Valentine Week Wrap Up

 Well, other than the unceasing rain and cold and bleak weather here in not so sunny California, it was a lovely week with Valentine's Day kicking it off.  And check out all the lovely little bits of joy i received in the mail!  I participated in a Valentine Card swap.  I showed you my cards HERE.  Here is a stunning orange and fuchsia card and matching envelope i received from Shelley.  Inside was a special treat - a Ghiradelli chocolate!

She did not participate in the swap, but my niece Erica made this card for me.  Click to enlarge - because that multi coloured heart is made up of dozens of TINY little hearts!  So nice to see Erica's beautiful handiwork.  Check out her blog HERE.

 This unique card was from the swap - courtesy of Alicia.  Don't you just adore the red crochet border? Apparently that Victorian lass is having steamy thoughts..!

 This was actually a RAK postcard from one of my online CAG buddies - Marie.  That's California Art Girls in case you were wondering!  Oh, and a rak is a "random act of kindness" - isn't valentines day a perfect time to send a happy little thing like this to your friends? Thanks Marie!

 This intense black, red and gold card was from my friend Karen, as part of the online swap.  The gold foil heart is removable.  Ya gotta love cards that are interactive!  Her husband is a car fanatic - do i see a checkered flag influence here?

 Here is another RAK - this one from Janene - another CAG buddy.  Isn't it adorable? Thanks Janene!  Note to self - postcards only require a 28 cent stamp!

 Here is another card from the online swap group - this one from Becky. The buttons are speared on a beaded pin and poked under the vintage postcard image - how clever! Love the soft palette.

This was my "bonus" card from Karen - have you ever seen anything so original? She got a little scratched in the post, but i think she is just as cute as can be!

  This was the first card i received as part of the swap - before i had even created my cards.  Let me tell you - this certainly put the pressure on to create something "worthy"!  Jen created this substancial heart with pleated ribbon and rosettes.  Love the red sparkly clothes pin!

This lovely two part tag and sleeve came in a matching envelope.  Pam must be a master with computer designed graphics - everything matched beautifully.  I love the little tag on the ribbon - it says Molto Bella.

 Thought i would throw this one in - yes  - it is STORE BOUGHT - but it came from my own sweetie.  One of FOUR cards he gave me after our yummy cheese fondue dinner and chocolate fondue dessert. Note to self: buy stock in Papyrus.

Here is a clever card from my friend Lucie, who also participated in the swap.  Lucie is French Canadian, and so the touches of French make a perfect accent on this queen of hearts card.  Inside was a special treat - lips shaped bath confetti!

I was going to say "last but not least" - but i am still missing a couple of cards from the swap.  One gal has had an illness so will get the cards out sometime in the near future.  And one card has gone astray.  Either due to the post office, or my pathetic pile of bills and junk mail might be holding it hostage!  So stay tuned....