The Box I Made My Secret Swap Partner

I was so relieved yesterday when I got word from my Secret Swap Partner, GrannyAnne, that she LOVED the box I made for her.  I worked really hard to create something beautiful that she would enjoy sitting around her craft space or even in her bedroom for jewelry, etc.

                               We all started with this plain cardboard box from Cricut.com.

                    You could then alter it however you like to match the desires of your swap partner

                 who had filled out a little questionnaire about their wishes for box and scrap goodies.

                                                                        

Here is the top of the box I made.

I painted the box white, added layers of papers

that I had inked up.

Then added lots of pretty lacy flowers, pearls and doily for the top of this garden inspired box.

And to personalize it for GrannyAnn...I added a glittery "a"

Side view of the box.

More layered, inked papers were added and some pearls too.

I even added painted wooden feet to give it the feel of

a little jewelry box.

I also decorated the inside of the box

using more inked papers.

                                                  And of course, the inside of the lid too !

Note: I used ModPodge on the entire box to paste on the

papers and then to seal them. It gave the box a slightly shiny matte finish

that added to the overall loveliness of the box.

Then the box was stuffed full of goodies for GrannyAnne...

Flowers, journaling spots, buttons, twine, brads, paint daubers,

metal charms, labels, trims, ribbon, paper pad. Plus a little

birthday surprise since her special day is coming soon

that included a birthday stamp, bling, flowers and a rhinestone pin.

And of course, a little chocolate treat too!

Well GrannyAnne...so glad to have had you as a Secret Swap Partner. 

Can't wait to see what you make with all the goodies I crammed in your box !

Circle Box Swap ...Yipee !

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was in a Cricut Circle Box Swap. We each had a secret partner who make a box for each other and filled it with goodies.  Well today is the day we got to open the box from our Secret Partner.

My partner was CouponLover aka Jen.  The box she made for me was so PERFECT FOR ME.

 I just love all the little touches she added to personalize it for me.

Here is a view of the lid. She even made the Circle

image look like my own avatar !

She even decorated the inside of the lid. so cute !

And inside the box...ALL these GOODIES!

I love each of the embellishments , papers and

more importantly the Picket Fence Distress Marker 

that I have been searching for !!!

And on top of all those goodies, she even

handmade me a little box with custom brads !

CouponLover...you did fantastic ! Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!

My supplies have arrived !

My supplies from DCWV and MayArts have arrived so I can get busy bringing my idea to life for their Craft Challenge project.  I can hardly wait to start cutting the paper and crafting with the luscious ribbon they sent ! 

I can't share my idea just yet, it will be posted on their blogs in mid-June.  Will post more about that later. 

Happy Mother's Day Ladies

I want to wish all the wonderful Mother's out there a very Happy Mother's Day.  Hope your family treats you especially extra nice. We are celebrating with my Mother in Law and Daughter at our house this year.  Hubby is grilling up some Shrimp Tacos for lunch...yummy !

I made a few things this year for Mother's Day gifts..can't post those cause the special ladies haven't opened them yet, but I did want to share two of the cards I made to honor the special mother's in our life.

this card was made using a doily that I glimmer misted pink,

then added some distress ink to it to mimic the vintage

feel of the My Minds Eye patterned paper I used.

I made the flowers out of paper roses, inked and added leaves.

this card was made with some pretty patterned paper

as inspiration. Again, I added a doily but only distress

inked it.  I did distress ink and glimmer mist the sentiment.

And I loved added the pretty antique lace trim I had in my stash

to this card as well.

Hope each of you have a wonderful Mother's Day...whether you are being celebrated Or

you are celebrating a special mother in your life. 

Can NOT Believe I WON !!!

Today it was announced I get to be a Challenge Winner Designer on DCWV Blog!  My project idea  was selected for the May Arts/DCWV Craft Challenge !  I am so thrilled to have been chosen since my project idea is so vivid in my head that I really want to see it come to life !

A couple of weeks ago, they asked for ideas to be submitted for a project using their awesome

Snapshot Stack

and some lovely May Arts Ribbons

which they will furnish to the winners to do their final project to send them.  Erin Madsen of DCWV Blog and Bethany of May Arts Blog review all idea entries and pick a few people to win.

The deadline to submit my project is June 8th, and the entries will be posted on June 11th.  And they will announce Winners for prizes on June 15th.

I am in HEAVEN !  I can hardly wait to receive my supplies and turn my idea into a reality.  I am waiting for the details to be sent to me so I don't think I can share my idea just yet...hoping I can do a few sneak peeks though :)

So Hard to Part with this Project...

Some of us are in a Box Swap on the Circle Message board...we all ordered the same paper box and altered it for a secret partner and then filled it with scrap goodies for them. This was so fun to do.  Mine is ready to go in the mail to my partner.

I know who my partner is that I am sending to but no idea who is making a box for me....I am so curious and can't wait for my box to arrive. We are all opening them on the same day...well, unless someone gets a little impatient and opens theirs ahead of time... LOL

Here is a little sneak peek of the box I made...using some of the colors and items my partner mentioned she liked.

Well, all I can say is my partner better LOVE the box OR she can just send it back to me !  I so want to keep it...may need to order another box so I can duplicate it for myself. 

I promise to post full pictures of the box I made ... of course, after my secret partner opens it for herself.  Okay, counting down the days until we can all open our boxes...what day was that again?!?!?

It's Here, It's Here....

YEAH, NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY IS HERE FINALLY !!!  It is always the first Saturday of May.  I ALWAYS have it marked on my calendar each year.  Doesn't everybody?   It is a great time to get together with other scrappers and enjoy a full day of scrapbooking and comraderie. And there is always a bit of chocolate too :) 

What are you doing this year for NSD?  I will be attending a Charity Scrapbook Crop with a bunch of other scrappers to raise funds for March of Dimes. I love the fact that I get to enjoy my favorite hobby PLUS get to support such a worthy cause.   My bag is pack and ready to be put in the car.  I can hardly wait.

I plan on getting a few mini albums finished up for Mother's Day gifts and maybe a few layouts done.
 I will be back later to post some pictures from the crop day and my projects.

So, what are your plans for National Scrapbook Day ? What are you hoping to get done? 
Whatever you do, whether scrapping at an event or just scrapping at home with some friends or even by yourself, enjoy yourself !!! 

P.S. The NSD image at top of this post was something I snagged from Google Images by way of the Leelou Blogs.blogspot.com .

Just call me HOP ALONG

No, it's not another blog hop I am in.  I actually hurt my left knee pretty badly after the MS150 weekend and have been having to take meds and rest my leg.  Luckily the xrays did not show a tear in my LCL, just a severe sprain.  Who would have thought a little twisting of my knee in the wrong direction could wreck such havock ??

Last weekend I hosted a Pre-National Scrapbook Day Crop for about 24 ladies.  We had a blast but it was a bit challenging getting ready for it.  Thanks to some of my dearest friends, I was able to stay off my knee most of the day...thanks ladies for your help !

I had planned to post some pictures of the crop, however, because I was grounded with my knee propped up on a chair all day long, I completely forgot to take any photos of the event.

The only picture I have to share is of the Matchbook Style Paper Bag Mini Album class that I taught in the afternoon of the crop.

I will post a few more photos later.  Blogger is taking forever to upload today.

While the knee is a bit better and the swelling has mostly gone down...I am still kind of Hopping Along on it....if it isn't better next week, I may have to go see the orthopedist.  Praying that doesn't have to happen.

Well, just wanted to check in. Be back later with more project photos.