More swaps...

I've got some other stuff going on right now...not such fun stuff...but I have done some pieces for swaps that I can share with you.  The Chotski pin above is for a swap at Red Lead Paperworks...there is still time to participate in this one...you can get the details by joining their Yahoo group here. 

The due date is June 18, 2011.

I've also done more art charms for the swaps in the ArtCharms group.  The first swap was charms made with wood being the main element.  I did 2 different charms for this one...here are my spools of thread.

And my Chinese Lanterns.

The next swap was fabric & fibers.  I simply HAD to join in this one...so much of my life has involved these things.  I did 2 different charms for this one, too...it breaks up the monotony of doing so many of the same charm.

The charms above feature sari fibers with some red glass beads & hearts.  I love the textures & colors.

And the charms above are made from some felted balls that a friend graciously shared with me awhile back.  There are seed beads sewn onto them & they are finished off with some funky glass rings that have dots on them.  I like these a lot.

So that's what I've been up to between going into the basement when a terrible storm rolled through...with a VERY unhappy kitty who did not want to be there at all...and sending good energy to the people who have suffered such terrible losses with all these storms & tornadoes.  Be safe, y'all.

Ribbon Rainbows

I certainly cannot get enough of this ribbon dyeing thing...and hopefully it still interests you, too.  I have just listed 4 limited edition "Ribbon Rainbows" in my Etsy shop, KittenCreates.  Each collection is unique as it consists of 9 pieces of my hand dyed ribbon, with each piece being approximately 1 yard long. 

Due to the way I dye the ribbons, I can get close in color from time to time, but I don't get the exact same color again...so if you need more than a yard per color, the original ribbons are the way to go.  But since variety is the spice of life...I'll be offering these rainbows of ribbons from time to time. 

I recently added some new color combos to my original ribbon assortment, too.  How about Ice Cream Sundae?  These colors look yummy enough to eat.

Or maybe some Mixed Berries are more your style.

I hope you'll pop on over to my shop to see if any of these ribbons are ones you need...and I have some handcrafted charms, jewelry & book thongs, too. 

Don't forget that my friend Melody is having a giveaway of 2 sets of my original ribbons on her blog.  Today she posted pix & instructions for a mobile she created using my ribbons.  Be sure to go over there to enter to win...just leave a comment on her blog post from the link above by Monday, May 23rd...she will announce the winners on May 24th.  Best of luck to all of you!





Another fabulous swap...

We're just wrapping up our Mother's Day Vintage Brooch swap over at A Swap for All Seasons.  Linda, our swap hostess, comes up with the most fabulous ideas for swaps...and if you're ever thinking of trying a swap, this is a good one.  The next swap will be announced on June 1st...and it's a Birthday Card Swap...that sounds like fun.  I wonder if we'll be making cards or if we'll be swapping vintage birthday cards...we'll know in a couple weeks.

My partner for the Mother's Day Vintage Brooch swap was the very talented Thespa from Vintiquities Workshop.  The wonderful brooch above is the one she sent me & it's awesome...so much texture & dimension.  Don't you love how she has pinned it to an altered seed packet, too? 

As I opened my package, I had to giggle about the tissue paper inside...it has lots of little palm trees on it...my very favorite trees!!!  No palm trees in OH...well, except for our faux palm tree floor lamp & the small one in our kitchen window.  Inside of that special tissue paper was this beautiful package...

Isn't the flower pot awesome?  I love turquoise & vintage, so it's perfect for me.  See those goodies inside?

Lots of treasures were packed inside.

In addition to the beautiful brooch, Thespa created a lovely floral pin with the sweetest little gold brooch attached to the front of it.  And all wrapped up in a gauzy bag was the dahlia to plant.  I opened the plastic bag it arrived in & it's already starting to show a stem & leaves...I'll be getting that into a pot soon...for some outside color this summer.  Thespa tells me she picked the dahlia both for it's gorgeous color & for the way it mimics the vintage brooch she sent.  Brilliant!

Thanks, Thespa...it's been fun getting to know you & swapping with you.  That's the best part about Linda's swaps...many of them assign you a partner & you get to meet a new person with similar ideas & creativity...that's the real treasure from her swaps.

Now here's what I sent to Thespa...

I guess we both were thinking turquoise...I altered a book shaped box for her.  Had to add a paper flower with just a bit of bling, too.

Inside the box was the brooch I picked out for Thespa.  It's one that was my maternal Grandma's...I picked it for the bling & for the fact it was set in a silver tone setting...Thespa said she preferred silver to gold.  I'm a silver girl, too...so I understand.  I pinned it to a vintage doily from my collection.

And here's a closeup look at the brooch.  One of my favorites, now passed on to it's new home with my new friend.  Thanks to Thespa & to Linda for dreaming up such a wonderful swap.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love this vintage photo of my Aunt Lonnie with my cousin, Sally.  Aunt Lonnie was my Godmother...and the perfect choice for me as she had quite the attitude!  Although she was my aunt by marriage to my Uncle Ed...Mom's brother...I was & still am a lot like her.  Aunt Lonnie died from breast cancer in the early 1980s...I had just moved to San Diego at the time...and I still miss her. 

I really love the look on her face here...like she'd rather be anywhere else except watching this baby!!!  That would have been me...except I knew early on that I was not cut out for motherhood.  Well...unless the "baby" was cute, furry and meowed.

Sophie Cat sends her best to all the Moms out there...

& I hope you're as spoiled today as our sweet Sophie Cat is!



I actually WON something!!!

Yep...I entered a blog giveaway & actually WON!!!  I don't often win a thing, so this is big news here.  The wonderful, generous blogger is Alison of Dishy Vintage.  Be sure to visit her blog for some great eye candy...and if you are into vintage lace & linens, there are links to a couple of her Etsy shops in her sidebar, too.  Thanks, again, Alison for your wonderful giveaway...I'll have lots of fun creating with these laces.

Now if we could only win the Mega Millions so we can escape this O-HELL-O place & get back to sunny Southern CA...and get our Hippie Art Commune going...it's our dream.

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!

Remember those killed at Kent State...41 years ago today

13 seconds...
67 gun shots...
9 wounded...
4 dead at Kent State University...May 4, 1970

In memory of...
Jeffrey Miller
Allison Krause
Bill Schroeder
Sandy Scheuer
All murdered by the Ohio National Guard...41 years ago today


We must NEVER forget.  May they Rest in Peace...they died far too young because of young Ohio National Guard members who fired live ammunition to break up a lawful rally on an Ohio university campus.  Governor James Rhodes has blood on his hands.  He deserves no peace.

You can learn more about that turbulent time here in The Burr. 

Want to win some of my Hand Dyed Ribbon?

My dear friend, Melody Nunez, is having a giveaway on her blog.  Melody's blog is a delight...and so is she.  We worked together in CA & hit it off immediately...what a treasure to find such a good friend. 

When Melody asked if I'd be interested in sponsoring a giveaway on her blog, I immediately said yes.  So go sign up and tell her I sent you!  You can enter through Monday, May 23, 2011.  She will announce the lucky winners on Tuesday, May 24th.

Be sure to spend some time looking around her blog...you'll find Melody's stunning photography, delightful stories of her adventures, and even a recipe or two. 

Who knows...I might just get inspired to have another giveaway here soon, too.  Could happen.  Stay tuned.