Dear Santa, All I Want for Christmas ...

is a Secret Santa Swap!

Now, before we get started, I DO have to apologize.  I really DO NOT LIKE seeing all the Christmas displays that are out in stores already.  I mean, Costco started filling their Christmas aisle when I was doing back to school shopping!  Annoying.  I regularly avert my eyes and give the Christmas aisles a wide berth until around Veterans Day.  BUT ... crafting packages and mailing them out takes a bit of lead time.  So, I gotta open up registrations earlier than I would like to on a normal basis.
 
For the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, I'm excited to host SHAWNEE'S SECRET SANTA SWAP

Register by: October 26

Mail between: November 5 and November 15

Your Secret Santa Swap package should be a minimum of $20 in value before postage, and include the following:

One Handmade APRON

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've done this the last several years and it is SO MUCH FUN!

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.   

Once again, 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.  This is a great way to add traffic to your blog and make new friends!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
then leave a comment below and post this questionnaire on your blog 

Shawnee's Secret Santa Apron 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?

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 then tell us about your experience.

NEW SWAPPERS:  We all love making new friends, but swapping can be risky business.  I've tried various ways in the past to minimize the risk and one of the best ways I have found is to have new swappers send their first package to me and include postage so I can forward it to your partner.  This ends up costing you about $13 in postage (flat rate w/delivery confirmation) but is the fairest to all. If you're an experienced swapper but just not with me, just include some references when you register to forego the extra expense.

P.S. Those people who have signed up for swaps and HAVE NOT completed them or if you have been consistently late, then you are not able to participate this time. There are some exceptions to this rule (I mean, I've had a pro make my aprons before when I got overwhelmed, so I get it), 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. If you owe someone a package and REALLY want to participate, you would need to send me your overdue package to forward in order to be eligible to sign up this year.

Partners Sent!

Judging from my full in box, most of you are already aware that partner matches have sent. For the remaining few, please check your email and REPLY so I know you're still playing.
My friend Amy gave me a cute bar toy ... a little holder for drink condiments similar to this picture I found. EVERYONE who replies by midnight tonight is still playing AND has a chance to win. (It will be slow-shipped cause its awkwardly shaped but you should have it for V-day!)

As soon as my home internet is back up, I will send blog invites and post your yummy drink recipes!!

Quick update

So I realized early on that this swap was not going to showcase my sewing skills. Summer has just run away from me this year. But leave it to Etsy to save the day! I found so many great aprons just perfect for this swap. Even better I found a lady NanaCarol's Shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6359755) not far from my hometown that had the perfect apron for my partner. She even had a small version for my 6 year old that I had to buy too..(I didn't want to leave her out) Now all I have to do is pick up some retro kitchen ware and I will be set to ship.

**Don't worry I will post pictures of them all soon**

Peek-a-Boo

Here's a collage to give hints about my apron for the swap. I picked a vintage tablecloth -- no embroidery, lace inserts, etc., because I plan to embellish it myself. I've pondered a bunch of patterns, and finally chose one of the ones pictured here. I've pawed through my ribbon, lace, books, buttons and bows to pick what I think is going to be eye-popping pretty. If all goes well I'll have it in the mail by the end of the week.

Wish me luck! I'd keep my fingers crossed, but it's so hard to sew that way.

Check your in-box

I just sent an email to everyone -- you must reply within 48 hours to confirm that you're still playing!
Shawnee

HERE'S THE TEXT OF THE EMAIL FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T READ IT ALL:

Hi ladies,

Just a quick check to see if you're still playing. I've added your name and blog link (if you have one) to the website. Please go to the site and verify that everything is correct, and then email me back within 48 hours to let me know of any changes needed and to CONFIRM you're still playing. OH, and please let me know if you are willing to ship internationally.

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 hope you are, too. I keep finding lots of beautiful vintages linens so the ideas are just perculating!!

Hostess With The Mostess

I hope the only thing smoking in my swap partner's kitchen this holiday season ...

is her her this hot little number.

A BIG Thank You To DonnaN!!

I am playing catch up with my thank yous...

I received my flirty swap package from Donna N last week. It is so cute! I actually saw this one on the flirty blog and had had a feeling it would be mine!



Thanks so much Donna! It is great and I think you did a superb job putting it together! Don't sweat the french seam...I think it is awesome:)

Oh and she also made me some coasters to match...forgot to take a picture though (big shocker)...I will get to it and update my post later.

Thanks to Shawnee for another great installment of the Flirty Apron Swap.

(My 4 year old took the pic for me... I think she is getting pretty handy with the camera)