Getting ready to mail my SP package out tomorrow. Post lady will pick it up in the morning. I'm not sure but I think my SP is fairly new, as of 2000 the population of her town was 276, Elevation 1522 ft and the area consists of 3.9 square miles. Oh yeah tracking number is 9405 5036 9930 0342 **** **. Love the idea of putting the tracking number in like this.

Verna2197

Nope just checked and she is not a newbie, been on the board since 2010

I have one more thing to make for my SP so am aiming to mail on Friday. She lives way west of me, has an unusual pet, likes all colours, and the one thing she wants will cost hundreds of dollars, so sorry, you are not getting it! :)

Which brings me to a suggestion. I'm new so maybe shouldn't speak out, but to say the ONE thing you want costs hundreds, even thousands of dollars guarantees you won't get it in this swap. It seems the more reasonable thing to do would be to state one thing we want that is at least possible for our SP giver.

Belfrybat, you are not obligated to get the most wanted item, only if you want to and are able. It's just a good suggestion of getting something your sp actually wants. I have gone way over budget many times, and so have others, but you don't have to. I myself, will always get the most wanted item for my sp so long as it doesn't cost over $20, but that's me. I do this because I know it's something my sp wants the most, not because I have to. I have seen you other times mention money as an issue in this swap. All you are obligated to spend is $10 (that does NOT include S&H), nothing more unless you want to. And that doesn't mean get everything at the dollar store. Others spend more because either they want to or have collected things in the past by getting on sale or buying 2 or 3 of the same while out, etc. So as long you yourself are spending your $10 budget, stop worrying about the rest. I like the most wanted item to stay for reasons I have already stated.:thumbup:

Ok for you U.S. that have sent internationally. What is the best way to do so. I went to postal today to get PR boxes to use.... one for U.S. and the other international... however there is a big difference in cost. U.S. for that box is $12 and some change and if sent internationally its $59 and some change. I'd rather just put the money in an envelope and send it to the SP than waste that much on postage. Money is NOT an issue with me however I also don't like to squander it on postage a whole lot more than what I'd be sending them dollar wise.

What method do y'all send internationally. Postal lady suggested I don't use a PR box and use a padded envelope and bring it in and it will be a whole lot cheaper.

I'm afraid I don't mail often except for swaps I might join so this is all new to me.

Is it butterflies! :-)

clsurz: I'd go with the padded envelope then. 59.00 is crazy, I couldn't afford that.
And it's not butterflies :)

SP -- I'm not sure I've seen a post from you yet, so that leaves a lot of folks looking for hints out of this race.

Oh wait, yes you did, you posted today!!!

US international postage has just shot up in price. The Priority Mail envelopes went from$16.95 to a whopping $23.95 (which is a real pain for me as I buy a lot from US as it's so expensive here). You get loads in one of those.
Me - personally - I think that's still quite a lot to pay in postage for a $10 swap, particularly if you do two. I was just over $30 today for both of mine and try to keep the parcels light enough not to go much over that amount.
I would genuinely be delighted to get a spool of Aurifil thread (my new favourite) and a FQ, which hopefully only cost a few dollars to post.

I mailed my sp package today. My pal is a granny, started sewing when she was 12, spends time in VBS.

I know who has me :) .....will see in a few days... this one is mine :) big smile

clsurz,

I mail to the U.S. almost daily by international mail and the best way to go is to ignore the Priority mail flat rate options and use a plain padded mailer, unless your package is over 28 oz. (1 lb 12 oz.) I try to use my packaging wisely and avoid heavy items.

Gaijin