Photos of summer swaps...

Photos above of the swap Brewer received...
"Gizzy, tank-two for it. It's good." Translated to -- Lizzy, Thank you for the wagon full of goodies. It's good. -Brewer
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Photo above of swap Elizabeth received...
I LOVE my bag! It is very me :) I used it today for the first time and got several compliments. The coconut body cream is wonderful and smells so good and the lip balm is awesome! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
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Photos above of swap Cheryl received...
Thanks Swap Pal for my summer box....what fun....I can even go fishing indoors with my new mini fishing game...already used my ocean potion aloe lotion after too much sun on 'the playground' this week( wish I'd had my bubble gun with me)...I can eat all my 100 calorie packs and then read my magazine on how to 'walk it off'...thank you thank you...hope you have a Blessed Summer.
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Photos above of swap Lynn received:
Jennifer, Thank you so much for all my swap goodies. I will be diving into the chocolate very soon.You did an awesome job getting things that are so ME! And thanks for the sweet note youincluded with the goodies. Lynn
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Photo above of swap Melody received
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Photo above of swap Kelley received:

Lynn, Thank you so much for all the thought that was put into this package! I love it all...especially the bag with my name (spelled correctly!) embroidered on it. I can't wait to show it off. Again, thank you! - Kelley

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funswaps

Splash Into The Summer Swap

Some of you have been anxiously awaiting for the next swap...So here it is (drumroll please)--a summer themed swap!!!

SPLASH INTO SUMMER: BOX OF FUN

Sign up by: Wednesday, April 23rd

Send out by: Monday, May 19th -- then everyone should have their swap box by Memorial Day (even though it won't be "officially" summer yet)

Cost Cap: $20 (not including shipping)

Details: This swap could be for an adult or a child...meaning you might want the swap box to come to your child(ren). Please specify in the survey.

1. To participate, fill out the swap survey and email it to Jennifer by April 23rd at swap_blog@yahoo.com . This will insure your spot in the swap.

2. Swap pals will be emailed out by April 26th (if not before). Once you get your swap pals' name and survey, find a box (just a plain cardboard box will be fine) to start filling!

3. Fill a box with items in the theme of summer.
a. You must include ONE rainy day activity/craft for the summer days.

b. You must include at least one piece of reading material (age appropriate please for the person who is receiving the swap box).

c. You must include at least one edible item(s).

4. Have fun!

Please remember that when you sign up you are making a commitment to your swap pal. Please try to have your package sent out on time and have it contain the items listed in the swap details. It is the worst feeling when you make a wonderful package for your pal and receive nothing in return.

Swap Survey -- to be filled out and emailed to Jennfer S. by April 23rd at swap_blog@yahoo.com

SWAP SURVEY
NAME OF PERSON RECEIVING THE SWAP BOX -- IF A CHILD(REN), PLEASE LIST AGE(S):
MAILING ADDRESS:
FAVORITE CANDY AND/OR SNACKS:
FAVORITE COLORS:
FAVORITE THING ABOUT SUMMER:
ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING:
FAVORITE TYPE OF BOOKS:

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE YOUR PAL TO KNOW (LIKE A FAVORITE BRAND OF SUNSCREEN OR NO WATER GUNS OR LOVES BUBBLES, ETC):

Easter Swap Photos

Missy, You should go into the basket making business. I AM SERIOUS! This is precious!!! Look at the creativity of the colander for the basket. And everything that is in it is SOOO ME! From the preppy ribbon used to "tie" the basket closed to the home magazine, candies, cooking utensils (do you see that precious egg spatula), I LOVE IT! Thank you so much--this was such fun--I'm giddity with my gift!!! -Jennifer

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Susan, Thank you for the adorable Easter basket and goodies. I love to bake, so the kitchen accessories will be put to great use! I already made the fruit salsa and loved it! Happy Easter! ~Amanda
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Photo of Rebecca's gift she received from Kelley. "What fun!" Rebecca has been sick in bed with the flu...this basket was a "sparkle" in an otherwise sick day!

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Jennifer had Susan; they both went to Clemson so this bag was used for the 'basket'. Susan said, "The Clemson basket is awesome and you found all my favorite goodies! Ryan was jealous and very impressed with your swap idea, he thinks it's ingenious (I do too) and wants to do his own next year. Too funny." GO TIGERS!

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Lynn,

I felt this was such a gift from the heart from someone I'd never met, but, seemed to know me so well. God works in the sweetest ways. I loved all the meticulously sewn items. The cross on the towel is so pretty I just hold it for everyone to see and no one to touch LOL ....and my tote, with a 'C' on it helps it to stay mine LOL. The peeps have met their demise LOL

Cheryl

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Cheryl had Lynn for her swap pal (and actually Lynn had Cheryl)! These are some of the photos that Lynn sent of her swap gift from Cheryl... (By the way, thanks Lynn...you were the first to send photos!!!) A message to Cheryl from Lynn, "This was the best Easter basket I've gotten since I was a child."

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Kelley's message to Laurie, "Thanks so much for the goodies! It was such fun receiving an Easter basket as a grown-up...except having to share my Milanos with my 3-year-old. Ha!"

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Thank you so much for my lovely basket, Amanda! I was so surprised that you had my name. The towels are just beautiful and I can't wait to devour my goodies! I refuse to even think how long it has been since I had an Easter Basket!! -Laurie

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Monday is coming!!!

Monday is coming and it's the LATEST you should be mailing out your swap goodies to your pal. Remember:
1. It might be nice to include a small note about yourself if your swap pal doesn't know you.
2. When you get your "basket"...take a digital photo(s) of it and email to me so I can post on the blog for everyone to see!
3. HAVE FUN!!!
Hippity-Hop on to it and get those swaps finished this weekend!

EASTER SWAP IS ON!!!

The Easter swap has started! I drew names to get your pal...trying to be 'fair and square' in the swap. The names have been sent out...so you should know who you are doing your basket for at this point! REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!!!

It is recommended to go back to this blog entry:
http://funswaps.blogspot.com/2008/01/our-first-swap-easter-swap.html
to remind yourself of the "rules" and what the basket should contain as well as the shipping deadline -- SO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THAT!!!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Don't spend all your pennies

This post is to give ideas of ways to save your money and/or get the most out of your dollar limit for the swap. Many of the swaps have a 'set spending amount'...and these are ideas to get the most out of the amount.

Shipping and postage - The 'set spending amount' does not include the amount you will pay for shipping and postage. For now, we have limited the swaps to those only in the US to help save on the cost of shipping. Try to pick items for your pal that are not heavy or super bulky...this helps on the postage. Commit to yourself that you will NOT pay for the packing supplies. The post office will give you Priority Mail boxes for free. Of course, then you have to pay the Priority Mail prices...so you decide if it is worth it. When you receive things in the mail, save the packaging materials. This way you can save on securing the items in the box. Also, you could use a flat rate box from the post office, include a note in the package for your person explaining how they should assemble the swap item. (Most likely the swap item isn't going to stay all put together in the mail -- for instance, if it were a basket.)

Shopping for your items - Remember that a lot of places have sales before the holiday itself. Hobby Lobby seems to always do 20 to 40% off their holiday items WEEKS before the holiday comes. Plus, you can often download an on-line coupon for them for the full priced item(s). So shop wisely. You'll be able to get more for your pal if you shop the sales and use coupons. Remember, you should be getting things for your pal that you would like to receive...make it nice...but there is no reason to spend a ton!

Want to spend your money on one large item but don't want the swap to look "small"? - This can be easily resolved. For example, for the Easter swap, say your person's survey indicates they love to be in the kitchen and they collect aprons. Well, while you are out you find the most precious Easter apron for around $20. This isn't a problem. GET CREATIVE! You could get the apron but still include the other items for almost no cost. You could use a small plastic egg and put a piece of chocolate inside -- numbers 1 and 2 DONE! For pennies!! The recipe card you have to include is no cost anyway. The religious item could be a bookmark you make. AND VIOLA you're done...with still a great basket but not going over the limit.

Creative ways to add to the swap without spending a bundle - Sometimes in a swap you need to include something that isn't part of the 'set spending limit'. For example, the Easter swap, you need to include a basket or container and it is not part of the $20 spending limit. Find something in your home that you don't use anymore and "jazz" it up with some ribbon. You could use a cloth bag that you've decorated for the holiday. Maybe you know how to sew...whip something up to be used for a basket/bag. Of course, you can always go out and purchase a basket too...if that is the case...use the hints about a coupon from a place like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joann's,...

Our first swap -- Easter swap

For our first swap, we will be doing a themed swap...with Easter as the theme! So get Hippity-Hopping right to it!

Here are the details

Swap is open for 20 people. Deadline to sign up is Feb. 10th. You will receive your swap person's name by Feb. 12th. The swap gift must be mailed no later than March 10th. (Remember, you can always mail it early.) We want everyone to have their gift by Easter (March 23rd) and be able to display anything in their house for at least a week leading up to Easter. NO EXCUSES. NO LATE PACKAGES. If something happens and you must drop, COMMUNICATE WITH ME. I understand that life gets in the way sometimes but do NOT email me on March 10th and tell me you are dropping. Give me time to cover your pal.

The Easter swap gift you mail to your assigned person must include:

1. Some type of Easter egg(s) (could be a plastic egg filled with a treat, an Easter egg that is a home decoration, a homemade egg by you, etc.)

2. Chocolate

3. One of your family favorite Easter recipes written or typed out (to clarify: you do NOT have to make the recipe for your person...just send them a copy of your recipe)

4. Something religious for Easter (if this bothers you, please do not sign up for the swap)

5. Include a few other "goodies" -- could be craft supplies, candy, décor, soaps, bunnies, chickies, etc

6. Everything should go in an Easter basket or container...after all, it will be fun to get a big girl Easter basket!!!

The limit on the swap will be $20 NOT including the basket or the shipping. The $20 is the limit for the ACTUAL items IN the basket. Don't forget, you could always hand-make one, two, or all the things!

The recipient will NOT know who the swap gift is from until they receive it in the mail. This means the person you have does NOT necessarily have you.

Please email me (Jennifer S.) directly if you are interested in signing up along with this swap survey. DEADLINE IS FEB 10TH. This survey will be given to your swap person so they know a little about you. (For personal security reasons, I do not wish to post my email on this blog. If a friend of yours has forwarded this blog link to you inviting you to participate, please ask them for my direct email address.)

SWAP SURVEY

NAME:

MAILING ADDRESS:

FAVORITE CANDY:

FAVORITE SNACKS:

FAVORITE COLORS:

FAVORITE THING ABOUT EASTER:

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING:

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE YOUR PAL TO KNOW:

Once you receive your swap gift, please take a quick digital photo of it or something you like from the basket. You can email me the photo and I'll post the photos on the blog!

Have a hippity-hoppity fun time doing your swap!

Here are some links to other swaps...so you have an idea. These are just things I found on the Internet, I have no connection with any of these links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/willow_tree/sets/72157594434760550/show/with/443973039/

Photo of someone's V'Day gift from a swap:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindyiscrafty/2227841604/

You can search the Internet for swap ideas as well. But know up front that a lot of swaps are for crafts...so if everything you find seems crafty...not to worry. Think about what you'd like to receive, use the survey your pal filled out, and have fun!

Why swaps?

I've been reading about different swaps on-line and they seem so fun. I love getting mail...and rarely does it happen anymore (unless it's a bill). So I thought I'd try to start this swap blog.

A swap is where you have "players" sign up to participate in the current swap activity. Each "player" is assigned another "player". By following the swap rules for the current swap, each "player" sends a swap gift to their assigned player. Swaps may have themes such as a V'Day swap, an Easter swap, summer fun swap, etc.

We will try to post pictures of our swaps on this blog to see the creativity people have.