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!

TMTA - Spring

Well, I wish it felt more spring-like...it's cold and rainy here right now. But at least it's not snowing like it did last week!

Here's a poem for you by Robert Frost:


The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

Make a Moo or Two

I know I'm a bit behind...it's been a very busy week...but here's my entry for Make a Moo or Two. The theme this week is Text. I decided to use my new stamps from Inka Stamps. I love this crow trio and the make art stamp reminds me of those ads in the back of magazines trying to get you to sign up for an art course! Here they are:

TMTA - Texture

The challenge this week at TMTA was to use texture. This card was made by adhering a couple of torn text pieces with a bit of torn sheet music to the base. It was given a light coat of gesso then colored with some water soluble oil pastels that I scribbled on then rubbed in. Then I added a sweet little birdie, stamped the word sing and there you have it!

Gothic Arches - Heritage

The theme this week on Gothic Arches is Heritage. I've chosen a picture of my grandparents' wedding...it looks like a moment frozen in time...full of the promise and uncertainties of new beginnings. This is Sarah and Antone. Both of my grandparents had only recently immigrated to the US from the Madeira Islands and settled in a Portuguese neighborhood in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Sarah came with her father and a brother and sister leaving behind her mother and older sisters. My grandmother's brother, standing behind her, served as the best man. My grandfather died before I was born but I grew up with Sarah who lived with our family until she passed away in her 70's. My oldest daughter, Sara, was named for her.

Wednesday Stamper - Initial

The challenge this week on Wednesday stamper is to use the initial of your first name in your entry. I used L is for love because love is the answer...

Gothic Arches - Celtic

In honor of St. Patrick's Day the theme on Gothic Arches this week is Celtic. I've used an image shared in the countdown on the Artist-How-To site...she seemed perfect!

More Inchies

I've made these for the aMUSEme March 6x6 inchie swap. This is the second month of our six month swap. I just love these old school book illustrations...so simple and charming. This group of six...actually there's seven, the last poor child just HAD to go too...is destined for Bridget all the way in Australia. So, I'm off to the post office right now!

Inchie swap

The theme for Joanne Wardle's March inchie swap is Birds. Since I missed the February "Spring" swap I decided I could sort of combine the two by using this stamp. So, here are my birds...Mrs. Crow all dressed up in her spring finery!

TMTA - Fashion

Fashion is the theme this week at TMTA. Do you dream up stories for the images you use? This image from Twisted Papers has inspired a little story. I've imagined these two very fashionable ladies are taking a stroll in a lovely city park. Their equally fashionable husbands are sitting on a bench smoking cigars and talking about their investments. An orchestra is playing in the alcove by the lake...soft strains can be heard in the distance. Suddenly, someone or something has caught Madeline's attention and caused her to start! By the look on her face Therese is concerned and a little shocked by the interruption of their pleasant afternoon. Whatever can it be? You finish their story....

Gothic Arches

This week's theme for the Gothic Arches challenge in Transitions. Spring, the switch to daylight savings time and the return of the birds to my backyard feeders all worked together to provide the inspiration for my arch today. So, I've chosen eggs and birds and the passage of time...each of which makes me think of transitions and renewal. This was a very thought provoking theme this week...

Make a Moo - Children

The theme this week on Make a Moo is children. I love this stamp from The Queen's Dresser Drawers and I've used it several times and always love how it turns out. It must be the sweet look on these two little faces. It's been such a gray day today...I just had to use some blue and green colors to help me think of Spring!

Wednesday Stamper

The theme today on Wednesday Stamper is "glasses." I came across this image awhile ago and immediately fell for her serene expression. I've been saving Alice (as I like to think of her) for just the right piece....and today was the day! This lovely image is courtesy of Gaby-cajubrasil...thank you! The background stamp is from Artistic Outpost. It's part of a great set called Mini-Masterpiece.

Magnifique!

I just love this stamp! It's called Elsie and it's from Impression Obsession. Isn't she magnifique? I've had so much fun this afternoon playing with it. This ATC will be sent to a partner in one of my groups...au revoir Else!

Spring 4x4

I was working on some Spring things this morning and noticed that the theme today on the Arty Girls Challenge Blog is also Spring! Here's my Spring 4 x 4. This will eventually be one of the pages in a Spring chunky book. I had to make 16 of these...they're all finished now and I'm ready to mail them out. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's page!

March Countdown

Lisa Vollrath is having another countdown this month. Starting March 7th through Easter she'll have a new paper crafting surprise each day. Be sure to check out her websites Ten Two Studios and Go Make Something. She has tons of great information, tutorials and images to share. I've bought her how-to CD's and they're just great!

St Patrick's Day Countdown

Continuing with the St. Patrick's Day theme...the Artist-How-To site is having another free image countdown that you'll find here. But while you're there be sure to take a look around the rest of the site. There's some great information there.

TMTA -Triptych

The theme this week at TMTA is Triptych. I was working on some St. Patrick's Day ATC's so I thought I would use three of these for my entry this week.

Sheetload of Cards

I stumbled upon this site recently while reading another blog and noticed today that they're having a month long celebration in March. So take a look at the site here...who knows, you might just win something!

Make a Moo

I thought I would try this challenge today before heading into work. The idea is to create a small piece with a size of 1.1 x 2.8 inches. It's a fun size to work with...kinda like an inchie high rise! The theme is your favorite color. My favorite color is red so here it is. Now, off to work with me!

Wednesday Stamper

The theme this week for Wednesday Stampers is Stars. While I was thinking about what I was going to I came across some paper mache stars I'd bought at Christmas time...I had planned to make some ornaments but never got to them. So, I thought this would be the perfect time to use one. She might just make it on to next year's tree!

TMTA - Africa

Today's theme on TMTA is Africa. One thing this theme made me realize is that I'm sadly lacking in any kind of African/animal stamps! Note to self...Anyway, I loved the theme and I love travel posters so that's the way I went for today!

Gothic Arches - Old School

The theme this week for the Gothic Arches challenge is Old School Days. I had all kinds of ideas and pictures of sweet little school children and then I found this image. This is an older student and he captured my imagination. He has such an earnest looking face and I imagine he thought going to school was a way to one day fulfill his dreams.

Charm Swap at the Salvage Studio

I had time to work on my charms today! These are for the second charm swap at the Salvage Studio in Edmonds. The swap is this coming Saturday and I was actually able to get the day off...woohoo! I had a couple of different ideas for the charm I was going to make this time but in the end I decided to use these little charm blanks from Alpha Stamps. I used the collage images from their site then I took some versamark reinker and UTEE and baked them in the oven. I'm pleased with how they turned out and I hope eveyone likes them.

aMUSEme Inchie Swap

I received my first six inchies today in the aMUSEme 6 x6 Inchie swap from Sherry Wilson and they're so much fun...I love what she's done. The colors are fabulous and the little embellishments she's used are just perfect! It's hard to tell from the scan but some of them are actually 3 dimensional and there are little jewels on each one. They're just wonderful! It's going to be so much fun to receive a new batch of inchies from a different person each month!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Share a little love today!


Valentine courtesy of RedLead Paperworks.

Wednesday Stamper - Valentine

Well, I should be getting ready for work but playing is SO much more fun! I took a look at the Wednesday Stamper site today and just had to have a go! Plus I still had Valentine images on my desk and there's only one more day to use them so here it is...

aMUSEme Mother's Day Card Class

Bridget held a Mother's Day Card Class last night with the aMUSEme group. This was such a fun, springy card to make...a little out of the norm for me but I really like it! I just might make a purple version for my mom's birthday later this month...purple has always been her favorite color and I think she'd love this card! Here's the card I made for class...

TMTA - Birds and Children

Today's challenge combines two themes...birds and children. I always dreamed of flying with the birdies when I was little so what better dream come true then to ride on a bluebird!

aMUSEme 6 x 6 Inchie Swap

The aMUSEme group has started a new inchie swap. Each person playing will be assigned a different partner each month. You have to send your partner six different inchies once a month for 6 months. There's no theme or rules other than the inchies all have to be different and some kind of embellishment must be on at least two of them. At the end of the first 6 months Marjie will award each of the players with an inchie book which she's designing to hold all of the inchies we've collected. Doesn't that sound like fun? Here's my group for this month.

Gothic Arches - Valentine

Ok...I'm hooked. I love the look of these gothic arches. The theme this week is "Valentine" and here's my entry. PS...thank you Lyneen for the buttons...they were just what I needed!

Oodles of Inchies!

Today was a wonderful inchie day. I received inchies from two swaps I participated in...and what sweet little works of art they are! The first group is from the monthly swap hosted by Joanne Wardle...you can check on the next swap at her site. Joanne made a beautiful card to house the inchies then she mounted them inside with a little square of chocolate (now eaten!) right in the middle. How fun!

The second group is from the Red Lead Paperworks swap. I love their stamps and they came out with a set of Valentine inchie stamps that are just precious! You can see some of them in this group.

Red Lead Valentine Swap

Well, I have several swaps that I'm working on right now. Today I've finished the ATC's for the Red Lead Paperworks Valentine swap. One down ...three to go! I love Red Lead stamps and the group is such a fun one. I went for a sweet feel...so many of the Red Lead images are sweet and nostalgic. I hope they like them!

TMTA - Cats

Today the theme at TMTA is cats. I love this image...it's from a vintage postcard. Now, do you think this kitty has an ulterior motive or is he just playing a sweet tune for his little birdie friends? You decide...

Gothic Arches

I've been meaning to try one of the Gothic Arches challenges but Sundays always seem to get away from me. Today I had some time to myself so I decided today would be the day! The theme this week is purple. Here is my first arch.

Belated Birthday RAK

I received this birthday RAK the other day from Rebecca Langsdorf from IFS-ATC group. It's called "Her Locked Heart."




Isn't it lovely? And aren't belated birthday treats such a surprise and so much fun? Today I still had some scraps on my desk left over from the sketch challenge from yesterday so I made Rebecca this RAK in return. I'm calling it "Timeless" since the clock has no hands. I hope she likes it!

Art From the Heart Giveaway

I was just looking at this book on Saturday and thinking to myself it must go on my wish list...and now the author...Catherine Matthews-Scanlon...is having a giveaway for two books! The book itself is beautiful and there are several projects I know I'd like to try. Take a look at her blog here and sign up for the giveaway!

TMTA - Geometry

The theme today on TMTA is Geometry. No we didn't have to do any proofs or actual math...ha! We were simply to use geometric shapes in our ATC. Here's mine...I've included some diamonds, a circle, a square and a little triangle hat. The background and the little girl are both images from Digital Collage Sheets.

Sketch Challenge Card

On Technique Junkies this week several people created cards in response to a sketch challenge from Technostamper. I've never tried making a card from a sketch but I was inspired by all the wonderful cards everyone was creating so I thought I'd give it a go. This paper is Basic Grey Recess and the images and sentiment are from Time to Stamp.

Valentine's Day Countdown

You know you love them! Get ready for another fun Valentine's Day countdown from Lisa Vollrath. She'll be generously sharing some more wonderful images starting on February first. Take a look here.

TMTA - Winter

Well, winter is the perfect theme on TMTA this week. We've had more wintry weather this year than I can remember in a long time. We even had snow on Christmas day! Here's my entry for the week. This stamp is from Red Lead Paperworks and I thought it would just be perfect.