The Flat Swap 2015

I still can't believe it has been a year since the first flat swap. Exactly one year ago today! For some reason I've been thinking about the swap (not knowing it had been a year) and how nice it would be to make and receive a nice little package. With spring and a color combination in mind, you can arrange for a special delivery to someone you don't know. Sounds nice doesn't it? Maybe this post will inspire you?

So lets get on with the nitty gritty. A few things have changed, so read on.

Here are some ideas, but feel free to change or add as you wish (with your partners consent).

• a letter - long, short, it is up to you, but I think this is such an important part of any swap, it makes it more personal, not just the exchange of gifts
• something handmade - whatever you make, your craft, a special thing you made that you want to share
• something you own, but don't need- the point is sharing and thinking about the color combination your partner chose, and putting a smile on your partners face.
• a wish or a favorite quote - get creative, don't just write something on an ugly piece of paper
• something edible - tea, chocolate, candy

Things to take into consideration:

1. Send me an email (giovabrusa@gmail.com) or leave a comment below saying that Yayyyy you want to join!

2. Let me know about your preferred color combination, and your blog or IG, or FB (anything where I can see your work).

3. You'll be paired, that way you can discuss how many things you'll be sending, exchange addresses, etc..

4. I reserve the right  NOT to add you to the list - sorry about this, but last time some people joined only because they wanted "things" and didn't make any the effort in what they sent out. I think it defeats the whole purpose of the swap.

5. The swap will close in a week (March 10th), and I'll be sending you an email with your partner's name and email on the 12 of march.

6. You have 2 weeks to prepare your package, so the deadline for sending it out is March 26. No excuses please!

7. Join the swap to see what everyone is sending at #theflatswap2015 on IG or add your pictures to my FB page here

8. Everyone around the world is welcome (except in the case of #4), but if for economic reasons you prefer someone closer to you, let me know in the email

**THIS SWAP IS NOW CLOSED
I really hope you decide to join the second edition of "the flat swap."
Have a lovely day,
Giova.

Some Crafts are Better than Others

I got myself involved in yet another swap, this time from Do what you love. It seemed like a perfect idea at that time and quite a simple thing to do. A stitched postcard with the theme "create." So why not, right?  Well, it happened that I encountered a crafters block. All of a sudden it became the most daunting task, and I quickly became frustrated with the whole thing. 

Don't ask me why, this simple task became a not so simple one. My only thought is that I rarely work with a proposed theme, and my brain went into standoff mode. 

My first attempt seemed very much like what my friend Ute has sent me in the past. The only difference  is that her cards look so much nicer than the one above. I mean really, really nice!  I dropped the idea midway as you can see.

Then I thought about a collage. Cut a few things, paste some others and stitch something because that was what I was supposed to do. Instead this minestrone soup of God knows what turns out and stares at me. Is this what you can come up with? Seriously?? Are you in 5th grade? It looked horrendous, ridiculous, plain ugly, a cliche, predictable. Well, I could tell you what I told my sister, but I won't.

So I took a few breathes, counted to 100, and then proceeded to start again.

See the thing is that we all have different tastes, and that is one of the things that make this world so interesting. There is something for everyone. You might or might not like my final postcard (maybe my postcard partner will be... what??), and that is really fine with me (OK maybe not really fine). The important part is that I needed to like what I had done and be able to look at it and say, "that is definitely ME!!! And yes it is!!

One swap down, 2 more to go, and since we are on the subject I really hope you decide to join me for some swapping fun here on this blog o' mine. The sign-in closes this sunday (march 9), and all the details are here.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Giova

Another swap (I signed for)

I wanted to share with you the amazing work of my swap partner Barb (thank you again for this wonderful parcel). 

As I mentioned before, I signed myself to several swaps, and this was one of them. I found it through this beautiful blog. I am now the proud owner of this beautiful flower brooch. I can't wait for better weather so I can wear it on my spring coat.

The embroidered pouch and the hand dyed yarns were also part of the swap. Aren't those colors screaming spring? By the way, pink and yellow were my requested colors. But she added the green and well, in my opinion everything is just perfect!

This swap is still open (I just signed myself). I'm becoming a swap addict, so I'm organizing one here next week. It will be simple but I think you'll like it. Well, I hope you like it.

Wishing you a very crafty and relaxing weekend,
Giova

A month of swaps

As I mentioned on monday, January was a month of swaps for me. It was the first time I signed my name for swaps and it ended up being quite a fantastic experience.

My first one I discovered through Instagram and organized by the very creative Ishtar Olivera. I was supposed to send a letter, something to eat, write a wish, and something handmade.

My second swap was organized by the very talented illustrator  Wreckthisgirl. This swap took a bit more work than all the others, but here it is; something old fashioned, a snail mail kit, something made of fabric, something quirky, and something that represents me!

And last but not least, the swap I found through the lovely blog A Butterfly In My Hair. The requirement for the swap was a color, the rest we decided between my swap partner and me. This swap was my absolute favorite simply because there was a lot of communication between my swap partner and I, and that made it all worthwhile!

I would love to organize a swap here on this blog, is that something that would interest you?? And if you know of any nice swaps out there, please let me know. Yesterday I signed up for this swap, and I think there is still time to sign up if you're interested.

Have a lovely weekend,
Giova

Secret Pen Pal Scavenger Hunt 2014

January was a month of swaps for me. They sounded interesting so I signed myself in. I was supposed to show the things I received 2 weeks ago, but with the Hearts project going on, I just couldn't do it.

This swap was organized by Fabrizia of Wreck This Girl. I was receiving from an unknown which turned out to be Anke Panke the creator of Snail Mail magazine!

 It all arrived in a wonderful (and very useful yellow box).

 Everything was amazingly gift wrapped in very bright colors (I really couldn't believe what I was seeing) so many things, and all of them just for me!!

 My favorite things were an activity magazine she designed, and of course the Wrap magazine which is just amazing!

So many snail mail goodies. Such wonderful gifts. Thank you so much Anke for your gifts and making it a wonderful swap experience!

If your curious about what I sent go here and take a look!

Have a wonderful day!

Giova.