I am swamped with swaps!

I have been working on several swaps...even did a few for my sister who somehow managed to break BOTH of her elbows!


Card Swap...

Theme: Birthdays & I picked 'teenage boys'....kept is simple, it is for a boy. The background paper is metallic. I used the "Dude" cartridge to cut the skateboarder and printed a label with the sentiment for the inside. It is a gift card holder, too....what else do you give a teenage boy?




Next Swap....this is a new one on my FB site...recipe cards. I am really having fun with this one. I did my card (French Country soup) and my sister's. My card is made like a conventional card...opens up. On the inside I have the ingredients and directions. I made Noels like a standard recipe card...title on one side and recipe on the other. I am really having fun with this swap and just think...at the end of the year I will have a wonderful collection of recipes.




I have been working on ideas for our Suprise Swaps on my FB site...next month I am going to try inchies. I thought I should make a set up and give an example of what to do with them...I kept it simple...stickers and pen lines. I really like the card though. I did alter the size...many of the ladies on the FB group like to do Cricut cuts, so I increased it to 1 1/2 inches t give them a little more work room.
I can't wait to see what they do!

Final project...an accordian album for one of my "pay it forward" swaps. This is one is for someone who just moved into a new home and likes to garden...I thought she could use it to show off either pictures of the new house or her garden when it comes in. I really loved these papers...they were from the Indian Summer stack pack by DCWV.

I still have my Cricut Cut Swaps to do...and I just got two new cartridges in the mail:)

Valentine's Day....how was yours?

Mine was a little crazy since I still had not come up with a good gift for my husband the morning of...then it his me..."KISS". I had been working on scanning in old pictures and several I came across were of us kissing during different stages of our lives...I would make him a 12x12 layout for his office wall. So, I came up with my sketch, picked my pictures , gathered my supplies and got to work....I think it turned out pretty good! A wonderfully unique gift for my wonderful husband.









Now to finish the candy bouquets for DH and DS....I had never made these before and I think I got a little bored with idea about half way through, but they still turned out nice.








I made us a spaghetti dinner with chocolate fondue for dessert...YUM! We had a nice quiet evening...and for once my husband listened to me...no flowers or candy, just my perfume.






I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones.

Ladies Night was....

a delicious success! All the desserts turned out great...and the laies loved them. the pairs worked very well together and some even tried new wines...they relly crack me up though when they always ask me..."Did you do this all yourself?" Who would've done it....does it look store bought....They really don't know me very well do they? I actually enjoy making the food and coming up with a different type of theme.

(Part of the 'tablescape' pre-wine....I forgot to photgraph the fondue area:( )

The cards were just the right speed for everyone...no problems. They were all very proud that they were able to make all three cards in about 20 minutes...even thought they might try it on their own....Maybe I should have given them a little insight into the fact that I did about 85% off the work....came up with the idea, made the demo, cut-printed-stamped all pieces....all they had to do was glue and tie one knot. Oh, well...didn't want to burst any bubbles...they will find it when, and if, they do attempt to create their own cards.

(this was the favorite sweet...mint brownies.)

Overall, a nice evening.

(This was my new recipe...devil's food mousse in phyllo cups with fresh raspberries....Yummy!)

KISS....

keepin' it simple with this next set of cards. I am hosting ladies night for our street this week & I decided that we would craft. We are goign to make 3 Valentine's Day cards and enjoy wine/chocolate pairings. Now, I am not a wine drinker, so I have done a little research and come up with, what I think is, a yummy menu....

Mint Chocolate Brownies & Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ Cabernet Sauvignon & White Zinfidel

White Chocolate Fondue with dippers of strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pretzels and pound cake w/ Riesling

Chocolate Mousse in a Phyllo cup topped with Raspberries w/ Merlot & Ruby Port

Now for the cards...

Since most of the ladies do not craft, I decided to keep it simple....I have prepped almost everything for them. They will only have to ink edges and glue. To keep cost and my time down a little I used computer prints for the sentiments. I think they turned out pretty cute...a little something for everyone...grandchild, teenager & spouse.

Tomorrow I just have to finish the food and tidy up...should be a fun night.