Monday, December 19, 2011

My First Swap!


8 x 8 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I'm so excited to share this with you! Lucky Me received the most amazing package in the mail the other day - a gorgeous 8 x 8 gallery wrapped canvas - from Daniele Valois of Creating Learning Flying!

I met Daniele through The Summer of Color and was immediately attracted to her bold, whimsical style and the sense of fun, freedom, and fearlessness her art expresses. She creates beautiful pieces of heritage art as well, and has been featured in several Somerset Memories magazines. 

I don't recall exactly how it came about, but I was inspired by one of her Mixed Media / Scrap pieces to try something similar and in the process, asked if she would be interested in a trade. I would do something for her featuring a picture of her baby and she would do something for me featuring a picture of mine. She kindly agreed (yeah) and suggested that we complete them in time to give to each other for Christmas.

I sent her several photo options (okay, too many) and she happened to select one of my all-time favorites of Kendra at about a year and a half. Here is the original, followed by detail shots of what she did with it . . . .

My friend Nina took this picture of Kendra when she was about a year and a half.

Look at all that beautiful, bold color: I LOVE those cheeks!
Aren't the sides cool? There is so much to attention to detail all the way around the piece.
This is my favorite detail: The "roof!" Do you see it? 
She created a "home" with Kendra in the center of it all!
"Living A Colorful Dream"
Look at all this beauty (and glitter ;)
A front door (on the bottom left), flower boxes, a roof & chimney!

I. Am. Thrilled to have this beautiful piece of art in my home and am so grateful to Daniele for all of the love and energy she put into making it. Thank you Daniele, from the bottom of my heart. 

If you'd like to see what I made for her beautiful baby, you can pop over to Creating Learning Flying today and see what I sent to them . . . I hope she loves hers as much as I do mine!

Kristin xo

18 comments:

Daniele Valois said...

Eeee! You make me so happy! I am so glad you love it!

Anonymous said...

ooo, beautiful baby and beautiful art.

Joanna said...

OH WOW, WHAT A BEAUTY!!!! First of all, that is such a darling photo of Kendra, and then what Daniele has done with it - with all of its gorgeous colour and fun - is WONDERFUL!

I've got to go and see what you did for Daniele......

xx

scrapwordsmom said...

Oh I love her style, too. Soooo fun!! And that Kendra is a darling!! Merry Christmas, Kristin!!!

K J D said...

It's perfect....

I love the colours and everything about it and of course the gorgeous photo that inspired it.

Off to see what you did now......

ps so glad you are starting a puzzle tradition :)

Love Karenx

Jo Murray said...

A delightful idea, and two fabulous images. Happy you!

K J D said...

ps couldn't leave a comment about your wonderful piece over on Daniele's blog... but I love it!

Valerie-Jael said...

Just beautiful! Valerie

Netty said...

wow this is a wonderful swop, your friend has done you proud. Happy Christmas Kristin to you and your family, x

Anonymous said...

Oooh, that is SO sweet! I love it! And the piece you made for her is just gorgeous too. What a wonderful swap!

Mandy said...

Just amazing...what a wonderful photo and i adore what daniele did for you...so colourful..just wonderful...lucky girls to have each others art...xxx

Jenny said...

This is so beautiful Kristin... love that Daniele has extended the deliciousness down the sides of the canvas too... and yes that photo of Kendra is adorable...
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas... and a joy filled 2012... I love visiting here... your blog is always a treat Kristin...

Jenny x

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Ohhh!!This is just divine! Daniele did such a beautiful job. I love how whimsical it is. I love reading her blog and I just saw the piece you made too. I love it!! What special things you created for one another.

sweet southern inspiration said...

oh. my. gosh. so cute. Isn't that a picture I took at Ashton's bday party? I still love it so much. It's not very often that I get a good shot like that! lol.

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful piece and such a great idea to swap. I love the piece that you made as well.

Cameron said...

I've seen what you did for eachother and am smiling ear to ear! What a fantastic idea....and the results are just so beautiful!!!

Trades are the best!!

Heather Henry said...

Ahhh....I love it! So totally cute! You guys are so awesome!

Anonymous said...

Kristin - I LOVE what you created for Daniele - you have just such a cool style! Nicely done! Kristin