Canadian Chickies!

Big Book of Christmas

2011-11-21T09:40:00.001-08:00

How exciting, after months of anticipation, our Big Book of Christmas swap has come to a close, and here is a peek at some of the beautiful work our Chickies did in this swap...

DeeDee to Dawn

Brown Paper Packages tied up with String ...

DeeDee sent several handmade goodies along with the Big Book of Christmas to Dawn

This book has been prepped to be used as a Christmas memory book ~ photos do not do justice to the lovely work DeeDee put into the creation of this book!

Heather to Sabina

Heather created a potpourri of Christmas-y vintage-ness for Sabina

So sweet!

Sabina to Sara

A shaped book radiates a holy night of long ago ...

Sabina beautifully incorporates traditional Christmas Carols in the book

More photos of The Big Book of Christmas will be posted as they come in ~ Chickies please remember ~ to send in photos of the book you created and the book you receive. Thanks!

Swap Names for Christmas Exchange

2011-08-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Photo Source

Look what's up next for the Canadian Chickies!!

Are you starting to collect your ideas for the Chickie Christmas Exchange 2011?

Here is the list of who we are making our books for :

Brittni ---> Martha
Dawn ---> Brittni
DeeDee ---> Dawn
Heather ---> Sabina
Martha ---> Heather
Sabina ---> Sara
Sara ---> DeeDee

Now you know who you're creating a book for!

Remeber to either create a handmade book or gussy up an existing one. This book may be used as a handy-dandy Christmas check list go-to book or it may contain favourite recipes, poems, stories, songs etc. If you wish, you could alter a book that would be nice as a coffee table book or perhaps a guest book. The sky is the limit!
In addition to the book, you are welcome to include some little stocking stuffers ~ anything you wish. As always, think about what you would like to receive ~ that's a good place to start!
There are no big rules, per se ~ but if you're mailing a book to a person, be mindful of the thickness and weight and postage costs. Please mail out your book by November 11, 2011

Start creating in your Big Book of Christmas!

Introducing the Canadian Chickie Christmas Exchange 2011 ...

2011-07-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

BIG Book of Christmas

Either create a handmade book or gussy up an existing one. This book may be used as a handy-dandy Christmas check list go-to book or it may contain favourite recipes, poems, stories, songs etc. If you wish, you could alter a book that would be nice as a coffee table book or perhaps a guest book. The sky is the limit in what you can include in this book. In addition to the book, you are welcome to include some little stocking stuffers ~ anything you wish. Think about what you would like to receive ~ that's always a good place to start! There are no big rules, per se ~ but if you're mailing a book to your person, be mindful of the thickness and weight and postage costs. In the case where you are mailing a book out, the word BIG may not be literal.

Once everyone's signed up, I will make a list of who gives to who. You will not know who you will be receiving a book from ~ part of the fun surprise!

More details will be posted on our Canadian Chickies Yahoo Group Site!
Sign up by: August 1, 2011
Mail out date: By November 11, 2011

Let's hear from you Chickies!

2011-04-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Trusting all you Chickies are enjoying a wonderful Easter weekend with your families!

Please keep your imaginations in high gear

as we are looking for awesomely fantastic suggestions for the next

Canadian Chickies' artsy exchange

Should we celebrate ...

Mother's Day?

Canada Day?

or should we simply celebrate Friendship?

Suggest a theme ... Volunteer to host...

We eagerly await to hear your suggestions

and

Easter Blessings to you all!

2011 Valentine Picture Parade (installment 3)

2011-02-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

And the last two Door Hangers which were created

for the 2011 Valentine Exchange ...

Top: Created by Kathryn
Bottom: Created by Cindy

Thank you Chickies for yet another successful swap. Anyone have ideas for our next swap? Hmm...?

2011 Valentine Picture Parade (installment 2)

2011-02-15T06:45:00.001-08:00

How much prettiness can your heart take?

Here are 3 more Door Hangers created for the Canadian Chickies 2011 Retro Valentine Swap

Created by Dawn

Created by Sabina

Created by Martha

Can you say pretty?!

More photos coming up soon ...

Valentine Picture Parade begins ...

2011-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Created by Jennifer
Everything is looking wonderfully delicious!
Our picture parade begins with two samples of Valentine Door Hangers
Jennifer and Nicolette created for the Valentine swap.

Created by Nicolette

Tomorrow, we will see more offerings from other Chickies who participated ~ stay tuned!

Up Next ~ Chickies' 2011 Retro Valentine Swap

2011-01-01T22:37:00.000-08:00

Several Chickies have asked about doing a Valentine's Day Swap.

So as not to disappoint, we will be doing one.
This swap be a one-for-one swap. You will swap with only one person ~
hopefully keeping the time commitment and postage to a minimum,
so we can avoid some of the difficulties
that some of us faced during the Christmas Exchange.
Here are the details...
Chickies' 2011 Retro Valentine Swap
Sign up for the swap by January 10th please.
A partner will be assigned to you.
Then find a retro Valentine image and use it
in creating a Valentine Door Hanger.
You are welcome to, but not obligated to
add a few goodies to the package you send to your swap partner.
Please send a photo of your wrapped and unwrapped gift to Mother Hen
so she can post photos on our blog!
Remember to keep your parcel skinny and light ~
remember Canada Post charges big bucks for anything with any bulk or weight.
Mail your giftie to your partner by February 1st, 2011.
On February 14th, we'll open our gifties!
I hope everyone will join in the fun.

Let it Snow ~ Day 12

2010-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

What giftie do we have today? Ever innovative, Cindy has created unique jar snowmen for us all ~ each one with its very own personality!

This is Day 12 ~ can you believe our swap has come to a conclusion? Thank you to all the participants. You have made the wait for Christmas Day so much more cheery. Way to go Chickies ~ we look forward to our next swap.

Have a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas to you all!

Let Heaven & Nature Sing ~ Day 11

2010-12-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Festive and fun is how you can describe the nature-infused jewellery pieces Jennifer created for us on Day 11. The pin is made out of a bottle cap and the pendant a Scrabble tile ~ we love green gifts!

She cleverly wrapped them in a paper stocking too, which would look cute all on its own hanging on a tree or mantle.

Retro moments ~ Day 10

2010-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Every morning during this swap, I sit down at my computer with my tea and open the day's gift, eagerly anticipating the surprise that awaits me. I haven't been disappointed. Not once!

It would appear that Nicolette was in a retro mood when she so skillfully created the Chickies some delightful Christmas hanging decorations.

Can you believe there are only TWO more days after today?

Love takes wing ~ Day 9

2010-12-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

You just know that the gift Kim hand crafted for us on Day 9 is made with love. Not only did she include some of her famous Rock my World Rocks, but just look at this super soft, hand dyed heart! It reads Love = Courage: perfect to sit in the tree during Christmas time and any other place throughout the year as a reminder.

By the book ~ Day 8

2010-12-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Heather provided a little hint of what to expect inside, when she placed the beautifully collaged bookmark (Kim's pictured here) on the outside of her gift for us on Day 8.

Inside was a gorgeous vintage-y composition book. (compare the before and after photos!).

I'm sure we'll all have no problem at all putting our books to good use!

Vintage Christmas ~ Day 7

2010-12-19T06:21:00.000-08:00

Day 7 is Dawn's day to create for the Canadian Chickies

She created little Vintage Hang Ups along with Crystal Key Necklaces for each Chickie using the "likes" of everyone and incorporating them into her designs.

Joy to you ~ Day 6

2010-12-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

We're half way there, Chickies. It's Day 6 and Sabina has prepared a special surprise tucked into these lovely silky sacks for all of us!

Just look how Sabina so ingeniously is using all those baby food jars these days! It is a precious cherub/fairy in a bottle! Don't you love the cotton batting snow and the dangling snowflakes. So pretty. So precious.

A Banner Day ~ Day 5

2010-12-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

You could say Day 5 of the Canadian Chickies Exchange is a banner day,
thanks to Martha.

She handmade us a very sweet Joy banner that is sure to add a special touch
wherever we all decide to hang it.

Joy to the World!

Matchless Wonder ~ Day 4

2010-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Kathryn went all out to create something that matches up to our "likes" on the 4th day of Christmas (forgive the pun), when she created a beautiful little Matchbook necklace for us. I think I may put mine on my Christmas tree since it's so pretty and glittery!

She invites us to tuck in a special quote, thought or dream in the matchbox.
What a great idea, Kathryn!

Seasonal Whimsy ~ Day 3

2010-12-14T23:24:00.001-08:00

We receive two gifties for Day 3, made by the ever generous Mar.

She created sweet little Christmas Tree magnets, and wonderful miniature paintings complete with easels.

Such special paintings; can you match up the paintings to each of us Chickies?

Here is a photo of my Day 3 goodies. How did Mar know that if she came over to my house right about now that I would serve her a piping hot drink in a Christmas-y mug!

Peace ~ Day 2

2010-12-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

Love and Peace are Eternal

~ John Lennon

Oh look what Brittni created for us to open on Day 2! It's a sweet little booklet which includes a turtle dove for us to hang on our trees on one page, and on the next, the above quote.

Handmade Perfection: Day 1

2010-12-13T08:15:00.001-08:00

Day 1 is finally here and it's time to open Arlene's gift.
What delicate wrapping she's used, what's inside?

Look! It's a leather bracelet.

Wow ~ is this homemade? It's so perfect!
Amazing job, Arlene!
(I see Chickie Kim has posted about Day 1 on her blog already this morning too. Check it out here!

Day 12 ~ Under wraps

2010-12-12T00:05:00.000-08:00

And finally, what goodies does Cindy have in store for us on Day 12? We will have to wait until Christmas Eve to find out.

And tomorrow! December 13th, we will get to open our Day 1 offering. Please check this blog then for the unveiling of Arlene's gift. Can you stand the suspense?

Day 11 ~ Stuffed with Goodness

2010-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

Just look at the beautiful stockings that Jennifer created to wrap her gifts in.

If the outside is this pretty, just imagine what's inside ~ December 23rd we'll finally get to peek!

Day 10 ~ Waiting, waiting, waiting

2010-12-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

Something pretty is hiding in Nicolette's trimmed white bag, but what? Isn't this fun ~ and torturous, waiting, waiting, waiting?

Day 9 ~ It's in the bag!

2010-12-09T07:41:00.001-08:00

Looks like Kim went all out creating pretty little paper bags

and complimentary Joy tags for Day 9. We can only imagine

what sweet treasure she's created for us to open on the 21st of December!

Day 8 ~ Vintage Delight!

2010-12-07T23:44:00.001-08:00

A collaged vintage bookmark/tag adorns Heather's offering, and it is also the largest of all the gifties we have to look forward to opening (on Day 8 of the swap).

What goodness is in this package?

Day 7 ~ Nostalgic Christmas

2010-12-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

Served up on a silver platter, these gifts wrapped in old pattern tissue from Dawn are all different sizes and promise to make everyone feel nostalgic on Day 7.

Day 6 ~ Pretty Pretty

2010-12-06T11:49:00.001-08:00

Sabina wrapped her gifties in beautiful silky bags ~

making it two gifts in one for us on the 6th day.

Day 3, 4 and 5 ~ Triple Goodness!

2010-12-04T23:46:00.000-08:00

I was away for a couple day, with no time for Internet access, so I am including 3, count em, 3 days in one little post!

Day 3: Wrapped in golden paper, Mar's packages seems to have two parts.

A sweet cherub holds the secret...

Day 4:

Good things come in little packages,

and just look at these little and very

cheery gifties that Kathryn popped

into these little bags.

We can hardly wait to see what

she made for for us to enjoy

on Day 4!

Day 5: Create Joy is what the back of Martha's simple brown paper package reads.

It is sure to bring us all joy when we open it on December 17th.

Day 2 ~ Simplicity!

2010-12-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd Day of Christmas Brittni sent to me ... well I don't really know yet, but it comes in a simple plain envelope with my written on it. We will all get to open this one on December 14th!

Day 1 ~ we're dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-11-30T23:37:00.001-08:00

December 1st is finally here!

Time to start looking at our wrapped gifts in anticipation of discovering

just what goodies each Chickie has created for our Christmas Exchange 2010.

Day One of the Canadian Chickie Christmas Exchange arrives courtesy of Arlene.

The gift is wrapped in a beautifully embroidered cloth (white on white)

tied with a simple red string.

But what's inside?

We will have to wait until December 13th

when our opening frenzie begins. Huzzah!

Chickie Christmas Exchange

2010-09-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well you likely have ideas running around in your heads about the upcoming exchange. This year, we've made sure everyone has plenty of time to come up with the best idea possible to create your finest work for some of the sweetest people out there.

Rumour has it that a couple of our participants have started creating their gifts already! (Please watch for your day number assignment to be announced soon)

November 19th is the mail out date. You have until then to create your 12 beautiful little pieces of art for everyone, then wrap em up all pretty and mail out to their destinations. We will count down to the first day by showing each wrapped gift and then each day, we will show the treasures as we open them.

Remember to do your very best work by creating something that you would be thrilled to receive! This promises to be a very sweet swap. Now go get creative, Chickies!

Join the New Chickie Swap!

2010-03-15T07:34:00.001-07:00

Canadian Chickies, listen up! We have a new swap coming up and we welcome YOU to join in the fun!

Now I can hear some of you already starting to form excuses in your heads why you shouldn't join in this swap, but please fiirst let me say that even though this is called Mother's Day Door Hanger Swap, you do NOT have to be a mother to join this swap. The only qualification that you need for this swap, is that you have had a mother sometime during your lifetime! I can also assure you that it won't take THAT much effort to be a part of this swap. Canadian Chickies, we like to keep our swaps simple. Minimal work, minimal commitment and maximum loveliness! Please read on and join us this time round.

Mother's Day Door Hanger Swap
To sign up, go to our Yahoo site, in the Database under Mother's Day Door Hanger 2010. Once we have all the sign ups, you will be assigned a partner for the swap. Everyone will be asked to create a Door Hanger for their partner ~ simple as that. Make a pretty little something that your partner can hang on a door in her home that she can sit and enjoy. If you're wondering what your partner likes, check out the Things I Like in the Database to help you create the perfect door hanger just for her.

Sign up by March 25th
Mail out by April 25th
(so that the hangers will reach
their destinations by May 9th)

Look what I got!

2009-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

On what can be the LONGEST day of the year, especially if you have little ones (because it's not quite Christmas Eve yet, it's getting very, very difficult to WAIT); today's the day we open our Artist Trading Cards for the Canadian Chickies ATC Christmas swap.

Here is a photo of the endearly, lovely hand-crafted ATC Martha created for Dawn. It has already found it's home on Dawn's tree, and looks very much at home.

Please remember to upload a photo or two on the Yahoo site for everyone to enjoy the ATCs you received from your swap partner.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

No peeking!

2009-12-15T17:05:00.000-08:00

It won't be long now folks ...
just over a week until we get to open
our Christmas ATCs and
hang them on our trees.
December 23rd is the day
we get to finally see our treasures!

No peeking!

Photo: ATCs created
and wrapped by Martha Brown

3 ATCs to grace our Christmas trees

2009-11-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Our Canadian Chickies 2009 Christmas swap will be a simple but sweet exchange. We will create 3 ATCs with our partner in mind, something that he/she can hang on their Christmas tree. Here is the Partner List for our Christmas ATC swap:

Arlene and Jennifer
Brittni and Sabina
Josh and Mar
Martha and Dawn
Nicolette and Kim

We will need to mail out our 3 ATCs by December 1st. Once the ATCs arrive in the mail we must be very patient, because we will wait until December 23rd to open our gifts from our each other together. The anticipation will drive us crazy, but that's half the fun, isn't it?

More Journal photos!

2009-10-14T19:32:00.001-07:00

This jazzy number is the cover of the journal Mar created for Kathryn.

So colourful ... so much texture.

Oh! And look at the whimsical journal Kathryn made for Marcy in return. Is that an outhouse? Someone understands Mar's goofy sense of humour.

Chickie Journals start arriving!

2009-10-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Look at the beautiful journal Kim created for Arlene ...

Who wouldn't love this book?

Love and friendship on every page.

Beautiful!

Journals almost done ...?

2009-08-25T18:02:00.001-07:00

It has been quite some time since we touched base, Canadian Chickies (and token Rooster).

How is the ART Journal prepping coming along for your partner? Are you done? Have you started? Are you excited? Are you panicking?

September 30th is the deadline to send off your journal to the person you're exchanging with.

Please remember to take photos (at least of the front cover of the journal) so we can post them here and on the Yahoo group too!

It's going to be so much fun to see what everyone has created to inspire their swap partner with, won't it?

Chickie Journals!

2009-06-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

So far we have 6 people signed up to join our Chickie Journal Swap. Eeeek! Can you stand the excitement of creating a ART journal with wonderful prompts with your trading partner in mind?!

Deadline for sign ups is June 30th. Then we'll pair everyone off and you will have all the way until the end of September to make your journal for your partner and mail it off to her, if necessary.

Photo: Shabby Doodles Journal created by Arlene for Canadian Chickies' Christmas Swap 2008. (It's even more gorgeous in person!

Retro apron , simply lovely

2009-05-08T14:03:00.001-07:00

Jennifer really outdid herself in creating an apron with vintage-y flair for Dawn. One can only appreciate wearing this beauty when one has a hot pink feather duster, a cookbook in hand and high heals, bright red lipstick on!

This has been an amazing swap, wouldn't you agree? Each and every apron is so personal and sweet. Thank you Canadian Chickies for making this swap a enormous success!

Sabina showers Martha with a beautiful gift

2009-05-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Martha was thrilled to receive this re-purposed shower curtain turned apron.
How ingenious!

When Sabina's supervisor gave Sabina a floor display fabric shower curtain, she had no doubt knew that Sabina would find a creative use for it. The sash was craft from a scarf. What an elegant apron ~ we all look forward to seeing a photo of Martha wearing this beauty.

Arrival of this apron went swimmingly

2009-05-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Forget Canada Post and their ridiculously high rates and delays at the Canada-US border; Kim has received her apron from Arlene!

When Arlene began formulating ideas in her head of the apron she would make for Kim, she knew one thing, that it would include an ocean and mermaid theme.

Look at the mermaid apron she created. It's perfect from its many little enclosed pockets containing buttons, sea glass, pearls and more right down to the bottom ruffly, wispy waves.

Blooming beauty!

2009-04-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Kim created this apron of textures and words for Arlene.

Hopefully Arlene will take some photos of the completed project (hint, hint!) as Kim did not ~ but at least you get a sense of what it looks like.

These aprons are so unique and obviously each and every one, a labour of love.

Apron with flower flourish

2009-04-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Look at the beauty Martha created for Sabina.
No wonder Sabina could hardly contain herself when she receive her apron in the mail!

Vanessa's created re-purposed beauty!

2009-04-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Look at the sweet apron Vanessa crafted out of an old pillow case! What amazing precision she wielded when she embroidered Pat's inititials on the pocket? Won't her Gram-in-law love this?

1st Mother-of-all-aprons Swap first arrival

2009-04-16T18:25:00.001-07:00

Very exciting news! Our first Mother-of-all-Aprons apron has arrived in Jennifer's hands. A hand painted portrait dons her apron with some of the things that Jen holds near and dear. Luckily, Jennifer had a photo on her blog and Dawn copied her likeness on the apron.

I've gone and done it Chickies!

2009-02-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Good morning Chickies ... I have just this minute sent this photo along with a submission pitch to Somerset Studios publications this morning!

I'm not overly confident that anything will happen because I'm not able to pay for shipping and insurance costs for the Faux Gogh chairs to be sent to California! Who knows though. If they like the idea perhaps they'll either let us take the photos or maybe even hire a professional Edmonton based photographer to take photos of the chairs.

Arlene and I have been throwing the idea around for quite a while about submitting this idea to a publication of some sort, and so this morning felt like the appropriate time to walk out on a limb and give it a try. All they can say is "no", right?

New name ~ new look!

2009-02-27T19:05:00.000-08:00

Are you confused yet? Keeping the Canadian Valentine blog going seemed like a good idea, but it also made sense to change the name, header and background for a more year round place to play. The name came to me in a dream one night after the Valentine swap was over, so naturally I decided that it was destiny that we use this name for any swapping stuff we do. Thus the name Canadian Chickies!

On this post, I'll share some of the headers I created before I settled on the one that I finally chose. Do you think I chose the right one? Hope so.

The-Mother-of-All-Apron-Swap's title is thanks to Kim ~ amazing title! We're still open to having people join this swap for a few more days. All you have to do is either sew a cool apron or gussy up an existing one. But you only have to make one! We will exchange aprons in time for Mother's Day. Whether you're a mother or not ~ doesn't matter, you can join. So let's say March 1st is the deadline for sign ups. Leave a comment here or email me to let me know you want to be a part of this cool swap.

Don't you think we have a very nice core group of artists here? We've established some great friendships which is awesome. Let's keep in touch, people.
Oh! and I've changed the Yahoo group too, to Canadian Art Swaps. Thinking out loud here ... maybe I should change that name to Canadian Chickies too. Let me know what you think. Is our tranformation almost complete?
I hope so!

A lavish touch for Day 10

2009-02-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

On Day 10, the group was presented with a beautiful hand-bound fabric book made by Arlene. She stitched pages together and then crafted covers with scrumptious, tactile fabrics to suit each person's likes.

She calls these lavish lovelies Shabby Doodles and wishes everyone to place them in their purses to use whenever a creative thought pops into their heads or a doodle needs to be doodled. What a perfect ending to this beautiful Valentine ART swap!

Many of the participants have never done an ART swap before, so this has been a wonderful learning experience for everyone.
Thank you for sharing your love.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Desire's the theme for Day Nine

2009-02-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

A sense of romance was created by Nicolette with her hanging ATC, complete with a "Desire quote" on the reverse side. With the wonderful glittering danglies, this little piece of art will be beautiful almost anywhere in the home.

The story of Day 8

2009-02-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

One upon a time
in a land far, far away,
the lovely Kimberly, Queen of Arts wrapped up a parcel with care

When her gifts arrived in the Kingdom of Edmonton, they looked more like this because of the work of the infamous dastardly villain named Canada Post

A bit of a mix up to be sure, but soon they looked more like this again

And then one day, something miraculous happened!
Everything that the wicked mail system tried to prevent actually happened. A beautiful necklace appeared from the tangled mess!

Day 7 features the Key to Love

2009-02-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

Dawn created some Shabby Chic-ish altered keys for everyone on Day 7. She chose different sayings and gussied up the keys to suit each individual.

Then she added a couple other goodies: a pair of Valentine socks and Timmy Horton's Doughnut Seeds. It seems that Vanessa's not the only one who was thinking about planting seeds.

Finally, tucked into the package was some relaxing Rose Petal Green Tea for everyone to enjoy after the day's gift opening frenzy.

Day 6 is all about pretty, indeed!

2009-02-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Up until Day 6, we weren't exactly sure why Laura's (aka All About Pretty) gift smelled so wonderful. The mystery was solved when we opened her gift: an Aromatherapy Heart! What a hand stitched gem.
She also included a luscious Loonie sized Vintage magnet.

Day 5 blossoms with hope

2009-02-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

Like many of us,
Vanessa is obviously tiring of winter and
looking forward to warmer, sunnier, "plantable" days ahead.

She has carefully gathered seeds from her flower patch and created 3 seed packages including Maiden Pinks, Columbine and Onion Chives. Then she painted individual delicate watercolour illustrations of the blooms that we can expect to grow in our gardens this summer once we've planted them.
To read more about the process of harvesting the seeds, check out Vanessa's blog here.

Sweet touches for Day 4

2009-02-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without cinnamon hearts. Lisa made sure that she added the yummy treats to her gift on Day 4, which just happened to be a lacy bookmark complete with a love-filled quote and beautiful frou-frou fibres.

Day 3 is stitched with love

2009-02-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

On Day 3, Martha's cleverly stamped pink tissue bound gift was waiting for us to discover. Inside the wrapping, we discovered a little Valentine hanging perfect for a doorknob or some other location.

Day 2 brings out the bling!

2009-02-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

WOW, Holly's work is amazing! If you hop around to some of our blogs today, you'll see an awe-inspiring variety of styles and stones.

Earrings on the left are Arlene's and on the right are Dawn's. These are wonderful treasures, are they not?

Day 1 goes by the book

2009-02-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

... a bookmark that is. Straight out of the gate, Mar was ready to create some beautiful bookmarks for everyone to open on the very first day of our swap. She looked at what people enjoyed and created an individualistic bookmark for each person. Oh! and if you noticed the cute little hearts on the wrapping with your name on it ... that's handwritten by the super talented Mar.

Pictured here is the loverly bookmark she created for Arlene.

Bonus Day

2009-02-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Sabina Parsons of Edmonton, we will all have something special to unwrap on the day when our gift is being opened by everyone else. Sabina was kind enough to plunge headfirst into this swap at the very last second.

So whatever day your gift is opened, you will be able to tear away (I mean openly carefully .. slowly) at this beautiful gift courtesy of Sabina.

Tomorrow, we start opening our gifts ~ can you stand the suspense?!

Day 10

2009-02-02T06:32:00.001-08:00

Wrapped in traditional Valentine red
and tied up with string,
Arlene Travnik of Leduc, Alberta surely has created something simply wonderful for all of us for Day 10. (Not day 4!)

Stay tuned tomorrow when we look at our "Bonus Day" gift. We're getting closer ...!

Day 9

2009-02-01T07:17:00.001-08:00

A sweet surprise could be in store on Day 9 thanks to Nicolette Anderson of Edmonton. Her gifts are inside pink envelopes, and tied with elegant cloth ribbons and silk flowers.

There may even be some fairy dust inside because Tinker Bell makes an appearance on every gift!

Day 8

2009-01-31T00:37:00.000-08:00

Our displaced-Canadian friend,
the lovely, the talented, Kim Mailhot who is currently living

in the US, is responsible for these intriguing gifts.

Inside the heart shaped paper basket is a tiny treasure which we will open up on Day 8. Love the stamp on your cards, don't you? Wonder if Kim carved it herself.

Day 7

2009-01-29T23:05:00.000-08:00

The "fun" with the postal service continues
on Day 7 with
Dawn Supina of Edmonton.

She had to take one item out of the "mail out" gifties.

Being the frugal gal that she is, she saved $9 per parcel by taking a part of the gift out

before sending them through good old Canada Post. Not to worry though, the handmade portion of her gift will be received by everyone in the swap. The mail outs are pictured on the lower left and the Edmonton gifts are on the upper right.

Day 6

2009-01-29T06:34:00.001-08:00

Laura Youngren of Coaldale, Alberta has been busy, busy, after meeting the Canada Post Boogieman! It's such a pain to be restricted by the size and weight of an art piece, but Laura graciously started back at the very beginning and has created a new gift for us to open on Day 6.

Swaps are always fun ~ especially participating in one's very first swap. It's a scary/fun experience., but hang in there Laura, it'll all make sense eventually.

Day 5

2009-01-28T08:25:00.001-08:00

Wintery white packages await us to open on Day 5 thanks to Vanessa Travnik of Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

She has carefully tucked surprises inside these packages and written different quotes on the outside.

Day 4

2009-01-27T07:51:00.000-08:00

It's a pretty peek-a-boo gift from Lisa Eriksson of Edmonton for Day 4.

Is the suspense gettin' to you yet?

Day 3

2009-01-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

Martha Brown (aka Em) delivers up some pretty-in-pink gifts.

Almost too pretty to open, but don't worry, I'm sure they'll be eagerly attacked on Day 3!

Day 2

2009-01-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

Holly Gullion (aka Arlene's little seester)
is our Day 2 gift giver.

As they say: Good things come in little packages ~ and this pretty-in-pink box is sure to hold a special treasure in it.

Wonder what she has created for us...?

Day 1

2009-01-24T00:23:00.000-08:00

Today Mar Gray of Guelph Ontario presents us
with a sweetheart of a gift.
We don't have a clue what treasure it contains,
but we all look forward to February 4th
when the unwrapping frenzie begins!

Be my Valentine, eh?

2009-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hello ladies ~ this is a test.
I've set this up so you will automatically
receive an email with an update when I write on
the Canadian Valentine Swap blog.

You can also get to this blog
at your convenience anytime by entering
www.canadianvalentine.blogspot.com
(if you want to experience the whole bloggy experience)

Only 14 more days until we start showing
our wrapped gifties. Yay!

And the fun begins ...

2009-01-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

Don't mean to frighten you, but it's a mere 25 days until mail out deadline for the swap!

The worst part of a swap is usually the Inspiration Phase. Trying to come up with an artsy idea that is mailable and something that the other people in the swap will enjoy receiving can be rather stressful. Oh the pressure!

Once inspiration hits and the idea formulates in your mind, the Creation Phase should be one of the most enjoyable parts of this whole thing. After all, if you're a mixed media artist by choice, then you probably actually like doing the work. Oh such fun!

The third part, the Mailing Out Phase can be a chore. Making sure you have the correct address and postage, not forgetting to place the gift in a Ziplock and wrapping it ever so carefully helping to assure it will arrive safely at it's destination. Oh the trauma!

Next comes the Waiting Phase. This is sometimes the hardest. We eagerly await the arrival of each gift and if all goes well, everyone receives their treasures in time for the 5th of February. But even once all the gifts arrive there's more waiting. Oh the grief!

And then the first day of unwrapping the gifts arrives. This is the Fun Phase as each day we open the gifts from our friends to admire their creativity. Oh the joy!

Finally, there's the Bittersweet Phase: once the swap is over and all the thank yous have been said, we wrap things up for the year. Hopefully some new friendships will be established and people will be asking ... are we going to do this again?!
Oh the suspense!

Heartfelt wishes ...

2008-12-23T07:13:00.000-08:00

to everyone for a very Merry Christmas

... and after the holidays ...
start thinking about
hearts
and lace
and the All Canadian Mixed Media Valentine Swap!

Be my Valentine, eh!

2008-12-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

We're thinking about
Hearts and Lace and Valentine's Day
... aren't you?

Welcome to the All Canadian Mixed Media Valentine Art Swap!

As of this evening, Arlene, Nicolette, Kim, Vanessa, Holly, Mar, Em, Laura and Dawn have signed up for the swap. There is still time for more artists to join.

Here is a little history behind the swap. We (Dawn & Arlene) were talking a while back about participating in ART swaps and how expensive it can get when sending to the US and overseas. So, we had the idea of hosting a All Canadian Mixed Media Valentine Art Swap. For this swap, we'll need to have at least 14 people to commit to making 13 little artsy gifties to swap out with the other people. Participants will send out our special surprises by January 25th to give them time to arrive at their destinations by February 1st. Starting on February 1st (if we have 14 participants), we would start opening one gift a day until Valentine's Day. Arlene and I have participated in both Christmas and Valentine swaps such as these, and they are great fun.

For those in the Edmonton area, we will get together at the end of January for tea and exchange our wrapped gifts. It will be great to meet up face to face.

Questions & Answers ...
Question: With postage rates proposed to go up in the new year, won't it be too expensive?
Answer: We don't expect anyone to send out large parcels. We just want everyone to create a small handmade item that hopefully can be sent in no larger than a 9x12 envelope.

Concern: I don't think I'll have enough time to complete 14 things by the end of January.
Answer: We don't expect you to "build Rome in a day" here folks. Just something Valentine-y that we can give us a boost during the dark, cold winter months.

Question: Do all the gifties have to be the same?
Answer: Yes and no. Let's say you make a bookmark. You will make 13 bookmarks, but they can all have different themes if you wish.

Question: Is there anywhere I could get ideas of the kinds of things I can make for the swap?
Answer: Go to: www.12daysofxmas.blogspot.com and look at the 2007 gifts (2008 gifts haven't been opened yet).

Question: How will we get to see everyone's work?
Answer: We have a blog! www.canadianvalentine.blogspot.com
Please take photos of your gifts. Perhaps, while you're working on them; when they're done and once they've been wrapped, email them to us and we'll upload them to the blog.

Concern: I'm a procrastinator.
Answer: You're not alone. Many of us are too, but don't you just love the adrenalin rush you get when you're working madly to complete a project?

Question: Will it be worth it?
Answer: Absolutely! You will be able to connect with other great Canadian mixed media artists. Arlene and Dawn have done several of these, and have never been disappointed.

Anymore questions? Just ask us. Oh, and get working on your 13 gifties already!!!!