Swaps, and Happy Mail, and New Creations.......................

I was in a altered matchbox swap with Penny, and just received a lovely package in the mail- from WAY east of Va Beach, as my postmaster told me!!! LOL From way across the pond- these lovely creations came!!! I guess I should have filled my matchbox with something other than air- all of these came with a goodie or two inside!!

A paper swap from LaWendula's blog garnered me this wonderful batch of  colorful papers! My swap partner outdid herself- and sent along a card she made too!!!

The other happy mail came from Nathalie of Ruby Floy- she advertised a Castaway bottle in her online shop - and I just couldn't resist!!! It is wonder-FULL!!!! I think you should all order one, when she has them in stock!!! If my creative self was lost on a desert island- this would be the thing to have - after water, fruit,  and chocolate, of course!!!

Next is a lovely bracelet I ordered from Mary Ellen's Etsy shop-Art Kissed- it is beautiful - and she even sent an extra goodie along!!!!The sentiment on the bracelet fits me exactly!!!

The last set of photos- these are two of the recent recycled, upcycled items I've made. They can be found in Julieanna's shop in Broadway, Va.  Vintage teapots are now wind chimes with altered and stamped silverware, and crystal prism "water droplets". The smaller hammered teapot can be a planter- it has sphagnum moss in it right now - but I can just picture it with some pansies or overflowing with ivy or portulaca.(UPDATE- the hammered teapot just sold!!!!- the other is still available! More to come!) Also a little 2 tier pedestal made from vintage English ironstone. I hope to get some of these in my Etsy shop soon!

I know this is probably sensory overload - but I am behind on blogging and figured I might as well post it all at once!!! I know I am missing writing about something else I recently got in the mail - but when I figure out what it is, I'll just write another post!!!

Swapamania & Challenges

Online swapping is fun, and certainly addictive!!!
I think I have caught up with all mine-all completed and mailed out!!!
The Collage Box Swap, created by Lawendula  arrived after traveling thru' Europe. Very exciting- a box full of wonderful bits and pieces- I had to choose 12 - very, VERY hard- and put back the same.I think I actually put back 15, but who's counting??? LOL

The above photo is what I chose from the box. Two of the pieces I picked, were able to be cut in half and replaced - they were a duplicate image. Below is what I put back....................

Above is the little booklet that was included. All participants signed and added a "snippet"- I put in an inchie, since I am so inchie obsessed lately!!.
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Another swap from the same blog was a mini journal swap (see the icon on my sidebar).
Mine are off in the mail- going across the pond!!! My postmaster informed me that there might be a delay, due to the Icelandic volcanic ash- hopefully not! So, Vera, no peeking- if you want to be surprised!!!

The first journal was made from a vintage photo mat that I cut and tied together with twine and assorted blank pages. I used alot of the papers that I picked out of the collage box for the cover of the journal!!!The letters were from The Graphics Fairy, I believe-see her link on my sidebar.

The 2nd tiny blank journal is made from brown paper grocery bags, with brass grommets, and paper from RubyFloy . Very appropos, since it was Earth Day - the paper is handmade, with leaves, grass and rose petals. The little "journal" stamp on the cover is also from Nathalie's Etsy shop, Ruby Floy.

The outer frame/mat on the brown paper journal below, was a mailing label, trimmed and cut to fit, from Where Women Create- it just seemed to work!

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These inchies were challenges from Inchy by Inchy- I think!! One was a "royal lady", the others are letters of the alphabet. I am a bit late, so am starting mid alpha!!!

It's hard to tell - but the letter "M"  has a tiny little person in yoga position holding up the "ommm"!



Last, but not least, this went out in the  mail to "someone".............the last of the altered matchboxes and 2 inchies.

A Very Happy Mailbox !!

My mailbox does a happy dance, when it is filled with things other than bills!! Or, maybe it is really me who does the happy dance........!!!!

Two packages came the other day - one expected, one a surprise.
The surprise was from Barb- a wonderful teapot potholder that I had admired!!! It came with a fabulous piece of bluer than blue fabric!! I love it- the potholder will never touch a pot handle - it is too nice!!!!

The other package was from my swap partner, Angie. We joined a paper swap put together by Woven Letters
I took so many pix - 'cause there was just so much cool stuff in it!!!My computer is slow tonite, so I will only post a couple!!Included were two of Angie's digital art pieces, Australian postage stamps,tiny little coins, a feather, wrappings, all sorts of things!! If you click on her link, you can see what I sent her too. Swapping is such fun!!!

Here are some words of wisdom for the day, from a clothing hang tag in the swap package:

"As a person puts on new garments, giving up the old ones, the Soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones....."Bhargaved Gita

Lawendula's Paper Swap

Not too long ago, while blog cruising, I stumbled on Lawendula's paper swap. It sounded interesting, and I certainly have enough paper lying around, so I signed up!!
My swap partner was Caroline
Both of these gals have wonderful blogs and an abundance of talent - you must visit their blogs!! Caroline is a very talented illustrator- with a line of cards and a great sense of humor!!! Lawendula has monthly swaps, if ya' want to join!!!

I have to admit, I got a little nervous when it was time to swap- will she like what I am sending - am I sending enough, or too much? If I like it, will she like it or be able to use it, etc, etc, etc......it should be arriving soon - hope she likes it!!!

Anyway, Caroline's package for me arrived the other day, with some lovely stuff!!I am not the best at altered art - but I do LOVE paper!!! LOL

There was some vellum, some pictures, some scraps that you just want to look at over and over! My favorite, and I can't believe she sent it - is a vintage postcard, sent to her grandmother from a relative in Turkey circa 1911!! Wow!!! I asked if she was sure she wanted to part with this little treasure - and she did. Caroline said, as she has enjoyed the postcard over the years, if she now sent it out into the world, her ancestors would be better remembered, and become known to others!!!

That being said, I encourage any of you talented folks out there, to take this image of the lovely lady and give it new life- and honor those ancestors of Caroline's!!I would love to see your creations (this means you too , Patty:>) ) I will write a post with links to everyone's art.

My other favorite is the head of the little boy - I just want to sculpt him- but I don't think my efforts would be as cute as he already is!!!

So, thanks Lawendula, for arranging the swap and letting me participate!!