Prim Pal News - May 5, 2010

'Prim Pal News'

Good Morning! Since it is such a beautiful day I thought we would sit out here on the porch and enjoy our coffee and this nice coffee cake that I made just for you today. If you like it, you can find the recipe in the 'Dessert' section on the Forum.

These past few weeks have just flown by. I simply don't know where all the time has gone. All of us have been busy brainstorming and coming up with a few ideas and plans that we hope you will enjoy.

~What's New?~

~*~ Americana Theme Swap for May ~*~

We are now taking sign-ups for the May swap. We felt that this would be a good time to do this so those who participate will be able to enjoy their goodies in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

The swap must include:

1 item made of wood
1 item made of fabric
1 item of your choice

The only real requirement is that it must be red, white and blue for our patriotic theme.

Sign ups run from now until May 10th, 2010 and the names will be sent out on May 11th. Just go to the "'Prim Pals Giveaways' category and look for Swaps then sign up on the Americana Swap thread. You will also be able to find all the rules for the swap there. To make things more interesting we decided that it would be nice to make it a surprise and not let our partners know who they have. So just because you may have one person's name does not mean that they have your name too.

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~*~ $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway! ~*~

TJ and I were happy to announce that our 'Prim Pals Blog' was selected to giveaway a $40 gift certificate from CSN Stores. This giveaway is open to all our members from the US and Canada! To enter you just have to leave a comment on the blog at:

http://primpals.blogspot.com/2010/04/giveaway-time.html

You can get an extra entry by already being a follower or becoming one and another entry for posting the giveaway on your blog. The gift certificate will be drawn on Mother's Day, May 9th, 2010. Good Luck to all who enter!

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~*~ 'A Pound A Week' Challenge ~*~

This is a challenge we developed to help support those of us who are striving to lose weight. It does not matter if you want to lose just 5 pounds or if you want to lose a 100 pounds. There is no revealing your weight, just your success along the way. Weigh-Ins are on Friday because who wants to weight themselves first thing Monday morning after the weekend, and we will all be there to support you. All you have to do is sign up on the thread to participate.

There was a question raised about hosting a chat for those who want to get together and chat about what is working and what is not. Please vote on the poll on what night would work best for you and we will announce it in our next newsletter.

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~*~ A Sewing Challenge ~*~

We are excited to post our first monthly challenge! We will be challenging you to use Tennessee Ridges new freebie pattern. You will find it at: http://www.tennesseeridgeprimitives.com/pages/freeepattern.php .

Once there click on the free pattern button to download. Even though this project is for a wreath, you can choose how you'd like to make it..... Such as bowl fillers, crock fillers (add them to a dowel) any way you choose.

Post your progress in the monthly craft challenge section. At the end of the month post your finished project and we will take a vote for the top 3 winners and you will receive a special Prim Pals graphic. Anyone who participates in the challenge will also receive a lil' special button too!

We hope you are up to the challenge! :)

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~*~ Thank you to Renae and Holli ~*~

We wanted to Thank Renae for stepping up and volunteering for our position of 'Welcome Wagon Coordinator'. Renae, also known on the Forum as 'Primaddict' is in charge of all birthday wishes, special day announcements and welcoming all our new members.

Holli, also known as 'Prftstrngr' on the Forum has joined us as our new moderator. Holli is filled with all kinds of Prim Inspiration and Ideas and just waiting to share with all of us. She has even helped ups come up with a new idea that we hope to share in our next newsletter so keep watching.

We want to welcome both gals to the Prim Pals staff. *hugs*

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~*~ A New Bi-Weekly Feature ~*~

'How's Your Garden Grow?'
By Melissa a.k.a. MsPrimNCountry

Since its spring time and we are all out working in our gardens and flower beds our very own Melissa has volunteered to do some articles on some of our favorite plants. We hope to make this a new feature in our newsletters and want to say 'Thank You!'

This week's article is about:

Sweet Annie

Sweet Annie Wormwood is in the Artemisias family, there are about 400, and Sweet Annie is one of the very best known.

The earliest known description of Sweet Annie is found on an Egyptian papyrus from 1600 B.C. The bitter herb has long been used as an insect repellent, and was once used as a strewing herb. It can be used in sachets to keep moths away and is planted in gardens to discourage pests such as beetles, cabbage worm, and slugs to just name a few. Tea made of it will repel aphids.

Sweet Annie can be grown in any garden, even in one with poor soil. The seed is small but easy to germinate. Sweet Annie can also be propagated from ripened cuttings, or by plant division.Sow seeds after danger of frost. You DO NOT COVER the seeds because they need light to germinate, but you must keep the soil moist, until plants appear.

Harvest when buds appear but before they open. Discard damaged leaves. Pick on a dry day and dry by hanging in bundles in a shady place around 70 degrees F.


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~*~ A Few Reminders ~*~

For those of you who are participating in the Garden Thyme Swap... We just want to remind you that packages need to be sent out by May 11th and that you need to send your delivery confirmation number to TJ at: Primpals@yahoo.com .

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Also don't forget the 'Live Chat' being held every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Its always a fun time for all who visit.


Well, Its getting late.... Where has the morning gone? I hope you have enjoyed yourself. Don't forget to look up that coffee cake recipe.

Take Care and we will see you on the Forum!

*Prim Hugs and Blessings*

Debbie, TJ, Stella, Melissa, Holli and Renae!