Wednesday Stamper

The theme this week on the Wednesday Stamper challenge is stripes. I love this double sided paper from Cosmo Cricket and it just seemed to suit these cowgirls.

Stampin D' Amour Swap

Well, I've had a lovely mail day today...I received the ATC's from my first swap with the group from Stampin D' Amour and they're all wonderful! The themes were gardens/mothers/travel/children and games and there were cards representing each one. Thank you to Kris for hosting and to everyone who swapped...bravo!



Row one: Kris, Pam, Kathleen
Row two: mine, Louise, Lyneen
Row three: Julia, Alice, Sarah

TMTA - Walpurgisnacht

Today's theme on TMTA is Walpurgisnacht. This is "the night of the witches" in Germanic tradition and falls on the evening of April 30th. Here'a my witch...

Gothic Arches

The theme this week on the Gothic Arches site is Garden Fairies. It was perfect to work on this today since its so cold and rainy outside...I could at least imagine being in a lovely garden, smelling the grass, hearing the bees buzzing. I know spring will come soon!

Make a Moo or Two

The theme this week on Make a Moo or Two is "girls". I have three girls of my own so this is a subject near to my heart. We often chatted about what they wanted to do when they grew up. It was always something different each time we talked except my youngest daughter Katie who always used to say she wanted to be a blueberry pie maker...she knew that was her Dad's favorite pie! So...here's my moo asking the question "what will the girl become?"

aMUSEme 4 Card Stud Swap

Here's my card for the April swap...the theme is shoes. I know we all adore that special pair of shoes don't we? Sorry for the blurry scan...it always does that with a dimensional embellishment!

TMTA - Mermaids

The theme this week on TMTA is Mermaids or Water Sprites. This category is another one which I have very few stamps...I have a fish or two, some shells, but no mermaids. I did have this lovely image of a mermaid...I can't decide if she's perplexed as to what the shoe actually is or longing to have feet to slip inside that delicate small shoe. What do you think? The background was made with Ranger Distress Inks in Faded Jeans and Worn Lipstick. The coral stamp is by Cavallini.

Saturday's Workout

I've just discovered this new challenge site called Saturday's Workout. The challenge is presented as new technique each Saturday. The first challenge is called "It's all Distressed..." and we're asked to present a "distressed creation." I've made a distressed tag using Ranger Shabby Shutters, Faded Jean and Tea Dye distress inks. Take a look at all the entries here.

Make a Moo or Two

The theme this week for the Make a Moo or Two challenge is vintage which is always fun. I love these old sailor dresses and big hats.

TMTA - Zentangle

Well, I looked at the theme at TMTA this morning and saw that it was Zentangles. I've seen these and I'm always intrigued by them but I hadn't tried one myself. I had to take the ferry into Seattle today so I thought the 30 minute ride would be the perfect time to give it a try. I have to admit it took both the ride over AND the ride back to finish it but it was a lot of fun!

Awards and Anniversaries

I was recently given this award by Louise. I'm truly honored and the fact that it comes from someone whose work I admire and am inspired by constantly makes me feel doubly honored. Thank you Louise.

There are 5 rules attached to this award:
1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog (arteypico.blogspot.com), so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) To show these rules.

There are several blogs I try to look at regularly because I enjoy and am inspired by them. Here are the five I've chosen for this award...take a look and be inspired yourself:

Beth, Lisa and Amy at the Salvage Studio

Lisa

Gayle

Linda S.

Hermine


And as if an award isn't enough...it was pointed out to me (by Louise...thank you!) that today is my one year blogging anniversary! I almost missed it. It's been amazing "meeting" so many wonderful people through a shared love of making art. I consider myself still very much a beginner after this first year of creating and blogging but I've come to love experiencing the generosity and encouragement of such a talented community. To be even a small part of such a community makes me happy every day!

April Inchies

Here are my inchies for the April swap at Joanne's site. The theme this month is children. If you like inchies be sure to take a look here.

Gothic Arches - Paris

I've been so busy the past few weeks I haven't had as much time as usual to participate in many of the weekly challenges that are so much fun. After putting Katie on the ferry to head back to school today I came home and decided to take a peek at the Gothic Arches sight. Here's my entry...now I'm going to go take a look at everyone else's!

March Inchies - Birds

I came home from work to find these inchies from the March swap on Joanne's sight had flown in...I just love them! She always sends them back presented in such a pretty way. I love birds and these little birdies are just wonderful!

aMUSEme Inchies - April

Well, here's my third installment for the aMUSEme 6x6 Inchie Swap. These will go to Dariel in Minnesota. I found this fun retro Barbie paper not too long ago and knew I'd do something with it. When I was thinking about the inchies for this month's swap I found it again and decided it would just be perfect. I made Dariel an ATC with the leftovers. hope she like them!

Back from San Diego

Well, we're back from San Diego. It was so much fun visiting with Megan, seeing where she lives and works and getting to see the sights around town. It's such a wonderful feeling to know your child is happy, independent and creating a life for herself. I love you Meg!