<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:12:05 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Elfster Blog</title><subtitle>tips + tales</subtitle><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/atom.xml"/><updated>2008-03-01T16:18:03Z</updated><generator uri="http://www.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>a creative exchange</title><category>gift exchanges</category><category>knitting</category><category>fiber art</category><category>elfster users</category><category>blogs</category><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/a-creative-exchange.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/a-creative-exchange.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2008-02-28T03:38:36Z</published><updated>2008-02-28T03:38:36Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<div class="body"><p>This week's notable exchange goes to <a href="http://spidersknit.org/" target="_blank">Spiders&nbsp;Knit</a> for their secret single sock swap.&nbsp; Each participant knitted one sock for swapping with their matched pal. Fantastic socks, ladies!</p><p style="text-align: center" align="center"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img style="width: 352px; height: 244px" alt="sock_exchange_brooklyn_handspun.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/sock_exchange_brooklyn_handspun.jpg" /></span></p><p><span class="full-image-float-none"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Read more fiber art adventures at <a href="http://bklynhandspunyarn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><u><font style="color: #810081" color="#810081">Brooklyn Handspun's blog</font></u></a>. </font></span></p><p><span class="full-image-float-none"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">This&nbsp;needle felted sheep ring holder she received for her birthday is fabulous!</font></span></p><p style="text-align: center" align="center"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img style="width: 350px; height: 262px" alt="needle_felted_sheep_ring_holder.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/needle_felted_sheep_ring_holder.jpg" /></span></p><p><span class="full-image-float-none"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">If you are a fiber arts fan, or you know someone who is, check out the unique handspun and hand dyed yarns available at the <a href="http://www298.pair.com/brooklyn/Store/" target="_blank"><u><font style="color: #810081" color="#810081">Brooklyn Handspun Shop.</font></u></a></font></span></p><p style="text-align: center" align="center"><span class="full-image-float-none"><img style="width: 357px; height: 238px" alt="hand_spun_hand_dyed_yarn_shop.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/hand_spun_hand_dyed_yarn_shop.jpg" /></span></p></div>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Thank You's</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/thank-yous.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/thank-yous.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2007-12-25T01:01:30Z</published><updated>2007-12-25T01:01:30Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>All the parties, the dinners, the drinks... Time to send some thanks. If you didn't bring a hostess gift, you still can make up for it with a Thank You Gift. It can be small, a bar of chocolate, or as grand as you wish. There's only one rule - It should simply come from the heart.</p>   <p>&nbsp;</p>  <div class="journal-comment-area" id="comments">        <h3 class="caption"><strong>Reader Comments  (3)</strong></h3><h3 class="caption">&nbsp;</h3><h3 class="caption"><strong>        Dec 25, 2007 |    <a title="Unregistered Commenter" href="http://blog.elfster.com/contributor/1578222">   <img src="http://blog.elfster.com/layout/iconSets/dark/user-unregistered.png" class="inline-icon" alt="Unregistered Commenter" title="Unregistered Commenter" style="width: 16px; height: 16px;" />Lou-R&nbsp;      </a></strong><br />  </h3>                    <div id="comment1189194" class="comment">      <div class="body" id="item1189194">          <p>What method does everyone use for sending out those thank yous? Make a list of people and things first and then write them? Or write from memory? What happens when things get mixed up and you know someone gave you something, but can't figure out what!?</p>  </div></div><div id="comment1189195" class="comment"><div class="body" id="item1189195"><h3><strong>Dec 25, 2007 |    <a title="Unregistered Commenter" href="http://blog.elfster.com/contributor/1578223">   <img src="http://blog.elfster.com/layout/iconSets/dark/user-unregistered.png" class="inline-icon" alt="Unregistered Commenter" title="Unregistered Commenter" style="width: 16px; height: 16px;" />Lou-R&nbsp;      </a></strong></h3><h3>&nbsp;</h3>  <p>What do you write in a thank you when you know someone gave you something, but can't figure out what (because it all got messed up?)</p>        </div></div><div id="comment1199894" class="comment"><div class="body" id="item1199894"><h3>Jan 2, 2008 |    <a href="http://blog.elfster.com/member/kristine" title="Registered Commenter">   <img title="Registered Commenter" alt="Registered Commenter" class="inline-icon" src="http://blog.elfster.com/layout/iconSets/dark/user-registered.png" />kristine&nbsp;   </a><br />  </h3>  <p>Hi Lou-R. Great questions. Like a wedding gifts list, a journal of who gave your what gift and when is a good idea. It also will work as a guide for future gift giving ideas.</p>   <p>If you do not remember what a person gave you, I would send a thank you card that is general. You do not have to mention the gift. Eventually the person may drop a hint (i.e. &quot;What did you think of that cutting board I sent?&quot;) </p>   <p>If you're dying to figure it out, how about creating a reason for needing the information. Let's say you want to enter the gift for your &quot;do not need&quot; list or a blog post. You can ask people to send their gift information to you by sending link of the product from an online resource. </p>   <p>Or you can write one general thank you to everyone. I've received these in the past for bridal showers and baby showers. It works fine as acknowledgment of appreciation, and you do not have to mention any specifics. </p>   <p>I hope this helps.</p>   <p>Kristine</p></div></div></div>]]></content></entry><entry><title>It's the thought that counts...</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/its-the-thought-that-counts.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/its-the-thought-that-counts.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2007-12-13T05:23:38Z</published><updated>2007-12-13T05:23:38Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="sizeGreater20">&nbsp;<br />Yeah sure, if it's a one-time thing!&nbsp; But to use this line as an excuse to show up empty-handed again and again and again and again?<br /><br /></span></p><blockquote><strong><span class="sizeGreater80">Uh-Uh.</span></strong></blockquote><p> </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So, you're not lazy but you're cheap? Oops, I mean wisely frugal? Check out some quick fixes for under $25 (heck, a few are under $10 even).<br /><br /></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>rolling scissors</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/rolling-scissors.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/rolling-scissors.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2007-11-21T07:09:05Z</published><updated>2007-11-21T07:09:05Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-none"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/rolling%20scissors%20red%20black.jpg" alt="rolling%20scissors%20red%20black.jpg" /></span></p><p>These cutters remind me of&nbsp;Asia, where the textile merchants 'tear' the fabric with a sharp tool - actual cutting would be too inefficient. I feel the same way about gift wrap. This cutter glides forward to 'slice' the paper, which is much faster than the squeezing motion. This has no sharp edge and works well for kids, elderly and people with arthritis. Interestingly enough, it's $6.99 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/OLFA-Rolling-Scissors-Model-1075820/dp/B000XENO1K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1195628324&sr=1-4" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and $14.99 at <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=11405211&itemIndex=1&CATID=72460&PRODID=62217" target="_blank">ContainerStore</a>. Hmmm.<br /></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>sneaking in a video</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/sneaking-in-a-video.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/sneaking-in-a-video.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2007-11-21T06:38:18Z</published><updated>2007-11-21T06:38:18Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>I had to share this YouTube video. Talk about memory lane. This cover was sent to me by Peter after reading about my threat to regift Air Supply CDs. <br />  </p> <p>Am I a total dork to think this is not so bad?</p>  <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Uysa-k_zvM&rel=1" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Uysa-k_zvM&rel=1" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><em>&quot;Give a Little Bit&quot;<br /><br /></em></strong></p><h3><strong>Reader Comments (1)</strong><br /></h3><p><br /></p><h3>Jan 18, 2008 |    <a href="http://blog.elfster.com/contributor/1630658" title="Unregistered Commenter">   <img style="width: 16px; height: 16px;" title="Unregistered Commenter" alt="Unregistered Commenter" class="inline-icon" src="http://blog.elfster.com/layout/iconSets/dark/user-unregistered.png" />Gridlock&nbsp;</a></h3><div id="item1233623" class="body">        <p>Hey there. You are not a dork for thinking this wasn't &quot;so bad&quot;. I'm the singer/guitarist for the band....LOL. It's not perfect, but then again we are just a basement band.</p><p>Thanks a bunch for posting this on your blog.</p><p>Cliff</p></div>]]></content></entry><entry><title>reduce + reuse = green gifting</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/reduce-reuse-green-gifting.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/reduce-reuse-green-gifting.html"/><author><name>kristine</name></author><published>2007-11-20T14:11:53Z</published><updated>2007-11-20T14:11:53Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>Can one man's trash be another man's treasure?</p><p>Elfster says &quot;yes.&quot;&nbsp; As the premier online Secret Santa gifts exchange service, <a target="_blank" href="http://elfster.com">Elfster.com</a> is already contributing to keeping our planet sustainable by encouraging the reduction of gifts purchased - one gift purchased is always better than the purchase of ten. Social and environmental responsiblity has always been one of Elfster's core values. Just talk to Elfster's CEO, Peter Imburg, and you will get it quickly. Be careful not to catch the 'enthusiasm bug' when you are around him. <br /></p><p>From Peter, &quot;If I can be a part of an effort that influences change for the better, then I am happy, regardless of the business outcome.&quot; &nbsp;</p><p>As another step towards their commitment to improve our eco-footprint, Elfster just launched a public <a href="http://www.elfster.com/green-gifting/" target="_blank">Green Gifting</a> exchange feature. Any visitor can participate by joining an exchange group(s) of their choice to regift. Yes, poor 'regifting' finally gets a reputation make-over! Green Gifting is regifting - conscientious reduction of your unwanted by giving it to someone who wants it. Elfster's regift exchange categories include&nbsp;CD's, DVD's, digital music, digital movies, toys, books and recipes (Elfster's favorite green gift).&nbsp; </p><p>In addition to the fact you can now make great use of those old CD's&nbsp;<em>(oooh, how about those Air Supply CD's?)</em>, you will be influencing others to consume responsibly.<br /> </p><p>Regift, Reuse and Reduce.&nbsp; </p><p>Yay!<br />&nbsp;</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>fancy schmancy tapes</title><id>http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/fancy-schmancy-tapes.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.elfster.com/tips-tales/fancy-schmancy-tapes.html"/><author><name>Elfster</name></author><published>2007-11-14T01:46:02Z</published><updated>2007-11-14T01:46:02Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>If you're a big stationery fan, then you'll appreciate the recent surge of designer tapes. An easy way to make an ordinary giftwrap unique, all you need is plain paper and the tape will do the decorating for you. Even better if you can use these fancy tapes with brown grocery bags as giftwrap, cause reusing potential trash is much better for the envrionment. </p><p><span class="full-image-float-left"><a href="http://secure.giantrobot.com/products.php?code=CCTAPEAIRPLANES&catid=F011" target="_blank"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/piggy%20duck%20mini%20tape.jpg" alt="piggy%20duck%20mini%20tape.jpg" style="width: 126px; height: 116px;" /></a></span></p><p>&nbsp;<span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 114px; height: 99px;" alt="pop_tape_flowers.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/pop_tape_flowers.jpg" /></span><span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 122px; height: 98px;" alt="tape%20pop%20red%20flowers.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tape%20pop%20red%20flowers.jpg" /></span>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> </p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> </p><p>&nbsp;  </p><h5>Piggy + Duck Mini Tape, $3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pop Flowers Tape, $4.99 each<br /><a href="http://secure.giantrobot.com/products.php?code=CCTAPEAIRPLANES&catid=F011" target="_blank">Giant Robot Store</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=11286283&itemIndex=3&CATID=72460&PRODID=10018613">The Container Store</a></h5><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span class="full-image-float-left"><span class="full-image-float-left"><img src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/lace%20tape%202.jpg" alt="lace%20tape%202.jpg" /></span><br /></span></p><p><span class="full-image-float-left"><img alt="tape%20picture%20frame%20design%20print%202.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tape%20picture%20frame%20design%20print%202.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1194942036656" /></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 140px; height: 97px;" alt="tape%20graphic%20squares%20fred%20flare.jpg" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tape%20graphic%20squares%20fred%20flare.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1194942321218" /></span><br />&nbsp;</p><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;<br /></h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>Lace Tape, $10&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Picture Frame Design Tape, $12.50&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Graphic Tape, $10<br /></h5><h5><a href="http://www.oboiler.com/store.html" target="_blank">Boiler Design</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chocosho.com/Do-Frame+-Three+Delight-79943.asp">ChocoSho</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=1538&cat=4&page=1#">FredFlare</a><br /><br /></h5><p>&nbsp;<span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 122px; height: 143px;" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tape%20hearts%20love%202.jpg" alt="tape%20hearts%20love%202.jpg" /></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 132px; height: 93px;" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tinsel%20tape.jpg" alt="tinsel%20tape.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span class="full-image-float-left"><img style="width: 131px; height: 116px;" src="http://blog.elfster.com/storage/tape%20christmas%20ana%20ventura.jpg" alt="tape%20christmas%20ana%20ventura.jpg" /></span><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /></p><br /><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5>Love Tape, $6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tinsel Tape, $8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Holiday Tape, 5,40 Euros&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h5><h5><a href="http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=1050&cat=312" target="_blank">FredFlare</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=3437&cat=312#" target="_blank">FredFlare</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://anaventura.com/shop/tape/tape.htm" target="_blank">Ana Ventura </a>(Portugal) &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><br /></h5><p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content></entry></feed>