The Handmade Gift Exchange

[Rei]

Yay for cookies! I know what I'm taking with me for lunch tomorrow

[Eaquae Legit]

I haven't even eated any of them on him yet!

[Brian]

So how does this thing work?
I feel like doing something crafty and having someone else enjoy my hard work.

[Eaquae Legit]

Well, we are actually nearing the end of this round of exchanges, but I imagine we'll do another one sometime (everyone had fun, right?).

Did we have any other latecomers who want to exchange?

[Eaquae Legit]

Mine came! I can't wait to open it, but I have to, because I made Brent wait for me, so I have to wait.

[Gravity Defier]

I had a lovely walk to the post office this morning and got mine sent off, finally. I believe they said it should arrive by Thursday. Apologies for being late and for using an entirely too big box to send it in. The good news is, you'll have plenty of reading material courtesy the AZ Republic.


Anyhow, our new byline should be:

The Philotic Web: Stimulating the Post Office One Package at a Time

[Quagmire]

The Philotic Web: Stimulating the Post Office One Package at a Time

I've got a package for you, too. Giggity, giggity!

[Young Val]

Whew!

After changing my gameplan at least three times, my gift is done and packaged! Now must get it to the post office!

[starlooker]

Still behind. I feel like that paradox where if you keep walking half the distance to your goal, you get infinitely closer but never quite make it.

[Eaquae Legit]

I have a picture of mine, but I'm having trouble uploading! Grr. I'm sorry, I will upload as soon as I can!

[Gravity Defier]

I feel like that paradox where if you keep walking half the distance to your goal, you get infinitely closer but never quite make it.

That is it! You just explained what I felt like, working on mine.

Itch, you have been scratched and I feel better.


Dear Ali's photo, quit being difficult. I want to see!

[Gravity Defier]

I got mine today. I walked in the door with my bike in tow and the first thing my family says isn't "hi" or "how's your day?" It's "You have a small package on the counter and it's from Canada." Meanwhile, I'm trying to get my bike in and they're getting huffy, thinking I was ignoring them, so they start repeating the last part. "From Canada. Small package. Canada?"

I got over being annoyed mighty quickly because the silly customs sticker ruined the surprise and I knew I had a scarf before I saw it and holy carp, have I ever wanted a scarf for here and Chicago and now I have a real one. There was much prancing. I prance a lot, apparently.

I don't know if I wore it properly but it was definitely warm and awesome. Thanks so much!

[Eaquae Legit]

Yay!

I'm sorry they make us spoil the surprise! Seriously, what's up with that? I managed to take off my glasses and scribble over the customs sticker on my box, or I would have totally spoiled it in the hours I had to wait for Brent to get home.

[Eaquae Legit]

FINALLY!



One jar of utterly delicious blackberry-rosemary jam (quite the tongue-twister, try it!) and two flower hairclips! They are seriously awesome and look great on me. I tied a ribbon around my neck the other day, and added the white flower to the centre of the bow, and it looked great. I couldn't get a picture, but I will try to get one next time I do the same.

The white flower in detail:

[Jayelle]

Blackberry-Rosemary, what a cool combination! I've never thought of putting those things together. Have you opened it?

Oh- and about the customs thing. I've learned from sending multiple gifts to Australia that you don't have to be very specific. "Handmade gifts" or "Toy" will often suffice.

[Young Val]

MAILED.

[Eaquae Legit]

Jan: It's delicious! We're going to use it in the jam cookies this year!

[Brian]

Oooo, jam cookies sound delicious!

[Dr. Mobius]

I was so convinced for the past month that this was the craft that never ends

*sings* This is the craft that never ends. Yes, it goes on and on my friends. Some people started crafting it not knowing what it was and they'll continue crafting it forever just because. This is the craft that never ends...

I wish I could've gotten in on this craftiness, never mind my lack of anything remotely resembling a craft skill. But I simply didn't have any time to do much of anything outside of work the past couple months. I wouldn't have even had time to get my family stuff if I didn't have a four day weekend this week and I still have a million and one other things I need to get done before I go back to work on Wednesday (however, I'm still available for that one person who I told to call me this weekend so don't get it in your goofy little head that I'll be too busy for you because that's just silly). Maybe I'll do this next year if I have more time and we can convince Mrs. Awesome (aka Steph) to organize it again.

[Luet]

I think we should do it a little earlier next year so it doesn't overlap as much with holiday busyness and stress. Maybe September/October? But I do hope we'll do it again! It has been so much fun.

[steph]

We'll definitely do it at a different time next time. I just thought of the idea when I posted it and I didn't want to wait any longer! I wouldn't be opposed to doing this a couple of times a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall, perhaps? I'm glad everyone is enjoying it! I sure am! I can't wait to see what everyone gets!!

P.S. I like the new nick name. Not sure I deserve it, but I like it!

[Gravity Defier]

Not sure I deserve it

*snort* In the oft repeated words of my imaginary friend, "Oh, you."

[Young Val]

PS. I just wanted to let everyone know that the gifts I've seen so far have all been beautiful and I would have been overjoyed to receive any of them. I haven't commented on individual posts when gifts have been revealed, but from elepigs to scarves to bearded dragons to blackberry-rosemary jam everything has just looked so, so wonderful.

I know I'm nervous about how my gift will be received (I just get nervous about everything, really) and I don't know if other people were anxious sending theirs off as well, but everything I've seen has been lovely. I'm so proud to be part of a group that includes all of you kind-hearted, super talented people. ::

[Luet]

I totally agree. I was definitely anxious waiting for my gift to arrive which is partly why I was so early in sending it (better to get it over with!). And now I just get to wait to receive my end, which is very fun. I can't wait to see all the rest of the gifts.

[starlooker]

Okay. To my recipient: I am truly, truly, truly sorry. I am trying very hard to finish. In my defense, I've never done this before. At least, not at this level of detail. So I really had no clue how much time I would need.

I want it to be DONE so, so, so badly. In part because I've discovered I enjoy this type of project and have a new one I want to start.

[Luet]

I got a wonderful, edible (well, drinkable) package today! It was so incredibly gorgeous and I can't wait to taste it. It also had the sweetest, most thoughtful note inside. Here you go (prepare to be jealous!):





Hot chocolate on a stick! Two original and two cinnamon. I'm really excited about the cinnamon because one of my favorite flavors is mexican chocolate.

So, who is left to receive? When do we get to reveal our gifters?

[Dr. Mobius]

Judging from the post above yours, I'd say there's at least one left.

[Gravity Defier]

My person is maybe, hopefully, out of town? I sent mine close to three weeks ago and it should have taken two days, tops. A little anxious that it got lost or something.

[Petra456]

I still haven't received mine, but i'm guessing I have one of the super busy people, so I don't mind : )

[Young Val]

Same as Fred; No package yet, so I'm assuming I have one of the busy folks also.

[powerfulcheese04]

I received my package from Alea but I haven't gotten to open it yet. I can't wait to go back to my apartment and open it!!

I've made my present for my person but I keep telling myself I'm going to add cookies to it... which I haven't made. So, either I'll make them this weekend when I'm back in my kitchen (my fiancé's kitchen is not prepared for baking) or just give in and send it as is.

[steph]

At what point in time do we want to reveal all the gifters?

[Eaquae Legit]

I'm really, really sorry to my person. There was a screw-up with the post, and it came back just before we had to move. It has been utter chaos and I haven't had a chance to re-post it, but I promise you are not forgotten.

[VelvetElvis]

I've not gotten mine yet. Has my person gotten his or hers? I'm dying to know the reaction!

[steph]

Helen, I haven't heard anything about yours being received. Receiver? Any sign of it?

As for your gift, we had the mix up with your address and the apt number and so it was sent back. I'm assuming she re-mailed it and it should be there soon?

Who else is waiting on theirs? If you haven't sent it out, please do your best to do so this week!