Christmas 2013 REAL Baby Swap

Are you all ready????? WOO HOO !!! It's time!


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 going to use three different price ranges. Whichever category you choose will be the one you send and receive from. The 3 categories are under $40, from $40 to $75, and over $75. Hopefully this will allow all to participate at the level they’re comfortable with!

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! But remember … love and good thoughts … if you can’t say something nice … zip it!!

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 December 9th . 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 August 13th and end at 6pm PDT on August 23rd.
*Receive your partner's information by August 26, 2013.
*First check point September 9th  - kit choice and confirmation of ordered
*Second check point October 7th  - first WIP photos
*Third check point October 28th  - second WIP photos
*Final check point November 18th  - Completed baby pictures
*Shipping must be done between December 2nd and December 9th !! You MUST email tracking information to me. (International shipping date should be approx. 10 days earlier.)

** 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  Christmas 2013 Baby Swap in the subject line. Don't forget to include the two pictures of a reborn you recently made.

*********** Be thorough!! Give your partner lots of information please!!! ***********

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 or text 916-215-1318)

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

9. Which price range are you comfortable working from?
What are your top 5 sculpts in your chosen price range?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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

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

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 becauseyou just can't bond with them while you work on them?

I've never done this before and want to do this    This may be a "dumb"   question but does the price of the kit include the shipping or do you only go by what the kit cost If I buy a kit on sale do I go by the sale price or what it normally would be  
 

jo_lil_sugars wrote:

I've never done this before and want to do this    This may be a "dumb"   question but does the price of the kit include the shipping or do you only go by what the kit cost  If I buy a kit on sale do I go by the sale price or what it normally would be  
 

I agree, I could buy an100 kit on sale for 60. Is the price 60 or 100????

I would think if a kit is on sale it would be by luck. Its not garenteed, so you wouldnt put that on your wish list because it may not always be on sale and it will be hard for your partner to find one in that price range later on. JMO I would think it would go by retail price not sale prices. And from the other swaps I did, the shipping was not included in the pricing of the kit, just like the additional things like body or other materials were not included in the price either.

I will think about this:)...
I held off on the Cora preemie swap for Halloween as I participated in the summer swap and have a baby being shipped shortly and needed to focus on customs I'm currently working on and babies for eBay...
I will think about doing this swap!

The price of the kit would be it's regular price ... it's a true bonus if it can be found on sale! And if you want to only spend under $40 ... the kits on your list should be from that same price category. Hopefully that makes sense? lol

Shipping and all the other extras aren't included in the price. Pretty sure none of us could do a complete baby for even close to under $40 ... right?  

And another thought ... when it comes to the layette, unlike the monthly Round Robins where "new" is one of the requirements ... in these baby swaps it's a bit more relaxed. Slightly used items are acceptable as long as they don't look like they've been a 3 x hand-me-down. If you have something that still looks brand new, send me a picture and I'll yay/nay it for you. I know there are some really gorgeous vintage things out there, but we don't want any yard sale bargains.  

Hi Sharon!
I think I'd like to participate:)
Could you email me the questions as I use my cell phone so copying is a bit of a pain! Thanks!!

Lovingthemiddleofnowhere@gmail.com

  that explains everything I needed to know! This will be fun!!

Im seriously thinking about this!!! I love the swaps

Tinabloomfield wrote:

Im seriously thinking about this!!! I love the swaps

I have an urge to do it, but am still unsure too lol I really loved the last two swaps I was in, but am unsure if I want to take on the commitment with all the stuff I have going on now. I would really love to make a baby for someone, but don't want it to be too much on me with what I have now. So I dunno yet

With Love Nursery wrote:

Tinabloomfield wrote:

Im seriously thinking about this!!! I love the swaps

I have an urge to do it, but am still unsure too lol I really loved the last two swaps I was in, but am unsure if I want to take on the commitment with all the stuff I have going on now. I would really love to make a baby for someone, but don't want it to be too much on me with what I have now. So I dunno yet

I know how you feel, Stephanie. I LOVE swaps, but I also have a lot going on...(and I'm in the CORA Halloween swap)...but a baby for Christmas would be fun! What to do?!    

I think I would like to join. I normally order and reborn from BB kits, that price range suits me, but where does it fall? I mean, kit prices are normally $29-$49, but then they have sales that go off and on all the time, never know what the price will be. I am guessing it would be under $40??

mayberrybabies wrote:

I think I would like to join. I normally order and reborn from BB kits, that price range suits me, but where does it fall? I mean, kit prices are normally $29-$49, but then they have sales that go off and on all the time, never know what the price will be. I am guessing it would be under $40??

I'd say BB is the under $40 category.

Orange_Grove_Nursery wrote:

With Love Nursery wrote:

Tinabloomfield wrote:

Im seriously thinking about this!!! I love the swaps

I have an urge to do it, but am still unsure too lol I really loved the last two swaps I was in, but am unsure if I want to take on the commitment with all the stuff I have going on now. I would really love to make a baby for someone, but don't want it to be too much on me with what I have now. So I dunno yet

I know how you feel, Stephanie.  I LOVE swaps, but I also have a lot going on...(and I'm in the CORA Halloween swap)...but a baby for Christmas would be fun!  What to do?!     

Ahhh.. I feel the same way, but I am so tempted!

Oh, this sounds like so much fun! I really enjoyed the last swap I participated in and received a lovely addition to the nursery. I have some playborn obligations I need to get done before Christmas, but perhaps I will be able to get them done quickly and participate. Oh, I hope I get to play!!

I saw on Julie Molloy's website that she has her vinyl kits for 29.99 and it includes a body. The sale ends 8/31.


http://www.juliemolloydolls.com/vinyl_doll_kits

I would so love to do this. I am hesitant because I am running the CORA Halloween swap but not making a baby for it, and I have a surgery in Sept and one of the check in's is on a poss surgery date for my 2nd surgery.   but the last check in is on my birthday!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Is there a size limit on the kits? Maybe this would be a good idea.

Linda S. wrote:

Is there a size limit on the kits? Maybe this would be a good idea.

lol Thank you Linda ... I had it there when we went to BB kit's only because they have the bigger kits ... I'd like to limit it to under 24"! That's a pretty big baby but not a huge toddler!  

Sent mine!!
Please let me know you got it okay!
Also let me know if you need more photos:)

Just sent my information , I hope it i not too late ..

I just sent you an email with all the information, I hope I did it in time. Am in middle of a major storm right now so have been trying for the past 3 hours to get it sent out lol. Finally sent this time.

If I need to add anything else please let me know.

Liz Sullivan
Heart Kisses Nursery

Just making sure I have not missed an email with my persons info.

Can't wait to see all of these Christmas Babies! So excited for everyone!

With Love Nursery wrote:

Can't wait to see all of these Christmas Babies! So excited for everyone!

Me too, it's so fun seeing all the babies!  

mayberrybabies wrote:

Just making sure I have not missed an email with my persons info.

DeAnna, did you get the info now? I resent it but haven't heard back from you yet.  

SharonR wrote:

mayberrybabies wrote:

Just making sure I have not missed an email with my persons info.

DeAnna, did you get the info now? I resent it but haven't heard back from you yet.  

oh, yes, already have my kit ordered and everything :) -sorry

I joined the forum a bit late, but this sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to see all the babies being swapped!

Kit ordered, received and started!!! Can't wait to bring this one to "life"!

Sooo excited! My Christmas swap baby is all finished! Now the fun part of picking out outfits and toys!!! IDK if I can wait two more months to show off! I have major mommy love right now!  

Well I'm way late on this one. Maybe next swap. Have fun ladies!  

About half done with mine, I am on a roll today. It is so hard to not post pics.

Oh how I wish I would have joined. I know it was best that I didn't, but I wish I could of anyway lol.

how is everyone coming along.. that's what I'm wondering!!!  
I am a lot farther along that I was last year at this time!!!  
with any luck at all I'll be finished up soon... Then the packing begins!!! That excites me!

I'm doing really good! Just going to start the eyebrow and nails!

I'm working away!
He/She is coming right along though!

Working on getting the right clothes. Baby is allll done! BTW, do we name these or is that left up to the new mama?

kelseydoll wrote:

Working on getting the right clothes. Baby is allll done! BTW, do we name these or is that left up to the new mama?

I think it's a six of one, half dozen of the other sort of thing. I've gotten babies that were named and some that came unnamed ... I think the choice really is yours.  

SharonR wrote:

kelseydoll wrote:

Working on getting the right clothes. Baby is allll done! BTW, do we name these or is that left up to the new mama?

I think it's a six of one, half dozen of the other sort of thing. I've gotten babies that were named and some that came unnamed ... I think the choice really is yours.   

If I'm not making a character baby for a swap (who has a name already like Bo Peep), I usually use the kit name and the swap recipient's last name.

I am rooting, and rooting and rooting! Almost finished! I really loved this one bald (that doesn't happen often) so I am really hoping my rooting will do this one justice...

My baby is almost done. I am working on finishing rooting the hair now, I am almost half done with it. Clothes are already all picked out. Can't wait to send the baby out  

My baby is FINISHED! Well, almost... just waiting for the glue to dry and get it together! Will be finished this weekend. YIPPEE!!! This may be the first time I've been early getting anything done....  

So, I have a question about shipping: Where do you get the boxes? Do boxes need to be the same length as the baby, or do people have the baby sitting up or katty corner in a smaller box? Most of the box openings that I see on videos are huge boxes!

Karen, I've shipped and received babies in a number of different ways. It would be so much easier if we could ship them like they come to us as kits, right? lol If you have a long box where the baby can lay straight and flat that's awesome ... if you don't it's really whatever it takes to fit everything in.

Going with the Post Office's standard boxes for the "if it fits it ships" is probably the most economical because the boxes are free and you'll know what you're paying in postage. Going that route the easiest thing to do is to lay the baby on it's side with it's bottom in a corner, making an L sort of.

If you wanted to invest in nice boxes that lay the babies out straight and flat check online places like Paper Mart . For about $25 for a bundle of 25 plus shipping (no clue how much that is) you can get boxes that are 24" long x 12" wide x 12" high, which would be a good standard size for most babies.

But really it's how ever you can get them and their goodies to fit into a box. The MOST important thing I can't stress enough this time of year is protecting the contents of your box by putting everything into a sturdy plastic bag that can be sealed with twist ties or tape. That way pretty much no matter what nature throws at your mailman, the baby is protected!

Thank you, Sharon! That's very good information!

BTW, I love your saying in your siggy!

Getting EXCITED!!!  

Box openings should begin any time now EEEEKKKK!!! I can't wait to see everyone's babies!!! 

My labor is getting intense! but walking is suppose to make the delivery easier and I am!, ( with long periods of rest) .
Oh my gosh no one told me labor in your sixty's was so hard...  

I know!!! I'm so excited! I have to visit my dr. (post) office every day now!  

Oh my goodness, the deliveries have started!!! Eeeekkk!!!    

where are all the baby's pictures? Cant wait to see them all!! please?