Totem Animal Swap

************SWAP SPOILERS*****************

I was really inspired by my two totem animal swaps and got them done way ahead of the deadline. I sent them today and I hope my partners love them. I was tickled with them, especially one that I would have made even if I had not been partnered with the lovely lady that listed turtle as her totem. I hope to make more of these, now that I figured out how to assemble it. The first attempt was a nightmare. The second attempt was better, but the third time was the charm:

Turtle plushie totem animal

I actually started this before the partners were assigned, as even if she had not been partnered with me, I wanted to make a turtle. I was ecstatic when I saw she was my recipient. This is the 3rd version and the first 2 will never be photographed. It is all hand stitched, no pattern. The legs are all slightly different, but I am still delighted by him. I normally would not have been so whimsical with a totem animal, but the recipient has a patchwork turtle on her wishlist, right there on her profile. How could I ignore that?

The 2nd part of the swap was for a card: ATC, inchie/twinchie, skinny, just whatever. I made skinnies for both my partners and for the turtle, I made a foray into zentangles:

turtle zentangle skinny

My other partner listed white fox as a totem, and I was happy to play with something so simple and so beautiful Seriously. Arctic foxes and just breath-taking. Since that partner is in Germany, I had to be mindful of shipping costs, unfortunately. I did like what I came up with, however-a hematite beaded ornament:, also completely freehand, no pattern:

fox  totem ornament 

And for her skinny, I did a simple pen sketch  and colored pencil. I am really enjoying my colored pencils and am glad I splurged on those last year. 

arctic fox skinny

And here are all 4 items:

Totem Animal swap

The deadline for this swap is not until the end of March, so I got this done very quickly. But as I said, I started the turtle before the swap started and I spent a couple of sleepless nights stitching and beading. 

I can't wait to see what my two partners decide to make for me. :) I hesitated to do this swap, as I was afraid I would not be inspired or more crap would fall on my head. I am so grateful that I was able to create these and get them in the mail... hopefully they will make these two partners happy. 

That's what it's about, anyway. 

Thanks for spending time with me today. It's always a pleasure to have you as a guest! Love to you and yours, Angie