The Swap

with Lori Anderson has been a real highlight of my blogging experience. This is Lori's photo of her office and where she has hung the Art Banner I created for her. Taking a clue from the periwinkle walls. So when this lovely box tied with this hot pink bow arrived I was just so excited.
I knew I had several things to wear with it. I especially have this funky patch work dress and you can see some of the fabric in the pictures. I usually throw on black. It's classic and easy. But sometimes I need a bit a Florida sunshine and that's what these pieces do for me...

they just make me feel happy.
Lori, I can't thank you enough for doing this swap with me.

1 Song Sparrow

These birds were done by Therese and her sister Peggy in the style of Jeanette Janson's birds. Considering Therese has her arm in a cast I think She did an amazing Job. We put magnets on them and hung them up on the refrigerator. Peggy Lives in Italy most of the time and State side down south for a few months out of the year. She has been helping Therese get through this critical time after her reconstructive arm surgery and helping take care of their vibrant Mother. And I promised them I would post them on my blog. So there you are ladies.

A New Chill

Has come to Michigan and this "Chill" is one that I can handle. Nothing at all like the harsh winter chill we had to endure this past winter. What am I talking about you ask? I'm talking about my New Pullip Doll..."Chill"

I have her pictured fresh in the box...and then with her polar bear rug and my stuffed Avanti Polar bear cub that my Mom and Dad gave me several years ago when collecting stuffed bears was my thing. I don't think I'll be collecting these Pullip dolls. They are pricey. My sweet hubby bought me this one for our anniversary that is coming up in May. I think she is just adorable.

On a side note....I have to blame/thank Debbie for this. She is the one that told me about them. In turn she has to blame/thank Suzie Blu. But how helpful she will be in doing different poses for our girl paintings. The eyes move and wink and you can move her body in to all sorts of cute poses.

To view more dolls visit theses sites:

http://www.pullipstyle.com or http://thevalleyofthedolls.com/ or go to EBAY type in Pullip

Random Acts of Kindness

Give Away & Pass It On - Random Acts of Kindness Alert - my turn to pass this on after participating with Lori at http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/ Pretty things.
The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:
* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. but I think you will.
* What I pick will be just for you.
* It'll be done this year (2009).
* You have no clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be a handmade card, or jewelry, something lovely made out of paper, beads, or a random treasure. Who knows?
* I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

And in return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog of your own and make 5 things for 5 others. (not my picture unless you want to)

Please e-mail me with your address my e-mail address in in my profile.

I have all 5 participants. Yeah! Let the Fun Begin.

In This Garden

http://tinyurl.com/c3bm8m
Was recently just released and I just got mine in the mail today. Totally inspiring. And there is bonus ephemera in the back of the book. This book is right up my alley. Pictures... tons of pictures...and then when I want to...I can do some reading...but I'm all about the pictures. Just as was "In This House". I have that one too. And the Art Group I belong to did a collaborative house. One of my favorite projects.
When I saw Catherine Moore's contribution to this book on her site I went to work ...wanting to create my own version. Deb and I started one of these "gardens" on one of our Creative Fridays...neither of us has finished it for various reasons. So this is what happens with me.... I start a project whole heartedly and then do not finish. "C'est la vie."
So here are some of my beginning stages...

She's not glued down because she isn't finished. My other panels are ready fot the images I have stamped out using Catherine Moores stamps and some others that I have that will fit my theme.

A Banner of A Swap

Lori of Lori Anderson Designs aka Pretty Things agreed to a swap with me. I would make a banner for her and she would make a piece of jewelry for me. Since my Business name is Blooming Ideas the summer bracelet she showed on her blog was perfect. It has a floral toggle clasp and accent green beads that are in my favorite shade of green. As well as beautiful lamp beads and dangling leaves. Her picture of the bracelet is pictured below.
Please visit her site to see more of her jewelry creations that she has for sale.
http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/
to get to her store link.
She was nice enough to send me pictures of her studio where she has painted the walls a lovely shade of periwinkle. Unfortunately I wasn't able to reopen them to recheck the color.
So her "Je Art" ( My Art) banner is as close as I could find in the periwinkle color.
She has an adorable little boy so I made sure to include some images of boys on the banner.

I also had a poster of sample hanwriting that I cut up and used as the background.

Something a little different from news print or sheet music.
Since she makes jewelry I gave it some bling with crystals, floral shaped rhinestones and pearls.
Perhaps it will coordinate with the chandelier she is looking for.
I was trying to track the package all week and getting no where. I was so nervous about it but I got the e-mail today from USPS that it was delivered today. So now I am anxiously awaiting to hear from her. But now I can post about it and not ruin the surprise.

A Little Memento

I'll be busy making 18 corsages 7 boutonnieres for a gathering that is planned for May 17th to honor the elderly for their faithful service in the congregation that I attend. Should be a wonderful luncheon with skits and good food. This is my proto type that I came up with. This way they can keep it as a little memento.

So I had to make sure I had enough supplies. Divided up what I got for this project in to separate baggies. That should help me keep organized. I needed it.

Do you think I should cut the "stems" even or should I leave them at their varying lenghts? I 'm leaning toward cutting them. Perhaps on an angle?