melange of swaps

An early selection of swaps and gifted items from some of my internet friends, previously unknown swap partners and a couple of local fibre artist buddies. Included are Candy T., Teri W., Rachel M., Susan L., Kaite M., Donna F., Aynsley M., Janet R., Nellie D., Marcia G., & ibby245. Don't start counting, because the names won't add up to the number of swap items, as some of my friends are represented multiple times.

This piece represents a very small selection of my treasured swaps and a wonderful collection of techniques. I butted the edges together and zipped them together with an overcast stitch, using size 15 japanese seed beads. Yes, I am crazy!! It's great TV work though!

Fibre and mixed media postcards (4" X 6"), twinchies (2" X 2") and 4" X 4"'s.













I've made boxes out of twinchies (2" square) and plus sized inchies (1 1/2" square) and have also beaded together three house fronts, for a standing display. Other than that, I haven't done much else except fondle my swap collection every so often and then protect them from dust.

Bookmaking has been pulling at my brain for the last little while, so I'd like to make some type of book, with pockets, to display the ATC's (artist trading cards - 2 1/2" X 3 1/2") and some of the arches (sorry, I can't remember the measurements). I'm not sure when this is going to happen, but I assure you that it will!

Come on, show me your swaps!!! Especially if you've come up with a unique display idea that I could steal!!! LOL!

tradition with a twist

Sparkly Chicken Yahoo Group - Receiver's Choice Swap updates:

The first photo is my interpretation of Jacqui's request for a Bee &/or Bee Skep block. Crazy quilted onto an 8 1/2" cotton square and then hand and machine embroidered (but mostly hand). The bees are hand embroidered with silk ribbon and little bit of black floss. The skep image was hand drawn on TAP (Transfer Artists Paper) with Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens (permanent india ink). Then I heat transferred the image onto off-white quilter's cotton, added an extra layer of the cotton, free motion stitched and then attached to the CQ square. Would you believe that I've had the TAP for around three years and this is the first time I actually used it? I do love the effect, so you will be seeing more of this type of image transfer in the future. Jacqui wanted a yellow/gold colour scheme for her block, but I just had to sneak in a little orange!!



A little closer look at the details:



This is Cheryl's interpretation of my own botanical theme. Isn't it lovely? Despite tomorrow's threat of snow, this block gives me hope that spring will actually arrive. Raw edge applique, using a machine blanket stitch. The wording is separate.