Valentine Cards 2015

Epicly late, but thanks for the suggestion! Sadly I'll have to bow out of this one since I don't have any Valentine photos prepared to make into cards. But maybe I can plan ahead, what would the next holiday with a card exchange be?

 

This is something that I've been thinking about since the Christmas exchange. Personally I find it to be really fun and find that Halloween, Christmas & Valentines to be essential. I think it has done it for Easter as well in previous years. So I was planning on asking once this card exchange was done when or if anyone wanted to do it again. I wouldn't mind it being a regular thing as long as there is interest. Even if there isn't a holiday for an excuse we can always make one up if needed. LOL!

 

So I'm interested on everyone's feedback on this.

 

Posting here in the hopes that Sister Kyoya noticed I responded to her message. Hopefully I have answered in time.

 

Perfectly on time! Raven works at nights and I'm home all the time so I actually just woke up for the "morning." I often don't sleep more than 6 hours at a time, so this kinda explains my posting on the forums at all hours...

 

I do need your address & if you want to join the gift exchange, the cards (and how many), or both.

 

Amara77, I've added you to the gift exchange per your request.

 

Any last minute stragglers can join if they let me know by midnight.

 

~Sister Kyoya

PMs have been sent with addresses to all participants. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

Thank you to everyone who joined in.

 

~Sister Kyoya

I'll be sending mine out late, I apologize. But airmail from Australia can be pretty good so they might arrive on time still ^-^"

I'm hoping I can send mine out tomorrow and that that they'll reach everyone on time. The cards are all finished and in their envelopes they just have to be sent.

Cards and presents sent! We just hope the House's DD crush like what we sent even though skill wise our humble offering is just that 'humble'. It was our first time making anything like it We hope she likes it nonetheless.

I sent out mine too! I also made things for the first time for my partner's present too. I hope they aren't disappointed! Also, I forgot to take pictures, so please post pictures. >_>;

Thanks for the updates guys.

Due to Raven's work schedule I won't be able to get mine out until Monday. I guess this is a blessing since I just checked the customs restrictions to where I'll be mailing to... and I'm so mad I want to punch a hole in the wall. Good thing I can work well under pressure because now I'm having to madly rethink nearly everything. I'm so mad and angry right now that I'm speechless.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Thanks for the updates guys.

Due to Raven's work schedule I won't be able to get mine out until Monday. I guess this is a blessing since I just checked the customs restrictions to where I'll be mailing to... and I'm so mad I want to punch a hole in the wall. Good thing I can work well under pressure because now I'm having to madly rethink nearly everything. I'm so mad and angry right now that I'm speechless.

 

~Sister Kyoya

 

Oh my. I hope everything works out okay. Speaking of which I haven't had a chance to work on my surprise for you know who since I haven't been 100% and Hubby's forbidden me from staying in my basement office until I feel better. (It gets cold down there and I only have a portable heater thingie) I did write a note on my card for 'him' so he sorta knows he's getting something down the line.

The shock is wearing off and a few minutes ago I think I struck on an idea that just might work but I'll know better tomorrow. No sewn articles of any kind, no artificial flowers and fruits and accessories for them, or no toys not made wholly of wood, were the kickers for me in the mailing restrictions.

 

It's like Raven said, that suddenly I feel like I'm missing my right arm (and I'm right handed!) He was also shocked that any country had such severe restrictions, its a pretty long list. Despite all that, I'm actually glad that I ended up with the partner I'm sending to (Raven pulled all the names out of a bucket ) so I can find something that fits within the regulations so everything should go fine. Mostly it was just a major shock after making a fleece plushie the other day and working on some sewing patterns.

 

If worse comes to worse I'll mail the package out on Wednesday and let them know it will be late. I'm too stubborn to be defeated by this! Come Godzilla or high water, I'm determined to make sure they get a gift for the exchange! At least for future referance I will know to make note in the event outline that customs regulations for international exchange partners need to be checked. I knew I should have looked before I decided on some things, but never expected them to be so unforgiving.

 

No worries about the surprise, I'd rather you get better than making yourself feel terrible for our sake.

 

~Sister Kyoya

I too will mail the next week as I'm still waiting for the cards (I took the pictures and sent them to be printed at a internet service).

 

Still thinking about the gift, but I'm sure I'll get it directly on the recipient nation (so no custom and no month-long shipping)

I send my gift on Tuesday but I didn't even think about to check if the receiving country has any restrictions on mailed items. Oh dear... I hope the letter gets delivered.

Here's the list from the US postal service of restricted things to mail: https://www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm It isn't very long but I was a little surprised about a few things on the list, but they mostly seem to be there because they are hazardous to ship and could explode. So it is more common sense than anything since the US uses a lot of air shipping.

 

If you are shipping from the US to international, here's the list to look up the country you are shipping to: http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm

 

Maarit I checked for you and I'd be very surprised if you had any trouble.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Wowie! Those are some serious restrictions. Is that restrictions for things that aren't subject to customs fees, or just mail restrictions in general?

Those are seriously just the basic mailing restrictions. I mean, I could understand Not sending hazardous materials like flammables or toxins, but no hand-sewn items? Insane...

At least it has given me a chance to do some projects I wouldn't have done otherwise. I'm more viewing it as a chance to work on some of my other crafting skills, and learning not to say what I'm doing. At least our DD won't be unhappy by the leftover experiments.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Got the custom cards I made delivered to me today, I'm going to ship them in a couple of days

Shipping out my package tomorrow. It is to a USA participant, so it will be there well before Valentine's day.

Shipped the cards

I'm hoping all my cards got to their recipients. They should hopefully be coming this week?

I hope my partner's package got to them as well! I shipped it without tracking, so I haven't been able to stalk it like I like doing. XD

Just wanted to let everyone know my cards are going to be late as the ones I ordered never arrived :< Many apologies! however I've found some little valentines bears so I'll be sending them out with the cards as an apology!

 

My secret admirer gift was sent out on time though

I received the Valentine Secret Admirer Gift today Thank you katnaper! I'm not home at Valentine's day so I'll open the letter before leaving home :3 Just wanting to wait nearer to actual date

I received the Valentine Secret Admirer Gift today Thank you katnaper! I'm not home at Valentine's day so I'll open the letter before leaving home :3 Just wanting to wait nearer to actual date

 

I'm glad it made it there on time. We hope your girl likes it

I received the Valentine Secret Admirer Gift today Thank you katnaper! I'm not home at Valentine's day so I'll open the letter before leaving home :3 Just wanting to wait nearer to actual date

 

I got my cute gift yesterday! Thank you Maarit! I am going to try and take a picture of Elena wearing the adorable shirt you sent her before I leave for my birthday. Hopefully I will have enough time!

We got mail from Katnaper on the 9th, making Tama the happiest birthday boy. He tore into it before I could even see who it was from. And the mail lady just dropped off a box from Amara77!

 

I'll try to get some pics done for tomorrow.

 

~Sister Kyoya