Traveling Treasures Round Robin - US Only

wow, this swap sounds amazing! looking forward to it.

This sounds like so much fun, I can't wait!

This swap sounds like the most fun ever- it will be exciting to see what is in the box and what others find interesting enough to keep. Looking forward to the start of it.The journal is a great idea too.

The TTRR box is on its way to wildncrazy091972 in CA! Ragina, please post here when you receive it!

It occurred to me that you might like to see the box's sending order, so here it is:

Ragina
Kristin J. Timanna Julia Robin Terry-Jo Sarah DeAnne JoLyn Kristin M. Chy Jenn Susan Natalie Marion Jessica Barbara

I know it seems like a long wait for those at the end, but you'll be picking from items contributed by people from across the country. Focus on the positive! :)

Thanks! It's nice to see the path of our box! I'll try to be patient!! :D

Fun fun fun! Can't wait to see the goodies! Can some of you take pictures so we can see how the package changes throughout its travels?

Keep on swapping! Chy

Is that picture of the box on this swap description? Oh I am so excited! I LOVE surprises! Warmly, Chy

Yes, that's a photo of the box up top. That's a good idea to ask people to take pics of the box throughout its journey. Plus, when you read through the journal, you'll be able to see what people have taken and left behind. That's fun too.

I got an email from Ragina yesterday that she thinks the box is waiting for her at the PO. She'll know for sure on Tuesday.

I recieved the box yesterday and I will gt it out to the next person tomorrow or Friday. I wll post when I send it out. Ragina

Can I just say again how excited I am? I will definitely post photos and let you all know when I get the box.

I'm excited too! And lucky you, you're 3rd on the list Timanna!

Woot I'm 2nd on the list! I can't wait til it get here! XD

I sent the box today to Kristin J.

I got the box today! I can't wait to go through it! =)

Oh, that was nice and fast! Thanks for letting us know it got there!

Okay, I finished up my journal page and will be sending it on to Timanna today or tomorrow! =)

Okay the TTRR box is now out of my hands =)

Please post pictures, Gals so those of us further down the list can see what's happening. :-) I wonder what the chances are that there will be anything from the original box left when it gets back to Ragina. :-)

I'm next on the list! Think I will start stalking the post office, OK, it is just on the way to Timanna now but my postal clerk knows me and understands that I stalk the post office when I am expecting an exciting package.

Actually, it will ultimately come back to me, not Ragina, and I am also curious to see if anything I put in there to start the box off will still be there. If there is, I guess I'll know not to include it for TTRR #2! ha ha!

Hi! I got the box today. I plan on taking photos and posting them on flickr. So much stuff, I'm a little overwhelmed! So, I have until Thursday with the box? Or Friday? Apparently counting is hard for me :) I just want to see how much time I have to catalog and add to the journal and decide, etc., etc. It's so fun!

I have a slow connection right now, but I took photos and I'll post them as soon as I get home or to a better connection. Hope you're having a good tuesday!

Thanks for letting us know you've got the box! Today is Tuesday, so you have till Thursday with the box. Have fun!

Ok, I will send it off Thursday. Here's the link for the photos I took: http://www.flickr.com/photos/timanna/sets/72157600166991587/

Here's the photo I took the first evening I had the box; I used my brother's camera and he didn't upload the pic until now

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinystarsticker/481162770/in/photostream

I must be doing something wrong - when I paste those addresses into my address bar, it tells me there is no such page. Maybe we could make these tinyurls? www.tinyurl.com

here's the tinyurl http://tinyurl.com/2j7sv5

I sent off the box, sorry I forgot to post.

Oh, those photos are great you guys! Thanks for letting us know the box is back on its journey, timanna! Hopefully Julia will get it quickly!

Guess I had best go stalk my postal clerks. I will let everyone know when it arrives.

Hi guys! One more thing: I took one thing out of the box that I didn't really want, but it took up a lot of space, so I took it out. It's a fabric scrap, actually pretty large, and whoever wants it I will send it to them. Sorry if this messes things up, I was anxious to get the box ready and on its way. Also, I was planning on putting a box of tea in the box that didn't fit and I will send that to anyone who wants it that's in this swap as well. I posted pictures of these two things at the same link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/timanna/sets/72157600166991587/

they're the 2 most recent photos. contact me if you want this stuff or if I'm out of order doing this. hope everyone is having a good day!

That fabric is fantastic.... I would love it if you really wont use it for something! let me know....

The box arrived! I picked it up from the post office this morning on my way to work but didn't get a chance to look at it till I went out at lunch. It is so fantastic! I plan to get it back out Thurs. or Fri. at the latest.

Timanna, that's really nice of you to make room in the box and offer to send those things to whomever wants them - and let me say I'd love the tea!

Julia - thanks for letting us know you've got the box!

I just remembered that I posted about that stuff, glad I checked back! No problem about sending the stuff off, simply sarah and ArtsyKira, just pm me your addresses and I'll send the stuff off. hope everyone's having a good day.

Hi, just to let you know the box is on its way. It was ready to mail Fri. however I got called in to work on an emergency so didn't get to the post office. One glitch, the box needed changing and neither my home post office nor my post office close to work had the correct size priority box. Both would order for me but I didn't want to wait to mail the package. I put everything in a shoe box and sent it on but Robin, you will need to get a new box. Sorry, Julia

No problem! Thanks for letting me know -- I'll check my nearby post office today or tomorrow. I'm excited! Will update everybody soon.

Ohhhh, it's getting closer!! I can hardly wait! :D

The box got to me safely! It's awesome! Will let y'all know when I ship it back out.

Ok, the box is heading to Terry-Jo tomorrow! I put everything in a Priority Mail flat rate box -- I think it was the right size, but man, repacking that box was like playing Tetris! And it's nearly bulging -- I had to sit on the box to tape it up. :) Have fun!

Oooh... one last thing: There are some extra colorful fabric scraps that didn't fit in the box. I'd be happy to mail them to the first person to PM me!

Thanks everyone for being so good about keeping the box for the allotted time and being so generous as to offer to ship separately the things that don't fit. Maybe we need to do a larger box next time? :)

Hello again! Surprisingly, haven't received any PMs about the fabric that didn't fit in the box. I'd be happy to send it to the first person to PM me! :)

If no one else claims them, I'll take them and then put them in the box for the 2nd round. Thanks!

Hi baysingsing, Did you happen to take and or post any pictures? I love that you guys are posting and telling us what you think about the box and its contents. Thanks also for the Flickr photos. Warmly, Chy

Hi Chy, et al -- No, I didn't take pictures. Boo me. I was just too damn excited, I suppose -- I need to get much better about taking pictures of all my swaps. Hopefully Terry-Jo will take pictures when she receives the box!

Terry-Jo should have received the box by now, for sure! (I mailed it on Friday the 18th.) Hopefully she'll check in soon!

Did you guys get the fabric and tea I sent separately? Just checking. This was a really fun swap, can't wait til the next one.

Timanna, yes I got the tea last week. I'm sorry, I should have posted here. It looks delish! Thanks again!

I'll send Terry-Jo an email and try to get an update on the box.

Awesome, no worries, I was just wondering. I'm wondering something else, when will you do another of these? It was too fun.

Hey guys - Sorrry I forgot to post. I received the box on Wednesday 5/23. It was soooooo Fun.... I mailed to Sarah on Saturday 5/26. Sorry for the delay... Kid soccer tournaments and out of town concert with the scottish Pipe Band for my son. I'm pooped. But I did mail it before i left town!!! :) Terry-Jo

As soon as this box returns home, I will begin another one. I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this swap so much!

It's getting closer!! I'm going to be stalking Kenny, my mailman! lol!!

I heard from Sarah that she's been traveling. She's on her way home, so hopefully the box will be waiting for her when she arrives!

hey all! I went home last night and found the box was indeed there. I took some great stuff out but added as much stuff as I could fit in. Its off to the post office today, to be sent out to ddmaree..... enjoy!

Thanks simply sarah! It's nice to know how close it is!! Where are we posting pics...just to our flickr? Thanks! :D

Oh, Oh, oh, I can almost feel it making its way here.....

Are there any more photos?

Glad I checked in today, I was wondering if I would ever see the box. I've been flaked on so much lately I wasn't sure anymore. Though I don't think I have to worry about this group as everyone is so excited to receive and send on. Only "5" more before me!!!! Yippee!!!

Still waiting on the postal service!! ARGH! I can be so impatient. I was so hoping that it would come with today's mail but no such luck.

Maybe today will be THE day!! :D

So much for "Priority" shipping! 7 days and no box in sight? Sometimes our postal service bums me out!

Still no box today! :(

I'm going to have ddmaree wait till next Friday. If the box hasn't shown up yet (sniffle, sniffle, sob), I will put together another one and send it out to her and we'll just keep going down the list from there, as if nothing happened. But let's hope the USPS gets its act together and delivers that box! Everyone think positive thoughts!

I am thinking the postal service is in a real funk since the rate increase. There were more than rate changes, like parcel size changes, etc. I am sending stuff that used to take 4-5 days and now it is taking 8-10. This is only a few states away! Even letters are slower. Parcel post should be changed to "tortoise post", but man when the difference is $4-$6.00 I just can't pay Priority on all my swaps.
I had a box ready to go out and the cost was like $8.00 to ship. It wasn't that heavy, so I dion't know what the deal was. I changed the packaging to a padded envelope and the price was cut in half. Same weight, same stuff, different package. WEIRD! Obviously, this swap is different, we have the Flat Rate Priority Box. What did that cost increase to?

I'm afraid it did - from $8.10 to $8.95. I'm sorry to those who are at the end of the list and have to pay more. I just hope this box either gets to ddmaree or is returned to sender. Keep your fingers crossed! I'd hate to lose the fun notebook my mom decorated for us to all write in.

I was also thinking that from the beginning I probably should have required Delivery Confirmation. If people are willing for the rest of this swap, I think it would be a good idea.

FYI - I just shipped a priority mail flat rate box for another swap. I did click-n-ship on USPS.com and delivery confirmation was free. Coolio! So, please let's all do d.c. from this point forward.

I really love how easy it is to use www.usps.com with click-n-ship! Plus free delivery confirmation...what a deal!! :D

Okay, well, no sign of the box means that tomorrow I ship box #2 to ddmaree. We all need to use delivery confirmation now so this doesn't happen again. I am so bummed, but box #1 should get back to me eventually if my return address remained on the box.

Okay, the box is on its way and a recap of the order:

DeAnne, JoLyn, Kristin, Chy, Jenn, Susan, Natalie, Marion, Jessica, Barb, Kira

The TTB arrived today!! :D Thank you so much to ArtsyKira for sending a replacement! It's so much fun looking through and trying to decide what I'll add. I will post pics and have it ready to resume it's journey on Monday. I'll post the DC info, too! Have a great weekend everyone!! :D

The TTRR Box is on it's way to JoLyn!! Here's the DC: 0103 8555 7490 7069 2737. It shouldn't take too long to get to Utah from here...except that it has to go west to go east!! Go figure!! :D

I also did the SCAN so that it should have tracking on it in addition to the DC.

PS: With the DC you can also sign up to have email updates sent to you.

Thanks DeAnne! I'm so glad it's back in transit after such a long wait! :)

Ack!!! Looks like the package may come to me while I am out of town. If it turns out to be the case I apologize and will get it back out asap when I get back.

I finally had some time to upload some photos...TTRR Box:
http://flickr.com/photos/89916330@N00/743995239/

Just want to update that the package has been delivered per USPS:

Your item was delivered at 1:43 PM on July 5, 2007 in CEDAR CITY, UT 84720.

I just emailed JoLynn, as she has the box now, according to USPS D.C. Let's hope we hear from her soon. Kristin, perhaps it should go to Chy next and then you since you'll be out of town?

Well I am back from vactation. Guess the box is moving slower that I anticipated. :) That is fine...I am ready for it now.

I am extremely disappointed to say that I have heard nothing from Jolynn (medievalmayden). She hasn't responded to my email. I'm also very concerned that her last two ratings were a 1 and a 3 (because it was late). If another box goes AWOL I think I'm done with Swap-bot forever after this.

I will continue to email her, but she's had it for 13 days now. That can't be good. Let's all hope she's just on vacation or something and will return soon to say that the box is on its way to Kristin.

If she's still MIA next Friday, I will put together box #3 and send it to Kristin myself. I'm so sorry to those of you at the end of the list who have been waiting and waiting! Ugh!

DeAnne has generously offered to send out the third box. Thank you DeAnne!

Instead of including pre-printed labels for each recipient in the box, please contact me for the next person's mailing info when you're ready to ship. That way I can contact them and make sure they are actually ready for the box.

Everyone keep your fingers crossed this one makes it all the way!

The box is nearly ready to go!! I will send it today and post the dc numbers!! Hopefully, it will arrive safely at Kristin's in just a few days. :D

The third box is on it's way. I didn't get to the PO yesterday but I used 'Click n Ship' online and personally handed the box to Kenny-my-super-nice-mailman this morning. I used there SCAN system, too, so it will provide tracking info. should the darn box go astray between Oregon and Texas!!

DC is 0103 8555 7490 8135 8059

Hopefully we'll be back on track!! :D

Thank you so much DeAnne! Kristin, I'll contact Chy and make sure she's going to be ready for the box next.

I got the box today...yay! I have already been thru it and taken pictures and will have back out in the next day or so.

Ok, the box is on its way to Chy. DC # is 03062400000321810242

I got the box! Thank you. What a fun swap. I am gathering goodies to put in it. Warmly, Chy

Woohoo, it's getting closer! Sorry that it has had to be replaced twice already.

I'm afraid FunToScrap has not yet sent the box out. She promises to do it tomorrow. It's going to Jenn next. Susan is after Jenn and has confirmed that she's ready for the box, so hopefully we can get this moving again. Ugh!

The box was picked up by my postal carriers today. I don't have a dc number yet as she is dropping the forms off to me tomorrow. Thanks a bunch!!! :-)

I got the box!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting! I just need a couple of addresses -- one for the return address and one for Susan, the next lucky swapper.

The box is leaving today for Susan. Hope you enjoy!

jenn

I just wanted to post a friendly reminder that this box is to be filled with craft supplies/goodies. Please only put things in the box that you would want to receive.

When I did the box for the second time (stolen by one of our participants, unfortunately), this is what was included: 1 handmade (by me) faerie, 2 craft butterflies, 3 starfish, Some random stickers, 4 Chinese New Year envelopes, cancelled foreign postage, 1 pewter/ribbon bookmark, 1 faerie teddy bear, 6 blank greeting card envelopes, some tea, 3 acid-free mats, 1 Fiskars papercutter, five 2�x2� ceramic tiles, 1 baggie of Rhode Island seaglass, 1 baggie of assorted buttons, 1 roll of yellow ribbon, some random papers, 6 sheets of HP glossy photo paper, a string of fake ivy, 1 altered Altoid Tin, 6 manila tags, some eyelets & brads.

These were all items that I thought people could either be inspired by or actually use in a crafty project.

So please keep this in mind when it's your turn to fill the box.

Thank you!

Oops! Did I not replace the items I took with the right things? I left 6 (I think) large clear marbles which are great for magnet making, a baggie of punched circles and scalloped circles from vintage math and science books and from paint samples which are great for collaging, a small baggie of various glass beads, wood shapes, and earring findings. Surely these qualify for craft supples/goodies. Hope Susan found something she liked.

jenn

I received the box today, WOW what a great selection of items. I was so excited to go thru everything and pick out a few items I can use. It was like an early Christmas!!! I would like to scan it again and do my replacements. I will get it into the mail in a few days.... Thanks Natalie

Jenn - your items sound great! I had just heard that there were some non-crafty items in there, so I posted a friendly reminder. Sounds like Natalie loved everything in the box!

The box is on it's way to Marion. What fun!!! DC# 0305 2710 0001 3840 8309 Thanks

I received the box of goodies today (Sat. Sept 29) I will go thru it and have it in the mail by Tuesday (oct 2) But there wasn't any label to send it on and it had AeroChik return address on it. Who do I send it to?????

Here is the confirmation #0306 1070 0002 6904 6068 It went out first thing today, the 3rd of October

I received the wonderful box today, but with no note in it identifying the swap ( figured it out by the delivery confo #). Is there supposed to be a list in the box of who gets it next, or do we just post her and host lets us know? If i know who to send it out to, i will do it tomorrow.

Actually, the box isn't so wonderful. I'm sad that people send such crap - a lot of dollar store junk, some candy tins, soda caps, and matchboxes to cover, yarn that's so knotted up it's unusable, etc. There's very little in the box that anyone would want other than the non-craft stuff. I have a lot of craft stuff myself that I will probably never use, so I'm taking out at least some of the junk and replacing it. I hope others wil do the same. If you get junk in the box, there's no incentive to put good stuff in, it makes you feel cheated. Come on people! Share your GOOD stuff, not just your cast-offs!

This is the end of the Traveling Treasures Round Robin Swap. Lunaria is now sending the box back to me. Obviously, as the host, this experience has had some disappointments - like two boxes going MIA. And certainly the complaints here at the end that the box is no longer filled with crafty items is a shame as well.

However, I want to thank those of you who did participate as agreed, especially those who actually sent the box on within three days of receiving it. I'd also like to give extra thanks to ddmaree - now dandylion - for putting together the third and final box.

I know I had originally said I would be doing another TTRR, but I need some time off from this. If someone else decides to host it, my advice is this: allow only a much smaller group of people, maybe 6 or 8 (we had 18 for this - way too big); require delivery confirmation from the beginning - maybe even a signature upon delivery; and don't include labels in the box. Have each each person contact you when they're ready to send it on so that you have confirmed with the next recipient that they are ready to get it. It's more work in the short run, but prevents a box from disappearing.

I think that's all I have to say. Thanks again everyone!

Kira

I forgot to say that if anyone wishes to rate their "partner" just contact me and I'll let you know if they fulfilled their swap obligations. Thanks! Kira

Thanks Kira! It was a great idea even if there were some pitfalls along the way. :D

Thanks for hosting the swap, Kira <3 After having done this swap, I joined two other RR swaps. However, unlike this one, I was middle and next to last in those swaps. It seems no matter how good the box starts out, by the end the quality deterioates. In fact, I often felt bad for the swap host (to whom the box always returns) and tried my best to put "higher dollar value" items in (even if I found it hard to take anything out myself). Boxes with no accountability (no way to know what goes in and out) are even worse (and if people are asked to keep track, those that don't almost always take more than they put in). I hope you aren't discouraged from this experience; you were a WONDERFUL host! =) I'm only sorry I didn't get to the box first XD

Yes, thank you, Kira, for being so patient!