Lily Bee Finds

Spring Cards

The weather in Colorado isn't cooperating with me. I want those gorgeous spring days with beautiful blooms. While it may not be full blown spring here just yet, i can get my spring color fix with Lily Bee's Beautiful designs from Stationary & Happily Lost.

This 4.25 x 5.5 card could be used for a number of different events but i made it with graduation in mind. I know a couple of teens graduating high school, including my daughter, and thought the sentiment was just perfect. I so love the banner stickers from Happily Lost Sticker Sheet. The flower is similar to Linda's brilliant post with a colorful brad in the center.

The base of this card was a rejected background from this layout. Sometimes the backgrounds i create just don't go with the page i am working on. I just set them aside to use on an altered project, to punch out shapes, or to use on a card, like this one. I cannot every get enough of butterflies so they are exploding on this card.

I love that cards can come in all shape & sizes. This little card only measures 4 x 3. I know it's a simple little card but it makes me so happy. Aren't those sticker letters from Happily Lost so darn cute? and how can you beat 8 alphas on a page?

Don't forget today is the last day of the Lily Bee Design Team Call. I cannot wait to see who will be joining the team!

Sketch Challenge

Hi there! We are back today with a sketch challenge. Virginia Tillery drew up a sketch and sent it to Cindy Liebel and Iris Uy. And here are the fun results!

The sketch:

What Virginia did with it:

What Cindy came up with:

Iris's take on the sketch:

And now it's your turn! Use this sketch PLUS at least one Lily Bee product to create a layout, and then link us here on this post or on Facebook. Remember to name your layout "Lily Bee Sketch Challenge," so we'll know it's for this. You have until next Tuesday, April 5, 9pm ET to post.

We'll randomly pick a winner to receive the new Picket Fence papers and stickers! Oh yes! Love me some Picket Fence.

One quick reminder. Tomorrow is the last day to enter our design team search. So now it's the time to stop procrastinating (I'm speaking from experience, peoples. I'm a huge procrastinator!). You can find the details about the design team call here.

Can't wait to see your challenge entries!

Lovin ' this new Stationery line . . .

I absolutely love the new Stationery line!  The subtle patterns and colors are perfect for mixing and matching with the bolder patterns in the other Lily Bee collections.  They also look great on their own.  Here's a page I created using a couple of the Stationery papers and the adorable banner stickers from the Happily Lost line.  The cute little 3-year-old girl of mine in these photos just turned 9 years old last week!  Where does the time go???

I added a couple Maya Road chipboard butterflies that I painted and "Stickled" (is that a word?  Hmpf. . . it should be).  I added some Spritz droplets to the Stationery paper and then typed my journaling on a transparency.   The beauty of printing the journaling block on a transparency is that the words blend in nicely with the background and don't completely cover up the beautiful paper.

Products used:

Stationery - Oatmeal

Stationery - Slushie

Happily Lost - Cardstock Stickers

On a final note . . . parting is such sweet sorrow!  My DT term with Lily Bee is coming to an end this month. I'm planning on slowing down a bit over the coming months and scrapping a little bit less than I have been lately. It's been a wonderful experience being on the Lily Bee design team.  I'm very grateful for the opportunity!  I've been consistently inspired by all the beautiful projects created by my fellow DT members and the talented ladies whose creations have been featured on the Friday Faves.  I can't wait to see who makes the new DT!  Good luck to all of you who applied!

Focus On: Domestic Bliss

Hello everyone! Hope you had a good weekend. Today, we are taking a closer look at Domestic Bliss. The collection is all girl with fun and strong colors. 

I love that Jill Sprott created this layout without any photos. Sometimes a layout just doesn't need any!

Lily Bee Supplies: 

Domestic Bliss rub-ons, cardstock stickers, and patterned papers (Centerpiece, Pearls and Heels, French Knot, From Fitting, and Kitchen Confidential)

Lisa Day made this sweet layout about her daughter learning to read. 

Lily Bee Supplies:

Domestic Bliss patterned papers (Mrs. Perfect, Kitchen Confidential, Pearls and Heels, and Centerpiece), chipboard stickers.

And a quick reminder that there only a few days left to apply to our design team! You can read more about it here.

Have a fabulous week!

Spring = (Paper) Flowers

I'm a huge fan of flowers. The planting/cutting/vase variety. Not a huge fan of scrapping flowers. Part of it is that I have only boys in my household. And while I regularly use what might be considered "girl-y" patterned papers, I don't use flowers much. I think I used it once before. In the ten-ish years I've been scrapbooking. One time.

That is until two weeks ago. I was in a scrapping frenzy, trying to get stuff done for a last minute project. It had to be technique-driven. Alas, I don't know any techniques! But it had to be done. So I ended up researching paper flowers, because let's face it, I might not use any, but they are everywhere. And I do love the look of a handmade flower. I just didn't really know how to make them. After much googling and youtubing, I ended up using three handmade flower techniques. One of which I'm sharing here. It's ridiculously easy. Easy enough that my five year is making them. Everyday. (It's out of control.) But the results are really nice. Nice enough that non-crafty people get really impressed when you mention that you made those yourself. (I impressed my mom. And she's not easy to impress!)

Pretty easy, right?

To recreate the card, you'll need to make 8 more flowers from the same patterned paper, and one from a contrasting cardstock. Cut a 8"x4" strip of patterned paper, fold it in half. Stick the flowers on the card using glue dots. I printed the phrase in my printer, then stamped the banner (I think it's an old Martha Stewart stamp.) Colored it in with a Letraset Promarker (alcohol-based marker), cut it out, added the little pearls, and used some pop up dots in the back. Easy peasy.

(A few thoughts: if you spray the paper circles lightly with water before you staple them together, they will fold up more easily. Unscrunch them very carefully. You can also use mist, but again, lightly. And you can also ink the edges. That would be super cute.)

Now I'm totally addicted to making paper flowers. I've even created a layout using, gasp, three flowers. Don't judge. That's a big step for me!

Hey, before I go, there is still time to apply to the Lily Bee Design Team! Find out more here.

Looking Back, Springing Forward

It's officially spring!  The new Lily Bee collections have started shipping, the call for a new design team is echoing (in your ears, I hope!), the new buds are unfurling themselves, and as for me, I am ready to immerse myself in the color and vibrancy and pure hope that is spring.

This layout is both a kind of springing forward, embracing all that I love about this time of year, as well as a kind of looking back, using some of my favorite Lily Bee products from previous lines. 

I admit, I have been hoarding this lovely floral Domestic Bliss Centerpiece paper for too long.  I love it so.

I also made good use of my stash of Lily Bee rub-ons, working them into the background by layering them over each other, and then misting lightly over them.

With this layout, I, too, am both springing forward and looking back, saying goodbye to two amazing years on the Lily Bee design team, and saying hello to new adventures (and what I know will be an incredible new Lily Bee design team).  Enjoy the season, and may every one of your creative endeavors burst into bloom!

Design Team Call Extended!

Hi everyone! Our Monday feature "Focus On" will return next week. For today, just a quick post letting y'all know that we are extending our design team call until March 31. We've had some emails from designers entering the call, telling us that they were waiting for new products to hit the stores. Since the products are currently shipping, we wanted to give everyone a little more time.

That said, please don't feel like you have use the newest Lily Bee. Any Lily Bee will do the job. We are not expecting you to buy the new stuff. We just want to see how well you use our products. Also, we don't want you to feel like you have to fill an entire page with our products. We are hoping to see your style shining through in each of the projects you send us.

Thanks to all who have already sent us your applications. You should receive a confirmation email within a day or so. And if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

For more details on the call, please go here. So stop procrastinating, and get with it! Can't wait to see your stuff.

Friday Faves!

It's Friday again. Woohoo. Every other Friday or so, here at Lily Bee, we like to feature layouts, cards, and projects shared with us on our Facebook page or here on our blog. Just link us up! Because of our fun paper embellies challenge this past week, we had a bigger than usual number of layouts. I've randomly picked a few to share here. And I'm filing the other ones for the future (and for scraplifting!)

In no particular order, because they are all amazing, first we have a layout by Pamella Brown. Her layout seems simple and straight forward, but it's also filled with so many thoughtful elements! She used a bit of bling, some mist, stitching, and those amazing flowers!

Aleksandra Gadji shared this layout that is just beautiful. I love how she balanced the cute flowers. with the tougher looking circle stamps. She also did such a great job in making a clean and simple layout into an interesting and engaging one.

Last, but definitely not least, April Yap created this incredible layout with the most lovely little bits on it. The daisy chain punched strips, the ribbons, the ink, the butterflies, the flowers, the banner, and so much more! Such happiness in this layout.

Thank you ladies for sharing your work with us!

Before I sign off, a quick note about our Design Team Search. There is still time! The deadline is March 25. You can read more about it here.

What we are looking for are not projects created with the latest Lily Bee. So if you have stuff from two seasons ago, use it! We just want to see how well you work with our products. And we also want you to find out if you love working with it. We encourage you to apply even if you have no previous DT experience. You never know, this might be your time!

When you send your entry, you will receive a confirmation from us via email. It might take a day or two, but we'll respond to let you know we've received it.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Paper Embellishment Winner!!!

I want to thank everyone for playing along with the Paper Embellishment challenge. It's been a real treat seeing all of your wonderful creations.

Without further ado, the winner chosen using Random.org counter is...............Anthea Peterson for her Reclaim layout. CONGRATS!!


Anthea, please contact me at [email protected] to receive the entire LOVELY collection!!

Happy St. Patty ' s Day...

Happy St. Patty's Day! I just love all the fun green, clovers, leprechauns and fun of today! Today is one of my favorite "no pressure" holidays! It doesn't hurt that green is one of my favorite colors.

I made these cute little cards to celebrate!


I used a mixture of the Lovely Collection and Christmas Town. I know it's been said over and over, but all the collection really do work well together, don't you think? That's why I love Lily Bee so much!


I also used the backing of the big sheets of rub-ons for my card base and the "Lucky to know you" tag. Again, I love love love Lily Bee!! Even the packaging is perfect!


Lily Bee Supplies Used:
Lovely Collection Patterned Paper - Whimsy
Lovely Collection Chipboard Stickers
Christmas Town Patterned Paper - Sleigh Ride
Christmas Town Patterned Paper - Christmas Window
Christmas Town Chipboard Stickers

A Play on Rub-ons...

Ok I admit it... I loooove rub-ons. I hoard it. I have terrible handwriting and using rub-ons (specially text type) for journaling makes my life oh so easier. But then, I am always left with scraps of rub-ons and phrases that don't work for my layouts. What to do?? I thought of using my scraps to add texture to hand-made embellishments (again from scraps) and I loved the result! Here, let me show you how...

1. Select and cut out the rub-ons (text) that you probably won't be using in the near future. It would be nice if you can select different font types and colors.



2. Rub it over your paper scraps. Combine different texts and colors in one piece of paper.


3. Run your paper scraps (embellished with your rub-ons) on your die-cutting machine or paper shapers to create embellishments like tags for example...


Paint a thin layer of gesso or acrylic paint over the text to help blend it with your papers...


You can also paint over your patterned papers before applying the rub-ons if you want it to stand out more like how I did here for my title..


Use your tags as embellishments for your next layout. Here is an example... all papers from scraps. Who would have thought you can have so much fun with scraps??! I did! Hope you can try this out too.


Thanks for your visit today!

a bit of this and that...

Ever since I got these papers from the This & That collection - I just couldn't wait to start cutting away on them. I just adore the color combination of this collection and also that shade of turquoise on the milk bottle paper is just perfect - not too bright nor too blue - and it works perfectly with the brooch pattern paper (yellow); my fav.



I also created this layout for my little sis - capturing that moment of us playing around in the early morning on the beach with muummy; what a super great way to start the day off (a nice stroll along the beach). Also in addition to all the lily bee goodies - I also used the maya road sheer doily and heart trinket pins and adhered the pattern papers with helmar zapdot.



And here are a few more close ups of the layout and details...



Lily Bee Supplies Used:
This & That Pattern Paper - pretty fabric
This & That Pattern Paper - brooch
This & That Pattern Paper - milk bottle
This & That Pattern Paper - linens
Christmas Town Chipboard Stickers

Thanks again everyone for stopping by and hopefully we've inspired you to do a bit of scrapping today.

Focus On: Picket Fence

Hello everyone! Before we move onto to today's lovely projects, a quick announcement:

Our brand  new 2011 Winter CHA products have begun shipping to stores everywhere. Woohoo! Find it at your LSS and online soon.

Back to the regularly programmed scheduled. Hee hee.

Today, we are checking out Picket Fence. This beautiful line was designed by our very own team member, Julia Stainton. She's one of those people whose work always makes me happy, and thinking "that's crazy genius, why didn't I think of that?" You can see more of her magic on her blog.

So, it was apropos that we asked Julia to share a project using her own papers.

She created this beautiful layout that is so pretty. And she used one of my favoritest papers in the line, the wood grain one! (In case you are wondering, it's called Veranda. The other side is crazy good too.)

But wait, there is more yumminess. Piradee Talvanna created this super cool mini album that is filled to the brim with sweet and thoughtful details. Love how each square is a separate work of art. And that bicycle stamp? You will need it. Really.

And...

There is still time to participate in our paper embellishment challenge. The prize is lovely. Just sayin'...

And there is also lots of time for you try out for our design team! Get details here.

Hope you are inspired to create some art this week.

Studio Peek: Lisa Day

Hello there! Today, we are doing the first Studio Peek. Every so often, we'll visit the workspace of one of our design team members and get a tour. Plus, we'll ask them a few nosy questions (the design team submitted the questions.)

Our first test subject designer is Lisa Day. Lisa's work is clean and linear, with lots of color and details. Not only does she do a super job here at Lily Bee, but she also teaches at Big Picture Classes (I mean, aside from her day job, and being a mommy and wife). You can check out more of Lisa's work on her blog, This Is My Life.

1. Tell us about your scrap space.
My scrap area is in the basement which we are in the process of finishing right now. It’s connected to the main area and the kids play room so we can all be together. Although I can’t show you pictures of that right now because the play room is full of stuff we had to move out of the way in the basement! It’s my favorite part of the room. It’s nothing fancy, but it works great for me!

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a hoarder are you? And what products do you hoard the most? 
Um, I guess I’d say a 7. I’m not too bad of a hoarder but I do have more stuff than I could probably ever use in a lifetime! I definitely hoard letter stickers the most. They can make or break a layout so I always think I need to have the perfect ones on hand. Plus it’s hard to use up an entire sheet so I have lots!

3. What is your oldest, most prized scrapbook item? The one that has been discontinued and you just don't want to use it up?
I’d say my oldest, although probably not most prized, items are all my brads and doo dads. Lately I have been challenging myself to include them on my layouts since I have so many. I have them organized in an old type drawer which makes me happy. So, even if I don’t use them at least they look pretty!

4. What do you do when you have a creative block?
When I feel blocked I take a nap or go for a walk. I’ve learned not to force it.

5. Who inspires you? 
There are so many wonderful scrapbookers that inspire me. Too many to name as they inspire me for different reasons. In life, my family inspires me a lot. Also Dr. Seuss! Weird I know!

6. What's your favorite Lily Bee product? 
I have to pick a favorite? Sorry. Not gonna do it. 

7. How long does it usually take you to finish a layout? 
If I am time crunched I can pull of a page in 30 minutes. But, if I have more time I tend to hem and haw and take an hour or longer to finish a page.

8. Do you eat while scrapbooking? If yes, what? 
Not really. Sometimes I like to have m&m’s or some kind of chocolate on hand. I spill too much so I’ve stopped having much near by!

And because we wanted to know more!

Favorite food – Chips and Salsa from Chili’s

Dream travel destination – its a tie between Savannah, New Orleans and Italy


If I could choose a superhero power, it would be – Flying! Because I spend too much time commuting plus I'm always late. 

Favorite color combo – Turquoise and Red

Your perfect weekend – Sitting on the beach next to my husband with my feet in the sand and a book in my hand, the kids playing and laughing nearby.  Luckily that’s half of our weekends in the summer!

And finally, we asked her to share her favorite layout using Lily Bee products.

Lisa says, "It’s an oldie but this was the layout that made me fall in love with Lily Bee products!"


Thanks Lisa! 

Lily Bee Challenge: Paper Embellishments

Happy Wednesday Lily Bee FANS :)

I'm super excited to bring on the next challenge. Are you ready? The challenge is to make Paper Embellishments & you must use at least one Lily Bee Design product. Pretty simple & FUN!

For this challenge, I used the Lovely collection to create pinwheels embellishments. I used three different size squares, 3x3, 3.5x3.5 & 3.75x3.75. Drew a line from one corner to corner and cut slits through all four corners, about 1/4 inch from center of square & folded every other corner into the center. Then, I embellished the centers with Lily Bee chipboard flowers & a Maya Road ribbon flower.


The idea for the pinwheels came from the little sand spinner in the photo...love the movement.

Lovely: Charm
Lovely: Splendid
Lovely: Whimsy
Lovely: Chipboard Stickers
Lovely 12x12 Rub-ons

To participate in the challenge, please use at least one Lily Bee product (any collection). Post your layout on Lily Bee's Facebook fan page & make sure to title your post Lily Bee Challenge: Paper Embellishments or you can include a link where your layout appears (gallery/blog) in the comment section of this post.

We will choose one lucky winner by random next Wednesday, March 16th, by 9pm EST. The winner will receive the ENTIRE Lovely collection! Good luck to everyone & I can't wait to see what you create :)