Friday 23 November 2007

Garlands and stockings Swaps ~ all finished.

I have taken part in a few swaps this year and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Though to some it may seem quite daft to spend so much time making and sending out swaps to complete strangers. I've found it to be a great pleasure to be giving and then receiving and it has given me a chance to push my creativeness into area's I may not have wandered before. I am predominantly a textile artist but seem to have found myself working quite comfortably in the paper and altered art collage arena....... I love it!



I have just completed a garland for the Ga Ga Garlands Swap at Simply mein. Tamy the host is my partner and the brief was HO HO HO ...... so :)))




I found some of my most favoured vintage Christmas cards , took images and made a collage for each banner , I decided the theme was ~ The Night before Christmas ~









Of course it was a complete glitter fest! Not one bit of sewing




Then from paper back to sewing again I created this Christmas stocking.


for the Vintage Christmas stocking swap and we had what you might call a tag swap, one person sends to me I send to the next person and so on. Lucky for me the lady sending to me was no other than the host herself - Mary Ann at Follow your Bliss


I sent off a stocking to a lady in the USA on flickr - this is it. She loves art deco so staying well clear of all the lace and frou frou I might have used I decided to use some antique crazy patchwork for a cone pocket instead.
I ironed some image transfer of vintage cards on to heavy old french linen and highlighted the pictures with glitter then added an art deco rhinestone twinkle to decorate (I've got to have the bling).
Hope Jennifer likes it.




Well Mary Ann the host sent me a wonderful stocking packed to bursting!
This is what came in from her. Look at that doodle below delivered on my swap package. It's adorable!


She filled that stocking to the rim and I couldn't wait to get stuck in. Look at the gorgeous blue colours and the wrapping, gauzy bags, beautiful glitzy net!

and what she gave me left me on cloud nine. Bling, bling treasures and millinery!
Look at this pin cushion soooo cute!
A beautifully decorated matchbox decorated inside and out, filled to the brim with lots of great stuff that I can use in my creations.

Chocolate - I've eaten it:) and some Christmas coffee to try as well, sweet smelling candle, cute figurine and these lovely vintage cards!

Thank you Mary Ann for going to the trouble of organising the swap and for sending me such a gorgeous parcel of goodies. I thoroughly enjoyed opening it all, even though I should have been saving it for Christmas:)

28 comments:

roseroomnz.com said...

Gorgeous, love your banner and stocking and the goodies you received in your stocking are to die for!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, absolutley gorgeous, all of it!! Love the banner. A beautiful post, and a pleasure to visit :) Jenn and Jacqui

Saucy said...

Paper has its own charm, but you really do it up with fabrics! You did get some really lovely treats, so it must be Christmas.

Sea Dream Studio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sea Dream Studio said...

Wonderful post, full of beautiful things... but my fav~ your glorious banner! I imagine the swapper who gets this will be delighted!!!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

WOW! Is all I can say, Ginny. Your work is beautiful! And your stocking was gorgeous! Loved all of your goodies you received, as well!

Kitty

Anonymous said...

hi ginny!

so glad that you participated in the swap & that you liked everything! it was a blast creating all that for you! & the doodle...well, i can't take credit for that...it is a stamped image from clear expressions stamps. but i thought it would be cute to stamp your envelope with that image! :)

happy holidays ginny & thanks for being such a great swapper!!!

cheers,
mary ann xx

Unknown said...

your banner is just beautiful- I'm green with envy.

Sadie Lou said...

I had tons of fun looking at your blog and I am adding you to my blogroll so I can find you again!
I loved looking at all your fabulous creations in the sidebar--I hope I get you as a partner in a swap, soon! My goodness you are a talented one!
~Sadie Lou

Kari said...

Wow, what wonderful eye candy and inspiration here. STUNNING work. Love it all!!!
Cheers
Kari

Lori said...

Ginny, your banner and stocking are just wonderful, your swap partners are lucky girls!!
and oooh did YOU get some nice goodies? wow on the baubles and millinery!!!

Retroboutiques said...

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Retroboutiques said...

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MODERN COUNTRY said...

Hi Ginny,
There are so many pictures to enjoy and i really don`t know where to start. But i just wanted to tell you how much i adore your garland! And your christmas cards (?) with vintage images, and all the goodies, oh my! So many treasures!! I feel overwhelmed by all of it, in a positive way!

I hope you are enjoying your days, I shure do :))
Take care, Aina

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Ginny

What amazing creations - both yours and those you've been given. I love the night before Christmas banner, and all those goodies in the stockings ... wonderful. Love the idea of the crazy quilt stocking, too. I must try some of the transfer images. Not sure where to start though!

Sue x

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Ginny - What a clever girl you are!! You must work so hard - your creations are always delightful!!

And the stocking that you received - WOW! - so very you! What gorgeous treasures to have been sent. I know that you will have lots of fun with all of those goodies!
Niki x

Anonymous said...

This banner is wonderful, such a lovely idea. A delightful use of Christmas cards too. I love the amazing Mary Ann, your stocking is so pretty. Blessings, Karen

Sea Angels said...

Hello Ginny, you have given and received some adorable swaps, it is so much fun, and yes you are so right people are kind and generous. Have a lovely week, full of inspiration and fun xxx

Sweet Remembrance said...

I adore the banner you made, so fabulous!
The stocking is wonderful too...
Lucky gals!
Priscilla

Anonymous said...

Oh Ginny, I love it all! You did a fabulous job with your swaps.

Marie x

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

I am ooing and awing at all the bling. You are one lucky girl. That banner is great. What a Great post!!!!

Jessi Nagy said...

WOW!!!!
im in love with your vintage garland! so sweet!
and score for you and your partner! great work!
Jessi Nagy

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Ginny, Everything is so beautiful!

But my favorite is your amazing banner, what a lovely thing that turned out to be! I know whoever gets this will be thrilled to bits.
Xo lidy

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny,

I just found your blog and I am putting you in my favorites! I love your night before Christmas banner. What a nice project to work on over the winter months. Where do you get the mini garland to put aroundthe edges? thanks

Debbie

Anonymous said...

Ginny!!!

I am blown away, my package arrived yesterday and the banner is GLORIOUS! Thank you and thank you....the little tin of choccies is sitting right in front of me, it is so delightful and whimsical! I hope you have a lovely holiday season - be rest assured your beautiful banner will have pride of place on my mantle in our family room!! This post was really delightful and a pleasure to visit too!!

tamy/simplymein

Natasha Burns said...

Ginny I love the banner and stocking you made, how absolutely beautiful! You're talented in every medium!
Oh and wow what a haul from Mary Ann!!!! Incredible!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Still love all your pretties. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Kitty

Secondhandrose said...

Oh, I have just found you and so glad as all your pictures are delightful. Come for a visit.
Karen