Swapping Update

Hi sweet swappers,

I've made a couple of changes on the blog, if you haven't noticed, including changing up the name to "The Apronista Swaps" (but the URL is the same).  I've been running the Apronista for the past year and am trying to align everything up so I'm not so scattered (good luck, right?!).  Plus, I really enjoyed our non-apron swaps like the Table Runner and Secret Santa so wanted to broadening the swapping possibilities.

My original plan was to start up a spring-time swap for either another table runner or something else domestic BUT I'm troubled about our last swap.  I had so many gals who either mailed SUPER late or not at all AND either didn't answer my emails any more or did email but lied about their packages.  I'm quite unsettled and a bit discouraged, to be frank.  This would be my fifth year running swaps but I don't know if I can do it again.  There's a lot of time, energy, and money involved in hosting/angeling swaps, even when everyone follows the rules.

Just wanted to put out an update.  Still thinking about you all, just trying to gather the energy to decide what's next.  In the meantime, I'm setting up a few fun things over at the Apronista so I hope you'll visit me there, too.  I really appreciate it when you comment on my posts or if you enter a giveaway so my sponsors know that I really DO have readers.  =)  Plus, who doesn't like to win cute stuff??

Much love,
Shawnee the Apronist

Secret Santa Swap from a Special Angel

Loved this Secret Santa Swap. The waiting in suspense is half the fun. Well, I waited a little longer but it was well worth the wait. I got an angel package, but what a lovely angel package it was. Sorry it took so long to post. Finally had a chance to sit down and figure out how to get the pics from my android tablet into my post.

My angel was Jen Sue Wild. I love her blog, by the way. Not to get side tracked, but I have a secret admiration for Jen Sue and maybe it's because we both have faith, a big family and husbands who are still our sweethearts. If only I had half the energy she has... Anyway, back to the package. I had so much fun opening it and it was perfect. The word was BELLS for Bundle, Evergreen Tree Cookie Cutter, Lovely Tissue Cozy, Lotion, Socks. (How could anyone but an angel know that I like fun socks)

The bundle was a lovely fat quarter pack, and all sorts of goodies like a chocolate Santa, a plaque that says "Believe", an apron pattern (which will come in handy) and a lovely ornament for the tree. She said the kids helped her pick out the items for the package. They did a terrific job! Double kudos for the great hand lotion. I love the smell. The tissue cozy jumped right into my purse and is great. But truly, it was all perfect. Thanks so much!

THANK YOU CATHERINE ...

My Secret Santa travelled a long way, just to spoil me ...... all the way from Sydney, Australia:-)
And spoil me she did .... look at the lovely package I recieved ...

Not to mention the cute tin. I have a weakness for Holiday tins. I pull the respective tins out for each holiday, and fill them with sweet goodness.
She sent me a cupcake recipe book .... yummy!!!! We have some earmarked. The candy cane ornament is so super cute.
I just love the bracelet she made me .... the color is stunning.
Do you see the packet of gummy candy? Gummy cherries to be precise ..... delicious!!!!
Thank you Catherine, I loved it all.
I don't have your email address to send you a personal Thank You, but I wanted you to know I recieved the package and loved it.
Happy 2012 everyone!!!!

Santa Swap

Thank-you to Johane for sending me some goodies that I received on December 23rd...just in time for Christmas! Inside 3 beautifully wrapped boxes I found a lovely poem, some jelly, and a sparkly angel ornament. I did take better pictures with my camera, but my computer is in for service so I am using my iPod to post. I didn't want to wait any longer to share my thanks and wish everyone all the best as we get ready for the new year!

Finally a photo

Sorry for the delay. But here's a photo of the fantastic package I received from Connie. I absolutely love the basket and the Moda charm pack and everything else. Isn't the felt bird adorable? She used the word Christmas.


C: Chocolate
H: Holiday Card Holders
R: Reusable Gift Bag Pattern
I: Inspiring Quotes (bookmarks)
S: Snowman napkins
T: Thread
M: Mint Tea
A: Attic Treasures Basket
S: Squares by Moda

Thank you again so much Connie!!!! Happy New Year everyone!

So Excited to Come Home...

and find in my mail box the package I had been waiting for with anticipation. It turned out my partner was Shawnee herself. She did a wonderful job of wrapping each gift for me. The word that she chose was "Christmas" and she gave an appropriate gift for each thing. My kids were dying to tear into this thing but I made them wait so i could get some pictures taken first.

 The cuteness of all the goodies before unwrapping.

 After it was all said and done. 

C: Chocolate Snowman and Gloves

H: Handmade Apron

R: Red Polka Dotted Reindeer Ornaments

I: Interesting Christmas Novel

S: Simplicity Apron Pattern

T: Towels for the kitchen

M: Memo/mousepad

A: Alligator Hot Pad

S: Stocking Pattern

My 6-year old son was accommodating enough to take a picture of me in my new apron. Not bad for a kid who can't stand in one place for more them 3 seconds. Look at me all color coordinated! I feel like cookies and this apron shall soon meet in the near future. Hmmmm.....

Thank you so much for all my goodies Shawnee. I really appreciate the time to put the gift together. Something tells me this may have been an angel gift and if it is I am all the more appreciative of the extra time. Especially before the holidays! Now I hope she can get out there and enjoy her family! This was such a great swap. I can't wait to hear if my gift was equally well received.

What I sent my partner Debbie.......

I did email and ask her if she had received her package and she said yes, but it has been a while and she hasnt posted...I put so much work into it that I decided to show what I made...











Remember this bag and handmade fabric card? Well this was what was in it...










I passed on this quilting mystery that I had gotten from a blogger friend. She mentioned that she liked this kind of book so I thought it would be perfect.















She said she liked bright colors and her house was going to be inspired by the colors of mexico so I started with this turquoise and brown necklace and bracelet that I made her...


For an ornament I made her a glittery little bird...I love to make these and they are suprisingly sturdy even though they are made from paper.












For a treat I sent her a peppermint bark bar and I spelled out JOY on a sparkly and colorful banner...















Now if you know me, and some of you may not..I have a few things to say because I speak my mind and I try to do it in a kind way. You know I joined this swap because I am stuck in Utah with no family, no friends, just work people...I am barely getting by. I did a personal swap with a friend and this one. The reason I did it is because it made me feel I was participating in some small way in Christmas. It has been a lonely time. I worked hard on this package and I used what I had and had to scrimp so I could afford the postage...This isnt just a big whine session it is just a fact. My favorite thing is to give and make things for people and very seldom do I expect anything in return...it is Christmas though and I was excited about getting something in the mail to look forward too..As of yet, nothing. I am sure that I have a partner who flaked out and you can bet this persom probably got a package from someone else...If you are not going to follow the rules, please dont swap. It is rude and unkind. Please dont make some one ask you if they got your package, just take a minute to shoot off an email and say thank you...I have never let a swapper down..ever..even when my husband died I followed through and honored what I committed too...
Now that I have said my piece, I just want to thank you Shawnee for hosting this and the table runner swap. (Paula was my partner and Dayna made mine...both were wonderful to swap with.)
Shawnee, I appreciate your work putting these swaps together and I also appreciate being able to participate.......just saying.......

Received my Wonderful Package

Thank you so much Connie for the wonderful package!

Connie used the word CHRISTMAS and included all kinds of fantastic goodies. A beautiful homemade basket that is perfect for my sewing room, a bag pattern, an adorable felt bird, tea, candy, photo holders, holiday napkins, a Moda charm pack - which I'm pretty sure will become our new Christmas stockings for next year - and some other little goodies. It was so fun to open and find such a great package that was made just for me.

Unfortunately I had to leave home unexpectedly and drive 12 hours to be with my dad who is very ill. The photos are on the camera that I didn't bring with me, so I'll have to post photos when I get home, but I just wanted to make sure and post that I received my package and that I love it! Thank you again Connie - it was perfect! And thank you Shawnee for hosting another fantastic swap!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

~Amanda

Christmas From Down Under

An absolute wonderful Secret Santa Swap package came to me from the fabulous Camilla who writes the blog Love Dove.  I opened to find the funnest package ever AND it came all the way from Australia!  As I'm writing this, I'm sitting here sipping on cranberry pomegranate tea that Camilla included.  It's delicious!

Look at this cheery apron Camilla made.  I just love this holiday fabric.  All the snowmen and characters are very vintage-y which is just perfect for me.  Camilla did an awesome job of making and including items that she knew I would like!  This apron has already done some Christmas baking with me and it spoke up just this morning to say it would like to make some cookies today...

All of my goodies are scattered throughout the house now as I've been using them.  The word Camilla choose is CAROLS and she put the cutest tags on everything.  Such a wonderful package!

There was, (still is, making them today!) gingerbread boy cookie mix;  cookie cutters in a handmade bag made with the same sweet fabric as the apron;  a handmade dove Christmas ornament that is now hanging on our tree;  Traditional Plum Pudding;  the tea I'm sipping on right now;  a very fun Australian decorating magazine that shows Australian Christmas'; A couple of great recipe's that I will definately be trying out and that adorable Christmas Apron! 

Thank you so much, Camilla, for such a wonderful swap package. 

Merry Christmas to all!

STAR ...

That's the word I chose as my Secret Santa word. Chosen so its letters would fit in with what I wanted to make.
According to Delivery Confirmation Tracking, my partner has recieved her package, so I'll go ahead and tell you what I put into the package.

S - Socks and some homedipped chocolate spoons (oh so yummy when used to stir hot chocolate)
T - A towel, that I embellished with festive fabric and pom pom trim
A - I made a Christmas apron
R - A rug for the mug
There was also a book for her to enjoy, and a tin of homemade candy - key lime bark, and peanut clusters to be precise.
Another fun swap .... thanks Shawnee for putting these swaps together for us to enjoy - I (and many others I suspect) really appreciate it.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!