Handmade Gift Exchange Linky Party!!

by 80 Comments

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

This is my FAVORITE part of the Handmade Gift Exchange– where I get to see the gifts you creative ladies made! I absolutely LOVE seeing the amazing things you made for each other. You ladies are so thoughtful and talented!

Why I do it

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of having a pen pal. As a kid, I had several pen pals that I wrote back and forth to {via snail mail.wow i feel old haha} and I looked forward to each and every letter I got.  I’ve never out grown this obsession and so that’s why I started hosting the Handmade Gift Exchange only a few months after I started this blog. I thought it would be so fun to have a “Crafty Pen Pal” of sorts. So that’s kind of how the Handmade Gift Exchange came about. This is my 4th Handmade Gift Exchange and each time around it grows bigger and better! {almost 700 participants this time. woot!} I’ve met so many fabulous ladies through this exchange. I sincerely enjoy this exchange and look forward to it for months! Davis thinks I’m crazy to do this, but I love playing matchmaker and pairing up complete strangers that become fast friends.

Ok, now that I’ve got the sentimental part over with, let’s get to the fun part….Let’s see those gifts!!!

Rules

  1. This linky party is for Handmade Gift Exchange Participants ONLY.

  2. Please show off the gift you made and the gift you received. {if possible! I know a few of you forgot to take pics before you shipped it. That’s ok!!}
  3. Link directly to your post NOT your home page!
  4. The linky party ends August 1, 2011. so if you have not received your gift, you have plenty of time to join in the fun!

For those who do not have a blog, please upload your pictures to the Handmade Gift Exchange Flickr group.  {feel free to join BOTH the Linky party and the Flickr party!!}

Click here for the Handmade Gift Exchange Flickr Group.

So I want a show of hands {errr.. comments} who has participated in 3 or more gift exchanges here on Craftaholics Anonymous?

Linda

Linda

Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

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Comments

  1. 1
    Michell

    I have added to Flickr but can not seem to get the linky party one to work

    1. 1.1
      Michell

      I done it but put received from instead of by…arrgghh

  2. 2
    Trina

    I just happened upon your blog for the first time a few days ago, so I haven’t been following long enough to have participated in this gift exchange. It sounds like so much fun, and something all the crafty females in my family (I’m not gonna lie…the males are not so crafty) would enjoy. I hope that you might do this again in the near future so that I could also take part and look forward to checking out all of the wonderful gifts that were sent/received during this exchange! :o)

  3. 3
    jen

    I’m a new follower and this is my first time hearing of a handmade gift exchange – but it sounds like fun!

  4. 4
    Taylor

    This will be my 3rd handmade swap and it seems like they get better each time. not only do i get to share my crafts with other people but i have “met” some really great women through the swaps.
    Thanks for hosting again and I can’t wait to make another gift in December

    1. 4.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Yay for a 3 timer! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them and met wonderful crafty friends! That’s what its all about :D
      happy crafting
      Linda

  5. 5
    Kim@todayismysome-day

    Linda,

    Thanks so much for putting this together. It was FUN, and it pushed me outside my lazy comfort zone :) I needed a push and a deadline. I”ll be linking up mine very soon.

  6. 6
    Sew Cute Creations 4 You

    Thanks Linda for hosting this. How fun! Package mailed, photo’s uploaded, blog posted….even gave you a “shout out”. Have a great weekend and again thanks for you work! :) Janet

    1. 6.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Awesome! Thank you for the shout out Janet!! I really appreciate that! I’ll be by soon to check out what you made for your partner!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  7. 7
    Amie {Kitty Cats and Airplanes}

    This is my third one! I did last summer, Christmas, and this one. :) Haven’t gotten my gift yet, I’m going to wait so I can post both pictures.

  8. 8
    alisha

    This might be a dumb question, but is there a way to link if you don’t have a public blog? I enjoy doing these exchanges, but have never linked because my blog is private. Thanks!

  9. 9
    CMCrandell

    This is my 3rd exchange and I LOVE it! Can’t wait to get me gift.

  10. 10
    bonitarose

    ooops I entered my link twice here, feel free to delete one! hugs bonitarose
    this is my first time participating.. love it!

  11. 11
    Melanie

    This is my 3rd exchange and I LOVE them. Cant wait to get my gift in the mail.

  12. 12
    Barbara

    Hm. Can’t seem to get my link to appear. I’ve tried twice, and nothing. I hesitate to do it again. Please feel free to delete any double (or triple) posts. This was such fun.

  13. 13
    Barbara

    So sorry. They finally showed up–at the TOP–I was looking at the bottom. Please delete the two duplicates.

  14. 14
    Michelle Willow

    So many inspiring ideas! Only half way through the list but will come back tomorrow to check the rest and new entries! :)

  15. 15
    Ashley Causey

    So bummed that I missed the hop :[ When will there be another one?

    I am now a new follower!

    1. 15.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Hi Ashley, Sorry you missed this one! the next Handmade Gift Exchange will be in November. Sign up will the first week of Nov so mark your calendar!
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  16. 16
    Kara

    SO sorry Linda! My project posted 3 times to the linky party :( OOPS!!! Thanks so much for hosting! I havent received my gift from my partner as of yet, but will post pictures when I do :)

  17. 17
    HannahBee

    First timer here! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

  18. 18
    Nickie

    3rd time…Love doing them. It is so much fun to see what someone else made you.

  19. 19
    Susan

    This was my 3rd exchange! Gets better each time!! :) Thanks for hosting!!!

  20. 20
    Barbara

    Thanks for the exchange I had great fun! I’m excited to look at what everyone else made! I accidentally submitted my artsy cards twice to the linky party and can’t figure out how to remove one, sorry!
    – Barb

  21. 21
    Jennifer H

    This was my 1st time and I *LOVED* it!!
    I look forward to participating again!

  22. 22
    jackie

    Oops, I just noticed mine posted twice, that is how excited I am about my gifts I received from Lynda. And thank you to Linda from Craftaholics for hosting this fun event. It is a first for me.

  23. 23
    Megan Nicholson

    Whoops! I did it three times! haha Can I delete it some how? I’m guessing you can tell this was my first time doing a linky party! Thanks for the gift exchange, it was so much fun!

    1. 23.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      No worries Megan! I’ll go delete the duplicate! And way to go on linking up to your very first linky party! woot!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  24. 24
    Kelley

    Great event! I had such a blast, thank you so much for hosting.

  25. 25
    Virginia B.

    Ah Ha! It’s showing at the top. So sorry it was duplicated. I was getting confused.
    WOW~ness!
    What amazingly crafty peeps!
    I love this stuff.
    So happy I participated.
    Thanks for hosting Linda.
    Virginia Bell

  26. 26
    Casey Marie

    Wow, so many BEAUTIFUL gifts. I finally made it to the PO to pick my gift up today… disappointed is not even a fraction of my feelings!! I will post some photos of my gifted & received soon.

    1. 26.1
      Lauren

      Oh this looks like it was such fun! What a great idea! I am a new follower because I sure want to be able to participate in November! Thanks for hosting this!

  27. 27
    Maridith

    So disappointed! I wrote to my gift exchange partner several times and seemed to understand each other’s interests…made her a gift, mailed the gift, emailed her the gift was in the mail and I have heard nothing from her. No email, no gift, nothing…bummer. So disappointing because I LOVE giving homemade gifts and receiving them…Sigh!

    Looks like others were very happy with their gifts!! Some of them are amazing!

    1. 27.1
      Holly

      Maridith,

      Same thing here! We should have been partners! :) I mailed my gift on time as well. They said they mailed mine several days before the 30th, however nothing has arrived, and no more emails. Nice to see everyone elses though I guess!

      1. …
        Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

        Hi Holly,
        I’m so sorry your partner didn’t follow through! Please shoot me an email and I’ll put you on the Handmade Angel’s list so that I can make sure you get something.
        thanks!
        Linda

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  29. 28
    Tiffany

    Hi! Sorry – can you delete #1 – with my blurry zoomed in pic – I was having linky problems and it posted twice. #2 – the full pic of the placemat and bag should be the one that stays. Thank you!

    Love seeing what everyone made and received!

  32. 31
    Terri

    Thank you so much, Linda, for hosting this party!! This is the first time I’ve participated and had so much fun! I can’t wait for the next one!!

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  34. 32
    April

    Ok so I have never “linked up” anything before and am wondering why it is not showing up….After I uploaded my picture it took me to http://www.linkytools.com. Am I supposed to do something from there to complete my link? Please help! :)

    1. 32.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Hi April, Yes, linky tools is the service I use to create link lists. It will walk you through what to do. {and no, you don’t need a Linky Tools account to use it!!!} If you can’t get it to work, let me know and I’ll do it for you :)
      happy crafting,
      Linda

      1. …
        April

        It finally worked but I see there are two…Sorry about that.

  35. 33
    April Schutt

    Ok so now that I opened this in a different browser (Safari rather than Chrome) I see that it is on there…twice. Sorry about that….Not sure why it did that…?

    Thanks much!

  36. 34
    margie

    Oh gosh I added my image twice as I thought it did not work can you please delete one? Thank you for organising such fun!

  37. 35
    Lolly Jane twins

    yay Linda thanks for the FUN! you’ve put sooo much work into this with nearly 1000 exchangers, wow! thanks so very much it was a blast!! XOXO

    1. 35.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Any time!! I love hosting it! And I love to hear when people have a great experience! :D
      happy crafting!
      Linda

  38. 36
    Heather

    I posted my photo in the flickr group (flickr name “hattohaw”). Not sure how to do the linky thing or if I need to anything at all other than put my photo in the group. Thanks for this fun opportunity. I had a great time!

  39. 37
    Adena

    I received a loved quilted bag and blogged about it once it was received. I have tried twice to submit the pic, not sure why it still has not shown up but thanks Sandra!!! My website link is to the post about the giveaway. Will try to link it up to Flickr pool at least. Can’t wait to do this again in Nov.

  40. 38
    Rach H

    Oh Dear! I am the one who posted three links of the gift I received. I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize the new entries were at the top, and so I thought I was having problems posting my link. Anyway, that’s embarrassing. So sorry! Thanks for hosting such a fun event. I loved participating, and am really excited about what my crafting buddy sent me!

    1. 38.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      No worries Rach! I’ll fix it! Glad you linked up! Can’t wait to see your gifts!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  41. 39
    Darby Hawley

    I just found you blog from someone who participated last time and posted about it. This sounds like such an awesome party. How do I participate next time?

    1. 39.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      Hi Darby,
      So glad you found me!! The next Handmade Gift Exchange will be in November. Sign ups will be posted on my blog the first week of November and gifts will be mailed out by November 30. I post plenty of reminders on my blog, so I recommend subscribing. If you would like an email reminder, simply send me your email address and I’ll add you to the list :)
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  43. 41
    Claudia

    This was so much fun! Thanks so much for hosting and looking forward to the next one in November!

    1. 41.1
      Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous

      I’m so glad you had a great time Claudia!! I love to hear that! I can’t wait for the November exchange to start too! lol
      happy crafting,
      Linda

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  45. 42
    Krista

    This was so fun! I learned so much about myself as a seamstress this time around! My goals for your November exchange are to try to make something I’ve never made before (like I did this time!) and to take a unique picture of the final product, like so many of the other participants did!

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  47. 43
    Wendy

    The second pic and link will not work and I have tried to remove it but it will not let me…..sorry for the duplicate link……Wendy

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