Hello Friend....

For The Craft's Meow  
Final Preview,

click here...

It has been new release preview week forEVER here

at The Open Window and today's starts the

preview for the new stamp sets from 

 I am so excited to see what all of our 'sweet tooth' girls

have cooked up for you today!

If you have come here by way of Sweet Stamp Shop

then you are right where you need to be.

If not, it's just one stop back to get you started on a

path to win these new releases this week!  More on that shortly.

Little critters are all on trend right now and this guy

from the 'Furry Friends' set is just perfect!

There are many little friends he has to play with in the set,

but I thought I would just showcase him today.

I pulled out my favorite cloud dies from Lil' Inker Designs

and using the papers from MME, I think he has just the

right colors surrounding him.

How would you like an opportunity to win this

sweet little set?
There is a giveaway going on for each of the new
sets previewed this week!!

All the instructions for how you can win are over on the

Sweet Stamp Shop Blog...

but to get started, make sure you leave a comment here

before you leave so we know you stopped by. There are a  

few other ways you can increase your chances of winning

that are all covered over on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog.

I am so happy you came by...make sure you let me

know you were here and I will keep my fingers crossed throughout

these preview days that YOU might win one of the fun sets!

Here is a list of the designers on the hop,

just in case you get lost or a little 'chink' gets in the system:

Sweet Stamp Shop

Julie Ranae <---you are here

Savannah O'Gwynn

Lindsay Amrhein

Donna Mikasa

Geny Cassady

Aga

  

Leigh Ann Baird

Nicole Rixon

Hello Friend Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Stella & Rose My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Furry Friends from Sweet Stamp Shop
Tools: Clouds dies from Lil' Inker Designs

Embellishments: Gems by Recollections

It's a Banner Birthday!

It's the final day of previews of the brand new releases from

The Craft's Meow

It's time for a little birthday fun...

 This is another fun and fab owl from the collection
by Jenny called 'Whoo's Birthday'
I couldn't wait to grab for my papers from Bella Blvd
because I thought it was the perfect match.
I used both sides of the designer paper using my
lacey circles die and topped it all off with
a banner from vintage Making Memories.
By the way, his blow-tickler will feel nice and warm
when it reaches out using denim & maraschino
bakers twine from The Twinery.

Tomorrow, Nov 1st will be a fun big blog hop
with all of the TCM Designers when the sets
officially go on sale and you will not want to miss out!

Make sure you stop over at the

The Craft's Meow Blog

because there's a great giveaway going on

for both of these sets.

Leave a comment here and

let me know
'whoo's birthday' would you create a
card for with this set?

Ornament for You Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Wall of Fame by Bella Blvd
Cardstock: Bazzill Dotted Swiss
Stamps: Whoo's Birthday from The Craft's Meow

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio
Embellishments: Gems by Recollections
Bakers Twine in Denim & Maraschino from The Twinery

 


 

Warm Winter Wishes for You

It's Day Three of previews of the brand new releases from

The Craft's Meow

Are you ready for more beauty designed
by Nina Brackett??!!

This beautiful set is called 'Vintage Ornaments'
and is so very versatile.
The lighting in my photo does not do the colors justice,
but you hopefully get the idea.
I stamped the repeat pattern in 'lichen' ink and the
center image in 'ocean' ink, both from A Muse Studio.
As you probably know, A Muse Studio inks are my
absolute favorite when it comes to silky beautiful colors
and can be ordered directly from
my webstore here!

It was then just a matter of my tiny gemstone 'hanger'.

Another beautiful set from NinaB Designs is
'Vintage Snowflakes'
Again, the lighting and photo editing was difficult
when it came to this card.
I used a cream cardstock and A Muse Studio inks
in 'shell' & 'sky'.  The sentiment was stamped in 'slate'.

I love these big snowflake embellishments from 
Paper Studio and used a lot of them last holiday season.
It was the perfect match with these fab images.

I am happy to say that after the issues I had photographing
this specific card, my husband treated me to a light tent
for a belated birthday gift.  So NOW, it's a matter
of getting adjusted to working with it!

I am so glad you stopped by once again!

We have seen six of the seven new sets so far.
Just one more to go
before the official release
blog hop with the TCM team!

Make sure you stop over at the

The Craft's Meow Blog

because there's a great giveaway going on

for both of these sets.

Leave a comment here and

let me know

which of today's 'sneak peek' sets is your 

favorite so far!

Ornament for You Project Recipe:

Stamps: Vintage Ornaments from The Craft's Meow

Ink: Ocean & Lichen by A Muse Studio
Embellishments: Gems by Recollections

Winter Wishes Project Recipe: 

Stamps: Vintage Snowflakes from The Craft's Meow

Ink: Shell, Sky & Slate by A Muse Studio

Embellishments: Pearl & Gem Snowflake by Recollections

Santa's Little Helper Says Seasons Greetings!

It's Day Two of previews of the brand new releases from

Today we share two more wonderful sets with you
and the first is from the most talented Maree Truelove.

This sweet set is called 'Santa's Little Helper'
and has some pretty fun elements.
I pulled out my Copics and got to work.
I love the glittered letters from KI Memories
and they were the perfect fit for this card.

Many thanks to my husband Paul, who worked
for several years in my stamp store and knew
a thing or two about card making.  He felt
that there was something 'missing' and then
suggested that I make the elf's tights sparkly
too, so out came the Stickles!

The next preview is from one of two new
sets from my friend Nina of NinaB Designs.

'Seasons Greetings' is a beautiful collection
with a vintage feel.
When I edited my photos, my white balancing took
out a bit too much of the green shading just behind
the sentiment (at least on my end).

The beautiful designer paper is older from Foo-fa-la,
but I love how it goes so well with this design.
I grabbed some of my favorite hand-dyed seam binding
from my friend Nancy at Sugar Lump Studios.

I am so glad you popped by today....

We have SEVEN...SEVEN

brand new sets coming your way!

Make sure you stop over at the

The Craft's Meow Blog

because there's a great giveaway going on

for both of these sets.

Leave a comment here and

let me know

which of today's 'sneak peek' sets is your 

favorite so far!

Ho Ho HO Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Eskimo Kisses from BasicGrey
Stamps: Santa's Little Helper from The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Glitter Stickers by KI Memories, Copics

Stickles in Stardust, Pearls by Recollections

Yuletide Blessings Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Foo-fa-la
Stamps: Season Greetings from The Craft's Meow
Ink: Cranberry by A Muse Studio
Tools:  Arches border punch by EK Success, Fiskars Corner Rounder

Embellishments: Seam binding from Sugar Lump Studios,

Pearls by Recollections

Holiday Fun Coming Your Way

It's finally here!

The start of preview week for the new releases from

This is going to be an awesome week of

previews as we have

  SEVEN BRAND NEW SETS

and each is unique and fabulous and

ready to bring you in to the holidays!

I made these fun little gift tags using a fun & fresh

set from Kaitlyn Ord called 'Merry Best'.

I used the beautiful new collection called

'Christmas Eve Chowder' from Jillibean Soup

to create the tags and the paper-pieced gifts.

Of course, bakers twine from The Twinery is the

perfect way to attach these tags to your packages.

This next stamp set can really make you smile!

 

Owls are so very popular this year and what a fun way
to incorporate them in to your holiday cards.
This set is called 'Happy Hoo-lidays' by
TCM designer, Jenny Suchin.

I decided to make this a very sparkly card and
break out some Martha Stewart glitter glue.
His 'fluffy' hat was created using Flower Soft, which
is a great product for the holidays.

I am so glad you popped by today....
As I said earlier, we have SEVEN...
 SEVEN

brand new sets coming your way!

Make sure you stop over at the

The Craft's Meow Blog

because there's a great giveaway going on
for both of these sets.
Leave a comment here and

let me know

which of these 'sneak peek' sets is your 

favorite so far!

I'll see you again at Midnight PST TONIGHT
with TWO MORE PREVIEWS!

Gift Tags Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Christmas Eve Chowder from Jillibean Soup
Stamps: Merry Best from The Craft's Meow
Tools:  Large Labels die from Spellbinders, Big Shot

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Cappuccino & Blossom from The Twinery
Jewel brads from Making Memories

Happy Hoo-lidays Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: Foo-fa-la
Stamps: Happy Hoo-lidays from The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Glitter Glue from Martha Stewart Crafts,
Flower Soft in Polar White, Copics

Sending Hugs

It's 'clean and simple' day here at The Open Window

because it's time for a new challenge at

The very talented Laura Davis has provided a

sketch for all of us this week over at 

CAS-ual Fridays.

This is probably one of

THE MOST

CAS cards I've ever done!

I love this set from Lawn Fawn stamps

called 'On the Mend'.

Lawn Fawn is this week's challenge sponsor.

The creative 'Girl Fridays' have worked their

magic once again and have a beautiful

line-up of inspiring cards to share over at

CAS-ual Fridays, so head on over, check out

their fabby creations and play along with us!

So very glad you stopped by!

I hope you'll take a moment and say hello.

Project Recipe: 
Stamps: On the Mend from Lawn Fawn

Tools:  Lacey Circles die from Spellbinders, Big Shot,
Scalloped Border punch from Fiskars 

Hello Fall! The Twinery Meets LYB!!

Happy Monday All!

I am really excited to share today with you as it is

the beginning of one creative week over at

The Twinery as several of our designers join

with the designers of Little Yellow Bicycle!

 I can't wait for you to see all the fall inspiration using

LYB's 'Hello Fall' collection and unique and fun ways

to use bakers twine from The Twinery.

I adore the acetate cut-outs from LYB and layering them

on this card really added to the texture of the embossed

background which was created using the 'Plants' EF

from QuicKuts.

The journal spot is connected in a fun way using

mini-brads and of course it's all tied together

with Mandarin & Cappuccino bakers twine.

Speaking of textures, this card is loaded with them.

I used our Buttercream bakers twine to 

outline the centers of the pear.

The focus of this card uses the 'Pear Vine' EF

and the gigantic pear Bigz die both from Sizzix/BasicGrey.

The beautiful designer paper from LYB is a perfect match

to the PTI 'Orange Zest' cardstock.

Top it off with LYB's Fabric Faves ribbon and you have

a sweet treat indeed.

Last but not least....

I for one cannot have too many owls this season

and this adorable guy is irresistable.

He & the banner he is perched on are also from

the 'Hello Fall' Fabric Faves.

What I love about this collection too is that the beautiful

die cut tree you see here, comes in a variety of sizes.

You'll find it on the 12 x 12 cardstocks for layouts

down to the small embellishments like you see here.

For this card, I intertwined The Twinery's

'Honeydew' & 'Cappuccino bakers twine and gave the

tree dimension.

I can always count on my Martha 'Icicle' punch to

create great grass, and I did that using cardstock 

and LYB's 'Delicious Autumn Text' DP.

All of these cards are PERFECT for the
CARDS Challenge, so I hope Paige likes them
and I will share them for the FALL CHALLENGE over at
Little Red Wagon.

Well...this is just a taste of what you will see 

each day this week over both 

The Twinery & Little Yellow Bicycle blogs.

You also have a wonderful opportunity to win prizes

from both companies and it's pretty easy to do.

There are only 3-4 blogs you need to visit each day.

When you do, make sure you leave a comment

and you'll be entered to win.

There are additional ways to have more opportunities

to win, so make sure you check that out on

The Twinery blog.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Signs of Fall Project Recipe:

Tools:  Plants EF by QuicKutz, Big Shot
Fiskars Corner Rounder

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Cappuccino & Mandarin from The Twinery
Journal Spot, Acetate Shapes, Banner sticker from Hello Fall Collection
all by Little Yellow Bicycle 

Sweet Pear Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Orange Zest from PTI

Designer Paper:  Ivory Text, Delicious Autumn Text,
Harvest Rings, Sweater Weather from 'Happy Fall' Collection
all by Little Yellow Bicycle
Tools:  Pear Vine EF & Pear BIGZ die by Sizzix/BasicGrey, 
Big Shot, Fiskars Corner Rounder

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Buttercream from The Twinery
Fabric Faves sticker from Hello Fall Collection
by Little Yellow Bicycle

Owl Happy Day Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: American Crafts

Tools:  Icicle border punch from Martha Stewart, Fiskars Corner Rounder

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Cappuccino & Honeydew from The Twinery
Fabric Faves, Chipboard, Gems from Hello Fall Collection 
all by Little Yellow Bicycle

 

Thinking of You...

For the

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge

Click Here

Hi everyone...I am back again with another fun
blog hop and as you might guess from the photo,
I am coming to you from The Twinery!

 

We are teaming up with the fun & fab girls of

If you've come here directly from The Twinery blog,
then you are on the right track.  If not, it's just
one blog back to get started on the hop!

There are some pretty amazing prizes up for grabs
to two lucky people, so make sure you leave a
comment on each of the blogs on the hop to be
eligible to win.  I'll share the prizes with you
in just a sec....

This is 'Blush Bonnie' from TGF...talk about FAB!
I colored her with Copics, dressed her up
with a little Pink Sorbet bakers twine
and she is ready for the dance!

The additional textures on this card were created
using Honeydew bakers twine, the notebook edge punch
from EK Success, my go-to EF 'Swiss Dots'
from Cuttlebug and the new
'Leaves & Swirls' EF from Sizzix.

So let's talk prizes!

One winner is going to get...

The Colorful Bunch Sampler from The Twinery

and one winner is going to get...

The entire November Release from TGF!

Make sure stop by each designer's blog,

and I'll cross my fingers for you!

In case you get lost, here is the list of
designers who are participating on the hop:

The TWINERY Blog

Julie Ranae <---you are here

Jessica Diedrich

Emily Leiphart

Lori Craig

Caroline Stender

Carisa Zglobicki

Angelica Suarez

Tracey Pickersgill

Tifany DeGough

Denice Bartucci

Grace Hester

Kim Yu

Becca Fabozzi

The Greeting Farm Blog

Project Recipe: 

Designer Paper: Quite Contrary from My Mind's Eye
Stamps:  Blush Bonnie by The Greeting Farm  
Tools:  Swiss Dots EF by Cuttlebug, Leaves & Swirls EF by Sizzix, 
Big Shot, Copics

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Pink Sorbet & Honeydew from The Twinery

You Color My World

Are you ready for a little somethin' Clean & Simple?

It's time to 'just add color' to your projects

and enter the new challenge at CAS-ual Fridays!

We are sponsored this week by Clear & Simple stamps

and I had a great time playing with the set called

'Craft Room'.  There were so many fab images to

choose from, but I couldn't resist the simple idea

of having spools of my favorite bakers twine

from The Twinery stacked up and ready to go.

As I said, we are sponsored by

and there are some exciting details over on

the CAS-ual Fridays blog, so make sure you pop

on by, see all the fab inspiration from our

Girl Fridays and play along.

When you check out the information there, you will

find there is a mobile phone app available

and each of our designers now have projects

featured there, exclusive to this week's challenge.

So glad you came by and I hope you have

been inspired to 'just add color'!

Project Recipe: 

Stamps:  Craft Room by Clear & Simple Stamps  
Tools:  Swiss Dots EF Cuttlebug/Provo Craft, Big Sho, Copics

Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Pink Sorbet, Denim & Lilac from The Twinery