Handmade Gift Exchange

In my last post, I told you a little about the Craftaholics Handmade Gift Exchange.  Today, I am super excited because I get to show you the gifts I made for my partner, Meaghan!  But first, let me say, "thanks" to Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous for hosting this exchange.  Through her, and the gift exchange, I "met" Meaghan!  We've been corresponding for the past several weeks and I feel I've made a true friend!  The photo at the top of this post is of the journal cover I made for Meaghan.  I used TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) to transfer the vintage lady image.  I embellished the image with small beads.  I tea dyed the doily and attached it using a vintage button.  By the way, I sewed the journal cover to fit a standard sized composition notebook.  If interested, leave a comment or send me an email and I will detail the specific dimensions and sewing directions.

Besides the journal cover I sewed.  I tried my hand at a little jewelry making.  You might remember I tried making a dictionary necklace charm a few weeks ago using Dimensional Magic Mod Podge.  That project didn't exactly turn out, but for Meaghan's charm, I used better quality paper and a different kind of bezel.  I also added a few bits of bling!  This time, success!

  

Again, I'm so happy I participated in this gift exchange.  It's been wonderful getting to know Meaghan, who lives in one of my most favorite places, North Carolina!  I'm so pleased that she likes the gifts I made for her and I am excited to see what she has made for me!  My package is on its way to my neck of the woods.  I will post about it when it arrives.  In the meantime,  please jump over to Craftaholics Anonymous and have a look at all the fabulous handmade gifts made and exchanged all over the country!

Tootles!  

7 Swans and Christmas Crafting

7 Swans A Swimming ATC
Karla Jackson




I wish my photo of Karla's ATC would have turned out better.  This card is absolutely gorgeous.  The swan's body appears to be a white shimmery leaf.  The head and neck are made out of beautiful beads.  The paper that the swan is actually sitting upon is so pretty.  This is definitely one of my favorite ATCs ever.  Thanks Karla.  I love it!

I'm sure all of you are super busy with shopping, baking, and, I hope, making!  Here are a couple of presents I've been working on. 

Bag Front (note the super cool Yo-Yo)

Bag Back

I've made this little zippy bag for one of my girls.  I drew the bulldog (my interpretation of the college mascot)and then colored the collar and added some bling.  Who said bulldogs can't bling it out?  I also incorporated my second ever YoYo as an embellishment, as well as some ribbon.  I then used my new alphabet stamps for the words.  I'm really loving the stamps!

Thom York Bracelet and Earrings
From "Eraser" CD

Here I entered brand new territory!  I've never made jewelry before and I swear I will not allow myself to get too involved in this craft as I surely don't have the time or money to get too crazy with this!  That said, these earrings and bracelet were really fun to make...except attaching the jump rings!  I am sure there is a tool to make this easier right?  Anyway, to make the earrings, I cut out the rectangle shapes from a paper CD case.  I glued each piece to some heavy cardboard and then "painted" them with several coats of ModPodge.  I did the same with the bracelet, but I had shape the cardboard, which was a bit tricky.  I think they turned out pretty cool and what makes them even neater is that they are totally unique.  I'm quite sure there aren't Thom York earrings out there...I hope.  My daughter is Radiohead's biggest fan, so I'm sure she'll love them!

I can't wait to see what you're working on!

Toodles for now!

Angela