Me, too. Ideas. I am having a hard time choosing just three.

I've already bought one thing and have a pretty good idea of what the other two things will be.

Nancy

Pam, we all have that problem. LOL!

Ann

You gals are so on the ball! I've done some "research" on my swap partner, but I haven't bought anything. I have a few ideas, but nothing firmly chosen yet. Maybe I'm just not being creative enough yet! :)

Bri

I worked on my boat and golfed and fished all weekend but I'll get on the ball in a few days. I don't have a clue so far, so I'm right on course.

I did a forum search on my partner over the weekend like I always do....I'm in the nervous, anxious...what the heck am I going to do mode..LOL! You would think I would be more calm after all of the past swaps....not!

I still love the challenge and the swaps...stress and all...lolololol!

David

Same here, David. After over a half-dozen swaps you'd think this would be a piece of cake! But it is just as challenging as the very first time!

I have a few ideas, and am hoping to find time to make one of my items. We'll see.

Linda

David, I'm so with ya! I have everything printed out so I can very carefully purchase...Linda, I too agree with you, it's always a challenge no matter what name you end up with.

I really am excited with the person I ended up with. It's funny that you think you know everyone and then you end up with a person that you think you know and then you go blank... It's so much fun.

I'm working overtime to find out info.

Thank you Ann for all that you do.

I have an idea of what I want, but won't be able to shop until I can deliver DH to the hospital to get his broken leg fixed. I'm sort of hoping they keep him for a few days.......hehehe.

katie: just go ahead and break the other leg hee hee

thanks Ann, I was stuck on 'pottery' since I live in the land of strip malls, and glass was too narrow!

Yup, and it's hard for us mega-metro residents to find one-of-a-kind items. I'm thinking of alternative ideas though, and I want to get this shopping done soon!

Maybe people in the boonies should be paired with urbanites. Almost anything I can get in the kitchen stores or whatever can be had anywhere. Still, I know there are some unique places out there and I am hunting them down.

I'll be back in center city Philadelphia for yet another luncheon next week. There's a great store that sells work by local artists, so I may try there.

Well, to keep it real, mass-produced items can be downright desirable too. So all y'all don't worry. (Says the pot to the kettle, LOL!!!)

Pam, you are so right. I live in an area....let's call it Northern Michigan boonies...where I can find unique, artsy stuff but forget about mass produced. And I agree with Gina on some of that being very desirable too.

I just need to figure out my partners 'style'.

Nancy

Well.......I don't want to brag.........but..........

I bought two more items today so I'm finished. This is a first for me.

Ann

Good Job Ann.

I've been driving by a pottery shop near me..but he's not been open lately..it's always hit and miss anyway..but I've been dying to stop in and take a peek......

I have two down today! (well, one I am making so it is almost ready!) I know what I want for the third, just have to get my rear in gear!

This is always fun.

Well you got me by a day or so Ann. I got my main item yesterday. I'm waiting on one item that I ordered on the net to arrive. This is a first for me too. Now to get it packed up and shipped....and to stop second guessing myself..lol!

Thanks for your help last week. : )

David

I haven't started yet but I've been thinking about it lots! Hope to nail it all this week.

Here we go....one for swap buddy, one for me, one for swap buddy...one for me! LOL

I might be able to get done by tomorrow, then ship on Wed. I don't want to be a laggard this time!

I found the most unique pottery item at the craft show I did last weekend-- turned out we have a local potter I never knew about-- she only usually goes to the BIG craft dos but her husband's having some health issues so is sticking close to home this holiday season-- perfect timing !

The second category is being "filled" by a friend & I'm at a lost for the third--I so wanted to do a themed threesome this time but it just ain't gonna work . Oh well , I'm having fun !!

I'm having fun too! Except I haven't purchased a thing!

I am on the right track...just need that extra post to the CF...

Oh my gosh, the 21st is closer than I thought. I better get crackin'.

Well, I think I have at least one item down. I am drawing a complete blank for the others, tho. I think I'll just have to start wandering around the shops until something juumps in my basket!

Linda

I went to the mall today to the Williams Sonoma store. My wife took me over there a few years ago and they have some pretty neat stuff. Bad idea. There were a million people driving like Johnny Quest and occupying way too much space. I got the heebie jeebies and left after walking around for about 5 minutes. I'm going to Plan B this weekend.

LOL Jim...Plan B...

I have one down and two to go. Tomorrow I am going to be in downtown Philadelphia for a work-related luncheon (my fourth in a month -- enough with the round table for ten and rubber chicken meals). The hotel is right by the Reading Terminal Market, so I will definitely be cruising through there for swap items -- and goodies for me!

I'm at the CIA in Hyde Park this Saturday, and will be cruising their gift store for swap items!

AM

Well, I found 3 items, but they look so, so, small...

I know, I know, no cheating!

One down, two to go!

eeek two items mail ordered and praying they get here in time to turn around

Gina, I am feeling the same way. I have two items, but they aren't very big. Maybe my theme will be Good Things Come In Small Packages??

Item #3 will have to be something big!

Small is good.......

Done! I'm feeling a bit shaky on what I got but too me it just seemed right for my swap buddy...so it must be right?

Now on a mission for a box....and lots of bubble wrap!

Whoo Hoo! 2 down 1 to go!

I think I'm done, but it's so hard to know what to get for someone I've never met!! I have a week to change my mind I guess! :)

Bri

I would have been done a week ago if I didn't keep second guessing myself. I plan on going with my instincts this weekend and finishing my shopping! I agree with everyone else... good things come in small packages! Size isn't important, it's the thought that counts the most!

Shelley

Poke me with a fork -- I'm done! I went shopping after work and found what I think is a very good item. At least I hope so. Well, maybe I should have gotten the other one...

Anyway, I got home to find item #3 waiting on the doorstep since I had ordered it on the web.

So now onto packing and mailing and trying VERY hard not to cheat.

I still have two to go, but I plan to take care of that this week-end. I already have the major item. I should have checked my schedule before this swap because I just realized that I will be out of town from Monday November 24 through Tuesday December 2nd. Anything sent to me via mail will not be a problem because I will have the post office hold everything until I return. I'll have to have Ann tell my partner not to ship to me via UPS after Monday. If it's shipping via UPS on Monday, I'll get it on Saturday before I leave, but otherwise, it might get left on my doorstep for 10 days, and there's a slight chance it would rain. I wish my neighbors could receive for me, but they might be out of town as well.

Lars (not as organized as he should be!)

Two down, one to go. Hmmmm.......

AM (who is trying hard not to keep item #2!)

Lars, since when does UPS deliver on Saturday? Unless it's as an express ship or a new policy, they're a M-F delivery.

I'm done, I'm done, I'm DONE!!! Whopee!! Ok - I went to an art/crafts festival in Hartford and found the absolutely most appropriate item...made in Connecticut!!! The artist is thrilled that her work will be traveling far away! - So this week I'll wrap up and ship off...to my very special partner!
Good luck to you all! -maria

Ellen, I wasn't paying attention to UPS delivery dates. Anyway, I sent Ann my work address so that they can ship there, and there will be no problem with me getting it, but that too of course is M-F only, since I don't work on Saturday.

I finished my shopping yesterday and then made the last item today. I accidentally ended up having a theme, even though that was not my intent at all. I hope it's appropriate - it made the selection a lot easier. I've been trying to stay out of stores, and I ended up spending more on myself than I did for the swap. I'll reveal details later...

Now I have to wrap it all up for shipping. I'm pretty sure I will have to ship UPS, since I will be shipping from work, and that's what they use for boxes over a certain weight.

Is anyone else nervous about all the glass and ceramic shipping?!?

Lars

I think I'm done. I think so. But... they do seem really small. Maybe I should do that, instead of this? no, I think I'm done...

OBTW - I, too, will be out of town 11/25 - 11/29. like Lars, we'll be stopping USPS, but won't be here to get other shipments, or to post...

Mine is all boxed up and ready to go. Will be heading to the post office later this morning.

Ann

Mine is on its way. Mailed in time to get it off the Island tonight and with any luck it will arrive early next week.

Ann

I have one to go. That porcelain, glass thing is driving me crazy. I'll know it when I see it and I ain't seen it yet. Lars, I use lots of bubble wrap and cross my fingers. It's worked so far.

I can't believe the road blocks that I have run into with the things I want for my partner. e.g. "Item to be released Nov 30; pre-order now." , "on-back order", "this merchant takes 3 extra days to process orders".

Anyway, I'm done as of this afternoon.

All finished shopping. Now I just need to wrap and send.

Shelley

Done! Whew!

Lars and Jim..no because I took Ann's other que that it could be stainless or other baking/cooking things like that..but yes truely before I found "it"..I was thinking I've got to get glass to where? LOL