Rainbows & Alphabets

I am starting this month as I mean to go on- in an organised fashion (how long that will last is anybodies guess!) and have already finished this months accordion book page and alphabet swaps.

For the rainbow book this month's colour is orange! I have decided to try and do a recurring theme throughout all of the swaps so that my pages are distinctive, and are also quite easy to make. Obviously each will be individual, but I am going to put yo-yos onto each of them (instructions for how to make yo-yos are on my other blog if anyone is interested) to get a sense of continuity.

I also got cracking on with my alphabet cards- again my usual wire letter on an interesting background accompanied with stitches. I do try and vary the backgrounds though, and my hands are now blue because I used food colouring to get the vivid blue colour (adding to that other green and blue inks).

 I think the letter could be highlighted more, but I couldn't find my usual wire (probably lost in amongst my various fabric boxes!) so the copper wire had to do! It has a vaguely underwater theme I think.

On The Wings of Love

The final set of Wing ATCs came today, possibly with a slight Valentine's Day theme...

(By Liz)

Now I have the difficult task of swapping them out and choosing which ones I want to keep!!

Contemporary Vintage Wings

Just one more set of ATCs to go before I can send out this swap. I got two more sets today- although one of them nearly didn't make it as the envelope was badly ripped and it arrived in one of those 'your package was damaged' bags. Luckily I think it was all there.
Funnily enough both of these sets look quite similar, with a kind of contemporary or 'jazzed-up' vintage feel. Quite a lot of paper cards in this swap.

So then, from Carol:

From Sue:

Alphabet S & T

I have had back some lovely (I need another word for lovely, feels like I use it too much) alphabet ATCs from Sue H and Paula.

(By Sue H)                                               (By Paula)

I'd better get cracking with the next two!!

Zig Zag Stitch

Some exciting post today- my zig zag stitch returns!

This is possibly one of my favourite swaps so far, mainly because of the gorgeous cards I got back, they are all lovely and textured and right up my street!

                                      (By Annie)                                                   (By Sue H)

(By Wendy)

January Accordion Book Swap

Yesterday I had my first page for my rainbow accordion book through the post. One of the most interesting things was to see how the fabric paper had been made- it's quite funny how different they all turn out even though everyone is using more or less the same technique. Something to do with the glue I am reliably told.
Anyway, a really lovely first page from Alison!

Red Rainbow Accordion Book Page

I have finally completed my red page for the accordion book swap, and I have to say I am kind of proud of it. It uses lots of techniques, several of which I hadn't done before (like the fabric paper and the yo-yos), and some old favourites like couching, colonial knots and whip stitch.
I am a little nervous of sending it off though because I have never done this before and am not sure if I've done it right. Plus I haven't got anything to compare it too because my page hasn't been sent to me yet.
Still, if it is not right, at least I will know for the next one!!

These are some close up details- the camera went a little funny with the colours.