Crispy_Frog

I can't agree more with sunrise450! This swap is the best ever! I was on cloud 9 getting all that mail addressed to ME, knowing that surprises were in store! I had to get my quilting buddy over to read the cards and play with the candies with me. I was in rehab for the first part of last year. It was so relaxing just cutting up squares and getting the cards ready. I am so ready for the fun to begin!

barbarakibler23

Well welcome back to DJmat......she is number 30 ladies!!!!

So Monday is the 20th. March birthday address will be sent out.

barbarakibler23

this is a test...file:///Users/barbarakibler/Desktop/birthday%20swap%202017_18.gdoc

MizMelly

Hi All!
Here's how I organize my candies and package them in advance.
1. Here's the 50 different candies that I cut using my AccuQuilt 2.5" die. I cut 36, so I will have 6 extra sets this year for other swaps, etc.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]568561[/ATTACH]
2. Then I put down a sheet of plastic wrap, stack two rows of 25 squares side by side, and then push the air out and seal the package.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]568562[/ATTACH]
3. Choose a birthday card that I buy in bulk from Amazon and slide in the package of candies. The cards are blank at this point. I personalize each one as names are handed out for the month.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]568563[/ATTACH]
4. I slide the card into a 6" X 9" envelope, and it's all ready except for the addressing and mailing!! I make sure to keep the thickness at less than 1/4" due to postal regulations. The 6" X 9" envelope is the largest that goes for the domestic first class 2 oz rate ($.71). I buy two sheets of stamps at the beginning of the year at the PO, so it cuts down on mailing and buying postage every month. So there is how I do it and keep it all nice and neat and ready to go for the year! I hope this helps some of the new folks with some ideas how they want to do their monthly mailings!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]568569[/ATTACH]

pinkflowers

Thank you, MizMelly! I have already put my sets of 50 in a ziplock sandwich bag, but I wasn't sure it was the best idea. I have some press n seal plastic wrap that I think I will try. The photos helped - thanks!

AnnieQuilts

pinkflowers, I'm new here too, and thought of press and seal. Then I read posts on other swaps where the people receiving them had some squares damaged by the stickiness.

Thanks MizMelly. The other swaps I've done only required 1 mailing to the hostess, where thickness wasn't important.

jaba

The press and seal does damage some of the squares if the fabric is prone to raveling. Not my favorite to receive and try to get unwrapped. Just my opinion ladies. Looking forward to swapping for the 3rd year, always fun and so many different fabrics. I've hardly ever received duplicates

LuciaLPL

I used regular Saran Wrap. That worked well and no damaging fabric.

MizMelly

Yep, I use regular saran wrap on my squares, it opens easily and doesn't fray the fabric edges.

zozee

In the swap this past year, I cut everything ahead of time, made my stacks of X number of swappers plus a few spares. Then I set them in an upsidedown very large lid of a boot box, and put them in a drawer. Kept cards, envelopes and stamps all together.

I didn't use any plastic wrap or any kind of wrap. (Didn't particularly enjoy unwrapping it either, sorry to say, because some pieces would fray.) When the names were sent out monthly, I'd sign the cards and address the envelopes. It's easier than writing when the card is full, obviously.

Then I just carefully laid open a card that fits the 6x9 envelope, made 6 rows of 8 --plus 2 extras to make 50--and spread them just enough to fill the envelope. (As mentioned before, you've got to keep the thickness less than 1/4" or else you'll pay "parcel" rate instead.)

And I'd mail all the month's cards at once so I wouldn't forget.

If you received my candies, can you let me know if my method was recipient-friendly? If not, what happened (so I'll know for next time)? I'm opting out this year in order to use what I've received, but can foresee rejoining next time.