Sunday, October 29, 2006

A little note

To let you know I'm still around. I made these note cards a few weeks ago and sent them off in a package for one of Moki's swaps.


I am such a paper hoarder. According to dictionary.com:

hoard (noun): 1. a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc.: a vast hoard of silver.

Haha! My "silver" is fabric and paper. The definition describes my paper and fabric supply/buying habits to the T. However, I tend to use the fabric up much more quickly than I use the paper.

This year, like last, I am going to make little notecard sets to give as presents around the holidays. Theoretically, this should decrease the hoard...just as long as I don't buy more in the meantime. How do you decrease your stash of "silver"?

Monday, October 16, 2006

My Letters

I took Latin for three years and one week of my high school career. During my junior year, I dropped Latin and signed up for Art instead. It was really happenstance that I ended up in Art, for it was the only other elective class that was open during that time period.



I loved Art class so much that I signed up for Art II during my senior year. My new teacher really inspired me and believed in me. Halfway through the year, she invited me on a special field trip to the Museum of Women in Arts in Washington, DC. Every art teacher in the county was allowed to invite 2 of their best female students. My art teacher chose me!



These photos are some of the art pieces I sent to my partners for Moki's letter swap. I learned the tempera resist technique during my high school art career and really enjoyed the process. The idea for these pieces came to me one morning. Funny how my greatest ideas come to me right before or after sleep. I really must start keeping a pen and paper on my nightstand! I hadn't done this type of painting since high school and was worried about how it would turn out. When I washed the ink away, I was filled with awe and surprise when the final piece starting revealing itself to me.



I'm really happy with how the pieces turned out and I hope my swap recipients enjoy them. I really look forward to having time soon to do more of these.

In case you're wondering, I've never regretted dropping Latin for Art, but I do regret not taking art in college.

Monday, October 02, 2006

More swap goodies


As I was walking home the other day I thought to myself, "Oh, it would be so nice to have a package today". I then immediately thought that I really shouldn't get my hopes too high. But when I got home, I discovered that I had three packages waiting for me to open!

My first package was another initial from Moki's letter swap. Isn't it cute! Leta made this for me and I am so pleased with it. I have the perfect spot for it on my shelf in my "studio" (aka, dining room corner). You should check out all the other beautiful things Leta makes on her blog. I especially love her cards.


The next package was a quilted letter from Jackie. She blogs about it here, but it is so much more stunning in person. She got the inspiration from a French alphabet song. The funny thing is that one of my favorite songs is called "Soleil" by Badly Drwan Boy so this quilted applique is perfect for me. Thank you Jackie!

I apologize for the poor lighted pictures in this post. I haven't been home much in the daylight. Later this week I will share with you the other package as well as a new craft obsession I feel coming on. Have a great day.

I heart mail

Oh wow! What a great week it has been for mail! At the beginning of August I signed up for two swaps organized by Moki: a letter swap and a stamped fabric swap. I was thrilled to receive my first letter last week. This wonderful package came from Raesha.


Not only did Raesha send a beautiful painted initial "S" complete with a charm, she also included lots of goodies: bias tape, a vintage embroidery design (which I have just the use for!), handmade travel tissue holder (it is beginning to be sniffly nose weather afterall), and cute stickers with the letter S. I hope I didn't leave anything out. Anyhow, thanks for the wonderful package, Raesha. You really made my day.

Oh but wait, there's more. You see, each person in the swap sent out five letters so that each person would receive five letters. I recieved a few more letters today but I don't have time to post now. Let me just say that I feel so spoiled! I can definitely feel a swap addiction forming.

Now back to studying. Goodnight.