Leap Day Postcard Swap – International

I have to join! I am getting married that day ,lol! (right across the street from the post office!!)

Does the postcard somehow have to represent leap day, or is it just mailed on that day?

Susieq11 - Congratulations!! I have a picture in my mind of a beautiful woman in a long flowing white dress running across the street holding up a postcard. LOL!

BassClarinetNerd - No, the postcard does not have to represent leap day but it certainly can if you want it to.

Thank you! Ha ha! No white dress but I will run and get it hand -canceled!!

I have a vntage card which actually IS a leap year's card for my partner!!

@Margothecat - really??!!

I know not everyone will be able to get theirs hand canceled (do they even do that in some countries??), but I always love hand canceled items. :)

@ColoradoKate - I have seen swappers in US say their PO won't do it! Mine is always willing. I think if you dropped the postcard in the mail the night before or that day it should be postmarked on the 29th.

Hi - I just featured this swap on the Swap-bot blog here. Thanks for hosting a great swap!

I'm going to watch and then ask my PO next time I'm there if they'll hand cancel. I don't wanna risk a rating because my PO is slow!

My son is a leap year baby btw... was born Feb 29th at 1:12 am :)

I love your *for the newbies:... I had a very risque post card mailed to me once.. in an envelope because they took "naked" literally. It was a riot and I laughed til I cried. Ok, I'm done blowing your comments up now. :D

@rachelcdoyle O.M.G. Can't. Stop. Laughing!!!!!

I looked it up when I saw it for the first time just because I didn't want to make that mistake!!!

Even though I know what it means, it still cracks me up when people put things like "Naked Valentine's Day Card" in their swap titles and no-one so much as blinks at it XD

I don't really know much about hand cancelling in the UK, if it's even possible or what a hand cancelled item looks like.

My research indicates that it is up to each individual post office to determine their policy on hand stamping mail. So, you will need to call you post office to find out. Hand stamping is not required for this swap, but a good idea. Here is a link with pictures showing the difference between hand stamped, a.k.a. hand cancelled, stamps and machined cancelled stamps: http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/03/11/theyre-off/

@Itti - I could not locate any information on the UK's policy. Let us know if you find anything out.

Oh, and I love the story about the naked post card!! Thanks rachelcdoyle. :-)

Nothing like living in a little town. The postmistress knows me when I come in and she gladly hand cancels all of my PCs!

@hereiam That's a great link, although the claim that it's against USPS policy to hand cancel regular envelopes doesn't ring any bells with me... I'll ask next time I get a chance. I go to a very small PO myself, and everyone knows me by name. :)

My PO will hand cancel, but then it gets machine canceled too. You can pay extra to have your mail be deemed "non machinable" and hand-handled only.

craftybarbie I have signed up to do the post card swap and it is the 28th and I have not gotten any address or name of who to send mine too. Thank you

Craftybarbie - This swap is for next month on the 29th. :-) You will get your partner in February probably during the early morning hours of the 25th.

Here's a clicky-link to the image of the hand-canceled stamp from above

I asked my PO, they said they'll hand cancel in small quantities and since it's just a post card they'd be more than happy. VERY small PO... so yay!

You can't get anything hand cancelled in the UK. Mail isn't cancelled at the post office but is taken to a sorting office and I think it is cancelled there allthough many postcards and envelopes manage to get through without getting cancelled at all.

what is the "angel"?

Iamamy - when someone flakes (does not send what she/he was supposed to for a swap), an angel is someone who sends the swap item in the flakers place. I hope that explaination makes sense. :-)

Have signed up and fingers crossed the wonderful UK Royal Mail manages to a) not lose it, b) actually stampt the card and c) stamp the postcard on the correct day!

sorry in advance if my card arrives unstamped or the wrong day. I PROMISE I will send it on the right day.

If I sign up-Can I mail it early; It doesn't have to be post marked ON the 29th does it? It would be safer to mail it the day before-as we are a very busy Post Office here & lot of times-(like today) I've gone in & there is such a long line -I have to go back; because I have other things to do & I really can't wait 20-30min. I went to the next town over today instead ,realizing it wasn't far & on my way to the library anyway& they had their window shut down -it was 1:45 & they weren't returning until 2:30pm. Needless to say,I wasn't happy-especially with the pressure to get things out on time. I do my best-but Life Does Happen & That's Out Of Our Hands! I had to wait at the library & had other errands to do as well,& missed it altogether today! Now I have to go back tomorrow,again. : (

Angeltea9 - Yes, if you sign up for this swap, you should do your best to get the postcard post marked on the 29th.

Tizzicat - I will keep my fingers crossed for you, too. :-)

Hello, I'm from Portugal and I'm new around here. So I have to send a postcard chosen by me and send it in 29-02-2012, right? :p

Catiafr - yes, that is correct and welcome!!

Just am so excited for this swap.

Great swap idea - simple and fun! My local PO (in Australia) is small-medium in size. Pretty sure they'd hand cancel if I asked. Most people here are pretty nice except at this particular PO where morale seems a bit lacking.

Thank You. I'm going to sign up then.

it's my boyfriend's birthday that day! :)

I don't normally join a swap without a rating requirement but am prepared to risk it this time!

I don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but the swap is specifically for a Leap Day postcard. I'll be real - if "life happens" and I can't get my stuff in the mail on February 29. I'm prepared to suck it up and take a 3 rating. I think the DAY is the point. I hope everyone will have good luck at the post office, but if I wasn't 99% sure I could get to the post office that day, I wouldn't risk it!

I'm with @ColoradoKate There's a 99.9999999999999% chance I"ll be at the post office on the 29th but if my post card comes not dated for the 29th I'm gonna be "that person". I HATE rating under 5s and generally just "not rate" rather than "bad rate" but I really hope my partner gets it right. I know it's going to get Angeled but even angeled it won't be post marked for the 29th :(

come on, how hard can it be to get the card to the PO that day (at least here in US) or in a box the day before. I live in a rural area and it aint that hard. I can even leave it for the postman. Hand canceling may be harder, but I'll make the effort. HAVE FUN EVERYONE!

Is it okay to get/make a Leap Year themed postcard?

when will u be sending us our partners???

and what is hand cancelling???

My first time and I haven't yet had a name and address to send to. Will this come to me in time?

Jellytot - It is ok to get Leap Year themed postcards or have them professionally printed. It is sender's choice so you do not have to have a Leap Year themed PC. Also, no homemade cards for this swap.

Jenni612 - Hand cancelling is when you walk the postcard up to the counter in the post office and they cancel, aka hand stamp, the card in front of you with that days date. Not all post offices do this and it is the only way to truly ensure that the card is stamped on the correct date. The sister swap is less stressfull for those that don't have a PO willing to hand cancel. It is here: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/112906?new=1

SandraEC and Jenni612 - The partners will be assigned early on February 25th. Come back to this page then and you will see a link in the little yellow box up top that says, "See the partners you send to."

I want to change to the non-hand cancelled swap as I am not sure they do hand cancelled in France. Thanks.

Can I sign up more than once and get and send multiple cards?

Grammag - I really like your enthusiasm but the bot only allows you to sign up one time.

They do hand-cancelling where I am (Southern Ontario, Canada). I'm really excited about this :)

My PO always hand cancels the envelopes I hand them. I actually know all the staff by name, but they seem to do it for everyone who hands them the mail (rather than putting it in the mailbox outside).

how do i contact the swap coordinator i need some questions answered for this if possible :)

I asked at the post office today, and they said it's not possible to stamp it in front of you. Apparently it can't be done in the UK.

I can 100% get it to the post office on that day, but I can't get them to stamp it in front of me. @hereiam you said that hand stamping is not required, is this still true?

I am willing to take a 3 if I mess up and don't get there at the right time, but don't want to be rated down if the post office by some fluke doesn't stamp it the same day (and I'm 99.9% certain they will, especially if I get it in the box the night before so they can get it as soon as they open). Can we have a clarification on how to rate, please?

Can this postcard be handmade with our own unique design?

Question - can we make our own designs on a blank postcard (like mail art?) or does it have to be a commercially purchased postcard?

Flippingmyfins - you can click on my name and my profile will come up. Then you click on send message. Or, you can post your questions here.

Itti - You may want to join the sister swap that is more laid back about the stamped date. It was made for swappers just like you. It is here: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/112906

Sweetred35 and Yolynda - The postcards need to be bought from a store or professionally printed. No home printed/handmade postcards for this swap.

Today is the last day to sign up. Any Newbie that signs up today needs to have a well filled out profile or I will remove them from the swap. Nothing against new swappers. This is a simple requirement that shows good intentions.

I have already talked to most of the new swappers that signed up early through email. If you are new and responded to my email then you are good-to-go. :-)

Happy Swapping to All!!!

I am aware of the other swap, but thank you.

Please could you answer my questions? :)

Hand stamping is not required for this swap.

Can we have a clarification on how to rate, please? I think in such a large swap it would help to have things straight from the beginning.

So excited & just asked the post office if they would hand stamp & the nice lady behind the counter said "Yes they should & if they dont, come see me!"

i am unalbe to get my leap year partners name and address. HELP PLEASE

i am really new at this! how do i write a bit about myself for others to read and get to know aoout me?

Cguls - you are not alone. I have had a few emails requesting this same information. Look up at the top of this page. You will see a yellow box to the right of the swap title. One of the links says, "see the partners that you send to" - click on this to get the address of your partner. You will also see the link to click after you mail your PC. It says, "click here when you have mailed your items." The link that lets you rate your the person that sends you a PC is also there.

To change your profile - hover your curser over the word "Profile" that is just under the orange Swap-bot logo at the top of the page and the option to "edit profile" will appear. You may also click on "Profile" at the top of this page and you will see the option to "edit profile" by your username on your profile page.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more help. :)

I think this is a neat idea to have a postcard stamped on Leap Year. I like getting postcards or cards from different parts of the USA or international. Lots of fun.

I live in a rural area in PA. Both of the post offices near me are glad to hand cancel anytime. I'm headed there tomorrow with my postcard. Really excited to get mine. This is a great idea. Lets do it every year, well I guess that would be every 4. Ha ha.

Ooh it's tomorrow!!!!

I sent mine with a special minot afb, ND feb 29th postmark. I hope my partner will like it.

Is there anyway to join up late for the leap day swap? Just found this site and joined. I would love to participate in this one.

Sorry mmaloy, to the best of my knowledge there is no way to join once partners are assigned.

Happy Leap Day from Oz - well, it is the 29th here today. PC sent!

It's started! It's started! Happy Leap Day Down Under!!!

OK some of u are asking why it would be hard to get to the PO if u work 12 hr days 7 am to 7 pm it is hard.

Happy Leap Day up above! lol :)

Card in the mail today. But I noticed that some people mailed as early as the 25th and the 28th. Wasn't the idea to have it postmarked on the 29th as sort of a posterity thing. Anyway, I hope my partner is mailing today. Have a great Leap Day everyone.

Mailed by post card and my post office even hand stamped it for me, so excited for whomever will receive it. I hope they like it. Happy Leap Day!!!

churlann - you are right, the idea was to get the card postmarked on the 29th. I do not know about those who mailed on the 25th. I did send out an email reminding everyone to mail on the 29th. As for the 28th, I know those that mailed on the other side of the world were mailing on the 29th even though it marked them as the 28th on here. They are just more advanced than us. :-O ;) :)

Got the PC in the mail and found out that by hand stamping at the PO not only does it get todays post mark, it is post marked from my actuall city instead of the nearest large city which is what it normally does :) bonus info for me today ~ Happy Leap Day all

Sent my postcard out this morning. Can you believe that they charged me $1.15 to hand cancel? I did it, & he stamped the card right in front of me, but really? Regardless, the hand stamp does look nicer.

I'm in NY and the weather is AWFUL. The roads are covered in snow and ice.

Is there anyone who can send a PC to my partner that will be hand cancelled today?! I feel terrible and would hate for her not to get a LD postcard.I'll send you a bunch of goodies as a thank you and I will send her's tomorrow.

If anyone could help me, I'd appreciate it so so so much!

Thank you so much!

I knew the post office could charge 20¢ extra for non-machinable letters that need hand stamped, but I really think he was wrong. I also thought postcards were excluded from the surcharge. I am still trying to find where it says that on the USPS website. I will send you the link when I find it.

I just mailed my card to the UK and was able to get it hand-cancelled free even at a suburban Houston, Texas, post office!

cerenaleigh - I've got you covered, but this will be the last one that I can send for anyone because my PO closes in a few minutes. Gotta run and get yours stamped.

So totally enjoyed today's Hand stamping process. This post office is the nicest. I love living in a small-ish town. Hoping that I receive one as nicely stamped as mine was! Thank you for this swap!

Sent mine out and got hand-cancelled today! Just wanted to post it in case my partner is as curious as I am ;-)

Sent mine today! My first swap on swap-bot! :) Got it hand-cancelled.

I warned my postal guy that I'd be looking for hand cancelling today - they never disappoint! He took his time to make my postcards look awesome (I sent my partner two because I'm terribly paranoid, lol!). Happy Leap Day, all!

I sent mine today, with a lovely hand cancellation from The Foothills p.o.

I just wanted to say that the coordinator of this swap, @hereiam , is amazing. I was snowed in here in new york and was unable to get to the PO to get the PC post-marked. Luckily, @hereiam was constantly checking the swap forum and was able to send a PC out for my partner. She definitely deserves some stars!

I did post mine yesterday, but didn't click it, have done now.

I got mine hand-cancelled too. They do it here for free, no problem whatsoever. You just have to mention that you need this particular piece of mail postmarked with today's date. I really hope my partner likes her card :)

I do not understand how to correctly show that I have sent my PC on time. I thought I did that by posting here, but received an email that I have not done this correctly. PLEASE HELP!!!!! PeggyO

PLEASE HELP--I SENT MY PC WITH A HAND CANCEL ON FEB. 29, but I received email that I have not shown that correctly, but I have no idea how to or what I need to do! I so DO NOT WANT a bad rating! PeggyO

I thought that posting here meant I was completing my swap PC mailed on time. What have I done wrong? Someone, please help me!

PeggyO

Hi PeggyO. I only sent the email to let you know that marking your swap as sent is the next step in the Swap-bot process. I know that you sent your item on the 29th since you posted that here in the comments. You are going to make a GREAT swapper!!! I would partner with you any day. The final step in the swap process is to rate your partner when you receive the postcard sent to you. Please let me know if you have any questions about that. :-)

When I took my PC to the post office, I even took a picture of them hand-canceling the stamp! I was so excited and the lady at the PO was really nice. I live in a small town and they are about as excited when I ship off a swap as I am!

I sent on time, just didn't click send. Sorry!

hereiam, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for such a great PC - too awesome and I love frogs - You Rock!!!! Cheers FreddFudd {:-D

p.s. Thanks for such a great day to swap on as well.

You are very welcome FreddFudd! I am happy that you enjoyed my card. :-)