Friday, October 28, 2011

November's theme

When I was young, I was lucky to live in Germany for a few years.

In one town, my best friend lived through a little wooded area. The only way to her house from mine was to either go through the woods or around town. I would go through the woods and over a little brook....I loved walking to her house and listening to the little critters scurry around.

In another town, our housing was on old farm land. The developers had left a plum orchard intact. To get to school, you could go through the orchard and save time or go around the orchard. I always loved to go through it....not to save time, but to play in the orchard.

I would climb those plum trees and eat myself sick. I would fall out of those same trees....and climb right back up them! I would sit in the trees and think, I would hide in them, I would cry in them. I spent a LOT of time in plum trees for those years!

Trees are definitely enchanting...they grow from tiny seeds, they bear edible seeds and fruits, they offer shelter for birds and other creatures.

November's ornament: A TREE.
November's challenge: give your tree a wee inhabitant...maybe a little squirrel or partridge or wood gnome.....?
November's activity: drop off a can of food at a local church or food bank.




"There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it." ~Minnie Aumonier

Black Swan

This is my beautiful black swan ornament from Courtney. Not only is it pretty, it's recycling. Courtney used a CD, papers, flowers and embellishments to create the swan ornament. It looks great on my tree!

Courtney sent wonderful goodies for me. She included pens for zentangling, buttons from her stash and a sweet little book she made. Thank you Courtney! I LOVE it all!!!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A swan from Sarah

My sweet swan package arrived today and I couldn't be happier.

Sarah is a new swapper with us and she made me this lovely creature with gorgeous wings........




and then she added a few spooky goodies and a couple treats too!


Thank you Sarah!

Flying Feathers

My swan package is off to my partner.

A few loose feathers may be flying around, though.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The swans have landed

I got word from Sarah that the swan package I sent her arrived so I thought it would be okay to share it with you all now.



close up of the ornaments:



and here is a close up of the charms....I love the feathers.

Don't forget to ship out your packages by the last day of the month!!!!! I can't wait to post November's theme.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I just finished my activity for this month.

I read the book "The Trumpet of the Swan" by E.B.White.
Yes...it is a kid's book but I'm really glad I reread it. It was one of the books I really loved as a child and rereading it as an adult gave me goose bumps (swan bumps?)

If you read it with your children, pay close attention to the freedom Sam has in the book.....I remember that too. Adults didn't have to hover over their children at every turn like they do now.





I've sent off my swan to my partner....and now I'm thinking of NOVEMBER!!!!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

My Seed Pod Package to Kerry

Kerry has been busy so I thought I would post my package to her.. she HAS received it so I'm not going to spoil the surprise :)  Here's what I sent:


The card I made myself :) The pictures are ones I found online of seed pods I felt were very interesting.. same thing on the ornament I made out of a CD .. I also made her some earrings that have seedpod beads (same ones that I put on bottom of ornament). Kerry likes to knit so I included some cool yarn in fall colors.. finally some seeds that she might like to plant :)  This was a fun swap and I look forward to putting together my swan package :)

Seed Pods I n The House!

Gin sent me a beautiful package!!! It was filled with handmade goodies! She sent ornament's made from the gum ball from a sweet gum tree. So very cool, I have never seen theses before. She also sent lovely glass birds that perch on a Christmas tree limb, hand made soft flowers and darling handmade ornament hooks. She even tucked in a little something special from her child's wedding. I feel spoiled. Thank you Gin for the great package!
xoxoxoxo



Friday, October 7, 2011

Partners assiged!

Just a quick note....all swan swappers have been assigned! If you do NOT have an email in your mailbox, please touch base with me asap.

As always, shipping date is the LAST day of the month.

She Was a Swan by Jennifer Morris
she was a swan

Monday, October 3, 2011

Sensational swan ideas....

Okay ladies...here are some links and photos for inspiration......but first, feast your eyes on this gorgeous creation I found on flickr. The artist is Tamara111...she is one seriously talented lady.

photo

and now for a few ideas to get you started....

From the fabled needle blog

and the dream factory


again at the fabled needle

Elisa the Swan PDF Sewing Pattern

or what about paper mache? Katie Runnels has this one on flickr

photo

and if you click on this link it will take you to a google page I found...full of swans

Braidwood Heritage crafts has this crocheted one


Image of Amigurumi Crochet Swan Pattern

I hope these give you a bit of inspiration!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Angels . . .

Thank you Little Messy Missy!  My seed package is awesome ----ANGEL TRUMPETS.
You could not have chosen a better seed for me. My cousin has 2 beautiful angel trumpet bushes that are always beautiful. I never thought of getting seeds from her. I have my own seeds now..


And such a pretty beaded braclet, tags, mini punch, and paint, and sorry but the Utah chocolate was melted (we still have 90 something degree weather). And she hand painted a card with angel trumpet blooms.

My ornament is a replica seed pod of a trumpet with hand painted blooms on it.
Thank you Missy, you are an angel.