Current News - 2015

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WELCOME TO SWAPPERMANIA!

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MAY 2015

Hi everyone! I have been busy shooting and editing my mail call videos and am almost completely caught up. Please take a look at my newest 3 from the end of Apr - May 18.  And don't forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't yet. I will be doing more mail/swapper videos soon, and will also be branching out and doing more art & crafty type videos soon too.


APRIL 2015

I am taking this blog into a new direction... no more organized swaps.  I will only be doing personal happy mail, personal swaps, and showing my Monday Mail Call videos.   Sorry, too many people didn't follow through with the organized swaps and I just don't have the time to babysit adults.


MARCH 2015

No swaps this month, as we are still trying to track down Feb swaps... sigh...


FEBRUARY 2015

I had 4 people sign up for the Happy Mail swap in January, and nobody signed up for the friendship book swap... so I think we'll just stick to doing a Happy Mail swap again in February.  I tried to contact everyone on Facebook to give you your partner's name, and then you contacted each other to exchange addresses... I hope everyone has sent their January swaps out.  If not, please send these out this week, so we can wrap things up for Jan.  Now for this month, I am going to be posting more of the fun mail I receive, and we'll do another Happy Swap.  I can't do too many swaps yet as we just don't have the number of people participating that I need to do more than one.

Happy Swapping!
~Barbi





January 2015

12:05 AM Jan 3, 2015:  Hi everyone!  I am so sorry I fell behind on this blog last year. My husband had a stroke in May, was in hospital for 2 weeks, then recovery. Then this Fall the kids have been sick with mono and strep (my youngest had strep 3 times!) -- so my family was my main priority, which I am sure you all can understand.  I hope to get back into this blog again this year and do some more swapping.

I also want to do some posts on here showing some of the cool swaps I get from time to time. I have lots of great swappers I met on Facebook, and from friendship books, etc.  So I just want to share this fun hobby of mine.  Would love to hear feedback on some of the changes I'm doing here on the blog! Post comments below, or find our Facebook Event page and you can contact me on there :)  -- link is in upper left of main blog page.

Monday Mail Call - May 18, 2015

View this video on YouTube HERE.


Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  

It lets me know people have seen my video.



Related Links:


* GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
* ATC Basics / What Are ATCs? 

* Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

Monday Mail Call - May 11, 2015

View this video on YouTube HERE.


Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  

It lets me know people have seen my video.



Related Links:

* GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
* ATC Basics / What Are ATCs? 

* Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>









 

Monday Mail Call - Apr. 30, 2015

View this video on YouTube HERE.





Thanks for watching!



~Barbi







Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  

It lets me know people have seen my video.





Related Links:



* GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
* ATC Basics / What Are ATCs? 

* Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

MAIL CALL Monday 04/13/15

View this video on YouTube HERE.


Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.


Related Links:

* GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
* ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

* Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

New Monday Mail Call video on the way

I am working on editing my latest video, and will post the link to it soon on my YouTube channel. Check out here:  CreatedByBarbi's YouTube Channel

I am not doing anymore organized swaps here on this blog, as I had 4 members in Feb. and HALF of them didn't send on time, or didn't contact their partner to let them know they were sending, received, etc.  These are adults. And I know for a fact they were not new to swapping.  It's really NOT that hard, and I am not paid to be your babysitter. (I'm not paid to do this at ALL....) soooo..... I am NOT putting myself through all that stress when there are plenty other ways for you to find organized swaps (Swap-bot.com, Facebook groups, etc.)

I do still like to swap, but money is tight around here due to my husband's health issues (and mine, sick kids, car expenses, house expenses, etc.) We are a one-income household, with 2 kids and 3 pets, and the only money I get for postage is by selling my digital stationery, and stickers/stationery on eBay, Listia, and my Facebook Group: Stickers and Stationery For Sale.

I don't want items sitting around too long as sometimes I get a lot of items sent as excess and don't have money to pass them along right away. 

Instead, I joined some Happy Mail and Swap groups on Facebook, where you can just randomly choose someone to send happy mail, or set up a one-time swap. At least that way I can control better what I am swapping and know how much money I need for postage.  Budgeting is difficult when there's no money to budget.... sigh... ok so that's my (rant) for today...

I will still be showing my weekly Monday Mail Call videos, but sometimes they end up being bi-monthly as sometimes life just gets in the way and I don't get a video out every week.

Thank you SO much to everyone that sends Happy Mail my way, as it really DOES make me happy :) More than you know. 

If you would like my address, comment below.  And if you'd like to swap anything with me, post what you'd like to swap and where you are from.  If you live outside the US, I am sorry but I can't swap with you right now due to postage costs. 

Happy swapping!

~Barbi




Related Links:

* GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
* ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

* Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

Fun Craft Projects

Fun Valentine Crafts

Are You Looking For Fun Valentines Crafts?
This Collection Includes Over 700 Crafts With Illustrations, Printable Templates & Step-by-step Instructions.

Click Here!

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More fun crafts...

MAIL CALL MONDAY 3/23/15

The latest Mail Call Monday Video (from last week 3/23/15) is up...
http://youtu.be/6F9gvt0aMpM

Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.


Related Links:

GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

MAIL CALL MONDAY 3/16/15

The newest Mail Call Monday Video (from today 3/16/15) is up...
http://youtu.be/WJRiSEvM5Tc

Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.


Related Links:

GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

MAIL CALL MONDAY - End of Feb.

I'm playing catch-up on my Monday Mail Call videos.
Here is the completed video for the end of Feb.
The newest one should be done either later tonight or tomorrow morning, whenever it uploads.

http://youtu.be/npLvGbYInQU

Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.


Related Links:

GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

Where are March swaps?

There wasn't a lot of interest in my swaps.
The February swappers haven't updated me on if they have sent or received.
My computer is in the shop.  (I'm doing this post from my tiny phone screen.)
Sorry but there won't be any March swaps.
I'll post my new Monday Mail Call video soon.
Thanks for checking on me to see if I'm ok. lol.

MAIL CALL MONDAY / TUESDAY 2/17/15

Hi everybody! I finally got my Mail Call Monday video from last week edited and uploaded.

Here it is:

http://youtu.be/N-5N0XdHbsI


Thanks for watching!

~Barbi



Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.


Related Links:

GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

MAIL CALL MONDAY UPDATE

Hello everybody!  (Said in my Stampycat voice)... my kids have been watching Minecraft videos on YouTube lately, and if you have boys, you probably know who Stampy is... lol.
I heard he has a degree in video production.  Maybe he could help me.... I am having problems finding time to learn how to piece my video together from my iPhone onto this Movie Maker program.  I have Windows 8 now.  Yeah.  Yikes.

So that's what I'll be doing today, in addition to laundry and taking care of the family/household of course.  TRYING to learn more technical stuff.  I am a techie geek so it bothers me when it takes me this long to learn something or not be able to figure it out at all.

I don't have a Fun Mail Saturday video to do this week, I didn't get any fun mail at ALL this Saturday.  And now on Mondays, I am just combining and showing what I received the previous week (not including Saturday).

OK if you are still following and reading this, thanks for sticking with me.  And wish me luck on learning some technical video editing "stuff" today.
I'll keep you updated.

~Barbi

Partners for February HAPPY MAIL SWAP

Debi Van Deraa
Partner: Kimberly Barton

Kimberly Barton
Partner: Debi Van Deraa


Lisa Johnson
Partner: Julie Simpson

Julie Simpson
Partner: Lisa Johnson


Sharon Hass
Partner: Cathy Wienke

Cathy Wienke
Partner: Sharon Hass


I will be emailing you all each other's email addresses, and will try to match you up on our Facebook page too.  I usually send group messages out to find out if you have sent/received if you haven't posted by the deadline.
Here are the swap details:

Date items must be sent by: Feb. 28, 2015

Description: This is a simple swap that hopefully brings some happiness to your mailbox.  I am hoping to be able to run it each month if it remains popular.

SWAP DETAILS~
 This one is a little different. You will send your partner 3 items that you think would make them smile, with a nice letter (at least 2 sides of paper). After you receive your partner's name & email, email your partner RIGHT AWAY to find out some of their likes/dislikes.
And remember to send them your address and list of likes/dislikes too.
Some ideas: stickers, a blank postcard, a blank greeting card with envie, anything!
As long as it is nice quality and generous (please don't send mini stickers, reward stickers, teeny tiny stuff...)  Or if they have an obsession with pens.. send a nice pen... It doesn't have to be much, and you don't have to go shopping, but try to make someone's day!

Swap requirements: Please, no flakers, if you think you won't be able to send on time or meet the requirements, don't sign up.
We want HAPPY MAIL and swappers ONLY on Swappermania!

What happened to MONDAY MAIL CALL?

OK well, I had technical difficulties and 'MAIL CALL MONDAY 2/9/15 - PART 2' isn't going to happen.

Sooo... I combined all the mail from last week into one video, but I am trying a new editing program, and have had so many distractions (aka LIFE) that I am still in the editing process for MAIL CALL MONDAY 2/16/15.  Yep, on Thursday night.  It's just been that kind of week.

Thanks for hanging in there.... I will let you know when the new video is up.

~Barbi




P.S. In the meantime, you can read my new Craft Blog HERE.

February Swap: Happy Mail (SIGNUPS CLOSED)

Location: Anywhere!  You can specify USA only.
Last day to signup/drop: Feb. 15, 2015
Partners posted by Feb. 19, 2015
Date items must be sent by: Feb. 28, 2015
Number of swap partners: 1

Description: This is a simple swap that hopefully brings some happiness to your mailbox.  I am hoping to be able to run it each month if it remains popular.
This is a WORLDWIDE swap... but if you want to send to someone in the USA only, or receive from USA only, you can specify this when you sign up.

SWAP DETAILS~
 This one is a little different. You will send your partner 3 items that you think would make them smile, with a nice letter (at least 2 sides of paper). After you receive your partner's name & email, email your partner RIGHT AWAY to find out some of their likes/dislikes.
And remember to send them your address and list of likes/dislikes too.
Some ideas: stickers, a blank postcard, a blank greeting card with envie, anything!
As long as it is nice quality and generous (please don't send mini stickers, reward stickers, teeny tiny stuff...)  Or if they have an obsession with pens.. send a nice pen... It doesn't have to be much, and you don't have to go shopping, but try to make someone's day!

Swap requirements: Please, no flakers, if you think you won't be able to send on time or meet the requirements, don't sign up.
We want HAPPY MAIL and swappers ONLY on Swappermania!

(SIGNUPS ARE NOW CLOSED)

Facebook Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1565229427023362/

Monday Mail Call 2/9/15

Hi I uploaded Part 1 of my Monday Mail Call, here is the link.  
Let me know what you think! 
And please LIKE/Comment on my video page too.

http://youtu.be/WxyN9A6az68


(The end cut off short because I use my iPhone to record my videos, and my kids (and I) had it all full of pictures! I had to delete a ton, and then re-load and edit the video to get it to work this week.)
Part 2 will hopefully be done tomorrow if the snow forecasted doesn't cause my Internet to go down (it probably will).  I'll just update here on my blog when Part 2 is finished and uploaded.  

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  
It lets me know people have seen my video.





Related Links:

Fun Mail Saturday
February Swap: Happy Mail
GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

Fun Mail Saturday 2/7/15

I think I'm liking this new format for my blog. My plan is, each Saturday I will be showing some of the fun mail I got that day  here on my blog.  And on Mondays, I will do a MAIL CALL MONDAY video on my YouTube channel, showing more of the fun mail I've received that previous week. I just love getting a mailbox full of HAPPY MAIL!  Happy happy happy!

Also, make sure to check out our monthly Happy Mail swap!  ( CLICK HERE ) for info.
(NOTE: Feb. swap sign-ups are closed. Check back on March 1st for the new swaps.)

I have received lots of fun mail over the years and years I've been swapping.  I have to walk down a long driveway in cold, snow, icy weather, to get to my mailbox. It's dangerous. I could break a leg.  When I don't get mail, I want to cry. (Ever walk on ice in 20 below zero to your mailbox?  Not fun.)
I wanted to share some of the cute envelopes and mail I received.
Thank you so much to everybody that sends me mail!  It is VERY much appreciated.
I do send Happy Mail swaps in return for the swaps I've set up ahead of time. 
If you send a RAK (Random Act of Kindness), I try to send back if time/money allows.  

Here are some of the fun envelopes of goodies I've received recently:
(Addresses are either blurred out or covered with sticky notes in all my photos and videos.)



From Lucy Letson via Make-a-wish-rak facebook group:

From Melissa (Listia auction items I won):

I wanted to mention I don't post everything I receive (who really wants to see all the junk mail), only the really cute envelopes and fun artsy and pen-pal related mail. 
So if you want to be on my blog, send me some happy mail, and decorate the envie.
(Contact me privately for my address I don't give it out online, I don't pay for a PO Box when I have such a gigantic mailbox.)



Related Links:

Fun Mail Saturday 1/31/15
February Swap: Happy Mail
GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

MONDAY MAIL CALL 2/2/15

(Click on photo to see larger version.)


I used to LOVE mail call when I was in the Army. Except that in Basic Training you had to open it right there and if you had treats, had to share it with everyone... lol. They didn't want food in the barracks (rodents, etc.)  I still love getting mail.

My new video is up. My first Mail Call Monday video was fun to make.

All addresses are covered in green sticky notes to protect the innocent...lol.

 Thank you everybody for filling my mailbox and making me smile when I got my mail today! (See previous post about walking to the mailbox in cold, wind, ice, snow, etc.)

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and thanks for hitting the thumbs up and commenting too.  It lets me know people have seen my video.







Related Links:

Fun Mail Saturday
February Swap: Happy Mail
GLOSSARY: What is a FB? LB? SB? Goodie Bag? Deco?
ATC Basics / What Are ATCs?

Craft and Swap Related Links <CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>

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JANUARY SWAP: Happy Mail

(SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS SWAP.)


Location: Regional - USA ONLY
Last day to signup/drop: Jan. 15, 2015
Partners posted by Jan. 18, 2015
Date items must be sent by: January 31, 2015
Number of swap partners: 1

Description:

This is a simple swap that hopefully brings some happiness to your mailbox.  I am hoping to be able to run it each month if it remains popular.
This is a WORLDWIDE swap... but if you want to send to someone in the USA only, or receive from USA only, you can specify this when you sign up.

SWAP DETAILS~ This one is a little different. You will send your partner 3 items that you think would make them smile, with a nice letter (at least 2 sides of paper).
After you receive your partner's name & email, email your partner RIGHT AWAY to find out some of their likes/dislikes.
And remember to send them your address and list of likes/dislikes too.
Some ideas: stickers, a blank postcard, a blank greeting card with envie, anything!
As long as it is nice quality and generous (please don't send mini stickers, reward stickers, teeny tiny stuff...) You get the Gist? Or if they have an obsession with pens.. send a nice pen.. It doesn't have to be much, and you don't have to go shopping, but try to make someone's day!

Swap requirements:
Please, no flakers, if you think you won't be able to send on time or meet the requirements, don't sign up.
We want HAPPY MAIL and swappers ONLY on Swappermania!




Facebook ~ January Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1565229427023362/

JANUARY SWAP: (5) Friendship Books

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(SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS SWAP.)

 * Note: nobody signed up

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Location: International

If you prefer USA only, please let me know that when you sign up.

Last day to signup/drop:

1/15/15

Partners will be posted by:  

1/18/15

Date items must be sent by:

1/31/15

Number of swap partners: 1

DESCRIPTION:

You will be sending 5 nice & neat FBs with any theme.
You can send new or established, the choice is yours.

RULES:

See bottom of this swap description to see what is considered "nice & neat" for this swap.

Please, no more than 1 where the next person is the last signer.

It is preferred that you post a photo of your swap going out or use tracking, but not mandatory.

Post your photos on the Facebook Event page. PLEASE cover addresses on envelopes!

Hostess: Barb Tvrdik

Questions cheerfully answered 
(Use Comments section or for a faster response, send me a message on the Facebook Event page).

Happy swapping :)

PARTNERS WILL BE POSTED ON THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE, AND ALSO EMAILED TO EVERYONE.

 * Please be considerate and send your swaps out on time.  If you can't, please just email your partner to let them know if it will be late. Thank you!

Remember that this is an International swap, so swaps might take a bit longer to get where they need to go.... please be patient and kind, and make this a happy swapping experience for everyone :)

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Details on N&N FBs:

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Friendship books must be neat, not just a bunch of pieces of paper strewn together. They cannot be slams, friendship sheets or crams. 

What is a FB?
Here are some links that should help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship_book
http://fbfun.com/about/
http://www.squidoo.com/friendshipbooks


What is a N&N FB?  

N&N FB = Nice & Neat Friendship Book

http://friendshipbooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/types-of-friendship-books.html

Guidelines for N&N FB swaps on this blog:

1. There will be NO staples in the front cover.
2. The FB should be laminated with packing tape, shelf liner, or laminating sheets.
3. Lamination should be done neatly.
4. Embellishments should be added to the cover. Embellishments include glitter, stickers, foil borders, sequins, ribbon, a nice background, cloth flowers. You can also do something fancy with pictures. Basically just a picture covered with lamination isn't a N&N FB.
5. Addresses should be printed legibly or typed.
6. Make it nice AND neat. Ask yourself whether you are proud of your work or not. 
7. For established N&N FBs, please make sure your partner hasn't previously signed it.