Creative Bag Swap: Michelle Wolf

From Michelle Wolf in MN, our very first swap entry for the Creative Bag Swap! Michelle created TWO bags, so she will be receiving 2 in return.

Michelle's bags are like no bags I have ever seen before! They are created with real chop sticks running along the side of the bags. Michelle also created a beautiful, long beaded handle for each bag. You can see the detail photo RIGHT, and click on any picture for a larger version . . . . .

Thank you, Michelle! The in-my-hands deadline for this swap is February 23rd, 2008!

Valentine Ornament Swap: Louise Lucero

From Louise Lucero in Albuquerque, New Mexico I have received 2 sets of 3 valentine ornaments, plus an extra ornament just for me. Thank you so much, Louise! These heart ornaments are soft, puffy, and hand-stitched; each one a little different. It will be hard to choose one for myself - wow!

Valentine Ornament swap: Peggy Gato

From Alamo, CA ~ 3 very creative valentine ornaments from Peggy Gato. What a great addition to our swap! Click on the scan for more detail and please visit Peggy's new Blog to see more of her art. Peggy also enclosed in her swap package a great little book for me called 'Perfect Pairs' with cool romantic photos of couples like Hepburn & Tracy - plus quotes on love. Thanks so much, peggy. What fun!

Valentine Ornament Swap: Kate North

From Surrey, England - our first International arrival of Valentine ornaments for our swap! Kate North has sent 3 wonderful ornaments for the swap and an extra one for me -- thanks so much Kate! I am showing the front of 3 of her ornaments here, and the back of one of them, as I love how she put these hearts together. You can click on my scan for greater detail, and also visit Kate's own Blog, Kate's Quilting (& other fibre arts) for her own post on how she created her ornaments!

These are due in my hands February 2nd - THREE weeks from this post, so I expect to be inundated with love & hearts soon!

Valentine Ornament swap - Lenna Andrews

I have created another set of valentine ornaments for our swap. These 3 are completely different from the first three I made, which were much larger and made of fabric! This time I used the 1" brass pendants from Alpha Stamps along with the Tallulah's Kisses Transparency sheet. The transparencies were attached with tacky glue, which does work, but takes a while to dry. Because it takes so long, the next time I do this I might try another type of adhesive. Any suggestions for adhering transparencies to metal are most welcome!! just leave a comment!

I also used a selection of ribbons from Alpha Stamps, either from one of their pendant/sachet kits or from the ribbon page. You can click on any image for greater detail. I am looking forward to receiving your ornaments! Remember ALL valentine ornament swaps need to be delivered to me by FEBRUARY 2nd, 2008 in order to be included in the swap - thanks!

Valentine Ornament swap - Lenna's

(This ornament is about 5 1/2" square)
Did I tell you I was participating in this swap??
Well, I am! Here is my 1st set - I may make another set of 3, so that I'll have 6 ornaments to trade in total. Sometimes I receive a gift of an extra swap piece from participants, but I don't expect it, so . . . this work ensures I get some art that I covet all for my own. Devilish, don't you agree?? I also seem to NEED deadlines and assignments to MAKE me get in the studio & create. I am the type of artist that does not plan out all the details first; just the opposite of my husband and his intricate drawings - we often talk about this. Instead I almost always only have a spark of an idea, a theme, a image i want to use. When I have procrastinated long enough, I make myself go to my studio space and "gather" what I might use in relation to my theme or idea. Then the project is usually accomplished by a series of "what if's"; what if I did this and what IF I did that . . . and that's what happened here!

I wanted to use images from the new Alpha Stamps Tallulah's sheets Leslie Elledge had added to her website recently and I chose a couple from the Modern Romance sheet. The ornament above is a paper image (quite thick - fine for sewing through) from that sheet and then I added a transparency from an earlier alpha stamps tallulah's sheet, Kisses. The ribbon is from AS too - I think it was packed in my ribbon sachet kit. There is a bit of batting under the paper image/checked fabric, before I sewed that to the heart fabric & felt! To finish it I sewed an old button I had on hand to the top of the piece. Here are 2 more ornaments I created yesterday afternoon:

This one is made from red & white striped ticking I got also from Alpha Stamps, here in the fabric section of Leslie's site (scroll to the bottom when you get there). The image is paper and the Valentine Kids collage sheet and is quite large, overall about 6"x6" at the widest points. If you click on the scan for a larger image, you'll see I glued a little wishbone charm onto the paper image (source unklnown). The ribbon is from AS too -1/4" Sheer Iridescent Ribbon!

Lastly, one of my favorites -


This image is from Art Deco Valentines and a little un-traditional for a valentine perhaps? Click on it for a closer view! I also used a stamp from the Set of Heart Icons and one of my own stamps, a saying by Albert Einstein: In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity. I love it! I hope you do too. This one is about 4" wide and 5 1/2" long. Looking forward to seeing your ornaments fly in - Kate from England let me know she sent hers off on their journey yesterday, thanks!

A HapPy & CreaTivE NeW YEaR!

In welcoming in 2008 I wanted to update you on our current swaps:
As of January 1st, The Valentine Ornament swap is a Full & closed Swap, due by February 2nd. You may write and asked to be added to the waiting list, in case someone has to drop out, though. Participants are:
Carol Murphy, Peggy Gato, Marla Rosenlieb, Linda Schultz, Vicky Martindale, Sara Davis, Val Duncan, Pam Chasen, Bella Ayers, Casie Metcalf, Gunvor Andersson Stork, Ginny Ballou, Linda Garcia, Victoria Talcott Wormell, Gayle Gross, Melissa Woolsey, Doris Stahl, Sara Blagg, Cynthia Weed, Eva Nyberg, Cynthia May, Kate North, Sharon Schutt, Mercedes Jimenez, Kara Klein, Kitty Mitchell, Louise Lucero, Donna Eck, Nicole Ingegneri, Lori Guerin, Michelle Witchell and Carol Stocker.
(the links on some names are to swap art by that participant published on 'creative swaps'. No link means that this is the participant's first swap with me and this blog)
Important note: If you find because of any circumstance you cannot fulfill the commitment you made earlier to complete this swap, all I ask is that you notify me as soon as possible. As long as you communicate with me there will be no hard feelings and no problems on my end. I will welcome you to participate in another one of my swaps, at any time!

As of January 1st, The Creative Bag Swap is FULL with 30 participants. The Creative Bag swap is due in my hands February 23rd. Participants are:
Susanne Wiebe, Dawn Sellers, Peggy Gato, Fiona Brockie, Vicky Martindale, Judy Bernard, Sara Davis, Heather Alwaisi, Ginny Ballou, Linda Garcia, Laura Butler, Victoria Talcott Wormell, Michelle Wolf, Vicki Page, Cynthia Zdanzukas, Melissa Woolsey, Cynthia Weed, Rena Matus, Cynthia May, Melinda Fulkerson, Shuwanna Stout, Cathy Johnson, Anne St. Louis, Andrea Millington, Mercedes Jimenez, Kitty Mitchell, Donna Eck, Carolyn Getter, Anna Luna, and Catherine van der Hoeff.

As of February 15th The Tallulah's card/postcard swap sponsored by Alpha Stamps is OPEN and has 6 open spots for participants. The Tallulah's card swap is due in my hands March 22nd. The participants are:
Frieda Oxenham, Janice Perkin, Peggy Gatto, Linda Schultz, Vicky Martindale, Patricia Schweitzer, Linda Garcia, Carol Stocker, Gayle Gross, Joanie Hoffman, Cynthia Weed, Cynthia May, Cathy Johnson, Caroline Outz Hay, Shannon Sawyer, Vickie Trancho, Terrie Lightfoot, Michelle Witchell, Martha Franklin, Leslie Hanson, Cynthia Zdanzukas, Teri Calia, Katherine DeCarlo, Lolly Busey and Nicole Ingegneri.

As of Feb. 15, The Shades of White Quiltie Swap has a few spots because of cancellations. This quiltie swap is due in my hands April 26th, 2008. Participants are:
Beverley Tiechrob, Janice Perkin, Dawn Sellers, Fiona Brockie, Vicky Martindale, Myfawny Hart, Val Duncan, Patricia Schweitzer, Amanda Blunden Smith, Linda Garcia, Victoria Talcott Wormell, Norma Bullen, Vicki Page, Fanny Fairbanks, Rena Matus, Lori Brofsky, Joanie Hoffman, Melissa Woolsey, Mary Zimany, Susanne Wiebe, Cynthia Weed, Cynthia May, Kate North, Cathy Johnson, Sharon Schutt, Donna Eck, Wil Opio Oguta, Kara Klein, Sharon McGreevey, Martha Franklin , Catherine van der Hoeff and Joellyn Quinn.

*If you find because of any circumstance you cannot fulfill the commitment you made earlier to complete a swap, all you have to do is notify me as soon as possible. Any mistakes or changes, please let me know as soon as possible - thank you. I am looking forward to the creativity I will be experiencing first hand through your art in the months to come!! : ) Lenna

Kara Klein - 1st Valentine Ornaments in!

Just late last week, after returning from our vacation, I recieved my very FIRST Swap package for the new season from Kara Klein in Los Angeles, CA. All of the ornaments you see in this post were created by Kara - what variety, and what a delight it was to open her package! Kara decided to make TWO sets and sent in 6 valentine ornaments for this swap, due in my hands February 2nd - only aboout a month away! If you are participating in this swap here is a gentle reminder to start playing and thinking valentines- if you have not already.

An unfortunate turn of events for one of our participants, Beverly T. (a broken wrist - ouch!) means that I have one spot now open in the Valentine ornament swap ~ NOW FULL. You can read some of the swap details in the original post and then if you are interested in joining, please email me to see if the space is still open. Thanks and a Very Happy New Year -quite creative with lots of art involved- to everyone reading! yours very truly, Lenna.

A close up of one of Kara's ornaments - click on the photo below for more detail.


p.s. Kara so kindly made me a beautiful gift as a thanks for the swaps I host that she has enjoyed. Thank YOU so much, Kara! I just adore the little clay book you made for me - I can't help but share it, please see photos below.

Just a note before I go . . .

The Valentine Ornament swap, White Quilties swap and Creative Bag swap are all FULL as of December 15th. You may put your name on a waiting list as sometimes people must drop . . . . just email me. If you are signed up for a swap and you cannot complete it for any reason -- please let me know as soon as possibile. The Alpha Stamps Tallulah's Card/Postcard swap has 7 spots open as of 12/29/07!
Happy Happy Holidays from lenna : )

Happy Holidays & update on 2008 swaps!

12.04.07- 010, originally uploaded by creativelenna.

Even though I'm sure everyone's attention has most likely shifted to the Holiday season, I still wanted to say hello and update you on my Creative Swaps for 2008. One of the 4 swaps I announced (in late November) is already filled! The Shades of White Quiltie Swap, due April 26th is now FULL with 30 participants. If you are interested in being put on a waiting list, I will take a few names just in case someone who has signed up has to drop out. Email me at: lenna[at]creativelenna[dot]com.

The other 3 swaps have just a few spaces; Creative Bags is now closed (12/13 -check the sidebar for updates), and no spaces for the Valentine Ornament swap. There are 7 spaces left for the Alpha Stamps Tallulah's Postcard/Card swap -I am taking up to 35 participants for this Alpha Stamps Sponsored swap (with a free gift) and so, there are more spaces available.

I hope you will be joining in on the fun! If you are not able to join a swap, it's always great just to check out the art here once the swap pieces start rolling in. The Valentine Ornament swap is due in my hands by February 2nd, so I imagine I will have a busy January uploading art! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the holiday season with family and friends. . . . . . I should let you know that I will be away to a warm climate with my dear husband December 16th - December 23rd ~ our present to each other! So if you write to inquire about signing up for a swap that week -- I will not be able to respond to you at that time. DO not worry; I will get back to you sometime after December 25th, I promise. If you do not hear from me by the 27th of December, please email me again.

Have a creative holiday and thanks for all the fun, and the inspiring art this past year via these swaps!!!

Happy News! New swaps for 2008

hello and happy holidays from lenna!
Yes! I have finally organized, announced & uploaded my new swaps for the beginning of 2008. Instead of having a swap due in January though, I opted to give you a little more time & have the Valentine swap due in early February. By looking at the dates you'll see that I have a swap due near the end of the month every month through April (so far). I hope to continue in this fashion except for one month in the summer & one month during the winter holidays when I will take a break. We will have a monthly creative project to work on for most of the year! I will announce the new swaps in batches just like this, a few months before they are due so you can plan ahead. Suggestions for swaps and themes are always welcome . . . . In fact, I took Beverley's suggestion this time for a fabric page swap! You can leave a comment to this post (below) or email me directly if you have ideas or wishes for future swaps.

Note: The new swaps are 1/3 to 1/2 full already because I announced them yesterday via email to current & former participants; but you can sign up anytime, as long as there is still room. I do limit the number of participants in each swap so sign-ups are on a first come first serve basis! Just scroll down through the next few posts to see what we are doing swap-wise and email me with any questions.

If you have to drop out of a swap all I ask is that you let me know as soon as possible so I can allow someone else to fill your spot; thank you! I also have firm deadlines (in my hands) for all my swaps in fairness to all the players - so when you join, please remember to mail on time or early and include your mailing label & postage, or you won't be able to be included!

New Swap #1: Valentine Ornament Swap!

This swap was completed in February, 2008
The deadline for this swap is due in my hands by February 2nd, 2008 and note that late entries will be returned. This is a 3 for 3 valentine ornament swap. Participants may create 2 sets if they wish, trading 6 ornaments for 6. No need to tell me in advance how many you are creating.

Your ornaments must be small and lightweight enough to hang easily. They should come complete with a way to hang, and be ready to hang! Some ideas: Stuffed puffy fabric ornaments, paper hearts, felt ornaments, or fabric & lace or embroidered ornaments . . . what about ornaments utilizing transparencies, stained glass ornaments, metal or tin ornaments, ATCs made from fabric or paper with a ribbon added to hang, or . . . ? ? The choice is yours!

Think love, romance and valentines. You may use images or not, as you like. * You are required to email lenna to see if there is space available in the swap. * I will limit the amount of participants to 30-35. Once your participation is confirmed, I will send you the full details of the swap including more links to ideas for these ornaments. Then create your ornaments and send them along with your label/envelope/shipping funds – all ornaments will be mailed to you in early February!

~ These photos are just an example of puffy, stuffed heart ornaments I made a few years ago. Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo - they were painted, dyed and stamped! Remember, you can create whatever type of ornament you wish as long as it is lightweight & easy to hang.

New Swap #2: CREATIVE BAGS

Fabric bag by Anne St. Louis!
THIS SWAP is CLOSED - and was completed in February, 2008.

We enjoyed this swap so much in 2007 that we have decided to run it again. This time I will be expanding the swap to allow ANY type of creative bag or purse, not just fabric! The deadline for this swap is due in my hands by February 23rd, 2008 - late entries will be returned. This is a 1 for 1 creative bag swap. Participants can create 2 sets if they wish, trading 2 bags for 2. You only need to create 1 bag ~ and anything goes!! This means: any size or any style of bag, using any fabric you wish - or any other materials. Your bag can either be handmade by you, or purchased and then embellished.

Any kind of fabric bag is a good choice; a crocheted or knitted bag, or make a cigar box purse. You could create a tote bag, a felted bag, an evening purse, a hobo bag, a beaded bag, a shoulder bag, a make-up bag, or a satchel - you decide!
Create your bag from start to finish, or purchase a plain bag and dress it up with rubber stamping, paint, dye, embroidery stitches, or by transferring images, doing appliqué work or beading. Anything goes with this swap, so be creative!

New Swap #3: Alpha Stamps Tallulah’s Vintage Card/Postcard swap! (fabric or paper)

This swap is closed to join & due March 22nd, 2008.
Below is a sample of the back of a fabric poscard I created for another swap to give you ideas. Your cards/postcards can be fabric, paper, or a combination of both but must use AlphaStamps Tallulah's sheets!
The deadline for this swap is due in my hands by March 22nd, 2008; late entries will be returned.

This is a 5 for 4 swap: Participants will create 5 cards (flat or folded) or postcards (fabric or paper) for 4 cards or postcards. 1 card or postcard will be sent to Alpha Stamps for sponsoring the swap . . . . . . Everyone will receive a gift collage sheet from Alpha Stamps for participating -- and one lucky participant will be awarded a special first prize from Alpha Stamps for the most creative card or postcard.

Requirements: Your cards or postcards must be created with any of the Tallulah’s vintage collage sheet images from the Alpha Stamps website. You are required to email lenna to see if there is still space available in the swap as I will limit the amount of participants to 35 ~ You will receive full details of the swap when you sign up with your first & last name -thank you!

Create your cards! Any size folded card, flat card, postcard is OK as long as it would be easy to mail. You can create these cards so someone could actually use them for correspondence or just create them for their enjoyment. When choosing images from the Alpha Stamp Tallulah’s sheets you will decide whether you will work with card stock, vellum, or fabric sheet images. The actual card is up to you: fabric postcards are very welcome! Folded or flat paper cards are lovely, and paper cards with fabric or lace are a treat! You can make some of each if you like or they can be all the same. You will receive a mixed variety in return. Hope to hear from you! Contact me via email to see if there is room - see my profile page for the address.

Below are two fabric & paper pieces I have created from one of my favorite Tallulah's sheets; Drama Queens (scroll down once there to see it).
I hope this will give you some ideas!

New Swap #4: Shades of White ~ Quilties

Swap #4: Shades of White ~ a fabric page/quilties swap -

Feb. 25th: This swap is Full and closed to join.
The deadline for this swap is due in my hands by April 26th, 2008, and late entries will be returned. Participants will create four 6” x 6” Quilties (fabric pages) in exchange for four different ones in return. You may create 2 sets of 4 quilties if you wish, trading 8 for 8 (your choice) -no need to tell me in advance how many fabric pages you are creating. As always, a small gift or extra quiltie for the hostess is much appreciated!

Requirements:
1. Your fabric pages must all be the same size: 6” x 6” - as some participants will take their swap quilties and bind them into a fabric book, create a wall hanging, or make a small lap quilt.
2. Your pages are to be created on a theme of Shades of White. Think winter whites, vintage whites, ecru and white, lace and *light*. You do not have to work ONLY in white; simply with an emphasis on white or shades of white. To give you some ideas, here is what Wikipedia says about white: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White
3. You are required to email lenna to see if there is space available in the swap. I will limit the amount of participants to 25-30.
CREATE your quilties! I have some basic instructions on my website to help you get started: http://www.creativelenna.com/FAQs/faqs.htm. The front and back of the fabric page or quiltie put together with batting in the middle, is considered 1 page. It is up to you whether you decorate both side of your fabric page; you can concentrate on the front of the page and save the back for your contact information. If you prefer, decorate both sides. This is your choice and either way is acceptable! Your Quilties can be all the same OR all different. This swap is limited to 30 players (FULL 12/5/07) and due in my hands April 26th, 2008, full details upon signing up - you will find my email to contact me on my profile page.

Click on any photo for more detail.