Dutch Sisters Spring Surprise Swap 2010

I went here (www.dutch-blue.blogspot.com/2010/01/dutch-sisters-spring-surprise-swap-2010.html ) and signed up for another swap. It didn't look too hard or complicated. You have one partner and send her two fat quarters of beautiful spring-inspired fabric and then you make one item. You have until the 21st of March to send it to them. The real kicker for me (okay...other than the fabric) is that it is an International Swap. Those ladies overseas have access to some beautiful fabric and you can make some new friends. If any of that sounds interesting or fun.....you have until tomorrow to sign up. I've been hanging out with the boys quite a bit (as you can tell by the neglected blog). My 14 year old wants to hang out with....with the help of the Wii. I bought another controller last Saturday and now I can bowl with him. We've also played skeeball and a cooking game that is kicking my ass. Billy sits and watches us play. I've baked a little in the last two weeks, read a book or two, hit an estate sale all by myself, talked to the German lady across the street a couple times, finished up swaps and signed up for new ones. That is it. It has been nice. I'm trying to take it easy this year and spend more time with the boys. So it has to be a really good swap...come on ladies, blow my mind with something new. I did sign up for the follow-up tag swap...April Showers Bring May Flowers. We actually have a yahoo group now....we enjoyed swapping with each other so much. I got my tags and two of my inspiration boxes. I'm waiting on the third and some decent weather to take pictures. Today is Post Office Day.....I've got five packages and two envelopes to mail. I actually had a sale in my shop. I was shocked. Happy, but shocked. :)

Helping Haiti

Here are two excellent ways to help the people of Haiti. These are two etsy shops that have been opened to help those in need. What a great way to help...you get great handmade items and you are helping others. Here are there links (if you are interested):

www.haitibyhand.etsy.com

www.crafthope.etsy.com

I was lucky enough to get some of the Haitian handmade goods...beautiful, metal wall hangings. I got one for my sister...she has a picture on her blog. I, also, was one of the lucky ones who responded to Rebecca's post about sweet little crocheted purses made by Miraclid. I love that the money if going straight back to the artists...very cool. I have purchased two things from crafthope (neat animal alphabet poster and an embroidery/doll pattern). I can't wait for those...the pattern is a pdf and should arrive soon. It was designed by Jenny of Allsorts (her blog is in my bloglines) so you know it is adorable. I even purchased a string of hearts from Robin (ThriftyMissPriss- a V-day tag swap buddy) and she is donating the proceeds to Doctors Without Borders. Every little bit counts and it doesn't take much. I was going to get on my soapbox, but I won't. :) If you can....give something.

Re-cap?

I've been working on these two swaps. I decided to join the swap I mentioned in the last post (the one I got Wendy to sign up for). It is being held by Wendy (no-relation) in Australia (www.hartylittlepeaces.blogspot.com/). It only seemed fair to join after suckering my sister into it. I got some fabric on Monday at the Jo-Anns. I need to backtrack. Let's go back to Friday and my decision to drive to Birmingham on Saturday. It wasn't horribly bad...I did screw up and forgot to get off on the right exit...that cost me 30-45 minutes. After that....it was smooth driving. We went and ate (and took a well-needed potty break), before heading to Susan's house (she lives in the neighborhood we used to live in). Her husband watched the boys and we hit six thrift stores. I didn't find much. I was a tad disappointed. It wasn't as good as it used to be. It was still fun though. The boys and I stayed in a hotel that night. We got up and had our free breakfast and hit the B&N and SuperTarget....I miss both of these...way better selection than our smaller versions here (it is only a Target here...I miss the food selection). We drove home and bummed around the house for the rest of the day. Monday was a holiday and the boys had it off, so I took them to Toys'r'us, Party City (they each got a free balloon..very cool) and Jo-Ann's. I think the free balloons made up for Jo-Ann's. :) We then went to Best Buy to return my Christmas present from my brother. I had never driven to the Jo-Ann's before....I figured if I could drive to Birmingham....I could do that. I found some fabric and came home and joined the swap. :) I had some in my stash that I used as well. I cut all 200 blocks out yesterday and I should be able to mail them today. I tried something for the other swap (Inspiration Boxes) and it didn't work and so I get to go buy two new matchboxes to rectify that mistake. :) I am having the hardest time with swaps lately. It is driving me mad. The ladies in the Valentine Tag Swap want to swap again and I am debating whether or not I should. Hey, it isn't all doom and gloom, driving and swapping around here.....I've read a few more books and watched the entire fifth season of Weeds this week. The fifth season of Weeds was only 13 1/2 hour episodes....it didn't take long. :)

I thought I'd suck it up...

and drive to Birmingham tomorrow. Yep, you read correctly..my butt is going to drive the three hour trip that it takes. I need to hit some real thrift stores....I'm hoping it will get me back in the groove of things. If nothing else...it will get me out of my comfort zone...it was my old neighbors..they kept pestering me about when we were coming up again. :) We'll find a room somewhere and drive back on Sunday. There is no way I can drive another three hours after thrift shopping all day long. :) I, the great enabler, also convinced my sister to sign up for another swap. You'll have to head over to her blog (that Wendy one on the sidebar) and check it out....the Wendy that is hostessing it still has room. It is a great time to spread your wings and try new things...it's not that hard....cut out 200 4" squares. :) But it may motivate you to learn how to sew or quilt. Plus, you would have an excuse to buy a rotary cutter....a fun tool. :) Have a great weekend!

Oh, yes...I do suck at this blogging thing

This is how I've been feeling. I have way too much to do and rather lay about and do nothing. This was one of the hotel rooms we stayed at on our way home from my sister's house. I know...no shoes on beds...I don't allow that in my own house and I let him do it there...bad Mommy. I did read five books over Christmas break..finished one on the very last day of break....it was sad and made me cry..so I haven't read for a few days. "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. I hate sad books. It is going straight to my sister...cry, Wendy, cry. :) This was the week of catching up on two months worth of stuff. We went to Opelika to the bank on Monday...yes, I drove. Smart asses. It wasn't too bad...we hit the Salvation Army and ate at a WaffleHouse. Tuesday, I wrote a thank you note and made appointments for Billy and I. Billy went to the dentist on Thursday (which was also my Dad's Birthday)..he used the word "no" quite a bit. Our other appointments are this upcoming week...perfect month to get a Pap Smear...just in case some of you have put it off as well. We've spent quite a bit of time watching NCIS DVDs...nothing good has been on tv. Hey, my 14 year old wants to hang out with me...I'll watch NCIS until the cows come home for that. I've been working on my Valentine tags for Natalea's swap...I was doubting myself and actually wrote to her for guidance...she is too nice. I think they are about done...it feels like they are missing something...I still suck at the embellishment thing. I'm getting there. I've had tons of emails back and forth between my swap partners for Heather's Petite Inspiration Box Swap. I don't know what I did with their blog information..I'll have to post that later. I've been second guessing myself....which is unusual for me. I hope it will pass soon. It makes it hard to create. At least their boxes will be full. :)