Jazzy Inspiration Challenge-Milt Jackson inspired

 

Hello! My good friend Tenia has a great challenge over on her blog, The Jazzy Inspiration challenge.  Tenia is a musician and teacher and the sweetest thing EVAH!  This week's inspiration is the Milt Jackson album cover above. I used some DP from Basic Grey's Marrakech collection.  I added a sentiment from  Verve and some black satin ribbon to finish it off.

Hope you get a chance to play along in the Jazzy Inspiration Challenge!

Emily

Paper Maniac Blog Hop...Rain

Hello!  Welcome to Paper Maniac's Beatles inspired blog hop!  If you just found the hop, you will want to start HERE.  If you have been hopping with us you should be arriving from Michelle's blog.  All of the participants in the hop were to choose a Beatle's song as their inspiration.  I chose the song Rain (1966).  This song was only number one for two weeks, and was on the "B" side of the Paperback Writer 45.  I used to LOVE to listen to my Mom's old 45's and this was one in her collection!  I also found out that The Beatles actually made a video for this song.  Click HERE to see it on You Tube!

How fitting that my favorite image from the Unity January retail kit is this cute couple cuddling behind an umbrella!  This kit is sold out, but in a week you will be able to order the NEW February Unity retail kit!  Can't wait!  I also used some BasicGrey Origins DP to paper piece the image.  I love the colors in this collection...YUMMY!  I also added some Kaiser pearls to the center and ends of the umbrella.

Want to know what you can win for hopping with us today?  The first prize will be all three new Cosmo Cricket mini deck pads, the Flourishes cloud background stamp, and a package of American Crafts pearl brads.  To be eligible to win you must leave comments on all participating blogs in the hop.  A random winner will be chosen.  The folks participating in the hop are also eligible for this prize, too!
The second prize is a $20 gift certificate to the PM store!  All you need to do is become a registered user at the store between Jan. 30-31 to be eligible!  You can sign up at the store HERE.

Your next stop on the hop is Randi!

Thanks for joining in the Paper Maniac Magical Mystery Hop!

Emily

EIC73-Inspired by hats and pixies!

This week the Etsy shop for your inspiration is Elies Happy Hats.  One hat is cuter than the next!  Our sponsor this week is Pixie Dust Studio.  I have been a fan of Pixie Dust Studio images for a couple of months now(that is when I discovered them)!  They have some very cute, whimsical images.  Pixie Dust Studio also has a challenge going on to make a 3D item.  I chose to make this cute little treat bag filled with M&M's.  You can find the tutorial on SCS HERE.

 

I was inspired by the red, green and yellow in the hat above, although there is only a hint of yellow on my card! LOL!  I used a newly released image from Pixie Dust Studio.  Isn't this strawberry fairy adorable?  I colored her with my Prisma pencils and added some stickles to her wings.  She will make a perfect birthday card for my niece's 4th birthday tonight!

As always, remember to use keyword EIC73 when uploading to online galleries.  Make sure you link your card on the EIC blog, HERE.  A random winner will be chosen next Friday to win....both the strawberry and blueberry fairy images from Pixie Dust Studio!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

FWF-My Cup Of Tea...

 

Hello to all my Friends With Flair!  This week I used stamps from Unity's December KOTM.  I thought this would make a cute Valentine card.  The ribbon is from Offray and the buttons are from my stash!  I used some copics to add some shading to the teabag and red to the hearts.

Hope you all have a FABULOUS Friday!

Emily

Paper Maniac is the Cherry on Top!

Today I made a card with some yummy October Afternoon Cherry Hill paper. Love this stuff and am running out of some of the patterns :(  The sentiment is Unity.  Paper Maniac still has all Unity for 40% off!  The fun pom pom trim at the top is by Bazzil.  You can buy this by the yard in the PM shop. The punch at the bottom is Martha Stewart.

Keep checking back in at Paper Maniac.  Patti is expecting new releases soon!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Emily

Be Mine....

Hello! Today I made a card with a sweet image from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I love  her images.  I am anxious to go out and find some of the children's books she has illustrated for my boys.  I colored the image with Prisma's and blended with OMS.  I used the color challenge over on SCS-blush blossom, melon mambo and pretty in pink.  This Valentine will go to my niece, Lily. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

An Amazing H{ippity} Hop! 1/25

Hello! I made this card for my sweet cyber friend, Anne, who was last week's featured stamper on SCS.  Her favorite color is red, so that is where my inspiration came from!  I also used the sketch over on SCS from last Wednesday for this.  I paper pieced the flower from Because of You and used a sentiment from Just Wanted to Say.  You can order ippity from me HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

EIC72-Dancing Elephants

Hello! It's time for another Etsy Inspired challenge!  This week's Etsy shop for your viewing pleasure is Sweetie Pie Tutus.  Oh my...if you have little girls running around, you will be salivating over these wonderful creations!  LOVE them!  No tutus in my house unless I wear one, which is a scary thought! LOL!  I used this sweet digi image from Paper Cupcakes.  I thought it was PERFECT for this shop!  All of the paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle's Sweet Love paper pack.  You can pick one up at Paper Maniac.  These papers are YUMMY for Valentine's Day!

 

 This week's sponsor is May Arts.  How perfect is that for all of the ribbon and tulle on this site?!  It is no secret that my favorite embellishment is ribbon!  It is hard for me NOT to put ribbon on a card! LOL!  May Arts sure has some amazing ribbons to support my addiction  habit.

As always, Ashley will pick a random winner next Friday.  The winner will receive THIS fabulous ribbon bundle from May Arts.  Please make sure to use keyword EIC72 when uploading to online galleries.  Also make sure you link to the EIC blog HERE.

Have fun creating! Can't wait to see you projects!

Emily

Sweet Dreams to my Friends With Flair!

Hey there gals!  I am not wishing sleep on anyone, but I was dying to ink up this uber cute baby stamp and sentiment from the January retail kit!  I don't know a single person who is prego at the moment, but these stamps were calling me!  I colored the image with copics.  The paper is from my scrap bin but I am pretty sure it is bashful blue and barely banana. I ran my white throught the Swiss Dots CB folder and added some white organza ribbon. Hope you likey!

I used the sketch over at Delightful Sketches for this card.  This week's sponsor is Paper Maniac!  They are offering a $40 gift certificate to the store and there is also a coupon code to use in the store!  There are still LOTS of 40% off Unity stamps in the store.  Combine that with your discount code and you will be getting a VERY good deal!

Have a FABULOUS Friday!

Emily

Paper crafting on a budget AND how to get FREEBIE IMAGES!

Hello!  As you already know this hobby is pretty darn hard on the old pocket book!  It is so easy to get caught up in all of the new releases and the feeling that you GOTTA have it ALL!  I know I am struggling to save my pennies right now with all of the new CHA releases coming out.
My husband lost his job back in June and was without a job for 5 months.  Luckily, I was able to pick up the slack at work, but we still had to watch our "frivolous" purchases.  I used several freebie digi Christmas images on my cards this year.  I know that "digi" stamps or images are controversial in the paper craft world, but there are soooooo many companies out there that give them away on a weekly basis for FREE.  I have learned where to go to find them, so I thought I would let you in on it too.  Every free image is not something that I always am totally in love with, but I always take advantage of FREEBIES because I can delete them from my computer later!

Digi images are a little bit more time consuming then regular stamping, but fun!  You need to make sure you have a decent laser jet printer.  I have a lexmark x2470.  I have NEVER had an issue with the ink running and never have to wait for dry time.  I use both Copics and Prismas for my coloring, too.

Here is a list of current freebies.  Let me know if you like this or not or find this helpful.  If it is something a lot of people are interested in, I may try to do this on a weekly basis.

Stamps and Smiles Store-birdhouse image and sentiment

Paper Cupcakes- elephant Valentine image

Digital Delights (SNR)- catepillar image (must sign up or be a member of SNR to get this)-it's EASY and FREE!  They usually have a freebie Every Friday!!

Bee Crafty (SNR)-stack of books, word LOVE with birds, BD cake, and girl

Sweet N Sassy (SNR)-owl

Sweet N Sassy (SNR)- pie and sentiment

Digi Kitty-some snowmen, a halloween monster, and a mug with candy canes

squigglefly- several to choose from!

Dustin Pike -Every Wednesday he has a freebie!!!!

The Digi Shack- super cute owl

Pixie Dust Studio cute little girl with heart (they are also having a DT call! )

Mo's Digital Pencil -several super cute freebies!

my graphico- They have a WHOLE bunch of freebies!

Whimsie Doodles -a couple of cute little turtles and a bear (check PCP-often they will have freebies there, too!)

Phindy's Place-this link is to freebies in their group on PCP.  ADORABLE Easter rabbit and cute mouse image!

Soft Pencil  Valentine freebies!

Shirleys2girls- cute tea pot and sentiments

Bugaboo stamps-cute birthday image and sentiment about getting older!

Designed2Delight-scrumptious looking cupcake with cherry on top!

Sew Many Cards-Freebie every Friday!

Also keep in mind that companies like Verve and MFT will have digis for free.  You have to check their sites frequently because there is no rhyme or reason as to when they offer them!  Verve just offered a gorgeous free Valentine mini digi set last week, but now it is gone!

Well...I think that is enough to get you started!  If you know of or find any more freebies this week that I have missed add them in a comment and I will add them to this list!

Have fun!

Emily

Exciting News!

I am so excited to announce that I was picked as a guest designer for Mark's Finest Papers!  I am over the moon excited!  I have been a big fan of Faith's for so long and am elated!  I will be the feature guest designer for the month of May, but look for me to be participating in blog hops and DT activities throughout the year!

Thanks for letting me gush about it!

Emily

Live Out Loud with Paper Maniac!

Hello!  I made a CAS card today with some fab supplies from PM.  The stamp is from the Unity January retail store kit.  LOVE this kit.  I think it is sold out at the moment, but there are a couple of past kits still available at a big discount.  That's why you need to grab em quick!  I used some Neenah Solar White for my base and image.  I also used some Elan Metallic paper, but darn it, the shimmer doesn't show up in this photo!  I will try to take another photo tomorrow (pray for some sun) because this paper is INCREDIBLE!  You can buy this in a sampler pack, (I highly recommend trying them all} or individually. I stamped the image in Memento Paris Dusk.

Paper Maniac is not shipping until January 26, but Patti has offered up some deals for you patience!  Here is her note below:

REMINDER: We will not be shipping after tomorrow afternoon until January 26. We apologize for the inconvenience. As a reward for your patience, one order placed in our week of absence will be randomly selected and have 30% of their order refunded.

Also, as a token for your wait, please use the code PATIENT_ME to take 10% off your entire order of $25.00 placed during this period. Nothing excluded. One use per customer.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Verve Regal Heart and a JAZZY challenge!

Hey there!  I made this card for yesterday's CAS challenge over on SCS to use Teal, white and a neutral on our card.  I HAD to use this Free Digi from Verve (sorry, it is no longer on the Verve site!  It was a limited time thing!).  Isn't that heart gorgeous?  The sentiment is a Verve digi, too.

If you are on a serious budget, then you need to try digital images out.  I am using them more and more and you can always find FREE images from the different companies on a weekly basis.  I will try to post later in the week about different sites for FREEBIES!

Okay...more about the card...I used some Bermuda Bay, white and black cardstock.  Added some bling and colored the flourishes around the heart in with some markers.  Pretty quick and easy except for the paper piecing which took a little time!

This is also for my great friend Tenia's Jazzy Inspiration Challenge.  You can check out the deets HERE.  You will want to stop and look at her blog because she is one talented lady!

H{ippity} Hoppity! 1/18/2010

Hello to all of you H{ippity} Hoppity chicks and dudes!  I was excited to use some of my {ippity} stamps along with my Basicgrey Origins paper.  LOVE this stuff!  I used the tree stamp from Devoted and the sentiment and frame is from Just Wanted To Say.  I hope you have a great time looking at all of the {ippity} inspiration today!
Click HERE to buy your {ippity} from me!

Emily

Simple Monogram card and previews of my soon to be NEW studio....

Hello!  This is a quick and simple monogram card I made for the inspiration challenge on SCS, yesterday.  I used cream colored scallop notes from Archiver's for my base.  The DP is by Anna Griffin and the monogram is from Cutting Cafe, who is the EIC sponsor this week.

I am getting super excited because our basement is getting very close to finished!  All of my paper and stamping supplies are in several rooms of my house right now, so I am excited to have ONE space to call my own!  It will be conveniently located next to the playroom, so my boys will be close by, with plenty to do to keep them out of my things! (yeah, right!)  Here are some pictures of the work in progress!

Here is the Pergo that will go in my studio space and the boys playroom.

Here is a peek at part of my studio space.  The name of the color on the walls is called pebble path.  It kind of reminds me of SU's River Rock!  LOL!

Here is my sweet Will, who decided to help our contractors clean up!  He loves to watch them work, and they are super about letting him help and answering his millions of questions!  This is a view of part of the boys toy room.  I am really happy with the blue on the walls.  I was worried it would be too dark, but it turned out PERFECTLY!  I am super excited, as this has been a work in progress.  We had to stop production when hubby lost his job this past summer.  Our goal is to have it complete in time for the super bowl and have a big party!  I will show photos of the rest of it as it progresses!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

EIC71-Inspired by beatiful soaps

This week's Etsy shop for your inspiration is Amethyst Soaps.  The soaps are very artistic, and intricate.  I drew inspiration from the heart soap and the kraft color in the medallion looking soap.  Our sponsor this week is Cutting Cafe.  They have some great digi images in their shop.  The heart background on the panels on my card is a download from their shop!

Here is what you can win...One random winner will receive THIS trio of soaps from Amethyst Soaps, and  Cutting Cafe will give a winner any 3 sets of their choice!  All you need to do is make a card for the challenge and upload it HERE by next Friday, because that is when Ashley picks the random winner!  Can't wait to see what you make!

Emily

Friends With Flair-Lovebirds in the air....

Happy Friends with Flair Friday!  I made this card with stamps from {ippity} and the sentiment is from Unity's January retail kit, which is available for purchase at Paper Maniac.  You can also buy this adorable Sweet Love paper by Little Yellow Bicycle at Paper Maniac, too!   Most of the Unity stamps at the PM store are marked down to 40% off!  Just what every Unity lover wants to hear!

If you want to see all of the Unity posts today make sure you start at Angela's blog at 10:00 AM central time.  Lot's of Unity inspiration for you!

Emily

FABULOUS SALES at PAPER MANIAC!

 Stamps:  Unity January Retail kit

Paper:  vanilla, mellow moss, grey, DP Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Paper Crafting kit

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accesories:  hemp twine, button from the Harvest collection

 Hello!  If you are a LOVER of Unity, like I am...HURRY!  Run fast over to Paper Maniac.  Patti is having some amazing sales on all Unity stamps-40% off!  Yep...except for the January retail kit.  Only a few January kits left, so you will want to grab one of those while you are there, too.  I made my card today with stamps from the January retail kit.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this kit.  The two stamps above are just a couple of my favorites from this kit.  How adorable are they paper pieced and paired up with Cosmo Cricket's Earth Love collection?!  Do you need some of this paper?  Well guess what?  The Earth Love Paper Crafting kit is on sale for $11.99!  You get a ton of stuff, too!  Click HERE if you want to go directly to the SALE section of the Paper Maniac store.  LOTS of GREAT DEALS.

Emily

Triple challenge birthday card!

Hello!  This card fits three different challenges this week.  The color challenge   (rich razzleberry, pretty in pink, and chocolate chip) over on SCS,  The Mojo Monday sketch this week, and the ippity challenge this week-to add glitz!  The houndstooth background stamp is Unity and the sentiment and the houndstooth heart are ippity.  This card will be for my friend who is getting ready to turn 50 next month.  She is a lover of all things purple and pink!  She doesn't blog, so she won't see this before her birthday! LOL! 

If you are interested in {ippity} stamps, click HERE to see my selection and reasonable prices!

Have a great day!

Emily

A Delightful H{ippity} Hop!

Hello! Time for another H{ippity} Hop!  Today I used stamps from the Devoted set.  I also used the CAS challenge over on SCS for this one-to cut something out.  I paper pieced the wings of my butterfly with papers from BG's new Origins collection.  Everything is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on white.  I tied some ribbon at the top that I got at my local JoAnn's for 70% off!  They are going out of business, so TONS of great deals.  Click HERE if you are interested in buying {ippity} from me!  You can buy the above set for $16 dollars.  Happy Hopping and thanks for stopping by! 

Emily

A Sweet Anniversary-EIC70

Hello! Today is hubby and I's 11th anniversary!  He is going to the Bengal's playoff game today, so we went out last night to one of our favorite restaurants, Pappadeaux.  One of our favorite server's waited on us, which made it even better!  Okay...now on to the EIC challenge this week!

This week's Etsy shop is Skylar's Candy Clips.  So many yummy looking felt hair clips for any sweet little ladies in your life.  I think I am going to buy some for my niece, who has a birthday coming up.  She is such a girly girl!

 

Our sponsor this week is Paper Temptress.  They have everything you need to make fabulous cards, including the Neenah Solar Crest cardstock I used for the base of my card above.  Remember when uploading to online galleries use keyword EIC70.  Want to know what the  prizes are this week?  Paper Temptress will be giving away THIS Silver Lustre Package and Skylar's Candy Clips will be giving away THIS hair band.

Make sure you link your creation on the EIC blog HERE.  Now, as Ashley would say....go be Etsy Inspired!

Emily

FWF and my first Mojo sketch!

Hello!  TGIF!  Today I made a card with stamps from the December KOTM.  I stamped and paper pieced the flower in two layers.  I curled the edges of the flower for dimension.  This is my first ever Mojo sketch card.  I really loved this sketch and felt the flower from December's kit fit perfectly.  The DP is from Basic Grey's Sultry collection.  I added lots of bling to the flower center!  If you want to see all of the Unity inspiration you can find the list of links on Angela's Blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Fleur de lis Valentine-second post!

Here is my card for the day!  I decided to make it before I took the boys out to play in the snow.  This is for the Ways To Use It Challenge over on SCS (to use something new) and also for the Limelight sketch.  Pretty much everything I used on this card is new!  I fell in love with Pink Paislee's new Cupid collection.  I got it at 50% off just before the holidays, so I was able to buy every single thing!  I also bought a bunch of bling at Michael's the other day in the dollar spot.  We were to use buttons with the Limelight sketch, so I guess I cheated a bit. LOL!  I used the Bella brads from the Cupid collection and added a rhinestone in the middle. The stamp is also from the cupid collection.  I had never tried Pink Paislee stamps before, and I am very impressed!  They stamp beautifully.  Thanks for taking a peek!
Hugs!

Emily

Want to earn free dollars towards crafting supplies?

Hello!  Don't have a card made yet for today, but wanted to tell you a little bit more about swag bucks.  My SIL told me about this.  It is very easy to do.  You add a swagbucks tool bar by clicking on the button above and it will walk you through the steps.  You basically earn random swagbucks by doing searches with their tool bar.  These of course are searches that you would do everyday when on your computer.  I just started at the end of November and have earned several different gift cards.  One of the things I love is you can earn paypal cash and amazon gift cards with your swagbucks.  Great for buying from your favorite companies!

I will try to have a card posted later.  Boys are home from school with a snow day, so I know I will be outside playing with them for awhile!  Have a great day and stay warm!

Emily

Paper Maniac has some great new product!

Hello!  Today I made a card with a stamp from Unity's August in store kit.  I colored the image with Copics.  The DP is from Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird Collection.  The ribbon is also available for purchase in the PM store.  Did you know that you can order all of the ribbon at the PM store by the yard?  Yep...you can get as little or as much as you need!  You can purchase the Unity in store exclusive kits at Paper Maniac.  I am head over heels for the January kit!  I can't wait for it to arrive in my mailbox!  They are expected to start shipping January 6!  These kits are a great value, and so much fun!  I look forward to my kits every month!  Lot's of stamps for a reasonable price.  Order while they are still available!  Luckily, you can still purchase some of the singles from older kits in the PM store.  In fact, you can still get this adorable pear stamp for $3.50!  You can check out the NEW January kit below:

Don't you just love it!  I love the fact that there are stamps I can use for Valentine's, and also for anytime of the year, too!  This kit is available HERE.

Another great deal in the shop is The Little Yellow Bicycles Sweet Love Decorative Edge Paper tablet.  PERFECT for Valentine's.  You can see it below, and purchase it HERE for only $6.99!

Paper Maniac is having a blog hop and YOU can participate with the design team!  You will not want to miss out on the fun!  Every participant will receive a $5 gift certificate to use in the PM store!  There will also be lots of blog candy give aways!  For all of the details and to sign up click HERE.

Have a great day!

Emily

Be Mine....

Hello again!  Today I have a quick little CAS card.  I used white for my base which is  4.25 x 4.25.  I scored the entire line of Pink Paislee's Cupid collection at 50% off last month, so I used some of the post card paper for this.  Those post card cutouts are perfect for both scrap booking and card making.  I added some chocolate satin ribbon at the bottom.  It took me less than 5 minutes to whip this card out.  I think it is a perfect masculine Valentine. No frills and simple!  Hope you have a great day.

Tomorrow I will have some Paper Maniac goodness for you and details about the customer blog hop that will take place on January 30th.  You won't want to miss it!

Emily

H{ippity} Hop! 1/4/10

Hello!  I made this card for the inspiration challenge on SCS, late Friday night.  I really love this ippity set, Just Wanted To Say.  It is perfect for quick cards and notes!  I think I am going to start making a bunch of set of note cards with this general layout for quick Christmas gifts for next year.  Pefect for teacher's, bus drivers, and whoever else you may need a little something for!  You can purchase this set from me HERE for  $16.

Stay tuned because I have decided to have my {ippity} products on a seperate blog.  I will be working on that the next couple of weeks, but in the mean time you can still get your {ippity} from me by clicking the link above or the blinkie in my sidebar!

Have fun h{ippity} hopping!

Emily

The Best Day Ever! EIC69

Hello! It is time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge!  This week's Etsy shop is Manic Muffin Totes.  OMGosh!  This store is LOADED with cuteness! 

I was inspired by the ice cream pillow.  It made me think of birthdays and parties, so I decided it would only be fitting to use this super cute party animal image from our sponsor this week, Tiddly Inks. I colored the image with both Copics and Prisma pencils.  The sentiment is from Unity. 

Please remember to use keyword EIC69 when uploading to online galleries.  Link your card on the Etsy blog HERE for a chance at some great prizes!  One random winner will receive 3digi images from the Tiddly Inks shop of their choice!

Can't wait to see what you create for the challenge!

Emily

Happy New Year's to my Friends With Flair!

Happy New Year's!  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve.  My card today uses stamps from the Unity December KOTM.  I love this alarm clock image!  The sentiment is perfect for this time of year.  It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life.  I think it is important that we all stop and treasure the little everyday moments that we sometimes take for granted.  I know I am guilty of not always taking the time to enjoy and relish the MOMENT, instead of thinking about all of the things I didn't get done in the PAST, and worrying about the FUTURE.
Thanks for stopping by!

Emily