Hello! Remember the Alice in Wonderland ATC swap? (Alpha Stamps)

I received a lovely follow-up email from Donna Butcher in California today! She was one of the participants in our Alice in Wonderland ATC swap. Donna wrote, and I quote with her permission . . .
"I so appreciate your sharing all your artwork and all the time you have given to swaps! I am working on some UFO's and the one that is finished and I finally took some photos of to share is the collage I did from the Alice ATC Swap. I don't think the photo does it justice. I did it on a stretched canvas (16x20). I first used crackle paste on it and then painted and inked it to get the color and shadows I wanted. The big tree is paper with ribbon leaves. Then I added the ATC's and some other Alice images on transparencies. The little areas are filled in with various little gems like, a watch with workings, crowns, keys, a door knocker (which works), butterflies (that are shrink plastic), bugs, there are mushrooms (polymer clay) at the bottom edge among the dirt (distress Stickles and spheres) and leaves (cut paper). The outer edge is dark brown with checked ribbon around it. I cannot seem to get a picture that really does it justice. I love looking at it on the wall near my upstairs art desk. Just wanted to share with you a piece of art inspired by a swap of yours - thank you!"

Wow! Thank you, Donna! So great to hear from you and see this marvelous finished piece from one of our swaps. So creative! I love the tree that you've made and how you placed the Cheshire Cat ATC up on the limbs of the tree. Below are a couple of close-ups so you can see Donna's collage better -click on them for more detail. Does anyone recognize their own ATC in Donna's collage? What do you think?This swap wrapped up in February, 2009. I love seeing what Donna did with her returns!

On a personal note, since I have not been in touch for a while -- things are fine here with Steven & I in Connecticut. Our home has been on the market for just about 5 weeks now and we are getting a lot of interest, we've had a couple of Open Houses with good attendance and quite a number of showings. We are just waiting for an offer : ) and we simply need the right person to come along, so I am trying my best to be patient!! My dad has finished his radiation treatment on both lobes of his liver and he is still in remission. He has a gal bladder procedure to go through and is going through stress tests now to see if the time is right. I am looking at a few possibilities as far as homes near my parents, but we are not falling in love with anything until our home here in CT sells! Things are definitely quieter with no swaps to run or classes to teach, but I am keeping busy with moving preparations (mostly boring cleaning out!) and I have been creating a bit of art lately, which has been fun & kept my spirits up. I cannot promise anything as far as creative swaps is concerned because everything is up in the air too much, but know without a doubt that I miss you all!

notes from lenna

Just a reminder that the 12x12 quilts are due in my hands April 22nd - soon! That swap is full and will soon be wrapping up. It already has exceeded my expectations!
I especially wanted you to know that this will be the last swap I will schedule for a bit . . . . because in a few weeks, sometime in May of 2009, Steven & I are putting our home on the market. Yikes! Yes, and for a good reason . . . to move and be near my parents. I will keep you posted. It may take some time, but we are motivated! Just wanted you to know our plans . . .

away for a bit . . .

. . . because I will be visiting my Mom & Dad, shown below in the photo with me and my Nonie (my dad's mom) taken in 1972!! I will be in Florida with my parents & my husband Steven -- March 25th - April 1st, so I will not be able to let you know that your swap package has arrived until I return to CT on April 1st (no joke!).

We are really looking forward to family time together. If you did not know, my dad has had a really rough year the past year with heart problems (pacemaker, coronary stent) an ulcer, colon cancer (removed), an e-coli infection, liver cancer (in remission now after treatment), an infected gall bladder . . . it is amazing he is still here with us. We are so glad he is "a fighter" and he has been able to keep everything at bay and still laugh & joke about it! He even managed to make a wooden paddle for Steven to use with one of his hand made canoes when we visit. I find it hard to put into words how I feel.

I will be able to check in via my mom's computer, but I won't know what has arrived & will have to catch up after April 1st. Our house & pet sitter will take good care of your packages, do not worry! : ) lenna

Swap Prizes . . .

When I announced my 12" x 12" mini quilt Fabric Technique swap, I wanted to offer a prize for the "most creative" but did not have time to think about what I would offer. This swap is not due until April 22nd as I like to give a long lead time, especially for those overseas . . . but I wanted you to know I have decided a good prize would be to offer the winner FREE registration for their next creative swap!
I have just a few spaces left in that swap, so if you have been hemming and hawing but not signed up yet, it would be good to do so soon! (This swap is FULL) You can read the details on the Fabric Technique 12x12 swap here in the original post.

I am finishing up my visit with my parents in Florida, borrowing my mom's laptop as usual, but also able to spend lots of time with them. My dad had an out-patient procedure on Wednesday related to his selective internal radiation therapy for his liver cancer and sailed though it with flying colors. When we picked him up and asked how it was, he replied "a piece of cake". Wow. He amazes me. Dad is looking a lot better now that he is off chemo, in remission, and his gall bladder is not bothering him. That still needs to be addressed down the road, but for now he is working on battling the cancer. We had some good visits and we even went out to dinner, giving my mom a needed break. Steven & I will return for another visit at the end of March.

I want to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers & good wishes ~much appreciated!