And I'm excited, because it's my first ever swap.  For those unfamiliar, a swap is basically where you are randomly assigned a person and you make something for them. In return, someone has been given your name and they make somthing for you.  There are a zillion different swaps out there, each with its own rules, projects, etc.  There's even a gigantic site dedicated to the whole purpose, called Swap Bot.  Most swaps, though, are hosted by bloggers.

But, you're all crafty, so you probably know all of this.  Twelve months ago, I didn't. I would lurk around, reading about swaps (apron swaps seem to be popular), and wondering when I'd be ready to get in on the game. A cute little package coming in the mail, handmade just for me?! It's like Christmas all over again (except I rarely receive handmade for Christmas...)

Anyway, I'm finally doing it. I am participating in the Bend The Rules Sewing Swap. Now, it probably helps that this swap involves exchanging products from my favorite sewing book ever.  And it also helps that I've already tackled the project that we're swapping (placemats and napkins).  At least, that's what I told myself before I finally decided to sign up for the swap at the very. last. minute.

But I'm excited, and I've already begun shopping for my swap partner (see potential swatch above, Michael Miller's Blue Disco Dot). And let me tell you, it hasn't been easy! I'm impressed with the match, though, because it seems this person's tastes are similar to my own. And, as it happens, she lives very near the town in which I grew up. So that makes it a little more fun, to be able to picture the town in which this person lives, and imagine the potential home into which my placemats and napkins will land.

If you still haven't purchased the book, here's a peek at what the placemats and napkins look like:

By Maita (from the Bend The Rules Sewing group on Flickr).

This isn't exactly a throwback, because I think the pattern is relatively new. It's a free Amy Butler download, and it looked like so much fun that I wanted to try it.

When I had a real job, I always carried business cards but never really handed them out. I guess I never really had to. Most of my clients already knew my contact information, and random strangers didn't seem to need it.  Now that I'm in the Mom-On-The-Go biz (so much more fun than being a "stay at home" mom), I've encountered several occassions where I wish I had a card to hand out.

I've been thinking quite seriously about ordering a set of these from Moo.  These are the mini-cards that are so original it kills me. Why didn't I think of this?! I've been really wanting some, to handout to potential playdates and other friends who need our contact information.  

Today marks the second time in the last week that I've had to run to the car for a pen to write down our phone number for someone.  Time could have been saved if I had a little mini-card and a fun Card Keeper, no? 

This week, then, I'll be sewing up some Amy Butler Business Card Keepers.  Other good business card holder tutorials are available from Bluelines or Craft Pudding:

Or you could buy one from Mikish Mink on Etsy:

Or from Beau Coup (where you can choose from a variety of fabrics, monogram scripts and thread colors:

While searching for honey (who knew it had become so expensive?!) at the grocery store tonight, I was surprised to come across this:

Really? Do you see the teeny-tiny print that warns this is "imitation" honey? It's hard to read it in person, too. I can't begin to tell you how creepy this stuff sounds. There is almost nothing natural about it, and deciphering the chemicals on the label was impossible. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out who would buy imitation honey.

So, I googled it. 

Apparently diabetics and low-carb folks eat this stuff. Now, if someone told me I had to restrict my honey consumption for medical and/or dietary reasons, I don't think I'd feel it necessary to search out an alternative (and the odds of me buying sugar free imitation honey are just not great). Because, really, it's just honey.

Sure, it tastes great on a biscuit, but so does jelly. 

Incidentally, my google search also found that the sale of imitation honey is not permitted in some states. Because, really, imitation honey is just artificial sweetners in liquid form.

Because of the computer crisis around here, I wasn't able to finish the Lindie Bag in time for Win-It Wednesday.  I hope to have it finished and posted soon, and you'll still have a chance to Win-It.

In the meantime, I've decided to giveaway the purse-sized first aid kit.  I'll even stock it full of bandages, alcohol wipes and other necessities.

To enter, leave a comment on this post before next Wednesday. One totally random winner will receive a first aid kit, no strings attached.

Coming to you live from a brand new, fully functioning computer! Fingers crossed that I don't send this one to the computer graveyard (currently growing under my husband's desk). Husband and Children surprised me with the new computer tonight. It was so nice to walk into the office/craft room and find the shiny new guy sitting on my desk.

On to the crafts...I finished the purse-sized first aid kit today.

The idea came to me a few weeks ago when the Youngest Child fell on her way into Target. Her knee was sufficiently scraped, and she kept asking for a Band-Aid. I had one in the car, but we were in the store.  Had there been much blood involved, I might have purchased a package of bandages. In this case, though, it didn't seem worth it. (Nope, my baby's scraped knee was not worth the 99 cent trial sized box of Band-Aids.)

It occured to me then that a cute little first aid kit for my purse would really come in handy.  I know lots of good moms carry bandages in their purses, along with tissues, snacks, crayons, hair clips and safety pins. None of which are present in any purse I own.  This tiny first aid kit is Step One on my way to becoming one of those mommies.

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Much cuter than the all-purpose one I keep in my car. This is basically the No Cash Wallet from Bend the Rules Sewing.  I adjusted the size a bit to make it fit my first aid supplies, and I'm really excited with how it turned out.  I packed it full of bandages, alcohol pads, trial-sized ointments--basically the minor injury stuff.  

And think what an organized mommy I'll appear to be. The other moms on the playground will be so impressed. Not that that's what it's about or anything.

Did you know Etsy has a butter dish category? I had no idea, so I just had to click on it. The offerings are slim, but this little find was worth it.

A butter dish covered in polymer clay by My Design Collectibles. How smart! This is so pretty and creative. Much better than my boring white Target butter dish.  

These monogrammed kitchen towels from JK Duncan Studios are much more interesting than your average embroidered ones. I love the ric-rac (I seriously never thought I'd say such a thing, but ric-rac is growing on me). 

I've managed to kill two computers in the past week, and last night I put another in ICU.  Fortunately, the ancient (yet functioning) guy made a quick recovery, and I am back to the blog. Nevertheless, without a working computer you'd think I would have plenty of time to craft. And I did manage to get a few things cut out and one thing sewn, but nothing has been photographed. I am knee deep in ideas, and works in progress, including an outfit (or two) for the eldest daughter, a tiny first aid kit, and the Lindie Bag.

Instead, I've been trying to fill our days with crafts and project. It seems there are a million ideas out there, but few that I manage to put to the test.

Five years into parenting, you'd think I'd be over the bean decorations. But I'm not. There are just too many pretty colors of beans and lentils out there.  I was reinvigorated by a craft we did at VBS last week, which involved decorating wooden cross magnets with various natural elements including baby pinecones, lentils, acorns and the like. It looked like so much fun I wanted to make one of my own. I didn't, but I was tempted.  The mosaic above is from Martha's Crafts for Kids section, which has some great ideas.

And I've been shopping:

This is a ring made by PoppiGirl from glass and sterling silver. I love the colors, but it looks like it would be extremely uncomfortable. I'm particular about my jewelry. It must be virtually unnoticeable. 

And just because sometimes we need a reminder:

This is Reed Seifer, and I love his stuff. 

And I'm trying to practice it, in the hope that all computers will be up and running again soon.