Laughing Dog Arts

Monday, February 21, 2011

Gifts and Give Aways

 I want to let you all know that the creativity group I am in is having a give away on our blog, Fox On the Run Meanderings.  Check it out here http://foxontherunarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-first-give-away.html  I hope you will enter, one member of the group is giving away a beautiful altered book as our first gift.  Go!  Sign up!  I will wait for you...............................
are you back now?  Good.

Needle felted heart by Maggi 
Maggi at To Dream to Stitch 
recently sent me this most gorgeous package containing a stunningly beautiful needle felted heart in my favorite colors.  She had heard that I got a needle felting machine and sent me all sorts of beautiful usable items.  The heart was supposed to be a Christmas gift but was lost in the mail for a couple of months.  I'm so glad it finally arrived.
I just love the subtle blending of the elements, and these luscious beads she attached.
This is the back side.  Of course the photos don't do it justice, it is so much more lovely in person.  She has some glittery metallic elements that you can just make out if you click on the picture.  What an inspiration for the possibilities of this machine.


Above are the rest of the things she sent to help me on my new journey with the machine.  There is a great book, Surface Tension by Dale Rollerson that explains many techniques for the machine.  Some orangy organdy, Oliver Twist silk roving, some sari silk ribbons, and some gorgeous Maggi dyed wool locks in beautiful autumn colors.  I have already used a bit of some of these elements and will be using more in the future, real soon.  Thank you Maggi!  You are so generous and thoughtful, I love each and every one of these gifts.

 Lorna at Artymess
As if that wasn't enough for one striving artist to absorb, I also received this stunning heart made by Lorna.  We did a heart trade but she is obviously way better at this than I am because I don't think my fabric hearts stand up in comparison to Lorna's or Maggi's.   But this isn't a contest, just a trade between friends.  I think I'm the winner though;-)  Lorna used lots of sari silk strips and all sorts of embellishments including those cute dangling balls around the edge.
Here is the back side, it is a luscious royal purple velvet.
Plus she included all these extra ribbons and lacy bits.  I need to get busy and make some more fiber hearts, I have lots of wonderful new supplies to work with thanks to these blogging friends. 
 Corrine at dosfishes
Somehow Corrine heard how much I admired her embellished bottles (probably because I gushed about them so much every time she posted about them) and surprised me with one of my own!  Wow, people are so talented and generous and Corrine is no exception.  I love my bottle!
  Look at this marvelous texture!  This is so cool!  I love all the colors and fibers and the waxy drips.

I am rather overwhelmed by the generosity and talent of all the bloggers out there that I have been fortunate enough to become acquainted with.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I could sit and gaze at these lovely gifts for hours but instead I need to get my lazy winter behind in gear and get busy in my studio!  Thank you so much my friends, I will treasure these gifts for ever.

Don't forget to keep watching the Fox on the Run blog where we are having give aways all through the month of March.  March Madness!  Sign up!  I'll be giving away one of my Dooleybobbers there later.

I hope you are all surviving the winter and keeping healthy and warm.

P.S. It is Maggi's birthday today, Feb. 21, stop by her blog and say hello.

Be well.
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14 comments:

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Boy Jan, you hit the JACKPOT!!!
What beautiful items, and I think they are all grand for their own reasons. (altho I do love that needlefelted heart because of the color and shimmer)
But then I love the other heart TOO and Corrine's bottle...WOW!!!
I'd be happy-dancing. Or happy-waddling, as is more apropo in my case! LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Janet Ghio said...

What fabulous gifts! I love both the felted heart and the crazy quilted one is exquisite. Thanks for the link to the other blog. The book is fabulous! and looks like lots of interesting artwork on the blog.

Marlene said...

Oh my, what gorgeous gifts you have received. Very talented ladies indeed. I signed up on your group blog and have my fingers crossed. The album is gorgeous.

Flowermouse Design ❀ Lone said...

Jan, so many wonderful gifts!!! You´re very lucky!! And that altered album is so wonderful - I´ve signed up!! And winter - yes we are having so much snow that I would like to do as the bears: Stay inside until it´s over... LOL. Be safe dear Jan!!

sjmcdowell said...

Hi Jan,

Wow!! You received some wonderful and beautiful things and you so deserve to be spoiled!!!!

I love the hearts you received, how lovely and colorful they are.

The sari silk ribbons are so wonderful. I look forward to see what you will create with all these treasures!!

Warm hugs my friend,

Susan

Heloise said...

You have been sent some beautiful gifts.

Lucky you to meet Cameron too.

Anja said...

To think about all the nice items which go from one blogger to the other finding its way however one doesn't know personally each other, but full of love and tenderness for the other, that is really a kind of happiness.

Bunny said...

How nice is that what wonderful gifts you received. I love that bottle too and the heart is gorgeous. Have fun with your new fabrics for your felting.

Patty said...

Those bottles blow my mind! That is just so cool...

Linda Vincent said...

Wow...didn't you do well Jan!! I also have one of Maggi's beautiful hearts (I think you saw it on my blog.....the one Peachy took a BIG fancy to!!)
xx

Emma said...

Youre a lucky lady, it's a v generous world out there & we're so lucky to be part of it.

I signed up for the lovely altered book giveaway (I do love giveaways - we're led to such interessting places!)

yoborobo said...

Wow, you lucky duck. :) I am amazed at the kindness and generosity of blog friends, too. It renews my faith in human beings. lol! Enjoy your new lovelies and I will pop over to your other blog. xox! Pam

Marie S said...

Such wonderful goodies Jan. So many good women too! I love that!
Caring people here in blog land and you are one of them!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, some gorgeous hearts, what a collection you must have by now. Glad you like the bottle, they are just plain fun to do, so I plan to keep making them...just because they bring me so much joy.
xox corrine