12 hours, 3 trips to Office Depot, one to Hancocks, some dried out salmon, and a box of cookies later....

We made it! Our Sweet Treats and Roses Recipe Swap books are DONE.

Not that it was easy.  We started with a Cropadile and ribbon, thinking that would be fine.

It wasn't.

After an hour, we had two books done!

I thought I'd resort to the binding machine.  The box said that the binder would hold up to 90 pages, and we had 42, but they were thick, so the binder was too small.

So- off I run to Office Depot to get larger binders.  And they didn't fit my binding machine!

At that point, we took a lunch break. I made marinated salmon, Kansas City strip steaks, sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes and salad with pears and pecans.

I was side tracked too  much and the food was dried out.  I should have paid more attention. 

But we came up with a plan while eating!  So, off I go again to Office Depot, this time to get a 2 hole punch and then to Hancock Fabrics for BIG needles.

Jen (one of my friends who is in the swap with us and who helped today) said to try a big needle to get the ribbons through the holes. 

Perfect! We got going on a roll and just a few hours later (well maybe about 6 hours) we had all the books assembled.

The participants took so much time and care with their pages! All were lovely as can be. 

My Silver Bella Pal, Heather Bullard even sent her postage money beautifully wrapped!  As well as including Starbucks gift cards for Beth and I. 

Our swappers inundated us with treats!  Rachael provided much needed carmel chocolate cookies from New Zealand that gave us the energy to keep punching holes and threading ribbons!  And gracious Mrs. Staggs sent the prettily wrapped rose patterned cup and saucer filled with chocolate kisses! I could just KISS her ! (I am quite devoted to chocolate)

I have already shown you some of the gifts that people sent earlier, including Karlas' fairy doll and puppy dog for Sugarwings. Well, she also sent along these Valentines that she made! Sugarwings for me and Milo for Beth.

I think I will add mine to my scrap book.  It will make a lovely page.

I am totally and completely overwhelmed and surprised by the gifts we received along with the recipe cards! As Sugarwings says all the time, "OH MY"!

I don't even know where to start.  Tags, candles, candies, silk ribbons, ephemera, hand made soap, sachets, note cards, lotions, treats, wallpaper, and more.

Double "OH MY"!!

Look at how beautiful it all is together too.

I'll be using all the tags in my scrapbook filled with pictures of the fairy grand baby. And I'll be gobbling down that candy!

Thanks so much, Sandy, Jennifer, Joy, Lena, Karen, Heather B.,  Karin, Amy, Sissy, Deb, Heather K., Terri, Rachael, Amy W., Kathy, Ele, Sarah, Jessi, Tamy, Lee, Mahala, and Betty.  Oh man, I hope I didn't leave anyone out, everything is sooooooo lovely. And over the top. I feel like it is Christmas again!

A complete list of all the participants in our swap is on this post. 

And please visit the Flickr site that has pictures of pages and covers to see more. I will be adding to it later on.

This pretty pile of loot is all from that friendly and fun, Jessi. She went in for surgery today, if you get a chance, go by and wish her well.

I met her at Silver Bella,and I can tell you, that girl is a bundle of energy, I doubt if she will be kept down long!

Here they are, FORTY TWO hand made books.  And they only took about 12 hours. Well, for our part today, at least.  So many people worked so hard to do their share to make these beauties and I appreciate it all so much.

No two are alike, each one is a joy to flip through.

My own book has a cover by Beth and a tag by Mrs. Staggs.

This page is by my friend, Jen, who came up with the brilliant idea to use a big needle to get the freaking ribbon through all the holes instead of us cussing as we tried to pinch it through by hand.

I was so pleased to see the variety that came in, but to also see how well they all fit together when assembled.

The book has a nice flow to it. 

Some people did the backs of the pages too. Some embellished each page by hand.  There was a nice mix of styles and designs, to all pull together for a unique and lovely finished product.

Yes, I know I am gushing! But I really am thrilled with it. 

Thanks so much to everyone who created part of this. I can't wait for the next swap! I thought I was hooked on swaps before, now I am hooked on hosting them! What a blast!

ps- my January giveaway winner is:

Cheryl

Thank you all for your comments, each was entered.  Today starts a new giveaway!

Comments

[Alison Gibbs]

Wow what a mammoth task. How happy all the particpants in your swap will be.They look wonderful.
Alison

[Tracie]

Oh what a sight to behold - beautiful! Good thing you had "snacks" to make it through. Yes, those binding machines never quite hold what they say. Works of art!
Tracie

[María Elena]

Exhausting, but spectacular work!!!

[Artsy]

I am so thrilled to see the final results of your labors and everyone's talents. These are works of art to be treasured. I'm so sorry I missed out! Wow..but what an inspiration they are. I know what I should make my favorite aunt for Valentine's day. Beautiful!

[fromthepines]

Karla,

YAY! Thanks so much and I look forward to getting my book too - they all look awesome!

Cheryl

[Joy]

Wow, you guys are totally amazing! I am overwhelmed by the pictures and what you have accomplished. Really, this what such an enormous task and you've done it brilliantly - it should have been covered by a magazine!! :)

p.s. no worries about getting mine out in the mail - I am leaving on Wednesday for a much-needed holiday in the sun...
:) yipppeeeeeeeee

[rhondi]

Karla that was a huge task you took on! I am so sorry that I was not up to participating in it. I will keep watch for when you do something like this again (if you ever do!) and sign up. You deserved all those gifts that you received.
Rhondi xo

[gail]

WOW... oh wait..."oh my"!! I cannot imagine how you kept all of the pages and covers and tags straight?! I would have been overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. It all looks beautiful, I can't wait to see mine when it comes. As I said before, this was my first swap and I really didn't know what to do. My first attempt was so meager, then when I saw some of the pictures you had posted of some of the recipes coming in, I knew I had to go back and rethink it! I had alot of fun doing it. Can't wait for another opportunity! Thank you to both you and Beth for all of your hardwork and time putting it together.

[Kristina]

Thank you for posting so many beautiful pictures of the books. I really appreciate all of your hard work on this. This was my first swap and I am so excited to see the finished product. The swap gave me an opportunity to try new things and I know that I will learn so much more when I see everyone else's pages too. A perfect winter treat!!!

[Karen Young]

All I can say is WOW. The books are amazing. Thank you again to both you and Beth for hosting this beautiful swap.

Karen

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Those books look mazing!! You and Beth are amazing and I hope you know how much we all appreciate the amount of work you did. I can hardly wait to get my book! Thanks so much Karla and Beth for this wonderful swap!

[Amy P]

OMG! they are gorgeous! What a time you had, but it was worth it. Now I'm bummed I didn't jump in and join ;)

[Katrina]

Oh My, you have been one busy chicken! So many lovely things to look at in this post :)

[Heather - Pretty Petals]

Karla, they are sooooo gorgeous!!! that idea for the big needle is BRILLIANT!! hahah!! I can't wait to see my book and my beautiful charm necklace. What a really fun idea for a swap. Thanks for all of your hard work. Wish I could have been there to help you and Beth although, I am pretty certain I would have never thought to use the needle. hehe

xxoxo Heather

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

Wow! I am very impressed with it all! So many talented efforts went into those beautiful books! Hats off to everyone who participated and to you, Beth and Jen for pulling it all together! Great job!
Barbara

[Natasha Burns]

How fantastic Karla! You girls really put in a super dooper effort and the result is fantastic! i'm sure everyone is so grateful for all your hard work. I see someone sent you delicious Ferrero Rochers mmmmmmmmm!!!

[Mahala]

Wow, so much work and it all looks wonderful!
Come on over and enter my giveaway. I'm participating in the One World One Heart event giveaways. It's crazy! So many people are participating! Anyway, come and enter!

[Sandy]

How exciting to see all the fabulous, yummy creations from this swap that you and Beth so graciously hosted. I can't wait to get my book.
THANK YOU again for hosting this sweet swap!

Blessings,
Sandy

[Karla]

Yay, yay, yay! Can't wait to get mine! You guys are the best. Thanks for putting so much love into this. Maybe your next trip should be to the bar! LOL.
Karla

[michelle]

YOu know you are just killing those of us who missed the boat right?! Oh, they all look so wonderful! What a lot of work! Great solution to your problem, it looks better than anything else I think. I am glad they all spoiled you, you deserved it.Tons of work, but beautiful product!

[Pam blogcabinfever.typepad]

These books are amazing. Beautiful. I hope to get in on the next swap. I keep missing them. Please give me a heads-up Karla. You did a really good job:-)
Pam

[Elaine L.]

What a truly remarkable keepsake for all the ladies involved.

~elaine

[sharron]

Just wonderful and I think the ribbon was perfect after all. Funny how things work out tha tway...... the books are amazing!! i am so looking forward to visiting all of the blogs to see the books one by one!!! Thanks for sharing and those cookies looked so yummy too!!

[Karin]

I am so sorry that it was such an ordeal to put the books together! But, the they are absolutely beautiful! Thank you very much for all of yoru hard work. It is much appreciated.

[Karin]

I am so sorry that it was such an ordeal to put the books together! But, the they are absolutely beautiful! Thank you very much for all of your hard work. It is much appreciated.

[Tara]

Wow! I am so excited to be a part of this swap and, really, how wonderful of you both to spend the time doing this! The pic of all 42 together is just special, they are going to be treasures for all!

[Dawn]

The most amazing project ever. the participants should be so proud and you ladies that put it all together deserve medals, what a kaleidoscope of color to look at . UTTERLY WONDERFUL!!!!!

[Sissy]

Thank you so much for all your fun work putting all the books together! I'm waiting on pins and needles till my book arrives!

[fitty]

omgosh.. look at all the books!.. lovely.. wish to have a copy oh wait.. wish to have it all!.. hehehehe..

maybe next time, i shall join the swap.. but whatever it is.. to those who join the swap.. you guys did a great job.. all are sooooooo pretty!.. couldnt wait to see who gots what and all the excitement!.. :-)

[sandra @7th St. Studio]

I don't know how you all did it, but those books are incredible...if one of the magazines wanted something really neat to feature...this would be it! Each one is so lovely and as you flip through it made me excited to see what each person had done...now I know why you were filled with such creative energy even though you were sick!!! It was all that creativity that you saw as you put those together!! Simply amazing!!! Standing ovation for you and Beth, and Jen too!!!

[Raised In Cotton]

How simply beautiful Karla, you and Beth should have a ton more gifts delivered to you for your creative work on our behalf.
What a great idea with the ribbon binding, perfect touch and meant to be.
Hugs,
C

[sadie527]

Yeah for you! Congrats on completing your noble and beautiful project. I can hardly wait to get my copy! I am a chronic under-estimator of how long a task will take. I think that maybe "ignorance is bliss" in this case, because I would never attempt some projects if I knew in advance how long they would take! Always happy in the end though. 42 is a great slew of projects to do! Thanks again for all your hard work! - Amy Bauer

[Lisa]

These are beautiful! I would have loved to have been a part of the swap, wish I knew about it. Are these swaps done through your blog or someplace else. I enjoy doing swaps through swapbot. Let me know when you do another one. :-)

[Deborah]

What a set up you have...no wonder your creations are so beautiful!

[Carrie]

Oh wow! Such beautiful (and functional) work! I'm sure all the participants are extremely grateful for your efforts in putting the books together.