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!

<img src=”http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/leslieshewringeggs.jpg” alt=”” title=”leslieshewringeggs” width=”470” height=”542” class=”alignnone size-full wp-im <div style="display: none"> Easy Downlines – Earn Big By Giving Away Free Memberships! </div>age-8888″ /></a>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?

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!

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!!

<img src=”http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/springmatchboxswap2012big.gif” alt=”” title=”springmatchboxswap2012big” width=”470” height=”428” class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-8865 <div style="display: none" srcset="http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/springmatchboxswap2012big-300x273.gif 300w, http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/springmatchboxswap2012big.gif 470w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /> viagra price</div> ” /></a>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!

< <div style="display: none"> buy cialis discount </div>/a>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…

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?

Crusher he

lped 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.

We were doing a bit of maintenance on the blog yesterday which de

layed 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!

This week,

I want to share a very creative swap for all of us who love postal mail and stamps. It is the Inspired by Postage Stamps Swap hosted by MichelleWillow in which you make a booklet all about stamps for your partner. (Above is a stamp from MichelleWillow’s collection.)

From the swap description:

_For this swap you’ll have 1 partner and make for them one little green (recycled) booklet with things you learned through the postage stamps!</p>

Select 10 postage stamps from ANY country except your own and your partner’s (used is preferred!!!), look up for the story behind the image on the stamp and write it down in your booklet.

Rules for making booklets:

• booklet should be at least 6 ” x 4″
• booklet has to be handmade and 100% made of recycled materials (you can use for covers: greeting cards, thin cardboard from cereal boxes, etc. / for pages: old book pages, magazine pages, junk mail, leaflets, etc. / for writing: hand written, hand drawn or clips from magazines or books)
• it’s strictly forbidden to use computer to print out images / text!!! No stickers! (unless they are recycled from envelopes and such)
• try to keep story behind each stamp on separate page and don’t forget to glue a stamp along with a story!

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For information on how to create the booklets, check out this tutorial or this one.

Experienced craft swappers with over a 4.9 rating are welcome to join this international swap. Sign up by March 1st!

The Inspired by Postage Stamps Swap is the third in MichelleWillow’s series of booklet swaps. She has the 4th edition coming up in April for Earth Day!