Thursday, February 28, 2013

It's the Little Things with SRM Stickers



Hello . . . Hello . . . HELLO ! ! !

It's so great to have you swing by The Open Window today
because there's a brand new challenge over at



and I've got a fun card to share featuring this week's sponsor



Our design team received an aMAZing package of goodies from
SRM Stickers and we ALL had a great time creating with them !
Just wait till you see what my teammates made !

I used this fun paper from Prima's 'Doodle Deux' stack
to match up the color from the challenge.
Then I took the 'doodles' & sentiments from SRM
to create borders & greetings for the card.
OH  . . . the glassine bag is also from SRM.

I placed the sentiments over washi tape
which I think is always a fun touch.

I love how the paper shows through and gives the card
another dimension of color.
I made a simple bookmark to fit inside the bag and
of course, I grabbed my favorite baker's twine from The Twinery
to finish it off.

 
The small dimensional flowers are die cuts I made using
Sizzix dies by Stephanie Barnard.

I sure hope you can play along with us this week because

 
is giving away a terrific prize package to our
'Cup of the Week'

Thanks oh so much for stopping by today.
I hope you'll leave a quick note to let me know you
came by.  If you have a blog, you know how fun it is to
get just a quick note from your readers.
If you are like me, it's so easy to swing by, take a quick
peek and move on.  That's because there are 1,000's of
terrific blogs out there.

I'm so aware of how many there are .... it's part of my
business as a social media coordinator, so I want you to
know that I really do appreciate the time it takes & for
making my blog one of your many choices.


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Doodle Deux by Prima
Embellishments: We've Got Your Border stickers & glassine bag by SRM Stickers
baker's twine in Strawberry, Seaweed & Cantaloupe from The Twinery
mini brads from Zva Creative, washi tape by Recollections
Tools: Banners #2 Framelets by Sizzix, Big Shot
 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Zva Creative February Blog Hop



Happy Monday to you! Zva Creative and our talented Design Team welcome you to our February blog hop! We are very excited about month's hop and are excited to share our new work with you!

Today's Blog Hop begins at Zva Creative's blog! Be sure head on over to check it out! Since many of us live in different time zones around the world, you will find a complete list of all the participating blogs there (in case there is a glitch along the way).


 

As you know, Zva offers many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals.  If you like what you see along the hop you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva HERE.

If you would like to play along with our design team, just follow along the blog path.  I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way!
The Blog Hop starts today, February 25th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, February 26th.


***Prizes***
Hidden on FIVE of the designer's blogs 
is a Zva Creative prize package! 
Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over. All you need to do is leave a comment on this Blog Hop post... you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. 
However, the more times you comment along the blog hop path, 
the more chances you will have to win.

The 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 27th on Zva Creative's blog. We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to Zva's blog on Wednesday to see if you are a winner!

We also thought it would be more fun to add even more chances to win our blog hop prize!  To increase your chances of winning:
* Comment to let us know that you posted on your Facebook page about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
* Comment to let us know that you "tweeted" about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
* Comment to let us know that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products.  If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry.
*Hop over to Zva's facebook page and "like" our page or leave a comment there to tell us that you stopped by.

Your next stop is Natasha

Enjoy!

Thank you for joining us!

P.S. Mark your calendar to join us again
March 25th for our next Zva blog hop!



Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps: Word Phrases by Stephanie Barnard for Sizzix
Tools: Word Phrase frames by Sizzix, Big Shot
Embellishments: 
crystal flourish v {CRS-05CA-112} 
pearl brads {BRBK-02CA-103}
scarlet rose {FL-04CA-134}
all from Zva Creative









Thursday, February 21, 2013

Baby Love in Baker's Twine



Hello and welcome in to The Open Window.

I'm covering a couple of MAJOR things with this post
as it's NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP DAY over at


and it's my day to post for


I am thrilled to have my project based on these fabulous
colors because the stamps I chose to use worked
perfectly with these colors.

Before we get too far, I want to make sure you came by
way of my very talented friend

If not, we would love for you to start over at
because as you know, our hop includes a grand prize
of all five sets to one lucky commenter!

Our team over at The Play Date Cafe all played with
baker's twine from The Twinery in
Stone . . . Buttercream . . .Denim


I chose to use TCM's beautiful 'Baby Shelf' stamp set to create this card.
I thought the images with the colors for this color challenge worked well.
I recently picked up a few new collections while on a little trip
to the Chicago burbs and picked up paper from Authentique & BasicGrey.
I simply layered my pieces & created a bookmark as an addition.


I used Liquid Pearls in Buttercup & Baby Blue
and of course the beautiful baker's twine.

Here is the set I used . . .


Don't forget, you can get 'Soaring High' for a limited time
as a FREE GIFT w/$50 purchase too!

It's time to get you on your way to the very creative

Make sure to leave a note saying you stopped by
and please take time to check out all the
beautiful creations from the designers of
We would love to have you play along!


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Renew by Authentique & Fiction by BasicGrey
Stamps: Baby Shelf by The Craft's Meow
Embellishments: pearls from Zva Creative
Buttercup & Baby Blue Liquid Pearls by Ranger
baker's twine in Stone, Buttercream & Denim all from The Twinery
Tools: Lacey Squares by Spellbinders, Big Shot
 
 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Rejoice! {with} The Craft's Meow



It's another beautiful day here at The Open Window
as we celebrate New Release Previews over at


Today, we share two beautiful sets with you.

The first is 'Rejoice'
designed by Kaitlyn Ord










We are also happy to present
our FREE w/$50 purchase set
'Soaring High'
designed by Nina B Designs



I really love this quote and have been a fan of AW Tozer's writings
for a long time.  This is a perfect sentiment for graduations this spring.
I used Authentique's 'Renew' collection { how appropriate } for my
'wallpaper' and punched a twig border using one of my
favorite Martha Stewart punches.


Of course, pearl flourishes from Zva Creative are always a good touch.



How would you like a chance to win one of these sets ?
All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note
to say you stopped by for a visit.
You have until 8pm PST, February 21st to comment to be eligible.

Thanks so much for coming by.
I'll see you tomorrow for our New Release Blog Hop.

Rejoice Project Recipe:
 Patterned Paper: Fact & Fiction by BasicGrey
Stamps: Rejoice by The Craft's Meow
Tools: Labels 18 by Spellbinders, Big Shot
Embellishments: 
brown multi pearl flourish (CR-05CA-125)
small taupe pearls (CRW-04CB-139)
taupe rose (FL-04CA-135)
all by Zva Creative


Let Your Heart Soar Project Recipe:
 Patterned Paper: Renew by Authentique
Stamps: Soaring High by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Teal Zeal & Espresso Truffle Memento by Tsukineko 
Tools: Twig border punch by Martha Stewart
Embellishments: 
pearl flourish (CRB-04CB-108) by Zva Creative
Stardust Stickles by Ranger

  

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Feeling Pretty Square with The Craft's Meow



Welcome to another peek inside The Open Window

It's Day #3 of New Release Previews over at


I hope you've been able to join us along the way
because the inspiration from our design team
has been simply amazing.

Today, we share sneak peeks at the new set
'Geometric Foundations'
designed by Karen Baker


 Graphic design is so on-trend and this set is right there !
Although my coloring skills leave a bit to be desired
( it's the 52 year old eyes . . . )
I love that the shapes in this set are so easy to color
AND
will be so easy to paper-piece.
Along with the shapes, there are terrific sentiments to match.


How would you like a chance to win this set ?
All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note
to say you stopped by for a visit.
Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.
You have until 8pm PST, February 20th to comment to be eligible.

Thanks so much for coming by.
I would love to hear from you and I'll keep my fingers crossed
that YOU win this beautiful set.
Just in case, make sure you put it on your ' must have ' list !

Project Recipe:
 Patterned Paper: Fiction by BasicGrey
Stamps: Geometric Foundations by The Craft's Meow
Markers: Mallow & New Leaf by Copic 
Embellishments: micro gems by Recollections

Monday, February 18, 2013

New Beginnings with The Craft's Meow


To visit my post for The Twinery
Please scroll down
or click here



Welcome back to The Open Window

I am really excited to share today's preview from


It's New Release Week and today's set is simply  . . .
' sweet '


It's called 'Easter Blessings'
designed by Karen Baker


Nothing says 'New Beginnings' to me like Dogwood blooms.
I couldn't resist these from Martha Stewart and thought they
were the perfect addition to these sweet little animals from TCM.

Once I inked each stamp, I pressed it on scrap first so I could
create a simple ' shadow ' of each creature.
The inks were from A Muse Studio.

Although it's not as visible in the photos, I embossed
the beautiful cardstock from Bazzill using the
' Stylized Flowers ' EF from Cuttlebug.
The ribbon is also from Martha Stewart.


How would you like a chance to win this set ?
All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note
to say you stopped by for a visit.
Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.
You have until 8pm PST, February 19th to comment to be eligible.

Thanks so much for coming by.
I would love to hear from you and I'll keep my fingers crossed
that YOU win this beautiful set.
Just in case, make sure you put it on your ' must have ' list !

Project Recipe:
 Cardstock: Berrylicious by Bazzill
Stamps: Easter Blessings by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Slate, Papaya & Latte from A Muse Studio
Tools: Stylized Flowers EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot
Embellishments: Dogwood stickers & Vintage ribbon
both from Martha Stewart

{goin'} Dotty at The Twinery



It's a busy day indeed, here at The Open Window !

You know I LoVe being the Design Team Coordinator over at


and I LoVe a great challenge, so what could be better than
combining the two ! ! !


That's right !  
The Twinery is challenging YOU to get
your ' Polka...Dot ' on by creating with our baker's twine
using the theme POLKA DOTS.
Twice a month, there will be a new challenge for you.

All the details are over on the blog and the prize is pretty fab !
You have until the end of the month to play and our designers
will be there to inspire you along the way.


I knew immediately that I wanted to create banners stamped with
polka dots so I could hang them from braided twine.
For my card, I used die cuts & stamps from Sizzix & Stephanie Barnard.
The paper is the new ' Hope ' collection from Authentique
and the baker's twine I chose was

It was a perfect match for the colors in this beautiful paper.


Speaking of polka dots . . .

My grandson Alex jr was over this afternoon playing a little a
game with his dad.  All I heard was this sweet voice shouting
" HURRY UP DADDY "
and here is what I found  . . .


Apparently, daddy was spinning the wheel a little too slowly
so this was the result just moments later . . .



I hope you will consider playing along with us.
All the details along with designer inspiration and the
current entries are

I hope to see you there !


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Hope by Authentique
Stamps: Banners by Stephanie Barnard for Sizzix
Ink: Slate from A Muse Studio
Embellishments: baker's twine in Shore, Stone & Flax
all from The Twinery
mini brads by Recollections

Sunday, February 17, 2013

All {about} Babies ~ The Craft's Meow Preview #1



Hello and welcome in to The Open Window.

It's a great day to join me as we begin the
New Release Previews for


We are very happy to have the uber-talented
Lynn Mangan joining us as our February Guest too !


The first set in the preview is called
'Baby Shelf'
designed by Nina B Designs


To say this set is ' adorable ' is an understatement.
I only used 3 stamps from the set and I can assure you,
there are so many more sweet designs included.

I used My Mind's Eye 'Move Me' paper for the base
of my card.  The theme of my card is 'love' and the paper
itself was a great fit.  It's not easy to see in the photo, but
just under the bible verse, I stamped the very iconic 'LOVE'.
 { you can see it much better in the photo below }
It was all placed on a frame cut from a Sizzix die.
The heart frame was created using the Martha Stewart
heart corner/border punch.

I colored the sweet teddy & gave him a
baker's twine bow from The Twinery.


I was inspired to use the colors from the current
challenge over at


How would you like a chance to win this set ?
All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note
to say you stopped by for a visit.
Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.
You have until 8pm PST, February 18th to comment to be eligible.
I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Love Me by My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Baby Shelf by The Craft's Meow
Embellishments: pearls from Colorbok
baker's twine in Blossom & Maraschino from The Twinery
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

{warm} wishes



I'm baaack !

It's time for another challenge over at


These colors begin to take me to Spring, but leave me
lingering in the cool of winter.
We still have plenty of snow on the ground here and since
it's still only February, I just have to be patient.


I thought it would be fun to create using these sweet coffee mugs
from Paper Smooches called 'Hot Concoctions'.
The 'wallpaper' was created using My Mind's Eye 'Honeycake'.
I divided it using The Twinery's Platinum Shimmer & Flax baker's twine.

You know I'm a Zva Creative girl and just love the variegated colors
in these flourishes and couldn't resist using them as the
steam for my coffee.


I really hope you will join us this week.
We have a VERY special guest designer
and
one of our favorite sponsors with us . . .


Thanks so much for making a visit !


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Honeycake by My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Hot Concoctions by Paper Smooches
Embellishments: gem flourish CRW-05CB-144, CR-05CA-125
all from Zva Creative
baker's twine in Flax & Platinum Shimmer from The Twinery