Coming along

Checking in for the zombie swap. He lost an eye, but I'm on track.
Chris =]

Zombies - Getting Started

I finally have a plan for creating my zombie doll.  I bought some fabric, I have a pattern and I'm ready to get to work.  That's right, I'm actually planning to use a pattern, I rarely do that! I typically create my own patterns as I go. I think it's because when it comes to crafting I like to make my own rules. Or maybe I just don't like to follow patterns, not sure. Either way, wish me luck! 

I'm getting ready to start cutting into my fabric,  but I'm wondering what everyone else is working on. Do tell . . . 

-Jill

Get posting!

Hello zombie creators!

All partners have verified still playing along and I have sent (and just RE sent) 6 more invitations to post on the blog.

Don't forget that some of us are bloggers, on FB and on Instagram so feel free to stalk us!!!!!

I hope you have fun with this swap.  Don't forget to make/find some fantastic tuck ins.   We have lots of categories on the sidebar, including past zombie doll swaps.  Take a sneak peek to see what you can find to inspire you!

a little update!

Announcement from zombieland!!!

We have an uneven amount of swappers as of today.  I am going to give it til tomorrow to see if we can get ONE MORE swapper to join!  That would give us all partners and make my job oh so much easier!  

I have sent out several blog invitations.   If you accept the invitation, you will be able to post on this swap blog and show us  some sneak peeks, some fun Halloween oriented things...a zombie video, etc.

One more day gals....I'll be sending out emails with swap info THIS WEEKEND!

Yarni Gras 8th Annual Halloween Swap!

I am BACCCCCK!  I have been gone a long long time and decided to come back by hosting my annual zombie doll swap!

This year we are swapping "MISSING ZOMBIES"

A missing zombie is a zombie you don't currently have in your collection and REALLY want.  

What we are swapping:

*1 HANDMADE  zombie doll based on your partner's profile.  As always, the doll must be at least 8 inches in length and completely handmade. 

*3  tuck ins.  These tuck ins should be chosen from your partner's profile.  They can be newly purchased, thrifted, re-gifted or handmade.  Use good judgement.

The package needs to be worth/valued at $25.00 before shipping.  As always, my swaps are meant to challenge your creativity, not bust your budget. If you can handcraft everything, I encourage it!  

Shipping has gotten outrageously expensive so this is a USA only swap and I am limiting it to 20 participants this year.

The join by date is August 31st.  That gives you time to invite some of your artsy pals to join in this year.  

I will email your partner info during the week following registration.  I will send out a confirmation email so please reply to it.

Ship date is October 1st.  This gives it time to arrive for Halloween display!  

Please wrap your items up nicely and ship on time.  If you are going to be late, contact me so I know what is going on.  
Please use priority mail so you can track your packages.  If your package is lost or stolen, it is your responsibility to send a replacement package.  It is only fair to do so. 

I'll email all participants before the swap for confirmation.  Please reply and confirm to that email.  
 

To register:

Leave a comment here and email me at valpowery(at)yahoo(dot)com with the following information:

1. Name and mailing address
2. Cute or gruesome style? Some people prefer cute due to small children in the household.
3. To help us with tuck ins, give us a small list of things you like and use for Halloween including: crafts/arts, colors, candy, collections.
4. Tell us which type of zombie is missing from your zombie doll collection that you REALLY want.  Give us 3 choices!  (Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Prom, Nursery, etc....get the idea?)

I will send a confirmation email, please reply to it!

Loooong Overdue Thanks

     I thanked Jill for my zombie doll back in the fall via email, but never got around to the public acknowledgement that we enjoy seeing so we can see all the cool things we made for each other.  My life has been insane with my husband in another state for six months, and many things fell to the wayside.  I have a big catch-up list.

     I was excited when my package arrived, I had a friend over, and while I had intended to delay opening it until I had finished the doll I was making for Jill, the only way to explain what this swap thing was was to open it and show her the goodies that awaited me.  This little guy is so cute, and meets my 5 yr-old son's approval.  He is allowed to live inside the house on my vanity.  My older boys oohed and aahed about the zombie car magnets, which I made clear were mine, and I can often find my cool flashing eye-ball among my little one's toys.

     The most amusing thing that I found though, was the like-mindedness between Jill and I.  Before I sent her doll, I thought this little boy and girl would enjoy a tea party in my tiny private garden.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the photo that Jill posted of the zombie girl with the zombie boy's twin brother! I had cut out a duplicate of the one I made, and recreating her is definitely on my catch-up list.

     Thanks again Jill for this precious zombie, and thank you so much Val for all the work that you do to maintain this little community.  It really does bring bright sunny moments to all my chaos, even if I did not get a chance to participate in a particular swap, or do the monthly craft-along.  I enjoy reading about what others do, or checking in on their own blogs.  It is truly inspirational

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT I did the November Craft Along

I know I'm really late posting this but...
  I found a ceramic tree at the thrift shop and snatched it up before anyone else could. It wasn't painted fancy so I had no guilt about priming over it and painting it the way I wanted.
  What it did have was it's the exact ceramic tree model that I was looking for. A few years ago I made the same ceramic tree for my sister and meant to make one for myself but never did, then the ceramic shop went out of business and shipping cost for one are crazy. I was really happy when I stumbled across it.

   I wanted to give the tree some depth and dimension. I painted the tree with different colors of green and the base with different colors of brown, to bring out the nooks and crannies I dry brushed a dark brown and wiped the excess off. I still need to add a new light to make the bulbs glow, that can wait until next Christmas.

 

  I'm real happy with the way it turned out.

TTFN,

Chris =]