Ready To Play...

My studio is clean again, so now I can play. I pulled an assortment of charms that I'll be using soon on my latest artsy endeavor...the potions bottles. I'll have everything from Phoenix Tears to Acromantula Venom, and Love Potions and Giggle Juice to Liquid Sunshine. Of course, none of them are meant to be ingested - or even opened. I seal the bottles well before I start playing around with the exterior design of the bottle.

I have a little time to play before the pears and my tomatoes are ripe enough to can, so this will be something I can complete or come back to as time permits. I'm waiting for a few supplies to arrive yet, but as soon as they're here, you'll find me playing with bottles and trims, and I'll definitely debut the bottles soon.

November Blissfull Swap...

My November swap partner in the Blissfull ATC Swap Group is Laura Q of Fun With This and That blog. We could choose our own theme this month. Laura was really busy creating, not only my ATC, but extra gifts to add to my package!

Her ATC card is a real work of art. She affixed a transfer image of one of her own watercolor paintings to the front of her felted wool card. Then she added hand stitching, beads, a teapot and cup and saucer charms.
The back of her card is equally beautiful. She stitched a bow to secure a paper tag with a sweet image of a child. Could this be her as a babe? I don't know for sure, but I love her personal touch!As if that weren't enough, Laura also included this array of Christmas gift tags. Aren't they wonderful?...and notecards created from her own paintings! Really, Laura. I'm nearly speechless at your generosity. (Alright. If you know me, you know I'm never speechless, but you get the idea.)

I was a little late in getting my card out to her, but I'm hoping it arrives in her mailbox today. You all know how crazy it's been here of late, but I'm sorry to have fallen behind on this obligation. I'll share what I made to send to her, knowing she'll have it in her hands soon.My card is called "By The Sea". I also used a transfer image from a photo I took of a seashell bowl that I keep in our front entry. (You can click here to see the image from my Seashell Sunday post.) Then I added machine stitching, real seashells and a silver sea horse.

I, too, added a few trinkets, which included silver charms, seashells and a tiny vial of sand from Siesta Key Beach to her gift package. I hope this brings a little Florida sunshine to her North Dakota home. Of course, you know I'd share a photo if I'd remembered to take one. (sheesh!) I'm hoping that Laura will post a photo of all the goodies I sent her way once they arrive.

Charmed, I'm Sure...

I knew when I got up yesterday morning that I'd start and complete my second quilt top. I thought I'd decided on the fabrics ahead of time, but by morning's light, I'd changed my mind about my choices. I opened the doors on my cabinets and started pulling fabrics. I settled on a collection from Benartex (Called "Charmed") in shades of sweet pinks and yellows.
My second decision was how I wanted to arrange the fabrics, and I decided on pinwheels for the little lady who will receive this finished quilt. I spent the next hour cutting all the fabrics into 5 1/2" squares. From there I joined fabrics and cut them to become assembled squares of half-square triangles. (I'm posting this album to show you the actual steps, in case you're interested.)
I added a sweet plaid sashing to the edges, and entire pieced quilt top measures 40" x 49". I'll quilt this one myself, too, and I'll start that later today.

I had so much fun with both of the quilt tops. The one I shared yesterday I'm calling "Faerie Glen", and this one will be called "Charmed, I'm Sure". I'll quilt them this week, photograph the to share with you, and they'll be on their way to their new homes.

Love In An Envelope...

The mail delivery on Saturday held a surprise for me.
I recognized the return address and anxiously walked back
to the house so that I could open it (with camera in hand, of course!)
The gift is from my friend, Dee Dee at Dee Dee's Craftspot.

I've been reading on Dee Dee's blog that she's been learning to make charms. She recently took a class and was perfecting her technique. Well, girlfriend, let me tell you! Dee Dee, you've got it figured out now, girl! Look at the fabulous key chain my sweet friend created just for me! Acorns! She knows what tickles me! Blue Beads, a heart-embellished charm and acorns...
and when I turned it over, this is what I saw. Perfectly personalized from the studio of one talented Texas girlfriend to her grateful pal in Florida. Thank you, Dee Dee! A proper, handwritten note is on its way to you.

Dee Dee is celebrating 100 Followers, so click on her angel button to go sign up! She'll be choosing a winner on March 23rd.



If you can't get enough of the giveaway goodness in Blogland these days, The Brocantess is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th Post. You won't want to miss a chance to win her gifts! Please tell her you heard about it here and Donna says "hi". Just click on her photo to enter before she chooses the winner on Sunday, Mar. 21st.

And don't forget to click here to participate in my First Blog Birthday Party!

One more thing. I've put a poll right under my celebration button in my left sidebar. I'd love it if you'd give me a little feedback and help me make a decision.