Saturday, April 30, 2011

Are You Ready for CAS-ual Fun?!!


 FOR MY STAMP STUDIO
CLEAR OUT SALE
CLICK HERE!!!


Have you heard???
I've created a brand new challenge 
with my good friend Michele Gross!

We are in the final countdown to our 
first ever challenge at

We will have fun challenge themes, CAS-tacular sponsors
and
We have an All-Star dream team of Girl Fridays


They will knock your socks off with their inspiring creations!!

Be sure to stop by 
to meet them all, see a sample of their work 
and take a little trip to their blogs.

While you're there, we would
love
to have you follow along too!!!

So...
mark your calendar and clean up your crafty area!


Its going to be an absolute blast!!!

Brand New Stamps & More Need Good Home!


Hey there everybody!

If you have been visiting lately, you know I am
doing a big *purge* of my craft studio
and I am here once again to share a few new
packages I've put together that
reallllllllllly
need a good home!
The items that do not sell will be listed on
Ebay where the prices will go up due to 
fees & actual postage costs

Click on each photo for a 
*little* better view


SOLD
Terrific lot of Hampton Arts Stamps
$30 includes postage
(retail value over $125)
ALL BRAND NEW IN ORIGINAL PACKAGES!



SOLD
Sweet parcel of images
$12 includes postage
(retail value $30)
ALL BRAND NEW IN ORIGINAL PACKAGES!



SOLD
Six Beautiful Shades of Memories Dye Ink Pads
$18 includes postage
(retail value $30)
ALL BRAND NEW IN UNOPENED PACKAGES!




Hampton Arts Glitter Glue Sets
$14 includes postage
(retail value $30)
ALL BRAND NEW IN UNOPENED PACKAGES!




Red Rubber Mounted & Unmounted Stamps
from Artistic Outpost, Innovative Stamps & More
$20 includes postage
(retail value $50)
Most are BRAND NEW...only a few have been used
(THIS SET NO LONGER INCLUDES THE
BUTTERFLY TREE PLATE) 




SOLD
This baby is brand new and has NOT been
released to the stores as of yet!
$20 includes postage


All of the prices here include postage
but for US shipping only.
I'll gladly ship international!
Please email me
for postage to your country
PayPal only please 

Email me at:
julieranae@hotmail.com

Remember:  the items that do not sell will be listed on
Ebay where the prices will go up due to
fees & actual postage costs

Hope you'll be able to help give these fun products 
a good home!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Just Sittin' Here at The Play Date Cafe


TO FIND


It's been a very busy week here at
The Open Window!
I've had a great week playing with new stamps
and papers and have really been looking forward
to playing with this week's colors for...


I love these colors together and even more fun was
putting my newest Hero Arts stamps to the challenge.


We are sponsored this week by Hero Arts and the stamp set I chose
to work with is 'Wish You Were Here'.

We are really happy to have Kelly Rasmussen from the
Hero Arts Creative Team as our Guest Designer as well!


Here's a quick-click list of who else you will find
designing on the team with me:


Thanks so much for stopping by!
I'd love to hear from you...please leave a
comment because I'd love to stop by your blog too!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper:  Jillibean Soup 'Blossom Soup'
MME Stella & Rose 'Hattie' Collection, Anna Griffin
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Wish You Were Here'
Ink: A Muse Studio in 'Slate', Memento in black
Embellishments: ribbon A Muse Studio, rhinestones by Recollections
Tools: Markers by Copic (A Muse Studio)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Catching Up.....

TO FIND




I hope by now you've been to the
fun & fab site for the brand new

We have been revealing our design team
over the course of the last 10 days and
they are one amazing group of designers!


We have ONE MORE GIRL FRIDAY to reveal
and then we're in the home stretch to....


So please visit, mark your calendar and plan to play!!!!


Now for something creative....


I usually shy away from color challenges that ask for more
than three colors, so imagine my surprise when I
decided to try FIVE!!!


I love the girls over at DeNami Design
and I truly love this color combo!


I use the Solid Decorative Crest so often.
It's a great accent stamp for backgrounds, but what
a statement it makes as the focal point!
It's stamped in beautiful 'French Roast' by
A Muse Studio....yummy & lovely!
One of my fave Martha border punches coupled with one
of my fave Fiskars punches creates the lacey layers.

The photo makes it hard to tell, but the tiny little rhinestones
are shaped like hearts.  Just the right touch!

I will be back later with a new color challenge
We have a TERRIFIC SPONSOR this coming
week...well, all our sponsors are great, but you
know what I mean!!

Don't forget...

The Blog Hop with

is still going on!
There are some terrific prizes up for grabs, so
make sure you get on the hop before the weekend
is over!  See you soon.....


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper:  Echo Park  'Be Mine'
Stamps: DeNami Design 'Solid Decorative Crest'
Ink: A Muse Studio in 'French Roast'
Embellishments: ribbon by American Crafts, rhinestones by Recollections
Tools: Spellbinders Dies in Scalloped Circles & Small Standard Circles
Martha Stewart Border Scalloped Shell Border Punch,
Fiskars Border Punch



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Twinery + The Stamps of Life = GOOD TIMES!



It's an exciting day!

It's time for.....


If you arrived here from Jeanne's blog,
then you are in the right place!
If not, head on over to
so you don't miss a thing!!!

You are going to love the prizes being given away
during our blog hop, so make sure you read on!

I know the girls of The Twinery have been super excited
about playing along with the girls from Stamps of Life
and personally speaking, I LoVeD playing with
my stamps and twine together!


I love using my baker's twine as an accent on my
cards and playing with these fabby stamps 
made it so easy!



I'm a coffee lover and can never have enough
coffee-themed stamps.  Aren't these terrific?!!


I love being the Design Team Coordinator for The Twinery
and here's why.....

Our twine is made from 100% cotton, it's eco-friendly and made in the USA. Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker's twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker's twine comes in 11 delicious colors and is uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative embellishment! Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look. 


Now here is a word from {Stamps} of Life....
We feature high quality, made in the USA, clear stamps and digital stamps/brushes for stampers, card makers and scrapbookers. Feel free to browse our gallery with more than 2500 samples using our stamps, watch our free how-to videos and join our club! 

Now...for the prizes!

Here is what YOU could win....

2 'Winner's Choice' Stamp Sets
($12.95 each)
 and
 2 Colorful Bunch Baker's Twine Sampler Packs
($20 each)
 for
 Four lucky visitors!

The prize winners will be announced on 
both company blogs
Tuesday May 3rd. 

Your next stop on the hop is...
the talented Deb Felts 

Here is a complete list of all the inspiring designers
you can visit on the hop.....

The hop list:

Julie Ranae {you are here}

Don't forget...you must leave a comment
on each designer's blogs to be eligible to win!


Thanks so much for popping by...
I look forward to hearing from you!


Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper:  Echo Park  'For the Record'
Stamps: Stamps of Life  'Coffee4Two'
Ink: Memento
Embellishments: baker's twine in Charcoal & Lemondrop from The Twinery
brad by Making Memories, pearls by Recollections
Tools: Corner rounder punch by Fiskars
'Radiant Circle' punch by EK Success

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Sending Birthday 'Fishes'



As many of you know, I am not one to do much coloring
nor am I inclined to play with character-type images, but I had
so much fun creating these two cards, so I thought
I would share them with you.


 This set of stamps from Hero Arts is so whimsical.
I used a variety of markers including metallics, to get
the bold colors you see.
I think one of the best ways to add texture is to use
embossing folders and when you combine two, it really pops!


I added Stickles just for a little more fun.
Speaking of fun....how great are the pearls for bubbles??!!


I admit, I was totally inspired by my youngest grandson's
3rd birthday coming up in just a couple weeks.


I bought a set of Martha Stewart number block stickers
on clearance with the idea of using them for birthday cards.
This was the first one I created and I think it works well.

If you enjoyed these fun greetings, I'd love to hear from you.
Leave a comment and if you're return email is included, 
I would love to send you a note of thanks.


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, The Paper Company
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Oceans of Joy'
Ink: Memento
Embellishments: rhinestones by Recollections & K&Company
'Bright Block Number' stickers by Martha Stewart/EK Success 
Stickles in 'Stardust'
Tools:  Embossing Folders by QuicKutz & Cuttlebug
Corner rounder punch by Fiskars,
Markers from Copic & American Crafts

Inspired by Cath Kidston


Are you ready to be inspired by yummy springtime colors?

It's time for a new challenge in The Cafe.


Inspired by the Cath Kidston designs in the color story,
I called upon my stamps, inks and papers from A Muse Studio.
I stamped the pink-dotted background and layered in on top
of the beautiful blue gingham paper.
I created little flag-tags to match.


All products used for this project are available in
Just place your order
using a credit card and it's delivered to your door!

This week's challenge is sponsored by

and our winner will receive 
a $30 Shopping Spree!

Here's a quick-click list of who else you will find
designing on the team with me:
Sarah Anderson
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I'd love to hear from you...please leave a
comment because I'd love to stop by your blog too!

Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Cardstock: 'Sky' Gingham by A Muse Studio
Stamps: 'Beautiful Botanicals' & 'Polka Dot Patterns' by A Muse Studio
Ink: 'Shell' by A Muse Studio, 'Cherry Red' by Memories
Tools:  Corner rounder punch by Fiskars

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Those Fabby Beekman Boys & More!




I cannot believe a week has gone by since I last posted!
I hate having such a gap, but I find that when I get on a roll
with designing cards, it's easiest for me to just keep rollin'!


Paul and I took a drive to Madison, WI for a book signing
event and while up there, I made time for a quick visit
to Archivers.  While there, I picked up some new Prima
flowers (these are made of pure white mulberry paper)
and this fabby Hero Arts image.


I love the look of the kraft with with the white flowers,
The rest of the image was colored using metallic markers.


Of course for me, no card is complete without a
matching envelope, which is what you see above.

On a completely different note....
I love to go to book signings and have quite a collection
of authors signatures, most obtained after author readings.
I've been known to drive quite a distance for these, so 
Madison was a short trip (180 miles round trip).

Who was worth the drive?


The Fabulous Beekman Boys!

Have you watched their show on Planet Green?
They are 2 NY city boys who decided they wanted
to give farm life a try and the rest....well, it became
a reality show.


Josh (on the right) recently wrote a book about their
journey owning the Beekman farm.
Brent (on the left) once worked for Martha Stewart
and is the logistics man behind the Beekman 1802 brand.


We had so much fun chatting with them at Williams-Sonoma
and can't wait to see a new season start on Planet Green.


If you are looking for a fun read, this is it!

Well...I am really glad you stopped by today.
Oddly enough, after going an entire week without
a post, you will have two today because the new
challenge from The Play Date Cafe comes your
way at midnight EST tonight.

Thanks so much for popping in....


Today's Project Recipe:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, The Paper Company
Stamps: Hero Arts
Ink: VersaMark
Embellishments: flowers by Prima, rhinestones by K&Company
Tools:  Corner rounder punch by Fiskars, Embossing Powder
Markers from American Crafts


Thursday, April 14, 2011

{In No Particular Order} The Play Date Cafe



I had so much fun putting the card together for this week's...


I absolutely LoVe the color story that our 

I also had a ball playing with the image provided by
this week's sponsor....



I stamped the image of 'Ian' and paper-pieced
his wardrobe using DP from Nikki Sivils and DCWV.
I am not a 'colorer' at heart, but I do love to pull out
my chalks and this was the perfect opportunity
to give 'Ian' a complexion and a lovely head of hair!


I can't wait to see the entries for this week's challenge!
Each week, the gallery at The Play Date Cafe
is filled with so many inspiring designs from our players.

We also love the design-work of our design team
and this week, we welcome our special guest, 
Jessica Diedrich!

Here's a quick-click list of who else you will find
designing on the team with me:
and our special guest designer

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I'd love to hear from you...please leave a
comment because I'd love to stop by your blog too!

Today's Project Recipe:
Designer Paper:  My Mind's Eye 'Life Stories',
Nikki Sivils 'Victoria Street', DCWV 'Linen Closet', Bo-bunny
Stamps: The Greeting Farm, Hero Arts (banners)
Ink: Memories in black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in  Frayed Burlap
Embellishments: baker's twine in 'Cappuccino' by The Twinery
Alpha die cut by The Paper Studio
Tools:  Corner rounder punch by Fiskars