Lots of mail #2: cheap & easier

This is so cool, I love getting mail! :) I'm just now getting the 5 from the last round (4/5 receaved), so cool to see how people interpret the categories :)

I like your ideas, and your categories are great. I also appreciate your guidelines about rating, etc. I think swapping is funnest when we have no expectations and just enjoy getting and sending stuff in the mail, and when we cut each other a little slack on mailing times and different interpretations of swap themes. When I host a swap I do read people's profiles and there are definitely some whiners out there giving other people unjustified 3s (you can tell by reading their comments).

I also appreciate it when people put some thought into using interesting stamps and not postage meter strips, and especially if you do something to the envelope (even just adding a rubber stamp image or a sticker to jazz it up a little).

BUT, I have no expectations!

This was SO much fun last time. I will definitely do it again! Thanks for round #2. :-)

I'm going to join in too, Dreamhope. Thanks for round 2 and thanks for your sweet and encouraging words as well :o) ...oh and about posting that note about Canada post and being a little patient before posting "1" ratings for each other...sigh...I don't know why they are so slow. ~Marianne

Sharon, for me stamps are part of the fun, too. Many cool stamps make me more happy than one ordinary and one ordinary stamp makes me more happy than none stamp. So far I`ve not sent out swaps without stamps (only very big ones which need a special post office sticker). Usually I use many stamps and different ones. It would bore me to put the same stamp on every letter.

I can not resist this swap: the categories are so interesting!

I agree with the Canada posting.I sent an item Air Mail (supposedly 9 to 10 days)on 2/5 and it has just now left Chicago on the 16th.I couldn't believe it.I will let you know that if you use the large customs forms you can track it through the postal system.It will let you know when it leaves and arrives.

I was also wondering where does it say on Swap-bot that the item has to be received within 10 days? I know that the item(s) have to be sent on or before the swap date.I really don't understand why a person rates immediately on the 10th day.Not trying to step on toes just wondering.

funkychickenoriginals... for the answer to your question read the Ratings Info at http://www.swap-bot.com/rating_info.php

"However, this option does not appear until one week (7 days) after the MAIL DEADLINE for the swap. This delay allows time for items to travel through the mail and also ensures that the swaps stay anonymous until you receive your package. It may take longer than a week to receive a package from your partner, so don’t feel like you must rate your partners right away."

I think Swap-Bot was all US when it first started and the site administrators didn't take into account that international mail takes much longer. I wish people would read the bit up there about "don't feel you must rate your partners right away" because it was save a lot of heartache. Or I wish the rating option wouldn't show for two weeks after mailing deadline.

ya i liked this last one, so i was hoping it'd go another round!. maybe this will be a monthly or something. i'm new i'm not sure how that works.

i am joining this one because i already have something i can send out! yipeeeee! susi

 I'm glad you are doing this again, I had such fun last time.

Can I send an ATC if I want to as an item?

I sent 2 ATCs last time and both were well received. I don\'t see why you couldn\'t do that, Evie Roz.

The last one was so much fun! I simply have to join.

Dreamhope, thanks for letting me join! Does anyone have any ideas what we can send out for something whimsical? I\'ve been thinking about it, but I\'ve not thought of anything yet so far.

whimsical: \"lightly fanciful,\" light-hearted, also, has to do with imagination. so dragons, unicorns, elves, fairies, maybe? also, maybe kawaii items?

Hey Dreamhope. I am in your #1 swap for this...it was a lot of fun and I wanted to do it again. I will be on my Spring Break vacation during the dates for this swap so let me know if you do another one later! thanks!

what is Kawaii?

Kawaii means super cute, like Hello Kitty stuff. There is an article at Wikipedia about kawaii, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaii

Do we send each item from the 5 categories seperately?

Marcia1977: You do send each item separately because you send one item to each of your 5 partners. So, you have 5 items - one from each category - and you send one item to each of your 5 partners. I hope that clarifies things!

Yes. Thank you, that definately clears things up... Can't wait for the swap to start...

Glad someone posted the definition of whimsical. Being that category themes are so subjective, I find it hard/overwhelming to come up with swap item ideas. I mean part of the fun is in seeing how your swap partners interpret the category theme. I'm still scratching my head about the odd theme. I may recruit my husband for some ideas. I'm not sure I appreciate swap item "suggestions". I agree it's fun to see what your swap partners interests are by reading their profile, but it would be pretty dull getting the same type of stuff all the time. I guess I'm just easier to please than some. I like not knowing what I'm gonna get in the mail. I'm a mail addict as well. I religiously check our mailbox daily. It's my "one thing" I have to do. I've got my husband so excited too that he's joined Swap-bot so he can get a surge of new and exciting parcels.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/whole-lotta-swappa/

if you want to, you can click for an invite, but send admins something that will help us see you have the 5 ratio. Perhaps copy and paste. :)

I went with a whimsial on all mine and handmade! :) Swap them out if you don\'t care for them, someone, somewhere will like them :)But you can\'t see them yet! HAhahaha

Okay, I thought I understood this swap, but now I am not so sure. The idea is to find/make one item from each of the five categories, then pick one of those five items to send to one of our five partners. Right? Or is sticking to just one category also fine?

You have to find something for each category. But you do not know which category your partners send to you.

Zmrzlina: This question came up last time too. The decision then was that the 5 categories made it more fun for the receiver (since you really couldn\'t guess what you might get) and added a little fun and challenge for the sender. So you did understand the concept.

However, since you only send one item to each person, it\'s fine to only send from one category if you want, since your partners still won\'t know what\'s coming.

I hope that helps!

Yes it does help, dreamhope. I am still going with the creating/finding one thing from each category \'cause it makes it more of a challenge for me, and I need to be challenged right now. This time, however, I am waiting until I get my partners names because last time I had stuff all picked out/made and then had to fit them to profiles. Everyone seemed happy with their items, but I would have liked to made them all thrilled instead :)

Hi, I was wondering when you actually assign swap partners? My daughter joined this swap and has already received hers. Thanks. Cindy

Cindy: Partners get assigned by Swap-Bot after the \"last day to sign-up\" date. Please read Swap-Bot\'s FAQs for more information about how it all works. Your daughter must be in a different swap, because the partners for this one have not been assigned and will not be assigned until late on February 28th.

It took a day and a half to make mine. LOL I even got my hubby to help with the drilling and measuring part. Whimsical is hard to fit to a persons likes and dislikes. This is an overall kids at heart idea I came up with. :)

Good luck everyone.

There is a such a short window for mailing these items. I hope the partners are released soon.

The last four or five swaps I've been in have been delayed like this. In some cases, the coordinators don't know the new process of having to click "assign partners now" (rather than waiting for swap-bot to do it automatically); in a few cases there was an actual swap-bot glitch where the system just would not allow the coordinators to click that button (or they clicked it and nothing happened).If we don't get our partners soon,maybe dreamhope will extend the date but it is an easy swap to do ahead of time. My items are packaged up, waiting for their addresses.

I haven't done up packages because I want to read partner profiles, but now I am reconsidering that because I'm nervous about the shipping deadline... leaving for a trip tomorrow and won't be back until Tuesday.

We are supposed to have a snow storm in NH tonight into tomorrow and I'd love to have my packages in the mail today as well! :O)

Oh no... snow up north. I am heading to Boston tomorrow. Hope the snow is waaaaay north of Boston.

Nope, I'm 45 mins from Boston! It says 3-6 overnight and then a POSSIBLE 2-4 tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll be warm enough that we'll have RAIN!! :O)

I'm sorry about the delay! I am trying to get those partners released for you all, but Swap-Bot's not doing it. I'm going to try again in a bit, then maybe contact the Swap-Bot folks. If it won't work today, I'll extend the mailing deadline.

And now it went through! Happy swapping everyone!

I'm mailing my items today. Partners, let me know when they arrive.

Envelopes going to MA and CA in USA, Canada, Germany, Singapore. Had to do customs forms on all the ones outside the US. Boy... the USPS is fussy.

Mine went to NH, MT, VA, England and Australia today. Please let me know when they arrive. :O)

Sooooo, I hope there will be a #3 for this swap ;-)

Zmrzlina -- your postcard arrived today. How on earth did it get from Pittsburg to California so quickly!? Is it magic! Anyways, thanks so much!

OOps! I see I'm in the wrong swap paage right now! Yikes! Okay, so not so magic! I got the postcard for the hometown postcard swap.I thoght I was on that page. Silly me!

Always Joy, evey-in-orbit, Clau, LindzSaleh and szreader: Yours went in the mail today. I hope you like them (and they all make it thru the mail!) Let me know when you get them?

Okay... I wanna clarify something.. I was thinking we were to send each person 5 items, one from each category... But I'm reading in comments.. I send one person something sweet, another something cosmic.. ect..... which is right or wrong?

As I understand it, one item from each category to each partner.

I think (and this is what I sent) that you are supposed to send one item to one partner, partner #1 something orange, partner #2 something sweet, partner #3 something odd etc. If this isn't correct I need to know, please, as I have not sent 5 items (one from each category) to five people. Thanks! :O)

Hey all! Kiki has it right. One item to each person only.

From the swap description:

"You will be sending one item to each of your five partners.

Choose one item from each of the following categories. Remember: one item to each person. Tell your partner which category their item belongs to."

I would love suggestions on how to say this better to avoid all the confusion! Please, post suggestions for wording here.

This is a huge swap to care for - I get a lot of messages before, during, and I am still getting messages about the first version - so I don't think I'm going to run it again for awhile. If anyone else wants to, please feel free to run with the idea. Hopefully someone's description suggestion will help you make it nice and clear!

Maybe word it the way Kiki does (although I think it is clear the way you have it worded).

Dreamhope, I sympathize with you feeling a little overwhelmed by the responsibility of swap hosting and appreciate that you are being so conscientious about it.

I think your phrasing is clear: "Choose one item from each of the following categories. Remember: one item to each person. Tell your partner which category their item belongs to."

However, based on the discussion above, I formed the impression that you didn't really have to use all five categories but could send one item from any of the categories, so that is what I ended up doing (mostly I was stumped on "sweet").

You definitely shouldn't feel obliged to run the swap again just because it's popular! Like you say, someone else can do that if they like.

Thanks for hosting a creative and fun swap. I've enjoyed selecting and sending my items and look forward to see what comes in the mail.

sharon

Starcerra, Melanie, chall, Boopgirly and Suzylucie I sent your packages off today.

Hey Dreamhope,

These have been very fun swaps. Thanks for all your efforts! I've really enjoyed both of them. Mrs Mc

My 5 went out today to BC, KS, IL, and 2 to CA. Let me know when they get there. Hope you like them. :)

hey guys, I'm going to send out your packages on Monday. I got some really awesome stuff for not a lot of money since some of my favourite stores were having sales. I'm so excited. But I don't want to tell you guys who you are or what I got for you ;)

Sorry for the reapeat question, but I just want to be 100% sure... because i am seeing varying responses....When I originally signed up, I may not have really understood that I needed to send something from each category, I thought I could send something from just one category to all of my partners... now i see it should be one item from each category, then I see that it's ok if we pick just one. If I just use one category, because I already have some thing that I can send and add a few more little goodies that pertain to the same cat, would that be ok? Also, is it ok to send things that fit in a regular size or card size envelope, or should it be a mpkg? Maybe I am making this harder than it really is....maybe I'll just do my thing, and hope i please everyone...... sigh.... susi

ok, I just re-read the descrption...I will try my best to find things from each category, or at least a couple of them...I see my question about letter post has already been answered in the description. the turn around date is a bit quick, but again, I'll do the best I can...I have been thru some very stressfull things lately in my life lately, (I will be filing an EEOC complaint soon, and that's freaking me out!) and funds are a bit low (I am using my honeys money to mail out my stuff OOPS!), so I may be sending things out a few days late, I can't keep my days and dates straight anymore, with all that's going on! But you have to know that doing these swaps, making my art, and getting "happy mail" is what gives me joy and keeps me busy. I am not whining, please don't get me wrong... I don't mean to be venting here in the comments, but i guess i just needed to vent. Please be patient with me.. if you are waiting for something, and you find out that I am your partner, just know that it is on it's way...I don't forsee me being super late, maybe a day or too, but I'mm just letting you know. OK, enough said for now. Hugs to all, and thanks for reading me! susi

ok, I admit it, i was whining, lol... well really I was just venting... but, I have good news... I was able to find EVERYTHING I needed to do this swap, and do it right... with an extra special touch even! it still may be a few days late going out, but I now am pleased that I was able to do this.. it was somewhat of a challenge, but once I started thinking about it, I knew I had everything, I just had to DIG to find it! (I have a disaster "studio". Anyway, i do hope that everyone is pleased with what I send... I am putting at least a lot of thought into it, the thing mays not match your profiles, but they should make you smile! Happy swapping, and really, thanks for making me smile... susi

I love these categories and found some VERY fun stuff to send off to my pals in Australia, Ireland, The Netherlands, NC and OK. Wow, three internationals in ONE swap! Glad they won;t be heavy packages. Hee-hee! I have three other internaional swap partners on other swaps. Isn;t it fun that so many countries can join together to share things! Warmly, Chy

From the last swap and my understanding of this one is: you can send each person something orange if you wish. Last time, people sent like three blue things, one each for three different people. Then the other two maybe got funny and sparkly. It doesn't say pick one category for each person and send one. It says pick from the categories and send one item to each person.

You know girls, this is fun! I sent my packages last week-2 two BC, MT and a couple others. I hope you all like them. Everyone have a great week. Cindy

hey I sent everything. I hope you guys like it all a lot! I put a lot of thought into who gets what :)

This was a fun swap...finding the items to not only match the categories but to choose good ones for each profile was a good challenge. Hope it's successful!

I sent off to Windsor, Belton, Berwick, Englewood and Parks.

Have fun everyone and thanks to swap mistress for a great idea!!!

Marlene

Got my first envelope today for this swap! Something cosmic from motes. I love the stickers, and the purple envelope with bee sticker, too! Thank you!

i got an envy today from sissie, and i can't tell for the life of me what category it's from...maybe odd, because it's a mishmash of stuff, ranging from ribbon to cancelled stapmps to fabric to recipes and pictures of food...no note though... I have to admit that although I whined yesterday, i did get all mine done, except for one little detail in one envy...i did not get to the po today, I should tomorrow though... so be on the lookout! I even tried to match the card that I put the stuff in with the theme... it was actually kinda fun! susi ps they are late getting out because i am going thru some stuff right now, and then to top it all off, i had to take my dd to urgent care tonight... thank goodness it's only a bad cold!

My packages went out to Canada (2), Germany, and CA (2) today from Singapore! Letter posts usually take about 10 days to reach, so do hang in there and give it a week or so to get to their final destination! =D

I got something cosmic from Baglady today. Cool card, thanks.

I'll be posting mine tomorrow. The odd category is boggling my brain a bit...

I hope I get 5 things this round - I only got 3 thing last time :(

I am sending out to dreamhope, Ninety, Clau, Ellen, and Scarlet_ray today, I hope you all like your little things. I had to think hard for this one... Hope you all can use them or at the very least they put a smile on your faces.

Swap partners, I just wanted to let you know that everything should be in the mail either tomorrow or the day after. I'm sorry for any delay, but I've had some health related issues going on lately. In fact, I've got to go to the hospital tomorrow. Again, I'm sorry for the delay. Hope you understand.

DD maree, your cute "something orange" (a cheery little blank book with an orange floral cover) arrived today. Fun to get, thanks!

sharon

Picture a 50 year old woman, on her knees, begging the people to whom she sent items for this craft to please, please, please post when they receive them. I really hate not knowing if the stuff has been received. Just a brief "I got the envelope PostMuse" will be fine. Please, please, please don't make me sweat out the ratings date.

Thanks Rebecca (willow Tree) for the cute cute cute stuff. I love the game piece and I'm actually going to hang it from the spiral binder on my day planner.

Awesome!!!!

~Kate

Thank you to Wenzie, I got your package today. Great stuff!

thats Weazie, sorry.

thats Weazie, sorry.

PostMuse, I agree with you compleeeeetely! How hard is it to type a "thank you"?! I always worry that they didn't receive it and I'd be willing to re-send if I only knew to do that.

Anyone receive a swap form me yet? Let me know!

Katherine -- I received the "cosmic" flower confetti. Very cool! I meant to post the message yesterday but wound up in the urgent care until 10 p.m. last night after my horse launched me into the air and onto my face! (I'm okay, apparently :))

I sent all of mine out today, except chy's, because I needed to add a special detail to it! but sorry that they are a bit late! susi

I got a cool green knitted shooting star bookmark from Amity today. Thank you!

And I agree with PostMuse and Lily Lemon it's doesn't take much to say thanks... I have sent stuff and PMed my partners to ask if they got it and offered to resend and gotten no reply.

Scarlet_ray, Ellen, Clau, Ninety, and dreamhope, I sent out your packages yesterday. I hope you like them. AFTER I sent them out I got some from other people and I am wondering if I did the right thing... Please let me know if you got them and if you like them, I think I was too practical! And I got two in the mail yesterday some great stamps and an "odd (or was it whimisical) card.

I sent to Eilis, Mandy in Canada, Jennifer in Oklahoma, Ashley in California & Robyn in Australia.

I got a fun handmade bookmark with a cute hand drawn cat on it from 1 crazy quilter. I thank you and so do my books (i dogear the pages)

I need to apologize to my partners Lisa, Kathleen, Megan, Gina, and Toni that I haven't sent my items yet...I seem to be so far behind...sigh. I will send off everything tomorrow (the 9th). Sorry for the delay...my son was in the hospital and it totally threw my days off :o( He's home now and doing fine so nobody worry...:o)

Marianne

I sent my letters out several days ago to: Ellis(weazie), Amity,Jennifer(mpontalba),Siobhan(saor), and Chy (FuntoScrap). You may have already received them....if not, they will arrive soon.:)

Hugs! Juli

I got my "odd" package from Juli--thanks for the bookmark! I love Guy Smiley! :)

I've heard from 2 of my partners that have received theirs. I sent to: Lark2006, Mandy, NotoriousMDC, SerenityRae22, and OzRob. If your package hasn't arrived, it will soon. Sent them out the first day of the swap...

I need some help... HOW do I leave feedback? I got a package today and I just dont know who or how to leave feedback. :(

Asphalt Queen, your "sweet" mail came in today. It had a very rough ride! The post Office put it in another envi because it got eaten by the mail monster. All's well however, the contents are in tack! :) Thank you .... and YUM!

Laura from Oregon.....Got your cosmic package today and it's right on!!! Love the stamp....very generous of you and the little stars will find their new home on my fabric postcards.

Thanks a bunch!!! Marlene

pixie.wings.xo -- Thanks for the orange butterfly cards. How thoughtful to read my profile and choose an item you knew I would like!

Marlene I have received the "Odd" item today that you sent. I absolutley loved it. I hung it on my Fridge...Thanks!!!

marcia....thanks for letting me know and glad you liked the odd thing!

What a fun swap!

marlene

Lily Lemon... you got the package so fast!! I did try my best to send out items to those who'd like them. :)

Just wanted to let elizabethofcourse and motes know that their items came in the mail today!

Picked up a "whimsical" and an "odd", I can't wait to see the rest!

Hello, All -- I am a newbie and have received 4 swaps so far. Three of them are from "Lots of Mail" and those have all been from the ODD category. I think this is great! First came Mrs. Mc's unused postcard (from CO) of a very odd anthropomorphic bird family, then (from MN) Sharon's postcard and "Miss Q. P. Urkheimer" notecard by Edward Gorey -- both quite wonderfully odd. Yesterday's mail brought a Slug Sucker from the thoughtful and resourceful emmybean of WA. I have seen some odd things in my time, but a one-ounce chocolate sucker -- green with brown spots -- in the shape of a slug and stuck on a stick is really, really odd. Thanks to all the swappers who sent me odd stuff. Now if I get two more odd things, I'll be sure to let y'all know!

I got three envelopes today! Something sweet from Ninety in FL (such a wonderful button sticker!), something orange from Danielle in CT (great orange magnet and veggie recipe on orange paper), and another something orange from Cristen in KS (lovely handmade orange bookmark). Thank you all!

I had a great orange surprise from Misty today. Very very cute.

Thanks so much!!!

Emmybean -- I sent your package on March 1 and it came bavk to me today (MArch 10). I wrote 2735 instead of 3735 --arrrrggg! I will resend it Monday. I am so sorry. I hope you like it when you do get it.

Tricera Molly (did I get it correct)-- received your whimsical teabag today. Thank you!

Amanda- Received my whimisical envie today. Great image, so much I can do with that where to start! Thanks-Misty

Melanie Noll, chall, 1CrazyQuilter, OrcaSong, suzylucie, I sent out your items last week :) I can't remember if I wrote down my swapbot username though. You guys should receive it latest next week! :)

I got an orange envelope and notecard from Beth (birdbeth) and so expected that to be something orange, but then she put some cute little keys in the envelope and said it was something odd! That's like a two-fer! Thanks, Beth, the keys will be great in collaging and other art making.

I also got something sweet from Emily/Emmybean -- two pieces of chocolate and a sweet little frige magnet! Very nice!

sharon

Marlene & Trisha I received my packages from you today (on my birthday) I didn't expect gifts for my "special day" ugh, I'm too old for birthdays!!!

Marlene your "whimsical" gift was so cool, I will add it to my many magnets on the fridge.

Trisha, your "orange" - "cosmic" goodie was a sweet treat also, and I had to vaccum after I opened it!!hahaha!!!

Thank you both I really enjoyed this swap

Marcia I received my package today your "whimsical" gift was so cute, my 8-mo old swiped it in a hurry, she loves to watch the wings flap!!! and we actually have started a collection of fairies for her and her favorite person is her "Poppy"!! So you didn't know it, but you had the perfect swap item!!! Thanks so much

DDMaree, birdbeth, Jennifer Ramey, and Bunnycutie -- Did you get them yet? Can you please let me know so I won't worry about needing to re-send if there's a problem? Bunnycutie is in England, so it may not have arrived yet.Emmybean's is getting re-sent on Monday, as I said above.

Lily Lemon - yes I did get yours! Sorry I didn't tell you earlier! I love the 'something odd' cards from Japan, they are great!

Also, thanks DDMaree for the 'something whimsical' notepad, very cute and useful!

And thanks to Triceramolly for the 'something orange' buttons, I love craft supplies so they are perfect!

I still haven't heard from any of the people I sent to, though some have posted they received from others.

On the other hand, I have received 4 of the 5 (and duly acknowledged here on the message list) envelopes. That's a pretty good return, I think. I was expected to get maybe 3 of the 5.

I have received one item so far--an envelope full of garbage--used Valentine's (a child errors, crossed out), tags from Valentine's tins purchased at Walmart, a couple of fake credit cards that come with some cc offers, pieces of a Camel cigarette carton. Oh, these are supposed to be 'odd' items for collage. YUCK!!

oh...Kiki, thats terrible....who would do such a thing!

Thanks Danielle F, for your whimsical wings and odd beads! (one green bead broke in the mail. =( ) Did I get a two-fer or did you happen to get my name twice? =p

Also thanks to Cristen for the lovely sweet page of chocolate recipes on the front AND the back! My boyfriend will flip, he loves chocolate and sweet stuff! =D

Oh my... raydance, I am begin to despair of thinking that you will not received the envelope I sent. It was sent the day the partners names were released, from the US. If it has not arrived within the 7 days, please, please message me and I'll replace. Perhaps the item I sent is not be allowed through customs.

Today I received two letters from Canada. Melanie sent me 12 haiku poems as something cosmic and Misha sent me a beautiful swan stencil to help coax out my inner artist. I am bowled over...thanks to both of you.

I received a packet of sweets (candy) from Bunnycutie today. Thanks! I know my kids will appreciate it too!

And I see that Bunnycutie is a newbie -- smart move to join this swap to get some good ratings quickly. I'll be sure to watch for the first oppportunity to rate you so you can get a 5 on you profile (I remember what a relief it was to get that first 5!)

sharon

I'm growing discouraged about swap-bot. So far, I haven't been the victim of no-sends but I'm growing tired of people who can't even send a quick message or post a comment acknowledging receipt of a swap. Isn't it just good manners to say, "Thank you," (or, if that's too much, "I got it.")?

Three people I sent to haven't acknowledged the swap, one has, and one hasn't responded to my note that I'm re-sending the swap since it came back to me in the mail on Saturday. In that case, I'm trying to rectify an honest mistake I made (wrong street address)and a little reassurance (like,"Hey, Lily Lemon, don't worry about it.") would be nice.(Of course, the one that came back would be the one that requires $1.53 in postage!)

In another swap, I haven't gotten a swap from either partner (one is sending from Europe, I think, but the other just hasn't sent it and can't even send a little message saying, "I'll get to it ASAP.") In another swap, someone sent me a swap that arrived three weeks late without so much as a word-- all she had to do was send a message saying, "It's on its way. Sorry I'm late."

You know, I sprained my neck last week and I still sent all my swaps out and replied to the many messages sent to me concerning a swap I'm coordinating. I'm sorry to be crabby but if all you hope to get out of swap-bot is some stuff, and you don't want to meet people or communicate with them, why don't you just go but the stuff for yourself?

Please, people, let's communicate with each other! (There. I'm done. Sorry to all the lovely swappers out there!)

Trisha,

I received the something "orange" that you chose for me today... Thanks...

Laura,

I received your something "Whimsical" today. I could tell you put lots of thought into what you sent... Thank you...

Marcia

Wow! I got home and hit the mail jackpot! Thanks, Creative Change, for something odd, whimsical, orange, sweet, and cosmic -- you outdid yourself! I'm sure that's the first time my postal carrier has delivered a package that oddly-shaped! :) And thanks, rnwannabe, for the oddly whimsical "grow a green beer." What a pick-me-up from you both!

Received something "orange" AND "whimsical" from Jennifer--thanks for the lovely paper!

Also received a whimsical Tweety Bird hankerchief from Amity in The Netherlands! Thanks!

Hoping the rest of my swap partners have received their goodies. I've gotten 3 of 5 so far...

Thank you Keisha!!! I loved my egg :) Very cute and sweet. :)

~Kate

Postmuse - Don't worry too much about it just yet! Post from the states takes an average of 10-12 days to arrive, so I should be getting it some time within these few days. =) I'll let you know when that happens! Thanks for offering to send it out again. =D

In other news... has anyone gotten the swaps from me yet? .__.;

dreamhope got your something odd.... and that poem was rather odd....hmmmmmm :)Also received the card and ATC that ellen from canada send. was lovely.

My sending is going to be a bit late because i am currently moving house and well I don't know where I have put the envelopes that i am sending Argggggg! I will be able to unpack tomorrow so I should find them.

I have uploaded pics to the gallery of what I have received so far. Thanks to Amity and Jennifer for those I received today.

I got something orange from JuliW today - a lovely vintage bookmark featuring oranges and as a cute extra a Peanuts bookmark and a lovely note.

From Brooke I got something sweet, orange and cosmic-a orange dragonfly, a recipe for an orange milkshake, all in a handmade orange envelope with Gallileo on it. Love the envelope and I'll reuse the card too.

I have received 4/5 so far -2 cosmic and 1 orange and one mixed.

And OT I got 7 pieces of mail today - all swaps:) Made me feel better as I am sick with a bug.

Still looking forward to receiving my other 4 envelopes...

Natalie aka AeroChik,

Your wonderful smelling, I mean just absolutely wonderful fragranced swap came in today! :)

I think it is all great! Even the shammrocks on your note, that I might add will probably go into a decoupage piece. :) The little dude candy guy, how fun! You should of heard me trying to explain him to my mother 1300 miles away! LOL Stickers are cute and yummy, the butterfly smells so good, I have to go to the web address! and then a whole pack of heart stickers from Stickerking! WOW Yay!

Thanks! :) Willow Tree

Well...I just got the most wonderful whimsical things in the mail today from Cindy!!! Thank you SO much...you totally outdid yourself! ~Marianne (who, yes, still has her hair ;o) LOL

Sarah...I got your Orange package the other day....thank you SO much...wonderful paper :o) For some reason I LOVE paper ;o) Good choice!

Saor - I got your 'sweet' envelope today - Thank you

Ozrob.....got your "odd" stickers today but I think they are cute. Well, yes, they are witches but they look so happy!!

Thanks, Marlene

I got whimsical pencil puppets from Genevieve!! So cute and I'm so using them! The cutest patch of a girl it's so sweet and a black clothes pin, not painted, it's oddly stained!!! :D some colored saftey pins too!! Thanks so much!

Let me correct thatin a way. The are the cutest Retro Pet Prints Pencil Grips! Say that 5 times fast!

Hi Misha, I got your package, thanks for the sweet... bunny needle point.

I asked dreamhope if anyone had stepped forward to take over this swap for #3, and she messaged back that no one had. I thought of hosting, but I am still a bit reluctant.

The swap idea is fabulous, but for some reason there seems to be a high percentage of items not received (not automatically "no-sends"). My theory is that people are sending items without enough postage. I don't think people, particularly in the US where I am a pro on postal matter, realize how little can be sent for one First Class postage stamp. And I also don't think people realize that envelopes with international addresses often require a customs form since they contain something more than a letter.

And, I think the 7 day allowance for shipping is unreasonable and people are too quick to give 1s without checking to see if their partners have sent from another country. International mail takes a long time. And 1s with the "will change if something comes" comment often never get changed even when something comes because people forget, or leave the site. Then the people stuck with the 1s, who are good swappers but just got screwed by slow mail, get discouraged and leave the site.

Anyway, has anyone else thought of taking on #3? If you have, but still hesitate, please message me so we compare concerns and see if we can work them out.

Hi, whomever has me for a swap buddy, I received 2 out of 5 swaps so far. Forgive me, my dear husband threw away the envelopes before I could note who they were from. I received a cool orange get out of free jail card that was made into a magnet and a lovely victorian ornament for whimsical. Thank you ladies. Marianne, I am glad you enjoyed your package. It is fun to try to match to everyone's profile. I enjoyed sending things out to my partners. Cindy

Oh my goodness! I love the idea of making a magnet out of Monopoly cards. Clever!

I agree with PostMuse (as usual! :)). Also, it seems like it would be unfair to give a 1 rating if the sender has asked the recipient if the swap has been received and the recipient won't tell the sender, thereby eliminating the sender's opportunity to re-send and avoid the 1 rating. (Did that make sense?)

I agree with Lily Lemon, there has been several times (not just this swap) that I've emailed my partner to see if the swap has arrived and no reply. I also check all the posts to see if they show up there, but nothing. How am I suppose to know if I should resend something if no one says anything. Why should I be given a poor rating if I sent and either they received and just don't let anyone know or it was never received and still no one knows?

Okay, as soon as I get a rating, I can host the next edition of this swap. I should be getting ratings on this swap, as well as one other today. Fingers crossed....

With thanks to murmel for giving PostMuse her first rating, #3 is now up and running!

http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/2587

Hi Natalie, got your package today, thanks for the whimsical post-it notes

Thank you, Ewie! I got your very sweet envelope full of hearts today...it makes me smile :o)

My husband takes all stuff to the post office for me. So, I know it gets mailed out. The last thing he wants is me asking him if he sent it properly. I can get a little spastic! Anyway, I was asking him about the customs forms. He doesn’t have to do a customs form for a regular letter. What I mean is, if it is a letter or card type envelope, then it is weighed, paid for and sent. If it is a brown envelope, the kind that comes in non-padded or padded and anything that is boxed, he has to do a customs form. He then brings me the forms for international and the green slips (confirmation slips) for things that I send state side, along with the receipt.

I agree with the 7 day rating. I think it is too short a time to rate someone, especially if it is an international swap. I wait 14 days to rate a person, unless I have gotten the parcel, then I rat accordingly.

I have been avoiding many international swaps, which is sad, because I have made some wonderful friends whom aren’t in the US.

Perhaps, some things will get straightened out and I won’t be so weary of sending a parcel international and not being able to put a confirmation on it and know the person on the other end will let me know it’s there and/or rate accordingly.

Happy Swapping Everyone!

One bad apple can spoil a bushel!

I got my package from singapore

something orange: mitten ring

something cosmic: star wars ring

thanks

Genevieve I got my package from you yesterday, thanks the "cosmic" stars will come in handy for various projects. I really do try to use everything I have!! I found cosmic to be a little tough, but had fun figuring it out. Thanks again

Just an fyi folks, I sent to abbehope (Norway), erin, willowtree, asphaltqueen and amanda wintersteen.

I heard from Willowtree, so glad you liked your pkg. I hope the rest of you have received yours, if not you should anytime now.

This was a really fun swap, I had a lot of fun with it!!! Thanks

I have received 4/5. Thank you to Edith (saphenus), marion (baglady), Susi, and Alice (corplyn). :) I know that 4 of my partners received their letters....Chy (FuntoScrap), did you get yours??

Juli

Well, I have only rec'd the one envie so far and have not heard from one person to whom I've sent. Sooooooo, MHLivin, Judith, Drewzel, Serienova and Snowflake did you receive your envies?

I got a wonderful envelope from FunToScrap today. I have received 5/5. I got 2 cosmic, 2 ornage and one that was sweet,cosmic and orange! Thank you to my partners.

YAY!! I rec'd some lovely 'whimsical' fairy stickers from wigglywourms today. The envie was handmade with stamps from Canada, very nice! Thank you so much Marianne!

I'm wondering if anyone has received anything from Gypsy aka Ginny Cooper yet? Ginny if you're reading messages, please let your partners know when you mailed stuff. I have not received anything yet and I read through the messages above and it appears that no one else has either. I e-mailed her but haven't heard back yet. Anyone else?

Just wondering. I have received stuff from all my other partners.

Sharon P

Hi!

I have an update regarding the three people from whom I've yet to receive an envie: Fishfood (Gina) is marked 'sent', I emailed her to see when she mailed and have yet to receive a response; justsaysmith (Megan) mailed late last week; Momof3divas (Lisa) had a death in her family and will mail soon. So that's the scoop if you're waiting for something from one of these three... :O)

Hi, I have received two swaps out of five. If you are my swap partners, I will wait until next Friday before I rate you. Toni-in Montana, Sarah in BC and Gina from Oregon, have you received your items I sent on March 5th? Please let me know. Thanks Cindy

I'm glad you like them, Kiki :o)

I actually cheated on this one and sent a few from the same category...hehe...forgive me? I read somewhere that would be o.k.

Kiki has hers, Toni Duke, Momof3divas, justsaysmith, and Fishfood were the others that I mailed stuff to so you should be getting yours soon if not yet.

Marianne, how do you manage with your large family? I bet you have to fight everyone to race to the mail each day to check for envies!

Wishgatherer and Erin,

Have you received the swap items from me?

Thank you, Marcia

I have received 3 out of 5. I am still waiting on the ones from notoriousmdc and groovyholly. This swap has been soo fun...

Marcia

I've received all 5 and rated all 5 senders but I still can't find out from 3 of my partners if they received stuff from me. I'm not going to participate in the next "cheap and easy." Maybe calling it "cheap and easy" makes people think they don't need to say "thanks." Tacky!!! One partner sent back a message saying, "Maybe I received it. What did you send?" Honestly! Can't you keep track yourself and rate accordingly? We're all adults here, aren't we? I see above that I'm nowhere near being the only one with this problem.

I have received 2 out of 5. However, only 1 out of 5 whom I sent to left me a rating. Tried to find out from the rest, waiting for their replies now. Hope they didn't get lost in the mail!

Emmybean -- I've sent your package twice now at the cost of $1.83 each time (plus the $1.99 package of gummi bears). I give up!!!! Did you change your address? Did any other partners have this problem?

Received the third out of 5 today, great little whimsical poem (which is funny all three I've received so have been whimsical) from Anne. Thanks Anne.

dreamhope- can I help out those people who didn't receive all their items?

Ooooooh, many thanks to Fishfood (Gina) for my quite awesome 'orange' package! I've never done a matchbox fill swap but always check them out and think I'll try one--Gina covered a matchbox and filled with some groovy orange beads and some little flowers that I LOVE, and am going to make earrings with them. Gina, did make the little flowers? How did you did you do it? Crochet? Did you see from my profile I like beads and handmade flowers? How wonderful! She also included a neat ATC with candy corns on it for 'sweet'. This TOTALLY made my day--thank you so very much!!

In my excitement, I forgot to mention that Gina sent a nice pumpkin teabag, too! :O)

I recieved a "sweet" little package from Erin today. It was full of goodie treats and a great homemade magnet. I can't wait to post pics of it. Thanks Erin!!

Just received #5 of 5 this one was "Odd" or so she thought it was going to be, but I find it fabulously me. So maybe it is odd after all. THanks Sharon love the dream catcher. Can't wait to post a pic of it.

Amanda,

I just want you to know, I know I mailed off your mail to you. I will on Monday morning mail off another one .. I have no reason to lie about this. But this time I will make sure a confirmation is on it! When I know you got it, you can at least change my rating to a 3 if you feel in your heart I never sent it in the first place! Which I know I did! It kind of hurts that you think I never sent it. But some people don't care about that kind of stuff. I sent you a handmade mini wooden hanger with stickers included. I can not send you the same thing, but it will be the same hanger, perhaps different image! Here is the link to the item I sent you. http://www.flickr.com/photos/willow_tree/411769193/in/set-72157594434760550/

k dis-regard above, I have no idea what's going on :-|

Quick question, how often is it that people don't leave feedback? If they don't what will happen? Anything? After reading the above post I was just double checking my ratings and noticed several that said they received has not rated it was king of worrying me.

Hi jamesdean!

I often don't receive ratings in swaps. I've been in many swaps where the person never even lets me know they rec'd the item. In this swap one person has left feedback (the only communication I had from her) and I have heard nothing whatsoever from the other four. I used to email or post on the swap page asking if my item was rec'd but don't bother now. I only email people who haven't sent to me asking if they intend to send. It's just not worth the effort for the rating. Oh, and nothing happens if you don't rate someone. Hope that helps! :O)

good evening Kiki, thanks for the response. I was wondering if I should worry if it would show up as bad feedback. Another site I'm on does that, it is cool then it doesn't show up here. I think I will take your advice and not worry about it so much then. Thanks again it helped a lot.

thanks, Mary, I received your cosmic offering today.

Marlene

Hello Ladies, I left the country in the midst of receiving for this swap. If I have not contacted you to let you know your item arrived, would you mind dropping me a line? I definitely want to give credit where it is due. Warmly, Chy