Valentine's Day countdown banner

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Busy creating

The last couple of weeks have been free time for me before returning to full time classes at SCCC. It has been a great time of creating for me, something that is of great importance to me. I've participating in two vintage themed Valentine swap. The swaps are fun: the organizer pairs you up with another participant and each partner shares some basic information about likes/dislikes, color preferences, etc. The idea is to create a love package that includes vintage themed decorating items you think the recipient will like. You should try to include hand made items as possible and the cost should be in the $25.00 range. If you're interested in participating in one, try Google-ing swaps, vintage and the upcoming holiday. There are also tea towel and apron swaps if you're so inclined.

I've already received my package from my partner and it is just wonderful! I can't post pictures of the package until Valentine's Day, but it included chocolate (always a favorite), craft supplies, some beautiful vintage themed cards and boxes.

I've just sent my basket to Ginger and I hope she likes it. Notice I said I made 2 baskets? Well, I have a secret swapper and her basket goes out today. I hope she's happy with her basket also.

The swaps are fun to do but can be time consuming, so I try to stick to one or two per holiday season. One thing I like about them is adding something new to my holiday decor.

School starts today and I'll be taking the following classes: Adobe In Design and Illustrator, a basic class in HTML, print production management, the history of graphic design and advertising and package design. Phew! Five studio classes, which usually take more time to do the homework than other classes. BUT I seem to be heading towards the home stretch of my Graphic Design degree. I've decided to also take a certificate program in Web Development which will add about 4 classes and will push out my graduation to next December.

Twice a year the Craft and Hobby Association holds a buyers market to introduce their new products; it was held this past weekend in Anaheim, CA. There is much chatter on other blogs about the new products coming out and it is fun to follow along from a distance and of course to make up a wish list!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

It has been way too long since I last posted. Life the past few months has been consumed with going to school full time as part of an AA program in Graphic Design. The classes were very challenging but I can't believe how much I have learned. I have the Spring semester plus an internship to do over the summer and then I am done. Hopefully I will be able to get a paying job after that!

My son survived his first semester of college also, attending Penn College of Technology. He's excited to go back to school on Jan 10.

The holidays were a whirlwind. My sister Christine and her DH Denis came for five days of great together time. Then on December 26 my sister Karen and her entire brood came for a brief visit. My nephew and his wife gave birth to a little boy back in April and he was the star of the show! The visit was just too quick. I don't know when was the last time that everyone was together. Good picture taking event. I'll try to post a pic as soon as I download off of the camera.

Now that the New Year is here it is time to think of Valentine's Day. I've joined a vintage themed swap; the link is on this page. It is an open swap to anyone so check it out!

I'll post again soon, I promise!