Make It and Mail It Exchange (closed)

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Who doesn't love getting something fun in the mail?

I always seem to be lingering outdoors near the mailbox every morning at 10 a.m. I can't help it; as a stay-at-home mother, mail is sometimes the highlight of my day. Oooh, that sounds needy, doesn't it?

You're all good at making something, so I thought it would be fun to organize a handmade exchange in time for the holidays. If you commit to play along (how-to below), you will make one handmade item for one blogger whom you've never met and mail it to them by the first of December. In exchange, you will also receive one lovely handmade gift from another blogger before the holidays. Pretty packaging is always a nice bonus in your mailbox. I know it's tempting (for me anyway) to get to know someone via her blog and start dreaming up items that her children might like, but the emphasis here is meant to be on you The Blogger. I used to work in a women's shelter and I remember that over the holidays, the women put all the focus on their children and other family members, sometimes receiving nothing for themselves. I'm sure in our worlds this happens too; we forget to take care of ourselves. Can you make a clutch, a scarf, a handmade handbag, a journal, an apron, an eco-friendly gift? (it does not have to be sewing related). I'm hoping that everyone receives something that they don't have to share with the kids or the household if they don't want to.

Here's how to play:

1. Post a comment below. Be sure that you either leave an email address or have one publicly accessible on your profile! You will make a handmade item and mail it to the blogger who posts a comment below you. Once a comment has been posted below yours, go ahead and contact that person to get their mailing address. I will leave this open until Saturday November 14th.

2. Because of time constraints on mail delivery, let's leave this exchange open to Canada and the United States only. Please be aware that this may mean a trip to your post office to fill out a little green customs tag. (Within Canada, you can avoid this with light letter-weight items). If mailing costs are a consideration, plan your handmades light and manila-envelope sized.

3. Please mail your handmade no later than December 1st, 2009.

4. As with other bloggers who have hosted these exchanges, I have no way of patrolling everyone's participation, but my experience has been that most people are honest. If December 1st rolls around and you are behind schedule, it sure would be nice to pop a lovely card in the mail and say "Hey, I haven't forgotten you - goodies are on their way soon!"

5. There is no price minimum or limit on this, nor any certain skill level required. Please abide by your own budget and talents; this exchange is just good karma.

So here I go leaving the first comment. Whoever is next is getting a ___________ from me.



Happy Hand-making!