Feb 28th 2010 11:04:02 am

What a wild week! Swap-bot HQ is running a bit behind, but never fear, here is an unconventional Sunday edition of the Link Love:

• Swap-bot member, has created a Swap-bot member fan site over on Ning called the . She would love for you to join!
• Swap-bot member, is hosting a on March 15th. She will be showcasing lots of bookmark goodness and also hosting giveaways. Check out her for more info.
• The are coming up on March 7th! If you are hosting an Oscar viewing party, make it even more fun and special with the many free Oscar Party downloads featured and on Twig and Thistle. There is even a printable where you can mark your own picks for the motion picture winners!
• Speaking of parties, wouldn’t these on Delicious Delicious Delicious (and seen above) make awesome party treats?!
• I like this over on Skip to my Lou.
• I thought this was just down right cool: !
• I just discovered this seemingly amazing online craft supply store, . Has anyone purchased from it before?
• Is anyone a member of ? From the site: “The Modern Quilt Guild is a community of quilt guilds across the country. The online community of modern quilters is thriving and this guild grew out of a desire to also have us meet in person. The founding branch of the guild started in Los Angeles in October of 2009.”
• Sarah Moore, of , is going to be on . I’ll be listening!
• This is just for laughs: ! ha!

3 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Feb 25th 2010 12:21:21 pm

Just this week, two Swap-bot friends met up in real life for a day of crafting! Users and met at Gypsy’s home to work on ATCs for upcoming Swap-bot swaps. The two live near each other and thought it would be fun to meet. Gypsy says, “We had such a great time crafting, drinking tea and munching on treats! Next time we meet we’ll do some watercoloring.” Sounds fun to me!

You can see a few more photos of the meet-up on .

(We would always love to share any photos and stories from when Swap-botters meet up in real life. Email me at rachel [at] swap-bot.com with any info. If you contact me prior to the event, I will send along some Swap-bot swag to hand out!)

No Comments » Categories: Swapper Report

Feb 22nd 2010 01:48:35 pm

You know I could not resist featuring a swap all about my little dog, Crusher! (He is Swap-bot’s mascot and also my loyal admin assistant.) So, this week’s swap is the swap hosted by . This Crusher-themed swap is similar to the in that you will make a little, flat Crusher and photograph him in different locations.

More instructions from the :

For this swap, you will select one of the photos [of Crusher on the swap page & you can find them on my Flickr , too]. Next, Print the photo out. Then, cut out Crusher so you end up with just a photo of Crusher. Tip: You may want to reinforce the photo with cardboard or card stock on the back side. Once you have your Crusher likeness, tape a stick to the back (a paint stick works well, so does a wooden spoon or ruler, basically any type of handle will do). Now you have Crusher-on-a-stick.

You will take a photograph of your little Crusher-on-a-stick sharing a day with you and send it to your one partner. Crusher can go to the beach with you, show up in your birthday photos, play with your kids, be seen at work with you, or your Crusher-on-a-stick may be sitting in a grocery cart or driving your car. The sky is the limit! Crusher can end up anywhere. For this swap, you just mail your photo of your Crusher-on-a-stick to your partner. However, we would all like to see your photos. You can post them on Flickr at my newly created Swap-bot page, , and I will make a forum thread when the swap starts.

I am already signed up for this great swap but you have until March 9th to join. The swap is a “Type 3″ craft swap that will be sent in the mail, but I would also love to publish the resulting photos here on the blog, too… Can’t wait to see where Crusher ends up!

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Feb 19th 2010 11:43:52 am

I have gathered a bunch of links to some really interesting and cool-looking crafty sites this week, but I haven’t had a chance to really check them all out… Take a look at a few and let me know what you think!

• – a craft challenge/contest/blog.
• – a digital magazine for women covering many aspects of life.
• – a cute art, craft, and design blog.
• – business help for artsy types.
• – a blog featuring beautiful printed paper goods.
• – a hand-picked exhibition of handmade items.
• – an adorable designer’s website, shop, and blog.
• – the blog of amazing designer, Cathe Holden.
• – A showcase and resource for handmade buyers and sellers.

Have a wonderful weekend!

1 Comment » Categories: friday link love

Feb 17th 2010 08:40:13 am

This week’s featured swap is the hosted by . Pennant banners (or bunting, or garland, depending on where you are from) are very popular right now, and for good reason! They are a fun and easy way to decorate a space for a party, or for everyday. This swap requires that each participant create their own original pennant banner with five triangles or squares which spell out the word “DREAM” attached to a ribbon or cord. The triangles or squares should each be the size of an Artist Trading Card (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and they should be created in a vintage style.

More info from the swap description on the style: “Senders choice color-wise, but it MUST be soft and dreamy and vintage in style – a touch of glitter is always nice. You can start creating as soon as you sign up. Think vintage trims and tassels, think ribbon and lace. Vintage embellishments would be nice, but any cute pictures or stickers that match, diamontes or flowers. I usually add a fringe, tassels or beading to each bottom but its up to you.”

The swap is international and open for sign up through February 26th.

1 Comment » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Feb 12th 2010 03:52:44 pm

Enjoy these heart-filled links and have a LOVEly weekend!

• A blog called “Mustard Seeds” has a really smart .
• The Uphill Industries blog has a .
• Millie Johanson’s blog, Wild Olive, has a really clever . Very sweet – I gotta try it!
• Don’t forget that you can download free Swap-bot Valentines with a cute matching envelope .
• Craft Critique has a really long list of Valentine’s Day crafts on their today.

Happy Valentine’s Day! xoxo

No Comments » Categories: friday link love

Feb 9th 2010 01:17:11 pm

We have finally released the new swap coordinator requirements that were previously discussed in the forums . We made these changes to the requirements after receiving a lot of user input about who should be able to host a swap on Swap-bot. These changes will probably not affect any long-time users, but they will change how and when new users can host swaps.

Starting now, you must meet these requirements in order to create any swap:

• You must complete five different swaps (i.e. send and mark five swaps as sent).
• You must have received five 5 ratings (they can be for the same swap, or different swaps).
• You must have LESS than ten 1 ratings in your entire Swap-bot lifetime.

And, like always:

• You must have over a 3.0 average rating.
• You must NOT be suspended in any way (partially of fully) or be underage.

Any swaps that are already underway will not be affected by this change. I believe these new restrictions will help increase the overall average quality level of swaps hosted on Swap-bot. These restrictions are not perfect – other types of restrictions have been suggested, like restricting each type of swap individually – but I think they are a good start. They are much more strict than the previous requirement of just completing one swap!

Like always, we can override these restrictions if there are new users who have past swapping experience and would like to start hosting on Swap-bot. We still want Swap-bot to be a helpful tool for those who host successful swaps on their blogs, so I will continue to make exceptions for those types of swaps as needed.

Also, these restrictions are probably a lot more lenient than what many Swap-bot users look for in their swap coordinators. Remember to always check out the swap’s host before signing up for a swap. You can set your own personal coordinator requirements and only join swaps hosted by users who meet them. A good swap host makes for a successful swap!

1 Comment » Categories: site updates

Feb 8th 2010 09:22:54 am

was a very active Swap-bot member who passed away from lung cancer in May 2009. She was loved by many on Swap-bot and is still greatly missed. Two of her friends are currently hosting swaps in her memory:

– Hosted by , this swap entails creating a quilt square which will be part of the quilt that crochetjunkie will donate to the AMerican Cancer Association. You send the quilt square to crochetjunkie and send a photo of it to your swap partner. Sign up before February 20th.

– This swap, hosted by , is for friends of Cheryl who want to make a craft to commemorate her life. You will send your partner a quality craft that is inspired by Cheryl’s statement that she would rather have gills than wings. Sign up before February 28th.

1 Comment » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Feb 6th 2010 12:28:04 pm

I have a present for you! I got inspired and made these cute Swap-bot Valentines and matching envelope. One features Ernie the envie decked out for the holiday, and the other features Crusher. Crusher loves you!

The PDF file is totally free and you simply download it, print it out on card stock, cut out your Valentines, and give them to your friends! You could also use them as swap cards to include in your swap packages.

Download the Swap-bot Valentines PDF here.

There are some basic instructions on the PDF, but assembly is really easy. Cut just inside the black lines, then score and fold the envelope on the grey lines. Fold in the shorter sides of the envelope, then the bottom. You can glue these parts together. Slip your Valentine card inside the envelope, fold down the top, seal it, and give it to someone you love!

Crusher was so excited about these cards that he already started handing his out!

21 Comments » Categories: Swappy Goodness

Feb 5th 2010 10:36:17 am

• The lovely photo above is from , a craft blog with lots of tutorials. Right now you can find two crocheted heart tutorials and .
• Another great Valentine craft: from Happy Together.
• How about some Valentine treats: on Pleasant Home.
• Are you snowed in? Are you going to be snowed in soon? Have you been snowed in for weeks? In honor of all the snow that many of us are experiencing, Swap-bot user is hosting a .
• The Super Bowl is on Sunday and Bakerella has a recipe for really cute . Yum!
• Bakerella makes all the best stuff! Check out these amazing made in honor of the upcoming Academy Awards.
• And speaking of baked goods inspired by events, these on Sweetopia are amazingly adorable. (btw: I am in with the , designed by super-cute husband and wife team, .)
• Just for fun and for the love of cute:

2 Comments » Categories: friday link love