Cupcake Crown for Justiss

Here is the crown I made for Justiss for the Tiara/Crown Swap. She said she loves cupcakes and the colors brown and blue.

My Frida Crown!!!

I received my crown from Justiss today from the Tiara/Crown Swap! Love it love it love it! It looks completely different from everyone else's crown which satisfies. I have my Day of the Dead dollie wearing it in this picture. Thank you, Justiss! How wonderful!!!

Stalking the Mailbox

I think one of the reason that I like swaps so much is that they guarantee that you will get mail. I just love going to the mailbox these days! Right now, I'm waiting on my winnings from Creative Chaos, my tiara/crown from Girl Hysterical and (next week) my patriotic bookmarks from Kandeland! Woo hoo!

I have almost finished MY patriotic bookmarks that I will be sending out to Natalea and then I can start working on my Bucket Swap items. I have already gathered everything together. I just need to do my crafty item and work on packaging everything. I hope Natalea and Sarah like their stuff!

ParTea Swap Goodies from Miss Dolly!

Oh, my goodness gracious! Look what was on my doorstep today!



Look at how sweetly Miss Dolly wrapped all my goodies!

And here is what was inside!!!!




I got a Pretty pink crocheted doilie, an Assortment of tea, a Rose-scented candle, a beautiful Teaspoon/Teacup/saucer set, Edibles and Amy's journal of thoughts!

Look at how pretty this doilie is! Miss Dolly crocheted it herself!





And I think this journal may be my favorite!



Thank you for all of my goodies, Miss Dolly! I love them!

Anniversary Idea?

Okay, everyone. My first anniversary is coming up on July 3. The first anniversary is paper so I thought I would do something creative with paper for a gift. But I'm blocked! Anyone have a creative idea for me? Help! I have given him lots of photos already so I need a different kind of gift idea.

The Big Reveal!

Whew! Sallie got her collage that I made her and I think she likes it!!! I had a lot of fun making it. Every day I would head out to my craft area in the garage and re-arrange it and play with different papers. I tried to think of things to include that would make her happy.

See her reaction here.

See the other beautiful collages from the swap here.

More Gushing and an Update

I just wanted to say a few more things about the collage that Sallie made me. She really took the time to read my blog and learn about me. There is a teapot (I love tea), a black cat (I love cats), books and a library building(I work in a library), shoes (I love shoes) and even a black cowgirl hat (I'm from Texas)!

Wow! Talk about personalization. I just love looking at it!

In other news, I have decided to officially host the Art Doll Hat Swap. Details to follow. It will probably be in mid-July to give us all a chance to finish up our current projects. I'll keep you posted!!!

How Lucky Am I?!

I opened the front door and found my Bits 'n' Pieces Collage package from Sallie!

I have already seen the collages on other people's blogs and I have to say that the one Sallie made me is by far the best! I love it so much! It even has a little bird on top! And she packaged it so nicely and included some Chiclets and an "A" shaped notepad. Sallie---You really spoiled me! Thank you so much!!!!

Victory is Mine!

I headed out to the garage after work yesterday and finished up Jus's crown for the Tiara/Crown Swap! I'm actually pretty happy with it. I modeled it for DH and he said, "It's really cute!" That made me feel good because when I showed him the Flickr group for the swap the day before, he said to me, "you're screwed."

See everyone's creativity here.

I also finished Sallie's Bits and Pieces collage and I'm pretty happy with it. Now, I just have to get these guys in the mail and start working on my Bucket Swap!

I got my Bucket swap partner and I'm so excited. Her name is Sarah and she and I really seem like kindred spirits. See her blog here.

If some new swaps don't pop out soon, I may have to have one of my own!!!!

Is this in the DSMV-IV?

Okay, I have a confession to make. I have a swapping inferiority complex. Yes, it's true. I get so excited about my swapping ideas. Then, I get bogged down in my execution of the projects. And then, I start seeing the SUPER-CREATIVE things that other people are doing. And THEN...the anxiety hits.

What if my partner poo-poos my poor painting job?

What if she notices the little tears and rolling that resulted in my battle with adhesives?

What if she opens her package and just groans in disappointment?!


AAARRRGH!!

I just got a sneak peak at what my Bit and Pieces' partner made me. See it here.

Now, my feelings of swap inadequacy are popping up. Well, at least I know I put a lot of thought and effort into my projects.

I plan on finishing up my crown and bits 'n' pieces projects tonight. Wish me luck and send me LOTS of creative vibes.

Swap Updates

Well, I worked on my Tiara/Crown swap project and my Bit and Pieces Swap project this weekend. Each one has its own little frustrations because it is hard to match the vision you have in your head with the actual product.

I really want to do a crown that my partner will like but then I get nervous when I see extravagant things like this. Holly builds her crowns on wedding tiara bases but I haven't been able to find one anywhere where I live. So, I am doing a paper crown. Hopefully, my swap partner will still like it.

My Bits and Pieces project is moving right along but I need more fun bits of ephemera to put on it.

I think the best part about these swaps is trying to make something that your partner will like based on the limited information you get from them. It's a fun challenge!!!

Secret Pal 10

I heard a thump on my doorstep this morning and I ran out to find an amazing package from my Secret Pal! All I can say is.....wow!

Where do I begin? Lots of yummy sock yarn. And some beautiful Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette that could come in handy for some the great patterns in "Knitting Lingerie Style." She also sent me "Domiknitrix" which I have been wanting for awhile and a great book about "Selbuvotter" knitting. It looks hard but I really want to learn! There were also double-pointed needles, a delicious-smelling candle, scarf pattern and some yummy body butter. Whew! Did I miss anything? I hope not!

Thank you, Secret Pal. You really spoiled me!!!

Swap Fever

Yes, it's true. I have swap fever.

I just finished my ParTea Swap package for Dolly and mailed that off.

Next up, a tiara for the fabulous Justiss over at Girl Hysterical for Holly Doodle Designs Tiara Swap. Then, I'll be creating a collage for Sallie at Sparks in Life's Engine for Everyday is a Holiday's Bits and Pieces Swap.

Finally, I'll be putting together a summer/yellow/red/thrifty/crafty bucket of goodies for my soon-to-be-discovered partner in the latest Sweet Goodness swap. This bucket swap is open until Friday if you want to sign up.

My mailbox should be filling up soon!

Life is good.

Yarn Harlot Inspiration

I got to go to a Yarn Harlot booksigning a few days ago and it was great! I have been to booksignings at this store before. In fact, I went to a booksigning there by John Grogan at the height of the MARLEY AND ME frenzy. There were probably 20-30 people there. I think there were close to 200 at the Yarn Harlot signing. Amazing! She is so funny! I had a good time. It inspired me to get knitting again.

So, I broke out the needles and started knitting a bunny from a Kate Gilbert pattern for a friend who is due in August. It's going pretty quickly but I'm nervous about how big this bunny is going to be. I also had to try out the backward loop cast-on which I hope I did correctly. Guess we'll find out...

*spoiler alert* ParTea Swap

So, I am almost finished with my package for my ParTea Swap buddy, Miss Dolly.

Miss Dolly, read no further if you want to be surprised.





So, these are the three crafty things I am including. Dolly loves cherries so I created a cherry-themed table centerpiece. Then, I collaged a box to hold tea and created a door hanger. The door hanger is still drying and needs its ribbon.

Here is a close-up of the door hanger:



And here is a close-up of the box:



I lined the box with cherry print fabric. I am still having problems with paper. It keeps rolling up when I try to glue it down. I have tried all sorts of fixatives. Grrr... And my painting isn't the best. But I hope Dolly will appreciate the effort.

Door Hanger for Caitlin

I am working on a door hanger for my co-worker, Caitlin. It is almost done and I am considering using a crackle medium over the top that Caitlin lent me. It looks pretty thick though, so I'm a little worried. Thoughts or suggestions?

Another Creative Idea from "How About Orange"

"How About Orange" just posted yet another cool idea for a project--a votive decorated with cut paper. It is so simple but it looks so cool!

Check it out here.

Domino Bracelet

Here is the finished domino bracelet that I made for my mother using ArtChix loteria cards, glitter and modpodge. It isn't perfect but I think it looks pretty good.

Visited by the Tag Fairy!!!!

Remember that scene in "Little Miss Sunshine" where Olive jumps around yelling "I won! I won! I won!" after getting the message about the Little Miss Sunshine contest? Well, I feel the same way! I just found out that I won some beautiful tags from the uber-creative lady at Creative Chaos!!!

See my winnings here.

Oh, boy! I can't wait!!!

Knit in Public Day Etc.

Did you know that Saturday is Worldwide Knit in Public Day? Maybe that will be a good excuse to get started on those baby booties that I need to knit.

Also, I just found this funny post about these knitters who are doing "knit graffiti." They go out into public places and leave knitting on public sites such as lightposts. Check it out here.

And here is a non-knitting craft question...

Does anyone have a suggestion for painting wood pieces with acrylic paint in a way that the brush strokes don't show up? I have tried sponge brushes and regular brushes but I hate how it is looking.

Tiara Swap!!!

Today is the last day to sign up for the Crown/Tiara Swap over at Holly Doodle Designs. I couldn't resist!!!!

Link

Productive Weekend

I have a bunch of three-day weekends coming up and this past weekend was the first. It is amazing how much you can get done by just having an extra day!

I have carved out a small corner of the garage for myself and I sat down and started working on gifts for my ParTea Swap partner. The frustrating part is when the ideas you have in your head don't translate really well to the finished product. But it's a work in progress. I also worked on a bracelet for my mother which is almost finished. Not perfect but it's a first attempt. I'll post photos soon!!!