Apr 13th 2012 09:34:22 am

Friday the 13th feels like it should only be an October thing. It doesn’t feel quite right on this sunny April day… let’s just say, today doesn’t feel very spooky. Anyway, enjoy these fun links!!

• Which country has the most expensive postal charges? The BBC says it is Norway… or Jamaica, depending on how you calculate it.
• Check out user, starrgazer’s, lovely craft blog: Starrgazer Creates.
• And, I LOVE this awesome post about Swap-bot on user, farrah81′s, blog, Nerd in Houston.
• This looks like a positive, fun, new site for parents: Mom’s Best Network.
• For Earth Month: 101 Green Handmade Gift Tutorials on Everything Etsy.
• Wow! Four lovely Hunger Games cupcakes on Diamonds for Dessert.
• If you use Instagram, check out Stickygram. They make magnets out of your photos. (And they ship worldwide for free!)
• I am blown away by the amazing, colorful paper products from The Hungry Workshop!
• My Paper Crane had an awesome sock monkey printable available for Easter decorating, but I think you could use it any time.
• Pssst. I’m working on something sort of secret: A new Swap-bot merchandise store! There are not many items listed yet, but check it out!

Have a sweet weekend!

2 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Apr 12th 2012 11:09:17 am

I did something so cool on Tuesday! I used the Swap-o-matic vending machine!

The Swap-o-matic is a machine with multiple small, windowed boxes. Each of the boxes contains something that a previous user left. If you’d like one of the items, you can swap in something you have. Watch the video for more info:

I stumbled upon the Swap-o-matic at Ample Hills Creamery (an adorable Brooklyn ice cream shop with many creative flavors) and I was very excited to try it out. I swapped my new Shout wipe for some very nice Justin Bieber temporary tattoos. I figured that someone may really need a Shout wipe with all of the chocolate ice cream drips. I also made sure to leave a few Swap-bot cards.

I wish I had invented the Swap-o-matic, but it was actually created by Lina Fenequito. It has been in multiple locations in New York City, and more machines are said to be in the works for other cities. I plan to revisit the Swap-o-matic again soon with an arsenal of swappable items! I’ll report back!

6 Comments » Categories: Swappy Goodness

Mar 30th 2012 08:41:23 am

Happy Friday, everyone! I didn’t find a ton of links this week, so feel free to add more in the comments. We need more spring craft tutorials!

• Wow! What beautiful Easter ideas! (Look at those painted eggs above created by Leslie Shewring for Decor8.)
• Speaking of spring, this cute Carrot Patch Pudding would make a fun themed dessert.
• Need more dessert recipes? How about these Rolo Fudge Brownies, or this Best Chocolate Cake recipe?
• You can tell I have chocolate on the brain. I think I am going to try making these Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies this weekend.
• Looking for an alternative to Etsy? I just discovered Luulla, a marketplace and community for handmade.
• Because we all love snail mail, this index of over 100 envelope templates and tutorials on Mel Stampz is very helpful!

What are you doing this weekend?

1 Comment » Categories: friday link love

Mar 29th 2012 07:17:44 am

I could use a little sunshine in my life right now. How about you? Do handmade, sunshine yellow items, like the cute Kate Endle “Sunny Sun” collage print seen above, brighten your day?

Have a bright and sunny Thursday!

3 Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Mar 23rd 2012 12:20:46 pm

Just a few fun links this week…

• Make, mail, and receive a sweet spring matchbox — like the ones seen above — in my Spring Matchbox Swap!
• For Easter or spring parties: Confetti eggs!
• These simple and pretty flag place card printables from The Wedding Chicks could be useful in many ways.
• An online store that only sells artsy, temporary tattoos: Tattly.
• This April Fool’s Day KFC “Fried Chicken” bucket (made entirely of dessert) is almost too real!
• An easy fun dessert bar idea from Bakers Royale: Banana Pops!
• You already know that Star Trek: The Next Generation is my favorite tv show… so you also know that I am in LOVE with this crocheted ST:TNG crew!
• This sneak peak of Katniss’s outfits got me even more pumped about seeing Hunger Games tonight! Are you going to see the movie? Team Gale or Peeta?

Have a fantastic weekend!!

5 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Mar 19th 2012 12:48:44 pm

I love altered matchboxes and I haven’t had a chance to swap them much lately, but that changes now! Join my Spring Matchbox Swap!

This international swap welcomes experienced swappers with a 5.0 rating. It is a fun and easy swap with just one partner and a wide-open spring theme. What is spring-themed? It could be flowers, baby animals, May Day, spring break, or anything else you can dream up. This swap is sender’s choice.

You can decorate a real, empty matchbox, or download my template here and construct your box with card stock.

Come join, craft, and celebrate spring!

4 Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Mar 9th 2012 08:51:45 am

It seems that spring has arrived a little early here in New York. I welcome the sunshine!

Admin Note: Swap-bot will be inaccesible for a few hours overnight on Saturday and very early Sunday morning. We are doing some server maintenance. We are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Okay, now onto the links!!

• Check out this awesome rainbow quilt on The Modern Quilt Guild blog.
• Wow! Some beautiful “inchie” and fiber art inspiration on Geninne’s Art Blog: Wearable Art Squares.
• Have a blog? Learn how to create a craft/DIY project that goes viral!
• Oh gosh. Too much cuteness: guinea pigs in sweaters!
• Two great tutorial round-ups on Saved By Love Creations: Duct Tape Craft Ideas and Mason Jar Craft Ideas.
• Alright, alright, alright! An amigurumi crocheted Matthew McConaughey doll.
• Will you be serving April Fool’s food on April 1st? These mashed potato sundaes and spaghetti and meatball cupcakes on “Bake at 360″ are a bit gross, but also ingenius!
• Want to make intricate but repeatable patterns to tile on websites or fabric designs? Here is a great tutorial on Design Sponge.
• Oh man, this dessert looks good! Peanut Butter Brownie Tart – yum!

Any other crafty fun to share? Leave more links in the comments…

1 Comment » Categories: friday link love

Mar 8th 2012 02:18:55 pm

Whether you are thinking green for environmental reasons or just celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, the color green is a great way to welcome spring! I picked out a few of my favorite, pretty, green, handmade items on Etsy. (These pressed flower earrings are from Spotted Dog Farm – Botanical Resin Jewelry.)

Will you be wearing green next weekend?

2 Comments » Categories: Handmade Marketplace

Mar 5th 2012 12:30:00 pm

Crusher helped me pick out this week’s featured swap: the Favorite Doggie Treat Recipe Swap. This international Type 2 mail swap is being hosted by audreydoll and it is open to new users and those with a 4.85 rating or higher.

From the swap description:

Are you a Dog Lover? Do you have a treat or cookie recipe that your pooch just loves? How about sharing? Write your recipe on a pretty decorated card. You can decorate with a pix of your dog, stickers, hand-art – whatever! You will send your recipe to three people and receive three new recipes for you to try. Same recipe to all three, or a different one – sender’s choice. Feel free to share something about your dog that makes him or her special to you.

What a fun and easy way to get new treat ideas for our furry friends! Sign up before March 14th.

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Feb 27th 2012 03:18:56 pm

We were doing a bit of maintenance on the blog yesterday which delayed this announcement…. but I am happy to tell you that MrSchiEvous was the random winner of the giveaway sponsored by Pins & Needles. The prize pack of fabric will be mailed out this week.

Congratulations to MrSchiEvous and thank you to everyone who entered! I loved hearing about your fabric craft projects!

Stay tuned for more giveaways in the near future!

1 Comment » Categories: Giveaways