Ogling Owlies Swap WIP

I just LOVE owls! Because of this, I am a sucker for every handmade owl swap that pops up! I just finished and mailed one and now I've signed up for two more! Addict I tell ya! Anyway, this owl swap was to be based on your partners color preferences. So, when I found out who my partner was going to be, I checked out her profile and she had several colors listed as her current favorites but I chose Olive Green and Brown from the list for her Owlie! I drew up a pattern which is very similar to my last owl (it is different if you look really close) and cut out the pieces. For this one, I decided to do a little stitching on it, more so than the last one. It's gonna add hours and hours onto the making time for it, but who cares? Here's where I'm at with it so far..



I have been scolded for spending TOO MUCH time on a swap. "Why put that much time into something you're not getting paid for?" "Why do that when you probably aren't going to get something as nice in the swap?" Why? I'll tell you why.. Yes, it's true, in a swap I'm not paid for my hard work and yes, sometimes what I receive wasn't worked on as hard as mine. HOWEVER, it's still something made by me, with my name attached to it! I cannot just slap something together for sale or for a swap and put my name on it! I just can't. I have a lot of pride in the things I make. No, I'm not the best at everything I make but I can promise you that I do MY VERY BEST when making it! Things that don't measure up to my standards never leave the studio. Period. (NOTE TO SWAPBOT USERS: I don't expect perfection in a received swap. I do expect you to do YOUR best and take some time to make it nice. I can tell who does and who doesn't. Regardless of skill level.)
Okay, off of my soapbox now.. lol.
Stay tuned for the VERY FIRST, SUPER DUPER, TOTALLY AWESOME GIVEAWAY here on the blog!! Whoo hoo, giveaway, giveaway, giveaway!!!!!!!
More Later...
Moriah