All Swapped

Ok swappers I have got everyone swapped out that I have in my Database.

Here are the swap partners. (you are also receiving an email with details but this lets you look it up quick)

Samantha L and Amy S
Martha B and Irene S.
Jeanie S and Vea M
Betty S and Lucy B
Jenny C and Deiree S
Gabi S and Cara M
Ellena O and Cynthia T
Alissa D and Sandy W
Katie W and Kelly K
Shawnee H and Grace B
Susan W and Janet C
Sandra P and Katrina D
Kebi C and Dayna W
Judi J and Debra S
Anna D and Lisa L
Glenda P and Jessica S.
Beverly E and Lucy B

Little Miss Swappers

Cari Q and Caroline B
Natlie M and Audrey W
Sarah B and Tatum H
Ana L and Macy M
Hannah B and Sarita C

Our two boy swappers
Joe B and ______ M

Now get busy and contact your swap partners and get back to me. You have 48 hours to reply to the email I send you. I need to know that you have received your partner assignment and that you have contacted them.

I have a fabulous giveaway for those that do respond in time. The lucky winners will walk away with....

a lovely Tea Tote from The Cookie Jar.
Here are the three Tea Totes she has generously shared with us.




Here is the description of the Tea Totes.
Tea totes are a tea lovers best friend. They keep your favorite teas at your fingertips, and hold them snug so they don't get lost in the never ending abyss that is your purse, or if you're like me, smashed and broken in your back pocket. All tea totes are sturdy and close quickly and easily with an elastic band. Each is unique and features a vintage button - no two are ever exactly the same. Love that!
Teas in photo are not included, sorry.Measurements: 3" x 4.25" closed
Care: hand wash warm, lay flat to dry, warm iron if needed

Junior Category

While chatting with my niece today she told me about how much fun she had in the SSEN Apron swap that just got finished up and how much fun it was to get a package all to herself. She also told me how interested her little girl (age 6) was in the package and how she asked her if she would please join in another one of the Fabulous swaps but give her partner her name instead so she could get a wonderful apron in the mail and little peppermints in a box just for her. :o) Well as her great Auntie I couldn't say no. So ...... drum roll please.... I have added a junior category to the swap.
Children may be entered by an adult that will be helping them fill the box for another tea party enthusiast. I thought it would be fun for the little girls to get to know each other and write or something. I am not posting links to the little girls names to protect their privacy but they will be sent their partners links in an email at swap time.
To enter a child, just fill the child's name in (one per entry) and in the notes about the swapper please fill in the child's information.
We need to know their:
age
size
interests
favorite colors
favorite treats
etc.
Fill out all the questions as for the child.
I also need to know the adult's information as to who you are so I know who to talk to about packages and such. Fill in that info in the notes to the swap mama slot.
The sewing ability applies to YOU not the Child obviously so I can pair seamstresses equally.

Remember you have until Friday to sign up.
This Junior category is a new thing and we will see how it goes. We usually only have mom's sign up and make aprons for #'s of kids not kids doing packages for kids.

Tea for Two Sassy Apron Swap

Today is the start of the sign-ups for the Tea for Two SAS.

The theme of the swap is a Tea Party. This swap does have a swap fee. The swap is treated more like an apron swap club. The fee is $5. This insures you a package as it covers all angel needs for the group. It also goes to providing some fun prizes along the way. There will be some big drawing for those that do what is needed on time such as respond to emails promptly, get their packages off early and on time. Those that post pictures and such. We will also do a swap scavenger hunt where you get to know more about each other.
This swap is not going to be a secret swap. You WILL know who your partner is and she will know who you are. You will be having your own private tea party. :o) Enough chatter and on to how it will all work.

To join the swap you need to click on the paypal Icon here or on the sidebar and pay your $5 and you will be directed from there to the Sign-up form.

The sign-ups run from today, Feb 16th to Friday Feb 27th.
I will swap you all out and give you your partners on Monday March 2nd.

You will then get with your partner and get to know her. and then get started on making your tea party package.

The apron packages will be due on Monday March 30th. That gives you 4 full weeks to get your packaged done and shipped out.
Packages cannot be shipped before March 20th. I love it when people get right on the job and get their aprons done but half of the fun is the waiting for your package and wondering what your partner is up to. So don't ship before the 20th unless you are an international swapper.

Package Requirements - (Please read so you know what you have signed up for.)
I want to keep this simple.

You must make and send a lovely Tea Party themed apron.
It should be made from 100% cotton.
It should be washed and Ironed and ready go.
Your apron should be free of pet hair and smoke.
Make sure that what you send it something that you would be excited to receive.

You can also add in things that are tea party themed.
Small treats
A fun tea cup
Tea, herbal tea or lemon aid (not all of us are tea drinkers)
Some fun frilly little bit of linens that you like.
Just make it fun and not too expensive.

Swap Status

Ok I have just spent the last 5+ hours checking all your emails and emailing many of you checking on your status.
As of right now here are our numbers

Aprons sent: 106

Aprons not yet sent: 26

Aprons Received: 66

Aprons not Received: 66

What do these numbers mean??
If you let me know that you sent your apron, I marked it on the list. 106 of you did this.
If you did not let me know that you sent your apron I didn't mark you on my list. 26 of you have not let me know about your apron sending status.

If you let me know that you did receive or not receive your apron with an email then I marked the list accordingly. 66 let me know they did get an apron and 66 let me know that they didn't get an apron or just didn't let me know.

PLEASE email me or leave comments here with your name so I can get this marked off my list.

Oh I almost forgot we do have a flickr group for the winter swap.
It is the Winter Sassy Apron Swap. It is open to anyone so go join up and post your pictures with descriptions of who made it and who it was for and such.

Early Bird Shippers

Dear Swappers,

Two of you have already sent your aprons off. Wow! I still haven't decided what to make yet.
I do have a new give away though.
Harley in AL has graciously made us some special Pins for a giveaway.


Aren't they fabulous!

Haley has a lovely Etsy shop where she makes these custom pins. I have to admit that I couldn't resist her pins. There was a certain little bird nest pin with little blue eggs. It is lovely!!!

How Do You Win????


Everyone that ships off their packages by November 20th will be put into a drawing.
I figured that the 20th isn't too early and will have the USA swappers done and swapped before the frenzied Thanks Giving cooking starts.

So here is what you must do.

1. Complete your package and ship it by Nov 20th.
2. Send me an email letting me know you did this (please include a Tracking number where possible).

Then I will put your names in a hat and draw two of you to each win a cookie pin. Harley will then ship them off to you.
So get busy sewing and get those aprons off by the 20th.

All Swapped

I finally have you all entered into the data base. There are over 130 of you this time. Whew!
I also have you all swapped and will be sending out letters tomorrow. I am too tired to do it now and would like to look at the list one more time before I send them out to you. I do make mistakes and this will help me avoid as many as possible.
So be watching your in boxes. I have to work in the morning so you won't be getting them before afternoon but should have them by tomorrow night.

Swap Closed

The Winter Sassy Apron Swap is now closed. I will be entering the last names into the blog list. If you entered and don't see your name there, Please contact me ASAP with a comment here or an email. I might have missed it in the shuffle or accidental deleted it with the 500+ emails I get everyday. Ones that are marked SPAM by my server sometimes get accidental diverted to the wrong file.
I will be entering all your information into a Data Base now and will start sorting and pairing you all up. That takes a few days. I like to triple check everything to eliminate mistakes. (I still make them but I make fewer that way.) :o)
So be watching for an email from me informing you of your partners by October 20th. I will post here that they are out in case you don't see one show up.

Time Is Running OUT

If you have been debating whether to join or not, now is your last call. The swap officially closes tomorrow night, Friday Oct. 10th.



If you have signed up for the swap and DO NOT see your name over on the side bar as a swapper then you need to get a hold of me ASAP. I have entered every name that I have found. There is a chance that a stray name has slipped into the trash bin with a ton of SPAM so please alert me now if your name isn't there.

Also it would appear that we are in need of some Apron Angels. There are some swappers that just aren't going to be getting an apron. If you are feeling generous and would love to help a sister in need, please contact me and I will get you paired up with a sad swapper that still doesn't have an apron. Don't panic about the list on the side. 14 of those swappers are ones that just haven't reported back to let me know they got their apron. Some of those on the list however have real swapping flakes for partners or their wonderful aprons have been officially listed as Missing and just didn't make it to their destination. This is so sad because I have seen several of the pictures of those that were sent and they were fabulous.

*** Word to the Wise Swapper***

PLEASE USE USPS TRACKING AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION!!!!

Yes it costs a couple of bucks more to ship that way but it is SO worth the safety of knowing that your package was tracked and delivered.

Winter Sassy Apron Swap Sign-Up

Sing-ups open till October 10th. Partners will be sent out on October 20th. Apron packages are due for shipping on December 1st.

It is October 1st and time to sign up for the next round of the Sassy Apron Swap.

**** This is a holiday themed swap****

This is our final swap for the year. Who knows what next year will bring.
I thought and thought about what my favorite bits of winter are and couldn't come up with a theme. Then while I was making half a million cookies for our community's fall festival it hit me that one of my favorite things about winter and the holiday season is making cookies with my family. It is one of my earliest tradition memories and one that I still carry on today with my own children.
So the theme of the Winter Sassy Apron Swap is Cookies.
Here is how it at will work.

• You will make a cookie/winter/holiday themed apron, full or half, be creative. It can be holiday related if you like. Please refer to your partner's preferences.
• You will include at least one favorite cookie recipe. The is a great way to share a family tradition. I can't pick just one so my partner might just get a few cookie recipes.
• You must include a cookie cutter.
• You are free to include any other little treats you would like that relate to the theme such as favored sugars, sprinkles, specialty chocolate chips, etc.
• Please include a had written note about your apron selection, cookie traditions, what ever. Just make it personal so your partner has a chance to get to know you. It will be fabulous!

Swap Rules:

1. All aprons must be hand-made. If you can't sew well enough to pass 8th grade home economics, then buy one from one of the many etsy crafters.
2. Your apron should be made of 100% cotton fabric that has been pre washed to prevent color bleeding and shrinking of the finished apron.
3. You package must be in the mail to your partner no later than Monday December 1st.

Here are some more things I would like you to consider before joining this swap.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. I expect an apron that would pass in 8th Grade Home Ec. I don’t expect an A but at least passable.I don’t want to get too fussy here and scare anyone off. I 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 isn’t 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.

To join this swap you will need to send me an email at this address, byrdhouse1@windstream.net with ALL of the following information:
(please don’t lump all your information together, it makes data processing so very difficult for me). It works best for me if you will please just copy and paste the list below to your email and just fill in the blanks.
1. Full name:

2. Mailing address:

3. Blog address:

4. Email address (just one please): (PLEASE include this it saves me so much time if you do)

5. Other swaps you have participated in (if you have not swapped with me previously):Preferences:

6. Give one color you like:

7. Give one color you dislike:

8. Fabric style you like and dislike (ie., pastels, brights, jewel tones, florals, batiks, etc):

9. What is your dress size? (with a full apron you need to be sure that all your bits are covered)

10. List anyone you would rather not get an apron from. (like your sister, mother, former swap partners, etc.)

11. How holiday do you want your apron to be? (a double sided apron can be Christmas and Winter themed) (remember that I do not require a double sided apron, just a suggestion)

12 Are you Willing to ship internationally or do you prefer within your continent.

Please try to remember that there is a THEME. This theme is a little more specific than the last ones have been. I debated what I should do here and decided to go with the holiday theme. I love Christmas and since this is my swap I will do what makes me happy. :o) I am sorry if this excludes anyone. Remember that there will be more swaps next year with many more themes.

If you have participated in my swaps in the past and have not followed through with your packages, I will not be able to let you play at this time. Sorry but it is only fair.
Thanks and I can't wait to see who participates this time.

Get Busy!

Ok You should all have your swap partners by now. If you don't have it I need to know now. There are many of you that have not sent me a reply yet saying that you got it. There are more than 50 than haven't responded yet and if it takes me 2 minutes each to send an email out (because I am slow) that is 100 minutes. It adds up. So please let me know that you have your partner. I am working with a couple of you to get it through because your email won't let it through.
Here is the list of people I don't have marked off yet. If your name is on this list I need to know if you did get your partner information. I will remove your name as soon as I have heard from you. If your name is on here and you did contact me, then I haven't marked you off for some reason and you slipped through my inbox. I get 500+ emails everyday from swappers, clients, and my three yahoo groups. So occasionally I delete the wrong one. If that happened please send it again or leave a post with your swap name so I can mark you off.
Thanks so much! :o)


Thanks for taking a minute to let me know you got it.

Now get busy and make your aprons. You have 3 weeks to get it done and shipped off.
We already have two aprons done and on their way. I am most impressed. Good job Ladies!!!
Now back to picking the perfect fabric.
Remember you can let the fabric do the theme work for you. I went to JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby this past week and they had fabulous fall fabric, to die for stuff. Go check out what is near you. There is some great stuff out there.

Done Swapped

Ok that took a lot longer than I wanted it to. But I am now done and have emailed everyone of you your partner information. If you haven't received it please go check your junk or bulk mail first. If it still isn't there then email me and I will send it again. There were some problems with a couple of the addresses I had here on file. Sorry if one of them was you.
If you have any other problems like your link doesn't work, or I somehow forgot your name on the sidebar (I think there were a couple that got missed due to a computer glitch this morning and I haven't had time to sit down with the list and check each one to make sure you are all there.) There should be 143 of us if I counted right on my database, less than last time but still enough to make anyone nuts to organize.
Well I am off to bed. I can't think straight anymore and am not sure my sentences are making sense anymore. There is a fresh copy of Breaking Dawn waiting for me to open. Yes I have been resisting it's calls all day so I could get your partners to you because I know you were not reading it too in eager anticipation of your partner's name and info. (What you have been reading it all day?!? I am crushed!!) hee hee I hope someone out there got to read it today. :o)
I almost forgot, please reply back that you got your partner info in the next 48 hours please that helps my record keeping so much and saves me time. Please make sure your name is included so I can just mark you off the list instead of hunting up your blog, your email address or your sister's brother-in-law's, cousin's friend to find your name. You think I am kidding yes it can be that hard to figure out which Jennifer or Sarah I am talking to. :o)

Creeaaaakkkk.....

Yes the swap door is closing so hurry and get your last minute names in. You know I am a push over and will let you in but when I post the partenrs it is officially shut so Hurry UP!

I know a lot of you newbies to the swap are worried that I haven't got your entry yet. Don't panic. I am super busy and there are a ton of you that signed up just this week. I will be entering the last of you this weekend and will try to have you your partners by August first.
Doesn't that sound like a long time?? Well it takes a few days to enter all of you into the data base, chase five kids, 7 goats, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 35 chickens and one husband. They all think they need to be fed too. So I should have you all entered by Monday at the latest and will start swapping you out. That takes a couple of days because I have to triple check every name to make sure I didn't give you yourself as a partner. (yes I did that once, it was a typo but it still happened, sorry!) :o) So to ensure I don't do that sad thing to you, I print it all out and check and check to make sure it is all perfect. :o)
In the mean time....... check out your links to make sure they work, watch for your name to show up, and check each other's blogs out. There are some really crafty ladies in this swap. It is going to be so exciting!!!! I can't wait to get you all swapped up.

Time Is Running OUT

Now is your Last Chance to sign-up for the Fall round of the Sassy Apron Swap. The swap closes July 25th.

If you have been thinking about it but just haven't decided, now it your time to do it.

Go to this post and follow the directions.

I can't wait to see how this swap goes. There are so many great aprons makers here already.

Fall Sassy Apron Swap Sign-Up

Sign-Up Open till July 25, 2008

Fall seems so far away but I am looking forward to cooler weather.
It is time to Sign up for the Fall Sassy Apron Swap!!
I have already had people signing up and I haven’t yet posted the rules. :o)

The theme for this swap is fall. Since fall here in the Sates means holiday cooking I am making some requirements. Holiday baking, especially Thanks Giving cooking, is very messy so this apron has to stand up to the heavy work of good cooking. :o)

Here is the list of requirements:

1. It has to be a hand made bib (or full coverage) apron. Smocks are accepted too. NO HALF APRONS. The fabrics must be 100% cotton.
2. The apron must be durable (this doesn’t mean heavy fabric just it must stand up to washing, wiping hands and messy cooking.)
3. The apron’s theme is Fall or Autumn. This does not mean a certain fall holiday unless your partner asks for that. Not all our swappers are from the same place and not all celebrate the same holidays so please keep that in mind.
4. Since it if for the baking season, a hot pad or pot holder must be included. This is the extra thing this time. It should also be hand made by you or another crafter. It can be sewn, knit or crochet. I guess if there are other kinds, they are welcome too.
5. You must include your favorite pie recipe. If you haven’t noticed I am just a little fond of pie. So…. I would like you to send a copy of your recipe to my email address. One of our swappers has agreed to help put these into a little cookbook to be made available to the swappers at a later date.
6. Your aprons must be in the mail and on their way NO later than September 1st.


Here are some more things I would like you to consider before joining this swap.

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. I expect an apron that would pass in 8th Grade Home Ec. I don’t expect an A but at least passable.
I don’t want to get too fussy here and scare anyone off. I 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 isn’t 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.


To join this swap you will need to send me an email at this address, byrdhouse1@windstream.net with ALL of the following information:
(please don’t lump all your information together, it makes data processing so very difficult for me).

1. Full name:
2. Mailing address:
3. Blog address:
4. Email address (just one please): (PLEASE include this it saves me so much time if you do)
5. Other swaps you have participated in (if you have not swapped with me previously):
Preferences:
6. Give one color you like:
7. Give one color you dislike:
8. Fabric style you like and dislike (ie., pastels, brights, jewel tones, florals, batiks, etc):
9. What is your dress size? (with a full apron you need to be sure that all your bits are covered)
10. List anyone you would rather not get an apron from. (like your sister, mother, former swap partners, etc.)
11. Do you want your apron to be holiday related? (if yes, specify which holiday, Thanks Giving, Halloween, Labor day, etc.)
12 Are you Willing to ship internationally or do you prefer within your continent. (I forgot to add this at first)

Please try to remember that there is a THEME. I really enjoyed seeing the many interpretations we had of summer and can't wait to see fall. How do you do fall in an apron? Think color, think cool temperatures, think family gatherings, outdoor splendor, baking, etc.

Pay attention to deadlines. You MUST send your apron out on time or I won't be able to let you play again.- Your partner will be working very hard to make something for you.

You really should contact your partner after receiving your apron and tell them THANK YOU! If you can't get to their blog, you should have a return address on the box your apron comes in. Send them a note, email, or blog post to let them know you got it and to say thank you. I had so many people this time feel sad that they never heard if their partner liked their apron or not.

-If you feel that you can't make it for what ever reasons, LET ME KNOW. I can work with you and if you have to drop out, it will give me time to get a substitute aproner to fill in.
- If I don't hear back from you in a timely manner - meaning I have tried to contact you multiple times and have received NO answer when I send out partners, I will assume you have dropped and will remove your name and move on.
ENOUGH SAID!

More Information for you Partner

Sorry I didn't think of this .... If you have some preferences about your apron, such as you don't like the color pink and don't want a big pink apron, maybe you should let me know things like that so I can alert your partner. I don't want to hamper any one's creativity by putting too many guidelines but I also don't want an unhappy partner stuck with a color they can't wear.