It's H{ippity} Hop Monday!

The beginning of a new week here at

Julie's Open Window...did you have a

nice weekend?  Mine was a busy one!

It's time for another H{ippity} Hop Monday!

If you are new to my blog or this 'hop', it's really

simple, fun and very inspiring.

After you have read my post and gotten an idea

or two, just pop over to the

Ippity blog HERE

and check out the rest of the Ippity 'chicks' and fans

that are participating.  You will surely find

some fun ideas for using your Ippity stamps.

I really love the vibrant colors for this CAS card.

I used a variety of VersaMagic & Colorbox Chalk inks

and Spellbinders 'Labels One' for the frames.

Three different Ippity stamp sets complete what you see.

'The Simple Things' (card border/butterfly)

'Faith Blooms' (sentiments)

'Now & Always' (Butterfly/frame border)

I love having the opportunity to share

Ippity stamps with you.

These 3 sets can be yours at the

wonderfully discounted price of just $40 (+ $5 postage)

AND

if you order all 3 sets from me this week,

you can get

'Bit of Burlap'

for only $3 !!!

You TOO can have fun with Ippity stamps

and remember, this specific offer is only

available here at Julie's Open Window.

Just click HERE!

Make sure you stop by the other blogs

on the 'hop' and have fun!

A Cup of Coffee for the Color Throwdown

Couple of offerings for this week's Color Throwdown. As I have been leaning towards fall colors lately, this was a perfect challenge for me, but I was stumped for the theme.

The coffee card clearly has the 'argyle-style'. The background was a repeat pattern I stamped with a Studio G stamp. I used Colorbox Chalk Ink. The coffee cup and verse are from The Paper Company and the ribbon is KI Memories. I love when I can find things that coordinate, so I really got lucky here.

The fall card is one I have done before, but the colors seemed just so right for this challenge, so I wanted to include it so you can see that the sky's the limit with color challenges.

Again I used a Studio G stamp for the focal point, SEI paper and Spellbinder Die Cut leaves were created using 'the bug'.

So how has your day been? I have felt a tad under the weather today, which is sad because it was a beautiful day. Tomorrow promises fairly severe thunderstorms followed by temps near 100 over the weekend, so the mild weather is on it's way out....for now.

I hope to get a post off to you again later this evening, but if I don't, know that I am getting some much needed rest. I would like to spend some fabulous time with you this weekend, when our blogs tend to be quieter, so I am gearing up for that!

Spreading The Love

Isn't this little silk flower pretty? It started out white with a hint of baby blue around the edges, but I needed something rainbow-like in color, so I used my Colorbox Chalk Inks and dabbed directly on the flower until I had what I needed. Just thought I would share that with you because it's always good to experiment.
I continue to call it
'inking outside of the box'!

I have a few people that I want to honor with a little blog award.
I am impressed with every single blog that I visit because each one has something different to offer. No two are alike, each are unique and all have a wonderful purpose.


Sarah host of The Art of Moodling...many of you know that Sarah is one of my very best friends. She is from the U.K. and we have a very unique history(see the June archives).
I thank Sarah for encouraging me to get my blog 'in the air' as it were. I told Sarah just yesterday that if it weren't for her, my blog would still be just living inside of my head.

Paulette host of Beedeebabee...I met Paulette when we were both experiencing 'technical difficulties' with our blogs. Since then, she has been such an encourager
and quite probably, (and I say this laughing) one of my biggest fans! She and I are prime examples of how any type of art or craft can bring friends together.

Mona host of Cupcake's Creations...I've said it before, I have no idea how I stumbled on to Mona's blog, but it is pure eye-candy and I have quite a sweet tooth! I love her creativity and her world travels make you feel like you are traveling right along with her. She loves her followers and is always kind enough to take a moment to respond to each and every comment left on her blog. For that, we all thank you, Mona!

CelticWoman host of Paper Trail...she has such a lovely blog and always takes the time to leave comments when she visits. Make sure you take time to stop by and say hello.

Kelly host of Kreative Korner by Kelly...She has a really sweet blog, very colorful and fun projects are posted there. When you go to her blog, there are 2 things that will immediately catch your attention. Her colorful background and her 'sparkling' guestbook.
Make sure you 'sign in' when you stop by!

Thank you to these lovely ladies and to all who continue to support The Open Window.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Making Your Own Background Paper

This is a fun way to create fabulous paper that looks like it came right off the store shelf.

Using chalk inks in a variety of colors and several different rubber stamps, I randomly stamped images on white cardstock.

It's a fun way to spend some time when maybe your creative juices aren't quite flowing. Believe me, once you have made 20 or 30 of these backgrounds, you'll be good to go!

Easy Layered Card - TUTORIAL

This is just a quick little note to remind you that it's ok to
create something quick 'n easy. Layered cards have so much dimension but take very little time.

The stamps used on this project:

Swirly Background ~ Scrappy Cat
'What's Up' ~ Impression Obsession

Here's is what else you will need for this project:

Cardstock in brown and clay orange
K&Company A-Z Mat Pad Papers
Colorbox Chalk Ink in Burnt Sienna & Yellow Citrus
K&Company Actopus to Zelephant Circus Train Border
Brads
Circle Punch
Double stick Flat and Foam Tapes

Cut, score & fold brown cardstock to desired size. Cut clay orange cardstock to fit as a top layer and stamp Swirly Background with Burnt Sienna and place on top of card.

Cut square from a coordinating paper and shade around edges using yellow citrus ink.

Cut center circle using punch from K&Co background paper and adhere to card

Cut one image from K&Co Train Border and adhere to square. Insert brads where the train wheels would be and layer on top of circle with foam tape.

Stamp 'What's Up' underneath circle in burnt sienna ink.....it's that easy!

AND DON'T FORGET ..... There's still time to enter to win my BLOG CANDY!
See the post below for all the details!