Fresh & Bright...The Play Date Cafe

I'm not sure if you've been able to tell, but I have

really been diggin' bright colors this week.

I think it's been a long winter and I am just ready

for some color.

It's great timing because this week's color challenge

over at The Play Date Cafe scratches me

right where I itch!!!

Three of our Senior Designers are

responsible for choosing our weekly

color stories and we each have our own

style and color palette that is all our own.

This palette....is pure Ruby 2 Shoes!

I decided to go with a distressed, aged look for this card.

One of my very favorite tools in the studio is the

Distrezz-it-All by Zutter.

It saves that cramp you get in your hand with tiny little

distressing tools and can handle a single sheet of

cardstock all the way up to chipboard.

This card is all about layers of designer paper and

embellishments.  The sweet little lucite cherries are by

Mary Englebreit and were the perfect little addition.

Of course I tied it together with a little baker's twine 

from The Twinery.

We have the talented Maria Gurnsey joining us as

our guest designer this week.

In honor of Maria, I used her 'namesake' 'Gingham Gurnsey'

stamp to create the tag under the 'my friend' sentiment.

Check out that story and learn more about Maria

when you visit The Cafe.

We have the most talented design team

waiting to inspire you, and here they are....

Sarah AndersonRuby McGuire

 Savannah O'Gwynn 

Andrea Ewen

Colleen Dietrich  

Fiona Shultz

Jaclyn Miller 

Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson  

Michele Gross

Tracey Kuzniak

and of course, our sweet guest...
Maria Gurnsey

 So glad you stopped by and I hope you'll 

leave a quick little note to let me know

you were here : )

Today's Project Recipe:

Cardstock: The Paper Company

 Designer Paper: K&Company 'Sweet Nectar' & BoBunny 'Abbey Road'
Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Friendship Jar & Ippity 'Gurnsey Gingham'
Ink: VersaMagic, Ranger Archival, Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Tools: Spellbinders 'Labels One', Big Shot, sewing machine
Distrezz-it-All, Martha Stewart punch 'Loop Heart'

Embellishments: Baker's Twine by The Twinery in 'Caribbean', 

Pearls by Martha Stewart, Cherry by Mary Engelbreit

Wrapping my World in Baker's Twine!

Sometimes all it takes is little color and

a little embellishment to make a card

complete.

That's what I LoVe about using my

baker's twine from The Twinery!

I loved using the 'Funky Foliage' set from

Wplus9 Designs and thought I

would enter this card in the current

Color Cue Challenge over there....

I used Cappucino and Lilac

and I love the affect with

the rest of the colors used

on this card.

I am sure you know by now, I think that

the baker's twine from

The Twinery

is the best quality and the

saturation of color is out of this world!

There are LOTS of twines out there that

are low-quality and one available in 2 or 3

'faded' colors.  For my money, it's

The Twinery all the way!!!

Ya know, they have a terrific

Sampler Pack for only 20 bucks!!!

All 11 colors (including the 3 newest colors)

15 yards of each!  It's a terrific deal!

I am really glad you stopped by!

I'd love to know if you've gotten your

baker's twine from The Twinery yet?

 Leave me a comment.......YAY!!

Today's Project Recipe:

Cardstock: The Paper Company

Designer Paper: Memory Box
Stamps: Wplus9
Ink: VersaMagic
Tools: Cuttlebug EF, Big Shot,
Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch

Embellishments: Baker's Twine from The Twinery

Pearls & Rhinestones by Recollections

Versatile Verses with Verses...Huh?

I spy with my little eye a fabby flower from Prima!

I'm coming to you today with just one project

courtesy of Verses Rubber Stamps.

You know me....I still go 'old-school'

and love a good wood-mounted stamp.

Combine that with a stamp line that specializes

in sentiments and verses and well.....

Although the sentiment here is a one-liner,

don't be fooled!

I saved the rest of the verse for the inside 

of the card.  Very versatile stamp indeed!

The other images used were from PaperTrey Ink.

I alternated with a variety of VersaMagic inks to

create a depth with my stamping.

I will be back at midnight, EST tonight with a

brand new challenge from The Play Date Cafe.

See you soon!

Birthday Hopping with Ippity!

It's H{ippity} Hop Monday

and I am coming to you from the Hilton Garden Inn

in beautiful Middleton, Wisconsin.

I LoVe the internet!

I spent seven whole hours....

creating...shopping...chatting...shopping...playing

and shopping at Archiver's today.

I will share more on my little excursion on Tuesday,

but here is a little photo that Paul snapped after I finished

the project for this post...

Now...back to The H{ippity} Hop!

For a complete list of the other talented

folks who are 'hopping' with me, click here

for a direct line to the Ippity Blog.

I really enjoyed making the 'elements' for this card.

I pulled out the 'Tattered Flowers' die from Sizzix/Tim Holtz and

started making a whole bunch of blooms.

These particular ones were created by using VersaMagic inks

in a variety of colors...just layered one on top of the other

to 'build' the color.  I then stamped each one with 

Ippity's 'A Bit of Burlap' stamp.

I then shaded the edges using Distress Inks and VersaMagic.

I then stamped this fun journaling image from

Ippity's 'Fall for You' set.

Placed the blooms randomly, added a few pearls,

shading around the borders and done.

If you have not tried Ippity stamps yet or have and do

not own the above images yet,

this week is a great time to add them.

It's time for the Ippity Double Deal!

Purchase 'Fall for You' for only $24 and get

'A Bit of Burlap' for only $3 and

free shipping for both!

I have them in stock and ready to send.

I accept PayPal and money orders

from USPS & Walmart.

Just email me at julieranae@hotmail.com

with your request.

Of course, you can order all your Ippity from me

and let me be your 'Ippity Chick'!

Click here to see the newest images I have available

and click here to see the others I have in stock.

Thanks to Maria at Ippity for choosing not only my

turquoise snowman card from last week's GIU,

but also the creations of fellow PDCC teammates,

Savannah & Suzanne as her Sunday faves!

Click here and check them all out!

Thanks for popping by!

Right Where I Should Be...Growing in Unity

I have to admit, this is one of my

all-time favorite sentiments from Unity Stamps.

I received this set as a birthday gift from my

dear friend and fellow PDCC designer,

Savannah O'Gwynn.

It's a bittersweet week for me as I was supposed

to be celebrating my 50th birthday (this Friday)

with her and her sweet husband this coming

weekend...but scheduling just wouldn't allow it.

But for now, she and I both believe the above quote.

This is already Day Four of hosting 'Growing in Unity'.

This week has flown by so quickly, but I have enjoyed

every single minute of creating and sharing with you.

At the end of this post, don't forget to leave a comment

to be eligible to win a set of Unity stamps.  

You must leave a comment on each GIU post, 

which began on Monday and will go through Friday.

This set is called 'Where You Are'.

The stamp images in this collection are really large and substantial.

I love the elements of nature and enjoyed using subtle shades

from Memento and Ranger to achieve the various greens.

The sky shades were done with VersaMagic and

Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

While I worked on this project, I continued to layer

the soft tree branches to give the idea of being 

alone in the wilderness ... knowing that

in that moment, I am right where I should be.

Well....one more day of 'Growing in Unity'

and a special day for me as I reach the milestone of

50 years old.

I hope you will plan to stop back on Friday, say hello

and check out my next project...see you then!

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!

Another Honor...Guest Designer at Jazzy Paper Designs

I have been 'itching' to put these little

Studio G stamps to work and I have to

say this was a fun way to do it.

I am very happy to be the 

Guest Designer over at

Jazzy Paper Designs.

Tenia has a FaBuLoUs challenge there

and if you haven't guessed already, the inspiration

comes from a 'jazz album' cover.

Tenia herself is an accomplished and well-known

jazz pianist and I think the theme of her challenges

is perfect!

I used VersaMark to make the background of

this card and then added some 'track' stitches

to mimic the album cover a little.

The stamps are from two different

Studio G sets and were stamped with

VersaMagic.  I added a twill ribbon from

American Crafts and beautiful black

rhinestones for my little version of

the black keys on the piano.

I added rhinestone 'seeds' for a little

more dimension.

Please stop by Jazzy Paper Designs,

and tell Tenia I sent you.

Then play along with this week's challenge.

It's really quite fun when your mind

'starts to play'...you tend to find

'just the right notes'!

 

 

Love this Challenge...Love Count Basie...PERFECT!

I am ALWAYS looking for an excuse to use this fab

set from Memory Box.  When I saw the latest

challenge over at Tenia's blog, I knew this would be

a perfect fit!

This as a great color splash-style

challenge using 2 colors with the

black & white.  Based on the album cover

(yes, ALBUM cover...YAY)

above, it was an easy selection for

what to do next...Clean & Simple.

I love these stamps!

Using just 2 VersaMagic inks in

'Pixie Dust' & 'Thatched Straw'

and Memento ink in 'London Fog'

it was 1...2...3...

Thank you Tenia for fabulous inspiration
over at Jazzy Paper Designs.

I am also including these in:

CAS-tastic CAS challenge

Stampin' Royalty CAS challenge
SCS CAS sketch challenge

These are all fabulous challenge sites so

I hope you play along with them soon!

Tell them Julie Ranae sent you : )

Coffee w/ Kristen Powers...The Play Date Cafe Challenge

I've always loved the way Sherlock Holmes

introduced Dr. Watson to people.

He would say....

"This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson."

Although I met Kristen Powers when she

came and taught a weekend at my

store over 10 years ago, 

I will always call her a friend first.



Back then, she 'sorta' worked for me...
Now I 'sorta' work for her as she recently asked me
to be a part of her KPink design team.

This week, once more, the tables have turned and I have
asked Kristen to put her artistic talents to work for us
over at The Play Date Cafe as our
'celebrity' guest designer and sponsor.
She not only said yes, but she made 2 different
digital stamps for our design team to play with.

  One thing I really enjoyed about playing 

with this image, was thatI had the freedom to 's-t-r-e-t-c-h' it beyond it's
original shape so that I could make this unique-sized
greeting card.  I chose to do a little
'paper piecing' on mine and oh my goodness,
I went 'BOO' CrAzY on this one!
Let's just say that the copyright date on the back of the
floral paper was dated MM...yes, 2000!
The embossed satin ribbon is nearly 20 years old!
By the way, that ribbon is embossed satin...I wanted a hint of
green to match the greenery in the inspiration photo, so I inked
it with a bit of VersaMagic in 'Key Lime'.
Although it's hard to tell, the flowers and steam are 3-D
and I actually punched holes in the 'lace' doily.

I am SO proud of our design team this week as each one
who used a digital image, tried a different technique to make
it work for them.  So I hope you will stop by The Cafe
and then to each one of their blogs and
find out all the 'unique' things you can do.

It's not just about 'printing' anymore!

 

Love me Some Lace...Moxie Fab Challenge

Was visiting over at Moxie Fab and made time to play a little with

some new stamps,springtime colors and of course lace for the

Moxie Fab World Challenge

'Diggin' on Doilies and Lace'

I have a drawer full, well many drawers full, of lace and ribbon

and some of my favorites are things that were given to me by my

grandmother.  This card features an old eyelet lace with this fab

seafoam green satin running through it.

I suppose there is debate over what is lace, what is a

doily....is eyelet lace?  Yes it is.  Debate closed  : )

New series of Studio G stamps were used for the sentiments

and flowers...VersaMagic inks...Martha pearls...

Making Memories chipboard letter and K&Co paper flowers.

The dotted swiss DP is from the new DCWV 'Linen Closet' collection.

Simple.

You could add a small cross or few easter flowers or eggs

to adapt this more to Easter...change the colors completely

and it could be for St Patrick's Day, Mother's Day,

pretty much ANY day!

See you at midnight tonight for a brand new

Play Date Cafe Challenge 

with the BRAND NEW

design team.

If you participated in the blog hop, the winner will

be announced then...fingers crossed, right?!

Thoughts of Britain with Memory Box

 I just have a quick post for you today....

I am gettting ready for all of the 'doings' over at

The Play Date Cafe.

Hopefully as I write this, it will make sense.

I am listening to an NPR interview with

Ricky Gervais, the British comedian and

creator of the original 'The Office'

series from Great Britain.

I think the guy is not only hysterical,

but really intelligent with so much of 

his humor and in his interviews.

Funny guy.

So, my bestie Sarah, who is also from the UK

has been away for a couple of days with Sue Roddis

doing a fabulous workshop with Dina Wakley.

Although we live an ocean apart, when she is even

further away from her home in Cheshire,

I really, really miss her.

So I made this card for her.

 

You may recognize the fabulous vine border stamp from

Memory Box.  I stamped the vine in Momento Ink in

'London Fog' (no coincidence with the British-theme here).

Then used VersaMagic in 'Agean Blue' for the flowers.

The sentiment is a $1 wood mount from Hampton Arts.

The rick-rack is from Debbie Mumm

The flower from Prima

The rhinestone is Martha's.

Hope you are having a fab time, my friend...

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #15

 

I have to say that I love these colors.

The Play Date Cafe Design Team have had these on their plate for

going on 3 months, so I for one, am glad the time is here to use them.

I love the inspiration photo and thought of 

100 different directions I could have gone.

Things I put to use....

Sizzix die cuts 'Flourish' and 'Build a Lilac'

Metallic chipboard letters from Making Memories

'Cherry Blossom' stamp from Inkadinkado's 'Asian by Design' set

The doily effect was stenciled using VersaMagic in 'Aloe Vera'

Platinum & Icicle Stickles for a little shimmer

Bronze brads and pearl rhinestones

Martha Stewart satin ribbon

SO HERE'S SOME NEWS....

There will be a design team call 

very soon for a new batch of designers for The Play Date Cafe.  

If you love color challenges and can handle a project a week,

then we hope you will consider submitting your application.

Stay tuned as the call will be coming VERY SOON!