SPRING SOLITUDE SFYTT

Jen del Muro offered this sketch this weekend on her blog, i{heart}2stamp, my starting point for this card.

I am so drawn to the colors in the Bali Breeze DP, and can't seem to stay away from them! This card features the Stampin' Up! Level Two Hostess Bundle, Spring Solitude and Solitude Stampin' Around Wheel, Flower Fusion, and Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon. RECIPE
Stamps: Spring Solitude and Solitude Stampin' Around Wheel (Level Two Hostess)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Taken With Teal, Rose Red, and Whisper White CS, Bali Breeze DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Taken With Teal Markers, Versamark
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, Old Olive Brads, Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

MY GIRL

My daughter, Allie has been 16 for eight months, and unlike most 16-year olds, is timid behind the wheel. Although Allie is a good driver, she could take it or leave it, and would be perfectly content with John and I driving her everywhere she needed to go! Because of her attitude towards driving, we weren't in any rush to get her a car until a smokin' deal on this 2001 Toyota Camry fell in our laps. Now that she has her own wheels, she's been driving herself to school and work. Although I worry about her out on the road, it sure is nice being relieved of my chauffeur duties!

Poor Drew ... I've forgotten to pick him up twice this week (something I never do and thank goodness for cell phones)! He says, "gol', Mom ... you think your chauffeur duties are done because Allie has her own car now ... but HELLO ... you still got ME!". Just like Drew to tell it like it is! LOL!

Oh, to be young again! Allie has had such a great few weeks ... Florida with her friend Britt & family, then California with her high school band, and her first car. Allie got a promotion at her part-time job this week too. She has worked at an Italian restaurant for a year as a back-server, expo, and take-out person, and is moving up to server. She's very excited about the opportunity to make more money, and LOVES her little job!

Next weekend .... PROM! I'll definitely be sharing photos!
{Allie and her FIRST car.}

ARTE Y PICO AWARD

I've been awarded this Arte Y Pico Award by three blogging friends:

Silke Ledlow, My Life
Jean Stayton, Bear Hugs and Inky Paws
Laura Davis, The Paper Poppy

This award is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogging world. Here are the rules:

1. Choose five blogs that you consider deserving of 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.

So in keeping with the rules, I am awarding this to some wonderful and superb bloggers:

1. Fran, Franticstampers
2. Becky, Inking Idaho
3. Pam, Creative Inking
4. Mauna, Ink~Paper~Scissors
5. Kriss, Stamp With Kriss

SCS WAYS TO USE IT CHALLENGE WT160 RUB-ONS

Today's SCS Way To Use It Challenge (WT160) was to find ways to use Rub-Ons. My Rub-Ons project was so darn easy, I'm almost embarrassed to post it as a "project"! I simply altered a Target $1 Spot Metal Pail. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes to weave the Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon through the top of the pail. The A Perfect Day Rub-Ons from the Occasions Mini Collection literally took seconds to transfer onto the pail.RECIPE
Embellishments: Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, A Perfect Day Rub-Ons
Tools: Crop-A-Dile
Supplies: Target $1 Spot Metal Pail

ETA: Aime asked if I painted the pail. Answer: No, I bought it already red. The only alterations were the threaded ribbon with the Crop-A-Dile and the Rub-Ons.

NO DP CRUTCH!

I can't believe it ... two cards ... in two days ... created without my designer paper crutch! BUT ... I did use my other crutches ... challenges! This card is my second case of SCS Featured Stamper FS60, Laura Fredrickson's gallery (scrapnextras on SCS). THIS is Laura's card I chose to case, combined with today's SCS Color Challenge CC160 ... Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss, and Creamy Caramel.

RECIPE
Stamps: Bud Basics, "Happy Mother's Day" sentiment from Great Greetings (retired)
Paper: Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Mellow Moss, and Creamy Caramel CS
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Mellow Moss, and Creamy Caramel Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Apricot Appeal and Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Green Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad
Tools: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS60 SCRAPNEXTRAS

Today's SCS Featured Stamper (FS60) features the gallery of one of my FAVORITE stamping artists, Laura Fredrickson, scrapnextras on SCS! Laura's creations are always unique and jaw-dropping. You can view her SCS Gallery HERE and her blog, Scrapnextras HERE.

THIS is Laura's card I chose to case. I've always liked the unique simplicity of her card, and thought it might look really cool using this week's SCS Color Challenge (CC159) ... Soft Sky, Basic Gray/Basic Black, and Whisper White. I made this card really late last night, and woke up this morning to photograph it, only to realize that I neglected to use one of the colors in the color challenge! ... and of all the colors to forget .... Whisper White! I guess it just wasn't meant to be in the Color Challenge. I must have been really tired when I made this card because now I'm realizing that the only thing I changed from Laura's original ... the colors. Everything else is the same. Boy, I really messed up on this one, huh?!RECIPE
Stamps: A Beautiful Thing
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, and Soft Sky DP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad and Versamark
Embellishments: Basic Black Button, Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

GREAT GRADS SFYTT

This card uses Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try ... LOVE Jen's sketch, not so sure about my card! Believe it or not, this card was a 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" card, and it just didn't look balanced .... so, I chopped off a bit of it, and it now measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/4". A little on the short side, but you get the picture.

This graduation card features the stamp set Great Grads and the Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel. The colors of Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, More Mustard, and Wild Wasabi were taken from the East Coast Prep Designer Paper.

The main image medallion is stamped on Whisper White CS in Tempting Turquoise and again in Real Red. The "G" is punched out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch, and the More Mustard ring around the "G" was created by punching with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch, then again with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. I used the 2-way glue pen to glue the More Mustard ring onto the "G". The Whisper White CS piece with the Real Red "graduate" ring was cut out with my Creative Memories Custom Cutting System that I've had for years. That circle measures 2", and the Wild Wasabi circle measures 2 1/4".

RECIPE
Stamps: Great Grads, Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Paper: East Coast Prep DP, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, More Mustard, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Versamark, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: More Mustard Brads
Tools: Star Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Creative Memories Custom Cutting System (non-SU)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen

MARCH weSTAMP DEMO MEETING and SWAP

Last night was our March weSTAMP Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Group meeting, a monthly get-together that we all very much look forward to! Our weSTAMP group is growing and growing with downline from Lorri Heiling and myself (plus one lovingly adopted demo, Pam Wood!).

Our weSTAMP monthly meetings include a make 'n take project, recognition, education, a three-minute demo, date reminders, planning ahead, a door prize, and themed swap. Last night, Linda Bickley provided the 3 minute demo showing us how to make beaded pens with Stampin' Up! Designer Paper and Micro Beads. I failed to get a photo of this month's door prize provided by Pam Wood. Jessica Blair won the handmade bracelet and beautiful gift bag decorated with Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons.

Here's a photo of those in attendance. "Hello" (waving frantically!) to our out-of-town weSTAMP group members (Kori, Tracy, Mauna, and Joyce), and of course the in town demos that couldn't make it.Ginny Schembri brought homemade snacks in these wonderfully stamped Martha Stewart boxes. Such a beautiful presentation!
This is the Make 'n Take project I provided ... cased from my cyberspace friend Carol Frerichs, Stamp Like Crazy. This card features the new Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic DP from the new Occasions Mini Catalog. We used the chalkboard technique on the apple images. See a complete tutorial by Beate Johns for the chalkboard technique HERE on SCS. RECIPE FOR APPLE CARD
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Phrases for a Friend
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Basic Black and Whisper White CS
Ink: White Craft, Real Red Classic, Chalks: Red/Olive/Brown
Embellishments: Black Gingham Ribbon, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
Supplies: Sponge Dauber and Applicators for Chalks, Swiffer Cloth

SWAP CARDS ... Our swap theme this month was Mother's Day ... full card or 3-D item.

by Adriana Gray ... by Leah Sinatra ... by Lorri Heiling ...
by Anne Fundner ... by Pam Wood ... by Ginny Schembri ... by Linda Bickley ... by Jessica Blair ... by Diana Clarkson ... by me ...RECIPE for Punch Purse Card
Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Certainly Celery Prints DP and CS, Basic Black CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: Gold Brads, Black Gingham Ribbon
Tools: Round Tab Punch, Word Window Punch, Small & Large Oval Punch, 1 ½” Square Punch

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS59 PICKLETREE X 2

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We attended a beautiful church service, and had a delicious outdoor meal with family. For those of you still in snow, yes, we actually ate our Easter meal outdoors with a breeze that was just perfect enough to keep the sun from becoming too warm. OK ... I'm rubbing it in! You can all rub it in to me in July and August!

This is a first ... last night I was able to create TWO cards for the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge FS59! This FS Challenge features the gallery of Amy Sheffer, PickleTree on SCS. Amy's blog is Pickled Paper Designs.

Ummm .... have I ever mentioned how much I love the new Stampin' Up! Flower Fusion? I used them for both of my FS59 cards! HERE is the first card of Amy's I cased. The things I changed from Amy's original include using different colors and designer papers, and using the Flower Fusion for the center medallion instead of a stamped image.
RECIPE
Stamps: None
Paper: Bali Breeze DP, Rose Red and Taken With Teal CS
Ink: None
Embellishments: "just because" Rub-Ons from SAB Love & Happiness, Flower Fusion, Turquoise Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch
Notes: Card measures 8 1/2" x 4 1/4", scored at 4 1/4". Taken With Teal squares measure 2" x 2". Bali Breeze squares measure 1 7/8" x 1 7/8"

This next card cases Amy's card HERE. I kept the very same layout, just changed up the colors, used Flower Fusion (again!) instead of stamped flowers, and used a Rub-On sentiment from A Perfect Day (Occasions Mini) instead of a stamped sentiment.

RECIPE
Stamps: None
Paper: Old Olive, Rose Red, and Taken With Teal CS
Ink: None
Embellishments: "You're so Sweet" Rub-On from A Perfect Day (Occasions Mini), Flower Fusion, Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE WSC40

I can't believe our Spring Break is almost over already. Allie returned home last night from Florida. She spent the week near Tampa in a beach house with her best friend, Britt, and her family. This is the second time Britt's family has taken Allie with them to Florida, and last year, they took her along to Washington DC! Britt's family is so good to Allie!

Drew stayed busy with his friends over break, and even made some money filling in on a couple of his sister's babysitting jobs!

This is the card I made for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge WSC40. I am in love with Stampin' Up! Felt Flower Fusion!!! Although I'm not quite sure how crazy I am about my card as a whole, I AM liking the flower! My flower seemed to be floating on the card, so I added the swirl from SAB Friendship Blooms to anchor it. The "thinking of you" sentiment is from the new Phrases for a Friend, the Ribbon Slide is from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, and the ribbon is the new Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon ... ALL from the current Occasions Mini Catalog.

Here is a close-up of my flower. Starting at the bottom layer: I used the 5-Petal Flower Punch for (a) Old Olive, (b) Rose Red, and (c) Chocolate Chip, then Flower Fusion in (d) Pumpkin Pie, (e) Rose Red, then (f) Old Olive. The center of the flower is a Pumpkin Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad.

RECIPE
Stamps: Phrases for a Friend, Friendship Blooms
Paper: Bali Breeze DP, Chocolate Chip and Rose Red CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, Pumpkin Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad, Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon, Style Silver Ribbon Slider Hodgepodge Hardware
Tools: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Ticket Corner Punch
Supplies: Pop-Up Glue Dot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter holiday !!!! We'll be going to church then having dinner at John's Aunt Shirley's house with family, and visiting John's mom, Ada.