Summer Craft Exchange Part 2

Yesterday I posted about the craft that I created for the craft exchange hosted by Craftaholics Anonymous.  In exchange for my yarn wreath, I received a Christmas card ornament and some beautiful beaded bracelets.

Nicole, the woman that I exchanged with has a business where she creates handcrafted ornaments (similar to the one above) out of an invitation.  If you check out her website , you can see all the neat ornaments that she has made from different invitations.  What a cool keepsake!  Thanks for the beautiful gift Nicole!

Summer Craft Exchange

Back in June, I signed up for a summer handmade gift exchange through the blog Craftaholics Anonymous.  My college friend Amanda told me about the exchange and I thought it would be fun to make a craft for someone else and get one in return. I was paired up with Nicole, a woman from New Jersey. I decided to make her a festive 4th of July yarn wreath.

I had actually already wrapped the wreath in white yarn and it was just waiting for a fun design.  I made the flowers out of red and blue felt and hot glued them to the wreath.  I then added coordinating ribbon and some silver wired garland.  I think it turned out pretty cute and reminded me of the yarn wreath that I made for the Christmas Shoppe a few years ago.

Here is the thank you note that I received from Nicole:

Hi Danielle,

I picked up my package just in time to take it to the beach with us. We hung your wreath and enjoyed it at the house we were staying at for out 4th celebration.

Thanks!
Nicole


Yay!  I was so happy that Nicole received the gift in time for her 4th of July celebration

Stay tuned tomorrow for the gift I received from Nicole!


Linking up to Craftaholics Anonymous

1st day of 4 year old preschool

Today was Alyssa's first day of 4-year-old preschool.  Yesterday she kept saying that she was so excited for school and that she couldn't wait for school!  That's what we like to hear!!   ;-)   Before we left for school today, she posed for some pictures in front of the house.  Malachi had to make sure he was in the pictures also!

Once we got to school, I had to take a picture of her once she hung up her back pack.  

You can find some pictures from last years first day of Preschool here.  Last year she only had nine kids in her class and she was one of three girls.  This year she has 18 kids in her class and it was much more hectic than last year.  Many of the new kids in her class have never been in Preschool before so there were a lot of parents hanging around the classroom and lots of crying children.  Since Alyssa went to Preschool last year she was a pro.  Malachi and I gave her a hug and kiss and waved goodbye.  She found something to do at the tables right away.  Alyssa did so well and I was very proud of her!

Heritage Park and Splash pad

Last Wed., my hubby, kids and I met up with my sis-in-law Kelly.  Kelly lives an hour away from us so we try to find a meeting place that is half way for both of us.  I wanted to find somewhere outside that would also provide fun for the kids, and came up with Heritage Park in Farmington, MI.  This park had lots of walking paths, a nature center, a playground and slash pad.  It sounded like lots of fun (plus it was free!).  I suggested it to Kelly and she thought it would be a great place!

This was off a walking trail behind the nature center

Wigwam

Playing the large xylophone 

Inside the nature center

Kayaking with Aunt Kelly

Splash Pad

Alyssa started taking pictures 

Me and Aunt Kelly

Uncle David

Leonard making weird faces

My handsome baby boy

Overall we had a great time!  This is definitely a place that will be on our list for future visits.

Flexi clip giveaway!

I know I haven't blogged in a little while but I wanted to let everyone know about a giveaway that one of my friend's is doing on her blog, Living and Learning at Home.  The giveaway is for a Flexi clip and these clips are all so pretty!  I have seen them before but didn't know much about them until she did a review.  I hope that I win!  But if not, I might end up buying one cause they look so cool.  Definitely not your standard ponytail holder.

at the county fair.....

This past Monday, I took the kids to our county fair.  The fair is at the north end of the county and we are at the south end, so it took us about 45 minutes to get there.  We met up with my sister, since she also loves the fair.  I used to know so many people when I would go to the fair but since I have been out of 4-H for *Ten* years, I don't know as many people.  We still had lots of fun and the kids loved all the animals.

Petting a cow with Aunt Jessica

More Cows!

Goats!

In one of the tents, there was an educational exhibit for young children that was put on by the local metropark.  My kids loved this exhibit and I think it was their favorite part of the fair.  This exhibit allowed the kids to collect eggs, pick apples, pull up carrots and milk a "cow".

Collecting eggs

Good times are always had at the county fair!

Princess Birthday Party

A few weekends ago (July 8th to be exact) we went to a princess birthday party for one of our good friends.  When we first got there, the kids played a few games, ate and then it was princess time.  Princess Snow White showed up (the same girl that was Cinderella in this post) to entertain the young princesses and pirates.

Balloons!

Pirate belt and sword

Poison Apple!

Storytime

Dancing with the kids

Face painting

The expression says it all!

My little pirate man

Princess and a pirate