Book Swap!!

If you've been around for long you know I love two things, swaps and books. So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw that The Sweet Green Tangerine and Friends were hosting a BOOK SWAP! Now that's what I'm talking about! I love reading and recently converted over to using my iPad for checking out books from the library and new book purchases. There is something to be said for holding an actual paper book in your hand. On occasion I am drawn to used book stores just to get my paperback fix. Anyways, on with the swap....

The mystery of who you're paired up with and followed by the mandatory stalking of all social media to "get to know" your swap partner. These are the key things to a good swap in my opinion. I was paired us with Meghan of Shine On. So I checked out her good reads, twitter, and blog. What I found made my day, the girls loves Nora Roberts as much as I do! Which was clear since we both sent each other one of her books.

I have to say I feel bad, I sent Meghan her book with a quick note. I was rushing to get it in the mail and not forget about the mailing deadline. When I got Meghan's package she had spoiled me! I got the awesome above mentioned book, but she also included these adorable owl magnetic book marks and an awesome mini book light! Meghan I promise I'll make it up to you next time we partner up!

Do you swap? What is your favorite so far? Do you have one in the works? Share so I can check it out!

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Manic Monday: Spring Swap

I have a love for swapping. There I admitted it, snail mail is the best and there is nothing better after a long day at work than to check the mail box and have a nice little note of fun package waiting for you.  Since Christmas last year I have participated in a handful of awesome swaps, I have handmade journals, surprise boxes full of goodies and amazing handmade items. I'm thinking about hosting a Summer Swap here on the blog. I know a lot of work goes into organizing it all and I might have to seek some pointers from the pros.


This past month I participated in a Spring Swap hosted by the ever amazing Aleks of Aleks Handmade {she also hosted the awesome journal swap earlier this year and is the pro I was talking about}.

I had the fabulous Sarah From Life on Walnut Street as my swap partner and once again I didn't take a picture of her pack all done up. I sent her this fun silverware holders for her Summer picnic table and a few other goodies including an amazing Milk Glass candy dish I found and instantly thought of her {I have a thing for milk glass}.

I can not tell you how amazing my gift was! Totally handmade by the amazing Sarah!

She sent me this adorable memo board with tiny coordinating clothes pins. When I open the package I tried to remember if I had ever mentioned on the blog that my kitchen has green accents. I don't think I have. So Sarah is a mind reader too, it matched perfectly!

I picked up a metal stand at Hobby Lobby {one sale 50% this week} and have the board on my kitchen counter with the invitation to my brothers wedding on it. So perfect! I can't wait to change the picture out and add more memorabilia.

Thank you Sarah!!

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Summer Table: Silverware Container DIY

Perfect for your summer table! I took 2 projects and merged them into one. Lowe's has this adorable Creative Ideas magazine now full of ides and easy tutorials. They made these personalized votive just in time for Mother's Day. I wasn't huge on the etching but like the color and the frosted glass look. 

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Last month I bought a set of these adorable vinyl stickers from Groopdealz. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but will make sure I buy more than one set next time. See that cute picture in with the silverware in the mason jars. Yep, thats the look I was going for. 

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If you missed this awesome deal on Groopdealz, you can shop for these awesome decals in the sellers shop directly. 

Krylon makes the most fabulous product, yep that is glass frosting spray paint! I found it at Hobby Lobby and it was $7.99 a can, thank goodness for those 40% off coupons.

I really gently sprayed the exterior of each jar, only one coat was needed and it took about 30 minutes for it to dry completely.

I sprayed the outside of the lids with black spray paint, or they could be brush painted with any simple paint you might have in your stash.

Following the simple directions I applied the vinyl decals to the smooth surface of the jar. 

Too cute!!!

All finished! Perfect for the summer table with bright colored plastic cutlery or your everyday silverware.

Linking up with:

     

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Get Lucky Swap

I have to tattle on myself, I sent my package before I took pictures! 
Oh well, still can't wait to tell you all about the fun and adorable package I got in the mail this week. 


I joined in the fun for the Get Lucky Swap, just in time for St. Patty's Day.


Cami from First Day of My Life  and Anna from Living the Leviner Life hosted this awesome swap. We signed up on their blogs a few weeks back and they matched us all up. 

My fun swap partner was Morgan from Morgan & Mike. 12 different blogs signed up and we had a budget of $10 before shipping. I had so much fun making my mental shopping list of goodies. I knew that Hobby Lobby had already brought out an entire aisle of green and that was were I would head first. Armed with a 40% off coupon of course. When I arrive, I see that St. Patty's is on SALE! which means I can pick up even more awesome green goodies for my partner.


I was so excited to get it all packaged up I totally forgot the pictures...but I already said that and I'm sure that Morgan will include one of her package in her post. 


Back to me, I get home later in the evening and check the mailbox on my way. A Package! A Green Package! I know what this is...

I was so excited that I took pictures in bad lighting, because I couldn't wait until morning to open it all up.

Morgan must have be prowling my blog to see that I have a thing for mason jars. She totally fit my whole package in a large mason jar. Decorated the top with Shamrocks and attached a sweet handmade tag. Inside was filled with gold chocolate bars, fab green nail polish, a sparkly body sticker {perfect for me to wear on St. Patty's}, a green bracelet so I can't get pinched and cute shamrock stickers. So awesome!

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3.14 Swap

I was so excited when I saw that Erin from Everything According to Erin was going to host a Spring Swap. I participated in my first bloggy swap at Christmas this year, sadly I never got a gift in the mail {sad face} but I had a great time making a handmade gift for my secret swap partner. I participated in my first successful swap in January with Alek from Aleks Handmade. She hosted a fab handmade journal swap and it rocked!

So this swap had a theme as well 3.14. You had to gather 3 paper products, 1 accesory and 4 pastels {these could be anything}. So here is what I sent off to Lane over at Murphy's Law. 

The whole package

 

3 Paper Products:

Spring chevron note pad,

Pocket size note pad{perfect for the purse}

Polka dot cupcake liners

1 Accessory:

Pearly Bangle bracelet

4 Pastels:

Pink Nail Polish {Pink is one of her fav colors}

Lamb cupcake picks

Pastel sprinkle set

Spring burlap banner

I think I did pretty good, and all for $15! I hope she loves it!

Now for my package from Lane. I was so excited the day this showed up in the mail.

2 NEW nail polish colors, a wonderful smelling candle, earrings that are so me {wearing them today!}, an adorable journal, notepad, note cards, 2 colorful pens that coordinate with the cards {these are at work with me} and a sweet handwritten note!

I had so much fun opening my package. Lane most have really looked over my blog to figure out how much I enjoy nail poilsh, and the yellow/grey color scheme. Thank you Lane for being my swap partner. My package was amazing and everything in it is perfect.

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