Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere
SWAPS originated from Native American Indian customs. Tribes would often make a “potlatch” to give as a gift to visiting tribes. It was a token of friendship and honor. Each tribe member would exchange a potlatch with another person to show that they respected the person and their relationship.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you with SWAPS

• SWAPS should be handmade by the girls.
• Make sure to attach your troop number and location to each item.
• It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on SWAPS.
• Make sure a safety pin or pin back is included with each SWAP so it can be attached.
• SWAPS are usually only an inch or two in size.
• Scrap items like beads, lace, felt shapes, sequins, etc. can all be turned into creative SWAPS.

Need an idea for SWAPS? Try one of these!

• Sleeping Bag – Cut a square of felt into strips about two inches long. Cut two pieces of yarn in six-inch lengths. Roll up the felt, tie the yarn around it, and make a bow. Glue a pin back on the opposite side of the bow and write your troop number on the front.
• Girl Scout – Wrap green embroidery floss from the top of a clothes pin halfway down leaving the ends uncovered to look like legs. Glue yarn on the top for hair, decorate the bulb as a face, and glue a pin back on it. Don’t forget to include your council name!
• S’mores – Cut two squares of cardboard and one square of brown paper or felt, and stretch out one cotton ball. Glue the cotton ball and brown paper inside the squares of cardboard. Voila! A S’more!
• Glue googley eyes and felt feet on a pom pom ball. Add a beak of construction paper and felt flippers to create a cute seal!

SWAPS of the Month!