oh, what a hassle for you Judith, so sorry this has happened.
Spoke to a really nice woman @ USPS customer service who gave me a case#.
I believe she will do all she can...she asked me to describe the contents and when I did she said she was so sorry, asked me what they were for, etc. Then said her mother had passed away 2 years ago and a friend had made her a quilt out of her mother's dresses, and blouses, and she herself had made fabric photo-transfers of old photos to be included in the quilt. She said it was her most treasured item. I think we have an ally!
Most importantly, this snafu will not deter me from participating in swaps when I can. I have learned so much. QB has been very very good to me.