Julie Ranae's Wednesday Night Favs!

I don't typically start out my posts with a negative, but I have to say....I SO do not like how this card photographs, but the card itself is so lovely, that I had to give it a go anyway. I tried every different backdrop, different lighting, blah...blah...blah. So I hope you will take it for what it's worth....a valiant effort to share!

Now on to my new favs for this week!

Last week I introduced some of you to LilyBean's Paperie. You LOVED it there, so here is someone that Melissa herself follows. A Creative Mint is a feast for the eyes if you are inspired by color. I think many of us have inspiration boards in our art spaces to assist us when we need a little help. This blog is like having an inspiration board on your computer screen. Make sure when you visit that you don't stop at the most recent post. This visit requires you to scroll through the archives to really connect with what I'm saying.

I have to admit, I am still in my shabby-chic phase with this next blog, but you will see why I must share this with you. Iralamija is beautiful...lovely...sweet...well, you get the picture! Beatriz Jennings offers descriptive content for all of her posts in both English and Spanish translation, without relying on Google Translator. There are classes and tutorials offered and lovely handmade items just waiting to be ordered.
Again, visiting the archives of this blog is a must for you to really
appreciate all the beauty that is offered.

I saved this one for last because, well....I'm not sure where to start and I can already tell you that I don't see an end in sight for my description of this blog. Maria Medeiros Photography & Design AKA Cozycomfycouch. Maria has been a follower here at The Open Window from very early on. She came by way of my cyber friend Paulette's blog. Maria, is not a stamper. She is not 'technically' a paper artist in the way that most of us think, but what she manages to 'put to paper' is phenomenal! Maria has a website and a blog and about 25 other things going on and the one constant is the beautiful photography she shares. I am so happy to say that she is participating in our tag swap using her photography and she is very excited about it. You can get a sneak peek at her tags on her blog. Maria...thank you for being such a loyal follower and I can't wait to see what you have for us next!

That's it for tonight. Please...please...PLEASE...when you stop by these blogs each week, take just a moment to leave a quick comment to let them know how you found them. We bloggers always appreciate that little tidbit of information. Sometimes we stay up half the night just wondering how someone in Katmandu came to log onto our blog...well, I do anyway...

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.