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

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

Memories with Zva Creative & Authentique

Happy Friday

and

Welcome in to The Open Window !

I am so glad you came by today because I am taking part in

day #3 of a very INspirational blog hop

I really enjoy being a part of the Zva Creative team

and adore the beautiful designs of Authentique . . .

it's a terrific match !

The beautiful 'Hope' collection from Authentique is simply lovely.

I love the double-sided papers because there are so many options.

I layered two designs as my base then placed the sentiment sticker

{which is in the shape of an file card} on top.

I cut the eggs from another designer sheet and layered those

over the beautiful Soft Blue Crystal & Pearl Flourish from Zva.

I centered my flowers from Prima with taupe pearls also from Zva.

Each element is layered 'above' the next to create lots of dimension.

Zva Creative will be selecting two lucky winners who comment along the three day blog hop to win a Zva prize package worth $30 and Authentique’s Hope collection.  All comments must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, March 25th EST.  The winner will be announced on Zva’s blog on Tuesday, March 26th.

Please make sure to leave a little love before

you move on because the more you leave comments

on the hop trail, the more chances you have to win !

Here's who's participating today:

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville

Authentique Blog 

Zva Creative Blog

 

 

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Hope by Authentique

Embellishments: crystal & pearl flourish {CRB-05CA-108}

taupe pearls {CRW-04CB-139}

from Zva Creative
flowers from Tea-Thyme by Prima 

 

All in Good {Pun} with The Craft's Meow

Hello & welcome to Day #1 of New Release Previews

and

the 2nd Birthday Celebration Week over at

It's so hard to believe that time has passed by oh so quickly!

We are really happy to welcome our March Guest Designer

Stacey Schafer

I know you will enjoy her inspiring designs this week!

Today, we kick off the New Release Previews with a peek

at a VERY fun set designed by Karen Baker called

'Birthday Pun'

I love . . . love . . . LOVE this set!

I created this card very simply by layering elements beginning with

the uber-large Geometric Medallion border by Martha Stewart.

On top of that, I placed a layer of beautiful paper from Authentique

and finally, shadow-stamped my elephant & sentiment.

I decided to add a bit more dimension by stamping the

chevrons from TCM's Geometric Foundations set.

OH ... the answer to the question is indeed stamped inside.

To celebrate this week, TCM will be giving away not one but . . .

TWO of the FEATURED STAMP SETS EACH DAY

Simply visit the TCM blog, leave a quick note to say hello

by 8pm PST each day & you just might win !

I'm so very glad you stopped by.

Make sure you let me know you were here and fingers

crossed that you'll be a winner !

Project Recipe:

 Patterned Paper: Hope by Authentique
Stamps: Birthday Pun & Geometric Foundations by The Craft's Meow
Tools: Geometric Medallion Deep Edge Punch from Martha Stewart

Happy Easter with The Craft's Meow

I'm so happy you stopped by today because it's time

for a little inspiration for Spring.

It's our TCM March Blog Hop!

If you've already been hopping with us, then you

should be swinging by from my dear friend & teammate

Jessica Fick's blog

If not, I'd love for you to start over at

The Craft's Meow blog

and hop along with us.

Each designer has worked hard to bring you a

fabulous creation for Easter Encouragement.

Ever since TCM released the 'Easter Blessings' set

I've been in love.  The little critters in this set are so sweet.

I grabbed this Sizzix circle frame EF & embellished it with

a little ink & Liquid Pearls.

The paper is from Authentique.

The lacey flower was cut from a 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye.

I cut it out & embellished it with a fun button & baker's twine from The Twinery.

A few tiny pearls and done.

Here is the adorable stamp set I used...

 

The next stop on the hop today is the very creative

Lin Brandyberry's blog

Thanks so much for stopping by.

I'd love to hear from you !

Project Recipe:

 Patterned Paper: Faith by Authentique

& Love Me by My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Easter Blessings by The Craft's Meow
Tools: Circle Frame EF by Sizzix, Big Shot
Embellishments: baker's twine in Strawberry by The Twinery

Liquid Pearls in Buttercup by Ranger

pearls by Recollections

 

Baby Love in Baker's Twine

Hello and welcome in to The Open Window.

I'm covering a couple of MAJOR things with this post

as it's NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP DAY over at

and it's my day to post for

I am thrilled to have my project based on these fabulous

colors because the stamps I chose to use worked

perfectly with these colors.

Before we get too far, I want to make sure you came by

way of my very talented friend

Jessica Fick's blog

If not, we would love for you to start over at

The Craft's Meow blog

because as you know, our hop includes a grand prize

of all five sets to one lucky commenter!

Our team over at The Play Date Cafe all played with

baker's twine from The Twinery in

Stone . . . Buttercream . . .Denim

I chose to use TCM's beautiful 'Baby Shelf' stamp set to create this card.

I thought the images with the colors for this color challenge worked well.

I recently picked up a few new collections while on a little trip

to the Chicago burbs and picked up paper from Authentique & BasicGrey.

I simply layered my pieces & created a bookmark as an addition.

I used Liquid Pearls in Buttercup & Baby Blue

and of course the beautiful baker's twine.

Here is the set I used . . .

Don't forget, you can get 'Soaring High' for a limited time

as a FREE GIFT w/$50 purchase too!

It's time to get you on your way to the very creative

Lin Brandyberry's blog

Make sure to leave a note saying you stopped by

and please take time to check out all the

beautiful creations from the designers of

The Play Date Cafe.

We would love to have you play along!

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Renew by Authentique & Fiction by BasicGrey
Stamps: Baby Shelf by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: pearls from Zva Creative

Buttercup & Baby Blue Liquid Pearls by Ranger

baker's twine in Stone, Buttercream & Denim all from The Twinery

Tools: Lacey Squares by Spellbinders, Big Shot

 

 

Rejoice! {with} The Craft's Meow

It's another beautiful day here at The Open Window

as we celebrate New Release Previews over at

Today, we share two beautiful sets with you.

The first is 'Rejoice'

designed by Kaitlyn Ord

We are also happy to present

our FREE w/$50 purchase set

'Soaring High'

designed by Nina B Designs

I really love this quote and have been a fan of AW Tozer's writings
for a long time.  This is a perfect sentiment for graduations this spring.
I used Authentique's 'Renew' collection { how appropriate } for my
'wallpaper' and punched a twig border using one of my
favorite Martha Stewart punches.

Of course, pearl flourishes from Zva Creative are always a good touch.

How would you like a chance to win one of 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.

You have until 8pm PST, February 21st to comment to be eligible.

Thanks so much for coming by.
I'll see you tomorrow for our New Release Blog Hop.

Rejoice Project Recipe:

 Patterned Paper: Fact & Fiction by BasicGrey
Stamps: Rejoice by The Craft's Meow

Tools: Labels 18 by Spellbinders, Big Shot
Embellishments: 
brown multi pearl flourish (CR-05CA-125)
small taupe pearls (CRW-04CB-139)
taupe rose (FL-04CA-135)
all by Zva Creative

Let Your Heart Soar Project Recipe:

 Patterned Paper: Renew by Authentique
Stamps: Soaring High by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Teal Zeal & Espresso Truffle Memento by Tsukineko 

Tools: Twig border punch by Martha Stewart
Embellishments: 
pearl flourish (CRB-04CB-108) by Zva Creative
Stardust Stickles by Ranger