UPDATE: July 2017

7-27-17

Hello all you pallers and crafters out there! I am baaaaack. Sorry for the LONG time of not updating my blog. Does anybody really even read blogs anymore? I think more people like to watch videos now. So I got a NEW WEBCAM and as soon as my craft room is a little cleaner and I have the kids back to school and it's a little quieter around here, I can do more videos.... yaaaaay!

I had a crazy summer so far. It's been cooler up north here this year. We needed to turn the space heaters on right before the 4th of July!  Now it's 80 and it feels HOT!  LOL.  (*The humidity is high up here.)  We don't have a/c, just ceiling fans. So we'll be hot for a week or 2, then it'll be Fall again... lol.
Soooo.... I had my BD on June 8 (got the webcam that I mentioned above). Then my youngest son got real sick from a stomach bug and ended up in the ER twice.  He has Type 1 Diabetes, so it just hit him harder.
Then this past week, my husband was in the hospital again. This time he had a mini stroke while at work. He only had to spend one night overnight, and now is back to work already. (What a guy, huh?)
Tomorrow we are having my oldest son's bday party sleepover. Having about 4-5 boys over to camp in the front yard. Might have a water balloon fight too. All that fun stuff. Wish me luck.  Ha.  He just turned 11 on July 18, and is already an inch taller than I am!  (Both boys got their dad's tall genes.)
My youngest turns 7 on Aug. 31.

So now I am just trying to keep my sanity until school starts again.... ha ha.  Summer really does seem like it's flying by. It always does around here though. We don't have very long summers weather wise. So I have been feeding the wildlife (chipmunks, birds, rabbits) and recently we saw a woodchuck and a BLACK BEAR in our back yard.  Yep, a bear. Yikes. Not something this city girl likes to see SO CLOSE to the house.

I am slowly trying to get caught up on mail. Sorry for taking so long as usual. I am the world's slowest pen pal & swapper, I swear. People probably gave up on me by now.  Sorry.  I just do what I can, when I can. Being a mom of a Type 1 Diabetic, and having hypo-thyroidism myself, it really zaps me of any remaining energy real quick.

Oh, and I got a PO Box awhile back.... so if you want to write or send me any Happy Mail, here's my addy.  Mention you saw my Blog please so I don't wonder where you found my address.

Take care & have a happy rest of the summer!


Barbi




Barbi T.
Swappermania
PO Box 74
Barnum MN 55707
USA

JANUARY QUICK SWAP: Happy Mail (USA ONLY)

Location: Regional - USA ONLY

Last day to signup/drop:  
January 5, 2018

Partners posted:  
January 6, 2018

Date items must be sent by:  
January 10, 2018

Number of swap partners: 1

DESCRIPTION:

This is a simple swap that hopefully brings some happiness to your mailbox. 
This is for the USA only because of the quick turn around. :-)

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.
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!


Please only send nice, quality items that you would like to receive. 

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!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY SWAPS HERE:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hostess: Barbi 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!

JAN QUICK SWAP: Love Scripture Swap (International)

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

Last day to signup/drop:  
Jan. 5, 2018

Partners posted:  
Jan. 6, 2018

Date items must be sent by:  
Jan. 10, 2018

Number of swap partners: 1

DESCRIPTION:

Let's share a "Love" Bible scripture on a postcard or inside a greeting card. You may use a Valentine's Day card for this swap.

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.
Note that this is an INTERNATIONAL swap and shipping might take a little longer.

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!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY SWAPS HERE:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hostess: Barbi 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.

JANUARY ATC SWAP: MONTHLY COLOR = Blue

Theme: "The Blues" - Use the color blue as the MAIN color.  Or interpret "the blues" using your own artistic ideas :)

1 for 1 swap, 3 for 3 swap, or 5 for 4 swap.

Types of ATCs permitted in this swap:
Use any technique or medium you desire. 
Originals, (NO COPIES), embellished photos, digital, fabric.
Embellish as needed. 
MUST be 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".


It isn't required, but a suggested donation, please include cash or stamps to cover return postage.  (Please?) 
  
Outside USA? CLICK HERE for details on return postage.

Your choice to include a return envelope, or I can provide one. 

Please include your name and address on a large label or piece of paper. 


Hostess name:  Barbi T.



Sign up for this month's swaps here:

Sign up by:
Send items by:

Items postmarked after_______ will be marked REFUSED - RETURNED TO SENDER. I am not responsible for lost/late mail.





How it works:  Everyone sends to me.  Once all items are received, I will send a return swap from everyone that joined.  I will email everyone to let you know that they are being mailed back out, so you will know when to expect them.  Remember that this is an International swap, so swaps will 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 :)

Questions cheerfully answered. 
Comment below with any questions.

Happy swapping :)

JANUARY SWAP - Twinchies - Sender's Choice

Sign up by:
Partners assigned:
Postmark deadline

Sign up for this month's swaps here:


Swap Coordinator: Barbi
Swap categories: Twinchies, Paper Crafts
Location: International
Number of swap partners: 1

Description:

Send 3 twinchies to 1 partner.

THEME:  Sender's Choice
Twinchies are 2" x 2". Use a sturdy background, write your name/email on back of them.


Use any technique or medium you desire.
Originals, (NO COPIES), embellished photos, digital, fabric.
Embellish as needed.


Make sure to write "via swappermania - JAN. - Twinchies - Sender's Choice" somewhere on or inside the envelope.

This is an international swap. By signing up you agree that you might have to someone outside of your own country.  Check with your local post office to make sure you have the correct amount of postage on your envelope.

I will angel this swap if necessary, only if you have contacted your partner, have not heard from them within a few days, or have not received your swap within a month (remember, sometimes it takes longer to get mail from around the world.)

Questions cheerfully answered. Happy swapping :)
Hostess name:  Barbi T.
Hostess email:  swappermania (at) yahoo (dot) com
Put "Swappermania" in Subject Line.

Please post in the Comments when you send & receive your swaps.
If you have questions, please email me for a faster response.

THANKS for joining! Have fun!

JANUARY SWAP: STICKERS - Send 30 misc. stickers

Location: International

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

Last day to signup/drop:

Partners will be posted by:  

Date items must be sent by:

Description:

This is a 30 for 30 swap. 
 You send 30, you get 30 different stickers in return. 
Simple :)  

RULES:

Types of stickers permitted:

Please only send nice, cute stickers that you would like to receive. You can include a "wishlist" of the kinds of stickers you would like in return (themes, etc.) but you are NOT guaranteed to receive them. This is sender's choice, so it's completely random.  Must be family-friendly (ok for children to see.)

Absolutely NO mini or reward stickers (Good Job, etc.). Also no homemade stickers.

No folded, ripped, torn, used, or dirty stickers. And no partial sheets. They must be loose, cut individually off the sheet.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY SWAPS HERE:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hostess: Barbi 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 :)

Fall Colors and Happy Mail

I did a YouTube video showing my Fall Colors here and the mail I got today... take a look here: https://youtu.be/mioaKRHNIEs

And don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel!  There will be more happy mail videos to come!