I have received, and feeling a very lucky craftstress right now!!!!

Robinpich picked my tree theme (building up a vertible forest of trees now - and love them all) - this one is a very welcome addition to the family.....






the technquie she used is on this blog - makeanddogirl.com - which she very kindly supplied me with, think I may have to have a go at it myself.  It has a lovely textural feel to it and not sure how to photgraph it to show properly - but the paint over the top is in heart shapes.

It's LOVELY - thank you so much, this has been an absolutely marvellous swap and despite getting so stressed out in November I have really enjoyed it and will sign up for round two when it comes.

thanks - Scarlett x

Wow - I love your work WingsofClay - both are amazing, I especially love the kitty one (being a feline lover myself) - a very thoughtful piece.

Like Robinpich - I too have received from the remarkable Stepharella and what can I say - other than AMAZEBALLS!!!  Absolutely love it ..............



Not sure my photo does it justice really.  I asked for something uplifting (talk about a vague request) and Steph has written out this lovely poem in the branches and knots of the tree - it's beautiful.  She also picked up on the fact that I love trees and nature, and the colours are so lovely and soft, but warm - it manages to be muted but not dingy (if that makes any sense).  Is already up on my wall of art, where I can see it every day.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED x

I have received - a most beautiful and perfect for me canvas from the immensely talented - Alwaysinmyroom.  She has clearly understood me, as without me telling her, she picked on of my most favourite themes, the noble and every wonderful Flamingo.  Here it is in all it's gorgeousness.....



It's painted, it's drawn, it's got bits stuck on it - it's very textured, and most importantly - I truly love it!!!

thank you very much indeed xxx

Wow - what an amazing gallery, some serious talent in this group.  Can't wait for mine to arrive.


Little teaser for you Alwaysinmyroom - which I don't think gives too much away!!

Have to agree with Courderoy Cat - this gallery is absolutely stupendous, such talent and attention to detail.

My partner - SMLounsbury - is away at the moment, but she has received and don't think she'll mind me posting a pic or two.  She asked for a corset - based on this costume for a Halloween thing she was going to (which is where she is right now) as they'd sold out at the Disney store...

http://www.wists.com/SMLounsbury/3568d1430c613048ae825bc9b5c71a26?offset=40

here's what I came up with ..





You can't see - but the gold ricrac runs along the top edge as well.  The sewing side of it was complicated but, to my delight, within my capabilities - but where I did fall down was when it came to inserting the eyelets for lacing.  I managed the top two and had a complete panic that they were awful - so after frantic messaging the wonderous SML said she was familiar with inserting eyelets and agreed to put them in herself as I didn't want to spoil what I'd worked so hard on.

Was a real pleasure doing this swap - nice to be stretched in a crafting manner - and now I've conquered my first corset I shall have a go at one for myself.

I received last week - so apolls for only posting now, but I was away for the weekend and the great thing was I was able to take my lovely package wtih me!!

HUGE thanks to Lime Riot - who has knocked her socks off with this one.

I'd asked for a knitted or crocheted shrug, to wear over a sun dress, and LR outdid herself.  I have to say the colour is a bit off in the pics below, in reality the colour is a sort of cross between a dark purple and grey, really smudgy and lovely - and the knitting is just awesome, truly impressed by such skill.



I thought I'd do a close up also so you can see the lovely pattern that it has



I really really love it - thanks very much Lime Riot, you rock!!!!

Finished and posted - yippee!!!

Please slap me around the head with a wet jelly-fish if I try to make a corset again (lol) - only joking - my daughter saw this just as I was wrapping it out to post it and has asked me to make one for her.  Luckily, she's only 6 and doesn't have boobs yet - so will have a go without the boning and with straps to hold it up.

here's your teaser shot.....

Had the most rubbishy morning, you know when just about everything goes wrong and you're fighting back tears (don't let the kids see, don't let the other mum's see) and all you want to do is go and hide in a corner and eat a gallon of ice cream.

THEN.... I got home and received the most amazing and wonderful swap package of my life!!!  Words cannot express just how much I love each and every item that has been made for me with such skill and attention to detail by the hugely talented April.  (and by the way DO dress like April, if these are an example of her crafting skills).

firstly - the bag (purse) - its' gorgeous pin up fabric from my wist,  and in a style that I don't alread own - PERFECT for my holls...



Had to do a close up shot also of the beautifully inserted zipper and the fabulous decorative top stitch - I meant, talk about attention to detail, this is just AWESOME!!!



Then we move onto the hat - a most dreamy concotion in blue, pink, purple and lilac. I think it's crocheted, but could be knitted (Embarrased I don't know which) but either way it's just dreamy. I have a huge hat fetish and again, don't own anything remotely like this - I promise you April it will not be off my head all winter and is taking pride of place on my hat stand



And finally - the most jaw dropping, stunningly beautiful and gorgeous dress in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!  The kids both said I look beautiful in it (bless em) - my Gigi was official photographer, standing on a little table in her high heels to get height, and Bix insisted on getting in the first picture too..



I think this one shows it off best - it's the perfect length with the most brilliant twirly full circle skirt, it's also fully lined and the stitching is impecable.  I was really worried about it fitting - but April did a sterling job with whatever alterations were needed to be made to the pattern as it's just perfect..



I love everything about it - the fabric is just SO me and I really don't want to take it off!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU April - you've not only made my day, but my week and month as well, and unbenowst to you, I go on holiday tomorrow, so it even arrived at the perfect time to slip into my suitcase.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What a fabulous gallery - the chainmaile necklace and Saphire moon metal work are truly amazing - and I'm lusting after those wide legged pants, definitely next thing on my list of things to make for myself!!

Apologies to crazyda for taking so long to post my goodies - first of all a group shot..



There's a lovely pink & purple tie-dye t-shirt, a hair barrette and knitted hat and a pattern (in the RIGHT size) for me to have a go at making.



Gigi immediately decided that she would like to model the barette and wore it for the rest of the day, however I have sneaked it back now and it's in my own hair today!



A very shiny pic of me in the hat (it was a VERY hot day - yes, we do have them in England!) - not sure quite how you knew about my hat fetish, but I absolutely LOVE this one, the colours are amazing and I'm so impressed it was your first knitting project.

Thanks so much Brenda - I've really enjoyed this swap

When the weather finally starts turning warmer, I always seem to come back to Grease as one of my all time favourite movies.  I wondered if anyone else would be interested in doing a Swap based on a Grease theme??

There are so many fabulous quotes that could be used, wonderful fashions, accessories galore - I hope that it's not just me who is interested.

This would be my first time organising a swap, so unless I could find a co-organiser would have to be limmited to 24 people.

I was thinking of a 5 point swap - with at least one large or medium item with sign ups beginning in July - does that sound doable??