Special Delivery from The Craft's Meow

It is Day Three of previews for the new release from

I absolutely AdOrE this beautiful set

designed by Nina Brackett

of Nina B Designs

I can't wait for you to see the entire set next week

because it is off the chain!

So many lovely elements to play with!

Make sure you pop by

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the fabulous-ness

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a stamp set each day

so make sure you leave a comment

on my blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope

you will plan to come by each day this week

so you don't miss a thing!

Today's Project Recipe:

Stamps: 'Telegram' & 'Timeless Tags' by The Craft's Meow 
Designer Paper:  'Summer Days' Echo Park Paper

Tools: 'Distrezz-it-All' by Zutter, 

Double Loop Weave punch by Martha Stewart,

'Grommet Tags' dies from Spellbinders, Big Shot

Embellishments:  'Sweet Taffy Aqua' flowers by Prima,

'Boutique Fleur' flower by Recollections, Doily Ribbon by TPC

'Sweet Talk' gems/pearls by KandCompany

Those Fabby Beekman Boys & More!

I cannot believe a week has gone by since I last posted!

I hate having such a gap, but I find that when I get on a roll

with designing cards, it's easiest for me to just keep rollin'!

Paul and I took a drive to Madison, WI for a book signing

event and while up there, I made time for a quick visit

to Archivers.  While there, I picked up some new Prima

flowers (these are made of pure white mulberry paper)

and this fabby Hero Arts image.

I love the look of the kraft with with the white flowers,

The rest of the image was colored using metallic markers.

Of course for me, no card is complete without a

matching envelope, which is what you see above.

On a completely different note....

I love to go to book signings and have quite a collection

of authors signatures, most obtained after author readings.

I've been known to drive quite a distance for these, so 

Madison was a short trip (180 miles round trip).

Who was worth the drive?

The Fabulous Beekman Boys!

Have you watched their show on Planet Green?

They are 2 NY city boys who decided they wanted

to give farm life a try and the rest....well, it became

a reality show.

Josh (on the right) recently wrote a book about their

journey owning the Beekman farm.

Brent (on the left) once worked for Martha Stewart

and is the logistics man behind the Beekman 1802 brand.

We had so much fun chatting with them at Williams-Sonoma

and can't wait to see a new season start on Planet Green.

If you are looking for a fun read, this is it!

Well...I am really glad you stopped by today.

Oddly enough, after going an entire week without

a post, you will have two today because the new

challenge from The Play Date Cafe comes your

way at midnight EST tonight.

Thanks so much for popping in....

Today's Project Recipe:

Cardstock:  Bazzill, The Paper Company
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: VersaMark

Embellishments: flowers by Prima, rhinestones by K&Company

Tools:  Corner rounder punch by Fiskars, Embossing Powder

Markers from American Crafts

Making New Memories...The Play Date Cafe Challenge

Wishing all of my US friends and followers a

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm coming to you with a new challenge from

The Play Date Cafe.

I love the simplicity of this photo from our host

this week, Sarah Anderson.

I love the fact that not only is she from the UK,

but so is this week's sponsor for the challenge,

The significance, of course, is that Thanksgiving

is non-existent in the UK and yet both Sarah's

color scheme and our sponsor's stamps

(which were generously provided to our DT)

both conjoured up thoughts of this US holiday for me.

I love this sentiment...

This year our family, immediate and extended, is going through

many changes that are just not conducive to celebrating our

holidays the way we have for over 25 years.

It toughest on the young adults, namely my children and

my dear nieces and nephews.

A house full of family numbering upwards of 30....

talk about memories.  That is why this sentiment is

so poignant to me.

So this season, I am spending time encouraging

my children to begin trying new traditions 

of their own.  It will take time, but I know it can be done.

On another note of mixed emotions...

The Play Date Cafe Design Team are saying

goodbye to two girls who have brought a 

whole bunch of good things to our challenge.

Lisa and Sue are moving on to some new

creative adventures and I wish them

all the best.  We were fortunate to have had

them extend their stay with us to a full 9 months,

so I can't be stingy! 

But I do know that things will not be

the same without them.

Please make sure you stop by The Cafe,

check out the inspiration pieces from our DT

and make sure you leave some love 

for Lisa and Sue.

Versatile Verses with Verses...Huh?

I spy with my little eye a fabby flower from Prima!

I'm coming to you today with just one project

courtesy of Verses Rubber Stamps.

You know me....I still go 'old-school'

and love a good wood-mounted stamp.

Combine that with a stamp line that specializes

in sentiments and verses and well.....

Although the sentiment here is a one-liner,

don't be fooled!

I saved the rest of the verse for the inside 

of the card.  Very versatile stamp indeed!

The other images used were from PaperTrey Ink.

I alternated with a variety of VersaMagic inks to

create a depth with my stamping.

I will be back at midnight, EST tonight with a

brand new challenge from The Play Date Cafe.

See you soon!

Happy H{ippity} Hop Halloween!

So glad to be back with you for 

H{ippity} Hop Monday!

I have a few different projects to share with you and

a special offer waiting for you at the end.

Before we get too far down the road, make sure

you stop by the Ippity blog to see all the great

Ippity 'chicks' and 'fans' who are hopping along today.

I have to say that I love the colors used here.

Fresh, bold and yet, subtle.

The Ippity stamps/sets that were used here:

 Dots for Sure

Thoughts from the Past

The Simple Things

The extras include DP from GCD Studios, 'Stylized Flowers'

EF from Cuttlebug, rick-rack and flower from Prima.

Now for a little Halloween inspiration.....

It's always fun to work make cards for this creepy holiday

using non-traditional colors.  Besides the stamped images, I think

the most effective part of this card is the shaded border.  I used

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade.

The Ippity stamps/sets that were used here:

That's Creepy

 Book It

The extras include spider web border punch from Martha Stewart,

spider web image from Inkadinkado and copper mini brads.

Lastly, this little layered card.

The Ippity stamps/sets that were used here:

That's Creepy

Totally Happy

The extras include the same Distress Ink used on the previous card

as well as the little spider web image and a crackle background from

Paper Inspirations.

Here is a quick peek at the Ippity stamps/sets

along with my Ippity bonus deal of the week!

How would you like to have all of these

fantabulous stamps for just $49!!!

You absolutely can!

(that's $15 off the msrp)

Order this week, and you will also receive

a bonus embellishment package.

To order, simply email me at
julieranae@hotmail.com
and tell me you want The Ippity Bonus Deal.
(this offer is not listed in my Ippity store, you must email me)
I accept PayPal as well as USPS & Walmart money orders

You TOO can have fun with Ippity stamps

and remember, this specific offer is
only available here 

at Julie's Open Window.

To see more Ippity stamps available

Just click HERE!

Do Lemons Make YOU Smile?

Who's ready for Spring?  Raise your hand!

If this week's challenge over at

The Play Date Cafe

doesn't get you in the mood, then all hope is lost.

 

Nothing says Spring like 'lemon yellows'

and that's exactly the inspiration behind this week's challenge.

Sarah is our UK designer and she is

the 'hostess with the mostess'!

Hopefully you have enjoyed the vine border stamp from Memory Box

because here it is again!  I LoVe it!  I used a variety of VersaMark

pads for my inks and did a little zig-zag sewing.

The DP's are all from my BOO collection...in fact, I can't

even remember who made them.  There's no hallmark on

any of them, but they are from the same collections.

The paper flowers are brand new from Prima

and the sentiment is a $1 clear stamp from StudioG.

Make sure you head on over to The Cafe

and check out The Cafe News.

There's lots going on and LOTS coming up!

You will NOT want to be left out of the fun!

One more thing....
I managed two posts today, so please keep
scrolling for more
and pleeeeease let me know you were here
by leaving a comment.
I feel lonely when I know 'someone' came by
but didn't say hi   :  (

Of course, lemons DO make me smile
:  )

More Romance with Gingersnap Creations

I'm very happy to be participating with the fabulous
Gingersnap Creations Challenge

representing the creative team at The Artistic Stamper,
this month's sponsor.

The theme for this week's challenge is 'Romance'.
These birds look like they know a thing or two about romance, so they were my inspiration.

 

I used the fabulous new stamps from

Artistic Stamper's 'Romance' Collection.

The wonderful 'Heart Background' is so versatile.  

I also used the 'Roses are Red' set 

to stamp the heart shape and the sentiment.  

I used Ranger's Crackle Accents for a special effect on the heart.

I also used a variety of Stickles to highlight the clip art which is from Sandra Evertson's 'Wedding' Book.

Prima Flowers add the finishing touches.

Hope you will stop by Gingersnap Creations and see what their design team have offered for inspiration for this week's challenge.

Hope your week is going well.  We are half way through and it's been a busy and creative one for me.  Make sure you stop by tomorrow to see the new challenge from The Play Date Cafe.

It Required a Hunt! The Play Date Cafe Challenge

This has been a rather bold and bright week at The Open Window.

Lots of vibrant colors inspired by so many things.

Recognize any of this yet?  Yep, more of the new

'Mariposa' Collection from DCWV.

But I am happy to say that I managed a little BOO on this project.

Don't know what BOO is?  Click here to find out!

Before I go any further, here's an explanation for all the color...

This week's challenge is just that...A CHALLENGE!

All the designers said so...including our fabulous  
design team host, Sarah.

But there IS a story to go with these colors, so make sure you hit
The Cafe to read the inspiration behind this challenge.

So what did I come up with?

Here are the details...

The birdcage and collage-element paper are from DCWV.   

Prima flowers centered with fabric brads

from My Mind's Eye (thank you, Sarah) and Melody Ross' Artsy Urban for GCD Studios.

The orange panel was stamped with a beautiful butterfly from  

Elusive Images (again, thank you Sarah)

and the BOO on this card IS that orange panel.

Get this...I wanted just the perfect shade of orange and I literally (yes, really) looked for over an hour through every last orange 'thing' in my stash and then...  

I found it! 

 A brand, new blank mini scrapbook still in the package.  It was a freebie that came with an issue of Simply Scrapbooks

(now out of print).

Yes, it required that I cut it apart, but I was thrilled to find it!

Thank you dear Sarah...not only for the goodies used that were

sweet gifts from you,

but for dragging me out of my comfort zone with  

one terrific challenge!   : )

Romance...In More Ways Than One

Romantic Style...what does that look like to you? 

I think like anything else, it's different things to different people.

You know I love the 'shabby-chic' style...although pastels are a bit harder for my brain to work with,

when this card came together,

I just sat back and took a deep breath in.

I love the background stamps from Artistic Stamper.   I used the Polka Dots image for the bold background and the Simple Swirls for the subtle pink background and the gray foreground on the tag.

The sentiment is from Wordsworth.  There are all kinds of 'extras' that complete this card including the Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Around the Page Border, Prima Flowers and silk ribbon.

As I continue to clear my stash, this is a very old die cut from Colorbok that I embellished with

'Carrera Marble' Tinsel Glitter also from Martha Stewart.

Now for romance of a different style.

I love the new 'Mariposa Collection' from DCWV.  The 12 x 12 stack is perfect for card-makers because there are so many wonderful images that can be cut out and layered.

Yep...more Prima Flowers.  Such a quick and easy embellishment.

Although I didn't use them on this project, I also purchased the box of die-cuts that match this collection.  They are beautiful, so I am sure they will turn up here soon!

Quick little story...My dear grandmother, who was one of the biggest influences on my creative life, bought me a sewing machine many, MANY years ago and truthfully, the only time it was used, was when her machine had to go in for servicing.
She would borrow my little unit to get her by.

I finally broke out that machine a couple weeks ago, but for the life of me, I could not keep the bobbin thread from tangling with every effort I made to sew.  I mentioned it to my mom who said, "You know, I think your grandma had the same problem with that machine every time she borrowed it.  I have her machine stored away,
maybe you should give it a try."   
Grandma was a master, self-taught seamstress.
Well, grandma's machine had the magic touch!

I put it to use for the first time on these cards
and I just love the results.

My stitches aren't perfect....
but romance sometimes isn't either.....

Vintage Valentine for Embellish Magazine.com

OK...does this just scream vintage valentine?  I hope so.

It's just a glimpse of my entry for
Embellish Magazine.com's New Year Challenge.

I took a bit of liberty with my shade of red, but I think it works.

I used a few of the papers from GCD Studios'
'Artsy Urban Collection' to get the job done.

You recognize the vintage foil hearts from my recent entry for  
The Play Date Cafe Challenge.

Love playing with that foil! 
The silver metallic is embossed using a Cuttlebug EF.

I 'pinked' up my white crepe paper rosettes with a little VersaMagic ink.

Nothing says vintage like lots of flowers.
thanks to Prima and Making Memories for these beauties!

Add a few satin pearls, gathered trim
and button brads for flower centers.

Speaking of GCD Studios, if you haven't left your comment for the
BIG giveaway, you still have time.

Just click HERE for all the details!

One more thing then I am off to make my husband his favorite
Italian Chicken dinner...

Julie's Open Window is now on Facebook!
I would LOVE it if you would become a fan.

Just scroll down to the FB badge just under my
followers beautiful faces and click.

When you get to Julie's Open Window on FB,
click 'Become a Fan' and that's it!

See you soon!