#23.Marilou Bain -Little Book swap!

I received a big pile of mail the other day . . . .

And the very colorful package farthest left was from Marilou Bain in California! 

She enclosed a note and shared how she got her granddaughter 

to decorate the envelope for her! 

I love all the cool postage stamps, the hand prints, lettering and photos! 

Inside this package were 3 books for the swap, each wrapped up wonderfully.  

Below is book #1:

 with a History of Knots Berry Farm . . .

Book #2

 All wrapped up in a tulle bag . . . 

 It is a tag book!  So pretty and feminine 

 The third book . . .

 A beautiful accordion tag Book.

Marilou also made a Tag Book especially for me -thank you so much! 

that striped ribbon has made it into my art journal already!

 really so special.

Thank you for participating, Marilou! 

Your creative books are a wonderful addition. 

Here is the link to Marilou's Heartfelt Creations blog -

You can go check out more details of Marilou's wonderful books!

#22.Sharon Walworth - Little Book Swap!

I am amazed by the package I received from Sharon Walworth, who sends to us from Rhode Island, USA. Sharon always sends me gorgeous artwork, but this time it was her packaging combined with the skill of her bookmaking and the idea she had behind it that truly blew me away. Sharon said this was one of her most favorite swaps -- and its at least her 12th creative swap! It was also her first experience with bookbinding, if you can imagine; and she reports that she is hooked! Sharon sent 5 identical packets and told me to open one for myself which would allow me to share it with you through my photographs. Look at how the package arrived -I love that tape!!

Inside, all of the books are wrapped up together-just like they are individually!

 each book is wrapped individually. If you receive one, you will want to 

untie the twine and unroll the paper for the notes inside . . .

 Sharon created her books with papers that contain wildflower seeds! 

Her entire book can be taken apart and put directly in your garden

or snipped into sections and be planted in pots!!!

Sharon gives complete instructions with each book. 

: ^     )

p.s. I know about the strict customs rules for Australia -no seeds- so I am sorry, I won't be sending you one of these books if you live there . . .

Wow!!!

Thank you, Sharon for your wonderful contribution.

Thanks to ALL participants for doing such a fine job with your little books.

I am all caught up with photos for now. Remember to check the sidebar 

of the blog - http://creativeswaps.blogspot.com/

to see if your package has made it to Florida. 

It can take me a few days to actually get it uploaded.

Thanks for your patience.

I have already started the swapping process to avoid being overwhelmed 

at the end of the swap with so many packages. 

I've got my swap chart made up - I am making notes and some swaps! 

See you again soon I'm sure, with more creativity!

#21.Sarah Boblit - Little BooK SWAP!

Oh my! I'll quote Valerie Tups who just commented, "this swap gets better and better - if that is possible!". That's how I feel, as I continue receiving, uploading and sharing your books! wow.

From Sarah Boblit in Iowa, USA we have 5 books, and one is destined for me, thank you! Again, it is not necessary or required, but I am grateful if you wish to. Sarah made beautifully beaded fabric covers and hand bound paper into each one. They are different sizes and the larger ones are in the 5" size range. Sarah also did some incredible embroidery; I am really marveling at her handiwork. Take a look -click on the photo for more details:

In her note to me Sarah explained that the square book contains watercolor paper and the rest the books are filled with the kind of smooth paper she uses when drawing Zentangles (yes, she is multi-talented!). This is Sarah's 8th creative swap with me, so I should know : ^ ) Sarah also said in her note that she has always wondered how to pronounce my name, Lenna -with a hard "e" or a soft "e"?? It is pronounced with a soft "e" sound like "henna". The hard "e" sound is for Lena, another name. My name is a bit unusual, but I don't mind. In fact, I like it! Lenna is a family name, as you can see in the first paragraph of this linked page.

thank you, Sarah!

#20. Juliet Sutton - Little Book swap!

I met Juliet through my online classes. She took both the 4 artists 4 ways workshop and my mini art quilt book class! Through those classes she found out about the little book swap and joined with the hope that she would be able to get her books made and sent. She is from the UK, but currently living in Kenya, where sending or receiving mail can be very tricky. She arranged with family visiting for her mail to go via the UK and I was so happy to see her package arrive! whoo whoo!

Juliet made 2 beautiful books:

i adore the Shakespeare Heroine images she used!

Tags galore!

The binding of the Shakespeare heroine tag book:

Another tag book, Travel theme:

So lovely, Juliet. i am so happy it worked out and your books are here! 

#19.Joanna Urbani ~ little book swap!

From my friend Joanna who lives in the garden of England: Kent, UK, we have 3 lovely and Royal little books! One she wants me to keep as a gift -- thank you so much, Joanna! She enclosed a letter with her books saying, "I've gone Royal Wedding Crazy -as has most of the UK over the past few weeks (!) and my books are all about another Royal Wedding . . . " ~ I love Joanna's little books. She has little bits of paper of all sizes and appropriate Royal words, pictures and even snippets of fabric! Let me show you:

click on any photo for more details . . . 

Joanna has a fabulous blog I visit all the time. Here is a direct link to the post she wrote about creating her Royal Wedding Books and just click on the title of her blog, Fiddlesnips if you want to go to the most recent post. Have fun visiting her -she's a hoot, and thank you, Joanna!!! I love your books and I am quite "chuffed" you made one for me!! xo lenna

#18.Angelika Westermann - Little Book Swap

All the way from Germany, Angelika has sent us 4 wonderful little books. She, like many of my participants, worried about her books! She enclosed a note saying after seeing so many beautiful books on the site, she did not know if hers were really fit for this swap! They are. No worries!  Do your best, be inspired by what you see, or do as some participants do and do not look at the blog until your books are sent. Personally, I like to look!! Well, I guess i have to! I get ideas and I get inspired and then off I go. Do what is best for you. Let the quality of the work encourage you to do your very best.

Here are Angelika's lovely books:

1st book:

2nd book:

click on any photo for a larger one!

3rd book:

 4th book:

Angelika has a blog called dragonquilts where she has written a couple of posts about making these books in both German and English. She is a fiber artist enjoying dabbling in mixed media techniques. Welcome, Angelika to your first creative swap - we're happy to have you here!

p.s. thank you for the extra painted paper, etc.

- much appreciated!