Thank you Shelly

 Jeanne received a cute little Irish lass from Shelly and asked me to post a thank you for her.  She is really happy her little collection is growing. Siobhan is precious!

Yarnigras! Annual Handmade Zombie Doll Swap!

 

                                           

I've wanted to do a "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" themed zombie doll swap for ages but always had other themes that screamed "do me first!"   Well, thanks to a little trial I decided it was high time!  

The cast of characters is a hoot and I could easily see zombie Oompa-Loompas cavorting through a rank chocolate river of death!  I mean, right?  

You get the idea so here is what we are swapping: 

1.)You will create one Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed zombie doll from your partner's choice list and then add 3 tuck ins (goodies) to round out the package.  

2.)The tuck ins can be handmade, purchased, thrifted, re-gifted, etc. as long as they are clean and undamaged. 

*Please check out the answers to your partner's list to help you out before getting the tuck ins!

3.)The doll needs to be handmade and at LEAST 6 inches in height/length.   I have approved premade blank doll forms which are available to use as a base but you must hand make all the details and elements that make it into a zombie.  I found some at Joann's and Hobby Lobby.  One swapper asked if she could alter a regular doll and again, I'm okay with it...but it must be unrecognizable as it's "former self."  (If you have questions, ask!)

This is a USA swap only.
The sign up by date is August 17th so I can announce partners the following weekend.  (I retain the right to close the swap early if I choose so please don't wait to join up.)

Ship date is September 30th so the dolls can arrive to their new homes in time for people put out their Halloween decorations!  Feel free to ship earlier but PLEASE ship no later that 9/30/22.

Please note if an "angel" swap is needed for any reason other than crisis, that swapper will not be invited back.  An "angel" is someone other than the original partner who graciously steps in to fulfill the swap. 

If you want to join, leave a comment here and then email me at valpowery(at) yahoo(dot)com with the answers to these questions:

1. Name and address. Include phone if you would like texts regarding        upcoming swaps.
2. List of 3 favorite characters for your partner to choose 1 from. 
3. Choose either "creepy" or "cute" style.
4. Small list of things you collect for Halloween and Fall.

5. Colors you decorate with for Halloween and Fall.

Please note:

My swaps are made to encourage creativity, not bust the bank.  That being said, your package should equate to a minimum of $30.00 before shipping.  

Please create a zombie doll that you feel certain your partner will adore and wrap it up in tissue. 

Also, be careful when wrapping items for shipping so they don't get damaged.  No one wants a busted up Zombie package. 
When shipping, I suggest using tracking and make note of the date mailed.  If the doll does not arrive within 10 business days of shipping, you will be responsible for making and sending a NEW zombie doll package.  

As always, thanks for participating and feel free to use the badge to help spread the word!

Meet Sue...

 OMG! Lara sent me the coolest Zombie and an amazing package of goodies. Seriously, even the box my zombie shipped in is decorated! 

The box!!!

 I've named her Sue, she insisted. She is adorable, with her flamingo float and a drink in her hand. Let's face it, being a zombie is hard work so drinks are necessary. Sue's vacation was cut short by the apocalypses so she is making the best of it. Floating in the pool, taking in the sun, hoping for a cute guy, I mean zombie, to join her 

Sue

The tucks in are fabulous! The fabric she is sitting on, a roll of fabric ribbon in a nautical theme, some gears and keys, beautiful sea glass, shells, little wooden signs, fun pain brushes, the tiniest spatulas ever, a wonderful flamingo ornament, the grosses gummies I have ever seen... I love them, and a few other bits :) And to protest the package from the sticky worms... Lara put them in the coolest baggie ever! 

I'm almost afraid to open these :) 

Seriously Cool Baggie! 

Everything was packaged with care and Lara even included the history of where some of these things came from... Lara's stash, her mom's stash and even her grandmother's stash... to say I am honored is an understatement. 

Lara, thank you for this wonderful zombie package. You spoiled me with this and you made my whole week!! 

Helen's Glamping Adventure!!!

 Jill you are The Zombie Queen !!! 

Thank you so much for my AMAZING swap package ...... not only Helen herself, but her tent and glamping site too !!! Your attention to detail is unbelievable - just look at each of those pebbles handstitched on.

As if that wasn't enough, Jill sent me some Pioneer Woman goodies (Yes, I am obsessed with all things Ree Drummond :-)), a cute T Shirt, a planner, and the most awesome skull jar filled with trinkets that I will most certainly be using in future zombie creations.

Jill also included the cutest poem - the poems have become one of my most favorite parts of our zombie swaps.

Thank you SO much Jill for everything you sent - your package made my weekend.

Thanks Val for organizing another phenomenal swap - you're the best !!!!

Zombie Island

Zombie packages are so much fun! This one arrived as I was finishing up my last year of teaching, so I’ve was slow to open and post the pictures. Sorry, Jeanne, the package was wonderful! Everything was in a beach tote and wrapped in the cutest flamingo wrapping paper. All of the tuck-ins were flamingo or had a perfect island theme for me. She even included a creative paper bag cocktail recipe book. I’ll be trying out some of these as I float in my pool this summer. The tuck-ins alone were a great package, but then Jeanne created the cutest zombie for me. Really I think this girl is my twin, except I have straight blonde hair.  Honestly my pale white skin looks just like that after too much sun. 😊 Look how cute this little zombie is!

Thank you Jeanne for an amazing package. I love my zombie and all of my goodies!!!! Thank you!

 

I have named her Zinnia...... The Zookeeper!

 My fave summer hang out is the San Diego Zoo and I received the most incredible Zombie Zookeeper!!  

Every little detail is amazing - from the bird on her hat, the feed bucket and that angry zombie-virus- carrying hippo that must have turned her!  I am so in love with the clothing - she is truly a future heirloom to be cherished!

And then the "tuck ins" - I had to include the wrapping in the photo - the leafy print paper carried through with the zookeeper theme!  

So many fun things - animal print book marks, crafty supplies for my scrapbooks, wine corks (labeled as "hippo poop" - lol!  The little elephant already has a home next to a brass elephant in my bedroom - perfect!

And then there was this...... a paper bag recipe album for cocktails!  Hello!  It's like my partner knows me IRL!!  

Tully!!!!

 Introducing Tulip Tully. 

This lovely young meisje had a bad meet up in the tulip fields of Holland. 

Lucky for me though, she is PERFECTION!

She traveled to Louisiana with her killer zombie and several other goodies! I can’t thank Clare enough for making me such a cute doll to add to my collection!!!!