New header - Summer swap

Yes, it was time for a new header.  Unfortunately, I was unable to take any photos under the sea this time around.  I'll share about my recent trip to Man of War Cay in future posts. It was a trip that had highs and lows and a major decision to be made.  So I went back to our trip to Cancun last December and pulled out this shot of a brilliant blue trunk fish.  This particular fish was about 24 inches in length and brilliant blue with yellow and white leopard type spotting.  He moved lazily through the water so I was able to get a few good shots of him. 

All photos enlarge if you click on them.

I like trunk fish. They are one of my favorite reef species for their odd shaped little bodies and their slow moving confidence as they swim about the reefs. 

I finally got my summer swap sent off this week.  I always seem to be a few days behind these days so I hope the wait will be worth it for my partner.  She created such a lovely sea swap journal for me.  This was the first time I have ever produced a journal from scratch.  My partner had chosen the 1940's as her beach theme.  I tried to utilize as many vintage photos and other elements to give it a variety of 1940's beach looks.

The front cover.

Pockets full of beach treasure.

Closeup of vintage photos.

Pretty batik fabric and other elements.

A Weekee Watchie mermaid look.

Trips to Jones Beach brought memories of cars in traffic, postcards, picnic lunches and souvenirs.  This was a fun swap and I got the opportunity to work with handmade paper, creating my own binding system and filling various pockets with treasure.  I learned a lot about what you can and can't do with handmade paper along the way as well. Part of the fun of creating is having to take a new tack from what originally envisioned.  I hope my partner enjoys her sea swap journal as much as I had making it.  Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday. Sea Witch

The Sea Witch is on the move

Yes, the Sea Witch is on the move again. 

I'm a gypsy at heart and the need for my "pretty tail" to be in water is calling again.  So my handsome honey has shanghaied me and we are on our way to the Bahamas for a week on the water. I am blessed with such a good man and we will spend the next 5 days on a tiny sailboat exploring the reefs in the outer island chain.  No diving this trip, but lots of snorkeling.  When I can snag a signal, I will post a little about our trip.

Now, one of my dear friends at Vintage Village, (Carla) who has several fantastic booths there brought this wonderful vintage Mohawk carpet ad from her cousin's shop in the Carolina's.  She saw it and thought of me and brought it back so I could have it.  Is this not just perfect for a sea witch.  I love this ad and will frame it and put it in my bedroom.

The colors are so rich and wonderful.  You can click on the photo to enlarge it and see it in its detail.

Of course, I can NEVER EVER leave this shop without finding more goodies.

How sweet is this tiny little bisque baby in original gown. Only 4 inches in length. Of course, I couldn't resist the flash cards. Don't know what I am going to do with them yet.  Ideas?

Wonderful school promotion certificate from 1914 in original frame. Crazy about this piece.

So many talented folks out in the world and these lovely cards are made from vintage fabrics and antique laces.  I will give a few away and keep one for me.

Closeup of the detail on the card.  All are different.

And finally, this lovely red transfer ware pitcher.  You can always find wonderful things at Vintage Village.

Now, I was part of the Great Sea Journal Swap sponsored by Frippery.  One of my favorite blogs to follow.  The theme was the sea and we had to select a period of time 1920s, 30sw, 40s, and 50s, 60s.  That was difficult for me as I love all periods for their dress, their social mores and history.   In my response to Sandy, my partner in sea swap crime, i stated the following:

That’s tough, I like all period anything, but if I had to select, let’s do the 20’s…a time when women were just beginning to shed their inhibitions, they cast off the corset and bobbed their hair, smoked and drank openly in public and rolled down their stockings to expose their knees. And in between all of this, you had the rebirth of revival evangelism with outdoor tent meetings and people being baptized in the nearest community rivers and lakes. A wonderful mix of saints and sinners. Yea. Let’s go with the 20’s.

Sandy captured the spirit of that time beautifully with her sea swap journal.

Lovely fabric photos of the 1920's ladies at the beach.  Neat little envelopes filled with treasure, pretty laces and soft blues and whites throughout.

How did she know so much about what I liked and what makes me laugh?

Old photos and postcards and words of wisdom.

Funky copper rings and pretty velvet ribbons.

Pockets of lace filled with music, library card history (love this) and Austrian crystal beads in sea blue for my beadwork.  Treasure...all treasure.

What a lovely journal Sandy has created for me.  A thousand thank you's for this wonderful journal.  Have a wonderful day everyone and I look for a post or two while I'm in the water.  Sea Witch