Five Shadows

Yesterday I made 6″ quilties for the Shades of Forest Swap hosted by Creative Lenna. When I first signed up for this swap, I had several ideas floating around in my little head. Playing yesterday lead to using these fabric fall leaves purchased from the dollar store. I like the results and hope the ladies to receive these will be pleased as well.

Last night when DH came home from work he asked what was up with the phone. I had tried to make a phone call in the morning but could not get through to my party and figured oh, I’ll try later. Then I got busy on the things of the day. DH had tried several times to reach me. Wanted to take me out for lunch! I never heard the phone ring once all day, and the answering machine never picked up either. Later, I found out DH was not the only one trying to reach me. We ended up going to eat at a favorite Chinese restaurant. Then  headed to the Library for  a book DH had on reserve. I looked at art books for a class assignment. But could not find the type of books I really wanted to look at. Maybe the few I have on reserve will be the ones.

I’m taking a drawing class. Believe me when I say I am a stick figure “artist.” (I might get brave and show later how I’m doing.) The class includes history and art appreciation. Our assignment is to find artists we like, as in their style, and explain why. I’m looking for nature journal type artists that do line drawing and sketches. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I’ve been showing my little quilties I’ve received from Creative Lenna’s swaps to my quilting friends. If you have ever thought of joining a swap, check out Lenna’s blog. She hosts more than just quilt swaps. And even if you don’t participate - it is a very fun look!

My friend, Teresa, has just received four greeting cards from her first ever online swap! She did a web search and found a card swap that interested her. Her husband laughing said to me, “See what you have started!”

That is not the only thing “started”. Teresa thought our quilting group should host our own swap, so she organized an altered canvas bag swap. Actually, it is a Round Robin. There are 12 of us in the group. We each received a canvas bag, with a pocket created by Teresa, sewn on the inside. We each pick our own theme for the bag, tuck items that coordinate with the theme inside the bag, start to embellish if we wish, and then pass it on to the next lady. The items in the bag do not have to be used, but give an idea of what you mean by the theme selected. We have one month per bag and should receive our completed bag in October of 2009.

There are some pretty good themes selected: Cheerful Spring, Autumn, Butterflies, Music, Birds, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Botanical/Herbs, Flowers, Country, Christmas, Mary Englebrite, and Travel.

My bag is ready to go. I have added some patchwork down one side of the bag. My theme is Flowers. Ok, a bit boring, I should have thought a little longer and narrowed it down a bit. But I did put together a nice assortment of buttons, silk flowers, ribbons and fabrics that should help direct the ladies. The fun thing about a Round Robin is the mystery of it all! You never know what you will get back, but I always love the creativity expressed!

Pocket Created by Teresa

Items included in my bag

Oh such lovely pieces of Sunshine have arrived in the mail for me to enjoy! These are from the swap I participated in hosted by the ever Creative Lenna. We each made four 6″ quilties and received four different quilties back.

Pacific Sunset by Kiki Finlayson

By Beverley Teichrob

By Wil Opio Oguta

Sunflower Time by Vickie Jones