Card Swap Group

I joined a card swap a number of years ago, ensuring I sent at least 5 cards to my secret person during the year. I did it for a couple of years, and of course I sent more than 5. I also sent to others who celebrated birthdays and holidays. The first year I was matched up with someone who must have been a beginner. She sent me only 5 cards, and 2 of them were identical except for colour. The others were very basic, as though put together by a child.  The next year that person didn't sign up for it, and I got someone who was a bit more experienced, and it became fun.

The group was closed down by its owner, and although I have no one to send cards to, I still make them. A couple of weeks ago, one of the people who used to be in that swap group posted a call out to join a Facebook group. I decided it would be a great idea. The only concern I have is that at least 3 cards should be sent out a month. Hopefully I can keep up with that during the school year.

So here are the first cards:

Christmas in September

Black and White

Kite

Just because I am a little concerned that I won't get cards made in time, I have signed up for the October swaps already. Here are 2 of the 3 I signed up for, I have plenty of time to get that last one done.

Fancy Fold

Hallowe'en

So I am back in the card making mode, and I love having my creativity back!

Christmas in September

I saw this sketch and I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it. It turned out almost exactly as I imagined, I just ended up changing the colour of the background paper. So it came together probably the fasted I've ever made a card.

I love MojoMonday sketches, they inspire often, and they are offered weekly.

This is the one I decided to make:

I am sending this, along with some other Christmas cards to someone in a Facebook card swap group. I'm also sending these:

For a Black and White Swap

For a Kite Swap
I used a Wobble under the kite, so if you flick the bottom of the kite it wiggles

So after a really long time of not crafting, I've finally gotten back to it. Only problem is summer is just about over, and I've got to go back to work next week.

Kindergarten Graduation

I've spent the majority of my days in Room 5 kindergarten class @tdsb_wilkinson this year. About half of the kids will be graduating from senior kindergarten to grade one. We will be having a little ceremony for those kids along with the other 3 kindergarten classes this week. They learned 2 new songs to perform at the ceremony, nothing cuter than 5 and 6 year olds singing to an audience.

I made these little tags to double as book marks for room 5 graduates. I used my Cricut machine, patterned paper in the school colours, some red and white twine, and lots of patience for some intricate gluing.

I'm really happy with how they turned out.

Happy Valentine's Day

I had a lovely day on Thursday when we celebrated Valentine's Day with the kindergarten kids. It was a PD day for parent/teacher interviews on Friday so we had to share on Thursday.

We had an assembly that included some singing, some information on famous black Canadians, and some dancing. We also had Crazy Hat day. What a shame there are no photos of mine... NOT!

I made those dear little owls for the children, and some of the parents that let their kids look at their Valentine boxes, (tissue boxes with tissue paper and hearts), came to me to let me know they loved them.

The children did a few Valentine activities, which was good because it was an indoor recess due to the wind chill factor being -32*c brrrrr. I handed out my little treat boxes to the staff, with chocolate inside. The free cutting file for them is here. Thanks SVG cuts.

My favourite card that I received from the kids was this one, (I know we aren't supposed to have favourtes, but those ugly dollar store Disney ones are nasty!)

Handmade, just for me. LOVE IT!

And now here is the card I made for my son, since he is the love of my life, always.

I used the Cuttlebug Script embossing folder on the dark purple cardstock, 3 other purples for the banners, and the Lovey Dovey stamp from Stampin`Ups A Little Somethin` and 3 little purple jewels.

I LOVE the way it turned out. I bought him a red mug and a chocolate cake as well.

Happy Valentine`s Day Everyone

Valentine treat.

I was trying to decide what to make for the children at school for Valentine's Day. I saw some interesting owls to craft on Pinterest, which gave me an idea.

I have been saving my empty toilet rolls to take in for the kids to make stuff with, but I wanted to ensure there was enough for one each, so I was on my way to 30.

I realised that I could use them as a container for the kiddies, so I came up with this idea.

First I had to clean off the remaining paper on the rolls. Some brands make that easy, others do not. I used a knife to scrape the tough glue off the roll.

Next I chose the papers that I would use and cut them at 4"X 6".

I glued them onto the roll, it was a little bit tricky.

I punched a circle to fit the bottom of the roll, and glued it in place. This was very frustrating as the rolls don't always stay round, sometimes they get a bit squashed.

While the glue was drying, I punched out black and white circles for the eye, and adhered them to each other.

I cut out a large brown circle then folded it in half, and ran it through my die cut machine again to give me 2 oval shapes.

I also cut out a heart and a beak by hand.

Then I pinched the tube together at either end of the top.

I pushed down the front and back to make points of both sides, and squeezed the corners between my thumb and finger.

Next I adhered the wings, eyes, beak and heart.

I had already sorted out a few candies to give the children, so I got them ready.

I opened the top, rolled up the baggie, and popped them in and pushed the top back down again.

This is what I will be giving the children. I figure they can keep it as a keepsake after they have eaten the candies.

I already had the toilet rolls, patterned paper and cardstock on hand, so the only expense was the candies.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

OWL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!

Sympathy in Kind

When I stared working at Bruce school in 2004, I had just returned from the funeral of my mother in England, and had to start at a new school. I was greeted by a few staff, but one in particular stood out.

Blair was the French Teacher, whose parents were originally from Scotland. He is the best at accents, and he loves English comedy TV shows. We have that in common, (comedy, not accents). We became friends, and he made me laugh on a daily basis. He didn't know about my mum dying, but his humour made me happy, and that was how he unknowingly helped me with my grief.

Blair left Bruce school to teach at another school, and I missed him. However, I always stayed in touch, and if I ever go to England, I pick him up some Thornton's toffee and some Fortnum and Mason Lemon Curd. It gives me an excuse to see him.

This past summer I had to go home for my dad's funeral and again I picked up both goodies for Blair. We got together, grabbed a coffee and went down to Sugar Beach, where we found a couple of Muskoka chairs and sat and caught up on each other's lives. He had a scare last year with a heart concern, but he looked good and he made me laugh with his always very funny stories. Even though we don't see each other very often, I consider him a good friend and we can pick up wherever we left off.

I saw a Facebook posting from him letting his friends know that his father had passed away. It made me feel sad, initially remembering my dad's recent death, but then for Blair. He was very close with his dad, and I know he must be suffering the pain of losing him.  What can I do to bring him comfort? Well I will do what I know, I have made him a card, and I will be there for him when he needs to talk. I don't think I can make him laugh, but for sure I will try.

My deepest condolences Blair, I know the pain of losing a parent, and can only say to hold your memories close and your family closer.