Butterfly Birthday...

Hello! It is a beautiful sunny, hot but breezy day here. I plan on spending some time outside reading while boys are at school.  I have to take advantage of those "quiet" moments that will be few when school lets out.  Yes, I will miss my quiet afternoons, but I am excited to have them at home with me all summer.  We recently purchased an RV, and I am excited to take them camping.  Camping was such a big part of my life growing up, that to share it with my boys is thrilling!

Okay...on to the card.  I participated in the color challenge over on SCS-Rich Razzleberry, daffodil, and pacific point (or close equivalents).  I used some scraps of pink paislee and Lily Bee designer papers, along with some ribbon from my stash.  I also used a PTI die that I won from my friend Lynn's blog a while back.  I added some burlap string and a memo pin and vintage button.  The decorative tab I created with a Tim Holtz edge die. The sentiment is from TSOL.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Moxie Fab Chevron Chic Challenge!

This is my card for the Moxie Fab Chevron Chic challenge.  I used some My Mind's Eye Lime Twist (Life of The Party) patterned paper.  I love dark brown and lime together.  I thought the dark brown woodgrain and the lime chevron together would give a crisp, modern/retro look.  I stamped my thank you circle with Walnut distress ink onto white cardstock and punched out.  This stamp is from The Stamps Of Life set, sentiments4circles.  I also added some baker's twine from The Twinery in honeydew.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Emily

FWF: Ladybug, ladybug fly away home....

Hello!  I am so excited to participate in a Unity FWF Friday!  I haven't been able to in a long time!  I decided to pull out some old school Unity.  The sentiment is from the May 2009 KOTM and the ladybug stamp is from the June 2009 KOTM.  I colored my ladybug image with Copic markers.  I added some red baker's twine and stamped the sentiment in the lower corner. Easy peasy!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Emily

Denim star...

Hello!  Today I made a card for the What To Use challenge over on SCS-stars.  I cut my star out of some old denim jeans.  My background paper is a page torn from an old book.  I used distress inks and acrylic paint on my papers.  I used a Quick Cuts die for the flourish.  I tied some baker's twine around the middle and made a double bow on my button.  I added a heart stick pin behind the star, and stamped "liberty" in the lower right corner.I lovee using denim on projects.  I always have a pile of old jeans from the boys to cut into!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Emily

What's The Scoop?

Hello! Today's card uses The Stamps Of Life sets, cone2dish and scream4icecream.  I decided to use the Tim Holtz waffle embossing die since it matched the cone!  I sponged distress inks on all of the papers-antique linen and walnut stain.  I used some old My Mind's Eye patterned paper-Beloved for the scoop of ice cream and stamped some "chocolate chips" on top of that.  Mint Chocolate chip is one of my favorites, and that was the look I was going for.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Emily

Plugging my gal, Noelle!

Hello!  I have been down for the count sick, and am lucky enough to have some cards I made a while back for the past week.  Today I wanted to let you all know that I am no longer going to be selling ippity stamps.  I decided that I didn't want to tied down to having to move my inventory.  I have recently made the decision to drastically cut my hours back at the hospital and spend more time with my boys. Hopefully it will give me so more time to stamp, too!

Good news! My girl Noelle has stayed on as an ippity chick, so I am asking that you buy from her. 

I met Noelle through the Unity/ippity forum on SCS.  I pretty much fell in love with her!  She is so enthusiastic and positive about stamping.  She became an ippity chick when I was kind of backing off of selling, so the last release I decided I was going to buy my ippity from her because I think she is probably one of the happiest ippity chicks out there!  Sometimes it is not only the product, but the exceptional person selling the product that makes it so worth while.

You probably remember me plugging Noelle's twine deals in the past.  She is still selling her twine at unbelievable discounts and shipping for FREE!

You can check out Noelle's ippity selection HERE.  She has all of the new releases to pre-order and yes....I already have my order in.  Below are my favorite sets of this release:

Hopefully I will have a card later on if I am feeling better. If not, definitely tomorrow!

Emily

Thank You, Teacher...

Hello! Today I have a teacher thank you card I made using the new release from The Stamps Of Life, letters2color.  I stamped the ABC in black and then used a red, yellow and blue copic to color in the dots.  I matted it with black and used some notebook looking patterned paper behind it.  The "thank you" I stamped on one of the notebook lines and then tied some baker's twine from The Twinery around.

I always get the boys teacher's some type of gift card for the end of the year.  I haven't decided on what type of gift cards but trying to think of something different besides Starbucks or Panera.

What do you do for your kid's teachers?  If you are a teacher, do you like receiving gift cards versus knick knack items?  I just figure teacher's accumulate so many trinkets over the years, which is why I do gift cards.  Let me know your ideas!

Emily

PAPER MANIAC IS CLOSING!

Scroll down for newer posts, please.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post today.  Paper Maniac is going out of business.  For those of you who have ordered from PM before, you know what a loss this will be to our community.  Patti always had the best prices, great customer service and fast shipping.  You can take advantage of a 30% off discount by using coupon code GOODBYE when checking out.

ALL STAR!

Hello!  Today I have another card today using The Stamps Of Life new release, all4stars.  I love this set!  I stamped the large star outline in brown on orange cardstock and cut them out.  I then stamped the little solid star in teal and cut those out and adhered them to the center of the orange stars.
I used the long border star stamp and stamped it once in teal (i think i used bermuda bay) and then stamped it again to get the lighter shade on the white cardstock panel.  I stamped the "ALL STAR" in brown on top of the patterned paper, and layered it all on a kraft cardstock base.
I used dimensionals to pop the large stars.  I think this would be perfect to send to a teenage boy or girl.  I have been trying to use some of the older product in my stash, and this collection from Making Memories is one of my old favorites!

Thanks for stopping by,

Emily

The Stamps Of Life-all4stars

Hello! Today's card uses the new release from The Stamps Of Life, all4stars.  This set is perfect for patriotic cards, and for congratulation cards, too!  I thought the above card would be perfect to send to a local serviceman who recently served in Iraq.  I stamped the outline star in night of navy (SU) and the "made in the USA" star in real red (SU).  The metallic border is a self adhesive die-cut from K&Company's Americana collection.  I love their self adhesive border dies.  They are great for CAS cards and super affordable

This is for the Wee Memories challenge, to use something that "sticks".  My patriotic border definitely qualifies! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Make Everyday a Sundae!

Hello!  Today I have a card using the new sets from The Stamps Of Life, scream4icecream and cone2dish.  I pieced the scoop of ice cream after stamping the scoop and glass and cutting out.  The patterned paper is from Memory Box's Pixie collection.  It reminded me of homemade strawberry ice cream.  The only way I will eat strawberry ice cream is if it is homemade.  Nothing more delicious!!

I stamped the cherry and then added some clear micro glitter from PK Glitz to the top after coating it with glue.  The glass is colored with copic markers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

The Stamps Of Life-letters2color

Hello!  I have two cards to share with you, using the new release from The Stamps Of Life, letters2color.  I love this alphabet set!  Super cute for both cardmaking and scrapbooking.  The first card I also used the borders4me set for the dotted frame. I added some turquoise rhinestones.
The second card was for my mom for Mother's Day.  When you open it up it says "amazing".  The "you're amazing" is from the youare2kind set.  I used patterned paper from the Lily Bee Designs collection, This & That.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Emily

In memory of Brian....

 Sgt. Brian Dulle

I know that my blog is a happy place for inspiration and creativity, but I wanted to post this in remembrance of my childhood friend who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, during a high speed chase.  He was a Warren County deputy sheriff for the past 13 years.  I haven't spoken to or seen Brian in a number of years, but Brian was such a big part of my life growing up.  We lived in the same neighborhood, went all through school together and our families were close friends.  Brian was always the comedian.  He always had the perfect one liner or comeback to make you laugh and smile.  I have so many happy memories, but his sense of humor is what stands out in my mind.

My heart goes out to his wife and three children, and to his parents and siblings.  I am asking all of my papercrafting friends and community to pray for Brian and his family.

Brian's oldest daughter, Maddie has battled cancer twice in her ten years.  Brian and his family started an organization called Maddie's Hope several years ago to raise money and awareness for children suffering from cancer.  If you are of the means, I have provided a link to the website for donations in Brian's memory.  They are also on facebook for those of you who prefer that network.

We Remember...

Hello!  Today I have a card I made for the CAS challenge over on SCS-to use banners on your card.  I used some new patterned paper and die cut banner from K&Company.  I also added a punched star, button and twine.
I plan on sending this to my sis and BIL (who is in the military) for Memorial Day.

edit:  Thanks to Virginia for letting me know, but this is also for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge-to incorporate text on your project. I guess the next in the yellow banner counts! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Live In The Moment!

Hello! Today I have a card that was published in the Paper Crafts Stamp It! Techniques issue that was out in February.  The dress is from Cresendoh Stamps and the sentiment is Flourishes.  I pieced the dress with paper from October Afternoon's Thrift Shop collection.  I am working on a bunch of projects for design team work, so I thought I would post this one for today.

We are supposed to get more rain for the next week, but for now it is sunny so we are putting up the little boys bounce house in the back yard.  I am out to go "police" the yard and make sure the "big" boys don't tear it down!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Ice cream makes everything better!

Here is another card from The Stamps Of Life new release, scream4icecream.  I used the smaller of the cones for this card.  I used a masking technique to stack my scoops on the cone.  Easy Peasy! 

It looks like the sun is finally going to peek its head out from behind the rain clouds we have had for what seems like a month!!!!  I actually had to turn the heat back on the other night, which seemed crazy to be doing in May.  Our sump pump has run like crazy the past month due to all of the rain.  The sun will be a welcome surprise!

Have a great day!

Emily

Happy Birthday Max & Luke!

Max & Luke are officially 5 years old today! We had their big party on Sunday with family and friends.  They were so excited to open their presents and patiently waited while everyone ate dinner first.  We celebrated with batman decorations, cake and a pinata.  Fun stuff!

It is hard to believe they are 5.  Sometimes I feel like I have missed more of their five years because there are two!  On the other hand, what a challenge and double the fun it has been raising them side by side-the best of friends.  They have HUGE imaginations.  I love to watch them play together, as if no one else exists.  Max has speech delays and it is hard to understand a lot of what he says, but Luke always knows what he wants.  Their personalities are very different.  Luke is always on the move, loud, VERY talkative and a drama mama! He is funny and even when he is doing something he shouldn't, he can make you smile!  Max is quiet, FULL of affection, always knows when you need a hug, kiss or an "I love you, monny" (that's what he calls me). 

So our recent birthday extravaganza is over for now.  I like to refer to the past few weeks as "Christmas in spring"! The presents, parties, celebrations and drain of the pocket book, make it feel like the holidays for sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  LOVE my boys!

Thanks for stopping by. I may have a card later this evening, but probably not until tomorrow.  It will be nice to get back into my regular creative routine!

Emily

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!!!!

Hello! Today is the first of the month, so that means new club set release for The Stamps Of Life!  This set is appropriately name scream4icecream.  There are so many fun sentiments, and both a large and small version of the cone.  The large was so fun and easy to piece.  The cone looks scrumptious stamped on kraft paper and then sponged with antique linen distress ink for dimension.

If you are not a club member, you can still purchase this set.  Club members get special perks (like 15% off ALL sets) and everyone gets $1 shipping in the US.  Shipping is a bit more for international orders but still VERY reasonable!

Speaking of ice cream and birthday's, we are having my twins 5th birthday party today.  I can not believe they are 5!!!!! Technically, they don't turn 5 until Wednesday, but decided to have the party today versus next weekend.  We will celebrate with a Batman themed party and of course....LOTS of cake and ice cream!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Emily