Hey everyone, I am really sorry for not being around at the end of the swap, I got hit real hard with the flu on Christmas Eve, it went into bronchitis/pnemonia which today is the first Ive been up and around... and ontop I am having some problems with a nerve in my neck that runs into my face. Looks like surgery is ahead for me.. I appreciate you ALL joining the swap, and look forward to next Christmas !! Happy Spring growing to you ALL :) Also, just want to mention I am on FB if anyone would like to keep in touch over the year ...under Kym Fullen Amaral.

Marlene, I bought my stacked cake plates thru Target ONLINE (not in any stores) some time ago. Tho one time I did see them in a Ross or TJ Maxx. I added the sundae cup to the top, it was a dollar at Walmart. I discovered all this when I first joined our Forum many years ago, thru a gal named Judith who was an amazing decorator. Wish she was still here, maybe someday she'll come back. Some of her things are in our various holiday albums at least. I'm sure its not hard to find stuff to make your own stacked plates from scratch at thrift shops or yard sales. I saw somewhere online, a lady had put a small cloche on the top plate!! I may try that for Easter. I really liked the idea. I use to tell my kids if they ever drug me, kicking and screaming, into a nursing home...they darn well better bring my stacked plates and a cloche for me to decorate. Those things don't take up much room and give you a LOT of bang for your buck I think. Thanks for all the kind words, Gang. I wish my heart would get back into decorating, this felt kind of thrown together thanks to Lil Paddy pushing me to do it. But I have a feeling my BF is going to make sure I get all the Easter stuff out no matter what. LOL. hugs, Karen

How you feel about winning a particular medal is a relative thing. Going in to a competition expecting to win nothing, you would probably be elated to win Bronze. Going into the same competition expecting to take Gold and ending up with Bronze, that's a completely different feeling. Not that I'm excusing anyone, just that I can completely understand. It's human to feel disappointed when losing a hard fought game. On the other hand, do ya just LOVE Apolo Ohno? He got disqualified in that final round in the 500 meter when he could have won silver. I'm CERTAIN he was disappointed, and he made some remarks regarding the fact that he disagreed with the judges' decision, but he still smiled and said how he had no regrets and felt that he'd had a successful and satisfying time. And speaking of speed skating controversial decisions, the judge who disqualified the Chinese team in the women's relay received threats on his LIFE! How's that for sportsmanship? Ah well, it's over. It was great fun to watch. Congratulations to ALL the winners. Looking forward to the summer games in London in 2012.

Hi All, I have just recently found quite a lot of patterns on Strawberry shortcake on ebay, as my mum is making a blanket for my sister, I also have a book on care bear cousins and my family have a few other patterens on different things, I have books on disney such as mickey mouse, donald, daisy etc... also heaps on winney the poo. I am looking for patterns on motorbikes and also cute monkeys and hippo's dosent matter what size, I am happy to trade patterns if anyone can assist. Thanks