Some pix, a box and a book!

Ponga Frond (NZ native tree fern)

Succulent.

The top two photos were taken in my garden. I love the ponga frond photo especially! We don't have a big section, one tree and only a few plant varieties. Yuccas, succulents, ferns, ponga and a few potted natives! It's surprising how much even a few plants can enhance the visual appeal of a house and make it feel more like a home. The photos were taken only a few days ago and already the ponga is a full fern. I've posted a black and white version on my Tumbler page if you would like to take a look. Seth Apter and Robyn Gordon also have Tumbler pages and you will find links to them on my page.

The collage box #1 has arrived and been posted on! The top pic is a photo of the stuff I took from the box. Unfortunately I don't have ready access to the photo I took of my contributions as it's on the old computer! I was able to take this one just before making the book below...

Collage book cover. Bingo card, ex libris scrap, fibre. My own circle/coffee paper was added to supplement my selection.

One of the books pages. I used a 'collage box paper' on every second page or used it as the actual page. The yellow mesh fabric was used to bind the two covers together.

I was last in line for box #1 and Lawendula has since received the box from me and she's done a fabulous post on her blog about it. Please check it out here to see how the journey went!

This will be my last post for a few days. We're off camping (not the real rugged variety...just the sleeping in a tent under trees variety!) in a few days and I can't wait! Fun with the kids, roasted marshmallows, nature art, board games, badminton, cricket, waterfalls and photography...wahoo!

McLaren's Falls. This is a photo I took when we camped there last year.  If you enjoyed my nature sculpture post (previous post) then please see this link to a fabulously inspiring Muse Me nature art event that I went too a few years ago at McLaren's falls. You won't be disappointed! Thank you to everyone who share their delight and memories triggered by my last post. I really appreciate it!

*See you soon*

Final Chapter: ICE 2010 and the Copeland Collection

Artist: Susan Mabray Gnaedinger (USA)

My collages from the International Collage Exchange are here! The arrival of the collages means that the final piece of this years exchange has fallen into place. For me it started with the 'chain reaction' series back in September of last year. What an awesome journey of discovery that was! It's also incredibly satisfying to complete a whole series of 13 collages and to be pleased with the outcome of each one. They all reflected me and what I wanted to say and it's a real bonus to be able to look at them and see that 99% of the materials used are recycled and didn't end up in the landfill. Dale Copeland sorts all the collages and 1 collage becomes part of an exhibition which is both 'real' and online. I was fortunate enough to sell my collage this year and that brings it's own sense of satisfaction of course! That brings me to now! The final ICE post for the 2010 exchange.  I did put together a slide show of all the collage I received but blogger is telling me it is an unsupported file format. I'm not sure why but I will try again tomorrow and see if it's just a temporary blip. You can see one of the collages I got above. Dale really does do a fantastic job trying to match up artists that have similar elements in there work. I received a lot of collages containing stitch work this year or collages of similar themes. Great work Dale!

I purchase Dale Copelands book "The Copeland Collection' and that also arrived with my collages. The book is bound by Dale and features about 100 of the many collages she has in her own personal ICE collection. I photographed a few of my favorite pages from the book which is available from Dale if your interested in obtaining your own copy.

Last but not least is a the 'Mad for Colours' swap hosted by LaWendula, who just so happened to be my partner in this months exchange. Here's what she sent me...

My parcel also included some of her wonderfully soft and colourful homespun wool! Lucky me:)

Thanks to all of you who have popped by recently, I have every intention on dropping by your blogs very soon!

Mini book and Mad for Colours Swap.

As you will all know by now I've been particiapting in LaWendula's monthly paper swaps. This month I was lucky enough to be paired up to swap with our host! Here's what I've sent to her...

The stenciled words say...

Life

evolution

breathe in

feel

embrace the miricle

live

(Oh no! I spelt miracle wrong and  I've just noticed now...what a bummer)

The theme was mad for colours so I put together so hand coloured papers togther with nature themed magazine pages. The binding down one side means my partner can cut the page away to use it.

Below are some other colourful paper's I put in with her book...

I particiapted in last months mini book swap and this is the fabulous book I got from my partner Amelia Critchlow. I love the handmade recyled-ness!

Book cover above and inside front cover and first page below:

Below are a few of my favorite pages..

The card in the pocket says the stamped word 'Love.'

What a great book!

A little while ago I also won a blog draw...here's what I won!

This fabulous postcard from Mary over at Joyfulploys. Thanks Mary, I love it!

Coming soon: Looking up trees- It's Autumn!

Dots and Circles- thanks to those who've shared there links or have said they will soon, I will be posting some of them here soon.

International Collage Exchange- My collages will be here soon! Wahoo!

Final posting for Alicia's book "The museum of forgotten things."

Paper Swap # 3

Paper Swap # 3. Cards theme. Hosted by Lawendula of Woven Letters.

I decided to alter 3 playing cards for my swap partner "Moon Mama" Jen. I used paper from very old bridge scoring pads, painted paper scrap and thread to alter the cards and put them together with...

A library issue card and pocket, a Tiki playing card, Lord of the Rings playing card, some vintage ciggerette cards, a few mini playing cards and some old bridge scoring sheets. They'll be sent off tomorrow and this time I will be careful not to pack them parcel thickness instead of letter rate! Lesson learnt;)

These cards are late but as my partner and I both had technical issues  neither of us have posted yet. Word from 'the wise' if you send emails with the term 'swap partner' in the subject line the spam filter will give it an entirely different meaning! Haha!. Better late than never:)