Nerdy Games

Week 8 for Project 52: For Brian's birthday coming up, we decided to have a small get together of some gaming friends to have a game afternoon, instead of just a normal get together. Cuz that's boring! ^_^

While we don't play games like D&D, we do play unusual, and we like to say, "nerdy" games. Or, games that aren't in the mainstream. But are SO fun!

One couple canceled on us, but that's okay. We still had lots of fun! (And more food to go around, hah!)

 

So here's the group we had, getting reading to play Red Dragon Inn. It's a "drinking game", but all in character, and the drinks aren't real. Basically, you're characters that have just returned from your adventure to the local tavern to drink away your loot. Your goals it to either outdrink your fellow gamers, or make them run out of money. It's so fun! ^_^

Before this, we also played a game of Tsuro. We'd only seen this played on Tabletop, but we rented it from a local game shop to try out. Not fun. Quick and easy to learn.

We would have liked to have played another one, but Red Dragon Inn took longer because we had a few new people playing, AND we incorporated the gambling expansion pack (which was new to all of us). But still, overall we had a lot of fun. It's nice to be able to play with people who have similar game interests, but also those who are willing to learn. (For New Year's Eve, we went to someone house to also have a game night, and we took Zombie Dice over, and while most people were a little skeptical, everyone loved the game, so ... there. Ya never know until you try.)

Other games in our library include:
Guillotine
Ninja Burger
Munchkin
Quelf
Sequence

And some standards, with twists:
Disney Monopoly
Lord of the Rings Risk, Monopoly, and Trivial Pursuit
Harry Potter Uno

And, regulars:
Phase 10
Clue
Risk

And more that I can't remember right now.

How about you? Do you have any fun, quirky games you play? Or would recommend?

Love & Helping Hands

A smidge behind on showing some Project 52 photos, but you'll forgive, right? ^_^

Week 6 involved a project for Brother Bill's Helping Hand, a non-profit organization that helps those in need in their area of the city (including a food pantry, low-cost medical services, employment services, and much more).

Our team at work volunteered there last November, mostly helping with the food pantry, but also with some things for their upcoming Christmas celebration.

We definitely wanted to do something for them again, so this time, we decided to help out with the "birthday bags." About once a quarter, Brother Bill's has the children from the are come in and pick out a birthday bag so they can celebrate their upcoming birthday. Bags have party supplies in a theme, including a cake mix and frosting. While items like this might seem commonplace to us, for many of these children, getting something like this is a luxury, as their families can barely afford food for their birthdays, much less extras like cake and party supplies.

So our team decided to get together and do two bags, one each for a boy and girl.

As you can see, we had fun picking out these cool themes: Pirate and Rock Star.

Week 7 had Valentine's Day in it, so how could this week's photo NOT be about that, right? I decided to finally break in the Silhouette Cameo that Brian got me for Christmas. It's this nifty cutting machine that can cut anything from paper to fabric to vinyl and lots in between. It's like my only little person die-cut machine!

Since so many people give candy for VDay, I decided to go a slightly different route, and took an idea I found via Pinterest, for decorated soda bottles, and made it my own.

Aren't they cute? The paper hearts were cut with the Cameo, and I used my ribbon punch to make holes to thread the ribbon through on each side of the hearts. Then just added some twine and a fun straw.

But, of course, you can't have the day without a card, and this is where my machine really did some hard work! I downloaded a card template from the Silhouette store and this came out:

I just added some of the same paper to the backing. Isn't it cute? Looks like I worked so hard on it! Some of the gals at work even thought I actually cut that all out by hand. Hah! As if.

So, that's my Heart Day! (Oh, and Brian got me Season 2 of Downton Abbey—I already had 1 & 3, so now my set is complete!)

How about yours? Was it a good one?

P52 Week 5: Mickey Antenna Ball

A long time ago, I had a Mickey antenna ball that matched my fuzzy dice.

But then, someone stole it. :( Evil people!

And then, Brian got me a new one ... but I just barely put it out, because I'm afraid it shall get stolen again.

How long will this one last? (Seeing as my fuzzy dice are on now on their third incarnation!) But, at least Julian looks complete now. (Yes, Julian is my car's name. Surely I've mentioned that before?) ^_^

How about you? Do you have an antenna ball? Fuzzy dice? Funny bumper sticker? And car name?