Sweet Stamps

>> Friday, March 30, 2012

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

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Quick and Simple Cards

>> Thursday, March 29, 2012

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.

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In Love With Index Cards

>> Wednesday, March 28, 2012

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

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Guest Designer's Space: Melissa Elsner

>> Tuesday, March 27, 2012

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!

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Guest Designer: Melissa Elsner

>> Monday, March 26, 2012

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!)

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Sketch #6 Winner!!

>> Sunday, March 25, 2012

Thank you everyone for your beautiful take on sketch #6. We truly appreciate all of the fabulous entries. Our randomly chosen winner is....LYNNDA HOSNI



Congratulations Lynnda!! Please e-mail your details to kristen@lilybeedesign.com to receive some gorgeous Lily Bee products!

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