LilyBean Paperie

the zucchini chronicles...

I love this time of year....the time when I am in constant search of what to do with the heaps of zucchini that keep finding their way to my kitchen...we don't even have a garden, but I have them coming out my ears....I'm very thankful for each one...and am on to another new recipe...Chocolate Zucchini Cake....how can anyone possibly go wrong with this?
 

My little one has been home with me today....we have 4-day school weeks here, and while I don't agree with the policy and can think of numerous reasons why children need to be in school 5 days a week, I am always happy to have her here with me...she helps me take things at a slower pace....I am learning to put the brakes on my own personal speed and just enjoy the moment...I seem to feel like I need to go, go, go...but today she taught me a new lesson, and I'm thankful for it.

 

Before I get started on another project or two tonight, here are some peeks at a few  items I've just finished up....Birthday Books....they are so much fun to make.  Above is the cover of one of them, complete with Crafty Secrets Altered Fairy Scraps and Tattered Angels chipboard, assorted vintage trims and buttons...and below a few pages of the inside...

 

 
 

 
And...a couple more completed books...

 
 
And lastly...a little something created for Emma's Paperie...

 
 
The technique I chose to try for this card was adding Glimmer Mist to a resin applique from Melissa Frances....I'm hooked...you can see I added a Glimmer Misted resin wreath to a page in my Birthday Book as well...I love how it acts as a glaze of sorts and seeps into the cracks and grooves....I'm hooked....let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I have a complete list of supplies and instructions on the above card for you HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog. 

I have received quite a few notes asking for a tutorial on my paper bag pockets....as I stated before, the design was not my own....the design belongs to my friend Mish, so before I post a tutorial I'd love to check with her first...I am pro-blogging-politeness :) 

However, I would be happy to direct you to a wonderful source for your glassine bag needs...like those I used for the cookies in the paper bag pockets...Papertrey Ink has them in three different sizes....they are perfect. 

Enjoy your Saturday...and perhaps a Chocolate Zucchini Cake, huh...don't say no...it's healthy...filled with green goodness, and heaps of chocolate too.

Melis

 

P.S.  For those of you interested in snabbing up one of my Shabby Songbird Card Kits from Frost it Pink, they have been restocked and there are a few available HERE.

Here are images of just a few of the cards I designed for this kit...
 

 
 
 

lunch bag love...

Hello my friends....it's been a wonderful day...productive and now, just how I like it to end...with my little one out tinkering in the garage with her daddy....she's most definitely her daddy's girl....but she lets me think I'm important too... once in a while :)

I've got Beef Stroganoff cooking and Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies baking...the sun is going down, the shadows are long, and it's just about time for the bedtime ritual to begin.

I've always found the average, brown, lunch bag a bit exciting....I remember transforming them into puppets as a little girl, collecting leafs in them in the  fall, shaking up freshly popped popcorn, melty, butter and salt, using them to collect Valentines in, and many other things....I still look at them with fondness....mostly for the simple act of love they represent...that of someone packing it with goodies for someone else...mainly, someone thinking of someone else.  I love packing a lunch for my little one to take to school....it's nice to includeher favorite things and know that her little tummy will be full until she returns home.  We have graduated from the little brown lunch bag to the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine lunch box, but the act is the same.

Quite a while ago, my friend Mish sent me a bare paper bag pocket as a little treat after I ordered some of her fun etsy items.  I was instantly enticed....I couldn't wait to dress it up and spoil it with my favorite things.  The other day, I decided to make a few pockets of my own using a smaller version of the brown lunch bag...they made the perfect little pockets to slip a freshly baked cookie inside and include in my little girl's lunch...or for her to deliver to her teacher...thank you Mish for such a fun, project to make my own.

 

 
 
  

I used Crate Paper's new Restoration collection on theses....I am so in love with all of the beautiful patterned papers, chipboard elements, cardstock stickers, etc....they speak to my shabby soul.

My mind is racing with more ideas for these sweet pockets....and it all started with the simple, brown, lunch bag.

Lastly...a bright and cheery, hugs and kisses, playful, kind of card...created for Darkroom Door...

You can read more about the Darkroom Door products I used on this card HERE.   I'm loving the French Script Background stamp and the Photobooth images...they are so much fun to play with.

Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday...thanks for visiting.

Melis

  
  

 
 
 
 

pumpkin-heads and chicken legs...

Tuesday, tuesday....a bit of a random day, but I like them that way.  I decided yesterday that the chickens were big enough to let out of the hen house during the day....I've been taking the kittens down a couple of times each day to get everyone acquainted and they all seemed to be curious about each other, but not mean and nasty....so, therefore...time to let the girls run free.  I have love, love, loved it....never in my wildest dreams would I consider myself to be the type to want hens running about, farm cats here, and there, and so on and so forth, but it is a joy.  My little one especially is just eating it all up...one big, feathery, furry happy family.

Now onto something shabby and spooky and oh, so much fun for me to create....created for Ally Scraps.

As many of you know, I have a thing for altering these little paper mache houses....I took a break from them a while back, but pulled one out the other day and after seeing Graphic 45's beautiful new Halloween in Wonderland collection, knew that I needed to create an eerie little number....it was a blast. 

I'm a little nutty for banners right now and so I draped a "beware" banner across the front of this, made up of Jenni Bowlin stickers, Girls' Paperie chipboard, and Graphic 45 die cuts.

The Pumpkin-Heads, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb have totally won me over, so just had to make a spot for them...

Little witches peeking out from the upper windows....couldn't resist using them.  These images are from Crafty Secrets Halloween Journal Notes.

And, some Maya Road goodies to finish it all off...

I have a list of supplies and instructions for you waiting HERE on the Ally Scraps blog.

I'm busily working on a batch of custom Birthday Books and a sweet, shabby, and girly house for another customer...the little number above may end up in my shop very soon as well.

Enjoy a beautiful August day.

Melis 
  
 
  
 
  

crafty secrets new product challenge...

I'm back again with a project created for the Crafty SecretsNew Product Challenge....they have so many beautiful new things that I've already fallen for...today though, a little something Halloween-ie for you.

The vintage image is from Crafty Secrets new Halloween Greetings Double-Sided Creative Scraps....I can't get enough.

The tree silhouette stamped in the background is from Crafty Secrets new Costume Cuties stamp set. 

And then the banner and script down the right side of the card were both stamped using Crafty Secrets new Artsy Banner...my fave!

There are many more projects waiting for you...can't wait to check them out for myself:

· Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

· Pam Hooten

· Heidi Blankenship

· Marisa Grosson

· Linda Duke

· Michele Kovack

· Flo from France

· Julie Campbell

...and the newest Crafty Secrets DT Member, Mary Hamer. 

So glad you stopped by.

Melis

  
 
 

indian corn and autumn skies...

Yes, yes, I know we are a few weeks off....but seeing as how I am a fall girl at heart, I have been dabbling in my favorite earthy colors lately....closing my eyes and wishing for fat, plump pumpkins resting on my porch, letting myself imagine leaves of red, gold, and orange, and even starting to collect a few new soup recipes...

I'm short on time tonight, but have neglected this little blog of mine the last few days and thought I'd enable you all a bit....

I used Basic Grey's new Curio collection on each of these cards and then of course some of my favorite stamp sets including the Floral Background Stamp from Darkroom Door, Embellishments from Papertrey Ink, and Doilies Stamp Set from Maya Road. 

The chipboard leaves are from Maya Road and are painted, distressed, stamped, and then glittered.

The scrunched seam binding is from Memrie Mare's etsy shop.

One more sweet nothing before I go...created for Emma's Paperie this month and based on a sketch there...

All of the supplies used here can be found at Emma's Paperie....now for the enabling....the store is full of new CHA products...I'm having a very hard time resisting...darned budget.

Time to put the little schoolgirl to bed.  Have a wonderful Sunday evening.

Melis 
  
 
 
 
  
  

just when I thought...

 
I used to think that your tiny, delicate fingers, and sweet baby smell were the sweetest things I could ever dream of...

Then it was the way you would grab your toes and pull them to your happy, giggling mouth...

After that, it was the way you would waddle around in your adorable, diapered bottom...be still my heart...

Now it is your toothless, little grin, your piggy tales and 6-year old imagination...and most definitely watching you come off the school bus...are you really that old?....it makes my heart skip a beat.

I've discovered that one of love's miracles is  the way my heart is all encompassing...it seems to grow as I do...it never stops loving you, but only continues to love you more.

Love,

Mama

We had Apple Salad tonight...as I was slicing and dicing, I smelled fall...this is a recipe that is used often here by my mother-in-law just as summer is ending and the apples are ready to pick and preserve in different ways.  A simple pleasure for sure.
 

I allow myself to get in the mood for fall early on...I love any excuse to start enjoying it, celebrating it, and soaking it in...so, a little warning of sorts....the halloween-y cards and such are just getting started here...before you know it, it will be winter.

This card was created using Papertrey Ink's new Embellishments and  Been Boo'd stamp sets.  The chipboard elements are from Tattered Angels and are coated in Glimmer Mist.  The sweet vintage image at the top is from Crafty Secrets Halloween Greetings Double-Sided Creative Scraps.  You can find the scrunched seam binding at This Good Day, and the glittered star at Memrie Mare. 

Happy Friday.

Melis

 
 
 

candy sprinkles kind of day...

After I dropped my little one off for her first day back to school this morning...I wandered about...feeling lonesome...feeling very out of sorts....then as I was shopping, I ran across a brand new bottle of colorful candy sprinkles...the kind that you'd shake all over a gooey, soft, heart shaped sugar cookie...and I thought of her...and I bought them...and I left them out all day to remind me of her and the things that we love to do together...and it helped.  A phone call from my mom, a very thoughtful and timely note from my friend Stella...I can do this Second Grade thing...I don't wanna, but I can :)

I can get so many things done...I organized her Polly Pockets, her Ponyville Ponies, her Pet Shops....tomorrow I'll shine up the windows so that it can rain and blow dust on them...I've been waiting for the rain...it makes me like homemade soup on the stove and woolly socks.

This little card uses some of Basic Grey's new Curio Collection...ohhhh, be still my heart, it's so beautiful.  

And, before I go, a card created with Papertrey Ink's new Leaf Prints stamp set...it's becoming a favorite of  mine.  The sentiment is from the Friendship Jar Fall Fillers set. 

 The leaf was cut using the Leaf Prints coordinating die and vellum cardstock from Papertrey Ink. 

The yummy, warm, scrunched seam binding is from Memrie Mare's etsy shop, and the cameo from Webster's Pages.

The lights are flickering....a beautiful thunderstorm is about to hit.  Can't wait to smell the rain-kissed sage and cedars in the morning.

Night.

Melis
  

wishes, kisses, love, and joy...

Off she'll go tomorrow....dancing all the way to the Second Grade.  Last night her first tooth came out...daddy and mommy were both there, tucking her in, and then out it came.  What a sweet, first experience it was for us.  Little milestones...some that tug at your heart in bittersweet ways, others that make you smile for days....I'm so thankful I get to experience the joys of motherhood.

A few cards I created recently using Crafty Secrets new stamp set called Artsy Banner.  I stamped each of the Maya Road chipboard hearts with different backgrounds from the set, then glittered them up and added some toppings.   

The vintage images are from Crafty Secrets Birds and Blossoms and Garden  Creative Scrap collections.

The, sweet, puffy, velvet angel wings are from Memrie Mare's etsy shop and the scrunched seam binding from This Good Day. 

This card uses Melissa Frances paper along with stamps from Papertrey Ink including Butterfly Dreams,  Up, Up, and Away, and Fillable Frames #1.  I also  used the Butterfly and Fillable Frames #1 dies.  

Lastly, a couple of cards created for Emma's Paperie this month. 

This first card was for a monogram challenge...I coated the chipboard letter in cream acrylic paint and then applied a woodgrain rubon, and then of course added a dusting of glitter.  All supplies used can be found HERE. 

And...my little tribute to summer here to finish us up today....

Supplies used on this card can be found HERE.   

Thanks for stopping by.

Melis
  

 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

happy fingers...

Just a quick post tonight to share with you a few things that make my fingers happy....they would be stamps of course...and they're new releases from Papertrey Ink.  I love 'em all.

These first cards were made using the Take Three:  Fall stamp set...I'm such a sucker for pumpkins and harvest-y wheat themes...so very fall-ish. 

The Falling Leaves stamp set has won me over...incredibly cute.

The Leaf Prints stamp set is gorgeous....and coordinating dies are available.  I cut vellum and Vintage Cream felt using my dies and am hooked.

I created this place marker to coordinate with the above card using the new Places, Please stamp set...a coordinating die is also available.  Makes table decorating so much fun and easy too.  You can see a felt leaf peeking out from behind, cut using the Leaf Print die.

The Been Boo'd stamp set is completely adorable....perhaps my very, very scary favorite-ist :)  You can also see the Fillable Frames #7 stamp set used here along with the coordinating die, and the new and ultra sweet , Favor it Box #1 die....a little slice of heaven I tell ya. 

Friendship Jar Fall Fillers has to be the cutest set on earth....yep, no doubt.  Nichole and Mishie are collaborative geniuses....love it when their crafty minds collide.   

Gobble, Gobble...sigh....what could possibly be said about the adorable turkey image in this set...coordinating die available too, to make all of your stampy, crafty dreams come true :) 

Once again, the Year of Flowers series is just as pretty as they come.  This set is all about Gladiolus...love it. 

Lastly...I am simply enchanted with this set....it speaks to my shabby heart...AND, there's a fleur de leis image...sigh...the Embellishments set is heavenly.  A coordinating die is available as well.

So hard to pick a favorite, isn't it?  Happy shopping.

I'm falling asleep at the keys tonight...time for bed.

Melis
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 

fruits of the season...

I love this time of  year....all of my favorite things are ready to pick, pluck, share, bake, and enjoy.  Although we don't have a garden this year, I am still able to find zucchini for bread, fresh corn on the cob for dinner, and tomatoes for warm BLT's.

(Photo from Country Living)

I can feel the gentle pull of fall coming my way and I love it.  We've been able to open the windows again at night and throughout the morning and I can smell my sweet fall approaching.  I love being in the kitchen anytime, but especially when my mind starts making the turn towards autumn.  So, we've been enjoying Grandma Boley's Zucchini Bread, Kendra's Zucchini Muffins, and I'm ready for a fresh Apple Crisp complete with oatmeal, brown sugar, and apples from Granny's tree.

(Photo from Williams-Sonoma)

How about you?  What are your favorite "fall-fresh" treats?  My mother-in-law preserves her own apple pie filling which results in the most heavenly pies I have ever tasted.

(Photo from Country Living)

My husband is crazy for fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.  I should surprise him with one this weekend. 

(Photo from Country Living)

I've asked my handy boy for a homemade version of one of these sweet pie safes....crossing my fingers that it will be ready for Christmas.

Ahhhh, life is sweet...all is well :)

We are enjoying the last few days of summer break as I mentioned earlier...

I love finding my little one's happy, creative, 6-year old messes here and there...this morning as I went it to take a few photos of projects, I found this...

With everything placed just so...it made my heart smile.

How could I not take a few photos to remember her in this stage?

Before I go, just a little something to share that I created for Ally Scraps.  You can find all of the supplies and instructions HERE:

More photos can be found on the Ally Scraps blog.

See you tomorrow with Papertrey Ink's new releases!

Melis

 
  
  
  
  

 
 
 

  

 

 

tiny treats team challenge...

It's that time again....I'm so excited about all of the sweet new stamp sets Papertrey Ink will soon be releasing.  Tonight our group post is all about tiny treats of the sweet and spooky variety....we're focusing on my most favorite time of year...so let's get at it.

To celebrate this new stamp set, called Tiny Treats Halloween, I used the small white coffee bags and also the  small frosted bags from Papertrey Ink as my treat container.  I simply trimmed off the top of each bag at varying heights and then attached coordinating ribbon to form a handle.  They make perfect gift bags for cupcakes and candies and just about anything you can dream up to give to spooky little critters that pass your way.

I used vintage sheet music as my bag filler, American Crafts paper, Maya Road bottlecaps, and Papertrey Ink ribbon in Plum Pudding and Orange Zest. I can't get over how adorable the images are in this set...you'll love them...and there is a label die available that coordinates with the stamped label image...makes gift giving so easy and fun.

I can't wait to peek at what the other designer's have created for you....I know I'll love each and every one of their crafty creations.

Nichole Heady, Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olson, Heather Nichols, Lisa Johnson, Mish Wooderson, Niki Estes, Kim Hughes, Maile Belles, and Erin Lincoln. 

See you soon friends!

Melis

 
 
 
 

my love will fly...

This summer has been an emotionally trying summer for me.  I have experienced things that I never thought I'd have to...at this point, the events are catching up to me and I find that I'm always right on the edge of letting the tears fall.  But, I realize those tears are coming out of gratitude.   I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was...I have learned to love more deeply than I thought I could ever love...I learned how very precious life, love, and family are...even though I thought I knew.  I have learned to let my love fly...how to let my love be with those that I can't be with...to share my love always...to never hold back. 

 

My little heart is full...and I'm so very thankful.

Night.

Melis

P.S.  This project was created for Emma's Paperie.  If you're interested in instructions and supplies, they are waiting for you HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog. 
  
  

 
 
 

i love you in the summer...

with your sun-kissed shoulders...

your gentle way of coaxing me out of bed with your familiar routine...

sticky ice cream cone lips...

sleepy eyes at the end of a playful day...

arms ready for hugs and loves...

tender animal lovin' little heart...

golden, sunshine touched hair...

cheeks warmed by the sun 'til they;re rosy red...

happy, smiley, swimming pool-goggle face...

spaghetti-os and grilled cheese for lunch buddy...

eager, read-to-me, play-with-me, snuggle-me spirit who makes each day so full...

juicy watermelon snacks in the afternoon...

I miss my summer love already.

But, she's so excited to start school...we've had a haircut, bought new bows and flowers for her hair, new socks and cami's, new shoes, and a few sweet little items for her to wear.  I adore this little girl of mine.

I created this wall hanging with my little bean in mind....sitting beside me chattering all the while.  She packs her kittens around just like this...dresses them like baby dolls...they have been so much fun for her to enjoy this summer.  I created this for Frost it Pink.  I've listed the supplies  used below for you in case you'd like to make one of your own....lots of sweet Melissa Frances goodies used generously.

Art Mail Ephemera Stickers by Melissa Frances

Childhood Ephemera Kit by Melissa Frances

Friends Transfers by Melissa Frances

Fabric Dress Form by Prima

Regal Framed Fonts by Tattered Angels

Scrunched Seam binding from This Good Day

Glitter star from Memrie Mare

This card was created for Darkroom Door using their new Harlequin Background Stamp....mmmmm...it's delicious.

The cupid is from Little Pink Studio....I doused her in glitter this time.

Another Darkroom Door item used here from the Viva la Flora Wordstrip. 

Thinking of you all.  Thanks for your visit.

Melis

 

 
  

 

 
  
  

home on the range...

So happy to be back home...as much as I love Yellowstone, the Idaho wheat, potato, corn, sugar beet, and flax fields...Teton National Park, Jackson Hole,  The Merry Piglets, Star Valley, Wyoming and beautiful, weathered barns spread out across a blanket of warm earth....I love being home.  It was such a fun trip though...to my very most favorite places on earth.

There is something so special about taking my little one to places that are near to my heart....family vacations to Yellowstone and the surrounding areas each year created some of the most vivid and wonderful memories for me and for my brothers.  I was even able to meet  up with one of my brothers, his wife, and my sweet nieces and nephews, including one brand new little sweetheart I hadn't had the opportunity to meet until a few days ago.  

Now....time to catch up, prepare for the back to school routine and soak in the last remaining days of summer....where did it go?

This card was created for Emma's Paperie last week and is based on a sketch you can find HERE on the blogalong with a complete supply list.  It is full of delicious 7gypsies, Prima, Making Memories, etc.

And lastly, a couple of cards created for the Crate Paper blog using their new Restoration line....ohhhh how I love it.

Thanks for sticking with me...

Melis