Paper Cowgirl swap spoilers...

Today I want to share the last of my Paper Cowgirl swaps (you can see the previous ones I've created in this post). I don't want to wait until after the swap to share them w/ y'all, as by then Paper Cowgirl will be over & I'll be running behind for something else. ;o) So if you are one of my swap partners & want to be surprised, back outta this post now.

I have a different take on creating for swaps than some. I don't let the personal taste of the recipient dictate the overall look & feel of my creation. And I don't want them to try to mold their style into mine for my gifts either. Call me arrogant but I feel that I can create something myself to suit me & my own personal taste. When swapping, I want the swap I receive, to reflect their style, taste & creativity.... I think the gifts carry more memories, meaning & significance that way. Hopefully my swap partners feel the same way. And if not, maybe they'll be understanding about it. LOL

I had already signed up for the 16 blossoms swap & the 21 ATCs swap when the "I'm a Rodeo Queen Sash" swap was announced. Even though I already had a full plate, I couldn't resist signing up. I'm sooo glad I did...I had soo much fun creating the sash. I love it & hope my pardner does as well.

I cannot tell you how badly I have mannequin envy. You all have vintage (or at least vintage look-alikes) & mine is wire, ugly & hard to decorate. *sigh* But hey, I have a wonderful collection of amateur rose paintings! ;o) You can see more of them in this post.

I backed a satin scarf (was the perfect length & width...lucky!) w/ a wide piece of lace ribbon to help add weight & body, then layered a lace scrap & glittered DREAM letters.

I made a mini-mum-like decoration where it joins at the hip. Most true rodeo queens wear their sashes tucked into their pants though & let their HUGE trophy belt buckles be the star. Little known fact.... I was on the rodeo team in high school. But I was a hippie chick who just happened to love horses so I didn't fit in very well. I wish I had a copy of the picture of our group in the yearbook. Everybody's all decked out in down vests, big buckles, cowboy boots & hats & there I am in a mini-skirt & go-go boots. LOL

I made an extra blossom to decorate the sash.

And I recently scored an old, dusty shadow box full of vintage Cracker Jack toys. For a dollar! What fun! There were a couple of cowboy items so I glittered them up & used them on the sash.

Some of the best advice my mother ever gave me (& she's given me a lot! LOL) ..."always be the guy wearing the white hat."

And as if I didn't have enough swaps to make, I had to sign for the "Not Your Mama's Vintage Hat Swap". I happened to get my friend Joanna @ Sweet Finds as a partner. I know her & know her style (she's in my art group) & it's very similiar to my own so I'm pretty sure she'll be happy w/ her swap gift.

I love this pillbox...it's one of my favorite hats out of my collection. This shot shows it's wonderful taupe color & pleating better. I didn't want to add too much & cover up that pleating so I kept the altering pretty simple.

I decoupaged a styrofoam wig head w/ sheet music to present the hat on & of course, Joanna gets to keep the wig head too.

I know she loves frozen Charlottes (who doesn't?) so she'll probably love this.

I used a vintage rhondelle as a "crown".

And I FINALLY finished up glittering the 21 boots I stupidly thought would be a great, unique way to present the 21 ATCs for the ATC swap. The ATCs slip right inside the boot...cute but OMG, what was I thinking? They were soooo labor-intensive! I'm not even that happy w/ them as they really needed more attention that I had time to give 21 of them. But I am sooo done w/ them so they'll just have to go looking a bit amateurish.

Now I'm off to have my nails done. Need my hair done too but my grandson begged me to come pick him up today so I'm just going to have to go to Paper Cowgirl w/ ratty hair...gotta keep my priorities straight. ;o). Connor's 12 & his mom is letting him stay home by himself this summer. But he's been spending a lot of time w/ me since school let out; helping w/ Paper Cowgirl projects & housework. You think he'd be living it up playing video games & such at home by himself but I guess he'd rather hang out w/ his "old Honey". I feel quite flattered & loved! Grands are better than...welllll, better than anything!