Halloween Matchbox Swap

A bit overdue! - but here are some pictures from the petite matchbox swap i did with Heather at the Speckled Egg blog.   
The theme was black and white - not necessarily halloween.  But i did throw in some spooky elements. 

I covered the box with a black and cream swirly napkin and added a black felt chandelier die cut.  I don't seem to have a picture of the final presentation - i added a beaded hat pin with ribbons and lace.

 I painted the box inside and out - which caused a lopt of problems with sticking!  best to avoid this step next time!  A large button and some rayon seam binding finish off the end.

 Here is an assortment of the papers and stamps i included.

 And some of the doodads

 Buttons and typewriter keys - all black and white or cream.

 Some of these things did not make it - but it sure was fun pulling it all together.  above are some black and white images printed on transparencies.

 Dominoes! Flash Cards!  Paint chips!

And here is the delightful box i received from Heather.  Don't you LOVE the giant velvety spider? It is topped with a button and rhinestone gems.

And here are all the goodies it contained - it is so much fun to receive and open these litttle treat boxes! There was some millinery flowers, vintage lace, a cameo, a prize ribbon and even a jar of black glitter!

Here is the link to the bird nest themed swap i did last spring.  Thanks Heather for these fabulous themed swaps!!

Check out more images on flickr.

What did you do today?

I made a flock of wee birdies.

I was going for a streamlined modern along the lines of Jonathan Adler:

Just little whimsical birds - i'll probably paint blue. They are each about an inch long - or less.

I also made a batch of eggs:

I wanted them to be sweet looking.  I will be giving some away for a bird themed swap i'll be doing next month.

I used the air dry clay i talked about HERE. 

Mixed Media Monday: Its Not All Black and White

The mixed media monday challenge this week is to create something predominantly Black and White. I chose these dashing guys, taken from a photography book.  They are from France at the turn of the century.  You know the century BEFORE the last one, actually.  I am not sure if they are clergy or barristers or learned gentleman.  But i layered them on a page of "vetements ecclesiatiques" from an old French school book.  The quote is one of favorite lines from The Birdcage.  "Well, one does want a HINT of colour...!"  In the movie it refers to when Albert is trying to dress like a man - in a dark suit with bright pink socks.