Isn’t that snail drawing incredible! It was sent to me by marge in the Philippines. I love it! Snail mail never fails to delight me.

How about a few fun TGIF links?

• Did you know that March is National Craft Month?!
• Now, sometimes I think super-organized themed parties are a bit over-the-top, but this hot air balloon birthday is pretty darn cute.
• Love this fashionable DIY Tassel Necklace from Sugar & Cloth.
• I need to get out my sewing machine! Diane of CraftyPod shows us How to Make a Kaleidoscope Pillow with just two fat quarters of fabric.

• Make this pretty Glitter Jewelry Dish.
• You already know that I love My Zoetrope, but did you know you can get the cute illustrations as temporary tattoos?!
• Your S’more of the week: S’more Brownies from Bakerella.

Did you find any other fun links worth sharing this week?

I am always drawn to pastels. Spring is usually my favorite time for fashion and shopping, with all the pretty new dresses, mint green goodies, and floral prints. Design Sponge recently had a round up of ice cream colored home accessories, and it inspired me to go find a few fun pretty pastel items on Etsy.

(Isn’t the card above cute?! It is from My Zoetrope, one of my very favorite Etsy shops. Michelle is a local Brooklyn artist and I always stock up on her cute cards when I see her at craft shows. They are so fun and cheery!)

Are you a pastel fan? Or, is it all too sweet and light?

Just a few links this week…

• For general party planning and festivities, check out the two items shown above: this crazy Piñata Cake and these DIY Confetti Throwers.
• Having an Oscar Party for the Academy Awards this weekend? Serve these star-studded party foods from NotMartha or these fancy triple feature snacks from Cupcakes and Cashmere.
• This is too much! Amigurumi Grumpy Cat Crochet Pattern – crazy cute!
• Need postcards? Check out the huge selection at Postcard Locker.
• Etsy How-Tuesday: Make neon geometric earrings.
• Yum! Sweet & Salty Brownie Pies.
• Double yum! Caramel Stufffed Rice Krispie Bars.
• Your S’more of the week: S’more Peanut Butter Cookies.
• And one more link… Love paper crafting and spring time? Come join my Sweet Spring Time Matchbox Swap!

Happy Friday! I have a few very random links for you this week…

• Need some craft supplies and inspiration? Hunter’s Hideaway is a super-cute Etsy shop that can help!
• woah. woah. woah. Is this the ultimate cookie? Stacked with a chocolate chip cookie crust, ganache, Rice Krispie Treat, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Oreos, more Rice Krispie and then to finish things off is a layer of ganache and crushed chocolate chip cookies.
• Have you ever thought about making your own font? I might try it…
• A few tips for taking creative photo self-portraits.
• Boxed monthly subscription services are all the rage — like BirchBox, UmbaBox, WhimseyBox, BarkBox, etc. The brand new OliveBox is a subscription service just for paper lovers! (And the company is based right near me in Brooklyn. nice.)
  • 100 crafty ways to use washi tape.
  • Hipster Branding – what if the most well-known brands were re-branded by hipsters?

  • Your S’mores of the week: S’more Pie | S’more Sandwich | Pretzel S’mores </ul> Have a good weekend.

    blackberry cell phone spy
    zp8497586rq
    zp8497586rq

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for a free membership to the League of Extraordinary Penpals!

I have randomly selected a winner and it is: kisscut91! Congratulations!

Check out the League of Extraordinary Penpals website for tons of fun snail mail content!

Just a quick Link Love for you this week. Winter Storm Nemo is heading for Brooklyn and I need to head to the grocery store before the snow hits! Wish me luck!

Oh, and enjoy these links:

• There is still time to Make a Flip Book Valentine!
• Yum! And so cute: Cupid’s Truffle Skewers.
• Need washi tape? Check out Wishy Washi. They have a huge selection!
• Woah. This cupcake puppy chow looks dangerously delicious.
• This is a cool DIY way to update vintage china or ceramic serving pieces.
• Art teachers are some of my favorite people in the world. Check out this short video about a very cool art teacher in Iowa (who also happens to have been a friend of mine in college).
• Your S’more of the week: Oven S’more Bites!

What are you doing this weekend?

Good Monday to you! A few of you may noticed that we had a little trouble with the blog over the weekend, but everything is back in working order now, and I am happy to share the many fun links I’ve gathered over the last week…

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a little over a week! Are you ready?

Valentine Goodies:

• Check out this big round-up on 9 DIY Valentine Projects on Paper n Stitch.
• Yum! Pretty pink Valentine snack mix.
• Need a fun idea for classroom Valentines? These “love bug” printables are very cute. (You can use them with candy, too.)
  • Make a quiver of these date idea arrows for your loved one.
  • Or, make these sweet Valentine’s Tea Bags.

  • I’m making Valentine matchboxes (like the one seen above) and I’d love to send you one! Find out more on my blog.</ul> Other Fun:

  • So fun & cute! Chewy Sugar Sprinkles Cookies.
  • Check out this blog all about hand written notes and this mail art blog, Suburban Penpal.
  • Despite the recent postage increases, I am still a big fan of the USPS. Hurrah for the USPS!
  • Sort of like snail mail: The Random Note Project.
  • Need washi tape or other fun craft supplies? FeckledFawn is a very sweet online shop.
  • Don’t forget to enter to win a free membership in the League of Extraordinary Penpals by February 11th!

  Add more links in the comments. I know there is a bunch more fun Valentine stuff out there!!

  viagra online without prescription

Swapping and penpalling are a little bit different, but snail mail lovers (like us!) often enjoy both… so, I think you will be excited about this new website and club I just discovered: The League of Extraordinary Penpals!

What is the LEP?

Basically, it’s a penpal club that connects you with other extraordinary penpals. The LEP is a super collaboration between Laura aka Super Squirrel and Julie aka Super Sushi, and they need awesome penpals like you to join their ranks!

What do I get for joining the LEP?

In addition to being part of a club that has the word “extraordinary” in the title, the LEP offers a monthly newsletter that contains all of the below in every issue:

Printable – Snail mail challenge – Organized swap – Giveaway – Superhero-themed interview with an extraordinary LEP member – Article on a topic of interest – Featured snail mail related website – Access to a private stationery subscription service – The chance to receive a letter or a card from your LEP hostesses – The chance to be featured as our monthly extraordinary LEP member, which includes an awesome superhero portrait by Ciara Kay – Also, there will be a LEP-themed letter set that will be available only to LEP members!

What does membership cost?

You can find the LEP membership prices here. If you sign up before February 1st (this Friday!) you can get a special new subscriber rate!

Giveaway!

To celebrate their launch, Laura & Julie are giving away a six-month LEP membership to one luck Swap-botter! To enter, answer the following question in the comments before Friday, February 8th:

What would be your superhero name?

Make sure to include your Swap-bot username with your comment. A winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Monday, February 11th. Good luck!

You guys, I have something strange to tell you… 2013 is nearly 1/12 completed!! Wowzer! What have you been up to so far in 2013? What craftiness and swapping fun do you have planned for the rest of the year??

For now, have some fun exploring this multitude of links:

Valentines:

• First! Today is the FINAL day to join the 5th annual February Love Matchbox Swap! Come join us for some crafty fun.
• Wow! Download this cute, free, interactive Olliblocks Valentine.
• While you’re at it, download this cute Valentine from My Paper Crane, too.
• Etsy shares a bunch of on their How-Tuesday blog.
• Want kid-friendly craft projects? Check out Real Simple’s 10 Creative Valentine’s Crafts for Kids
• Need less sweets in your life? Here are 12 No-Candy Valentine Ideas from Plucky Momo.
• Remember: You can download free, printable, totally adorable Swap-bot Valentines right HERE!

Food Deliciousness:

• These sound delightful: Homemade Grapefruit Donuts.
• These Peanut Butter Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies only require four different ingredients and they look scrumptious!
• Your S’more of the week: Valentine’s Day S’more Cookie Sticks.

Other Fun Stuff:

• Yes, please! Make a Glitter Party Hat.
• Quilters, check out this beautiful, modern quilt design and tutorial from See Kate Sew.
• Thinking about starting an Etsy business? Here are the top 10 tips for success.

The list is heavy on Valentine links this week… Are you a Valentine’s Day fan or foe? What will you be doing to celebrate the holiday of love?

Valentine’s Day is still more than a month away, but it is my favorite holiday, so I want to get started early! Do you like Valentines and paper crafting? Join my February Love Matchbox Swap. It is the fifth annual edition of the swap and I’d love for it to be huge! New and experienced swappers are welcome.

To help get us in the hearts and kisses mood, check out some of my favorite Valentines picks from Etsy:

(My username is Swapbot on Etsy. If you sell on Etsy, put me in your circle so that I can view and promote your wares!)

VALENTINE BONUS: You can download free, cute, printable, Swap-bot Valentines here.