Sinister and Sweet

"Sinister Bird"...the cutest one I've seen!
(6 x 6 inches)
from Katherine, Scootin' Annie

Katherine and I were swap-buddies for the Teeny Tiny Mini Quilt Swap. When she saw this tag on my blog...

...inspiration kicked in and "sinister" became our theme--a great one for October. It was a fun swap...thanks Katherine!

This is the teeny-tiny-sinister-mini that I made for her.
(6 x 6 inches)

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So, now, how 'bout some S W E E T !

These beautiful tags are from Karin, Creative Chaos.

Aren't they gorgeous?! And sweet...like Karin! I just adore them...thanks so very much!!

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Most of my time in the ol' craft room this past week was spent working on my issue for I Heart Zines 2009. It's a first for me--fun and a bit of a challenge.
But, Alma Stoller, the swap hostess (and another sweet and talented artist) provided a really helpful tutorial. I've mostly worked on getting my thoughts and ideas organized--ones that I'd noted and/or sketched over the past few months (an interesting variety of scrap paper, napkins, deposit slips, etc.)--but I've been able to create some of my pages too. I'll share more on my progress later:)

Marilyn

Big THANK YOU's to Renata and Melinda!!!

Two of the One World~One Heart giveaways that I won have arrived in my mailbox recently.

From Renata in Brazil, a purse-size, vinyl-covered notebook she created with lots of pages to record information or make notes. I love the latch she added to keep the notebook closed.





Renata also crafted this lovely card that she included with my notebook--the Portuguese word "Parabens" translates to "Congratulations". Renata is a very talented paper artist and has recently moved her "scrap PARTY" blog here.

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Melinda has also made a move recently, a big one--from Washington to Utah. But, even in the midst of packing up her house, she managed to create this incredible mixed media art quilt for me!


When I won her drawing for a pet portrait, Melinda asked for a couple good, clear photos of the pet I wanted in the portrait, so I sent her two photos of our 18 year old cat, Emma. When she saw Emma's blue eyes, she suggested a turquoise background and I think it was the perfect choice. She also sensed that Emma was quite girly (so true!) and added some bling around her neck. She really captured Emma perfectly...and, apparently, Emma thinks so too...


It's funny, often when I'm taking pictures of things for my blog, Emma shows up and weasles her way into one or two of my photos, but when she did that today, it actually made sense to have her there!


After her modeling gig, she moved on to some sunbathing. In Emma's world, that is a very busy day!

Marilyn

OWOH from NZ and SC2

LOL, my post title looks like an algebra problem!
But, oh my, nooooo...far from it!

It's my OWOH (One World~One Heart) win from NZ (New Zealand), more specifically from Kathy in New Zealand. I won the most wonderful giveaway on her blog during One World~One Heart and it arrived in the mail yesterday. Our mailman said it was his first package to deliver all the way from New Zealand...and it was my first to receive, so it was exciting.

Kathy wrapped it up so sweet...


Just like the bag she created! I love the hearts she added to the front--so perfect for OWOH. And the size of the bag is ideal for toting around all kinds of things.


Extra goodies too! Fabulous lip balm and the creamiest chocolate! Isn't the tin adorable?


Kathy filled it with some really lovely buttons. I'll definitely be looking for something to attach those to! And there were more sweets--a box of candy hearts.


Who wouldn't feel pampered with gifts like these?! Thanks very much, Kathy!


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Saturday, I received these fabrics from Audrey for our March Sew Connected 2 (SC2) quilt blocks. I think they're really pretty...so spring-y!


Audrey requested that the group create Wonky Log Cabin blocks for her quilt. How fun is that! I couldn't wait to get started so I gave in and sewed it up this afternoon.


One of those serendipitous things happened when I was first playing around and arranging fabric pieces. I had a pile of fabric scraps on my cutting table and that little bird piece jumped right out at me...it matched the pink and green in Audrey's fabric perfectly. A sign, for sure, so into the block it went. I love when that happens!

Marilyn

Playing with Puppies, Fabric and Gifties

On Saturday, Shawn, her daughter, Bethany, and I drove out to Karla's for Craft Day. Beth, and a new crafting friend, Mary were there too. We actually did get some crafting done, but I didn't take a single photo of the gorgeous papers that were being added to journals, tags and atc's. I couldn't resist just taking pictures of the three puppies playing around us in Karla's studio. Her yorkie, Twinkle, recently had puppies--six girls. Three had already moved to their new homes, but we had so much fun playing with the ones that were still there. They were so sweet and cuddly!


Isn't this one of the cutest faces you've ever seen?!
And that's lucky me getting to cuddle with her! (Shawn took this photo.)


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In a different kind of playing, I had some time yesterday to work on, and finish:) my red and aqua charity block for Project Improv, the project I talked about here.


Also, please, take a peek at two more wonderful gifties I won during the One World~One Heart giveaways.

From Nikki, a lovely fabric ATC. The hearts are cut out of fabric paper she makes that really sparkles! She also dyes the wool for her pieces. Thank you, Nikki!


And from Melissa, this grand assortment of collage sheets and accents from Paper Imagery Designs. Thanks, Melissa!


I think crafty gifts are one of the best kinds of mail!

Marilyn

The OWOH Love Continues!

I was so fortunate, during the recent One World~One Heart event, to be the winner of some very LOVELY giveaways! Please let me share with you.

From Anne, these incredible ATC's--she really has a way with creating color and texture (check out her blog to see lots more)! Thank you, Anne.


From Linda, a beautiful bracelet made with glass beads, silver spacers and charm! Thanks, Linda.


And from Diane (who does some amazing image transfer work), this lovely mixed media picture, "Mother and Child", and also some little extras that I look forward to using in my own work! Thank you, Diane.



In addition to their beautiful gifts, I've also made three new friends and found three wonderful new blogs to visit...definitely a gift that keeps on giving!


Marilyn

One World ~ One Heart Winner!

This is the day that nine hundred and eleven blogs (yes, 911 blogs) all over the world are announcing winners in the One World~One Heart Giveaways!

I used the Random Number Generator to select a winner...


And #18 is:

Caryl (Caryl's Realm)

Congratulations to Caryl! I've contacted her and heard back and I'll be mailing out her prize this afternoon.

A big THANK YOU to Caryl, and all of you who stopped by to comment during this huge blog event!!! Your lovely, kind words have been so appreciated.

Marilyn

So, What Happened To M-T-W-Th-F?

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I last posted!

Where has the time gone?!
Well.....I must admit I've spent a lot of time visiting blogs that are participating in One World~One Heart. The last time I checked, there were 781 listed!

I think I've visited 275 to 300 of them and have already discovered LOTS that I want to revisit. It's unbelievable how many talented and friendly bloggers there are out there, and thanks to this one blog event, there's opportunity to find them.

I've also been creating artist trading cards for a "Women" themed ATC swap. I do enjoy making them...it is interesting to me, though, how some come together fairly easy and some not so easy. I don't know what makes the difference--I just try to go with the flow.





And I'm working on tags for Karla's Puppy Love Tag Book Swap. I've finished the backgrounds so far.

Next comes the really fun part...adding the puppies!

Marilyn

My Heart Is Filled With Gratitude

I have been completely giddy over the response to my One World~One Heart giveaway in the previous post! Your generous and encouraging comments have been a heart-warming and humble encounter and my gratitude is immense! It is yet another wonderful thing to come out of the One World~One Heart blogging event.

Because of the positive response to my QUILTY removable comp-book cover, and because it was so fun to make, I sewed up a similar cover and listed it in my Etsy shop. The fabrics in this one are also colorful and vibrant with lots of purple.

Front:

Back:

Inside front:


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That's what I had today thanks to my thoughtful, creative and amazing hubby! And next weekend, we'll celebrate both of our birthdays (his was 12/26) with our incredible kids...don't you just love to stretch out the partying:)

Marilyn

One World~One Heart Giveaway

(Feb. 12th) THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by to play!
The WINNER has been announced HERE.

(CONGRATULATIONS, CARYL!)

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(Feb. 11th)***THANK YOU, COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED...THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH***




It's here! One World~One Heart!

Lisa "oceandreamer" Swifka, (A Whimsical Bohemian), is the woman behind this brilliant blogging event. She started out two years ago with the idea of bringing people together from around the world who might not have a chance to meet otherwise. The first two years were wildly successful!

Last year, I was a new blogger and One World~One Heart turned out to be the perfect experience for me. I was introduced to new blogs and wonderful people...connections were made and many turned into friendships.

This year, I'm excited to be participating with my own giveaway...
a Composition Notebook/Journal with a removable QUILTY cover (removable, so you can put it on your next journal when this one is filled up).




For a chance to win, just leave a comment ON THIS POST only. The drawing is open to EVERYONE...please be sure there is a way for me to contact you if I draw your name. The giveaway will end February 12th when I announce the winner. I

If you would like to know more about this incredible, worldwide event, click the One World~One Heart logo at the top of this post for information and also to find a list of all the participants.

Thanks for your visit here and enjoy your journeys elsewhere...it's a wonderful world out there!!!

Marilyn