On My Desk - Essential Tools and a Winner

Yes, everything you need for a giveaway. Paper, scissors and appropriate vessel. I can't believe how many people signed up. I even let the lovely ladies who missed the cut-off join in. It's all in fun so I figure why not. I wish that I could send something to everyone.

I had my partner do the draw cause I couldn't bear to choose. And the winner is..... (drumroll)..... Sherrin of Starashan. She's a sewer too so I reckon she will get lots of use out of these goodies. OK, I'm going to pop across and tell her the good news.

Now, I'm going to start working on my Pay It Forward goodies for Danielle and Bec which will be good fun. Don't worry though I like this giveaway business so I might have to do another one soon. And, there will definitely be another art swap in the not too distant future.

Ok, time to catch up on some of my favourite crafty blogging peeps. It's been a while.

Oh, and for another great giveaway go over and visit Two Cold Feet. She's got some super duper goodies to share.

You've Got Mail

Oh yes! I sure have. My art swap arrived today from Juddie of Flightless Boyds. I am overwhelmed by what she has made me. 4 extraordinary pieces. For those of you who aren't in the know I organised an art swap a while back. The theme was "In The Woods" and we had 6 us of from Australia and the USA join in. The finished works were all incredible and I think nearly all of them have made their way to the new homes around the globe. Here are my 4 new amazing designs.




I can't wait to take them off to my trusty framer to see what he does with them. I am thinking something pretty simple to keep with the simplicity of the works. I will have to save my pennies first. My framing guy isn't cheap but he does an amazing job. Anyway, I think they may go in the bedroom when they are done as we are a bit short of art in the bedroom. Will have to see what partner thinks but I don't see any argument coming.

And Juddie sent me a brooch too. Isn't it cool. I am going to wear it out to dinner this evening. Thank you so, so much Juddie for the beautiful art work.

A few people have asked if there will be another Art Swap and the answer is definitely YES. I'm not sure when yet. It was great to organise and participate in this one. I feel like I got to take myself completely outside my comfort zone and do something really different. I would love to hear some ideas for themes to get me thinking about the next one.

I Can't Wait Another Minute

According to my own rules I was supposed to wait until tomorrow to post pictures of my Art Swap. However, I can't contain myself any longer so, ta da...



This piece is going to Two Cold Feet over in the USA. Go and check out the other fantastic creations of Curlypops, Shellbells and Make Like a Tree and Leaf. I can't believe how incredible they are. Flightless Boyds and Two Cold Feet are yet to post their finished pieces but I am sure you will be able to check them out shortly.

I have also had enough of waiting to tell about my new job. I will just have to spill the beans. Go and check it out here. How lucky am I? I will share more about what I am doing there once I start in June.

Thanks again to all the lovely, talented gals who joined in and made the swap such a success. I will have to think about what to do next.

Another Glimpse

I got around to spending some more time on my Art Swap on the weekend and nearly have it finished. I am making my piece for Two Cold Feet. Here is another sneak peak.

On May 1st everyone is due to finish their swap and post a picture on their blog before sending it off. I can't wait to see all the finished goodies. The other people playing along are Curly Pops, Flightless Boyds, Make Like a Tree and Leaf and Shells Bells.

Glimpses

Here is a little sneaky peak of the piece I am making for Art Swap. Curly Pops has also posted a sneak peak of her piece. It is time to stop now and take myself off to bed. I could work well into the night me thinks, but it never works out too well when I have to get up and go to work the next morning. So, goodnight friends.

Art Swap Updated

Ok, I have adjusted the art swap adding shellbells to the group.

I didn't redraw the names - I just swapped shellbells into Zoesquid's spot. So just to remind you it now goes like this:

Curly Pops is making for Make Like A Tree and Leaf
Juddie of Flightless Boyds is making for Big Cat
Big Cat is making for Two Cold Feet
Make Like A Tree and Leaf is making for Juddie of Flightless Boyds
Shellbells is making for Curly Pops
Two Cold Feet is making for Shellbells

Don't forget to send me your e-mail and postal addresses Juddie and Shellbells. You can send them to cathkirwan(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au.

Also I'm going to extend the finish date to the last day of April to give everyone a bit more time. So now let's plan to post our finished peices to our own blogs on May 1st.

I think that's it for now.

Art Swap Hiccup

There's been a little hiccup. The lovely Zoesquid has had to pull out this time around so I need to rejig the swap list. I'm going to chase up someone who wanted to join in late and thought she had missed out. I will sort it out in the next couple of days and post the changes. In the meantime keep creating, the only change might be who your piece goes to.

And don't forget to e-mail me your details as per the previous post, if you haven't already.

OK, here we go. I've drawn the names out of a hat and matched them against a list of everyone playing and here's what we have


So it goes like this:

• Curly Pops is making for Make Like A Tree and Leaf
• Juddie of Flightless Boyds is making for Big Cat
• Make Like A Tree and Leaf is making for Juddie of Flightless Boyds
• Zoesquid is making for Curly Pops
• Two Cold Feet is making for Zoesquid
• Big Cat is making for Two Cold Feet

Can everyone send me your e-mail and postal addresses to cathkirwan(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au and I will distribute them accordingly.

You have until Thursday April 17th to make your piece. On the 17th post a photo of your finished piece to your blog so we can all play show and tell. Then send it to your person and wait patiently for the mail to arrive. Once you have received your new piece of art post it to your blog. Art swap successfully accomplished.

Why doesn't everyone also let me know if you finish your piece prior to the 17th and that way if everyone is finished early we can post and send sooner.

I am so excited. Thanks everyone for signing up for this. Now hurry - off to your creative, happy places and get your minds and hands to work.

Any questions, just let me know.

Happy days
Cathy

Don't Forget

Don't forget to join in the Art Swap. Absolutely everyone is welcome. It is very exciting. There are already 6 people signed up to participate. The theme is "In The Woods" and apart from that there are no real rules. You can use any medium you want to create something that represents the theme. You give your piece away to someone else who is participating and in return you get a piece of art. You have a month from the start date (sometime next week) to complete your piece and send it off. Once I know who is playing I will draw all the names and work out who is making for who. I will post it here and get everyone to send their e-mail and postal addresses to me so that I can pass them across to the appropriate people.

See I do all the logistics and you just do all the fun bits. Just the way life should be. Don't delay. Get on board. C'mon artsy people, join the fun. Sign up here or at the earlier message which you can navigate to here.

Crafty Peeps Join The Fun

I'm organising an Art Swap. It started when I saw this cool art and thought hmmm... how can I get some for my very own. So Tessa and I said let's do it. We are both new to blogging and thought it would be fun. All are welcome to join in - the more the merrier.

Given that Tessa was the initial inspiration the theme will be "In The Woods". You can interpret the theme in any way you like and make a piece of art or craft in any medium. The timeframe for completing projects will be a month from the starting date.

If you would like to join in leave a message on this post by this time next Sunday including letting me know your physical location. I will put all the names in the proverbial hat and organise the swap list. I will also post start and finish dates, and other logistics.

This is an international swap so you should keep that in mind for the size of your work. If you want to join in but postage would be prohibitive then let me know in your post and I will try to organise it so you are sending more locally.

Any questions or advice most welcome. Otherwise, c'mon, join the fun and make this art swap kickin'.