Indian Goddess

Here's a sneak peek for Johoanna of the page I've created for her.

It will be in the mail in the next day or two. I hope you like it.

All the Way from India to Montana

 Look at this wonderful page I received from India from Maya. She based it on the coconut palm that is used widely in her community. She says that each and every part of the coconut palm is used in daily life. She used pieces of  "plastic foil from snack packs" for the blue and green and brown paper for the trunks of the trees. She then added embroidery to add detail.

 Here's the back of the page that is all embroidered.

Here's a close up. Another wonderful page for my book. Thanks Maya!

Maya and Kath

Hi Ladies just to let you both know I am working on these pages this weekend then I am done I hope to get them posted on Monday. I just wanted to let you know.It seems to have gone so quickly and has been a challenge but one i am so glad I took part in, now to consider the cover.
hugs
Juliette

Johoanna

Hi Johanna, I am sorry but I did not take a picture of your page, I was so anxious to get it off to you as I was late I didn't take one. Glad you liked it though.

how I made the unicorn

I found this drawing in a book by Eileen Campbell called "Creative Designs for Applique". I enlarged the unicorn to the size I needed. I used shiny off white synthetic satin. Because the background fabric is dark and I didn't want it to shine through I ironed a thick vlieseline to the back. Then I ironed vliesofix ( fusible webbing) to the back so that I can iron it onto the background. To prevent fraying I didn't cut the unicorn but melted the outline with a sharp pointed soldering iron.

After that I ironed the unicorn to the background. For the embroidery I used rayon floss only. For the figure lines I used a dark beige and stem stitch. For the hoofs buttonhole stitch in beige. For the manes 2 colors purple in chainstitch. The eye is a reddish purple lazy daisy. When you read Terry Pratchett, you know unicorns have red eyes.

I hope this answers your question? Otherwise send me an email.

Unicorn by Cobi

This is the page Cobi made for me. Cobi didn't choose one fairy tale but a fairy creature. I love the page.

On the back of the page is a pocked in which she but goodies. Thank you Cobi for the page and the goodies.

Ruth, I Love It!

My page from Ruth arrived yesterday and I can't get over the amazing job she did.  Those saloon doors look so real.  It's a wonderful representative of Montana.  I have more pictures on my blog if you're interested.

Thank you Mandy and Ann!

I was out of town for a week or so, and when I returned I had two beautiful pages awaiting me.
Mandy's lovely Lion and Mouse page with a retelling of the tale, and Ann's beautiful Owl at Night. I'm having a bit of scanner difficulty, but will post pictures as soon as I figure out what the problem is. Many thanks to both of you!!!!! They are just awesome.
Gayle

Sneak Peak for Liz

Here's a sneak peak for Liz. It's your November door page that is on it's way to you. I mailed it this morning. Hope you'll like it!

Mail Received from Juliette

Well, it's been a long time between receiving pages in my mail box.  I received my page from Juliette yesterday.  It's lovely.  There is a beautiful image of a classic styled lady.  It's wonderful.  I love it.  Thanks so much.  Could you please post a photo Juliette?  My camera is almost dead and I still don't have my computer here.  Thanks so much.

I haven't sent my October page off yet.  Sorry, I can't remember who it's for, my notebook is at home and I'm at the library.  I have almost finished my November page, which is for Debi.  I'm very happy with how it is turning out.

Many blessings to you all.
Johoanna

Tree Page from Cobi

 I'm always so excited when I get an envelope in the mail and look at the bounty when I opened the one from Cobi.

 Here's a picture of the page itself. Cobi made the tree from puff paint through a stencil. Isn't it wonderful?

 Here's a close up of the tree and it is such wonderful texture.

And here's the back with a pocket to keep the postcard and song that Cobi has written out on the sheets in the first photo. Thanks Cobi!

Ali Baba by Juliette

Today I had a soft letter in my mailbox. It was the fabric book page made by Juliette. Juliette choose the fairy tale Ali Baba and the forty thieves. The pages shows the cave full of treasure after he said Open Sesame.

Juliette wrote how she made the page: She dyed the background, lace, ribbon, museline all in rich oranges. Then she added some gold and bronze bits, ribbons and beads.

Have a look at the photo - isn't it great. The real page is even better.

Thank you Juliette for this nice page.

Page for Ruth

I should say page for Ruth is finally done! Extremely sorry Ruth for the delay but your page will be in the mail tomorrow morning.

This was meant to be made and sent out in September. I'm still grappling with tight schedules and travel but I think I'll have things under control by the end of this month so Johanna and Ann please don't despair I'll be working on your pages this month.

Sneek of November page

Hi Gayle,
your November page will start it's travel tomorrow. Hope it will arrive soon.
Trillian

A new page - the Sea.

My page from Juliette arrived yesterday. Sadly, I arrived home too late in the day for a decent photograph, hence the delay in posting.
It is a really subtle treatment of "Sea" with a delightful arrangement of dyed fabrics representing the movement of the waves. There are a number of different fabrics here with some lovely texture variations.



The back has a lovely piece of dyed fabric too.



I have never tried stippling or dry brushing fabrics - but must try this for myself.

One (perhaps I should alter this to read "several") of the nicest things I have been finding about the challenge of completing pages for other people, and, in turn receiving them, is the wealth of different techniques I have seen and have been able to try out for myself. Without this group, I think there are many techniques I really would not have considered trying for myself. There is a lot to be said for pushing boundaries and trying things outside what might be considered a "comfort zone".

Arrival of Debi's page.

I am delighted to be able to say that my October page for Debi - Shabby Chic Vintage has finally arrived. Does anyone else feel nervous waiting for the arrival of their pages?

This is the back of my page. The two strips are vintage sari fabric. I got these years ago in an embroidery pack. The larger of the scraps can be seen as part of the front.

My letter details the items used to construct the page. For the first time, I made the whole page quite quickly. I had all the pieces I needed in my stash.

These are some of the beads from the bracelet I took to pieces. It was a really fussy thing which I would never have worn, but what a wonderful hoard, just right for this page.

Oh yes, the bouquet of flowers shown on the paper used for the letter is a photograph of flowers given to me some time ago. It was such an extraordinary collection of blooms......

The leaflets mentioned were these:

Yes, I am fortunate to have Knutsford just a few miles away from my home. Its an interesting place to visit too, with some fascinating architecture. Home for some years to the author Elizabeth Gaskell, and said to be the inspiration for "Cranford". Tatton is the large Hall and grounds alongside the small town of Knutsford.

Window Page From Johanna!!

I must apologize to Johanna for being so late in posting this page!! It arrived several weeks ago and got put into the wrong pile!!! Well here it is! I do love it Johanna and I am thrilled that the window is cobalt blue- a favorite color!! The theme of the open window is set by a lovely OWL!!
Both my daughter and I are fascintaed by owlos at the moment , so we were both delighted to see Johanna's work! Above the owl is a stitched mirror, that does not show up as a mirror in this shot. There is also a darling little face charm peeking out from the branch on the left.
HEre is an even closer shot!!!! Thank you so much Johanna for this wonderful addition to my Windows book!!

Stained Glass Window By Ruth

Last week I recieved this glorious page from Ruth!!! This photo was taken with the page taped to a window so you can see the glorious color that Ruth achieved by painting on Lutradur. Simply brilliant color idea and execution, Ruth!!! The perimeter of the page is black felt.>This shot was taken with the page placed over a white piece of paper. This is a shot of the back of the page. I am so excited about all of the pages in my book. Thank you Ruth for another beautiful addition!!!!