Registration Info

Hi all -- If your sign-up on the registration page went through, you will immediately get a pop-up window that says Success, and then you will also get a confirming email that summarizes the info you provided. If those things don't happen, something went wrong. You can try again or you just email me all the pertinent information and I'll enter you manually on my end. We're up to 70+ participants. If we hit 100 before July ends, registration will be temporarily suspended, and then up to another 100 can register in August. So, tell your friends! Please copy one of the images and post/blog about our little swap in your world.

Every couple of days, I'm taking new entries and adding your name on the sidebar as a participant along with a link to your blog if you have one. Be sure to let me know if your link doesn't work correctly. Then, you won't hear anything else until I send out partner matches in mid-August.

Thanks for playing!
Shawnee

Guess the Theme WINNER

Oh, Kathy, YOU'RE OUR WINNER! I took everyone's theme guesses from the two posts here and one on the Apronista.ning (30 in all!), ran them through my random generator and then kept picking numbers until the person selected made a reasonably-correct guess. So Kathy from Hillsfam at Xanga, you have won a pair Flirty-Not-Dirty Kitchen Gloves; your pair will look something like these! If you let me know your favorite colors some time today, I'll work them in; otherwise, it will be a fun surprise! OH, and I need your mailing address! Email that info to me at shawneeh at yahoo dot com.

Looking for Sponsors

Want to advertise your own Etsy store, website or other online store? I'm looking for a sponsors for a couple of contests, so if you sell something related (aprons, kitchen items, flirty fun stuff, foodie things) consider donating an item to the swap in exchange for a little free advertising!

Fall 2008 Package Requirements

Flirty Apron Swap III, Fall 2008 – What I Wish I Did Over Summer Vacation
Last Day to Sign Up: August 15, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: September 15, 2008

Package Requirements:
I adore Back to School, so I've taken the typical first essay assignment and switched it up just a smidge. The theme for this swap is “Fantasy Vacation” and everyone should receive their aprons by the time summer memories are just starting to fade. You will make an adult size apron with YOUR PARTNER's fantasy vacation theme for your known pal and your unknown pal will make one for you.

You will send your partner:

1. Handmade apron that represents where you partner would love to go or wants to do on their fantasy summer vacation. Please embellish generously and make this extra special. For example, if she wants to go to Hawaii, you could use Hawaiian print fabric or fabric that has pineapples on it or create an apron with a hula skirt bottom or a lei neckline. Alternatively, if her dream would be to go hot air ballooning, use fabric with balloons printed on it, create balloon-shaped or appliqued pockets or you could even make your entire apron shaped like a hot air balloon!

If sewing isn't your forte but you really want to participate, please purchase a handmade apron from one of the talented people at Etsy.com.

2. Send an appropriate souvenir from this dream vacation. Using the above examples, you might sent chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and a beach towel, or some hot air balloon playing cards and a helium balloon. Please spend between $5 and $10 for this part of your package.

3. Handwritten note on why you chose the apron you made, and what you imagine this fantasy vacation to be like.

4. And last, please include a recipe that goes with the package theme. If you want to go all out, you could find a cookbook that fits your theme, but a recipe is all I'm asking for.

ENJOY! and Bon Voyage!

Fall 2008 Swap Rules

Flirty Apron Swap III, Fall 2008 – What I Wish I Did Over Summer Vacation
Last Day to Sign Up: August 15, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: September 15, 2008Swapping Rules:

By signing up for the Flirty Apron Swap, you agree to the following:

1. To reply to my assignment email within 48 hours, acknowledging receipt of your partner and letting me know you’re still playing.

2. To remain anonymous; if you need to ask your partner a question, send a message through me or use a secret email account that does not have your real name attached (test it first).

3. To joyfully create an apron that you would love to receive, washed and pressed so it’s wonderfully fresh for your partner.

4. To mail your package no later than September 15 using USPS Delivery Confirmation or other tracking, and to email me at shawneeh@yahoo.com with the tracking number so I know you’ve met your mailing commitment.

5. To email me when you have received your package, and to copy me on your thank you email to your unknown partner who worked so hard on your apron.

6. To have fun! All participants will be invited to author on the Flirty Apron Swap blog and will be able to post pictures of aprons-in-progress, comments and giveaways. The more the merrier! Since this is a secret partner swap, you post as many photos and details as you want!!

Last Day to Guess

Hi all! Today is your last chance to guess the theme for this fall's Flirty Apron Swap. If you guess correctly, you'll be entered in a drawing for a pair Flirty-Not-Dirty Kitchen Gloves; your pair will look something like these!

My New Apron Arrived Today!!

Thank you Cathy! My new stars 'n stripes and dots are as cute as can be! The combination of fabrics are perfect. (I flipped up a corner so that y'all may view the lining.) And, I love the way the neck strap adjusts to fit by pulling on the apron strings. Makes it fit real nice. Is that your design, or did you use a commercial pattern?

Thank you Shawnee for all of your hard work and a fun swap!!

My new apron put to use on the 4th of July

I thought my swap partner might like to see that I did use my new apron on July 4th. :) Thanks again for such a pretty gift.

Celebrating America's Independence!!

Here's a big salute to everyone who loves America, those soldiers (past and present) who defend us and their families who keep the home fires burning. Enjoy your freedom today!!!

Swappers - THANK YOU so much for participating in this year's Celebrating Independence swap. I am so sorry for the few swappers who didn't receive their aprons in time to enjoy them today. That makes me so sad, and I won't be able to let your delinquent partners play next time unless there was a life-or-death reason for being three weeks late.

Next Time - I want everyone to enjoy a fun-filled and stress-free summer. My sign-ups for the Fall Flirty Apron Swap will start in two weeks but will remain open for one month ... hopefully everyone's vacations will give you enough of a break that you can pop in to sign up. Here's a little hint of the next swap theme ... details will be posted on the 15th! Feel free to post your guesses on the theme. If you're exactly right, you'll be entered in a drawing for a pair of my one-of-a-kind Flirty-Not-Dirty Gloves!

What a wonderful swap partner!

I recieved my swap apron yesterday and it was so pretty. My swap partners husband was suppose to mail the apron for her but forgot to put it in the mail. After she realized what happen she mailed it to me express mail so that I would get it before the fourth. She spent nineteen dollars in postage alone. I told her that I wish I had known and I would have told her not to worry about getting it to me so fast. I was tickled to get it but I felt bad that the postage cost her so much. Anyway she sent me a wonderful package and I love it. Thank you so so much Emily!

Thank you Shawnee!

Last week the postman brought me a super-special package all the way from the USA - a fabulous flirty apron from our swap-queen, Shawnee. I LOVE the apron - it fits perfectly, is very comfortable, and looks so cute! I've taken some photos but can't find my camera's USB cable in all the muddle created with house renovations, so I can't download the pictures just yet :-/ I promise I'll post them ASAP.

Thank you Shawnee for a great swap and a wonderful, widely-travelled apron!

PS - To my other swap partner Donna P. - thank you for your kind email! I had trouble with my reply email getting bounced and asked Shawnee to pass on my message to you ... hope you got it in the end!

Here's the apron I ended up sending to Juddie, imperfections and all (although my daughter sure looks cute). It was made with love! ~Shawnee















**BELATED UPDATE!** Finally, here are some pictures of me wearing this lovely apron on the evening of its arrival. I'm sorry I didn't look very elegant on that day - as you can see, we were renovating our house and I was wearing the apron over several layers of clothing as we had no heating (in an early-winter cold snap). But I love the apron ... it makes me feel as though I'm in a 1950s TV show as I flit around the kitchen!