Hello and welcome to 2014! Here are some links to start your year off right:

• For Valentine’s Day or any time: how to make a heart-shaped cake without a hear-shaped pan.
• Check out this DIY tutorial on how to make a beaded turban ring. And while you’re at it, check out this cool, leather and chain, boho necklace tutorial.
• More jewelry! Make these super-fast and easy heart hoop earrings to wear on your Valentine’s Day date or to give as gifts for Galentines Day!
• Cutest winter cupcakes ever?? Snowman cupcake recipe from Bakerella.
• Check out the Best of 2013 Etsy How Tuesday posts.
• Yum. Cranberry Coconut Bread.
• More yum. Nutella Stuffed Monkey Bread Muffins.
• I did NOT make any resolutions for 2014, but I like this list of 101 New Year’s Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep.
• Just for fun: I wish I saw this mail truck ornament before Christmas!
• And, your S’more of the week: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip S’more Cookies.

Did you make any resolutions for the new year?

You already know I am a crazy lady when it comes to Valentine’s Day! I just can’t help it. I love all things pink & red & glittery & lovey dovey. I know not everyone feels the same way …which is why this week’s featured swap encompasses a bit more than just the holiday of love.

Even if you aren’t a huge Valentine fan, come join my February Love Matchbox Swap!! Your matchbox does not necessarily have to be Valentine’s Day related. It can be of any February theme, like winter, President’s Day, MLK Jr Day, my birthday!! haha! The swap is totally sender’s choice, so you can get started on your February crafting now. (You can download a free, printable matchbox template HERE.)

This is the sixth edition of this international paper crafting swap and I hope we can get a huge group of participants. For the swap, you simply decorate and fill one matchbox for one partner and get it in the mail by February 7th. New members and experienced members with a 4.9 rating, or higher, are welcome to join. But I will be weeding out anyone questionable. Sign up by January 27th!

p.s. You can see lots more examples of matchboxes in my Swap-bot set on Flickr. Enjoy!!

If you celebrate it today, Merry Christmas, Swap-botters! And no matter what you celebrate, I hope the end of your 2014 is filled with fun and family and peace.

Travis and I are so thankful that you have each been a part of the Swap-bot community this year. xoxo

These are all of the Christmas cards we received this year hung on the door to Swap-bot headquarters (aka my office at home.) Some are from friends and family, but most of them are from Swap-bot members! Thank you so much. You all have made our holiday special. (And yes, I work with Captain Jean Luc Picard.)

Crusher says, “Woof! I love you!”

I have a special Christmas Eve treat for you!! Check out these awesome Ernie creations made for the most recent Ernie the Envie Give Thanks and Swap:

This exquisite napkin holder was made by by moonlightlaura. I love the beautiful fall theme!

And this adorable, wintery ornament was painted by FunnerKinberly, the coordinator of the fabulous Ernie the Envie swap series. The next swap in the series, Ernie the Envie Holiday Happiness, has already closed and I can’t wait to see what the swappers create!

See lots more amazing Ernie creations in the past blog posts HERE.

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Merry Christmas Eve! I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing, warm, love-filled holiday! xoxo

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays, everyone! I know that many of you are doing the last minute dash to get ready for Christmas and I hope some of these links are helpful….

• There is still time to hand make a festive holiday! Martha Stewart has a bunch of free, downloadable clip art for Christmas projects, like the candy cane mice seen above.
• For a quick and tasty gift or party crowd pleasure, make this fun-filled Cake Batter Bark.
• Speaking of party… Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Shots! Yum! Or, how about a Peppermint Egg Nog Milkshake Shot?! (Adult or kid-friendly versions.)
• My Zoetrope is one of my favorite illustrators and I LOVE these adorable, free, printable gift tags she is generously sharing for the holidays. So cute!
• This looks so cool: DIY Stamped Peppermint Candy. Made from scratch!
• It is not too late! Check out these three last minute DIY holiday gift ideas from A Beautiful Mess.
• Or, try one of the many Fun Christmas DIY Ideas from Oh Happy Day.
• Still need a few gift ideas? Check out our Crafty Swapper Holiday Gift Guide.
• I am in the mood to bake this weekend! I may make these Gingerbread Kiss Cookies. MMmmmm…
• Or, maybe I’ll pick from one of the 20 recipes for bars and cookies from the NY Times!
• Just for fun: Let it dough!
• More (totally strange) fun: pet the doge.
• Good news, you can still mail your packages tomorrow (Saturday) via USPS Priority Mail and they will arrive by Christmas Eve!
• And last, but not least…. your S’more of the week: Chocolate Fudge S’more Thumbprints.

Happy Winter Solstice!! (It is on Saturday in the Northern Hemisphere.) And if you celebrate it, I hope you have a beautiful, relaxing, fun-filled Christmas! Travis and I are doing our own, little Christmas with Crusher this year. I am looking forward to the peace and quiet. What are your plans for the holiday?

So many crafty friends and so few days left before Christmas! What can we give to our creative, swap-loving buddies to celebrate the holiday season? Here are my best ideas…

• Greeting cards are always in demand for snail mail enthusiasts. I am especially fond of these winter cards from Boy Girl Party.
• Celebrate your friend’s favorite hobby with a special holiday ornament, like this glass sewing machine or this sweet painter’s palette.
• Stamps!! How about the cute Gingerbread Houses or the Global Forever Evergreen Wreaths from the USPS?!

• If you are in the mood to splurge, this [Wall-Mounted Craft Organizer](http://www.potterybarn.com/products/wall-mounted-craft-organizer/?pkey=cwall-organization&cm_src=wall-organization

  NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-) looks fab.

• Washi tape! Everyone loves washi tape!
• Gift a fun and handy project with this Cross-Stitch iPhone Case Kit. (Or search “craft kits” on Etsy for more project supply ideas.)
• A light and convenient Baggu tote to carry all their craft supplies and gear in.
• Fuel for crafting! Everyone loves treats and these mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa can be shipped all over the US!
• When in doubt, make your crafty friend something handmade! Crafters love crafty gifts! (Or in a real pinch, Etsy or Hobby Lobby gift cards would always be a big hit.)

Good luck with all your gifting & happy, happy holidays!

There is still time to donate to the holiday gift donation drive to benefit The Partnership for the Homeless!

So far, the Swap-bot community has donated more than $700 in gift cards and gift items to be distributed at the Children’s Holiday Party on December 14th. Can we get to $1000?!

Read all of the details about the donation drive here.

Donate by this Friday, December 6th, and earn one rating removal credit. You can mail in gift cards or toys, or use the button below to donate directly via Paypal:

The Donation Drive is now closed. Thank you all for participating!

Let me know if you have any questions.

I always join a few matchbox swaps during the holiday season. The little, decorated boxes are like fun mini holiday gifts to make and receive!

This year, I am signed up for KarlaKC’s Christmas/Holiday in a Matchbox Swap. For the swap, you make at least one holiday-themed matchbox for your partner. You can use my free template to make your boxes, or simply decorate a real matchbox. Feel free get creative! Some crafters make a set of matchbox drawers by wrapping a few matchboxes together in a stack. You can fill your matchbox with goodies or create a shrine or diorama inside.

Check out some examples here.

The Christmas/Holiday in a Matchbox Swap is international. However, there is also a USA-only version. Each swap is open to users who have completed at least ten Type 3 swaps. Sign up by November 30th!!

I really can’t believe that the Thanksgiving holiday (and Hanukkah, too!) is next week! I love making a Thanksgiving meal and have already started planning. Yum!

The holidays are definitely upon us… and I have a bunch of fun links to get us in the spirt! Enjoy!

• A slightly different pumpkin recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu.
• Easy fall decor idea! DIY Gold Pine Cone Garland.
• What a cute DIY advent calendar! And check out twelve more advent ideas here.
• Yum! Love this holiday Cranberry Mojito adult drink!
• Want to make sweet holiday or hostess gifts for the chefs and foodies in your life? Check out these two wooden spoon alteration ideas: Etched Wooden Spoons & Glittered Wooden Spoons.
• Speaking of DIY gifts, here are a few fun ideas for Holiday Neighbor Gifts.
• 40 Thanksgiving centerpieces from Martha Stewart.
• Decorate your home in the winter wonderland style with this cute Glitter Fringe Tree tutorial.
• Another recipe… I made this sausage and bean soup last night and it is delicious!

• Three S’mores for you this week!! S’more Pudding Pie

  Pumpkin S’mores Tart

  S’mores “Puppy Chow”

  • Remember, you have until December 6th to donate to the Holiday Gift Donation Drive and earn a rating removal credit.</ul>

It is holiday time! And that means we are once again hosting a donation drive to benefit The Partnership for the Homeless.

You may remember our hat and scarf drive in 2010, the holiday gift drive in 2011, and the Hurricane Sandy relief drive last year. The Swap-bot community has done a lot of good over the last few years… let’s keep it up! This year, we will be collecting holiday gifts for NYC’s homeless children.

Did you know that more than 20,000 children live in New York City shelters? The Partnership for the Homeless is a NYC charity committed to building a just and equitable society and creating lasting community change through solution-oriented programs and policy initiatives that eliminate the root causes of homelessness. They provide all sorts of services and support for the homeless in NYC and they would greatly appreciate our donation of unwrapped gifts and gift cards to be handed out to children at their Children’s Holiday Party on December 14th.

Let’s put together a huge donation of gifts for The Partnership!!

We can accept the following items for donation: Gift cards in $10 or $20 amounts to stores like Target, Barnes and Noble, H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Forever 21, Aeropostale, and Best Buy. Gift cards must be new and unused and must be to stores that are accessible in NYC. Gift cards are the most requested item by The Partnership for the Homeless, but we can also accept unwrapped toys and winter gear (hats, gloves, scarves, etc) donations. Read more info about what can be donated here.

Send your donations by December 6th to:

**Rachel Johnson

Swap-bot.com

285 5th Ave PMB 415

Brooklyn, NY 11215**

And here is the extra-special holiday bonus reward for your donation: Each Swap-bot member who sends in a donation of a gift card or item will earn the removal of one low (1 or 3) rating from their account!! You must mail your donation to Swap-bot headquarters (address above) by December 6th. If you do not have a poor rating on your account, you will receive a credit for one future rating removal. Each person can only have one rating removed during this donation drive – although you are welcome to donate more than one item! (All ratings removed in exchange for a donation must be at least six months old and/or the user must have exhausted all options for making up the swap. The rating removal credit is meant to remove unfair or unfixable ratings — it is not a “free pass” for flaking.)

International option: If you are unable to purchase appropriate gift cards in your area or ship other gifts, I am willing to accept cash donations via Paypal. I will then buy a gift card in your name to donate. Use the button below or send Paypal donations to rachel -at- swap-bot.com. (Replace the -at- and spaces with @.) All Paypal donations of $10 or more will count toward a rating removal.

The Donation Drive is now closed. Thank you all for participating!

Let me know if you have any questions.