SwapDex

Give a Hoot - Owl Swap

2012-01-20T10:15:00.002-06:00

Give a Hoot - Owl Swap

Sign-up date: January 30, 2012
Swap date: March 1, 2012

You'll create two handmade owl items and including three tuck-ins or treats in a package for your secret partner.

National Swap Day

2012-01-19T11:53:00.002-06:00

So, not exactly the kind of swap I usually post here but Yoplait Light and Swap.com are celebrating the second annual World Swap Day this Saturday, January 21st. People swap things in their everyday lives all the time – whether it’s passing a book on to a friend, or trading hand-me-downs with your neighbors. Swap.com is hosting swap events all over the country, so check out events.swap.com to find an event in your area, or to register your own swap event!

Valentine's Day Swap

2012-01-19T11:51:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day Swap

Sign-up date: January 20, 2012
Swap date: February 14, 2012

Create a table runner for your partner that is Heart Day themed. Tuck in some other little goodies and mail it on its way.

Initial Heart Swap

2012-01-11T10:57:00.001-06:00

Initial Heart Swap

Sign-up date: January 14, 2012
Swap date: February 7, 2012

Send your secret partner a handmade heart in any design and any medium with their initial on it.

First Annual Secret Santa Sock Swap

2011-12-01T16:09:00.002-06:00

First Annual Secret Santa Sock Swap

Sign-up date: December 2, 2011
Swap date: December 15, 2011

Send your partner a pair of fun holiday socks stuffed with goodies! ($20 spending limit)

2nd Annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange

2011-12-01T16:03:00.001-06:00

2nd Annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange

Sign-up date: December 5, 2011
Swap date: to arrive by Christmas

This one is for fitness folks with blogs! You'll send your fellow blogger a package of goodies (a$10 minimum) like running socks, headbands, racing fuel, etc.

2011 Preparedness Stocking Stuffer Swap

2011-12-01T16:01:00.003-06:00

2011 Preparedness Stocking Stuffer Swap

Sign-up date: December 8, 2011
Swap date: December 15, 2011

Send your partner a stocking stuffed with preparedness/self reliance related goodies. Think waterproof matches, flashlights, canning supplies, etc.

Wonky House Block Swap

2011-12-01T15:57:00.002-06:00

Wonky House Block Swap

Sign-up date: first 60 people
Swap date: March 1, 2012

You'll sew and send in 11 wonky house quilt blocks AND 11 signature blocks and Jane will swap them out and send you back 11 different ones!

Vintage Christmas Handmade Ornament Swap

2011-11-17T10:48:00.001-06:00

Vintage Christmas Handmade Ornament Swap

Sign-up date: November 21, 2011
Swap date: December 7, 2011

This is a one-for-one handmade ornament swap, using vintage materials. You send in one or more vintage-style handmade ornaments and the hostess will send you one for every one you sent.

Vintage Christmas Swap

2011-11-11T14:45:00.002-06:00

Vintage Christmas Swap

Sign-up date: November 21, 2011
Swap date: December 8, 2011

Send your partner a decorated box filled with goodies in Mary Jo's First Vintage Christmas Swap. US only, $15 budget

HallowChritmas Witch boot/Witch stocking Swap

2011-11-11T14:43:00.001-06:00

HallowChritmas Witch boot/Witch stocking Swap

Sign-up date: November 12, 2011
Swap date: December 10, 2011

Send your partner a a boot or stocking no bigger then 12" in this Halloween/Christmas hybrid swap.

A Hot Chocolate and Tea Swap

2011-11-04T14:52:00.001-05:00

A Hot Chocolate and Tea Swap

Sign-up date: November 9, 2011
Swap date: end of November??

Send your partner different kinds of teas and hot chocolates as well as a cute mug and several different tuck ins.

Little Witch Swap

2011-10-05T15:34:00.001-05:00

Little Witch Swap

Sign-up date: October 7, 2011
Swap date: October 25, 2011

Create a little witch (doll or any medium you want) and send it along to your partner with a couple of other Halloween goodies.

Aunt Pitty Pat's Christmas Block Swap 2011

2011-10-05T15:30:00.003-05:00

Aunt Pitty Pat's Christmas Block Swap 2011

Sign-up date: Sept 26, 2011 to Oct 14, 2011
Swap date: Dec 2, 2011 (due to Pitty on this date!)

Back for another year! You'll quilt and send in a themed block for each member of your swapping group (probably 12) and get back one from each person.

Fall Table Runner Swap

2011-09-29T12:26:00.003-05:00

Fall Table Runner Swap

Sign-up date: September 30, 2011
Swap date: October 20-30, 2011

Create a table runner for fall and send it to your partner along with 2 other little goodies they'll enjoy. Must ship 2-day priority and get a tracking number.

Handmade Tilda Christmas Swap

2011-09-29T12:21:00.003-05:00

Handmade Tilda Christmas Swap

Sign-up date: October 8, 2011 Swap date: November 5, 2011 You'll send your partner (not secret) a Handmade Tilda Christmas Decoration, a Tilda/Christmas haberdashery notions, ric rac, ribbons etc, an edible gift and anything else related to your partners likes.

Crafty Bits Swap Spot Pincushion Swap

2011-09-19T10:08:00.002-05:00

Crafty Bits Swap Spot Pincushion Swap

Sign-up date: September 24, 2011
Swap date: October 24, 2011

Send your partner a handcrafted pin cushion and at least 2 sewing goodies. Easy, peasy!

The Keeper Swap

2011-09-01T09:29:00.003-05:00

The Keeper Swap

Sign-up date: September 1 to September 12, 2011
Swap date: October 31, 2011

A swap for the sewers! Make your partner a scissor keep (with or without fob) and send it out in time to arrive on or before October 31.

Yarnigras 3rd Annual Halloween Swap

2011-09-01T09:22:00.002-05:00

Yarnigras 3rd Annual Halloween Swap

Sign-up date: September 10, 2011
Swap date: October 1, 2011

In this swap for bloggers, you will create a Halloween Zombie dolls for your partner. Send it along with a few treats and wait for your won scary package to arrive!

F-R-I-E-N-D-S SWAP

2011-08-08T10:52:00.002-05:00

F-R-I-E-N-D-S SWAP

Sign-up date: August 19, 2011
Swap date: September 19, 2011

You will send your partner seven gifts, each one starting with a letter in the word FRIENDS.

PEP: Package Exchange Project.

2011-08-02T17:08:00.001-05:00

PEP: Package Exchange Project

Sign-up date: August 20, 2011
Swap date: September 5, 2011

This International swap has a theme: THE SECRET GARDEN! Send at least 5 different items to your partner.

Aloha Apron Swap

2011-06-27T10:56:00.003-05:00

Aloha Apron Swap

Sign-up date: June 30, 2011
Swap date: July 23, 2011

This summer's Flirty Apron Swap theme is Aloha! Send a handmade Hawaii-inspired apron to your partner along with some fun, summery items.

Bread and Button Swap

2011-06-27T10:54:00.001-05:00

Bread and Button Swap

Sign-up date: June 30, 2011
Swap date: ??

Before you email to sign up for this one, you first create your bread basket and purchase 4 novelty buttons. THEN the hostess will give you your partner's info. :)

Christmas in July Handmade Gift Exchange

2011-06-03T10:02:00.001-05:00

Christmas in July Handmade Gift Exchange

Sign-up date: June 24, 2011
Swap date: July 15, 2011

This is a gift exchange with a twist, you will send one handmade gift to you partner and you'll also give a handmade gift to someone who is NOT expecting it and then tell your story to the host.

True Colors Swap

2011-06-01T11:16:00.002-05:00

True Colors Swap

Sign-up date: June 3, 2011
Swap date: June 18, 2011

Participants will exchange packages worth $20 to $30 with items in their partner's favorite color.

Fourth Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap

2011-05-17T11:51:00.002-05:00

Fourth Annual Brown Paper Bag Swap

Sign-up date: May 20, 2011
Swap date: June 20, 2011

Spending around $15, create some great thing(s) from paper bags for your partner.

Haberdashery (Notions) Swap

2011-05-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

Haberdashery (Notions) Swap

Sign up date: May 14-22, 2011
Swap date: July 1, 2011

Based on your secret partner's keywords and inspiration mosaic, gather up to $20 (including shipping) worth of notions such as buttons, zippers, ribbon, perle cotton, etc.

Birthday Treasury Shadowbox Swap

2011-05-17T11:46:00.002-05:00

Birthday Treasury Shadowbox Swap

Sign-up date: May 31, 2011
Swap date: June 13, 2011

Transform a Tim Holtz Configurations shadowbox into a birthday-themed creation for your partner!

Morning Glories and Moonflowers Summer Swap

2011-05-12T14:35:00.000-05:00

Morning Glories and Moonflowers Summer Swap

Sign-up date: May 20, 2011
Swap date: June 1, 2011

With a minimum of $20, create a package for your partner with an item for each letter in the word BEACH!

Red and White Fabric Swap

2011-05-10T14:43:00.002-05:00

Red and White Fabric Swap

Sign-up date: May 16, 2011
Swap date: ??

Send and receive 5-inch squares of red and white fabric. So far, no details about how many you'll be sending or when they need to be sent by.

Initially Yours Swap

2011-05-09T11:26:00.003-05:00

Initially Yours Swap

Sign-up date: May 9-May 15, 2011
Swap date: June 13, 2011

Create a craft for your partner using the first letter of their first name.

Interview with Ashley of Ashley Getting Dressed

2011-05-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

Everyone, meet Ashley. So new to swapping that she didn't actually know it was a thing that people did! You can visit her at her blog, ashleygettingdressed.blogspot.com

Swapdex: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Ashley: I'm 23, I work in Human Resources at a large, well-known non-profit organization in St. Louis. I live about an hour and half north of the city with my parents and little brother in a very rural community. We have two cats and a dog, and I have a wonderful boyfriend. I've just gotten in to sewing (skirts, mostly, but I'm working on my first apron), and I recently taught myself how to knit!

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start?

A: This is my first swap, and honestly I thought it was an original idea - I had no clue that it's a popular thing and I definitely didn't know that there's a blog devoted to swaps!

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

A: I think wrapping packages up beautifully with a handwritten note says a lot, no matter if it's for a swap or just a birthday gift. I love making beautiful presentations!

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

A: Just organizing everything. Even though I had less than 30 participants, it was still difficult keeping the names and emails straight. I'm also really worried that someone won't mail their package. I think the best thing to do is just keeping an open line of communication with the participants

SD: Thanks for chatting, Ashley! I hope this one was so fun that you'll consider hosting or participating in more swaps.

Posie Pin and Pincushion Swap

2011-04-21T12:07:00.003-05:00

Posie Pin and Pincushion Swap

Sign-up date: April 30, 2011
Swap date: May 14, 2011

Make a batch of posie pins using Becky's tutorial, then stick them in a store-bought or handmade pincushion and mail them to your lucky partner!

Cushion Swap 2011

2011-04-19T11:38:00.002-05:00

Cushion Swap 2011

Sign-up date: April 25, 2011
Swap date: May 23, 2011

Sew up a cushion cover for your partner and mail off so they can cover their own 16” X 16” with it! Open internationally!

Quote Post Card Swap

2011-04-06T15:24:00.002-05:00

Quote Post Card Swap

Sign-up date: April 11, 2011
Swap date: ??

Write a favorite quote on a postcard and mail it off!

Pin Cushion Swap

2011-04-06T15:18:00.004-05:00

Pin Cushion Swap

Sign-up date: April 11, 2011
Swap date: May 21, 2011

You will make a pin cushion for your partner and get one back from the same person.

Summer Waldorf Craft Swap

2011-04-06T15:16:00.002-05:00

Summer Waldorf Craft Swap

Sign-up date: April 15, 2011
Swap date: May 25, 2011

You will create a Waldorf-style summery craft for each person in the swap and get back an assortment of items from all the participants.

Mother's Day Apron Swap

2011-04-06T15:04:00.005-05:00

Mother's Day Apron Swap

Sign-up date: April 15, 2011
Swap date: April 25, 2011

Create an apron for your partner for Mother's Day and send it along with a couple of little goodies.

Lets Exchange #2-Kitchen Hand Towel

2011-04-06T14:58:00.004-05:00

Lets Exchange #2-Kitchen Hand Towel

Sign-up date: April 15, 2011
Swap date: May 15, 2011

You'll send your partner a kitchen towel with a towel topper (sewn or crochet) and one of your favorite no-fail recipes.

Santa Sack Swap

2011-04-06T14:53:00.004-05:00

Santa Sack Swap

Sign-up date: April 30, 2011
Swap date: July 1, 2011-December 1, 2011

This is a 6-month commitment. You will send a sack with two presents to your pal in July. Then every month you will send 2 more, with a special larger present on December. Each person will save them up in the sack and open them for Christmas!

Interview with Ulrike of teufelskruemel

2011-04-05T17:19:00.001-05:00

Let's all meet Ulrike, a swapper from Germany who makes adorable handmade goodies like her gnomies! Check out her blog (in german only) and her flickr.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you

Ulrike: okay, were to start. I am 29 and mother to two boys (2 yrs and 7 month) which have quite a lot of energy. Our family lives in Germany. Actually, I am engineer and stay home with my kids this year. Crafting is something I do more or less every time since this is just fun and relaxing. Mostly, I am sewing though this will mostly take place in the middle of the night. But I am also a bit painting, printing, making little sculptures or silver jewelry.

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

U: I am swapping for about 2 years now. The first one was a Christmas swap in a sewing community. I thought it would be fun to join in. It was, so I did some more. I swap quite a lot of totally different handmade items.

Best thing is that some swap partnerships and some friendships developed over time.

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

U: A lot of the swaps are only direct swaps just between two persons (e.g. I get knitted socks or handmade soap for a travel bag). I do not always know the people I start swaps with. I join in when the swap itself appeals to me and I think it will be fun to participate. The small swaps are all organized within a dedicated message board or within some sewing communities. At the moment, I am in some swaps on flickr. It is just easier to come together within an organized group and you meet a lot of amazing crafters this way.

I won't swap if I had bad experience with some members and especially if I have not enough time no matter how tempted I am.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

U: Difficult. I like all my swaps but especially the ones I am currently in as I have tons of ideas what I could make :)

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

U: I like work carefully, wrapping my packages nicely as if the were presents, adding some candy and a note to the recipient. The best ones are the baby quilts I swaped since I always add a coordinating handmade rattling owl as a soft toy for the baby.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

U: Most challenging for me as a hostess is to find the right time for the swap, for example, it could rather difficult to organize a Christmas swap on short notice in November. Also, if you don't know already a lot of people it might be could to think ahead of time about ways to advertise your swap.

Handmade For You Swaparoo

2011-04-05T10:50:00.002-05:00

Handmade For You Swaparoo

Sign-up date: April 11, 2011
Swap date: May 7, 2011

(This swap is only open to US residents who are active bloggers.) Send your partner at least 3 handmade items, then post on your blog about the items you get back in return.

"William & Kate Royal Wedding" Swap

2011-03-30T10:07:00.004-05:00

"William & Kate Royal Wedding" Swap

Sign-up date: April 12, 2011
Swap date: April 29, 2011

Send your partner some "British-inspired" &/or "wedding/romantic-inspired" goodies, all nicely wrapped. ( $20-25 limit)

Spring is in the Air Swap

2011-03-30T10:05:00.003-05:00

Spring is in the Air Swap

Sign-up date: April 1, 2011
Swap date: April 9, 2011

Send $20 in springy goodies to your partner.

Easter Swap

2011-03-30T10:03:00.002-05:00

Easter Swap

Sign-up date: April 5, 2011
Swap date: April 17, 2011

Send your partner a package of Easter goodies (around $20 worth) in time for them to open on Easter.

Potholder Swap 2011

2011-03-30T09:58:00.003-05:00

Potholder Swap 2011

Swap date: April 16, 2011

Crochet 5 100% cotton potholders using the same pattern, label them as specified and mail them off the coordinator. You'll get an assortment of 5 back!

Zippy Purse Swap

2011-03-29T09:32:00.003-05:00

Zippy Purse Swap

Sign-up date: April 12, 2011
Swap date: May 31, 2011

Sew up a zippered purse/pouch for your partner and get one back in return! Open internationally!

Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap

2011-03-22T16:05:00.003-05:00

Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap

Sign-up date: March 30, 2011
Swap date: USA-May 1, 2011, International-April 15, 2011

This is NOT a swap for beginners, you must have a reference OR have swapped with A Swap For All Seasons before.

Send one lovely vintage brooch to your partner, beautifully packaged for them to open and enjoy.

Staycation Swap

2011-03-22T16:01:00.004-05:00

Staycation Swap

Sign-up date: April 1, 2011
Swap date: ??

Spend at least $30 creating a package for your partner's "Staycation". It's like a vacation, but you stay home. :)

Shawnee's Flirty Apron Swap #15-Spring Fling Flirty Apron Swap

2011-03-22T15:51:00.004-05:00

Shawnee's Flirty Apron Swap #15-Spring Fling Flirty Apron Swap

Sign-up date: March 31, 2011
Swap date: NEW Swappers-must be to Shawnee by April 21, All others- mail by April 22

Shawnee's 15th swap!! This one is spring themed! Send a handmade apron along with three little gifties to your partner. And she's got awesome prizes that participants could win!

Gen X Quilters' Kona Your World 2 Fabric Swap

2011-03-17T12:02:00.004-05:00

Gen X Quilters' Kona Your World 2 Fabric Swap

Sign-up date: April 1, 2011 (or when 25-participant limit is reached)
Swap date: April 22, 2011

Another round of this great swap! You'll send in 12 fat quarters of Kona solid fabric. You'll get back a rainbow of Kona!

Book Swap

2011-03-17T11:58:00.003-05:00

Book Swap

Sign-up date: March 20, 2011
Swap date: ??

Send your partner the latest book you finished reading. You'll get a new book back to start reading!

Spring Swap, Spreading Joy

2011-03-17T11:51:00.003-05:00

Spring Swap, Spreading Joy

Sign-up date: March 21, 2011
Swap date: 7-10 days after partners are sent out

Send your partner something that will spread joy and make their day.

Interview with Lacey of Our Life: Narrated by Lacey

2011-03-16T13:16:00.001-05:00

Everyone, meet Lacey. She's a major scrapbooker and has hosted the Help Me With My Collection Swap. Visit her at her blog to see her adventures.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Lacey: age - 25, where you live - Houma, LA - 45 minutes south of New Orleans,
Married? - Married on April Fool's Day four and a half years ago to my best friend, Pets/kids? Two kids, Jack (22 months) & Molly (4 months)

Occupation? Because I'm against using the title 'Stay At Home Mom' for myself, I'll just say I'm a 'full-time mom'

SD: What type of crafts do you do?

L: SCRAPBOOKING, like hardcore, like I have almost an entire room in our house dedicated to this love of mine - and photography, of course.

SD: How long have you been swapping?

L: I've only started blogging faithfully on blogger since April of this year and I've only swapped twice in that time.

SD: How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start?

L: A blogger I followed blogged about a swap she joined. It sounded fun so I mosied my way over to said blog and signed myself up.

SD: Do you remember your first one?

L: It was called "These Are A Few of my Favorite Things" swap. I sent mascara, handsoap, a book, and a handmade apron

SD: Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

L: My first swap was with someone I didn't know, but the host ended up being my partner so I got to know her as soon as I received her package and saw what her 'favorite things' were. My second swap was with someone I know. I'm not opposed to swapping with folks I don't know.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

L: I write a long letter detailing why what I sent was special to me and how I thoroughly hope they enjoy it as much as I do. I try to make it personal.

SD: Do you have a good story about hosting or participating in a swap?

L: I haven't been swapping long enough to have any interesting stories, but like I said, I'm new to this....I expect to have some stories to tell in my future.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

L: The most challenging part is making your swap appealing to others. It's also nerve-wracking knowing that a loyal reader may not receive a swap from someone that signed up and forgot to participate. I'm nervous about someone getting burned on one of my swaps. Advice? Be specific. Especially with cost and dates. It helps keep it fair and keep swappers organized.

The HomeMade Swap

2011-03-14T10:54:00.003-05:00

The HomeMade Swap

Sign-up date: ???
Swap date: ???

Ok, so this one is a little fuzzy on the details but sign up and once enough people have shown interest, the hostess will assign partners. You sign-up with info on what you will be making and what you DON'T want to receive, so that you can be paired up with someone who wants what you make and makes something you want.

DIY Postcard Swap

2011-03-14T10:50:00.003-05:00

DIY Postcard Swap

Sign-up date: March 18, 2011
Swap date: April 8, 2011

You'll create 10 postcards using any medium you like and mail them out to 10 partners. You'll get 10 great, handmade postcards back!

12 Days of Easter Swap

2011-02-24T12:13:00.003-06:00

12 Days of Easter Swap

Sign-up date: when 11-participant limit is reached
swap date: April 6, 2011

Make and send in 12 Easter items, individually wrapped up. You'll get back an assortment of 12 items, one from each participant and you can open one each day until Easter!

Prim Pals Siggy Block Swap

2011-02-07T11:58:00.003-06:00

Prim Pals Siggy Block Swap

Sign-up date: February 15, 2011
Swap date: March 31, 2011

Send in a signature quilt block (using the tutorial provided) for each person who signs up. Could be 50 or more!

Jewell's 2011 Easter Swap

2011-02-03T10:13:00.003-06:00

Jewell's 2011 Easter Swap

Sign-up date: February 28, 2011
Swap date: April 7, 2011

You'll send 4 items to your partner,a Craft Magazine, an Easter themed Tea-Towel (made or bought), some Chocolate/Candy, and an Easter themed Wash Cloth (made or bought). You'll get back a package from someone different from your partner!

Spring Mug Rug Swap

2011-02-03T10:11:00.004-06:00

Spring Mug Rug Swap

Sign-up date: February 5, 2011
Swap date: February 21, 2011

Create a spring-themed mug rug for your partner and mail it off with a little surprise.

Conversation Heart Swap

2011-02-03T10:07:00.003-06:00

Conversation Heart Swap

Swap date: Ongoing through 2011

This swap is a little different. You won't have a partner assigned to you, everyone's partner is the hostess. Send her one heart (created any way you like) and she'll send you one of her heart creations back! (send in two, you'll get two back and so on)

International Craft Swap

2011-01-28T12:13:00.002-06:00

International Craft Swap

Sign-up date: March 1, 2011
Swap date: September 1, 2011

You'll get the name of another crafter and your task is to send something handmade to them within 6 months. Wow, that's quite a lot of time to think up and create something awesome! Must be willing to send internationally.

Cheer Up Swap

2011-01-27T15:31:00.003-06:00

Cheer Up Swap

Sign-up date: January 30, 2011
Swap date: February 17, 2011

With a budget of $20-$30, send your partner a box of fun, cheerful goodies! Must be an active blogger to participate.

Tacky Souvenir Swap

2011-01-27T15:29:00.002-06:00

Tacky Souvenir Swap

Sign-up date: February 4, 2011
Swap date: ??

Send your partner a tacky souvenir!

Love me, Love my crafts Swap

2011-01-27T15:27:00.005-06:00

Love me, Love my crafts Swap

Sign-up date: February 1, 2011
Swap date: February 10, 2011

In this round robin swap, you'll send a valentine craft to your partner and get back one from someone else. (Must follow hostess's blog.)

Be My Healthy Valentine Swap

2011-01-27T15:22:00.003-06:00

Be My Healthy Valentine Swap

Sign-up date: February 3, 2011
Swap date: February 9, 2011

A Valentine swap with a healthy twist! With a budget of $25, send your partner a package of goodies (NOT to include unhealthy treats like candy).

Be My Valentine Swap

2011-01-27T15:20:00.002-06:00

Be My Valentine Swap

Sign-up date: February 1, 2011
Swap date: February 7, 2011

With a budget of $15, send your Valentine a package of goodies! (Must follow the hostess's blog.)

2011 Valentine Swap

2011-01-24T10:03:00.003-06:00

2011 Valentine Swap

Sign-up date: January 25, 2011
Swap date: February 7, 2011

Crow and Canary's second annual Valentine swap! Send a valentine (handmade or not) to up to four partners.

Chicken Lovin' Hot Mamas! Apron Swap

2011-01-21T09:52:00.003-06:00

Chicken Lovin' Hot Mamas! Apron Swap

Sign-up date: January 29, 2011
Swap date: March 1, 2011

The first Hot Mama apron swap of the new year! You'll send your partner a chicken-themed handmade apron and 1 or 2 Chicken crock-pot tried and true recipes.

AAJ Annual Valentines Swap

2011-01-21T09:48:00.003-06:00

AAJ Annual Valentines Swap

Sign-up date: January 26, 2011
Swap date: February 10, 2011

In groups of ten, you will swap handmade valentines. You'll send out a valentine to each of your 9 partners.

Interview with Laurie of Quilt-Swaps

2011-01-20T09:56:00.000-06:00

Everyone who hasn't already, meet Laurie! We've got a real treasure in Laurie, she's one serious swapper! Quilt swapping, mainly, but other kinds too. She sent in pictures of two of her awesome quilts!Laurie says "This quilt was made using one of the blocks I collected for use in making charity quilts when I ran the Sunshine Quilt Guild's block lotto. The Sunbonnet Sue block was donated. The other pieces around it are bits that I added."
"This quilt is my "thrifty" blocks. The pattern is available at quilterscache.com It's a favorite pattern for using up scraps and charm squares. That block pattern is why I am still collecting charms. I keep making and making those blocks. I have enough for a king size quilt (which will be for me) as well as several smaller ones which will go to Sunshine Quilt Guild for distribution through Wrap a Smile or Wrap Them In Love, both organizations that distribute quilts to children who need them."

She has started up quilt-swaps.com/blog/, a new site for quilt swapping. And check our her other blog, Black Velvet Seductions readers blog, for lots of giveaways and non-quilt swaps.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Laurie: I'm 46, almost 47. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. In May and August when the races run my home becomes the home away from home for family members who are big race fans and who come for the race. I'm married for 10 years to my soulmate Orville who I met online....though we've been together fifteen years now. We don't have any children but had my teenage niece with us for a couple of years while she finished up high school. She is now back in Iowa where she is attending college. We are cat folk. We have three indoor cats Twinkle and Missy who look so much alike that it is sometimes hard to tell them apart. Both are tortoise shell colored rotund kitties. Addy is the odd kitty out. She is solid black and much more lean than her to cohorts. I also have a whole kitten kabootle of outdoor cats which were essentially strays that were created when their owners moved away and left them. I feed them and am in the process of getting all of them spayed and neutered so that we can stop the exponential growth of the colony. I own a publishing company (Black Velvet Seductions http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com) and publish romance novels of all types including paranormal and erotic romance, both of which are very popular right now. I write erotic romance under my pen name Alyssa Aaron. I am a quilter. I think I have always been a quilter at heart. My mother recently told a story about how when I was a child I had torn up a bunch of Kleenex and arranged them on the maroon carpet in my bedroom. She'd not been pleased at the time because it had made quite a mess. I smiled and said that I'd been quilting even then. My husband laughed and said I was still chopping things into small pieces and arranging them...which is pretty much true. I enjoy working with fabric. Most of my quilts are donated to groups which distribute them to children in third world countries for whom a quilt is often the difference between being warm and being cold.

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

L: I've been swapping forever. I think I first learned of swaps on Yahoo Groups back about fifteen years ago. One of the early swaps I did was a flower pot swap...in which everyone made blocks which looked like flower pots filled with flowers.

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

L: After discovering swaps on Yahoo Groups I started hosting my own swaps. I was the owner of the Lauriesquiltswaps group for many years. That group was closed some years ago because I was overwhelmed with the tasks associated with launching a publishing company and at that time couldn't take time out for swapping. Currently I host some of my own swaps at www.quilt-swaps.com/blog/ I also participate in some other swaps...mostly swaps of fabric charms of various sizes. I'm always willing to swap charms. I prefer 6 and 10 inch charms for swapping. I will swap with anyone anytime.

SD: Do you swap with any organized groups like yahoo groups, flickr, groups on swap-bot, other message boards, etc? Why or why not?

L: Yes, I swap with a number of organized groups on Yahoo and my own swap site/blog. I'm very into swapping.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

L: One of my favorite swaps was an embroidery swap that I hosted on the old lauriesquiltswaps group. For that swap we swapped embroidered 8" squares with flowers and butterflies. The blocks were beautiful. We did several rounds of that swap. I used the blocks I collected to make a very lovely flower/butterfly quilt for my mother in law who was in her late 80's at that time.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

L: I think swap packages are special just by their nature. I try to find fabrics that I really love for the fabric swaps that I participate in. I figure that if I love the fabrics the people who are getting them will love them too. For swaps I host I try to come up with themes that encompass a quilt recipe so that each person who participates will have enough blocks that go together to make a quilt.

SD: Do you have a good story about hosting or participating in a swap?

L: I've always been amazed by the generosity of swap participants. Many swap participants sent me lovely gifts in their squishies. One person sent me a crocheted winter scarf which I still wear each winter. Another sent me an embroidered tote bag which I still use to carry quilt and embroidery projects when I travel.

SD: Hostesses: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

L: The most challenging thing is when a swappers work or fabric isn't up to par and you have to send it back. I've only had to do this a couple of times but it was challenging both times.

SD: Any exciting plans for the near future? Swaps, projects, new products?

L: Well, I just launched the www.quilt-swaps.com/blog/ site which is devoted to all things quilting/embroidery and quilt and embroidery swaps. Currently the only swap going on is a 6" charm square swap which will swap each month. I am however planning some row swaps for 2011. The plan with those is to come up with guidelines for each month so that each month each participant would make one or more rows of quilt blocks following a given theme. For example we might want rows that are 72" across. The theme one month might be flying geese. So the row would have to incorporate blocks with flying geese or a strip of flying geese. Another month the theme might be picture blocks...so at least some of the blocks in the row would need to be picture type blocks...blocks that look like flowers or houses or trees or boats. I am still working on guidelines for the row swaps.

Valentine's Day Swap

2011-01-11T10:06:00.004-06:00

Valentine's Day Swap

Sign-up date: January 19, 2011
Swap date: February 14, 2011

Spend around $10 and send your partner a package of Valentine's Day gooies!

First Annual Thimbleprims Studio Easter Eggs Swap

2011-01-10T15:05:00.002-06:00

First Annual Thimbleprims Studio Easter Eggs Swap

Sign-up date: January 20, 2011
Swap date: March 28, 2011

Create as many eggs as you want, in any medium you like. You'll get back an assortment of the same number of eggs from other artists!

Be My Cutie Pie Flirty Apron Swap

2011-01-10T15:02:00.002-06:00

Be My Cutie Pie Flirty Apron Swap

Sign-up date: January 15, 2011
Swap date: January 29, 2011 for newbies, February 5, 2011 for all others

The next Flirty Apron Swap hosted by Shawnee! Create an apron with a Valentine, vintage love or pie theme. Send ti along with some goodies to your partner in time for Valentine's Day!

Color Wheel Charm Pack Swap

2011-01-10T14:59:00.003-06:00

Color Wheel Charm Pack Swap

Sign-up date: First 20 people to sign up
Swap date: February 28, 2011

Sign up for a color, cut 20 charm squares from each of 10 different fabrics in that color and send them in to the hostess. You'll get back a rainbow of charm squares!

Bead Soup Party

2011-01-07T15:08:00.003-06:00

Bead Soup Party

Sign-up date: January 7-14, 2011
Swap date: January 28, 2011

You'll send your partner a pack of great beads including a focal bead, some coordinating spacers or beads and a special clasp. Then all participants will post their packages on their blogs on February 26. Open internationally but you must have a blog.

Valentine Craft Swap

2011-01-07T15:05:00.003-06:00

Valentine Craft Swap

Sign-up date: January 12, 2011
Swap date: February 4, 2011

Send your partner a Valentine craft of your choice and get one back! Meet a new crafty friend!

I-Spy Fabric Swap 3.0

2011-01-06T16:27:00.004-06:00

I-Spy Fabric Swap 3.0

Sign-up date: when 40-participant limit is reached
Swap date: January 31, 2011

Send in 200 4-inch fabric squares of I-Spy fabric. (That's 20 from each of 10 different fabrics) Get back the same amount, enough to start an awesome I-Spy project!

Handmade Postcard Swap

2011-01-05T14:59:00.003-06:00

Handmade Postcard Swap

Sign-up date: February 28, 2011
Swap date: the 20th of each month, April 2011 through March 2012

This is a very long term swap. You will send a handmade postcard to every participants (up to 19) every month for a year. Open internationally.

Valentine Apron Swap

2011-01-04T16:24:00.003-06:00

Valentine Apron Swap

Sign-up date: January 14, 2011
Swap date: February 1, 2011

Send your partner an apron just right for Valentine's day along with some other goodies to surprise her!

Winter Swap-Mini Fabric Collage

2011-01-04T16:22:00.003-06:00

Winter Swap-Mini Fabric Collage

Sign-up date: January 15, 2011
Swap date: February 16, 2011

The newest A Swap for All Seasons swap! You will create a 5 inch by 7 inch mini fabric collage for your partner.

Books n Chocolates February Swap

2011-01-04T16:15:00.003-06:00

Books n Chocolates February Swap

Sign-up date: January 20, 2011
Swap date: February 7, 2011

Send your partner at last one book and one chocolate item! Yum! Open to active bloggers only. (must have at least 6 posts in the past two months)

Valentine Swap

2011-01-04T16:13:00.003-06:00

Valentine Swap

Sign-up date: Now through January 10, 2011
Swap date: February 14, 2011

Create a handmade item for your partner with a heart on it.

Dressed for Winter Ornament Swap

2011-01-04T16:10:00.003-06:00

Dressed for Winter Ornament Swap

Sign-up date: January 7, 2011
Swap date: February 19, 2011

You'll send your partner a winter-themed ornaments along with some other goodies. This swap is part of Yarnigras' Year of Enchantment but is open to everyone.

Toasty Fingers Glove Swap

2010-12-30T20:34:00.002-06:00

Toasty Fingers Glove Swap

Sign-up date: January 5, 2011
Swap date: January 12, 2011

Send your partner a pair of gloves or mittens and some other winter-y goodies!

Birthday Card Swap

2010-12-28T11:12:00.002-06:00

Birthday Card Swap

Sign-up date: ??
Swap date: January 15, 2011

Everyone always needs birthday cards. Craft 10 stamped and embellished birthday cards, mail them to the hostess and get an assortment of 10 back!

Interview with Wallace of Unputdownables

2010-12-28T11:04:00.000-06:00

Wallace is a book reviewer (check out her blog, Unputdownables) who shows a little bit about another facet of the swapping world, book swapping! She hosted the Crazy Book Swap and also swaps on Paperback Swap.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Wallace: I live in Los Angeles, California. I am 30 years old and write freelance at the moment (was a teacher for seven years before this). I write a book blog, which is where my swap is taking place, but I do craft -- I scrapbook (sometimes) and have taken up knitting!

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

W: I've been swapping for a little over a year. Mostly I just use PaperBack Swap, which is a great book swapping site. Occasionally I'll go to an event such as a book reading, where they will also be hosting a swap.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

W: Since I don't do many, I would have to say that PaperBack Swap is my favorite. It is incredibly organized and I have gotten great books our of it (not to mentioned cleaned out a lot of my old books in the process!)

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

W: Making sure it stays organized. In my case it is being done via mail, so keeping people's addresses straight, and inputing their information (ie. e-mails etc) into the computer took some time. I think if I do it again, I will input info as people register instead of waiting until registration has closed, haha!

SD: Awesome! I love how diverse swapping, something for everyone!

Valentine's Tilda Heart Swap

2010-12-21T16:16:00.003-06:00

Valentine's Tilda Heart Swap

Sign-up date: January 14, 2011
Swap date: February 2, 2011

Send your partner a package of at least 4 Valentine goodies including a handmade heart with a pocket for love notes!

Vintage Valentine Swap

2010-12-21T16:11:00.004-06:00

Vintage Valentine Swap

Sign-up date: January 5, 2011

Swap date: ??

Ready for Valentine's Day already? Then sign up to swap a handmade vintage valentine doll, any style, any pattern. Size should be 9"-25", but you can arrange specifics with your partner before you start crafting.

Interview with Kathy of Creative Home Expressions

2010-12-21T11:03:00.001-06:00

Let's meet Kathy, a relatively new swapper. She has a business called Creative Home Expressions and a boutique blog too.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Kathy: I am 46 years old and live on Long Island, New York. I'm married and have two grown children ~ my son is in college and my daughter just had a baby {first for her and first grandchild for us}. We have a 10 year old Siberian Husky named Misty. In addition to my interior decorating business, I have a "day job" and I love to do projects from transforming something with paint and giving it a new life, or creating something new with scrapbook paper and fabric.

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

K: I only did my first swap this year and that was one hosted by someone else and I just participated. My first swap involved sending along embellishment type items and having a limit of $10.00 on what you purchased.

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

K: My first swap was not by someone I know, but I would be more comfortable participating in a swap by a blogger that I am familiar with. I'd like to do an international swap at some point.

SD: Do you swap with any organized groups like yahoo groups, flickr, groups on swap-bot, other message boards, etc? Why or why not?

K: No. I didn't realize they had anything like that, but I'm happy swapping within the blogging community of those that I know and that have the same interests as me.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

K: I could just say the one I'm doing now, which is non-specific but just sending "goodies" onto a partner based on their likes from reading their blogs or asking them questions. I am planning a cocktail napkin swap for the beginning of November and and I think that will be a lot of fun.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

K: Having joined in only one swap previous to hosting my own, I very much wanted to add some personality to a plain box. I wound up painting and decorating a nice size box that held envelopes; so it offered plenty of room. I decorated it in a way that worked for my swap partner's likes. I also like to throw in some unexpected goody items. Like many swappers, I like the whole package to look pretty, so there is tissue paper inside covering and protecting all the little goodies.

SD: Do you have a good story about hosting or participating in a swap?

K: No, but probably only because I'm still new to it. I do notice that many swaps I've read about, and the one I participated in, show the generosity of bloggers.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

K: Hosting my first swap, I knew matching people might present an issue, but it actually worked out well. Making sure you have enough people so everyone has a partner is my main challenge.

Kona Your World Fabric Swap

2010-12-16T09:44:00.004-06:00

Kona Your World Fabric Swap

Sign-up date: December 31 2010 or when 50-participant limit is reached
Swap date: January 31, 2011

Build up your stash of Kona solids! Send in 12 fat quarters of a solid color and get back an assortment. USA and Canada only.

Blogger Book Swap

2010-12-10T15:28:00.003-06:00

Blogger Book Swap

Sign-up date: December 12, 2010
Swap date: January 5, 2011

Send any type of book and get one back. They are still ironing out the details so you might send directly to your partner or you might be sending in to a hostess who will them swap them out.

Block Swap Adventure

2010-11-29T12:28:00.001-06:00

Block Swap Adventure

A new monthly quilt block swap starting up in January! You'll swap one 12" block with a new partner each month.

Holiday Craft Swap

2010-11-23T15:56:00.002-06:00

Holiday Craft Swap

Sign-up date: December 4, 2010
Swap date: December 18, 2010

Send some holiday craftiness (something handmade or some stash goodies) to your partner for the Holidays.

THS Handmade Ornament Swap

2010-11-23T15:52:00.002-06:00

THS Handmade Ornament Swap

Sign-up date: December 1, 2010
Swap date: December 15, 2010

Send in up to 5 handmade ornaments to the hostess and get the same number back.

Christmas Stocking Swap

2010-11-23T15:41:00.003-06:00

Christmas Stocking Swap

Sign-up date: December 1, 2010
Swap date: December 10, 2010

You'll send your partner a stocking filled with goodies just for them. Budget of $15-$20 (before shipping).

Interview with Gracienne of Graciebellabutterfly

2010-11-23T11:59:00.000-06:00

A fairly new swapper, Gracie has hosted and swapped and has some great insight about the details of both. Catch Gracie on her blog, flickr and twitter. And check out her cute items in her Etsy shop.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Gracienne: I'm a 25 year old who lives in Brisbane Australia and I'm a newly wed. I got married on the 24th of January 2010 and I love it! At the moment I'm working at a department store called Myer but I hope to find a different job. My ideal job would be to work from home being crafty. I love to make mini note cards, envelopes, little stud earrings and other bits and pieces. I love to read, journal, be creative, blog and I adore my hubby and family.

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

G: I did my first swap on Swap-bot in 2006 and I have enjoyed it since then. I remember my first swap was a box of girly items and it gave me so much joy to put together a sweet little package. To be honest, I don't quite remember what made me want to swap in the first place. I think it stems from my love of letters and penpals.

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

G: I usually stick to swaps on swap-bot and blog friends. I do occasionally find the random swap on the internet and participate but I find it easier when I know the person.

SD: Do you swap with any organized groups like yahoo groups, flickr, groups on swap-bot, other message boards, etc? Why or why not?

G: I swap with swap-bot mainly and I use Postcrossing for postcards. But besides that there aren't any other groups that I swap with.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

G: So far my favourite swap has been a stationery swap that was hosted by a blog friend. I adore stationery so this was most enjoyable. I also participated in a My Favourite Things swap and that too was a lot of fun to put together.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

G: To make my packages special I always try to personalise and tailor it to my partner. I know that I love it when I receive a package that has a lot of thought put into it. So I do the same with all my swaps and letters.

SD: Do you have a good story about hosting or participating in a swap?

G: I think in general my worst swaps are when I don't receive anything. There are times when I will put a lot of effort into my package and not receive anything or receive something that is half-hearted. I have been in several swaps now where I've been completely flaked on and it feels horrible! But I have received packages that go beyond my expectations too.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

G: I think the biggest challenge with hosting a swap is making sure all the participants are legit. It can be difficult because you don't want to let anyone miss out but sometimes you need to set guidelines before you accept just anyone, which sounds horrible but it's too stop others taking advantage of others (receiving a package but not sending one out).

SD: That's a great point! Making sure participants are on the up-and-up is a real challenge, especially for those that allow anyone to join freely. How does everyone else handle that? Do you check emails? Require a blog? Let me know in the comments!

Christmas Ornament Swap

2010-11-19T15:58:00.002-06:00

Christmas Ornament Swap

Sign-up date: November 25, 2010
Swap date: December 15, 2010

Make or buy ($10 limit) an ornament for your partner's tree.

Christmas CD Swap

2010-11-19T15:54:00.002-06:00

Christmas CD Swap

Sign-up date: November 26, 2010
Swap date: December 8, 2010

You'll send 4 people a mix CD of your favorite Christmas music. What a great idea!

Give a Grundle Swap

2010-11-16T12:07:00.004-06:00

Give a Grundle Swap

Sign-up date: November 22, 2010
Swap date: December 3, 2010

Sign up and you'll get the PDF pattern to make a Grundle (an ADORABLE stuffed animal!). Create one and send it along to your partner and wait for your very own Grundle to arrive!