Paper Maniac Inspirations ~ Remembering America's Heroes

This week at Paper Maniac, we are celebrating Memorial Day and I have created a card to not only remember all our Fallen Soldiers but also to thank our Veterans and all the brave men and women currently serving in the Armed Services.

Having served four years in the United States Army myself, this is a very emotional weekend for me and my family. I have many friends and family still in the service and many of them are in Iraq or Afghanistan and I pray daily for their safe and speedy return to their loved ones.

For my card, I used Pure Poppy and Enchanted Evening ink from PTI to repeatedly stamp the star (minus the flourish) from the August Unity Store Kit onto white card stock. I stamped the sentiment from the September Unity Store Kit in Tuxedo Black ink from Memento and finished it off with some Kaisercraft red pearls.

This week at the Paper Maniac store...All Tim Holtz/Sizzix Dies are marked down 15%. Plus awesome deals on past Basic Grey collections...Check it out here!

This card was also created for this weeks Red, White and Blue Color Challenge at SSDS. To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize package head over to the SSDS blog and link your creation to Mr. Linky by 10:00 pm (EST) Friday evening.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday weekend!

TCC Feature Friday ~ Rhinestones, Ribbon and Red

Hi all!! Today is Feature Friday at The Character Cafe and this weeks challenge is to use Rhinestones, Ribbon and Red.

When I saw Lisa's Special RAK Event for her sister Jayme, who was sadly diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I just knew what I was going to do for this weeks challenge. Jayme loves frogs so the Pond Frogs from TCC were just perfect for the card I wanted to send!

I used GIMP to make a frog background of sorts and colored all the frogs green except one. This was perfect for my computer generated sentiment ~ One of a Kind. I cut the sentiment out with my nestabilities and inked the edges with Pure Poppy Ink. I finished the card off with Pure Poppy Saddle Stitch Ribbon and some green rhinestones.

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize and check out all the fabulous creations from the Design Team. Head over to the Cafe Blog and link your creation to Mr. Linky by next Thursday evening.

Thanks for stopping by,

CWC005 ~ A Touch of Green

Happy Wednesday everyone!! It is time for another fun challenge at CAS-tastic Wednesdays.

This week we our sharing CAS cards using a Touch of Green. I just LOVE this adorable Daddy's Girl digital image from Tiddlyinks. It is just the perfect image for a Father's Day card. I printed the image on Select White cs and colored her with Prismacolor Markers. The sentiment is from PTI's Star Prints and I finished it off with some silver pearls.

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize head over to the CAS-tastic Wednesdays Challenge Blog and link your creation by 9:30 pm EST Tuesday June 1st.

Thanks for stopping by,

Bugaboo Catch a Bug Challenge

The Bugaboo Catch a Bug Challenge theme for this week is...Male Call and a Sketch. Your card or project must use this weeks sketch and use the masculine theme.

I used the adorable Bugaboo Brat Sean and his dog for my card. I colored Sean with Prismacolor Markers and cut him out with my circle nestabilities. The dsp is from Cosmo Crickets Joy Ride Line and the sentiment is from PTI.

This card qualifies for a few other challenges:

DU2DS ~ One for the Boys
Daring Cardmakers ~ Boy Zone
Stamp Something ~ 2 of Something (used 2 arrow embellies)

To play along with this weeks challenge and checkout all the amazing DT creations, head over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

You may use any stamp you choose however if you use a Bugaboo stamp you get two entries per card. We will pick winners with random.org for the following:

1st Place ~ 7 images of choice
2nd Place ~ 4 images of choice
3rd Place ~ 2 images of choices.

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Maniac Inspirations ~ DeLovely Chipboard

This week at Paper Maniac, we are sharing projects utilizing chipboard. I could not wait to use the new Cosmo Cricket DeLovely line. I am totally loving this new line! The papers and embellishments are so bright and colorful and just perfect for summer.

I used Raspberry Fizz from PTI as my card base and the dsp and chipboard rainbow is the from the new DeLovely line. The sentiment from the PTI's Scattered Showers stamp set.

Paper Maniac LAST MINUTE WEEKEND SALE. Every single stamp in the store is on sale this weekend with the coupon code WEEKEND20. This code will get you 20% off each and every stamp in your shopping cart, including those already marked down. If it is in the stamp section, it is on sale! Limited to stock on hand and ends Monday morning 6:00 AM central. Don't miss it!

This card was also created using this weeks sketch at SSDS. To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize package head over to the SSDS blog and link your creation to Mr. Linky by 10:00 pm (EST) Friday evening.

Thanks for stopping by,

Bugaboo Stamps ~ Freebie Friday

Hi all! Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far! We had a blast in NJ/NY but I am so glad to be home! Stay tuned for some great pics! I am still trying to get caught up on emails and May is jam packed with end of year activities for the kids so I will be around to see everyone so!!

It is Freebie Friday at Bugaboo Stamps and here is a peek at one of the adorable new images available today. If you like Ruby Chocolate then you will want to head over to store to see even more stamps like her. This freebie will be available for one week so get it while you can!

I printed Ruby out and cut her out with my circle nestability and used brown ink to distress the edges a bit. The dsp is all from Ki Memories Sweet Stuff line.

Thanks for stopping by!

TCC Feature Friday ~ Recycle and Reuse

Hi all!! Today is Feature Friday at The Character Cafe and this weeks challenge is to Recycle and Reuse ~ recycle an item from around the house and reuse it on your project. My recycled item is the peace sign charm from my DD's broken bracelet.

When I was at Archivers this week I saw this great 70's paper from Little Yellow Bicycle and it is just perfect for the adorable Dayzee image. I printed her out and colored her with Prismacolor markers and paper pieced her jeans. The cardstock and satin ribbon are Raspberry Fizz from PTI.

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize and check out all the fabulous creations from the Design Team. Head over to the Cafe Blog and link your creation to Mr. Linky by next Thursday evening.
Thanks for stopping by,

CWC003 ~ CAS Cards with Circles

Happy Wednesday everyone!! It is time for another fun challenge at CAS-tastic Wednesdays.

This week we our sharing CAS cards using Circles. I printed these great flowers from the Cutting Cafe's Sentiment Stems and Flower Tops directly onto Raspberry Fizz cardstock and then cut them out. The sentiment is from Unity set Could I Be Any Cuter. I added black candy dots to the flower centers and finished it off with a little bling!

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize head over to the CAS-tastic Wednesdays Challenge Blog and link your creation by 10:30 pm EST Tuesday May 18th.

Thanks for stopping by,

Bugaboo Stamps ~ New Release Tuesday

Hi all! Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far! I am super busy trying to make sure everything is done before we leave for New York on Thursday!

It is new release day at Bugaboo Stamps and here is a peek at one of the adorable new images available today. If you like Princess Charlie then you will want to head over to store at Noon CST to see even more stamps like her.

This card qualifies for a few challenges...

HFO 27 ~ Just a Little Dottie
PaperPlay ~ Digi & Bling
Stamp Something ~ Birthday
Crafty Creations ~ Magical
Dare U 2 Digi ~ Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by! I am off to do a little last minute shopping!

Paper Maniac Inspirations ~ Alter It

This week at Paper Maniac, we are sharing altered items. We are driving from Ohio to New York on Thursday evening and I am hoping to surprise my kids with these altered tins filled with snacks, games and anything else I can find to keep the boredom at bay.

I covered the tin with an old street map and thought Billy on his bike from Pink Cat Studios was the perfect image for the theme! The chipboard letters are from Scenic Route and I used the "You are Here" rub-on from Cosmo Cricket's Boyfriend line to finish everything off.

I am planning on using Lily from Pink Cat Studios on the tin for my DD. I thought I had two of these tins but could only find one in my stash so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will find one tomorrow!

Also head over to the store to check out the May Unity store kit. Plus the new collections from Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket are now in the stock!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge

** Click HERE for the AiFactory Blog Hop **

** Click HERE for The Character Cafe Blog Hop **
** Click HERE for SSDS ~ Anything But a Card **

The Bugaboo Catch a Bug Challenge theme for this week is...Flower Power. Your card or project must be inspired by the theme.

I think I may have went a little flower crazy with my card but then again you can never have too many flowers LOL!

I used another Bugaboo Brat Bug for my card. I colored the adorable butterfly with Prismacolor markers and cut her out and popped her up on an embossed panel. The flowers and dsp are from Making Memories. The sentiment is a freebie from Pink Cat Studios.

To play along with this weeks challenge and checkout all the amazing DT creations, head over to the Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

You may use any stamp you choose however if you use a Bugaboo stamp you get two entries per card. We will pick winners with random.org for the following:

1st Place ~ 7 images of choice
2nd Place ~ 4 images of choice
3rd Place ~ 2 images of choices.

Thanks for stopping by!

SSDS Week 39 ~ Anything But a Card

** Click HERE for AiFactory Blog Hop **

** Click HERE for Character Cafe Blog Hop **

Hi all! It is time for another awesome challenge from Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday. This week we are making Anything But a Card!!

Our sponsor The Stamping Boutique was kind enough tp provide the Design Team with images to use for this challenge. I need to make some princess invitations so I chose the adorable Princess Gwendolyn image. I used my Cricut and SCAL software to cut out the invitations using Favorite Frames 2 from Two Peas in a Bucket.

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize package head over to the SSDS blog and link your creation to Mr. Linky by 10:00 pm (EST) Friday evening.

Thanks for stopping by,

AiFactory ~ You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello Blog Hop

** Click HERE for my Character Cafe Blog Hop post **

Today we are saying goodbye to our departing Design Team and introducing you to the New AiFactory Design Team!!

If you arrived from Monica's Blog then you are on the right track!

If not, you will want to go to the AiFactory Challenge Blog and start at the beginning for a chance to win some awesome prizes!

I just love this image from the Future Rock Star digital stamp set...Isn't she just the cutest? I used my Cricut and SCAL software to cut out the stars and the sentiment is from PTI.

What to win an awesome prize?

Just leave a comment on each of the blogs you visit. We will randomly pick one commenter from one the Design Team Members Blogs to win a $20 AiFactory Gift Certificate. Which DT Member is a SECRET...so make sure you comment on them all!! (Drawing will be at 11:30pm EST on May 14th)

Scrambled Word Prize...Each DT Member has been assigned a letter...To win you have to unscramble all the letters and send the correct phrase to me (angievcortes@gmail.com) in an email and I will draw a winner from all the correct entries for a $10 Gift Certificate (Have You figured out mY letter Yet?)

PLUS Random freebies are scattered throughout the hop!! Like this one :-)

Now head on over to Fink's Blog to see what she's created!!

TCC May Release Blog Hop

Hi all!! Welcome to The Character Cafe May Release Blog Hop! This our first hop with our new DT and you are going to love all the fabulous eye candy waiting for you along the hop!! In honor of the new Design Team, you can use the coupon code newDT30 to receive 30% off at the store.

If you arrived here from Audrey's Blog then you are on the right track!

If not, you will want to go to The Character Cafe and start at the beginning for a chance to win some amazing prizes!!

The new releases this month are just too cute!! I was so excited to work with the adorable Suzie this week. I printed her out on Select White and colored the image with PrismaColor markers. I used Basic Grey's Sugar Rush dsp for the four squares and finished the card off with a crocheted flower and plum pudding button.

I will draw one winning name from my comments on May 13th to win a copy of Suzie!! Make sure and comment on all the DT Blogs for a chance to win the Grand Prize (4 New Release Images and a $5 Gift Certificate for The Cafe Store).

Enter a creation using the TCC freebie on the Cafe Blog for a chance to be a Guest Designer for the month of June!

Now head on over to your final stop The Cafe Blog

Thanks for stopping by!

CWC002 ~ CAS Birthday Cards

Happy Wednesday everyone!! I am so excited about today's post. This week we are officially kicking off my new challenge blog ~ CAS-tastic Wednesdays. These challenges are all about keeping it clean and simple!

Our challenge this week is our first challenge with our AMAZING Design Team!! This week we our sharing our CAS Birthday Cards. My card was inspired by this card that I saw on Splitcoast and just loved the layout! I printed the adorable Birthday Ivy from Wild Flower Kids directly onto my card base and colored her with Prismacolor Markers. I used my Cricut and SCAL software to cut the scallop border out of Basic Grey Green at Heart and covered that with some Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon from PTI. I finished it off with a little bling in the corner and Voila...easy peasy Birthday card!!

To join in on the fun and be eligible for this weeks fabulous prize head over to the CAS-tastic Wednesdays Challenge Blog and link your creation by 10:30 pm EST Tuesday May 11th.

Thanks for stopping by,

Paper Maniac Inspirations ~ Mother's Day

This week at Paper Maniac, we are celebrating Mother's Day. I have an elegant yet super quick Mother's Day card to share with you. I have seen so many cards using layered scallops and just love how they look. It adds so much dimension to your card without adding a lot of bulk.

For my my card I used my Cricut to cut five scallop borders out of Basic Grey's Kioshi. I layered the scallops on the card and added a Plum Pudding saddle stitch ribbon to the top layer. The sentiment is from Flourishes Strawberries Set. I used a rub-on to fill the space above the bow.

Also head over to the store to check out the May Unity store kit. Plus there are a ton of new items and companies in the store!

Thanks for stopping by,