postcard no 16

Today was the turn of Beate Knappe (blogroll) from Dusseldorf, Germany. This whole thing was her fantastic idea for celebrating her 60th birthday & I saw it mentioned on Corrine's blog - Dosfishes - & I decided to take it on.

Her card is delicious, a mouthwatering dish of color usin paint & stitches. Wonderful.

I am so excited, thank you very much -  Vielen Dank!

I had a fabulous time at Gardening Scotland, but to be honest found it a bit overwhelming, so much so I didn't even see Marion's stall, Embroidered Originals! I must have gotten too used to the open spaces up here, or something! Another thing, there were absolutely no roses, not one in sight & I had planned to buy some for our brand new pergola at the back of the house & was even clutching early birthday money in my hot little hand! So I bought a wisteria (might not have enough shelter from the sou'westerlies yet but you've got to take a chance sometimes) a hydrangea, a solanum, a few clematis, a jasmin & a campanula. I planted 2 of them the next day & my D nearly fell off his perch! They normally linger in their pots for months, get in the way & the middlest once said about not a little collection of plants 'what are you going to do with all these?' Well, quite.

I'm getting there! The pic is of the few around the 2 I planted & the wisteria (blogger isn't allowing the 2nd pic, oh well!). Have you noticed a slight color theme going on?!

It was great having a meal cooked by the eldest  the night before, being joined by his lovely gf &  flatmate & friend & the 2 of them kindly walked me back half way across Edinbro to my B&B. Tiring but great fun. Just at the moment it's sunny with a breeze to blow the midges away. I might even do some planting before supper.

My 15th postcard

This morning's postcard is from Connie Rose, (blogroll)all the way from Fortuna, California (I've not been v good at mentioning places, sorry)

It is so gentle,  with beautiful subtle colors & hidden layers & all those stitches quietly defining.

I am calmed, thank you.

I am potographing this wonderful collection of cards, as I open one each day, on the bench at the back of the house. Only one day when it was raining & a couple when it was too windy have I gone into my greenhouse. No wonder my water butts are nearly empty! To the left of the bench is the workshop with birdhouse surrounded by a climbing rose. For three years we had blue tits, this year they turned up their noses & great tits moved in. I love watching, never thought I'd be so interested - I did managed to see a couple of broods flying away, so sweet!, & really hope I don't miss this one. Anyway, I'm no wildlife photographer but I do love this photo!

You can't see much without enlarging, look closer!

No 14

This mornings card was from Lorraine  at http://loveofcollage.blogspot.com/ (blogger wouldn't let me add it just now) It is remarkable! A mixture of fabric, stitching, a transparency I think & a wonderfully stamped peg, a punch stamp that is (I want those!!!), it's a mini assemblage!

I am full of admiration, thank you.

My 13th birthday postcard.

My 13th postcard was sent by Linda at Blue Eyed Girl (blogroll) who was my first follower! It's an absolute marvel, scrumpcious blue & purple, pretty flowers & lime green & turquoise to make your mouth water, all stitched together.

She's even sent me a MILlion bits & pieces to play with, gorgeous prints of her work, a little heart, a flower I admired on her blog & the negative of those textured flowers & soft felt- I can feel a few squares coming on!

I am dazzled, thank you so much.

postcards 11 & 12 & a month of squares

I am back & I have been away, well, for 2 days.

I took a birthday card away with me to open. This was sent by Robyn Gordon at Art Propelled (blogroll) from  Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. The envelope was covered in fabulous stamps, bright tropical colors, love 'em. Robyn carves totems & panels & as they'd be a tad large to post she sent me a card of South African work, a lovely picture of the Fengu people. She was worried about only swapping art cards, but I realised that as well as receiving beautiful samples of peoples work this is also about communication, world wide communication.

I am honored to have this from so many different places, thank you.

This morning I opened my 12th postcard from Sue at Heloise (blogroll). It is riotous, an explosion of color & texture - I love it! I have oft admired her color choice, ragged edges & wild stitching & was not dissapointed. To top it all off Sue sent me my giveaway winnings! A lovely brooch with a poignant time worn feeling to it. I may frame it. I will touch them.

I am touched, thank you.

And finally, my squares. The last 6 are very late, but they're here aren't they?!

And the month of May all together, well, bar the last day.

Since starting the postcards the making squares has been more challenging. I am revelling in this challenge!

I have reached a decade!

I opened my tenth postcard this morning. This is by an artist just starting out, Jill Eudaly at Recycled Daze (blogroll) It is wondrous, I love it! I admired her work & got a baby version to remind me of 10 years of my childhood spent in Princeton, New Jersey. It's all painted stitched recycled & she's a packaging fan like me! Even used a wonderful Girl scout cookie envelope :)

I am rapt, thank you.

I won't be here tomorrow (but I'm taking a card with me!!) as I'm leaving, in 5 minutes, to drive to Edinburgh. I'm seeing my eldest & his GF tonight, & tomorrow I visit the Gardening Scotland show - I've wanted to go for the 10 years we've been up here & finally I can justify it by becoming (nearly) 50. I have got my wallet... & camera. Woohoo!

My 9th postcard

This envelope has been the biggest so far & the most colorful! Inside the envelope a postcard from Corrine Gilman at Dosfishes (blogroll) all the way from Massachusetts, US. (I shall go back at the weekend & add to each post where the other 8 postcards have come from) 

Along with the postcard are lots of bits & pieces, which is naughty as I only sent a card! But you can still smell the coffee in the packet!

 This card is astonishing as it's not a card really but a little accordian book.

It has a ribbon wrap

It has a back

and a front

It says live happier - I will, I am

It says Happy Birthday to me

I am speechless.

Thank you