Card Exchange

Monday, May 2, 2016

Once a month, a friend of mine hosts a card exchange at her home.  Each lady brings a card that she has designed along with materials for the other ladies to make her card, and then we each make the cards that the other ladies have designed.  It is a lot of fun as we stamp, create, and visit!  Each month, a theme is chosen, and this month it was "May Flowers".


There were 5 ladies who gathered together to swap cards.  I actually brought two cards to swap since mine were small, and simple to make.


This card was designed by the hostess of this monthly event, and I loved how lovely this card turned out using double-sided patterned paper.


Our hostess also blessed us with this lovely little treat bag filled with a package of flower seeds!


This card looks like it would be quite complicated to make, but it really wasn't.  We used patterned black and white paper, and sponged red ink onto the flowers, and then covered it with glitter.  A beautiful card, and so easy and fun to make.



I designed this pocket card, and included my teacup holder as well for the ladies to make.





It was a lot of fun to make this 3-dimensional card, so pretty and full of spring flowers!



Back at home... some dirt for our garden had gotten delivered.


It is always an exciting time of year when it comes time to till and prepare the soil for planting!  I am continuing to enlarge my garden planting area.  We have a large 72 x 72' fenced enclosure for our garden, but I am only using a quarter of that size to actually plant vegetables.  We are also planting some fruit trees in the garden, raspberries, strawberries, a small wildflower garden, and a herb garden, I have to be careful because before you know it, my garden space will be full!


The chickens have been barred from the garden.  It has been their playground for the last few months.  They were sitting on my doorstep letting me know how unhappy they were with this turn of events.


A cluck-ooo protest was ensuing.


That is until Roger let them know the porch is HIS domain... and the chickens took their protest elsewhere.



I'm glad I couldn't understand the words Rudy had to say about my decision to bar them from the garden!


My husband and I took a little break, and went for a drive up into the mountains.  It was a beautiful day, a bit chilly, and windy... but clouds always make the scene more delightful, in my opinion.


From our high vantage point, you could see for miles and miles.


So lovely to see all the beautiful shades of green!  The wildflowers here are just getting started. In a month or so... there will be lots of pink, white and purples mixed in with the green.




As we were just enjoying the landscape, a dirt bike came roaring past us, and we watched him as he made his way to the very top of that knoll above.  The trail literally goes straight up, and I was worried he wouldn't make it, but my husband assured me that he could tell by how the driver was shifting gears that he was quite experienced in getting the clutch just right, and he was sure that he would make it. And he did, we heard him as he safely reached the top, and then it wasn't long, and he came back down the hill, flying by us in a trail of dust!


Because of the protest of the chickens from being kept out of the garden, I decided to make a truce with them.  I moved the compost pile from the garden to next to their coop.


Rudy still had a few choice words for me.  I kept my stick handy, just in case things got out of hand.  But... soon after he figured out there was lots of nice little compost to munch on... he settled down.


And these are my baby chicks that came to live with us on March 3... oh how they've grown!


They are now leaving the safety of the coop and venturing outside.


They stay very close together as they explore.


They are still learning to fly, and get scared very easily, but day by day they are getting more brave, and exploring farther from the coop.


They love the bushes and trees next to the coop.


So fun to watch them as they explore!


I'll leave you with a picture of this cocky handsome fellow.  :)

Have a blessed Monday!

39 comments

  1. This was such fun to read, Marilyn! My 10-year-old granddaughter just bought some young chickens and is planning on having her own little egg business. Her parents have had chickens for quite a few years and so she has grown up with that. Her chickens are a type that lay pale blue eggs. It will be fun to see how she does with her little business venture!

    The cards were lovely also. I especially liked the one designed by your hostess. Beautiful work on all of the cards. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh how exciting for your granddaughter to venture out with her own business! Pale blue eggs! What variety of chicken lays those, they sound wonderful! Thank you for the sweet words about the cards, it is always so much fun to make them. Appreciate your visit, and hope you are having a lovely week!

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  2. Way back on April 19th you posted about how you made those darling Tea Cup Book Markers.
    Well, I made some! I don't have any pictures because I was in such a hurry to mail all the Mother's Day cards, I was handing out this year.
    Thank you for sharing the cute idea. I'm going to be making a lot more, soon!

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    1. Oh wow! That's wonderful Christine! I'm thankful that you were inspired to make your own, and send them out for Mother's Day! Do take a picture to share the next time you make some :) Have a wonderful day!

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  3. What fun those card exchanges must be. That is one craft I have never done. I love to see them but have never tried making them.
    Loving all your chicks! xo Diana

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    1. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! Continuing to keep you and your precious husband in our prayers Diana!

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  4. Sounds like your swap is a lot of fun Marilyn!! I do love that teacup!!! It's nice to take home some finished cards!

    Love your baby chicks and of course Mr. Rudy!!! Lol.

    What a gorgeous view of the mountains!!! Enjoy the rest of the week!
    Xo
    Linda

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    1. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! Appreciate your visit and kind comments as always! Hope you are enjoying spring in your world today :)

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  5. Sounds like your swap is a lot of fun Marilyn!! I do love that teacup!!! It's nice to take home some finished cards!

    Love your baby chicks and of course Mr. Rudy!!! Lol.

    What a gorgeous view of the mountains!!! Enjoy the rest of the week!
    Xo
    Linda

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  6. Another awesome post! I absolutely love your chickens and Rudy is something else. I would so enjoy those around my yard. Right now we have about six Tom turkeys hanging around the property scratching the grass, they do a great job of raking it for us. My Merriam's must be on their nest. It's quite cute seeing the Tom's roam around.
    Your card get together sounds like a beautiful time of fellowship and crafting. Quite the talent you ladies have. :-)

    Bless you,
    Debbie

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    1. Oh indeed, Debbie, the card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat!

      I know what you mean about watching the turkeys! We had a huge crowd of them all winter long. They have left us for now, for the most part, but some still come through in the evenings, as there is much more food to eat. I think the hens must be sitting as well, as I have noticed a few hens come alone once in a while to eat. I have never found a turkey nest with eggs, have you?

      Enjoyed your visit as always, and hope that snow is melting for you!!!!

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    2. I would like to say that I have been blessed to find a turkey nest, but I have not. I hate to take the chance of finding one and then causing the turkey distress. My husband and I went on a long hike last night looking for turkey feathers and thought we might run into some nests as we do believe we know where they are nesting, but nothing.
      Funny thing was, as we neared where we believe the nests are one turkey was seen and it was as if he was steering us away from the nests, so we went our merry little way and didn't bother to look around.
      Bless you~

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  7. Another awesome post! I absolutely love your chickens and Rudy is something else. I would so enjoy those around my yard. Right now we have about six Tom turkeys hanging around the property scratching the grass, they do a great job of raking it for us. My Merriam's must be on their nest. It's quite cute seeing the Tom's roam around.
    Your card get together sounds like a beautiful time of fellowship and crafting. Quite the talent you ladies have. :-)

    Bless you,
    Debbie

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  8. Oh, that Rudy! He is quite the character. Thank you for all of the beautiful pictures. You always do such an amazing job, sweet friend. God bless you abundantly.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cheryl for your sweet words... and I agree with you about Rudy, he is quite a character! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Your dear family is in our thoughts and prayers right now! Much love to you and praying for comfort from the Lord.

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  9. What beautiful scenery you have in your region. I imagine the bikers love those trails!

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    1. There are so many trails here, it is so amazing. So much for anyone to get outside and enjoy the outdoors if they so desire! It is a beautiful place we live in, and we love it so much. Appreciate your visit as always, and trust you are having a lovely week!

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  10. Love your chicken pictures and beautiful scenery! Pretty card inspiration from your exchange too!

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    1. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! Appreciate your kind words about the pictures too :) Hope you are having a lovely week!

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  11. Marilyn!!! I love these pictures! Especially of your chickens. Makes me miss mine. Can't wait until we find a home and hopefully they will allow chickens. If not, I am going to scout out a local farm where I can get fresh eggs, and steal photos of their chicks! ;)

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    1. I would miss having my chickens so much! You really do get quite attached to them. I do hope you can find a home where you can have chickens, they bring a lot of joy and entertainment for sure :) Definitely find fresh eggs, those are the best! LOL about stealing photos of the chicks :) Enjoy the beach time while you have it... seasons of life are fleeting, and we must enjoy the beauty in each one :) Appreciate you Anne, and so thankful for your friendship! Hope you are having a lovely week :)

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  12. I love Rudy. We've been working on our garden too. It is either raining or windy. I love the cards.

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    1. Rudy is quite the guy, and certainly keeps the entertainment scale high here, lol! I hope your weather has turned nicer. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! Hope you are having a lovely week :)

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  13. I love Rudy. We've been working on our garden too. It is either raining or windy. I love the cards.

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  14. How fun! What beautiful cards and love the view from the mountains!

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    1. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! And the mountains are a special source of joy to me, we love them so much! Hope you are having a lovely week!

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  15. Your garden sounds like it is going to be absolutely lovely once you get it all established. I hope you add a bench for yourself to just be able to sit out there!

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    1. I am very excited about the possibilities I see happening in my garden this year! This will be the first year I've lived beside my garden, although I did plant here last year. I'm enjoying it so much already... and a bench is already there! :)

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  16. what sweet and thoughtful cards you've shared. we've gotta get back to pen and ink and close these laptops down!

    ;-}

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    1. I agree Linda, pen and paper offer so much more than a keyboard, and can be treasured forever. Appreciate your visit, and hope you are having a lovely day!

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  17. What fun making those cards! They are all so cute! Beautiful scenes of the country.

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    1. It is always fun to get together with the ladies to make cards! Appreciate your kind words about the pictures too :) Hope you are having a lovely day!

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  18. Those cards are gorgeous! I'm glad you are expanding your garden. I did that last year and am already running out of room for all I want to get going in there this year. Your chickens sure have grown quickly and that Rudy...such a handsom fellow!

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    1. The card exchanges are so much fun, and I think we enjoy visiting just as much, or more, while we create, and eat! I've been out enjoying getting my garden ready for planting, and it is easy to run out of room quick! I'm always amazed at how fast the chickens grow, but they wont' start producing eggs until the fall. They are a lot of fun to watch though! Hope you are having a lovely week so far :)

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  19. The cards are lovely. They make the person who gets them feel so special. I like chickens too, so I enjoyed the photos and the ones of the dirt too because I know soon we'll see your garden. Love the cold looking skies in the background. It's starting to get very warm here in AZ!

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  20. Lovely cards, and all the pictures of the chickens made me miss the flock I used to have.

    Blessings~

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  21. I enjoyed how you shared about the dirt biker...I would have been the same way. Will he make it??!!

    The cards are beautiful.

    The chickens made me smile. I love how you shared what was on their minds. ;-)
    Carla

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  22. Hello!

    Wow, what a different world without snow. You have a lovely place.

    Gardening is so exciting! What fun you are going to have! Actually, my husband does all of the gardening here; I just harvest his good produce.

    We have cherries on our cherry tree and the blueberries are beginning to be ripe for the picking. We have also been enjoying snow peas from the garden.

    The cards are wonderful; your gathering sounds like lots of fun.

    I hope that you have a delightful Mother's Day!
    ♥Hope

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  23. Marilyn, I'm so behind in reading and posting. Beautiful cards! And I always enjoy seeing your hens/chickens!

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