winning & sew glad we're friends

This is a two part post, so bear with me.
1. (first)

First, I want to say that I know how blessed that I am, that I have the opportunity to paper craft.  Paper crafting is my hobbie.  I love it!  I love the creative part, I love the challenge, and I love to put a smile on someone's face.  I have entered several challenges over these past two years, and I know that I am 'competing' with many, many other talented folks out there.  But, there is still an excitement and thrill, when you win.  These past two weeks, I have entered a theme challenge site, (one of my all-time favorites) the Shabby Tea Room.   I wasn't picked as the 'winner' or 'top three', but I was an 'honorable mention' two weeks in a row.  Here were my enteries:

Winter Picnic

the Magic of Christmas

I am #9 for both challenges.  There is a sense of pride and a thrill to see your name!  So, I hope that you, too, get to have that sensation, and enter a challenge.  Any challenge.  Show all of us what you can do!  

2. (second)

Now, I want to share with you a 'gift' that I made for a girlfriend.  There are 12 of us, who get together the first Thursday of each and every month, to share a meal, gossip, and play Bunco.  One of our new gatherings, has been during the month of December.  We each select a name, and do a secret Santa gift exchange.  We have a price limit of $25, so no one goes broke.  Here is what I made for my secret Santa gift:

picture frame pin cushion & coordinating card

also, a set of Christmas Thank You cards

I packaged the Christmas thank you cards, in one of the boxes I use at my craft fairs.  That way, it looks professional.  There are six cards - blank inside, and seven envelopes.  I usually make a mistake, so I figure that I can't be the only one.

Thank you for looking.  I'm off to get started on my next challenge entry!  Won't you join me?