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