Tote Your Stuff - International Players included

I'm in :) my first swap for 2007:) should we add a little "sugar and apice and everything nice" and send some little extras for our partner?

Already one member without any profile. Colleen, from current swap bad experiences it would be advisable to request that the new members fill out their profile and before the swaps starts, all emails be verified. I'm sure, as many others, I've got on the last 4 swaps partners who had no profile and who's email was fake.

I quote Farruska...cause of my lately rately bad experiences :\

Oh, yes !! feel free to add a little something nice inside your tote to your person. This of course is optional, but a very nice gesture ! Colleen

as hostess, I must INSIST that everyone fill out their profiles with current email and snail mail information. Please be kind, Karma can be a bad thing !!! What comes around goes around one thousand times over ! Colleen

Colleen, I believe people won't be very keen on having a public profile with their snail mails information on it, as it becomes available through the whole internet; I know I'm not. You as organizer have access to this information from all members. Furthermore, as one becomes our partner's snail mail address upon swap initial date, it is not a relevant information to pubicly display as even on swap "disputes" are handled through email ;)

I was thinking, maybe I was a bit rash to bring the subject right away and don't want to scare new members away, but I believe it's understandable, don't take me wrong :)

Happy swapping :D

Farruska oops, yes I agree, nix on the "Public" snail mail.!! what I meant was that I would like everyone to fill out all informatin in the profile area. I want everyone to feel comfortable with joining a swap that they believe they will enjoy. Colleen

I am SOOOOO excited, my first swap that I am hosting, and we made it to the "Top Swaps" list !! Thank you everyone so far that has joined. i know this will be a really great swap for everyone!

I love making bahs out of ald clothes etc so I'm definatly up for this one1 I'm new but I'm keen and already sell bags on ebay!

I meny BAGS by the way!

Oh dear my typing is awful! And I just accidentally dropped myself from the swap ooops!

dropping. too many swappers = bigger chance of ending up with a "Not Sent" partner .... swap-bot has come down to this. Apologize to those who have a clean 5.0 rating.

ATTENTION ALL !!! As the hostess of this swap, I believe that everyone that signs up has every intention to send off a tote bag to their person. Before the last date to send comes, if there is any reason that you will not be able to send your bag, please contact me, and together we will figure something out for your person. I want everyone to have a good swap, and I believe you all are good people ! Lets make this fun for everyone! Thanks, Colleen

Hi, Colleen! Carrie told me about this swap and it sounded like fun, so I'm jumping in! Good luck with it all. The above conversation is rather interesting; seems that even swap-bot has its bad eggs, despite its rating system to warn people of those who don't send. But I'm not worried!

Great idea for a swap.

Sharon

This sounds like a great swap - what a nice way to start the new year.

Hello all, Is there any preference to what type the handles should be on/for the tote?

And I'd like to use this time to wish everyone happy holidays. I'm going to be using this time to work on mine in a beautiful Scandinavian landscape.

Sylvia's Creation... I think the handle should be open to whatever you feel would go with the tote. There will be people knitting, crocheting, and sewing these bags, so each will be deserving of it's own unique handle. You can decide if it needs a handle of the same material as the bag itself, or if it needs a wood, or purchased plastic handle. I want to leave this very open so new people as well as seasoned tote makers feel comfortable joining in.
Colleen

Let the crafting and swapping begin !! Please feel free to download photos of your tote bags here. I think it would be wonderful to see what people send and receive ! Thank you everyone for playing, and I hope we all have fun ! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Colleen Fingers, Inc.

ctolzman@hickorytech.net

Can i mail my partner to find out what her preferences are? or should it be a surprise?

Mayki and all other "Newbies"
Good Question !
If you go to the top of the box above the information on the swap, there is a note that says: as a member of this swap you can: * see the partners you send to. If you click on that you will get your partner's name, address and email. or: *view complete list of swap participants If you click on the partner's name you can go to their "profile". It should have their information so you can make their tote bag something they are sure to like!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. and we can work things out for you. Thanks, Colleen ctolzman@hickorytech.net

I finished my tote bag today and it will to in the mail on Monday for my partner in Australia. I have posted a couple of pictures of the tote bag. I hope it is still a surprise by saying what country it is going to. thanks Pam

I whiped mine up today - and I must say I love it!! - I hope my partner will too, I almost want to keep it myself. I will probably list a photo on my blog in the next few days but it will be in the post today as it has a way to travel from Australia. Melly.

Just mailed mine out today, I hope they like it :)

It is on the way now and I hope it will be there in time. and of coursae I hope that my swap partner would like it. Looking forward to seeing mine soon ;-))

I sent mine this monday... my first swap! ... and even though I am excited to see mine - well, I am almost much more curious to hear what my partner thinks of it!

• oh, and please upload pictures of the bags as they arrive, if you have the possibility! Yes, very curious to see what everybody came up with... :-)

Mine's all finished and on it's way tomorrow. If anyone is curious, the pic is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewzel/348811447/

Margarita your tote bag is on it's way . I took it to work to show off, and almost did not get to take it back home. There were a number of ladies that wanted me to give it to them ! Picture is in gallery slide show.

I just wanted to tell, how great I think this is. And I haven't even had my tote yet. I have learnt quite som things about the internet and craft-sharing by finding swap-bot! I have spent hours the last week surfing around on peoples inspiring blogs,webpages, shops and forums, taking off from the links people have posted in their swap-bot profiles, ending up in funny corners of the net, I'd never thought would exist - and I have seen so many great things!!! Weird things, too... but original, inspiring and cool stuff mainly!!! And - to expand my cyberworld, I just created a flickr-account. Wow, didn't even know that existed until ten days ago. :-)

Just mailed a tote to Sarah in Tuscon, AZ! I hope you like it, it's the first tote I've ever made from clothing and I think I like it! Cyn

I just added a picture of the tote I made on the Gallery :)

Oh crap I forgot to put my name as sender and instead put my partners name, LOL oh well...

Please remember to upload pics of the bags as you get them if possible--Sarah, I forgot to even take a picture of yours, I was in such a rush to mail it! Cyn

I have finished and sent my bag. I will like anything but I do love Kaffe Fassett geometric pattern or floral fabrics, especially the pastel lotus leaves, blue kimono roses, cobalt paperweight and moss green roman glass lines, and I have been meaning to take a crack at an Amy Butler Covington or in twon bag pattern for ages.

Stacey - The tote is amazing. I'm speechless. I hung it in my kitchen so I can look at it all day. Thank you!

Dear fingers inc./coleen....

What a sexy tote bag! I love it!

Shelly W.

Have you recieved my tote yet? I hope you adore it and the matching earings. I am curious to hear your reaction. Let me know!

^thepinkkitchen, I'm so gald you like it :)

Carrie M. - Have you received your tote yet? It was posted about a week ago and that is the usual time for mail to get to the USA from Down under. SO curious to hear your thoughts. I was going to upload a photo but want to save the surprise =)

LeighAnn Sent me the SWEETEST bag and an AWESOME book for my son and a crazy awesome vintage patterns for children knitting book! I cant find her name o n the list! AACK! THANK YOU LEIGH ANN!!!!!

Chrissie, your bag is on its way from the middle of the US. They said it would take 6 to 10 days to reach you.

If you want to take a peak, I uploaded two images (outside and in). But maybe you don't want to spoil the surprise. (although I'll let you know I didn't have anything Kaffee Fasset-like, so I went more with the floral motif, of which I had some very nice sturdy fabric, perfect for a tote, I think)

Sharon

Yippee! I'm so glad you liked it, Rachel. (Sorry I forgot to put my pink kitchen tag on it. Oops.) Leigh Ann

Melly, I got your bag several days ago but had to wait until I had time to write and upload pictures of your wonderful tote!!!! Thanks so much, I absolutely LOVE it! I love the fabrics, esp. the one with goldfish, and the one at the top with different-colored circles, and the nice magnet clasp, and the pocket, oooh it's just too cool! Thanks so much, this is the best swap I've been in yet! I put up pics of it so everyone can see it. :) Carrie

hanjiwest your bag was sent off this morning priority mail. So you should receive by the end of next week Im hoping. I have uploaded a pic and I really hope you like it. :)

I really am glad that you like the tote Carrie - I loved it after I had made it and thought you probably would from looking at your blog. Enjoy! Melly :)

Vicki sent me 2 tote bags ! both pieced look like mini quilts ! I love the burgundy one with buttons and inside pockets! The blue one is larger for when I have lots of stuff to bring with me LOL! I will be uploading photos. Please check them out. thank you to everyone who has sent, and glad to hear the happy comments ! Hugs to all. Colleen

Hi, I took pictures of my bag before I sent it, I am new to this I keep reading about all the bags that are posted, where are they?? I would love to see them:) thanks!

Coffeequeen and all newbies At the top of the "grey" box that starts with "Tote Your Stuff..." on the next line is an underlined part that says "Launch Gallery Slideshow". Click on that and another ( very small!!) box opens up. Open the box larger, and you will be able to see the photos, one at a time, and click on "next" to see the next one, etc. It took me a bit to realize what to do, so don't feel bad ! Thanks for asking so I can clarify for everyone. Colleen

MsMartiP: your bag is going out on Tuesday the 16th as the 15th is a holiday and I believe the post offices are closed. Keep your eyes open for it. I hope you will enjoy using the bag.

mayki76, beautiful job on the tote! So cute!

NotYetTheDodo, your tote will be sent tomorrow. I had planned on heading to the post office to send it today but it is a holiday and it is closed. I will mail it before I head to work tomorrow morning. Enjoy!

Sissie, your bag is also going in the mail on Tuesday. I hope it will reach you quickly. And yes it is a shade of red :) I hope you'll like it.

FLouncyPenguin! I totally forgot today was a holiday...EGAD> Please look for your tote in the mail by Thursday! And no hold it against me okay? MAHALO

My bag will go in the mail Wed. Maybe tomorrow, but I feel safer saying Wed.

Necia

Minty, your bag went in the mail today, but I used an automated machine at the post office to send it, so it won't actually go out until tomorrow (since it's a holiday here in the states). Hope you like it when it reaches you :)

Little Dragon.... did you get yours yet??? let me know if you love it.... I liked it but I wasnt too inspired to sew that week... :( but now i am... i just needed to get back into motion.... sarah..

Rachel, thanks you so much for the note! I am excited to get your creation! YESSSSSSS!

Craftsty,

I went to post a picture of my bag, only to realize that you had already posted a picture. Thanks so much. The bag arrived safely and was lovely wrapped up with a card. This swap has been one of the best I have participated in so far. Thanks Again!

Craftsty,

Oh, I meant lovingly....not lovely, although my bag is lovely..

Im so glad you liked it hanjiwest :)

Hi Mandy,

I received my tote today and I love it. Thank you very much

Sherrin

i got my bag today... i like it a whole bunch... i have to take a pic or 2 still.... its reversible which makes it twice as nice.... will post later today...

thanks!!!!

Minty, Your bag went in the mail late, because I had problems with money (my school was late giving me my financial aid). To make up for it I put some extra goodies in the bag, so I hope you like everything! Again, sorry for it being late.

• Indy

Danielle, I love my tote thanks so much! 1st time tote? You did a wonderful job!

Geri

Hi Anthea I sent your tote bag out on Jan. 2nd. I have tried to email you to see if it has arrived in Australia, but my emails are returned. Please let me know if you have received your tote bag.

Thanks Pam

If you received my name will you please let me know.I've noticed there are several "not sent" as well as some with low ratings.So it would be nice to know if I'm going to get one or not.

Thanks

Joyce

Megan- I hope you got your tote...i am forever lame for sending it so late. new mom blahs. enjoy and see you all next swap!

I haven't got my tote and i would love to know if it is on the way...

Hej Necia -

glad you like it! I really enjoyed making it!

• and since I now know, you got it, I'll post a picture here on the page!

hanjiwest, I received the bag and it's gorgeous! It's so huge, all my school stuff will fit inside of it. Kudos to your amazing skills-it looks professionally made. And thank you for the little bag it you included :) I'll upload pictures once I get my camera back from my mom, cause it looks amazing and I want everyone else to see it!

(How'd you know I was a hippy at heart)

Kate aka (sewpatchwork). Sent your package across the pond last week via priority mail. Hope you received it.

uhoh i am skerred did you get it? is it hideous so bad you cant talk about it? egad

Danielle F. I so happy that you love the tote, I really enjoyed making it (i want to make one for myself too). DO you have any idea of when i should be getting mine (I'm spent... ;-))

Oh,I almost forgit. Thank you for the evaluation!

Kayt I sent an email, that got returned, you have not changed the notice that says you"sent" your bag, please contact myself, or your partner to let us know your bag is on its way. Thanks. Colleen and Stacey

Jamie thanks so much! Got my tote bag today, just love it. it is a beachy theme.... so cute.

Hi

I'm still waiting with impatience for my tote.

I haven't received anything and would love to know if my tote has been sent.

Love, Malene

hi, i am unfortunately still marked as not sent, i have contacted my partner and also the swap coordinator letting them know of my situation, it will be on its way soon, sewing machine is down and last several weeks have had sick children and several trips to the emergency room. i will post in the forum when it has been sent:) thanks for understanding

ooh i am also in the same boat ...waiting for my tote as well but am in contact with my partner and its a no worries situation, sometimes life happens:)

Do our partners have to rate us or can they choose not too? I know my partner got it (we used the contact thing), but didnt rate me.... is this normal? I have a good rating so for now it doesnt matter, I was just wondering???

My partner Kayt has not sent me anything and I am sad. I sent my partner something. This is the third swap that I have not had anything in return. So sad people are takers and not givers!

ATTENTION ALL !! If you have NOT received a tote bag, please contact me, and I will see what I can do do contact your partner. If your partner has contacted you, and you believe he/she will be sending you something, please have patience. But if you HAVE NOT heard from your partner, again, please contact me. As the swap hostess, I want to know, and I want you to get a tote bag. Hugs ! Colleen ctolzman@hickorytech.net

Minty has emailed to say she mailed it off from Finland and that if I didn't get it soon, she would send another. I have not received it yet. She mailed it off on January 16th. I mailed mine off to MsMartiP on Jan. 16th and I have sent many emails to her to ask whether she received it. No responses at all. It is so unfair to go out of your way for a swap and they don't even have the decency to respond to emails just to say it arrived. It's not that hard to email someone to say that it arrived.

I have still not received mine.I sent my tote bag off and my partner didn't receive hers yet.I did send it off during the horrible snow storm.I plan to make another and send to her on monday.Perhaps if you let your partner you haven't received anything yet they will replace it..

As for missmartip she is not answering emails from me either.

Still no tote bag for me either, missmartip was my partner. Blah!

I'm happy to make another bag for someone, if they wanna make one for me. Funkychicken, msg me your address, and I'll build you a tote this weekend!

i have yet to get my tote. I was told it went out 1/16/07 but I have yet to receive it.

I feel as if i'm a rookie to this swap-bot thing, but I'm not the only one who thought that the partner we got coupled with, is actually the one who is supposed to send us in return a tote. (Sorry Danielle for bugging you with my question ;-))

the ones who did not send theirs should grow up and meet up the pomises they've made. Have a good weekend

ATTENTION any one that did not get a tote bag from their partner... It is a quite clear that there are like 5 people who did not get a tote bag. I already have a tote bag in a package ready to go out to Shelly who had "Kayt" skip out on her. If you did not get a tote bag, please contact me. If you DID get a tote bag, but would be willing to make one for another person, please contact me also !! I'd love to partner up "angels" who would like to get extra Karma points and make another tote for someone. Thanks !! ctolzman@hickorytech.net

Fingers Inc. I feel like making an other tote. When would you like me to send it and to whom?

Just a note, I did not receive a tote yet. I am going to contact my swap buddy before leaving feedback. But this is just for general feedback, I don´t need another tote, i got enough already ;)

Just wanted to let you know I haven't received my tote yet, but it says it was sent. Just in case it was sent a while back, I wanted my swap buddy to know.

i still haven't received my tote. She says she mailed off a second tote after the first one wasn't received, so I still wait for my tote to arrive.....

I received mine today from Margaritta and it is beautiful!! Well worth the wait!! If you want to see it I uploaded it to the gallery! Thanks Margaritta :D

I did not receive any tote yet either, but my partner says it was sent mid january - so waiting is the word.

Dear Colleen, thank you ever so much for the lovely Tote. i've just got it with the post. Your choice of colour is fantastic. I love blue. thank you again.

MKIA...I never heard anything about whether the tote I ent arrived...hope it did...and hope you liked it. I put a lot of work into the package.