OBF Christmas in JULY swap!

4 years ago

*Our Blooming Friends Swap Group (OBF) was created to have a reliable, fair safe haven to swap and trade between group members. If you care to join us, we would ❤️ to have you!

*Please be a successful member of Garden Web/Houzz and have completed a trade with two or three of our members. Membership requests should be sent to Shirley (Brittneysgran)

1. Have fun! No bickering!

2. Send your swap by the posted deadline.

3. Always include a Delivery confirmation/tracking number and post it on the swap thread.

4. Please send things that you, yourself would enjoy receiving.

5. Please post after you have received your swap, and post what you have received. Pictures are always nice!

6. You will be required to replace a swap package that doesn’t make it to your partner, for any reason. Also, you will be required to replace any item that arrives broken/damaged.

7. New members for the first two swaps, will be required to send your swaps first.

***Christmas in JULY*** Swap!

Send your swap Pal a super fun package this month. If you have Christmas items (add a few ~festive~ items) and add other things to the box too, plants, seeds, bulbs, etc. Craft items you made or purchased, cute plant suncatchers, kitchen items (potholders, towels) to perk up your Swap Pal's kitchen! Make it a FUN summer- Christmas in JULY/box! About the size of a medium flat rate. Can't wait to see the boxes this month! :) I'll take names for a week, and then pair you up with a swap Pal. All boxes should be sent out by the 16th-20th. Summer fun! Christmas in JULY gift box!

Featured Answer

gardengirl37232

4 years ago

Great package, Susan!

Deb, your package should arrive on July 26, 2019, or at least that is what I am told. Tracking # 9405 5036 9930 0066 6163 81. Hope you enjoy it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (37)

gardengirl37232
4 years ago
Deb, this sounds like lots of fun. Count me in! Who doesn’t like a box of surprises?
skyblue52
4 years ago
Hi I will join.
Related Discussions
sandlapper_rose
Q
Comments (40)
Jeanne and I were swap partners for the July FOTESS swap on the Round Robin exchange forum. She sent a wonderful, thoughtful, carefully packaged box. She also organized the FOTESS swap that month, and did a superb job. Looking forward to swapping with her again! Katie
...See More
new: obf: july 'beat the heat' swap
Q
Comments (134)
hi everyone. lots to catch up on. hope EVERYONE is well, prayers and happy thoughts to all that need them. melissa, just love that lili pic. i remember the first time my son fed himself spaghetti. head to toe and everything in between. carol, in such a short period of time, your yard is amazing. dottie, this weather is nuts, isn't it. i appreciate the rain, less to water, especially since i never hooked up the drip system (again) this year. i still don't have a red tomato, but i certainly have some wonderful weeds. i'm not losing sleep over anything in the back yard beds this year, i have all intentions of revamping absolutely everything and building a few raised beds and walls come autumn. my hydrangeas this year have been the most spectacular show stoppers in my beds. each one is prettier than the next and so many different colors. i hope to dry some blooms this year and keep them at least until christmas that i can put them in a tree. a friend of mine did that one year and it was such a wonderful tree. just hydrangea and vertical ribbons - simple and gorgeous. my g-babe turned 3 last friday and we floated around to various spca's and finally, she found her dog who she named "lisa". it's a cute little thing - a wire haired dachsund. i am thinking it might be a little mix in it, but she's so cute and rather intelligent. a real cuddle bug too. my g-babe is learning to walk her and pick up after her on our walks as well. hot and sticky today - i relented and turned on the air. i've had it on in the car for about a month already this month's swap boxes are just great so far. hope to read about august soon. time to catch up on all the OBF activities. be well everyone, happy blooms maryanne
...See More
NEW: Obf Christmas in july
Q
Comments (86)
I got up early (still somewhat on Polish time I guess) so I read through the postings above and wanted to let you know that the books we will swap will be fiction and we would love to have you share one that you have already read or select one by your favorite author. It will be best if you do not tell about your book and the author, etc. ahead of time because I will be coming up with a way to match partners based on the book you will be sending (somewhat like the goodess swap that we had earlier in the year --- although I am not totally sure of the way I will do it yet.) If you already listed something, don't worry. No one will know if you stuck with that book or switched to something different by the time the swap is posted. Remy, I have to tell you that one of the places we went in Poland was a Polish pottery factory where they made and sold the pottery. What a variety of designs and types of items and the prices were great! However, for the entire trip, I had to consider that anything breakable, bendable, fragile, etc. was going to have to be carried around in my tote bag so I was very limited in what I bought. Even when I had my suitcase, it was already pretty full and the weight restrictions on luggage are not very generous these days. The total luggage for the group barely fit under the bus so the driver had to really squeeze those pieces in the luggage area each day! Plus, we changed hotels almost every day so you did not want to repack breakables over and over again. Anyway, what I came home with was small and mostly non-breakable and I tried to stick with what could be squeezed in my tote bag. I have to let you ponder this, my traveling friend and I did not get our suitcase until our third day in Poland. (Yes, you really can wear the same outfit for three days - LOL) It made our first few days "more interesting" than we had planned though and I sure was glad when our luggage was delivered on the third day. If you want to know what to do when your luggage does not arrive, I have all the answers now. Have a good week. Jeanne
...See More
UPDATE: obf: christmas in july
Q
Comments (64)
Great boxes sent and received this month. I guess we are skipping August? What does everyone think? I believe I am hosting September. Sorry to hear Sue is sick. Hope she comes back soon. Wonder what happened to (arizona) Sue. Vina, absolutely everything you sent to me is so appreciated. Between the ungodly heat and the extreme rain, my stuff is still soaking. i am going to do my best to at least get them in temporary spots as i have so much stuff to divide and move. what i would really like is new property to go plant on - that would be the best thing!!!! Shirley sends to Michelle - received Jen sends to Shirley - received Beth sends to Faye - received (i think - see first thread) Rose sends to Jen - received Carol sends to Rose - received Michelle sends to Beth - received Maryanne sends to carol - received Vina sends to Maryanne - received Faye sends to Vina - received Happy Blooms everyone! Maryanne
...See More
sandlapper_rose
4 years ago
Deb - oh, I love Christmas in July! I think this is a great swap for these hot summer days. I'm going to skip participating this month though. Just time for a break for me this month. I'll stop in to chat though.
smitties
4 years ago
Deb, great idea but I am sitting out swaps this month. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas in July. Margo
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
Going to extend signups until Monday, 8th. I know so many are super busy this weekend! Monday night I'll assign swap Pals. :)
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
I could use some cheering up, I will join this months swap.
brittneysgran
4 years ago
Deb-I will have to pass this month, still not caught up but hopefully soon. I have to set the alarm to get up at 5:00 so I can work and dig before it gets so hot outside. I love Christmas in July and hope you ladies have fun.
skyblue52
4 years ago
Darn !!!!!!adult life been hitting hard. Refrigerator freezing up and looking for A new one. Problem is I have cabinets all around. So need just the right size. Air conditioner gone. Been doing Freon every other year. But time to up grade. Fyi 22 years old. Tomorrow got a guy coming. But still ready for Christmas in July
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
One more day, and then I'll assign swap Pals. Just giving everyone a chance to catch up, and see the new post/July. It's already the 9th! :)
skyblue52
4 years ago
The rain has given a boost to my flowers
back lobilia and bee balm ,middle -black eyed Susan ,calundula,blue lobilia red dahlia ,-front marigolds
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
These last few months have been so busy. Crazy busy! My Mother in law passed away, and I've been cleaning her house, going through her things, tossing stuff. I have no help, so it's taking me f o r e v e r. When my Husband comes with me on certain days, he basically just looks through pics or reads letters, newspaper clippings. If I seem scattered, or not totally myself, I'm so sorry, I'm juggling so many things at once! I never imagined spending every free second at her house, going through boxes and boxes of old papers/items. She saved every single piece of paper she ever wrote on, every bill statement she ever received! I wanted to be done this spring! Now, hopefully, I'll be done by summer! Ughhh!!! :)

Ok, on to the swap Pals.. Gardengirl and Deb send to each other, and Skyblue and Faye send to each other. So simple. I don't have a master list with all our addresses on it, so I have no way of knowing first names. I had a problem with my GW/houzz account. Shirley was going to send me a copy, but for some reason it didn't make it to my email acct. or if it did, I can't find it! And then- Houzz changed my forum name a few times, so maybe it was sent to an old acct. It was Debbya-gw years ago. And then went to Deb Andruska/new- one they selected Deb4372. Anyway, let's have fun with this! Send out some really nice boxes! Can't wait to hear what's in each box!
skyblue52
4 years ago
Hi Girls what's going on. Zucchini coming in . Hot days of
gardengirl37232
4 years ago
My plums are ripening! Harvested some beans and tomatoes today.
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
This week went by so fast! I'm going to work on my box this weekend! Temps are close to 100* every day. Blistering Chicago heat! But, by Monday 78* so much better! ;)
skyblue52
4 years ago
Faye,s box went out today.

. It has a special summer gift!!! New fridge coming tommorrow. Starting on air. Monday..
skyblue52
4 years ago

dahlias ans black eyed susans loving the heat
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
Susan your box is going out on Monday.
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
Susan, I received your box yesterday and I loved it. I will post more today after work. It made me very happy. Thank you very much. Faye!
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
Susan your box is going out today. I didn't get to the post office yesterday.
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
Susan what a nice surprise!

I opened your box at 2 am this morning then I had to work so I am just now posting it. It was just wonderful. I loved everything in it. Susan sent:

Sweet Tart Ropes

Message in a Bottle (I really like this. It was a great idea)

Bypass Pruners

Folk Art Escapes Coloring Book

48 Gel Pen Set

Summer Squash

Plants:

Firecracker Stonecrop

Lily, Apricot Fudge

You really lifted my spirits. Thank you so much.

I sent your box out today by priority mail.

I really liked the way you had it packaged.

Thank you
skyblue52
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

Mother nature rules. after Friday and saturday over 90 the garden looked wilted and grass yellowing, then sunday/monday 24 hours of rain and 75 degrees. out I go to clean up. the marigolds and calendula are tring to go to seed . Marigold buds and dahlias buds wet and proably wont open. the lambs ear buds/flowers and yarrow are burnt up the spiderwort buds are black and stalks broken down from rain. of course the crabgrass and other weeds are green and can be pulled easily. Volunteer tomatoes and cilantro inches high. The sunflowers are raising above the roof tops . my Datura showed me a bloom and picked my first big tomato . All is good in Ohio.
skyblue52
4 years ago
it is more yellow. My tablet is always light. I lost my sd card. gotta pick one up for tomato pics.
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow Susan, what a nice package you sent Faye! :) I sent my package out to Emily today, USPS 9505 5121 5033 9204 2905 00. It should arrive in 2 or 3 days. Priority has been running 2 days lately on average. Getting our swap wrapped up! Love seeing all the flowers, and pics of the box contents! This month has been so much fun to host!
skyblue52
4 years ago
I feel like the favorite grandchild. Faye packed full. Let's see if I can get started..a normal ,word find book,post it notes 3 USA ink pens,,flower/bell wind chime,turtle paint a rock, hanging vase, utterly smooth lotion, love my garden decor,candy box with suckers and mms. 2 beautiful votive holders and Apple candles. Santa and angel.ornatment.2 sedums good and trim color . A shady fern. Seeds also will cotton tree,Fuji apple,rose of sharon, gojiberry..The card is the cutest. You could not have packed the usps sled fuller. My Christmas in July was wonderful.
Faye Tilley
4 years ago
I am so glad you liked it Susan.
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
This has been so much fun! I wish more members participated this month. All boxes that went out are so creative! My box from Emily arrived today! In it was.. a cute knit bag with a yankee candle. 2 votives and a glass votive cup holder. Also, a cute Santa kitchen towel! A few cuttings.. Crassula ovale, Aeonium, and mint! Pair of socks with a tree on them, and a Luna bar, Lara bar! And a book- Gingerbread recipes! I'll gather the stuff up later, and post a pic! I'm having another garage sale tomorrow at my Mother in Law's house, so I'm crazy busy today, again. Trying so hard to clear it out, so I can really begin to clean it, to sell it. Thank you so much, Emily for such a nice box! Years ago, all of our swaps were like this with OBF. Overfilled boxes with each swap having a theme- and extra stuff included during seasonable months (cuttings, plants, bulbs, etc.) So much fun!!!! :) Every box was so worth the postage!
gardengirl37232
4 years ago
Glad you liked your box, Deb! Just wanted you to know that I won’t be home until Sunday so I will post your box then. Looks like it was delivered today by the tracking info.
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
Oh no! I sent some plant material. I sent a Neon philo with roots! And I sent 2 african violet/ sets of leaves (one mini) and one standard size! I wanted to send more, but the darn box was too small. I sent a medium sized box (not flat rate) and this time I probably should of used the flat rate one. The box I sent was $16. And the flat rate one was $14 something. But, I had the stuff all packaged, so didn't want to unbox anything at the post office. I can re-send the cuttings. There is no way they are alive if the box is in your mailbox all this time. :( Anyway, just let me know, and I'll send another box of plant cuttings out. I'll fill it a lot more this time! Because I'll have an empty box! I'll send some Hoya cuttings too. And other houseplants that I have. I totally loved your succulent starts you sent! :)
gardengirl37232
4 years ago
Deb, I sent succulents because I was pretty sure they would survive the shipping in the hot weather. I just arrived home and got your great box. It was on my porch. The mini violet looks iffy but I think the others will recover. Thanks so much for sending instructions on rooting those leaves too because I would have just rooted in soil otherwise.

Deb also sent gladiolus bulbs, butterfly weed seeds and some Christmas ornaments. The little pompon on the snowman’s hat fell off in the shipping but I think I can just Crazy Glue it together.

Thanks again for such a nice box!
skyblue52
4 years ago
The tall sunflower standing up to the storm coming in
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
I tried to upload Emily's box picture, and the system won't allow the picture to upload! Ugh!!! Anyway, I had so much fun hosting this month. I'll post our new swap tonight! And try again later to upload Emily's box picture. Houzz must be having difficulties.
skyblue52
4 years ago
Thank you Deb for a great month. Christmas in July
Deb4372 .
Original Author
4 years ago
Emily, I sent you an extra box- with plant cuttings! :) I mailed it today- and it should arrive on Monday according to the DC. 9505 5121 5031 9213 2120 38, priority flat rate medium. So, it's possible it could fit in your mail box. Try to track the package if possible.
gardengirl37232
4 years ago
Deb, that is super sweet of you. Thank you and thank you for hosting such a nice swap.
gardengirl37232
4 years ago
Deb, thank you for the wonderful second box of plants/cuttings. Deb sent a lovely card, variegated philo, AV leaves of Rob’s Wagga Wagga, Western moon, Red Ferrari (these leaves look gorgeous!), ace of diamonds, storybook princess, Ma’s middland fantasy, and Cajun’s blue jean queen, and mother of thousands and bulbets of orange magic asiatic lllies. Thank you so much Deb! That was super generous of you!
skyblue52
4 years ago
Busy time in the garden . flowers are all going to seed. tomatoes going for the last ripening. looks like seed saving is in my next 2 days. This is a cutie called heartbreaker. only gets 1 foot high. I have seed pods on my Datura.