Christmas 5 card swap 2011

[Winspiration]

Isn't the year going fast! Thought it was about time I posted about this swap, which we've done for the past few years :D

The idea is for each person to make 5 Christmas cards from our individual mountains of Christmas stash, and send them to me with an SAE by the end of November, to beat the Christmas post.

We each sign the cards that we send, and I redistribute them so that we each get lovely hand crafted cards from 5 different forum members and we know that 5 of our own cards have gone to fellow crafters, who will really appreciate the work that has gone into them. I use a spreadsheet to work out who gets which cards, to try and ensure as fair and mixed a selection as possible.

When received, pictures of the cards are posted on the forum in the usual way, as with other card swaps. It's best if you enclose an A4 sized SAE (jiffy bags may take it into the packet category, which is much more expensive), stamped for 250g large letter size (92p second class, 109p first class).

The swap would take place on the weekend of 3 - 4 December, so you would need to get your cards to me by Saturday 3 December at the very latest. As with last year, I'm not going to hold up the swap waiting for late cards. It's quite a big task, so I prefer to do it at the weekend, and if we leave it later, experience has shown that some of the cards end up getting delayed in the Christmas post mayhem, especially if we get bad weather again as predicted- this isn't fair on those who did take the trouble to get their cards to me in plenty of time.

All are very welcome to join in this one off swap, the more the merrier - I hope I haven't made it sound too complicated, I'm just trying to cover in advance all the questions people may have about the swap - if you have any more, just ask!

You don't need to commit definitely to the swap yet, in fact the only real requirement is to get the cards to me on time, but just wondered who might be interested this year?

[budgie]

Me please Wins!

[Princess4Wiz]

Count me in too, Wins :)

Thanks for organizing this fun swap. xxx

[satincollie]

I'm in too :D

[angela]

possibly , but will let you know, if I can make them in time I'll commit, if not then I won't lol,

[Dips]

Yes please Wins, despite swaering not to buy any more Christmas, of course, I have so need to find a creative outlet!

[Rentochops]

thanks Wins, I know this is a huge task for you, I won't commit yet but am interested.

[Millburn]

I think I'm in; infact I'm pretty sure :wink:

[Victoria]

And I'm in too. Thank you Wins.

[LynneH]

If I can get my other cards made I would love to join in.

[Julie]

Me please !!

[papercraftbycarole]

I'm in please - really enjoyed this last year!! Cxx

[Waterlily]

Me too please.

[Maisie]

Count me in thanks

[Elaine]

I would also like to be in this plz thanks

[LorraineJ]

I'd love to join in, but think I'd better see whether I can get the cards to you on time before committing

[Wellington]

Um...probably...possibly...:dull: I seem to be getting so little time to get my own cards done that commiting to making more for a swap maybe a step to far LOL But I really want to cos I always enjoy this swap...So I will just have to see where I get to & hope I manage it

[Spendsloads]

Many thanks for organising this once more Wins. Please put my name down as I'd love to take part again.

[Winspiration]

Just bumping this one up in case anyone hasn't seen it yet :)

[LoobyLou]

Yes please, if I can get done in time.

[Winspiration]

Yay, the first set of cards has arrived :26: - if anyone needs my address, just let me know :)

[LynneH]

I'm not having a good day! I bought the stamps for this the other day but I've just weighed my cards and they're about 260g. They're only 6x6 cards but I got a bit carried away with the matting and layering. Idiot!!!! I guess I'll have to take them to the PO after all.

I'm afraid all 5 are the same as I'm so badly organised this year. Anyway they will be sent first class today, Wins.

[LynneH]

Just had a brainwave. If I don't put them in envelopes they will be under the 250g limit. Hope this is OK.

[budgie]

Mine are in the post.

[angela]

forgot to say I'm not joining now as I haven't time to make them x

[papercraftbycarole]

Mine should be in the post tomorrow - sorry got delayed due to work and having the lergy!! Cxx

[Dips]

Wins, I'm definitely not going to meet the Sat 3rd timetable, work has taken over my life again. I'd intended to do the cards this weekend, not realising (my stupid fault as you couldn't have been clearer) that they were needed to you by Saturday. Sorry.

[Millburn]

Mine should be in the post tomorrow - sorry got delayed due to work and having the lergy!! Cxx

Mine will be posted tomorrow too; all I need is my insert programme to work; I can sort inserts but printing them is :headbang:

Worst outcome I'll just hand write them :D

[Winspiration]

Thanks folks :)

As it will be a smaller swap this year, it should be much more manageable - I will extend the end date to Wednesday 7 December - I hope that this will give enough time for those who want to participate to do so, and that those who have already sent cards don't mind.

I don't want to leave it longer though as the Christmas post delays will really start to kick in, also I am shutting up shop for the Christmas period, so won't be having my usual daily post collection after next week.

[Princess4Wiz]

Hi Wins,

Just letting you know that I posted mine first class today :)

Beth. xxx

[Dips]

Thanks folks :)

As it will be a smaller swap this year, it should be much more manageable - I will extend the end date to Wednesday 7 December - I hope that this will give enough time for those who want to participate to do so, and that those who have already sent cards don't mind.

I don't want to leave it longer though as the Christmas post delays will really start to kick in, also I am shutting up shop for the Christmas period, so won't be having my usual daily post collection after next week.

Thank you so much, Wins, I've been kicking myself all evening as this was my mistake entirely and I hate saying I'll do something and then not doing it. My will go out first class on Monday to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[papercraftbycarole]

Thanks for the extension Wins, I will still try to post mine tomorrow - but feeling very grotty at the mo so the extra days mean I can get the other half to go at the weekend if necessary!! Cxx

[Julie]

Phew, haven't started yet !!

Actually I had muddled up the dates for this swap and the Secret Santa. Spectacularly cocked up the Secret Santa so at least I have more time to do that too !

Thanks Wins

[LorraineJ]

I've not slept much in the past 48 hours so rather grateful for the extension. With a bit of luck tomorrow I should be beyond infecting everyone, just unfortunate I went to see my Mum before I realised I had a rip roaring cold.

[Victoria]

Thank you Wins! I'll be posting mine on Friday.

[Elaine]

Hi Wins Just to say mine have been posted today thanks Elaine

[satincollie]

Mine have gone in the post today also Wins.

[Millburn]

Mine will be in the post tomorrow; I was twice as long at the bank today, and had my wandering MIL waiting at the Dr's, and last time I took her to the chirpodist she was 1/2 way to the train station; with 30+ mins under her belt she could have got anywhere,

But it will also be posted the very 1st thing, so will get the mail van into Aberdeen

[LoobyLou]

Wins, mine are on their way and depending on the stamp situation (I either have the right ones or not, lol) they will be in the post today, or tomorrow. Sorry it's taken me so long to get round to it.

[Dips]

Mine's now enroute to you, Wins, thanks so much for the extension :)

[LoobyLou]

Enroute now Wins. Can you please make sure you leave them in the cello bags, as due to the sticky used to stick them down (you will understand what I mean when you see them) they were sticking to other things, the cello bags should make sure that they reach their end recipient without sticking to each other and other cards in their envelope. Hopefully by the time they have been stood on someone's mantle/shelf for a few days they will be finally dried off, but I can't guarantee it. Bloody stick and stay, lol

[papercraftbycarole]

Mine are on the way now too Wins. So sorry about the delay. Thanks for all your hard work. Cxx

[Julie]

Mine are off First Class in the morning Wins !

[Maisie]

Hi Posted mine today. Thanks for the extension

[Winspiration]

Right, I think I have all the cards now (including my own :tongue: ) - I've PM'd everyone to confirm receipt. If your cards are on the way and you haven't had a PM from me, please could you let me know asap.

I aim to do the swap & get the cards back into the post by Friday, will update here when I've done it :)

[Winspiration]

Cards are on the way back to everyone now, fingers crossed that they aren't held up too much in the post!

Too dark to take pics of my cards now, but I'll put them up within the next couple of days.

Thanks for taking part, everyone - Merry Christmas!

[LynneH]

Thank you Wins. My cards have just turned up. Off to take some photos.

[Princess4Wiz]

My cards arrived today too, Wins :)

I'll take photos over the weekend.

Thank you for getting it all organized. xxx

[LoobyLou]

Mine have also just arrived, wowsers!

I too will take pics over the weekend and post them. Thank you to all who took part and to Wins for her sterling organisational skills.

[budgie]

My cards have just arrived. They are all gorgeous! Will take pics tomorrow, cos not enough light at the moment, looks like it is going to chuck it down again.

Thanks for all your hard work organising the swap Wins!

[papercraftbycarole]

Mine are here too - absolute stunners every one!! Will try to photograph them and post over the weekend. Thank your for your hard work Wins. Cxx

[Millburn]

Mine arrived today too; stunning; I'll take photo's and post later

Another Thank you Wins from me too :D

[Victoria]

And mine arrived this morning too. The camera's charging at the moment! Thank you again Wins.

[Joanne]

Got mine today will get pics up in the next few days.

[LynneH]

When are we going to do the reveal please Lorraine? I was just looking at my cards and I still haven't a clue who sent mine.

[Julie]

When are we going to do the reveal please Lorraine? I was just looking at my cards and I still haven't a clue who sent mine.

Oops think this is Wins swap Lynne.

But I wish the reveal for the Secret Santa would start soon !!

[LynneH]

Oops think this is Wins swap Lynne.

But I wish the reveal for the Secret Santa would start soon !!

Oops, I posted in the wrong thread. Too much Christmas spirit! lol