Swappity Swap Swaps

 I don't participate in many swaps anymore.  But, since I am one of the Goodness Girls, I do participate in our swaps.  Rebecca had the idea for a Vintage Christmas Corsage Swap, but we all got busy with the holidays and it never happened.  So, we decided to have a Vintage Valentine Corsage Swap.  I was paired up with Heather - who has a blog, but it is private.  She is very talented!  She sent me a box full of goodies, even though we only had to send a corsage and a sweet Valentine Treat.  Thank you, Heather!

She made her corsage out of paper - lots of rosettes, flowers, buttons, baubles and even a wee bottle of glitter are hidden amongst the layers of flowers.  She used music paper, colored paper, cardstock and other goodies - it really is a piece of art!  I am not a corsage wearing kind of person, but I have it on display and just love it.  She also included a box of German Chocolates, a wooden postcard, an ornament and that wonderful cloth covered box in the background.  I loved it all.  Thanks again, Heather!

I had a hard time initially trying to make a corsage.  I couldn't come up with something that I liked and looked like the sort of things that I like to make.  I gathered up a bunch of glittery picks, hearts and berries and added them together, but it still needed something.  I added in the pipe cleaner spirals and it was starting to look more like me.  Then it hit me - spun heads!  So, I added in a little spun head couple complete with their Valentine finery.  In the end, I think it turned out cute and Heather seemed to like it too.  I also sent her some Conversation Hearts and Hershey's Kisses.  I also bought her a Diamond Ring Ring-Pop, and I would have sworn I put it in her box, but just last night the cat came out from under the table wrestling a ring pop.  Darn thieving kitty, anyway!  (Sorry Heather)

I also received my box of goodies from Sarah's Heart to Heart Swap.  I have been participating in this swap since the very beginning.  Sometimes I think I should bow out and give someone else a turn and then I think - "Heck with that" - I like the goodies too much to stop now!

Here's a montage of all the fabulousness.....

 A love banner.

Tart tin repurposed into a photo holder - made by Jane.  She always makes a wonderful Valentine for this swap.

Love this elephant - reminds me of a kiddie Valentine from school.  So cute!

Such a bad photo (I need some SUN for photo taking) - This squirrel says "I'm nuts for you".  Love it!

Decorated Doily and a Valentine Collage Necklace.  I can't wait to wear it - I hope I get to leave the house before Valentine's day!

Sweet sewn heart with felt flowers.

An embellished pocket made of book pages.

A decorated Chocolate box - WITH chocolates.  Ingenious!  And, yummy!

Sarah made these cute nut cups with birds and flowers. 

A neatly crocheted heart - that took time to make 14 of those!

This little Post-It notebook is so sweet - it has inspirational saying stamped here and there on the pages.  I am going to keep this one in my purse.  Love it!

 For my contribution - I made these glittery boxes.  (Photo stolen from Sarah's blog :D)

 Inside the box, I added a miniature deer, a bleached bottle brush tree and a wee toadstool. 

The tag read, "My Dear" which tied it all together. 

(Would it be weird to admit that I already have an idea for next year and I may or may not have already made a prototype to help me remember it when V day rolls around?????)

Last year I hosted an egg swap.  I've had people asking about it and I have decided I will be doing it again, with a twist.  Easter isn't until late April, so we have some time before I need to announce it.  But, if you are interested - be ready!