Juliette's page from Kath

A bit of a flat representation of cording and muslin waves
onto the seashore but you get the idea!

Katerina

Hi Katerina I posted that the page had arrived a while ago now sorry it must have got lost somewhere, sorry you were worried but yes it's here and it's lovely i do like the colours you used.

An Elephant Named Mali

I'm glad that Gayle's page arrived safely.  Here is what I made for her:

My inspiration was a baby elephant born at the Melbourne Zoo in January.  Of course, all babies are cute, but I have a soft spot in my heart for elephants.  This is my first attempt at Stumpwork and I had a ball putting this little tyke together.  Her trunk and ears stand away from the cloth and she's just too cute!  Gayle, I almost did not send her - I lost my heart to her! 

There are more pictures on my blog and more details on how I did this page.  Also a link to the real baby Mali's web site.  Check it out....

What kind of doors?

Hi Liz its me that is making your page this month and before i go at it at a rate of knots what sort of doors do you like? My mum loves Mediterranean doors, i love old church doors and i would like to do something that you will hopefully like.

March: Leaves

My next theme is leaves. The page will be for Maya.
Here are two pictures as preview.

There's an Elephant in the House!

My page from Liz with a baby elephant done in stumpwork has arrived, and it has totally charmed me. Liz, if you have a scan you can post it with all the details of your work. If not, I will be scanning it anyway for my Flickr page and will post it here also. I absolutely love it, and am amazed by your work. Wonderful!!!! Thank you so much.
Gayle

A Peak At Mandy's Page for March

Here's a peak for you Mandy. I've finished your March page and I'll mail it off to you on Monday. Hope you'll like it.

I hope everyone has completed all your February pages and mailed them off. Do let me know if there are any problems on getting pages completed. (You can now all sigh and say "Yes, Mother...")

Hi Juliette

Am wondering how the postal situation is over there? Presume you haven't received my February page yet? Guess I should start a replacement? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Kath

Page from Juilette

Thank you for this lovely page, i knew my photograph wouldn't do it justice and it hasn't. Juilette you have used real pretty colours and i love the way the sand and rocks have been done. Thank you again.

Elizebeth your page

I am glad you liked the page Elizabeth, its one i have been worried about as i wasn't 100% happy with it. Firstly i coloured up lutradour and then using a soldering iron i burned the windows out of the arch and using french knots i held the windows open. I printed a view of an old house on to cotton and added stitch around the window frames and frech knots for the roses. I stitched the cotton to the lutrador trying to give an apperance of looking through the window at the view outside. To add a stained glass effect i added chocolate wrappers to the top of the arch and machine stitched around the edges. I did add a little pocket to the back of it to hold a couple of little bits.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth I have a couple ideas for windows. Do you want a window or what you can see out one's window? Out mine you just see Snow for about a quart of a mile. Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

Cobi

Your page will go in the mail today Fri. Sorry for the lateness. Getting to the post office has been very inconvenient. Last time it was on the list the Husband had me doing stuff for him. Dreaming Quilts Carmen: )

February's leaves made by Mandy

Here's what Mandy created for me. A colourful page of leaves which evoke the colours of autumn. She has used a number of techniques - opaque seta colours to paint the background, applique ,reverse applique and machine embroidery.
The reverse has a little pocket into which I'm going to tuck in the note with all the details. Thank you for "the bit of fun" - a little packet of buttons, in the shape of leaves and little acorns. I'm going to use them when I make up the book at the end of the year.

Carmen your page was put in the mail early this week, you should have it by next week.

I've yet to begin the page for March which is for Chris, will get started this weekend.

Take care all and have a good weekend.

Window Page From Chris!!!!

My fabulous window page from Chris flew in across the pond from Wales today!! It is so creative and fabulous and full of inventive techniques. It is simply wonderful and I wish that you could all see it in person.
Chris, please go ahead and post pictures of your fabulous piece so everyone can see what you ahve done and read about just how you did it!! Thank you for all of the little goodies that you added. You certainly do live in a very beautiful part of the world!!!

Wouldn't it be fabulous if some how, and I do know that this is only a dream, we could all gather and meet in person and share our beautiful books??? That would be the frosting on the cake!!!!
Happy Hugs to all
Elizabeth

My second page has arrived

Juliette my page has arrived and it lovely thank you so much. I will take a couple of photos of it but i have just come out of hospital from surgery and just don't feel up to it at the minute but i will in the next couple of days. But i wanted to get on here to let you know its arrived.

Ladies its so pretty.

Chris page on way

Hi Chris your page is on it's way , I forgot to take a picture so will you please do this for me and show when you recieve it. Hope you like it.

All White Page for Debi!!

Now hat I know that Debi has recieved her All White Page, in her new home in Everete, Washington, I am happy to share pictures of my work with you!!
I had such fun creating this page. I started it during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and I have to admit that there were several times when I actually had to stop working and watch some fo the amazing program!! I did stitch away on the piece throughout the first weekend of the games and was sorry when I finished it!! I have been inpired to go on and create several more all white pieces for other projects, however!
For this piece, I used all vintage bits from my stash and I put it all together using only hand stitches. It was such a relaxing piece to work on! I am trying very very hard to use just what I have and use some of my favorite hoarded things. This way I can continue on the hunt for more wonderful textile pieces!!!

I created the puffed heart using a snippett of a silk scarf to cover a padded cardboard heart cut out, that I then added pearl seed beads to. I wanted to be sure to add a heart to the collage as I was creating this page during Valentines month. I used pieces of tatting, some wonderful heavy floral trim( mostly up near the arch) some creamy crocheted lace and some bobbin lace (down at the bottom). The background fabric is part of an enormous damask napkin with a beautiful Poppy pattern woven in, but with so much going on , I am afraid that the damask pattern got rather overwhelmed.In several spots I tucked in some creamy big fresh water pearls and some Mother of Pearl Buttons- my favorites!!! For the edging, I couched pure white cotton yarn (two rows) along the seam between the front and the back. The back was also made from the same vintage Damask napkin used for the front. Those napkins have an amazing amount of fabric in them and Are a wodnerful source for hand dyeing fabric as well!!!

I am so glad that you like your page Debi!! I certainly enjoyed every stitch!!!!

Page for Carmen

Carmen the page created for you is addressed and ready in its envelope and will be in the mail tomorrow. Today's a public holiday here in India - Holi.

Gayle's page is off!

I'm so sorry it's a month late, but with the huge move... there just wasn't enough hours in the day!!!!  I hope you like it.  Lot's of hours and one do-over had me pretty satisfied with it.  I don't think I can hold a candle to the lovely 2 pages I've received so far, but it was my best.  I took pictures before sending it off and I'll try and figure out how to upload from my mac tomorrow.  Too tired tonight.  I spent the day working on a tree page.  I'm getting excited about it as it's turning out just like I was hoping.  About 5-6 more hours should see it done.  Then I'm starting on my idea of  a Goddess page.  That one will be a stretch for me as I had to do some research first.  Now I need to get the idea's bubbling around in my head down on fabric!

HuGGs to ALL!
Debi

Liz's Page Arrived!

I received my wonderful, marvelous page from Liz yesterday.  Oh my goodness, it's so pretty.  Liz, I can see why it was hard to send away.  It's so delicate and all the hand-stitching is amazing!  I left a comment for you in your post to me, but I wasn't sure if you'd see that so thought I'd better leave a post for you.  Any picture you took won't do this page justice as it's so hard to get a good picture of White.  But believe me ladies, it's amazing!
Love and HuGGs!
Debi

Mandy's Page

Hi all, Mandy's page is done and mailed.  Unfortunately I am unable to upload pics at the moment cause I am using an internet cafe.  I always have lots of fun with sea themes.  This one was no exception.  I do hope you like it Mandy.

I have somewhere permanent to stay now, and am in the process of trying to get my computer and sewing machine sent up.  Unfortunately my ex is being difficult.  But once I have the computer up here I'll get internet access sorted out and I'll then be able to upload photos.  But things are going well.  Having the time of my life.

Johoanna's Page

I'm running a little late this month, but your page will be in the mail Monday Johoanna. Here's a little teaser. Yes, that is a stitching needle, and it is part of the design.

Gayle

Fairy tale book page February

I received my second book page. It is made by Ruth. Like Johanna Ruth choose the tale of Rapunzel. But look, how different it is. I love it. It looks like painted with textures.
The page was wrapped in coloured paper. A very nice idea. And Ruth put a self made card into the envelope.
She wrote, that the card was made with a lot of different techniques like wet and needle felting, aplique and machine embroidery. The hair of Rapunzel is dyed by herself. The wool is from a Wensleydale sheep.
Thank you Ruth for this lovely card.

Running Late But Getting There

Just a few days left in February and I'm still working on Gayle's page.   I'm using a couple of new (to me) techniques and that has meant frequent breaks to double-check the tutorials!  I'm tickled with the way it is turning out so far.  You just won't be hearing much from me until it is safely in the mail! 

In the meantime, here is a sneak preview:

Leaves for Maya.

Beneath are some of the scraps which made up my palette.



Some of the stitching in progress.



Your page will be setting off on it's journey to you Maya, in the morning. I do hope that you will like it........................

Elizabeth i will be putting your page in the mail tomorrow, being away has slowed me down a little i am sorry. Fingers crossed you like it love Chris

My Page From Cobi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first Windows page has actually arrived through all of the ice and snow!! I absolutely love it Cobi!!! I wish that you all could see the incredible embroidery details, in the amazing leaves especailly! I tried to take closs up shot to show you , I hope that you can make them out. (I think that if you right click on the photos, they will enlarge in a new screen!)

DId you see the darling little bluebird and nest perched on top of the window?? PERFECT!! And she included some of my favortie lace- hand done tatting- reminds me of my Swedish Grnadmother who did lots of bobbin lace. Seems to me that Cobi did some research. Have you been reading my blog, by chance?? :)

The background that Cobi used does not show up well in the photos, it is a very subtle brick work pattern. She did wonderful silk ribbon emb for the central garden and then the clibing vines a re a wonderful mix of hand painted lace motifs and intricate embroidered leaves. How did you know , Cobi, that I am passionate about flowers and gardening?????
I simply adore this piece and I so appreciate all of the effort and thought and time that you put into it!!! It was soooo worth the wait!!!
Big Apprecaitive Hugs!!!!

Flowers galore from Ann

Flowers, flowers and more flowers!

I asked for colourful and I've certainly got it this month from Ann!! Plus a page telling me her inspiration - bordered with flowers and in an envelope with a cute garden sticker on it! Thank you so much, I love sunflowers as a Leo and we grow them in our garden.

Jan page and sneak peek of February

Here's a peek of Castles - the page I'm creating in february for Carmen.
The page I made for Juliette in January- The Seashore. I've depicted the ancient Shore temple at Mamallapuram. In the foreground are two catamarans made of wooden logs and a modern fiber glass fishing boat.The ancient coexists with the modern.
The reverse of The Seashore page. A pocket on the reverse holds a magazine article about the rock sculpture and the shore temple of Mamallapuram.

Carmens page

Hi Carmen glad your page arrived safely hope you liked it.

Deb's Page For February!

Here is a little sneak peak for you Deb!! I have used only vintage fabrics, laces and buttons, some real pearls and glass beads. All stitching is done by hand. I am going to take your page to an Art Group Show and Tell on Sunday, and then I will pop it in the mail on Monday!! As soon as you get it let me know and I will post pictures here and on my blog! I hope that you are pleased with it! this was a hard piece for me to send away!!

Hugs!! Elizabeth

Julliette's Page

I received the page you made me. It arrived Fri. Feb 12 I am busy working on the next one. Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

Flowers II

Yesterday I finished the flower page for Kath.
I will post the page today.
The page is still a bit grey. I hope it will get the color back arriving in Greece ;-)

This is the lovely page I had from Carmen isn't it just beautiful. Thank you so much. Sorry the picture is not good but i am not the best at digital photograph on this computer as my hubbys has all the photoshops etc still the page looks good.Thanks again

Juliette's page

Hi Juliette, I've just posted your page. Hope you don't mind if you get it early, we've so many strikes going on here in Greece now I thought better safe than sorry! Hope you enjoy whenever you receive it.

Playing with leaves.

This is just a quick post to show the result of playing around with fabric paints.

Yesterday, I was lucky to find a box of ten Setacolor Opaque fabric paints. I had gone into a shop looking for two or three colours to enhance my diminishing stock of colours, but came out with rather more than I had intended. The box made much more sense............ more colours to play with!



So this morning, I had some fun playing around with colours. I hope this might turn into the base layer for the page I shall be completing for Maya this month. Her theme is "Leaves".

Snippet for Juliette

Here's a peek of my page for Juliette plus a photo I got off the web hoping to be able to emulate in Kantha, but I chickened out! However hope it brightens the February weather for you! Are you due the snow again? We've got strong southerly winds at the mo; means it's quite warm, but also that we get 'Gadaffi's revenge' that is a lot of Saharan sand so the sky is about the same colour as part of your page!!

A Peak of Ann's February Fairytale Page

Here is a peak of Ann's page for February. I am going out of town tomorrow (if I can fly into Richmond, VA between storms) and finished my page for Ann several weeks ago. I was quite surprised to see Johoanna's page was based on Rapunzel because mine is too! I did send an e-mail to Ann and Johoanna about our pages being based on the same fairytale. Luckily, neither of them minded about that. My page doesn't resemble Johoanna's so it will just be a different take on the same tale. Ann - I had hoped to get this mailed off to you today but couldn't get to the post office. I will mail it to you when I get back on February 17th.

Thank you for my first page

Carmen when i returned from holidays this morning i could see an overseas's package waiting for me. Of course i had a tonn of rubbish in the mail and i kept yours to last so that i could drool over it. And drool over it i did to, its beautiful. I love it, If you could post a picture of it i would appreciate it, i will take one tomorrow but i haven't slept for nearly two days and i don't think i would do it justice. I will write more tomorrow sorry.
love Chris

Bookkeeping

Hi everyone!

According to what everyone has posted, it appears that most pages for January have been sent out. There are a couple that have been sent but not yet received - the page Cobi made for Elizabeth and the page that Carmen made for Chris. Chris was going to be out of town so she might not be back yet. I don't remember the exact dates that she was out of town.

It looks like Carmen and Gayle may not have received their page yet. Is that right, ladies? I am trying to keep track and make sure that all the pages are received. So if you are behind or have sent your page, do post so I know what's happening in regards to the different pages. Thanks!

I also sent an e-mail out to everyone with Johoanna's new address. Please make sure that you received the e-mail and that you change her address in your records. We don't want any of Johoanna's pages to get lost! If you didn't receive the e-mail, please let me know and I'll send it to you again.

If you made and sent a page and you know it was received, but it hasn't been posted yet, please feel free to post a photo and how you made it. It is always such a good learning process to hear about how the different pages were made. Hope everyone is having fun!

Liz's First Door Page

Liz has asked me to post pictures of the Doors page that I created for her, once she had recieved it. As we are anticiapting our second major snow storm in three days here in Virginia, I am doing so now as we will most likely loose power again, soon!!! I have had enough of winter so creating this page as ahidden forest doorway, was a breath of spring for me!!
one of the committments that I haqve made to myself in the creation of all of my pages for this swap is to use what I have and to recycle and repurpose in creative ways. This will ush me to think ab out what I ahve , find what I have and make room for future hunts for more treasure!! the background of this page was a wonderul green and brown plaid wool that was given to me just before it was put in the trash. I made the doorusing heavy duty interfacing that I painted with acrylic paint and then did some stitching for the wood details. I added leather hinges and a door handle. Then i got out my needle felting supplies and added the surrounding forest.
The hinges were added because the door opens to reveal a fabric/paper collage of endless possibility.

The photo is a bit dark but if I had used a flash, there would have been glare on the collage piece. The phrase reads, "Every Exit Leads To A NEw Entrance".To finish the page I added some hand stitching wih french knots and lazy dazy stitch and beads.Here are a few more detail shots.

Here is a piccture of the back. I kept it pretty simple and stitched on apocket of my own ahnd dyes fabric to hold a tag with all of the info for the swap.
I am now working on Shabby Chic for Deb and waitnig for the next storm!!!
Happy Stitching to all!!!

Page arrived

Hi Ladies my first page arrived today from Maya in India, I love it , all hand embroidery , fabric and some paper very cleverly manipulated into rocks , I will take pictures to post asap. What a lovely idea this was I was so happy to get my page and took it into college today, everyone loved it Maya.

Flowers

Just started with my next page: Flowers.
These three books I took as pool of ideas.
Have a nice Sunday - happy stitching

Opening Doors

My DOOR page has arrived! Woohoo! Elizabeth, it's better than I could have imagined. A door under the trees that calls invitingly - especially since we have half a foot of snow outside my real door this morning! Please post pictures for everyone to see and I will post some more on my blog. Right now I am working on Valentine's cards - which are late!!!! Oh dear, oh dear.

Chris-Coastline

Chris I mailed your page out on Feb. 29, so it should be there soon. Dreaming Quilts : ) Carmen

The "Real" Redwoods

Walking in the redwoods is truly an awesome experience. For those who have not had that joy, I thought I might show you a couple pictures of the real thing that show clearly the bark and the needles. I took a little artistic liberty with the needles. They are quite short and a medium to dark green. We live 3-4 hours from the coast where they grow and try to get over there at least once each summer. A belated "You're Welcome, Ruth." I'm glad you like it.

The first leaf in the book of Leaves

Here's the first page of leaves made by Kath in Greece which I recieved yesterday.

Its a wonderful page full of texture and great embroidery no doubt inspired by the beauty of her surrounings on Crete. Thank you for the brochure about Rethymno.

Thanks Mandy

Just got a great page from Mandy. Machine embroidery, lino stamps and beads ON the card with extra flower beads for when I make up my book!! Thanks so much, Mandy, I love it - such a varied and colourful start to the year.

window

Elisabeth, today I finally mailed your window page. Here's a tiny view of the page. I hope the mail will be quick and I hope you like it. I enjoyed making it a lot. It includes snow dyed fabric, neocolor wax pastels, SRE, appliqué, reverse appliqué and embroidery.

Fairy tale book page

Yesterday I received my first fabric book page. I love it.
Do you recognize the fairy tale? I am sure you do.
Yes it is Repunzel

The page has a lovely blue sky. The castle is applique and the hedge is confetti yarn.
The back of the page is out of the same fabric as the sky. It has a pocket with the tale in it.
Tank you very much Johanna.

A Note About" Windows"

I was just reading over the mailing list for our swap and seeing who I was creating a page for this month, when I noticed that I ahd added a caveat to my theme preference. I did not remember that I had added No Goth after the theme. I would like to explain that statement a bit.
I LOVE medieval architecture but I do not like the dark sinister goth style of today. I guess that I don't really understand the whole Goth thing, just assume that it is another form of self expression for many young people. It is not my thing! However I do love all things Medieval in the historical sense. I hope that this clarifies things a bit for everyone!!!
It looks like I will begin creating a page for Debi next, what fun!!!!!
I hope that all is well with everyone!