Do you love Swap-bot? Would you like to help spread the word about our awesome, creative community and help attract other fun, crafty, quality members? We want YOU to be a Swap-bot Ambassador!

Swap-bot Ambassadors will be friendly representatives of the ‘bot in their local region. They will be armed with (free!) Swap-bot swag to distribute as they see fit. Fun! And they will also be strong, visible members of the community online. Each Swap-bot Ambassador will be introduced on the blog and they will have a special designation graphic on their profile page. Additionally, Swap-bot Ambassadors will have the opportunity to publish guests posts on the blog, and they may also be asked for input on future site design and improvements. Sound exciting?!

Ambassador Responsibilities:

• Have a Swap-bot account that has been active for a year or longer.
• Be a positive, enthusiastic, active swapper in good standing. (No or very, very few low ratings that can be explained.)
• Be willing to mail and hand out Swap-bot swag.
• Be willing to tell friends (in real life and online via social media) about the fun you have swapping.
• Be open to participating in one-on-one swaps for items from your Ambassador region. (Although, you don’t have to accept ALL one-on-one swap requests.)

Ambassador Perks:

• A big package of fun Swap-bot swag — postcards, pins, mini pencils, stickers, etc — will be mailed directly to you! Send it in your swaps, mail postcards to friends, hand it out around town!
• Included in the swag will be special Ambassador stickers that you can put on your swap packages.
• A special Swap-bot Ambassador graphic will be placed on your profile page indicating your status. (Ambassadorships will be life-long appointments! Unless ambassadors wish to resign or they fall into poor standing.)
• Each Ambassador will be introduced on the Swap-bot blog, with links to their Swap-bot profile page, Twitter, Flickr, blogs, etc.
• Love and gratitude from your Swap-bot Admins!

How to Apply:

Send an email to rachel -at- swap-bot.com with the subject: Swap-bot Ambassador Application. (I don’t want to publish my full email address on the blog as it would attract spammers. Replace -at- with @ to make it a true email address.)

Include the following info in your email:

• Your name and Swap-bot username.
• A photo of yourself that you wouldn’t mind being published on the Swap-bot blog.
• A photo of an excellent swap you sent.
• A description of the region you’d like to represent. It can be a country, state, or city. Depending on the number of applicants, we may adjust each Ambassador’s region.
• How you found Swap-bot, if you can remember!
• Why you enjoy Swap-bot.
• Your favorite type of swap.
• An explanation of any low ratings, if necessary.
• Any links you’d like shared on the Swap-bot blog. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, blogs, websites, etc…
• An interesting fact or anecdote about yourself. It can be anything!

I know that is a lot to include in an email, but you have a LONG time to apply. Send your application email by May 9th. Deadline extended to Friday, May 16th! Ambassadors will be chosen based on region need, the applicant’s email content, and their swap history. Ambassadors will be contacted and announced starting in early June.

This should be fun! Let me know if you have any questions.

_The Ambassador program was inspired by our very first Swap-bot Ambassador to Portugal, mariadastrouxes. Look for her intro in May!

_

Hello and happy spring! We finally got some sun here in Brooklyn and I needed it!! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy these fun links…

• So cute! How to make mini piñatas.
• Want less mess this Easter? Make these easy washi tape Easter eggs.
• Need new spring decor? Why not make this frilly DIY wreath using cupcake liners.
• I am in love with this adorable Felt Tree Stump Pincushion Tutorial.
• Another no-dye way to do eggs: Crocheted Easter Eggs.
• And, how about Paper Mache Confetti Eggs?
• Or, if you are just in the mood for good ol’ normal eggs: 30+ Egg Recipes and Tips.
• Yum! Easy Banana Pudding Recipe.
• Your S’more of the week: cute S’more Cupcakes with Teddy Grahams!

Do you have any fun links to share??

Saint Patrick’s Day is on Monday, and even though I know it isn’t necessarily an international holiday, I just couldn’t pass up sharing some Irish-themed links! Also, I’ve been on a healthy, no-processed-food eating kick… but all of the dessert links I found this week may indicate that I might not be as committed to veggies as I thought… ha!

• Rainbows seem to be a major theme for Saint Patrick’s Day. I guess it is because you can find the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! There are a bunch of awesome-looking rainbow cake tutorials out there — like this “leprechaun trap” mason jar cake, these teeny tiny rainbow cakes, and these miniature rainbow cakes — but they all look fairly difficult and time consuming. Have you ever made a rainbow cake? Was it worth the work involved?
• Of course, Lucky Charms are a pretty obvious Saint Patrick’s Day go-to. These [

Saint Patrick’s Day is on Monday, and even though I know it isn’t necessarily an international holiday, I just couldn’t pass up sharing some Irish-themed links! Also, I’ve been on a healthy, no-processed-food eating kick… but all of the dessert links I found this week may indicate that I might not be as committed to veggies as I thought… ha!

• Rainbows seem to be a major theme for Saint Patrick’s Day. I guess it is because you can find the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! There are a bunch of awesome-looking rainbow cake tutorials out there — like this “leprechaun trap” mason jar cake, these teeny tiny rainbow cakes, and these miniature rainbow cakes — but they all look fairly difficult and time consuming. Have you ever made a rainbow cake? Was it worth the work involved?
• Of course, Lucky Charms are a pretty obvious Saint Patrick’s Day go-to. These](http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/03/boozy-lucky-charms-cereal-milkshakes-with-marshmallow-frosting/#_a5y_p=1393568) look delicious.
• Or, for an alternative to those tricky rainbow cakes, why not make these much easier No Bake St Patrick’s Day Cereal Bars with Lucky Charms?
• But if you have to have rainbows, these Rainbow Pinwheel Cookies look sweet and simple.
• How fun! Homemade shamrock-shaped green tortilla chips!
• One more Saint Patrick’s Day link: You’re My Pot of Gold printable DIY.
• Make, give, maybe swap (?!) a birthday in a can!
• Five ideas for spring gift wrapping.
• This is a fun idea for snail mail lovers: personalized postcard pillow.
• The Cheapest & Best Online Sources for DIY Project & Craft Supplies from Apartment Therapy.
• I love Twix candy bars, so I’d love to try making this Twix Tart. Yum!
• And finally, your S’more of the week: S’mores Brownie Pie.

Have a great weekend! Happy Saint Partick’s Day!

Yes, I am featuring my OWN swap once again… a little self-centered, but I hope I can be forgiven.

My goal for this Easy Postcard Swap is to get new users involved and more knowledgeable about the Swap-bot process. This international postcard swap is open to all new and experienced Swap-bot members! It is just about the easiest mail swap you can try. Simply send one naked (i.e. addressed, stamped, and NOT in an envelope) to one partner. You will then receive a postcard from another participant in the swap. Easy and fun!

You can send any type of postcard that you’d like. The swap is sender’s choice (meaning you don’t have to cater to your partner’s profile) and store bought or handmade postcards are allowed. Write a nice note to your partner, address the postcard, put on some postage, and drop it in the mail! No sweat.

Sign up now! Let’s make this a huge swap!

Just for fun: What is your favorite type of postcard to receive?

p.s. I DO angel my swaps. Two weeks after the send deadline, if you have NOT received and you HAVE rated your partner honestly with a 1, you can contact me and I will send out an angel postcard.

So many colorful links this week! It almost feels like spring…

• Make these cool DIY Letter-shaped Boxes with the tutorial from Studio DIY.
• Mmmmm. Baked Vanilla Bean Donuts.
• Learn how to make a crocheted African Granny Hexagon Pillow from Silly Old Suitcase.
• Cool idea from Hello, Wonderful: Sidewalk Chal Popsicles.
• Yum. So sophisticated! Strawberry Balsamic Cupcakes.
• It is still quite cold where I am, but I’d still drink one of these Pretzel Frozen Hot Chocolates.
• Need some snail mail inspiration? Check out this lovely envelope round-up on Oh Happy Day.
• Very cool! Make a handmade greeting card that your recipient can plant. Use this tutorial to make your own flower seed paper.
• Your weekly S’mores: Seven Layer S’mores Bars and S’mores Cookies.

What are you doing this weekend?

Wow. February is over. Does this mean it will stop snowing in New York someday soon??

Just a few fast links for you this week… Enjoy!

• Snail mail is amazing. Check out these 20 incredible facts about the US Postal Service. (The photo above is of a cute mail box seen in NYC.)
• 10 awesome reasons to use your printer. (Free printables!)
• This 4-year-old designs paper dresses. And they are impressive.
• Just because YUM: Golden Oreo Toasted Marshmallow Cheesecake Bars.
• More yum: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pudding Parfaits.
• BABY PYGMY HIPPO!!!

Did I miss any other good stuff out there on the world wide web?

It is still winter in my part of the world and the cold weather is sapping my enthusiasm… but a few fun and crafty links always help! I hope these project ideas are a ray of sunshine on your Friday…

• Did you know?? It is Mardi Gras season!! Celebrate by making these Mardi Gras King Cake Cupcakes.
• Make a cool DIY frame using washi tape and this tutorial.
• Why not? Make fun, easy bead people!
• How lovely: DIY leather and pom pom luggage tags.
• Do you crochet? This amigurumi baby dragon is too cute! It was made for Chinese New Year two years ago… this year is the year of the horse. Why not crochet both cuties to celebrate the new year?!
• Don’t you just love these airmail inspired wedding invitations?!
• How about a healthy recipe this week? This Citrus Salad with Bitter Greens looks delicious and perfect for springtime cravings.
• And of course, your S’more of the week: S’more Pancakes!

Any other fun links to share??

We LOVE this awesome Swap-bot community and we are so happy that each of you are a part of it! Have a really lovely heart day, swappers! xoxo

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up on Friday, I thought you might need all of these fun, heart-themed links a little bit early. There are tons of last minute Valentine ideas that you could whip up before the big day… Have fun!

Valentine Fun:

• These Cupid’s Arrow Cupcakes don’t look too difficult and make for a fun presentation!
• This other idea for cute heart food and drink toppers and stirrers comes from The House that Lars Built. Also check out these pretty glitter heart boxes from the site.
• I am totally doNUTS over these Donut Valentine Printables. (I love donuts.)
• This Valentine’s Day Popcorn recipe looks so yummy!!
• A quick and easy idea: Playing Card Valentines.
• Put together fast treat packs with these free, printable, Valentine bag toppers.
• Or, use one of these 10 Free Pretty Printable Valentines.
• And of course, you’ll need sweets for your sweetheart. Get some tasty ideas from this round up of 10 Valentine’s Day Sweets.

Below are a few of the February Love Matchboxes I made this year…

BUT… I know not everyone enjoys heart day, so here are a few more neutral links…

Non-lovey-dovey Fun:

• Cool! How to make dishwasher safe glitter mugs.
• Um, yes! Fruity Pebble Cupcakes do sound delicious.
• These Homemade Kit Kat Bars don’t look too difficult.
• And, your S’more of the week: Inside-Out S’mores Cake.

Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day? Will you be crafting anything for the holiday??

Wow. 2014 is chugging along! Only 20 days until Valentine’s Day! I love the February holiday, but I feel unprepared this year… maybe these links will help! Enjoy…

• You know I love this S’more Valentine gift idea. Inside the jar is a S’more snack mix of graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate.
• Not a Valentine exactly, but I love these DIY wool ball coasters too much to not share.
• Perfect for us snail mail lovers! Download Cathe Holden’s free air mail themed valentine.
• You don’t need to be drinking an adult cocktail to jazz up the rim with some fun sprinkles! Check out 27 other creative ideas for Valentine’s Day on Decor8.
• These “I ‘chews’ you” chomping valentines are cute and clever.
• Pair these simple, free, printable Valentines with a bit of candy for a sweet gift.
• These translucent, confetti-filled Valentines are unique and pretty.
• Not Valentine-related, but I have really been enjoying the art of Erin Guido lately. Fun & happy!
• And one more S’more for you this week: Inside-Out S’mores Brownies.

What other links are you loving this week?