Baby Swap May 2013!!

(If you see any typos or dates that don't match up please let me know!)

For those of you who are new to REAL, these swaps are a lot of fun! Please don't feel intimidated or think you're not good enough to participate! All skill levels are invited to join in, the more the merrier!!

For this swap we're opening it to any kits, as long as they are under $50! So, when making the choices for your top 5 babies, the rules will still be no kits over 24”, no kits that are not already in production, and no critters!

By joining this swap, you understand that you may not get the reborn of your choice or by the reborner of your choice. You also agree not to put the baby you receive in the swap on eBay or any other source that would profit you financially for the reborn you receive. You may, however, give it away or donate it to a charity of your choice if you simply cannot bond with the baby.

There will be a few check points along the way. Anybody who fails to submit information requested at each check point, may be removed from the swap. This is to ensure that everybody who signed up stays on task and will be able to ship their babies out on time. If anybody is removed from the swap by the coordinators for any reason, contingencies will be put into place to ensure their original recipients will get their baby on time.

We realize that life happens and things occur. If at any point during the swap, you have an emergency, contact me by email or phone as soon as possible so we can be aware of any problems that may arise as a result and take steps, if necessary, to assist you in getting your baby delivered on time.

You also agree to do the best you can in making your baby the very best you possibly can. Everybody who joins the swap must include two photos of a current baby they've completed recently. One of the full baby, and one close up that will show the hair/head … whether painted, rooted or left bald.

You must also understand that not everybody is on the same skill level and should know that your baby has been made with a loving heart! I will, whenever possible, try to match skill levels as closely as possible.

This swap is really about the baby, and not the layette. Please try to limit your layette to the outfit your baby will arrive in and not more than two extra outfits. You may include a birth certificate, blanket, and any accessories you feel would complete your layette … such as bracelets, booties, hair bows, paci’s, etc.

All babies must be shipped no later than Tuesday, April 30, 2013. You MUST send me via email only the tracking number of the package you send.

Box opening photos are highly encouraged and looked forward to by everyone!! If you’re not able to post pictures, you must post a public thank you when you receive your baby.

If you submit box opening photos to the forum, your name will be entered into a raffle for a great surprise!

Check points are as follows:
*Sign ups begin January 22, 2013 and end February 1, 2013 at noon PDT.
*Receive your partner's information by February 5, 2013.
*First check point February 15th - kit choice
*Second check point March 8th - first WIP photos
*Third check point April 1st - second WIP photos (failure to submit at this point will result in removal)
*Final check point April 22nd - Completed baby pictures
*Shipping must be done no later than April 30th!! You MUST email tracking information to me. (International shipping date should be no later than April25th.)

** I will be sending out reminders for each check point and I will reply to all emails to let you know I received them. If you don't get a reply from me, please resend it or pm me so I can double check my email! **

If, after reading and agreeing to all this you still want to join in the swap, email me the following questions and answers entirely filled out to sharonskidsandkritters@gmail.com and put REAL baby swap in the subject line. Don't forget to include the two pictures of a reborn you recently made.

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1. Forum name(this is your name on this forum)

2. Do you have a nursery name?

3. Complete shipping name and address/country exactly as it should appear on the package!

4. Phone number (some shipping companies require it)

5. Email address

6. Are you able to ship Internationally?

7. Are you able to meet all deadlines?(if an emergency arises, you MUST contact me immediately! My contact information in case of an emergency … Sharon Richmond sharonskidsandkritters@gmail.com or call 916-645-2527)

8. Do you have problems emailing progress pictures to the event coordinators?

9. What are your top 5 sculpts? Remember, under $50, under 24”, in production now, and no critters! This time we're not limiting it to Bountiful Baby kits but your choices still need to be kept below $50. Please keep in mind that if you're basing your choices on a sale price, that it might effect things if it's no longer on sale when your partner goes to order. (Please keep in mind this may not be the baby you get but every effort will be made to choose one of your top choices!)

10. Give us a little more information about what you like. Be as specific as possible if you have certain wishes or tastes.
a) Boys or girls?

b) Do you have a preference for your baby’s hair? Rooted, painted, left bald? If rooted or painted what color hair do you like?

c)Any size preference? (ex: 18,22 inches)

d) Sleeping or awake?

e) Open/Closed mouth – smiling, yawning, crying?

f) Skin tone

g) Other Likes/Dislikes (such as fairies, ethnic baby, freckles, milk spots, spit bubbles, birthmarks, scratches, etc...)

11. What is your favorite color?

12. When it comes to your baby’s layette do you like simple or foo-foo frilly? Do you like handmade items?

13. Do you have any allergies which would be affected by the baby you receive? Smoke, pets, etc.

14. Do you have pets in your nursery?

15.Are there any other allergens in your nursery which may affect your adoptive mom?

16. Do you smoke/does anyone smoke in your reborn nursery area?

17. What are some of your other favorites? Animals, flowers, special hobbies, etc. Is there anything else that would help your partner personalize your baby even more?

18. How long have you been reborning? How many babies (approx) have you made?

19. Have you participated in a previous REAL baby swap? If you have let me know who you’ve received from and I’ll do my best to mix things up!

20. As an artist, are there certain types of kits you love working on? Are there kits you avoid because you just can't bond with them?

I'm In!!!

I'm in.... sent my info

I'm in and I'm going to do my form right away. I've spent the last 4 hours sorting and shredding papers from 4 years of tax related stuff and I'm so ready to think about something more pleasant.

I'm in again! The Christmas swap was so much fun.

I was looking on Doll Dreams and they don't seem to have the Special Value Doll Kits section anymore so the only kits under $50 are the ones on sale. Does anyone know why the other kits are no longer on the website?

Sorry Roxy, I don't know. I've rarely order from Doll Dreams. Hopefully someone else will have an answer for you!

SharonR wrote:

Sorry Roxy, I don't know. I've rarely order from Doll Dreams. Hopefully someone else will have an answer for you!

I got an email back from them today and its just a generic "oh some kits may be backordered or discontinued". Totally did not answer my question about where all of the "Special Value" Kits went.

Anyone know what other websites besides Bountiful Baby sell kits under $50?

yes I would love to do this swap!!! It will be my first. Just have to find the time to fill out the info!!!

I have only participate in one baby swap...years ago, and ended up not getting a baby from the person who was supposed to send to me. I did end up with a beautiful baby from another sweet member, but have not done one since. I'm dying for a new baby, so think I reall want to participate! I love making them as well, so this will be fun!

Be sure to get your questionnaires to me by Friday! Because of the time frame for this there will be no grace period. If I don't have your email by noon Pacific time on Friday it will be too late!

I have just sent my questionaire thru. If you don't get it, let me know. My email is acting sort of funny, I will keep a check on it as well. Thanks Sharon!

Sharon I sent you an email with questions so please let me know that you got it...........

I would love to do this too. this will be my first time swapping

I have some general questions as this will be my first swap ever!!!! When your partner picks the kit out of your top five under $50 do you know which one she picked or is it left a surprise??? also if you are told which kit was picked do you get to see the WIP pics that they have to submit at each checkpoint or is it just the organizer that see these pics???? just wondering how much of the process we know about and how much is left a surprise!!!!!!!!!! so exciting!!!!!!!!

The last swap I did it was all a surprise!! It was great!!!

Wish we had our partners cuz BB has a massive sale going on!!!

yeah wow 152 specials!!!! crazy!! maybe if by friday she has them all submitted we can know sooner than later and take advantage of the special before its too late!!!!

stace999 wrote:

I have some general questions as this will be my first swap ever!!!! When your partner picks the kit out of your top five under $50 do you know which one she picked or is it left a surprise???

It is left as a surprise! I'll know which kit was chosen but you won't til you open your box!

Quote :

also if you are told which kit was picked do you get to see the WIP pics that they have to submit at each checkpoint or is it just the organizer that see these pics???? just wondering how much of the process we know about and how much is left a surprise!!!!!!!!!! so exciting!!!!!!!!

Again, I'll be the only one seeing the WIP pictures. The whole process will be a surprise to you!

About the only thing you'll know if you need to, is when your precious bundle is due to arrive. All packages are required to have tracking and insurance is also protection for you in case of missing/damaged (HEAVEN FORBID!!) packages.

wow fun!! i love that it will be a surprise!! thats what i was hoping for!!!

Ok I am in This will be my first swap and I am excited! Sharon please let me know that you got my email because my email has been having gliche problems all day long!

yeah sooooo exciting! i hope alot of people join cause i love seeing box opening pictures!!

stace999 wrote:

yeah sooooo exciting! i hope alot of people join cause i love seeing box opening pictures!!

Mrs. Santa presides over these box opening- cause she is a Mama. I saw "Once Upon a Christmas" - more than once and M&M Santa have two girls! She presides over Mama's Day - because she is not too busy then!

Michelle I did get yours!

If you sent me your questionnaire and have not heard back from me please pm me here or resend it! I reply to all the emails I receive!

how many people are signed up so far????

Eleven ladies so far but I expect two more today!

Haven't really been on much... just came across this... sorry I missed out... But I can't wait to see the box openings!!! Christmas was so much fun!!!

SharonR wrote:

Michelle I did get yours!

If you sent me your questionnaire and have not heard back from me please pm me here or resend it! I reply to all the emails I receive!

Ok great .......... Sharon!

Yay! I'm in! This will be my first baby swap ever. I'm very excited about this. I'm usually not good with surprises but I guess I'll just have to hold out until I receive my baby lol. I'm looking forward to getting started working on the swap baby even though I'm signed up for several classes here on the forum in the next few months. I've never sold a reborn or even made one for someone else so this will be my first time making a doll for another person. All the ones I've made are my keepers except for the one my mother stole from me lol. I just know this is going to be a great experience!

I've been gone for three days and I was hoping I would get back and have an assignment. Today, I bought a layette I hope I can use for my swap baby. But then if I can't use it I can always just make a new baby that fits it. I'm not very patient during this part while we wait for the 'Who's the Mama" news. It is almost as difficult as the wait between mailing the doll and hovering over the forum looking for pictures.

I guess I should be knitting booties while I wait. Now there's a thought I need to find matching thread/yarn and ribbons and such.

Ladies we've hit a minor snag with my email so I'm still waiting for the last two questionnaires. They sent pictures of their work long before the deadline but my email was a bit wonky a few days ago and I never got their other part.

Rest assured that I will be sending out your partners no later than tomorrow afternoon ... REGARDLESS!!!

Thanks for patiently waiting and understanding.

Oh wow Im soooo excited for tomorrow to get our partners info!!!! feels like christmas, lol!!!

Have you finally gotten mine? I've sent it out 4 times now. The last was a PM. The first two had the answers in color (not HTML) but just a color font. The last thing I did was reply to a message from Sharon from last January and it took out the color. It's more important to get the info than to have the color separating the answers from the question.

I hope you have it and you are busy matching us up.

I hope you got mine too I resent it too. I have never done one before I excited

I have pm you with the questions and sent you pic I hope you got them

I have everyone's info now so hopefully tonight I'll be emailing all of you your partners. As I said before I will reply to each email I get during this swap, so if you don't get a reply from me it means I didn't get your email.

Please don't think I'm wonky or a nag if you get more than one email from me, just means I'm checking things off my list!



If I keep missing emails, I'll let you ladies know and we'll switch over to using pm's for the different check points. But as of now, please only use email so I have everything in one place!

Emails are sent! Please let me know you got yours!!

Yay... Got IT

thanks again Sharon! got all my partners info and am SUPER excited to make my swap Mama a beautiful new baby!!!!!!!! Time to start ordering!!!!

I got mine I cant wait to start

I got mine too ......... Can't wait!!! Now I am off to order

Im so excited for you guys. I was going to join and even had my info filled out and about to send, but decided to sit this one out. I didnt want to stress about not being able to finish ontime and thought it would be best financially to skip this one. But may be if we all decide to do another christmas swap, I may be interested :) Cant wait to see all these babies!!!

PS, I hope to see a Trinny by Jessica Schenk made! That was my top choice lol

Aww man I have been so busy and I forgot about this one... oh well maybe next time...

I ordered my partner's baby today!!!!

yep got my kit/supplies and even clothes etc..... so much fun and i will be starting very soon!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait!!

My partner's baby shipped yesterday!!! I can't wait to get it in the mail and start working!!!

So excited.... I got my partners baby and jsut about done painting.... just fine details and then to rooting.

lindarn_64 wrote:

So excited.... I got my partners baby and jsut about done painting.... just fine details and then to rooting.

Wow you are quick! I've got to be more like you and get things done early instead of waiting for the last minute! lol :D

lindarn_64 wrote:

So excited.... I got my partners baby and jsut about done painting.... just fine details and then to rooting.

Yes you are very quick!! Geez I need to be like you as well although I won't wait till the last minute I am starting mine this weekend ........so excited!!!!

This is my first baby swap So I don't know if we just email Sharon for the first check in point which is today or do we wait till she emails us to ask us? I am thinking we just email her for the first check in point .......please help

Just sent an email reminder for today's check in. I know some have already let me know but now's the time for the rest of you ladies to check in!