Swap Anyone!!!

Before I begin, let me just say a huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful swappers from the pincushion swap. The response to the swap was awesome and the creations were just wonderful. I hope that some of you have new friendships from that swap, and to top it all of you were all a wonderful group of ladies to swap with. Hats off to all of you for making it such a fun and successful swap.
So are you ready for another swap? Now we've seen pincushions, cupcakes, and aprons, so this is going to be different. Bags and buckets, but I’m not talking grocery bags and laundry buckets. How about stitching bags and buckets? We all love to have pretty and useful stitching bags/buckets to either hold or carry our handwork in and there are so many beautiful designs and patterns available. I’m not talking about your basic draw string bag or basic two sided tote. I’m talking about beautiful creations with either applique, embroidery or piecing involved, something you would be proud to give, proud to own yourself. Before you think I'm not a bag maker and think this swap isn't for you.You DO NOT need to be a seamstress or bag maker extraordinaire. Bag making is no different from making a quilt, there are cutting direction and step by step instructions to follow. As long as you do one step at a time, and don't look at the last step first you won't have any problems. If you're still not sure, I'll offer to help you as much as I can. I have free long distance within the USA and very cheap rates to Australia. If you live outside either of these two countries, I'll do my best to help you via email or through a chat mode.
Margaret has very kindly allowed me to borrow some of her photo’s from her blog, so let me give you some examples of what I’m talking about with a few of my own ideas thrown in for good measure.

So here’s how it will work.
This swap will be open to international swappers, so please be prepared to swap with someone overseas. I’ll try and match up as I did in the previous swap, so that you get someone from another country, depending on the number who sign up, makes it so much more interesting and fun, plus it’s a great way of making new friends.
It will again be a secret swap, makes for more interest, trying to guess who your partner is.
You need to have an active blog, (please don’t email me and ask if you can join in if you don’t have a blog). This would be a wonderful opportunity to start a blog.
You need to have an email attached to your blog address so that I can keep in contact with you. PLEASE make sure you do NOT have your settings at No Reply. If you’re not sure how to change it then pop on over to Donna's blog and read this post.
A thank you is a must. Please take the time and write your swap partner a thank you once you have received your parcel. A simple thank you on your blog just doesn’t cut it.
Swap on time, if you have a problem please let me know so I can let your partner know there will be a little delay. We all know how life sometimes gets in the way of our plans.
One of the swappers from the pincushion swap emailed me to let me know that her partner had set up a special email account so that she could keep in contact with her, without giving away her identity, what a clever idea. So, you may be interested in that.
You are more than welcome to include other items in your parcel, but it is NOT a requirement for the swap.
Please include in your parcel, your name, email address and your blog address. This saves me a lot of time forwarding this information onto your partner and allows your partner to let you know the parcel has arrived safely and offer her thanks.
Once you have received your parcel, please email me so I can mark it off against your name, this way I can keep track of the parcels.

Bag/Bucket are to be made with 100% pre-washed quality fabric.
Embellish to your hearts content, but please no glue.

As in the last swap, if you sign up and do not fulfil your swap you will be named publicly.
Dates
Sign up until July 31st (or until I close it)
As soon as all the names have been collected I’ll email your partner details.
Mailing date September 12th.
Sign up
Email me directly at lindaronne@yahoo.com with "bag swap" in the subject line by the deadline. If you leave a comment here on the blog asking to be include, please then send an email with your details.

Include the following information in the email.
1 Full name
2. Mailing address
3. Blog address
4. Email address (if different)
5. Your colour preferences (if any)

Remember when mailing overseas to limit the amount on the customs slip, and to mark it as a gift.
As your names come in I’ll add it to the sidebar, so if you’ve signed up but don’t see your name please shoot me an email and let me know.
When you are ready to mail your parcel to your partner please email me and let me know, (including her details) so I can let your partner know to expect a parcel. Then feel free to upload your photo to the flickr group (which will be set up).
When you receive an email from me notifying you that a parcel is on it’s way to your mail box, please be polite and respond to that email. This saves me a load of time.

If I've forgotten something that you think is important please send an email and I'll add it to the guidelines.

Above all have fun, you have all proved that swaps are fun and successful.

Happy Swapping.