Adding to Lorrie's Story...

I remember my first swap with Lorrie...it was my first PL swap ever!

8 swaps later, and we finally decided it was time to swap again, this time, just for fun!

Here is what I sent out to Lorrie:

I was inspired by her blog, titled Lorrie's Story. I added hints of gold, and of course when you need an 'S' you can never find one, so a 'Z' happend to work for the moment. I've had fun making the bows to cover my shaker pocket seams, and this was no exception. I loved how I was able to use the red heart strips to make the large card look like it had been 'taped'. 

Finally, my sweet treat from Lorrie arrived today! 

Look at the cute socks and the awesome felt letter! 

Here is the professional photo she usually takes. I'm in love with the vintage theme this Christmas PL has. She even included some of her wonderful buttons that she hand makes. Oh, and we can't forget the jingle bell. Such a sweet touch! And even though we set no theme, the timing is right for Holiday PLs galore.   

I love Lorrie's pocket letters, she has such an elegant style that I admire so... 

Can't wait to swap again soon Lorrie!

Until next time,

C.Jackson

More fun on the side...

Recently I've been exchanging more PLs in side swaps than through events. 

June is a member of our swap group who makes some stunning pieces. I was tickled when she asked if I'd like to swap on the side here and there. I happily agreed, and we set up our 'rules': No themes unless we feel like it and no goodies, unless we just couldn't help ourselves. 

I set to work with some new Project Life cards and whipped out this:

This was a new style for me. 2 pockets have cards in them, 2 other pockets are shakers, 1 pocket had a card ontop, and then a jumbo card sat atop the last four. I fell in love with the colors immediately too. And the black bows just set it off, I love to make them. 

Soon enough, my first one of a kind June Arnold PL arrived!

I got another doll! That alone made me squeal. But just look at how sweet this Christmas themed PL is! I especially love the reindeer on the bottom. The banners are a nice touch too! I love that they are attached to simple paper clips, I must try this soon. The word "Merry" is actually a tag too! It was all so beautifully pieces together! 

Thank you June for asking me if I would like to swap, I can't wait to do more in the future! 

Until next time,

C.Jackson

Winter Wonderland!

Life is spiraling into chaos...

School is almost over, which means there are endless amounts of projects to perfect and turn in. I'm stressed. I'm exhausted. I'm about one split hair away from a meltdown at any moment. 

And I believe the reason I haven't imploded just yet is because I've been making Pocket Letters. 

Recently I signed up for a Winter Wonderland themed swap. Here is what I sent out:

Silver and gold ruled this letter. I had some beautiful winter paper I picked up from my LSS, and I decided I needed to add a stamped and colored snowman to give it some personality. I added some acetate ornament decorations and in the mail it went!

My partner got awfully busy with life. I don't blame her at all, my life has been a mess. But when it arrived today, I knew why it took a little longer to arrive...

It was so beautifully wrapped. Every embellishment is perfect for the theme. And there were so many treats and goodies she added in. By the time I had unwrapped it all and emptied the pockets, I began to cry...

I've been so stressed, tired, and cranky and all it took to unravel me was this. Someone who took the time out of her own busy schedule to still think of me.

Thanks Veronica, we will trade again soon!

Until next time,

C.Jackson 

Puurfection.

Side swaps are fun!

It's like having a pen pal, except you aren't confined to lined paper. 

Kim & I have done 3 swaps now. The first one we were paired for a theme swap in our group. The other two have been swaps on the side, just for fun! 

Recently, I sent her this:

I loved the colors! I added little touches all along the way too. Like the brass brads. And the you & me, our never ending story (I hope it never ends)! And the bows were a nice touch too. I'm able to make those fairly easily now. But something just seemed unfinished about it. That was until I looked up and saw my favorite 3D cat stickers. Two little blue cats, one for each of us, really finished this PL off. 

 Well, today I received the one she made me. And man oh man, she nailed my personality spot on. Talk about squealing with joy!

Insert Crazy Cat Lady title! Just look at this! The colors! The little sayings! The cats! It is me! It's puurfect!

Look at the goodies too! All with little nods to my obsession, erm, my favorite pet! 

What a perfect treat to receive on this gloomy and rainy day! 

School is almost over and I'm bogged down with final projects. I can't wait to share more PLs with you inbetween!

Until next time,

C.Jackson

I'm behind!

Very. Very Behind. 

I've created 5 PLs since my last post, but now that I have a few regulars, I can't ruin any surprises! I hope to be updating my blog soon!

Until then,

C.Jackson

Just for Fun!

Lately I've had the pleasure of being assigned swap partners who are in my state...

Kimberly and I traded for the Red, White & Blue Swap and decided we must do it again! So we went for it, no theme, strictly just for fun...

I sent her this. Quite girly, sparkly, and most of all, happy! The sticker set was a Dollar Tree find, and I used a combination of Project Life and other general scrapping goodies. I even put my old and often finicky Cricut to work. I smuggled a couple of Dollar Store sequin finds to her, and in the mail it went!

I must tell you, the anticipation of waiting for a PL just drives me insane. But today it arrived! 

Now, tell me that is not the most bright and happy thing you've ever seen?! Her shaker pockets usually contain other finds like buttons and rhinestones. And this shaker pocket certainly did not disappoint! There were even some beads in it! Oh, and that little bird on the bottom left...its a magnet! I stinkin' love magnets! And it is hand made, what could be better?

I think we are both enjoying some our on the side swap ideas, because we've already arranged for 2 more encounters! 

Until next time,

C.Jackson 

Shaker Pockets

Rain, rain, go away...

But only because you've delayed the arrival of my newest PL! 

A week ago I sent out this beauty:

The theme was 'Shaker Pockets'. And of course, I'm still without the proper things to make a shaker. But I managed to make each pocket have its own unique shaker. 

I was so relieved when my partner told me she liked it! It's not easy to make something when you don't have all the right materials. And of course, I usually don't let them leave my hands until they are perfect and I'm satisfied with the final product. 

Well, because of the excessive rain, my pocket letter from my partner that was supposed to arrive on Saturday didn't arrive until today, Monday. 

But let me tell you, it was so worth the wait! 

Look at this! All the shaker pockets are removable. And the simplicity just was breathtaking! And the goodies, holy cow! I felt so spoiled!

I'm blown away!

This is my second time receiving a partner in my home state, and we have already made plans to swap again soon, just for fun! 

It's been a blast to participate in this, and I'm looking forward to many more swaps.

Until next time,

C.Jackson