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!!!

Angels - Please be on ALERT

Oh sweet swappers, I have five gals who are AWOL and aren't answering my emails.  If you said that would be an angel, please be on alert.  If I don't hear from these gals, I would need to call on you to mail a package this weekend.  If you're still okay to do this, please comment or reply.  I'm stressing because I don't want anyone to go without but my family will be taking my attention soon.  And, I would rather not spend my break worrying about swappers not getting a visit from a Secret Santa.

If you haven't sent me your swap confirmation, please do it asap.  My family thanks you.  =)
-Shawnee

As of right now I hate the post office

I was wondering why my partner hadn't posted all sorts of awesome things about what I sent. So I checked the tracking ... And the auto system sent me to a live person. That's never a good sign.

My package left my city some time last Friday (!) and hasn't been seen or heard from since. It hasn't made it to the destination city's sort facility. It's not out for delivery. It's just gone.

So... They can't investigate til tomorrow when it's been a full week of being MIA.

Here's hoping that the package shows up where it's supposed to! And that all the goodies are still intact.

Thank you Kerry and Shawnee!!

Oh my gosh!!! I was so surprised to find a package from someone in Texas I didn't know. She was my secret Santa. Since being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in March I haven't participated in any swaps. Sweet Shawnee and Kerry made sure I was taken care of. I received the cutest apron, some Christmas socks, magazines, a mug with goodies, an embellished towel, some homemade goodies and ornaments. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends! Many thanks to Kerry! (I tried emailing you but it came back...will try again!) I hope to be back in the swing of things soon. Merry Christmas!

My Secret Santa Package Arrived

I was so excited when my co-worker (my co-worker has enjoyed this as much as I)  called and said I had a package on my desk.  I knew exactly what it was.  I couldn't wait to tear into it.  Inside I found a magazine with lots of great recipes, Dove chocolate (my favorite),  a candy-cane letter "L" ornament, very cute paper plates, and I LOVED~ LOVED the homemade garland.  I couldn't believe someone went to so much trouble for me, cutting & tying.  I'm going to have to redo my tree now.  I've already got plans to figure out how you made the garland so that I may add to it.  I know the picture doesn't do the package justice.  I just couldn't wait to share & say thank you to my Secret Santa Lori.  Merry Christmas!

Thanks to Lisa A!

My package arrived last week and because of work, well, I haven't had chance to do a proper thank you :)

She filled it with all sorts of goodies, including an adorable mug and hot chocolate :) I'm really excited to try the homemade peppermint sugar scrub she sent and some of the recipes she included!

Secret Santa Swap Package Arrived!

Well, as I said, my Secret Santa Swap package arrived today, and I was so excited about the items I got!  I've been spoiled!  With this one, we had certain rules to follow and one was we had to buy a gift for each letter of a word pertaining to Christmas, like SNOW or SANTA, etc.  My secret partner, who by the way was Tammy Simpkins, chose the word MAGIC:  M=mug, A=apron, G=gingerbread cookie mix, I=icing and C=cocoa.  Plus, she put in a book and an ornament.  I think I'm going to have to make some of the cocoa and get started on that book.  It's exactly the kind I like to read!  Thank you so much, Tammy, for everything!  I hope you have the Merriest of Christmas's!  Mary Jo Kersen

Thank You Santa Nadine!

Santa left a package for me just the other day,
It was such a sweet surprise to me that from my knees I prayed:
Thank you Lord for such a friend who thought so much of me,
That she sewed & shopped & swapped & mailed such lovely gifts for me!
I can't imagine what i did for "Good List" status this year,
But I am oh so thankful for all my apron friends,
Especially Santa Nadine this year!

My package is on the way!

And it's heading WEST. Which isn't too hard since most people are west of me anyway ha ha!

I included a cute little GIFT with a poem.

G is for Garland to hang on your tree
I is for Idea from pinterest, made by me
F is for .... bakes up quick
T is for ... so you don't get sick

I don't want to include too many spoilers :D

But dang, don't you just LOVE those candy canes? I had so much fun making them and my tree is so big that I bought 5 more packs so I could cover my tree! I posted instructions on my blog :)

My bag of goodies is on its way....

Aside from the book and a goodie, it is all handmade and filled with love....Merry Christmas my secret Santa partner.....xoxoxoxoxo

It's Christmas Time...

I did it. A day late (please forgive me. Husband out of town and a house full of sickies) but it is safely in the mail. The word that I chose was: Christmas This swap was a lot of fun.

C --- Coasters

H --- Hot Cocoas

R --- Reindeer Pennant

I --- Ickiness Remover (as my kids call it or hand sanitizer for the rest of us)

S --- Snowmen Ornaments

T --- Trivets

M --- Miscellaneous Munchies

A --- A bunch of Cinnamon Sticks

S --- Surprise Pop Can Gifts

   

I truly hope that my partner enjoys her box of goodies. I was able to incorporate a few different crafts I found on Pinterest, my new found love. It looked a little something like this. 

There are some more things inside and I apologize for the rough looking IPhone photos.  Hopefully my partner will post more. 

My Secret Santa Package Came Today!

My doorbell rang today and my mailman handed me a box.  I knew just what it was!  This is what I got when I opened the box!  Amanda sent me a great package.

Each gift was wrapped separately and I got to open one at a time.  My partner chose the word Christmas

C-chocolate covered mints

h-homemade fudge (which I immediately dug right into)

r-raspberry cream sticks

i-itty bitty ribbon spools

s-snowman bunting

t-tea (mint green)

m-mug

a-apron pattern

s-snowman ornament

and she added a little mini-scrapbook tuck in that it adorable!

I love everything that she sent!  The fudge is awesome!

Thank you so much Amanda!

Amy

Hot Pad HELP Needed!!

I want to make some of these hot pads and have misplaced my instructions. Does anyone remember who posted the "how to" for these?

I received these in package and they are wonderful--I suffer from CRS and have no idea who sent them or which swap------My DIL has requested hot pads for Christmas--I have faith in you gals'

Almost Sent.....

Went to P.O. today....

forgot my debit card in my "work" bag at home.

Geez!

Anywho...

This is the package that WILL

be Mailed Tomorrow!!

Cookie Recipe Book, Peppermint Tea, Faith Ornament, Snowflake Ornaments.

I chose the word "SNOW"
"S"tocking Stamp
G"N"ome Cookie Cutter
"O"rnament
"W"hite Cupcake Picks


My DD modeling the Apron I made...
Not a very good photo :(
The overlay on the apron
has wide pleats...
It's a really pretty pattern!

Maybe my partner will
get a better photo!?

Package Sent!!

These goodies (and a Santa Baby apron)are all on their way to someone special. Hope she likes'em. Merry Christmas ladies and cheers to swapping next year! Teresa

Just mailed my Secret Santa Swap!

Just mailed my Secret Santa Swap, included is a recipe book from The Taste of Holidays (an annual tasting of different recipes sponsored by area homemakers) sweets & favorite beverage along with homemade peppermint sugar scrub and other tuck ins.  I hope the recipient enjoys it as much as I enjoyed doing it.  My family doesn't exchange gifts so I thought this would be fun.  This is the first time i've done a swap but home to enjoy many more in the future.

Merry CHRISTMAS!

My Secret Santa package will be going in the mail tomorrow and I am excited for my partner to receive it. I love this season and there was something magical about finding just the right things (hopefully) for someone I don't even know. Thank you so much Shawnee - I love this swap and the spirit of giving it that it fosters.

For my partner I included:

Some things that I made,
A pattern to read,
Some ribbon, a mug,
And yummies to eat.

The word I chose was CHRISTMAS. I don't want to give too much away but here's a shot of it all, with a few items hiding for a surprise.

Secret Sneak Peek......

Hi everyone,

I had so much fun joining in this swap!  LOVE this time of year - there are so many great things to do and make and eat.  My swap partner's blog was so inspiring and the questionnaire gave me some more insight into the things she enjoys which was great!
This is just a little sneaky peek of my fabrics and apron design. The word I chose to match my tuck-ins to was CAROLS....Cookies, Apron, ...............etc.  Hope my partner enjoys her goodies ; )

Merry Christmas x

Thank you Dayna!

I owe you an apology because I meant to post the table runner you made me earlier and time slipped away along with camera issues! For the rest of you, Dayna made me the perfect one for me! I love batiks and these are the colors I hope to have my living room painted in...In fact it is so pretty it is on my big square living room table. She also sent me a big goodie bag full of all the stuff I love. Buttons and ribbons and little bits and pieces of things that I love to use to make other things.
Thank you so much for the thought you put into my package. I could really tell it was made especially for me!

SNOW

My Secret Santa package went out this morning.  I hope my partner enjoys it.  Hopefully it will be something that she finds beautiful, useful, and relaxing.

I chose the word SNOW as my word since I always want to have a white Christmas (even though I don't like the cold as I get older)

S-spa set
N-necklace
O-ornament
W-white_ _ _ _

I won't go into too much detail so that there will be a bit of a surprise.  There are a couple of other tuck ins that I hope she enjoys!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Amy

(it was supposed to be in a red bag, but my sweet almost 3 yr old decided to rip it open)