Swap-Bot Adventures continues

Well, my swap-bot adventures are going with a full speed. I am sending a package to my Swedish partner in Swap called "Fall themed Bookmark and a tea bag". I couldn't miss this one, because we study Seasons with my daughter (I have a post coming up on that) and that was such a perfect example of Autumn Season. Our assignment required to buy (that is not an option for me - I have "no money spend" rule) or make (love it!) one bookmark add a tea bag and mail it to an assigned partner. Well, I have so much fun!

I had these beautiful cards with Autumn leaves in my card stash and I've selected one card that had nothing but bright autumn leaves. I've used the front of the card for the bookmark and the back with the same print but smaller for an envelope for a tea bag.

The Bookmark.

I folded the frond of the card in a half. Punched the word "READ"and set the blue background to highlight the letters, then I glued the bookmark together. Then I've outlined the contours of the leaves on the card with Glittering Glue by Martha Steward and sprinkled with Orange Glitter. While the card was drying. I cut out two sets of different sizes Autumn leaves from Craft Felt in orange color. The larger leaf was hand stitched to create the veins. The I punched a hole on the top of the card, then I fed through the ribbon in dark red/brown color and glued the ends of the ribbon inside the large autumn leaf. Set it dry.

The Tea Bag Envelope.

Front

Back

I have traced the shape of the Lipton Teabag 1/4" large on each side to allow for the seams to be glued. Then I've hand stitched the top of the envelope using Craft Thread in Orange color. I've highlighted the shapes of the leaves the same way I did on my bookmark and attached a smaller Felt Orange leaf to a tea bag. I let dry overnight and in the morning I put the whole set together and I was done.

I want this package to be extra special, because I love Autumn and what could be a better way to celebrate it : a good book, a good cup of tea and beautiful Autumn Leaves outside.

My Swap-bot adventures to be continued......

Sincerely,

Why ATC?

First of all, don't forget about my GIVEAWAY (here is a link)

Why ATC? Just in case, if missed my last post ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. It is a tiny original piece of art created with the intenion of swapping or trading it with another artist, not selling it. The one rule an artist trading card must adhere to is the size. An ATC usually 2.5" x 3.5"

I think I am drawn to ATCs because they are the opposite of everything I've done in the past. I always worked with large sizes

This one inspired by Klimt (my favorite artist) is 36"x48"

This one is 36"x36". I was experimenting with glazes.

This one, in my daughter's bedroom, is 27" by 39"

These two are sitting on top of my pantry cabinet and hard to get to, but they are 18"x27"

These two in my Master Bedroom are the same size 18" x 27"

and these are smallest of anything I've done so far: 5" x 8".

and ATC gives me a chance to explore a new territory. I am learning more about ATCs and looking forward to this challenge!

Wish me luck.

Sincerely,

I am in Swaps on Swap-bot

Oh, my. Life is full of surprises. Back in April. I had no idea what blogging was about and now I have more than 70 posts behind me, recently I have discovered Swap-bot.com and now I am in Swaps.

Besides 2 swaps that I have completed in the past (I am a Blogger Follow Me and Blog Me Up Baby) where I've met so many wonderful people, I am participating in Vintage Ephemera E-Swap and signed up for Bird ATC Swap.

I swap with Swap-bot!

Vintage Ephemera Swap brought so many vintage images in my collection for FREE and trust me, I already have few projects in mind, where I can unleash my creative beast. I was the last to sign up, I think, and this Sunday we already swapping images and my collection of Vintage Ephemera is growing as we speak!

Bird ATC is a new Swap, the dead line to sign up is August 30. Just in case if you don't know, and I've discovered this just recently, ATC stands for Artist Trade Card. It is a small card 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" and it features an artwork created by an artist in mixed media, on a certain subject, in my case "Bird". I will learn more details and will keep you posted on my progress as well. This is all so new and exciting that my heartbeat goes through the roof.

Summer is over and I am ready to take my craft (no money spend) journey on the next level.

Sincerely,

Discovering New Blogs - Reviews Part 3

First of all, don't forget about ongoing GIVEAWAY- Lucky Number 7. I just read about Giveaways and how to do them right, well according to the Pros I've done everything wrong, or well - nevertheless. The second one should be better. Now.....

Reviews. I am very happy that I have participated in a Blog Swap and I am very grateful to all those people who signed up, because if it's not for this lucky coincidence I would probably never discovered so many amazing Blogs and Bloggers.

Here is the final group

Stop by Pariah's Blog to get a glimpse on vegan cooking, read about homeschooling and take a pick at Pariah's life style.

Michelle invites to her Blog and all you need to have is a great sense of humor and some knowledge of Spanish.

Crea Bloempje666 (try to say that 3 times:) by Rozemarijn from Netherlands talks about food, cats and SWAPS. Take a look at some of her latest treasures.

Speaking of being busy, my another partner from Swap-bot -Monique has 2 Blogs, 1 magazine and a stream of images on Flickr. Take a look, it will not a waste of time.

"Color me grateful" by Camille. New post with illustrations by this talented young artist

Another touching Blog with a single post "Wishing for a Baby..." by Mindy and her husband. They are looking for private adoption. I wish them the best of luck. Please, stop by to learn more.

Flying without Feathers" by Raye. I think she has a PhD in Swaps. You can learn so much just by stopping by.

"Jilly's Stuff" by Jill is a great Blog that will lead you to the shop owned by this amazing talented Lady. By the way, they are having a sale of 15% off. Prices are great - take a look.

and finally the last but not the least "Thrifty Crafting" by Allison. What a Crafty Mom. Her Blog filled with lovely projects and great tutorials. I am so excited to come across such a treasure.

What a great journey it was. I am so thankful to everyone who decided to participate in this swap and open doors to their amazing Blogs. You've made my life richer.

365 days 365 Do It Yourself projects (No money spend): GIVEAWAY - Lucky Number 7

Don't forget about going on Giveaway!

365 days 365 Do It Yourself projects (No money spend): GIVEAWAY - Lucky Number 7

Mirror Mirror On the Wall

Thursday Morning

My daughter is having fun with mirror and her blue flower barrettes. Similar flower is part of my ongoing Giveaway.

Have a great day,

GIVEAWAY - Lucky Number 7

GIVEAWAY is here! It happens sooner than I expected. Everything came together at once and here it is!

When I started my Blog back in April, I had no idea where will it take me. My main goal was to stay busy in bad economy and challenge myself to 365 days 365 D.I.Y projects. I had neither agenda no written plan but what I truly had was the urge to create. "No Money Spend" rule made me look around and rethink my lifestyle. It was hard in the beginning not to rush to my favorite craft store to get a thing or two (God knows how much I love those places). I had to put myself in the box in order to start thinking outside of it. Then I came across Theodor Roosevelt's phrase "Do what you can with what you have where you are" and it instantly became my motto.

I change my habits and as a result I started to change as well. My Blog became my journey to self-discovery. I was able to awake my hidden skills that I had but never had a chance to use and now 70 posts later (which is still a baby age for any Blog) I started to see better where I want to be.

Well, my first GIVEAWAY is my way of saying "Thank you" to all of you. I called it "Lucky Number 7" Why? Because I have 70 posts, I am starting this GIVEAWAY on August 25 (2+5=7) at 7 PM (Mountain Time) and it will end on September 7 at 7 PM. You will have a chance to get 7 entries and I am giving away 7 items. Here they are

2 strings of seashells (36" long each)

1 white flower Brooch (4" )

(this brooch look great clipped to the seashell strings listed above)

1 Blue Flower Barrette (4 ")

1 Pink Flower Barrette (4")

1 Seashell Whistle

(because Bloggers are not afraid to toot their horns)

1 Big (3 oz) Lolly Pop which my daughter decorated with smiley faces

(just because it is something sweet)

Rules to Enter:

Follow my Blog - 2 entries (if you are already on a list of my friends - that's great)

Blog about this GIVEAWAY - 1 entry

Twit about this GIVEAWAY - 1 entry

Tell me, which of the projects on my Blog you like the most and why - 1 entry

Tell me about your "No Money Spend" projects that you find interesting - 2 entries

You have a chance of 7 entries!

The drawer will take place on September 7th at 7 PM. I've decided to do it in old fashion way:

My husband holding a hat full of names and my 3 year old pulling a lucky winner.

Thank you all very much and Good Luck!

Sincerely,