Lily Bee Finds

Sweet Stamps

Stamps are always one of my very favorite products. Their image can be stamped on almost anything and you can use them over and over and over. What's not to like?

Today I have a couple stamped cards to share with you. They have a spring theme so they are perfect to send out this time of year. The stamp set I'm using today is the Victoria Park line set that has a feminine and nostalgic feel.



This first design picks up the colors of the line for a vibrant design. The flower is inked up with three different inks before stamping so that I could add variation of color to the leaves. This is easy to do with markers or small ink pads.


Another thing to notice about this stamp set is the images are scaled to work together. The bird and the birdcage are stamped separately. You can perch the bird anywhere by itself or stamp it inside the cage for the most flexibility.



This second card has a lighter and more vintage look. I've done all my stamping in black ink on this one. The little frame is stamped onto kraft cardstock and filled with a stamped sentiment from the set.


I also wanted to create a stamped accent for this card. The little floral sprig is stamped onto the Princess Avenue paper and then adhere to the back of a clear glass cabochon accent. I love how it magnifies the image and turns some simple stamping into a beautiful custom embellishment.

Lily Bee Supplies:

Victoria Park Patterned Papers: Wortley Village, Richmond Row, Princess Avenue

Handmade Patterned Paper: Linen

Victoria Park Stamp Set

Quick and Simple Cards

Hey there! Happy Thursday. Almost the weekend...

I decided this year to make more cards and to send them! I tend to overthink my cards because the lack of photos and journaling tend to throw me off. So I've decided to stick to what I know best: clean and simple.

In this first card, I used Lily Bee stamps only. The lack of patterned paper means that you can create this card in any color scheme to suit your needs! A set of these in various colors would make a great gift!

Lily Bee supplies: Clear Stamps: Double Dutch, Buttercup, Memorandum

The background patterns were stamped with a navy ink and popped up. Those banners were made with a stamp from the Double Dutch line and various ink colors. I cut them out and to fit into the background squares. The Thank You is from the Buttercup stamps. I adhered the banners and curled the tips slightly.

For these next two cards, I used a Silhouette to cut out the chevrons. However, chevrons are easy enough patterns to cut with a craft knife. Alternatively, you could cut out the chevrons from patterned paper and glue those onto the cardstock.

I created two versions:

Lily Bee supplies: 6x6 Tiny Tablets: Double Dutch

Version: each chevron is backed with a different patterned paper and the "hi" is also cut with the Silhouette.

Lily Bee supplies: 6x6 Tiny Tablets: Buttercup ABC Carsdstock Stickers: Buttercup

Version 2: every chevron is backed with the same patterned paper, I used the ABC Cardstock Stickers for the sentiment.

By the way, I used the 6x6 Tiny Tablets for these. The smaller patterns are perfect for cards! Now I just need to get some stamps, write a message, go to the post office...

Thanks for dropping by! See you again tomorrow.

In Love With Index Cards

When there is a product that I just love so much, I hoard them as much as possible. I'm in love with the journaling cards so much. I love to use them in large quantities on layouts, too.

Thought I would use them to create the background for my layout, "& She Rides". I arranged them in a linear fashion and machine stitched around the outer edges to create a subtle border.

12 journaling cards from each collection was used, all with different design patterns and colors.

I kept the embellishments to a minimum and love how the background uses sub-duded colors so the photos pop.

Lily Bee Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Handmade/Pink Lemonade & Victoria Park/Richmond Row
Journaling Cards: Buttercup, Victoria Park, Double Dutch & Handmade

Bag of Bits: Victoria Park & Handmade

Mixed Cardstock Stickers: Handmade

Guest Designer ' s Space: Melissa Elsner

Hello there! Good to "see" you again! Did you drop by yesterday? If not, go there. Now! Our guest designer Melissa Elsner shared two gorgeous layouts with us. And today, she's sharing her workspace and telling us a bit how she organizes her stash and her workflow. 

Tell us about your scrap space?

I joke that I sleep in my scraproom. Which is pretty much true. It's basically my craft room with a bed and a dresser in it. It works out great for me because this is what I do. Sure I read books and like to be cozy in my room but I also really find enjoyment in crafting. Plus, it's kind of nice to scrap into the wee hours of the night, wearing jammies, and not having far to go when it's bed time.

I also did a blog post about my scrap space here.

How do you organize your stash? (tips, etc)

After a couple of years of collecting, I was finally able to complete my storage system. Every nook and cranny is used. I have Sterlite drawer holders for my small cardstock, photo paper, small canvas and other things. My patterned paper is organized by Manufacturer and then by collection. I have two bins for my punches. One is for border punches and the other is for regular punches. I purchased several 12x12 sized plastic folders that hold punch outs, chipboard sheets and large sticker sheets. Recently, I purchased a jewelry organizer for my embellishments. Not only is it great decor but it's also very convenient. I like color so the rest of my embellishments are organized by color. 

When do you usually scrap?

During the week I usually scrap in the evening. On the weekend it's whenever I'm home. There's something about staying up late though, watching Nick at Nite and scrapbooking. 

What's your process? Photos first? Story first? Product driven? Are you a fast or slow scrapper?

I begin with the story. Because I scrap from an emotion or thought, that's where it begins. Then, I choose product that can help symbolize the thought I want to convey and a then a photo. Sometimes, I do begin with a photo if it speaks to me.. or if it's from an event. I'd call myself a medium speed scrapper. Sometimes I'm slow, sometimes I'm fast. On average, it takes me about two hours to complete a layout. 

Do you listen to music? Eat? What kind of music? Favorite scrappy snacks?

I usually have Friends on. Ha! Love that show and it's noise. I like having noise in the background. I try not to eat when I scrap because I'm pretty clumsy but I always have an iced mocha. Love iced mochas. 

She made a card an altered canvas for us!

Do you have a go-to technique?

I like to layer. But I'm also a clean and simple gal with a linear focus. I recently found out that most of the layouts I love are horizontal in nature. I don't know if you want to call that a technique. I'm not really a "technique-y" person. But I do love to create my own embellishments using my Silhouette Cameo. 

A favorite photo of Melissa and her besties

Favorite food:  Bulgogi with rice and veggies (Korean beef dish)
Superhero power: Fly (cheaper than buying plane tickets!)

Favorite color combo: Pink, green, blue, brown, yellow.... I love color!

Ultimate travel destination: Europe! Haven't been yet. Anyone want to donate to my plane ticket?

Perfect weekend:  A scrapbooking retreat by the ocean. 

Favorite Lily Bee line: All of them. Seriously. I LOVE Lily Bee!

Thanks to Melissa for being our guest this month! And thank you for coming by today. We hope to see you tomorrow!

Sketch #6 Winner!!

Guest Designer: Melissa Elsner

Happy Monday, dear friends! Today, we are lucky to have Melissa Elsner guest designing for us. Melissa is an amazing scrapbooker and a champion of Lily Bee Design. She regularly contributes to our Facebook page with her fab projects.

I asked her to tell us a little about herself:

Hello! My name is Melissa Elsner and I hail from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When I'm not working at my day job as a toddler teacher, I am usually having coffee with friends (it's what us west coast folks do quite often and quite well), shopping, walking through art galleries, traveling and, of course, scrapbooking. I've been doing paper crafts in some shape or form since the early 2000's. I can't remember the exact year but the turning point was when I took a class at my, now closed, LSS. (Pause for moment of silence as we remember my closed LSS.) 

So I began to fervently make cards.  Then, during a therapy session, my counselor suggested I use scrapbooking to journal about things. I hate writing. I hate keeping a regular journal. So I tried it and haven't turned back. Most of my layouts are about me and my inner thoughts, struggles, triumphs and such. And I still make cards! :) 

I have had the complete honor to work with some amazing folks in this industry. People who know how I scrap and support it! I've been published in Paper Crafts and ScrapStreet.com as well as having projects featured here and there. I am also working on finishing my first online class, which is really exciting!

And her gorgeous layouts...

 

Come back tomorrow to check out Melissa's studio space and learn how she organizes her supplies (and what her superhero powers and favorite snacks are — that's the really important stuff!)

Day 3...Getting to know

My favorite scrapbook supply:
Stamps! I'm addicted! I love all! Especially the most graphic!

Something we don't know about you:
I work with computer graphics, I love traveling, cooking and photography, and I am a very clumsy! :-P

3 Things in your purse:
Sketch book, iPhone and sunglasses.

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
I found the scrapbook in 2006, since then I'm addicted! It is a therapy for me!

Favorite Food:
Hmmm, this is the hardest question for me! I love to eat! Prefer knowledge salty! I thinkmy favorites are pizza and pasta!


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
I don't even have to think about this one...Patterned Paper. As long as I have patterned paper I can make a layout. The options are endless, especially with punches!

Something we don't know about you:
I love to swim, but I'm afraid of lakes. Not the great lakes, but normal lakes. Growing up we pretty much spent every summer weekend at the lake (we still do). One time when we were little, we were playing tag in the water and hiding under the floating dock and stuff and I went to tag one of my sisters on the head...only it wasn't my sister...it was a beaver. Scared the crap out of me. There were also too many times I've seen water snakes and now I always think there's something in the water waiting to get me.

3 Things in your purse:
My iphone, headphones and chapstick!

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
11 years. I started when I was pregnant with my son and it quickly became an addiction!

Favorite Food:
Seafood!! If I won the lotto (ahem, when I win the lotto!) I will pay someone to come crack open some crab legs every afternoon for lunch! YUM! I would enjoy them with a Corona and lemon...always a lemon, never a lime!


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Patterned paper

Something we don't know about you:
I really don't like the foods on my plate to touch. Yuck.

3 Things that are in your purse right now: wallet, 5 lip balms, Canon Powershot S95

How long have you been Scrapbooking? Forever! Since I was a kid, really. But seriously addicted to it for about 7-ish years.

Favorite Food:
What do I not like? I love food. All food. But if I had to eat only one thing everyday, it would be sushi. For total indulgence, it would have to be creme brûlée. Oh yeah.


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
patterned paper

Something we don't know about you:
I’m super shy

3 Things that are in your purse right now:
Lemon Body Butter, an old wristband from Great Wolf Lodge, cell phone

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
12 years

Favorite Food:
Chocolate Cheesecake but anything chocolate works


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Punches, T-ruler & my Cameo

Something we don't know about you:
I clean my utensils before using them when at a restaurant, even if it just has water spots on it.

3 Things that are in your purse right now:
6 bags of gemstones & beads from a bead show over the weekend,

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
since 2003

Favorite Food:
Salmon, mussels, shrimp...anything seafood & homemade pesto


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
- letters & alphabets

Something we don't know about you:
I know all the words to every song on the Grease soundtrack (and sing them often. horribly out of tune.)

3 Things that are in your purse right now: crayons, NCAA basketball tourney brackets, Cadbury Creme Eggs

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
since 1998

Favorite Food:
the nachos at Rock Bottom Brewery

Handmade Cards

With spring in full bloom, I'm finding myself drawn to the vibrant colors and happy patterns of the new Lily Bee paper line, Handmade.  I recently whipped up a few cards to freshen up my stash and here's the results!

Handmade cards by Lisa Dickinson

I used die-cut shapes, layered with some of the Bag of Bits from the Handmade collection, on top of the Index Journal Cards. The bold sentiments were cut on my Silhouette.

 

Lily Bee Supplies:

Handmade Patterned Papers: Sky Blue, Thimble, Rag Quilt, Patchwork, Running Stitch

Victoria Park Patterned Paper: Grass

Buttercup Patterned Paper: Sunflower

Handmade Bag of Bits

Buttercup Index Journal Cards  

Even if it's not quite spring where you live, Handmade can put you in a spring-y mood! We'd love to see what you can create with it!

Day 2...Getting to know

Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Patterned Paper. Hands down. Even if I have no embellishments, I
can make anything I need from just a few sheets of pretty paper.

Something we don't know about you:
I once managed to wipe out and knock myself completely unconscious
while skiing on a business trip. I'm not sure I've ever even told my
parents about that one!

3 Things in your purse right now:
My iPad, my gym membership card, and a tube of C.O. Bigelow Spiced
Latte lip balm from Bath and Body Works.

How long have you been Scrapbooking:
14 years. I started young. :)

What's your favorite food:
Chipotle's steak salad with LOTS of guacamole!


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
It changes all the time, but right now, I have a passion for word stickers and my sewing machine

Something we don't know about you:
One of my favorite pastimes is putting on an accent....French, East Indian, English, Southern, whatever I can come up with. I can't explain why, but it brings me great joy. Perhaps it's a little escape into imagining myself in some of the places I'd love to travel to. (this is also normally accompanied by utter silliness)

3 Things that are in your purse right now:Passports for me and my family since we cross the border to Mexico so often, a very large wad of receipts that I really need to take out of there, a camera, because who goes anywhere without a camera, right?

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
About 10 years now (does that mean I am old?)

Favorite Food
Anything from Mexico with cheese and salsa


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
I guess I have to say patterned paper is my favorite supply! I love patterned paper...I try not to hoard it but I end up doing it anyway!

Something we don't know about you:
Something a lot of people don't know about me is I love horseback riding! I got to ride while on vacation in Mexico once and I was hooked! I've only had a few other rides but wish I was able to do it more!

3 Things in your purse:
Three things in my purse right now, hmm well my iPad is always there, my cell phone and lip gloss.

How long have you been Scrapbooking:
I've been scrapbooking since 2004, after my son was born. I stopped for awhile to focus more on my artwork, until I began to see all the awesome collections and embellishments and I got sucked right back in!

What is your Favorite Food:
My favorite food would have to be salads, I love all the delicious varieties! I know , sounds corny but I could eat one everyday. I just had a Greek salad today that was awesome!


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
I'm a fan of every patterned paper. And I love Rub-on.

Something we don't know about you:
My name is Michiyo Nobeno. I live in Osaka with my husband and 2 children. I have a busy life, looking after the children and of course housework. I started scrapbooking back in 2008 soon after my second child was born. I got hooked straight away and ever since I have not slowed down.
Scrapbooking for me is very relaxing and I almost can’t live without it. It is totally addictive! Apart from scrapbooking, I have a great passion for photography. My main object is my family and it gives me so much pleasure to create pages with photos of my loving family.

3 Things that are in your purse right now:
A few coins, cards, and cards of shop

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
Since 2008.

Favorite Food:
I like CHOCOLATE!!


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
I love it all! But pretty paper gets me every time.

Something we don't know about you:
I can watch some weird stuff on TV. I love Doctor Who and Being Human on BBC; and Merlin on the ScyFy channel. My husband won't even watch these shows with me.

3 Things that are in your purse right now: Ponytail holders for my daughter, an old crumpled up grocery list or it could be a receipt or a coupon from Michael's, and Clorox wipes.

How long have you been Scrapbooking:
I had just started learning about scrapbooking in 2006 when we started the adoption process for our daughter so I could make her a Life Book Album. My first scrapbook class I ever took was with Heidi Swapp at Big Picture in 2007. Before that, I had only done scrapbooks for special trips, using supplies from Walmart. When I started, I thought once I had the basic tools and supplies, I was set. I could not believe the variety that was available.

Favorite Food:
I think I could eat chips, salsa, and guacamole everyday.

Getting to know our New Designers....

Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
I think my favorite products to create with right now are my punches and dies. I love that they give me so many possibilities to be creative with them and allow me ways to add little bits of pattern and color to my layouts and cards.

Something we don't know about you:
I used to teach Kindergarten through second grade all in one classroom, a multi-age classroom, on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

3 Things that are in your purse right now:
My small Canon Powershot camera (always keep it with me just in case!), my favorite cinnamon gum, many receipts (I'm bad at remembering to write them in!).

How long have you been scrapbooking?
I've been scrapbooking almost 13 years now. I started when my first daughter was born to create a baby book for her and keep a diary of information like the story of when she was born, etc. Shortly after I began scrapbooking, a friend introduced me to card making also. Ever since then, I've loved every form of papercrafting.

Favorite Food:
I've always loved mashed potatoes! But those little biscuits from Red Lobster would have to be a close second. Mmmmm.....

Visit Danielle's Blog HERE


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Paint, definitely mix-media like gesso, watercolours and ink.

Something we don't know about you:
You don't know that I am an amateur of Parisian-style breakfast with a mandatory participation of 'Bonne Maman' Rhubarb Marmalade :) and a collectioner of vintage cameras (with emphasis on Kodaks).

3 Things that are in your purse:
You will not believe me :) I have there three bottles of ecolines by Tales (kind of watercolours paint), and 5 different types of lip gloss (Body Shop and Carmex - my fav!) Oh, and there is no money ahahahahah; I left them on artsy shop!

How long have you been scrapbooking?
My scrapbooking adventure started about four and a half years ago when my son was celebrating his first birthday.

What is your favorite food?
I looove sweets, but... I like italian food most. I don't like typical Polish food... oh, ok... I loooove pierogi :)

Visit Anna-Maria's Blog HERE


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Papers + cardstock - so many things can be done with papers! :)

Something we don't know about you:
I love to drive. Long distance. Especially if the children at the back don't squabble so much. Better still, if they're asleep! Ha! :)

3 Things that are in your purse right now:
Two folded reuseable shopping bags, a few packets of tissue paper and lipgloss. Nothing out of the ordinary today because *cough*cough* I just cleaned it up a few days ago! :D

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
Give or take, 6 years :).

Favorite Food:
Indian. Chinese. You can say I eat everything not Japanese. LOL.

Visit Sasha's Blog HERE


Favorite scrapbook supply:
By far patterned paper. I simply love to mix patterns, prints and colors to tell a story.

Something we don't know about you:
I am deathly afraid of needles. Not the kind you sew with but the kind that draw blood and give shots.

3 Things in my purse:
My son’s progress report HS conferences were a couple of days ago, a Luna Bar just in case I get hungry and a hot pink Sharpie just because.

How long have you been Scrapbooking?
as we know it today since for about 14 years although I kept scrapbooks in high school by taping photos and memorabilia to typing paper and keeping it in 3 ring binders.

What's your favorite food?
My favorite food is Sushi.

Visit Summer's Blog HERE


Favorite Scrapbook Supply:
Pattern Paper

Something we don't know about you:
I was home-schooled from K-4 to 12th Grade.

3 Things that are in your purse right now: Wallet, floss, & chapstick

How long have you been scrapbooking:
7 years

Favorite Food:
Mexican - specifically fajitas!

Visit Melissa's Blog HERE

Be sure to join us tomorrow for another round in getting to know more of our New Designers.

Announcing our 2012 Design Team

It's time to share some exciting news...But first I want to thank my Design Team from 2011. They did an amazing job over the last year. I have created some wonderful friendships and I wish them nothing but the best.

I'm always so excited to start another year with new faces and new friendships. I couldn't be more delighted with the talent we have for 2012. So without further adieu...



Join us over the next few days here on the blog to find out a little bit more about our New Girls. Congratulations and we can't wait to start seeing your work over the next year!

Focus On: Spring!

Happy Monday everyone! As I was reading my Twitter feed this past week, I noticed that there were lots of tweets and photos about bulbs and trees flowering. About melting snow. Even here in Southern California, we got lots of rain and wind! It can only mean that Spring has sprung.

Two of our design team members created projects that celebrate Spring.

Layout by Katja Schneider

Art by Ronda Palazzari

Ronda shares a few tips on how to recreate her darling project: "This piece of art will fit nicely in a 5 x 7 frame. I used a bunch of my scraps to create the spring kites. I tied them all together using a black pen to accent the kits. The rub-on phrase is perfect but it was in brown. Using the same black pen, I went over the rub-on so the colors would match. The flowers were cut out of the patterned papers. I added a bit of german glass glitter for that extra touch!"

Is it Spring where you are? Or are you in the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore enjoying Fall? Thank for dropping by, and see you back here tomorrow! 

Some Buttercup Fun

It's no secret that my two favorite color combination is yellow and turquoise and once I saw the new Buttercup collection - I was pretty much sold! Seriously those colors, the fun design - check out that chevron pattern paper with the newsprint background - and the touches of grey here and there. Love this!

In creating this layout, I couldn't resist getting my silhouette machine out for those awesome number designs (from Loni Stevens) and once again the ABC stickers are just the right size for my subtitle..."memories" made with Lily Bee and thank you.  The pictures are of some all my all time favorite lily bee projects and also one taken with some of the design team members and Kristen at the CHA-W 2011 show (was super excited to meet everyone).

And here's a fun close up of some of the various pattern papers in this collection... and of course, more banners and butterflies too  :)

Lily Bee Supplies:

Pattern Papers: Buttercup collection

ABC Stickers: This & That collection

Don't you just love the colors and design in this collection?  Don't forget to grab your dose of buttercup, I'm definitely stocking up on this collection.  And a big thanks for stopping by everyone and your support!!!

Take on Sketch Challenge #6

Hello everyone...Katja here!

It's my turn today to post a take on Lisa's great sketch from last week.
I took the sketch, flipped it around so my photo is on the right instead of the left side and made an A4 Layout.

Here is the sketch again...


















And this is what I came up with...

I have used some circles masks on my background paper and just went to town with different colors of mist. Then I added the circle stamp from the 'Picket Fence' stamp set and this gave me a base to work from and add all my embellishments.

And here is the fine print for the challenge:

1) Use at least two Lily Bee products (any two).
2) Post your layout on our Facebook page (please include the title Lily Bee Sketch Challenge #5)
3) -OR- include a link to your project in the comments of Lisa's post. Please do one or the other, not both.
3) The deadline is Tuesday March 20th, 9PM EDT. We'll randomly pick one winner to receive some delicious Lily Bee products!

Lily Bee Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Memorandum - Office Blue, Lemon, Whiteboard
Index Cards: Memorandum
Mixed Cardstock Stickers: Memorandum
ABC Stickers: Memorandum
Stamps: Picket Fence, Memorandum
Tiny Tablet: This & That
Let's see what you can create from this sketch!

Fun with polka dots and circles!

There is no doubt that Lily Bee has the best range of polka dot papers.  Not only are the polka dot designs in the ranges, but then there is a great range colors available in coordinating papers for each range with ledger on one side and great monochromatic polka dot designs on the other.

Polka dots are one of my favourite pattern designs - so I decided to make a layout using primarily polka dot papers (I did sneak a tiny bit of stripe in there!) and also incorporating more circles into my design.  This is what I came up with ...

You can see that I have used a divine orange polka dot from the Head Over Heals range as the base, adding some swipes of gesso to create a mat area for my photo and journaling.  I have then added the green polka dot in various sized circles in a splash across the page.  Three grey rings completes my collection of circles.  I do love a circle (or two or ten!).

I really like the Polaroid theme for photos that is around at the moment, so I converted my 4x6 inch photo into a Polaroid by trimming it square and mounting it onto a Polaroid shaped piece of cardstock - simple and effective.  I have created a banner using the banner stickers from the mixed cardstock sticker sheet from the Harvest Market range - finishing it with brads and twine bows.

One of my favourite techniques with the ABC Stickers is to create a long title - often curved around circle shapes.  For this layout I have an extra long title that curves around three of the larger circle shapes.

This is a busy layout, but I love how it turned out and it is very reflective of my busy 6 year old son!

Lily Bee products:
Harvest Market ABC Stickers
Harvest Market Mixed Cardstock Stickers
Jingle Spruce Patterned paper
Head Over Heals Crush Patterned paper

Do you love polka dots and circles?  Let me know!

Cheers