Giraffes & Babies

Yesterday was my sister-in-law's baby shower. This is the gift my husband and I made for her.

--And yes, my husband helped. A lot!

When we found out we were to be an aunt and uncle, we were so excited. You see, this is the first baby on both sides--on all sides, really--and we are thrilled! Having never been an aunt before, I knew I wanted to give of myself to this unborn precious treasure, but wasn't sure how.

I'm not sure where the idea for the baby quilt came up, but this is what we knew:

1. My sister-in-law likes giraffes.

2. Babies need blankets.

What we didn't know:

1. Baby's gender

2. The nursery colors

We had to buy fabric from several quilt stores in the local area. You would think that it would be an easy process to find giraffe fabric--not really! Apparently they're not in style right now. We asked every store we went in for giraffe material, and the most we could find was this animal print we used on the binding.

We put our thinking caps on, got our creative juices flowing, and came up with some "primitive nursery" fabric (that's what I call it anyway) to create the suggestions of animal print/zoo/jungle. I love the result! There's a hint of sophistication in an infant's product.

Dear Baby,

We love you even before you enter the world.

You are a special, unique individual.

Created in the image of God.

Love,

Aunt and Uncle

PS... We hope you like giraffes, because after the shower, you have several to keep you company!

On a last note, I am planning on making

these types of quilts to sell in my shop on Etsy.

If you have a loved "little one" that would

benefit from a baby quilt, please don't

hesitate to contact me at www.etsy.com/shop/thegardenswingBH!

I'm open to most animals! ;)

Jewelry Too

Not only are art dolls a huge part of The Garden Swing—so is jewelry.  The piece shown above is a crocheted bead necklace. That was a fun piece to make. It was an experiment that actually “went wrong” but turned out better than what I was planning!

I am open to trying to create any kind of jewelry I can think of.

Earrings. Necklaces. Bracelets. Brooches.

In wire. In fabric. In mixed media.

And of course, some work. Some don’t. The beauty of those that don’t work: they can be taken apart and rescued!

If you have beads that you need “rescuing,” or just have an idea for a jewelry piece you’d like, contact me via Etsy….. www.etsy.com/shop/thegardenswingBH

Keep creating,

The Garden Swing BH

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls!

Dolls like this one are where I began my journey as The Garden Swing.
This is not the first doll I created, but it is in my first "showcase"--it is part of the first group of dolls I displayed publicly. She is a mermaid, created in the summer of 2011.

My journey as The Garden Swing is not long yet, but it's already been a learning experience! It started over a year ago when my mom was at a quilt retreat. She saw a woman there working on a doll instead of a quilt. She inquired about the doll and learned the name of the book the woman got the pattern from. My mom, being the extremely thoughtful person that she is, ordered the book online and gave it to me for Christmas in 2010.

... Well, she gave me a picture of the book.

It was recently published, and due to its popularity, it was backordered! I got the physical book in March 2011. That's where my addiction with dolls started. I drank in the many pages of colorful fabrics, ribbons, buttons, colored pencils, sequins, paints....... it was fabulous!

Needless to say, I spent a spring and summer creating dolls. Their first showing was at a summer art show in 2011. Now, I'm selling them in my shop: www.etsy.com/shop/thegardenswingBH

This particular doll is an OOAK art doll---code for a "one of a kind" doll made specifically to admire and display. All the art dolls I have made are cloth, and they're fixed in their position (though I am currently working on a "jointed" doll, so watch for her!).

More about dolls later. Have a great, creative day!!

Come. Enter in!

Greetings, and welcome to The Garden Swing!

First of all, I'd like to say: Welcome to my new blog!

I've never had one before, so this is an exciting new adventure for me. Starting a blog for my business is an important step, and I think first impressions are vital!

 I'll start off by saying that one of my most favorite things in the world is storytelling. I have come to believe that anything that inspires a story is a treasure! As an aspiring writer (historical fiction), I can't help but find story ideas all over the place--in the tiniest and most obscure locations sometimes. When I began this business that I am calling "The Garden Swing," I had stories in mind.

The name of my business is special to me because of what the words provoke in my mind. Any of you seen the movie "The Secret Garden"? There are many versions, but one states this: "All the world is a garden." Beautiful statement. When I think of this movie, I remember the 1993 version... specifically the moment the plants all begin to bloom--when Spring arrives--and suddenly the garden is bursting with color! Purple, yellow, white, pink. Birds are building nests, and baby animals are learning to walk. The children turn the key in the garden's gate, and they enter in.

Collin opens his eyes and looks around. The look on his face is what I feel every time I create something new... an item for my shop or a new novel I'm working on. The panning view of their secret garden looks exactly like the inside of my imagination. Every color and texture you can imagine, nestled deep in a precious haven. A Wonderland. A Never Land. My special world.

I create my art dolls, my baby toys/blankets, and jewelry with stories in mind--to remind your memory of childhood "days gone by" or to open up your mind to other worlds that await your exploration!

Everything in my shop--which is on Etsy--is handmade by me, and many are one-of-a-kind. The Garden Swing is a licensed business, I pride myself on customer service, and I create my own patterns, concepts, and designs.

Come, I invite you, to sit on the garden swing for a while.

Take in the sights.

See where they take you!