CHUNKIES: Marie Antoinette Chunky Book Swap Due May 30

[pumpkincoach]

Swap Due Date - May 30
Signup/withdraw date - MArch 28
Number of Cards - 14/14
Number of participants -Max 15


Marie Antoinette
Chunky Book Pages Swap


I ADORE Marie Antionette and the French Court society of the 1700's (18th century).

The new issue of Somerset Studio features some beautiful journal pages in this theme and I thought this theme would make some GORGEOUS chunky books! You may represent any person, fashion, buildings, etc as long as they are from 18th century France, or in that style. Please do NOT send me anything Victorian or Elizabethan, believe it of not this has happened before! We are dealing with the 1700's here, which has its own distinctive styles in architecture, furniture and fashion! You may use any media, including fabric. Let's make some beautiful treasures!


You must have a positive I-trader rating of +10 to play.


I am opening this to US residents and I will allow international players provided you are willing to send enough U S postage stamps to cover your returns. See the chart below for estimated International return costs.

You'll be making 14 pages, one for each of the other players. (15 if you want one for yourself).

These will be due on May 30. You can sign up until all the slots are taken. You can withdraw until March 28th. If you choose to withdraw after that date you will receive a neutral i-trader rating due to the fact everyone is counting on you and making enough pages for everyone.

This swap is for a 4x4" chunky book. This is an OPEN MEDIA chunky book - so work in what you are comfortable with. No plain graphite please, I prefer to see color. If you desire a black and white scheme please use collage or paints. I ask that everyone do their ***best work***--please create pages that you would like others to receive and that you are proud of. Please make sure all stamped images are well used and not just stamped on paper, with nothing else done to them or around them. Any stickers used should be altered in some way. ALL pages must be original artwork. NO photocopies, and I prefer no digitals. You may make every page the same or every page different, but they must be *real* pages and not something you took to the store and copied off.

Please create your pages double sided so that when they are in a book, they look nice on both front and back. Also, please use a thicker paper or light board for the pages themselves--I want them to be at least somewhat sturdy. The minimum would be 140lb watercolor paper.

1. Illustration board or Mat board is the perfect weight for these. You can buy it at most craft stores for anywhere from $3.99-$6.99. I just bought some last night and was able to cut 35 4 inch squares from a piece of Illustration board. Use an Xacto knife and a yardstick. If you have a clear, grided quilt ruler with measurements, these work AWESOME for helping to cut paper! I have on that is about 22 inches long and I LOVE it! If you have already made your pages and they are not quite this heavy, that is ok too.

2. Please incorporate you user info on the back side, in some kind of artistic manner, like in a spiral, collaged on and brushed with ink, etc. Basically, I want it to blend in and not stand out in glaring black and white.

3. As to the pages, you can make them all the same or each one different, it is up to you. I just ask that you don't make one page, photocopy it and send in photocopied pages. These should be all original.

Remember these pages are going to be in a BOOK or hung. Please do not place chunky embellishments at the top or left edges, as this is where people choose to bind them or use them for hanging. Some people will be hanging these so the 4 corners should be the same so the design doesn't get ruined. "Chunky means fibers, wire, beads, tags and things dangling off of and around the pages. The pages themselves can have a little bit of embellishment, but should not be so think they aren't able to fit comfortably in a book.

Please make sure your pages are not sticky...some might use decoupage to seal it...but sometimes this makes them tacky. Allow plenty of dryin time. Gel medium works great to seal pages! I do not hold swaps up for late people, so if you know you can't get these done in time, please withdraw by the specified date above.

Assembly: You will be binding your returns together to make the book. You will receive 1 page from each of the people signed up. I suggest, but you don't have to, that you make an extra page to keep for yourself and bind it in with your returns. If you need book binding tips, search the internet, as there are lots of good instructions and styles out there. If you need those rings that slide open (book Binder rings), check the craft stores in the embroidery thread section, as they sell them there.

Postage: When you take your chunky book pages to have them mailed, BEFORE sealing the envelope, have it weighed and then add the same amount of postage it will cost you to send to your SASE return envelope. Also, please include 2 loose stamps, in case your returns are heavier than what you sent. I will return any unused stamps to you. Please let me know if you need further clarification on the postage! Please DO NOT send cash, checks, paypal, etc. Stamps make it safer and easier for everyone. Internationals can send an IRC, but please make sure it is properly validated. I cannot refund any unused postage cost for IRCs.

Canada - $3.00 airmail
Australia - 10.00 airmail
New Zealand: $8.00
Europe: $6.30 - $7.20

Due: The chunky book pages will be due IN MY HANDs by May 30th, 2008. This gives you plenty of time to get pages done.

Maximum of 15 players
1.pumpkincoach finished
2.Susie Tex finished
3.egrobeck arrived
4.curbsidetreasure arrived
5.swmpangel arrived
6.blueskysunburn finished
7.livia arrived
8.Chronata arrived
9.Electablue arrived
10.whitemothWithdrawn
11.potbellyarts finished
12.joyflower arrived
13.stormarela arrived
14. Ruby911 arrived
15.Bodecia Arriety arrived

[ElectaBlue]

I am so glad this swap made it here! I couldn't get into our temporary home and have been working on my cards. Are we still making 14?

[pumpkincoach]

Electablue~ Yes, let's go ahead an make 14 and hope that we get a few new sign ups to fill the empty spots. Glad you made it here too!

[susietex]

Hi Pumpkincoach, great to be still here with you in this swap, I'll keep making pages then!

[pumpkincoach]

Glad to see you with us susietex! I can't wait to see your pages!

[livia]

Yeah!!! New digs, welcome everyone!!!

[curbsidetreasure]

yay i'm here ;)
pumpkin, would you mind changing tealights to curbsidetreasure?
just so its less confusing.

[potbellyarts]

Ooh! Ooh! I love this theme! I even have a chunky book in this theme already; it totally rocks.

Please sign me up; this will be my first swap here. Very exciting!

[Chronata]

oh cool Pumpkincoach! I will make the required 15 pages then! (I am on number 7) :mask:

I am very glad we are holding it here too!

and yay Potbelly! Awesome!

[potbellyarts]

Yay, Chronata! I saw you were a part of this and I thought, kewl, more o' that fanciful, mystical, beautiful Robyn art... I wants me some o' that! Other great names are here, too. Should be an excellent swap!

If anyone wants to take a peek at the way I bound my existing 18th Century France book, check it out at my flickr (link in my signature.) It's in the CHUNKY BOOK set; I'm too lazy to look up the URL right now.

[JoyFlower]

I would love to join! I saw the Somerset article too, and was completely inspired!

[ElectaBlue]

That is great to see so many other great artists joining! I was so depresssed when I thought this swap was going to close. Thank you for reopening it, Rebecca.

[potbellyarts]

Question: I see that it's okay to make every page the same which makes sense because we get one page from each artist with no duplicates. But is it REALLY okay to make every page the same?? I've never done that before, but I admit, it would make the going easier. I could do some smashup original art as part of my overall design if this were an option people were truly okay with.

Thoughts and input..?

And yes, I get we're not supposed to just duplicate an entire page of work and stick it on mat board. I'd never do that! I'm thinking more along the lines of creating some original art for use as part of a collage or larger work, which I'd recreate/embellish for each individual page.

[pumpkincoach]

curbsidetreasures~ The list has been updated to show your new name.
Shel~ You have been added and Yes, it is REALLY ok to make them all the same. I know that so far one player already has. I trust you to be original, and even though the overall theme or drawing could be the same, you could change it up with color, papers, collage style etc.
Joyflower, you are added in!
Electablue, you are welcome sweetie!
I am glad so many people want to keep going and are ready to jump in!

[pumpkincoach]

Robyn sweetie, I left you out. Yay! glad to see you! Page 7 huh? Well, I am at least started on all mine!

[curbsidetreasure]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/2253303493_51febf1a7f.jpg
4 of my marie pages!

i used: acrylic paint in the background, peeled the paper to distress it, then collage with various papers and an image of marie, and then used sheer handmade paper as a delicate layer on top.

[JoyFlower]

Oh - wonderful! Loving that blue background, too.

[whitemoth]

If you have room I'd love to join :)

[pumpkincoach]

whitemoth~ welcome to the swap!

[stormarela]

I am still in. One question, is chipboard acceptable for the backs, or is it too thick?

[ElectaBlue]

I think the matboard I use is almost as thick as chipboard. I know some people like thinner pages, but I really like them thicker.

[blueskysunburn]

Okay I'm back. I was so disappointed I wouldn't be able to use the stuff I bought for this swap! Please sign me up!

[pumpkincoach]

blueskysunburn~ Welcome back to the swap!

[ruby911]

Ahh - one of my favorite time periods!

Can I please join in too? My i-trader from atcards doesnt seem to show unless you go into my profile - but I think I have enough.

thanks - ruby911

[ElectaBlue]

Okay I'm back. I was so disappointed I wouldn't be able to use the stuff I bought for this swap! Please sign me up!

Jennifer, I am glad you rejoined us!

[pumpkincoach]

Stormarela~ you are added back in.

[whitemoth]

I just finsihed a page.....

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1141

altho it did not come out to good as a scan

[curbsidetreasure]

great work whitemoth :)

[blueskysunburn]

Cool page whitemoth! I like the wire going through the page on the edge.

[pumpkincoach]

Great page whitemoth! I love the beads and wire repeating the ribbon and bead in the painting! Awesome!

[ElectaBlue]

I love Whitemoth's page, too, but I commented in the gallery.

I have finished 4. Here is an example of two of mine: http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1352
http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1351

[JoyFlower]

Whitemoth and Electablue - your pages are wonderful!

[whitemoth]

Thanks everyone...I really enjoyed doing it.
Great pages EB

[blueskysunburn]

Cool pages electa! I love the beading work in her hair!

[ElectaBlue]

Cool pages electa! I love the beading work in her hair!

Thanks Whitemoth and Bluesky! The beading in her hair is actually these little beaded embellishments that I found at Big Lots. I saw them and thought they looked like one of those tall hairdos.

[pumpkincoach]

GREAT pages Electablue! I have been working on mine, inbetween spells of sickness and moving swaps around. I hope to get more done next week. They are all in various stages of work right now.

[curbsidetreasure]

pumpkin - technically arent there 14 of us, and ruby911 would make the 15th person?

[pumpkincoach]

curbisdetreasures~ true~ but the swap is 14 for 14 and then the 15th page is the one you make and keep for yourself. The top left info was added by the moderator when I submitted the swap, so they missed that it is actually 14 max players. I could add her in, but EVERYONE will have to be ok with making an extra page for it. I will pm everyone and ask and give a final decision when I hear back from them.

[curbsidetreasure]

oh i didnt realize the max was 14, not 15. which means 14 people, we make 13 pages and keep the 14th one for ourself. remember - you have to subtract yourself from from the list.

[pumpkincoach]

Ok~ Everyone has agreed, so I am adding Ruby911 to the list as a player. Bodecia Arriety has until Monday night to check in. If I haven't heard from her by then, she will be dropped from the swap. You all will know your final page count on Tuesday. Thank you for your patience and generous spirits!

[pumpkincoach]

Ok everyone~ Bodecia is here! YAY! Now we have final totals and the list is closed to new sign ups. Everyone will be mailing me 15 pages each. If you want one to keep for yourself, you will need to make 16 pages. These are final numbers! Have fun! I am also pming this info, in case you do not read the threads.

[pumpkincoach]

All pms have been sent out. Please let me know if you didn't receive one. My address is included in the pm.

[JoyFlower]

Thanks for the update pumpkincoach!
Everything I've seen for this swap so far has been fab!!

[ElectaBlue]

I did four more of my pages. I posted two of them in my gallery, and the other two are similar: http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?u=239

[JoyFlower]

Love them Electa! - Using inchie blanks for the backgrounds is a terrific idea!

[pumpkincoach]

Lisa! Those are great!

[ElectaBlue]

Thanks, guys! Here are 4 more that I did: http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=3453vvv

I am finished with my Maries! Now I am on to the Alices, which I hope will be quicker. The Marie Antoinettes took me forever.

[pumpkincoach]

lisa~ Those are GREAT Maries! I LOVE them all! I sympathise with you! I know mine seem to be taking forever too! I am going to work on them some more today!

[pumpkincoach]

I just spent 3 hours painting these and my Alice chunky pages! WHEW! Now I need to embellish them, add chunkiness and paint my info on the backs. Two chunky book swaps almost done...one to go! Talk about crazy ideas...Hosting 3 chunky book swaps at once...am I sane?

[pumpkincoach]

I have posted my first 6 finished Maries to my gallery, under the chunky book section! Yeah!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

I just posted the last 12 Maries to my Gallery, if you want to check them out! The scans are ok, some better than others. Unfortunately, my scanner does not pick up the rich, VERY bright hues I use, but you can get an idea!

[egrobeck]

I did 6 squares today, but I'm keeping 2 - and they are coming out so well! I'm using fabric, fibers and lots and lots of beads for the chunk. And you guys are not alone - each square is taking a loooooong time to do!!!! Well, too tired to post pics tonight after making all that art, so you're all gonna have to wait, sorry. *I know, I'm such a tease!* lol! ;-))

[pumpkincoach]

I can't wait to see them, egrobeck! I just know they are going to be fabulous. I anticipate some great art from this swap!

[egrobeck]

ok, they're done! I went nutso - fabric or embossed paper backgrounds, fibers, beads, feathers, crepe paper, fancy trims, lace....here's a sneek peek

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2341958600_503ca37b71_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/2341125767_8bd213930b_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2341958144_1ab3115836_m.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2341126229_dd11a77b0d_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2354503211_2cf9490890_m.jpg

and these I made for myself (but to be honest, I really wanted to keep them all!!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2341959072_f148f5ebf0_m.jpg

[potbellyarts]

Holy crap! Those are glorious. I'm particularly in love with top row, second in from right edge. Please write For potbellyarts on the back of that one before mailing to pumpkincoach, won't you?? There's just so much of that antique-brown, pink-y goodness on that one. <sigh>

Laughing here... and kidding... sorta... :)

[JoyFlower]

Wow, ergobeck! They are SO PRETTY! You did an amazing job - I can see why you are having a hard time parting with them.

[blueskysunburn]

WOW! Fantastic pages! I am seriously digging the top row first on the left!!

[curbsidetreasure]

wow egrobeck! those are beautiful and i love the embellishments you have added :D

[pumpkincoach]

egrobeck~ THOSE ARE GREAT!!!!! I love the first on the left too...but they are all so beautiful! I am going to have a hard time choosing! I really can't wait to see these in person!

[egrobeck]

wow, thank you all so much! I'm so happy you all like the pages!

but you know what? I just realized I hav eto send 15 pages, which means I have to make one more...hmmm, and I might just make a few more for myself while I'm at it. LOL! I think I have Royal Court fever!!! LOL!

[pumpkincoach]

Uh Oh...more fabulousness to come our way! You sure have a lot of creative energy right now!

[egrobeck]

one thing I'm blessed with is an abundance of creative energy - well, ast least 90% of the time!! a girl does have to sleep after all...

[pumpkincoach]

Creativity I have in pleanty...energy is another story!

[egrobeck]

:-)) so true!!!

[curbsidetreasure]

i mailed out both marie antoinette pages and alice in wonderland pages :)
0307 3330 0001 8351 3693 is the tracking number.

[pumpkincoach]

Curbsidetreasures~ I Can't wait to see them!

[egrobeck]

ok, mine are going into the mail today - keep an eye out!

[pumpkincoach]

Yay! My mailbox is going to bring me such beauties soon!

[livia]

Rebecca- at the old site you posted a link to some crepe paper source. My computer went silly and lost all my book marks. Can you post it again.
Thanks

[pumpkincoach]

livia..sure...You can usually buy crepe paper at the craft stores but you can get really GOOD quality from here: http://www.blumchen.com/crafting_supplies_shop.html
They have just recently begun restocking after their first supplier quit manufacturing. They sell American made and produced crepe paper. Click on crepe paper and fancy papers and then on crepe paper folds.
If you want vintage, ebay often has listings.
Hope that helps!

[livia]

I will be mailing my pages tomorrow. Thanks for hosting a fun project, I can't wait to get my pages. BTW the crepe paper source rocks!!!

[pumpkincoach]

Livia~ I can't wait to see your pages! Glad you like the crepe paper source. They have lots of cool stuff there!

[pumpkincoach]

Lisa~ Your beautiful royal pages have arrived!

[pumpkincoach]

Hi Everyone! Whitemoth has pm'd me to let me know that she is withdrawing as she is leaving atsforall and doesn't plan to come back. If you have not made all your pages, now you can make one less. If you have, then keep 2 for yourselves. For those who have sent theirs in, I will mail back 2 of your own pages and you can use them for 1 on 1 swaps. I am sorry about this, but there is not much I can do about it.

[blueskysunburn]

Ah, sad to hear she is leaving the site. She has such cool artwork. Thanks for letting us know about the new count.

[stormarela]

Here are some of my Maries... so far

[blueskysunburn]

I like the backgrounds on those stormarela!

[pumpkincoach]

Stormarela~ Great pages and I agree with Blueskysunburn!

[ElectaBlue]

Stormarela, those are great! The backgrounds add a lot to them.

[stormarela]

I added to them, and sent my pages in on 4/17. I am getting excited about seeing everyone elses!

[pumpkincoach]

Me to Stormarela! So far returns have been wonderful and I expect the rest will be as well!

[pumpkincoach]

Stormarela your beautiful pages arrived today! I will post feedback as soon as the system allows it.

[Chronata]

I am soooo close to being finished!
I made 13 pages...is that the right amount?
Or do I still need to make one more?

I only need to put the embellishments on them!
and then I have to come up with some money to mail them...so it will still be a week before they hit the post!

[pumpkincoach]

Robyn dear~ Yes 13 is the right amount to send in to me, as one person dropped out. If you are keeping one for yourself, you need to make 14 total, but you are only mailing out 13. I can't wait to see your pages, as I know they will be beautiful! This swap is bringing in some gorgeous work! I can't wait to see all the pages done and put together!

[Chronata]

aaaargh!
Ok...so can you tell I'm really new at this?

I took one of my pages, and attached three ribbons to it...and now I feel like I ruined it!

I know...a chunkybook is supposed to have ribbons, and fibres, and "stuff" dangling from it's edges...but I can't seem to make it enhance the drawing...it really just looks...messy, like an afterthought.

I am overthinking this, aren't I?

[ElectaBlue]

I didn't like the fibers at first, either, and thought it looked like I just stuck them on, but once you see them all together with all the fibers and beads hanging off of them they look wonderful and not like an afterthought.

[pumpkincoach]

Chronata~ I have SEEN your work and I am sure the fibers DO NOT look like an after thought. I am sure they are beautiful.

[pumpkincoach]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the pages are due to me in about 3 weeks. If you are overseas, you will need to mail them as soon as possible, to ensure they are on time. I can't wait to see what everyone is doing!

[susietex]

Hi, just to let you know that mine are nearly done, I'll let you know as soon as they are postal.

[pumpkincoach]

Yay! More beauties coming my way!

[Chronata]

Mine should be in the mail tomorrow! (or Friday...it all depends on when I can scrape up the funds!)

[pumpkincoach]

Robyn~ I can't wait to see what you have done! I am glad you were able to participate!

[pumpkincoach]

Robyn,
Your stunning pages have arrived safely!!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

swmpangel, your wonderful pages have arrived! I love them, they are so clever!

[ruby911]

Mine are done & I am running (well driving actually) across the border before mI head to work tomorrow ... so you should have them by next week.

I will scan it tonight & post - hope people like it!

ruby911

[ruby911]

I am a little disappointed the way they scanned - It is supposed to be a wall in Marie's palace with a mini watercolour of her Petit Trianon, with the chunky stuff in the corner to find the page.

It is my first chunky attempt and as everyone says it gets easier - but it's hard not to do the 'less is more' thing. lol

Hope it is ok for everyone

Ruby911:cute:

[JoyFlower]

Ruby - those are wonderful!

[pumpkincoach]

Ruby, Those are great!!!! I can't wait to see them in person.

[potbellyarts]

Lookie what I did! I went and FINISHED mine! (whew!) These are thirteen takes on a theme. They're all different but share common elements, including a digital painting I did of Marie. Hope everyone likes them; they were seriously fun to make. They'll go postal via USPS Priority Mail (in a box) today. Keep an eye out!

6059

[pumpkincoach]

Shel, Those are AWESOME! Everyone is doing such great work for this swap! I can't wait to see all the art bound into a book!!!!

[susietex]

Hi, just to let you know that mine are nearly done, I'll let you know as soon as they are postal.

Ooops, forgot to update, yes they have been posted!

[pumpkincoach]

Susietex~ That is great! I can't wait to see what you have done!

[JoyFlower]

My pages are on the way - I made three color groups. Each card is a little different. Here are my favorites from each color selection.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/file.php?n=16156&w=o

[pumpkincoach]

Great work joyflower! I can't wait to see them in person.

[stormarela]

they are beautiful, Joyflower!

[pumpkincoach]

I believe everyone's returns are in the mail now! Blueskysunburn, I can't remember if you said you mailed your pages, but I think you did. We should have returns arriving soon and ready to sort and mail to their new homes! YAY!!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

Joyflower your ADORABLE pages arrived today! I love them!

[JoyFlower]

I'm so glad they made it and that you are pleased with them. :cute: Can't wait to put my book together - there has been some amazing work for this swap!

[pumpkincoach]

Ruby and Bodecia your lovely pages arrived safely today! Just 3 more to go and we will be trading out! YAY!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

Susietex and Potbellyarts your gorgeous pages arrived safely today! As soon as the last set arrives, which should be around Friday, I will get these swapped out. EVERYONE has done beautiful work! The pages are grand and worthy of the great queen herself!

[pumpkincoach]

Bluesky~ your beautiful pages arrived safe and sound yesterday. I am going to swap these out this weekend and try to get them mailed by Monday! Soon you all will have books to bind!

[blueskysunburn]

Yea! Glad they arrived safely!

[pumpkincoach]

YAY!!!! All the packages were mailed out today. If you sent stamps, unused postage will be in your envie. If you sent cash and had $1 or more in change, it is in the envie. I didn't include coins as that adds too much weight and temptation for theft. Hopefully, most of you will have your awesome book pages in a few days! PLEASE post here that you recieved them, or pm me directly as I need to be sure everyone has received their pages before closing out the thread. Also, please consider leaving reputation points for the other players. It is nice and fun!
I usually do not include thank you notes in my packages, so I will take the time here to say a big THANK YOU to all my players! Thank you for sending in your best work and for playing in the swap! I hope you all enjoy your returns as much as I enjoyed hosting this awesome swap! Rebecca

[JoyFlower]

Thank you, Rebecca! I am so excited about this swap - there was such lovely work done by everyone. :) It will be a blast to make our books!!

[egrobeck]

yay! I'm already salivating!!

[pumpkincoach]

I know you all can't wait but it is WORTH the wait! Susietex, just letting you know that I kept your change to use towards the Amulet Bag swap. I will pm you about it soon!

[susietex]

That's a fab idea Pumpkincoach, thanks for letting us all know about our pages, I can see there will be much stalking of Postmen in the next few days!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

Poor postmen! They are regularly stalked at my mailbox!

[ruby911]

Pumpkincoach - I am leaving for vacation tomorrow so I wont know if they arrive or not - I am back on the 29 so I will have to let you know then - I am off to paint in Italy!!! This is how I decided to celebrate turning 50!~ Hooray

ruby911 aka Karen

[pumpkincoach]

Congratulations on 50! I hope you have a fabulous time painting in Italy, Karen! Where are you going? I have been to Rome and Pompeii (Naples) and I just LOVED it all! I want to go back, now that my painting skills have improved. Have fun for me, and a slice of authentic pizza!

[JoyFlower]

Oh, Karen - how wonderful!! Happy 50, and have a marvelous trip!!

[susietex]

What a way to celebrate, have a fabulous time and congratulations.

[ruby911]

Thanks!!

I have had it in my head I wanted to paint in Capri one day. :) So I am going to start in Venice, head to Florence after a couple of days to meet my best friend (from high school - she turned 50 in Feb) and then we are driving down the coast to Amalfi where I am joining a painting group that will paint 'en plien air' in Amalfi, Ravello, Salerno and Capri!!!

When I get home my chunky Maries will be waiting!!!

Ciao

ruby911

[susietex]

Ciao, * replies Susietex, green with envy!*

[pumpkincoach]

Lukcy, LUCKY Ruby! Ciao and have a wonderful time!

[pumpkincoach]

Hi all! If you like beading, jewelry and other fiber arts, check out my blog. I just posted a picture of my first ever free form bead necklace titled Fire Queen. I think it turned out pretty cool and some of you might enjoy looking at it.

[susietex]

Oh that is beautiful, well done, if that's the first I can't wait to see what you make when you've had practice!!!!

[pumpkincoach]

Thank you Sue! They are such fun to make! I think my next one will be in cool blues and purples, maybe a Wind Diva or Cloud Queen, or Moon Lady...too many ideas, too little time!

[JoyFlower]

Oh, that necklace is GORGEOUS! :)

[pumpkincoach]

Thank youu JoyFlower!

[blueskysunburn]

I received all my lovely pages yesterday! Thank you pumpkincoach for being such a great hostess and to everyone for making such great pages!! Off to leave itrader and rep points...

[pumpkincoach]

Yeah! I am so glad your pages arrived safely!

[ElectaBlue]

BLuesky, no fair your pages got there so fast! Maybe that means mine will be here today.

[pumpkincoach]

Electa, Bluesky sent Priority for her returns.

[ElectaBlue]

Oh, that Bluesky is always so sneaky!:rolleyes: (I can say that because I know her personally-it isn't an insult or anything.)

I guess that means I will just have to be patient.

[egrobeck]

I got my pages yesterday! thanks so much everyone - what a fab book they're going to make!!! off to do ratings now!

[pumpkincoach]

I am pretty sure I left feedback for everyone. PLEASE let me know if I did not! I hate to think I overlooked someone, but I am afraid that is possible! I am glad returns are beginning to arrive! I still have to bind all my chunkies! I am being lazy about making covers....

[ElectaBlue]

Yeah, I DID get mine today! Thanks everyone! I will leave I-trader and rep points next week.

[pumpkincoach]

Yeah for Lisa!!!!! These are arriving quickly!!!

[JoyFlower]

Pages received yesterday - what fun and what variety!! Just finished leaving itrader and reps. :)

Thanks everyone for a fun swap! This was only my second chunky page attempt, and I learned a lot from my returns.

[curbsidetreasure]

i recieved my pages ! i will give rep points when i get home since im in peru right now. thanks rebecca for being a great hostess!

[pumpkincoach]

All you LUCKY travellers out there! I hope you are having fun in Peru!

[stormarela]

My Maries have arrived! Thank you Pumpkin Coach for such a wonderful swap! Thanks everyone for such incredible pages. I can't wait to put the book together and start showing it off! :)

[susietex]

Hi everyone, I've got all my fab pages, thank-you all so much, especially to our hostess with the mostess!