I'm so glad for this challenge.  I have gotten in funk lately & had crafters block.  I knew I'd feel better if I'd just get going, but I couldn't get things going. 

Well thanks to this challenge & a friends birthday, I have broken the rut I was in!

I painted my friend Lydia a champagne glass for her 21st birthday.  It looks more colorful in person.  Somehow the pics just dont seem to capture all the colored dots, but they are there in the rainbow colors.



& of course I had to wrap it in something so I thought why not a bag she could use for other stuff later?  So I sewed up this zippered bag.  Ok these are muted rainbow colors but still....



I loved the ladies comparing fashion on the fabric inside.... made me laugh & think of her, plus I thought with the mellow exterior fabric it made a nice surprise.



I have something else in mind also so I might end up posting again.  Fun how something that challenges you to do something you don't normally is hard at first & then, look out the ideas come flying!

You all are inspiring!  Thanks for helping me get back to crafting.

My swap angel Naelany is beyond an angel!  She sent me the greatest stuff!  I think I might have permagrin all night!   

WAY TOO MUCH STUFF,  but I love her for it!



A great purple scarf which will come in handy since its starting to get cooler & I'm going to Salem MA next week where I know its going to be chiller than it is here at the beach in NC!  A cool pair of Halloween socks that say "trick or treat smell my feet" & are purple & blackk striped!  A witch hat candle that I almost bought myself the other day, but decided I needed to save the cash!  Halloween stamps!  A bat bell kit! Some great tea (one is my favorite & how she knew I haven't a clue!) & some of my favorite chocolates that she musta seen on my wist (hope it wasn't too much trouble to find!)  I was just craving some last night!  Dagoba Lavender & Roseberry, I suggest you try them!  & I can't wait to try the Wonka Bar...(golden ticket? hmmm.)  I didn't wait to try the Seattle Sensations (I think that is what they were called)..yummy blackberry & raspberry chocolate that decided to melt.. so I had to eat it ASAP & get all messy!  Soooo worth the mess!  A cool painted potions bottle!  Some lovely stitch markers..two types!  So pretty I might have to turn them into earrings as well.   A super cute jack-o-lanter pen.  Some lavender (pretty sure that is the herb, right?) wands that smell divine!  A string of beautiful purple beads to scry with... Even included a couple of dog treats that my guy Badyn went nuts for! some yummy cookies complete with icing to decorate all the fun Halloween shapes! 



& my favorite piece of them all... a breath takingly beautiful pillow that I ADORE!!!



I don't know how I existed before having this!  So perfect!


THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

I'm doing a happy dance!  You did way tooo much... hope a few of your wishes & dreams come true.   

soooooo worth the wait!   

Ok my secret swap partner has received the final reveal package so I can post without wondering if she will discover my secret identity too soon! lol.



Thanks for the inspiration & WONDERFUL tute! 

I just got home to find a package from my secret pal!  She even drew a cute little goddess on the box!



Lucky me got lotsa goddessy goodies!  Some book plates, a stitch marker with a beautiful lil goddess on it-seems she is determined to stay a secret since for the life of me I couldn't get a pic to show the tiny detail!, a felted hair pin (which I can wear & feel like a beauty goddess myself!), a window cling that says "look very carefully" -a reminder I need now & then to notice the good stuff like changing leafs & ladybugs!, & the biggest gift in the bunch.... a felted goddess meditation stone!  It's awesome!  Colors are perfect & I love the design!  Even says on the backside "The Goddess Lies Within"....I love it!!! 

I love all the things I have received, so special & so rare.

Thank you so much TEAMWANG!!!!

just under the wire for Sept....

Here is a bag I made that is super simple. 



& the partially open shot... can lay flat.



Basically you just sew together two squares then sew down the corners to one side, making sure you can tie the drawstrings through the channels. 

Another surprise waiting when I got home!  I love this swap & these swappers!  This time I got a mixed CD (Craftster Mix) & some perfect fabric.  Some purple with this great silver stripe (I'm thinking either a bag or pillow) & three Halloween prints which I'm loving.  Brought a big ole smile to my face!   




THANK YOU SO MUCH ASHESTOASHES!!!

Well llenray I found a lovely package in my mailbox tonight!  From you!  With all sortsa cool stuff...



Some yummy smelling lotion & body wash, some purple rubber bands, paper clips, toothbrush, big ole sharpie (you can always use a sharpie!), some postits, & pack of paper from her school which is purple!  A couple of patches (air force? army? I'll have to check out what that one means...any hints?) & the part that really was perfect timing since it had just started raining... a purple umbrella!! Just when I was thinking on the way home that at my "adult" age I should own responsible things like umbrellas.  Its from her college, Elmira.  Very cool.

You did way too much.  I'm spoiled rotten.

Wowzah I LOVE Craftster!!!

THANK YOU LLENRAY!!!


by the way, I messed up & didn't snap any shots of the magnets before I mailed them.  Hope you like 'em anyway.

Shelikesstars is sooo sweet!  She sent me a lovely package with more stuff than I could have imagined & the funniest part, it ARRIVED ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!  Such great timing & such great stuff...



several pairs of awesome socks (which I have been wearing all weekend- my sister kept telling me to shut up because when it would get quiet I'd say "Hey, I got new socks...naeh" stick my foot in the air & just laugh....) also got some book marks that are very me & some vanilla (one of the favs) tealights that are going to come in handy! 

I'm a happy gal! 

THANKS SHELIKESSTARS!!!

Talk about swap anxiety!  Jeez there are some artist in here.  (Love that jacket! & the bat bag....) 

I am one lucky girl to have gotten zenochka!  She is amazing.


got a pumpkin with a witch's conical hat craved into it, awesome fabric basket for the treats (now where to put the tricks?), a cute grinning pumpkin necklace, &  a sweet card!

Oh & the most amazing thing....

a gore-jus quilted wall hanging!  You are a master!  & you have some wonderful taste since we both picked similar fabrics!

You spoiled me rotten!

THANK YOU

Oh & what an awesome journal it is!

I am amazed at the detail of art you have created with duct tape!  You are so talented.  I have wanted to try my hand at binding, but never have had the time to figure it all out.  I can't imagin the time you must have put into this.  I have the utmost respect for you Miss Mermaid Strikes Back.  I'm honored that you sent this to me.

Thank you!