It's a Beautiful 'Blingy' Day with Zva Creative

Happy Monday and welcome to The Open Window.

It's one of my favorite times *shiniest* times of each month

as it's our team blog hop over at

Happy New Year to you! Zva Creative and our talented 2013 Design Team 
welcome you to our January blog hop! 
We are very excited about month's hop and are excited to share our new work with you!

The Blog Hop begins at Zva Creative's blog!
*Be sure head on over to check it out! Leave a comment there for a chance
  to win an extra prize package just for visiting the blog and telling us
  that you stopped by!  You will also find a complete list of all the
  participating blogs there (in case there is a glitch along the way).

As you know, Zva offers many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers
and crystals. If you like what you see along the hop you can find a list
  of stores and online retailers that sell Zva HERE

One of the things I love about creating with the beautiful
bling from Zva is it takes me 'off the page' to create cards with
lots of dimension.  I love doing that anyway, but the bling designs
really inspire me.
I used a combination of purple pearl flourishes, a gem flower flourish
and tiny taupe pearls all from Zva.
The card was created using papers from My Mind's Eye and a
stamped sentiment from Avery Elle.
The leafy die cut was made using a Sizzix Branch w/Leaves
and the border was punched using one of my fave Martha borders.

Here's a close-up of the dimension . . .

If you would like to play along with our design team, just follow along the blog path.  I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way!

The Blog Hop starts today, January 28th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, January 29th.

Prizes

Hidden on FIVE of the designer's blogs is a Zva Creative prize package! Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over. All you need to do is leave a comment on this Blog Hop post... you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. However, the more times you comment along the blog hop path, the more chances you will have to win.

The 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 30th on Zva Creative's blog. We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to Zva's blog on Wednesday to see if you are a winner!

We also thought it would be more fun to add even more chances to win our blog hop prize!   

To increase your chances of winning:

* Comment to let us know that you posted on your Facebook page about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you "tweeted" about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products.  If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry.

*Hop over to Zva's facebook page and "like" our page or leave a comment there to tell us that you stopped by.

Your next stop is Evgenia Petzer

Thanks so much for coming by ...

I always appreciate your visits!

OH !  one more thing  . . .

Mark your calendar to join us again on February 25th^th for our next Zva blog hop! It will be a very special one where our team will be debuting all of Zva's new CHA releases that will be hitting stores soon!

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: So Sophie
Stamps: Lots of Love by Avery Elle

Embellishments: 

taupe pearls {CRW-04CB-139}

flower gem flourish{CRB-04CA-112}

gem/pearl flourish {CRS-05CA-108} 

all from Zva Creative

Tools: branch w/leaves die by Sizzix

heart border punch by Martha Stewart

  

My True North

Hello !

I'm so glad you could swing by The Open Window

because it's 'Splash' time over at

It's one of the favorites in The Cafe

and this time, we're using Emerald Green

Before I get to my project, I want to make sure you head

over to The Cafe this week because we have a brand new

joining us and I know you'll just love her!

 

I've been working a lot of Clean & Simple lately and seem to

always go that route when it 'splash' time.

I chose to use one of the sets from Avery Elle to make this card.

This is a true testament that you can use products meant for another time,

as this paper is October Afternoon's 'Witch Hazel' collection.

It was the perfect accent for the color story.

This week, we welcome back

as our sponsor.

Thank you oh so much for stopping by.

I always appreciate your visits.  I know how

many creative blogs are out there and mine is a

simple drop in the ocean, so thank you for your support !

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Witch Hazel by October Afternoon
Stamps: Let's Get Knotty by Avery Elle

Embellishments: gem & brads from Recollections

Heartfelt Thanks with The Craft's Meow

The day has finally arrived !

It's The Craft's Meow January Release

Team Blog Hop

I hope you stopped by from my friend

Jessica Fick's Blog

If not, I would love for you to join us from the start at

The Craft's Meow Blog

because someone is going to win the

entire collection of new releases and it could be you !

I created today's card using

'Happy as a Lark' and 'Many Thanks'

I laid down my 'wallpaper' base using paper from Lily Bee Design.

I wrapped the seam with binding & baker's twine from The Twinery.

I stamped the lark on the top half.

 

On a separate piece of cardstock, I stamped another lark, cut it out

and shaded it with color.  I adhered it just off-center from the one

on the base card so it would bring a little dimension.

I die cut the vine and gave it some dimension with Stickles.

I stamped the sentiment on a Spellbinder's die cut frame

and embellished it with black gems & Liquid Pearls.

Don't forget . . .

'Lark Additions' is this month's FREE GIFT w/$50 purchase.

It's the PERFECT compliment to the set I featured today.

The sentiments are simply beautiful.

To have the BEST CHANCE TO WIN the entire collection of new releases,

pay a visit to our designer's blogs,

leave a comment where you can and cross your fingers

all by 9pm PST, Wednesday January 23rd.

One random winner will be chosen from one of the blogs

on the hop.  

Speaking of the hop, it's time to send you on to

Karen Baker's Blog

She is the illustrator behind the beautiful lark designs

and I know she will have beautiful inspiration for you !

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

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Designs

Stamps: Happy as a Lark & Many Thanks 
by The Craft's Meow

Tools: Grommet Tags by Spellbinders, 
Season's Greetings Phrase by Sizzix, Big Shot
Embellishments:  baker's twine in Ocean & Platinum Shimmer
by The Twinery
seam binding from Sugar Lump Studios Etsy Shop
gems by Recollections
Stickles & Liquid Pearls by Ranger

 

Many...MANY Thanks!

It's getting closer!

We're on the final day of the New Release Previews over at

Today's set is . . .

'Many Thanks'

designed by Kaitlyn Ord

I have a small selection of washi tape and have been dragging my
feet when it comes to using it.
When I saw that the challenge over at
Simon Says Stamp was to use washi tape, I was inspired get a roll out
and have fun.  This tape is from Freckled Fawn.

Because this roll has multiple graphic designs, I just

cut my each layer to the desired length & cut them free-hand into long banners.

I then die cut sentiment banners & placed them on top of each column.

The banners were cut using a die from Lil' Inker Designs.

I love this stamp set because of the multiple styles and sentiments

to say 'thank you' and I think you will too ! !

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST this evening to comment to be eligible.

I hope you will join us tomorrow as we share the
entire release during our team blog hop.
The day the stamps go on sale is always an exciting day !

See you soon ! ! !

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Stamps: Many Thanks by The Craft's Meow

Tools: banner die by Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot
Embellishments: washi tape from Freckled Fawn 
mini brads by Recollections

Happy as a Lark!

It's getting closer!

We're on Day #3 of the New Release Previews over at

and today we share two sets with you,

one is this month's 'free gift with purchase'!

Today's sets are . . .

'Happy as a Lark'

and
'Lark Additions'
designed by the talented Karen Baker

I simply adore these sets.  

I love the images . . . I love the fonts of the sentiments . . .

I love them all !

This card is fairly straightforward in it's design.

I used a very old {and I mean like, 14 years old}

cloud template to create the subtle sky,

then stamped each image and layered things as you see.

 

For the tree trunks, I actually stamped in brown first

then 'shadowed' in gray to create dimension.

The inks are Memento & A Muse Studio,

the baker's twine is Cappuccino & Ocean from The Twinery.

'Lark Additions' is this month's 'Free Gift w/$50 Purchase'

It's such a fabulous addition with it's pretty sentiments.

Free for a limited time!

How would you like a chance to win these sets ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST, January 20th to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with the final fabby preview.

See you soon ! ! !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: Coordinations & GinaK Designs

Stamps: Happy as a Lark & Lark Additions by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: baker's twine in Ocean & Cappuccino
from The Twinery 

'Sew' Fun with The Craft's Meow

It's day #2 of the January New Release Previews from

Make sure you stop by the TCM blog, because we are revealing

new sets each day.  Our design team is simply...fabulous

and I know you'll be inspired.

This month, TCM welcomes

Jennifer Ingle

as our Guest Designer.

Her design work is, well ... AWESOME!

Today's set is called 

'Crafty Shelf'

designed by NinaB Designs for TCM.

Whenever I find stamps with sewing elements, it makes me

think of my grandma.  She taught herself to sew and I was

the beneficiary as I had the most 'one of a kind' Barbie wardrobe on the planet!

I created this card using fun, bright paper from My Mind's Eye

and kept it simple.

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST, January 18th to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.

Don't forget, a brand new color challenge is up and running over at

See you soon ! ! !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned Paper: 'Sunny' by My Mind's Eye

Stamps: Crafty Shelf by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: gems from Little Yellow Bicycle
markers from Copic

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Are you ready ??

It's time for the January New Release Previews from

If you've been visiting the TCM blog, I'll bet you've been

'intrigued' by the sneak peeks and today, we start revealing

more each day.  Our design team is simply...fabulous

and I know you'll be inspired.

This month, TCM welcomes

Jennifer Ingle

as our Guest Designer.

Her design work is, well ... AWESOME!

Today's set is called 

'Beautiful Hymns'

designed by NinaB Designs for TCM.

{I apologize in advance for the lighting in these photos...dreary days here}

I love sets that have vines, ivy ... any type of free form stems

that can be stamped as an accent.  I used the one from this set

by stamping it in green & teal.

I still love this patterned paper from SEI and thought it paired

nicely with the 3-D sticker from KandCompany.

The hymn featured in this set is called 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'.

It's a song I grew up singing in church and still means

a lot to me today.

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST, January 18th to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.

Don't forget, a brand new color challenge is up and running over at

See you soon ! ! !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: GinaK Designs

Patterned Paper: 'Couture' by SEI

Stamps: Beautiful Hymns by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: die cut sticker & gems from K&Company
Ink: A Muse Studio

Celebrate Today with Zva Creative & The Play Date Cafe

Hello and welcome back to The Open Window.

I must admit, I haven't had a lot of time to spend on my

blog since the New Year began, but that is about to change I will be sharing

over the next 5+ days here, so buckle up !

We've had a very special 'guest'

staying with us since New Year's Eve . . .

My son Alex is staying with us after being away for

an extended period of time and it's been really great

having him here.

I've been spending a lot of time with him and

enjoying each minute of it!

His oldest nephew CJ had a great first day with him

{as you can see}

Now on to the challenge from

This week's colors are . . .

Plum . . . Mustard . . . Rose

I created this card using beautiful gems, pearls & that gorgeous rose,

all from Zva Creative.  

I love being a part of the Zva team!

The 'mustard' on this project came out a bit more peach in the photo.

To create this card, I embossed the panel using Sizzix's

'Leaves & Swirls' embossing folder.

From there, I layed out my design until I was happy with it,

then attached each flourish.  The rose center is one big

beautiful pearl !

The stamps are from The Craft's Meow.

I really hope you can play along with us this week.

The colors are marvelous and I'm looking forward to

some beautiful creations in our gallery.

Come check out what our design team created.

Have I mentioned lately just how talented these ladies are ? !

I'll see you back here Thursday morning for some

pretty fabulous previews from The Craft's Meow

January release !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: GinaK Designs
Stamps: Good Times by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: gems & pearl flourish & silk flower

from **Zva Creative

Tools: Leaves & Swirls EF from Sizzix

** Zva product codes:

White Pearl Flourish CRB-04CB-108

Purple Gem Flourish CRB-05CA-107

Pink Pearl CRW-05CA-116

Silk Rose FL-04CA-136

 

Retiring Stamps from The Craft's Meow

Welcome to The Open Window

and

I wish you a

BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today is the beginning of a great week

as I am hopping along with my friends over at

The uber-talented Jessica Fick is the designer

on the hop just before me, so hopefully you

came by way of her blog.

If not, get started over at

The Craft's Meow Blog

because there's a great prize to a lucky commenter!

For all the details, make sure to visit the store blog.

This month we are featuring

RETIRING SETS

These sets can be found by

 CLICKING HERE

and are an

ADDITIONAL 15% OFF

the SALE PRICE

Oh so cute and yummy!

This set is called 'One Scoop or Two'

and is a fun & fabby set to be sure!

This is one of my favorite sets called 'Travel Time'

Yep . . . It's retiring, so grab it now !!

The sale runs from January 7th - 12th

It's time to send you on your way to see my very

talented friend, Karen Baker

She is the next step on the hop.

Have a terrific day!