Swap Etiquette

Thank you to the ladies who have let me know about receiving your partners details. I am still waiting to hear from, listed below. If I haven't heard from you by Sunday I will assume that you are no longer interested in the swap and remove your name from the list of swappers, (which is something I don't want to do).

Karen

Now to the title of the post.

Just some basics for you as a swapper. Some of you may not be aware of the amount of work involved in coordinating a swap, no matter what size it is. It takes many hours away from our quilting and stitching, pairing up partners, sending out partner details, and keeping track of who's received emails etc, along with the mailing of parcels etc, etc. Swaps are organised to be a fun and joyful experience.

1. One of the priorities as a swapper is to respond to any emails sent out in a timely manner so that things stay on track and your hostess doesn't spend the majority of her day at the computer.

2. If for any reason you find you are no longer able to swap, it's important that you let your swap hostess know so that she can make other arrangements for your partner. Please never just say nothing because of embarrassment as these situations can easily be sorted out. It's much better to let your hostess know that you are no longer able to swap rather than be known as a swapper who doesn't come through.

3. Always send a private thank you to your partner for the parcel you have received, whether or not the item is to your liking. Your partner has taken the time and the expense to prepare a parcel for you that she hopes will be to your liking.

4. If you have problems with your partner, don't publicise it on your blog, go to your hostess and try and sort it out. There's nothing worse than having to go back and eat crow.

5. Keep your swap partners details somewhere where you can find them, this saves your hostess many hours of finding the information and resending it to you.

6. Choose and send item that you know that you would be happy to receive.

7. If you join a swap and it's your first time as a swapper choose something that is within your ability to create.

Happy Swapping.

This post is in no way meant to offend anyone, but I felt the need to lay out just a few of the things involved with swapping.

Swap Inspiration

As everyone has received the details about their swap partner I thought it was time for a little more inspiration. There's so many items that can be made that represent Spring. Here's a few bags to get those creative juices flowing.

I still need to hear from these ladies to make sure that you received your partners details. Please email me to let me know so I can mark it off my list, and remember to print out the information so that you have it on hand for your mailing.

Noémia

Karen

Tammy

Harley

Ruth

Judith

Angela

Susan

Fiona

Pam

Jennifer

Happy Swapping.

Over The Weekend

Here it is another start to a new week and almost at the end of the month. I had a lovely relaxing weekend preparing my Spring Swap item ready to start the stitching today, and yes another little peek just to tease you.
I had a lovely phone call from Miss Hollie last night. It appears that she won't be a Miss for too much longer. She and her boyfriend plan on getting married this year. She also told me that I'm going to be a Gran in September. Not exactly the order in which I would have wanted it, but these things aren't always in the control of the parents, all we can do is to continue to love them. Now I will have a little one to to spoil rotten and love on and of course to make far too many quilts for.

Spring Swap Update

The last of the emails with your swap partners details were sent this morning. If you haven't already done so, please email me to let me know that you have received it.

Now for just a few basics of the swap.

1. Please email me when you send your parcel to your partner so I can let them know to expect it.

2. Please email me once you have received your parcel so I can mark it off my list.

3. PLEASE email your partner with a thank you, just a blanket thank you on your blog will not do. If I find that thank you's have not been sent I will publish your name on my blog.

4. If for whatever reason you're running late with the mailing of your parcel to your partner please let me know so I can let your partner know.

Happy Swapping.

Last Day For The Spring Swap

Today is the last day to sign up for the Spring Swap. So far we have 49 swappers from USA, Portugal, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, England, Norway, France, Sweden, Netherlands and Mexico. I'll be closing the swap at 7 pm this evening central time (US). At this point I have only four ladies swapping within the USA, and everyone else will have an international partner. Unfortunately this couldn't be avoided as we have more US swappers than anyone else. I hope to have your partners details emailed to you no later than Monday, so you can all get busy lurking on blogs and starting on your swap item.

The photo of the Poppies is the Swap Button if anyone wants to add it to their blog.
I've spent the last couple of days designing what I'm going to make for the Spring Swap, and here's just a tiny peek.

Happy Stitching.

It's Finished + Free Down Under Quilts Magazine

I managed to finish the Time For Tea Swap item last night. Got it into the wash and now it's waiting to be wrapped and mailed. Just need to wait for the date to arrive.

As it's a gift and it's a surprise swap I can't show you the entire project, but I can give you another couple of peeks.

Thought some of you might like to know that you can now get the Down Under Quilts magazine free as a downlaod from here:http://subscriptions.creativelivingmedia.com.au

Happy Stitching.

Another Feb Finish - Another Peek - Spring Swap Update

Remember this little peek that I showed a couple of days ago?

It's now been transformed into this and another finish for this month. I decided that rather than doing it in red I'd like to see it with a little more colour to it. I also enlarged the pattern a little.
I haven't decided if this one will stay here, or travel to Australia to live with Jenna.

And this peek that I also showed? It too has been transformed.
I spent yesterday adding borders, and this morning I added the last of the embroidery. This afternoon it was sandwiched, ready to start the quilting tomorrow morning. (Different block, same project).
Hopefully by the weekend it will have it's binding and label attached and it too will be able to be marked off the list.

I've been trying for days to get a decent photo of the "Nature Of Love" quilt for you all, but the days aren't bright enough for an indoor photo, and the quilt is too big for me to handle by myself. So if the weather is willing, I think dh and I might take a little trip and find a nice location for a photograph this weekend. Then the only thing left is to get the plastic bags for the pattern to slip into and it will be ready for sale.

Spring Swappers

There's only three days left to sign up if you're interesting in this swap. So far we have 44 swappers from around the globe. I am looking for a few more swappers outside the US to balance out the swap pool a little.

Just a little clarification on the hand made item. A few people have asked what the medium is for this item. As this is a quilting/stitching blog and most of you are quilters/stitchers the medium is fabric.

Happy Stitching.

Happy Stitching.

Progress - Peeks

Last week I managed to get 12 blocks made for the bushfire quilt project, now ready to mail.
If you want to see some amazing blocks, pop over to the group and have a look.

I found 60 orphan blocks that I can send to Janet and plan on making a few more some time this week.

Tracey is also calling for blocks for ladies in her area that have lost their homes in the fires, so I'll whip up a few more and send those off as well. I think that should keep me busy and that's where I'll stop with the bushfire blocks.

I put the last embroidery stitch into this,

and this, this weekend.
Two separate projects, but both with deadlines and both just peeks at the moment, and this one had the first of the machine quilting started on Friday.

Hopefully this will be the year to finish up some of the projects that have been left behind from last year.

Happy Stitching.

Spring Swap

The response to the Spring Swap has been great, 34 swappers at this point.
I wanted to give you all a little inspiration for your handmade item, but first I want to say that the item that you make and send should be something that you would be thrilled to receive.

Now when I was thinking about what I could show you, the first thing that popped into my mind was the beautiful and stunning work of Kellie from Don't look now! who has very kindly given me permission to use some of her photo's. Her choice of colours just shouts Spring to me, they are such fun and vibrant shades and such terrific designs. I'm not suggesting that you copy her work, although I'm sure she would be flattered. I'm also not suggesting that you make a quilt, what I'm trying to do is show you some beauty and simplicity. After looking at her work and admiring it for quite some time, I've decided to step out of my comfort box and try my hand at this type of quilting. Perhaps my partner will be the receiver of my creation, perhaps I'll want to keep it.

Don't know yet, but I do have several ideas running through my head.

If you have singed up for the swap, please check my sidebar to make sure your name has been added to the list of swappers. If it's not there please re-send your information so that you don't miss out.

I'll try and make a point of giving you some ideas for your handmade item as time goes on. My suggestion would be what do you think of when you think Spring? My thoughts go to the

beautiful colours, pinks, greens, blues and yellows.

Happy Swapping.

In The Closet

This was the view from my back door yesterday afternoon. Looking at it, you'd think it was snow, but it's hail. I had my first experience with Tornado's yesterday, three of them, and spent the majority of the afternoon sitting inside my walk-in wardrobe with the dog and my husband. Not the way I had planned to spend my afternoon, but thankfully they passed by us and we are very fortunate not to have been harmed, unlike others close by who lost their entire homes.
I am astounded that living in a State that has a huge number of tornado's so few homes have either basements or storm cellars.

So today's plans are to work on the blocks I had hoped to do yesterday for the bushfire quilts. Janet from Wildcraft Farm is also rallying quilting ladies in the Dandenong Ranges area, and via the internet to make quilt blocks, perhaps you'd like to help.

I was reading Kim's blog yesterday and she's managed to get major quilting suppliers to supply batting, backing fabric and quality threads for Tia to use in the bushfire quilt project blocks, along with ladies willing to quilt the quilts. It just never ceases to amaze me the willingness of quilters and suppliers to step up to the plate when there's such a need. To all of you who are helping the bushfire victims in some way, a huge thank you from me. I lived through the Canberra bush fires and know how devastating a bush fire can be.

Is It Time For Another Swap? - Spring Swap

I'm sure we can all feel the approach of Spring and like many we are restless for it to arrive so we can say goodbye to winter. A number of bloggers have asked when the next swap will be, so here's the perfect opportunity for a swap, to welcome in Spring.

This will be a little different from the previous swaps, in that I'm going to leave it up to the individuals as to what they will include in their parcels.

What's required: Three items with a Spring theme, and at least one of these items MUST be handmade.

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 swaps, so that you get someone from another country, and you get a different swapper from the previous swaps, 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, this means you make regular posts, (please don’t email me and ask if you can join in if you don’t have 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. If you're interested you can set up a special email account so that you can keep in contact with your swap partner, without giving away your identity. 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.

As in the last swap, if you sign up and do not fulfil your swap you will be named publicly.

Dates

Sign up until February 21st (or until I close it)As soon as all the names have been collected I’ll email your partner details.

Mailing date April 3rd .

To sign up email me directly at lindaronne@yahoo.com with " Spring 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 in the email:

Your name

Address

Email address

Blog address

Colour preferences, style, likes/dislikes.

Happy Swapping

A 12 inch Block

I'm sure everyone is aware by now of the fires that have swept through Victoria, Australia and left a path of destruction and heart break. If you would like to help with a 12 inch block (12 - 1/2 unfinished) then check here for details. I know there are loads of other people with blogs that are rallying around raising funds and selling/auctioning items, but if you're not in a position to contribute with finances this is a great way of helping.

Linda

A Day In PJ's

Yes a day spent in pj's for me. My sweet hubby decided to share his germs with me and now I have a wonderful dose of bronchitis and tonsils that feel like they are the size of melons, but that won't stop me from being creative. I plan on working on the Bunny Hill Bom and the Willowberry Bom.
A very sweet friend sent me some gorgeous fabric to use for the background on the Bunny hill Bom and I think it's been fondled enough that it can now stand to be cut.
I'll need to have a rummage and see what I can come up with for the background for the Willowberry Bom.
Yesterdays mail brought a lovely parcel all the way from Illinois. Bren had a giveaway on her blog a couple of weeks ago and Nancy and I had a little playful bribing going on. Neither of us won, but we were happy for the winner and had loads of fun at the same time. Sweet Bren sent a little consolation prize to both Nancy and I. Two pieces of beautiful fabric.

Also included in the box were the last of the nine patch blocks that we had been swapping.

There was also another box inside the parcel, a late Christmas gift. My heart jumped and tears welled up when I opened this box. A beautiful pink tea cup and saucer with one of my favorite Scriptures written around the rim of the saucer and some lovely raspberry tea.

It reminds me of the beautiful Royal Doulton china that my Nana used to have.

Thank you so much Bren, this gift will be truly treasured.

Happy Stitching.

Heat Wave

As you know Australia has been going through some record breaking heat wave temperatures, in some areas reaching 111 degrees F. A friend of mine sent me these photo's from Australia today, and I thought I'd share them with you.
It's very rare to see a Koala drink water, let alone come close to people. Unlike the image they portray of being cute, cuddly and friendly. Koalas can be very nasty and aggressive.
Obviously the heat was just too much for these two Koalas.

If you click on any of the photo's it will take you to a full screen view.



Ahh that feels better, look mum I'm on camera.



I've lived on two of Australia's coastlines, and both were in rural communities and I've never seen anything like this before. Kangaroo's are extremely good swimmers, they'll hold a dog under water without blinking, but I've never seen them on the beaches before for a quik dip.

I hope you Aussie girls are staying cool.

Finishes,Starts,Disasters and Parcels

Let's start with the good stuff, and that would of course be the parcel. A lovely parcel arrived last week, all the way from Sweden, from the lovely Stina. A lovely birthday gift with a gorgeous hand painted tea tray, a tiny weeny embroidered heart and a lovely birthday cushion. Thank you so much Stina.

I've been working away on the Pink Stars and managed to get the first border on last night (with a lot of math help from Bren). Now I just need to piece 60 little blocks for the final border, then I think I'll send this one off to be quilted. I can just imagine the frustration I'd have trying to maneuver a queen sized quilt under my little machine.

My disaster would have to be this quilt. I've spent hours machine quilting it, only to decide that all the quilting needs to come out. What a pain in the neck. So that will just have to wait until I'm in the mood for it.
Now for the finish. I'm happy to say that "The Nature Of Love" quilt is finished. I have Bren proof reading the instructions for me, and I have the final embroidery designs to complete, take the photographs for the front cover, try and work out how to get PayPal on my blog, purchase some hang sell bags for the pattern, and then the pattern will be ready for sale. Phew that made me tired just thinking about it. Hopefully in a couple of weeks it will be ready, but at this point you only get a little peek

I just love the way a quilt looks lovely and wrinkly after a quick dunk in the washing machine and dryer.

Happy Stitching, and thank you for visiting with me.