Christmas?

If it's Halloween and Election Season

it must be almost Christmas

right?

... wrong.

But if you're in Penny's 12 Days of Christmas Matchbox Swap,

you're almost out of time!

I signed up for Eight Maids-a-Milking

and then got carried away with Christmas gift ideas

like these matchboxes (matches included)

to pair up with a candle.

Only problem:

you can't mail matches.

They are a hazardous substance.

yikes.

... so these will have to go to friends who are near - but not far.

Alas.

And all this Christmas crafting has me almost sick of Christmas - already!

Maybe I'll get in the mood when this bleeping election is over.

atc's done!

This month's swap at Chriss' Artist Trading Club features the peeled paint technique and is hosted by Gaby Bee.

I finished my atc's and these are my favorites out of the bunch:

.... now to decide which one I should keep for myself .....

hmmmmmm

matchbox swap

Bad Penny at The Linen Shelf

hosted a fabulous matchbox swap

I just received my package yesterday

(happy mail!)

Melissa at Little Messy Missy

(beautifully decorated with bits of nature - including sand from Monument Valley and Amish birdhouse gourd seeds)

***

Pat at Ooglebloops

(lovely handmade paper with rose petals, a gorgeous vintage button, teeny tiny ric-a-rac and fridge poetry magnets)

***

Jo at Fiddlesnips

(tiny little seed packets and a beautiful quote packed into a wonderfully rustic and earthy matchbox)

***

Hope at Pixie's Ponderings

(a vintage photo of best friends enjoying a summer day, a beautiful seashell and a fun beachy matchbox)

***

Jan from Jan's Arty ATC Journey

(like something straight out of a springtime garden, spring blossoms and a bird on her nest)

***

and Bad Penny from The Linen Shelf

(understated elegance of white on white, linen, lace and a shell button .... all with a bit of whimsy and fun on the inside)

***

Thank you Penny for hosting such a wonderful swap!!!

I will treasure my matchboxes :)