I Thank God ... For New Opportunities!

Hello and welcome to The Open Window today.

It is a truly exciting day as I have some fun & fabulous

things to share with you.

You may have heard me talk about my friend Tanner Bell

from time to time.  He is a 13 year old entrepreneur who loves

creating.  A little over a year ago he started a new blog & new

stamp line known as 'Mr. Cricut Crazy' and today, he starts

a new chapter with . . .

 Tanner reminds me a lot of ME when I was his age

as I would go door to door selling personalized

Christmas cards . . . of course, this was back in

the 70's, but the story is still so much the same.

To have an opportunity to encourage & promote his passion

with TBD is a real treat for me.

I am excited to be one of TBD's first guest designers

along with one of my besties, Savannah O'Gwynn and

in a sec, I have more fun news to share !

The newest releases from Tanner Bell Designs are all sentiments & have

so many wonderful possibilities.

For this card, I used 'Enjoying the Moments' and thought it was the

perfect sentiment to go with this beautiful felt embellishment

by Susan Winget for K&Company.

Here are both sets which are 

now available from TBD . . .

How would you like to WIN both of these
brand new sets ?
Just pop by the brand new Tanner Bell Designs Blog,
leave a little love & YOU just might win !

I've often talked about my love for retail marketing,

as it has been my career for over 30 years.  I am fortunate

to be able to do for a number of companies, big & small.

I've been working behind the scenes with Tanner for a several

months now as his marketing coordinator & today I am happy

to share that I will be working with Tanner Bell Designs

as the new Design Team Coordinator as well.

I love working with new businesses and although Tanner

has been in business for over a year, the launch of his new

blog & store website is a new beginning I am happy

to be a part of.

With the launch of his brand new site

{which looks totally fab, btw}

we are having our first ever

For all the details on how to submit, please make sure

you visit Tanner's new blog HERE .

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

I hope you will take a moment to stop by Tanner's new blog

and leave a little love.  He is truly a great guy & I want

you to get to know him.

He is headed in such a fabulous NEW direction

and I couldn't be happier for him !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps: Enjoying the Moments by Tanner Bell Designs

Embellishments: felt stickers by K&Company

Loving Thoughts ... Open Design Team Call

I am so glad to be back with another BEE-autiful challenge from

Deep, sultry colors with an amazing graphic to match!

I definitely don't feel I did the colors justice with my card,

but I really love the combo.

I brought out the 'vintage' this week using Spellbinders

Decorative Dress Forms die and Want2Scrap's

matching Nestabling.

I layered papers from Webster's Pages, stamped one of

my favorite sentiments from The Craft's Meow

and embellished a little more using Prima flowers

and a gemstone flourish.

This week, we are happy to welcome back

as our sponsor!

We'd love to have you play, so make sure you stop by

and check out the inspiration from our design team.

Speaking of Design Team, we are having our 

first open call in over a year!

We are looking for designers who love to play with

color, enjoy being a part of a 'family-oriented' team

and enjoy inspiring others.

All the details are in The Cafe.

Before I go, don't forget....

Tomorrow I begin celebrating my

3rd Anniversary 
here at The Open Window.

I am thrilled to say that the prize total is up to

$500 

and includes quite a few more companies than you

see here on the original banner!

The celebration will be all about the friendships I've made

along the way, fun stories and photos and of course...

PRIZES ! ! !

It all begins at 8am EDT tomorrow .... and goes through Sunday.

There is no blog hop to complete, just make plans to pop by

each day, let me know you were here and cross your fingers.

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Hollywood Vogue by Webster's Pages
Stamps: Sent with Love by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Nestabling Pearls & rhinestone flourish by

Want2Scrap, flower by Prima

Tools:  Decorative Dress Form die by Spellbinders, Big Shot

Apron Lace border punch by Fiskars

Here is ONE Terrific Design Team Call!!

 

The Craft’s Meow

Open Design Team Call

Do you love to stamp?  

Even better, do you love to stamp with TCM images?

Do you enjoy inspiring others?

Then it may be YOU we are looking for!

Here are the specifics:

Design Team Term:  

6 months

March-Sept, 2012

Open Internationally

Requirements: 

*1 project post for each new release set

(average of 4 new releases per month)

during our previews and New Release Blog Hop

 and at least one other time in the month

prior to the next release

(which can include our sketch challenge)

*Promote The Craft’s Meow on your blog, online galleries

such as Flickr, Splitcoaststampers, Two Peas in a Bucket, etc

and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Google+

It is NOT a requirement to be a part of these sites, but we do

encourage you to be a part of SCS & Two Peas

*An active blog and good photography skills.

All TCM projects will be required to be uploaded

to the TCM Gallery

The Craft’s Meow will provide: 

* Approx. $60-$80 in stamps and product specific

to The Craft’s Meow for each release during your term

(six releases scheduled)

* Compensation for any PRINT publication projects

which feature stamps & product specific to The Craft’s Meow
(compensation will be in the form of free stamp sets)

*  Product discounts on orders from The Craft’s Meow

*We will feature your work and a link to your blog

each time you participate with a required post or

TCM blog hop event

To apply, please provide the following:

* Your name

*Your blog name and link

* Photos of three (3 only please) projects 

that showcase you as a designer

We only need three to get a feel for your style!

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS, NOT LINKS TO PHOTOS

PLEASE SIZE THEM APPROPRIATELY FOR EMAIL VIEWING

We do ask that you limit additional 'links' to additional information.

With the number of blogs we will have to visit, we will not have

time to visit resume links, credit links, etc,

so please include the specific information in your submission.

Of course, we would love for you to use stamps from

The Craft’s Meow

but it is not required to apply

* A list of your current/past DT experience

(no experience required)

* A list of creative credits such as publications,

blog/guest features, etc, if any

Send the above information to

 

 tcm.dt.call@gmail.com

 

Design Team Call ends

11:59 PST, Saturday February 11, 2012

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Last Call for the 2012 DT Call for The Twinery

Just a quick post to remind everyone that there is just over

36 hours to submit your application to be a part of

the 2012 Design Team Call for

For all the details, I invite you to stop by The Twinery Blog.

While you are there....you can see the  

rest of this project featured there today!

 

If you are sitting on the fence, just take a look at all

this yummy twine that could be just the beginning of

what you will have at your fingertips if you apply.

We look forward to hearing from YOU!

 

The Twinery + Authentique = Beauty

It has been Blog Hop Central this week 

her at The Open Window and I am

really excited to come to you on a Saturday

with another project to share as part of another

terrific blog hop!

 

If you've arrived here from my teammate

Tifany's blog, then you are on your way!

If not, I'd like to invite you to go back just

a couple of stops to the 

Authentique Paper Blog

and get started there.  There are some fabby prizes

to be won just for popping by the designer's blogs

and leaving a comment.

There are only 12 blogs to make stops at

so you have plenty of time!

Gosh...I really had fun playing with these beautiful

papers from the 'Blissful' & 'Uncommon' collections

from Authentique.

The beautiful stamped sentiment is from Market Street Stamps.

I used a combination of the Lacey Circles & Standard

Circles dies from Spellbinders with the lovely

papers and Bazzill cardstock to create this layered medallion.

The 'scalloped' border is actually a portion of the new

Sizzix 'Album' die designed by Eileen Hull.

The beautiful center is from Prima and of course,

I accented the border of the card with a combo

of 'Charcoal' & 'Stone' bakers twine from The Twinery.

Hey!  Did you know that we are having an

Open Design Team Call over at The Twinery??!!

If you love working with our bakers twine and would

love an opportunity to design for one of the best

companies around, make sure you check out all

the details when you visit The Twinery blog.

We are giving away a

Colorful Bunch Sampler Pack

So make sure you leave a comment on each blog

on the hop....I hope YOU are the winner!

The next stop on the hop is the very talented

Natalie Dever

Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  From Blissful & Uncommon by Authentique
Stamps: Comforting Florals by Market Street Stamps

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio

Tools: Lacey & Standard Circles from Spellbinders, Big Shot
Album Die from Sizzix
Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Charcoal & Stone from The Twinery

Flower Center by Prima

 

Are You Gettin' 'CAS-ual' Yet?

Just a quick reminder

In case you missed it!

***Design Team Call***

We are looking for a handful of fabulous CAS designers
who will promote our new challenge

 and provide inspirational CAS designs on a weekly basis.

* Term will be May through October *

If you are good with deadlines, and can take great photo's of your work,

we'd love to hear from you!
Previous DT experience is not necessary

Please email the following information to Michele at
cookingwithmsg@msn.com 
with "CAS-ual Fridays DT Call" in the Subject line

• Your name, email address, blog link and gallery links
• 3 photos of your work that show your best CAS style, sized no larger than 600 x 800
• Brief bio including your creative highlights and Design Team experience 
• Current Design Teams and term lengths

***Deadline to apply is April 1st, 9 pm EST***

Notifications will be sent out no later than April 15th.

Our Girl Fridays will be announced on April 22nd

Mark your calendars...

***Our first challenge will be May 6th!!***

I am excited to be a part of a new partnership

with the talented Michele Gross of StudioMSG

for this brand new challenge!

If you love the look of CAS, then you need

to mark your calendars to play each Friday.

What is CAS?

'Clean and Simple'

Uncluttered, lots of open space

with one clear focal point.

Now...with a new challenge comes the need

for designers...and our 'Girl Fridays' are in for

a fun ride!

Please visit our blog and be

 sure to grab our players badge from the sidebar,
and feel free to add yourself to our followers!

A Brand New Challenge & A DT Call!!!

Are you ready for something fun?

new and fun??!!

I am excited to be a part of a new partnership

with Michele Gross of StudioMSG

for this brand new challenge!

If you love the look of CAS, then you need

to mark your calendars to play each Friday.

What is CAS?

'Clean and Simple'

Uncluttered, lots of open space

with one clear focal point.

Now...with a new challenge comes the need

for designers...and our 'Girl Fridays' are in for

a fun ride!

***Design Team Call***

We are looking for a handful of fabulous CAS designers
who will promote our new challenge

 and provide inspirational CAS designs on a weekly basis.

* Term will be May through October *

If you are good with deadlines, and can take great photo's of your work,

we'd love to hear from you!
Previous DT experience is not necessary

Please email the following information to Michele at
cookingwithmsg@msn.com 
with "CAS-ual Fridays DT Call" in the Subject line

• Your name, email address, blog link and gallery links
• 3 photos of your work that show your best CAS style, sized no larger than 600 x 800
• Brief bio including your creative highlights and Design Team experience 
• Current Design Teams and term lengths

***Deadline to apply is April 1st, 9 pm EST***

Notifications will be sent out no later than April 15th.
Our Girl Fridays will be announced on April 22nd


Mark your calendars...
***Our first challenge will be May 6th!!***


Until then, please visit our blog and be
 sure to grab our players badge from the sidebar,
and feel free to add yourself to our followers!

A Little Flattery & Favorites!

This is going to be a very quick post indeed!

Will share the reason shortly, but is some fun news....

If you visited me earlier in the week, then you know

that I have been an 

'Ippity Blossom'

over on the Ippity Blog.

This is a lovely way to support and promote all of

the Ippity Chicks who love and sell Ippity stamps.

I do indeed love selling Ippity!

If you pop by the Ippity Blog, you can read a little

more about me and I am pretty sure there is

information that I've not shared before!

Once you've read that post, you can also check out

the current post there as Angie Blom chose one of

my newest cards as one of her faves this week!

So...the reason I am keeping this post short today?

We are making the final cuts for the

new DT additions over at

The Play Date Cafe.

THIS WEEK'S BEAUTIFUL COLORS!!!

120 Submissions were narrowed to 45...

we are now down to 31.....

There is so much talent to share

but we only have openings for 5

(but we may stretch to 6)

If you haven't played with us yet, check

out the stunning colors above, pop over to

The Cafe and check out the inspiration from

our Design Team and play along!

So glad you stopped by today....I would love to

know you were here, so please leave a quick note.

I appreciate that SO much!

Open Design Team Call...Last Call!

We are in the final stretch of a nearly

month long search for our next-term designers

over at The Play Date Cafe.

For those of you who are 'newer' to The Cafe,

I thought it might be fun to share a few of the

fabulous 'color stories' that our senior team

has come up with over the course of the last year,

but only a few....

This is where it all started...

 and before we knew it, we were here...

then, what would soon become everyone's

favorite challenge, the 'color splash'...

Mona Pendleton soon joined our team

and brought her special brand of creativity...

and wonderful color combos all her own...

Our UK senior designer, Sarah

has both elegant style....

and fun & 'quirky' too...

me?  Well, I'm just....

,

me,  I guess.....

(had to add this one too because I LoVe it!)

Of course, you can pop over to The Cafe

and check out all of our previous color challenges.

We are looking for fun, fresh faces 

as well as

those who have been around 

doin' their 'thang'

for awhile....

So click here for all the details 

and remember, there are only 3 days left!

Will YOU be joining our team?

It's Time for a Little 'Splish Splash' of Color

Somethin' a little CAS for you!

After a really fun week over at The Play Date Cafe

it's nice to take a little breather.

Running a challenge blog is a big commitment and

I love every minute of it....well, almost every minute.

 

To give you an idea...

My Wednesdays are reserved mainly for The Cafe.

I spend a good six hours on preparing the post,

which includes transferring and loading all

of the photo files, gathering the votes from our

design team for recognized players and our winners,

I edit, edit, edit....and oh I, edit some more...

everything from sponsor information to

guest designer bios etc, and answering

the last minute questions that come in 

from the team...

Oh...not to mention that when the 'linking system'

for our player entries goes down (like it did an

hour before the deadline last night) those entries

all have to be forwarded to the team as well.

So there are days like today,

when I turn the ringer off of my phone!

But...I love it!
 

My good friend and partner in crime over at

The Play Date Cafe has chosen this lovely

color splash photo of, what we call here,

Columbines...but when you visit The Cafe

and read about Sarah's choice of color story,

you will see she calls them something quite different.

I have lived with a British man for over 20 years

and have found that even though we both speak

English, they are two very different languages to be sure!

(But I digress.....)

Yes, Clean & Simple.

We are being sponsored by Mark's Finest Papers

this week and they provided the team with a lovely

set of stamps to play with.

I loved using their flourishes around the edges of my

die cuts, this one is from Sizzix.

The sentiment is also lovely with it's ornate lettering.

Even with a bow, this card would be quite appropriate

for a man or a woman.

Don't forget....our Design Team Call

is still open through November 7th.

We have received submissions from pretty much

every corner of the globe...have we received yours?

Many of you have mentioned that you were

going to 'set your nerves aside and apply'.

I am guessing that happens to many people, so don't

let that deter you...you could be one of the next

designers on The World's Greatest Design Team!

Real Life Halts my Creativity...

I have to tell you that the start to my week has been

'unusual', to say the least, so I am behind on a variety

of deadlines...including my own challenge  : (

These are the terrific colors for this week based on,

what I think, is a very unique photo.

Sarah is your color host this week

and

Creative Cuts & More 

is sponsoring with a wonderful 50-piece kit

which would be a perfect prize in time for 

the coming holidays.

I will do my best to get my project completed

and posted sometime later today.

I will share that I have been extremely distracted

by a number of 'real life' things, which has

caused my creative flow to come to a near standstill.

My daughter and her two boys were in a horrible

car accident on Sunday, just two days after

purchasing her new Toyota Camry.

She was at a stop light when she was rear-ended by

a 17 year-old in a large SUV, going 37 mph.

The description of her car is, well...

indescribable.

Nearly eight thousand dollars worth of damage

may give you some idea.

The fact that my grandsons, who were in the

back seat and within inches of the impact,

were not hurt is truly a miracle from God.

I just shared that photo of her oldest after he lost

his tooth here on Saturday night....he was going

back home with his mom and brother.

So I appreciate your understanding that I don't have my

PDCC project ready...but I will.

Needless to say there are many other daily things that

just pile up and I know it happens to you as well.

So get on over to The Play Date Cafe to see this

week's challenge and

don't forget....

there is a current design team call happening right now!

Could you be the next designer for The Play Date Cafe?