Hi everyone!  I would really appreciate your help in wrapping up the first swap I've organized 
Swap Name: Christmas Stocking Swap
Original Thread link: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=62984.0
Gallery thread link: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=65995.0
# of Flakers: 1 

Ok here is the craftster that is in need of an angel-

Craftster username: cyndiq
Location- Australia
What crafts are you in to? sewing, machine embroidery,beading, card making, crochet and knitting occasionally, silver smithing.
What kind of music do you like? anything nice, girly stuff i guess,  not fussy
Do you have any food, fragrance or any other type of aversions or allergies (or special diets like vegan) that your partner should know about? Allergic to cheap earing wires, silver ok, my ears are pierced.
Is there anything in particular you would want in your stocking?
I would love suprises, I would appreciate anything my swap buddy could make for me. pm me for more info, these are just on my wish list not necessary to have them...
I would like to learn how to make things like beads, pendants etc out of that sculpy clay stuff (not sure of the name, you bake it at home) so i need info and samples.

I like new beads. I can always use machine embroidery thread. Books/magazine on beading.Handmade embroidery scissor keeper, I collect pretty handmade pincushions, hand made cards..hand made jewellery, anything sewn or  knitted or crocheted, hair scrunchies, coin purse, wallet etc. cute artwork for my wall. headbands. I like pink, brown, purple, seagreen and lime, black, gold, silver. even blue or red. not keen on orange or yellow.
Thanks!  If you have any questions, you can PM me or just post them here.

So I invited my friend Lizzy over to make some stenciled t-shirts, because I've been dying to try it out.  I tell her about craftster and how we'll find awesome inspiration and tips, and it was down    I was sad.  So we googled some things we thought would be interesting.


This was Lizzy's first one.  She made it for her boyfriend who's a huge Simpson's freak.


This one was my first one.  I yucked up and dropped some paint on the shirt, but luckily its for my boyfriend and he'll love it anyway.


Lizzy made this one for herself.   She was really nervous and kept saying it was too complicated, but I think it turned out great!


I made this one for myself.  The tank is sewed all wrong, the seams are totally crooked (that's Walmart for you, lol), and it fits all weird, so I'll probably never wear it in public (my new pajama top!)

I made one more, but I just can't show it yet, cuz its for a swap and I don't want to ruin someone's surprise!  And I almost don't want to send it cuz I like it the best.  I'll post as soon as she receives.

By the way, we used the freezer paper method.  I'm pretty satisfied with a first time try, but I'm sooo jealous of Lizzy...I think hers turned out waaay cooler than mine!

So the word is that someone has sent!  Post the awesome gifts you receive here!

Original thread- http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=70863.0

[4 conditions for swapping]

PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!  YOU MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BEFORE PARTICIPATING
Swap name: Birthday Month Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: orangeabsinthe (organizers change every month)
Sign-up date range: 12/31/05-1/31/06
Date to send item by: 2 weeks after you claim someone
Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): no!
Non-U.S. participants allowed? yes!
All ages allowed? Or 18+? all ages!
Organizer meets the 4 conditions for swapping and will make sure that every participant meets these conditions: YES

Details of swap:  This swap was organized so everyone can get something crafty for their birthday!  Please read the guidelines carefully.

• If your birthday is in January, please think of a list of things that you would want to receive.  The more you think of, the better.  The last wish you will post is "a surprise."  Then you will post a bio about yourself, including where you are from and what your birthday is.  As soon as you've decided, PM me with your information.
• Once I PM you and let you know you have been approved, you may post you list and bio on this thread.  Please post lists only.  No discussion on this thread please
• Everyone will then go through the lists and choose a craftster they want to send a birthday gift to.  Your birthday does not have to be in January for you to craft for someone.  If you want to choose someone, just PM me with your info (including your address, please), who you want to craft for, and what item, and I will send you their address.
• If you chose to craft for someone, you have 2 weeks to get the item out the door.  If two weeks pass, and I don't hear anything from you…you guessed it, negative feedback!
• Each person can be chosen unlimited times!  HERE'S THE CATCH- if you get chosen, you must send the person who crafted for you a thank you note in the mail.  You will get negative feedback if you do not send a thank you note (it can be a postcard even).  I think this is a fair trade for all the crafty goodness you'll be getting!
• It is super important for everyone to keep good communication.  When you send, let me know, and of course, don't forget the DC#.  When you receive, let me know and publically announce in the gallery (even if you don't have pictures).  Also, let me know when you send off your thank you note (no DC# required, your on your honor!).
  
• You can choose to craft for as many people as you like, but you cannot "owe" more than 3 things.  If you are a newbie and this is your first swap, you must successfully send once before choosing again.

Original idea thread and discussion located here- http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=68058.0

If you have any more questions or suggestions, you can post on the link above, or send me a PM with "Birthday Swap January" in the subject line.


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

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap- BIRTHDAY MONTH SWAP, January
Craftster username
Email address
Your real name
Mailing address
Your Birthday


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 out how to ship your item and other details about participating in a swap.

APPROVED TO SEND (followed by wishes owed in red)(followed by thank you's owed in green)
cortag04
laraebay
taloola
javastain- 1
lucy van pelt
orangeabsinthe
jojo9- 1
mommabear1963- 1
danger.kitty
purplefluffycow
16candles- 1
cheekymamaof2- 1
iheartalex- 1
smilenjoy (Can only send/receive ONE TIME at first)
Amie_C- 1
StarFire- 2
Mihn (Can only send/receive 1 time at first)- 1
aliciasjoy- 2

Ok, I know there was the Christmas Craft Along for 2005 - http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=19998.0,
and a new one started for 2006- http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=67509.0, but I'm not really interested in making some of the things included...So how about simply a prepare for Xmas 2006 Knit along?  It could look something like this....
Jan.- Scarves
Feb.- Hats
March- Mittens/Gloves
April- Socks
May- Baby Items
June- Household Items (Pillows, throws, etc.), Kitchen Items (tea Cozies, dishcloths)
July- Bags, purses, wallets, ect.
August- "Warmers" (arm, leg, wrist, ears, etc) and Cozies (ipod and cell phone)
September- Toys
October- Misc. items (anything I've forgotten!)
November- Knitting for Charity!
December- Christmas Decorations and finishing

Ok, I've started a Google groups (I like the google groups better, because I don't have a yahoo ID, and to get one they make you fill in your life history, practically.  Google just asks for your e-mail).  If you want to sign up to get weekly reminders, encouragement, and tips, please go  here- http://groups.google.com/group/Christmaskal and sign up.  I promise not to flood your mailbox with e-mails!

*EDIT*
I'm changing the list again! I totally forgot bags and purses and such.  Now household and kitchen items are one month.

I don't know if this has been suggested or not, but I was thinking about maybe starting a new swap, sort of like the unconditional swapper swap.  But only the craftsters whose birthday is that month can sign up to receive, so people who want to craft for them will be like crafting for their birthday present!  Here are some things to think about...
-how will we be sure that the person's birthday is actually that month?  just trust them?
-I can organize January, and I will orgaanize December (a year away, i know, but my birthday is in december and I want to be sure this is still around then....) and possibly some in between, but I don't think I can organize the whole year, so we will need volunteers for organizers.
-how many times can people receive?
-I was thinking of maybe incorporating a thank you note...if you receive, you must send some sort of thank you note through snail mail.  I think that its ridiculous that some people are not even saying thanks for the lovely gift that they receive from other crafsters, especially in an unconditional swap where the crafter is getting nothing in return!  This way we can be sure of a thank you, plus the crafter will get some mail love too 

What do you think?  Any other suggestions?  I plan on starting this for January...

Ok, some people said they were finished and were getting ready to send off, so go ahead and post 'em if you got 'em

Hi everyone!  I'm just posting to show off my first fair isle project!  I made this for the ongoing wish swap round 3, and craftster Batgirl requested a hat with skulls.  Here's what I sent:

[4 conditions for swapping]

Swap name: Christmas Stocking Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: Orangeabsinthe
Sign-up date range: 11/12/05 to 11/19/05
Date to send item by: 12/19/05

Non-U.S. participants allowed? yes

All ages allowed? Or 18+? all ages!! 

Organizer is aware of current list of "suspended traders"
list and will not allow those members to participate: YES

Organizer meets the 4 conditions for swapping and will make sure that every participant meets these conditions: YES

Details of swap:
This is the Christmas stocking swap.  Basically the idea is, you make a Christmas stocking, then fill it with goodies and send it to your partner!  These items can be craft related or not.  Size-wise, you should have a medium stocking between 10-16 inches long (or if you want to do larger/smaller you can discuss this with your partner.)  We want to try to send off on time so we can get our packages in time for Christmas, but just keep up the communication (most craftsters understand if your a little late).  This is my first time organizing a swap, so bear with me and wish me luck!

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
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside of your country?(if you get a partner from another country be prepared to get your stocking after Christmas)
What crafts are you in to?
What kind of music do you like?
Do you have any food, fragrance or any other type of aversions or allergies (or special diets like vegan) that your partner should know about?
Is there anything in particular you would want in your stocking?

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 out how to ship your item and other details about participating in a swap.


AFTER PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP AND BEEN APPROVED, LIST THE PARTICIPANTS HERE AND WHO IS SENDING TO WHOM:

k8tykat<------->princessblueberry
kms_maverick<--------->jennickell
littlejo<---------->purpleheather
3_lips<-------->plumbum
orangeabsinthe<--------->bubba*tink
boywonder<--------->duckie
cyndiq<------>is0lati0n
princess_me<---------->hertrigger
talkaboutlush<------>pandorascraftbox
craftynicole14<----->sharc
(this next one is a 3 person chain, so you will send to the person the arrow after your name points to)
mub----->macaulkv------->boarderchic-------->mub

I just made it up...its kinda cheesy but fun!
http://www.skazzle.com/SiteApps/libbook/book/view-book.asp?LibbookID=809529
Tell me what you think!