Mother Mary

This swap was one of the most beautiful swaps I've experienced.  My friend Lynn, who I only know through Blogland, suggested we do an altered matchbox honoring the Blessed Mother.  You see, we both have a special place in our hearts for her.  I was truly inspired as I put together these special treasures.

Here is the magnificent box Lynn created for me.

Here are the treasures the box held.  Among them were a vintage salt cellar with blue glitter (Mary's color), an altered bottle cap, 3 tiny lockets, a "worry" charm, vintage hanky, chain of charms, and the most beautiful spoon necklace with the miraculous medal as a center piece.

Thank you, dear Lynn, for all this goodness.  The box stands on the top tier of a corner shelf in our breakfast room for all to see.

Here's what I created for Lynn...

the matchbox, a Year of Mary calendar for 2012, a tote bag from the Pope's visit to Germany

Thank you for visiting this special post with me.  Blessings to you and yours this weekend.
xoxo
Karen

Berlin Diary ~ Day 7

Well, the time has come and we mark our last day in Berlin before leaving early tomorrow morning.  We thought it was fitting to spend the day visiting the sight that is iconic to Berlin ~ "The Wall."
The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 and boasted a total length of 96 miles.  It encapsulated the "free" area of West Berlin, while the remainder of the city was Soviet occupied and known as East Berlin.

We took the train to the outdoor museum in the Mitte district.

a reference to the Wall

this is the outdoor museum

doors were added to allow offical personnel to pass through

this is the subway station we used!  all subway lines were closed down

a "pit" used to trap cars 

the length of the memorial

a section of Wall in a local bakery

We have now traveled to the northern section of the district to view the Wall Art...this is at the East Side Gallery.  I will leave you with these images...they really speak for themselves.

translation...."No Man's Land"

We are enjoying a cold (53 degrees) rainy day in Tucson.  It feels like Fall has arrived!  Have a beautiful week, dear friends.  Auf Wiedersehen mein Berlin!
xoxo
Karen

Happy Halloween and Spook-tacular Swaps!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE GOOD WITCHES....

Kiki

Schotzie

Karen aka Elphaba

Lots of eye candy for you today with a round-up of Halloween and Autumn swaps!  These little tinies are from one of my Flickr groups, the Matchbox Monthly Swap 2011.  In this group we sometimes have different partners than the one we send to.   Jen, who lives in Australia, sent me this fabulous tiny matchbox for the Halloween theme...

what creativity!!  lovin' the tag and the box

notice the skull drawer pull?

lovelies inside....altered bones, stickers, fabric, images, and a handcrafted necklace!

necklace close-up

Thank you, dear Jen, for all the Halloween treats!  You can visit Jen and her amazing art on her blog at http://jenxo.blogspot.com

My recipient was Jan in the UK, and here's what I sent her..

all wrapped up...a card, tiny surprise, wooden spoon, and coffin matchbox

fronts

backs

matchbox treats inside...no tricks!

You can visit Jan's lovely blog at http://jansartyatcjourney.blogspot.com/  I'm sure she would love your visit!

I think I mentioned that I joined the Button Floozies, a wonderful button group hosted by the lovely Laurie .  You must visit the blog at http://buttonfloozies.blogspot.com/ to see the most delicious eye candy for button junkies!

Recently, BF's had a "Fall in Love with Buttons" swap and my partner was dear friend Heather at Speckled Egg.
Heather is not only a marvelous artist, but has an online store that tempts me more than it should! LOL
Find Heather and her store here: http://speckled-egg.blogspot.com/

Look at this gorgeous tin she created for me!

and all the gorgeous buttons!

Here's what I created for Heather...

box and card

Well, dear friends, as you can see I've been one lucky girl this week!  I'll have more to share next week, including a "sneak peek" at the lovelies I've been creating for my etsy store and an upcoming local fair.
Have a Spook-tacular Halloween!  And if you take a close look at me in my blog banner, you'll see me at age 6 in the costume I wore for Halloween...a gift from my brother's godparents who were stationed in Japan at the time.  I loved that kimono and accessories and wore it until I could no longer...then my girls wore it for Halloween.  I still have the kimono and one sock!  Thank you for your visit!!
xoxo
Karen