Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Fall to All...


For The Twinery
Blog Hop
Click Here



It is the final day of....


If you came here from the
then you are just where you need to be.
If not, it's just one stop back, so click the link
and start there because stopping by each blog
and leaving a comment could win you a prize!

 
Today each of the designers is featuring the new
Acorn die and Stamp set.
This is my favorite out of all our new releases.
The die gives you the Acorn and leaves which
I cut using designers paper from Imaginisce.



There are three shopping credits that are
being given away and here is how you can win...

Just visit each blog on each day's hop and
leave a comment.  That's it!
The winners will be announced over on the
Lil' Inker Designs blog on Monday, Sept 26th.

Here is a list of today's designers...

Julie Ranae  <--- you are here

I am so happy you stopped by.
You are really going to enjoy the projects
featured by our designers.


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  from Imaginisce
Tools:  'Acorn' Die & Stamp Set by Lil' Inker Designs
Big Shot
Fiskars Corner Rounder punch
Embellishments:  gems by Recollections
 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Take it With a Grain of Salt...



I've been trying to live by this little mantra lately...
and besides, there are a lot of good things
in life that taste good with *salt*


It is time for the new 
Market Fresh Sketch

I had a lot of fun creating this card.
Most of you know that I am more of
a color challenge kinda gal but I like
stretching myself to work with something
outside the box!
I love this set called 'Tiki Time' from MSS.
So many FAB possibilities.
I used a variety of embossing folders (see below)
and my starburst border punch from Martha.

I think my favorite part is....the salt!

 
Created with a little Stickles in 'Frosted Lace'

I hope you will stop by the Market Street Blog
and check out all the inspiration there from so
many amazing designers and then plan to
play along with us!

So grateful you stopped by today...
If you've come looking for updated information
on the benefit for

Please click here and thank you so much!


Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento & Copic Markers
from A Muse Studio
Tools:  'Stylized Flower & Dotted Swiss'
Embossing Folders from Cuttlebug
Standard Circle dies from Spellbinders, Big Shot
Fiskars Corner Rounder punch 
Starburst Border punch from Martha Stewart
Embellishments:  Stickles in 'Frosted Lace'
Twill Ribbon from A Muse Studio
 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Feelin' the Fringe with Lil' Inker Designs


If you would like to donate,
be a prize sponsor or participate
in the blog hop for
Operation Julie's Smile

It's an exciting week!
It's Day Two of a fabulous blog hop
for Lil' Inker Designs


If you came here from
my friend and fabulously talented
you are in just the right spot!
If not, make sure you pop back
because there are some fab
shopping credits up for grabs.
More on that in just a sec!

It's new release week and you
are gonna *flip* for the new
'Fringe Flower' Die


Each of my teammates has put
their own unique design work in
with the fun die and I decided to
use mine with designer paper from DCWV.


The possibilities with this die are pretty cool!
I think this card is pretty self-explanatory.
Just layers of fun papers, a beautiful sentiment from
SRM Designs and pretty little
'fringe flowers' as the feature.

There are three shopping credits that are
being given away and here is how you can win...

Just visit each blog on each day's hop and
leave a comment.  That's it!

Here is a list of today's designers...

                               Julie Ranae  <--- you are here

I am so happy you stopped by.
You are really going to enjoy the projects
featured by our designers.


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  from DCWV
Tools:  'Fringe Flowers' Die by Lil' Inker Designs
Scalloped Heart die from Spellbinders, Big Shot
Fiskars Corner Rounder punch
Embellishments:  Sentiment from SRM Designs
Pearls by Recollections


Saturday, September 17, 2011

Gettin' By With a Little Help From My Friends....


There are times in this life when I just
shake my head and think...
'how did I become so blessed?'

I ask you to please bear with me
through this post because there is
some pretty amazing people doing
a pretty self-less thing..... 

Many of you may have heard that I recently
had to have emergency oral surgery which resulted
in the removal of my front teeth.
As a child, I struggled with brittle teeth due to
some health concerns and my parents did all
they could to ensure that I went into adult-hood
with the best teeth possible.  Unfortunately with age,
the brittle teeth became a problem again and well,
long story short, the dentist recommended that
I bite the bullet and have them all replaced.

In the meantime, he HAD to remove my front teeth
which had become broken over the weekend
and were not 'fixable'.

I made the appointment, had the consultation
and was handed a piece of paper that said to
bring $4,000 with me to have the rest of the teeth 
taken out.  I was in shock because the dentist made
reference to the idea that 'it could all be worked out' ; )
But when I sat down to talk payments, personal payments
are not accepted...no financing available to one income
and the insurance is used completely.

Well, here I am today, missing front teeth (and a few others)
and being frustrated because I believed that this was
a procedure that would be taken care of quickly.
The unfortunate thing, is that THAT amount was JUST for the
removal of the rest of my teeth...it does not account
for the 'permanent teeth' that would need to be put in place.

When my teammate Nicole Rixon of
heard what had happened, she contacted not only
our design team, but a variety of other friends
and teammates of mine and the following was born...


There will be a benefit blog hop called 
'Operation Julie's Smile' 
that will take place Oct 7-9.  
There are a variety of
companies and design teams who will be participating 
in this hop to help raise funds for this benefit. 
So far, over $2000 in prizes have been made available 
and will be awarded for both participants 
and those who donate. 

Operation Julie's Smile 
is now asking for designers/teams who would like to 
be a part  of the benefit hop.  

If you are interested
in getting involved in this creative fundraising event, 
please contact Nicole Rixon at nicolehrixon@gmail.com   
The deadline to be
a part of the hop is Wednesday, Sept 28th.  
Participants will be notified of the blog hop order 
between Oct 3rd-5th.
This blog hop is an opportunity to have fun, 
feature your blog and raise money for a friend in need.  
A donation button
will be made available to all who participate.

Every little bit helps and each donation that
comes in makes it possible for me to regain
a true smile...whatever your part in our
event, I thank you from the
bottom of my heart.....

Operation Julie's Smile



Friday, September 16, 2011

How Sweet it is at CAS-ual Fridays


For the Sweet Stamp Shop
Blog Hop...Click Here!



It's a new day and a new challenge over at


This week, the challenge is to make
Clean and Simple
Mini-Cards.  
I LoVe anything miniature!
I toyed with the idea of making gift tags,
but I couldn't resist picking up this beautiful
stamp from Layers of Color.

I received this beautiful set of stamps as
a gift from my friend Nina Brackett
and it's simply....gorgeous.


The challenge calls for cards 4" x 4" or smaller.
I 'adjusted' and sort of split the difference so I
could fit this beautiful image on to the card,
so mine measures 4 1/4" x 3 3/4".

This card reminds me of the bees that make
their way in to each bloom of the flowers on
my patio.  As summer draws to a close
(and for the past 2 nights, the pots have come in due to frost advisories)
I will miss the days of watching nature do
what it's supposed to do.
We are very happy to welcome another
new sponsor to the Break Room at

I hope you'll come play...my fellow
'Girl Fridays' have created quite a gallery
of inspiration for you.

Thanks for stopping by...and thank you
in advance for leaving a little love
here at The Open Window...from my heart to yours!


Project Recipe: 
Stamps:  'Honeysweet' by Layers of Color
Inks:   Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio
Copic Markers 
Tools:  Marvy XL Circle Punch
Embellishments: Stickles in 'Crystal'





Thursday, September 15, 2011

A Child So Lovely


FOR THE
SWEET STAMP SHOP BLOG HOP
CLICK HERE


What a sweet sentiment and one that is
very real in our family right now....
well, my daughter's family.
As you know she has a newborn son
and two school-age sons as well, so it is
quite the reality for her to like this quote.

{Here is her oldest CJ with the Baby Finn}

So when it was time to use the stamps
over at The Play Date Cafe
from our sponsor this week, it was perfect.


Paper Makeup Stamps provided our design team
with really beautiful images and mine was a
lovely match with this color story.


I think this card is pretty straight-forward.
I do love the gingham paper from A Muse Studio
and it was the perfect match.


As I said, Paper Makeup Stamps is this
week's sponsor and it was a joy to play
with their red rubber images.

I am also really happy to share that
Stacy Rodriguez is officially joining
us this week as our newest
Private Blend Designer.
She specializes in layouts & mini books
that will blow you away.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
I hope you will leave a note to let me
know you came by.
I really do love hearing from you all!


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  A Muse Studio
Stamps:  'Child so Lovely' by Paper Makeup Stamps
Inks:   Slate by A Muse Studio
Tools:  Fiskars corner rounder punch
Swiss Dot by Cuttlebug, Big Shot

Old School Birthday


FOR THE 
PLAY DATE CAFE CHALLENGE


Welcome to a stop on the
birthday blog hop with my fellow designers from
 
 If you came here from Genevieve's blog
you are in the right place!

If not, you should head back to the
Sweet Stamp Shop and hop along.
You'll want to make sure to visit all our blogs
because there is a FAB prize up for grabs!
More on that below!

The girls have created some pretty fun
projects so far, haven't they?!!


 

I love this set called 'Old School Rock'.
I also grabbed the happy birthday sentiment
from the 'Scootin' By' set as well.

 In honor of this fabulous birthday event,
Sweet Stamp Shop are offering
FREE SHIPPING (US & Canada only)
& 20% OFF
ALL ORDERS (use code: DAD20)
from 9/15 - 9/18
  
How would you like a little taste of something *sweet* 
to add to your stamp collection?  

Leave a comment on my blog and all the blogs on the hop 
(there are only 9 total) 
and we will draw the names of 2 lucky winners
for ONE STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOICE!


There is just one more stop on the hop
and that is over at the lovely Nicole's blog  

I hope you have enjoyed the hop!
Please make sure you leave a quick note and
let me know you were here!

Here is a complete list of designers on our hop: 

Project Recipe: 
Stamps:  'Old Scool Rock' & 'Scootin' By' by Sweet Stamp Shop
Inks:   Slate & Ocean from A Muse Studio
Copic Markers
Tools:  Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch
Swiss Dots EF from Cuttlebug, Big Shot
 

Friday, September 9, 2011

Sharing a Sunny Day



Yes...two posts in one day!

I have had these projects sitting on my desk for awhile now 
and really wanted to share them with you.
Well, one is new...and one is a repeat....
The first features the stamps and dies from


 
I love this paper from Jillibean Soup and thought
it was just right for this 'busy' little card.
It features all kinds of goodness from
 including my favorite Cloud dies and
the Sentiment Flags & Stamps.
I wove a little baker's twine together
and pulled out my Martha 'Icicles' border
punch for the grass.

I love being a *Sweet Tooth Girl* over
at Sweet Stamp Shop
and although I don't do a lot of coloring,
I can't help but have fun when I do it
with these images!


This card is pretty self-explanatory...
simple and well, sweet.

Thanks for popping by again today!
I hope you have a lovely weekend.


Summer Day Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper:  Jillibean Soup
Stamps:  'Sentiment Flags' by Lil' Inker Designs
Inks:   Tuxedo Black by Memento
Tools:  Cloud Die from Lil' Inker Designs, Big Shot
Icicle border punch from Martha Stewart
Embellishments: gem from Recollections

Life is Messy Project Recipe: 
Stamps:  'The Core of It' by Sweet Stamp Shop
Inks:   Tuxedo Black by Memento, Copic Markers
Tools:  Fiskars border punch
Embellishments: Denim & Buttercream baker's twine 
from The Twinery
gems Zva & Recollections