Original thread here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=361273.0

You may post any things you were to open early immediately, and then make a big post when you open everything! 

Gallery!

Do you have a matching set of stockings, but still want to swap stuffers?  Or maybe you don't like stockings, or maybe you're even signed up for the Stocking swap, but still want more stuffers for yourself or others.  All winter holidays are 100% accepted, so no worries if you celebrate Yule, Religious or secular Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or any other winter holiday or combination.

We did this swap last year, and many single moms, singles, people celebrating alone, or even people who just plain old get shorted in the stocking department every Christmas felt it really brightened the holidays.  I personally felt a lot better seeing my fat stocking waiting for me and not stressing over whether I'd be the only empty stocking in the house since my hubby doesn't really know/remember to follow through.  Plus, smalls and extra smalls are super fun to make and don't have to take tons of money if you work with stash, etc.  I also found it a great way to really get to know more about my partner, and ended up making a friend while really delving into her tastes and needs.

Link to 2009 Swap: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=324947.0
2009 Gallery: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=329416.0 

Since this is a time sensitive swap, please please seriously consider if you will have the time to invest in this swap.  Many of us who are signing up have been disappointed many times in the stocking department, and it would really suck for one of us to have an empty stocking due to flaking or late sending even after we work so hard! 

Also, since many of us are feeling budget and time restrictions this year, we decided to do a mini swap this year.  I say we half the required amount from last year, so we will be crafting 10 smalls, or 20 extra smalls.  Spoiling is encouraged, and please indicate on the questionnaire if you are interested in doing more, but please remember spoiling is optional.  There will also be a larger gift option on sign up to put under the tree, so indicate that as well, and I'll do my best to match you up accordingly. 

From the 12 days of Christmas thread, and what we used last year: (IMHO 2 extra smalls = i small)
extra small:
marble magnets, basic earrings, address labels, basic hair jewelry, origami, needlebook, basic pin cushion, basic pendants, shrinky charms, tags, stickers, bookmarks, simple note cards, sachets, basic magnets, cookies, small supplies,

small:
small handcarved stamps, coasters, decorated frames,  journals, notebooks, ornaments, earrings, bar of soap, zipper pouch, resin pendants, coffee cozy, drawstring bag, potholders, grocery bags, embellished towels with a strip of fabric, simple stitch markers, hair notions, key chains, crochet dishcloths, small amigurumi, ATC's, DIY  kit with enough supplies to make 1 item

(Obviously product cost and time required to make an item can and will change these criteria.  For instance, a needlebook embroidered as the Marauder's Map from Harry Potter will not be an extra small.  I do encourage, as we do in the One Tiny Thing swaps that each item be something you can do with a high level of skill, that's really specifically tailored to your partner, and perhaps with extra embellishment.  Make it something you'd be super stoked to open Christmas morning, worthy of Santa's Shop itself!!)

DC#s will be required, as always, and flakers will not be tolerated.  If you think you're going to be running into trouble meeting the time requirements or something comes up, please PM me immediately.  Early communication is key.  Please also take into consideration shipping times to your partner's address and shipping method of choice.

All subject lines for the swap should start off "SSS -" and then either Sent, Received, Pictures Posted, or some other descriptor of what's going on.  Pictures MUST be posted by either you or your partner of both your packages (you can wait until Dec 25th to open and then post), and I expect thank you messages to your partner when you receive.  You must update me with a PM when you receive and send.  All participants must check in weekly either in the thread or via PM, and lack of doing this will be reflected in your feedback as poor communication.  Lack of photos in the gallery or other lack of courtesy to your partner's hard work will also be noted. Just the general Craftster courtesy and standard rules.


Commence Questionnaire!

Swap name:Stocking Stuffer Swap 2010
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: greenfaerie
Sign-up date range: 10/05/10 -10/15/10
Date to send item by: 12/03/10

Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): 25 unless I get a co-organizer

Restricted to people who all live in the same country? YES/NO no
If so, which country? all

Additional Age requirement? no

Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions:
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide: YES
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: YES
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: YES
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: YES
- Is at least 18 years old: YES

Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: YES/NO
- Has posted at least 15 times: YES/NO
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: YES/NO
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps: YES/NO
- Does not have any negative feedback: YES/NO
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 16 years old: YES/NO
- If within the US, understands that Delivery Confirmation number is required for this swap: YES/NO
- If outside the US, understands that a mailing receipt copy is required for this swap: YES/NO

Are you willing to ship out of your country:
Are you wanting to do 10 stuffers or 10 stuffers plus medium gift?
Are you opening to spoiling your partner?

Why is sending on time, keeping up with communication, and making items to the best of your ability particularly important with this swap?

Do you have any allergens in your home (tobacco smoke, cats, etc)?
Are you allergic to any common household allergens?
Do you have any aversions or special needs such as avoiding leather for vegans, phobias (like no clown items or whatever), things you just can't stand?

Crafts you love to do:
What types of crafts would you want:
What are your favorite materials (like silk fabrics, polymer clay, etc):
Favorite colors:
Favorite patterns or motifs:
Favorite icons (cats, Christmas trees, gnomes, etc):
Least favorite colors:
Least favorite materials:
Least favorite patterns:
Least favorite icons:
Anything you want to add about general style:

Stuffer wish list (no certain order)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Anything you'd absolutely be bummed if you got:

Would you like supplies?  If so, what?

Favorite scents:
Do you wear jewelry?:
Accessories?:
Pierced ears?:
Hair accessories?:
Do you collect anything?

Hobbies?:

What winter holidays do you celebrate?
What religious symbols do you find meaningful and non-offensive if any?
What are your favorite holiday motifs (Santas, reindeer, menorahs, nativity scenes, etc)?

Do you want anything edible? What?

Crafts you're wanting to learn:
Would you like a kit?

Do you have a camera?  Will you post pictures or ask your partner to do so promptly after opening your presents?  Will you take photographs of your items before you send?

Wist?
Any other sites or stalkable lists?

___________________ ___________

Gift options

Wishlist:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Anything else?




If you want to participate, information to send to organizer:

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap
Craftster username
Email address
Your real name
Mailing address including the country
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country?
Confirm that are at least 16 years old or, if not, that you have moderator approval(YES/NO)



IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.


Also, remember to read the Swap Info Guide to find other rules about participating in a swap.

This section will be for partner assignments!

PARTNERS!!

greenfaerie<-> RubyRain
MsMia <-> Miss Barbara
Bugaboo1 <-> Superhooker
emily_rohr <-> ilovesnails
edelC <-> banana_bomb
nostephot <-> chrissycrafts
damara <-> rainbowendings
J_Kievet <-> NinetyNinety
PirateColey <-> lady4feet
mom2em <-> zulibilu

Sent, Send & Received, Received, CONTACT ME NOW

I see we're already going on the make-a-stocking-and-fill it swap for Christmas, but I was wondering if anyone perhaps interested in a repeat of a swap just making the stuffers?  I know a lot of us either have matching stockings and don't need an extra, or perhaps don't like the idea of starting a non matching set.  Perhaps any Jewish members would enjoy using the small gifts for Hannukah? 

Last year we made/bought 20 smalls or more for stocking stuffers based on our partner's wishes/tastes and had an option to swap a large for a Christmas gift.  It really brightened the spirits for a lot of us who get stocking neglected on Christmas, and brought a bit of the Santa magic back to adult Christmases.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=324947.0  Previous thread
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=329416.0  Previous gallery

I think we all had a huge amount of fun, and even though it's a major commitment in time and if you don't have a huge swap in money, it's less than some of the other Christmas swaps.

Disco Queen Highness and Aikibookworm, would you be interested in organizing again?  If not, I'd be willing to throw my hat in the ring.

I created this scratchboard piece for psychonmemphis for the I <3 Owls swap.  I had a very hard time letting him go!




I really should spend the time to get good photos of my own work.  lol

So, for one of last Christmas's swap, my partner Zcrafter went gaga for some super cute woodland friends paper.  I tell you, I searched a couple of Micheal's and had the clerks searching the store before we found it.  I brainstormed, and found this scalloped plate.... all it took was flipping it over and voila!  Clock base!



I painted it aqua all over to go with her decor, then used chunky clear glass glitter to give it some pop.  Then, having the last sheet of this that was in stock, I carefully used an X-acto to cut the paper to match. I didn't like the way the clock movement looked in the middle, so I decided to install it offset to show off more of the cuteness of the paper.  After I got the hole dremeled in, I knew I needed to make a stronger line between the paper and the aqua, so I decoupaged on some yellow embroidery floss.  A couple of coats of Mod Podge and sealer later, I installed the movement and here it is.

I really should take time to properly photograph my work!

I made this tiny duck for zcrafter in one of last Christmas's swaps.  She's made in OvenCraft (hope this is the right part of Pottery, Ceramics, etc to put it in), and I put the Sharpie beside her for scale. Zcrafter likes rustic terracotta figures, and this little duckie just felt right.



She is "glazed" in one of my secret tricks to approximating the look of real glaze, since post-college I've been cut off from doing "real" pottery with actual glaze.  I used a sheer nailpolish to give her a nice little coat.  It's also good for "reglazing" pottery that you might find at a thrift store but didn't quite have the look you wanted.    Just don't use it for food, obviously.

So, when I was around 15, my mom and I used to shop at this vintage store, and in the back was this gorgeous 1950's wedding gown.  It was sheer white v neck with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline underlayer.  I think it had covered buttons either down the back or the front, and some interesting pleating.

I *knew* that if I ever got married, that was the dress.  At 17, I told my mom that, and she offered to buy it for me "just in case I ever got married".  The dress was too small.  As in my skeleton wouldn't fit that, no matter how much I starved myself, just too small in the shoulders/etc.  It kinda looked like this: http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V2979.htm?tab=evening_bridal_includes_designer&page=3  In fact, if you made the top a sheer and then put in a sweetheart neckline, it would be pretty darn close. 

So I forgot about it, got another yucky wedding dress years later when I was getting married, etc.  My hubby and I are celebrating our 7th anniversary of getting together (we celebrate the anniversary of our first kiss more than our wedding date as the second was an artificial date) and now I want a pretty dress for our anniversary dinner out, etc.

I know a full-on wedding dress wouldn't work (nor would I want one, bleh), but want to incorporate elements of *the dress* into my anniversary outfit to make it even more perfect.  Hrm, I could just chop off that skirt to knee length, take some of the poof out of it and do it in a more appropriate color.

How is the best way to calculate the yardage change if I chopped off the skirt to knee length?

I thought about adapting Butterick 4919, but think the skirt may be a bit too full for that and the main attraction to that pattern for this dress is that I already own it lol.  I'm thinking of having a top layer of the dress be a white/ivory voile on top of an jewel tone (olive green? chocolate? violet?) dress with an underlayer that peeks out the bottom with a pleated finish again in the white tone or something.

Advice? Opinions?  Ways to do this for seriously cheap?

Anyone else adore L.M. Montgomery's work?  Loved the Anne books, or even the movies?  Big fan of P.E.I.?  Maybe you're even fascinated with Maude herself?

Perhaps you always wanted one of Mrs. Lynde tobacco stripe or apple leaf warp quilts.  Or Marilla's recipe for that infamous currant wine or raspberry cordial? Everyone could use a Green Gables braided rug!

 Perhaps you Emily Starr fans could use a "Jimmy-book" for your writing pursuits?

If anyone else is interested, I'd be open to organizing a swap pretty much from now to maybe through the spring. We could do just Anne, or all the books, or include L.M. Montgomery stuff too, either way is fine!

When I was a teen, I was obsessed by the bright loud colors of Mexico for a while.  We went to Mexico, and I got a ton of stuff, most of which I've passed on to others.

I have a really nice quality bright Mexican bedspread....  But it's freakin' bright and very Mexican and bright.

Did I mention bright? 

http://www.stylemexican.com/images/multicolored%20blue%20purple%20mexican%20blankets%20Zarapes%20045.jpg  is kinda like it. But mine is black and hot colors.

I don't want to use it as a blanket or wallhanging.  I thought of a rug, but yeah.


Any ideas?  Global chic is awesome, I just don't want to feel like a Mariachi band is going to pop out any time soon.

I guess this goes here? 

Anyway, looking ahead to our 3rd anniversary this year, last two anniversaries (and the wedding day itself lol) were kind of a washout, either having to work, or dramarama (not from us, mind you).

Any ideas to make it special?  We're beyond broke, so it'll have to be crafty stuff all the way, and really, would we have it any other way?

About us:  We're artistic, own a artsy business together that is really being hit by the economy so tons of stress hasn't been good on us or our relationship.  We had a craptastic wedding, no pictures or anything actually came out right, and didn't even get our wedding night, so we're still sad and want something super romantic.  I've gained some weight as I can't afford a gym anymore and have been eating crap foods so I'm a bit self-critical, and he's had some health issues from not working out/not eating right even though he's skinny, so it's been a bad year.

Any ideas for what to do or what to give him would be fab!