On the sixth day...

On the sixth day of Christmas... it was my turn! We needed to number each parcel so we'd know when to open them. I made a twinchie ornament with the number 6 on the back for my parcels.


I altered some holiday trim stars I found for the top of each tree. The twigs have been painted and beaded with wire. It was the first time I've tried beading with wire and I really enjoyed doing it!

Well I'm officially on holidays... I still have a few bits and bobs to do at school, but am looking forward to having a break and playing in the 'studio'.

On the fifth day...

I've been dying to see what was inside this gorgeous pouch!!! It looks like Celeste has been using one of my favourite Christmas holly stamps :)


On the fifth day of Christmas Celeste created for us... an altered light switch collage.

Isn't this just stunning!!! I was amazed to see how beautiful a light switch can become and I want to head out to the local hardware store to buy some and have a play myself!

Thank you so much Celeste!

On the fourth day...

I can't begin tell you how much fun I'm having opening these beautiful handmade gifts each day.


On the fourth day of Christmas Samm made for us... a gorgeous golden ornament.

I haven't been able to work out what it's made from or how she managed to get such a perfectly shaped border around the hanging angel. Some of the other girls have received angels but others have dangling stars. I'll be popping this on the Christmas tree (once I bring it home from school). Thank you so much Samm.

On the third day....

On the third day of Christmas Nic gave to us.... a gorgeous love heart!

Another very early morning, but what a wonderful way to start it. I've been dying to see what was hidden behind those lovely maps of the USA (and dreaming of visiting some of those places one day)!


This is such a wonderful piece of loveliness. There are layers of hand painted canvas, fabric, tulle and lace here and the stitching really adds an ethreal feel to it. I just love those wings!!!!

Now to find the perfect place to hang it!

Thank you Nic, I love it :)

On the second day...

I woke very early this morning to do some last minute things (reports) for school. Knowing that I'd be up so early, I placed the second gift right at my bedroom door, so that I'd have an incentive to get out of bed and get moving! Let me tell you it worked AND what a lovely gift I found inside!!! Isn't the gift wrapping adorable?!


On the second day of Christmas Kasha made for us... a stunning necklace! I had to put it on immediately, despite still being attired in my pj's...


I love the tree!!!


And it was carefully wrapped in this gorgeous fabric - gotta love it! Thanks Kasha :)

Holly - Sunday Postcard Art

I had a lovely time this morning putting this piece together for Sunday Postcard Art. The theme this week is 'The Holly and Ivy' and I couldn't pass up the oportunity to use this gorgeous 'holly' image by Lazar Studiowerx. I've stamped it in sepia on Basic Grey paper, coloured it with coloured pencils and added glossy accents to the berries. I've kept the composition fairly simple and uncluttered, but just had to add some hand stitching. I'm really looking forward to school holidays and having more time to play - I'm particularly yearning to work with needle and thread!

A friend of mine has challenged herself to send a postcard to someone every day of the year in 2010. She's going to make many of them, but will purchase them when necessary. I love the idea and am contemplating joining her in the challenge too. I've received a postcard from Trish this past week - I think she's already practising! Anyone else want to join in the fun?

Here's how I used the 'holly' image last year.

12 Days of Christmas

Once again I've been able to participate in a '12 Days of Christmas' art exchange - it's so exciting! A large parcel arrived in the mail last week and I've been waiting, oh so patiently, for the 'first day of Christmas' to arrive, so I could start opening a gift each day in the lead up to Christmas.


11 other Aussie artists are participating in the exchange - each one contributing handmade gifts to exchange with the other participants. Look at how beautifully each gift has been wrapped! It's been sooooo hard not to peek at them!


The first delightful gift has been made by Gaye Todd. The gorgeous wrapping has a wonderful 'glow' to it. It looks like Gaye has used stencils and glimmer mist to decorate the paper (in my favourite colour too). And I just love the sweet little image on the front of this parcel - surrounded with gold tinsel - so Christmassy!


I was stunned when I saw the beautiful collage Gaye has made to adorn this calendar. There is so much detail to this piece of work. There seems to be layers of papers and paint in the background. The colour palette includes some of my most favourite colours, so I'm totally thrilled to have such a gorgous calendar for 2010 :)


I especially love the textured nest and the vintage images used in this piece! The calendar is already hanging in my studio... I'm feeling so inspired :)

O Christmas Tree

'O Christmas Tree'

I've been singing the lyrics to this lovely carol today as I put this postcard together. I didn't know all the lyrics, but have located them here - it was great to discover some verses I didn't know. Now I'm finally getting all fired up to start making my Christmas cards... hope I haven't left it too late!

The current Stamp Challenge over at Paperbag Studios finishes in just under 3 weeks. Check out this blog entry to see some gorgeous and inspirational pieces!

I've used two Papberbag Studios stamps for this piece ('Music Tree' and 'Sentiments') and they are available for purchase at The Stamping Queen.

Forest for the Trees...

Over the weekend I've been creating envelopes for the end of year awards at school (to place gift vouchers in).

It's always a challenge to create masculine ones that are suitable for teens. I think these tree images by Paperbag Studios are perfect for the occasion! Both images are available from The Stamping Queen. The postmark stamps are by Stampington - another set of very versatile stamps (6 in the set - mounted on a cube).