Swap Reminders

Happy Monday, Ladies. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

We hope that everyone has receive their packages and has had fun getting to know their partner. If, heaven forbid, anyone has NOT received a package, please drop the Goodness Girls an email at sweetgoodnessswaps@hotmail.com so we can make it a good experience for you.

Also, we have a Flick'r group set up at http://www.flickr.com/groups/sparklingwinterwhiteswap/. Don't forget to check out the goodies and post your pictures as well.

Thanks for a great swap! We hope everyone enjoyed the theme this time. Be sure to sign up for email announcements for our swaps so you can know about our NEXT swap!

The Goodness Girls

Flickr group!

Hello Swappers!
We hope that by now most of you are anxiously awaiting or have received your swap packages! We've created a Flickr group where you can show off pictures of the items you sent or received. Come join us!

Sparkling Winter White Mailing Day

Hello Swappers -

Just a friendly reminder that Friday, December 11th is mail out day for the Sparkling Winter White Swap.

Don't forget to let your partner know that you have mailed your package. If for some reason, you will be mailing late - please let your partner know that as well.

We will be setting up a Flick'r group so everyone can share their goodies. We are excited to see all the creative ways that everyone expressed the theme and color combinations.

We had fun - hope you did too!

The Goodness GirlsPS Heaven forbid, if anyone is having problems with their partner, please drop us an email at sweetgoodnessswaps@hotmail.com.

Swap angel needed...

It looks like we may be in need of a swap angel...if you're interested, please email ASAP to sweetgoodnessswaps@hotmail.com!

Sparkling Winter White Swap Button

Here is a swap button for you to use on your blogs to share the Sweet Goodness Swap love!


Hope all the swappy communication is going great - if not - let us know!

The Goodness Girls

Shara

*Feeling quite happy with herself for making her first button! :)

Swap Partner Info and Blog Listings

Hello Swappers! All the parter info was sent out this weekend. If you have not received your email, please check you JUNK box and if you still don't have it - let us know. All partners are listed below. Please be sure to visit our fellow swappers lovely blogs .

Kersten C.
Altered Gypsy
CHRISTINE N.
INSPIRED


Liz M.
Scrapilicious Life
Jennifer M.
Our Snapshot Life



Melanie L.
Mel's Crazy World

Dara S.
Deetle's Bird



Michelle C.
Mama's Journal
Cassie S.
Gifts For Nonnie



Nanci H
none
Julia C
none



Rachel K
Chippy Cottage Charm House
Ann T
Keepin Up With The Tatums



Raesha d
My Love
Emily R
Jaybird and Me



Rebecca R
Thrifty Goodness
em R
10000 beads



Robyn H
Happy House of Haas
Patty L
none


Sally S
none
Wendy K
The Corvidarium



Shawnee H
Shawnee's Tangled Tales
Jenny S
The Red Bulletin Board



Sue D
Bountiful Acres
Catie
Catiean & Co.



Susan G
Days Too Short
Carol C
Sassafras and Lulu


Tammy R
Home in Virginia
Monica V
Ruby Begonia's



Tammy S
Let's Slip Away
Jenn H
Mysteries of the Juniper



Whitney D
Pink and Green Pup
Ali H
Wilasway



Ashley C
Life is Beautiful
Jane L
Out of the Crayon Box



Andrea O
none
Aimee S
m-verdi



Erica V
none
Angela C
no blog


Charlene R
none
Amanda N
no blog


Genevieve O
none
Gretchen B
no blog


Mary K
Vintage Patina
Shara S
monkeybox



Theresa F
no blog
Kelly W
Java's Whimsy



Julie M
none
Laurie T
luluanddaisy



Kelly K
none
Heidi G
Vacuuming in High Heels

Swap is ON, Not Hibernating

In case you received an update saying the Goodness Girls were hibernating, well, we aren't! Not sure how or why that post got re-posted since it was over a year old. Ah, the joys of computers and Internet!

As for the Sparkling Winter White Swap - all partners will be notified by Monday morning. Then you can "Get Your Sparkle ON"!

SWAP is CLOSED

The Sparkling Winter White Swap is CLOSED.

Thank you for the great response!

The Goodness Girls are pairing up the swap partners and will be emailing everyone as soon as possible.

Stay tuned for crafty inspiration, Flick'r groups and much much more!

The Goodness Girls

Sparkling Winter White Swap is NOW OPEN!

This swap is all about Winter.

Winter White.

Sparkling Winter White.

Have you ever looked out your window at night after a snowfall? The moon glistens off the snow and the icicles gleam. It is truly magical.

That is what this swap will represent. The colors of a freshly fallen snow - white, silver and clear. Think snow, icicles, frost and snowflakes. Think white material, silver glitter, crystal drops. White chocolate, silver sprinkles, sugar. Snowmen, moonlight, ice covered branches. Use your imagination!

As always, Sweet Goodness Swaps require that you include one thrifted/vintage item, one handmade item and one sweet treat in your swap. Price limit is $20.00 not including shipping. Of course you can always do more, but please do these three things. Make sure you get to know your partner. Read their blog. If they don’t have a blog, ask questions! There is a questionaire at the end of this post that will help us partner you with someone with similar tastes and styles.

Partners will be assigned as soon as the limit of 50 participants is reached. Mail out date will be December 11th. That will give everyone a chance to handle their swap responsibilities before the real hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season begins. Please, if you commit to a swap, follow through. If you cannot mail on time, please let your partner know as well as the Goodness Girls. If, for some reason, you cannot follow through on your commitment, please email the Goodness Girls as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made for your partner.

Edited to Add: ***Sorry, only open to USA and Canada at this time.

To sign up: Please send an email to: sweetgoodnessswaps@hotmail.com with the following information:

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Blog address or website:

What are your hobbies?

What is your favorite thing about Winter?

Do you have any allergies? (Scents, foods)

Do you collect anything?

What Winter Holidays do you celebrate?

What is your decorating Style? (Modern, vintage, country, primitive, etc.)

You MUST send all of this information in your email in order to be accepted in this swap. An “I’m IN” email isn’t enough - we need more information so that we can partner up like people to ensure a fun fabulous swap for everyone!

What are you waiting for? Sign up NOW! It's going to be fun!



*The Goodness Girls
sweetgoodnessswaps@hotmail.com

Rebecca, Heidi, Shara, Jodi and Leigh Ann

Swap Open Monday November 9th

Sparkling Winter White Swap

The newest Sweet Goodness Swap will be open for sign ups on Monday!

Icicles, Freshly Fallen Snow, Moonlight, Frost

All things Winter.

All things white, silver and clear.

Details on Monday!

See you then!

Swapping Etiquette - Wrapping Packages

Have you ever sent a lovely box full of wrapped goodness, only to receive a box of things thrown into a box? Well, that's no fun. Or maybe you are new to the swapping world and you received a box of goodness all wrapped up in tissue paper, wrapping paper and ribbon and just sent yours in a box.

Although there are no set rules in the world of swapping, there are a few guidelines. First, follow the set theme. Second make your box reflect the taste of the person you are sending it to - not necessarily your taste. Third, make your package fun to look at and fun to open. That's the focus of this post today.

Let's pretend that the photos in this post are for a "Pink Vintage" Swap. By reading through your partner's blog you see that they collect vintage birthday items, pottery and tablecloths so those are the main things you find to send them (along with more goodies to round out the set price limit).

"Oh, what's this on my doorstep? Oh! My swap package is here!"

"What's this? Plastic bags?"

" A jumble of stuff?"

The items look good. But, they could look much better.

Let's try that again.... with a few ideas to make your package *POP*!

"What's that on my doorstep? Oh! it must be my swap package!"

Pink tissue paper, a card to the recipient and a calling card from the sender.

Under the first layer of tissue paper - a taste of what's to come - pretty pink doily's, a pink horse show ribbon and a sweet pink bird.

Under that layer of tissue paper - lots of goodness all wrapped and specially packaged.

It's like Christmas! Lots of presents to open. You know, they are presents. Even though you are "swapping" you are really sending presents to the other person.

Make it fun to receive!

A sweet pink gift bag that fits the theme, filled with pink tissue paper and a sweet pink vintage doll peeking out of the wrapping.

The tablecloth is too lovely to wrap - so how about a tulle bag or just a ribbon around it?

A small pink Chinese take out inspired box with a "Happy Birthday" pick attached and a vintage Birthday Candle box.

Inside the container - pink cupcake picks, pink cupcake liners and pink ballerina cupcake toppers.

A prettily wrapped package could contain anything. If your partner collects blue aprons, send a vintage blue apron, but wrap it in pink so that it fits the theme.

Some wrapping is for looks, others are for protection.

Why not make it for both?

Inside the pink tissue paper, a vintage pinkish vase - a sweet vintage pink floral pin attached to the outside.
The end result is the same items. But, having them arrive in a well wrapped box, and having each item wrapped certainly makes it more fun to receive.

Use your imagination. Find items that can be used as gifts, but als0 as fun packaging. You can place a small fragile gift inside a oven mitt, or fill a vintage tin with ephemera items. The goal should be to make your package lovely to look at and lovely to open.

But, don't stress - HAVE FUN putting your package together and look forward to receiving your swap!

Sweet Goodness Swap - Coming Soon!

There's a new swap in the making. Swap will be announced the first week of November. Be sure to become a follower of SGS to get updates. This swap will be a fun one with lots of room for creativity and ingenuity. Put your thinking caps on!

Leading up to the swap reveal, we will post a number of tutorials on swapping. If you are a new to the swapping world, these tutorials will help you learn the secrets of successful swapping.

*How to wrap items and packages in a fun creative way.

*How to handle should you need an extension or cannot fulfill your swap.

*Ideas for low cost swap extras.

Don't forget to check back in for the tutorials and for the BIG REVEAL on our newest Swap.

Don't get left out in the COLD. (hint*hint*)

Swap Questionnaire reminder

Good Friday morning, Swappers! :)

We hope you had a fun July 4th holiday weekend and were able to enjoy some of the treasures you received from your swap partners. Now that things have calmed down a bit, we hope you'll consider filling out and emailing us your answers to the Post Swap Questionnaire. (You'll find the questions in the post just below this one.) We've already received some responses and they've been very helpful to us as swap organizers so that we know what we can do to help our swappers send & receive the best packages possible. We definitely want to know what we can do to educate our swappers and improve our swaps, and we'd love to have more responses--so keep them coming!

Also, (and we hate to have to include this part) if there is anyone out there who hasn't yet received a swap package, please email us ASAP! If for some reason you haven't sent your swap package--contact your partner IMMEDIATELY and let them know what's going on! We truly hate for any of our swappers to have a bad experience in one of our swaps.

For everyone else, thanks so much for participating in our swap! Be sure to pop over to the Flickr group and see all the fun and creative ways our participants interpreted the theme--we know you'll be inspired! And send us those post-swap surveys!

Post Swap Questionaire

Hello all you Red, White and Blue Swappers. By now, we hope that everyone has received their packages (and sent, of course) and are enjoying all their goodies.

Anyone that has doen more than a few swaps can tell you that swapping is fun. It's fun to put things together, to get to know your partner and to get a box of goodies in the mail. But, for every few awesome fantastic boxes you get, there's the one that is so-so, or not so good. I've had a few arrive (not from SWG) that went straight to the donate bin or the trash bin. Those swaps just make you sad. ;o( And, no one likes to be sad.

The Goodness Girls want to know how your swap experience has been. We'd love for you to answer these questions about your experience, your partner and how you feel about Sweet Goodness Swaps. All answers will be held in confidence. If you were pleased, let us know. But, just the same, if you were not pleased for any reason (please specify) we would like to know that too.

Here goes....

Your name:_____________________________

1. Did you receive your package in a timely manner? If not, did your partner let you know it would not be on time?

2. Do you think the package you received was put together with thought to your likes and the theme itself?

3. Were your packages wrapped and fun to see when you opened the box?

4. Did you like most of what you received? Do you think you received equal to what you sent?

5. Did you receive items that were true to the theme? (Red, white, blue and Americana)

6. Did you receive anything that let you know that your partner specifically sent it FOR YOU - (something you collect, a certain crafting item you like or your favorite candy...)

7. How would you rate your parter and the box you received?

1...............................................................5..............................................................10
Terrible Good Yippppeeeee!


8. Did the Goodness Girls answer your emails and questions in a timely manner?

9. Will you return to SWS for our next swap?

10. Any additional comments? We'd love to hear them!


Please cut and paste these questions into an email and send them to hurrahswap2009@hotmail.com .

We look forward to hearing from you!

**And, if you haven't already, please visit the link to our Flick'r page and post what you received and check out the goodies that everyone else sent and received. There is a lot of red, white and blue creativeness over there!

Don't forget to join our Flickr group!

I'm starting to see evidence on blogs that Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue swap packages are finding their way to their delighted recipients and wanted to just remind you to join our swap Flickr group to share your photos! We all love to see the creative ways in which the theme was interpreted and the fun things you made and found to send each other! There's a quick link over to the right side (it's the second one down, right below the button code box) that will take you right to the Flickr group so you can join and upload your photos. We can't wait to see them!

Crafting Inspiration from Country Living magazine

Hello Swappers! We hope you're making progress on your projects for your swap partners. Remember that the mail-out deadline is just a few days away, on Friday June 19!

In case you're still stumped for something fun to make, here's some vintage-style 4th of July crafting inspiration from one of my favorite sources, Country Living magazine!

These cute projects were featured in the July 2007 issue and were designed by Melissa Neufeld. Here's my version of the crepe paper rosette banner that was featured:There are several different projects featured in the article (but beware--the instructions are vague or missing entirely). There's even a page with links to several vintage patriotic postcards that you can print out for use in your own crafting.

As always, please feel free to email us if you have any concerns. If by chance there are any of you who still haven't heard from your partners, please email us ASAP!

Happy Crafting!
Heidi

One more swapper needed!--GOT ONE! THANKS!

Update: Another swapper signed up! Thanks so much!

Did you hope to sign up for the Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue swap but miss your chance? We are in need of ONE MORE SWAPPER! If you are interested, please respond immediately to the swap email at hurrahswap2009 AT hotmail DOT com!

To those of you who are currently signed up for the swap, if you are interested in having more than one partner, you can email us as well! (This means you would send 2 packages and receive 2 packages).

Thanks!

Helpful links for new swappers

We always have a mix of new and seasoned swappers sign up for our swaps, and this one is no exception! If you're new to Sweet Goodness Swaps and want to get an idea of what kind of packages people usually send and receive, we've created a feature in the sidebar over to the right that has links to all the Flickr groups for our past swaps. We hope this will be helpful in giving you an idea of what an appropriate swap package looks like so you're not worried about doing too much or too little.

Also, don't forget to sign up for the Flickr group for this swap! Click on the image in the second sidebar feature to be taken directly to the group so you can join!

Swap button up for grabs!

Hello Sweet Goodness Swappers! We hope you've all been in touch with your partners and are starting to get excited about creating a great package for them. Remember, if you haven't been able to get in touch with your partner by the end of this week, please let us know ASAP by sending an email to hurrahswap2009@hotmail.com. This swap window is a bit shorter than most of our others so we don't want you to waste any time!

We've created a swap button that you can put on your blog sidebar; you can see it over in the sidebar to the right -------> The code is right below it to install on your blog.

Here are instructions on how to install the button to a Blogger blog (Typepad or Wordpress users, I'm sorry but you're on your own!):

1. Open your blog and go to where it says "Customize" to get to the Add and Arrange Page Elements page. Click on "Add a Gadget" in the sidebar. Choose "HTML/JavaScript."

2. Copy the code in the box from the Sweet Goodness blog (that little box right below the swap button). Paste it into the "Content" box in your HTML/JavaScript window. You can choose to title it or not. Save to exit the window.

3. Save the changes to your blog and check out your new button! When you click on the swap button it should bring you here to the swap blog.

Red, White & Blue - It's All About YOU!

It's always helpful to know a bit about your partner when swapping. If your partner has a blog, that really helps. But, if your partner doesn't - well, then that makes it more difficult.

Here are a few questions you might want to answer and see the answers from your partner.

1. What is your decorating style? Vintage, glittery, old fashioned? Clean, bright and modern? Eclectic? Other?

2. Do you have any allergies? Scents? Foods?

3. Do you like to decorate certain areas for the 4th? Your house, hour patio, your porch, your garden, etc.

4. What are your hobbies? Crafting, reading, movies, thrifting, spelunking?

5. What sort of crafts do you enjoy? What sort of crafts don't you do?

6. What are your 4th of July traditions? Picnics, parades, boating, etc?

7. Do you have children? If so, how many and what are their ages?

8. Are you a cook? A baker? A Take-Out Queen?

9. What is your favorite scent? Least favorite?

10. What is your favorite sweet treat? (Chocolate melts this time of year...)

This is just a suggestion of questions. You don't have to answer them on your blog - just let your partner know your answers if you want. It will help you send a better swap and receive a better swap too!

Happy swapping,
Shara
*The Newest Goodness Girl*
Thanks girls!

Inspiration!

And the swap is on!! Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue Sweet Goodness Swaps!


Partner emails are going out, please let us know if you don't receive your partner info ASAP!
Remember everyone who is joining along with us in our newest summer swap that Goodness Rules here at Sweet Goodness Swaps. We ask that you communicate with your partner, get to know her, and keep to the swap rules as far as contents, shipping times, and theme of the swap. Please join our flickr pool, located at the right of the blog sidebar. Use the group to share pics of your package received and sent so we all can ooohhh and ahhhh at all the Red White and Blue Goodness that will soon be traveling from coast to coast!!


Cheers!

The Goodness Girls!

Welcome, Shara!

The Goodness Girls are proud to announce the newest member to our "staff" - Shara!

If you haven't visited Shara's blog, Monkey Box, you are missing out! Shara is a wonderful writer, an incredible thrifter and a marvelous crafter. We are so happy she has agreed to give us a hand here at SGS. With Shara on board we'll be able to open our swaps to larger groups and have one more creative mind to come up with fun swap ideas.

Welcome, Shara!

***************

Spots are filling up FAST for the Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue Swap! Send an email with your name and blog address (or other web page if you have one) to hurrahswap2009@hotmail.com. Sign ups end tomorrow!!!

Fondly,
The Goodness Girls

Rebecca, Heidi, Leigh Ann, Lucy and SHARA!

Swap sign-up is now OPEN!

Good morning, Swappers! Hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend!

Sign-up for the Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue Swap is now OPEN!

RULES: Please send your partner a package with at least one handmade item, one thrifted/second hand/vintage item and one sweet treat. Items should be in a red, white and blue and Americana theme.

You may include other items as you see fit but please try to stay in the price range of under $20 not including shipping.

SIGN UP BY: Friday, May 29 - HURRY!

Please note: This swap is limited to the first 50 people. Swap sign-up will close when we reach 50 participants or on May 29th, whichever comes first. Swaps fill up quick, so don't delay! Please remember this swap is open to US residents only.

SEND OUT BY: Friday, June 19th to allow everyone to receive their goodies before the July 4th holiday.


TO SIGN UP: Send us an email at hurrahswap2009@hotmail.com with your name and a link to your blog, webpage or etsy shop if you have one.

Please remember that if you sign up for the swap you are making a commitment to follow it through to the end! If for some reason you will be late or are unable to finish the swap please send us an email at hurrahswap2009@hotmail.com.

Cheers,

Rebecca, Lucy, Heidi, & Leigh Ann

The Goodness Girls

Hello, Sweet Goodness Swappers! It's that time again--time for another fabulous Sweet Goodness Swap!

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue!

Swap guidelines: Send your partner a package of goodies celebrating everything Americana with a red, white and blue theme! Package should include: one handmade item, one thrifted item, and one craft supply. Please keep your packages to $20, not including shipping. Mail-out deadline is Friday, June 19 to allow us to get our packages before July 4th. Due to the nature of this swap, this one is open to USA residents only--international folks, we'll catch you on the next swap!

Swap sign-ups begin Tuesday, May 26!

Swap is open to the first 50 people who sign up. Check back on Tuesday for the email address you'll use to sign up!

From Sea to Shining Sea

You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag . . .

Stay tuned! Summer Swap to be announced!

It's Mail Out Day!!

If for some reason you can't make the deadline today, PLEASE be a considerate swapper and contact your partner ASAP! When you receive your package, be sure to take photos and post to the Flickr group (link in previous post).

Swap Flickr Group

Hello Sweet Goodness Swappers!!

Just a friendly reminder that the mail out deadline for The Winning Hand swap is Monday, March 9--that's one week from yesterday! If for some reason you won't be able to make the deadline, PLEASE be a courteous swapper and contact your partner right away to let her know of the delay.

We have set up a Flickr group for this swap to show off all the fun things you are sending and receiving! Please be sure to note who the items are from/to. We can't wait to see all the creative ways you've found to interpret our theme!

Partner Emails have been sent!

Good morning swappers! All partner assignment emails have been sent! If you received a swap confirmation from us but are missing the partner email, please be sure to check your spam or junk mail folders to see if it's hiding in there. If it is truly missing, please email us at thehandswap@hotmail.com and we'll resend the email.

Please be sure to email your partner and introduce yourself! Exchange information about what you like, styles, colors, hobbies, etc. Everyone loves to receive a swap package that is tailored to what they personally like!

One other thing--there is no color theme for this swap! You may choose to stick with the traditional red and black like you see on playing cards OR you can go out of the box and choose springtime pastels or your partner's favorite colors! Be creative and look at different ways you can represent the suits of hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs. We can't wait to see what you all come up with!

REMEMBER...the swap send out date is Monday, March 9!

SWAP Closed!

Thanks for joining in the swapping fun! The Winning Hand swap is now closed. Stay tuned in the next few days for partner emails.

Cheers!
The Goodness Girls

NEW SWAP!! SIGN-UP TODAY!!

The Winning Hand

We've fallen in love with the idea of doing a swap with the four suits - Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, & Hearts - and we know you will, too. There are so many ways to incorporate them into our crafty, thrifty ways. Have fun with it!

RULES: Please send your partner a winning package with at least one handmade item, one thrifted/second hand/vintage item and one sweet treat. All four suits must be represented in some manner.

You may include other items as you see fit but please try to stay in the price range of under $20 not including shipping.

SIGN UP BY: Friday, February 6th - HURRY!

Please note: This swap is limited to the first 50 people. Swap sign-ups will close when we reach 50 participants or on February 6th, whichever comes first. Swaps fill up quick, so don't delay!

SEND OUT BY: Monday, March 9th

TO SIGN UP: Send us an email at thehandswap@hotmail.com. Please remember that if you sign up for the swap you are making a commitment to follow it through to the end. If for some reason you will be late or are unable to finish the swap please send us an email at thehandswap@hotmail.com.

Here's to A Winning Hand!

Cheers,

Rebecca, Lucy, Heidi, & Leigh Ann

The Goodness Girls

Somethings coming . . .

Something GOOD. Stay tuned! The next Sweet Goodness Swap will be announced in the next few weeks and you don't want to be late to the game! Sign ups will be limited.



You can bet this one will be a good one!