Red, White & Blue Inspiration

Yep...the 4th of July is almost here!

It's always an interesting time in our home

as I am married to a 'very' British Englishman.

Yes, that is one redundant phrase, but it was

meant to emphasize just how 'British' he is!

He really enjoys the celebrations we have during

the holiday & after nearly 24 years here in the

U.S. he has come to love our patriotism.

Well today, I'm sharing this project over at The Twinery
& thought it would be fun to share here

how quick & easy it is to add an accent of

twine here & there to make your card 'pop'!

{no pun intended}

This is actually my second patriotic card in two days... I'll 're-share' the other
in a moment...

Once again, I used Authentique's 'Pride' Collection for my background
and this time, I stamped & die-cut my anchor using a Hero Arts set.
I created a border between paper designs using blue pearls from  
Zva Creative. The waves & sentiment are from Avery Elle.
My favorite cloud die still comes from Lil' Inker Designs.
I used an EF from LifeStyle Crafts appropriately called 'Waves'
to create the texture in the clouds and added a touch of
baker's twine in Denim from The Twinery.

Yesterday, I shared a card featuring bling from Zva Creative.
Here's a peek . . .

Make sure you stop by THAT POST to see the rest & leave a 
comment for your chance to win a terrific prize package from Zva Creative.
FIVE of them will be given away from random comments on any one
designer's blog, so don't leave without a quick hello!

Hope you enjoyed a little 'Red, White & Blue' Inspiration!


Project Recipe: 
Patterned Paper: Pride by Authentique

Stamps: Knotty by Avery Elle 
Embellishments: baker's twine in Denim

from The Twinery

blue pearls {PEW-03CB-118} from Zva Creative 
Tools: Tides EF from LifeStyle Crafts, Big Shot

Cloud die from Lil' Inker Designs

Zva Creative June Design Team Blog Hop

Zva Creative and my fellow Design Team members welcome you to our 
June blog hop! 
We are excited about it and look forward to be 
sharing our new work with you!

Today's Blog Hop begins at Zva Creative's blog! Be sure head on over to check it out! 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.

I really had fun creating this card.
I was totally inspired by this week's assignment
over at The Twinery, which was to create
something using red, white & blue.

I bought the 6x6 pad 'Pride' by Authentique
on my last trip to Archivers & knew what I
wanted to start with.  I laid down my
'wallpaper' and went from there.

The focal point bling is the beautiful red
flourish from Zva Creative.  Even though
bling tends to be on the more 'sophisticated'
side, it totally works with this Americana
look, don't you think?

The burlap star is from Little Yellow Bicycle
and the sentiments are from Paper Smooches.

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, June 24^th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, June 25^th.

***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, June 26^th 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! 

The blog hop begins here at Zva Creative's blog.

Your next stop is

Jolanda Meurs blog

Enjoy!

Thank you for joining us! 

P.S. Mark your calendar to join us again 

on July 29^th for our next Zva blog hop! 

And don't forget to leave a comment for your chance

to win one of those great prize packages!


Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Pride by Authentique

Stamps: Sentiment Sampler from Paper Smooches

Embellishments: Red Flourish {CR-06CA-107} from Zva Creative

baker's twine Silver Metallic from The Twinery

Burlap Star sticker from Little Yellow Bicycle

Tools: Banner die by Sizzix, Big Shot

 

Flourishing Thanks - The Craft's Meow Blog Hop

The day has finally arrived !

It's The Craft's Meow 
June Release Blog Hop

I hope you stopped by from my friend & new TCM designer

Jinny Newlin'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

all four stamp sets
and it could be you !
More on that in a moment !

Today, the entire collection goes on sale!

For today's project, I revisited the

'Fancy Flourishes' set

designed by NinaB Designs

which is this month's

FREE GIFT w/$50 purchase

I created the 'wallpaper' for my card using the beautiful papers

from Authentique.

I added a ribbon border in the middle and the

stunning gem flourish is from Zva Creative.

This set has so many possibilities...create fun graphic elements

or simple elegance.  Either way, it's a GREAT ADDITION

for your stamp collection !

 

Here is another quick peek at the card I created using

the same set during our Preview Week.

 

The colors were inspired by this week's challenge at

 

 

 

 

You can view

the details of this card by clicking HERE

 

Here is the complete set . . .

and remember, it's only available for a limited time

FREE w/$50 purchase

YOU COULD WIN
the entire collection of new releases

pay a visit to our designer's blogs,

leave a comment and cross your fingers

all by 8pm PST, Sunday June 23rd.

One random winner will be chosen 
from one of the blogs on the hop

so make sure you leave a comment
here before you leave.
 

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

Lin Brandyberry's Blog

Thanks so much for coming by . . . Fingers crossed you win
and enjoy the rest of the inspiration from the TCM team !

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Renew by Authentique
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes by The Craft's Meow

Ink: Lido & Slate from A Muse Studio
Embellishments:  Smoke Crystal Flourish {CRB-05CA-113}
from Zva Creative
Elle ribbon from American Crafts

Fancy Flourishes with The Craft's Meow

Hello and welcome to the final day of

New Release Previews for

Today we have a great set called

'Fancy Flourishes'

illustrated by NinaB Designs

 This set is TCM's

FREE GIFT w/$50 purchase set

I am taking my inspiration from the new color combo

over at

Now... you may not see the Chartreuse or Jade in this photo,

but I assure you,the daisies on this card

are the perfect color in real life.

I've had this DCWV pad forever & found the design on the paper

was perfect color-wise.  So all I had to do is add the Orange Zest.

I stamped the 'Fancy Flourishes' as an over-lay on the paper...

Easy-Peasy!

The beautiful flower centers are from Zva Creative.

As always, YOU have 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 8pm PST, tonight to comment to be eligible.

Tomorrow all sets go on sale & our fabulous design team

will bring you their creations during the

New Release Blog Hop...please make plans to join us.

 

So glad you could stop by today !

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Ledger by DCWV
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Crystal gems {CRW-06CA-148}

from Zva Creative

Sweet Memories with The Craft's Meow

Hello !

I'm so glad you could stop by today because I have

another New Release Preview for you from

Today we have a great set called

'Sweet Memories'

illustrated by NinaB Designs

 

This is a great set for those who enjoy doing 'Project Life' !

I pulled out some more new 6x6 pads, this time from GCD Studios
and got to work with layering.
I stamped my journal card image and worked from there.
The lovely pearl flourishes & mini-roses are from Zva Creative.
I thought they added just the right touch of embellishment for this card.

The swiss-dot ribbon is one of my favorites & no longer sold.
I try to keep a little in my stash but it's dwindling.  I thought the
color worked really well for this card.
It's from Autumn Leaves.

As always, YOU have 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 8pm PST, tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another TCM preview.
So glad you could stop by today !


Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Journeys & Happiness from GCD Studios
Stamps: Sweet Memories by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Pearl Flourish {CRW-06CA-145}
and mini-roses in lavender & lime transition from Zva Creative
French Twist ribbon from Autumn Leaves
Stardust Stickles & Liquid Pearls from Ranger,
mini brads from Recollections

Kindred Spirits from The Craft's Meow

It is Day #2 of

NEW RELEASE PREVIEWS WEEK

at

Today we have a beautiful set called

'Kindred Spirits'

illustrated by Karen Baker

Paul and I love pansies.  We see 'faces' in each different design

and with this set from TCM, you will have an opportunity to put

beautiful 'faces' and color combos together.

For this card, I used a variety of inks from Memento to create

an overall background . . . very bold and bright !

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 8pm PST, tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another TCM preview.


Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: gingham from A Muse
Stamps: Kindred Spirits by The Craft's Meow

Inks: Memento
Embellishments: Amy Tangerine ribbon from America Crafts,
Stardust Stickles & Liquid Pearls from Ranger,
mini brads from Recollections

So Blessed ~ 4 Years of Blogging

Happy Monday and the beginning of a great week here

at The Open Window.

I am celebrating FOUR YEARS of blogging

(my first post was June 14, 2009)

and the sentiment on today's card says it all.

In so many ways, it seems like just yesterday

I posted my first thoughts & photos.

I've also been blessed to work with some pretty

aMAZing companies along the way.

Today....I come to you representing one of

my very favorites !

It is

NEW RELEASE PREVIEWS WEEK

at

Let's get things started here with a gorgeous set called

'Beautiful Rose'

illustrated by Nina B Designs

 I recently picked up a batch of new 6x6 pads on an Archivers
shopping trip and couldn't wait to start using them.  Most of the paper
on this card feature 'Down by the Shore' from Fancy Pants Design.
The rose was cut from Authentique's 'Pride' collection.
Although there are a few elements on this card by way of punched
borders using Fiskars Apron Lace ( great go-to punch),
a hand-cut flag & baker's twine in Canteloupe & Denim from The Twinery,
it still goes back to that 'Beautiful Rose'

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 8pm PST, tonight to comment to be eligible.

I've also had the pleasure of working for
aNOTHer aMAZing company
for the past
3 years and wanted to let you know that there is a
TERRIFIC CHALLENGE
going on right now over there . . .

Whether you use a 'little' or a 'lot', 
as long as you use baker's twine on your project
YOU CAN ENTER!
Check out all the details HERE

I sure hope you'll leave a little note here as well.
I'd love to know you stopped by.
See you again tomorrow for another
terrific preview from TCM!

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Down by the Shore by Fancy Pants Design
and Pride by Authentique
Stamps: Beautiful Rose by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: baker's twine in solid Canteloupe & Denim by The Twinery
Tools: Apron Lace border punch by Fiskars

Blue Skies Smiling at Me

H.E.L.L.O !!!

I know I've been a little absent this week.

It's been a busy time at Casa de Murray, but it's great

to be here to share the brand new color challenge over at
 

This is one gorgeous color palette, isn't it ?!!

I just love it and it was the perfect setting for the stamps

I used for this card.
 

This week's sponsor in The Cafe is Great Impressions & these stamps

are simply sweet.  I pulled out my favorite Cloud & Rainbow dies

from Lil' Inker Designs and used DCWV paper for the colors.
 

I sure hope you will join us this week!

It's sure to be colorful and someone is going to win a

wonderful prize from ...
 

Thanks again for stopping by and please say

hello before you leave.

Project Recipe:

 Cardstock: Collage Art by DCWV
Stamps: Birdies on a Swing & For Friends by Great Impressions
Tools: Rainbow & Clouds die from Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot