Shifting Gears...Babies & Valentines...

 I have been having so much fun playing with two different paper collections, so I thought I would share these with you.

The first is Graphic45...'Baby 2 Bride'.

 

I used 3 different pages from this collection.

The base is 'Sentimental Baby' that I ran through

'The Bug' using the Swiss Dot EF.  I love this page because it has the verses to 'Rock a Bye Baby'

The next layer is 'Unforgettable'.  This page has a variety of squares that can be used together or can be cut apart.  I used 6 squares together.

The final addition was the sweet tag from the 'Tags' page.  This page has the most beautiful tags to choose from.

I distressed the edges of two layers and embellished with satin pearls, trim and platinum Stickles.

Now for something completely different.....

This Valentine card features the beautiful 'Artsy Urban' collection from GCD Studios.

I love the texture of all the collections from this company.  These papers are no exception.  The linen finishes and embossed glittered roses are so beautiful!

I die cut the scalloped hearts from Spellbinders and layered them using dimensional tape.  I added Prima flowers and centered one with an 'Artsy Urban' crochet flower.

The sweet angels were taken from 'The Book of Friendship'.  I love these chunky books that can usually be found in the Bargain Book section of Barnes & Noble.  They make great clip art!

Of course,
I couldn't finish without some vintage lace, vibrant rhinestones and icicle Stickles.

So there you have it....two VERY DIFFERENT creations.

Both will be available in my Etsy shop.

Before I go, I wanted to say thank you TO YOU!  I have loved getting to know so many of you through your visits to  

The Open Window.

I think 2010 will contain some very exciting months as we continue to communicate and share through this fabulous place.  My plans for New Year's Day is to play and create...I am making a deal with myself to use what I have.  Now, that doesn't mean that I won't be out there buying up the latest papers and stamps...that would be ridiculous!  No...my intentions are to try and use at least one thing I already have on hand in each of my projects and then share that with you.  So what do I have the MOST of that I need to use?  Paper...paper...PAPER!  Of course, many of us have things that we just don't want to part with...and I will hang on to those (and maybe share those along the way as well).  But I do need to start using more of my papers no matter how old they are.

So here is what I want to know from you?  What do you have the most of that you would be willing to try and use more of in the coming year's creativity?  I am sure we would ALL LOVE TO KNOW...so please leave me a comment....

Let's have fun with this!

Getting To Know You...Part 1

Thank you to all who have expressed interest in the new Play Date Cafe Challenges. I can tell you that the new design team are busy planning and playing to bring you some fabulous and unique challenges. So again, make sure you mark your calendar for Thursday, October 22nd as the first challenge is issued.

For the rest of this week, I will be introducing you to each designer, one by one, so that you will really get to know them....and today, we start with Alison. The projects that you see in this post are just a taste of what you can expect from this talented lady. The card above has been a favorite of mine ever since it won for another color challenge. Unique, isn't it?!

Alison brings quite a creative resume to
The Play Date Cafe and I am excited to share it.

Alison writes: Wow! Where to begin?

I live in Utah with my wonderful husband, and two beautiful children. Stretch who is 9 years old and Bubbles who is 14 months old… that’s where I got my blog name. Stretch N’ Bubbles. The names came from my dad.. Poppie who gives each of the grandchildren “magic names” after they are born. so those are their magic names.

I have been crafting all my life. Ever since I can remember I have made/created things.


I really started “Scrapbooking/Card making” in 1996 when my dear friend Lisa Bearnson introduced to her new magazine Creating Keepsakes.. after that I was HOOKED!.. I do both scrapbooking and card making.. I enjoy each for different but similar reasons. I love to create, design, and do anything with my hands.

I have been published in many magazines, worked for Creating Keepsakes as a designer for products sold on QVC, and won many contests. I am truly excited to be starting this new adventure with 'The Play Date Cafe'.

I hope to inspire you and maybe even stretch the use of some of the items you have just lying around your house. I can’t wait to play, and also, I can’t wait to meet and be inspired by each and every one of you.

So...that's a little bit about Alison. I know that you will come to know her and the other designers even more as the challenges begin. Tomorrow, you will meet Sandra!

BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY...Just a reminder! If you haven't grabbed your Play Date Cafe button yet, there is still plenty of time. You will find it to your right, the one that says 'I Play at the Play Date Cafe'. Copy and paste it to your sidebar, leave me a comment and let me know...that's it. The 'candy' is a surprise, but I promise, YOU WILL LOVE IT! Even more importantly, we hope you are planning to play along when the challenges start and PLEASE...share the news with your friends. Deadline for the blog candy is Wednesday, October 21st.