UrbanThreads.com Maiden Monarch Contest

I love UrbanThreads.com. I stalk their website for new embroidery machine designs, and have accumulated probably about a hundred. The problem is...I don't have an embroidery machine for my personal use. I use a Brother PR-600 at work, but not one at home.

Recently UrbanThread had a coloring contest for their 3rd birthday. They provided the Maiden Monarch design for free, and told us to color her however our little heart desired. We were allowed three different attempts, and above are my three submissions. The last one is by far my favorite. The winner gets $100 to spend on their site. This could honestly get me in trouble. I just bought over $50 worth in their Memorial Day 50% off sale. I can't wait to use my designs.

Pen Pals!

J and I have been contemplating starting a forum where people from around the globe can gather on the interwebs to send snail mail letters to each other, like old school penpals from our grade school days. We have talked about it for years, but we just couldn't nail down the specifics on how to make the whole thing work.

Tonight I stumbled across a website that takes our idea to a whole new level. While we were looking for a more traditional penpal type swap, Swap-bot.com goes so much further. Someone in the community creates a theme for a swap, and the couple that runs the site issues you your swap partners. The themes are awesome, and I love the creativity involved. As a newbie to the community, I am limited to what swaps I can join until I get good feedback (Flakers, as they are called, and definately frowned upon).

You are only allowed to be involved in five different swaps at one time, so that you are not overwhelmed. I signed up for my first five very quickly, and I can't wait to send my first letter/package. My first five swap themes are:

1-Sticker sheet. Send a brand new sticker sheet of any kind to your partner.

2-Weekly wrap. Send a postcard telling your partner your likes and dislikes from the week.

3-Souvenir Magnet. Send a tourist magnet to your partner (doesn't have to be local to you).

4-Penpal Swap. Send your partner a letter about you and foster a letter writing penpal relationship.

5-Big Fat Stuffed Envelope. Fill a 4x9 envelope to just about bursting with interesting things.

I can't wait to get started.

Mother's Day

This year for Mother's Day, I told my husband, J, that I didn't want any gifts and not even cards. I wanted to go to the beach. I love the fact that we live 2 hours away from Gulfport/Biloxi. J let me sleep in a little bit this morning, and then we hit the road. We found the perfect spot and set up camp. I sat and read, and enjoyed the warm sand on my feet and the splashing waves. M played in the water and had an absolute ball. J got so sunburnt, I think he is going to have trouble sleeping for a few days. I was definately sad to go home, but this was by far the BEST Mother's Day ever. I can't wait to go back again.