ATC's from South Africa and another matchbox

As I posted yesterday I want to show you what I received in the mail from 2 trades I recently did.

First up are 2 ATC's from Bella who lives in South Africa. Bella was visiting my blog after I had posted

one of my Geisha cards for a Gingersnap Geisha challenge and asked if I was interested in trading it?

Well usually challenges I don't do much with the piece, except ,put it in a box or drawer only to wonder what to do with it later or give it to someone ,but, after finding out Bella lived in South Africa and I don't have any ATC's from Africa I surely wanted to trade. We also agreed to do an ATC that reflected something from the country we lived in. So sorry I did not take

a pic of the cards I sent to Bella but she will probably post them on her blog.

Here are the cards that Bella sent to me including this wonderful greeting card done with foil card stock, alcohol inks and embossing. It is so lovely. Bella and I decided after the Rotating Postal strikes are over we may plan to do another swap.

I haven't swapped ATC's in a while so it is nice to get back to it. I always feel refreshed after not doing something like that on a smaller canvas.

Thanks again for a great trade Bella.

Next up is my matchbox from JoAnne's FlickR group Vintage Dragon Fly. I received this lovely matchbox with all kinds of goodies inside and out.

Melissa spoiled me and she also wrapped everything in this beautiful tea towel that has shells and gold threads in it.

Take a peek at the spool she altered, wrapped some lovely lace around it, then put a decorative pin and added a gold glittery shell button to it and on the top is a

collection of shells and beads. The matchbox itself has a lovely mermaid on it and also more goodies inside. I was blown away.

Thank you Melissa. After a week like I had last week and worried about my car this was such a nice treat to get mail that was fun and full of arty goodness.

You certainly meet some wonderful artisans online who are generous and in most cases like minded.

Today was very hot and humid and we just got over a thunderstorm with hail and winds and lots of lightening. We surely needed some cooler weather after the day we had today.

I was up early and got the vacuuming and floors washed so needless to say I was sweating buckets by the time that was over.

My exercise complete along with a cleaner house.

Well that's it for today folks.

Thanks for dropping by, I always read your comments and I do try to visit each of you even if I don't leave a comment.

Blogger has been a tad bit ornery lately.

 ~♥~