Easter Swap Surprise

Patrick from Cre8ors Touch invited fellow Hive artisans to choose a Vintage Easter card of their preference, replicate it into a 3-D form either 3 dimensional painting, sculpture, doll, dream scape, dia-rama.  The challenge was to translate the feeling of the card chosen into a 3 dimensional piece.  At the conclusion of the challenge participant names were swapped using the random.org number generator and then we shipped our creations off to new homes.

This is what I received:

This beautiful paper clay sculpture was designed and created by Gloriann who has an amazing blog and shop called Little Garden Crafts.  Her precious gift to me has pride and place in my family room, I just have to make sure when someone takes a look at my gorgeous bunnies they don't touch.  These bunnies have travelled all the way from New York to Australia without harm, so I intend that they will live a happy and carefree life without any mishaps.  

Gloriann's design was based on this Vintage Easter Card

This is what I made for the challenge:

My creation is made from felt and hand sewn.  Each bunny has moving arms and legs and the basket was made from felt and hand sewn into shape.  Each bunny has different characteristics ~ I designed a different pattern and shape to try and give each a unique pose in an endeavour to replicate the card more accurately.

My design was based on this Vintage Easter Card 

Sincere thanks to Patrick who hosted a fun Easter Swap Challenge for 2012.

Always Believe That Something Wonderful Is About To Happen

Yep something wonderful has happened here..  I produced this creative canvas, that's what!  I subscribed to the March 2012 Creative Canvas Workshop by Donna Downey and had a blast making this.  Donna is a truly over the top fantastic creative soul.  I can't get enough of Donna.

So now I have my very own piece of art to hang and I will be proudly displaying it above my bed.  Which means that I have to give my bedroom a make-over.  One thing always leads to another.

Today I am co-hosting Katherine's Corner blog hop, which is a brilliant way of discovering new friends and interacting with a variety of blogs from around the world.

Katherine from Katherine's Corner is an absolute inspiration to me and well now, she could really do justice to my bedroom makeover.  This lady has it all worked out when it comes to everything fancy and beautiful.  You should treat yourself and visit her blog, unless you've already come from her blog then you'll know what I'm talking about ~ in which case stay awhile here and have a look around.  Go on, grab a cuppa and enjoy yourself.

Letter Art ~ My First Lesson

I'm loving Letter Art.  It's fun, relaxing, creative ~ just a wonderful play time.  The best part is I don't need a desk, nor do I need expensive paper, pens or paints.  In fact, I coloured this delicious piece with chalk and then later gave it a luscious and generous spray of hairspray.  My masterpiece is now adorably perfumed.

Naturally I didn't think of this myself, the mastermind behind my learning experience is Joanne Sharpe from Letter Love 101 and this is the coolest of classes.  What's so good about it for me is that I can chill out on the couch, pillow behind my back, wrapped up in a snuggly doona, dogs by my side and just get creative.

There's nothing special about these doodles but it makes me feel good, time wasted is not time wasted if you're having heaps of fun.  This is lesson number one only twenty-eight to go.  Just having too much fun.

March Spending Spree ~ Giving Back ~ Awesomeness

Since I needed time out from blogging and all things internetty, I pretty much chilled by working in the garden. 

 Then I had a birthday, just a plain old run of the mill birthday.  Oh well, life is not perfect and a birthday ~ unavoidable.  One positive aspect of said birthday was that I received a spot of cash to soften the blow and I decided that my wondrous return to the blogging world would commence with a spending spree, or better yet, a "giving back" spending spree.  

You see, whilst sewing, quilting, photography, doll and soft toy making, mosaics and crochet and all that do dar are my 'thing man' I really want to dabble in other mediums.  Since I can't draw a stick figure without laughable embarrassment I decided to see what was available on the internet thus enabling this inhibited soul to acquire new skills.  

This is what I purchased:-

Access to a video by Donna Downey for the March Create Canvas series.  This is so awesome, just wait until you see my finished project.  Donna is way more awesome BTW.

Subscription to Premium membership to Effy Wild  Book of Days.  This is Art Journalling at the OMG level.  Having too much fun here I have to say.  Effy is full of unique awesomeness.

Some wonderful music by Kyrstyn Pixton to art and relax with.  This is so amazing, I can't get enough of the music, the words and it makes me so unbelievable arty.  I almost love myself too much.

But wait, there's more!!!!!!!

One full day oil painting class with Rod Moore.  Yea, an Aussie at last gets some of my support.  This was a totally fun day and I can't wait to share my artistic efforts on my humble blog.  I made new friends and Rod is a wonderful teacher.  I plan to go to more of his classes. This makes me tingle with happiness.

As if this wasn't enough, I needed to learn the basics of simple drawing for my Art Journal with Effy, so I purchased Instructions on How to Draw.   Perfect for me ~ she of little talent.

Last but SO not the least, in fact, this course is like chocolate, I just can't stop myself. Drum roll please, I'm running out of control here:-
Life time access to videos and other great stuff on Letter Writing by Joanne Sharpe.  Joanne rocks my socks, I'm almost lost for words.  Joanne is teaching me [and heaps of others] the skills of letter art.  It is totally awesome.

All my March activity is courtesy of  a whole bunch of creative, innovative, entrepreneurial souls who undoubtedly have reinvigorated my creative juices just a bit more than a tad.  I’ve found some new friends too which is pretty cool.

For play time:-

A Napkin Swap with other keen members of 52 Play Dates.  Jan Fox is another Aussie I am so very proud of and she is one super duper artist.  Sharing her magic free as well, totally over the top.  So Jan is number one on my list of "people to give back the love" when I get some more cash 'a moola.

I sent and am still sending Happy Mail to sisters in the Book of Days premium group.  So much happens in this forum that it rocks big time.  Friendship pours out of the space at a wild pace.

I made a 3D version of a Vintage Easter Card and then swapped with a member from The Hive.  This is another interactive social creative community I'm connected with.  Creative, artistic and hobbyist type people keen to share their wares.  Plan to share my humble effort on my humble blog soon as.

So how I see it!  Spending my birthday cash is supporting my crafty and artistic blogging community and giving back to a bunch of creative souls, saying thanks for sharing your skills with me.  


I've spread the dollars around and whilst cash poor now I am filthy rich with motivation, inspiration and happiness.  New friends, new ideas, new season ~ what more could I ask for.


Um, well!!!:  Prayer Flags ~ I need to learn more but I can see a swag of flags in my garden swaying peacefully in the autumn breeze.  

I’m a happy little vegemite. What about you?

Any suggestions on my next "giving back" spending spree?

Ouch ~ Gotta get out of here

Early morning jog...................................

Time Out

Taking a bit of a break ~ burnt out already ~ not a good sign

Thankfully my girls are here to look after me

Above is Goldie

          

                                      over here is Lilly

Stay tuned ~ the new me will re-emerge  ..............................