Screaming Color!

For H{ippity} Hop Monday, just click here

Before I share the rest of this little project I have got

to share what's been happening since I got my new laptop.

Skype!

Need I say more?????

It began with a simple cross-town chat with my daughter

who then proceeded to Skype me each time one of my

grandsons came in the door so they could give it a try.

How fun!

Then, I was able to spend some time with my team mate

from The Play Date Cafe, Savannah O'Gwynn

over the weekend.  We quickly decided to conduct our

own 'personal' play dates via Skype.

 All in the name of creativity, right?!

Then today, my bestie Sarah, who most of you know

is from the UK and is my PDCC partner made her

very first Skype connection....with me!

So I am pretty sure there is no stopping us now!

I had a lot of fun putting the elements together for this

spooky little scene.  My friend Michele at Studio MSG

is a designer over at the DeNami Designs and is the host

for the current challenge, which happens to a color challenge.

I love a good 'color splash' and this one

ScReaMeD HalloweeN !!!!!

(get it.....?)

I purchased a new stamp set from Martha Stewart

that I loved SO much, I paid full price!

I put it to work immediately and came up with this

simply layered design.

You may recognize the border as a 'Martha' as well.

It was really fun once I started adding the bits of

'bling'

to the chandelier, the chair and the spider's line.

(bad photo...but it really sparkles.....)

Always happy to support new challenges and I can't

resist a good 'color challenge'!

I also know that Paige is asking for 100% stamped
cards this week over at the CARDS blog.
This one sure qualifies, so I am going to give this
a go over there as well.

I was wondering...

(since you're here and you were going to leave a comment anyway, right?)

What are your favorite colors to use for Halloween projects?

Do you still kinda like the black and orange look?

Or how about something with deep purple?

Sure appreciate you taking a moment to share!

I'm on her Team...Kristen Powers is Back!

I am SUPER excited to share this latest news!

A very HaPpY BiRtHdAy goes out to

my girl, Kristen Powers.

Not only is today Kristen's birthday,

but it's the launch of her brand new

paper crafting blog, 'kpink'

and I am on the inaugural creative team!

Kristen and I go way back.

She is an artist and illustrator
and has designed rubber stamp
images for many years.

The image above has ALWAYS

been a favorite!

With the launch of  'kpink',

Kristen will be offering fabulous tutorials,
weekly inspiration,and
opportunities to see what

'she's working on in her studio'.

Her newest line of clear stamps and

digital images are available in her 

Etsy shop.
  

How FaBuLoUs are these?!

There's definitely something for everyone

and I can't wait to get started.
I'll be working mainly with her clear stamps
and offering inspiration along the way.

You will recognize some of the other names

on this new team as well :

Sarah Anderson
Amy Anderson
Carol Carter
Barb Kirkwood
 Tammy Tutterow

 You can read more about Kristen and

her fabulous new creative team over at

'Kpink' 

GREAT NEWS!
Kristen will be our guest designer
over at The Play Date Cafe this week!
Make sure you stop by for an all new
challenge this Thursday!

Autograph Sessions...Journal Spilling with Diana Trout

 

You may remember back in November, I kicked off this

new feature with internationally-known UK paper artist

Sue Roddis.

The feedback from that session was fabulous and now

I am pleased to tell you that I have a line-up of

tremendous authors and artists to share with you.

Just a quick recap on how this idea came about...

My dear friend Sarah Anderson

(The Art of Moodling) sent me an autographed copy

of Sue's book 'Handmade Decorative Books'

(click here for that Autograph Session)

and I thought it would be a great thing if we could do

something similar online, so that we could have a chance

to meet authors and other creative contributors to publications.

Coincidentally enough, Sarah has been featuring the author

of the next session on her blog over the past few weeks, so

I thought now is a terrific time to share her with you, too!

So here is my time with Diana Trout author of...

Diana...where in the US do you live & what do you love about it?

I live in Glenside, PA just outside of Philadelphia.  Glenside is great!

We call it 'Mayberry'.  I could never live far from a big city, though,

and I take full advantage of the arts and communities.

I love the hills and forests of Pennsylvania which have been a

major influence in my art-making.

I would love if you would 'toot your own horn' and share

a few of your professional credits with us...

I've been making art professionally for more than 30 years (yikes!).

I attended University of the Arts and Pennsylvania Academy of

Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

I've been published in several zines such as 'DogEared Magazine',

Teesha Moore's 'Play, Art & Life' and 'The Studio'.

I've had articles in 'Cloth, Paper Scissors' and 'Bound & Lettered'

and have published two zines, 'Something I Forgo't and 'Springfed'.

I've shown my work in numerous art shows in PA, NY & NJ

and at regional craft shows.

I am currently showing with a diverse and dynamic group of 

Philadelphia-based women artists called Mamacita.

I teach from my studio, in art centers and libraries.

I recently began teaching nationally at Art & Soul.

You have recently published 'Journal Spilling'. 

As one who journals, how is this type of writing different?

I love writing 'how-to's' and my years of teaching was great

practice for writing 'Journal Spilling'.  It's quite fun for me to write

this way because I start with the left-brain 'how-to' and then

my right-brain takes over for some magic.

Some areas of the book were written in a

'stream-of-consciousness' or 'spill-writing',

as I do in my own journal.

I enjoyed working with the North Light team.

I'm pretty disciplined and I love deadlines, so I break

projects down into do-able bits.

Most of all, 'Journal Spilling' was a realized dream I have

had for many years; bringing an accessible art-making

process to a whole bunch of people.

 

It's obvious you have a passion for art.

What else are you passionate about?

The top of my list is family, friends, students and my cat.

Paper and fabric in any form, reading, music, nature, color,

pattern, sewing and soup making.  Creative problem-solving

makes me very happy and I love to work with students

and help them find solutions.

What age group do you find most 'teachable' when it

comes to journaling?

Oh wow, I've taught all ages...teens through seniors and

everyone is super receptive.  When teaching a new group,

I spend a few moments getting a sense of my audience's

interests and experience, that way I can tailor my teaching.

Keeping an open dialogue and circling the room like an 

eagle on the lookout, I try to engage everyone on their

own level.  Very exciting!

What are tools can you NOT live without?

I love my watercolors, Caran d'Arche water-soluble crayons

and Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils.  When I travel light,

I take just the crayons, a water brush, spray bottle and

a black pen.

In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet

that you would really like to do?

Encaustics.  I took a workshop once and am really drawn

to the look of encaustics.  The veils of colors and patterns

and the ability to use collage within layers of wax is

very appealing.

 

 Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

Carol McDonald.  She is a Vermont artist who I

found on a recent trip there.  I am entranced by her

textile prints.  Of late, I'm in love with

Cy Twombly (again).

Now it's time for a little fun...

If you could be any fictional character,

who or what would it be?

Dr. Ellie Arroway in the movie Contact pops to mind.

Jodie Foster plays this scientist and dreamer.  In my mind,

that's a killer combination.  I have a huge respect for

scientists and mathematicians and sometimes I pretend

I am a scientist.  I guess on reflection, she speaks to me because

she has a solid faith in something and then takes a leap of faith

to prove it.  It's sort of like knowing the answer to an

equation and then working backwards.  I really admire

folks who can think that way.

Coffee, tea...or something more potent?

Irish Breakfast tea in vast quantities in the morning.

Herbal teas the rest of the day.  I love my Yogi Tea.

Something more potent?

Sure!  I'll have a Belgian white beer, do you have draft?

In your creative space, TV or music?

What show or artist?

Music.  I love my iPod.  Some of my favs are:

Josh Joplin, Simon Shaheen, Joni Mitchell,

Nellie McKay, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald.

I love just about anything but rock.

 

I've really enjoyed getting to know Diana, haven't you?!

I hope you will visit 'Hub Bub', Diana's blog and I

would really appreciate it if you told her you read her

Autograph Session here at The Open Window.

I know her book is available at Barnes & Noble stores

and at bn.com

Please leave a comment and let me know what you

think of Autograph Sessions....you will definitely want

to stay tuned for who's coming up next!

Sharing a Lovely Christmas with You

I think this photo tells the story...a very tuckered out pussy cat after a very lovely Christmas Day!

As the Christmas holiday winds down, I thought I would take this opportunity to share some photos of the day with you.  I think it's one of the few days in the year that you can actually get family photos taken, don't you?  I thank you in advance for indulging me.

I managed to get 4 trees up total this year.  This is one of my little vintage ornament trees.  I love anything in miniature, especially Christmas ornaments, so this is one of my favorite trees.  I also have another with miniature Santas.  The tree in the background is a tree that I leave up all year and decorate with the seasons.

For Christmas, it's all done in greens, blues and golds
in a nature theme.

I used a bit of creativity for my table this year.  I used fun Christmas paper from Paper Studio for placemats.  With the candy cane napkins and acrylic plates, it was very festive.

With all the little ones at the table, paper and plastic
was the 'safest' way to go!

The glow from the mosaic candle centerpiece was so beautiful,
but I just couldn't capture that on my camera.

You may recognize these two little ones because
I speak of them often.

This is my daughter Mallory and her boys, Caleb and CJ.

This is my son Alex and his fiance, Jayme
with my grandson, Alex Jr.

The little one was so tired out but beforehand,
he was a bundle of energy as he

opened his presents and then helped his mommy and daddy too!

I absolutely LOVE this photo of all of them together.

I am so proud to have had a part in creating this lovely crew!

I don't share my own photos often, but I had to show you
the 3 loves of my life...

Before I close, I wanted to share a couple more photos...this is what we awoke to this morning.  After nearly 2 inches of freezing rain between Christmas eve and Christmas evening, this was a welcome sight.
Make sure you click on the photo to get the full effect!

The flakes were just lovely.

As of this posting, we accumulated over 5" of this lovely white stuff and tomorrow promises 3"-4" more.  Brrrrrr......

Last but not least, it was such a lovely coincidence today that I had planned to post this photo.  The sweet fuchsia elephant at the top left was a gift sent to me several years ago from the UK by my dear friend Sarah.  You know Sarah as one of our designers over at The Play Date Cafe and as the host of her own blog, The Art of Moodling.  If you have been following me for very long, you also know that Sarah and I have been friends for nearly 10 years.  The coincidence comes by way of a phone call I received today from dear Sarah.  We spoke for nearly 90 minutes, but the time sure flew by!  I love having a friend who, even though we don't speak by phone very often, we can just pick up where life has left off and never miss a beat.

I love putting that ornament on my tree each year.  Of course it reminds of me Sarah...but more importantly, it reminds me of a friendship that has flourished over the years.  Some would find the distance to be an excuse not to try...Sarah and I find the distance a reason to try harder to stay connected.

Funny thing is, we don't have to try all that hard..... 
love you, my friend....

Autograph Sessions #1...Our Guest is Sue Roddis

Welcome to The Open Window's 'Autograph Sessions'.  This is a new feature I have been looking forward to for quite some time.   I first thought about this idea when my dear friend  
Sarah Anderson (The Art of Moodling)
sent me an autographed copy of a wonderful new book and I thought to myself  'wouldn't it be nice to do something similar online for all of us who don't always have an opportunity to meet authors and other creative contributors to publications.'
 
  For our first Session, I am pleased to introduce you to the very author of that fabulous book I received.  All the way from The United Kingdom, it's Sue Roddis.  Sue is the host of the fabulous blog 'Jabberwocky' and has many creative credits to her name.  Sue currently serves on a variety of design teams including  
The Stamp Attic with lovely Sarah.  
Her first book 'Handmade Decorative Books' is available from Search Press.

  

 Sue...we are so glad that you could join us today....
let's get started:

  1.....Where in the UK do you live 
and what do you love about it?

I live in Crewe in Cheshire in the north-west of England, famous for Rolls Royce cars and the railway! I was born here and my family still live here. The Cheshire countryside is lovely, and I can be there in just a few minutes from home. I wouldn't want live in a city although I love what a city can give........exhibitions, museums, art galleries, shopping!.........but I am always happy to head home!

2.....I would love if you would 'toot your own horn' and share your professional creative credits with us....

OK, this is not something I particularly like to do , don't get me wrong, I am proud of what I do and have achieved but I'm not too good at shouting about it!

Of course there is MY BOOK!

I have also been published in several UK craft magazines particularly Craft Stamper over the past 10 years. I have also been pleased to have work featured in Somerset Studio, Somerset Weddings, Somerset Home and Handcrafted, Altered Arts magazine, Paper Creations magazine, Tweety Jill Publications ATC and Altered Arts books, Scrap and Stamp Arts magazine and Art Specially magazine in Holland.

Blimey, quite a list when you write it down!!

I also teach workshops and demonstrate at several venues across the UK.

3.....It's obvious you have a passion for paper.  What else are you passionate about, art or otherwise?

I love my garden! I think of it as another creative outlet, mixing colours and textures but with plants. I also love to travel and be inspired by the things I see.

I like to read when I get time and to make jewellery again when I get time.

4.....'Handmade Decorative Books' is your first foray into publishing.  How did you find the process of writing a book to be?

It was exciting, frustrating in parts, hard work (especially when you leave things right to the deadlines!) lots of things rolled into one. At times I was sick of the sight of the projects, at others I was inspired and the work flowed easily, I was glad to see it done and not have to think about it any longer (it sort of took over for a while!) and then pleased to see it published. Seeing it out there for sale was strange, the feelings took me by surprise. I have been published many times in mags but being soley responsible for a book was quite daunting, seeing people buying it and hoping they would like it was scary!

5.....A common question, but what art tools could you NOT live without?

mmm...although a common question it is hard to know what to put to the top of the list, depends on the project really! For a purely paper piece, I need a sharp craft knife, a metal ruler, a cutting mat and my 3M double stick tape dispenser. For an altered project, the list would be glue stick, old book pages and gesso. For a stamped project, the one thing I use ALL the time is my trusty Memories black ink pad.

6.....In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet...that you would really like to do?

Now, that's a hard one............how about have a piece on the front cover of Somerset Studio, I'd like that!

And I'd like to write another book!  Not sure on what exactly but something along the mixed media/ altered route I think.

 

7.....Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

Now that's a hard question!

I get inspired by all sorts of things, not just people...........I love primitive art, folk art, old traditions, the natural world around us.........I like anything quirky, disparate things put together like they were meant to be, things slightly "outside the box" things, installation art......

 If we are talking about people, then I do love the work of the Glasgow 4, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, his wife Margaret MacDonald, her sister Frances MacDonald and Herbert MacNair..........I think partly because of the flow of their art, the flowing lines and curves, the use of nature, the colours and textures.............I love Art Nouveau for the same reasons.

On a completely different note I also love the work on 
Michael deMeng  

  8.....Now it's time for a little fun...if you could be any fictional character, who or what would you be?

Oh I think there is only one answer to that.............the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland!! Bet you thought I'd say Alice didn't you!! I have this "thing" about being late, I hate it, so what is more appropriate than the rabbit!

9.....Any favorite snacks that you keep within reach in your studio?

Not much of a snacker! How holier than thou does that make me sound!! LOL

I try to stay away from chocolate as it gives me migraines, so what good are treats without chocolate!! I do love good ice cream, though I wouldn't take it into my work room, I am so clumsy it would end up all over something!

10.....Coffee, tea....or something more potent?

Well, if you are asking tea or coffee then definitely coffee, I don't drink tea, but in answer to the more potent part, a nice glass of cold Pinot Grigio, a good Shiraz or a G&T..........not that I'm an alcoholic, of course!!

Sue made the Fab 4 with our very first Play Date Cafe Challenge entry and we are so glad!

It's been a pleasure having Sue here today.  



I hope you will stop at your local Barnes & Noble or other online bookseller and get Sue's book.  

Watch for Autograph Session #2 soon...you never know who it might be!

So Happy for You! So Happy.....

 I am so excited to tell you that my dear friend Sarah, who is a design team member for our very own Play Date Cafe Challenge, is now officially a brand, new DT for
The Stamp Attic in the U.K.

 Here's the announcement:

"Today we gained a new DT member, Sarah Anderson. I have known Sarah for quite a long time now. She is a teacher from near Manchester and is a sucker for mixed media and texture. Her work is just wonderful so I was very pleased when she agreed to join The Stamp Attic team.  

Welcome aboard Sarah.

She belongs to Julie's Open Window Play Date Cafe Design Team. Each challenge is a selection of colours etc to use to produce a piece of artwork. For more information just visit The Open Window and Julie will explain all and you can all join in too. All are welcome."

SO....MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, MY FRIEND...

...VERY WELL DESERVED!

Getting To Know You...Part 3....Artful INKables Blog Hop Next Post Down

Again, I can't say enough about the response I have had to the upcoming Play Date Cafe Challenges that will be starting ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! The response has been wonderful. The first challenge colors have been distributed to the designers and 'word on the street is...' they are excited as all get out to share the first color combo with YOU!
Speaking of which, it is time to introduce our next designer.

For those of you who are regular readers of my blog, Sarah may not be a stranger to you. She lives in the North of England and the way we met was quite extraordinary...to us, anyway. If you are interested, you can read that story dated June 21, 2009 (for some odd reason, I can't link to it). Sarah has been published in a number of UK crafting magazines including a cover article of which I am the proud owner of an autographed copy.
I will let her fill you in on the rest.

Sarah writes: I grew up in a very creative household with a Mum who was always making things. We were popular at parties as we always took a homemade soft toy as a gift (LOL) and some of those friends still have them as treasured possessions to this day! I am very proud to have my Mum as one of my number one fans now. I studied art at secondary school and for a year at college (I had to choose between Maths and Art and chose Maths as you can always pick up Art in adult life!)

But...I then discovered rubber stamping on a trip to the states at age fifteen. I was fascinated, but it took a number of years for it to come over to the UK so it could become a favourite hobby. I describe myself as a frustrated machine embroiderist as I'd love to do textiles at college, but in actual fact, I enjoy the speed in which you can achieve texture in your work
with paper, paint and a bit of heat.

I met my handsome husband on the way to school at age sixteen and we are very happily married with three children aged 12, 13 and 14. By day I'm a teacher in a special school, a job I adore as it's so rewarding, and I'm challenged to teach creatively every day.

When my own children were younger and I taught part-time and was able to write for Crafts Beautiful magazine, one of Britain's leading magazines. I've had work published in Somerset Studio as well as Stampers Sampler. I've taught workshops at the Stampman in Yorkshire, and continue to teach workshops and demonstrate at HSNW for Paddy's Stamping Place.

Well...THAT's my Sarah!
Hope you feel like you know her just a little bit better.
Tomorrow...I will finish off the designer series
with a little of yours truly,
as I am designer #4.

BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY...Just a reminder! If you haven't grabbed your Play Date Cafe button yet, there is still plenty of time. You will find it to your right, the one that says 'I Play at the Play Date Cafe'. Copy and paste it to your sidebar, leave me a comment and let me know...that's it. The 'candy' is a surprise, but I promise, YOU WILL LOVE IT! Even more importantly, we hope you are planning to play along when the challenges start and PLEASE...share the news with your friends. Deadline for the blog candy is Wednesday, October 21st.

Back later with Julie Ranae's Thursday Night Favs! FINALLY!

Birthday Fun Part Two ...GIFTS!

Now I know right off the bat that my dear friend Paulette is going to be turning a variety of shades of red as she sees this at the top of my blog post, but I did try to give her plenty of notice before it's posting. Isn't this pin just fabulous?! Paulette, also known as Beedeebabee is the artisan who crafts these beautiful creations. I have to say that one of the highlights of my birthday week was actually speaking, by phone for the very first time, to Paulette. A little more on that in a bit. When I look at the craftsmanship that goes into the intricate sewing of these pins, it amazes me and I am so thankful to now own a Beedeebabee original! Love you girl!

So, while I was taking photos of all the fabulous papers I shared with you last night, my doorbell rang with a parcel from the UK....talk about excitement! While Paulette's gift was a complete surprise, I knew to expect this parcel because, well...it's from Sarah and it was my birthday!
Sarah knows how much I LOVE some of the British craft and stamping magazines, so she lovingly gets them for me along with other goodies and sends them along. I reciprocate with things from the US that she would love to have, but the book that was a part of this parcel was a very lovely surprise! Sue Roddis is one of the UK's artistic stamping 'celebrities' and Sarah has done a number of workshops with her. This is Sue's brand, spankin' new book and of course, IT'S SIGNED! I looooove it! Sarah....you know your are my very bestest friend! Love you!

So...this cupcake totally loses something in the translation....IT'S HUGE and it was YUMMY! This was a treat from my mom after we enjoyed lunch together the day before my birthday. Lemon Creme and French Vanilla...oh my goodness!

Here comes the lovely stuff.......I never thought in a million years that I would meet a person via the internet and connect in a way that would change my life for the good...well dear friends, that has happened twice in the past 9 years. Those of you who experienced this have your own unique story, I'm sure. I shared how Sarah and I met back when I first started my blog...the link isn't quite working, so just go back to my June 2009 archives and look for 'My Favorite Friend From England'. Now...enter Paulette and now....click here for our story.
I remember my very first phone call to England to speak Sarah. After that call, I talked about her to Paul for hours. When I spoke to Paulette on my birthday a few days ago, same thing. When you put a voice to the photos and messages, it changes everything, and in our cases, definitely for the better! Sarah and I have been through LOTS of personal triumphs and tragedies together and would imagine that the same will be true for Paulette and I. Sarah and I have had two occasions to spend spans of time together, she came to the US and stayed with Paul and I and on our last trip to see my mother-in-law, we spent a few days at 'the manor house' with Sarah and her wonderful family. I would assume that it will only be a matter of time before I will meet Paulette face-to-face as well.
Finally....the really cool thing now is that both Sarah and Paulette have become followers of one another's blogs as well, I JUST LOVE THIS BLOG LAND, don't you?!

Thank you for indulging me for a bit...not only about my birthday celebration but also about the personal things that make coming to this computer a joy...I mean 'who'da thunk, huh?!'

A Glimpse Inside...

Good morning everyone! I thought this morning I would share with you a little glimpse in to the chaos which is my art studio. Actually, these photos represent a few of my favorite things. I love ribbon...love, love, LOVE it. I have 3 drawers full of it as well as my glass jars and a vintage suitcase. I would say right now that the ratio is 30% gets used in my projects and 70% is collected for my personal amusement. The Marie Antoinette card above is one of four that I own by Nancy Maxwell James over at Sugarlump Studios...don't you just love that name?
I must have 100's of packages of unopened embellishments, so every few days it's like Christmas as I go through all the packages to see what I can use. Don't you just love finding things you didn't know you had?!
A small stash of my paper rolls. I must admit I haven't played with these lately, but I think it's because some have such a sentimental attachment. Many of them I purchased with my UK friend Sarah when she came for a week-long visit. We spent the most amazing day in Chicago and could barely get into the taxi with all of our bags...and by the way, I drove to Chicago. The only reason we needed a taxi was because we also could not WALK to my car with said bags!
Then there's my vintage trims that I save for very special projects. Some I acquired from my grandma who lived most of her senior years in front of a sewing machine. Her love of sewing didn't quite rub off on me, but her creativity certainly did!
Will be back later with another post and something creative to show you. In the meantime, what's your favorite 'pretty little embellishment' in your creative space? I would love to know!