Nov 29th 2011 12:45:05 pm

There are just a few more days left to participate in our Holiday Gift Drive for The Partnership for the Homeless.

I can accept gift cards, warm weather gear, toys, and Paypal donations through the end of this week. The gifts and gift cards we collect will be distributed at The Partnership for the Homeless Children’s Holiday Party on December 10th, here in New York City.

For your donation you will receive one rating credit which can be used to remove one low rating from your Swap-bot account. If you don’t have a low rating now, you can hold onto the credit for future use. But I must have you donation at Swap-bot HQ by this Friday!

Get more info about the Holiday Gift Donation Drive here.

No Comments » Categories: Announcements, Swappy Goodness

Nov 23rd 2011 02:31:44 pm

I love the theme of the international Handmade Holiday Tolerance Card Swap hosted by Amigirl. It is a handmade greeting card swap that allows you to express your winter holiday wishes, no matter what you celebrate this time of year.

From the swap description:

You will have 5 partners. You will send each of them one winter holiday card that you will make by hand.. Store-bought cards are not allowed, although of course you will likely be using store-bought elements. You can use any paper or fabric crafting techniques to make the cards. The cards should be pretty and something you’d want to display in your home.

ANY holiday celebrated this time of year is acceptable as your theme! You may do Christmas, New Year, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or whatever you celebrate at this time. You may certainly use your own spiritual or religious themes in the cards. Everyone is to exercise their tolerance here in what they receive and enjoy the well wishes no matter what religion they come from. Let’s all enjoy the variety of the spirituality that Swap-bot has. You are not to make any remark here about what type of holiday card you will accept, nor are any of you to rate down if you get a card that isn’t in line with your religious view. Tolerance is our watchword!

What a great swap! Diversity makes swapping more interesting and more fun!

(And in the same general theme, check out my Holiday Fun Matchbox Swap. You can create a matchbox in any winter or holiday theme you choose! The photo above is from a previous year’s swap.)

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Nov 22nd 2011 01:08:24 pm

The USPS has released their Holiday Shipping Info. Here are some of the important recommended First Class Mail shipping dates if you want to get items to your recipient by December 25:

Domestic Mail – Ship by December 20th
International Mail, Africa & South America – Ship by December 2nd
International Mail, everywhere else – Ship by December 9th

Also:

• Canada Post suggested holiday mailing dates.
• Royal Mail recommended last posting dates for holiday packages.

The postal services work hard over the holidays to deliver a huge quantity of gifts and greeting cards, but keep in mind that items may be delayed. If possible, work in a few extra mail transit days into your swap planning. If you are creating a new swap, keep in mind that most post offices will be closed on December 25 and January 1st, so plan your mail deadlines accordingly.

There is still time to get in some fun holiday swapping, but don’t wait too long!!

No Comments » Categories: General, Tuesday Tip

Nov 18th 2011 11:34:40 am

Just a handful of links for you this week…

• First off, did you know there was a book that can teach you how to Knit Your Own Royal Wedding?! The craft world is an amazing place.
• Also, please enjoy this knitted Gnomes vs. Snowmen art exhibit.
• I had 100 balloons at my 30th birthday, but it wasn’t quite as cool as this surprise balloon birthday party. I especially love the invitations.
• How would you like to experience Thanksgiving in one bite? I am intrigued. I may have to try making these Thanksgiving Plate Cakelettes. They are a full holiday meal taste sensation in cupcake form! And to use up the left over turkey, how about these Turkey, Cheddar, and Apple Hand Pies.
• And for dessert? I would love one of these Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes from Bakers Royale (seen above) or one of these Baked S’mores.

USA swappers, what are you making for Thanksgiving?

No Comments » Categories: friday link love

Nov 16th 2011 08:40:56 am

I have been compiling this blog post for far too long, but there are just soooo many awesome Swap-bot-themed crafts to share with you from the 100,000th Swap! Here are a few more of the wonderful Ernie incarnations…

First up, a super-detailed, beautiful mini zine made by wunderland!

Travisj received this awesome crocheted Ernie envelope from Patumma.

This clever “Swapper Recipe” was created by aussielisa. So creative!

I love this altered Swap-bot “Swap Keeper” notebook by jen75.

This GIANT Ernie tote bag (22″x30″) was made by bobogrl. Wow!

Ha, ha! Very True! “Nobody Likes a Flaker” postcard made by summerhawk.

Cobaltgypsy rendered a very accurate Ernie in ATC form for her partner.

This cute Ernie was painted by magnyette from France.

Pootle made this tiny and adorable Ernie felt brooch (along with some handmade note cards) for her partner.

Now, this is unique! Dlyn67 made a mug rug printed with avatars from Swap-bot – very cool!

This sweet Ernie zippered pouch was made by chrisnchoc.

So many different types of crafts are represented! These cute cupcake toppers were made by lorepuckett.

These awesome Ernie goodies were all handmade by arkaya.

This cute little pillow was sent to babytreese from effycrush.

Cool Swap-bot buttons made by bauerdesigns.

These three bags of Ernie tea wrapped with Ernie wrappers were made by ProudKids.

How cute is this mini, beaded Ernie charm created by BerlinGeorgia?!

This marvelous zippered pouch and address labels were made by sunnyblueskies for her partner.

These Swap-bot stickers were made by Gusti.

The photo is a bit blurry, but this altered Altoid tin by Megbomb looks pretty awesome!

Cakers made there personalized swap cards for her partner, LilyM.

Ernie, Crusher, and Hello Kitty all play together in cherriesberries’ handmade card.

And last but not least, I made these little, felt, Ernie business card holders. They didn’t turn out exactly as I pictured them, but I filled them with lots of Swap-bot stickers and cards.

———

Thank you to everyone who shared their images with us! I absolutely LOVE seeing all of the creations. For more Ernie goodness, check out the Flickr Gallery I am compiling for the 100,000th Swap.

I know that I missed a bunch of awesome creations in this round up, so PLEASE add links to your photos in the comments!

14 Comments » Categories: craftiness, Swappy Goodness

Nov 11th 2011 07:21:46 am

Happy Veterans Day & Happy 11/11/11! These are my eleven postcards that I just mailed out for the 11-11-11 Postcard Swap.

In honor of the day, here are ELEVEN fun links:

1. Learn how to make an adorable cross-stitch family portrait from Martha Stewart Crafts.
2. Crafty advent calendar ideas on Better Homes & Gardens.
3. How-to: use your pretty magazines to make a festive ball garland from Princess Lasertron.
4. What to do with all those toilet paper rolls? Why not try making some of these TP Roll Pendants on Mega Crafty.
5. Three great blog posts all about Swap-bot: 100 000 Swaps Completed On Swapbot, Motivation by Swap, and Oh Swap-bot. How you monopololize my time.
6. Ingenius: The Scientific Seamstress created a printable bias tape maker that you can download for free!
7. Make your own washi tape.
8. Edible embroidery? Use sprinkles to “embroider” your cake.
9. Yum! Pecan Pie Cookies on Bakers Royale.
10. Oh, and Snickerdoodle Cupcakes on How Sweet It Is.
11. One more recipe… I might make these for Thanksgiving: mini apple pies in an apple!!

I hope you do ELEVEN fun things this weekend!!

3 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Nov 10th 2011 10:03:55 am

I am working on another HUGE blog post of all the images that have been coming in from the 100,000th swap, but in the meantime, I have an announcement!

Swap-bot is once again a sponsor of the Holiday Handmade Cavalcade!

Lovers of all things local and handmade are marking their calendars for Saturday December 3rd, when the local Etsy Team, The {NewNew}, hosts its fourth annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade at the sprawling arts and music venue Public Assembly, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. shoppers can load up on clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body treasures, toys, housewares and more, all handmade by some of the most creative local artisans and crafters in the NYC metropolitan area.

The first 200 shoppers to arrive will receive free goodie bags packed with a unique sampling of wares from the {NewNew} [including Swap-bot goodies! yay!]. Shoppers will also receive, with each purchase they make, a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of ten {NewNew} handmade prize packages.

If you are in the NYC area, come check it out!

No Comments » Categories: Announcements, Handmade Marketplace

Nov 8th 2011 08:50:29 am

The mail deadline for the 100,000th Swap was yesterday and the swap participants have been sending me the most amazing images of their Swap-bot-inspired creations! The incredible mixed media painting of Crusher above was done by Faeorain. I love it so much!!!!

I am still trying to get organized so that I can post a comprehensive gallery of all the wonderful photos I have received, but for now, here are a few more….

A giant Swap-bot stationery set created by Julianapena.

A cute Ernie matchbox and adorable necklace charm by Leecytx.

A truly incredible cross stitch book mark by Kizmet. Wow! Look at that perfect cross stitched Ernie!

I have so many more amazing creations to share with you… Stay Tuned!

9 Comments » Categories: Swappy Goodness