How FUN!

I have a reason for not blogging recently... I really do... honest! There's just so many awesome blogs out there that every time I get on my computer I get so distracted... and they're so much fun and they have pretty pictures!! :D Check them out on the sidebar...

I also found out about SWAPS! Swaps are when crafty bloggers, like me, sign up on other crafty blogger's blogs and swap projects by mail...

Like this one: Yarni Gras!

I came across Val's blog and learned about her "Hot Drinks for Hot Mammas Apron Swap". A bunch of crafters and sewers signed up and she assigned each of us a partner. We get our partner's name and her interestes/dislikes, and we make an apron for them. The theme for this swap is Hot drinks. So we design the aprons around the theme... either with printed fabrics, or with apliques or other fun stuff...

I'm very excited to try this out... it's my first swap, and my first apron to make. I've been searching the web for examples and there are some really fun ones out there... it's inspiring to see how creative people get and the samples range from vintage to traditional to modern... very cool. I've already received my partner's info and am excited to start on hers. I'll post my progress on her apron as I go.

I also singed up for 2 other swaps... It's really helping me get my creative juices flowing and helping me use up all the fabrics I have laying around (so I can go buy some more!! he he he...)

The next swap I signed up for is: Scrap Challenge:: *Spare a Square by Jennifer Casa of JCasa: handmade (she's very creative... I enjoy her blog)


With this challenge, each of us send her a 12" x 12" scrap that we LOVE and she cuts them all up into smaller scraps, and then sends us back 10 smaller scraps each. The challenge is to make something interesting with our scraps and post pictures. Not extreamly challenging... but I LOVE receiving packages and letters in the mail... so I took the opportunity to have something mailed to me as a surprise! lol. I haven't received my scraps back yet, so I'm still waiting on that one.

And the last swap is this one: Blogging by Mail by Stephanie at Dispensing Happiness

In this one, it's a little less to do with crafting and more to do with cooking. (which I enjoy as well, and am always trying out new recipes so I figured I'd give this one a try too). This swap is a global care package swap for bloggers. She explains it better than I would, so here's what she wrote:

"You may have noticed that the price of everything is going up, right? Yeah, me too. But I still love sending off packages, and getting one in return! Just as exciting. So my solution to the impending recession is this: 10 Items or Less. Ten (or fewer) of your favorite things, ten must-haves, ten items that interest or excite you at the moment....food, stationary, books, whatever.

Gather up your favorite things, but limit yourself to no more than TEN. The goal is to cut down on shipping costs, which are fairly outrageous right now."

So I'm also excited for that one... Haven't received my partner for that one either, but have already started making a list of some of my favorite things...

This is a lot of fun. Especially since I have some time on my hands and I am trying to put off doing other stuff I'm not excited about. he he he... not good of me, I know, but ... oh well. ;)

Love and miss you all... especially my family! I miss you!
B