how to swap

Welcome to the somewhat annual FS swap.  I started the Swap about 4 years ago when we were posted to Southeast Asia and I was somewhat bored out of my mind.  Swaps are very popular in the crafty blog community so I hoped it would work within the FS too.  So far so good, I think?  This is the 3rd FS swap, both previous times I have had 50-60 odd people around the world signup.

The way this swap works is - you leave a comment on the blog saying - your name, current location and email address.  Or you can email that info to kennedyas@yahoo.com  Feel free to include your blog address if you want.  People may sign up on or before January 26th.  On the 27th I will match everyone up and send you and your partner each others details.  I will do my very best not to match anyone in the same country.  Also - to join, you or your husband or wife type MUST actually be in the FS.  Like on your first tour at the very least.  And I cannot take special requests - unless someone asks to only swap with labrador mad people who spend every free moment sewing, knitting, cooking and reading design blogs....then your MY swap partner.

Once your matched up - you swap emails back and forth to get to know a little something about your partner and maybe about their current post.  This, by the way, is an EXCELLENT bidding tool.  You will then start getting together a fun little package of goodies to send them.  If you happen to be lucky enough to be at a pouch only post, no worries, you can cram a lot in a VHS tape sized box or envelope.  You just have to be creative and we all understand, really we do.  If you are concerned about cost - then go ahead and email your partner and agree upon a budget.  What if your in DC?  Well, DC is, in fact, a post.  Go head and sign up!  The deadline to mail your package is February 26th - a whole month.

You can make this kid centric if you want - "See, sweetie, everyone has our couch" or not.  If you learn your partner lets her 3 year old swig Coke while playing X box all day, then really think before you send her those Montessori handbooks....she probably isn't interested.  If your in DC and your pal in Harare has bemoaned the lack of pretty cupcake liners - there you go - an idea!  Just be creative, have fun and don't stress.

Please help spread the word - the more people, the better the swap turns out to be.  I will have a blog button to send out this evening, if anyone would like one just let me know.  Also, if you have questions, just send those along too.