| Author | *Farmgirl Swap:  Ornament Swap ***PACKAGES AWAY***  | 
              
                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 19 2012 :  11:40:19 AM   
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                      | So glad you signed up for the Christmas ornament swap! It’s my first swap hosting and so I’d like to make sure everything goes well for everyone involved. Please read through the whole of this message. I hope I have covered the important points. If you have experience with a swap, and have any advice to add, please do. 
 Leslie
 
 
 
 SWAP RULES
 
 Ornaments:
 Should be HOMEMADE. They may be embellished, painted, etc, or made from scratch.
 
 Should be BALL-SHAPED. This is the theme, so use your creativity!
 
 
 
 Mailing:
 MAIL 6 HANDMADE ORNAMENTS to me, postmarked by September 22nd. My address (has been emailed privately to those signed up).
 
 PLEASE PAY RETURN POSTAGE for your ornaments. You can ship a flat rate box and include a check/MO within for the appropriate amount. Or you could preprint your postage using the USPS website, and include it within.
 
 ORDER CONFIRMATION OR TRACKING is optional, but I cannot be responsible for lost packages.
 
 PACK APPROPRIATELY. If your ornaments are fragile, please do your best to ensure that six ornaments arrive intact, even if this means include one or two extra. Packing peanuts usually work quite well at cushioning glass ornaments, as long as they are not packed over-tightly.
 
 ONCE I'VE RECEIVED each swapper’s package, I will mail the swaps back to you.
 
 
 
 Communication:
 IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL YOUR SWAP, do me the courtesy of informing me. This is common courtesy. It only takes a moment to send a note or post, and is really the least to be expected.
 
 MESSAGE ME, either via email or forum, when you have posted your package.
 
 I WILL MESSAGE YOU the day that I ship your packages back, so that you may know when to expect them.
 
 PLEASE BE PROMPT sending your package. If I do not receive it in a timely manner (and have received no message to expect it), you may miss out entirely. This is your responsibility.
 
 
 Edit 7/31/12:
 So far the signup list is as follows:
 Denise (levisgrammy)
 Malena (desperadosdream)
 Kim (Kammi)
 
 Donna (nin1952)Kay (KayB)
 
 Pam (coaloha)Pilar (retasos2)
 & me, Leslie (cori1312)
 
 
 
 quote:Original post by cori1312
 My mind has been turning toward Christmas a little early this year. Well it's like this every year, but as I'm due with a little one the beginning of December I thought I'd get a jump on ornaments, as well as my shopping.
  
 
 Here's how I'd like to do this:
 1)Each girl wanting to join will let me know by July 31st.
 
 2)Each girl will then mail 6 handmade Christmas ornaments (with ball ornaments as a theme) to me, postmarked by September 22nd (first day of fall!).
 
 3)Once I've received all the ornaments, I will send six unique ornaments (doing my best to guard against sending anyone one of their own back) to each girl from the swap list.
 
 
 I realize this isn't the normal procedure, but I'd like to avoid anyone getting burned on my first hosting.
   
 
 
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                      | Edited by - cori1312 on Sep 28 2012  12:10:24 PM
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                | levisgrammyTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      9659 Posts
 
  Denise
 Beavercreek 
                Ohio
 USA
 9659 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  05:02:13 AM   
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                      | Sign me up, please. 
 Come on girls let's get a jump on Christmas this year!
 
 farm girl sister#43
 http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
 O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
 Or a trouble is what you make it!
 And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
 But only--how did you take it?
 
 --Edmund C. Vance.
 
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                | levisgrammyTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      9659 Posts
 
  Denise
 Beavercreek 
                Ohio
 USA
 9659 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  06:21:16 AM   
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                      | Just thinking...and wondering if I am going to be able to find the ball ornaments yet? 
 farm girl sister#43
 http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
 O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
 Or a trouble is what you make it!
 And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
 But only--how did you take it?
 
 --Edmund C. Vance.
 
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                | laurzgotTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      1865 Posts
 
  Laurie
 Alvin 
                Texas
 USA
 1865 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  07:43:19 AM   
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                      | You could find them in a craft store maybe.  Like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's. Just a thought. Laurie
 
 suburban countrygirl at heart
 
 http://www.etsy.com/people/lauriescott60
 Aprons and More by Laurie
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  08:54:15 AM   
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                      | Hobby Lobby and Michaels both have them already. Hobby Lobby has colored Christmas balls, and all their usual holiday stuff out too. 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
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                      | Edited by - cori1312 on Jul 20 2012  10:16:56 AM
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                | KayBTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      540 Posts
 
  Kay
 Del City 
                Oklahoma
 USA
 540 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  10:28:14 AM   
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                      | Explain handmade ornaments.  I guess I don't understand but it sounds interesting.  It isn't like what my kids did in school is it? 
 
 
 KayB
 
 
 Life's a dance you learn as you go
 
 Farmgirl Sister #2351
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                | shandaTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      522 Posts
 
 Shanda
 Broken Bow 
                OK
 USA
 522 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  11:15:17 AM   
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                      | I'm thinking really hard about this one...I don't know if I'll have enough time....But I love the idea! 
 Shanda
 
 Farmgirl #4233
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  11:15:40 AM   
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                      | They usually start with a styrofoam ball, clear glass ball, or solid-color ball ornament. My grandma used to make lace crochet covers for the solid color ones. I have done hand-painting on the outside of clear glass. You can even make a marbled one with almost no paint skills at all (Google "marbled paint ornament"). In a previous swap, I even received hand-blown glass ornament from a very talented farmgirl! 
 You can search Google or Pinterest, use any materials you like (there are some really pretty ideas using just paper and glue), embellish with fabric, buttons, beads, paint, whatever. I used to think  handmade ornaments were going to end up looking like my own 3rd grade productions, but they don't have to.
   
 I made these (http://www.bhg.com/christmas/ornaments/easy-ornaments-kids-can-make/#page=25) a few years ago and have had people ask me to make them some. So they don't have to be that labor-intensive to come out looking pretty.
 
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  11:28:15 AM   
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                      | quote:Originally posted by shanda
 
 I'm thinking really hard about this one...I don't know if I'll have enough time....But I love the idea!
 
 
 
 
 That's true. We could always push it out a few weeks more, till maybe the end of September. I was not sure how much time is enough for these swaps.
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | desperadosdreamTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    197 Posts
 
  Malena
 Versailles 
                Indiana
 USA
 197 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  12:08:06 PM   
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                      | Sign me up please.  Sounds like fun and I saw some great ones on Pinterest just the other day.  I use to live in Fairborn and now I'm only approx. 3 hours from there so I could probably just let them sail through the air on a good windy day and you could catch them.  Congratulations on your new addition..its a very exciting time. |  
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 20 2012 :  12:56:16 PM   
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                      | Malena-- 
 That's kinda crazy. Nobody knows where Fairborn is.
  Lately, you would be able to send them air mail.  
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | levisgrammyTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      9659 Posts
 
  Denise
 Beavercreek 
                Ohio
 USA
 9659 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 21 2012 :  06:23:26 AM   
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                      | Thanks for the different ideas Leslie. Btw, when I see 143 days it seems kind of quick. This old grandma thinks time flies by too fast.  
 farm girl sister#43
 http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
 O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
 Or a trouble is what you make it!
 And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
 But only--how did you take it?
 
 --Edmund C. Vance.
 
 |  
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
 | 
                    
                      |  Posted - Jul 23 2012 :  06:43:35 AM   
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                      | Bumping this back. |  
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                | levisgrammyTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      9659 Posts
 
  Denise
 Beavercreek 
                Ohio
 USA
 9659 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 25 2012 :  06:13:39 AM   
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                      | Hey girls anyone jumping in on this one?  It's never to early to get things done for Christmas as gifts or to keep.  
 farm girl sister#43
 http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
 O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
 Or a trouble is what you make it!
 And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
 But only--how did you take it?
 
 --Edmund C. Vance.
 
 |  
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                | KammiTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    105 Posts
 
  Kim
 Phoenix 
                Az
 USA
 105 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 25 2012 :  09:04:20 AM   
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                      | Please sign me up, I have been making ornaments for years and using them as gift tags on gift for my family.  Sounds like fun, can't wait. 
 Kim
 
 Farmgirl #4256
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                | nin1952True Blue Farmgirl
 
     269 Posts
 
 Donna
 Cedartown 
                GA
 USA
 269 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 25 2012 :  4:18:29 PM   
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                      | Please sign me up also.  I have participated in a couple of ornament swaps and have received many beautiful ones in the past 2 years. 
 Donna                            Farmgirl Sister #1487
 
 Wheather therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.        1 Corinthians 10:31
 
 
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 26 2012 :  5:44:28 PM   
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                      | Please see edits to first post regarding return postage. 
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | KayBTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      540 Posts
 
  Kay
 Del City 
                Oklahoma
 USA
 540 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 27 2012 :  7:49:18 PM   
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                      | Sign me up.  Don't know how  well I'll do, but I'll give it a try. 
 
 
 KayB
 
 
 Life's a dance you learn as you go
 
 Farmgirl Sister #2351
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                | coalohaTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      502 Posts
 
  Pam
 
 USA
 502 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 29 2012 :  8:40:04 PM     
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                      | This sounds fun.  I want to give it a try  :  ) 
 I'm in.
 
 Thanks,
 Pam
 
 Pam
 Farmgirl #1075
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 31 2012 :  11:58:42 AM   
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                      | Last day to sign up ladies! 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | retasos2True Blue Farmgirl
 
     272 Posts
 
 Pilar
 Centereach 
                NY
 USA
 272 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 31 2012 :  2:50:15 PM   
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                      | please sign me up. 
 Pilar
 Farmgirl Sister #2498
 Little Hen House on the Island
 
 " A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is, until she gets in hot water" Eleanore  Roosevelt
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Aug 01 2012 :  04:40:34 AM   
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                      | I will do my best to be accessible and communicative. If there are any questions regarding the swap, please feel free to post here or email me. 
 I plan to email each girl on the list periodically with updates/reminders so that no one forgets, falls behind, or misses out. Can't wait to see everyone's creations!
  
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
  |  
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                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
 | 
                    
                      |  Posted - Aug 02 2012 :  08:04:08 AM   
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                      | Rules have been posted on the first page. 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
  |  
                      |  |  | 
              
                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Aug 04 2012 :  11:59:17 AM   
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                      | Received a question from one of the girls here about how to calculate postage. Thought I'd post here for everyone's info.  
 Q: How do I know how much postage to include? How much is a flat rate box?
 
 A: I believe they are all different prices, depending on the size. If you have a small one that all the ornaments will fit in, it will be a different price than the larger ones. You can find the dimensions here: https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-flat.htm and the prices for them here: http://postcalc.usps.com/.
 
 If you don’t use a priority mail flat rate box, you could preprint your postage labels at home here: https://cns.usps.com/go. You will need to create an account, and pay with a credit card. You should be able to print both the postage to send your package, as well as a return postage label by editing the ship-to and ship-from addresses (although I have never done this, but you should at least be able to calculate the price).
 
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | levisgrammyTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      9659 Posts
 
  Denise
 Beavercreek 
                Ohio
 USA
 9659 Posts
 | 
                    
                      |  Posted - Aug 07 2012 :  1:15:08 PM   
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                      | Finally, I managed to get out and get my ornaments to decorate!  
 farm girl sister#43
 http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
 O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
 Or a trouble is what you make it!
 And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
 But only--how did you take it?
 
 --Edmund C. Vance.
 
 |  
                      |  |  | 
              
                | cori1312True Blue Farmgirl
 
    64 Posts
 
 Leslie
 Fairborn 
                Ohio
 USA
 64 Posts
 | 
                    
                      |  Posted - Aug 22 2012 :  06:44:27 AM   
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                      | You should all have received my mailing address by now. I sent out emails (via MJF) to each of you, so let me know if you haven't received it. 
 I can't wait to see your ornaments!
 
 _____________________________________________________
 
 "You don't have a soul; you are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
 
 
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                | *Farmgirl Swap:  Ornament Swap ***PACKAGES AWAY***  |  |