Erin to Vivian [City craft: February edition]

I was quite excited to have Erin as my crafting partner mostly because it's hard to coordinate a time and place to meet (as she's gallivanting in French forests while I cry publicly on NY subways). However, the one advantage I have over you West Coast suckers is time: I have 3 hours more to Gchat with this lovely lass. Beat that!

When I got this handmade illustrated calender in the mail, I was so delighted! Upon further inspection, I realized every photo was of a cat traipsing through New York City! Since this is seriously too cute for words, I will shut up now and let the pictures do the talking. Thanks again, love! xoxo

Vivian to Erin

When I received the package, I knew from the cute, delicate little writing that I'd received a craft from Mademoiselle Vivian of NYC. EXCITE! Inside were three art pieces she'd made for me, playing off the geographic theme with a Frenchie twist.

But first: ME AND VIVIAN IN A BALLOON! <3

Gentlemanly Banana Man approves.

Inspired by my favorite Parisian hangout, Shakespeare and Company: Shakespeare and Catpany, a store I would truly like to visit.

Maybe it could be like those Japanese cat cafes? Only I get to browse old books AND pet kitties.

And lastly: a lil French love story. All you need is a striped shirt,

a baguette, a little "oui" and a little "non," et voila... l'amour!

Merci beaucoup my dear!!

XO,

Erin

Andrea to Erin

I really had a rough time of it last fall, but in the midst of my FML period a package arrived from California. Andrea's gift made me so happy and the timing was perfect.

Look how pretty she packaged it!



Andrea made me a lovely tribute to San Francisco-- a box in the form of a book (which won it a revered spot upon my bookshelf), decorated with art and writing and odes to the city by the bay.



Inside was... CANDY!!!!!! (And a ghost!!)



I gobbled this stuff down in less than a week. After a 12 hour day of teaching and 30 min walk home dragging my suitcase full of work stuff, I cannot tell you how divine it felt to dump an entire pixie stick down my throat.

And the best part, inside, from one literary lady to another...



Merci beaucoup ma cherie, et gros bisous!

Erin

From Erin to Andrea!!

 Erin sent me something amazing for Halloween!

 Because she knows I like deer + paper goods.

 She had painted each of these lovely Halloween & Parisian themed cards!!

 I love the Deux Magots witch card!!

Thank you Erin, it's all very thoughtful and incredible. Love from California, Andrea.

~From Caron to Katie~

Hey all, sorry for posting this so late! I got my gift from Caron in the mail quite a while ago but have been lazy about posting. Now, time to share!

Caron made me these adorable little dolls, each one a character from the Addams family. A spooky-themed love of mine that is awesome all year round.





So adorable. Thanks, Caron!

Gift from Katie!!!

I received my gift from Katie! It weighed a lot for such a small package!

Inside was a cute little note :D

It was a spooky wolf wind chime!!!!!

I can use this guy all year round, I'll hang it in my new room when I move to Oakland. Thanks Katie!

Briana to Vivian

Hmm, what's in this parcel? A whole lotta leopard-print tissue paper? (I wouldn't mind)...

AHA! It's a papier-mâché Kiki! And she's soooooo cute.

Look at her gaze up lovingly at you!

And her little tote bag is functional too:

Briana also packed in some goodies, including assorted teas (which will be perfect for this cold weather) and a holiday-appropriate Totoro-batman print!

Thank you thank you! She is so cute and now she lives on my window ledge, gazing adorably down the busy New York street! <3 <3 <3

Vivian to Briana

I literally squealed when I saw my package in the mail from Vivian. She sent it early, and I'm so glad she did because now I can enjoy my craft for even longer as I get into the halloweeny mood!
Viv sent me this amazing halloween bunting/garland, and I looove it! (Garlands are my favorite). I can tell it took a long time, so many details! And I must say it looks at home with my Harry Potter prints :)

Thank you Vivian! I absolutely love it! Now I will have cute decorations for many halloweens to come :)
P.S. My only problem now is that I have to monitor Brian
 to make sure he doesn't keep doing this. --->

Craft Swap 4: Halloweeny!

Partners: Erin & Andrea, Katie & Caron, Vivian & Briana

SWAP 3: ERIN TO KATIE T.

I've been using my craft so much, I haven't had time to take photos! So here it is. Erin made me a tote with my favorite character painted on it: TOTORO!



It's such a perfect Summer tote. And I love the adorable stationery she used. (Briana's jellyfish from swap #1 makes a cameo in the background!)


THANKS ERIN!

So sorrrryyyy

I suck as well. I got a beautiful gift from Erin, and didn't post it. The theme was places and I wrote Ghana, as i studied abroad there.

Erin send me an awesome piece of wall art! Complete with a setting sun in the color of the Ghanaian flag. So so cool. Now i know what she was talking about when she said she was waiting for my present to dry! She bonded it all together with a glue type mixture.

Briana to Erin

For our "Favorite Characters" swap, I listed Link as one of my favorites, and Briana totally blew me away with her craft. LOOK AT THIS GUY!!



Isn't he amazing? I am in love. Major props to Briana for her craftswomanship.

Of course, Link couldn't just sit around in my bedroom forever. He's an adventurous fellow and needed some action.

First he stumbled upon a lovely lake.



Little did he know, a giant snaggle-toothed frog was also seeking out a good dinner in this lake.. yikes!



After a narrow escape, Link seeks some advice from the Great Rabbit Spirit of the Forest.



Link begins to grow irritated with his fairy sidekick.

"Hey, listen! Hey, listen! Hey, listen!"



Link stumbles upon an abandoned cottage. Who lived here? What happened to them?




Apparently they were eaten by a dragon!!



You may want to shield your eyes, my friends.. as our friend Link did not win his battle against the dragon.

Navi slightly regrets distracting Link the entire time by insisting he should check out this cool tree nearby.

"Hey li- oops."



Just kidding! Of course he beat the dragon, he's Link isn't he?




Much thanks to Briana for making me such an awesome Link doll, and my mom for having a garden full of stuff.


<3 Erin