Friday, January 28, 2011

Swap Meet Weekend...January 29th-30th


Welcome to the first edition of Sew Many Ways...Swap Meet Weekend (S.M.W) What is a swap meet you ask? Well, I know we all love to go to thrift stores, yard sales and consignment shops, so why not have a blogging swap meet. Nothing better than thrifting in your pajamas!!! Not only will we find fun things to share, but just think of the wonderful people we'll meet!

Below is a Linking Party to add your picture of the item that you'd like to swap with someone else. Everyone will browse through all the items and click on the picture to link to the details. ALL items in this swap are FREE...NO MONEY will be exchanged. The only cost to each swapper is the cost of postage to mail your item (package) to your swap partner. Both swap partners will contact each other through the comments section or emails for the specifics of the swap. Both parties must agree on the items they will be swapping and the shipping costs. Sew Many Ways is just the middle man to bring the swap partners together.

Examples of swap items...
  • fabric
  • craft/scrap booking supplies
  • gently used or new clothing items
  • baby things
  • new, handmade craft items...jewelry, purses, scarves, quilts etc
  • pottery/china
  • purses/handbags
  • cookbooks
  • collectibles
  • teapots
  • cookie jars
  • home decor
  • etc...

Here are the steps and instructions for the Swap Meet Link Party...

  • you must have a picture of the item you'd like to swap on your blog or Flicker account or any other photo sharing website before you click the link button below
  • you must have a description of the item
  • location of item...state or country for shipping purposes
  • don't forget to include a link back to Sew Many Ways Swap Meet Weekend, so every one can join in on the fun (you can grab the picture above if you'd like for your post or side bar)

The steps for filling in the Linking Party are easy!!!

  • click the "Add Your Link" button below... 3 boxes will pop up
  • First box...add your blog POST URL address (not your whole blog) or Flicker page URL...this is the address in the box at the top of the page...usually starts with http. Just copy and paste into the box
  • next is the "Name" box...this will be the name of your ITEM (ex...1 yard of Moda fabric)
  • next is your email address, which is not published at all. It's only if I need to contact you.
  • last step is to click "Next Step" to choose a picture of your item for the party thumbnail picture. This may take a few seconds, so just click one time and wait for images to appear from the URL address that you entered in the first box. Just click on the picture that you want displayed in the party.

That's all...your picture and the link back to your post will be there for all to see and browse through. The Link Party will only be open until Friday February 4th to add your item, but the swapping can gone on forever!

Thanks for joining in on the fun,

~Karen~



Swap Meet Weekend...It's A Go For Saturday and Sunday

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on the Swap Meet idea...I think we are going to have so much fun this weekend! I will open up the Linking Party for Saturday and Sunday so you can add your picture of your item...then we'll have the weekend and all week long to browse through all the goodies and meet up with other swappers to make the swap.

I'll have all the details and instructions on the actual post tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 29th), but wanted to let you know now so you can add your picture of the item that you want to swap to your blog early. You can add the picture to your blog post any time over the weekend too, but just post it before you link up to the party.

Your blog post should include:
  • picture of the item
  • description of the item
  • maybe a quick note of what you might be looking for in the swap...you could be looking to swap anything or you just might be looking for fabric or Pretzel M&M's (wink wink to The Chocolate Cat in Australia!)
  • state or country the item is located, just so people can get a rough estimate of shipping
  • link back to Sew Many Ways so people know where to find the party this weekend.
  • You can steal this picture below and add it to your post or your side bar if you'd like.
There were a few comments about whether you needed a blog or not. A blog is the easiest way to show off your item, but Kelsey from Faith, Family and Cute Kittens had a great idea to use Flicker to show off your item...I think there is a comment section on Flicker too, so people can get in touch with each other.

This is definitely a learn as I go event, so we'll see how it all works out. See you on Saturday and Sunday!
~Karen~


Thursday, January 27, 2011

I Have An Idea For A Swap Meet...What Do You Think?

Some call them swap meets, yard sales, tag sales, thrifting, flea markets etc...whatever the name, I know we all love them. Why do we love them? The Hunt! The hunt for that perfect item to add to our decor, to add one more item to a collection, to find that perfect sweater that you would never find in a store, to find that beautiful vintage necklace, to find fabric that they don't sell in your area. What ever we are looking for, it's usually "The Deal" that makes "The Hunt" all the better. So I was thing...what better deal is there than "FREE"!

Why not broaden our area for swap meets by having one here at Sew Many Ways! This is what I was thinking...
  • every weekend I will open up a Linking Party for any and all who have something that they no longer want or need, but will Swap with someone else.
  • you can also swap new items that you may have in an Etsy store or that you have online
  • swapping is like the bartering system
  • NO MONEY will be exchanged at all for the items...hence the word Swap
  • the 2 people in the Swap agreement will only have to pay the shipping to the other person.
  • you must meet up with your other swapper on your own, through your blog or emails
  • agreements must be made that the items being swapped are similar and/or of equal value to each person
  • it doesn't have to be the same item. Someone could have a beautiful handmade purse that she is willing to swap for that Pottery Barn pillow that you have that doesn't match anything in your house...you both just have to agree.
  • Sew Many Ways is just the middle man by hosting the linking party to get every one together.

This is how it will work...(I hope!! LOL)

  • The Swap Meet will be held here every weekend. It will be like going to yard sales in your pajamas with a warm cup of coffee by your computer!
  • the week leading up to it, you will have posted the item on your blog that you want to swap. Have a picture or pictures and a detailed description of the item...new, old, handmade etc.
  • when the swap party opens up here, you will follow the linky steps to post a thumbnail picture of your item and the link back to your blog for the item's description.
  • all during the week people will contact each other working out a deal for the swap...such as location of the items, shipping, etc. For example, you may not want to swap with someone in Australia from the US if you're not will to pay the shipping. But what fun it would be to swap fabric with someone from around the world!
  • plans will be made to ship the items in a timely manner
  • and the swap will be made!!

Suggestions for items to swap...

  • fabric
  • handmade jewelry
  • handmade items...aprons, baby items, quilts, purses, scarves
  • pottery items
  • scrap booking items
  • clothing items
  • baby clothes
  • china...do you collect tea cups? How about one from another country?
  • cookbooks
  • magazines...2 people could agree to swap a magazine each month. Great to read a different magazine without the cost of a subscription and Media Mail (books, magazines etc) through the Us postal service is super cheap
  • Books...I know we all have books that we've already read and are just collecting dust. A book swap is perfect.
  • sewing or quilting patterns. We all have a pattern that we've already used, but who wouldn't love another one.
  • toys
  • craft supplies...rubber stamps, candy making supplies, etc
  • how about all those shaped cake pans that you've made for you children's birthday
  • the list is endless...

Just wanted to put this out there now to see what kind of response it would have.

Let me know what you think and I can start one this weekend and see what happens. Couldn't hurt right?

Thanks in advance for your input,

~Karen~

Monday, January 24, 2011

Tool Time Tuesday...Magnetic Frame- Picture Perfect Organization

Happy Tuesday! Today's Tool Time is a combination of a post I did last year and some new ideas too. This Picture Perfect Organization frame below is in my sewing room, but the ideas or the concept can be used in any room. I will mention a few other uses for this idea at the end of the post.




These little boxes were on the back of one of my craft tables. I love them and used them to store all those little craft items you just can't live without!



They stored all kinds of things, but the only problem was I had to open up each drawer to see what was inside. Yes, I could have labeled each drawer (I do love my labels), but this is a very small unit and there would be too many labels showing on the front...too busy.


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Here is a picture of the original post for the Magnetic Frame I made last year. Click HERE to go to that post if you'd like to make one. Yours can be any size you'd like. I just happen to find this frame in a consignment shop for $10.00. This picture was when I first moved into that sewing room...way more crap in there now!! LOL
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I also did a post in the past using those little plastic cups that you get duck sauce in at Chinese restaurants or the little ketchup cups from fast food restaurants. I would wash out the cups and recycle them for storing tiny craft/sewing items. Click HERE for that post.
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Well, I broke down and went to a party supply store and bought a boat load of them...yes, you are reading that label correctly...250 cups. What on God's green earth am I going to do with 250 plastic cups? Absolutely everything!!
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My only question for the Solo cup company. Why do you sell a package of 250 cups and then only sell a package of 100 lids. I can't even buy 2 package of lids, because that's still only 200. Now I have to buy 3 packages of lids and then I'll have 50 lids left over. Why Why Why??? I'd gladly pay more money for the larger package of lids.



The cups I purchased are the 3 1/4 ounce size. They do sell the tiny size up to a larger 4 1/2 ounce. The price break down for each cups is this:
  • $10.72 for 250 cups = 4 cents per cup

  • $4.72 for 100 lids = almost 5 cents per lid

That's 9 cents so far...

Now the fun part. Gather up all your stuff. Don't deny it...you have stuff!



You may think you don't have stuff, but once you start pulling out drawers, storage bags, bins and boxes...boy oh boy do you have stuff!



Now you will need magnets. Not sure how much they are in the craft store, but these are at Home Depot for only $2.49 for 8 magnets. I used the 3/4" round thicker ones for more strength.
  • $2.49 for 8 magnets = 31 cents

Total for each plain lidded cup is 9 cents or 40 cents for each magnetic cup!

I used low temp hot glue to attached each magnet to the bottom of all the cups.




Fill the cups with your goodies...



pop on the lid...



turn it over ...




dab of hot glue and ...



just place your magnet.



Do that 40 more times!


If any of your cups have heavy items, I used two magnets on the bottom.



Now just stick them to your Metal Picture!! I arranged my by hardware, craft, sewing and office supplies.
















I bought that Minnie Mouse teapot a few years ago in Disney World and this last trip in December, I bought that mug. It's the bottom half of Minnie Mouse...too cute!










Now you don't have to use the magnets at all. You can just put the lids on all your cups and they stack up perfectly on themselves for easy storage.
I mentioned in one of the other posts all the ideas you can use for these cups...but I'll list them here too and more.
  • crafts

  • sewing

  • office

  • hardware

  • jewelry (lay out all the cups in a drawer and have all your earring, rings and necklaces separated)

  • spices

  • scrap booking

  • organize daily medication

  • sewing kit for your purse

  • mini first aid kit

  • pre measured snacks

  • coin/money holder for your children's lunch money or allowance. You can stick them on the refrigerator next to their chore chart

  • party favor containers...fill with candy, M&M's, Skittles etc...

  • holiday treat...fill with Valentine candy and decorate with hearts for school party treats

  • fill with chocolate and number them for Christmas advent calendars...one for each day

The list could go on and on...Have fun filling yours up. You can find these in party or restaurant supply stores. Be careful when you search for them online. If it's a higher price like $48.00 you are buying 10 packages of 250, so that's 2500 cups. Now that's a lot of cups!! I have a lot of crap, but I don't think I have that much to fill 2500 cups!
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
~Karen~

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Give Away Winner...

I want to thank every one who left a comment on my give away post. All your kind words and thoughtfulness mean the world to me. You are the reason why I blog!

I couldn't use the random number generator this time, because there were some comments of congratulations, but they didn't want to be included in the drawing. So I did it the old fashion way...cut the comments up, dig deep and pick one!! and the winner is....


Congratulations!!

Just need your snail mail address and I'll send your package right out to you!!


Thank you again for stopping by,
~Karen~

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