Embellishment Swap 2010/2011

I re-bagged all 5 swaps into 12x12 clear zip lock bags. They did come in their own individual bags but I did this so I could clearly see what was in each.

Swap Bag no.1 from Tania

Swap Bag no.2 from Lisa (I left out the Sparkle Magic Rub-on Transfers)

This was my handmade item from Lisa - she had plans on making it herself but decided it would be better to give one to each of us to "handmake" it ourselves...lol.

Swap Bag no.3 from Wendy

Swap Bag no.4 from Carolann

Swap bag no.5 from Sylvia

This was our second embellishment swap and again it was a huge success - THANK YOU ladies. We had originally wanted to do the swap over Xmas but it didn't seem practical as a couple of our ladies live out of town (Chch and Aussie) and since we were all going to be at the April Scrapbook Retreat the timing would be perfect. Carolann and Wendy had set up the other room with tables one for each person in the swap. Then on the day of the swap we all stood behind our respect tables and revealed all - it was like Christmas, no it was better than Christmas 'cause I actually got something I wanted...lol.

For me it was a real challenge to find scrapbooking items when out shopping. Many of the scrapbook stores had closed down and shopping online wasn't an option. Soooo what I did was try to be as practical as possible with the choices I made and judging by the looks - I did well. AND ladies I was very, very pleased with all the wonderful and thoughtful embellishments I had recieved.

Earlier in the year we had done quite a bit of travelling around the upper North Is. and I found some real bargains along the way:
Whangaparoa - Cafe Bean mugs (couldn't find them in Auck's anywhere)
Hamilton - Basic Grey rub-ons with bling
Rotorua - American Craft Ribbon
Hastings - Bling pearls and popcorn bowls
Taupo - visited Krafty Krafters? didn't buy anything for the group...hahaha

Embellishment Swap guidelines for your own craft/scrapbooking group
1. Have a list of say 20 items eg..ribbon, rub-on's, bling. Each person has to buy say 5 from the list. Add a couple of must have items eg..Kiwiana or Xmas and a purchase from a hardware store, taking your up to 7-8 and then add a couple of fun things eg...handmade item, something from the beach...up to you.
2. Decide on the no. of people in your swap group (ours had 6) and then buy 6 of each item eg...6 ribbons, 6 rubons - you get the picture. It's probably a good idea to keep the group no. low as it can become costly the higher the no.
3. Set a dollar value to each item - if you manage to get it on sale, all the better. Some of us added more some stuff and some stuck to the exact no., don't stress as you get loads of yummy stuff.
4. Decide when to do the swap - perhaps at the last workshop of the year or a scrap retreat, over dinner, your choice.
5. Include yourself , I mean why wouldn't you want to have all the cool stuff you've brought the others in your swap group.
6. Laminate your list and put it in your handbag for easy reference when your out and about. It also helps to eliminate double ups which can be costly.
7. You might want to take a one year on, one year off approach or change the no. of items, add a theme....to keep things fresh and challenging.

To all your crafters/scrapbookers out there, if you find and read this and are inspired to do your own swap I would love to hear all about it.