Making memories and dream catchers

Carrie and I hosted our 6th annual Valentine party this past weekend for a group of friends that we know from our days of working at a scrapbook store. Seriously? Best job ever. And truly, best friends ever.

♥

We used to have everyone bring their own craft or scrapbooking project to work on during our party, but the past couple of years we've organized a common craft to share. Last year we created Valentine banners/bunting, and this year we created dream catchers. Having a common craft takes a little pressure off of coming up with something on your own, and it's also cool because everyone brings a little bit of their own stash (in this case: yarn, ribbon, feathers, doilies...) and we share with each other.

Even though we created dream catchers, each was as unique as the hands that created it. It's always so fun to see everyone's own personal style shine through.

The dream catcher in the photo above is what I was able to complete during our time together. I still want to add some embellishments to the doily (like a brooch or some flowers), but overall I just love the colors and textures.

The photo below is what my dream catcher looked like in the early stages. The doily is one from my mom's collection that I inherited. ♥

Jacie created these sweet little dream catchers to gift to her daughters for Valentine's Day. ♥ ♥

And my Carrie made this cute little piece with gold string and sequins. Love the little feather tucked in the middle!

Jenn worked on a larger piece...

I love the vintage, southwestern feel to her piece!

Not everyone was into making dream catchers. One friend worked on a Valentine wreath, and one brought a knitting project. And a couple of friends just came to chat and hang out, which is always fine by us!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This last bit has nothing to do with dream catchers, but I wanted to share this fun photo collage that Carrie created with photos of each of us holding our gifts for the exchange we do every year.

Top row: me, Betsy and Jenn
Middle row: Hollie, Carrie and Vee
Bottom row: Jacie, Barbara and Michelle

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We call it our "I ♥ it" exchange and here's how it works: We ask our guests to bring five of one item they love, costing less than $5/item. We each put our name on five slips of paper and drop them in a cup, then we pass the cup and each person draws five names. We check to make sure we don't have duplicate names and/or our own name, and pass around slips of paper until everyone has five unique names.

One by one we stand up {except for Jenn, haha...} and tell about our item, and then we read the names on the five pieces of paper we drew. Those names are the friends who get one of the items we brought.

This year my thing to share was a Sharpie marker (personalized with "Deb & Daughter's V-day Crop 2016") and a mandala kit. Others brought their favorite lotion, lip balm, dish scrubber, etc. It's so much fun, and every guest leaves the party with five different items that other people love. ♥

Oh, I love these ladies so much!!! I'm so grateful for the special friendship we have with each other, and I can't wait till next Valentine's Day to do this all over again!

As for the dream catchers, you can find more inspiration for DIYs on Pinterest. I have more embroidery hoops and a few more of my mom's doilies waiting to be turned into dream catchers, after my friendship quilt is done.

♥