along with Vintage Cream cardstock, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, and Dark Chocolate ink, and Ripe Avocado and Vintage Cream buttons.  

  It's about time to get my lists going...always so much fun to try new things for the holidays.

Here are some fun links for you to follow to see many more holiday projects:

·  Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

·  Pam Hooten

·  Heidi Blankenship

·  Marisa Grosson

·  Michele Kovack

·  Linda Duke

·  Michelle Van Etten

·  Flo from France

·  Darlene Pavlick   ( guest designer)

And...the big announcement....Rachel has randomly selected a winner from my blog to win the Darkroom Door stamp sets shown HERE...the winner is Edna who posted at 8:43 p.m. on Nov. 19.  Edna, congratulations!  Please email me with your address and I'll forward it onto Rachel so she can send out your goodies.  Thanks so much to all of you for participating.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. 

Melis

 
 
 

cranberry orange crush...

Got a crush...this time of year, nothing tastes better or smells better baking in my kitchen then cranberry, orange, and pumpkin.... 
 

We made these last night and they are so yummy.  Here is the recipe for you...Libby's Pumpkin Cranberry Bread.  I just made muffins instead of bread and shortened the cooking time a bit....and added sugar over the top of them before placing them in the oven.

I'm making two of these beautiful things today... 

My mom used to make these for my dad's office when I was  little...they remind me of her and of Christmas...and are so beautiful and tasty.  Libby's Pumpkin Roll.

Enjoy your weekend friends.

Melis

 

woodland wishes...

 
Happy Thursday....for us country folk here, that means it's the beginning of the weekend!  I love my weekends with my little one...jammie time, play time, go to the mountains and cut some wood time, movie and popcorn time....you know...all that good stuff.

 

 

I've found that I love working with this color combination lately...Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, and either a splash of Scarlet Jewel or Pure Poppy.  This card was created for Darkroom Door to take part in a fun announcement made on the blog today.  It uses the Yuletide Vol 2 stamp set along with the new Dots Background set and the Yuletide Vol 1 Wordstrip. 
 
 I have a lengthy post for you tonight and want to start with another giveaway for you!  I was recently asked to be a part of the Darkroom Door Creative Team.  I have loved Rachel Greig's stamps from the moment I set eyes on them and am so excited to be joining her and the other amazing artists on the team.  Rachel announced her first Creative Team today and in celebration has allowed each of us to give away some of her stamps on our blogs.  I will be giving away the new Dots Background set along with the new Roses Photo Stamp...so beautiful.    All you have to do is leave me a comment here on my blog and Rachel will select a winner Sunday sometime....she's in Australia, so keep that in mind.  

Be sure to visit the other artist's blog as they are each giving away different sets as well.  

Godelieve Tijskens

Michelle Loffler (to be in Michelle's draw, leave a comment in the thread here)

Sarah Schwerin

Jill Geraghty-Groves
 
Now...onto my favorite color scheme...and I might add, a decorative Christmas theme that I am very fond of...that of woodland Christmas.    This card uses Papertrey Ink's new Background Basics:  Diamonds stamp set along with Holiday Tree, and Holiday Button Bits.  I used Kraft and Vintage Cream cardstock, Ripe Avocado, Fresh Snow, and Pure Poppy ink, and Ripe Avocado Topnotch Twill and a Pure Poppy Vintage button.  

Now, as promised, a bit of a tutorial on my holiday door cards.    
First you'll need Papertrey Ink's new Home Made stamp set for the doors.  

Step 1:  Stamp doors onto cardstock and cut out.  

  
 
Step 2:  Create card base and adhere stamped door to front and a strip of coordinating paper down left side.  Clip pine sprigs into pieces small enough to frame door.  Arrange in an arch for a garland and adhere.   I use hot glue for almost everything, but Beacon's Fabri Tac works great as well.

 

Step 3:  Embellish garland with gems or adhesive pearls and tie a small bow from twine and adhere at the top center of garland.  

Step 4:  Finish card by stamping a sentiment below door and adding a small flourish just above the door.  Apply Silver Stickles to doorknobs.

To recreate the wreath, follow these steps:

 

Step 1:  Clip pine sprigs into small pieces and glue in a circle...a messy one at that with pieces jutting out from the wreath.  Adhere to door and continue to glue if needed.

 

Step 2:  I wanted to add a flocked look to this wreath so I lightly coated it with Ivory Flower Soft....I LOVE this genius stuff...you can purchase it HERE at Emma's Paperie in oodles of colors.  To coat the wreath I used Flower Soft adhesive...I think any adhesive would do...and lightly sprinkled on the flower soft.  Instant snow.

 

Step 3:  Embellish with gems or adhesive pearls.  Tie a bow from twine and adhere at the top.  Stamp your sentiment and embellish the doorknobs with glitter.

That's it...these are so simple and fun.

Just look for Christmas sprigs in the floral section of your craft store that have a fun pine sprig added to them.  I purchased mine with berries and poinsettias and then just clipped out the pine sprigs from the other.  Teters is the brand I purchased.  Hope that helps a bit.

Off to cook some grub.

Night.

Melis
 
 
 
 

 

merry...merry...giveaway time!

**edited to add a Melissa Frances  Thankful giveaway**

Melissa Frances is giving away $250.00 worth of Melissa Frances products....her way of saying thank you to all of her loyal customers, blog readers, and sweet, supportive friends.  To enter, follow THIS LINK and leave a comment telling Melissa what you're thankful for.  One lucky winner will be selected on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26th).  Thank you Melissa!  You are loved.

Some Santa love for you today...and a heartfelt thank you to my friend Becky Fleck for putting up with me lately...I've been a royal pain...I blame it on the lack of Santa Cokes in my refrigerator....but, sigh...she's been ever so patient and I want her to know how much I appreciate her.

  Just a friendly warning that you will be seeing oooodles of vintage Christmassy things plopped on my cards for the next little while....it was a delightful mail day as a bunch of these sweet images made their way home to me...and  I must share them with you.

This first card uses the new Turning a New Leaf and Communique Curves stamp sets from Papertrey Ink, along with Pure Poppy cardstock, Spring Moss and Dark Chocolate ink, and a Vintage Cream button.  A peek of some new Basic Grey paper can be seen along with Melissa Frances paper, a Maya Road heart and October Afternoon stickers.

  This jolly little fellow makes me smile....I used Melissa Frances paper, vintage sheet music, and a Hambly Studios sticker here.

Tomorrow I'll try and have a tutorial up for you on how to recreate your own Holiday Door cards with the pine wreaths and boughs.  I've had a few of you ask about 'em , so I'll see if I can help a bit.

Well...the chicken legs are calling me...time to go bake them, make some more cookies for lunches tomorrow, and start a fire...it's getting chilly here.  Miss Bean is home now and my heart is happy.

Melis
 
 
 

Christmas bling...

I can hardly wait to curl up and watch some of my favorite holiday movies such as White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, the sappy feel-goods on the Hallmark channel, and of course discover some new favorites.  I'm patiently waiting to go cut a Christmas tree in the mountains and decorate it for the first time in our new home.  I'm sad to report the Santa Coca Cola's won't be following me home from the grocery store this year....I'm grounding myself....and I'm excited to get started on my Homespun Holidays journal activities with my little one.  I cannot believe it's Christmastime again...how I love it though.  Thanksgiving will be spent with a couple of my brothers, their cute little families, and my parents....I can't wait...sure wish my whole family could be together though.

I've broken out the bling for these next couple of projects....you know I can't stop.  This first card was created for the November/December issue of Paper Crafts magazine....so much to love about this issue. I used one of my most favorite Melissa Frances products here...a Postcard kit with the actual postcard as the base and the button card as an accent and a Tattered Angels Fleur de leis covered in Mica Flakes to tie it all together.  

Next, a fun holiday tag set created for Emma's Paperie.       Warning....I'm super in love with Ali E's Technique Tuesday stamps....they are fun and cute and I covet her perfect handwriting....but now we can all have it :)

  I've decided that tags are my new favorite creatable....I love 'em...I'm hooked...and I've got all of the supplies for these right HERE for you on the Emma's Paperie blog...be sure to keep checking back for the other designer's tags...Jess Witty made some of the cutest tags ever!

So....before I go...tell me what holiday movie I can't miss the season....what is your fave and I'll be sure to write it down and try and catch it.

Night.

Melis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10 tiny fingers...

I don't think  I have ever experienced a week as busy as this one turned out to be...my head is beginning to stop the whirl as Saturday night brings with it a long list of checked off items, a bit of down time, and a feeling of relief.  The brightest spot in the whole week just happened to be having my sick, little girl home with me throughout all of the business....she keeps me grounded and centered and is a constant reminder of what is the most important item NOT on my list of things to do :)...there is no checklist for mamas....it is a never-ending and natural urge to do what I love the most....nurturing and caring for one of Heavenly Father's little ones.  We have been experiencing some growing pains together...I think sometimes that it must be so hard being six...but I think six is magical...and she is magical...and we are magical together as a family.  I was studying my little girl's hands tonight as she was reading to me at bedtime...have you ever noticed how incredibly sweet, gentle, and beautiful little children's hands are....truly, I can think of nothing so perfect, with their dimples, tiny wrists, delicate little fingers...and all put together so perfectly.  I want to memorize them....those little hands mean so much to me.

Just a few things to show you tonight, then I'm going to go enjoy the fire that my husband made to warm us up tonight.   First a card using Papertrey Ink's new Christmas Friends and Background Basics:  Diamonds stamp sets.  I just love the intricate details in both of these sets. 

Next, a card using the new Big & Bold Wishes stamp set......LOVE those jumbo sentiments....and of course the fun wooden crown cut by Kim Hesson.

  A card using Dawn McVey's newest stamp set called Signature Greetings (how would it be to have handwriting as beautiful as this?) and the Turning a New Leaf stamp set as well....such a beauty this set it.

It's been such a fun release this month....I have to tell you how much I love the Papertrey Ink girls...we are a tight, little group and I just feel so fortunate to get to work with such lovely individuals....all so caring and genuine.

And, lastly...a happy, cheery wall hanging created for Emma's Paperie this week.   All of the supplies can be found HERE, so you can make your own.  

Ooops...one more thing... A sweet little item created for the SEI Lifestyles blog...this was created with their delicious Alpine Frost line (which if you'd like to shop for, you can find it HERE at Emma's as well as their new Christmas Mint line)....AND....just for you, a giveaway is waiting for you there...you don't even need to read the stuff written by me...just ignore it and get to the goods :)  Thank you SEI for inviting me to join you for the week.

G'night my lovelies.

Melis
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

Home Made...

 

I love those two words together....they speak of love, warmth, joy, and comfort...tonight is a night to celebrate all things home made with the next Papertrey Ink Group Post...one that I am so excited about.  Tonight's group post highlights a new stamp set designed by Nichole called Home Made that coordinates with the absolute cutest Timeless Template designed by Lauren Meader.  Our challenge as a design team was to use the stamps on the Home Made template and then show the versatility of using the stamps on their own.

I loved creating my shabby, wintry cottage shown above..the template creates the cutest, most compact gift idea I have ever seen...wish I could show you more of it, but the template will be available on November 15th for only $5.00...along with a complete supply list and instructions on my cottage along with all of the other designer's creations.  These are too cute to give away...in fact, my little girl asked if she could have it after I was done making it...of course I said yes...then she told me what she wanted to do with it...things such as cut out a door for her toy dogs and horse to fit through...color in some more windows...oh, the horror....make a hole here....tear off a dormer there...I do love her, but I think we'll make one just for her.

Now onto the cards....since I adore my red front door...and wreaths...and Christmas...and berries...I wanted to stuff all of these favorites into a couple of mini cards to top off some packages this holiday season.     I used Papertrey Ink's Kraft cardstock along with Pure Poppy and Ripe Avocado ink, Rustic Twine, sentiments from the 2009 Holidays Tags stamp set, and the decorative accent from the Simply Stationary set.  The paper is from Making Memories and Basic Grey and the gems are from Kaisercraft.

I plugged some Christmas music in today....how 'bout you?

Here are some fun links to follow tonight...enjoy!

Betsy Veldman

Dawn McVey

Becky Oehlers 

Geny Cassady

Heather Nichols

Lauren Meader

Lisa Johnson

Nichole Heady

Debbie Olson

Michelle Wooderson

Niki Estes

 

Communique Curves Inspirations...

Let the Papertrey Ink fun begin...I always love this time each month...as the design team girls get their group posts ready for you and Nichole starts cranking out the beauties for us all to enjoy.  Tonight is one of two group posts that we've been preparing for you...this one highlighting a sweet new stamp set designed by Alli Miles, which I've fallen for...our challenge as a design team was to show the versatility of this set by creating one holiday card and one generic card for you. 

We'll start with my holiday card...
Give me anything with a wreath and berries and I'm a gonner....that's how my mind interpreted these images, but you'll notice many of the other designers using them in other creative ways.  

Now for the generic card...

  
Such a fun card to create...I love this set.  

Here are a bunch of amazing creations for you to check out...just click on the designer's blog below and enjoy!  I'm off to give my little, sleeping, grouchy, beauty one more goodnight kiss.

Nichole, Becky, Betsy, Dawn, Debbie, Geny, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, Niki, and Michelle

Merry Christmas card supplies used:

Stamps:  Communique Curves, Vintage Labels (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock:  Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, and Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Scarlet Jewel button, Rustic Twine, and Leaf Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:  Making Memories

Trim:  craft store

Gems:  Melissa Frances

Die cut:  Spellbinder's

 

Thank You card supplies used:

Stamps:  Communique Curves, Vintage Labels, and Heart Prints (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock:  Terracota Tile and Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, and Melon Berry (Papertrey Ink)

Other:  Aqua Mist button and Rustic Twine (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket

Trim:  Melissa Frances

Gems:  Kaisercraft
 

Dr. Mama...

'tis me....my little one came down with Strep yesterday afternoon, so I've got her home with me today...which I love...I actually love doting on my family when their sick...oh yes...it gets old, but I am a born doter...not sure it's a good thing...doting is on the verge of spoiling...but it's OK once in a while...according to Dr. Mama.  Sierra didn't miss hearing the real doctor prescribe a strict diet of ice cream and Popsicles for the next couple of days...hopefully she's enjoying being sick....I remember being home with my mama when I was sick and there wasn't a better place to be.  There are times I still wish she were close enough to dote on me :)

So....how are you all?  I hope  your kiddos, big and small are all weathering the storm of illness.  I have loved reading about the holiday traditions you enjoyed as a child and now with children or grandchildren of your own.  One that I can't wait to get started on is that of creating birdseed and peanut butter ornaments to hang in the trees for the birds....Sierra will LOVE this.  Thanks so much for sharing, and please feel free to continue to do so.

I have a few things to share tonight....I'm attempting cinnamon rolls yet again, and while the dough is rising I thought I'd pop in for a minute. 

It's my day on the Tattered Angels blog....I love their products!   I wanted to use the chipboard frames as tags for the holidays so I matted them with sweet vintage images from Crafty Secrets and dressed them up with Glimmer Glass, tea-stained twill, buttons, gems, and rubons from Melissa Frances.    I wanted to flock the frames just to see what would happen and I loved the results especially with a light dusting of Glimmer Mist on top...it's puffy and soft just like snow....I then added mica flakes on top to add the shimmer.   And then, just for fun, I created a Christmas Journal using more Tattered Angels and Graphic 45...  I'm a sucker for Graphic 45...their papers always remind me of fabric....paper and fabric...mmmmm...

The supplies and a few more details on these two projects are included on the Tattered Angels blog.  

Lastly, I am guest blogging HERE this week:  

 
 
 I will be posting projects throughout the week using SEI's Christmas Mint and Alpine Frost lines..they are YUMMERS....and sadly, I have to talk about myself a bit too....I'm apologizing now, dear, fellow blog readers.....I'm a bore....I admit it....but there I go again, talking about myself.

How about a project peek for you... 
 
 You can see more on the SEI Lifestyle blog.

Hope you have a great Tuesday...Happy, happy Veteran's Day tomorrow....I love my sweet US of A and all those who continue to fight for our freedom and defend what we love and hold dear.  

Melis
 
 
 
 

cozy up...

Good morning....take your coat off, come sit by the fire for a while, put your feet up, grab some hot cocoa and spend a few minutes with me....hope you all had a wonderful weekend. 

I was asked to create a Thanksgiving treat for the Melissa Frances blog....and....I love making treats...so I jumped right in and came up with this pocket filled with goodies.   
 
I used one of my newest favorite Melissa Frances products on this....an envelope and tag from the Envelopes & Tag book....many creative uses available..  I've got the complete supply list and instructions written up for you HERE on the Melissa Frances blog if you'd like to make your own....so much fun and very easy.  I'm crazy for Melissa's crepe paper and wanted to make a huge focal point on this by using some of the cream crepe paper and creating a flower....then to make it pop a bit more I coated the flower with Indian Corn and Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels.  And....the project wasn't complete until I glittered a couple of chipboard pieces using some beautiful Melissa Frances glitter as well.  Happy Fall.

And...before I go... The Papertrey Ink girls are helping Cath from the Moxie Fab World Blog celebrate her Blog-o-versary...we were each asked to create a card using a specific new stamp set....3 beautiful stamp sets are up for grabs along with all of our autographed cards....so, if you have a minute, there are some beautiful things waiting for you HERE on Cath's blog.  Happy Blog-o-versary Cath.  I think you're wonderful.   I was asked to create a card using Papertrey Ink's  Holiday Tree set designed by Heather Nichols....it's such a sweet set...along with the others highlighted today.

Hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Melis
 
 
 

homespun holidays...

December is just around some corners (as my little one would say) and I've created a fun holiday journal for Emma's Paperie that I'd like to share with you and invite you all to participate in a Homespun Holiday Journal of your own.  I created this with the intention of dividing December into 12 days of homespun holiday memories... Inside are 12 pages embellished and ready to contain pictures, notes, lists, recipes, articles, stories, etc...the key here is to center our Christmas around memorable activities that bring us together, don't cost much, and that we will want to include as part of our Christmas tradition from here on out...some could most definitely be flops...but I want to try...I want to focus on the simple things...I want my little girl to be more interested in what we do together than on what she wants under the tree.   So....starting off, every other day starting December 1st, my little one and I...daddy too when he can, will sit down and create....things such as:

• a popcorn and cranberry garland for our tree
• jumbo gingerbread men
• a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas
• sugar cookies for the neighbors
• a Frosty to peek at through the windows...here's hoping we get enough snow for one. 
• making sweater beanie hats (here is a link to the CUTEST, easiest pattern):   http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=58&sid=8464613 
• homemade suckers
• Christmas cards for the cousins

  
  I need to collect more fun ideas for us, but I'd love to hear yours...what are some fun ways you can bring your children or grandchildren closer together for the holidays...how can we teach them the importance of giving, sharing, and of family togetherness?

 
 
 
   I love clipping envelopes in journals...always a great spot for loose odds and ends that will someday be a treasure.  

I want to create one of these each year and someday will have a beautiful stack of them to present to my little girl filled with her Grandma Boley's cinnamon roll recipe complete with pictures of us making them together, pictures of our handmade ornaments with snippets of the fabric tucked into an envelope, her letter to Santa throughout the years, and many more memories as well.

So....will  you join me?  You have all of November to create you journal, then beginning in December the fun begins and you start filling it full of memories to hold dear.

A complete supply list and instructions for this journal can be found HERE on Emma's Paperie blog.

Have a sweet Friday.

Melis
 
 

indulge me...

Just for me....for her too someday....I want her to know how much she is loved...then, now, always...I love her tears, frowns, hands on hips, and stomps on the floor.  She is mine and she is adored and loved unconditionally.  I could never get enough of her.  She is getting her phrases all mixed up right and and I LOVE it....I don't correct her...I just enjoy her...things such as "full as a stump", or "sure bet"...which is a mixture between "you bet" and "sure thing"....I don't want these days to end.     Her daddy is smitten...best of buddies.  They are going elk hunting tomorrow...camping, the whole bit.  She, daddy, great-grandpa, and the mules will head up in the afternoon to set up camp and get dinner going.  I'm excited for them....and am now remembering that he needs a little lesson on how to put her hair in a simple ponytail....this will be good for them :)
 
 
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
    
Thanks for indulging me....

Sleep tight angel of mine.

Melis
 
 
 
 

bake some love...

There is something about baking that I love....yes it makes my house smell delicious, and spicy, and buttery, and warm...but more than that, it speaks love...something about having a homemade treat ready for a hungry 1st grader...a tired daddy...a midnight snack...or to enjoy together around the table.  So today....cinnamon rolls are on the menu....I can't make them worth a darn...but I'm on a quest to perfect them.  Do you love to bake....tell me your speciality....let's share.  I think I want to try some Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls....I think....still on the fence cause the regular kind are so good....but here's a recipe I found to try.

A little basket of goodness that stares at me in my craft room and makes me oh so happy....my trims all tumbled together naturally...some already dipped in tea...some still waiting....and a little peek of a beautiful creamy pink flower that is part of a project I'm working on for Frost it Pink...coming soon.

This is about as organized as I get when it comes to my supplies....I'm challenged in that area, but I'm learning to embrace my organizational dysfunctionality...this is a pretty mess, don't you think?

I love pockets....so fun to stuff and fill with a beautiful surprise... The library pocket is from Martha Stewart, paper and tag from Melissa Frances, and Spring Moss buttons, Scarlet Jewel, Spring Moss, and Ripe Avocado inks, and the Remember and Text Style  II stamp sets are all from Papertrey Ink....I might of gotten a little carried away with my Glimmer Mist on this...maybe...naaah... I love the stuff and sprayed this with Cream de Rouge and Cream de Cocoa Glimmer Mist...very addicting...but it makes a pretty mess too, don't you think?

 

Here's to a beautiful November day...enjoy it.  It's been so warm here....warm enough to go on a moonlit bike ride at 4:30 in the afternoon yesterday...this Daylight Savings stuff is screwy.

Melis
 
 
 
 
 

angel wings and i love yous...

Hope you had a sweet weekend....I'm sad it's over, but always enjoy getting back into our familiar routine.  I'm anxious for school to be out today as I miss my little one terribly after having her around for the last few days....I know I'm not normal....but she's got my heart and it follows her wherever she goes.  

This candy-striped number uses Melissa Frances paper, rubon, and vintage image, glittered angel wings and trim from my stash, and Zva Creative flowers...along with the Giga Guide Lines stamp set from Papertrey Ink stamped in Ripe Avocado and Fresh Snow ink.

   This homespun  card was created for Emma's Paperie based on a sketch there....so fun to use such beautiful supplies...a complete list can be found HERE along with the other designer's creative projects.  

And...now...gosh...I have an announcement that leaves me weak in the knees....a once-in-a-lifetime, so honored and humbled type of opportunity...that involves someone that I admire so very much.   

Artistic Affaire Les Sirenes

July 16 & 17, 2010

Los Angeles, CA

A few months ago, while teaching at the Reflections 2009 event, I had the pleasure of meeting Kim Caldwell....I spoiled myself and bought one of her irresistible craft totes, visited with her for a bit...and instantly became enchanted with her and the lovely events she puts together.  Well, little did I know that I would be invited to teach at her upcoming event in July 2010...it's going to be so beautiful, beachy, and breezy. 

You'll find some Save the Date details about the event on Kim's blog.  I would love to see you there!  I am so excited to be teaching with Holly Stinnett And Jennifer Hernandez. 

Sigh....see why I'm floating :)

Enjoy your November.

Melis

 
 
 

 

love pie...

The earth is changing bit by bit and as November falls upon us, I think it is only becoming more beautiful...I love the November sky, pale and gentle, the leaves, curled, crunchy, and colorful, and the smells that float about...wood burning stoves keeping toes and hearts warm, soups on the stove keeping tummies cozy and full, and the smell of the earth as it begins to get ready to sleep for the winter.  It's all beautiful to me.

I should be sleeping away after a day as full as today...what a crazy, fun Halloween day...I have been giggling inside at snippets of it...I should be taking advantage of the extra hour of sleep because of Daylight Savings, but here I am  welcoming in one of my most favorite months...the month focused and centered on family, gratitude and thanksgiving.  Have you ever had a piece of love pie?  It's the best you know....I'm making some with my Primary kids tomorrow for Sharing Time... the ingredients being kindness, service, compassion, concern, sharing, helping, peace-making, some hugs, and love of course...what a great way to start November...with a little dose of what makes a happy home.   Something sweet and special to share with you before I head off to my bed....an autumn angel created for Kim Hesson using one of her new wood cut designs...she'll be selling these and other adorable items in her shop very soon....the other design team members have projects posted on Kim's blog all about autumn time.   Off I go...hope you all had a wonderful October....sigh....it's been a great one here, but my heart hurts knowing that next year she will be older...there will never be another 6-year old Halloween.  My bean has been so cute today...I have let her kind of do as she wants with all of the activities she has had to choose from.  So, we went to the Halloween carnival at the school for maybe 10 minutes...that was first on her list...she walked around for a bit...played 3 games...looked at me and said, "ready to go".  Then we went trick-or-treating with daddy....went to about 6 houses, and then when I started asking if she wanted to go to the next one or one after that, she'd say, "nope...I went there last year" :)  Little dolly girl.  She wanted to go to the spook alley with her daddy, so we lined up at the door...she looked at us and said, "maybe when I'm seven"...anyway...she got to attempt and fit in everything available...we were done by 7:30...and she was completely and 100% through....she was smiling in her bed tonight.  Love her.

Melis