LilyBean Paperie

it's in the bag...

 Happy Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas blog event...Mish has the CUTEST project grouping waiting for you...I just took a peek and am smitten.  Today we're focusing on bags, bags, and more bags.  One of the many things that Mish and I have in common is our love for bags of all sizes, colors, and varieties....transforming them into unique gifts for others has been such a new and enjoyable passion of mine...adding them to mini booklets, forming pockets with them, using them as gift card holders...the list goes on.

My project today is an accordion type of file folder with pockets to hold holiday gift tags, photos, recipes, etc.  The I used three medium size glassine bags and arranged them on top of one another alternating the open ends.

Here is a side view showing the alternating openings.  I simply folded the stack of bags in half and machine stitched across the fold to secure them together.  A piece of fabric was then cut to fit over the fold and part way up the bag a bit and then adhered in place to finish the edge.

The bag front of the bag grouping was then embellished with a doily sprayed with Peppermint Stick  Glimmer Mist, a large Millinery Vintage Rose, velvet leaf, artificial candy and berry center, and a tea stained tag stamped with a sentiment from the Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers set from Papertrey Ink.  

Inside you'll find three pockets filled with these:

Tea stained mini envelope stamped with the Holly Jolly set from Papertrey Ink, vintage images, sparkly candy ornaments, tea stained twill, dimensional stickers, buttons, and scrunched seam binding.  

All tucked in snug and safe...waiting to be shared for Christmas.

I also must mention how much I love this holiday color combinations....pale blue, white, cream, berry red, silver, and dark pink....mmmmm...so peppermint-y and fresh.

Speaking of peppermint...today's recipe includes some:

Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Brownies

Brownie:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1 egg
1, 20 oz  package or 1 pouch Ghirardelli Double Chocolate
Brownie Mix

Peppermint Topping:
2 cups (12 oz) Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy (about 16 hard, 
  round candies)

Preheat oven to 350°F. For Brownie: In medium bowl, blend together oil, water and egg. Add brownie mix and stir until moistened. Spoon batter into lightly greased 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake 24-26 minutes. Let brownies cool completely. For Peppermint Topping: Place white chips and vegetable oil in small bowl. Microwave at 50% power for approximately 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Spread melted white chocolate over cooled brownie. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. Let topping set before cutting. 
Makes 24 brownies.

 Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet notes.  Be sure to visit Mish's blog for a very special treat.

Melis

shimmer & shine...

Welcome, welcome to Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas blog event...I've been excited since my last post to get going on this next project for you.  Remember waaaaaay back when...I had started a Birthday Calendar book using Papertrey Ink's Calendar Basics stamp set, the Calendar Page die, and the Mini Calendar Pages?  Well, I'm just now finishing up the book for a special customer and thought that the December page was the perfect place to celebrate with some shimmer and shine...and some sugarplums...

My December page might just be my favorite...I'm smitten with the vintage tag from This Good Day...something about the fanciful, dreamy, sugarplum ballerinas and the fact that my little girl adores the songs from the Nutcracker...

Pink foil Dresden wings add the perfect, soft shine...

A Melissa Frances glitter chipboard heart brings in the shimmer...I like to distress the edges of these with brown ink to shabby them up a bit....I learned this from the amazing Linda Albrecht.

And of course...the sweet tag...comes with the most beautiful clear glitter around the edges and the flowers framing in the lovely ballerinas.  I added the bitty pearls for a really subtle final touch of shine.

And to finish the page off, a Mishe mini tea stained tag stamped with the Rustic Branches sentiment tied to the center of a double scrunched seam binding bow.

Be sure to stop by Mish's blog to see the project created for today...I know I'll love it as I love everything she does.

Here is my recipe for the day...in honor of sugarplums everywhere...dates are the closest fruity-ish ingredient I could come up with...please don't let the dates scare you...this is the most delicious cake ever....my husband's favorite and one I'm making today.  Thank you to my mother-in-law for this delicious tried and true, family heirloom.

Chocolate Chip Date Nut Cake

Combine:

1 cup chopped dates

1 tsp. soda

Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over dates and soda and set aside to cool.

Cream:

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

Blend well.

Add:

Date nut mixture to shortening mixture and blend well.

Add:

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. soda

Pour into a greased cake pan, top with 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cups slivered almonds.

Bake 34-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

And...the Peppermint Kisses pockets have sold out before listing them in my store...so I'm working on getting supplies coming for another dozen.  Look for them in my etsy if you're interested.

Happy Monday little dears!

Melis 

 

 

 

 

peppermint kisses...

Here at home, I am happy to be tucked in snug with my family after a wonderful Thanksgiving together with our loved ones.  Dinner was so delicious...time together was even more so.   Thanksgiving has always been my most favorite holiday...time together is priceless and I have so many blessings to count each and every day.  I thank my Heavenly Father for each one.  I'm thankful for time...as it has and still gives me the opportunity to change, to soften, to be molded and sculpted, to learn, listen, and grow...I'm thankful for forgiveness, for love, for beauty that comes in so many forms...in a smile, a tear, a hand being held, a warm home filled with love, in prayer, in faith, in companionship...

 

Tomorrow is Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas with my sweet friend Mish...can't wait!

I'll also have the Peppermint Kisses Pockets available in my etsy shop...you can see them above.  I'll only have 10 of these available for purchase.

And lastly....a fresh and bright new color palette  up at The Color Room...I love it.  It reminds me of winter and happiness.

Here is what I created with the color combo...

This card uses Papertrey Ink's Rustic Branches stamp set along with tea stained fabric, scrunched seam binding and velvet flower from Memrie Mare, and a Melissa Frances rubons.

Thanks for visiting...sending you warm wishes and holiday magic.

Melis

 

 

 

home for the holidays...

Happy Thanksgiving week...just in case I don't make it back here again.

I've just finished up a new card kit for Frost it Pink using the new Melissa Frances Home for the Holidays collection.  The kit contains all of the supplies and instructions you'll need to complete 9 cards and 3 tags, plus extra goodies.  You'll find paper, cardstock, buttons, rusty jingle bells, chenille candy canes, holiday rubons, ribbons, twills, glass glitter stars, trims, die cuts, cardstock stickers, chipboard, cupid embellishment, trinket pins, etc.

Here are a few images for you...

 

 

 

 

 

You can purchase the kit HERE.  

Also...I've brewed up a huge batch of more tea-stained twill for you...

You can purchase it in different widths HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Melis

 

Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas & Crafty Christmas Challenge...

It's 2 for 1 special today!

So glad you're joining me...welcome to day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas with my friend Mish and also  the Crafty Secrets DT Christmas Challenge.  

 

With the holidays approaching and so much to do,  Mish and I thought we'd get started with a project all about organization...holiday planners, notebooks, journals, etc.  I seem to have a love fest going on with planners of all sorts, and so I have enjoyed each minute spent on preparing a little holiday planner to share with you today.

 
 

I used a lot of random items to make up my planner....it's composed of folded tea-stained book pages that form a pocket, recipe cards, envelopes, glassine and paper bags, and dividers taken from the Crafty Secrets Wood File Folder Album.

I used two of my favorite Crafty Secrets stamp sets throughout this planner including the Christmas Mail and Vintage Christmas Clear Art Stamps.  

Here you can see how a folded page from a book can create a perfect pocket to hold tags, lists, recipes, photos, coupons, etc. by simply adhering the bottom and side edge, leaving the top edge open to fill with your treasures.

The Crafty Secrets Sweet Chips Chipboard Die Cut Shapes work great throughout the planner to frame in sentiments or create dimensional embellishments....love these little numbers.

For this page I folded a glassine bag in half, secured it with tea-stained twill tape, and then slipped in a Papertrey Ink notebook that I had cut to size.

Seeeeee....how fun!  I love pockets and envelopes...it's kind of like a game of hide and seek each time you open up your planner.  

Crafty Secrets has the most beautiful vintage images...I used the Double Sided Merry Christmas Creative Scraps and Christmas Images and Journal Notes throughout.  

A smaller glassine envelope attached to the back of the page divider creates another instant pocket and then another book page pocket stuffed with a tag shown here as well.

Love, love, love the bitty tea-stained square envelopes all dressed up in fabric, doilies, stamps, buttons, etc...these are so much fun to create.

I used a Martha Stewart library pocket and card on this page...another little place to tuck an essential Christmas list or memory.

Melissa Frances rubons are a staple in my crafty life...they always come in handy.

A bitty little fabric yo-yo I made using some tea-stained fabric scraps...tucked in the center of some scrunched seam binding from Memrie Mare.  The pink glass glitter star and velvet flower are also from Memrie Mare's etsy shop.

Here you can see some tags tucked into the book page pocket....

And lastly, another small square envelope all dressed up attached to a folded paper bag that forms another pocket for tags and such.

I have a few pages left to go before I'm done, but hope that you'll get a few ideas from the completed pages I've shown  you today.

Mish and I are also going to be sharing favorite recipes with  you throughout our 12 Days of Christmas event and here is one of my very most favies.

Melissa's Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

2 cups granulate sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp. vanilla

4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled

4 eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup powdered sugar

Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses

1.  Mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and chocolate in large bowl.  Stir in eggs.  Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

2.  Heat over to 350 degrees.  Grease cookie sheet.  Roll dough into balls and drop into powdered sugar.  Roll to coat and place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

3.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Unwrap Candy Cane Kisses and place one in the center of each cookie.

Enjoy!

Now a few more links for you to follow and get inspired by...the Crafty Secrets team...
 Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Linda Duke

Michele Kovack

Flo Teixeira from France

Julie Campbell

Mary Hamer

Anna Wight (November Guest Designer)

I'm so happy you stopped by.  Mish and I will be back to continue our 12 Days of Christmas after Thanksgiving.  I hope to pop in again here this week with some other projects for you.

Happy Day 1!

Melis

my glowing fire...

my loaf of bread...

my roof's safe shelter overhead...

It's been a cozy Sunday thus far...I love Sundays all bundled up together.  I'm feeling so thankful for my warm house, food on the table, my little family, my faith, loved ones...even the stinky, noisy chickens...

I'm popping in quickly to invite you all back tomorrow for the 12-Days of Christmas kick-off with my wonderfully talented friend MISH!  I love her and still remember stalking her blog faithfully....admiring her recipes, her sketches, the homespun, cozy feel I left with...then, lucky me...I was invited to join the team at Papertrey Ink and now have had the chance of working closely with Mish for a couple of years...she is a dear heart.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.  Meanwhile....I've been sneaking in minutes, late-night hours, and bits of spare time preparing something for you as well....hope to see you soon!

Melis

Because I Have Been Given Much

Because I have been given much, I too must give.

Because of thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,

who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care…

I cannot see another’s lack and I not share-

my glowing fire, my loaf of bread-my roof’s safe shelter over head,

that he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed,

thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

~ Grace Noll Crowell~

 

the house that built me...

I have a new favorite song....mostly because my husband tells me it's for me whenever he hears it...he's kinda mushy and sweet like that...love him for it.  It's called The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert...

I have two houses that built me....the sweet, loving home I was raised in....and then this one...built by my husband's two gentle, strong, kind, and thoughtful hands...I feel as if both homes built me in completely different but very essential ways...and I am thankful for the lessons learned.  I wonder how this home will build my little one...what memories she'll have...how it will strengthen her and help her through the rough spots in life.  A place she can always go to in her heart to feel loved. Here we love, laugh, cry, learn, listen, grow, dream, believe, hurt, heal, and feel joy...our little haven...a house is so much more than just a house....

I did cut out pictures from Better Homes & Garden magazine for years....he remembers and smiles and did his very best to make my dreams come true...I love him for it.

Today...just one share for you....created with a beautiful, shabby color palette from The Color Room.  I used a vintage inspired image given to me by my friend Michelle from This Good Day....she creates the most beautiful things...I just received a lovely package from her...and love every little thing.  Thank you Michelle.

The foil crown is from another friend...Cerri from Little Pink Studio...treat yourself to a little something there...you deserve it.

The borders you see across the top and bottom are cut from vintage sheet music using Papertrey Ink's Banner Borders die set...they can be trimmed down to size in length and width...love them.

My lilybean shadow is home today....4-day school weeks here...and I'm so happy to have her floating about...she fills our home with magic.

Before I go....I wanted to share with you a teaser of sorts....my creative blogging buddy...who shall remain nameless for just another day or so has invited me to join her in a 12 Days of Christmas blogging event....we'll be sharing an assortment of ideas to help kick off the holiday season....beginning on Monday, November 22, 2010....

Some clues to pique your interest....she's hilarious....has a fabulous etsy shop filled with things I use daily...can Copic like non-other...is loving, caring, thoughtful, and considerate...and is a sports mama :)

I'll see you soon!

Melis 

mother nurture...

Wednesday night...

It's quiet...dinner is done...dishes done...little one squeaky clean...laundry waiting to be folded...and much on my mind... I'll just share creatively tonight...

I created this for Emma's Paperie this month...inspired by the Color Challenge posted on the blog...I love the colors...they remind me of a cozy, French cottage...sometimes shabby, always elegant.

You can find all of the supplies I used on this HERE on Emma's Paperie blog.

Now for Part 2 of my last post...

The egg came back in one piece....my little mother hen is taking such great care of her flock....nurturing them along...loving them.  Her Gramps gave her a wild kitten last week that he found in his garage...she named it "Ugly" at first because as she said, "Mama, we have the ugliest kitten ever."...but taking the kitten's feelings into consideration, she changed its name to "Flour"...making sure I understood it was not the flower that grows in beautiful colors and smells so sweet...but the other kind....we'll see where this goes.  Flour is now living peacefully down with the chickens...smothered and mothered by the hens....a perfect place for a little orphan kitten.

Her reward for getting her homework done is to hop on down to the chicken coop after school and collect the eggs...I realize that this will soon not be such an exciting reward for her, but will be more like a chore...but for now, she lives for it...and I live for her.

Night everyone.

Melis

 

henny, penny, and prudence...

We have 6 lovely, red hens...feisty, noisy, busy, and all named Henny or Penny....can't tell them apart, but we are enjoying them.  They follow Sierra around clucking at her, mothering her, and ready to chit chat...and this weekend, they started laying eggs for her to gather.  My little one has been out there just about every hour on the dot to check for new treasures...we packaged one up carefully to take to show and tell today...inside I'm laughing as I'm sure her teacher won't be as tickled with a fresh egg as my girl is...but, she is so proud and I gave in.  She told me this morning that boys aren't very good at holding eggs and I paused for a minute and realized that she was going to pass the egg around and let everyone have a chance holding it...ohhhh, dear...I told her she was probably right, but she had better keep that little egg tucked safe and sound in the box it came in and just let everyone take a peek....we'll see.  Life on the farm is has been so much fun.

I have a few things to share with you today...it's been a busy last few days, and I am all chit chatted out...so I'll get to the projects....

This first card uses Papertrey Ink's new Take Three:  Winter set...now with a coordinating die available for all of the Take Three sets...such a great idea.

You can see a peek here of the Banner Builder die across the top of the card....love, love, love Banner Builder dies!

I am simply smitten with this next set....Warm Happiness Too designed by Heather Nichols....something about her sweet, simple, homepsun style just warms my heart and makes me want to stamp.  This set also comes with coordinating dies.  I also used Heather's new Fillable Frames #10 stamp set and die on this card, cutting the felt frame and stamping the sentiment on a tea stained tag from Mish's etsy shop.  

Moving onto Year of Flowers:  Mums...

I love Nichole's Year of Flowers series...such beautiful images.

Lisa Johnson's new Larger Than Life stamp set is oooooh so gorgeous!  The coordinating dies take it to the next level and make creating so much fun.

Mat Stack 1 Collection is a wonderful addition to the Mat Stack 1 die...Nichole designs the most beautiful backgrounds, flourishes, and sentiments.

I think that about covers all of the new Papertrey Ink stamp sets and dies....happy shopping...you'll love your new goodies.

Before I go, thank you so much to those of you who purchased a Tea Stained Christmas Pocket....I'm busy in the kitchen staining treasures for you.  I do have 3 more pockets available....please let me know if you're interested.

I'm also busy working on a new card kit for Frost it Pink...think Home for the Holidays...Melissa Frances...shabby, and loaded.

And...I'm waiting on a few items to arrive and will then have everything ready to go for one more Christmas Pocket kit....this sparkly, shiny, shabby, vintage goodness...stay tuned.  I'll only have a handful of these available.

Lastly...I have to share a new favorite blog discovery with you...Prudence Pennywise...so cute and delicious!

Thanks to each of you!

Have a wonderful Monday.

Melis

 

 

signature series showcase...

Me again....back with more Papertrey Ink new stamping delectables.  Tonight's group post focuses on Dawn McVey's new Signature Series stamp sets...perfectly perfect for card makers.  I have always loved Dawn's beautiful handwriting and enjoy the fact that Papertrey Ink offers several stamp sets in her wonderful script....and now....more x 4....but with an extra trendy, powerful punch.

We were asked to choose one of the Signature Series sets to focus on and create a tag and card....I immediately and kind of selfishly snatched up  the Dress Form set...I love it's elegant, shabby, timeless appeal.

The tag I created comes with a little jacket to keep it cozy and safe...the sleeve is a small glassine bag embellished with paper and trimmings while the inner tag uses Papertrey Ink's Fillable Frames #4 and Mat Stack 4 dies...vintage buttons...and of course the sweetest sentiment ever...from Dawn's set...I love her clever, carefree way with words.

The card uses the same elements and together a fun, sweet, and shabby ensemble is ready to share.  I couldn't resist adding bitty adhesive pearls along the neckline....very Audrey Hepburn-esque.

You'll notice more Banner Builder dies used across the top of teh card and on teh bag.  Melissa Frances and October Afternoon paper was used here along with Memrie Mare's scrunched seam binding.

Three other Signature Series sets are available...a butterfly, flower, and cupcake...each with different sentiments and coordinating dies.  I'm a little bit in love, yes siree.

I'm off to do some browsing of my favorite girl's blogs...will you join me?

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

Thanks for visiting....I feel like watching a sappy, cheesy flick on the Hallmark channel tonight...anyone else?

Melis

 

it's a banner day...

So happy to be with you tonight...to share my love of some brand-new, ultra-irresistible Papertrey Ink products...

This group post is all about a new stamp set called Banner Builder complete with coordinating dies to make it so easy and enjoyable to create banners for any occasion.

I chose to create a Winter Bliss banner to hang throughout the winter months....the dies take all of the hard work out of creating and then of course the fun begins with adding stamps, trims, glitter, dies, tags, and other toppings.

Let me pause here for a moment and just say that my very most favorite part of this collection are the banner toppers....ohhhh, be still my heart...4 different styles and all so darling.

I used oodles of other Papertrey Ink products on this such as the Limitless Layers die collection for the medallions cut from sewing patterns, felt snowflakes using the Peace Be Still die collection, Vintage Cream felt, Fine Linen buttons, the Snowflake Serenade and Peace Be Still stamp sets, and other toppings such as velvet leaves, tea stained tags, chipboard letters, vintage sheet music, trims, doilies, and scrunched seam binding.

Can't wait....can't wait to create a banner of another sort...you'll love this collection.

Now...onto the Banner Builder stamp set....A-DOR-A-BLE....

This card uses the stamp set along with the itty, bitty version of the dies....as I stated before, I am in love with the banner toppers...so intricate and sweet....and of course, Nichole is speaking to my heart with the addition of the banner stamp and die that can be trimmed to size and made into a flag, or sentiment banner with curled edges, of simply folded....I worry I may wear out my welcome with this set.

Along with the Banner Builder stamp set, I  used On Ice and Holly Jolly...so much fun to mix and match.

I shall stop my gushing....let's go visit the other designer's blogs...I can't wait to see their amazing mini masterpieces.

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

Happy, happy PTI group post night.

Melis

 

 

glitter pudding...

and silly sidewalks...

How I love this age...not mine :)...my little girl's age.  We've started driving daddy nuts by listening to Christmas music...today while We Wish  You a Merry Christmas was playing she came and asked me what glitter pudding was....I corrected her and said "figgy pudding"....she said "no...glitter pudding".  I smiled and said glitter pudding was extra tasty this time of year.

Then of course came Silver Bells and "silly sidewalks, busy sidewalks"....I've decided to not correct her, but enjoy every bit of the funny things that come out of her mouth....I love my little buddy.

There is a toasty, tasty, warm, and melty new color palette up at The Color Room this week....I was a bit fearful of it at first as it didn't contain an ounce of pink....but I am loving it now...who needs pink anyway, huh?

I used Papertrey Ink's Beautiful Blooms #2 Die Collection to cut the sewing pattern and then coated the layers with Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Mist.  The sentiment is from Mega Mixed Messages.

The bitty mushrooms (which I can't get enough of and think you'll love them too) are from Meyer-Imports...I never though in a million years that mushrooms and I would get along...I owe mushrooms everywhere an apology....I just don't love them on my pizza.

Lastly.....and this is a miraculous announcement....my Christmas cards have been ordered and are here...and I am smitten.  I *heart* Tiny Prints...in fact, I'm going back for some of their cute, cute Ornament Cards...they're round and can hang on trees everywhere with the faces of your little beloveds smiling back at everyone.

Here is what our card looks like...

I chose the Initialed Wreath Tri-fold as it is different and unique and I was able to load it with oodles of pictures.

Sigh....I can't stop looking at them....they just make me happy...must be that little girl.  Thank you to my super sweet sis-in-law for taking the photos....they are treasures.  Thank you Tiny Prints.....I'm coming back for more and more.

Enjoy your night.

Melis

 

 

 

tea-stained trinkets...

Happy Thursday and Happy Veteran's Day....I'm enjoying a day at home with my little one.  We're happy to be tucked inside on this blustery, cold day.

I'm bringing you a couple of projects using bits and pieces from my Tea-Stained Christmas Pockets....just a few ideas of what you can do with some of the contents.

 
This sample uses just a snippet of the tea-stained recipe card framed in by the glittered chipboard frame...tea-stained fabric bits in the background, the vintage chenille candy cane embellished with some tea-stained twill and that cute, little, rusty jingle bell.

This next card uses one of the stamped envelopes included in the kit...I've wrapped fabric bits around the edges of the envelope...

I wrapped the twill around the envelope and embellished the bow with the berries also included in the kit.

I used Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas Clear Arts Stamp Set on the envelope and added in a cutting from Crafty Secrets Merry Christmas Double-Sided Creative Scraps.

Lastly, a card using Papertrey Ink Holly Jolly stamps, tea-stained fabric, Memrie Mare scrunched seam binding, Maya Road trim, a rusty jingle bell, and K&Co. paper, chipboard, die cut, and stickers.  

The tiny tea-stained tag is from Mish's etsy shop.

I would love to see what you do with your kits once you receive them....enjoy!

Melis

 

Christmas in a pocket...

Happy Tuesday!  I hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are.  Things are lovely here...rainy yesterday, but I think the rain is heavenly.

I don't have too much time to spare today, but I do have oodles to share.

Coming soon to my etsy....

Tea-stained Christmas Pockets

Each of these creative bundles includes a tea-stained, machine sewn pocket made from book print stuffed full with tea-stained fabrics, envelopes, twill,doily tags, and a recipe card....I think the recipe card is my absolute favorite thing in this kit.  Also, a glittered chipboard frame, vintage Santa, rusty jingle bells, trim, ribbon, berries, a trinket pin, 3 scrunched, sage flowers, vintage chenille candy cane, buttons in three colors, hand stamped doily tags, and my favorite hand stamped, tea-stained mini envelopes.  

I used several Papertrey Ink stamp sets throughout the contents of this package including Holly Jolly, Fillable Frames #9, 2010 Holiday Tags, Background Basics:  Christmas, Peace Be Still, and Everyday Treats.  

I only have a handful or two of these available.....each with different tea-stained fabrics and vintage Santa's, but all of the other goodies are just as you see here.  They'll be up for sale soon HERE.  I'll be posting projects here on my blog showing you ideas on how to use your Christmas Pocket.

 

One more little something or other before I go....a new project for you at Emma's Paperie...

As I've mentioned before, my friend Mish Wooderson is my inspiration behind these paper bag pockets....they are so much fun to dress up, and I couldn't wait to use the Echo Park Merry Christmas collection on them.  

You can find all of the supplies I used on these HERE on the Emma's Paperie blog, and if you're interested in the bare Pretty Paper Pouches, you can find some HERE in Mish's etsy shop.

Well...time to get dinner underway....speaking of pockets, we're having Chicken Pockets....at least that's what my little girl calls them...they are heaven on earth.  

Night.

Melis

 

 

 

little love nests...

 

It's a cozy, Sunday night....one little busy-body tucked in bed...one big fellah snoring on the couch....and I'm bursting with ideas.  I've started writing things down as they come and go so quickly in this fuzzy mind of mine, but I love that they haven't stopped flowing...sometimes I wonder if they will someday....I'll miss them as they are my treasured friends...it's kind of like meeting someone new and feeling right at home with them...wanting to spend each spare moment with them, and then watching the friendship grow.

Tonight....as I am all snuggled up inside with a toasty fire glowing I thought I'd share a few pics of some recent projects.

 

These chunky wooden houses are like candy to me....I just can't seem to get enough of them and the fact that they all turn out with their own personalities make them even more special and enjoyable.  Kim Hesson cuts the little creatures and then I get to dress them up...thank you Kim for providing me with the bitty, blank canvases  that I am so inspired by.  The tiny pink heart was purchased at the Little Pink Studio...one of my favorite places to shop...lots of treasures waiting for you there.  

A jolly, little village...with vintage rhinestones, scrunched seam binding, glitter, trims, and other toppings.

 
...a little set all about "Wishing you Joy".  I love stamping on the wooden houses...it brings in a different sort of character than the paper and other elements.  This stamp set is from Papertrey Ink and called Snowflake Serenade.  

 

The rusty jingle bell is something that I am charmed by...you can find them in different sizes at Frost it Pink.  

   

Lastly....another cottage covered in Melissa Frances Home for the Holidays paper and embellishments, rubons, applique, stickers, tinsel, and chandelier drop.

 

Now something too irresistible to keep to myself....

I am so inspired by other artists and one in particular, Amy Powers, has to be one of my all time favorites....and she's so very generous with her sharing.  She has a new online magazine available for all to view called Inspired Ideas....you can sit back, relax and be prepared to be amazed by clicking HERE for her online idea book.  Thank you sweet Amy!

Before I go...one more super fun place to shop is Meyer-Imports....they have the most unique little creations there...and they're offering a free mushroom kit with every purchase right now....I can't wait to try my hand at glittering some of those little babies....creative I tell you!

Thanks so much for visiting with me.

Night.

Melis

live, laugh, love...

Well...off they go...my little girl and husband on a special adventure together.  The truck is loaded to the tippity top with fire wood, sleeping bags, warm clothes, one little girl with a golden pony tail, and her daddy...best of buddies.  They're off to load the  horses and mules and then set up elk camp.  My husband has both a deer and an elk tag this fall...hunting is  a way of life  here and one that I appreciate.  I love that it brings our family together...it was always been something that he, his dad, brothers, uncle, and cousins have done together from a very early age, and because of that...they remain best of friends today...now it's their children that get to go along and strengthen that special relationship.  It's my husband's birthday this weekend and I love that he is going to be doing exactly what he loves to do.....he deserves it.  

I'm busy making him a birthday cake and will travel up in a few hours for some divine Dutch Oven cooking and birthday cake...surrounded by pines and aspens...those boys know how to eat very well.

I'll bring my little one home with me tonight and we'll have our own sleep over at home while the boys get serious tomorrow.  She's a bit too little to ride horseback on her own just yet...but in a few years she'll be tagging along, I'm sure.  

Sooo....I've been savoring another beautiful color palette from The Color Room....the combinations each week have been so inspiring to me....I keep saying that each one if my favorite...and I'll say it again this week.

I used some Crate Paper Restoration elements, Martha Stewart doilies, Prima flowers and baubles, tea stained twill, scrunched seam binding, and the Embellishments stamp set from Papertrey Ink...among other things.

of course...the sweet, bitty, tea stained tags are from Mish's etsy shop.  

That's it for today....I wish you a wonderful day filled with autumn goodness!

Melis

 

 

I think of her...

My heart starts to soar when I think of her...

I can't help but smile and thank heaven for her...

 

I had her on my mind while making this project today....covering it and spoiling it with all things that remind me of her...

She sparkles when she dreams, imagines, and plays...

She fills our home with happiness we never expected...

She makes us look at life with new eyes...little things we may have taken for granted are special memories and moments to treasure...

She has brought us to life with her sweet spirit....I am forever thankful for the experience to be her mama.

She is beautiful inside and out.

A few things that make me happy today:
~1.  Glitter....it's a simple pleasure...I love how it brings things to life...and am currently fascinated with coating things with Silver Sugar Glimmer Mist and then covering them with glitter...it's a beautiful addiction.

~2.  Paper-crafting...I haven't had much time for it lately, and sat down the other day just to play and found my heart singing....it brings me to life and I am so thankful for it.

~3.  Modern medicine...the ability to head to the Dr. and come home with medicine for my little bug...to know she'll feel better very soon.

~4.  New socks....a small fetish of mine, but I sooo love new socks...all comfy and cozy and warm...especially when the weather starts turning cold.

~5.  Ghiradelli chocolate chips...I don't think I need to say more on this subject :)

The above project was created with a few of my favorite supplies found at Frost it Pink...they seem to be necessities here, so I should share them with you, don't you think?

Melissa Frances Small Lockbox Applique Set

Velvety Pink Angel Wings

Silver German Glass Glitter Stars

Silver Dresden Crowns 

Prima Annalee Poetry Paper

Prima Jack 'n Jill Ode to Joy Paper

Prima Jack 'n Jill Silver Skies Paper

My Mind's Eye Market Street Happy Birthday Dictionary Paper

**And, I am currently staining more twill tape for Frost it Pink...so look for it in the store very soon.

The mini chunky house can be found at Kim Hesson's etsy shop...it looks like there are a few available now.

Enjoy today!

Melis

attitude of gratitude...

 
 
~1.  Her freckles....they are like stars sprinkled across heaven's sky...I adore each one of them.

~2.  Sunlight...I love how it streams through the windows and warms my shoulders.

~3.  Kisses...sweet gifts I am given from my husband and little girl each day as they leave the house...what would I do without them?

~4.  Mom...my best friend....her phone calls, our visits, her small acts of love that mean more to me than she'll ever know.

~5.  Homemade Sugar Cookies...made with little, chubby fingers...with sprinkles glopped on like tiny mountains...they are extra sweet.

 
I LOVE November....November is love, and kindness, and gratitude, and happiness...I appreciate the gentle reminders that float about nudging us to express our gratitude more frequently...so, that is just what I'm going to do each day here in my little, happy place....feel free to join me if you'd like.

I'm busy working on a few assignments but mostly some holiday-ish items for my etsy shop...I hope to fill it here within the next couple of days.

 
This card was made using another Maya Road Scroll Frame....they are so delicious.  The frame was painted and then stamped with the Darkroom Door Harlequin Background stamp and then glittered with Martha Stewart glitter.  I also used Memrie Mare scrunched seam binding, a rusty jingle bell from Frost it Pink, and vintage elements from K & Co.

Now a little something glittery made for Emma's Paperie this month.

 

I've got a short and simple tutorial posted on the Emma's Paperie blog on how to create your own glittered buttons.  I've used Jenni Bowlin chipboard buttons here along with a corrugated button from Jillbean Soup...they are soooooo adorable.  All of the supplies used on this card along with instructions are posted HERE.

"Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them"  ~J. Reuben Clark

Have a beautiful November day.

Melis