This is just a short note as I got a comment on my PIF exchange. Joline – you are set up in blogger as a “no reply” and since you don’t have a blog, I don’t have a way to contact you. I would love for you to be a part of the PIF exchange, but I need an e-mail address so you can send me your snail mail address. If you change your profile in blogger to “reply to this e-mail address” and make another comment here, then I’ll be able to reply to you privately. I hope you get this message as I don’t want you to think that I didn’t reply. =0)

Look what I got in the mail today. It’s a beautiful needle case by Annica. I commented on her blog for her Pay It Forward exchange.

Here’s the other side. I needed a needle case so it’s perfect. Thanks Annica! I’ve only had one comment on my PIF post so if you’d like a piece of my work, you can still comment here.

Here is part of what I worked on last Friday. Did lots of painting. Now I’ve got some bigger pieces to work with for more padfolios. I’ve still got more Christmas presents in mind. We’ll see if I get them all done.

Here is a UFO that I tried to fix. It’s been reincarnated several times and I still don’t think much of it. I guess I’ll have to cut it up and reconfigure it or perhaps I’ll just give up. It seems a total loss to me.

I’ve decided to join the Take It Further Challenge by Sharon B. The challenge aims to apply textile technique skills to design. It’s a monthly challenge, so I think I can manage that. If you haven’t joined up, click on the link and take a look. It starts in January and there are about 80 people already participating! I’m excited – it looks like fun.

This is a datebook/organizer that I made for my sister for Christmas. It is based on an article Textural Book Wraps by Angie Hughes in QA mag. I used pomegranates because we own a gallery together called The Purple Pomegranate (www.purplepomegranate.com) I hope she’ll be able to use this in her new job.

Here’s the inside with the book in place.

Here’s the inside without the book. The purple lining part is made similar to Sue B’s padfolios. I then fused it to the cover. I still need to hand stitch around the edges as I fear it won’t hold up if I don’t.

Here’s a closeup of the cover. Do you think my FME skills are improving??

This is a notebook cover for my niece who is a freshman in high school. She’s really into music and plays the harp. This is based on an article in CPS by Alisa Burke called Graffiti Composition. She makes wall hangings but I just adapted it to a notebook cover. This photo shows the front cover.

Here’s the back cover.

Here’s the inside.

And a close up of her name on the front.

Here’s a lovely quilted postcard from Sharron. I really like the floral fabric she used. Thanks Sharron!

Here’s the book wrap that I made for my sister for Christmas. I think I’m going to adapt it to fit a datebook/organizer type thing so she can use it in her new job. If anyone out there wants to see all the steps of how I made it just leave me a comment. I took photos during the process and I’d be glad to go through the steps if anyone is interested.

Here’s a close up. I love the way the little pomegranates came out =0)