More matchboxes

Green matchbox sent to Helen in Canada. I used a metallic finish paint which reflected the light from the flash when I took a photo. I also sent Helen an unactivated geocoin as her Swapbot profile says she is a geocacher. I got to use some excess DMC floss for this creation - its so handy to have stuff leftover from finished cross stich projects laying around.

Catching up with the Bot.

I have received a number of fantastic parcels over the past week but have been a bit slow in showing them on this blog. Above is a matchbox that I recieved from a Swapbotter in Canada (can you tell). The theme of the matchbox swap was "My Country". Mrs D did a fantastic job in decorating the stuffing the matchbox full of Canadian goodies including coins, mini hockey puck, charms, stickers and ribbons.

Next I have the fantastic parcel received from Liz, an Aussie Swapper who went to a lot of trouble to put together a selection of papercrafts, handmade items and craft items for me all in the colour red. Opening this parcel was like stumbling into Aladdin's Cave as each item emerged from the parce I was increasingly shocked and gratified at Liz's generosity and care.

Finally, but not leastly, this amazing selection of ribbons and buttons was sent to me from Christina in Portugal. Included was a fantastic handmade felt pin/brooch with sequins and beads. Christina makes an stunning collection of handcrafts and she has an etsy shop loaded with heaps of great things. This inspires me to have a go at covering my own buttons.

Brought to me by the letters.. J, D and H!

I received another fantastic matchbox during the week. Another Swapbot swap... this time the theme of the swap was our initials. My initials are JDH and this beautiful matchbox features Dark blue fabric, Hieroglyphics and a selection of J,D and H goodies inside including Jingle bells, January, June, July (my birthday month), Dogs, Dragonflies, Dinosaurs, Dog prints, Hearts, Hangers, Hat, Hope, Hand milagro, Hello Kitty, House button and letter H.

Breccamerie created this masterpiece and she has a fantastic etsy store.



Close up of the matchbox itself.

The mail is starting to flow again!!

Australia Post is working through the backlog of mail and today could only be called a Swap-bot extravaganza!! I received a number of fantastic parcels that I had been waiting on.

Drum roll please...


A magnificent biscornu from Jenna in the US for a Swap-bot Valentines Day Biscornu Swap. Love this one - especially when Robert also bought me a cute cupcake to enjoy with my lunch today also.

...but wait...there's more...



This is from Round 1 of the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange - a decorated Altoids Tin. I have always wondered just how big these tins are because we don't get Altoids in Australia. Well know I know how big this one is - its perfect for a needleholder (need to pop a magnet inside). Thanks so much Julianne for stitching this for me.

Don't go away...there's more...

A matchbox shrine from Niss in Brisbane. Another Swap-bot exchange - Niss picked up on my thing for shoes and made this magnificent piece of mini-art. I can't stop playing with it, opening it up and smiling. Thanks so much Niss.

I have also received other things - will post more in the next day or so.

Match box shrine

Swap-bot has introduced me to a number of new crafts - the latest being matchbox shrines. I created this shrine using the theme "birds and nests" and sent to another Aussie, Julie. The shrine includes an oversized golden egg and a hanging bird charm.

I was happy to hear that Julie received the shrine last week and it was a good fit for her interests.