Thanks for everything and have a great 2008!!

Oh my wonderful Artful Christmas Swap participants... I can't believe that the swap is completely over... I have been working on this swap for about 6 months and it has finally come to a close. :(
It's kind of like a chapter in my life has completed and this leaves me feeling a little sad. In the same breath, there is always another page to turn, more art to create and ideas to dream up, so bring on 2008! I look forward to the challenge!! I also look forward to running into you all in cyberspace in the year to come.
To everyone who participated in the swap: Thank you for your ideas, patience and creativity... Oh yeah, and the fantastic gifts! I LOVE being in exchanges like this for the artwork, the inspiration and of course meeting some great people... Which all of you are!
Again, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes,
Holly :)

Merry Christmas!! On the 12th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Darlene's Girls' Day Out Fabric Bag














Group 2: Sallianne's Pink 'Joy' Glitter Ornament

















Group 3: Patrice's Fragrant Wax Ornament

On the 11th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Karyn's Happiness Bird

Group 2: Tracy's Bottle Cap Dolly Pendant

Group 3: Angela's Cute Angel

On the 10th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Sheri's Altered Artwork

Group 2: Belinda's Blue Angel

Group 3: Stefania's Dress Ornament

On the 9th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1 and 2: My (Holly) Inspirational Pins (digital collages turned into wee 1in. pins)... Can't remember if I gave an assortment of two or three pins per person but these are the different designs folks may have gotten!

Group 3: Rashell's Silver Beaded Bracelet

On the 8th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Jamie's Holiday Microscope Slide Ornament





















Group 2: Theresa's Domino Pin and Fun, Fuzzy Yarn














Group 3: Vivian's Twinkle Snowman




















PS- Please excuse the format change for the Group number and names! I consider myself pretty technologically advanced but for the life of me I have SO much trouble controlling the layout of these Blogger posts! I set them up one way and they post looking completely different which is why I'm trying something new... If anyone wants to throw me some tips PLEASE feel free!... All the gifts look nice though, don't they?!

On the 7th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Lisa's Microscope Slide Pendant and Art Materials

Group 2: Robin's Angel and Cross Stitch Ornament

Group 3: Pat's Accordian Holiday Frame (pretty sure Pat made all different gifts for folks...Feel free to post your gift on your blog or shoot me a photo!)

On the 6th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Nell's Wallpaper Journal

Group 2: Sarah's Tin O' Magnets

Group 3: Martha's Pretty Lady Pin

On the 5th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Day 5: My (Holly) 'Be Happy, Create Art' Magnet

On the 4th Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1:Norma's Fabric Pin

Group 2: Mimi's 'Sisterhood of Art' Pendant

Group 3: Rachael's 'Noel' Paper Banner

On the 3rd Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Lilla's Pretty Pendant


















Group 2: Yooper's Holiday Gift Tags










Group 3: Liz's Wee Little Christmas Purse

On the 2nd Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Sabine's Christmas Wall Hanging

Group 2: Mollie's Holiday Bookmark

Group 3: Melanie's Handmade Journal

On the 1st Day of Christmas my art friend gave to me...

Group 1: Barbara's Purse and Notebook Set

Group 2: Jen's Partridge and Pear Collaged Bird Figure

Group 3: Chris's Xmas Tree Ornament and Art Supplies

Welcome to the Days You've Been Waiting For...

Ho, Ho, Holly has been wicked busy getting ready for today and displaying everyone's awesome gifts! The big day has arrived and everyone that has made gifts for the Artful Christmas Swap can open Day 1 today!... That is providing that you haven't already torn into all of them! I've decided that I will be posting all of the 3 different groups' gifts at 6pm Eastern USA time so that everyone can take a peek at what other's got in their little packages. Should be tons of fun!



When your gift comes up in the days to come please feel free to comment on how you created your gift, any inspirations you might have had or techniques that you used. That way you not only give an actual physical gift but you also give the gift of passing on your vast knowledge. :)

Thanks again for participating and I'll see you all again at 6pm.

Thanks, best wishes and of course... Merry Christmas!

Holly :)

Sorry for the silence!

Howdy all! I just wanted to apologize for my recent lack of communication! I have had my head down, working hard to get all those packages out and try to piece together some Christmas surprises for my own family. No matter how much advanced planning I do, I am ALWAYS amazed at how much work comes down to the last couple of weeks. My latest hurdle was getting little presents together for my kids' Advent calendars. They are both very young so I feel it's super important to give them the magic of the season while they are young enough to truly 'believe'. I'm sure any of you with kids (and possibly cats and dogs!) of any age would totally understand. :)

So the business at hand is ALL of the swaps have been made, ALL of the packages have been sent out and the FUN will begin here, this Friday on Dec. 14th when we (or at least those of you that could stand it) will start opening up those lovely gifts that you received. I will send out an invite to Art-E-Zine for people to come and take a peek at all of our hard work. Should be a lot of fun! Talk to you on Friday for sure, if not sooner!

Best Wishes, Holly :)

Rashell's Gifts

In all the holiday hoopla I realized that I forgot to post Rashell's wonderful gifts! She's such a nice person she didn't even e-mail to complain... Shame on me! Rashell's little beauties are housed in what looks like an Altoid tin but is decorated with floral paper and a sweet little ribbon. As for what's inside, she gives us no hints! Thanks for participating Rashell!