and the winner is . . .

Here are the beads that I chose for the drawing . . .

I cut up all the names of anyone who enclosed or sent instructions 

on how they made their beads . . .

Then I folded the names and

put them in a hat . . .

closed my eyes . . . 

and pulled out Linda Garcia's name!!!

* Congratulations, Linda! *

You will find your 10 extra beads, hand made by me,

enclosed with your swap beads.

Thanks so much for participating in so many of my swaps . . .

I believe this is swap #15 for you over the years.

A well deserved win, I'd say!

All of you who are in the swap, I will keep you posted here and let you know when everything is exchanged & sent! 

Thanks for your wonderful & enthusiastic participation. 

: ) 

Linda Garcia: bead swap!!

From Linda in New Mexico - how lovely to have you in one of my art swaps again! Here are all of Linda's beads . . . . click on the photo for more details.

She kindly wrote me instructions on how she made her beads. Here they are:

Some of my beads  were made using an idea from Beryl Taylor in Somerset to make fabric paper over muslin using colored tissues paper and other lightweight papers such as dictionary and scrapbook paper. I place a plastic wrap over my work space, tape muslin over  plastic so it will have an easy release, apply a layer of white diluted glue, about 50/50, I have used good ol’school glue but my favorite is matte medium.

·         first layer using a foam brush for streak free outcome use diluted glue or lightly diluted matte medium in one direction over entire muslin

·         place torn pages & colored tissue in collage format or any pleasing manner & apply another layer of glue or matte medium, going in another direction, let dry thoroughly.

·         last layer of diluted glue or matte medium going in opposite direction as above.

·         cut into desired shapes to make a bead & dip into UTEE.

I also used fabric scraps which were already fused & dipped into UTEE—easy peasy!

The light wire with beads is loosely attached so that the receiver could use those extra little beads on something else. A girl can never have too many beads—they always tend to call to me.

Thanks again for all your work on these swaps----a good way to use up stuff!

Linda Garcia

Tierra Encantada [The Land of Enchantment]

New Mexico

 And some close-ups . . .

Linda also so generously made a gift for me - extra beads and a domino charm, thank you so much for everything, Linda!!

wonderful! 

12x12 Fabric technique swap #19: Linda Garcia, New Mexico

WOW! From Linda Garcia in the "Land of Enchantment" (New Mexico) we have Linda's decidedly Southwest style 12x12 quiltie. Linda wrote me an email . . . one of many as she has been of great support during my dad's illness. In discussing her creative process Linda wrote . . .

"Yesterday I sent via priority mail my 12x12 Collage…..what I’ve learned over the years is that I feel comfortable with my style, the heartfelt peace of the Southwest—I get it! It’s me! I used everything that was left over from one project or another & nothing was purchased, ah, a “green moment.” You were a great incentive mi amiga! I'm a girl who was born on the West Coast, lived on the East Coast, moved to the rainy Northwest and now a woman living life to the fullest in the ol’ Southwest! Last fall my Mom told me that my Great-Grandfather also lived in Albuquerque, along with my Grandparents. This piece, Collage of la Tierra Encantada is a combination --the colors, my roots, fibers, sentiments and adornments! This project strayed a couple of times in my mind at night and what I imagined came out pretty close ---funny, I will dream of pieces."

I really love what Linda has made because she accepted my challenge for this swap and yet stayed true to herself. Bravo! This is Linda Garcia's 14th creative swap with me!!!!

Alice in Wonderland ATC swap: Linda Garcia, New Mexico

Look at these beauties from Linda Garcia in New Mexico!

Very nice, Linda. I love the leafy trim and the images from the Dresden Scrap at Alpha Stamps! Did you do a transfer of sorts with them, I wonder? The foil you added is a wonderful touch. I love the stickers on the back of all of your ATCs!! great idea. I know a lot of the participants did that this time; I think it looks great.

Thank you for joining in on so many of my swaps!

Forest Quilties: Linda Garcia, New Mexico

From Linda Garcia, a set of beautiful New Mexico forest quilties . . . Linda writes on the back of each one,
"Remembering the Forest, Santa Fe".
I am so very thankful she made an extra one for me! I love the stamp she used on the back of her quilties: Like water, feel peaceful, Like wood, keep growing, Like fire, be alive, Like earth, experience balance, Like metal, stay strong.








Linda emailed me when she sent her quilties . . .

"Remembering Santa Fe Forest when I took photos of the Aspens a couple of years ago…when the Aspens drop their leaves it looks like a golden carpet, thus the gold tinted tulle. Just to sit and listen to their rustling leaves reminds me of enjoying tossing leaves and jumping into the piles, which I could still enjoy if I didn’t think about all those possible critters now. Ah youth—so innocent. I enjoy it all, seasons talking. The reverse has muslin with torn tissue (paper) on top, a new technique that is so simple. (and beautiful!) I’ve inserted a picture for a preview, taken outdoors. You may choose the one you wish to keep. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving mi amiga
Linda"

This post celebrates Linda Garcia's 12th - yes, 12th creative swap since I started this blog in April, 2007! You should feel so very proud Linda, and a lot more creative because of it!!! : )

Click on Linda's name at the bottom of this post to see ALL the creative swaps she has participated in!

Star Ornament Swap! Linda Garcia ~ New Mexico

Linda Garcia from Albuquerque, NM -has created two sets of 5 star ornaments for our swap.

Linda wrote to me in email:

Ah….my estrellas [stars]! While my sister in law is being a warrior chick, as I like to call her, with her cancer and becoming weaker each day - at least she is at home, her wish and she is as comfortable as one can be under these circumstances----I had trouble getting my “mojo” working but when I did…..the ease and solitude found in creating has helped me through these difficult days. It is this—this creativeness that helps one get through some of life’s most difficult paths. So, my estrellas gave me a light! The “estrellas” were a mix of this ‘n that… a first time for the melting pot. I always try to stretch myself on art exchanges and your exchanges bring out that spirit of sharing and giving. I wholeheartedly enjoy it. The moon faces in paper clay and other molds using the ultra thick with Jacquard paint lightly done. Previously, the adobe casas (row house swap) was my first try at polymer clay chilies and that was fun. A friend shared her techniques and made it so much easier.

Big hug mi amiga, Linda ~Tierra Encantada (Land of Enchantment)

Thank you, Linda for all your art & your support.

Shades of Sunshine Quilties: Linda Garcia ~ New Mexico

Linda Garcia in sunny New Mexico sends us quilties on a 'chili roast adobe' - late summer in New Mexico theme : ) Very HOT! I was going to say very 'cool', but that just did not work!

Thanks very much Linda. I so appreciate the extra quiltie. Click on any photo for more detail.

Row House Swap: Linda Garcia - New Mexico

Oh My! I simply love this particular house (left) from Linda Garcia in Albuquerque, NM. I think this is a favorite image of Linda's too, as I have seen her use it before . . . . "Laugh & Live more" sounds like good advice to me!!

Linda usually incorporates a southwestern theme into her artwork & this swap is no exception. Hmmm, I should really say (as Linda does) a theme of 'Tierra Encantada' ~ [The Land of Enchantment]. Thank you, Linda. Enjoy!

(click on any photo for more detail).

Grimm fairytale 5x5 Collage swap: Linda Garcia

This is, I believe, the 8th creative swap that Linda Garcia has participated in? If you scroll down the side column of this blog, you will come to "creative swap links". This is a long list with participants names & numbers - the number shows how many posts there are with that label, or name in this case. If Linda wanted to share a link to all the swap art she's done here she could just click on her name, copy the address in the browser window and paste it in an email. Or just click on her name or someone else's or a swap name & enjoy all the art!

Linda is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and she created 10 collages for our swap! Yes, 10! She made 2 sets of 4 plus 2 extras - thank you! Linda used images from Red Riding Hood, Cinderella & Birds and The ball #2 -- all found at Alpha Stamps!

You can view ALL of Linda's 5x5 collages in the Alpha Stamps Gallery - enjoy!

Altered by Design ATC swap: Linda Garcia

From Linda Garcia in Albuquerque, NM . . . . I think Linda has participated in almost every swap I have hosted since . . . ? ? ? I am not sure, but a long time! I know she won't mind if I share that she has told me participating in these swaps has really helped her through some tough times. Having the creative projects to focus on and the deadlines to complete them by has been a godsend to her. Hooray!! I am so glad to know this, and know that what I do with creative swaps helps others in a positive way.

On the other hand, many thanks go out to Linda and also to everyone who has been so supportive during my father's illness this past winter and spring. He is doing so much better; he had so many problems to battle! My dad still has at least one more operation ahead of him, but he should be going home soon --perhaps he'll even be home when Steven & I visit my parents June 1-8 . . . wow! I want to say I truly appreciate your positive thoughts & prayers that you have continued to send our way. I do believe they helped my dad (and me) immensely. But I digress!! Please look at all of Linda's wonderful ATCs!!

White Quilties! Linda Garcia

From Linda Garcia in New Mexico, we have our last set of White Quilties-wow! Altogether, we have 25 participants that came through and completed this swap. Two of the participants created TWO sets of 4 . What an amazing and fun challenge this was working with white as a color! Since so many of you enjoy creating quilties, I have 2 more quiltie swaps planned this year and that's not including the 'shades of spring' due July 19th. I will make a 'new swaps' announcement soon - in May!



Now, back to Linda's Quilties! Here you can see all of them, as Linda very kindly made an extra one for me. She used an interesting photo of white things printed onto fabric, and she also used tulle, white flower sequins and eyelet lace. On the back she also added an image, plus a velvet leave and a stick pin with a pearl head - see below!

These quilties are really nice, Linda! Thanks again for participating.

Over the next few days I will be swapping these out, packaging them up and mailing them out. I will let you know when the swap is complete!

Alpha Stamp/Tallulah's Swap: Linda Garcia

From Linda Garcia in Abq, NM we have received 6 unusual, textured postcards with all kinds of added elements like fish, small shells & rocks. Linda used images from the Tallulah's Bathing Beauties collage sheet, available at Alpha Stamps. Her postcard base is a sheet of sea blue foam, to which she added the images, elements and rubber stamping, wow!

She has added a couple of great quotes printed on Vellum to her postcards:

"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few and they are more beautiful if they are few." -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"The sea does not reward those who are to anxious, too greedy or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea." -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

~Thank you, Linda for participating. You can get a closer look if you click on the smaller images.

Creative Bag Swap: Linda Garcia

Linda Garcia from New Mexico came up with a fabulous idea to Rubber Stamp 2 purchased bags with permanent ink for our swap. They reflect her love of the Southwest, where she resides. I think this was such a great idea!

She has stamped both sides of this bag.

Here is her second bag . . . .

AND, she decorated a bag for me with 2 ATCs and a cute little Gecko all decorated with wire & paint!! Click on it to see it better. . . Awesome, Linda, Thank you!!

Valentine Ornament Swap: Linda Garcia

wow!

From Linda Garcia in New Mexico -- two sets of 3 'red hot' Southwestern Valentine ornaments! Linda also made an extra one for me, thanks so much! Click on these scans for more detail and see how Linda tooled these hearts. Very original!







All of Linda's ornaments, front & back scanned here:

Circle Book Swap - Linda Garcia, NM

From Linda Garcia in Santa Fe, NM we have 20 Circle pages in various hues that Linda describes as "Simply Southwest Colors". She defines them even further on the back of the pages as "sky blue" and "jasper-red gold-bronze" and "jasper-red malachite"- yum! In her note to me, Linda said perhaps the majority of her colors should be called: "Graffiti Desert!" She used spray mists to acheive alot of what she did - great job, Linda!! I love the Southwest feeling, thank you for participating! Click on the scan of her pages for more detail.

Garden ATC Swap - Linda Garcia, NM

We get the treat of a Southwestern garden from Linda Garcia!!