A month full of Challenges...

I'm getting sucked in to the world of swapping again but there are just so many great swaps to take part in that I just can't resist... Last year I took part in the Lovely Letters swap/Package which I enjoyed and this year so far I've created Valentines cards for

thestationeryplace 

which was quite a challenge as I don't work much with hearts. I wanted to create 4 different cards then 4 assembly line style cards so I really had to get my brain working. Its one of the reasons I joined was to get myself to work with hearts to make up for the lack of doing something with them. I still find the whole concept of Valentines Day being for all loved ones as I've always known it to be a couples day which makes it weird. I will of course blog those on my BurstsofBubbles blog on Valentines Day.

 

For some time now I've been following this blog...

 

I love all the artistic creations that people have created using the base of an envelope. I didn't pay attention to the fact I could actually take part until I saw a post one day saying that there was only 1 day left to sign up! Without taking a moment to think about it I signed up, then came an are you sure e-mail which I agreed to. Part of me is scared stiff of creating something as I've no idea what to do but thats the thing with me I love that challenge! Looking at the latest two entries I feel a little hot under the collar so to speak about what I may have taken on but that also adds to the excitement of it as I'm curious to see what I can come up with. I had the option of picking 4 or 10 envelopes and I went for the first so I haven't over done it and it should be a nice experience :). I've received my partners and it should hopefully be something I'll do this weekend (unless I'm lucky enough to have another snow day!). Again when I've completed this and my partners have received them I will be posting them on my BurstsofBubbles blog.

 

Another blog I've been following for some time is

Its a mixed bag blog like mine so you get a little bit of everything... with some free printable stationery thrown in. Yesterday when I came online I came across her latest post which consisted of this

swap but it was too good to resist and I've signed up. You have just over a week to sign up which is why I'm sharing it but also for me it means I can look forward to my holidays and this swap also.

I really need myself to stop signing up for swaps but it just gives me a little something to look forward to as well as to fill my mail box between letters.

If you ever see any swaps that you think I may enjoy let me know and then I can check out and see if I have the time for it.

For such a short months its going to be a nice but busy one!

Lovely Letters

I'm supposed to be doing a book review today but I just feel so rough and it doesn't help that it has been pouring with rain since yesterday morning... its so dark and miserable which matches my mood I guess! Its why it was so nice to come across this great swap idea and I couldn't resist joining and thought some of you maybe interested in it too. I've seen so many blog swaps in the past but have never joined even though I liked the idea of it but I've come to the point where I don't want to swap items for exactly the same items back but just in a different design as it isn't always to my taste or fits in with what my style is (like swapping paper for paper, stickers for stickers etc...). Where as swapping a letter for a letter is something a little different and with my recent handmade writing paper, themed envelope swap etc... I feel a little addicted. I can't wait to find out who my partner is so that I can start crafting... If you'd like to join you better be quick as you only have tomorrow and quite possibly Thursday to do it in. Have fun!

 

Stuffed Envelope: Crafting Supply

I took part in a stuffed envelope supply swap last week and hopefully my partner should have received her things by now. I received mine today...

1. The Envelope
2. Note Card: The images are so delicious looking I may end up taking a bite out of the card.
3. Fabric
4. Dream Catcher, apple post its, ribbon, confetti, stickers, notepaper....

I'll show you what I sent again just incase you're curious. I also added in a pro-marker pen as I had 2 of the same colour for some reason..

I just hope my partner likes everything I selected for her.

Have you had some good mail days recently?

It's for you....

I never usually give people at work any type of gift but this year and last I worked with 2 ladies who have really spoiled me with things. One of them I am currently working with but we will both face big changes in September so will no longer work together but may still see a bit of each other considering the location I'll be in. The other has been offered the chance to work in another school for a year and I'm so happy for her to have this experience. I wanted to get them both a little something and I've really struggled to find the right gift, I went yesterday to the supermarket to buy chocolates in the end but just looking at the selection I felt bored and came away having bought nothing. It wasn't until I was trying to sleep last night that I decided to create a feel good relaxtion package of hot chocolates, chocolate biscuits and a cup.... I thought it would be so easy as both stores near here always have tonnes of novelty mugs/cups but typically because I wanted one they had nothing. It was such a struggle to decide which cup to buy as all were plain coloured, clay looking type or really just your average cup... in the end I forced myself to buy this one which I actually really like but it wasn't quite the type of cup I had in mind.

When shopping a couple of weeks ago I saw this style of bag in a few different sizes and really liked them but didn't buy any. I then had the thought to buy one of the ladies daughter the bag and fill it with craft kits etc.... I got as far as buying the bag but just haven't had the energy to do anything more with it, I just seem to lack motivation which is probably why that right present never surfaced for anyone as my mind and heart just aren't in it. I had a look through what I had and came up with these things, I will be giving lots of loose notepaper but decided to photograph just this one as it was a present for me.

The little Miffy a friend in The Netherlands sent me and she told me they bring good luck, she sent me one and 3 to pass on. I really need some luck in so many areas of my life so hopefully it will work for me.

I came across a UK craft supply swap on swapbot over the weekend and decided to take part as I have so many supplies and some I've had for so long that I wanted to pass them on in order to get something fresh and new. Only problem is that I stupidily thought the swap was going to be posted on the 21st which is the first day of my holidays and I thought I could take my time sorting through my things to send. So imagine the shock I got the next day when I got an e-mail to start swapping and the deadline was actually the 21st. So in the end I had to go through my box for make my day to gather some things together. I just hope the person receiving this will like it. (the paper selection are actually a pile of one sheet each from the paper pads I own so all of these together will make one pad).

I have so far received some chocolate from the children at work myself and may get some more tomorrow. Then with it being my birthday next week I have a huge box full of presents to open which I have been adding to as letters and packages are flowing in. It's all so thoughtful.

Have you been celebrating anything lately?