From the Other Side of the Pond...

How is it, that right when you are having a "flat" day, somehow, somewhere, someone knows (well, maybe a bit ahead of time) that you need a bit of a pick-me-up? That was the case one week ago. Flat day. No energy. Feeling just a bit awkward and bulgy (translate: VERY pregnant). And the kids were being, well, 4 and 2 respectively.

So when the parcel delivery guy comes running down our driveway with a box that says "Hello from the United States!" I got really excited. I love it that I have friends on the other side of the big blue pond. Friends that, even though I have never met them, know how to speak to my heart.

And something to bless our soon-to-be here baby. Not only was the gift beautifully wrapped, it is beautiful itself, and I can't wait to use it (OK, well I can wait for the baby to get here... but I think the blanket will have to be used as soon as possible... maybe on the ride home from hospital! :) )
I am completely blessed.

Jana, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

S xxx

Sunshine in the Mail Swap Wind Up

There were twenty amazing ladies signed up for the Sunshine in the Mail Swap in July. It was lovely getting to know some of them better, and making connections that I may well have missed out on otherwise. Some sent their parcels before I was able to get a photo from them, but you can be sure that there were some serious goodies involved, and some extensive spoiling going on for their partners.

Want to have a peek at what it was all about? Of course you do! :)

Here are some of the fabulous things that were sent. Click on any of the pictures to take you to the creator's blog.


Hope you enjoyed our little bit of Sunshine! :)

S xxx

Sunshine in My Mailbox

Hi there! I've been a bit quiet of late, haven't I? There has been quite a bit going on though - I assure you. I will post about it all in time. I was just looking through some of the photos that I have taken, and realised that I never showed you what I received from my partner in the Sunshine in the Mail Swap!!! Tsk tsk. The fabulous Haylee from Rainbows In Wonderland sent me a package that made me smile so much! I feel very blessed to have her as a partner.

Here it is in all it's glory.

A cool Polaroid Notes card and a handmade envelope. ( I love her envelope idea - I think I may have to try it at some point). Don't you just love that card? I'm going to have a look online and see if I can find some of them for myself!

Minted note cards and envelopes in a box. These are cool. I have seen them in magazines like Real Living (one of my fave mags at the moment), and I can't wait to use them!

Massachusetts Strawberry Jam that she picked up at a farmer's market in New York City (AKA as her fave place in the world. :) ) The jam reminds her of spring, as her mum always makes strawberry jam around that time.

She made me a Christmas apron out of tea towels! How clever is that? And if you want to think about the clever factor even more... try sewing with one hand. I don't want to wish the spring away (It's one of my favourite seasons!), but I'm really looking forward to wearing this apron this year while I dance around the kitchen listening to crazy music and making fudge or something (TMI?).

Last but not least, she spoilt me with a tiny little jar of Nutella that she found in Italy when she was there a couple of months ago. I think when it is empty, I might fill it with beads or something and sit it on my desk to remind me of Haylee (yep, I'm saving it for a special occasion!).

Thanks Haylee for a wonderful, sunshiny package! It really made my day (yes, there were squeals of excitement!) :)

Hope you are having a sunshiny day too!

S xxx

Painted Note cards

Last week I showed you a card that I made for my MIL's birthday that I hand painted. Well I also made some for my swap partner for the Sunshine in the Mail Swap, and now that she has them, I can post about them! :)

 

The blue spotted one I took inspiration from a favoured fabric that Yana used in a quilt.

I made envelopes to match the size of the smaller note cards from coloured A4 craft paper.

The specs...
I used acrylic on water colour paper that I have been hoarding since I did art electives at Uni (14 years ago!!!), and mounted some of them on black card stock that I got from a wall paper place, and some card stock that I got from a printers.

Hope you are having a creative day!
S xxx

Linking up here...

Our Creative Spaces

Brown and White

I got the most delightful surprise in the mail from Tanya on Friday. She is one of the gorgeous girls that is participating in my Sunshine in the Mail  Swap, and also the fab creator of the graphics that I used for some Christmas treats last year (Yes, I will undoubtedly be using them again!!!).

The Packaging

Note cards and envelopes with a sweet gift tag.

Please note, that Tanya is NOT my swap partner - she is just a lovely person. Yep just one of those treasures that you feel privileged to know. If I'm not mistaken, the print on the gift tag, card and envelopes are from a stamp that she carved herself. She is one creative chick! :) If you've not stopped by her blog before, I suggest that you do - and tell her that I said hi! :)

Sunshine in the Mail Swap

Hi everyone! So excited about your interest in a Snail Mail Swap. Thanks for your support :)

Here is what I was thinking...

Those who wish to sign up, send me your contact details (if they aren't on your blog already) and I will draw out partners and let you know who your partner is so you can contact them (or read their blog) to find out a bit about them and what their interests are.

From there, you are responsible to send them their "Sunshine in the Mail" Snail Mail Swap package within the timeline.

Flickr ... should I make a fliker account for you to post your pictures on??? let me know what you think.

So to break it down...

Sign ups will be for the month of July (I know, I know, it's half over!) and are open both nationally and internationally.
Partners will be drawn and sent on August 1
Parcels will need to be mailed no later than August 24 to try and reach their destinations by September 1 to welcome in the spring.

What to Swap...

I thought I'd include 5 options. From these 5 options you will need to choose 3 things (more if you feel like totally spoiling your partner!). It's preferred if you could hand make some of it (or purchase from someone who does).

1. Stationary OR  note cards with envelopes.

2. 1 Handmade postcard.

3. Something you have made.

4. Something that makes you think of Spring.

5. A surprise for your partner

There's no need to make it too complex - it's just for fun, and to put something better than bills in your mail box! :)

<a href="http://seaweedandraine.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunshine-in-mail-swap.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvQI1vJuJyzcZn6wnP6pfdlZZjeHwus98sl748QzgOXqrBG9EhPuqdN9POagvMJUFlFhVkcTmp0W1x4NRRg4DREqXpajCdazC-DlCWJLbWhlG1yR_MAKPDbnInshVVqbT5TY6PxF7z3E/s1600/Snail+Mail+Swap+button+1.jpg" /></a>

So, what are you waiting for???