A look back on the 2017 Notebook & Pen Swap

A few months ago, I started the 2017 round of The Notebook & Pen Swap – which is quite literal in its name – and I think now we’re in pretty good shape to be able to show off our wares!

Over 80 people all over the globe signed up to be matched with someone to send each other a notebook and pen. With a little form filling out of preferences, they were good to go. I then matched everyone and sat back to enjoy seeing what they would make of it! It was so fun to scroll through the hashtags #notebookpenswap and #notebookandpenswap (yes I forgot my own hashtag and told people to use the wrong one) to see the gorgeous wrapping jobs and how above and beyond people go for their partners.

Check after the jump to see all the pretty photos of swaps!

This is what I put together for my partner Yas:

And this is the amazing package she gave me:

Amazing, right? And that’s just one! Check out what others did:

Hello September! The Fall is coming, I can feel it in the air! Tell me, how do you organise your photos, please? I suck at it! Thank you! #nespressomoment #mujolympus #plannermom #notebookpenswap #plannernerd #materska #dnespijem #paperoamo #morningstories #jeduvpapiru #websterspages #kikkik #igerscz #iglifecz #lokokocz #plannergirl

A post shared by Jane | moravcovajani@gmail.com (@janeonthemove) on Aug 31, 2017 at 11:11pm PDT

Thank you to @plancultivatecreate for the beautiful #happymail package as part of @papertraildiary's #notebookpenswap! Love the gorgeous print on this notebook… so much art to be created on these blank pages!

A post shared by Michele (@justalillost) on Aug 23, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

Beautiful colours from my #notebookpenswap partner @j.michelle.lettering. #thankyousomuch #pentopaper #notebook #pen #handmadecards #lettering #loveforanalogue #stationeryfinds #stationeryaddict #handlettering #journaling

A post shared by Barb (Muskoka,Guelph,Calgary) (@ritewhileucan) on Aug 19, 2017 at 7:01am PDT

Thank You @jesrose1 !!!! I just love my #notebookpenswap but I fear my husband may fall in love with that pen in a hot minute

A post shared by Genya (@genya171) on Aug 17, 2017 at 6:35pm PDT

A big thank you to @papertraildiary for hosting the #notebookpenswap and to my swap partner @frugalista_mamas for spoiling me with the perfect notebook(s) and a #sevenyearpen . . . #paperlove #sendmoremail #snailmail #stationerylove #happymail

A post shared by Andrea Raymond (@dreyray) on Aug 17, 2017 at 5:59am PDT

Yay! My notebook and pen swap arrived today! Thanks Chelsea! #notebookpenswap #notebook #pens #moleskine #minionmoleskine #limitededition #minions #despicableme3 #swap #happymail #sendmoremail #snailmail #snailmaillove #snailmailrevolution

A post shared by @dobbsthedog on Aug 16, 2017 at 5:09pm PDT

Be yourself! I got this beautiful sketchpad & #pinkribbon pen from my swap partner in the mail yesterday! Getting happy mail is just soo nice, especially this yummy kind! Love how the letters shimmer in the light! #notebooklove #notebookandpenswap #notebookpenswap

A post shared by Hanna Andersson (@ihannas) on Aug 16, 2017 at 7:08am PDT

Just received my #notebookpenswap parcel! Even the tissue paper wrapping is divine!

A post shared by Katherine (@plancultivatecreate) on Aug 10, 2017 at 12:14pm PDT

Awesome post courtesy of @the_crafty_lass Thanks for my gorgeous customised notebook and beautiful pens – the snacks will go down a treat too! I can't recommend taking part in stationery swaps enough. Thanks @papertraildiary. Full blog post on the exchange coming soon

A post shared by Emma Farley (@emslf) on Aug 10, 2017 at 3:32am PDT

Thank you @janeonthemove for my #notebookandpenswap package☺️ I've never tried these "real" #midori #travelersnotebook inserts I always make my own so I'm eager to see what these real ones are like

A post shared by Janine van Emden (@janineve1) on Sep 22, 2017 at 5:52am PDT

My beautiful and thoughtful package from @coperti as part of @papertraildiary 's #notebookandpenswap … The pen has a Greek talisman of 'the eye' to protect against evil& bad thoughts, while the journal has a replica of an old school book on the cover (totally my catnip!). Also included was a postcard with the skyline of Athens and a beautiful magnet of Santorini. Now I want to visit Greece and write about it in my journal! Thank you so much!!

A post shared by Jenn H (@lostinagreatbook) on Aug 22, 2017 at 10:17am PDT

This impatient girl had to wait 12 whole hours for sunlight to photograph the wrapping before I could to unwrap my #notebookandpenswap gifts from @lilsho65. Thank you for the gorg floral notebook and the metallic gels pens plus the extra goodies! I will be using everything, girl! Thanks for hosting, @papertraildiary! I can't wait for the next round… #stationeryaddict #notebook #travelersnotebook #collagejournal #creativewomen #creativehappylife #swap #snailmail #snailmaillove #writemoreletters #sendmoremail #lwa #gelpen

A post shared by Kristina Simone (@pgsnailmailer) on Aug 16, 2017 at 11:38am PDT

While every swap inevitably has its flakes, I also received plenty of angel sign-ups, so thank you angels for extending your kindness when others can’t follow through.

I’m so happy to run this swap, though for now it’ll remain as a yearly thing, so make sure to stay tuned next summer for the next round 😉 But coming up soon will be the next round of the Book Lover Postcard Swap!