Trick or Treat ... check your inbox

Trick or treat time!

Everyone check your inboxes --- I sent partners last night and very early this morning. You have 48 hours to reply and be entered into the drawing for the Pillowcase Pinnie Pattern from Jenna at The Make Do Merchantile!! Now THAT's a treat!

Isn't this Halloween apron cute? Laura made it for me last year, and started off my apron craze!! Yes, it's all her fault!

Partner emails coming soon ...

Sorry for the delay in getting out partners! It took longer than I expected to confirm everyone was still playing. I have everyone assigned on my spreadsheet, now just need to send out the individual emails.

Our FIRST FAS4 Contest will be for everyone who responds within 48 hours to the partner assignment email so keep an eye on your inbox.

Here is the giveaway. This is a PDF apron pattern designed by Jenna at The Make Do Mercantile on Etsy. This is quick little apron pattern that would make fun gifts, and even better is that it is a PDF pattern -- great for people like me who WANT IT NOW!



This apron is so fast to put together. I love it. If you don't win you can go snatch up a copy and send some apron love to a fellow swapper in a future swap. It includes three sizes, M, L and XL and can be made with one pillowcase or one yard of fabric

Jenna also has a club called the Make Do Marigolds. You can join in by purchasing her seasonal packets and then earn patches on your own --- plus it's chock full of recipes, tips and even an apron pattern. So check it out.

AND, if you didn't know, Jenna also runs SwapDex, an index of swaps. I LOVE her site for seeing what are all current swap out there on the world wide web. I know it's a lot of work, and I really appreciate all her efforts!!

Bloggy Giveaway - Flirty Not Dirty Gloves

Pardon this interruption of the Flirty Apron Swap for another giveaway. There is a huge giveaway carnival going on at Rocks in My Dryer and I just had to participate. Be sure to head on over to bloggygiveaways.com ... there will be HUNDREDS of contests for you to enter by the end of the week!!

Aprons are the newest accessory for today's modern woman, and a pair of flirty gloves are the cherry on top. To one lucky visitor, you will receive a pair of my handcrafted Flirty Not Dirty Gloves.
To enter, please leave a comment with a favorite apron memory from your childhood or one you wish to create moving forward.
A random winning name will be chosen Saturday morning, November 1. I hope you win!!! Thanks for visiting the Flirty Apron Swap blog - please feel free to look around and enter the other contest going on right now.

Shawnee

PS - If you'd like to have TWO chances to win the Flirty Not Dirty Gloves, subscribe to or become a "Follower" of this blog and leave a second comment letting me know you did!

REMINDER: Current Contest

Go to this post for details on how to vote for the best apron from the last swap and Rick Rack Attack's apron giveaway!! Closes 10/31/08.

Sewing Tip: Sewing on Sheer Fabrics

Another great article, this time on sewing sheer fabrics from Threads magazine.

Sewing Tip: Cutting Slippery Fabric

I found a great tutorial from Burda on How to Cut Slippery Fabric. We're gonna need this one, I think!

CHECK YOUR INBOX

Hi Swappers!!

I've just sent a confirming email to all registered swappers. Please verify that your name is on the right sidebar along with the correct blog site (if applicable), and then email me back within 48 hours. I'll assign partners as soon as I hear back from everyone!

If you know of someone who thinks they registered but they aren't on the site, have them contact me ASAP. As soon as I hear from everyone, I will match up partners. I'm so excited!!!!

I found another great example of a flirty Holiday Hostess -- check out this baby from MOMOMADEIT ... if someone runs out of time or ideas, this would be a great fit with our theme!

LAST CHANCE to register

I'm going to bed early, so you all have until the morning to get your girlfriends to join in the fun of the Holiday Hostess Flirty Apron Swap!! And, I know there are a few of you trying to decide ... yes or no ... come on, you KNOW you want a gorgeous apron for your parties.

Sweet dreams,
Shawnee

CONTEST #3 for FAS3 - Best Vacation Interpretation

If you have not sent/posted a picture of your fantasy vacation apron, please do so immediately!!! If you HAVE sent/posted a picture and it is NOT in the Gallery yet, email me immediately! THANKS!!

EVERYONE is invited to participate in the final contest and giveaway of Flirty Apron Swap Round 3 - What I Wish I Did Last Summer. Participants were asked to create an apron that represented their partner's fantasy vacation. Please vote on your favorite apron in a poll I've created at the FAS3 Gallery (link here) AND possibly win something for yourself, too!

Votes will be taken for ONE WEEK and the prize for whomever created the winning apron: a vintage apron from RICK RACK ATTACK!
The Apron Queen, Lisa - the brains behind Rick Rack Attack, has generously donated this prize and you all get to choose the winner! Here's a little bit about The Apron Queen and Rick Rack Attack:
Need a daily dose of vintage goodness and a bit of silliness? Enjoy weekly giveaways? This is the place to be. The Apron Queen is a work at home Mom to three children and happily married to Paratrooper Man. She enjoys writing about her family, mixing in stories about life in Texas and other adventures along the way. She also dabbles in photography and shares lots of fun photos, including easy step-by-step recipes. Oh yea, and did I mention she is obsessed with all things vintage?

The Apron Queen typically publishes every Monday through Friday at 8 p.m. with a giveaway beginning every Saturday at 5 a.m. You can subscribe to the Apron Queen (for free!) in a reader or receive updates via e-mail. On Tuesdays, you can find the Apron Queen writing as a contributing editor at 5 Minutes for Mom. The Apron Queen is also syndicated by BlogBurst and has been featured in the Chicago Sun Times and Reuters.

Still curious? You can follow this link to read more about our fun Cast of Characters and see photos of us.

The Apron Queen

How to vote: First, visit the Flirty Apron Swap Photo Gallery and take the poll for which apron you think is the Best Interpretation of a Fantasy Vacation. Then, look around Rick Rack Attack and choose your favorite from her large assortment vintage aprons. Aprons are on several different pages, so be sure to really look through the site. Finally, come back to THIS POST at Flirty Apron Swap Blog and leave a comment on this post telling us 1) that you voted in the poll and 2) your favorite apron from Rick Rack Attack. Feel free to also include other positive comments about our sponsor's store with your vote -- I ADORE her aprons and know you will, too!!! If you end up purchasing anything there, please let Lisa know you found them through our swap.

Last opportunity to vote/comment (change your vote/comment LOL!) is 7:59 AM on Halloween, Friday the 31st of October. I will tally all the results and announce the winner on Sunday the 2nd. Please vote for two of your favorite aprons.

How do you win, too? Everyone who posts a comment of voting/favorite Rick RAck Attack apron is automatically entered into a separate drawing and one lucky name will be randomly selected to receive a marvelous gift from me! YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE YOUR OWN BLOG OR BE AN AUTHOR ON THIS BLOG TO ENTER .... if you need to post a comment "anonymously" since you don't have a blog, just be sure to sign your name so I can contact you if you win.

I LOVE CONTESTS!! LET'S MAKE THIS A GOOD ONE ... VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!

Worth the Wait!

My original partner went M.I.A {for the summer vacation swap} and an "Angel", Mary F, made this amazing apron for me! It is absolutely PERFECT!

My package completely made my day. I put on my apron right when I opened my package and I have been wearing it around my house all day long! Haven't cooked a thing, just been wearing it! ;)

Mary F. Thankyou so much for being my angel. I was a little discouraged when my partner went MIA but I am so glad she did now! I wouln't have recieved this fantabulous apron if not! I even got a little choked up when I got it and saw how much love went in to this "extra" apron that you volunteered to make. From the bottom of my heart,...Thank you, Thankyou! :)

Impecunious Person's Recipe Swap

Here's a recipe swap just in time for the holidays. Want some ideas for goodies to bake while you're wearing your fantabulous new hostess apron? Pop on over!

My Package Came - Woo Hoo!!!!

My swap package arrived last Friday, and I was so excited. My partner, Rachelle, sent me a beautiful apron (love the buttons) and a cute bracelet. My vacation request was a trip to the mountains, which was a challenge for her, so she made my apron out of very cute travel fabric. It was lined and trimmed with a red check fabric that reminds my of my camping tablecloth. It is such an adorable pattern. She also sent me a pretty charm bracelet, as they are something she enjoys collecting. Check out the photos of my package. Rachelle, thank you so much for my wonderful package.

Holiday Hostess Apron Ideas

I went prowling over the internet to find ideas for you. Here are several aprons that I adore when I think of the Holiday Hostess theme. What do you think???

Winter 2008 Package Requirements

Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

Package Requirements:
Here’s a swap I have wanted to do all year! We are going to make glamorous, girlie aprons that you could wear to a festive holiday party to spice up a basic black dress for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Solstice, and/or New Years. You will make an adult size glamorous Holiday Hostess apron and your unknown pal will make one for you.

You will send your partner:
1. Handmade apron for your partner to wear this holiday season. Please embellish generously and make this extra special. Special fabrics are encouraged … silk, velvet, tulle, organza. A great source for special fabrics is thrift stores and then repurposing former prom or other special occasion dresses.

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. For a special add in, you will need to include something special for the Holiday Hostess to wear to her party: a necklace, a beaded bracelet, a fancy headband. Be creative, shop the sales, or make something sparkly yourself. Please spend between $5 and $10 for this part of your package.

Wrap it up nice and send it out BEFORE Thanksgiving!!

Wanna be a sponsor?

Let me know ASAP if you'd like to donate a prize in exchange for free advertising. I'm looking for sparkly accessories, fabric, patterns ... if you think you have a product that could fit with this season's theme, let me know! THANKS!!

Swap Registration HERE

Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

We are going to make glamorous, girlie aprons that you could wear to a festive holiday party to spice up a basic black dress for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Solstice, and/or New Years. You will make an adult size glamorous Holiday Hostess apron and your unknown pal will make one for you.

Please complete the registration form HERE and read the Rules and Package Requirement posts as well. With this new software, I can only take 100 registrations. So, sign up quick to guarantee your spot!

Here is one more thing I would like you to consider before joining this swap (you'll see this same information on Lucy's Sassy Apron Swap page).

To join in this swap you don’t have to be an expert seamstress, but you do need to be experienced enough to pull a nice apron off. We expect an apron that would pass in 8th Grade Home Economics - not an "A" but at least passable.

We don’t want to get too fussy here and scare anyone off. As Lucy says, I also love to see the work of new seamstresses and have had some as partners in swaps and have loved the work they do. It is fresh and full of enthusiasm. If you feel that your work is not good enough, you can also swap an apron made by another crafter. There are many at Etsy worth buying from. Just be sure to give credit where it is due and honor the apron artist.

Also, I've posted links to various patterns and tutorials on the right sidebar. I'll keep adding to that list as I find sites. EVERYONE can sew an apron; some of us just need to rip-out stitches more often to get the look we want! LOL!!

Swapping Rules

Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

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 November 24 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!!

Va-Va Voom Apron

What do you say about a woman who, even in the midst of a crisis like the hurricane, still manages to create an amazing, thoughtful apron? I guess you say that SHE is amazing and thoughtful!

Tonya's apron, along with potholders and a fantastic magazine, arrived today. I let Gigi model it as I'm not dressed in a pretty enough outfit to do it justice right now. My husband said "Now THAT's an apron"--he thought it was a va-va-voom apron!!

Thank you so, so much!!

Thank you Angels!

Thanks go to two swappers who have sent me Angel Aprons for our sistas in the hurricane region. Ellen M from Utah sent me THREE beautifully made full aprons, and Debye also sent me a gorgeous half-apron with a towel attached (very unique and I love it)! Thanks so much, Ellen and Debye!! I know several of you were still planning on sending aprons, so I'm waiting a bit longer to send my packages to the Gulf region.

SIX of you stepped in to create packages so the affected swappers didn't have to and I THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

On a sad note, as you can see from the sidebar, I also have at least three swappers who are in need of Angels because their partners have gone missing. Please email me if you are willing to take on another partner. I hate to have anyone disappointed and wish I could angel everyone myself but cannot. THANK YOU LAURA G AND MOM MARY!! Only one more angel needed at this time.

I am considering changing the swap setup in the future to hopefully alleviate the need for angels, and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Details soon on our last Flirty Apron Swap of 2008!!

Double Blessed!

I received this beautiful full apron from Freida in Texas this afternoon. I just love the fall theme and it reminds me so much of the beautiful state of Washington where I am always finding the best and most perfect fresh fruit and vegetables directly from local farms!

Bless her heart, she even sent me extra fabric so I can make the grand children an apron to match mine! Thank you Frieda, you are amazing!

Alice In Stitches

I received my prize of one yard of fabric from Alice in Stitches. I picked this apple fabric and its so cute! I don't have a clear idea what I will use it for just yet, but it will certainly put it to good use very soon. I love the green color of the apples (one of my favorite colors). Thank you again Alice in Stitches and Flirty Apron Swap for the nice prize.

Blessings in the Mail

I simply must rave about the package I received in the mail from Freida. Freida was my original (I am guessing) apron swap partner and her family lived for 12 days without power during the Hurricane Ike disaster.
I have already received an awesome apron from Sarah and showed pics on this and my blog of the red, white and amazing creation.

Yesterday, I get a package in the mail from Texas & I am thinking.........hmmm, I didn't order anything from Texas and lo and behold, the pictures tell the story.
I have never seen so many cool and wonderful stickers & she didn't forget the grandchildren, she included boy stickers, girl stickers, holiday stickers & oh, my favorites (who told her I loved snowmen?) These are just the most adorable ones I have seen and I will be using them for something, but haven't decided yet!

But, Freida wasn't done yet, she printed out some cool destinations for my family to visit in Seattle. While I live and have lived in Washington state, Seattle is the most amazing, wonderful city in the world to me and I love going and exploring.

Thank you Freida for the information on the 'Ride the Duck,' tour, I had never heard of it, but we hope soon to take the children to Seattle and ride and duck and we will send you pictures!

Frieda wasn't finished yet, she enclosed lots of wonderful cardstock for me and you can see it all here!

WOW! I am humbled, tickled pink, the kids couldn't contain themselves & I am simply thankful!

Apron Giveaway at Apron Memories!

Ellen's having a Patriotic Apron Giveaway!

'Tis timely to laud the women of an earlier generation who'd had it up to here with their lack of rights. Thanks to the feisty suffragettes, who put the walk into their talk, picketed the White House, and participated in hunger strikes and other forms of civil disobedience, the 19th amendment was ratified to the Constitution in 1920, giving women the right to vote.The intervening 80+ years have wrought significant changes for women, including whether or not to tie one one...an apron, of course!

In celebration of Voting and Choice, Ellen at Apron Memories is giving away this vintage apron:


The cobbler-style apron pattern is copyrighted 1952, the presidential election year that voted Eisenhower into the White House. 1952 was also Elvis Presley's junior year in high school, which is beside the point of this giveaway, but for Hunk a Burnin' Love's military service (1958-60).

To enter this giveaway, simply share your patriotic apron comment on her blog. To double your chances, post this giveaway on your site or blog, and leave a comment with a link to your post on her blog. Comments espousing a particular party, candidate or ballot issue should be saved for fights with your family, friends and co-workers. Such comment will cancel your entry to this giveaway.

This giveaway will close to entries on October 15th at 8:59 pm mountain time - one minute before she shuts the computer for the night. Drawing October 16th.
Please enter often and increase your chances to tie one on...this apron, of course! and wear it November 4th when you Vote.
xxea
www.apronmemories.com