Stamp & Scrapbook Expo Junkie...

Not long ago, Kim posted in our Texas swap group about an upcoming expo she was going to...

She was curious to see if anyone else would be going. I glanced at it and said no. But then I went and looked again...it was in Grapevine...about an hour and a half from me. Suddenly I was in...

Kim and I arranged to swap numbers and meet. We even agreed to do our latest Pocket Letter swap in person. 

Time was ticking by, and I was a little nervous. Would we hit it off in person like we had online? Would she recognize me? Was she really a kidnapper preying on the weak?

The night before, I had my my PL packed with goodies and ready to go. Kim and I swapped numbers, but didn't plan too heavily on the rest of the details. Fate would surely handle the rest. 

I made the drive and was immediately floored by the beauty of the convention center and resort. Shameless plug, the Gaylord Texan is gorgeous, you should see it sometime. 

I texted Kim to tell her I had arrived. And then we shopped separately. I probably had walked past her. But then we decided it was time to meet up! I eagerly made my way to her location, and like some creepy person watched her from a distance...

Nope, it wasn't a kidnapper, no guy in disguise, and no sooner than I had emerged we instantly made eye contact and the rest was history! Sure enough she recognized me. And let me tell you, there was no need to worry if we would hit it off, because we giggled and participated in many a shenanigan. 

We sat down and had lunch. And we even made our pocket letter exchange. 

I was so ticked by the candy heart paper she chose for the pockets!

She sat and marveled at the pocket letter I had given her. It took a few snaps to get a decent picture, she kept making faces. This in turn made us laugh. The poor women across from us at lunch seemed to enjoy our antics though. 

We must have circled the isles many times. We would stop and buy stuff. I would get her something and sneak it in her bag and she would then do the same for me. One of us would point out something pretty and the other would follow behind, and more purchases were made. 

That look she is giving me, haha! 

Fountain photo-op! 

I never knew that when I entered the world of crafting that I would meet so many amazing ladies and form so many lasting bonds. And when I made my way into the land of Pocket Letters, I knew I was in good company. Never would I have dreamed of making a friendship like I have with Kim, and I have never been more thankful that I did. 

Cats, rats, laughter and creativity. Throw in some owls and sequins too. There is very little that we don't have in common. I'm sure there is always more to learn about eachother, but for now, I can't express how thankful and happy I am to have made a friend like Kim. Thanks for a fun day, I can't wait to do it again!

Until next time,

C.Jackson

Pink, Black & Gold!

I'm back with another fun swap! 

Before I went on hiatus from my normal swap group I signed up for one last one.

The theme?

Pink, Black, & Gold!

I set to work, and man let me tell you, I'm getting good at making them whilst crunched for a deadline! 

Here it is, not quite finished, but the true colors show better here. 

All done! I used the last of my corrugated scrap paper, and I was so excited to use my new Heidi Swapp Washi Tape! I'm in love with my Fuse and as a result, the shaker is now my favorite part to make. A few tags and embellishments later, and in the mail it went. 

And can I tell you, I was in for a surprise...

Caryn sent me this absolutely flawless PL. I can't even begin to tell you how simple, and clean this PL is. The edge are crisp, and the embellishments don't weigh it down. And so you see the tape she used for the edge? I absolutely adore it! 

She also spoiled me with tons, and I mean TONS of extra treats. I love the 'Selfie' tag. And hellllooo chocolate! 

It was a nice send off for my hiatus. Student teaching is nearly halfway done. But I'm managing to keep up with my dedicated swaps in the meantime. 

And did I mention I finally got to meet my cohort Kim in person?

I can't wait to share that post! 

Until next time,

C.Jackson

Roses are red...

And Garnets are too...

My pal Kim and I set up our own Texas PL swapping group and we just finished our first event. The theme was 'Garnet', the beautiful January birthstone. But of course, this was open to interpretation. 

And in true fashion, I went literal!

I had just bought a printer which allowed me to print the fabulous gemstone pictures. I found some awesome red embossed paper too. But what you can't tell from this angle is that I snuck in actual garnets. 

One in each shaker! 

I was so excited to send it off. And what I got in return was just as fabulous!

My partner wrapped my letter in a cute baggie filled with goodies. And the pockets themselves were just as sweet. I adore the little envelopes she put on the bottom left pocket. 

And little did I know, the 2016 pocket was actually a Starbucks Gift Card. Super thoughtful! 

I must say, we've got a very talented group of ladies in our midst! I can't wait until our next swap. 

Until next time,

C.Jackson

First Encounters of the Flaker Kind...

Do you see what I did with the title there? A nice little spin on an old classic movie...

My kiddos finally got me sick! Vomit, fever, sore throat, sinus drainage, the whole nine yards! I'm slowly rebounding but it hasn't been fun let me tell you.

Back in Decemeber I signed up for a swap, entitled 'New Year's Eve Bash'. I had fun making my PL and got assigned a partner, all seemed well with the world. But the deadline came and went, and still no PL. But instead there were more excuses. I waited as long as I could and finally I had to break it off. She eventually sent me something, although, I feel it is not what it could have been. This is not the time nor the place for me to post it or her name. 

Instead I sent my creation to someone I had swapped with before. She'd coveted my New Years creations, and lucky for her, she got one! 

This was my first New Years Creation. Black, Gold, and glittery! I found some awesome Jolee's firework stickers and had some clicks to embellish my shaker pocket with too. I was tickled to send it off to her. 

Knowing full and well I wouldn't get something back. 

Or so I thought. 

Little did I know this was coming in the mail from her as a thanks. And boy was I surprised! Such a sweet and thoughtful thank you indeed! Can you tell Valentine's Day draws near?

It only goes to show you, that even in the midst of disappointment, doing what you love always brings many joys. 

Thanks for the PL Allison!

Until next time,

C.Jackson

The people that are brought into your life...

I've made friends with some wonderful ladies thanks to pocket letter swapping. 

Unfortunately, my student teaching obligations have put my crafting on hold. I had to announce a hiatus, and even talked to a few of my good swapping friends about it. But those ladies didn't just lend me an ear...

Kim sent me this;

A teacher themed PL! Spur the moment. How completely thoughtful was that of her? I loved the name plate in the middle, and the bell. She even sent me some sweet sticker packs. 

I was completely stunned and I thanked her. But these ladies didn't just stop there...

I got this from Sabita a few days ago;

It's a little flip book. Every inch covered with paper and sweet details, and of course goodies too. It's so small, and so perfect all at the same time. 

These sweet surprises came at just the right moments, and on days where my patience had been tried. 

I can't even begin to tell you how special each of these ladies has been to me. Including Kim. And her and I have plans to meet at a scrapping convention soon. And I can't wait!

Until next time,

C.Jackson

My best friend loves sheep...

And playing computer games, and being crafty, and she's a great voice of reason too. 

She follows my blog and my Pinterest, and when I met her a few years ago, I knew she'd been put in my path for a reason. Because there are many moments she's kept me sane. Many times she's listened to me rant endlessly. Many times she has just been there, like a great friend should be. 

She'd been seeing my pocket letters and I finally decided I needed to make her one. And when I sent it, I also sent a blank page so she could make one too. 

Can you tell I was on my black, white, and gold kick? Oh how I loved that deer silhouette. I even put her initial on the gold chevron tag. 

I gave her as much time as she needed. And all the resources I could think of including tips, tricks, and ideas to fill the pockets with. And when she told me she was sending mine, I was so excited. 

And it was worth the wait! The handmade penguin is my favorite thing about it, besides the fact it was her first PL, which always makes it special. She used some gorgeous wrapping paper as her backgrounds and the beaded C in the center pocket was so thoughtful. 

It was so fun doing this with her. We've swapped books before, and mailed each other cards and drawings too. But out of all the things we've done together, this has been my favorite. 

Thanks for being a great friend Chris! I would be lost some days if it weren't for you, and the Babaas too. 

Until next time, 

C.Jackson