Sharing Inspiration for Your Mother's Day Weekend

Happy Saturday to you!

Many of us are thinking about Mother's Day

and scrambling to make cards and 

find just that perfect gift.

I struggle when it comes to gifts for my mom.

She is a pretty 'simple' woman

who really does require much and what

she does need, she usually goes out

and gets before anyone else can.

So to be truthful, I am still trying to decide

what it's going to be.

To help inspire us all, 

I thought I would share this lovely creation

made by Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations.

As you know, she is my friend and colleague

as a senior designer over in

The Play Date Cafe

and this was inspired by this week's

color inspiration photo.

Mona is also on the 2010 Spellbinders Team

and they have featured this wonderful card

on their blog/forum as well.

Here are the colors again for you to see.

She did a fabulous job, didn't she!!

So here is what I want to know....

How will you celebrate Mother's Day?

Are you ready with a gift or are you still

searching or creating?

Do you have a favorite Mother's Day

memory that you could share?

Please leave a comment and let me know.

It's always so lovely to hear from YOU!

Love is in the Air...it's a Private Blend!

 

This is a fabulous week over at The Play Date Cafe!

Not only do we have an open design team call going on at the moment, but we also have a new  

Cafe feature with a designer opportunity.

This week, I was totally inspired by The Play Date Cafe's first 

'Private Blend' Designer.

Before I tell you about that inspiration, I want to also thank my friend

Maria Medeiros from CozyComfyCouch Photography & Design.

Maria has graciously provided this fabulous inspiration photo

for this week's challenge.

 

Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations is our first

'Private Blend' Designer and her tissue paper flowers are so beautiful.

I decided it was time to make a few of my own 

inspired by her terrific style.

I also managed a little 'Boo' with this project by using flocked DP from

Prima's Nursery Rhyme Collection, 

and this fabulous Paper Inspirations

stamp that I have had for over five years and had never inked!

The textured hearts were a part of a die cut package that came free with one of my British stamping magazines.

Hope you will take this opportunity to play with these great  

Valentine-y colors over at The Play Date Cafe.  

Head on over and find out how you can be a 

'Private Blend' Designer!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #8 and yes, a little sadness...

Bet you didn't expect these colors this time of the year, did ya?!  Well, when you pop over to The Play Date Cafe and see what our Miss Alison has to say about her inspiration for this week's challenge, you may begin to look at Christmas colors
in a whole new way!

Some great surprises over there this week including our December Guest Designer, Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations. 
So head on over and we really hope you will play along this week!

Well my friends, this is what 14 inches of snow looks like out of Julie's Open Window.  Not much but a vast wasteland of white.  As many of you know, if you have been following me since the fall, our wonderful city tore out all of our existing tree lines and shrubs to make way for the 'road to nowhere' (click here to really get emotionally attached).  Last year at this time, this would have been such a lovely scene with the church just in the background, but those days, as they say, are gone.  Sad....yes I am.  I have found myself feeling a number of emotions that I never thought I would attach to the scene in my own backyard. 
But there they were, rearing their heads all day long.

This is one scene that hasen't changed.  The tiny view which comes with 14" of snow from the front door of our condo.  The winds were whipping around over 30 mph last night and this morning,
so my poor holiday flag just gave up.

I have lived all my life, with the exception of a few months here and way over there, in Northern Illinois.  I always thought that I would be sad if I couldn't spend this time of year right here with the snow and yes, the cold.  But I have to say, after a day like today, I am seriously re-thinking that idea!

So here is what I want to know from you.....

What have you given up by moving from your roots that you never thought you would miss, but now you reeeaally do?   
Please leave me a comment. 
I know I am not the only one who has experienced these feelings of 'should we, shouldn't we' and your response just might be the medicine I need!

As my 4 year old grandson Caleb used to say...
'See you Umorrow!'  : )

Are the Snowflakes Falling Where You Are?

The weatherman said, for nearly a week straight, that we would have snow on Thanksgiving Day.  Well...not even a flurry,
so I decided to create my own!
This card will be available in my Etsy shop but may not last long,
so if you are interested, get on over!

These fabulous new patterned papers called 'Merrymint'
are from American Crafts.

It is a 'busy' card to be sure but I had fun with it!

The snowflakes are actually cut from Basic Grey's
'Eskimo Kisses' collection.

I used a Spellbinder's Snowflake die and the Martha Stewart  
Arctic Snowflake punch.

For the frosty icicles, I turned to Martha once again
with the Icicle Border punch.

Everything was topped off with Icicle Stickles and a few brads.

The stamp is from Inkadinkado.

This beautiful creation comes from my friend
Mona at Cupcake's Creations.

It arrived this week as a belated birthday wish along with a sweet package of metal embellishments that I happily added to my collection.  What a lovely surprise!

As if that wasn't enough, I was also informed that I won the above blog candy from Mona's blog in celebration of her 200th follower.  I must say I was incredibly surprised and can't wait to start playing with that Paisley EF from Cuttlebug.
That has been on my wish list for awhile!

Thank you so much, Mona....for honoring your followers 
but most of all, your friends...

Oh Baby....It's Another Challenge!

   I mentioned yesterday that my friend Mona from Cupcake's Creations is a part of a new challenge called 'Just Us Girls'...she is this week's host...and here is my offering!

 

The challenge this week was to add a 3-D flower to a project.

I have been wanting to play around with crepe paper flowers for the past couple of weeks and this was a great opportunity to do so.  I had a 3-tiered flower ready, but not in the colors I needed to complete this baby card, so will have to share that with you another time.

I love the retro vibe that crepe paper adorned with glitter provides.  I used patterned papers from Prima's Nursery Rhyme Collection and did a little distressing.  To make the glittering really simple, I used Stickles in silver, on both the flower and the sentiment frame.  Of course, the frame was made using Spellbinders Labels die cuts and a sentiment from Phrase Cafe.  The pastel pearls finish it off.

Speaking of challenges, did you get the new color combo for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge?  If not, get on over and see what's next...and while you are there, I hope you will congratulate our Spotlight entry and Fab 4 winners.  All of our participants did a fabulous job last week...and now, it's YOUR turn!

BOO! Catchin' Up With You!

I was trying to think of all the things that I have done over the past couple of weeks that I haven't talked about.
I've been extremely busy organizing The Play Date Cafe Blog
and my attention has been divided.

So let's catch up, shall we?!

 There have been a lot of fun things going on in blog land, especially this month.  The weekend of October 17th-18th, I participated in 'The Hauntingly Magical Celebration' sponsored by A Fanciful Twist.  This was a blog hop-style party to end all parties!  I visited over 300 blogs and met so many creative people.  Yes, I truly did visit each blog and yes, it really did take me two days, but it was terrific.  One of the bonuses when you participate in these hops is that many hosts have giveaways just for stopping by and leaving a comment.  I was notified not once, but twice this week that I would be receiving gifts.  So when those arrive, I will be sure to share them with you.  I was also contacted by Michelle from Faerie Dust Dreams.  She mentioned that I was officially her 100th follower, so she is sending something as well.
WOW!  What a week!

 What else?  OH!  My friend Mona from Cupcake's Creations was recently asked to participate on the DT for the new Just Us Girls (JUGS) Challenge.  I am doing my best to get a project submitted to show my support and I hope you will make a visit as well.  Mona is actually this week's host so perfect timing!  When I was over at Mona's blog earlier today, I left my comment and as on many of our blogs, I had to type in the 'verification code' before my comment was complete.  Well, look what my code was:

How fun was it to find a security code 
that actually had some meaning?!

Well...I think it's time for me to get ready for tomorrow's  
Play Date Cafe Challenge.  Are you ready to play this week?  I hope so.  The designers and I have had so much fun preparing projects to jump start your creative juices.  Our first challenge had entries from all over the globe and we couldn't be happier.

 Beginning at midnight EST, you will see not only the new challenge for the coming week but also

OUR VERY FIRST CHALLENGE WINNER 
and our 
FAB 4 HONORABLE MENTIONS!

Good luck to all!

Look What I Got!

So I went to my mailbox today and saw a package that I had been expecting, which were the last batch of tags for our tag swap. I opened the package in great anticipation and not only found the tags, but also this beautiful card. I know my photo does not do it justice, but I had to share it with you.

It's from Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations. What Mona doesn't know is that since I was a little girl, I have been in love with any combination of pink, gray, black & white. I just love it.
If you haven't visited her blog yet, run...don't walk! Mona and I converse at least once or twice a day, so I usually know when she has a new post up, but I STILL check out her blog several times a day. Lots and lots of eye candy from this talented lady.

Going to keep this post short tonight. I am the next DT member to post for Artful INKables tomorrow and want to make sure that I have everything done for the morning. I had 2 of my grandsons for part of the day today and early in the morning I will have the 3rd for a few hours, so time is at a premium.

I just want to say to ALL OF YOU....I have so appreciated all of the kind comments that have still been coming in regarding the devastation of our land just out our back door. I have heard from people all over the world and have even been the sole subject of a blog or two. As I said yesterday, I know it's not the end of the world, but it definitely has disrupted our lives in a major way. To have those monster machines just outside of my art studio window makes it very difficult to concentrate. But I will do my best to focus on what I love....that's being creative and sharing this blog with you. I plan to share a few more photos with you tomorrow of what's going on out there, let you know what action I have taken and then move on from there.
Thank you...thank you...thank you...for your kindness...

News From The Open Window

Even though I haven't offered much in the way of posting this weekend, there has still been a lot going on. As I said yesterday, I have been gathering a bunch of new 'goodies' to have a little fun with. You may recognize the EF from Cuttlebug that I used on this card. I enjoyed doing something a bit simpler...just added a little 'bling' with a variety of rhinestones, pearls and glitter glue.

Let's see...what else did I want to share? OH! My new Artful Inkables stamps arrived and I know the rest of the design team are already working on some great projects. Also, mark your calendars because the AI BLOG HOP begins Saturday, August 15th! I will make sure I remind you this coming week, but you will not want to miss seeing the new stamp sets that will be available starting on that date and of course, if you participate in THE HOP, you just may win ALL 3 BRAND NEW STAMP SETS!

Tags for the tag swap have started arriving as well. The first batch are pretty cool! I know Caz in the UK also put hers in the post and Ross from Australia should have hers on the way as well. A very international swap to say the least. As soon as I get the entire collection, I will post a gallery photo for all to see.

I very excited for my friend Mona over at Cupcake's Creations. Her blog went through a facelift over the weekend and it looks FABULOUS (say it with a high, wavy lilt, please)! If you haven't checked out her blog yet, please do. I love the talent of this lady and you need to get to know her a little bit.....that's all I'm sayin' for now......

Last but not least, as we bloggers reach milestones with our blogs, blog candy offers become quite the big deal. I am nearing my 100th follower, so it won't be long and I have already started gathering some pretty cool stuff for you to win (can you say Martha Stewart?). But in the meantime, I wanted to mention a fellow blogger who is doing the same in honor of not only her 1ooth follower, but also she has had 25,000 visits to her blog. Congrats to Steph over at Where'd All My Money Go?!
Head on over and leave a comment of congratulations for quite an accomplishment.

That's it for now....I have so many more things to share with you about some play dates that we will be offering with you, but those announcements will have to wait just a bit longer...STAY TUNED!

Julie Ranae's Wednesday Night Favs!

Here we are...another Wednesday night and I have a few new blog favorites that I am excited to share with you. We're going Shabby Chic tonight, one of my favorite styles, so let's get right to it!

How fun is this blog to read...LilyBean Paperie! I do love shabby chic and so does Melissa Phillips, the owner of this lovely blog. I am not only captivated by her projects but also her writing. Run, don't walk to this link. You'll be glad you did!

I don't even know where to start on this next fav....Shabby Miss Jen Designs. First just let me tell you that the direct link is for the home page. There were so many links to offer to you, but I will let you decide where you want to go when you arrive there. Digital designs are very popular right now and the offerings by Jenna Beam are never ending. Make sure you do not miss clicking on the old-fashioned typewriter key at the top which says SMJ Blog. That is Jenna's personal blog, which is being updated, but it's so STILL worth the click!

Cupcakes & Sunshine...need I say more? I know my friend Mona at Cupcake's Creations would certainly agree with the subtitle of this pretty blog 'The World Needs a Little More...'. I love the colorful, dimensional creations shared by blog owner Lea and she clearly knows what we women want. The projects that have been pulled from her blog for publication have been replaced by BEAUTIFUL photos of....Orlando Bloom! Seriously....go see!

Over in the UK, there is a blog that I have come to love by an acquaintance of mine that I met through my friend Sarah. The Stamp Man, the store and the blog, are owned by Jill Tuck. She has been in business for a number of years, even before rubber stamping and paper crafting became popular over there. Her blog features some very unique designs by a very talented design team. I especially love the techniques using the Starburst Stains. So I hope you will check out Jill's blog. When you do, please tell her I said hello!

Well....I need to catch my breath after that trip in blogland. I hope you enjoy it as well and I will see you tomorrow with something completely different.

Spreading The Love

Isn't this little silk flower pretty? It started out white with a hint of baby blue around the edges, but I needed something rainbow-like in color, so I used my Colorbox Chalk Inks and dabbed directly on the flower until I had what I needed. Just thought I would share that with you because it's always good to experiment.
I continue to call it
'inking outside of the box'!

I have a few people that I want to honor with a little blog award.
I am impressed with every single blog that I visit because each one has something different to offer. No two are alike, each are unique and all have a wonderful purpose.


Sarah host of The Art of Moodling...many of you know that Sarah is one of my very best friends. She is from the U.K. and we have a very unique history(see the June archives).
I thank Sarah for encouraging me to get my blog 'in the air' as it were. I told Sarah just yesterday that if it weren't for her, my blog would still be just living inside of my head.

Paulette host of Beedeebabee...I met Paulette when we were both experiencing 'technical difficulties' with our blogs. Since then, she has been such an encourager
and quite probably, (and I say this laughing) one of my biggest fans! She and I are prime examples of how any type of art or craft can bring friends together.

Mona host of Cupcake's Creations...I've said it before, I have no idea how I stumbled on to Mona's blog, but it is pure eye-candy and I have quite a sweet tooth! I love her creativity and her world travels make you feel like you are traveling right along with her. She loves her followers and is always kind enough to take a moment to respond to each and every comment left on her blog. For that, we all thank you, Mona!

CelticWoman host of Paper Trail...she has such a lovely blog and always takes the time to leave comments when she visits. Make sure you take time to stop by and say hello.

Kelly host of Kreative Korner by Kelly...She has a really sweet blog, very colorful and fun projects are posted there. When you go to her blog, there are 2 things that will immediately catch your attention. Her colorful background and her 'sparkling' guestbook.
Make sure you 'sign in' when you stop by!

Thank you to these lovely ladies and to all who continue to support The Open Window.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Favorite Places to 'Hop' and Other Creative Ponderings...

This could prove to be a bit of a long post and my 2nd one of the day...how 'bout that?! It's nearly midnight here in the unseasonably cool state of Illinois, but I am looking forward to some great sleeping weather.

I managed to get a couple more cards done tonight using my new toy that I talked about earlier. I now affectionately refer to it as 'The Bug', so you do not have to worry about catching anything when I share project ideas with the aforementioned 'Bug'.

Also wanted to plug these great background cardstocks from Fancy Pants Designs. The 12 x 12 sheets of Design Cards are terrific for building your focal points on. Both of the cards featured here and last night's card use the design cards which are slightly collage-oriented, so those of you who are a bit 'collage phobic' will really like what you can do with these.
What I have decided to do is post a few new favorite blog sites each Wednesday. Blog hopping is a fun way to spend an hour or two, if you have the time, but if you only have 15-20 minutes and have NO IDEA where to go, this will be a great way to get you on your way.

If you read my blog roll (favorites list) you will find what I call my 'must visits'. These are blogs that I visit at least once a day, but usually several times a day. So check those out because they are consistently fabulous!

Here are my picks for this week's My New Favorite Blogs:

Vintage Papers is a great blog by Nancy Maxwell-James. The creativity from this blog has been seen in a variety of Somerset Studio publications and the unique perspective Nancy brings when sharing her life will keep you looking through all of her archives. I am anxiously awaiting a set of ATC's based on Marie Antoinette that I ordered from Nancy's collection. I believe there is something for everyone on this blog, so check it out.

While I was there, I found My Desert Cottage, an outstanding blog by Karen Valentine of Scottsdale, Arizona. I am a real lover of shabby chic and it's non-stop exploration when I visit here. She has a couple of other blogs that she manages as well which include handcrafted cards and gifts. She is sponsoring the 'Where Bloggers Create' Party on Friday, July 24th inspired by the publication 'Where Women Create', so mark your calendar and make sure you stop by to see over 100 other blog sites who have signed on to participate, including yours truly.

Last but not least, I was over at Mona Pendleton's blog Cupcake's Creations (which I visit many times a day) and hopped from her blog to one of her favorites which eventually led me to Ross. It appears to me that Ross started out possibly as a scrapbooker, but then I'm not sure...Ross is from Italy and the majority of her blog is in Italian. She definitely loves color, whimsy and mixed media. This is one of the most eye-catching blogs I have come across in awhile and I think it's such a fun place to visit.

I mentioned the other night that when you go 'blog hopping' you will find yourself traveling all
over the world. I have followers from England, Australia, The Dominican Republic, Asia, Canada and of course here in the U.S. Art is one of the universal languages in which we can all say "I speak a little...". Inspiration is found everywhere you look, so I hope each Wednesday you will plan to stop by to see where we'll travel to next!