February 2015 Banner Swap, Part 2

I was definitely thinking SPRING when I made my banner for Joy who lives just south of me here in OH.  She's had a very rough winter, too...so I put the ugly images of the dead, snowy Ohio landscape out of my mind & thought of better days ahead.  BTW...that UGLY snow is still out there, but melting...just like the Wicked Witch.

I loved how the blue fabric has little birds printed on it...very subtle, but there.  Those are from the Zoey Christine Charm pack by Eleanor Burns for Benartex.  It's quite different from the fabric I usually buy, but I'm glad I have it as it was perfect for this sampler.  The green at the bottom in the first pic is from another Eleanor Burns charm pack called Ellie Ann's Treasures.  The two charm packs coordinate wonderfully with many of the same prints in different color ways.

 

Joy said she likes bling, too...so I took some vintage flowers apart & sewed them on with a sparkly little crystal bead in the center.  MY collection of beads is a great resource for these little banners.  I love the green leaf trim, too...that's from my days doing ATCs & tags.  Just add some vintage lace & trim & everything comes together.  I did this one entirely by hand again...being just 4"x6" it's an easy hand sewing & quilting project.  Hand sewing really relaxes me.

 

I had this cute little bit of 1930s fabric with green flowers...I thought it worked for the back of the little quilt.  Those 1930s prints always make me smile.

 

So here's the little banner with some walnut dyed clothespins that I've added little wooden hearts to...I think they're the perfect touch if Joy wants to use them to hang her spring banner as part of a garland. 

 

I sent a few little goodies in Joy's package, too...but I didn't take pix of them.  We're not really supposed to add goodies, but I have so much to share that I couldn't resist.  It's always fun to get some goodies in the mail, no?

 

Now on to the March Swap at A Swap for All Seasons.  I mail to Jan in the UK this month...and I've already pulled out a bunch of fabric & lace & trims to inspire me.  This has to be one of my all time favorite swaps ever!  Go check out the swap blog for some great eye candy & inspiration from Linda, our swap hostess.  There's also a monthly giveaway that you can enter.  You don't have to be part of the swap to win, so check it out!

 

So here's my latest challenge.  We finally broke down & got smartphones this weekend.  So far I'm loving it but I still have a lot to learn.  This old dog is really working on learning these new tricks.

 

Have a wonderfully creative...and hopefully warmer week!

 

 

 

 



February 2015 Banner Swap

I'm sorry this post is so late...I've been down & out with some crud that Phil brought home from work earlier in the month.  The weeks after Valentine's Day were mostly spent trying to breathe & feel somewhat near human.  I'll do my best to catch up on the little bit of creativity from February now. 

The package above arrived early in the month from May in the UK.  I just LOVE the stamped images on the envie...so different from the ones I have.  I'm loving the Swap for All Seasons this year.

The best part was what was inside that lovely package.  This is the little banner I received from May...I absolutely LOVE it!!!  Since I love to sew, the dress form is so perfect for me...and the vintage style & trims & lace are fabulous.  It's up on my quilting inspiration board right now, so I see it every time I'm in my studio.  Thanks, May!

 

Even the back of this piece is adorable...look at that tiny pink safety pin holding on her name so I always remember who created this wonderful piece just for me.  I wouldn't be able to forget anyway!

 

Gracie had to inspect it as soon as I opened it...of course.  May, you'll be happy to know that Gracie approves of your wonderful artwork.  It's kitty approved.

 

This is what everything looked like wrapped up...what a fabulous idea to use doilies to wrap the little banner.  In addition to the goodies above, May included lots of UK postage stamps for me to use in my journals & other artwork.  Yummy tea for these cold winter days & nights, too.  Awesome.

 

These are the doilies that were wrapped around my banner.  I need to do something special with them for sure. 

 

Look at the color & detail on this one.  I think it's calling out to be a pillow top.

 

Finally, this is the piece of fabric May sent my way.  It's beautiful...I still haven't decided what to do with it...maybe it will be the cover for a fantasy travel journal.  I'd love to get to the UK one day...and at least I can go there in my dreams. 

 

Well...this post is long enough.  In a few days I'll be back to share the little banner I made for Joy, my swap partner for February.  Luckily I had her banner done before the crud hit me. 

 

Take care & be creative...March has come in like a lion here...I'm hoping it will become a lamb really soon...this snow & cold stuff was old months ago.