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| A few of the beautiful faces RIE children. |
I admit it I like other people's used stuff. I love hunting for treasure at second hand stores, making something beautiful out of junk, and saving money too.
This month some wonderful friends and I threw a party / fundraiser that allowed me to incorporate many of my loves. And it being February (the month of love) it was themed black, white and hot pink with (what else but,) hearts! Ever heard of a Swap It party? My sister told me about her experience at one a few years ago and I instantly knew I wanted to not only go to one, but hold one myself. A Swap It is like a classy garage sale but it happens just between friends and no money is exchanged. You bring your cast offs in great condition to swap with your friends.
Last year my fabulous friends and I held our first Swap It and had a wonderful time with our small group. This year we decided we wanted to go big and make it meaningful too.
Seven fabulous families meet regularly at our house and though no affiliated with a church, we are all church goers and Jesus lovers. Last summer the women of the group felt strongly that we wanted to partner with an organization that supports needy children. After many months of looking and listening we found a foster home that supports families in need by taking in children and keep them out of the "system" while their families work to create a home that is suitable for them.
We collected donations for Residencia Emmanuel Infantil (Emmanuel Children's Residence) on the evening of our Swap It Party.
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| It's more fun to donate if the jar is pretty, right? |
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| Annika, my party planning understudy. |
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| Las Chicas de las viernes - beautiful, inside & out. Thank you all for your hard work to make this event happen. |
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| Letters cut from an old calendar and leftover ribbon bits mirror the recycling theme. |
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| Simple tea lights in recycled glass jars = classy. |
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| Clothes hung up all over in the garage = not so classy. |
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| 33 women mingling and shopping with beverages called for some wine charms. |
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| Simple little card stock wine charms with personality characteristics in both English and Spanish were the answer. I learned several new things making these. My favorite is Sassy = Con Chispa which literally translates 'with spark'. |
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| Thank you Nes, for the lovely mariposa! |
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| A centerpiece made from a thrift store mirror atop wrapping paper runner and more recycled glass jars with tea lights. |
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| Kathi, official Swap it party merchandiser, cheerleader and sassy dresser! |
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| The younger girls had their own shopping area. |
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| Ladies chatting while awaiting their turn to shop. |
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| Shanna and Rachel shopping the jewelry section. |
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| Friends gathered in front of the information display about the children's residence. |
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| Susan and Mirela dressed in black, white and hot pink - such wonderful coordinating hostesses! |
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| The playroom decor was most appropriate, it is fun to share! |
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| Chocolate, Cheese, and No Cheese 'cheesy' Fondue made for easy socializing and tasty noshing. |
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| Ioana carefully selecting her first three items. We had 2 rounds of 3 items each, then a free for all! The remaining items will be donated to charity. |
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| Once it was your turn to shop, you got right to it - don't hesitate or it's gone ! |
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| Ladies where handed a pretty bag when it was their turn to shop. |
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| Happy Customers. |
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| The chocolate fountain was a main attraction for the younger set. |
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| Annika's haul: 2 shirts, 1 trendy vest, 1 hand knit scarf, 1 glittery headband, one blue bauble necklace & armful of bangles! She was very happy with her 'purchases'. |
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| We raised 260 Euros for the children's home, had a wonderful girls night, cleaned out our closets and came home with a bag full of new to us goodies. Sounds good right? Don't wait to get invited to a swap it party, why don't you host your own! |
