"WISH YOU WERE HERE" BEACH THEME POSTCARD SWAP -ALPHA STAMPS

Another fun swap at AlphaStamps!  This time we are exchanging 5 postcards with a Beach related theme.

I used the AlphaStamps  "Beachy Postage and Words" collage sheet and Graphic 45 "On the Boardwalk" paper as my starting place.  When a swap is opened they always gather pieces to go along with the theme and put them on sale!  I added clam shell sequins, brass starfish, tiny blue shell dresden trim and a package of vellum borders to my purchase.

 
I used Glossy Accents to build up the sand pile in the left hand corner and across the beach at the top.  Add in some teeny shells, hotfix some sparkly crystals into the mix and edge the awning in platinum Stickles for extra sparkle.  I did another one similar to this.

Some of us will remember those beach movies!  And Sex Wax for the boards!  Well Glossy Accents in this case LOL  More sand, some of those yummy clamshell sequins and a tiny silver fishie.  Popped up the old "woodie" and board.  These images are from GeckoGalz.

 
Clamshell sequins tucked behind the glittered up mat provides a beach worthy frame.  Anchored with more sand, shells and a teeny starfish all set upon a vellum border of sand dollars.

Can't do beach and NOT do mermaids!  The images here were changed up by my friend Heather.  Love those hotfix crystals in the water - the perfect excuse to go and purchase the tool and crystals!

BUNNY LOVE SWAP - MINI CARDS

 I have long adored rabbits in all forms.  Truthfully I stopped collecting and covering the house in them (except for Easter and well, it is still Easter at my house this week LOL) so that I didn't become known as the "crazy bunny lady".   Was happy mail when I came home this week to find my swap (see sidebar) had arrived!

Sheryl, Linda, Kim, Charlotte, Janet and Jan - thank you each one is perfect!

All tucked into the accordion holder I made to hold these.  I will fold them up and tie with a pretty ribbon.

CARD CRAFTING MARATHON?

I have had so little time at home in the past few months, I am in SERIOUS craft withdrawal!  And the new blogger set-up - makes me weep.  I hate having to relearn technical stuff and now I am going to have to figure out where all the blogs I follow are!   I hope to have some time soon to do that and come visit.  It isn't indifference that has caused me to miss visiting.

 I managed to sneak in a visit to Clipper Street last week while I was away.  I indulged in a left over kit from one of their card classes which included the instructions and bits for 4 cards.  My intention was to create my own version using scraps and my own stash.  Once you have fussed through one card, it becomes quite simple to go into production mode.  Here is what I have done so far in a couple of nights;

THE ROMANCE OF PERFUME FAN SWAP - ALPHASTAMPS

This is my first swap with the AlphaStamps group.  If you haven't checked out AlphaStamps you are in for quite a treat.  Be sure to see the fans done by the design team!

The task was to finish five fan blades interpreting the theme liberally i.e. romantic couples, flowers etc.  I will get back five different blades.

Fronts:  images are all from AlphaStamps, background paper Making Memories, Glitter Ritz "Warm Highlights",  "Tea Dye" Distress Ink", "Copper" Liquid Pearls, vintage florist pins painted copper and flatback pearls.  Backs:  "Onyx", "Copper" and "Gold" Liquid Pearls, background papers Webster's Pages and Core'Dinations, perfume bottle images found on Etsy.

PANORAMIC EASTER MATCHBOX SWAP - THE VINTAGE DRAGONFLY

My swap partner was Mina from Green Witch With Sprinkles.  Her creation landed here a week ago or so while I was away.  What a delight!  Her diorama is so life like.  Lucky me!

ALTERED ANCESTORS - VINTAGE DRAGONFLY SWAP

This Vintage Dragonfly swap requires altering 5 cartes de visite,  small portraits from the late 1800's which are approximately 4 x 2.5.  We will receive back 5 bound in a small book.  While I know some are going to be quite brave, I really couldn't REALLY change them!  So I have prettied them up a bit and created a small narrative for each one.  Ok here is the very bad part - my photo taking skills!  No time to keep trying I must get these in the post today!

I used a G45 small print in a soft brownish maroon as the background, punched out frames which I outlined with gold Liquid Pearls, some pictures got a bit of colour with an alcohol marker, each got a mulberry paper rose and other bits from my stash.  I incorporated names and dates where they were noted on the back of the CDVs.  Several really were from the same family.

"1862 - Mrs. French with infant #1.  She never looked so rested again."

"1862 - Baby Bessie French walking at barely 9 months old!  Mrs. French has just produced a set of twin brothers!  Busy household day and night."

"1878 -  Dressed up and dangerous!  Those French boys and their pranks.  They just had no boundaries."

"Even as a baby, Hortense had a way of looking at you.  A look that made you feel uncomfortable. hortense lived a long and solitary life."

"1865 - Pansy just won her first certificate for writing.  Mother was so pleased.  Pansy got new blue hair ribbons."