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 Couple of Real Winners...Really!

It has been great fun hearing from all of my

followers and new friends over the past few

weeks as I celebrated the first anniversary of

Julie's Open Window.

I promised one lucky person the fabulous

prize package above and using Random.org

the lucky winner is:

Lorie a.k.a.The Peddler said... 

Hi Julie:  Of course I would love an opportunity to at a chance to win this blog candy. 

But first I must say "Congratulations" on the anniversary of your blog. 

I began The Peddler's Galley blog in February of this year and each day 

has been a welcoming learning experience and that includes 

losing precious information too.

There is a lot of information and inspiration to 

draw from. I wish you much success in year #2. 

 

 

 I also participated in the the fabulous

event 'Where Bloggers Create II' and 

offered a few goodies out of my own

creative stash to share with one guest

who left a comment on my blog during the party.

 Again, using Random.org, that lucky guest is:

 

Kirsty Vittetoe said... 

I need to show this to my husband, so he'd know I still have 

a long way to go on building up those MS punches! 

Thanks for opening up your door for us to peek into your crafting space!

So....I need for Lorie & Kirsty to email me at

julieranae@hotmail.com

with your mailing address.

Thank you to all who visit 

Julie's Open Window.

I've said it before and I am sure I will repeat it again...

followers and comments are the lifeblood of a blog...

 It is YOU who inspire

me to continue to create and share...

 

Why Monday is One of my Favorite Days...

I used to think that time flew by just because I'm gettin'

older....but I think, I THINK...it's just life!

What am I nattering on about?

It's another 

H{ippity} Hop Monday!

Make sure you hook up with all the
H{ippity} Hoppers here!
There is some amazing talent just waiting for your visit!

I only have one quick creation to share with you today,

but it's an important one as I am sending this off to some

very dear friends who are going through a cancer-concern

in their family and I want them to know that Paul & I

are keeping them in our prayers.

What I love about the Ippity stamp line is
how versatile the sets are and how well they work
in tandem, set-to-set.  For this card, I used

three different sets!

 

 'What Matters Most' (sentiment)

 'The Simple Things'  (border leaves)

 'Now & Always'  (butterfly & tiny petals)

All of these sets are available to purchase
by clicking right here.  I would love to fix you up
with these fantabulous stamps!

These 3 sets can be yours at the wonderfully 

discounted price of just $55 (+ $5 postage)

AND... 

if you order from me today, you will get

'Books a' Flutter'

ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Remember, this specific offer is only
here at Julie's Open Window.
Email me at julieranae@hotmail.com
and place your order today!

It's a Beautiful Day! It's a Giveaway!

Click HERE for the Monday H{ippity} Hop

I am so happy to share with you that today is
indeed the anniversary of my very first post
here at Julie's Open Window.

As I created this card, I began to think of all the

'sweet' things that have happened over the past year.
If you go back to my very first post, I think you will see
that things have definitely 'changed' over the
course of the past 12 months.

I have come to make so many friends here...
learned so many techniques...
and most of all, been inspired by you.

I do want to mention just a few people/things that
have made this such a fabulous journey for me.

 Sarah Anderson...
my best friend in the world
and the ultimate encourager who made sure
I knew I could start a blog!

'Google Blogger for Dummies'

for obvious reasons

Paulette aka 'Beedeebabee'
who became one of my dearest friends all because
when we lost our followers list for the first time,
WE PANICKED
(and I KNOW you know what I'm talking about)
went to the help forum, met there, shared our woes,
and the rest is history

 Mona Pendleton...
One of the most creative & innovative paper crafters I have met here.
We've shared many hours on the phone together and
my life is richer for knowing her.

The Play Date Cafe
Design Team and Players
All of you make Thursdays one of the best days of the week!

So now it's time to CELEBRATE!

How would you like to win
this fabulous prize package?

Here's how to do it.....

Leave me a comment and tell me...

What inspires you here at
The Open Window?

 Place my blogaversary badge on your sidebar

(you'll find it on my sidebar) and link it back here

and you will have an additional chance to win.  
Just let me know that you have done so
when you leave your comment.

You have until Friday, July 2nd to enter.
I will announce the winner on Monday, July 5th.

 ...and of course, 
I welcome new followers!
So please feel free to follow along.
I will pop by to see you and thank you
for your support of  
Julie's Open Window!

Design Team Announcement...soon...

It's nearly time...yes indeed!

In just a few short days,

Friday, May 28th to be exact,

we will be announcing the 

NEW DESIGN TEAM

for

US ARTQUEST!

Can I just say that you will be

inspired by the talented line up

who will share with you 

projects

tips

techniques

using the amazing art products from

US ArtQuest.

So make sure you mark your

calendar to stop back by

The Open Window

this Friday!

Memories of Childhood & Rearranging Furniture

Before I get started, I just want to mention that I have

been going through some changes with my blog this

past week and hopefully 

one or two of you have noticed  : )

As I continue to go through the process, I ask that

you will bear with me as I 'rearrange the furniture'

around here.  I have a long way to go, but I 

know it will be worth the work in the end.

Ok....I am happy to be the color host for this week's

Play Date Cafe Challenge.  One of the perks of

being on the senior design team is that we get

to choose our own 'color story' to share.

If you have been following or playing with us over

there, you will see that each one of us has a

very unique style, some might say

'identifiable'.

This color combination has been one of my

favorites since I was in grade school.  I remember

finding these 4 crayons in the box and scribbling them

all over the paper.  I LoVeD it!

Thanks to Marthastewart.com, I get to share

them with you this week : )

I picked up these stamps from Imaginisce last week

and thought they were perfect for this color combo.

Who doesn't think 'french poodle' when you think pink!

(OK...whose now willing to admit that?)

All I had to do was add some bling in the form of

pearls and rhinestones and we're in business.

I used Spellbinders & Cuttlebug label dies

for my layering and wha-la!

Hey....recognize this logo?

I am very excited to share with you that

Ashley Cannon Newell

is our Celebrity Guest Designer

this week over in The Cafe.

Ashley is one of today's most celebrated

paper crafters having many of her cards

published in a number of magazines.

She has recently launched her own

E-zine called 'Embellish Magazine' and it

is FaBuLoUs!

Make sure you stop by The Cafe and read her

paper crafting journey (well, a small portion of it)

and then make sure you check out this fabulous,

new online publication.

I am so glad to be back with you here at

The Open Window...I've missed you.

Any chance....you've missed me?  : )

Finally...An Open Window!

Back on June 14, 2009

I began this blog and gave it a name based on

the inspiration that comes from having

'open windows'.

If you are interested, click HERE to see how

it all began.

Now, over 260 posts later (not counting my

second blog, The Play Date Cafe) and

nearly 400 followers,  I am very happy to say

that today, for the first time since November,

I was able to open the window once again!

I know, I know...probably doesn't seem to be a big deal,

maybe not even worth blogging about, but I would be remiss

not sharing this day as it's the total theme for this internet life

I've created.  It's currently 71 lovely degrees here in

Northern Illinois and I feel inspired!

Many of you know that this is no longer my view.

Just a little over 2 months after I started this blog,

the view changed and I was not happy!

I'm still extremely disappointed.

If you don't know the story and want to see

what THAT was all about, click HERE

I have yet to take a photo of the outcome because it's still

pretty messed up out there.

(what an oxymoron that is...pretty messed up?)

This was the view just a couple week's after the

land massacre began.

I've since talked to the City planning manager and he has

told me to be prepared that this is only the beginning.

That lovely field leading up to the farm in the first photo

will soon be an office development, and that will be 

located just on the other side of the new road.

By the way...in case it escaped your mind as you read

my saga....this road is literally 13 paces from my patio.

Am I still inspired by the view....mmmm, not so much.

But an open window is always the first sign of lovely

things to come....

and THAT'S what I choose to see.

GCD Homespun Chic Giveaway Winner...

What a great time I have had getting to know so many new faces and saying hello to old acquaintances.

As the saying goes, 'I wish there could be more than one winner, but...'

Using Random.Org for this drawing...

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO 

#56 ~ JeanFB of Bluebird Paperie

Jean is the winner of a 12x12 Collection & 5 pkgs of Embellishments

Thank you to all who entered and all who found Julie's Open Window for the first time.  I hope you plan to stay awhile...I would if I were you because another giveaway is just around the corner!

Vintage Valentine for Embellish Magazine.com

OK...does this just scream vintage valentine?  I hope so.

It's just a glimpse of my entry for
Embellish Magazine.com's New Year Challenge.

I took a bit of liberty with my shade of red, but I think it works.

I used a few of the papers from GCD Studios'
'Artsy Urban Collection' to get the job done.

You recognize the vintage foil hearts from my recent entry for  
The Play Date Cafe Challenge.

Love playing with that foil! 
The silver metallic is embossed using a Cuttlebug EF.

I 'pinked' up my white crepe paper rosettes with a little VersaMagic ink.

Nothing says vintage like lots of flowers.
thanks to Prima and Making Memories for these beauties!

Add a few satin pearls, gathered trim
and button brads for flower centers.

Speaking of GCD Studios, if you haven't left your comment for the
BIG giveaway, you still have time.

Just click HERE for all the details!

One more thing then I am off to make my husband his favorite
Italian Chicken dinner...

Julie's Open Window is now on Facebook!
I would LOVE it if you would become a fan.

Just scroll down to the FB badge just under my
followers beautiful faces and click.

When you get to Julie's Open Window on FB,
click 'Become a Fan' and that's it!

See you soon!

Let's Celebrate! A Brand New GCD Studios Giveaway!

How excited am I ???

GCD Studios is having a Release Party

to announce their brand new collection!

I am thilled to announce that Julie's Open Window has been given the privilege of being the FIRST to offer you an opportunity to  

WIN THIS COLLECTION from GCD Studios.

'Homespun Chic'

is the new collection by designer Melody Ross.

Many of you will remember Melody as the creative mind behind Chatterbox and most recently the designer behind

the 'Artsy Urban' Collection for GCD Studios.

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN OVER $50 
of 'Homespun Chic'!

Here's what you can win...

1 ~ complete collection of 12 x 12 'Homespun Chic'

5 ~ sets of 'Homespun Chic' Embellishments

A PRIZE PACKAGE WORTH OVER $50

HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN:

At the end of this post, leave me a comment telling me what  
YOU would do with this fabulous collection.

I would LOVE for you to become a follower
of The Open Window as well.

CONTEST IS OPEN TO ALL!!!

This contest closes at midnight CST on Saturday, Jan. 10th, 2010

Winner will be announced on Monday, Jan. 11th, 2010

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE AN EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN BIG?

There are always fabulous giveaways going on over at GCD Studios, so pop on over and see what's new!  When you leave your comment, make sure you tell Heidi that you came from  
Julie's Open Window!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #8 and yes, a little sadness...

Bet you didn't expect these colors this time of the year, did ya?!  Well, when you pop over to The Play Date Cafe and see what our Miss Alison has to say about her inspiration for this week's challenge, you may begin to look at Christmas colors
in a whole new way!

Some great surprises over there this week including our December Guest Designer, Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations. 
So head on over and we really hope you will play along this week!

Well my friends, this is what 14 inches of snow looks like out of Julie's Open Window.  Not much but a vast wasteland of white.  As many of you know, if you have been following me since the fall, our wonderful city tore out all of our existing tree lines and shrubs to make way for the 'road to nowhere' (click here to really get emotionally attached).  Last year at this time, this would have been such a lovely scene with the church just in the background, but those days, as they say, are gone.  Sad....yes I am.  I have found myself feeling a number of emotions that I never thought I would attach to the scene in my own backyard. 
But there they were, rearing their heads all day long.

This is one scene that hasen't changed.  The tiny view which comes with 14" of snow from the front door of our condo.  The winds were whipping around over 30 mph last night and this morning,
so my poor holiday flag just gave up.

I have lived all my life, with the exception of a few months here and way over there, in Northern Illinois.  I always thought that I would be sad if I couldn't spend this time of year right here with the snow and yes, the cold.  But I have to say, after a day like today, I am seriously re-thinking that idea!

So here is what I want to know from you.....

What have you given up by moving from your roots that you never thought you would miss, but now you reeeaally do?   
Please leave me a comment. 
I know I am not the only one who has experienced these feelings of 'should we, shouldn't we' and your response just might be the medicine I need!

As my 4 year old grandson Caleb used to say...
'See you Umorrow!'  : )

Living in the Moment

Been thinking a lot this week about how quickly time passes.

I think I do that at this time every year because
time seems so specific

between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it's a very easy gauge.

It prompted me to pull out a couple of stamps from
The Artistic Stamper

and combine my thoughts into one card.

I did a little stamping and combined My Mind's Eye die cuts.

Everything was aged using Adirondack in Coffee.

This card is a gentle reminder to enjoy the moment.

So here is what I want to know...

What do you look forward to the most

at this time of the year?

Please leave me a comment...I love when you share.

For me, decorating in a creative way. 
I thought I would lend to the holiday spirit by

bringing new decoration to  
The Open Window and to The Play Date Cafe.

I hope to get my Christmas trees up on Monday.
At last count, I think I have 5.

Look What I Won....and Thanks For Asking!

So here it is! This lovely journal was created by Sandi (Celticwoman) from The PaperTrail blog. I was the very lucky winner of her blog candy giveaway in celebration of a few milestones. If you have yet to visit, please make sure you get over there and take a look around. This lady loves life and it shows.
It will definitely inspire you to creativity.

Let me just tell you, the photos do not do this journal justice. It's an altered paper bag journal, using a composition book. The texture on this is phenominal. I am a huge fan of ribbon, as you well know, so to have it as a binding cover
just plain 'made me smile'!

Then to open it up and see a good old-fashioned bookplate with my name was the icing on the cake. I am so looking forward to using this journal for my inspirational journal. Anything that inspires my creativity will go inside until I can no longer fill it.
Thank you so kindly, Sandi...I really do love it!

I have had many, many of you ask how the construction is going...and more importantly, how am I coping with it. Well...these photos really do tell the story. This first one was taken about 15 minutes ago from my patio door. I don't know how road construction works (although I am convinced that I will have the basics down by the time they are finished), but after a week of leveling the dirt, adding fill dirt, laying a gravel foundation (delivered by a literal 2 day parade of dump trucks who's doors have no noise discretion as they SLAM shut...slam, slam, slamslamslam), they have begun digging things up again adding some pretty heavy-duty concrete pipes.
I can only guess they have to do with drainage.

This photo was taken while sitting on my patio,
again just a little bit ago.
So...that's where it's up to. As for the coping, I am doing better. I am definitely resigned, but I did have a major wake up call over the weekend. Because the 'road' was level enough, curiosity seekers began driving down the road. Saturday evening, Paul and I were enjoying a movie from the comfort of our bed, when a slow-moving car drove down the path. You see, this is the same view from our bedroom. I guess the blinds will be drawn much earlier
at Julie's Open Window from now on!
Thanks so much for caring enough to ask
and even more for letting me vent!

Back later with Tag Swap Sneak Peak #2 and more news
from The Open Window including A Design Team Call!

It's Gettin' Busy Here...I Like It!

My day didn't go quite as I had planned. My son called not long after I posted my message to you this morning and said they had a change in plans. So instead of running around with a little one in the car, I ran around on my own. I had lunch with Paul, then I drove over to JoAnn Fabrics to see what's new. They are offering 40% off clear stamps right now, so I had to add to my collection. I also picked up some very cool Heidi Grace papers for fall and found some Debbie Mumm ribbon on the clearance rack.

I have been in touch with the rest of the AI (Artful Inkables) design team for a better part of the evening. We are close to announcing our first blog hop which coincides with the new release stamp sets for August and our bi-weekly challenges, so there are some fun things for you to look forward to.

So what else is going on here at The Open Window? I am in the process of putting a new design team together in time for fabulous new challenges you can take part in. I hope to announce those names and projects in the next couple of weeks or so. I know many of you are looking forward to playing and I can't wait. I am also starting a second blog that will have online classes and tutorials available just for you. So spread the word....THE OPEN WINDOW IS THE PLACE TO BE!

As for now....I hope you will come by tomorrow and see my new favorite blogs list. I also have several new creations in my Etsy store, which includes this card. I hope you will check those out. Last but not least, the participants in the tag swap are putting the finishing touches on their offerings and I am looking forward to receiving those soon. I will post a photo of the entire collection for all to see.

The day is coming to a close here at The Open Window....so I will see you tomorrow!

A Few Other Thoughts...

If you read my post from Friday morning, this flower may look familiar. I had made it to use on another project, but decided to 'deconstruct' it, add to it and use if for this card instead. There are 5 layers of really pretty papers here. It seemed just the right focal point for this simple card.







I've been trying to think of a 'clever' title for our Wednesday night get-together where I share my NEW FAVORITE BLOGS for the week. So far, nothing is rolling off the tongue, so if you have any suggestions, I would certainly welcome them. In the meantime, let me just say that many of you have been busy forwarding some of your recommendations which has been quite fun for me. So I hope you will plan on stopping by here each Wednesday evening and you just might find a new favorite to add to your blog list.

A GENTLE REMINDER...

There are still openings for you to join in the fun for my first 'Open Window Tag Swap'. I have space for 5 more players for this swap. Click HERE for the details. We have players from Europe, Canada and of course, right here in the US. This should be a lot of fun and a fabulous way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Well my friends.....that's it for now! Hope you have had a great weekend. Mondays tend to be a bit slow on the blogs, like anything else on Mondays, I guess. I will have a message to share tomorrow so I hope you will have just a minute or two to swing by!

Time for a Change... We All Need it Once in a While

So if you have been a faithful follower of my blog, you might wonder if you stumbled on to the wrong site when my page came up. Nope! This is still 'Julie's Open Window', I'm still Julie, these are my little creations, and what you are reading is still my 'ponderings'.

In blogland, they say you need to be careful of how often you make major changes, because people become accustomed to 'clicking on' and knowing they are in the right place. I totally agree. I know when I head over to some of my favorites (which you will see over to the right, now), I totally know what I will get when I get there. But I also know that I, personally, am ok with change. I hope you are, too! So I hope the new look will inspire you to do something different, even if it's only to try it for a short time. I promise I won't get carried away with change, and one day, I know I will find just the look that tells my story.

So, I have posted a little poll to see where you are in the world of change. Now if you are like me, polls tend to be pretty specific, with no room for "yes, but....". So I tried to give you general options leaving room in my mind for the "yes, but....". So vote away! It's totally anonymous, by the way, but it helps me to know a little more about you!

Don't forget....you have about 24 hours left to leave a comment for the BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY see all the details below!

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the colors and layout of this little card (you can find it for sale in my Etsy store). I took the photo in front of my dining room window. Since this blog originally started with my love of windows and sharing inspiration, I thought I would let you know that tidbit of info... after all, some things should never change.