From my mantle to yours?

This pretty GARLAND is on my mantle. I love it so much. I hope my partner is as tickled with a lovely GARLAND as part of her GIFT for this swap!

Thank-you Lori!

I have been enjoying the beautiful fall table runner made especially for me by Lori of Momma Bunting's Blog for a few weeks and I am finally posting about it!  

I just love the rich fall colours and my whole dining room feels warmer since this beauty arrived.  The underside is a lovely leafy fabric.  I admire it everyday!

Lori also gave me this gorgeous sunflower bowl (how brave to put that in the mail!), fall themed cookie cutters, cute bottle cap magnets, and a handmade burp cloth for my baby girl.  It's made from a white cloth diaper and has this funky letter "E" and Baby's E's name embroidered onto it and a ruffle of pink fabric to boot.  Lori's embroidery skills are out of this world!

Thank you so much Lori!  What a fun package to receive!

I loved this swap.  I had never made or used a table runner before and now I think I always will. Thanks Shawnee!

Magic

Christmas is such a Magical time - Animals talk at midnight in the barn if you listen close, Angels hang low in the sky keeping watch, Stars sparkle and twinkle to show the way home, Reindeer have red glowing noses to see through the fog, a jolly man in a red suit fills our stockings, snowmen sing and dance.  I could go on and on.  Because of the magical time of year, I choose the word MAGIC for my secret swap partner.  Here is just a portion of the package that will be going out to _ _ _ _ _ _ on Wednesday.

M=Magic Forest Door Hanger

   A=A warm, handknit wool scarf

            G=Gooseberry Patch Family Cookbook

                    I=Inticing ----------(I can't tell everything!)

                                   C=Chocolate!

           A couple other little tuck-in's that didn't make it into the picture, some wrapping paper, bows and jingle bells and my package is ready to go!

Hope you're all having a wonderful magical time putting your Secret Santa gifts together.  So much fun!



Snowmen Apron Giveaway

Quick -- pop over to the Apronista for a chance to win THIS baby - the special Snowmen Baking Apron

from D-Lux 57 ... love it!!!

Sassy Apron - WINNER

Earlier this month, I offered up this little giveaway ---

Lana from Sassy Apron, who makes and sells the most adorable aprons through her Etsy store, is giving one of these cuties to one lucky gal:

And the winner is .............

Quiltingranny said...

Hmmmm, just one? Sassy Sweetheart fruit ladies.
compassionatequilter at rocketmail dot com.

Jean!  Congrats!!!

Thank you Judi

Judi made me two gorgeous table runners. The fall one was just the prettiest color orange. She included salt and pepper shakers from Utah, fall and my favorite snowmen and some yummy chocolate. Thanks Judi.

Waiting to hear from ...

Ladies --

I need to hear TODAY from the following ladies, that you got your partner email and are still playing:

Camilla S
Connie A
Cynthia S (need a blog link, too)
Debbie S
Johane L
Laura G
Lucy B
Mary Ann G
Melinda C
Teresa A

Thanks -- I want this to be the best swap ever, with everyone mailing lovely package nice and early.  This way we all still have plenty of time to enjoy the season and not to stress about this fun time!

Thank you!
Shawnee

Check your email -- Secret Santa Partners have been sent!

Partner emails have been sent!!!  Reply immediately so I know you are still playing.  Remember - you need to mail between November 30 and December 7. IF you have an international partner, I suggest you mail by the 30th so it gets there with time to spare.  PLEASE be sure the badge and your questionnaires are on your blog.

Here's a second badge option, in case you want a choice.

Your Secret Santa Swap package should be a minimum of $15 in value before postage, and include at least the following:

At LEAST One Handmade Item
Something to Read (book, magazine, poem, pattern, etc.)
Something for the Tree (garland, ornament, topper, skirt, and the like)
Holiday Goody (candy, cocoa, tea, coffee, chocolate)

Challenge: Include one gift for each letter needed to spell out a word from the season (SNOW, JOY, FAITH, LOVE, HOPE, GIFT, TREE, JESUS, STAR, SANTA, etc). We did this last year and it was SO MUCH FUN! Of course, the perfect gift for an "A" is an APRON.

Then, make this a special box -- gift wrapping, bows, the whole nine yards! Include a note identifying yourself with your email and blog address so your partner can contact you with her grateful thanks.

Normal rules apply (aka you and I will be email buddies)
Email me four times:
#1 - within 48 hours of assignment to keep playing
#2 -when you send your package WITH TRACKING NUMBER
#3 -when you receive your package
#4 -cc me on your thank you email (can combine with #3)

Here are some ideas from last year's Frosted Flurries swap where the tuck-ins had to spell a word.  Just a sample of the MANY great packages sent:

Kerry sent Laura:

S=Scarflette(hand-knitted!)

N=Needlecushion & Napkins

O=Ornaments

W=White Chocolate Handsoap & Washcloths(hand-knitted)

And....
My Darling Snowflake Apron!
The Snowflakes are Felt appliques
& I just Love the Pretty Red Bow & Snowman embellishment!

Linda sent Grace:

Linda's word for me is SANTA....

S=scarf

A=Assorted Chocolates

N=Nostalgic graphics Banner

T=Tea Towels

A=Apron

Nadine sent Shawnee:

SNOWFLAKE

S=Shoop-shoop bags

N=Noel Mints

O=One holiday rubber scraper w/snowflakes

W=We Whisk you a Merry Kiss-mas (whisk w/hershey kisses inside)

F=Fabulous gift wrap bag

L=Luscious holiday tea in a crock

A=Apron (the most AMAZING apron btw)

K=Kookie kutter

E=Elegant glass ornament

Glenda sent to Jeanie:

Glenda, again Thank You so much for the adorable Snowman SnowGlobe apron! When I saw the swatch of fabric you posted long ago I was hoping that was going to be mine!!! Glenda also so kindly used the word: SNOWMAN S for Stocking picture frame...very cute!, N for NOEL candle, O is for Ornament..adorable, W is for Washcloth Towels..already put to good use, M is for Marshmallows covered in chocolate.....umm they're gone!, A is for Apple Butter...my oh my is it ever good!!!, and N is for Note cards that are cute as can be!

Teresa sent to Mary F:

Teresa chose the word "SNOW"

Snowflake Ornament, Notepad cube, Other goodies, Wall hanging!

She also Included LOTS of other Wonderful Tuck-ins..

Table Runner! Glittery Clothespins! Lavender Sachet!

Flirty Snowflake Apron

with Lots of Ruffles!

I can't wait to see what YOU create!!

Making Matches

Oooh, this is the fun part of the job... I'm matching up swappers!  You might say I've made a list and am checking it twice.  =)

 BE SURE that you have your swap questionnaire posted on your blog so, when your partner gets your name, she can race right over and read all about you!

Partners will be sent out by Thursday evening, 11/17.

Tie One On Day Challenge

http://thedistracteddomestic.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanks-give-ing-group-challenge-and.html




I am hosting a challenge and give away.


Participate in the tie one on day event, post a pic on my flickr page, follow my blog and you have a chance to win an apron made by me! There might even be a few other prizes if I have enough peeps playing along!


Bless someone this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Cheer - Up

Jen .. Thank you so much for the wonderful swap package. I have had the flu and finally on Saturday my husband ran to the post office to pick up my package. I had this gorgeous table runner and the goodies .. well, let's just say they are FAB! I love the pumpkins and fall colors. PERFECT! My house has been decorated for fall since before Halloween! I adore the handbag. I can't wait to scoot out and do some Thanksgiving grocery shopping next week and be sporting my new bag! The kleenex keeper is to die for. It's already in my purse! I love it so much I'm making some for holiday gifts .. hope you don't mind me stealing your idea! I have the hangers on two of my doors already. I put the runner on my coffee table so I can enjoy it in my den. I didn't have much on it so this worked perfect.

My husband had heart surgery yesterday so between him being down and me with the flu, your package was the perfect THANKSGIVING CHEER-UP!

Thank you again for all the extra special goodies.

Thanks Shawnee for another super cool idea!

Happy Turkey Day to all our Apron Swappers!

Sharon

I give a hoot!!

Thank you miss Deb for the wonderful and sweet package you sent.

I love the owl table runner it is perfect.

Not many know that I have a little bit of a owl obsession.

But Deb was a super sleuth and follows me on pintrest and saw my love for owls.

I also own the owl fabric and have plans to make an apron out it.

I love the pot holder she made as well and she sent some yummy smelling soap and a fun table game to play and dinner time with my kids they love it!!

Thanks again Deb you are the best!!

Yea!

I was on a quilting retreat this past weekend and came home to a wonderful package....from Shawnee!!!!!! Look at this darling chicken table runner (love me some roosters and they are all over my kitchen) and all the other goodies. THANK YOU SHAWNEE.

Below is a pic of what I sent to my partner. She wanted Christmas! The package has been delivered but I shall not reveal who it is just in case she hasn't opened it yet.

This has been a fun swap. Thanks for hosting Shawnee!

It Came, It Came!!!!!!!!!!

My package from Danielle came today and I am so excited!  It was the one I had hoped was mine!I love the colors, I love the coasters, and I love the napkins!  I also love that that back of the runner and the napkins are from vintage fabric!  Thank you so much Danielle and thank you Shawnee for doing this swap.  I had so much fun making and receiving table runners!

Please excuse the simpleness of my table, with 3 small kids we usually have nothing on it, but now I have this beautiful table runner, coasters and napkins that will be on it! (We are still in the process of putting up the chair rail.  Please excuse the messy paint job!)

Coasters and napkins!

Simple picture of all of my Swap pieces!

Thank you again Danielle!  I love, love, love everything!

Amy

Thank you Tammy

I love it
 
I have received my beautiful table runner from Tammy S.  Thank you so very much.  I see it was made with a lot of love.  I will be taking the runner and all of the wonderful little tuck-ins to my mom's in Texas for our Thanksgiving dinner.  This has been a wonderful swap and I am looking forward to the next one.  Again, thank you so much Tammy.  You are very talented.
 
Mary Ann Gillsipie

Beautiful!

Melinda C. sent me a gorgeous package for our Fall Table Runner swap and I have been a very bad girl not getting these pictures posted yet!  I'm sorry Melinda ~ The table runner she made is incredibly beautiful and matches our dining room to a T.  My pictures don't do it justice at all.  I've tried to wait to take pictures until a day that I was home while there was actually some daylight outside and it turns out that it was too bright to get a good shot. Take my word for it when I tell you the fabrics and the craftsmanship in this runner is incredible!

Melinda also included a super sweet decorated tin full of wonderful buttons and crafty add-on's, a piece of fall time ribbon, a bag of caramel candy corn in a sweet bag with a fun fall leaf attached, a beautiful handmade card and a GREAT fall banner!  She is awesome!

Thanks Melinda!!

REGISTER NOW - Secret Santa Swap

Okay, I REALLY, REALLY love Christmas and I adore surprises.  Every year, I have come to look forward to a swap present as my special little treat for all my hard work.  Swap sisters seem to understand how to give a special gift, just the kind to make you warm inside.  

So, here's that swap.

Register by: November 15

Mail between: November 30 and December 7

Your Secret Santa Swap package should be a minimum of $15 in value before postage, and include the following:

At LEAST One Handmade Item

Something to Read (book, magazine, poem)

Something for the Tree (garland, ornament, topper, skirt)

Holiday Goody (candy, cocoa, tea, coffee, chocolate)

Challenge: Include one gift for each letter needed to spell out a word from the season (SNOW, JOY, FAITH, LOVE, HOPE, GIFT, TREE, JESUS, STAR, SANTA, etc). We did this last year and it was SO MUCH FUN! Of course, the perfect gift for an "A" is an APRON.

Then, make this a special box -- gift wrapping, bows, the whole nine yards! Include a note identifying yourself with your email and blog address so your partner can contact you with her grateful thanks. 

In a slight twist, I would like you to please copy the following questionnaire and post the answers on your blog for all other participants to see.  Include the badge picture with your post.

Shawnee's Secret Santa Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your hobbies?
2. What are your favorite colors?
3. Do you collect anything?
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?
5. Do you have any pets?
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate?
7. What do you like to read?
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet?
9. What is your favorite holiday treat?
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition.
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child?
12. When do you open presents?
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate?
14. Does your tree have a theme?
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  to receive?

Sorry - Registrations are Closed

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BRIGHTEN UP SOMEONE ELSE'S HOLIDAY, let me know.  I have a small list of gals who cannot participate that I would like to bless with a package this season.  Or, I encourage you to send an extra Secret Santa box to someone you know that needs some cheer this season.

And be SURE to enter these giveaways:
Apron Giveaway from Sassy Apron - deadline 11/15
and
Sophia Grace Apron Giveaway - deadline 11/15

P.S. Those people who have signed up for swaps and HAVE NOT completed them are not invited back. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as the person contacting both me and her partner with their extenuating circumstances or someone dropping out early and my ability to fill their spot in time. I understand that things come up but I don't want anyone disappointed, especially at this time of year.

Beautiful Table Runner!

I got a wonderful swap package from Jeanie (and everything was wrapped in the cutest button wrapping paper)! Such lovely colors in the table runner and it's quite large! I was having trouble getting a good picture of it laid out, so here's a shot with it folded, showing both sides, and I love the fabric on both sides! And she put prairie points ALL the way around - what a lot of work that must have been to get them all even on the corners.

She also included a really cute crocheted dish towel, three potholders which I can REALLY use, the cutest packet of cocoa with accoutrements, a packet of M&Ms with a cute saying, a Happy Holidays placque, and a sparkly snowflake pin! Now, I know she didn't know this about me, but I collect Christmas pins - I will be wearing this one on December 1! Thank you Jeanie - what a great package to receive - just like Christmas :-)



Lovely, lovely table runner!!

I'm a bit late posting my thanks since I've been out of town, but the heartfelt feeling of gratitude is definitely there.  Check out this gorgeous round runner I received.  I love the ruffle and the applique!  I got some fantastic extras, too!  Thanks all around for a fun swap!

Awesome Table Runner

Thank you Sarah for the beautiful table runner and All the goodies. Along with my runner I received some GF pancake mix, syrup, fun make-up, lip gloss and the most amazing smelling candle. Thanks again so much Sarah!!

Perfect Fall Table Runner!

I just love fall, but don't have many fall decorations around my house. I was so excited to receive my package from Micki S yesterday! As soon as I saw the burlap in the box I knew I was going to love the table runner! I've seen so many beautiful burlap table runners on pinterest...now I have my very own!! Here's a picture of it on my table.
Micki also included some tealights, cupcake wrappers, pecan recipes, pecans, chocolate chips, and a Christmas candle screen to add to my Christmas decorations. Thanks so much Micki! I love it all. Thanks also to Shawnee for hosting another great swap!

Sassy Apron Giveaway

I've got a special surprise for ALL readers ----

Lana from Sassy Apron, who makes and sells the most adorable aprons through her Etsy store, is giving one of these cuties to one lucky gal:

From Lana:
"Hello, apronistas everywhere! Shine your pots and gather your stuffing and pie recipes, the Holiday season is here!


My name is Lana and would like to celebrate this season by giving away a Sassy Apron. I've been creating sassy aprons for 5 years now and I've loved every moment of it. I started my business on a whim, with a big love of sewing and a whimsical imagination and I ended up dreaming aprons. :)


I love looking at vintage aprons and getting inspired, adding a modern twist to an old design and using bright, colorful fabrics. Scarlett O'Hara has always been my inspiration; she made a gorgeous new dress from old curtains!


My sassy aprons are handmade by me using my unique, original designs, and they are guaranteed to bring a smile your face or your family's!


We have survived another year and now it's time to celebrate!


Visit my Sassy Apron store on Etsy and let me know which apron would inspire you to cook the best Holiday feast this season. I can't wait to read your answers."

Mandatory Entry:  Visit Sassy Apron store on Etsy and comment to let us know which apron would inspire you to cook the best Holiday feast this season

Extra entries (separate comments please):
-Like Lana/Sassy Apron at Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilovesassyapron
-Post a picture of your runner on this blog
-Blog about this giveaway

Let's show Lana some comment love -- entries close 11/15!!

Oh so pretty!!!

I recieved my package from Melinda yesterday .... a very pretty table runner and some fun tuck ins.

I will be changing my table linen after this weekend, and this piece of loveliness will be put on display for everyone to see.
Thank you so much Melinda for a lovely swap package.