You're A Grand Old Flag...

 Paper:  kraft card stock, DP Pink Paislee 360 degrees, recycled cardboard

Ink:  Tim Holtz distress inks in Walnut Stain and Old Paper

Accessories:  vintage buttons, seam binding, gingham ribbon

Hello!  This week we are having a patriotic theme at Paper Maniac.  I decided to make something other than a card, and decided I need some more Americana decor in my home for the holidays.  The base of my door hanger is heavy duty cardboard.  I covered the front with a piece of kraft cardstock that I sponged with distress ink.  I used DP from Pink Paislee's 360 degree collection.  Instead of stars, I adhered old vintage buttons to the blue panel.  I distressed the edges of all of the paper.  My hanger is some seam binding that I crinkled and sponged with distress inks also.  I finished off the top with a gingham bow.

There are a lot of great products on sale in the Paper Maniac store this week!

All stickers (except SRM Stickers)
Rub-Ons
Die-Cuts
Bling
and Accessories
33% off!

Little Yellow Bicycle Products are
40% off

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

H{ippity} Hop- Just Keep Swimming....

Hello!  It's Monday, so time for another H{ippity} Hop.  I had a fabulous weekend with hubby and my boys.  We hung out by the pool, went to the drive-in, and hubby and I went to P.F. Changs for dinner last night.  We hadn't been there in years, and need to remember it more often.  I forgot how good the prices were!

Today I used the ippity set Fishy Philosophy.  I love the movie, Nemo and this saying is perfect for someone who needs a little encouragement!  I colored my fish with Copic markers and added some glitz to the fins with my Sakura stardust gelly roll pen.  The "sea weed" is actually from a SU punch (the one with the bird).

I made this for the CAS challenge over on SCS this week.  The challenge is to use bashful blue, certainly celery and orange.  Hope you give it a try!

If you are interested in adding any ippity to your collection, click HERE.  I have one Fishy Philosophy in stock, and will sell it for $15.00 on a first come first serve basis.  If you would like to take advantage of this low price, email me at emmielouwhostamps@yahoo.com and I will send you a pay pal invoice.

EIC94-Sandbox Studio

Hello!  Today's Etsy shop for your inspiration is Sandbox Studios.  They have some really cute totes and boxes for your inspiration.  I was inspired by the circles on the tote below.

Our sponsor this week is Tyggereye Hand Carved stamps.  There will be two winners this week.  One person will win a $25.00 gift card to Tyggereye and another winner will win the tote from Sandbox Studio pictured below.

Make sure to use keyword EIC94 when uploading to online galleries.  You will also want to link your card to the EIC blog HERE for a chance to win the above prizes.  Random winners will be chosen next Friday.

Hope you play along!

Emily

FWF-Flower of Faith...

Hello! Happy Friday!  I just got back from the drive in with some neighbors after seeing Toy Story 3.  We had to miss it last weekend since we were all sick, but it was a beautiful night, so we piled the kids in the van and took off!  I love spontaneous plans during the summer....Fun, fun, fun!
So here I am at 1:00 AM writing this post!  I made a quick CAS card with the Faith Blooms set from ippity.  I used some crinkly ribbon I made the other day.  I dyed my seam binding with river rock re-inker and then smooshed it into a vintage photo distress ink pad.  Love the way it turned out!  I am seriously having too much fun dying all of this seam binding...maybe 100 yards was not enough?  I will have to give some away, so that I have an excuse to buy more and dye more! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Lots of Dots....

Stamps:  Flourishes Tag Lines set

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Echo Park Citrus Circle (sweet summertime collection)

Accessories:  rayon seam binding, Cherry Ice smooch spray, vintage button

Hello!  Big sale going on at Paper Maniac this week!  All wood mounted stamps are 25% off and all Just Rite stampers are 35% off!  While you are there, you will definitely want to pick up some yummy papers from a new company called Echo Park!  LOVE them!  I used some today on my card!  It is so fresh and fun it speaks for itself!  I added a sentiment and some paper piercing to the bottom.  I also cut out around the circles on the DP to create scallops.  

Using seam binding is all the rage right now, so I ordered 100 yards of it and decided to give it a try!  I used some Cherry Ice smooch spray, and sprayed about three yards until it was pretty saturated.  I squished it up into a ball, tied some twine around it and let it dry over night.  This morning, I untied it and had yummy, vintage looking, crinkle ribbon!  I will be making these in several colors.  Smooch spray is great for using with the Tim Holtz masks too! 

Hope you are inspired to make something bright and summery!  Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

The Years In Your Life...

Don't you just love this sketch?  This is the CAS challenge over on SCS this week.  If you are a lover of CAS, you will want to check it out HERE. 
This is going to be my mom's birthday card.  She will be turning 60 in a couple of weeks and is really having a tough time with it.  Don't worry...my mom never reads my blog since she only gets on the computer to play solitaire, so she won't see it! LOL!
I don't really understand why people have a hard time with aging.  Yeah...sure it would be great to look 25 all of the time, but with age I think you get so much more out of life.  When I look at what was important to me when I was 25 compared to what I value now, I will definitely take my 35 year old self, thank you very much!
I love my mom dearly, and have told her more than once that turning 60 is so much better than the alternative.  I also remind her that so many people are not fortunate enough to live that long.  My husbands dad passed away when he was only 47, and I am sure he would love to be celebrating his 60th birthday with his dad this year.  I have a friend who's son died of brain cancer when he was only 6.  Is turning 60 really a crisis?  I think not.
I think we all should pay more attention to making the most of each and every day.  I for one, want to work hard at the life in my years, not worry about the years left in my life.
Maybe I should right this inside of my mom's birthday card....hmmmmm.....

H{ippity} Hop!-Flowers of Thanks...

Hello!  I am finally feeling a bit better!  My throat doesn't hurt as long as I keep ibuprofen in my system!  Here is a little CAS card I made with one of the flowers from the Faith Blooms set.  I just love this little set and it is very affordable at only $5.00.  If you would like to add any ippity stamps to your collection, just click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and for all of the well wishes!

Emily

EIC93-Sorry no card...

Hello!  I am so sorry I do not have a card for you today, but I along with two of my boys have strep throat!  I am freaking MISERABLE and haven't been this sick in a long, long time!  Being a nurse, I think I am immune to most things and I just don't get sick that often.  I also have a very high pain threshhold, but not being able to swallow your own saliva because your throat hurts so bad....stinks!

I am going to direct you all to the EIC blog HERE to get the deets for the challenge.

I am sure you Etsy followers will make fabuous things!

Emily

FWF- Sunshine In Every Cup...

Hello!  TGIF...right?  I am off tonight to take my boys to see Toy Story 3!  I think I am excited about it as they are!  I can't believe that Andy is going to college!!!!!  I remember my oldest being Toy Story crazy, and when you do the math, yep...Andy would be about ready for college!

Anyway...I had yet to ink up these stamps from one of my past Unity KOTM's.  I love a good cup o' Joe!    Can't start my morning without one, and drink several more cups throughout the day!  I am definitely an addict!  I thought this would be a cute card to give with a coffee gift for a gal I know who needs some cheering up.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Live In The Moment...

Stamps:  Flourishes Life Lines set

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest in Solar White, DP Glitteratti by Memory Box

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Black Satin ribbon, Kaiser pearls

Hello!  Today I have a CAS card using some Memory Box Glitteratti DP and some new Flourishes stamps!  I love this paper!  It is so funky and the perfect paper for guy cards with a splash of color!  I added some black ribbon and some Kaiser pearls for effect!  All products used on this card are available for purchase at Paper Maniac.  Paper Maniac is having some FABULOUS sales this summer!  This week all Cuttlebug folders and Martha Stewart punches are 35% off!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

The Sky's The Limit...

Hello!  I made this card for the CAS challenge over on SCS.  The challenge is "something that flys".  I was excited to ink up my new set from The Stamps Of Life by Stephanie Barnard.  I have been a club member for 5 months now and LOVE the stamps!  They are super affordable and you get a big discount if you are a club member.  The best part is that shipping is only $1.00!!!!!

Hope you get a chance to try this CAS challenge out on SCS!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

EIC92-FLying Hi...

Welcome to another Etsy Inspired Challenge!  This week our shop for your inspiration is My Zoetrope.  They have so many cute, whimsical prints to inspire your creativity this week!  I chose the robot print below for my inspiration.

This week our fabulous sponsor is Sakura!  I think everyone if familiar with this company and their wonderful gelly roll pens.  My favorite is the stardust.  It is perfect for adding some subtle glitz to any project!
Please make sure you add keyword EIC92 when uploading your project to online galleries.  Also make sure you link your project on the EIC blog HERE, for a chance to win one of two great prizes!  Yes...there will be two lucky winners this week.  Ashley will pick random winners next Friday!
The first prize will be a print of the winner's choice from the My Zoetrope shop.  The second prize will be a set of moonlight gellly roll pens from Sakura!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you get a chance to play!

Emily

FWF-Fly With Wings A Flutter...

Hello!  Happy Friday!  I have been trying to use some stamps that have never seen ink instead of buying MORE NEW STUFF!  So far this month, I have been a good girl, but I know I will cave!
Love this butterfly, and it seemed perfect with this paper from Sasafrass Lass.  I added a row of buttons on the bottom with some black stitching through the middle. 
I like the way it turned out.  Retro and funky! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Shamelessly asking for your vote...

 SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS! 

Hi peeps!  I am shamelessly asking for your vote on the InLinkz contest.  I could win a gift card to Two Peas, so every vote counts!  If you click HERE it will take you to the post.  To vote for my teddy bear card, click the "votes" ABOVE my card!   It is card # 28.  Here is what it will look like:

## votes

 The voting ends on June 11!
Your support and votes would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Emily

You're A Natural...

 Stamps:  Naturally You-Unity May mini retail kit

Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa

Paper:  Kraft CS, Jillibean Soup Diced Tomatoes DP

Accessories:  May ArtsOlive Burlap string, Copics, button from my stash

Hello!  Today I made a card with some stamps from the May Unity retail kit called Naturally You.  This is still available as a mini kit and also as the whole kit at Paper Maniac!
Also ALL of the Tim Holtz products are on sale this week for 20% off!  You can check out my tutorial on how to make a picture frame with Distress Inks and a Tim Holtz mask HERE on the home page of Paper Maniac.

Hi....

Hi!  Here is another card I made for this week's CAS challenge over on SCS.  The challenge is to make a card with the greeting, sentiment or quote as the focal point.  I used some Thickers foam letters in brown, and then layered scallops in all of the in colors from the past year ( I added some kraft at the bottom, too!).
Easy peasy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

A LATE H{ippity} Hop post and announcement...

Glad I arrived home to find Blogger working again!  I promised my boys a trip to the zoo, so couldn't wait around all day!  I made this card for the CAS70 over on SCS-to use a greeting, quote, or sentiment as the focal point of the card.  I really love this quote from ippity set Delightful Little Things.  So many awesome quotes in that set.  If you would like to add this or any other ippity sets to your collection check out my ippity sales page HERE.

I also have exciting news...I made the CAS Summer DT on SCS!  Super excited about it!

Thanks for stopping by even if it is a very late post!

EMILY

EIC91-Inspired by beautiful buttons!

This week's Etsy shop for your inspiration is howbeadyful.  I just LOVE the fabric covered buttons in this shop!  I was instantly inspired by the kraft colored linen buttons!  If you have been around EIC long enough, you know I LOVE my KRAFT cardstock!

This week our sponsor is Pretty Tape.  They have some amazing Japanese masking tape and stamps.  They are generously offering a prize of a $35.00 gift certificate, too!  I wish I could win!  If you would like a chance to win all you have to do is pick something that inspires you from the howbeadyful shop.  Make sure to use keyword EIC91 when uploading to online galleries.  A random winner will be chosen on Friday.  Link your card to the EIC blog HERE.

Have fun!

Emily

FWF-Rainbows and Raindrops....

Hello!  I made this card for a submission for the summer CAS DT team on SCS.  I made it to the finals so I am super excited!  The stamps are from Unity's April retail kit.  I paper pieced the red polka dot part of the rainbow and colored the rest of the image with Copics.  Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Birds of a Feather Customer Blog Hop!

Hey there!  Today is the Customer Blog Hop over at Caffinated Cropper.  Everything I used on this card is from this kit, except the white CS!  If you would like to see more inspiring projects, start at the beginning HERE.  Amy will pick a random winner who leaves a comment on each blog including hers, to win a mini kit!  I am keeping this short and sweet so you can hop on through!
Your next stop on the hop is Michelle!

Paper Maniac Celebrates Teachers!

Stamps:  Flourishes Cherry Blossom set

Paper:  Neenah Solar White Classic Crest, Soft Suede (SU)

Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories:  Copic Markers

Hello!  This week Paper Maniac is focusing on teachers!  I made this card for a teacher who is retiring.  I thought the sentiment was perfect for someone who is getting ready to start another chapter in their life...retirement being one of them!  Make sure you check out this beautiful set from Flourishes.  I always was intimidated by the intricate images from Flourishes.  They are so fun and easy to color. Because of all of the detail, it makes coloring easier!  The shading and little details let you know where the darker and lighter parts of the flowers are.  

If you have wanted to try Copics, but have been afraid or reluctant...Paper Maniac makes it easy.  Every month they have a fabulous Copic kit at a super reasonable price.  Why not try some Copics and a fab Flourish set today?  I promise you will be glad you did!

Emily

HUGE Sale at Paper Maniac!

ALL Graphic 45 and Pink Paislee products are 40% off this week only at Paper Maniac!  Get yours while quantities last!

There are many more products available in the store from these companies.  I just put photos and links of my favorites!