It Required a Hunt! The Play Date Cafe Challenge

This has been a rather bold and bright week at The Open Window.

Lots of vibrant colors inspired by so many things.

Recognize any of this yet?  Yep, more of the new

'Mariposa' Collection from DCWV.

But I am happy to say that I managed a little BOO on this project.

Don't know what BOO is?  Click here to find out!

Before I go any further, here's an explanation for all the color...

This week's challenge is just that...A CHALLENGE!

All the designers said so...including our fabulous  
design team host, Sarah.

But there IS a story to go with these colors, so make sure you hit
The Cafe to read the inspiration behind this challenge.

So what did I come up with?

Here are the details...

The birdcage and collage-element paper are from DCWV.   

Prima flowers centered with fabric brads

from My Mind's Eye (thank you, Sarah) and Melody Ross' Artsy Urban for GCD Studios.

The orange panel was stamped with a beautiful butterfly from  

Elusive Images (again, thank you Sarah)

and the BOO on this card IS that orange panel.

Get this...I wanted just the perfect shade of orange and I literally (yes, really) looked for over an hour through every last orange 'thing' in my stash and then...  

I found it! 

 A brand, new blank mini scrapbook still in the package.  It was a freebie that came with an issue of Simply Scrapbooks

(now out of print).

Yes, it required that I cut it apart, but I was thrilled to find it!

Thank you dear Sarah...not only for the goodies used that were

sweet gifts from you,

but for dragging me out of my comfort zone with  

one terrific challenge!   : )

Get Your Sunglasses...And We Have A Winner!

Alright!

I have decided before I go any further that I need to have
an acronym to let you know

when I am using my New Year's Resolution in my projects.

One more reminder of what it was.

I decided in 2010 to use at least one 'OLD SOMETHING' from my stash of papers, embellishments, stamps and more, 
in at least one project a week.

I've been doing really well with it.
In fact, for the most part, I have made this work

in just about EVERY project I've made so far this year.

So from this point on, when I 'BREAK OUT THE OLD' or 'BOO',

you will know exactly what I'm talking about!

Going bold and bright, so this is where you need your shades!

Lottsa BOO here!  Broke out my Heidi Grace from this past summer to create this fun Valentine card.  Still working on those cards that my mom needed and this is one of the final creations.  The only thing that is not Heidi Grace is the heart just under the 'love' heart.

That's a bit of Prima's Harlequin pattern from their
'Nursery Rhyme Collection'.

While I had the Heidi Grace at hand, I couldn't resist making another batch of these

fabulous layered flowers that I featured last week

(you can see those HERE).

And while I was at it, a little more BOO with very, very old  
Keeping Memories Alive paper.

I have to tell you that, these papers are so old,
they came in 8 1/2 x 11 only...it was

BEFORE 12 x 12 was really on the market!
I believe the large polka dots were from

My Mind's Eye's 'Wild Asparagus' line....I think.

A little something new... the beautiful 'Mariposa Collection'

from DCWV.  I know, I know...a little crazy with the flowers!

But that brings me to the winner of the

'Using What You Have' Giveaway.

The contest was...

What can YOU tell me about the patterned paper that was used?

Take a good look at the photos above and really zero in on the patterned flowers on the left.

1. Who manufactures this paper?

2.  What makes this particular 'sheet' unusual?

OUR WINNER IS...

 Kathy W  
Kathy had the closest guess.  

You all did a fabulous job and gave it some real thought.

 The actual answer to question # 1 is Prima

The answer to question #2 was a bit tricky, but I told you it was something unusual.

The flowers were actually made from 
the front cover art of the entire collection.

Kathy, I just need your mailing address so I can send out your

Prima Sampler Paper & one of my handmade flowers.

Email me at julieranae@hotmail.com 

I know this has been a long post,
but here's what I want to know from you...

If you were to do BOO along with me, what would be one of the OLDEST

things from your creative stash that could be used?

I won't hold you to using it, after all, there are many reasons why we haven't! (Can anyone say 'emotional attachment?)

Please leave a comment 
and let's have fun with this trip down memory lane!

Romance...In More Ways Than One

Romantic Style...what does that look like to you? 

I think like anything else, it's different things to different people.

You know I love the 'shabby-chic' style...although pastels are a bit harder for my brain to work with,

when this card came together,

I just sat back and took a deep breath in.

I love the background stamps from Artistic Stamper.   I used the Polka Dots image for the bold background and the Simple Swirls for the subtle pink background and the gray foreground on the tag.

The sentiment is from Wordsworth.  There are all kinds of 'extras' that complete this card including the Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Around the Page Border, Prima Flowers and silk ribbon.

As I continue to clear my stash, this is a very old die cut from Colorbok that I embellished with

'Carrera Marble' Tinsel Glitter also from Martha Stewart.

Now for romance of a different style.

I love the new 'Mariposa Collection' from DCWV.  The 12 x 12 stack is perfect for card-makers because there are so many wonderful images that can be cut out and layered.

Yep...more Prima Flowers.  Such a quick and easy embellishment.

Although I didn't use them on this project, I also purchased the box of die-cuts that match this collection.  They are beautiful, so I am sure they will turn up here soon!

Quick little story...My dear grandmother, who was one of the biggest influences on my creative life, bought me a sewing machine many, MANY years ago and truthfully, the only time it was used, was when her machine had to go in for servicing.
She would borrow my little unit to get her by.

I finally broke out that machine a couple weeks ago, but for the life of me, I could not keep the bobbin thread from tangling with every effort I made to sew.  I mentioned it to my mom who said, "You know, I think your grandma had the same problem with that machine every time she borrowed it.  I have her machine stored away,
maybe you should give it a try."   
Grandma was a master, self-taught seamstress.
Well, grandma's machine had the magic touch!

I put it to use for the first time on these cards
and I just love the results.

My stitches aren't perfect....
but romance sometimes isn't either.....