Aug 30th 2011 12:44:28 pm

“There’s so many gorgeous colours and wonderful smells during this season. One incredible smell is a tasty dessert from our fall produce. Some of you have favourite cheesecake recipes (like pumpkin) or cake recipes (like carrot or zuchinni) or a favourite pie.”

That is a quote from the description of this week’s featured swap, Autumn Decadence and a Surprise. The international swap is being hosted by pinkrenegade. For this postal mail swap, you will have one partner and you will share with them one tried and true favourite dessert recipe you use at this time of year. ALSO send a small fall surprise that can be profile base but it really is sender’s choice.

An easy and flexible swap to help us celebrate the change of seasons!

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Aug 26th 2011 11:36:19 am

Those of us on the east coast of the US are prepping for Hurricane Irene this weekend (don’t worry, Travis, Crusher & I have lots of water, food, first aid, etc — we will stay safe), but I still managed to get you a great group of links this week. woohoo!

• Those adorable unicorn cookies seen above are from The Decorated Cookie.
• You may have already seen this before, but it is too wacky not to share: Creative dog grooming by Sandy Paws. I like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle grooming style the best.
• A review of The World’s Smallest Post Service craft kit on Craft Critique.
• And speaking of postal mail, did you know you can send real postcards featuring your Instagram photos straight from your phone with Postagram?
• How to make glittery Galaxy Play Dough.
• More glitter: How to make glitter tape from Pugly Pixel.
• A new-to-me craft blog: Sew Country Chick.
• So bizarre in the best way: CSI Miami-themed cupcakes, complete with tiny crime scene decorations.
• Too cool! Han Solo in carbonite ice cube molds. I love Han!
• Be green this Halloween. October 8th is National Costume Swap Day.
• And because it wouldn’t be a link love without an insane dessert recipe: Cookies and Cream Brownie Cookies.

Everybody be safe this weekend!

4 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Aug 25th 2011 12:29:36 pm

It is always so thrilling when Swap-bot receives a little press! And this time it was a total surprise… a friend recently clued me into the fact that Swap-bot is mentioned on page 89 of the September 2011 issue of Disney Family Fun magazine. We are mentioned in an article about ATCs as a good place to find ATC swaps. That is definitely true!

If you ever see Swap-bot mentioned in print or online publications, please let me know! It helps me figure out how users are learning about the ‘bot.

3 Comments » Categories: press

Aug 24th 2011 07:15:30 am

School is starting up again! What teacher wouldn’t appreciate one of these handmade apple creations, like the beautiful apple cupcakes from HelloMySweet seen above?!

Are you a teacher? Has school started up already for you?

No Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Aug 22nd 2011 10:04:10 am

I love graffiti. I know that it is controversial because it can harm property, but I love the diversity of street art and the unique messages that the artists choose to express. I do not produce graffiti, but I do photograph it when I get a chance. (I took these two photos while out and about in New York.)

If you are also interested in graffiti or street art, join this week’s featured swap: Graffiti Postcards. The international swap is hosted by kankalin and it consists of sending handmade graffiti postcards to each of your four partners.

From the swap description:

Take a photo of some nice graffiti art in your town and print out 4 copies, glue it on a sturdy cardboard and mail 1 naked (no envelops) to 4 partners. In the back of your card, you may want to write something about your photo (how did you find the graffiti, about the place etc).

Sign up for the swap by this Friday, August 26th. Users with at least a 4.8 rating are welcome.

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Aug 19th 2011 09:27:50 am

Hi hi hi! I had a fun week on the internet and found a wide variety of links! Of course, there are plenty of food links, like usual, but also lots of crafty goodness… have fun!

Food deliciousness:

• Isn’t that photo above gorgeous?! The pretty goodies are homemade gumdrops by Bakerella.
• Your S’more of the week: S’mores Coffee and Fudge Ice Cream Cake
• Ingenious peanut butter pretzel bites – easy yum!!
• Just because I want to eat some of these right now: Salted Carmel Brownies.

Crafty delightfulness:

• Like fantasy video games? Try cute, free, web-based Kingdom Rush.
• So freakin’ cute: Bob Ross amigurumi.
• I just discovered AOK. It is a “social game for good that recognizes players for posting Acts and Observations of Kindness.” Insteresting…
• Oh Happy Day always has the best stuff, like how to make a number party pinata.
• Speaking of parties, check out this insanely adorable pool party.
• Remember the awesome Chewbacca embroidery piece I posted last month? Well, it was made for a Star Wars themed art exhibit, Stitch Wars. You can see more of the cute creations here.
• Look at this cute gift idea from Momtastic – DIY: Mason Jar Sewing Kit.
• This is just plain smart: How to fold plastic bags to save space.
• If you run a crafty business, or are thinking about it, check out Diane Gilleland’s Social Marketing 102 workshop video.

Have a fun weekend! I am running a 10-mile race on Sunday, so I’m resting up until then… zzzzZZZZZ.

4 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Aug 18th 2011 12:48:31 pm

Have you heard of Spoonflower? It is a site that allows you to design your own fabric.

I have been meaning to try it since I first heard about it in 2008, but kept putting it off. Well, no longer! Today is Free Fabric Swatch Day on Spoonflower, which means you can design your own fabric and have an 8-inch sample of it mailed to you for free! wow!

If you want to get your free sample, your order must be placed by 12 noon EST tomorrow (August 19th).

I quickly put together the Ernie fabric you see above and ordered a free swatch. I can’t wait to see it in person! If it turns out ok, I can make it available for public sale. Stay tuned!

7 Comments » Categories: craftiness, Swappy Goodness

Aug 16th 2011 09:31:13 am

I was going to college in Iowa on September 11th, 2001, but like all Americans, the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York (and the attack on the Pentagon and the plane crash in Pennsylvania) affected me greatly. Now that I live in New York I feel even more connected to the events. (Above is a photo I took of downtown NYC last month looking south from the middle of the Manhattan Bridge.)

This September 11th will be the 10th anniversary of the attacks. In remembrance of the event, Megbomb is hosting a We Will Never Forget postcard swap. The swap instructions:

“You will send one postcard to each of your two partners. It would be wonderful for the postcards to be New York themed (handmade is great or store bought) but i will not make the theme a requirement because I want as much participation as possible. On the postcard please share a memory from that tragic event. Where you were, how you heard, if you knew anyone involved. If a postcard is not enough space, you may send a letter IN ADDITION TO the naked postcard that is the swap requirement. Newbies are allowed with well filled out profiles. Experienced swappers must have a 4.90.”

The swap is international and open for sign up until August 25th. I have joined the swap and look forward to taking a moment to reflect on the terrible, yet important, historic events of September 11th.

1 Comment » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Aug 12th 2011 08:41:04 am

The internet feels a bit quiet lately. Maybe everyone is out soaking up the last bit of summer or preparing for school to start. Whatever the reason for the lull, it means that I couldn’t round up as many links for you this week as I’d like — sadness — but here are a bunch of edible goodies… Enjoy!

• Don’t those black forest pancakes seen above look divine?! Get the recipe from The Healthy Foodie.
• These Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies look delicious.
• Heaven may be a doughnut ice cream sandwich.
• Summer yum: Mojito Bars recipe from Betty Crocker.
• A very cool space shuttle cake with an ice cream fuel tank and chocolate/caramel rocket boosters – wow!
• And to justify it all: How Chocolate Can Help Your Workout.

I apologize if I made you hungry for sweets…

1 Comment » Categories: friday link love

Aug 10th 2011 07:18:02 am

S’mores are my favorite dessert and today is officially S’more Day!! I already compiled a group of S’more-themed handmade marketplace picks last summer, but there are always cute S’more creations to be found, like the Teeny Tiny S’more Pocket Art seen above from cupcakemanor on Etsy. It is a mini oil painting! So cool!

Check out these other S’more finds:

Yum! Now I am getting hungry…

1 Comment » Categories: Handmade Marketplace