As some of you know, the fifth annual Valentine swap has just come to an end, bigger and bolder than ever! More than 1,400 handmade valentines were exchanged between total strangers, which adds up to just enough warmth and kindness to offset this brutal winter. Excellent news: the popularity of hashtags have made it much easier to keep tabs on what folks were exchanging this year. I have found myself with my jaw on the floor on multiple occasions the last two weeks. I mean…YOU PEOPLE! Man alive, some folks know how to valentine in style!
Thank you again to all those who participated. My hope is to continue this tradition next year, but I am confident that the format will need to change. As the volume of participants continues to grow, I need to find a way to streamline the process (and minimize opportunities for error). If any of you have experience with these types of exchanges elsewhere and have ideas, please share. I’m all ears.
Above is a slideshow taken from the 121 images of valentines posted to Instagram using the hashtag #auntpeachesvalentineswap. Some of these folks are posting their creative output every single day, so be sure to sniff around. Great stuff! There is also a ton of fantastic stuff up on my Facebook wall, so be sure to check that out too.
See you next year!
I only had one card ,but that the one I got was lovely , all the way from sunny California .Next year Im sure I get all three 🙂 maybe some find it to expencive to send all the way to Norway ? Best Veslemøy
I’m sad to hear this. Give it a week and let me know — international mail can take a while. If not, I’ll look up whoever was sending you mail and see what happened. Thanks.
WOhoo got another one today ,two out of three aint bad ! And I got I really fab card to , Im totally loving it :)The adress on the second was a bit wrong and my first name missed a letter , but it found me , suddently the last one will show like a fab suprice .
I REALLY enjoy this exchange! Received some wonderful heart-day cards. I hang mine up together every year, and I love how my collection has grown! I appreciate everything you do to set this up for us! I participate in a Handmade Gift Exchange a couple times a year with Craftholics Anonymous. She uses Elfster to organize those exchanges. I don’t know how much work it takes to set it up, but from a participant standpoint, it’s awesome. Thanks again for all you do!
This is my second year and I adore all the little lovelies that I have received. Such a nice tradition. I just squealed with delight when I saw this photo! That’s one of my “dinosaurs eating a love heart in a pink feather nest”! I’m glad one of my valentines liked it enough to take a pic!
I received one of your dinos, and i’m in love with it! everyone who’s been to the house recently has commented on it – it’s very much my style, so there’s no way it’s getting packed up with the V-day decorations.
i’m so glad you commented, because I wanted to thank you!
Gosh, Tasha, I’m so glad you commented, too! That’s my photo of the dino I got from you. Seriously, I snort-giggled when I opened it! What a super creative packaging idea, too!
My nieces were super jelly when I showed them my dino. As my 17yo niece said, “RAWR! means ‘I love you’ in dinosaur language.” 😀
I was looking forward to making valentines for the swap since last year! Like others have commented, it’s become a tradition in my crafty life. When I opened the link I exploded with happiness to see my glitter & confetti heart included in the photos contributed by other participants! What a great feeling.
Oh, wow, that’s my multicolored watercolor heart in the bottom right picture at the top. That makes me feel way, way more special than it probably should. 🙂
I loved getting both the valentines I got–They were awesome and really brightened up my February!
Thanks for organising another great Valentine’s Swap Peaches 🙂 I only received two cards, but perhaps like Vesmeloy from Norway above, sending to Australia takes a lot longer!
Thank you so much for organizing this. It sure makes going out to the mailbox more fun. I recieved a beautiful hand made felt owl, a crocheted-winged heart and a more traditional paper valentine. I love them all, I saved and displayed mine from last year as well.
hey I see one of the valentines i received up there, yay! I loved creating a trio of wee dreamcatchers for my valentines and i loved receiving the lovely valentines i received. thank you for organizing the swaperoo!
Thank you for another wonderful Valentine Swap! Every year I look forward to participating in it and I absolutely love all of my valentines that I received. I know it is a lot of work that you put into organizing it, but it also brings so much joy to so many people. You’re the best, Peaches!