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!

Hallowe'en is coming

I saw this sketch from Paper Smooches today, and knew immediately what I could do with it.

Pulled out white cardstock, 2 circle punches 1" and 1/2", the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing envelope, black ink and a sentiment from Inkadinkado's Spooky & Creepy stamp set.

Here is the result.

Quick, simple and clean.

UPDATE!
I was reading the Paper Smooches blog, and realised that my card doesn't qualify since I didn't use any of their product. So I quickly threw this one together in hopes of qualifying.

Sabrina's Wedding Gift.

I wanted to make a gift for Sabrina's wedding as well as the cards for her shower. I had so many ideas and ended up making an ABC album. I like this format, and the albums can be fun. Another idea I had was a Wedding Album, that I still may make for a future gift.

Anyway here are the pages of the album I put together.

And here is the cover. I haven't decided if I will add anything to the back of the album yet. I may add a private note to Sabrina about the book, but a sentiment about sharing her life with her new husband will also be in there.

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!!!!!

As mentioned in the previous post I have a stamp set to give away in celebration of my upcoming un-birthday (February 29!). My plan is to hopefully boost my followers that will in turn, encourage me to post more often!

Before the giveaway, I want to share something I whipped up early this morning.
I am a member of Paper Craft Planet, and one of the groups I signed up for last year was Secret Pal. Over a period of a year you are required to send your pal 6 cards. I sent many more and a gift here and there to my secret Pal Anne in Denmark. At the end of the year it was revealed who your secret pal was. This year I am signed up to Random Happies. I can send cards to whomever I want at any time. My birthday is coming up at the end of the week, and so Anne sent me a huge package in the mail.

2 packs of paper, a Christmas elf stamp, a Union Jack embossing envelope and 20, count 'em, 20 different bags of tea!

This morning when I got up I went to the kitchen and decided to have one of those teas. I chose the English Breakfast, because it was morning and, well, I am originally from England! As the kettle was boiling I realised I needed to put the teas away, but at the same time I wanted them out so that I will use them. For me out of sight really is out of mind!  As I poured the water onto the teabag I got an idea. While the tea steeped, I cut down a cracker box that was destined for the recycling bin, and covered it with a sheet from one of the paper packs Anne sent.  Then I added the milk, just a touch, to my tea. I took out a punch and found some Thickers and this is what I came up with.

Then I sat down to finish my tea! It really was that quick.

I am also a member of another group, Crafter's Tea Party. Each month there is a challenge and we send another member some tea. So the teas I have received will also go in this box that will sit on my counter, near the kettle.
Did you know tea solves most of the world's problems?

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

To be eligible just:

1. Follow me either through Google reader or email, (check the right panel)
2. Leave a comment about your favourite beverage (and a way I can contact you)
3. Share this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

That's it.
I will make a random draw on March 3rd.

GOOD LUCK

Happy Family Day

In Ontario, Canada the 3rd Monday of February is Family Day. This is a relatively new holiday (2008), mainly, I think, because we need a holiday in the dreariest month of the year! There are a few other provinces that celebrate it, as well as a few other countries.

Other than my son, all my family live in England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.  My son is busy at school, so this year I was my only family around. I decided to do what makes me happy and made some cards for family and friends.

I had gone to my favourite store, Home Sense/Winners and found a few paper craft bargains that I snapped up.  One of which was this stamp set.

There were 3 sets in the package, I didn't check them out, because it was a deal at $4.99, and I loved the bicycle. When I got home I saw that there were 2 of the same "Hello There" sets, so I am planning on a giveaway in exchange for more traffic to this blog.  Stay tuned!

After my trip to Home Sense, I went to another favourite store, Deserres. It is an art store, and I was given a bunch of gift cards, when I left my previous school at the end of July.  There I found 2 more stamp sets that took my fancy, and snapped them up quickly.

I have only used one set so far, but love these stamps.

For my friend in England who is about to get chemo

Another one for my friend about to have cancer treatment.

Adorable, right?
Here are a few others that I worked on this weekend:

I've had this embossing folder forever. My son bought it for me, this is the 2nd card I've used it for.

Found this idea on Pinterest, but mine is better! (of course)

I bought this die at Home Sense for $3, but I'm not in love with it.

Thinking about Spring!

I think this is the card I'm sending to a friend for her upcoming anniversary.

 

Don't forget to stay tuned for the giveaway coming soon!