house of bedlam

SWAPTOBER: Shape Up!

Check out the amazing swap I scored from PRODUCTION this month. And yes, I have been waiting since day one of the swap game to use the phrase SWAPTOBER.

1. A trio of items - Canel’s - I know this is weird gum from Mexico, but I haven’t seen it in a long time and it evoked childhood memories. Maybe it’s a CA thing. +1

2. A square of ornate paper —-> changed to Something Fragrant - well…there’s a cologne bottle in there, but it doesn’t really smell like anything. debatable.

3. Something found locally - An amazingly OCD shopping list, found at the local IKEA. reading it kind of made my day. +1

4. A postcard - I am fascinated that this place is Roman’s - possessive, not plural, yet clearly evoking the Romulus & Remus mythology of ancient Rome. mysteries of syntax! +1

5. Something odd-sized - usually cable cars are substantially bigger than that +1

6. Two things that go together - I love these flower pins - as you can see I have some big plans for them +1

7. Something feminine - The pins again. I cannot decide whether to make them a hairpiece or to use them on my growing assortment of lonely secretary sweaters. Additionally, I submit that both the content, handwriting and styling of the found IKEA shopping list make it candidly, almost aggressively feminine +1

8. Something old, used or vintage - the Avon bottle is clearly vintage, as are the pins, and the matchbook bus, which I think might be my favorite swap item. +1

9. Something edible - Chicle - I think I’ve debated before whether gum is technically edible, but in the end I’m giving it to her +1

10. Something found in nature - Porcupine quill - just beautiful. Maybe my other favorite thing +1

11. An organizational item - that little speech bubble box is going to be handy for holding something, to be sure +1

12. Something international - Mexico’s finest candy! Geez I hope not. +1

13. An animal - a piece of a porcupine, anyway +1

14. Something to read (not a book, necessarily) - the note from IKEA really made my day. highlights include check boxes for every item and a smiley face heart at the top  +1

+15. Something for the table - Not seeing it, though this was Production’s addition for the month. The popcorn box will absolutely be used in a culinary capacity, but certainly no one eats popcorn at the table.

16. Packages must be sent by the 25th (judging by the cancellation date on the stamp) - we were both on top of our game this month, which is great because that OCD shopping list really would have put me to shame if I hadn’t made it to the PO in time +1

17. $15 max (not including postage) +1

Final Score 15/17 - Amazing SWAPTOBER, my friend! Once she posts, you can see how I did over at PRODUCTION!