WHO-VILLE

 It's that time of year!  Once the zombies are flying to their new homes, I announce the Annual Handmade Ornament swap theme!

         "Christmas in WHO-VILLE!"

Now...don't be hung up on the Grinch or Cindy Loo-Who...

If you read the book or watch the movie, you'll see there is SO much more than just those two famous characters.  Plus, you can always make something up...just give it a Who-ish name!

Think of trees and Max and toys and food and snow and candy and ornaments and houses...oh my!  The list could go on and on...just don't forget to use WHO-VILLE colors and patterns in creating your whimsical creations!

The info:

Once again, We are doing a "5 for 5"  swap.

What this means is that you will be sending me 5 handmade ornaments and receiving a variety of 5 ornaments back. You may use ANY MEDIUM you want to create these little pieces of art!

You do not have to have a blog to join.  
There is no deadline to sign up.  That being said, I am allowing no more than 20 participants this year so if you know you want to join, do it now.  I reserve the right to close the swap at any time.

To sign up, send me an email at valpowery(at)yahoo(dot)com with your name so I can put it on the sidebar.  I will send you instructions when I get your sign up email.

This will be a USA only swap due to shipping.

Please create something you would love to receive and be sure to package your ornaments in a nice, re-usable box so I can mail your new ornaments back to you in it.   Be sure to include a self addressed return label for me.  It saves me a lot of time!

Try to keep your ornaments light in weight and please take care when wrapping to make sure they are cushioned, etc.  We want all our ornaments to arrive in pristine condition!  

All ornaments must be either in a clear treat bag or some other "holiday" type wrap with a tag from you.   It doesn't have to be fancy, but do take some time to do a good job, no throwing all the ornaments in a box with no gift tags, wrapping or tissue.  Remember, these ornaments represent hard work and all participants want to OPEN them as they would a Christmas gift.  

If ANY of your ornaments reach me broken, they will be returned to you.  That being said, if 2 break, you will get 2 of your own back along with 3 different ones for a total of 5.

*New Rule:  Many of us have become dear friends and I even have family members joining now too.  Please understand that in shuffling these ornaments around, your friend or family member may get an ornament you planned on giving them privately.   I ended up giving away my own ornaments from the swap to make sure everyone received a unique assortment.   I am no longer doing this.

May I suggest you either send in extra ornaments to keep this from happening or refrain from giving the ornaments privately until AFTER everyone receives their box.  (Some of you already do that, thank you!)

Return Shipping:  $10.00 is sufficient to cover the cost of sending ornaments back to you unless they are oversized or heavy.  In that case, please send in a little extra.  Again, please include a return address label already filled out.  

Ship in time for me to receive them by mid November...no later than Thanksgiving.  That way, I can get them in time to mail them out by the first week of December.  Sadly, I can't guarantee you getting an exchange box if your ornaments do not reach me in time.  (If that happens, I'll gladly return your own ornaments to you using the money you sent for shipping.)  
Shipping funds are important!  If you forget to include shipping, your ornaments can't be sent/returned until you have sent me the funds to send/return them to you.

If you finish your ornaments early, PLEASE send them to me early so I can start organizing them.  The earlier the better!

If time gets away from you and you need to back out, no big deal, just drop me an email at 

valpowery (at) yahoo(dot) com and I'll remove you from the list.  

Invite your artsy/craftsy friends and family!  

Thank you Jill!

I have always been tickled by the line, "There's a leek in the boat!" and Jill created the cutest little guy. 

My package came in almost two weeks ago, but, as I'm sure many of you know by now, I tend to run late. I have a personal rule that I won't treat myself to opening my package until mine is ready to send out. I really do appreciate the patience my fellow swappers have with me.

I love the detail of the ladybug on the back. I also love the extra goodies, especially that hand-painted fabric ribbon. I can't wait to use it in card making. 

Thank you Jill, and thanks to Val for hosting this swap, which has become such a tradition for me. 

-iara

Meet Barry!!

 I received the absolute best Zombie from Val!! This has to be one of the cutest strawberries I have seen! He is now sitting proudly with all my other zombies and I smile as I walk past my collection of zombies every day. We have some of the best creators in this group! 💕

I also received some pretty cool fill-ins in my box! Cool spiders, a tea towel that is now hanging in my kitchen, some cool ear rings that I proudly wore on October 1st, and the best fill in was a hand made cocktail book full of wonderful recipes. I can't wait to try them!!

Thank you Val so, so much for my zombie and goodies! I loved it all!!

EEK the Leek!!!

 Stacey sent me the cutest little zombie leek ever!!!  

Then to top it all off, she sent me a big box o’ goodies (and coooookies)  that are AMAZING!!

This skeleton sits a top my boooffffet  menu

And a big picture of all the goodies!

Thank you so much for my amazing swap Stacey!!!

Zombie Burger . . .

This zombie burger is incredible!!!!!

I walked by him yesterday morning and 

laughed.  How can something so weird 

looking be so cute!

Thank you Kerry!  I love it!

Opening this package was half the fun!

I only wish my granddaughter Avery had been here - she loves

opening my zombie packages.

So many fun tuck-ins!

I love our zombie doll swaps!

Happy Halloween!

 

Thank you Jill!

Thank you Jill. The ornament swap package arrived safely and it is wonderful.

Your books are so beautiful. I love them both. Now I want to take a class on bookbinding :0) The detail is fantastic and they are just so darn cute!!

Seriously cool! Wow. Such detail and a perfect size for an ornament. 

Again,,,, OMG amazing and that pin cushion. That will be on my desk all year long! 

Thank you, this swap has been so much fun.

Now... off to start on my Zombie 


 

Yarnigras' Annual Handmade Zombie Doll swap!

This year our theme is:

   "CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS!" (aka Food That Fights Back!)

This book was both of my kiddos favs....and then they upped the game by turning it into one of the CUTEST movies imaginable...and even the sequel is good!  What are the chances of that happening!?  So...read the book and watch the movie.  It'll be soooo worth it!

Here is what we are swapping: 

1.)You will create one Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 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 12th 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 23rd 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 than 9/23/23.

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 text updates. 

2. List of 3 favorite characters for your partner to choose 1 character from.   With this theme, you can choose an actual character or food character.  Or you can make a person zombie holding "zombiefied" food.  LOL

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!