Welcome to Gimme Your Stuff, the cultural exchange blog where you can swap items of significance to your area with items from others around the world. A conduit for many an international cuisine to change hands. A place where you can trade a newspaper from South Africa, or a CD from Finland. A place where we take no responsibility for anything anyone else does. A place where we are Changing the world with other people’s stuff. New? Check out our How-To.

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Monday, October 30, 2006

California/Singapore Done!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Phyllis California, USA
Swapper2: Alvina Singapore, Asia

Singapore to California
Alvina in Singapore sent me the most wonderful package! My models here are showing only a few of the things we received--an Australian t-shirt with an octopus on it, Hello Kitty marshmallows, chopsticks, great yarn, and a children's book. There's a picture of all the loot on my blog (dephal.blogspot.com), including 2 pairs of Alvina's beautiful earrings.
Thank you, Alvina!!
Phyllis

California to Singapore
I received a HUGE parcel today from the mailman. In fact, it is the biggest parcel that I've ever received in my whole entire life! Best of all it is overflowing with goodness! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE everything. They are all perfect. Phyllis totally understood my style and she sent more than what we both initially agreed on. Check it out. This is truly wonderful and I am so happy. Thanks Phyllis.. Let's get ready for another swap!
xoxo Alvina (craft princess)

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Friday, October 27, 2006

Another Australia/Austria swap completed!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Carolyne Adelaide, Australia
Swapper2: Barbara Austria, Europe

From Austria to Australia
Barbara and I had agreed to do this swap with a slight twist: I posted her Australian package from the Netherlands, and received her Austrian one there. Happily, it all went according to plan and I sat in a hotel room in Delft pulling the following from a fat padded bag: Patchwork magazine (German), 4 types of ribbon, 5 cuts of fabric (I think I'll make myself a summer t-shirt out of the spotted one), tourist information & a postcard from her hometown (Graz), a variety of buttons and beads, a tiny glass cat, a bookmark, a beaded necklace she made me (it's the perfect length!), delicious hazelnut wafers and other chocolate/candy, and the funniest thing - a sheet of koala stickers! Barbara also explained all these things in a lovely letter, and I hope that we can continue to exchange emails (and perhaps other swaps?) as we did in the lead-up to this swap.
Carolyne

And from Australia to Austria
Because I have a certain interest in Adelaide, I asked Carolyne whether she would swap with me - and she did. Now, Carolyne is amazing, all the things she does, wow - and one of those things is make amazing bags. Now, imagine my excitement when she said she'd make one for *me*! How great is that? So here, in the pictures, my fantastic new bag is going out big time.
In fact, to the opera! Sadly, no picture of the opera house, as that is currently being renovated. But! Picture of the street just outside the opera, and bonus: picture taken inside, during the break. As you can see, Carolyne's bag has been taken to see Carmen. :)
Carolyne also sent me an Adelaide shirt, some Australian souvenir goodness, some postcards, some sweets, and an Australian craft magazine! Plus, a whole load of beads - 5 little bags full! All that AND the bag! Suffice to say, I was completely blown away! Thanks Carolyne! :)
Barbara

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Tshirts for all in California/Austria Swap

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Babs California, USA
Swapper2: Barbara Austria, Europe

Austria to California
When Barbara contacted me back in August for a swap, I just couldn't resist. I so rarely meet someone with my name that I just had to agree. After over a month of anticipation, Barbara's package finally arrived from Austria today!

Barbara sent all sorts of Austrian fun: a children's book, pamphlets about Graz, souvineers from Graz, a cute tee from Zara, and Austrian candies. I especially liked how she wrote little notes to explain all the items she sent. (I really appreciated the note attached to the book, telling me about the story line!) I also really liked the pamphlets about Graz she sent, I haven't had a chance to read them, but and looking forward to it as I love learning about new places.

THANK YOU, Barbara! I'm so glad we swapped. I've also enjoyed the emails we've been trading in the interim. Keep me posted on how the rock climbing goes! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. =)
Babs

California to Austria
This was my first swap ever - and it was fantastic! I contacted Babs because we share our first name - and it was so amazing to receive this tightly packed envelope from California! Babs sent fabric, sweets, a t-shirt, a postcard and a little turtle charm - I love everything!
Among the sweets there was this one package of Pocky. Now, I read about Pocky a lot recently and I was so excited! Nevertheless, I managed to keep the box close for *one whole month* and then a bit, just to get a good picture for your interest! And actually, I decided on this little photo series. Now, three things I need to mention - my hair looks terrible because I came home from a sports class and had these pictures taken. The second thing, sorry about the bad lighting - my equally tired brother took the pictures after tired me switched off the flash for some reason. Third, my maybe unenthusiastic expression has nothing to do with Pocky...I'm just dead tired right now. Pocky is delicious! I loved it, my brother loved it! I will always happily receive Pocky donations from everyone!
Thanks Babs, it was so great to receive this package! :D
More can be read here.
Barbara

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Canada/Portugal Complete!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Teresa Ontario, Canada
Swapper2: Tania Portugal, Europe

Portugal to Canada
Tania sent me some wonderful things from Portugal! This was officially my first swap, but has been rather long-lasting due to the sloooooow movement of surface mail from North America to Europe. She sent me some great fabrics, 3 skeins of yarn, candy, jam (seen here cuddled up with my favourite canary Trigger), a magazine, soap (seen here resting amongst the flowers outside my house) ribbon, some beautiful stitch markers (thanks soooo much Tania!!) a magnet, notepad and some tea (pictured here in front of the fields around my house). This was a terrific swap - can't wait til Tania gets her package too!
Teresa

Canada to Portugal
Teresa has sent me the most amazing package from Canada. Too many lovely goodies for me to list them all, but included were this hand knitted cute bear, several candy treats (smarties are always so nice to get), a *sweet* rubber stamp and the softest handspun yarn.
Tania

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Singapore/Sweden Complete!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Malin Sweden, Europe
Swapper2:
Alvina Singapore, Asia

Singaporean Stuff arrives in Sweden
These pretty earrings were part of my very Japanese package from Alvina in Singapore. It also containes a japanese craft book (all Sanrio characters), a stack of Hello Kitty-stationary, Fruit roll-ups (I love those!), beads, chopsticks, bookmarks, Hello Kitty-sanitary pads, San-x clip thingys, tiny stickers, and I think that was everything. A whole bag filled with cuteness! Thank you Alvina, you made my day!
Malin

Swedish stuff arrives in Singapore

Yay!!! My very first Gimme Your Stuff package from Malin, all the way from Sweden has arrived! How pleasantly surprised was I. I was indeed very excited when I saw the package and most of all stunned by the super fast courier. In just 3 days?! Sweden to Singapore? Seriously, I couldn't believe it. There is so much nice goodies in it. I LOVE EVERYTHING! All pink and
sweet. All of my favourite things. Delicious strawberry flavoured lipgloss, Ordning & Reda fuschia suede pencil case, funky note book and gorgeous pen, yummy goodies, and ooo.. the antique labels, magnets, monogrammed pouch, and a personalised letter.. How sweet is that? Thanks Malin for making my day! Lets swap again...
Alvina

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Monday, October 23, 2006

France/California Completed!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: N@thy France, Europe
Swapper2: Sima California, USA

From California to France
I'm N@thy from France, it's my first swap and I'm really happy to swap with Sima from california. I have very funny candy in my package, some have really strange taste ;-) I hope you understand my English, sorry for that!
N@thy

From France to California
I had a wonderful swap experience with N@thy! She and I agreed to swap some American music for French. She sent me THREE cd's! Two were a set from her region in France and one was a mix. You can see Binky grooving on the Johnny Halliday in my picture. To top the package off were some yummy sweets and a bit of lavender. Wonderful!
Sima (daydreamdesigner)

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Friday, October 20, 2006

Australia/Austria Done!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Kwoozy Victoria, Australia
Swapper2: Barbara Austria, Europe

No Austrian Kangaroos in Australia.
There are no roos in Austria! Sometime last week, I received a t-shirt and magnet (amongst other goodies) from Barbara that confirms this fact. Other stuff received in this GYS swap were fabulous fabrics, buttons and Austrian souvenirs. Barbara even threw in a handmade necklace plus bought this great box to pack the fabric in. She was so sweet and thoughtful to write little notes that accompanied the things in the package too! Thank you so much Barbara.
The sunset in the picture was taken at Halls Gap in Victoria. Hopefully that is an interesting picture for GYS. [Thanks Kwoozy, it's great!]
Kwoozy
See more pics here.

No roos maybe, but we got owls!
This was my second swap, with lovely kwoozy from Melbourne, Australia. Now kwoozy, she's this fantastically crafty girl, and she's got this thing with owls. So she sent me an owl. And not just any owl - Owl no.1! Here he is, walking the streets of my hometown at night, slightly blurred because of bad camera focus. Our fantastic museum (the newest we have, ain't it great) has already acknowledged his greatness - Resistance is futile, must worship cute felt owls!
Kwoozy sent me other great stuff as well - one of her beautiful handmade pincushions, a roo shirt (in black), some great postcards, sweets (TimTams, yay!), loads and loads of fabric and some cute buttons as well. Such fun! Thanks again for the beautiful things you sent!
More about the package here.
Barbara

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Thursday, October 19, 2006

California/Portugal Swap Complete

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Laurence California, USA
Swapper2: Tania Portugal, Europe

From Portugal to California
This time I swaped with the lovely Tania from Portugal. She sent me some gorgeous patterned fabrics and trims, lace, buttons, felt, vintage postcards. I love the vintage embroidered hankerchief and the birdie pouch! And for the taste buds, some cranberry and apple bars. This was Christmas coming early!
What can I say, Tania, you really spoiled me! muito obrigado!!
Laurence

From California to Portugal
Lovely Laurence has sent me a beautiful vintage polka dot linen fabric, the latest Interweave Knits (love the cardigan on the cover), tea and candies (my favourite caramels) and delicious trims, appliqués and threads. And we have already setup a second swap so more goodies will be crossing the Atlantic from Portugal to Santa Monica later this year.
Tania

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Belgium/California Fin.

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Babs California, USA
Swapper2: Marie Belgium, Europe

Belgium to California

Oh my it's like Christmas in August!! The rest of Marie's package arrived today!! I've posted a photo of the entire package, including the Tintin stuffs I receive a couple weeks ago.
In the new package were three beautiful Martine books (I'm inspired to learn French now!), boxes of delicious speculoos cookies, and a little surprise from Marie: a handmade pink crochet flower pin. Gorgeous!! I've already put the pin on one of my cardigans. And one of the boxes of cookies is already half eaten and the day is not even half over!
Marie, THANK YOU again for such a lovely swap! I can't wait to see what beautiful things you make with the threads & beads I sent!
Babs

California to Belgium
Babs has sent me lovely crochet thread in black and burgondy red, white and blue beads, as well as a beading magazine. I have sent her Belgian cookies, illustrated children books and TinTin stuff.
Warm wishes,
Marie

Tags: GimmeYourStuff

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

UK/Belgium Finished!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Hazel England, UK
Swapper2:
Marie Belgium, Europe

Presents from Belgium to the UK.
Marie's part of the swap was to send me the lovely crocheted spring flowers bracelet that she made with the finest crochet cotton. The coloured parts of the petals on the crocheted flowers are actually composed of tiny little beads so, as you can imagine, it's very intricate. Marie also sent me the cute card picturing the cat playing with a ball of yarn. Thanks, Marie!
Hazel

From UK to Belgium.
Thanks to Hazel I am now the proud owner/user of two wonderful eyeliners in a beautiful colour that has been discontinued over here for a few years. The only country where you could still find it is the UK and Hazel has gone into a lot of trouble to find it for me. I could not believe it when she announced me that she had found not one but two eyeliner. And then, a few days later, the dream came true!
In rule for this, I have sent her two crocheted flower bracelets.
Marie

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Sunday, October 15, 2006

California/Romania Complete!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Phyllis California, USA
Swapper2: Andrea Romania, Europe

Romania to California
I just received my package from my swap partner, Andrea in Romania. She sent a great collection of children's books in Romanian and Hungarian, a cross-stitch kit, and some other fun goodies. Here's one of my daughters modeling some of our loot. Thanks for a great swap, Ada!
Phyllis

California to Romania
Well, what do you know - my first swap is completed, and to make things even more pleasant, it was done with somebody that works almost in the same field as me.

The package contained lots of books that made me drool just by looking at them, a taco kit, pecan nuts, chipotle peanuts, postcards, cat stickers, Hello Kitty stuff (which made Timi drool), Harry Potter jellybeans and .. I'm sure I forgot one or two things. Oh yes. Fish crackers. And a plushie cat. And the most important things - the drawings of her two little ones about their pets. Too bad I didn't had the same idea.

I loved how this swap turned out - P, many many thanks for all the care you've put into preparing it. I hope you and the girls liked what I've sent just as much as we enjoyed your gifts.

Ada

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Friday, October 13, 2006

Australia/Portugal Complete!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Teresa Portugal, Europe
Swapper2:
Kwoozy Victoria, Australia

Australia sends stuff to Portugal

Just arrived from Australia, my first Gimme your Stuff swap. Thanks so much Kwoozy! She tried to steer me gently away from Vegemite, but I was reckless and asked for it just the same. I haven't tried it yet, but it smells, ahem interesting! She sent me gorgeous gorgeous japanese paper I am thinking of framing simply or maybe use in shadowboxes, a fabulous Moomin and swallos pincushion she made, cute cute fairy penguin fridge magnet she made, lots of lipbalms, an adorable fairy penguin of my own and my first Lush soap - it smells incredible!
Teresa

Portugal sends goodies to Australia.

Another GYS package arrived a few days ago. This time it is from Teresa all the way from Lisboa. She sent me lots of goodies - coffee including "instant" cappucino sweets, easter theme cookie cutters, fabric, cute dino stamps, vintage trim, rick racks, buttons in a pretty tin ...
It's not so clear in the picture, but even her postcard it cute - there's a doggie peaking out the window! I was so lucky to get all these vintage trim too - check out the doggies and galos! Teresa tells me one of the shop has closed but she found another one which is close to her place - which is good. And saving the best for last: Teresa's handmade bag #26 is MINE! Woo hoo! It is so lovely! Thank you Teresa for a lovely package :)
Kwoozy

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Thursday, October 12, 2006

California/Portugal Done!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Tania Portugal, Europe
Swapper2: Babs California, USA

California to Portugal
Barbara sent me a package full of wonderful items, including a cute japanese tea towel and these flowers buttons which are my favourite. The Hawaiian tea is delicious and the san francisco magnet is already on my fridge collection.
Tania

Portugal to California
Tania sent me an absolutely wonderful, wonderful package that came today!! She send me a fabulous t-shirt, 2 beautiful illustrated children's books, ceramic souvineers, postcards, magnets, yarn, a vintage tamborine, and a lovely honey cake from Madeira. The illustrations from the Gira Gira book are just fantastic (and is one of my favorite items in the swap). This package was more than I could have ever expected!!

I think a big reason why I'm thrilled with this package is because it reminded me so much of my very short trip to Lisbon. I have such happy memories, and I definitely would love to go back again.

Tania, THANK YOU so much for this wonderful package. This was such a thoughful package, it's absolutely fantastic!!
Babs

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

France/California Done and finished!

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Babs California, USA
Swapper2: Emma France, Europe

From France to California
Emma's wonderful package arrived from France while I was on vacation as well.

I, too, am now a proud owner of some of Emma's original prints. What talent!! These were my absolute favorite items in the package, and what lovely prints they are. I'm definitely getting them framed.

Emma also sent a fantastic assortment of stuff, including a magazine, a beautiful illustrated children's book, postcards, stamps, lovely fabrics/buttons/trim, nougat candy, sweet smelling soap, and a mixed CD. What an eclectic mix of items, but some how it works so well! I just love every item in this package!! I've already got great plans for the prints and the craft items...

Emma, MERCI BEAUCOUP!! I've never been to France, so thank you for sending a little piece of it my way. You're creativity is really inspirational, now if I just had a fraction of that creativity then maybe my swap photos for the GYS site would be more up Rikki's alley! :)
Babs

From California to France
Here is the photo from my swap with Babs. She sent me some fabulous things to play (paper and pencils and collage stuff) with and things to eat, including some fabulously (supposedly natural flavours) sour kids. Ummm, sugar.
Thanks again,
Emma

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Friday, October 06, 2006

Canada/Texas Complete Swap

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Teresa Ontario, Canada
Swapper2: Lisa Texas, USA

From Texas to Canada.

I loved this swap! Lisa sent me some great things: two different teas (one being a delicious Lavendar Earl Grey, seen here being eyed up by my orange canary Ives), some Jaeger yarn that I was hankering for, and some great postcards and notecards! They're so pretty - thanks so much Lisa. Can't wait for our next (chocolatey) swap :)
Teresa

Canada to Texas done!
I had no idea that there were two packages waiting for me at the post office. Teresa and I have had lots of fun planning a Gimme Your Stuff swap. She sent me many Canadian treats, handmade soap and a candle, gorgeous yarn, a scrapbook, notecards, tea, and point protectors (which I really needed). We're already planning our next swap: chocolate when the weather gets cooler.
Lisa

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Oregon/Japan Send some interesting pics!

Swap Details:
Swapper1:Anjali Japan, Asia
Swapper2:
Mariko Oregon, USA

From Oregon to Japan!
Soon after Mariko and I decided to have a t-shirt swap, I realized I already have way to many t-shirts and not enough cute bottoms to wear them with. Having seen and envied the seemingly billions of Japanese-pattern skirts Mariko has made, I asked if she's be willing to make me a skirt in exchange for some t-shirts. This skirt, to be exact. Happily, she said yes, and last week her package arrived, containing my new and amazing skirt.
Also included in the package were a vast array of American treats, not all of which are pictured here because I polished them off while watching X-Men 3 at my local movie theater. If there's anything better than sour Mike & Ikes at the movies, I'd like to know about it.
But the most thoughtful part of the package was this pair of earrings she made for me, which are supposed to look like Cubyrop! They match the skirt and do look very edible, I think. Hooray!You can see what I sent Mariko here. And while you're at it, check out Mariko and Kelly's cute-Japanese-craft-supplies shop, Superbuzzy!
Anjali

From Japan to Oregon
I was really excited to get a big blue package from swap queen extraordinaire ANJALI. Seriously, she should go into business as a professional swapper, because she has a sixth sense about what swap recipients want. It's a little spooky. So anyway, of course Anjali sent some candy, some black sesame-flavored Pocky and yogurt- and pineapple-flavored chews. Yum. I also requested another pink lip balm. Apparently there are two types of this lip balm--one that is a light pink and one that is a deeper pink. Anjali sent me the light pink one last time, so I was curious about the deeper pink one. It is incredible! I am totally sold on the deep pink one. She also sent another lip balm that is "shiny pink-beige".
But the piece de resistance? This swap was about T-shirts, my friends, and not just any old T-shirts! Japanese T-shirts! I want to wear the heck out of these T-shirts, but today was the last 80 degree day in Portland, maybe until next summer! I was even too cold to wear one today. Tomorrow the clouds and rain move in, and I can't go around thrusting my T-shirt designs into people's faces! But yes, I can layer. Maybe I should go look for some of those "layering tees" or "tissue tees" or whatever those things are called?
Merci,
Mariko

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Canada/Slovakia Swap Done

Swap Details:
Swapper1: Teresa Ontario, Canada
Swapper2: Eva Slovakia, Europe

Slovakia to Canada

This swap was great: Eva sent me some sock yarn that I can't wait to knit with! And a surprise of 3 pretty stitch markers and cute little draw-string bag. Thanks so much Eva :)
Teresa

Canada to Slovakia
This swap came from Teresa from Canada. A skein of Pattons socks yarn, patterm some canadian stickers, Clover stitch markers. And mostly Interweave knits fall issue. This one is fabuluos. I love the sweater on the cover and the Sienna Cardigan. Should I knit both? :)Thanks Teresa, I loved swapping with you :)
Eva

Tags: Gimme Your Stuff