Lily Bee Design

Fatherhood | Project Life Friday

Hello, Lily Bee fans!!  Patricia here with you today to finish our week of celebration Dad's and Fatherhood with Project Life.

My approach with Project Life is to do a summary of the week.  I still wanted to have a summary of what happened during the week, but this assignment pushed me to focus on getting photos that captured the relationship between my daughter and her Dad.  I have never approached Project Life this way.  It was a nice change and felt like it made it even more personal.

This week was also Memorial Day, so the color scheme really started there.  I used my Silhouette to cut files and the sketch pens to write out some journaling.  

I used a lot of primary colors for this spread with touches of brown, grey, and black...perfect for Memorial Day, summer, and especially for celebrating Dad.  

I pulled out the Autumn Spice stamps too for the "Memories," arrows, and "happy," and the "Hi There."  Love how just that little bit of stamping can add so much.

The label, letter, chit chat, and circle and tabs stickers really added nice touches to this week's spread and made it even more personal.

 

Pinwheel (Picnic Basket Paper, Ice Cream Truck Paper, Flip Flops Paper, 6x6 Tiny Tablet, Chit Chat Stickers, Sweet Shoppe (Embellishment Bundle, Label Stickers, Letter Stickers, Chit Chat Stickers, ), Destination (Port Paper, Boarding Pass Paper, 80 Days Paper, Passport Paper, Label Stickers, Chipboard Stickers, Circle and Tag Stickers)

 

I hope this inspires you to stop and take those photos that are more personal and include them as your focus in your Project Life spreads.  It is such a simple thing, but one I will have to do again.  Thank you so much for joining us this week.  Happy Father's day! And have a great weekend!

Kristen's News On Friday

Happy Friday!  Summer is in full swing here in Utah-my boys out of school and 90 degree weather already here.  Love this time of year and hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

Our team was thrilled to team up with Becky Fleck's Page Map Blog this month and hope you will come and participate.  Here are the details:

Have you see the beautiful samples that the Lily Bee design team created for the June PageMaps? Such a talented bunch of ladies! Lily Bee is sponsoring this sketch contest and the lucky winner will receive a collection of their new Destination line.

To enter, create a layout based on the sketch below, in any size, any orientation, any way you want to interpret it and using any products you would like. Post a comment on this thread with a link to your entry. The contest starts today and ends at midnight, Sunday, June 30, 2013 (MST). This contest is open to US and Canadian residents, or anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address.

 

CHALLENGE WINNERS

During May we teamed up with Scrapbook Circle Monthly Kit Club for a challenge.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  It is always difficult choosing a winner but I LOVED Misty Willis' "A Friend in Me" layout.

How precious are these pictures?!  I love the beauty of her layout. And our Sweet Shoppe Collection was a perfect fit to compliment her gorgeous photos.  Congrats Cynthia and please email HeatherATlilybeedesign.com to have a Scrapbook Circle Kit sent to you.

May Lily Bee Challenge Winner is Audrey Yeager!

Loved the stitching on her "Play All Day" Layout and the simplicty of paper piecing borders using our new Pinwheel Collection.  Congratulations Audrey.  Please email HeatherATlilybeedesign.com to receive a box of Lily Bee products mailed to you.

Lily Bee & Gossamer Blue

If you haven't heard I'vw teamed up with my dear friend Lori who owns Gossamer Blue to create exclusive Lily Bee Papers and a stamp for her June Kit-(btw way is SOLD OUT!) 

But don't despair, we have a Sumemrtime Contest you can participate in to win her June Kit.

Here's how to play along:

We'll pick one winner from this challenge to win the Gossamer Blue June Main Kit prize. This will not be combined with the other Lily Bee Design challenges this month - now you have more chances to win!

Here's a few things to keep in mind:
- Your layout must use mainly Lily Bee products (approx. 50% - 60% older or newer lines to showcase Lily Bee Design). You are not required to use a Gossamer Blue kit.
- Post your layout to the Lily Bee Design Facebook Page or Flickr Gallery to be eligible for the challenge prize. 
- Title your post "Gossamer Blue Summertime Challenge" so we can find it easily and then leave a comment on this blog post letting us know you've entered.
- Deadline is June 30, 2013, Midnight CST.
- One winner from this challenge will be announced in next month's Kristen's News feature.

We can't wait to see what you create!

I-Spy 

My favorite part of Kristen's News on Friday is spotting what YOU have created with our products.  I am always blown away at the creativity of you ladies.

Hello There Sunshine by Michelle Unruh

Relax by Corri Garza

Little Charmer by Danielle2108

Graduation a New Start by Supertoni

Naomi Atkins

Thank you everyone for your support of Lily Bee!  We wouldn't be here without you, have a wonderful weekend!

Focus On Monday | Brad, Badge, Button and Baker's Bundle

Good morning Lily Bee fans! This week, our designers are going to feature one of our new products from winter 2013 CHA - the new Embellishment Bundle!

Each of Lily Bee's new collections - Sweet Shoppe, Pinwheel and Destination - have their own Embellishment bundle - brad, badges, buttons and baker's twine!

  

There are a lot of options all packed into one with this fun new embellishment set. Each of the three elements work really well together on a page - and each collection does too!

I created this page using these three Embellishment Bundles:

Supplies: Destination (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Port Paper, Embellishment Bundle, Chit Chat Stickers, Label Stickers, Circles & Tag Stickers, Letter Stickers); Pinwheel (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Lemonade Stand Paper,  Embellishment Bundle, Chit Chat Stickers, Label Stickers, Circles & Tag Stickers, Letter Stickers); Sweet Shoppe (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Letter Stickers, Circles & Tags Stickers), Autumn Spice (clear stamps)

You can see that each of the different elements in the Embellishment Bundle work well together, and also they would on their own too:

The fabric brads are one of my favorites - they add such a nice texture to the page!

Each of the 3 embellishments are just the right size for layering - instead of adding a punched circle - add a button, brad or badge! The baker's twine is nice and sturdy too and can easily be threaded through the buttons.

Thanks for stopping by the Lily Bee blog today and prepare to be inspired by our designers this week with all their takes on this fun NEW Lily Bee product!

 

Cards on Wednesday | Mother's Day

Hi Everyone!  Cindy and I have some Mother's Day card inspiration for you today.

Cindy created this stunning and striking card.  She was drawn to a sentiment she found on a card at the local Hallmark store. Printed it on the card and created her simple design around it. She used the white background as her canvas so the small colorful details would pop, and for a little added texture, she embossed the small hearts layered with the large red hearts. I love look of the two contrasting patterns.

Supplies: (Pinwheel: Picnic Basket, Apricot Tree, Ice Cream Truck & Letter Stickers; Sweet Shoppe: Label Stickers; Buttercup: ABC Cardstock Stickers)

I decided to make two cards, one that is cute and one that is more traditional.  The first one uses these adorable elephants I cut with my Silhouette.  I love how the pattern papers from the 6x6 tiny tablets are smaller.  They added so much texture to the elephants.  I kept the design simple, so I stamped a repeating phrase on the background for the sentiment (I <3 U Mom) in a light color.  I think this would be a cute card for a new Mom or for a child to give.

Destination (6x6 Tiny Tablet), Pinwheel (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Embellishment Bundle), Sweet Shoppe (6x6 Tiny Tablet)

For this card, I cut out a shaped card and layered another piece of pattern paper a little smaller on top.  Stitched around the base of the card. Using my Silhouette again, I cut a doily and leaves to place under the chipboard flower.  Added a border punch from the Destination collection to bring the eye to the Sentiment.  And added a label, chipboard button and twine to finish it off.

Sweet Shoppe (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Label Stickers, Chipboard Stickers), Pinwheel (Embellishment Bundle), Destination (6x6 Tiny Tablet)

Thank you for joining me and Cindy today.  Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Focus on Sweet Shoppe

Good Morning! This week, we wil be sharing some wonderful and sweet projects using one of our newest lines from winter CHA - Sweet Shoppe

Sweet Shoppe is fun everyday collection of a mix of soft and vibrant colors that can also easily be used for multiple, everyday themes! Soft floral patterns, mixed with trendy bokeh, chevron and happy polka dots are featured throughout the collection.

 

I am sharing a page today full of sweetness using this collection.   I was inspired by the title of the collection when using this page, and wanted to use as many of the fun, colorful patterns as possible to showcase the line!

Supplies: Sweet Shoppe (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Chipboard stickers, Embellishment bundle, Candystick Paper, Lollipop Paper, Pink Mint paper, Sat Water Taffy paper), Persnickety (Clear stamps), Stationery (Pear paper), Handmade (ABC stickers), Christmas Cheer (ABC stickers)

 

I used my Cameo to cut the leaves and title for my page, using some of the fun patterned paper found in the collection and then layered bits and pieces of papers from the 6x6 tiny tablet. This is one of my favorite ways to incorporate a lot of patterns, without using up all my larger sheets of paper.

I layered some of the new chipboard stickers from the Sweet Shoppe collection, tucked just under my photo along with some ABC stickers and a lot more paper of course :)

 

 

I love that no matter which collection the ABC stickers are from, they co-ordinate so well and are a perfect little addition to fill in gaps in your page. A quick little banner punched from some scraps of my tiny tablet and some machine stitching add a little bit of whimsy to the page.

 

So, please come back everyday this week to see what the rest of the ladies have made for you, using the Sweet Shoppe collection !

Focus On Monday | Daily Routine

Happy Monday!

This week, the design team is focus on is daily routine and to start you off, I (Cindy) am have a layout documenting tidbits of our lives during the month of January. At the moment, I am using my camera phone 90% of the time and sharing photos through social media networks. One being my current favorite right now is Instagram. Since I rarely use my main DSLR camera to capture our everyday, I used a few Instagram photos for this weeks theme.

Supplies: Sweet Shoppe-Gumball & Cotton Candy, Destination-Port; Pinwheel-Cherry Blossom, Picnic Basket, Lime Rickey, Apricot Tree & Flip-Flops; Persnickety-Clear Stamps, Tiny ABC Stickers & Mixed Cardstock Stickers; Christmas Cheer-Mixed Cardstock Stickers; Double Dutch-Blueberry; Memorandum-Lemon

One of my favorite things to do when creating with pattern paper is mix up collections. Each photo is highlighted with pattern paper outlined with Persnickety's polaroid stamp and titled using the tiny abc stickers.

The digitally cut title and printed journaling were measured so the images would fit, snuggled in between the designs. I added a bold solid color background and decorative border to the page so the attention is centered on the photos and title.

If you don't have time document your lives through project life this is definitely a fun and simple way to sum up your life by day, week or month on a layout.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to stop by each day this week to see how the rest of the design team documents their daily routine.

Cards on Wednesday - Full of Love

Do you have Valentine's Day on your mind?  There is something about a craft table spilling over with pink and red this time of year that put a smile on my face.  Today Leslie and I are sharing a few cards that embrace the theme of love.

First up, Leslie created two cards full of beautiful layers and a great way to use Lily Bee's cardstock stickers.

To create the heart embellishment she stacked punched hearts, folding and gluing each one down the center. Once they dried, she fanned them out to add dimension. Using the same color, yet different patterns, really sets off the effect.

Supplies: Persnickity (Index Journaling Cards, ABC Stickers), Christmas Cheer (Frosty Paper, 6x6 Tiny Tablet, Mixed Stickers, ABC Stickers)

 

Leslie's second card is just as amazing.  She loves hearts and finds ways to use them. For these “love” cards, she wanted to use hearts and colors you wouldn’t always see on a “Valentine” card.  So from little to big, red to multi-colored she incorporated hearts in such a creative way.

Supplies: Pinwheel (Cartwheels Paper, Lime Rickey Paper),  Persnickity (Clear Stamps, Index Journaling Cards, Mixed Stickers, 6x6 Tiny Tablet), Autumn Spice (ABC Stickers)

To create the heart shape on this card, simply freehand cut from paper and cover in strips of Lily Bee paper from a variety of collections.  As I was flipping through papers I pulled out paper that had pink in it.  Once the heart is stitched, I backed it with cardstock and hand cut a scallop border around it.  Inked the edges a bit to allow it to stand out and backed with foam adhesive.  Stamp a few pennants, hearts and doilies and assembled to create a banner using pink wire.

Supplies: Persnickety (Picky - paper, Fuzzy - paper, mixed cardstock stickers, clear stamps), Autumn Spice (clear stamps), Christmas Cheer (clear stamps), Victoria Park (Raspberry - paper)

This card also features hand cut elements in creating the flower stem, leaves and petals.  By cutting circle shapes in a variety of sizes, fold each petal four times, ink each crease light to bring out each fold and adhere layers using foam adhesive and/or craft glue.  Use the same technique to create the leaves. 

Supplies: Victoria Park (Raspberry - paper, bag of bits), Persnickety (clear stamps),Christmas Cheer (Figgy Pudding - paper, Mrs. Claus - paper)

Thank you for stopping in today!  Enjoy creating a little something special in the name of "LOVE" today.

Focus on Stamps: Challenge - Borders

All week this week we are focusing on using Lily Bee Designs amazing stamps!  I couldn't be more impressed with the way these stamps create a clear, crisp image.  

     

 

Ursula here with you to issue today's specific challenge.......create borders using stamps!  Here are some examples to get your creative juices flowing.

Heather Leopard joined me for today's challenge.  She created two adorable cards using our stamps.

Heather says 'For the We Are Family card I used the circle stamp from the Autumn Spice stamp set. I was going for the tone on tone look so I selected papers with a single color pattern and then stamped the circles in the same color. You can cut them our by hand but I found the circles to be the same size as my 1" circle punch so I saved a lot of time cutting them out.'

'I added some red colored string around the journaling card and then placed it over coordinating layers. I topped it off by stamping the heart on the red paper and popping it over the journal card.'

Lily Bee Design Supplies: Autumn Spice (6 x 6 paper pad, Index Journaling cards, stamp set)

For the Happy when skies are grey card Heather stamped the chevron and dot with white pigment ink over the dark blue pattern paper. 

She cut the word "HAPPY" with her CAMEO. Heather completed the sentiment, coloring the white alphas with an orange and grey marker, then added some fussy cut popped up clouds to add dimension.

Supplies: Persnickey(6 x 6 paper pad, Index Journal Card, ABC Stickers, Stamp Set)

Finally, here is my layout using stamps as a border.  I've been in love with the Autumn Spice stamp set since I first laid eyes on it. All those wonderful words leave me with sooo many options.  

Perhaps one of my favorite things about stamps is that you can create whatever mood you desire by choosing our colors accordingly.  Rainbows mean happiness and promise in my mind and I was able to convey that through the use of those colors in my stamping.

Lily Bee Design Supplies: Autumn Spice (stamps, 6x6 tablet), Christmas Cheer (stamps, 6x6 tablet), Persnickety (stamps, 6x6 tablet, Cardstock Stickers), Victoria Park (6x6 tablet, 

And now it's your turn! Create a layout using this challenge and upload it to our Flickr gallery to be entered to win a fabulous prize package at the end of the month!

There are just a few rules to keep in mind:

1. Your layout must use at 70% Lily Bee products.
2. Post your layout to our Flickr Gallery here to be eligible for monthly Designer's Choice Challenge prize drawing!
3. Be sure to title your post "October Designer's Choice Challenge" along with the date of the challenge, October 30, so we can find it easily.
4. Deadline - October 31, 2012, Midnight MST
5. Winners will be announced Friday, November 7, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Challenge | Custom Stamped Background

Good Morning! Stacey Michaud and I are on the blog today with a new Tuesday challenge! I loved the stamp sets that were included in the new collections and wanted to challenge myself to use them a little differently. Stacey and I decided to challenge ourselves to create a customized stamped background on our projects and we are challenging you to do the same! 

Here are two cards that I created. On the first one, I used the Autumn Spice acrylic stamps and used the circle outline stamp in particular. I stamped the circle all over the orange cardstock with an orange ink. This tone-on-tone technique is a simple one to use but I love the subtle effect it gives. 

Lily Bee Supplies: Autumn Spice (Acrylic Stamps, 6x6 Tiny Tablet, ABC Stickers). 

For my second card, I stamped the word "HAPPY" from the Autumn Spice stamps again repeatedly in straight rows on the upper portion of my card. I then cut three different paper from the 6x6 tablet in a curved shape and placed them on the bottom part of my card. I like how the word "HAPPY" sort of "pokes" out of the top of the papers. I created a quick little banner tag and used the ABC stickers and the "HAPPY" stamp again for my sentiment.

Lily Bee Supplies: Autumn Spice (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Acrylic Stamps, ABC Stickers). 

I absolutely LOVE Stacey's take on this challenge! Her customized spider web is just fantastic! Here is what she has to say about the challenge:

 I wanted to document how my kiddos reuse their costumes again and again all year round. Since it was a Halloween layout, I decided to create a custom-made spider web.  I first used the dotted line stamp from the Christmas Cheer collection to make an X and then added in more diagonal lines.  To create the in -between lines seen in spider webs, I place the heart stamp from the Persnickety collection on a curve.  I simply used ink only on the specific number of hearts needed to connect to both diagonal lines.  I placed red brads on all intersecting lines to give the whole web some pop.  The colors of the Autumn Spice collection are perfect for Halloween layouts!

Lily Bee Supplies:  Autumn Spice (Paper:  Nutmeg, Vanilla, Brown Sugar; Mixed Cardstock Stickers, ABC Cardstock Stickers, Index Journaling Cards), Christmas Cheer (Clear Stamps), Persnickety (Clear Stamps)

And now it's your turn! Create a layout using this challenge and upload it to our Flickr gallery to be entered to win a fabulous prize package at the end of the month!

There are just a few rules to keep in mind:

1. Your layout must use at 70% Lily Bee products.
2. Post your layout to our Flickr Gallery here to be eligible for monthly Designer's Choice Challenge prize drawing!
3. Be sure to title your post "October Designer's Choice Challenge" along with the date of the challenge, October 16, so we can find it easily.
4. Deadline - October 31, 2012, Midnight MST
5. Winners will be announced Friday, November 7, 2012

Thanks for joining Stacey and I on the blog today! We can't wait to see your stamped projects!!

 

Sketch Challenge / 10.15.2012

Good morning Lily Bee fans!  This week we'll be focusing on Halloween themed projects with that day coming quickly down the pike. We've got another fun sketch challenge for you all today!  I have created a sketch for you that has a photostrip theme with a base of layers that you can easily add to.  

Deana Misner is joining me (Ursula) today as well and we hope you are inspired to dive in and create your own take on today's sketch and share you're result.

First up, here is Deanna Misner's take on the sketch.  Deanna says 'I really loved working with this sketch because I love to use multiple photos. This one was perfect for a line-up of past Halloween costumes. It was so fun to look back and see how my little girl changed from year to year, and to reminisce about the memories associated with each one.'

I used both the Persnickety and Autumn Spice collections to set the tone for the color scheme I wanted. I love the oranges of Fall but also wanted to include some pink too since it was a predominant color in 2 of the 3 pictures.

'The Picky paper from Persnickety was the PERfect solution for that. I also cut out the pennant from one of the Persnickety index journaling cards to add a little flag at the bottom of the page. And for a homespun look, I added a little faux-stitching around the edges of my main sheet of paper'

And here is my take on the sketch.  I altered it just a bit, adding a few more layers and changing the placement of the lower elements to the left side.

Lily Bee Supplies:Persnickety Collection(Patterned Paper, Stamps), Autumn Spice (Patterned Papers, ABC Cardstock Stickers, stamps, Cardstock Stickers, Index journal cards) Christmas Cheer (patterned Paper) Memorandum (Patterned Paper), Buttercup Collection (patterned Paper)

You can see below that I stamped the polaroid stamp from the Persnickety collection 5 times and then heat embossed it with some colored embossing powders.  

And I need to just make the statement that the quality of the Lily Bee stamps is absolutely outstanding.  I don't think I've ever had such crisp images.  The Autumn Spice stamps may be my current favorite for words.

There are just a few rules to keep in mind:

1. Your layout must use at 70% Lily Bee products.
2. Post your layout to our Flickr Gallery here to be eligible for monthly Sketch prize drawing!
3. Be sure to title your post "October Sketch Challenge" along with the date of the challenge, October 15, so we can find it easily.
4. Deadline - October 31, 2012, Midnight MST
5. Winners will be announced Friday, November 7, 2012

Have fun! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day!

 

Happy World Card Making Day + Giveaways!

Happy World Card Making Day everyone! We have a special post for you today here on the Lily Bee Design blog. Our Design Team has been busy creating cards in celebration of this momentous annual event in the card-making world.From Christmas Cheer, and Autumn Spice, to Persnickety, these ladies have brought your fantastic ideas for using all of Lily Bee's latest collections for cards throughout the year. Let's take a look at their fantastic creations!

Merry Christmas CARD by Summer Fullerton
Supplies Used: Buttercup (patterned paper Mushroom) and Christmas Cheer (patterned paper Hot Cocoa, Christmas Wreath, North Pole, Peppermint, Mrs. Claus and Clear Stamps)
 

 

Celebrate Card, by Patricia Roebuck
Supplies: Autumn Spice (Clove Paper), Persnickety (6x6 Paper Pad, Stamps, Prim Paper, Prissy Paper, Finicky Paper, Huffy Paper)
 

40: Celebrate You Card by Stacey Michaud
Supplies: Persnickety Collection (stickers, Journaling Index Card, stamps, 6X6 paper pad)
 

 
After All These Years, You're Still the One Card, by Patricia Roebuck
Supplies: Autumn Spice (6x6 Paper Pad, Mixed Stickers, Nutmeg Paper)
 

Very Merry Christmas Card by Danielle Flanders
Supplies:  Christmas Cheer (6x6" Paper Pad, Christmas Cheer stamps)
 

 

Here and Now Card by Amy Heller
Supplies:  Christmas Cheer (6x6" Paper Pad), Autumn Spice (6x6" paper pad, stamps) Persnickety (6x6" paper pad)

Hello There Card by Melissa Mann
Supplies: Persnickety (6x6 Tiny Tablet, Card Stock Stickers, Index Cards)  
 

Joy Card by Danielle Flanders
Supplies:  Christmas Cheer (6x6" Paper Pad, Christmas Cheer stamps)
 

 
Grateful 4 U Card by Cindy Liebel
Supplies: Autumn Spice (Journaling Index Cards, 6x6 Tiny Tablet, ABC Cardstock Stickers)
 

We Love You Card by Becky Williams
Supplies: Persnickety (Prissy, Finicky, Picky, Fussy, 6x6 Tiny Tablet, Index Journaling Cards, Mixed Stickers, ABC Stickers)

What do you say? Fun cards, aren't they? There is a little something in this mix of beauties for just about every style from clean, to cute, to sophisticated to shabby chic, and they are all just what cards are supposed to be, beautiful and meaningful.

We're so happy you stopped by today to have a look at what our designers have put together for inspiration on World Card Making Day! As a special treat, we've arranged a couple giveaways for two lucky winners!

One random commenter will receive one 6x6" paper pad of their choice from our 3 new collections, perfectly sized for making cards.

And the other winner will receive one stamp set of their choice from our 3 new collections! Stamps of course are ideal for creating perfectly customized sentiments for your cards and even scrapbooking projects, so we love this prize!

Please leave a comment here on this post telling us what types of cards are your favorite to create by Wednesday, October 10, 2012.  We'll pick two random winners and announce them here on Friday, October 12. Good luck!

Happy World Card Making Day! 

Add a festive confetti look to your cards!

I've been a little obsessed with the "confetti" look lately and wanted to show you some very quick cards you can make with patterned paper and circle punches! I actually found the idea to try this on a card from a printing website called Tiny Prints where you can create announcements with photos. If you are stuck for a design, these are great places to look for inspiration!

I looked through the Lily Bee papers and pulled out some various prints in reds and pinks and began punching different sizes with my circle punches. I added red cardstock circles to the top first for a dark contrast at the top, and then began layering more circles by degree of color saturation down the card, getting lighter and lighter in color as I worked my way to the bottom.

You could make a set of these in all different colors, and they would work for birthdays, thank yous, congratulations, etc. I like how the chevron circles look like little streamers on the green and blue card!

To finish the card, the word "happy" was die cut out of Lily Bee's Handmade patterned paper with my Cuttlebug machine, then I stamped "today" over the die cut with the Double Dutch clear stamps.

Give the confetti look a try on your next card, it's an easy design to put together for a last minute card that you might need!

Danielle

Lily Bee supplies used:

Handmade papers

 Double Dutch Clear Stamps (today stamp)

Other: circle punches, Wonderful Words die by Papertrey Ink, 

Sweet Blush ink and Spring Rain ink by Papertrey Ink.

Eat Well

As a woman with a family and a home, I don't very often get to eat at what I'd call a 'fine dining' establishment. Of course, it's not because I don't want to, but one can only afford so many $25+ plates in a given year before the bankers come calling.  At least that is the reality for our family.


Given that, when I do get the opportunity, I want it to be memorable.  That involves things like planning the right place and the right time and the right occasions. I can do that is to take extra care with my appearance and preparations.  But all of that will still allow the memory to fade.


Photos, however, will help keep it alive.  A well photographed location or plate of food can evoke so many things in people.  Why do you think they spend so much on marketing photos for all the major restaurant chains?  Because it evokes a certain 'something' when you see a mouth-wateringly juicy burger topped with the freshest, greenest lettuce and the ripest, reddest tomatoes and veritably dripping with secret sauce!!!


With all of that in mind, I decided to take out the big guns when my husband and I recently visited a local restaurant for our 20th anniversary.  I brought my big ole Canon DSLR to dinner with me and took time to shoot the food as soon as it arrived at our table.


I admit, I was a little embarrassed to do it, but the waitress even came by on one of my shooting occasions and gave me a thumbs up for being brave enough. 'Yeah!' I thought, 'I'm not so weird after all am I?!'  Well, maybe I am, but I did get some great shots and we'll not soon forget this occasion of Eating Well!

The rich, warm colors of my photos led me to the Buttercup Collection. That yellow damask pattern seemed the perfect compliment to our fine dining adventures and helped bring out the warm tones in my photos.

I also played with the round frame stamp from the Handmade collection to add a little extra color and texture.

I dug out my turquoise and grey washi tapes which blend so beautifully with the colors of Buttercup and created a bit of extra texture behind the bank of photos on the right side of the page.  The mini cardstock alphas make perfect photo captions.

And I couldn't resist creating another brad from the cardstock stickers and my Epiphany Crafts tool.


Give dining out photography a try and let us know how you like it!  I'd love to see what you come up with!


Lily Bee Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Buttercup (Queen Bee, Rain
ABC Cardstock Stickers: Buttercup
Mixed Cardstock Stickers: Buttercup
Journal Cards:Buttercup,  Double Dutch
Bag of Bits: Buttercup
Stamps: Handmade

Combining stamps with patterned papers...

Hello! This is Danielle here with my very first post for Lily Bee! I'm honored to be here and hope to inspire you to try something new and exciting in your paper crafting.

When I first starting working withing with the new Lily Bee lines, I was so amazed at how well the lines mixed together! I love to stamp also, so I pulled out the Victoria Park stamp set and got to work stamping the frame with black ink on different patterns of the 6x6 paper pads.

First, I made this card:

I stamped the frame onto a gray polka dot paper from the Buttercup line and cut it out, then stamped the little florals on either side of the frame. I immediately grabbed this teal floral sticker, because I loved the colors on it, and paired it with some of the banner shapes! The black banner really helps the smaller patterns stand out and grounds the design. It gives the design some "weight".

After this card was finished, I wanted to make a coordinating card focusing more on the stamped frames, so I stamped like crazy on different patterned papers and began rearranging them on white cardstock until I was pleased with the design.

Some of my favorite patterns are the checks and florals from Double Dutch and Buttercup.

I love girly floral patterns, yet I also love somewhat of a clean look to my work, so pairing these patterns with bright white cardstock makes them really stand out and allows the patterns to be the focal point of the card! Don't be afraid to try stamping onto patterned paper rather than cardstock. I hope you enjoyed these ideas for card making today!

Danielle

Lily Bee Supplies:

Buttercup and Double Dutch 6x6 Paper Pads

Victoria Park Bag of Bits

Victoria Park Clear Stamps

Victoria Park Mixed Cardstock Stickers

Handmade Bag of Bits 

Other: twine, red and black stamping ink.