Altered Paint Stick Swap

     A few weeks ago I entered Lowe's Hardware Store with no intention of buying anything. I snuck up to the paint counter and was elated that no one was there! I reached  into the can there and removed two....or three...or six of the wooden paint stirrers, turned around, and walked a bit guiltily out of the store.
     What the heck was I doing? Getting enough paint sticks to paint each room of my house? No chance of that happening.  Gathering light wood for kindling a fire? Too warm for that now. Hmmmm......out of guesses? I was preparing for an altered paint stick swap over at The Altered Page found at thealteredpage.ning.com, a great site run by Angie Holt.
     I had never done one of these before, but studied a few trusty Youtube videos enough to know that I wanted to give them a try. It was run by dolphingirl76 and the rules were to use scrapbook supplies to decorate  two sticks for our group of three people in a Shabby Chic style. I was excited to use up my stash, so no two of mine were exactly alike, though they were similar. Since dolphingirl76 was the hostess, she got to see all of the sticks and has posted them on her blog at hunnebcreations.blogspot.com. The ones I received in my group are shown below. There are two pictures, of the fronts and backs. I made the two on the ends.

     I was pleased with how mine came out, especially since I was able to use up some of my stash. For a while I was covered in Mod Podge, but it all worked out! I loved all of the ones I received and plan to display them in a vase. I would do this swap again in a heartbeat. Of course, I will have to deal with the wrath of Bill telling me it is not good to go into a store and 'steal' things, hahaha! I can deal with that!