LilyBean Paperie

sugar pie honey bunch...

Well hey....

How's today treating you?  I'm feeling so happy today...a perfectly imperfect day around here...just how I like it....the good news is...I am crock-potting today, so I feel extra Betty Crocker-ish...a wee bit on the ball...and oh, so domestic :)  I'm trying a copycat Cafe Rio recipe for shredded beef, lime rice, black beans...and some kind of green dressing that I could drink by the mug....any other Cafe Rio lovers out there?

A quick in and out for me today....a project with supplies AND instructions if yer in the mood to get your glitter on.... This little tag book was created for the Emma's Paperie blog this week....I'm drooling over these colors....I can't remember the last time I had so much fun creating something...       I sure hope you're not tired of my Jenni Bowlin paper obsession....really, truly...I would wallpaper my little girl's room in this stuff...perfectly shabby and oh, so pretty.  If you're interested in creating your own...supplies and step-by-step instructions are up HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.

Now...off to make some warm cookies for my little one...she are her hound dog are off following rabbit tracks in the snow...she's an Elmer Fudd fan...

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Melis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

love struck...

It's a lazy Monday here today....I have to say that I certainly love the days following Christmas....p.j.s stay on a bit longer...toys are strewn...the fire keeps us cozy...it seems there are a few extra hours in the day to just sit, snuggle, and enjoy each other a bit more.  Come next Monday, I will be missing my little buddy.

Today we are playing in the glitter, paint, buttons and trim....my little bean and I...I love seeing her little mind start to put new things together...she has been making heart shaped ornaments for the tree...Be Mine cards for who knows who...and I even decided to show her how to sew a bit...with my fingers in the way of the needle instead of hers....she's a crafty soul I tell ya.

This card uses some of my favorite scraps...a bit of Foof-a-la, Jenni Bowlin, and Melissa Frances paper, tea-stained trim and twill, velvet leaves from Prima, chipboard from Maya Road, and stamps from Papertrey Ink including the Spiral Bouquet and Heart Prints stamp sets.   Also used from Papertrey Ink...Dark Chocolate and Spring Rain ink, and a Sweet Blush button.  

   
These cards were created with my latest obsessions....Jenni Bowlin paper and Maya Road Kraft envelopes....I could eat 'em....

Off to grocery shop....get the mail...pay the bills...reality is ever so lovely :)

Happy Monday!

Melis
 
 
 
 

share kindly...

Hello holiday friends....did you have a wonderful Christmas?  I think this was my most favorite yet....lots of family...lots of laughter...lots of little ones to enjoy... magic was in the air and very much alive.  Today I am switching over to nurse mode...taking care of us all as we have come down with the post-holiday junk...but relaxing at home together feels wonderful.

I don't have much to share with you today....it has been a nice break, but the creative juices are flowing and I look forward to letting my little fingers loose and get back to creating again.

This card is based on a sketch over at Emma's Paperie....I am a sucker for circle cards, so I especially enjoyed this challenge.   

 I used many of my favorite products on this card from Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps, Melissa Frances paper, Maya Road velvet flowers, and Webster's Pages paper.  You can find a complete supply list HERE on Emma's blog along with beautiful designs from the other designers.

I am sad to report that the time has come for me to place a Copyright on my blog....I want to be sure you all understand that you are 100% welcome to visit and create your own cards and such based on what you see here...the purpose of my blog has always been to share and inspire and hopefully to spread my passion with you in hopes that you too will let yourself create and enjoy it as much as I do.  So, please don't stop using my ideas for your own personal use...share a card with a friend, your husband, someone you love.  The only stipulation is that you won't take my designs and have them published or try and sell them as your own....this makes me very sad, but things have been brought to my attention and now I have to be a bit more guarded in this matter....I hope you understand.  I love sharing with you and will continue to do so wholeheartedly.

Now, put your feet up and watch some football....or drift off to your crafty space and create your heart out...or maybe even have a Sunday snooze.  I am listening to my little one talk to her new Ponyville residents....she chirps and sings and it makes my heart happy.   I can hear my husband turning the pages of his magazine while he watches football and together we are having some much needed down-time.

Hugs to you all.

Melis
 

loving you...

Hello friends...just felt like saying thank you and making sure you all know how much you are loved and appreciated today and always...you are all so special to me and I am thankful for each of you.

It seems that the days are over before they ever begin lately, but I have a few minutes this morning to pop in...then it's off to get hair cuts, find a few stocking stuffers, bake, make a cheese ball, do laundry, clean and tidy, and get ready to go visit cousins and watch the BYU game together. 

Here are a few things I have to share with you today...lucky little me, I was asked to be part of the Jenni Bowlin Inspiration blog this month and have been giddy about it ever since...I dream of Jenni :)...have always loved her sweet, vintage, creations...so here we go.      Mmmmm...I love Jenni....also used here are Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps, Papertrey Ink stamps, and a bit of Melissa Frances trim.

Next up...   More Jenni Bowlin paper, die cuts, chipboard, stickers, ticket stub...

And one more...then there are a few left on the blog for you... LOVE these colors together....ready to get going on Valentine cards...more Jenni Bowlin paper, die cuts, ticket stub, felt butterfly, and chipboard button.

Lastly...just a little somethin', somethin'...like I said, I'm moving on to Valentine cards....my most favorite holiday to make cards for... 
 
 This card uses Melissa Frances paper and a sticker, vintage tea-stained trim, crushed silk ribbon, glitter and goodies...such a sweet sentiment.

How's your hustle and your bustle goin'? :)

If I don't make it back, Merry, Merry Christmas to each of you....hope you have a wonderful holiday.  Thanks for making this year special to me. 

Melis
 
 
 
 

tender & mild...

Silent Night is my most favorite song....Christmas and otherwise.  It became my favorite the first Christmas after adopting my little baby girl....I can't hold back the tears as I hear this song and especially as I try and sing it....I can now imagine Mary holding her beautiful baby Jesus on that winter night so long ago....her heart filled with love as the most perfect little creature came into her life....all is calm, all is bright...I can't begin to express to you how thankful I am for the opportunity I have of being a mother....this song holds so much meaning for me personally.  Motherhood is truly a gift isn't it?  Our babes are given to us to cherish, teach, love, learn from, enjoy, and help along the way...I am so honored.  Last night was a testament to this as my little girl woke up with both ears aching at around midnight...I was all alone and medicine wasn't helping...she cried and cried...I needed my husband, but he was gone....I needed my mom, but it was too late to call and it would only worry her....so I held her, said little prayers with her and for her that Heavenly Father might help her sleep and comfort her...held her some more and then my husband was home....giving a Priesthood blessing...and finally we were sleeping at around 3:00...tired today, yes, but so thankful I am the one that holds her in the middle of the night...dries her tears...helps her faith grow....and get to love and be loved by her.  Tonight I will write a letter to her Birth Mother...so hard for me to do as the tears are still very near the surface after 6 years...but so selfish of me not to...pictures of our beautiful Sierra with a letter telling all about her life during the past year, as our Christmas present to her...a small way of expressing our love and thanks to her. 

A couple of cards to share with you tonight...soft and sweet.   
The first uses a Crafty Secrets vintage image from the Birds & Blossoms Creative Scraps sheet...Melissa Frances paper and rubons, and some tea-stained vintage trim given to me by a sweet friend.  
   This card uses Damask Designs stamps from Papertrey Ink, Basic Grey and Pink Paislee paper, Prima flower, Melissa Frances stickers, and a Maya Road chipboard wing.  

Oh...and my little beauty is wearing flowers from THIS adorable etsy shop today...I can't get enough of these...and am planning my next purchase...Cultivar is my fave!

Night.

Melis
 
 

picture window of the soul...

A little something to warm you inside and out:  Christmas Spirit

Just what I needed to hear as I buzz around trying to get everything done, but not getting too much done in any particular area....as I try frantically to outbid others on ebay searching for a Barbie Dream Townhouse...thinking that this one particular item will be what makes her Christmas the absolute best...then realizing as I watch this video that my focus is off....that what matters to my little girl isn't the biggest, best-est, pink-est present, but the spirit behind Christmas...the little things, the love and kindness that encircles us...the time we spend together doing things that will make others happy...remembering the miracle of Christmas and why we are here enjoying such a wonderful life together...I lost my focus a bit and am so happy to have been reminded to simplify once again and enjoy what Christmas is all about...I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ.

 
This is a shabby,  little ornament I made for my tree...so fun to get all glittery and messy...silver glitter is my new baby.

And, a little something I made for Sierra's teacher...she is the sweetest teacher on earth...we love her.   
 
  A complete supply list for this can be found HERE at Emma's Paperie along with other gift wrap ideas from the girls.

I must go...time to pick up my girl from the bus stop.

Merry Christmas.

Melis
 

love spell...

Me again....here with a few things lovey dovey and spring-y....all created with brand new stamp sets from Papertrey Ink, available now.

This card was created using the new Blooming Button Bits stamp set...flowers and buttons...mmmmmm... Also used here is Webster's pages paper and trim, Melissa Frances vintage image, paper, and rubon, vintage sheet music, Doodlebug glitter, and flowers from the craft store.

A Valentine-y house created using the Background Basics:  Hearts and Simple Valentine stamp sets.     Also used here is the Home Made stamp set, Jenni Bowlin paper, 7Gypsies paper, Prima flowers, vintage trim, tea-stained twill...and some sparkly stuff :)

Next is another card using the Simple Valentine and Background Basics:  Hearts stamp sets.  More 7Gypsies and Jenni  Bowlin paper, Melissa Frances sticker, and Maya Road trim.

A little card using a super fun stamp set from Dawn-y Loo McVey called Say it With Style...love this font!    Some nummy Jenni Bowlin paper and die cut, Maya Road trim, and a Making Memories butterfly.

One more....then I'll leave you be...for a special friend of mine... 
 
   Another Melissa Frances vintage image and rubon, October Afternoon and Making Memories paper, vintage sheet music, and Prima trim.

Hope you're days are merry and bright friends.

Melis
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

spit spot...

Hello...

I'd love to stay and visit, but Mary Poppins is coming on and the little bean and I are gonna sit and watch and snuggle.

This is all I've got fer ya :)

  This one too...  Ahhh, yes...and this...  Not to forget this...  Lastly this... 

 
 
 Goodness me...do I love love my Home Made stamp set from Papertrey Ink or what?  Like a dream come true :)

Very well then...Mary P. is in the house.  It's a jolly holiday with Mary...

Melis
 
 
 
 
 

tiny treats...

I've been looking forward to tonight for a long while....the Papertrey Ink Design Team is kicking off the introduction of a new stamp set designed by Nichole Heady....and I can't begin to tell you how irresistibly fun it is.  The purpose behind Nichole designing this set was to create a Valentine set that makes gift giving among little ones in a classroom setting fun, easy, cute, and unique.  Our challenge was to create a simple Valentine gift idea using the set and then create a card or separate gift item using the same set but in a non-Valentine-y way....so you can see how the set can function for many different occasions.

I used one of Papertrey Ink's small heart tins....filled it full of cherry chocolate kisses, added trim and paper to the lid, wrapped it with a pink bow and attached a tag using the cupcake image from the Tiny Treats stamp set...cutest darned cupcake I've ever seen.  These will be so much fun to doll up for Sierra's little friends here in just a few months. 

  Then, I thought it would be fun to create  something for her teacher....I created a matching card and felt cupcake...to sit on her desk...maybe to hold a few pins...I dunno if teacher's need pins...but if so, I've got 'er covered....SOOOOOO much FUN....I'm hooked on these little fuzzy delicacies...but now I'm getting off track a bit....
 I just love the sweet sentiments that accompany each of the images...and the cute label too...all you have to do is stamp and punch...stamp and punch....  

Now for the non-Valentine-y project using the same set...  
  I used the tiny heart stamp from this set, added in a new sentiment, prettied up the label with some Mica Flakes and piled it on some Melissa Frances goodies, vintage sheet music, tea-stained trim and twill, and a bitty, Maya Road heart trinket pin.

So....I'm ready to see what my girls have all done with their stamp sets....here are some links to follow that I'm sure you'll just LOVE:

Becky Oehlers, Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olson, Geny Cassady, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Mish Wooderson, Niki Estes, and Kim Hughes.

Well...I've got a sweet, little girl singing every Christmas carol in the book while she's having a soak in the tub...off to take over for daddy and put the babe to bed.

G'night friends.

Melis
 
 
 
  
 
 

do me a favor...

  
I've got a fun sneak peek to share with you tonight kicking off the beginning of Papertrey Ink's brand new template library called Click Simple.  I was lucky enough to get to work with this template designed by Nichole Heady herself....A.DOR.A.BLE :)  You can see more of this project and get instructions and supplies by purchasing the down-loadable idea book that comes with this template.  The idea book will also include other projects created by a few other designers besides myself as well...so there will be oodles of inspiring ways to use this template available to you for only $5.00.

My friend Kim Hesson sent me the cutest wooden Gingerbread House a while ago and I couldn't wait to cover it in my favorite things....  

 
 I used pretty much Melissa Frances everything here from the paper...to the die cut ticket booklet...to the trim...the stickers...and even the adhesive pearls.  Sierra and I made one together as well....I'll show you pics of it very soon....it's pretty and very pink...and very much a perfect representation of my happy, little bean.  If you'd like to buy one of these to create for yourself or for a sweet Christmas present, Kim is selling them in her etsy shop for only $4.00.

Before I go, I want to share with you a link where you can find some of the mini cookie cutters I have been using lately on a few of my cards.  They are from Jesse James Beads and you can find them in the Dress it Up Holiday Collection right HERE!  My mom and I found them at Robert's Crafts just a couple of weeks ago...and you lucky duckies...you can buy them tonight...right now...online...happy shopping.

G'night.

Melis
 

poinsettia pine...

cozy fireside...snowberry...welcome  home....holly berry...home sweet home...sugar cookie...cinnamon bear...Christmas tree...cinnamon cider...autumn sunset...

Is your nose tingling yet?  I was asked a while ago what my favorite candle scents were and decided to post my answer here since my house is smelling so yummy right now.  These are a few of my favorite scents....and I use Scentsy...I decided I didn't want to burn candles once we moved into our new home...so I melt these babies now and they are heaven on earth.  Here's a link for you to check out if you're at all curious....I am converted.  

This week at Emma's Paperie, there is a beautiful color challenge posted on the blog...red and gold...here is what I came up with.    I love the chipboard pieces from Tattered Angels and decided to make this large looking glass my focal point and coated it with Melissa France gold glitter and then stacked in on top of heaps of other goodies from Making Memories, Jenni Bowlin, Maya Road, Anna Griffin, Crafty Secrets, Webster's Pages, 7Gypsies.....a complete supply list can be found HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog.  
  And, last week's project for Emma's next up.  Each month we are asked to design a workshop for you and I chose to create a fun and shabby ornament.   
  A  supply list and step-by-step instructions on how to create your own can be found HERE.  

Lastly...the other half of the project I tried to post yesterday....it most certainly was a Monday around here....kind of glad it's over and done with now :)     I am crazy for the vintage goodness of Crafty Secrets products.  The stickers are from the What's Cooking Cardstock Sticker set, and the calendar is from the Seasonal Calendar Creative Scrap set....ohhhhh they're cute.

Off I go to cook somethin' tasty.

Night.

Melis
 
 
 
 
 
 

candy cane Christmas...

Starting off the week with a Crafty Secrets Blog Hop with cooking as our theme.  Crafty Secrets has some of the cutest products focusing on the kitchen and all things domestic...it was hard to choose just a few things to focus on, but here we go.  ( I apologize for the photos....it is dark and gloomy here today...looks like snow is on the way.)

    
   
 This card uses a cut from the Crafty Secrets Kitchen Time Vintage Cuts sheet....so fun. A fun little ornament I made last night to hang on my white tree....I love bright red and white together.  

 
And half of another project shown here....for some reason I can't get my other photo to load, but I'll be back later with more to show you....this uses another cut from the same sheet as the card above, and a stamp and chipboard piece from the Crafty Secrets Christmas Vintage Postcard Kit.  

Here are some beautiful sites for you to visit on the blog hop with more crafty, cooking creations for you:
Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Pam Hooten

Marisa Grosson

 

Michele Kovack

 

Michelle Van Etten

 

Michele Kovak

 

Flo Teixeira

 

Julie Campbell -Guest Designer

 

Crafty Secrets

 

And be sure to leave a comment here on Michele's blog and you could possibly win a $30.00 Gift Certificate to Crafty Secrets.

 

Enjoy!

Melis

 
 

ring-a-ling...

Who's shopping today?  Not this girl...I used to be such a dedicated shop-a-holic....packing bags around the mall like a pro....not anymore...I've been transformed into a fuddy duddy :)

We are cozied up inside today....the sky is blue again...darn...but I think there are a few storms coming our way soon...should give me time to dig out Sierra's snow boots and warm winter things that we use about twice each winter...it gives my girl a taste of the magical feeling associated with snow, so I am grateful for every little bit that comes our way.

   
  I adore these sweet vintage images from Crafty Secrets.  These are from the Merry Christmas Creative Scraps collection.  Also used here on these mini cards is a bit of June Bug paper from Basic Grey and the Snowflake Serenade and Mixed Messages stamp sets from Papertrey Ink along with Vintage Cream cardstock, New Leaf grosgrain, Pure Poppy and True Black ink, and Vintage Cream and Pure Poppy buttons.  The little resin candy canes I found at a craft store and then just coated them with snow glitter to make them sparkle.

  
  A couple of cards here using my most favorite of favorites....this Santa image from the Darkroom Door Yuletide Vol. 2 stamp set just warms my heart...he is so jolly and sweet.  I love to emboss this image because it truly brings out all of his warmth, character, and charm, so last night I stamped him in white ink and then embossed him in silver embossing powder just to see how he'd look.  I also used a Yuletide Vol. 1 Wordstrip.  
 
Then I tried him in my favorite red and embossed him with clear embossing powder....also used here is the Darkroom Door Dots Background set, and Yuletide Vol. 2 Wordstrip. 

A few of you have inquired as to where I get my creamy flowers, so I thought I'd take a minute to post the answer here for whoever is interested.  I by them at Michael's or Roberts in the floral section.  They come in a large bunch...I think they're actually hydrangea blossoms...they come in such beautiful colors and are truly my most favorite little flower to craft with...they can be glittered of Glimmer Misted, inked, stamped, etc.  They come on a stem that contains about 50 blossoms or more for around $5.99.

Hope that helps and enjoy your Saturday.

Melis

Father Christmas and winter birds...

Good morning friends.  Here we are at Friday again....so happy to have my noise maker here with me for the rest of the week...now time to get back into our weekend routine, which I love.  I've decided that age 6 is the hardest age yet...I feel like I need to read a book or 10 of them to understand what this age is all about.  I feel I'm flunking in the motherhood department as I am constantly scratching my head and wondering about the huge range of emotions that come out of this little one on a daily basis....sigh...time, attention, love, patience, and gentleness...my goals for today.  I sure am thankful she's patient with me....I've never been a mama before.

   I miss the snow....we haven't had any of it yet this year....we normally get a good dose of it once or twice each winter here in the high desert, but nothing yet.  I really can't wait....there's something so incredibly beautiful and serene about the snow falling outside...the soft sound of slush under tires as the cars drive slowly by...and the brilliance of it as it lights up the night with the moon shining down.  This year we no longer live in the city....we are country folk and are surrounded by land on every side for as far as we can see....only one house on the hill above us...we love our neighbors.  So, this year I am especially anxious for the snow to start falling.  

This card reminds me of winter with the pale creams, golds, and silvers.....and the sweet Father Christmas image.  I have received a few questions as to where I find my vintage images.  I would love to share my source with you.  HERE is a super cute and fun vintage shop where I found a hefty stash.  Happy shopping.  I also used Papertrey Ink Guidelines Two stamp set....the image is stamped very lightly in Chai Tea Vintage Ink just to add a softness to the background paper by Melissa Frances.  I used Doodlebug and Pink Paislee glitter, K&Co. stickers, and a Hambly sticker as well.

Lastly, a tag set in juicy, holiday colors....something about the bright, fruity colors of the season that warm my heart as well....I'm reminded of fruit baskets, Christmas trees, pomegranate salad, homemade suckers, gum drops....   I've got a thing for making gift tags...they are so much fun to pretty up.  This set uses Basic Grey and K&Co. paper, Maya Road flowers, Martha Stewart glittered birds, Papertrey Ink ribbon and buttons, and the Christmas Vintage Clear Art Stamp Set by Crafty Secrets.  
 

Hope you're all enjoying these early December days.

Melis
 
 
 
 

Creamy Christmas...

 These little trees are so fun and easy to make from a simple cone base.  I couldn't resist making one in my favorite holiday colors....not the colors you'll find in my house....but in my dreams :)   I saw a tree decorated with letters the other day and was inspired to add some glittered, chipboard alphabet letters to this tree.      Lots of beautiful Melissa Frances goodies on here including paper, glitter chipboard, Mica Flakes, adhesive pearls, and cardstock sticker.  The trinket pins are from Maya Road and the flowers and trims are from the craft store.

   This card uses vintage images from Crafty Secrets, B. Shackman, and K&Co. , paper from My Mind's Eye, and Melissa Frances, cardstock, ribbon, and button from Papertrey Ink.

And lastly...more creamy wishes for you...     More sweet images from Crafty Secrets used here along with K&Co. and Making Memories stickers, paper, gems, and glitter from Melissa Frances, and Papertrey Ink stamp sets including Background Basics:  Diamonds and Holiday Tree.  

I've got to run but will be back to post all of these in my etsy shop later today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry, merry :)

Melis
 

P.S.  I am completely smitten with these boots....my little cowgirl would look so cute in 'em...

 
Or maybe these....either way....mama's saving her money.

 

And...wouldn't ya know...here are some for meeeee too...

I told my husband these were all I wanted for Christmas...see how easy I am to live with?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

very merry vintage...

Happy, happy, happy December to you!  I'm so excited to have the holidays here....so much to celebrate, so much to be thankful for.   
The tree is half up...I promised to wait for my little buddy to help after school, so I'm doing my best to keep my hands off the ornaments, but I sure love the feel it brings into our home.   
  This is our first year without a fresh tree...my husband is too busy for the next couple of weeks to take us out to cut a tree, so last night he came home with a super cute, pine-y, woodsy, flocked tree....I like it...it will be perfect...I just kind of miss the big, bushy, monsters we're used to...very sweet of him though.  I'll try and post some pics for you soon. 

Sharing the vintage love with you today....aren't these Santa images sweet?  I used Basic Grey and Melissa Frances paper, B. Shackman tags, and Papertrey Ink stamps including the Giga Guidelines and the 2009 Holiday Tags Collection stamp sets.  The cardstock is Pure Poppy, the ribbon Spring Moss Grosgrain, the button is Vintage Cream, and the ink is Spring Moss and Ripe Avocado.

 

Wishing you a very, merry, December.

Melis