Using What You've Got...It's a Giveaway!

One of my so-called resolutions for 2010 was to do my best to use a little 'somethin' that I have had for a long time.  My priority is to use my paper stash first followed by embellishments.  Oh my goodness!  As I organize, it's like Christmas everyday as I find things I forgot I had!
I know...that's your story too, isn't it?!

My mom called the other day and said she needed 12 valentines, 
any style, any color.  PERFECT!

I immediately began to think of ways I could put my plan to use,
but make the cards quick and simple.

One way to accomplish this is to get out of the box color-wise.
So here is the result...

 This is just one of the cards I came up with.  The patterned papers came with a British magazine that Sarah sent to me.  So I used the Sizzix Flower Layers die cut and highlighted the edges with  

Stardust Stickles.

My friend Mona sent me the rhinestone brads from Making Memories and the border punch is Eyelet Lace from Martha Stewart.

The colors are a bit unconventional for a typical valentine, but why not?

While I had the Sizzix die cut out,

I decided to continue on with my plan...here's what I made...

I have had the polka dot paper forEVER!
It's called Penelope's Potpourri from SEI.

The pink flower was made from the same paper on the card,
but now for my favorite....

THIS lovely flower is my favorite!  Adorned with Platinum Stickles.

The contest...

What can YOU tell me about the patterned paper that was used?

Take a good look at the photos above and really zero in on the patterned flowers on the left.

1. Who manufactures this paper?

2.  What makes this particular 'sheet' unusual?

Leave a comment with your guess.  Feel free to try and guess both answers.  I will take all correct answers and draw a winner.  You have until 11:59pm EST, Tuesday, January 19th to enter your guess.

The winner will receive a package of papers from this particular collection AND a completed flower embellishment.

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #12

I don't know if it's nice and chilly where you are but no matter.

The Play Date Cafe Design Team is ready to inspire you

with these lovely shades of blue.

The January Guest Designer joins us this week

for a little added inspiration.

 

I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Lisa Lectura

as I was one of the three winners

for her Blo'give'rsary giveaway!

I am so excited as I know a Lisa print is on it's way to my home.

Lisa is so talented and her creations are unique.  She has played along with us in The Play Date Cafe and has really been an inspiration for mixed media art.  Make sure you stop by Lisa's blog and see what all the wonderful fuss is about.  Here's to another year, Lisa!

I know I have been a bit MIA this past week, but life 'stuff' has kept me rather busy.  I hope you will forgive my absence and know that I am back in my studio and working on all sorts of new projects and ideas to share with you.

I have truly missed you.....

GCD Homespun Chic Giveaway Winner...

What a great time I have had getting to know so many new faces and saying hello to old acquaintances.

As the saying goes, 'I wish there could be more than one winner, but...'

Using Random.Org for this drawing...

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO 

#56 ~ JeanFB of Bluebird Paperie

Jean is the winner of a 12x12 Collection & 5 pkgs of Embellishments

Thank you to all who entered and all who found Julie's Open Window for the first time.  I hope you plan to stay awhile...I would if I were you because another giveaway is just around the corner!

The Play Date Cafe Challenge

Just a quick note to share with you the newest challenge from

the design team at The Play Date Cafe.

Sandi is our host this week and 'metallic' is IN!

Are YOU up for the challenge?

Is it Snowing Where You Are, Too?

Happy Wednesday to You!

 

How has this week started out for you?  I know my friends in the UK are experiencing unusual amounts of snowfall and in the U.S. we are in danger of losing a lot of citrus trees in the South.  I heard that over 2/3 of our country would be affected by this new round of snow storms.

Our forecast here in Northern Illinois promises anywhere from 8"-12" of snow between 10pm tonight and lasting until at least 7pm tomorrow.  So here we go again!

I have been out doing a bit of shopping for some crafty things over the past couple of days.  I know, I know...I told you that one of the things I vowed to do in 2010 was to use much of what I already have here in the studio.  I still am.  Each project I make WILL contain something that has been waiting to be used.

For this little card, I pulled out the 'Weathervane' stamp set from October Afternoon and 'Life's Possibilities' from Tim Holtz...that is my something 'old' as I have had these stamps for quite sometime, but had yet to use them!  The paper is from Cosmo Cricket.

Not much to do here but a little layering and a little glittering.  Simple!

There are still a couple of days left before the big giveaway!

GCD Studios is celebrating their brand new collections and they have given us some 'Homespun Chic' JUST FOR YOU!

You do NOT want to miss out on this, so CLICK HERE and make sure you leave your comment at the end of the post!

Back tomorrow to introduce you to a brand new challenge from  
The Play Date Cafe!

Vintage Valentine for Embellish Magazine.com

OK...does this just scream vintage valentine?  I hope so.

It's just a glimpse of my entry for
Embellish Magazine.com's New Year Challenge.

I took a bit of liberty with my shade of red, but I think it works.

I used a few of the papers from GCD Studios'
'Artsy Urban Collection' to get the job done.

You recognize the vintage foil hearts from my recent entry for  
The Play Date Cafe Challenge.

Love playing with that foil! 
The silver metallic is embossed using a Cuttlebug EF.

I 'pinked' up my white crepe paper rosettes with a little VersaMagic ink.

Nothing says vintage like lots of flowers.
thanks to Prima and Making Memories for these beauties!

Add a few satin pearls, gathered trim
and button brads for flower centers.

Speaking of GCD Studios, if you haven't left your comment for the
BIG giveaway, you still have time.

Just click HERE for all the details!

One more thing then I am off to make my husband his favorite
Italian Chicken dinner...

Julie's Open Window is now on Facebook!
I would LOVE it if you would become a fan.

Just scroll down to the FB badge just under my
followers beautiful faces and click.

When you get to Julie's Open Window on FB,
click 'Become a Fan' and that's it!

See you soon!

Let's Celebrate! A Brand New GCD Studios Giveaway!

How excited am I ???

GCD Studios is having a Release Party

to announce their brand new collection!

I am thilled to announce that Julie's Open Window has been given the privilege of being the FIRST to offer you an opportunity to  

WIN THIS COLLECTION from GCD Studios.

'Homespun Chic'

is the new collection by designer Melody Ross.

Many of you will remember Melody as the creative mind behind Chatterbox and most recently the designer behind

the 'Artsy Urban' Collection for GCD Studios.

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN OVER $50 
of 'Homespun Chic'!

Here's what you can win...

1 ~ complete collection of 12 x 12 'Homespun Chic'

5 ~ sets of 'Homespun Chic' Embellishments

A PRIZE PACKAGE WORTH OVER $50

HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN:

At the end of this post, leave me a comment telling me what  
YOU would do with this fabulous collection.

I would LOVE for you to become a follower
of The Open Window as well.

CONTEST IS OPEN TO ALL!!!

This contest closes at midnight CST on Saturday, Jan. 10th, 2010

Winner will be announced on Monday, Jan. 11th, 2010

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE AN EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN BIG?

There are always fabulous giveaways going on over at GCD Studios, so pop on over and see what's new!  When you leave your comment, make sure you tell Heidi that you came from  
Julie's Open Window!

It's Another New Year!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!