trading treats tuesday, and . . . !!!!!

Did I ever tell you how much I love General Conference?

I really do.

But that's not my Treat for today. Oh no. Even though one of my favorite talks was by President Uchtdorf. (The Oldest Carrotstick really likes President Uchtdorf -- mostly because she thinks he has great hair.)

In his talk from the Relief Society Broadcast he talked about being creative and compassionate. It was good. You can read it here, if you missed it.

Now, even though my procreative powers haven't turned out to be very strong, I do like to make things. At one point, in a former life, I was even guilty of excessive scrapbooking. I know, it's hard to believe because I don't have a single scrapbook in my house. Actually, that's not true. I have two empty binders. But somewhere, floating around in my craft room, is a collection of finished random scrapbook pages. With that fact haunting my past, I do still regularly exchange "paper crafts" with some friends.

This last exchange did not go well -- for me. Everyone else's projects were cute and darling. But even after much weeping, wailing, and teeth gnashing, mine ended up being, well, just dumb. And ugly. And stupid. I felt guilty about even giving them to my friends. But something was expected, so I had to hand them over. I felt compelled to wear sunglasses and trenchcoat to the exchange, so no one would recognize me. Not really. But I thought about it.

The whole experience was very demoralizing. I was about ready to sell all my scrapbooking crap on eBay.

But President Uchtdorf's talk convinced me to try, try again. And then, our ward hosted a fun Super Saturday this last weekend where I became addicted to making these:
(They are silk flower clips. They are cute -- in case you couldn't tell. And I know why people sell these -- because they are so fun to make that they just can't stop, even though they don't need anymore themselves. I made them because they were there, but the Oldest Carrotstick is in love with them and has coordinated all her outfits this week to match the flower clips. She is wearing a yellow one today, clipped to a headband. She wore the purple center clip yesterday and said she even had a couple of boys compliment her on it. She thinks it's weird when boys notice those sorts of things. Wow!! I am really feeling chatty today. It's like I haven't talked to an adult in a month! I'm almost finished, I promise.)

So, long story short, the flower clips reaffirmed President Uchtdorf's talk -- creating is good. And, enjoying the good karma from the clips, I decided to remake my Halloween paper crafting projects. And they turned out so much better this time!

And guess what?

I made extras! So, if you want to leave me a little comment on this post -- and you have till the next Trading Treats Tuesday to comment -- I will enter all the comments into a bowl or Random Generator and pick a winner. And then next Tuesday, a little ghost might deliver the following collection of Halloween goodies on your doorstop, or mailbox.

There. I'm finally done.


My Treat: successful creativity.

Your Treat: tell me, and you might win these: Cards.

And a candy canister.

You will only get one -- this is just to show you what the whole thing looks like. If I have a modicum of self-control, I'll put candy in it for you. But only if I don't eat it all first.

Really, you can enter even if you hate Halloween, or even if you think these cards are still ugly and stupid -- despite the reworking. Remember: regifting is the gift that keeps on giving!

Come on, play along. Let me do as President Uchtdorf counseled -- let me share the love.

Maybe if you really twist my arm, I'll make you a flower clip.