[Gemme]

I got my package today and it was lovely. I know that some folks will do one design and replicate it and some will do a few of this and a few of that and there are others that make each one a completely different design. So, in the spirit of making sure everyone knows how much I appreciate the work they did, here is my breakdown:

Tommi~I LOVE the castle! I wanted to do a doorknob/handle with the wheely things but could not find a way to make it work like I wanted. Yours was brilliant, my friend! I think I enjoyed this piece more than any other I've received from you.

Diva~I love the quiet elegance of yours and I love that you choose that one for me. I love your calligraphy and I love your work, always. The tie was perfect too.

Rain~You have a most interesting eye and I enjoy seeing through it in the pieces I've seen of yours. This one is no exception. I loved the way you designed the stars very much.

Cara~With my projects, I left them open and unfolded because I couldn't decide how to close them. I thought about using a sticker (like you did) but thought it would take away from the piece as a whole (opening it would 'damage' it, etc) but I have to admit...it was just the opposite effect. I cut it so it wouldn't tear anything and it was like opening a present! You did such a lovely job.

Ami~Your work is impeccable, as always. I appreciated that you left yours open too. It was the only one I received that was open, and most of mine had been left open, so it helped me to feel a little bit less like I didn't do it right, yanno? I love that your work has meaning behind it and a message. Beautiful.

Softness~How clever, with the pink gauzy material! Not only did I get a present with the triptych card coming from the material, but there was a reveal inside too. Doubly enjoyable!

Jennifer~Knowing that your's were the first to get done makes me love mine a little more, I think. Not only is the piece elegant and so SMART looking (Look smart is something my Gran would say to me a lot), but it really shows a piece of who you are. Oh, and it is SEXY too with the eye and the woman on her back with her legs in the air, taking her pants off!

Pure~Your piece reminds me of el tigress, with the design and the purposeful 'random' swipes of glitter and dots. I love, love, love this piece!

Pixie~I haven't opened yours yet and I'm not going to. I mentioned having issues with determining how to close up the cards and I thought about using something similar to your metal button too but thought "how will they get into it?" and gave up. You, my dear, did use it and I didn't want to rip it, so I peeked into it from above and lo and behold, there is a glittery flower in there! I am taking your hidden flower and your choice of BLOOM to heart. I'm not 'there' yet and so, like the beautiful shiny, sparkly flower inside your piece, I shan't be opened just yet. *smile* Oh, and I LOVED the lime green puffy paint! It's my color, don'tcha know?

Now that you all know how much I love and appreciate your work, here's the sad little truth. I cried like a baby when I got the package and went through it because I saw all of these beautiful, smart, well-done pieces and I felt like crap. I know that my artistic endeavors are much less sophisticated and complex than...well, most of all of you. Most days I'm okay with being the less advanced one in the class, so to speak, but today...not so much. I have lovely visions in my head of designs and patterns but I cannot seem to translate it into actual work. Part of it is that I don't have the necessary tools and part of it is that I just don't have the talent and artistic vision to do it. I even seriously contemplated pulling out of Jake's project because I just don't feel I can do it justice.

Well, it's a few hours, pain killers, deep breaths, pep talks, and cinnamon mini rolls later and I still think I'm at the back of the pack, but when I think about it, it's one Helluva pack, so I guess I'm okay with that.

Anyway, I loved the work done and I appreciate the chance to experience all of your work.