Christmas Swap 2012 Link Up - Please add your posts

Thank you to everyone who took part again this time around - it was bigger than ever with a whopping 86 bloggers signing up, from several countries here in Europe to right across the continents to Australia, New Zealand and the USA. If you haven't yet sent your parcel - please do so. This kind of endeavour can only be successful and fun if everyone upholds their end of the bargain. And it's so lovely to get post and discover how well someone on the other side of a screen - and sometimes the world - understands you.

If you've done a post on what you received - I'd love you to do a quick one, if you haven't already - it would be great if you could link it up below. I can't wait to see what everyone found for their budget, and how people interpreted the 'Christmas song' part of the challenge.

Lakota x

If you're looking for the Ta-dah! Tuesday link up, that's on my earlier post here, along with what I sent and received in the swap.

Ta-dah! Tuesday is back - My Swap Parcels

Hiya, welcome back to Ta-dah! Tuesday. If you have anything to show off about - whether it's a great outfit, a recipe, something you've made or an amazing item you've found on your travels - this is the place to link it up.

As we're now safely past Christmas and I know my swap partner has opened her gifts, I can show you what I found her, as well as the lovely gifts she sent me. My partner this time was Jem at Beautiful Clutter, and she sent me this uber-stylishly wrapped selection of parcels - string, brown paper, luggage labels, maps and an old copy of Little Women had all been pressed into service:

Inside, I found a jolly reindeer tin for my festive bakes, and nesting inside that a beautiful set of vintage shot glasses - I do so love old bar-ware. There was also some Christmas themed socks, a little handmade wooden birdhouse decoration found at Ashbourne market, and a very Luella-esque scarf adorned with prancing ponies from a local boutique. I love it and it's had loads of wear already. Thank you for all my gifts Jem.

Here's what I sent Jem in return:

I did quite well this year and managed to get the vast majority of my gifts second hand.

• Pair of lanterns with star-shaped cut outs - charity shop
• Giant decorative key - Jem loves keys - charity shop
• Earl Grey scented candle - she's a big tea fan - TK Maxx
• 'Pony Stories for girls' and 'Lessons in Ponymastership' vintage books - like me she's a horse lover - vintage market
• Ceramic snowflake decoration - fulfilling 'Christmas song' part of the challenge, Let it Snow - from a VERY posh charity boutique in Berkhamsted, selling new and lovely home-wares but all money going to a local hospice.
• Homemade jar of vegetarian and nut-free mincemeat, for the all important Christmas bakeathon.

My wrapping was rubbish by comparison so I've not included a photo of that! 

I'd love it if you could link up any Ta-dah! Tuesday posts on the linky below, and your Christmas Swap posts HERE please, as I know I've missed a lot of them over the holidays. 

Lakota x

Christmas Swap 2012 Partners announced!

It's here, I've done it at last! I am sorry that it took me over a week from sign up closing to get partners up, but the swap has got bigger each time I've done it - and I have to try and assign someone in the right area, who you haven't swapped with before, and hopefully (where possible) whom you might have something in common with as well! This time I had far fewer people from Australia and NZ so I hope it's not a problem if your partner is in the other country. I am aware that postage costs can be high  - it's now ridiculous in the UK - so a lot of people specified their own country only. There are some lovely blogs I've not seen before which I hope to make time to check out properly. Also apologies if you've left me comments recently and I've not returned the favour.

Please make contact with your partner as I may well not have time to leave a comment on 86 blogs giving people a nudge! Some people may have more than one blog so you could also check their profile on the original sign up post here. Any problems do let me know via my email on the sidebar, but please remember this is the internet and I can't individually vet everyone who wants to take part. But I'm sure everyone's still up for it - I've only had very few reported issues in the previous three I've run and far far more reports of great gifts and new friends. So, without further ado...

***EDIT - ignore the endings of the blog addresses, as I'm in the UK somehow they automatically convert to co.uk even if your blog is elsewhere in the world. It will redirect automatically***


Pixie           http://pixierambles1966.blogspot.co.uk/

Crafty Smiles   http://craftysmiles.blogspot.co.uk/

Mrs D          http://hellothemushroom.blogspot.co.uk/

yesmissfox http://yesmissfox.wordpress.com/

Wendy http://thebutterflybalcony.blogspot.co.uk/

Lucy http://fortiesknitter.blogspot.co.uk/

Simple Country Girl  http://www.simplecountrygirl.com/

Jewel                   http://prettylittlejewels.blogspot.co.uk/

Emma Kate http://paintedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/

Julie         http://shabbychic08.blogspot.co.uk/

Pam @ over 50 feeling40    http://www.over50feeling40.com/

Style Sud-est                    http://stylesud-est.blogspot.co.uk/

Rebecca                         http://crivenscottage.blogspot.co.uk/

Linda/simply vintage http://vintagehearth.blogspot.co.uk/

Linda         http://heyhomewrecker.blogspot.co.uk

Fat Dormouse http://fatdormouse.blogspot.co.uk/

                        http://dormouse.wibsite.com/

Jem         http://beautifulclutter.blogspot.co.uk/

Lakota http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk

Terri                         http://www.ragsagainstthemachine.com/

Mistress Catgirl         http://agirlofmanyinterest.blogspot.co.uk/

Sian Lile      http://sianlilemakes.blogspot.co.uk/

Sooz         http://lastbiscuit.blogspot.co.uk/

Joyatri http://www.joyatri.com/

miss_b http://polkadotsandpinkflamingos.blogspot.co.uk/

My Turquoise Queen http://myturquoisequeen.wordpress.com/

Anna                           http://goldliondiaries.blogspot.co.uk/

Edie Pop         http://factorymom.blogspot.co.uk/

Sacremento http://www.mispapelicos.com/

Single Married Mum http://patchworkparent.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenny                             http://the-gingerbread-house.co.uk/

Beki                         http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.co.uk/

Hannah Ackroyd http://hannahackroyd.wordpress.com/

Vicky http://theowlandtheaccordion.blogspot.co.uk/

Janey http://isthatyoudarling.wordpress.com/

Menopausel supermodel http://menopauselsupermodel.wordpress.com/

Crystal in Texas                http://texastreasurebox.blogspot.co.uk/

Crafty Mum                                 http://crafty-mum.blogspot.co.uk/

The Undomesticated Scientist http://undomesticatedscientist.blogspot.com/

Lizzy                          http://handmade-homemade-lizzy.blogspot.co.uk/

A handmade lifestyle  http://ahandmadelifestyle.blogspot.co.uk/

Dresden Fae http://kathrynscuriouslife.blogspot.co.uk/

mrsmmakes http://mrsmmakes.wordpress.com/

Jean at Dross into Gold http://drossintogold.com/

Bella Q                         http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/

Style Agent 909 http://styleagent909.blogspot.co.uk/

Tami von zalez     http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.co.uk/

Franca                  http://www.oranges-and-apples.com/

Pearl Westwood http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.co.uk/

The life of a textiles teacher http://thelifeofatextilesteacher.blogspot.co.uk/

Ivy Black                                http://ivyandruby.blogspot.com/

Kimberley Atkinson  http://creativechaosnz.blogspot.co.uk/

cassmob (pauline)      www.troppont.wordpress.com

Tales of a pale face http://talesofapaleface.blogspot.co.uk/

lady bug says               http://lady-bug-says.blogspot.co.uk/

Hannah Brooker http://cupcakemumma2011.blogspot.co.uk

Louise Dolding         http://louiselovescake.blogspot.co.uk/

Rose and Bird http://pacificrobin.blogspot.co.uk/

Kat got the cream  http://katgotthecream.blogspot.co.uk/

Cute as a button http://cuteasabutton82.wordpress.com/

anglers rest            http://anglersrest.blogspot.co.uk/

Jennifer @ Town and Country living http://townandcountryliving.blogspot.co.uk/

EvalinaMaria           http://evalinamaria.blogspot.co.uk/

Nice Day Designs http://www.nicedaydesigns.org/

Janys                       http://artycraftycreations.blogspot.co.uk/

Misfits Vintage        http://www.misfitsvintage.com/

Pull Your socks up   http://pullyoursoxup.blogspot.com/

Alex                 http://oddsocksandprettyfrocks.blogspot.com/

Jennicambell85  http://bowsbanglesandbakes.blogspot.co.uk/

Kezzie                 http://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.co.uk/

Miss Simmonds http://misssimmondssays.blogspot.co.uk/

Miss Magpie http://missmagpiemusings.blogspot.com/

Hannah           http://hannah-make-time.blogspot.co.uk/

Miss Tea                                  http://tea-diary.blogspot.com/

Middle Aged Drama Queen http://diaryofamiddleageddramaqueen.blogspot.com/

Skyblupink         http://sky-blu-pink.blogspot.com/

Rosy rag patch   http://rosyragpatch.wordpress.com/

Marina              http://evelynmayvintage.blogspot.co.uk/

Vintage Vicki    http://vickislittleworld.blogspot.com/

Past Caring                 http://sopastcaring.blogspot.com/

Sophie - Country Girl http://cgdn.blogspot.com/

Nicole Needles        http://nicoleneedles.blogspot.com/

Danni the Girl         http://dannithegirl.blogspot.com

Thorne Garnet   http://thornegarnet.blogspot.co.uk/

Noelleo designs  http://noelleodesigns.com/

Nanacathy                                   http://nanacathydotcom.wordpress.com/
Caroline/Secret Blogger             http://secretblog29.blogspot.co.uk/

A Reminder of the Rules...

• As usual, you should send your swap partner a minimum of three items, a maximum of five. 
• There is a maximum spend of £12 or the equivalent in your local currency.
• At least one item - though more if you can - should be second hand, and  sourced from a charity shop, car boot sale, jumble, estate sale, eBay or similar.
• At least one item should be handmade. If you are not crafty yourself, it's fine to provide a handmade item that someone else has toiled over instead.
• And this time, one item MUST relate to a Christmas carol or song. How you interpret this is up to you! 
• One item could fulfil several categories. A home-made white fluffy pom-pom garland made from thrifted wool could count as handmade, second hand and represent 'Let it Snow', for example.
• Try and get your swap done by Christmas - let your partner know if you'll be late or you have any problems.
• Have fun!

The winner of my Nails Inc giveaway was announced on my previous post!

Lakota x

Christmas Faith Hope and Charity Swap! Tis the season to sign up

It was another resounding yes to the Faith Hope and Charity Shopping Christmas swap for this year, so I guess I'll be dusting off my spreadsheet once again. If you've played before you'll know the drill, but it's always more fun if new people get involved as well. If you fancy getting involved in the best exchange of second hand goods since Ebay, then remind yourself of the rules and sign up in the comments. Please leave a link to your blog - if you have a closed profile I can't find you!

SIGN UP NOW CLOSED - PARTNERS ANNOUNCED SOON

• You will need a regularly updated blog and be willing to post when you receive your items from your swap partner. Sorry to non-bloggers, but the swap is done on trust and some online presence does make things easier. Please don't sign up and then disappear, it makes things very difficult.
• Bloggers are welcome world-wide as usual. I will try to assign partners within the same country/continent but please let me know if you would be willing to send abroad if necessary.
• As usual, you should send your swap partner a minimum of three items, a maximum of five. 
• There is a maximum spend of £12 or the equivalent in your local currency.
• At least one item - though more if you can - should be second hand, and  sourced from a charity shop, car boot sale, jumble, estate sale, eBay or similar.
• At least one item should be handmade. If you are not crafty yourself, it's fine to provide a handmade item that someone else has toiled over instead.
• And this time, one item MUST relate to a Christmas carol or song. How you interpret this is up to you! 
• One item could fulfil several categories. A home-made white fluffy pom-pom garland made from thrifted wool could count as handmade, second hand and represent 'Let it Snow', for example.
• Sign up will close on 28th October and I will assign partners on the blog soon afterwards so please keep an eye out.

The more people who sign up the better chance I have of introducing you to someone new and of finding a partner in your country, so please display the badge above on your sidebar with a link to this post. 

That's all for now, thanks in advance for getting involved!

Lakota x

Linking up to Magpie Monday and Thrift Share Monday