Red, White & Blue Inspiration

Yep...the 4th of July is almost here!

It's always an interesting time in our home

as I am married to a 'very' British Englishman.

Yes, that is one redundant phrase, but it was

meant to emphasize just how 'British' he is!

He really enjoys the celebrations we have during

the holiday & after nearly 24 years here in the

U.S. he has come to love our patriotism.

Well today, I'm sharing this project over at The Twinery
& thought it would be fun to share here

how quick & easy it is to add an accent of

twine here & there to make your card 'pop'!

{no pun intended}

This is actually my second patriotic card in two days... I'll 're-share' the other
in a moment...

Once again, I used Authentique's 'Pride' Collection for my background
and this time, I stamped & die-cut my anchor using a Hero Arts set.
I created a border between paper designs using blue pearls from  
Zva Creative. The waves & sentiment are from Avery Elle.
My favorite cloud die still comes from Lil' Inker Designs.
I used an EF from LifeStyle Crafts appropriately called 'Waves'
to create the texture in the clouds and added a touch of
baker's twine in Denim from The Twinery.

Yesterday, I shared a card featuring bling from Zva Creative.
Here's a peek . . .

Make sure you stop by THAT POST to see the rest & leave a 
comment for your chance to win a terrific prize package from Zva Creative.
FIVE of them will be given away from random comments on any one
designer's blog, so don't leave without a quick hello!

Hope you enjoyed a little 'Red, White & Blue' Inspiration!


Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Pride by Authentique

Stamps: Knotty by Avery Elle 
Embellishments: baker's twine in Denim

from The Twinery

blue pearls {PEW-03CB-118} from Zva Creative 
Tools: Tides EF from LifeStyle Crafts, Big Shot

Cloud die from Lil' Inker Designs

Oh Deer . . . It's Summer Fun !

Welcome back to The Open Window.

So glad you could swing in today because it's

Day Four of the New Release Previews over at

and today there are TWO fabulous previews to share.

Tomorrow will be the BIG TEAM blog hop and 

all SIX of the fabulous new stamp sets

previewed this past several days will be available for sale.

The first set was designed by our own team member
Amy Wanford
and is so adorable!  It's called 'Oh Deer'

How fun is this set? !
It was a pretty simple card to make because I paper-pieced
the sweet deer using an argyle pattern from Authentique.
I colored the little stumps with one Copic and die cut
my favorite clouds from Lil' Inker Designs.
OH!  The sweet little butterfly pattern is Echo Park
and is adorned with tiny pearls.

Now for something completely different . . .

 Next up is this month's limited time gift with $50 purchase
designed by Kaitlyn Ord called 'Summer Fun'

I loved the chevron pattern from the Sweet Day collection
from Echo Park and decided to cut out just a section as my background.
I then stamped the beach ball on the reverse side of the same sheet.
Another fabby pattern !
I stamped the sentiment and done.
A fun summer-time card.

Don't forget . . . this set can be yours when you order $50 or more

from The Craft's Meow and it all becomes available on Thursday !

Make sure you pop by

 The Craft's Meow Blog

and check out the creative work

from all of the designers.

TCM is giving away a new release set

each day, so make sure you leave a comment

on the blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today.
Tomorrow is the New Release Blog Hop,
so make plans to stop back.

My Deer Friend Project Recipe:

Stamps: Oh Deer by The Craft's Meow
Tools: Big Shot, Cloud die from Lil' Inker Designs 

Embellishments: mini pearls by A Muse Studio

Fun and Sun Project Recipe:

Stamps: Summer Fun by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Burano by A Muse Studio 

Patterned Paper: Sweet Day by Echo Park Paper

Merry & Bright Farewell....

Hey everyone!!!

Welcome to the final day of the

If you've come from the very talented

Teresa Kline's blog

then you are right where you need to be!

If not, I invite you to start back at the start

over on Laura's blog because there are three

shopping sprees being given away when you

complete the hop by leaving a comment on

each designer's blogs.

This also marks my final design team posting

with Lil' Inker Designs.

I have a real passion for helping coordinate teams

that are new, especially when the company itself

is new.  To be the first Design Team Coordinator for

this innovative company has been a wonderful experience.

Laura and Arianna have a terrific product

and an amazing team and I know

they will continue to grow and inspire you....

 I love this beautiful tree die from the

'Holly Jolly' collection.  With the sweet sentiments

that match, it's a perfect way to create your holiday

cards in quick fashion.

I hope you've enjoyed this fun and fabulous hop!
It's been a great time sharing these new dies and
stamp sets with you for the past week...and indeed,
for the past several months.

Don't forget...leave a quick note to let me

know you stopped by and you could win one

of three shopping sprees from Lil' Inker Designs.

Next stop on the hop is my sweet creative friend,

Jen Carter.  

She will share something pretty special with you!

Project Recipe: 
Cardstock:  Bazzill

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento
Stamps: Holly Jolly from Lil' Inker Designs

Tools: Holly Jolly die cuts from Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot  

Embellishments: Gems from Recollections

Jingle Joy!

Click Here for the

'Color Splash Challenge'

at The Play Date Cafe

Click Here for the
The Twinery/Stamps of Life
Blog Hop

It's a running theme on my blog today...

Joy! 

This is day #4 of the

If you are joining me from my friend

Laura's blog, then you are in the

right spot and haven't missed a thing! There are some pretty great

shopping sprees up for grabs if you hop along with us.

Just make sure to leave a comment 

on each of our

blogs along the way to be eligible to win!

Today I am featuring the new dies & matching stamps

called 'Jingle Joy' from Lil' Inker Designs.

This is the cutest set!!!

The letters were created with the dies and then stamped

with the houndstooth pattern included in the set.

I created the jingle bell using silver metallic

cardstock.  I love how dimensional it is!

The designer paper is from 

Crate Paper's

Peppermint Collection.

I hope you've been hopping with us this week.

Don't forget...leave a quick note to let me

know you stopped by and you could win one

of three shopping sprees from Lil' Inker Designs.

Next stop on the hop is my very creative friend,

Jen del Muro.  

I know she has something fabby to share!

Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  Peppermint Collection from Crate Paper

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento
Stamps: Jingle Joy from Lil' Inker Designs

Tools: Jingle Joy & Holly Jolly die cuts from Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot  

Embellishments: Gems from Recollections

Sweet Season's Greetings

It's time for more holiday ideas!

This time it's the newest releases from
 

If you are joining me from the uber-talented

Emily Leiphart's blog, then you are in the

right spot!  If not, pop back to the beginning

of the hop over at Laura's blog so you don't

miss a thing.  There are some pretty great

shopping sprees up for grabs if you hop along with us.
Just make sure to leave a comment 
on each of our
blogs along the way to be eligible to win!
 

 So how fab are these dies??

This is the new 'Holly Jolly' dies & sentiments

and they are so fun to play with.

I used beautiful cardstock from Bazzill for the trees

and a deep black background for a beautiful contrast.

This is such a fun and easy card to make and with

the addition of a little bakers twine from The Twinery,

it's a quick Christmas card for someone special.

I hope you will hop with the rest of our team

all this week as we reveal all the new die and

stamps for the season!

Don't forget...leave a quick note to let me

know you stopped by and you could win one

of three shopping sprees from Lil' Inker Designs.

Next stop on the hop is our UK designer,

Debby Hughes.  

We love her designs and can't wait to see

what she has to share.

Project Recipe: 
Cardstock:  Bazzill

Ink: Cherry from Memories
Stamps: Holly Jolly Sentiments from Lil' Inker Designs

Tools: Holly Jolly die cuts from Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot  

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Marschino by The Twinery

Thankful for CAS

It's Friday, well in my part of the world it is and

that means it's time for another 

Clean and Simple Challenge 

from

 I have to say that there are many weeks that

I am so thankful for the idea of CAS and this has

been one of those weeks, but for 

very special reasons indeed!

This week's challenge marks a 

brand new term for our designers 

and we are so very happy to have  

each and every one

returning for another six months!

They are one talented group of ladies and it has

been my pleasure & privilege to get to know each one

just a little bit more.

 

 

If you've been reading my blog this week, you know

that Paul and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary

on Wednesday and as I type this, I am coming to you

from a surprise getaway that Paul arranged.

So this is yet another reason why I am thankful for

CAS...because I had to pop this card together just

a bit quicker than originally planned!

I send the sentiment to him and want him to know

how very thankful I am for the time we have been

married...20 years goes by in the 'blink of an eye',

so I will keep my eyes wide open and looking forward

to at least the next 20.

 As most of you know, I am also a designer

with the fabulous Lil' Inker Designs

and they are this week's sponsor for the challenge.

I used the very fabulous 'Sentiment Flags' on my

card with MME's 'Stella & Rose' DP.  A tiny bit

of 'Stone' bakers twine from The Twinery

'tops' it all off!

Get on over to CAS-ual Fridays, check out all the

beautiful CAS inspiration from our Girl Fridays

and while you're there, I hope you will congratulate

our designers on another fabulous term!

Love You Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  Stella & Rose from My Mind's Eye

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio
Stamps: Sentiment Flags from Lil' Inker Designs

Tools: Swiss Dots EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot  
Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Stone by The Twinery

Hello Friend....

For The Craft's Meow  
Final Preview,

click here...

It has been new release preview week forEVER here

at The Open Window and today's starts the

preview for the new stamp sets from 

 I am so excited to see what all of our 'sweet tooth' girls

have cooked up for you today!

If you have come here by way of Sweet Stamp Shop

then you are right where you need to be.

If not, it's just one stop back to get you started on a

path to win these new releases this week!  More on that shortly.

Little critters are all on trend right now and this guy

from the 'Furry Friends' set is just perfect!

There are many little friends he has to play with in the set,

but I thought I would just showcase him today.

I pulled out my favorite cloud dies from Lil' Inker Designs

and using the papers from MME, I think he has just the

right colors surrounding him.

How would you like an opportunity to win this

sweet little set?
There is a giveaway going on for each of the new
sets previewed this week!!

All the instructions for how you can win are over on the

Sweet Stamp Shop Blog...

but to get started, make sure you leave a comment here

before you leave so we know you stopped by. There are a  

few other ways you can increase your chances of winning

that are all covered over on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog.

I am so happy you came by...make sure you let me

know you were here and I will keep my fingers crossed throughout

these preview days that YOU might win one of the fun sets!

Here is a list of the designers on the hop,

just in case you get lost or a little 'chink' gets in the system:

Sweet Stamp Shop

Julie Ranae <---you are here

Savannah O'Gwynn

Lindsay Amrhein

Donna Mikasa

Geny Cassady

Aga

  

Leigh Ann Baird

Nicole Rixon

Hello Friend Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Stella & Rose My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Furry Friends from Sweet Stamp Shop
Tools: Clouds dies from Lil' Inker Designs

Embellishments: Gems by Recollections

Brrrr...Chilly Trees Indeed!

It is Day #4...the final day of

our new release blog hop with

If you've made your way here by way of the

uber talented

Lindsay Amrhein's blog,

the you are right where you should be!

If not, I invite you to start back at the

beginning of the hop at the

Sweet Stamp Shop blog.

Because it's a hop and during new release week,

you have a chance to win 

the featured set each day,

all you have to do is......

Visit each blog and leave some love

This is a chilly scene indeed!

'Tree Traditions' is the final new release this

week and oh what fun!

I decided to make a cut-out card using these

'chilly trees'.  I created the circular cut out

with my Standard circle die from Spellbinders.

It was a perfect fit for the scene.

I spent some time with a handful of Copics

and this was the result...

 I then created some texture with Flower Soft

and Crystal Stickles.

This has been a terrific week of new releases

and now the time to get your sets!

Sweet Stamp Shop is offering a special  

Buy 3 get 1 Free deal 

Buy 3 of the new sets and 
 get any other set for free.

 If you want to give just one or two sets a try,

you can get 15% off your entire purchase!

Just use coupon code: OCT15 at checkout

Both deals end Thurs, Oct.13^th

Don't forget to leave a comment before

you move on to the next designer and make sure

to visit each blog on the hop...here is the hop list for today:

Sweet Stamp Shop Blog
Agnieszka  
Lindsay
Julie Ranae

 {you are here}

Nicole 

Geny
Leigh Ann Savannah

Your next stop from here is one of my

*sweetest* people I know,

Nicole Rixon.

Have fun!

Project Recipe: 

Ink: 'Tuxedo Black' by Memento, Copics
Stamps:  'Tree Traditions' by Sweet Stamp Shop

Tools:  Standard Circle Die by Spellbinders, 
Sentiment Flags by Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot
Embellishments: Flower Soft in 'polar white', Stickles in Crystal

A Farmhouse Thanksgiving

Here we are at Day #3 of the

New Release Blog Hop for

 If you've made your way here by way of the

very creative  

Savvy O'Gwynn's blog,

the you are right where you should be!

If not, I invite you to start back at the

beginning of the hop at the

Sweet Stamp Shop blog.

Because it's a hop and during new release week,

you have a chance to win 

the featured set each day,

all you have to do is......

Visit each blog and leave some love

 

 I know I repeat myself a lot, but I really did enjoy

playing with this set.

When I started working on this card, I knew that

I wanted to create a sense of the 1960's.

This beautiful designer paper made just the right 'wallpaper'

to take me back to my great-grandmother's house

as a small child.

Yes...I went back to a little paper-piecing with the

pie and the pie plate and I really love the print.

All of this beautiful designer paper is from 

Crate Paper's new Farmhouse Collection. 

I hope you are enjoying the 'sneak peeks' from

Sweet Stamp Shop this week and

I appreciate that you stopped by...

Don't forget to leave a comment before

you move on to the next designer and make sure

to visit each blog on the hop...here is the hop list for today:

Sweet Stamp Shop Blog
Savannah
Julie Ranae

{you are here}
Agnieszka
Geny
Nicole
Leigh Ann
Lindsay

We visit the wonderful country of Great Britain

for our next creative designer,

Aga.

Have fun!

Project Recipe: 

Designer Paper: 'Farmhouse' Collection by Crate Paper
Ink: 'Tuxedo Black' by Memento from A Muse Studio
Stamps:  'Thanksgiving 'Owl'fits' by Sweet Stamp Shop

Tools:  Pumpkin Vine EF by Cuttlebug, 
Sentiment Flags by Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot
Corner Rounder punch by Fiskars
Embellishments: mini brads by Recollections