Bon Voyage with CAS-ual Fridays

Happy Friday !  WooHoo !

Even though I work from home, I still feel that sense of

'TGIF' because well . . . we all do, don't we ? !

I am coming to you tonight representing

They are sponsoring this week's brand new challenge over at

The theme is 'On the Sea' and I am loving it because

I have been playing with one of Pink Paislee's older

collections 'Nantucket', all week long !

I embossed my Gina K Designs cardstock using this great

diamond pattern from LifeStyle Crafts.  I love how it matches the

background panel from PP.  The small dies cuts were just perfect.

For me, nothing says 'On the Sea' like a beautiful old ship.

I hope you'll be able to play along this week with the

talented designers over at CAS-ual Fridays because

StopandScrap.com is providing a

terrific discount to everyone who does !

You will find the

discount code 

over at the challenge along with a

whole lotta inspiration !

Thanks for stopping by today . . . I'd love to know you came by,

so please say hello  : )

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper & Die Cuts: Nantucket by Pink Paislee

color cardstock by We R Memory Keepers

all from StopandScrap.com

Cardstock: white Pure Luxury from Gina K Designs

Embellishments: mini brads from Recollections

Tools: Diamond EF by LifeStyle Crafts, Big Shot

Happy Birthday Dear .......

A very special friend of mine is having a birthday

and a very special group of designers is having a party for her!

Yep...it's my friend Michele Gross' birthday!

Several current and past designers are getting together

to celebrate.  I am one of the 'retired' designers from

the challenge and am so happy to be joining the fun

to honor my friend.

If you've reached my blog by way of my talented friend

Virginia Lu's Blog

then you are on the right trail.

The beginning of the hop starts at my friend & TCM teammate

Karen Baker's Blog

A complete list of blogs on the hop are listed at the end

of this post and you won't want to miss any of the inspiration

provided by these amazing designers!

I thought it would be fun to keep the theme Clean and Simple, so I went with

these fun stickers from SRM.  The primary colors worked so well with

the baker's twine from The Twinery.

Keeping it 'dotty' 

( a word that reminds me of my friend Sarah from the UK)

I did a 3/4 background using an EF from Cuttlebug.

I sure hope you enjoyed your visit and hope you have fun on the hop!

Michele is a fabulous designer and a very dear friend.

I hope you get to know her just a little bit more today because you'll

find out the very same things about her that I have.

The next stop on the party train is the very talented

Christina Maclaren's Blog

If you get lost along the way, the entire list of designer who are

partying with us today are listed here:

Karen
Dana
Stephanie
Karolyn
Angie
Debby
Lorena
Suzanne
Kimberly
Jenny
Virginia
Julie Ranae
Christina
Laurie
Lisa
Deb
Gayatri

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: Bazzill (color)

Embellishments: baker's twine in Pink Sorbet, Lemondrop & Carribbean

all by The Twinery

Birthday We've Got Your Border by SRM Stickers

Tools:  Lg Dot EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot

Have a Lovely Day !

Happy Friday to one and all!

The Craft's Meow is this week's sponsor of

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge and several of the

TCM designers have created projects using

this week's challenge.

This week's Clean and Simple Challenge is....

Find opposite colors on the color wheel and use

them as the focus of your project.

For me, it was lavender and lime green.

Yes...you've seen this wreath before...it's a Sizzix embossing folder and

has become a favorite.  I love the big beautiful blossom from the

'Beautiful Spring' set by The Craft's Meow.

Paige over at CARDS magazine / Create is looking for cards for Spring
and I think these colors really put the spring right into it!

Speaking of TCM....

YOU could win a stamp set of your choice if you

play this week because TCM is sponsoring!

Please stop by, check out the new Girl Fridays

and play along ..... just remember to

Keep it Clean and Simple!

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Couture by SEI

Stamps: Beautiful Spring & Lovely Birds by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: pearls by Recollections

Tools:  Wreath EF by Sizzix, Big Shot

A Sentimental Goodbye

Hello everyone...welcome back to The Open Window.

This post is a bittersweet one for me....

Nearly a year ago, I got the itch to start a new challenge.

You know me, always adding something to my plate.

I approached one of my dearest friends about the idea and

within a week, Michele Gross & I began a wonderful journey

as CAS-ual Fridays was born.  Our design team call began

March 11th of last year...and what a wonderful year it's been.

To read the story on how it all began, click HERE

Michele has really been the creative mind behind everything

having to do with CAS-ual Fridays....and now it's time to turn

it completely over to her.  I am excited to see her totally run with it!
The challenge is nearing 1000 followers and averages 150+ players
each week.  The sponsors & prizes are absolutely amazing and that is
a huge accomplishment for a challenge that is only a year old.

I will miss being a part of the challenge on a weekly basis

and I will continue to help promote the challenge and will play

when the opportunities are there.

Of course, a challenge is only as inspiring as it's designers and the

team that has been assembled for the past 2 terms has been

so phenomenal.  I know that they will continue to be inspiring to

those who come to play each week and I wish them success in

each creative step they take.

I could go on and on....but let's get to this week's challenge....

See what I mean about the 'creative' mind of Michele

Of all week's to be 'sentimental'...

This week's challenge is to create something that is Clean & Simple

with a sentiment as part of the project.

We are sponsored by SRM Stickers and they provided a beautiful

package of stickers to work with.

Since we are a CAS challenge, I couldn't go overboard using a lot

of images...and I truly kept it CAS.

I used the beautiful set 'We've Got Your Border-Baby Boy' set

for this card.  With 4 grandsons, I tend to lean towards boy cards.

The only thing I added was the tiny pearls for a little dimension.

I know the designers of CAS-ual Fridays have aMAZing creations

to entice you to play, so I hope you will make your way over, 

check out the ideas and play along.

I want to thank YOU for your support of our challenge.

It has been pure joy to get to know all the talented CAS designers

out there.  Keep up the CAS look!

Project Recipe: 
Cardstock:  American Crafts 

Embellishments:  We've Got Your Border-Baby Boy 
from SRM Stickers
pearls from Recollections

To my Favorite 'Pursen'

For the Jingle Belles Challenge
sponsored by EAD Designs
Click HERE

It's that time again...Clean and Simple with

What a FUN challenge...create something Clean and Simple

and....'pun-ny'

This week, our design team were given great sets from our sponsors

Skipping Stones Designs.

They know how to keep the puns going....

Anything with a handbag will get my attention.

I did a little paper-piecing for this challenge using new papers

from Lilybee Designs.

The stamp set is called 'Birthday Purses'.

I hope you will play along with us this week.  It's such a fun idea

but remember....keep it Clean and Simple!

See you there!

Project Recipe: 

Patterned Paper: Picket Fence by Lilybee Design
Stamps:  Birthday Purses by Skipping Stone Design

Embellishments: Honeydew Baker's Twine by The Twinery

Tools: Lacey Circles & Standard Circle by Spellbinders, Big Shot

Sending You a Telegram

Happy Friday One and All!
Continuing the busy weekend here at The Open Window.

It's time to 'Tie One On' with ....

I love this terrifically textured twill ribbon provided by this week's
sponsor, May Arts.
This design reminds me of my teenage years.  When there were old-fashioned
stationary stores, now called office supply stores.  I mean, I'm talking
mom and pop stores, not the big-box stores we have now.
This specific design would be similar to what you would find on pads of airmail paper.

The stamps are from The Craft's Meow designed by Nina Brackett
appropriately called 'Telegram'.

As I mentioned before, this week's sponsor is

maker of all lovely ribbon!

I hope you will plan to play with us this week over at CAS-ual Fridays.

Project Recipe: 

Stamps: Telegram by The Craft's Meow 
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento

Embellishments: Striped twill ribbon from May Arts

You Warm my Heart

It's time for another Clean and Simple Challenge!

This week, the challenge is to use paper-piecing and
with our sponsor being a company I work with, I knew exactly
which stamp set I wanted to work with.

The Craft's Meow has a great set called 'Warm Winter Wishes' which has terrific open
designs for paper-piecing.  I grabbed a winter pad of patterned paper from Recollections
and went to town with red and white.

I love using baker's twine from The Twinery to create the little puff-ball
on the top of all my winter hats.

We thank The Craft's Meow for providing the CAS-ual Fridays girls with
stamp sets to play with.

You will find great inspiration over at CAS-ual Fridays, so I hope
you will plan to play along with us this week!

Project Recipe: 

Patterned Paper: Recollections
Stamps: Warm Winter Wishes from The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Baker's twine in Stone from The Twinery

Celebrating Red Carpet Season

Are you ready for a very creative CAS theme?

In honor of awards season, specifically The Oscars,

this week's challenge is to take a 'movie title'

and create from there.

Although I have not seen the movie, the moment I found this

die cut from Authentique, it was a no-brainer.

My movie is 'Across the Universe'.

This is the movie inspired by the music of The Beatles.

I loved that this paper collection called 'Splendid' fit with

the psychedelic theme.

I used my Martha 'Sunburst' border punch to add a little interest

to the bottom of the card and to keep it as CAS as possible,

just finished it off with lilac baker's twine from The Twinery.

This week, we are once again sponsored by

 and this week's winner will also earn a guest spot

over at CAS-ual Fridays.

Missing You and A Giveaway!

Happy Saturday....just thought I would share a very

fun & easy card that I whipped up while I was

recently creating a card for CAS-ual Fridays.

 As a child of the 60's, I am quite into retro looks always love when a stamp

set comes along that makes it so easy to create.

This one is 'Vogue Abode' from Paper Smooches.

I stayed simple with black and white and just placed

a hint of color and I think it works.

I'm so glad you stopped by for a sec because I have something else

that I want to share.

The designers I work with never cease to amaze me with their

creativity and Karola Witczak, one of our brand new designers

over at The Twinery, is one of those ladies.

Not only is Karola the DT Coordinator for The ScrapCake,

but she is also a product designer as well.

The collection on the right is hers called

'My Private Happiness'.

Both collections are oh so yummy and you have an

opportunity to win.

Head on over to the blog and check out the details.

English translation is available.

Wouldn't it be fab if the winner was YOU?!

Project Recipe: 

Stamps: New Digs by Paper Smooches
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio

Lovin' my New Digs!

Hey there...what a GREAT idea for a Clean & Simple Challenge.

Well, of course I'm talking about

 

but I'm also talking about the 'challenge' itself...

BLACK AND WHITE!!!

When I first saw this new 'retro' set from Paper Smooches,

it screamed black and white...

It's called 'Vogue Abode' and...here it comes...I dig it!

This one is pretty self-explanatory.  I just 'arranged the furniture'

and done.

The black in is Tuxedo Black from Memento.

I actually have a variation on this card using a 'splash' of color,

but I'll save that one for another day. Wouldn't want to see anyone

'sneak' any color in on this challenge.

Hope you enjoyed it!

I will be back Friday morning with a FanTABulous bit of news

I've been keeping under my hat...in fact, there might

just be TWO bits of news.  We'll see.....

Project Recipe: 

Stamps: New Digs by Paper Smooches
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio

Lovin' Clean & Simple!

Are you ready to play Clean & Simple?

This week, we are being challenged to use

'scallops' in our creations over at

CAS-ual Fridays.

I went very 'literal' with this challenge and not only

worked with a 'scalloped edge' but I also went

with a 'scalloped pattern' thanks to Cosmo Cricket's

'Clementine' collection.

I love these colors together and was inspired by those when I

put this card together.

The sentiments are from Paper Smooches.

 

I really hope you'll come play with us this week.

We have a great time playing Clean & Simple!

This week's sponsor is 

Hope to see you over at CAS-ual Fridays!

Project Recipe: 

Designer Paper: Clementine from Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Chit Chat by Paper Smooches

Embellishments: pearls from Recollections

Seam binding in Winter White

Celebrate!

Since this is my first post of the 2012, let me wish you a....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

What a great way to kick things off, with the

first challenge of 2012 over at

 

 

 and how fun because YOU could be one of our 'Temps'

as a Guest Designer!

All the details are over at CAS-ual Fridays!

 This week's challenge is to use chipboard and mine are from

Pink Paislee's 'Soiree' collection.  They are actually dimensional stickers

which I am calling chipboard 'light' : )

I've embossed the background with the large Polka Dot EF from

Cuttlebug and stamped this fun sentiment from Paper Smooches.

We are super excited to have

as this week's sponsor and don't forget, not only will this week's

winner have a fantastic shopping spree from Simon Says Stamps

but they will also win a spot as a Guest Designer

at CAS-ual Fridays!!!

Can't wait to see you there!!!

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Sentiment Sampler from Paper Smooches

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Momento from A Muse Studio

Embellishments: Pearls from Recollections

'Soiree' 3-D Stickers from Pink Paislee

Tools: Polka Dot EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot