ROUND 10 of the HOME-MADE SWAP
“CHASE THE WINTER BLUES AWAY”

Kelly asked me to step in and take over this swap as she’s going to be very busy with a new venture outside of this MB so everyone wish Kelley Good Luck!!

*As in the Fall/Halloween Round, you will again be crafting 3 home-made items for your partner.
*It is still a low or no cost swap but please use good quality materials.
*This is NOT a secret sister swap.
*All levels of crafting allowed.
*Newer swappers must have first successfully completed 5 other swaps on this MB before allowed to join this type of a partner swap.

MAILING DUE DATE TO YOUR PARTNER: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19th

If you do not provide a DC# showing package was accepted at the PO by Feb. 19th, then you must sit out the next round.


CHECK-IN RULES:

To join this swap, you must please PM me an alternative way to contact you should you go MIA from the MB. Email addy or cell phone for texting works great.

Check-ins will be required weekly on either Sunday or Monday, starting January 6, 2013.

Please be aware that should you miss check ins for 2 weeks in a row and not answer emails or phone calls or make no effort to contact someone here on the MB thru Facebook, etc. then you will leave me no choice but to remove you from the swap and ask for an angel to step in.

There will only be 6-8 weeks to craft each round, so I am going to have to be strict about checking in weekly and enforcing the new rule that if 2 weeks passes with no check in or no communication then you will have to be removed in fairness to your partner, to the hostess, and to the person that has offered to jump in and be an angel.

So if you are going away on vacation or out of town, please remember to send me a quick PM.


SWAP RULES:

1. Make 3 homemade items according to the theme of the round.

Theme: CHASE THE WINTER BLUES AWAY!

You will either craft items in a winter theme (snowflakes, snowmen, sledding, snowy scenes, hot chocolate, cold wintry days, etc.) or you will craft your items in any shades of BLUE. If you opt to craft using the shades of blue, the projects do not have to be winter themed. This option could work better for those that live in the hotter climates and see no snow or have little use for cold, wintry themed projects.

You may also certainly do a mixture of both themes. Your partner will give you some thoughts on which way to go when she answers her questions.

2. Your MQ coordinates must be listed under your avatar and you must promptly answer the questions for this swap.

3. Be a good swap partner: Read your partner's MQ and her Answers and craft items or projects that will make her feel like you made them “just for her”!

4. Challenge yourself to do your best work. Remember, it’s only 3 items, so make them count!

If you are new to swapping, then I suggest you craft one major item that truly has the wow factor and showcases what you are best at in the crafting world. Then from there choose an item or project that is not so time consuming or not so challenging to you. And then from there your 3rd item can be something more simple, less time involved, something very familiar to you and that you feel comfortable making.

But whatever you choose to do, major or minor, we all expect you to do your best and send something you would be proud to give to your grandmother or mother or daughter or best friend!

If you are questioning what you’ve made, feel free to send me a picture of it and I will gladly give you some suggestions or give you my thoughts. You can expect fair and honest criticism and/or approval.

Our goal here is to share our loving gift of crafting and learn from each other and improve upon our skills from round to round and keep everyone happy. We all should be striving to swap fairly.

5. It will be your responsibility to provide mailing addresses to each other. Providing alternative contact info, i.e. email addy or cell phone for texting, would also be helpful just in case you cannot get on the message board.

6. NO DRAMA. Be kind and supportive to others. If there is an issue or concern, please PM me promptly.

8. YOU MUST MAIL ON TIME AND POST DC# ON THIS THREAD.

9. Once you receive your items, please acknowledge receipt and post pictures. If you know you have difficulty with posting pictures, please let your partner know at the beginning of the swap so that she can take pictures before sending to you.

10. In fairness to everyone, please do not advertise items you have for sale or list links to our store, etc.

11. Just remember: COMMUNICATION is so important in these swaps. Your partner can create nicer items for you the more she knows about you or can find posts made by you in other swaps to learn about you.

Communication also makes for a smoother swap and less stress for the Hostess. Showing respect goes a long ways in these swaps.

*******

Edited by user Sunday, February 24, 2013 4:31:07 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Questions to copy and answer in your sign-up post:

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both?

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you?

Examples but not limited to - a banner, a sign, altered blocks, an altered canvas, cards, tags, something to display on a shelf, a treat container, a mini album, home made flowers, charm dangles, etc.

If you know your partner is newer at swapping, you can really make it easier on her with some suggestions that also follow the “large, medium, simple” plan of attack.

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens.

I'm going to try my best to chase someone's winter blues away!!

And here are some ideas to help chase my own winter blues away:

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both?

I do like snowmen. I decorate my kitchen mantle after Christmas with some snowman themed items and figurines, pictures on wall, etc. But the snowmen I choose to display have funky colors like yellow and lime green and pink scarf type of thing or some are country or rustic looking with a red that is like a brick red and a vintage green rather then blue themed as my kitchen is not in shades of blue at all.

I do not ski so that is about only thing I can think of right now that doesn't fit into the winter theme for me.

I like wintery scenes or anything wintery themed. I also love red cardinals on snowy branches as I have a red cardinal in my backyard I get to watch year round.

I love hot chocolate, snowflakes, etc.

We go to hockey games (indoors arena)

I have a pretty big eiffel tower I just received in my last swap for attaching dangles too, so I can always use more of them if you've been on the dangle/chunky charm band wagon this past year.

But I also enjoy all shades of blue, ie regular or light blue but also teal blues or aqua colors. I, however, do not decorate in shades of blue. So shades of blue would work better for me in cards or craft items in my craftroom, etc. Not anything meant to display in kitchen or LR. Or shades of blue such as pool (we have a big inground pool), beach themed, cruise themed items.

bottom line: Anything works for me with this round and the theme!

So whatever you enjoy making most is fine with me! For me, it's just as much fun to receive something you feel is your specialty as well as receiving something I've wished for. A little bit of both is fine with me!


2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you?

Examples but not limited to - a banner, a sign, altered blocks, an altered canvas, cards, tags, something to display on a shelf, a treat container, a mini album, home made flowers, charm dangles, etc.

I know we are taking DGC on some special vacations this coming year. A mini album for grand daughter Madison (10, 4th grade) would be a very useful item later this year. Or even an altered picture frame. Her brother David is 6, first grade.

Or, if mini albums are not your thing - then even just some wintery diecuts that I could have on hand to use in minis or LO pages I might do up for the kids. Or other embellies that would be useful on pages or LO pages, such as photo mats or a title.

Altered notebooks for DGC would also be enjoyed by them. Madison loves seeing what I receive and she often comments on the altered notebooks as something she would like to have. And they live in the country and love playing outside in the snow and they have a snowmobile too.

Snowman themed thank you cards would work great or just snowman themed notecards, blank, for me to write notes to my swap partners works too.

I'm all for treat holders!

An item that is your specialty or something you really enjoy making works too!


3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike?

There is nothing about theme, winter or shades of blue, that I have negative issues with other then we don't ski.

Edited by user Sunday, January 06, 2013 5:20:51 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I'm in ... I'll answer questions later ... plan to compete at least 1 swap today

I want to join answer the questions later. Thanks Sherrie

I am in

Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both?
All 3 items can be winter themed or mix them up. If you want to go with something blue, The only room that something blue would work in is my downstairs bathroom.


2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you?

Altered canvas, frame, 3X3 or 4x4 Thank you cards, scrapbook pages(12X12), snowmen,snowflake or any winter/beach die cuts to use on scrapbook pages. (Beach bum Paper dolls
would be cute)
Winter blocks would be okay also. Right now I have FALL ones on my window sill. I only want useful thingsSorry but I don't need anything that hangs, mini-albums, or any altered tins.I have plenty of them. All my wall and shelf space is full.


3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike?

Well, my idea of a "winter vacation" is sitting on the beach in Aruba We do get snow here but I like it less and less as I get older. I think it is beautiful but don't like the cold associated with it.I prefer White sand!!!!!

Anything blue relating to the beach works

Edited by user Sunday, January 06, 2013 6:33:23 PM(UTC)  | Reason: more ideas

Please count me in ....


. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both? Winter theme please

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you? mini album is great, I love tags and flowers, an altered frame, a journal, a stationary set, stick pins

Examples but not limited to - a banner, a sign, altered blocks, an altered canvas, cards, tags, something to display on a shelf, a treat container, a mini album, home made flowers, charm dangles, etc.

If you know your partner is newer at swapping, you can really make it easier on her with some suggestions that also follow the “large, medium, simple” plan of attack.

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens. I really enjoy snowmen and snowflakes. There is not a thing I dislike.

Thanks,
Evelyn -

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both? Winter or a mix of both would be great

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you? Altered canvas, 3x3 or 4x4 cards, banner, storage items, altered blocks, HM flowers, tags, mini album

Examples but not limited to - a banner, a sign, altered blocks, an altered canvas, cards, tags, something to display on a shelf, a treat container, a mini album, home made flowers, charm dangles, etc.

If you know your partner is newer at swapping, you can really make it easier on her with some suggestions that also follow the “large, medium, simple” plan of attack.

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens.
I like snowmen, snowflakes, hot choc.- we don't get much snow but we do get cold weather; we do love the ocean/gulf so beach themed is good also

Edited by user Monday, December 31, 2012 7:17:30 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Gwen I am in please sign me up.. Thanks


Questions to copy and answer in your sign-up post:

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both? Winter - everyone knows i love snowmen. I don't have anything blue in my house.. LOL... now it used to be all blue but not anymore..

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you? thinking on this: I would like to have something that I can use like an altered canvas,blocks, or sign etc. I don't need anymore mini albums at this time.. just started a different job so something that i could use on my desk would be ok also.

Examples but not limited to - a banner, a sign, altered blocks, an altered canvas, cards, tags, something to display on a shelf, a treat container, a mini album, home made flowers, charm dangles, etc.

If you know your partner is newer at swapping, you can really make it easier on her with some suggestions that also follow the “large, medium, simple” plan of attack.

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens.

As above I love snowmen and snowflakes.. Especially since "my family is a bunch of flakes" is one of my favorite sayings..

Edited by user Tuesday, January 01, 2013 12:35:59 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I will join

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both?

Winter is good for me, I like the color blue too

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you?

I wouldn't mind something to sit on my Piano (altered blocks?) cards, tages, Treat container

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens.

I LOVE Snowflakes. Snow men are cute too. I live in Utah, It snow's here.

Edited by user Wednesday, January 02, 2013 4:54:10 PM(UTC)  | Reason: cuz

Questions to copy and answer in your sign-up post:

1. Do you have a preference as to which theme you’d rather receive – winter theme or shades of blue theme or mixture of both? Both is fine ...

2. Are there any craft items you would like to be made for you? Cards (blank to include in swaps), home made flowers, charm dangles, any bedazzled office supply, both DD and DGD love those, the only blue in my house is the bathroom

3. Are there things about the theme that you really like or dislike? For example: You collect snowman even though you live in hot Texas but because you live in the deep South, you really have no use for knitted mittens. well, I'm not a big fan of cold, but I love the look of snow and snowflakes ... the only thing I collected are tiny boxes

Hi to all~ JCI...

Gwynne~ Was going to ask when you'd be closing but you already answered. Looking forward to partners!

Hope everyone is having a great Thursday! Can't wait to get started on this one

~Rebecca

That is definitely surprising; usually this swap gets lots of participants?

Nothing personal Gwynne, but maybe if you put in the title description box, that it's same one formerly run by Kelley people wouldn't think it was a "new" swap? Some might be just watching for Kelley's name/avatar attached to a homemade swap to sign up w/o realizing THIS is the one. I know "I" do that - look for swaps by particular hostesses based on having done theirs in the past.

Good idea

I do have a question that has nothing to do with swapping or crafting.

Has anyone ever cruised on the Norwegian cruise line? I've only cruised once, and that was Royal Carribean Freedom of the Seas. Our friends who cruised with us had cruised on Celebrity before and I think they thought Celebrity was nicer. But oh are they expensive!

We are going to cruise next christmas and there are great prices right now to kick off the new year. Norwegian is super price, but I can't tell from website how it compares to Royal Carribean ship. And then I get to thinking that maybe it's one of those "you get what you pay for" and the cheap price means cheap entertainment and food, etc. How do you know? lol