Dec 30th 2010 08:15:12 am

It is hard to believe that 2011 is nearly upon us! Holiday celebrating has cut into my blogging time over the last few weeks, but I have a special featured swap for you this week:

2011 Postcard swap #1 – January

This is your chance to get in on a year-long swap series at the very beginning! This international swap series is hosted by Angellica and it is open to new users. The swap is a quick and simple postcard swap: send one store-bought, “sender’s choice” postcard to your one partner.

The 2011 Postcard swap #1 – January is currently in the number one spot of the “Top Swaps” list with 220 participants, but if you want to participate, join now!! The swap closes for sign up tomorrow, the last day of 2010.

Happy New Year!

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Dec 24th 2010 09:54:34 am

4 Comments » Categories: General

Dec 17th 2010 08:50:16 pm

I found some fun Swap-bot related links this week…

• The amazing map of the World of Swap-bot that you see above is an ATC created by LadyStephanie. I love the Ernie River and the Johnson Keep!!
• Creative Snail Mail – a blog about postcards mostly sent for Swap-bot swaps.
• This giant envelope pillow reminds me of Ernie the Envie.
• So does this cute envelope wallet!

Any other snail mail goodies I should add to the list?

2 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Dec 14th 2010 12:39:39 pm

Swap-bot users are the most generous and amazing people in the world!! My proof? The more than 30 packages I have received so far for our hat, scarf & glove donation drive. The donations are going to The Partnership for the Homeless here in New York City and they will help keep homeless New Yorkers warm this winter.

Learn more about how you can donate to the drive (and get a little reward, too) by reading the blog post.

I am so impressed by the response to this donation drive!

…and so is Crusher! (Although, he is NOT impressed with his Rudolph hat.)

4 Comments » Categories: General, Swappy Goodness

Dec 13th 2010 11:47:18 am

I am a sucker for glitter! It seems even more appropriate during the holidays…

If you are a glitter lover like me, you may want to join the Glitter Blast ATC Swap hosted by bratface99.

The swap is international and pretty self-explanitory… Make one Artist Trading Card using glitter in some way for each of your two partners. The ATCs must be normal size – 2.5 x 3.5 inches – but other than that, you can interpret the theme any way you’d like. Sign up for the swap before December 24th, and send your ATCs before January 7th. Read the swap description for all the details.

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Dec 9th 2010 03:07:48 pm

We saw some flurries in New York this week and it put me in a winter mood… I searched for “snow” on Etsy and found these lovely items, including the Winter Wonderland Mason Jar from IrishVikingDesigns above.

Have you had snow where you live yet this season?

1 Comment » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Dec 7th 2010 10:35:50 am

I visited the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade on Sunday, here in New York City. It is an annual craft show put on by The NewNew Etsy Street Team and Swap-bot was one of the sponsors. It was another well organized event with lots of shoppers. (I bought awesome greeting cards from Virginia Kraljevic and My Zoetrope.)

Did anyone get there at the very start of the show and receive one of the goody bags? There was Swap-bot swag in them!!

2 Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Dec 6th 2010 08:02:26 pm

What is the best gift you have ever given? It is a hard question, but fun to think about. And, what better time than the holidays to reminisce and read about some of the best gifts ever? Join the most recent in the Postcard Confessions swap series hosted by thehappyhoneybee and you can do just that.

From the Postcard Confessions – Best Gift Ever swap description:

It’s time for Postcard Confessions, round five! ‘Tis the season of giving…so what’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone else?

Postcards are sender’s choice and can be handmade, clean vintage, or store-bought, but please be sure to send a card that you’d like to receive. Choosing a postcard illustrating the theme or season is nice, but not strictly required. They should be written on and stamped (no envelope), and everyone will have 1 partner, with 1 postcard to send. Easy peasy.

The swap is open to anyone with a well-filled out profile, but make sure you sign up before this Saturday, December 11th!

1 Comment » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Dec 3rd 2010 01:46:06 pm

Hello, swap friends! I feel like I haven’t done a really good link love post in a few weeks… but that all changes now! I have a collection of quality links for you to explore… lots of holiday items because it is that time of year!

• Two simple and sweet holiday tutorials on Creature Comforts: SCANDINAVIAN INSPIRED STAR GARLAND (seen above) & 5 MINUTE TINSEL GARLAND WREATH.
• Lots of us are attending cookie exchanges this time of year. If you need some recipe ideas, check out Better Homes & Gardens’ Cookie Exchange Favorites and Martha Stewart’s Cookie Swap Ideas & Recipes.
• Better Homes and Gardens also has a great group of felt ornament tutorials.
• And speaking of felt ornaments, these mini matryoshka doll ornaments on Sew to Speak are adorable!
• If you are getting started on your holiday gifts already, you may be interested in this lovely, free, downloadable wrapping paper from Mae (an Australian decal/design company).
• Adorable Jenny B. Harris has a free sewing pattern for a Swedish Dala Horse Stocking on her blog today.
• If you celebrate the countdown to Christmas, you may like this homemade advent calendar idea on Between the Lines. Also, Whip Up has a great round-up of over a dozen DIY advent calendars.
• Posty Pals – a blog all about fabric postcards.
• Amazing “Secrets of the Self-employed” by illustrator Keri Smith. She has some great advice for anyone who aspires to be an artist, or simply a creative individual. My favorite tip: “Don’t worry about whether or not you are good (good is subjective and most people are not great judges of their own work), just keep making work.”
• If you are in New York this weekend, come check out the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade in Nolita. It is a craft show organized by The NewNew Etsy Street Team and Swap-bot is a sponsor. The first 200 visitors get a swag bag!

Anything awesome that I neglected to include on this list?

1 Comment » Categories: friday link love