~ Its An Envelope Swap! ~

For this month's swap, we thought that we would try something a little different, a little less expensive ( $ 5.00 value) and something that all forum and our blog members can participate in.  (The 50 post rule will not apply.)  An Envelope Swap! 

How does it work you ask??? 

All items should be mailed in a 10 1/2" x 15" padded envelope.  They aren't too expensive and can be found at Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store.

You will fill the envelope with something (or somethings) that are valued at $5.00.  They just have to be able to fit into the envelope.

What type of items?

Anything that can safely fit into the envelope, for example:

a paperpack book
bookmarks
magnets
note cards and pens
something handmade
pictures or a plaque
tarts
hand towels
pot holders
recipes
seeds
candy
etc.....

This will be a secret swap, so the person you get, won't be the one that has your name.

RULES:

1.   Be sure to include a card or letter that has your name, blog information, and email address on it so your partner can send a Thank You.  This way they can give you credit for the sweet goodies when they blog or post about it.  A Thank you of some sort is required.

2.   The value of the goodies in the envelope must be $5.00.  This does not include the cost of the envelope and the postage.

3.  Only sent items you would want to receive.  Please try to stay away from Dollar Store/Tree items. I know they do sometimes have some neat items but please... no junk that you wouldn't appreciate receiving yourself.

4.   Do NOT sign up if you don't intend to follow through.  No one likes to get 'stiffed' on a swap even if it is one of a smaller value.  We will make a list and you will not be able to participate in future swaps.  We do realize that things do happen beyond our control and ask that if they do.... please let us know ahead of time.

 
To Participate:

Sign Ups will run from today, September 1st, until Thursday, September 8th.  I will send out your partners
information to you on the 9th.  Your envelopes should be mailed by September 24th.  Please let me know you mailed yours.

Please send the following information to me at: 
primpals@yahoo.com

1.   Your Name and Address:

2.   Blog URL:

3.   Email Address:  (this is for my records only)

4.   Would you mind shipping to Canada or the UK?

5.   Do you have anything that you are allergic too that
shouldn't be sent???  A certain scent or possibly a food
item?

6.   Tell us a little about yourself to let your partner
know what you like or dislike.

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Don't forget that sign ups last until September 8th, so
sign up today and join in on the fun!

Debbie & the Staff

Siggy Block Swap and Challenge

Kookie and I were trying to come up with an idea of something different that might interest everyone and here is what we came up with. A 'signature' Block Swap and Challenge.

Just think how much fun it would be to receive blocks from 50 or more of your fellow prim brothers or sisters from all over. 50 you say???? Well... we don't know if there would be that many but just think how neat it would look to create even a lap quilt or small wall hanging out of the blocks you would receive.

What???? Make a quilt too???
Well that is where the challenge comes in. After we do the swap, we would have the challenge of making something out of the blocks. Don't worry... We won't leave you hanging in case you have never done something like this before. We will post some tutorials and ideas on putting it together too.

How is it going to work????

To try and get more people involved we will also post this on our Facebook page and encourage you to post on your pages or blog too! The more the merrier, right??? You don't have to belong to the Prim Pal Forum though we hope you would want to because it can be lots of fun. If you are a forum member, the 20 post limit will not apply to this swap simply because if someone doesn't send their blocks, they won't receive any. Easy peasy.... right?

We will take sign ups starting today until February 15th. We will give you until March 31st to complete your blocks and then a week to send them in to me for distribution.... just like we do on the ornie swaps.

Since we don't know how many will be signing up, I will let everyone know how much postage will be but I can't imagine it being very much. (Possibly, everyone could send a self-addressed stamped manila envelope with the return postage needed. How would that sound?)

After we all received our blocks, we will have a month or two to complete a finished project..... (more time if we need it) Then we can post our finished items on the Craft Challenge section of the forum and here.

So what do you think????? How about that tutorial???

Here goes:

You will need:
One 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square of white fabric and
Two 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares of a fabric of your choice. (feel free to mix it up. You don't need to use the same fabric for all your blocks)

Draw a line, corner to corner, on the WRONG side of your 2 1/2" squares.

Lay one of your 2 1/2" squares on your 3 1/2" square, like in the picture.... then stitch across your drawn line.

Turn around and repeat for the second 2 1/2" square.

Trim the excess fabric off 1/4" from your stitched line. This saves from the bulkiness when quilting.

Press the 2 1/2" square towards the outside of your 3 1/2" square.

Now all you have to do is autograph it!

To do this you can use any medium such as a permanent/washable marker, stitch or paint your name, town and the year 2011.

Also... to help prevent shrinkage.... you may want to pre-wash your fabric.
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Sign ups start now so come join us in the fun! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Just email us at: primpals@yahoo.com . We are more than happy to help!

*prim hugs and blessings*
Debbie & Kookie

1st Annual Christmas Ornie Swap

1st Annual Christmas Ornie Swap

Christmas is a time for traditions like baking Grandma's sugar cookies, going caroling with friends and even decorating the family Christmas tree. One of my favorite memories is decorating the family tree with ornaments handmade by my brothers and I. There is just something about a Christmas tree decorated
with dozens of handmade ornaments.

So in keeping with the spirit of Christmas we would like to start a tradition of our own. The 1st Annual Prim Pal Ornie Swap!

How will it work?

We will have sign-ups through the month of September, open to forum members only. If you are not a member, come sign up at: Prim Pals. On October 1st, you will be sent the name of the staff member you will send your ornies to for distributing.

Depending on how many members sign up for this swap, we will divide everyone into groups of 10 or 15. For example: If 30 members sign up we will divide them into two groups. Each person would be responsible for making 15 ornies that would need to be completed and mailed out (with $7.95 for shipping your package of ornies back to you) to an assigned staff member for distributing by November 1st. Please be sure to get a confirmation number when sending to your staff member and forward it to us at: primpals@yahoo.com

Once the staff member has everyones ornies they will box them up and ship them out to you by November 13th. This will hopefully insure that you will receive your package in enough time to decorate for the Christmas holiday.

All ornies MUST be handmade and signed in some way by the crafter who made them. We also thought that since it was a Christmas Ornie swap it would be fun if they were all individually wrapped. (Just a little something to add to the Christmas excitement)

If you feel really energetic and would like to do more than just 10 - 15 ornies, feel free to let us know that you would like to do more and we will put your name into another group with different members so you would receive twice the ornies. Its all totally up to you.

We are really excited about this swap and hope you will be too! As always, if you have any questions or even suggestions, please feel free to contact TJ or myself by private message here or email at : primpals@yahoo.com.

Christmas in July Swap

Hi y'all we just wanted to letcha' know we are havin' a Christmas in July swap over on the forum ;0) We'd love to have ya join in on the fun. You must be a forum member to participate in this swap. We've changed a few of our rules on the forum too. You no longer have to worry about posting. We decided to let YOU decide when ya wanna comment without any worries that you'll be removed for Non Posting. So watcha' waitin' for ? Come on over and get in on a fun swap and meet a great buncha' Prim Pals....Hope to see you there =0)
Prim Huggs n Blessins

TJ & Debbie