Oragnize Your Swap-bot Mailings!

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Swap Coordinator:	OpheliaQuilts (contact)
Swap categories:	Paper Goods Scrapbooking Newbie
Number of people in swap:	3
Location:	Regional - US & Canada
Type:	Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:	October 12, 2009
Date items must be sent by:	November 9, 2009
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
Edited! Have you ever gotten confused on whether you sent something out on swap-bot or lost track of what you've received? I'm not super-organized, but after signing up for 20 swaps you learn you need to be! So, I created this swap after my first little snafu--which was easily cleared up (whew!)--to help others like me be more organized. But this is also for everyone who wants to be creative too! The idea here is to take a 3-ring binder (11" x 8-1/2" with at least a 1" capacity, but you can use a bigger one if you want) either new or recycled from your school days, look at your partner's profile for a binder colour idea, otherwise stick with black or white. Make sure it has a hard cover! The reason for a 3-ring binder is so you can add more pages as needed. Trust me, they'll go fast if you get as addicted to swap-bot as I have this past month! Also, with the regular size paper your partner can create a template in Word or Excel and print it onto the paper you've selected for them or handwrite if they want! Decorate the cover with the theme of swap-bot, trading, brown paper packages, mail, anything swap-bot related! You can be super-creative and blend the theme of swap-bot with your partner's profile! OR 2.If you use a binder that allows you to insert a paper on the outside, you can do paper craft and insert it beneath the vinyl, or whatever art form you enjoy sharing with others. (Or you can decorate the vinyl and paper!) Don't just cover things with only stickers or an abundance of glitter and call it done! AND Add 20 pages into the binder for your partner to start using for organization. NOT regular notebook paper ALL paper should be able of going through a printer without creasing and getting ugly folds! You can buy scrapbook/decorative printer papers from a craft store or use papers from your stash. You can use plain colour papers (No more than 10 plain papers total and only 2 of the same colour) You can use themed papers (mail themed, profile themed, etc., but only 2 of the exact same image/theme) You can also take the scrapbook paper and print onto it with your printer using different themes from Word or create them with an imaging software like Photoshop. Remember: Make sure the page isn't too decorative that a person's writing/printer ink would get lost in the design! Also make sure black ink will show up on the page! No more than exactly the same 2 pages Read @shinywen who makes an excellent point on how ratings should work: http://www.swap-bot.com/forums/topic/43659 Who can join Newbies can join IF You have a completely filled out profile Either PM me first, or leave a comment below to let me know you want to join and will fulfill the responsibilities. If you forget to leave a comment, it's ok, but I will be checking profiles. TO ALL: No recent no-sends. If you have any 1s you must have successfully completed & been rated for 2 snail-mail swaps since! Finally, I reserve the right to remove anyone that doesn't meet the requirements or appears fishy. I want this to be a fun swap for all! I will angel this swap if need be, but let's not make that necessary folks! Don't be a flaker. If you flake, your name will be published on all lists and places I can find to put it! This is going to be a regional swap, but if there are those who want an international version set up, please let me know and I'll get one going!

Discussion

nursechris 09/29/2009 #

I love your ideas! I wondered how to keep track.

nomianca 09/29/2009 #

What a great idea! I just bought a composition book (70 cents at Wal-Mart) and wrote SWAPS on the front. I made 3 columns with the titles of Swap Name, Due Date, and Sent. I write the Swap name and due date and when I have sent them I check them off.

CrowsFox 09/29/2009 #

Great idea for a swap! I just went out and made the same thing! I print off the swap page, then when I get my partner/s I print out that list, and then I print out their profile. Punch them all with the three ring hole punch, and put in the binder.. then I took pictures of what I made/am sending and put them on a scrapbook page and put in a page protector! I also have tabs with the due dates written on.. (And I havent even got to the point where I can do 20 swaps!! Thats just for 5!!) After Ive sent they go to a new section for waiting to get rated.. and then once that is done they will go to the section for completed!!

user6937 09/29/2009 #

I also print off the swap; then my partners and their profiles - I staple these together in order of when they need to be sent and keep them on my craft table. Once I've finished the swap, I write the date sent on the top sheet (I also make note of any extra's I send to each partner) and then file it in my cabinet (a binder would work, too). I also have a word document where I put the swap name, and who hosts it (and the date I send), the person I send to (and the rating they give me), the person who sends to me, with a short description of what they sent (and what rating I gave them). This way I can keep track of who hasn't rated me, so I can pm them to check if they received my package.

renees 09/29/2009 #

i have an excel spreadsheet that I use. If anyone wants a copy of the format just PM me :-)

OpheliaQuilts 09/29/2009 #

Hi all, I hope you join. It'll be fun! I initially kept things in sent if I'd not yet received anything or been rated, and then once those things happened I'd move them to archived, but that doesn't help me keep track of WHEN I do things much less WHEN I mailed them out.

For you newbies, I'm still fairly newbie myself. LOL I've just managed to finally get up to 20 only a few weeks ago, and I just love it on here!

GoingTwinsane 10/ 2/2009 #

Can we print out themed papers to use for the pages?

OpheliaQuilts 10/ 3/2009 #

I've made some edits:

Card stock IS allowed as long as a printer can print on it without the paper folding or getting ugly creases in it when it runs through!
You can create your own themed papers--no more than 10 total and no more than 2 of the exact same theme.
HAVE FUN!! And make sure and send what you would want to receive!!

troione 10/ 9/2009 #

I would like to join I been using a small notebook for my swapbot swap and tag RAK and Wishlist I have also print out my swap and profile of partner to see what to send this is a great idea

mommyandwife 10/10/2009 #

I made my own but its just a spiral notebook, would love to make one and have one made for me.

i am a newbie can i join?

Boupie 10/10/2009 #

This sounds fun! I guess the pages will be for swap info... should we fill out the pages with questions for them to fill in about the swap or just have a theme around it and let them decide? I need to be sure I have time to complete this before I sign-up but I am watching for now.

amytheist 10/11/2009 #

oh! not international :( ... I made a journal for my swaps but this is really nice.

OpheliaQuilts 10/11/2009 #

@Boupie Good question. Let's leave the pages blank that way people can decide what they want to keep track of. But you can always include a list of things that you think they might find useful to keep track of.

beadeful 10/11/2009 #

Watching!! Love this idea for a swap,

SMichalek 10/27/2009 #

I would love if someone posted pictures of their received items so I could see them. I wish I hadn't missed this swap. Will someone let me know if there is another like this?

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