Friday, August 26, 2011

Love is Being Stuck on You!



It's time for another Clean and Simple Challenge from


 
After creating cards for the past 17 years or so,
I have come to really appreciate finding ways
to make my card-making easier, but when it
comes to stickers, I am not an easy sell.
Usually there is too much of the clear adhesive
still showing through, but when I heard we
were working with this week's sponsor, I knew
there would be no problems here!


This beautiful sentiment is indeed, a sticker.
It's from SRM Designs and I absolutely love it!
 
Even though this card fits into the
Clean and Simple
category, there are a lot of elements to it.
That's what I loved about the challenge of using
stickers because it allowed me to be able to 
stretch my design to include paper-layers,
embossing, die-cutting & embellishing.


A big thanks to SRM Stickers for sponsoring
our designers this week with a most generous
package of designs.  I will be sharing more
in the coming days.

Now head on over to CAS-ual Fridays
and check out what our talented
'Girl Fridays' have been up to!!


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper: A Muse Studio
Tools: Heart EF by Sizzix, 
Fancy Tags 2 by Spellbinders, Big Shot
Embellishments: Heart & Tag Nestabling by Want2Scrap,
Pink Sorbet baker's twine from The Twinery

 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thankful....



I know I sound like a broken record each week
but man, the time sure flies and here we are
with another fab color challenge over at
The Play Date Cafe


The suggested colors this week are...
mint...ivory...coral

 My photos have been so difficult to take
lately with the lighting I have, so it doesn't
look as close as I would prefer, but
what's a girl to do??!!  

I am happy to say that it also ties in with this
week's sponsor 
Market Street Stamps


It's new release week over there
and although I am on the design team,
our own designers from The Cafe also
played along with images from MSS.


I love the 'Cane' background you see here.
It's so versatile.
The floral image is from the new set
'Autumn Greetings'
I am sure those flowers were meant to be more
'autumnal' in color, 
but it just goes to show that
you can step out of the box & put your own 
spin on design work.

Now it's your turn to get in on the fun!
Head on over to The Cafe
and check out with the designers have
created to inspire you to play.

I'd love to hear from you, so if you stopped by,
let me know...if your return email is with your
comment, I'd be glad to return the chat!


Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps:  'Autumn Greetings & Cane' from Market Street Stamps 
Ink:  'Latte' from A Muse Studio & 'Rich Cocoa' from Memento
Copics in 'Begonia Pink'
Tools: Corner rounder punch from Fiskars
Embellishments: Stickles in 'Stardust',
Rhinestone flourish from Prima

Monday, August 22, 2011

My Thoughts & Prayers.....


It's an exciting week once again!!!

This time around, I am thrilled to be coming to you by way of


It's new release week and the sneak peeks begin...

NOW!!!



This beautiful set is called 'Comforting Florals'.
I adore the text fonts on the sentiments
and Love...love...LOVE the floral images.


Creating a card with dimension is so easy with these images.
On this card, I chose to make the flowers dimensional.


On this next set, I chose to make the vase the standout...


I used diamond glaze to give it the effect of water.


What I love about hydrangeas is the way they have 
variegated color throughout their life span..
from the beginning to the very end.
The way I created the variegation on both these 
cards was to use Memento Dew Drop inks 
in different colors, 
beginning with the darkest ink first, then working from 
down to the top of the stem with lighter inks.

You must stop by The Market Street Blog to see the
beautiful inspiration from my fellow designers
because YOU COULD WIN FREE STAMP SETS!!
Make sure you leave 
a comment on my post!
and join use each night at 7pm CST
for all the new images
leading up to New Release Friday!!!


'My Thoughts & Prayers' Project Recipe:
Stamps:  'Comforting Florals' from Market Street Stamps
Ink:  Tuxedo Black from Memento, Assorted Copics
Tools: Corner rounder punch from Fiskars
Embellishments: Stickles in 'diamond', gems from Recollections

'Deepest Condolences' Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps:  'Comforting Florals' from Market Street Stamps
Ink:  Tuxedo Black, Lilac Posies, Grape Jelly & Desert Sand
all from Memento
Tools: Heart to Heart border punch by Martha Stewart
Corner rounder punch from Fiskars
Embellishments:  Diamond Glaze by JudiKins
gems by Recollections

Blue Hydrangeas Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps:  'Comforting Florals' from Market Street Stamps 
Ink:  Tuxedo Black, Grape Jelly & Bamboo Leaves, Danube Blue
all from Memento
Tools: Heart to Heart border punch by Martha Stewart
Corner rounder punch from Fiskars
Embellishments:  Diamond Glaze by JudiKins


Friday, August 19, 2011

Whooo Me??



I can honestly say that this has been the busiest week on my
blog since starting it 2 years ago.
It was The Twinery's 1st Anniversary and we had
one heck of a party
all week long!

Several of our talented designers shared their talents and
there were some pretty spectacular giveaways.
If you participated as a hopper, then you were busy too!!!
Don't forget, the winners will be announced on Saturday on
I love serving on the creative teams that I do
and one of the newest for me and to the
paper crafting community is


This is Vernie...she is pals with Melvin...and together they
make a great pair!  I love the versatility of this set and
the whimsical nature of the images.
There's Melvin!!!

I hope you'll visit the Sweet Stamp Shop Blog
for lots of fun creativity...and make sure you check
out the shop too!


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Dots & Stripes Candy Shoppe by Echo Park
Stamps:  'Melvin & Vernie' from Sweet Stamp Shop
Ink:  Tuxedo Black from Memento, Assorted Copics
Tools: Cloud dies by Lil' Inker Designs
Graphic Rays EF from Tim Holtz for Sizzix
Big Shot, Corner rounder punch from Fiskars

A Little Birdie Told Me...


The Twinery & Echo Park
Blog Hop 
is Here



I got to play with images from one of my favorite 
stamp companies this week for the


This week we are asking for
any type of embossing
you want to use!
Just remember to keep it
Clean and Simple


I decided to go with some Bazzill Swiss Dots Cardstock
that I've been saving for just the perfect occassion...
and this was it!
To create my clouds, I used my favorite dies from

Our design team played with images from
our most generous sponsor.
I have a few sets from Stamps of Life 
and I absolutely love them!
This time around, I chose...


'Trees 2 Build'

Great to have you back at The Open Window!
It has been a busy week indeed.
I hope you'll leave a quick note to let me
know you stopped by and make sure you
pop over to CAS-ual Fridays and play!


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Swiss Dots by Bazzill 
Stamps:  'Trees 2 Build' from Stamps of Life
Tools: Cloud dies by Lil' Inker Designs, 
Swiss Dots EF from Cuttlebug
Big Shot, Corner rounder punch from Fiskars


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Welcome to my Web...with The Twinery & Echo Park



Check out
The Play Date Cafe 
Challenge



It's another day of celebration!!!


and today we are blog hopping with


 If you've come here directly from the
Echo Park Blog
then you are in the right spot!

If not, pop back over to
The Twinery Blog
and get started from the beginning.
There are some pretty amazing prizes
for those who complete the hop
(all the details below)


Echo Park Paper provided all of our designers
at The Twinery with collections of our choice
and I couldn't help but start thinking about
Halloween with....



I love this collection of papers which included
these great die-cut stickers.
I chose to make one of the webs
dimensional
using The Twinery's 'charcoal' baker's twine.

How 'bout that scary spider?


That's one of my new favorite
punches from EK Success...it's actually from last
season, but I just got mine and I adore it!
Yes...I adore a spider, but only in this form!!!

Alright...of course there are some pretty
fantabulous prizes
up for grabs on such a great hop!

Ultimate Color Sampler
from The Twinery

and

Three Designer Collections
from Echo Park Paper


All you need to do is drop by each of our designer's blogs
and leave a little love...a complete list of all designers is
on The Twinery blog for you.

The deadline to hop and leave comments is
11:59 EST Friday, August 19th.
Winners will be announced on Saturday, August 20th
over on The Twinery blog.


So glad you stopped by and I hope
you enjoyed your visit!!


The next stop on the hop is
the amazingly talented...
Monika Wright



Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: 'Apothecary Emporium' by Echo Park Paper
Tools: Tarantula punch by EK Success
Embellishments:  'charcoal' baker's twine from The Twinery

Just Buzzin' by ...



Check out
The Twinery / Echo Park Paper
Blog Hop



Hi everyone...
It's been a super-busy week here at
The Open Window...lots of celebrations and
new releases going on, so I have a
super quick post today....

It's time for another challenge at


Yummy...yummy...YUMMY colors this week!


 This week I pulled out my stamps from Avocado Arts.
They are sponsoring the challenge this week and
this happens to be one of my favorite sets.

I pretty much paper-pieced everything so it's
pretty self-explanatory.

I love my friend Michelle from...
 and thank her for generously sponsoring
our challenge this week.
I hope you will come play along!


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill & A Muse Studio
Stamps: 'Sunshine & Smiles' by Avocado Arts
Ink:  'Paris Dusk, Tuxedo Black & Rosebud' from Memento
Tools:  Corner Rounder punch from Fiskars

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Anniversary Blog Hoppin' with The Twinery & Scor-Pal



All of these sentiments come straight from the heart!!


We are celebrating all week long over at The Twinery
and today is the fun & fab blog hop with...


If you've come here from the talented
then you are on the right track.
If not, pop back to the beginning over at
and get started there.
We are giving away prizes all week long
and we don't want you to miss out.
More on that below....

We have a terrific bunch of designers from both teams
who are ready to fill you with inspiration using the
fabulous baker's twine from The Twinery
and unique projects with the assistance of the Scor-Pal.


It has been my privilege to be the Design Team Coordinator
for The Twinery for the past 8 months and the
sentiments on these flags say it all!
They were created with the fun stamps & dies from

I twisted our baker's twine in
peapod, lemondrop & denim
to make a fun accent on this card.

I've been making rosettes for awhile now, but I have to say
that they became a whole lot easier once I received my
Scor-Pal scoring board.  I am primarily a card maker
and for me, the grooves on the board are just right for the
scoring that I do on a daily basis. 

Check out how perfect these creases are on this rosette...


Wanna know what you could win??

The Ultimate Color Sampler Pack

and

The Scor-Buddy


All you need to do is drop by each of our designer's blogs
and leave a little love...a complete list of all designers is
on The Twinery blog for you.

The deadline to hop and leave comments is
11:59 EST Friday, August 19th.
Winners will be announced on Saturday, August 20th
over on The Twinery blog.

OK...you've got some hoppin' to do.

The next talented designer to visit is


Thanks so much for stopping by!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: The Girls' Paperie
Stamps: 'Sentiment Flags & Rainbows & Clouds Sentiments' 
by Lil' Inker Designs
Ink: Tuxedo Black' from Memento
Tools:  'Sentiment Flags' die by Lil' Inker Designs,
Standard Circles die from Spellbinders, Big Shot
Scor-Pal Scoring Board, Border punch by Fiskars
Embellishments:  baker's twine from The Twinery
in 'Peapod, Lemondrop & Denim'
Pearls from Recollections



Friday, August 12, 2011

Feelin' a Little Crabby...



I heard on the news yesterday that as of June 21st, the first
day of summer, we've lost 62 minutes of daylight and
in the next month, we will have lost 81 more!!

So I had to get this card done and posted!!!

Actually, I made it specifically for the new challenge at


This week, CAS-ual Fridays is bringing you a '2fer'
as we team up with Clean & Simple's 'Fall-to-layout' sketch.


This little crab looks quite happy enjoying his summer!

I took a few liberties with the sketch which are pretty
obvious, but I had too much fun with these images

This week, we are sponsored by
so I hope you'll come play.

Hey!!!  You'll be able to link to both challenges
with your project as well...how fun is that??!!

Thanks for stopping by.....I hope you'll leave a comment
and let me know you were here.

The best part of my 
blogging day is when I
hear from you.

Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps: 'Chillaxin & Under the Sea' by Market Street Stamps
Ink:  'Bahama Blue, Tuxedo Black & Bamboo Leaves' from Memento
Copics in Begonia Pink & New Leaf
Tools:  'Fan Shell' punch by Martha Stewart



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Love You...Love These Colors!



I am super-excited about this week's challenge
over at The Play Date Cafe and here's why....

 
Just look at these bold, beautiful colors.
This is an actual photo taken by our
Color Story Coordinator, Jaclyn Miller.
It's a bit of architecture in Michigan
and it's beautiful!

BTW...make sure you read the amazing
news regarding Jaclyn over in The Cafe.
She was just recognized for a pretty amazing
contest and is on her way to 'cruisin' very soon!


So here is my take on this week's color story.
A big thanks to My Mind's Eye for providing
the perfect designer paper...it's as if it was
made to order! (details listed below)
I also love my 'Scaredy Crow' punch
from Fiskars.  I love their limited edition
punches and usually try to get one or two each
time they are released.
 

This week we are sponsored by...


Practicing Creativity is a returning sponsor
to The Cafe.  Courtney was kind enough to
provide our design team with a variety of
stamp sets to play with.

We look forward to having you play along

with us.  There is so much fantastic inspiration
by our design team...so come play!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper: 'Hattie' Stella & Rose by My Mind's Eye
Stamps: 'Everyday Prints' by Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink:  'Slate, Papaya & French Roast' from A Muse Studio,
'Agean Blue' from VersaMagic
Tools:  'Scaredy Crow' & corner rounder by Fiskars
Embellishments: Crochet & Paper flowers & copper brads by Recollections
 
 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Lil' Inker Designs Kick-Off Blog Hop



Are you ready for day filled with rainbows & clouds?
Happy clouds of course!


We are celebrating the brand new design team
and the newest stamps and dies from
Lil' Inker Designs
with a fabulous blog hop!

If you've come here from
then you are in the right place.
If not, pop over there real quick and get started
from the beginning because we are giving away
fabulous prizes to three lucky people!

There are only 12 designers on the hop
and an entire week to enter...so let's get to it!


As I said, we are celebrating the newest release of
It's a terrific photopolymer stamp set of sentiments
with matching dies.


There are so many wonderful possibilities
using this set and when you hop with us,
you will see just how many there are!!


On both of the cards, I featured the fun & fab
'Candy Shoppe' collection from Echo Park Papers
along with American Crafts cardstocks.
The rest of the details are below.

Just one more little card to show the
versatility of this set....


The smaller rainbow is so perfect for small
cards & extra-large gift tags.
Lil' Inker Designs is a fairly new company
with very big ideas and you're going to enjoy
the other new releases that will be coming
your way this fall.  
Visit the website 
to see the other fun sets that are
available right now.
  
I am so glad you stopped by!
I hope you will continue the hop with us.  
There are fab prizes being given away and all you
have to do is visit each stop on the hop and
leave a comment to let us know you were there.
Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm Sunday, Aug 14th

When you leave your comment on my blog,
here's what I'd love to know...

'DO YOU PREFER PASTELS 
OR BOLD & BRIGHT?'

The next stop on the hop is
the most talented....


'Sunshine & Rainbows/Sky's the Limit' Project Recipe:
Cardstock/Designer Paper: American Crafts, 'Candy Shoppe' by Echo Park
Stamps: 'Rainbows & Clouds' by Lil' Inker Designs
Ink:  'Tuxedo Black' Memento,
Tools:  'Rainbows & Clouds' die by Lil' Inker Designs,
Standard Circles die by Spellbinders, Big Shot, Fiskars corner rounder
Sunrays & Swiss Dot EF by Sizzix


'Cloud 9' Project Recipe:
Cardstock/Designer Paper: American Crafts, 'Candy Shoppe' by Echo Park 
Stamps: 'Rainbows & Clouds' by Lil' Inker Designs
Ink:  'Tuxedo Black' Memento,
Tools:  'Rainbows & Clouds' die by Lil' Inker Designs,
Standard Circles die by Spellbinders, Big Shot, Fiskars corner rounder
Swiss Dot EF by Sizzix 
Embellishments: 'Stardust' Stickles by Ranger