Your New Nest

Hello, sorry for not posting yesterday--no mojo! SCS's sketch challenge is just what I needed to give me a creative boost! I inked up my brand new "Owl Always Love You" set from Gina K. Designs and let me tell ya, I could hoot-n-hollar about this wonderfuls set all day long! It has several unique and fun sentiments that coordinate with the owl images and they are super fun to color!

Do you like this floral patterned paper? My friend, Pushpa helped me discover it recently and I am in love with it! It's called Kaiser and it's from Australia, here is a link to the website Kaiser Craft, it's brimming with inspiration! I used my Coluzzle circle template for the matting. Some pink and chocolate sheer dotted ribbon from Jacksonbelle Embellishments was added with a white heart-top stick pin pushed thru and 3 diamond bling gems on the circle frame for some extra bling. This is going to a friend who is moving into a new home soon--how egg-citing! hehe! (another sentiment that comes with this set and perfect for the inside of my card) Well, that's it for now. Thanks for visiting me today! ~hugs and happy stamping~

1 Fun Crop!

Hello! I thought I would share some pics of the Autism Speaks Crop I attended on Saturday night--Ali Edwards showed us how to make a super cool clear acrylic album, theme centered on ourselves! I finished my album at home yesterday because I forgot to bring my photos, which were the "meat and potatoes" of the album--Doh! I still need to add a photo of my home to page 4 and some journaling.

Here are some shots of my new SCS friends who I attended the class with. Left to right is: Sarah, Pushpa, AJ and Maren--also Maren's Mom and Sister in Law, Jackie came too! These gals are all so sweet, fun and talented! I'm happy to know each of them! Oh, there's one of Ali making a goofy face at me, hehe!

FAB Flamingo meet Beate's FAB weekend Sketch!

Happy Friday, whoo hoo! This was a really good day for me--my The Angel Company, Gina K. and Jacksonbelle Embellishments orders all arrived!!! Woah, stamping overload...well, almost. My friend, Joani sells for TAC, which is a new company for me, but of course, I love it already! The stamps are deep etched rubber and come on a sheet with an adhesive cling pad and each set has its own clear plastic container, similar to Stampin Up! containers. They are really cute designs and I had to ink up my "Tickled Pink" flamingo set right away! Look, I even used Beate's weekend sketch, which I always want to participate in but rarely do. The hot pink paper and patterned strip are from Basic Grey's new 6x6 designer pad called "Sultry"--oooh, perfect those hot summer nights to come, hehe! This paper is available at Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Those transparent aqua letters are also from Joani, only I didn't have to buy them, they were part of her most righteous blog candy giveaway that I won! What a gal! That little purse she's a-swingin' is a charm from a bracelet I got free with a Macy's purchase waaay back. I finally found something to do with it!

Remember to make your card for Beate's weekend sketch challenge too--she does a raffle drawing for everyone who participates and you have till next Tuesday to enter! Thank you for visiting me! I hope you have a FAB weekend!

A Cheeseburger with Ketchup

Here I go again--another food card! I do believe that I may be obsessed! Julia's Ways To Use It challenge this week over at SCS was to use scissors in a a creative way, so I centered this one on cutting rather than stamping. Basically, everything is cut out on the cheeseburger card. I drew each piece so they can be put together separately--like build-a-burger! For those vegetarians out there this is a soy burger, of course! Feel free to copy my pattern, if you are so inclined. The ketchup bottle was created using the pattern provided at Mirkwood Designs. Thanks for the great pattern, Ruth Ann! A couple of notes if you try this:

1. I couldn't come up with anything spectacular to simulate a sesame seed bun top (other than real sesame seeds!) and I am not satisfied with mine. I'm sure many of you can think of something so let me know if you do.
2. Use a hole punch to make Swiss cheese! fun!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! So, how you want your burger?! LOL!

Hula Bunny

Bunny has had enough of this cold weather, "winter" thing--phooey! She got herself a ticket to paradise and is now soakin' up the sun on a sandy white beach with a tropical drink in her...ummm...paw? lol! Can you tell, I'm ready for summer?! This card uses Roxie's sketch for this week's sketch challenge over at SCS, check it out HERE! Thanks to Pinefeather for the original sketch idea--she's a popular girl, featured in 2 challenges this week alone!!

Now, you may recognize "hula bunny" as Melanie Muenchinger's bunny from her Just So Hoppy set and if so, you are right! I made her hula skirt, the other accessories are from Jolee's botique. Thanks so much for taking some time to visit me today. It means so much and I look forward to seeing what you've been up to as well! ~hugs and happy stamping~

Look What Popped Up!

A toaster card! How silly, right? Well--I'm silly like that!!! I was inspired to make a 50's retro style toaster, but I'm not sure I achieved that look. I had so much fun with this though! I just took a standard white card and rounded the top corners, then secured the sides with double sided sticky tape. The toaster *lever*, if you will, was punched with my SU! designer label punch then folded in half. That little chef image is from Crafty Secrets. I lined the edges with my silver zig painty. The piece of toast was easy to draw and cut out, then I sponged around all edges with Chestnut Roan chalk ink. The sentiment on the pats of butter (at least, that's what I tried to make them look like) reads "Just popping up...to say hi!" I think this toaster card is fun--I hope you think so too! Thank you for visiting me today, friends! ~hugs and happy stamping~

A Wedding Favor Tin

Hello! I thought I would share this tin I've altered into a wedding or party favor using Melanie M.'s "What's In Your Tin" stamp set--genius, that girl is! The tins and her stamp sets are available at Gina K. Designs. Those little rings and the tulle are leftovers from my wedding favors, so I could make a ton of these things if there were a need. My cousin is getting married in Napa this July, but she is certain to have much more elaborate favors than this--she's not so much the diy kinda girl that I am, hehe! Speaking of altered tins, have you seen all the FABulous tin projects that were created for Melanie's Tin contest?! They are all so awesome and I plan on casing all of 'em! Check them out here, but don't vote because the contest is over, just some great inspiration, though!

I also played SplitCoast's "Try A New Technique" challenge which shows you how to make this fun and super easy gift card holder. That cake and sentiment are from Gina K.'s "How Sweet It Is" Stamp For A Cause set--$7 of this set goes to Diabetes research of all kinds, which is very important to me and my family personally. My brother lives with Juvenile Diabetes and we all live with the belief that a cure will be discovered. Generosity and support thru projects such as Stamps For A Cause are what will make it happen. Thanks for visiting today, friends! ~hugs and happy stamping~

CAS Sunday

Hello and happy Sunday! As my Mom always calls and tells me on Sunday, God loves you and so do I! I have been neglectful on posting this week, sorry for that. I thought I would share some of my cards created with different sets by Clear Artistic Stamps.

The first 2 cards use Belinda's new collectors set called "That's My Boy!" It's such a great set and comes with several interactive accessory stamps like the ball cap, fishing pole, wagon, sports balls, kite and more!



I made the 3rd card with the collectors set called "Teacup Fairies" and I just love this set! It's brimming with magical whimsy! There are little winged creatures hiding all over in this set, it's so much fun!



The last 2 cards showcase the same collectors set called "Country Life". It's a truly charming set and if you love flowers, butterflies and garden goodness, you'll love this one! I water colored the main image on the orange and blue card. The other image was inked and traced over with glitter gel pens. Those butterflies were cut out and popped up for dimension.



There is much fun to be had in our Clear Artistic Stamp Yahoo Group! We would love for you to join the group! We have monthly challenges, contests, Guest Designer inspiration and lots of fun chatter! You can share your CAS creations and meet new friends too! Come join the fun and be part of the the Clear Artistic Stamp sisterhood! Thank you for visiting my blog today, it means so much to me! You are all wonderful people and I hope you have a beautiful day!

CAS Bearthday Party Winner Is...

...Jessie/knightrone!!! Yay, Jessie--you will recieve the Clear Artistic Stamp Special Edition set called In A Peaceful Glade!

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who played and shared some of their day with Clear Artistic Stamps yesterday for Freckles bearthday party! You all had the correct answer for my question, *who introduced the Care Bears*? The answer was American Greetings. Have a fabulous Friday!!!

It's A Party and You're Invited!

Today is Freckles Bearthday so we are celebrating with a bearthday party, of course! There is lots of fun going on around Clear Artistic Stamps.

First, a super 1 day only special where you can get the Freckles Gift Book Set for $9.95! This includes the Freckles Collecter's Edition stamp set and a cut birthday themed hardcover spiralbound book! What an adorable set for all the wonderful children and bear lovers in your life! This book would make a great scrapbook for many special occasions, a birthday guest sign-in book, or whatever your creative minds come up with!

Second, What is a birthday party without games and prizes for the guests? We gotcha covered! You have 5 chances to win stamp sets at Clear Artisitic Stamps! You don't have to answer every question to win, but why wouldn't you want 5 times the chance for free stamps! Each Designer has their own question for you to answer, and yes, you can answer every question for a better chance to win!

Etha
Lisa
Wendi
Belinda at Clear Artistic Stamps

Now, here is my question...

What company introduced The Care Bears?

Please leave a comment with your answer then head over to the other designers and place your guess for thier questions. Winner will be announced on Friday morning. My winner will receive a Special Edition In a Peaceful Glade Stamp Set.

Thanks for celebrating Freckles bearthday with us at Clear Artistic Stamps! Hugs!

Sugared Fruit Double Pocket Card

Hello friends! Hope you had a great weekend--now, back to the grind. Today's "Try A New Technique" challenge at SplitCoast was to make a "double pocket card", which was new to me. The tutorial provided by Judy was easy to understand and simple too, cool! You can find the tutorial at Judy's blog, Joy In A Jar. I *sugared* my lemons and limes from SU! Tart-n-Tangy stamp set with diamond stickles. Those flowers and the big yellow brads were pre-sugared (they came that way). This designer patterned paper was sent by my super sweet Mom, who totally goes overboard when buying papercrafting supplies and embellishies for me! What can I say, she's the bestest mommy ever!!! Thanks so much for visiting me today! ~hugs and happy stamping~

A Glittery Sketch Challenge!

Hello friends! This card is a 2-fer. 1, for Beate's weekend sketch challenge and 2- I threw some glittery stickles onto the image and added those cool glitter flowers by Heidi Grace and it became eligible for Sharon's glitter challenge too, sweet! Those pretty stacked boxes and hat image as well as the sentiment are from Rupa Shevde, her first set available at Gina K. Designs. TFL and I hope you play along too and post your card for everyone to see! ~hugs and happy stamping~

Time For A Pedicure!

Hello friends and happy Thursday! Today's challenge over at SplitCoast today is to find fun ways to use EYELETS!!! Click on Julia's Ways To Use It challenge to join in the fun too!

As you can see, I used eyelets to string the sheer dotted ribbon thru and create the top part of the flip flop. Boy, do I love my Crop-a-Dile (a Christmas gift from my wonderful Mom and Dad!) Anyone else wonder how they ever survived crafting without one? I used my old *Announcements* SU! set to make them invitations--say, to a pool party or beach party...I don't have a pool and I don't live near a beach, so I'm not sure what the heck I'm going to do with these, lol! I was thinking these could be cute just to send as a *Happy Summer* or *Get Ready For Flipflops!* greeting or how about, *Time For A Pedicure*, what do you think? Know how flip flops often have decorative flowers or bling on them nowadays....well Gina K.'s bling & dazzle flowers worked famously for that! I just attached them to the ribbon with a purple brad, a dot of lavendar stickles for sparkle and done! Anyway, this was very quick and easy to make and I've included the pattern for those interested in making some too! Thanks so much for visiting and have great day! ~hugs and happy stamping~

Kindred Spirits with Gina K. & another Blog Candy Giveaway!

Visit GinaK's blog, A Day in the Life, for a KINDRED SPIRIT journey. This is an amazing journey that will warm your heart and captures the lives of women everywhere, just like you and me. These stamps will be available one minute after midnight on April 10th at GinaK Designs.

Kindred Spirits We are different, yet the same. We are proud of who we are and we respect one another.We find hope in each other's children.We see the love in their eyes. We laugh at the same jokes.We don't take ourselves too seriously.We are friends.We are connected.We are kindred spirits.

Want another chance for blog candy?...Celebrate Barb Schram's new Design Team position by visiting her fantastic blog and entering her Gina K. Giveaway, it looks so awesome--someone is going to be very happy with that prize, wow!

Tweet Friend

Hello- I made this card for a contest I entered a while back (didn't win anything), but I never posted it anywhere. I'm short on time this morning and won't be able to stamp till later today, so it came in handy :) It's pretty simple and self explanatory, so I won't bore you with the details. Thanks for visiting and I'll be posting later today with my card for Roxie's sketch challenge over at SCS! Hugs for a happy day!!!

Blog Candy WINNER

Happy Monday! If you participated in my blog candy giveaway, THANK YOU! I think I gained about 5 pounds just reading about all of your favorite scrumptious desserts--ya'll went into some great detail and I was drooling all over my keyboard, lol! I put all 77 entries into a hat and had my DH close his eyes and draw a winner...and the winner is....
Jennifer G.!!! Congrats Jennifer, please email me your snail mail so I can mail your prize! P.S.- You didn't reveal to us your favorite dessert...inquiring minds want to know...
Jennifer G. is also having a blog candy giveaway of her own--celebrating her 10,000 hit milestone and for good reason--check it out for yourself!
Thanks again for all your super sweet comments, congrats and just for stopping by! My heart is happy! ~Hugs~

Cupcake Card

Hello and happy Sunday! Ok, all your comments on you favorite desserts made me drool to the point that nothing but sweets has been on my mind! Last night I wanted cupcakes so bad, but I didn't have all the ingredients-I did, however, have all the ingredients for cupcake cards! Still yummy and no calories--ok for now, but I'm still making real ones today after I go to the market.

I drew a cupcake base with a flip top, a baking "cup" and the cupcake top each seperately, so they could be decorated first, then put together (ending card is 3" tall). Quite easy and so much fun! I am happy to share this pattern with anyone interested, but I am an absolute lame brain when it comes to technical stuff--can't believe I ever figured out how to create this blog! The demand on SCS has already become way more than I expected and I can't keep up with requests for the pattern, SO...if you want it, this is the best way I've figured out how to get it**Click on the pattern and it will get bigger, then right click and save it or print it** I know there are other ways, much better ways and ones that make me look savvy rather than SAD! I am hopeless, I tell ya! If you think you can help explain how to make this available to folks in a better fashion, I welcome any input! I am thrilled that people like it so much, thanks for all of your sweet comments! ~hugs and happy Stamping~

You Want CANDY?!

I'll satisfy your sweet tooth! In celebration of my sweet Gina K. Designs announcement, I am giving away this yummy blog candy package! Don't worry, it has no calories and is sugar-free! And it can be all yours, just leave me at comment on this post--but wait--there's a catch! You have to tell me your most favorite dessert of all time, whether homemade or store bought. Remember to leave your email addy or blog name if you post as "Anonymous" so if you win, I'll know who you are! You will have the rest of this weekend to enter and I'll pick a winner randomly on Monday.

Here's what the prize includes:

• 2 sheets clear stickers-summer barbecue/birthday
• 1 sheet birthday tagz
• 1 pkg. clear narrative file tabs
• 1 pkg. girlie epoxy stickers
• 1 pkg decorative paper clips and push pins
• 1 pkg. plastic floral embellishments
• 1 pkg. summer metal picture plates
• 1 pkg. decorative chipboard tags
• tiny tin full of buttons
• 10 sheets of 6x6 designer paper
• 1 bag of variety ribbons

...WHAT?! No Stamps, you say! Well yes, actually there is! I'm going to throw in a special surprise stamp with this prize, but you'll never know what it is unless you enter!

Thanks for celebrating with me and have a super sweet weekend!

At Last...

I am so happy to be able to reveal the news I've been keeping secret for over a week--I made the Gina K. Designs-Guest Design Team from May-July! Many of you have already congratulated me and sent me well wishes by email and blog comments and I must tell you, I am so very touched by your support and encouragement, it is impossible to translate into mere words. It is this feeling inside that fills my heart with pure joy and moves me to tears. Tears of joy, of course, but also tears of amazement that people I have never actually "met" care about me enough to tell me so. It is beautiful and I am profoundly grateful--honored--and humbled. YOU are the reason I have grown creatively and gained the confidence to chase my dreams. Without you, I would have just continued to dream. We have crossed paths through a computer and one similar interest...I marvel at how these 2 factors have changed and enriched my life! You are each special and amazing people who constantly inspire me and make me feel like a better person. Thank U, Luv U and God Bless You! xoxoxoxo

P.S.- To celebrate my Gina K. news, I will have a super yummy Blog Candy Giveaway posted tomorrow!!! Please check back on Saturday to enter for your chance to win! ~hugs~

PMS Pick-Me-Up!

Hello friends-- Ok, here's a little survival kit that every girl could use! Not much to explain...we all have those days...PMS--Midol--Chocolate--nuff said.

This yummy patterned paper is from Studio 8's "Delishious Desserts" collection. Melanie's "What's In Your Tin" sets 1 and 2 were used to create the front and inside borders as well as the front cover title. The 3 letter brads have some diamond stickles applied to them for sparkle and I added a white flourish rub-on to lower corner. I like the little poem I came up with for the inside and here's another especially for us stampers:

"Headache, backache, stomach cramping,

just pop a Midol, have some chocolate and get back to stamping!" hehe

And remeber, ladies, they are refillable for every month, lol! My DH says this should be called the husband's pms survival kit because it will save him too--har har! ~Hugs and Happy Stamping~

Arte Y Pico Award

Oh, how neat! Donna awarded me the Arte Y Pico (Art & More) Award. It is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogging world. I am honored! Then, Lee (feel better soon, Lee!) awarded it to me too--I am humbled...

Thank you, girls!! Consider yourselves tagged back because I LOVE your blogs and am constantly inspired by you both!

Here are the rules:

1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute 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.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

I'm going to give this award to the following talented and very inspiring ladies:

• Etha: More Green Wool


• Julia: Create With Julia


• Joani: Joani's Cards Made by Hand


• Maren: Zany Not Crazy


• Sarah: Create With Sarah

Underwear Inspiration!

Yep, those are my "unmentionables" which are no longer unmentionable--snort! I love my comfy VS boy shorts and the cherries inside my Tart & Tangy set were just screaming to be let out. I thought the colors on the shorts were so cute and might make for an equally cute card. I cuttlebugged the white panel with tiny bubbles folder, then covered it in Versamark and clear embossed the surface sprinkling dazzling diamond glitter along the way. The cherries have fruit punch stickles on them for extra sparkle! This card is going to a wonderful friend who always makes my day sweeter, even when I'm feeling like the pits! I know, don't quit my day job, ha! Thanks for looking! hugs!

A Color Challenge--A Sketch Challenge and Gina K Designs!

Hello friends! Today I combined 2 challenges--this week's sketch challenge at Card Positioning Systems sponsored by Gina K. Designs and SplitCoast's color challenge, using Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss, Cream Caramel and Coral (I improvised on caramel and coral). Everyone is using Gina K.'s latest *free with three* set for the CPS challenge, so I also had to join in the fun! It's called "Spring Blooms" and it's just lovely! I used my Ginger Blossom designer paper by Stampin' Up! to compensate for the coral and the tan/white gingham ribbon is from my SCS friend *Kharmagirl*. I liked inking the stamps in colors other than black, it made for a really nice look. Thanks for visiting and I hope you are inspired to try these super fun challenges yourself! ~hugs and happy stamping~