Christmas Ornament Swap Received! What fun!!

This year, I participated in a Christmas Ornament Swap hosted by Sue, at It's a Very Cherry World.

My partner was Dorothy from Hens Rule Blog. I had a great time fixing a goodie box for Dorothy and making an ornament. It was my first time to swap a ornament I had to make, and I hope my effort was not too much of a fail.

Today, my box arrived and I could hardly wait to open it and check out my new ornament and goodies! Boy, was this a fun box to open, and I was so excited as I dug into all the goodies!

Here is a picture of all my fun things. The ornament Dorothy made for me is so sweet, as it is a black and tan dachshund playing in the snow with a cute Christmas tree. It could not be more perfect.

Look how sweet this ornament is!! Sparkly snow and all tied up with a cute polka dot red bow!

She also included this cute little putz house. Oh, this is so cute! Loved it too!

Vintage euphoria, and a cute little vintage Christmas book. The little book really jogged my mind as I seem to remember little books like this from my childhood. I love all of these treasures.

Dorothy included a pretty card with a personal note and a cute little snowman ornament as well! This was  a very fun swap, and I really enjoyed participating.

Here is a glimpse of my little putz house, it is on top of my china cabinet with these little vintage Santa and Mrs. Clause that were gifts from  my SSS swap. They go so cute together, like it was meant to be.

And here is my cute little dachshund ornament already hanging on my tree! 

Thank you again, Dorothy for swapping with me this year. I enjoyed putting your box together and making you an ornament. Likewise, I was over the moon with my gifts! So fun!! I am really glad I decided to participate with this swap, and Thank you to Sue for organizing it! Christmas surprises are sure a lot of fun.

Information on Another Fun Swap......Christmas Ornament Swap

Hey everyone....I wanted to give you all a heads up on another fun swap hosted by Sue, from It's a Very Cherry World. She is hosting an ornament swap, and her information and rules are pretty simple and not so ridged like my swap...ahem.

I have never participated in one of these ornament swaps, and wondered just how "cute" my ornament would be, but I decided I'd participate and stretch my abilities a bit and produce a cute ornament for my partner. This should be fun and I don't want to miss out!!

Think about it...and it this sounds appealing....stop by and sign up. Believe me...if I can make one...so can you!

Secret Santa Soiree ~ Signups are about to close

The signups for the Secret Santa Swap close on Thursday. If you have thought about joining and have not signed up yet, there is still time to do so! You can go HERE to sign up and find out more information on the swap. This is always a lot of fun during the holidays, and if you have never participated before, come and join us, you will be glad you did!

I will be working on this between now and the end of the week to make sure I have everyone's emails, and getting everyone ready to be swapped! I am looking forward to this season!

I can not add anyone after the link closes, so please don't be left out! Stop over and sign up today while the link is still active!

Secret Santa Soiree 2013 Signup Link

It is time to sign up for the Secret Santa Soiree Swap for 2013. I posted detailed information earlier today about the swap, please go HERE to read that first if you missed it this morning.

Below is the link for the Secret Santa Soiree for 2013. Please follow the instructions below when linking in, please. I am excited  to be hosting this again this year and hope you are as excited as I am.

1. leave a comment to this post saying you are participating this year.

2. leave you information in the linky below. PLEASE be sure to fill out the link entirely and add your email address and real name in the spot that asks for that information. (it makes it easier for me when I am emailing you your information)

3. follow the "contact me" button on my right sidebar and email me your mailing address and the link to YOUR blog. Also, please, let me know if you are interested in swapping international or not. Please use subject line in email as SSS or Secret Santa Swap

I'm excited...and hope you are ready to be a Secret Santa!

The Secret Santa Soiree ~ Information on Swap for 2013

Today is the day that the Secret Santa Soiree Swap will begin. I am posting the detailed information this morning for anyone wanting to participate to read over about the swap, the link will go live this evening for you to sign up if you want to participate. Please take the time to read over how this swap works before you sign up this evening.

I'd like to give you some insight on this Christmas swap. The purpose really is to meet new folks through this swap. The person you are shopping for, may not be in your blogging circle, they may be new to you all together and not have any of the same likes, or hobbies that you do. That is ok, and I have found that if that is the case, I really enjoy thinking about what I am going to send my SSS person who is a little different from myself. 

The swap person you have, will not have your name. That is to keep it a secret as to who had who. You will know when I post at the end of the swap who had your name. The questionnaire form that I send you to fill out will be sent to the person who has your name and vise versa, that is how you know a little of what your partner might like or what hobbies they may have. It is a chance for you to get creative in your gifts, and you will find, many of our swappers enjoy things that are not necessarily new, but recycled, or thrifted. (I myself love those gifts so much) First, and foremost, it is an opportunity to meet new people and send someone a little Christmas cheer. I get many emails each year thanking me, as some participants only receive the gifts through the swaps and they really do mean a lot to a lot of folks.

It's NEVER to early to start thinking about Christmas...

The signups for the SSS will begin tonight. PLEASE before you sign up, read these directions in their entirety and make sure you are able to participate.

Signups run through October 31st or when we reach the allotted number of swappers, which this year will be 75. 


If you want to show the bloggy world you are participating and send some folks this way to join in the fun, there are some buttons to grab at the bottom of the page.  I have no idea how to add a code to these for the link part, so you will have to add the photo and link it back to this post. IF anyone does know how to do that and wants to help a technical challenged blogger out, let me know!!

This is going to be A LOT of fun and I am so glad you all want to be part of the Third Secret Santa Soiree hosted here at The Coloradolady...so on with the show...

*How It Works*

*** All updates and announcements will be posted in a blog post so you won't miss anything as the swap goes on.

You will need to sign up this evening when the link post goes live. ( Please when putting in your link, completely fill out the link part with your name, blog address and EMAIL address.)  Feel free to spread the word of our Secret Santa Soiree here at The Coloradolady. This will be limited to 60 bloggers who sign up. The cut off time to sign up is Thursday, October 31st. ALL PACKAGES NEED TO BE IN THE MAIL BY December 5th. (earlier if you are shipping to an international swapper)

*411*

1) You must have a blog so that when your gift(s) start rolling in you can post pics and blog your lil ♥ out about how GREAT your Secret Santa Soiree exchange partner is. Some folks did not do this last year after I begged them to do so. If you failed to do this part of the swap, I am sorry, but you won't be able to join this year. This is one of the most important parts for your swap partner and there were many who were very disappointed that their partner did not do this. In my opinion, it is just plain rude to not do this part of the swap, and it really hurts others when you fail to do this part.

2) You must not share your partner's address with anyone else-
The only two people who will ever see your full name and address will be myself and your partner. Under no circumstances are you to share that private information with any other blogger.

3) The spending limit will be  $20.00 (not including shipping) if you choose to spend more that is fine, but PLEASE do not be upset if your SSS partner does not. You can spend the money anyway you'd like by buying small gifts or one gift. The choice is yours. I have found that most people do enjoy several smaller packages to open as opposed to one, but the choice is yours.


4) When you're ready to ship your gift, make sure you send it with tracking, I believe now it is included with priority shipping, it used to be called delivery confirmation, but however you send your package, make sure you have the tracking number.. This will serve as proof that you actually did ship your gift to your partner, you will then need to email me the delivery confirmation number.

5)a) In order to sign up you must leave a comment to the post this evening and Be sure to link in at the bottom of the post using the linky as well. Complete linky in its entirety.

b) BUT ALSO you will need to email me. If you link in and do not email me the information I have asked for I will delete your link. I can not and will not try to hunt anyone down this year, I just don't have the time to do so.  You can click on the "contact me" on the right sidebar  with your shipping info-this will be the ONLY way I can be certain you want to be a part of the SSS.  PLEASE put SSS in your subject line and also include a link to your blog-obviously I don't know everyone's real names yet so it's helpful if you give me the name you post under along with your blog link. Once I receive your email with your shipping information, I will email you a short questionnaire that needs to be filled out in a day or two and returned to me via email. This will give your swap partner some ideas of your likes, dislikes and so forth. **** If you are willing to be a Secret Santa to a international friend. Please let me know in the email with your shipping information. I really want to include international bloggers as well, so I need to make sure you would be willing to ship/swap with an international blogger.  Simply -  (I will exchange with a International friend) is enough to let me know you are willing to ship internationally.

6) You MUST ship by Dec 5th-feel free to get creative with your return address (remember, it is a Secret Santa exchange) while keeping in mind the rules and regs of USPS or your shipping carrier of choice

7) Probably the most important bit of 411-This is a SECRET Santa soiree so PLEASE do not share who your exchange partner is...you want to keep them guessing right?

*How to Participate*

1. come back here tonight and sign up.
2. email me your information
3. when you receive your questionnaire, fill  it out and email it back to me.
4. watch your email for your partners information
5. shop for your partner
6. send your gifts on time with tracking
7. blog about your gifts

Feel free to grab a button and link back to my blog to spread the word~ 

Please, please if you sign up make sure you are going to follow through. This is really a lot of fun during the holidays and once you commit to being a Secret Santa, make sure you will be able to follow through. It makes things a whole lot less stressful on myself and others. 

My time is VERY limited this year and I almost decided not to host due to the amount of time it takes to run this swap. I don't have the time this year to beg people to do what they agreed to do. Please make sure you are able to do this  and follow through with all that is required without me having to email about what needs to be done over and over. 

I know that sounds a bit gruff...but I don't mean it to come across that way. This is very time consuming and it can run rather smoothly if all do as asked!  It just makes is a lot easier on everyone and no feelings are hurt!! Now.....Let The Fun Begin!!!

The Secret Santa Signup Link will go live this evening. See ya then, and thanks to all who have emailed me about being excited for this to take place again this year.

Psssst........It's Time For The Secret Santa Soiree 2013

It's NEVER to early to start thinking about Christmas...

No, I have not lost my mind......people...organizing fun things takes a little thought and time!! So....even though we are not even to Halloween yet.....today I am gonna talk SECRET SANTA!!!!

I have decided to host the Secret Santa Soiree again this year. I hope I will keep this running as smoothly and simple as possible.

If you want to show the bloggy world you are participating and send some folks this way to join in the fun, there are some buttons to grab at the bottom of the page. It is not required, but it helps get the swap out there for other folks to know about and not miss the deadline. I have no idea how to add a code to these for the link part, so you will have to add the photo and link it back to this post. IF anyone does know how to do that and wants to help a technical challenged blogger out, let me know!! If you'd like to include the information in one of your post, that is great too. I will be strict about the cut off date this year. I can't add anyone after the 31st.

Come back Friday for all the information about how the Secret Santa Soiree swap works and the sign up list will be with that post. Below are the dates at a glance for this year swap. You might want to follow along some kind of way either by facebook, or follow widget so you don't miss any updates. I will always post updates for this event on my blog.

* Signups start Friday October 11th

* Swap closes on October 31

* Swap partners assigned by November 7th

* Shipping needs to be by December 5th, EARLIER if you have a international partner

* Secret out of the bag and partners announced before the week of Christmas (hopefully) 

Hope you come back Friday and join in this year, it is a lot of fun for so many and I hope it continues to be something I can host. 

Stay tuned for more information that will posted Friday with the signup link in that post!

Denyse Schmidt Charm Square Swap - Whatcha Think?????

I have been toying with the idea of hosting a charm swap. I have seen so many of the new Denyse Schmidt fabrics for this year, and well, I know I really CAN'T buy all that I see...so was thinking about hosting a charm square swap. Charms cut into 5 inch squares out of a yard of fabric and then sent to me and I will swap all the squares and resend them to you in the self addressed stamped envelope you provide.

If there is an interest in this, I'd love to host it.I am thinking about opening it up to 55 swappers plus myself for a total of 56. What a great variety of DS fabrics this would be. New and older fabric designs are acceptable. Starting in mid June and closing sometime in July. International swappers ok to join, but please be ready to ship your fabrics right away.

Leave me a comment if you think you might like to join. If I get enough that says they are in, well, we will do it and I will post all the instructions and information to get you all started!

Anything Goes Easter Swap ~ My Goodies Arrived!

I signed up for Sue's Easter Swap this year and was super excited. This is the first swap that "you make something" to swap that I have participated in. I was a bit nervous, but decided to join in on the fun.

My swap partner was Astrid from Fab and Thirty Something.....Astrid lives all the way in Canada!! I mailed her swap package the day after she mailed mine and well, I don't think she has gotten hers yet. Oh, I get so frustrated with Customs sometimes. The post office said 10 days...and today has been over 10 days....I am crossing my fingers it makes it tomorrow.

This is what was waiting for me on Thursday...what a cute package!!

And this is how my package looked when I opened the box. Astrid really out did herself....the contents and packaging really out shined my attempt!

My package  had the cutest little bunny pin cushion...oh, so darling.

I also received this wonderful vintage hanky with the most delicate details and flowers, and stickers and trim. The card is as cute as can be!!

The only thing I had on display for Easter at my house this year was that little white bunny, so he needed company with my new goodies!! That chocolate bunny is sewn from fabric as well as those adorable and super creative carrots. Astrid also included some chocolates in shapes of bunnies, lambs and chicks, but as you can see, those did not make it in the photo shoot!

The Easter tag that was with my basket is just adorable, and this looks so cute sitting in my living room.

Thank you Astrid, for being such a fantastic swap partner and for all my very special goodies. I needed a festive touch for Easter and everything you sent fit that bill perfectly!! I am crossing my fingers your package makes it on Saturday! Happy Easter my friend, and a special thanks to Sue for hosting such a fun swap!!

Sewing In January....and a lot of cutting too!!!

I have been so busy sewing and trying to get things done that is on my to do list for 2013. First, and foremost is to not start any new projects until the ones I have sitting get completed.....or at least near completed. I did however sneak in a couple of projects in December that would carry over onto the "to-do" list for 2013.  One of those projects was to sign up for the Winter White Friendship Block exchange, I talked about it HERE.

I cut into that fabric and constructed a block to see if it was going to work in regards to size and pattern. I have to admit, I worried, fussed, ripped and worked on this one block more than I do believe I have ever worked on a block before. I told ya' I was worried about joining a swap like this, so I stressed over this one!

But I did manage to get all the fabric cut, and the middle section sewed together on the other eleven blocks and this will most likely be ready to send off to Lala towards the end of the week.

I do hope it fits well with the other blocks and hope it reads winter to others besides myself. The unfinished block measures 9.5 inches. The block itself blends with the design wall fabric...but I think you can see that cute swirl white on white in the photo.

I did save the bonus triangles from cutting the blocks....I may have to sew these tiny things together into squares and maybe use them in the quilt...believe me, they are small.

Here is my sewing table....some of the winter blocks are still sitting waiting to be sewn together, those strips are going to be the sashing for one of my Jubilee quilts. I did two of the jubilee quilts, one in Christmas fabrics and one in fabrics I loved from my stash.

I had both of the quilts on my design wall, but had to remove the Christmas blocks and work on one at a time. I am ready to sew the sashings together and cut the corner stones and assemble this one. I also need to finish the other one, and have them done by my birthday in March. Both of these will be my Jubilee Quilts, both made the 50th year of my life. I love how they are looking finally all together on the design wall, and want to thank Randy over at Barristers Block for the great sew along this past year.

Lastly, here is my Easy Street quilt which is the new Mystery by Bonnie Hunter. I have everything cut and ready to sew. Part one is on the right, all done and now just need to get started on the rest. I did not use Bonnie's colors, as you can see, so I am excited to get a little further along on this and see how it all comes together. It is rather difficult to see all the progress on this quilt by others and realizing I just could not keep up the pace during the holidays this year. But I will work on it a little by little and get this one done this year.

I have a few other blog post I need to get done this week, and try and get back on a schedule. I have lacked time and motivation for several weeks.....need to get over that slump and get back to what I enjoy doing....just wish I had a little more time in each day and wish I felt a little younger with a lot more energy!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Winter White Friendship Block Exchange - A Peek At My Blocks..... Sorta!

 I decided to sign up for The Winter White Friendship Block Exchange hosted by Lala at Lalas Lovelys. I never have participated in a block exchange before. The main reason has always been the fact that I never really felt I was a skilled enough quilter to make some blocks and send them off to others.

After trying to find a block that would work, and shopping for the fabrics and worrying over what I had pictured in my mind might not turn out the way I wanted, I have seriously been second guessing myself.

I found this photo on etsy, and it was so pretty, the colors and the photo obviously speaks winter and I loved the look. I thought I'd try and find something that would be along with these color schemes while trying to avoid "Christmas fabrics"

My daughter went with me to shop for fabrics. She was not too impressed to say the least, but I found this tone on tone white fabric on sale and I really liked the look. Then I spotted the gray and decided that it might work. I know some of the colors in the swap are icy blue, and I have already seen some beautiful blocks others are making, so I was totally second guessing myself. But, I have cut the fabric and hope it works well with what others will be making in their blocks. I am sure mine will be totally different.

So if you are participating in this swap, here is a hint of what I am making...color wise only.You can see the designs better by clicking the photo to make it larger.

I hope these turn out pretty once they are sewn up.....please remember I barely had the courage to sign up as a participant at all!!

I have decided to NOT start anything new for 2013. I have lots started and nothing finished. I am going to list on my side bar all I want to get done as far as quilting this next year.....without starting a new project until I have whittled away that list.  Guess it is a good thing I cut these blocks before the first....they count as something started in 2012 and will be completed before the January 20th due date!! Happy 2013 to you and yours!!

Rainbow Quilt Charm Swap - Few Spots Left

I joined in a Rainbow Quilt Charm Swap. As of this morning there are a few spaces left. Swapping 5 yards of charms with one being a solid and the other four prints. You will get back just as many charms. Should be a great swap. Click over to Breakfast for Dinner blog if interested.....it should be fun!

I'd hurry though~ Should be fun!!