Well swappers, we have 16 now... and still about 3 weeks of sign ups left. Looks like this is going to be a big swap. The more the merrier!

Just a reminder: if anyone wants to pay for their return postage by Paypal, let me know and I will make note of it on my list.

I put my I Spy squares in the mail today, sewbizgirl. Should be to you on Friday.

Thank you! Will let you know when they arrive.

Hello Sewbizgirl...my fun squares are in the mail...I believe they should arrive on Friday. :)

Barb

I'll be out of town for the weekend (going to see the kids!), so won't see them until Monday, Barb. Will let you know they have arrived.

Planning to mail out on Monday. This is so much fun!
hugs,
dj

I'm home! Had a great weekend and three packages are here waiting for me... one from Barbara, one from Peg and one from Kelle. Thank you ladies for being so quick! I bought loads of new I Spy fabric on my trip, so I will get cutting now, too.

DJ, will watch for yours to arrive.

Bonnie, I mailed my charms to you this last Friday. You should be receiving them today.

Yes, just got them in today's mail! Thank you!

By the way, if anyone is interested in collecting 2.5" mini charm squares (also known as "candy" squares), the Birthday Swap is open for sign ups until Feb. 15, the same day as the cutoff for this swap.

The way it works: You cut your scraps into mini charm squares and send 50 different ones to each member by their birthday. Around the 20th of each month you get a list of the birthdays for the following month, and mail with plenty of time so the packages are on time for the birthdays. On YOUR birthday, you receive and enjoy a package from everyone in the swap. It is a year long commitment (From March 2016 to March 2017) so you are required to get a recommendation from the coordinator of any other swap you have been in on the board before you can join. Good recommendation, and you are in!

There are ten slots left open in the birthday swap. It's a lot of fun, with contests and prizes all through the year for swappers who get those birthdays out in time. I wanted to recommend it to you! If anyone who has swapped I Spys with me previously needs a reference, I will be happy to give one.

Thanks for the "plug" for the birthday swap Sewbizgirl........:) Our birthday swap is so much fun. We really become friends getting to know each other over the year. We also share plenty of pictures of the projects we make with our sweet candy squares.

Barb:)

:) Glad you received my package Sewbizgirl. Looking forward to getting back the goods.

Glad to do it, Barb. I love the birthday swap.

Now, for THIS swap, I will leave the sign ups open until the 15th, as stated, but if everyone gets their swaps in to me earlier than the 28th, we can wrap up early. As soon as I have the last package in, I will swap these adorable I Spy squares and get them right back out to you. It's pretty quick and easy now, since we are swapping bag for bag. Hope everyone remembers to put their board name and state on each bag...

Debating about joining...I've been in a couple before, but want to make 2 quilts that will be close to twin size. So I might be needing more then I have.

Are holiday fabrics allowed?

Hello, I'd like to join this swap for at least 8 bags but most likely 16. I just want to confirm, this fabric should be pre-washed?

I did not sign up for holiday fabric. Please use other fabric as this is a 5" square swap & no way to hide holiday theme.
I mailed today, should arrive this week.

sisterly hugs,
dj

Not sure what you mean "no way to hide holiday theme" ? I didn't plan on all holiday fabric. I do realize it's NOT a holiday swap and that it is 5" squares swap of novelty fabrics. I do believe that holiday fabrics can be considered novelty. But I am rather a newbie so that is why I asked first. Apparently I stepped on toes and that was not my intention...sorry!

Welcome to the swap, JckieP! And grandma23 we would love to have you join.

I did not specify that the fabric had to be pre-washed. Some are cutting from their scraps and may or may not have washed their fabrics first. So, either way is fine.

When I make I Spy quilts I always put in holiday fabric, but not just Christmas. I have Easter, St. Pats Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas and some birthday cakes if I can find them. For this swap I would say a holiday fabric was ok as long as it was specific objects a child can identify. Please limit them to one per bag, just to keep everyone happy.

The squares are starting to roll in, and we are still gaining new swappers. This is going to be a great swap!

sewbizgirl, thanks for the holiday fabric clarification. One per bag is alright I guess, although I didn't send any. I save them for the holiday swap & to use in holiday projects. When piecing smaller charms, most holiday fabrics blend in well in samplers, postage stamp, string quilts, etc. without giving an overall holiday affect to the project. I am not offended by the question & hope I didn't offend anyone with my response, if so, please forgive me!
hugs,
dj

We will be getting back either 80, or (most of us) 160 charms, so it's inevitable we will not like or have use for every single one.... but that's ok. There will be plenty more in our swap that we will love and use. Let's focus on the positive!

I got another package of I Spys today... from Cheya! Thank you for getting those mailed.

[QUOTE=sewbizgirl;7455079]We will be getting back either 80, or (most of us) 160 charms, so it's inevitable we will not like or have use for every single one.... but that's ok. There will be plenty more in our swap that we will love and use. Let's focus on the positive!

That's the thing we all need to remember about these swaps. I'm making 2 quilts for my 2 DGS's so I don't want girlie squares...I know there is a real good chance I will get some though,(not saying don't send them) and I'm ok with that. That's all part of the swap process. Just keep what you want and reswap the others. I'm sure all the squares will be great!

Still not sure about joining...I'm having a couple health issues and my DMIL is in the hospital. I will cut first and let you know before the deadline.
Huggzz, Linda

Hope you are feeling better soon, Linda... and your MIL too.

I got another package today! DJMat, your squares are here.... :)

Ok so curiosity was getting the best of me and I started opening the packages that have come in. The squares are great! I'm seeing many I have not seen before. Yes, there are several holidays represented in the mix, yes there are girl themes, and also boy themes. It's a good mixture of everything, so far!

Some of you sent extra goodies for me and I sincerely thank you! No need to do this, but it's a real treat.

We are well on our way in this swap. Keep 'em coming!

Hi all, my squares are on their way. This is my second swap. I really enjoy doing these, I can't wait till the next one. OOPs! I joined a year committed one for birthday candi's.
Talk to you all later.

Only about a week left to join this swap.... Signups will close on Feb. 15. Those who have already committed, get those squares cut and sent in. I will swap as soon as I have them all, so we have the possibility of wrapping up early.

I have 7 packages here (including my sets) and CLmay's are en route... that's half of them! So exciting.

Mine are going to the p.o. tomorrow. Have had them cut-just been out of town. Mine are not ones that I have ever sent before-all new to me!

Great Ginger... I'll be watching for them!

Sign ups close Monday! And remember, if I have all the squares in early I will go ahead and swap and get them back to you early. So get those squares in the mail, ladies!

A package arrived today, full of cute squares, from JckieP! Thanks, Jackie!

I was reading about this swap. I have interest in this one. I do a couple of the others ones here. I understand the baggies. I am confused on postage we send to the hostess. Is that the flat rate fee for 16 baggies then to be sent out to individuals? Just need clarification on this part. Does the "I spy" theme change with each month? Just wondering if I could start cutting in preparation for next month. Looks like a fun group!

The money order to the hostess is used to pay for the postage for you to receive a set from each participant in one shipment. I've yet to see a monthly I Spy swap here. Sign up closes Monday. Please read page 1 of this thread to learn what is involved. Hope this helps.
dj

Thanks, DJ... yes the swaps have been more like bi-monthly, but then interest dropped so we took about 6 or 8 months off between the last swap and this one. It worked! There was plenty of participation this time.

What DJ said about postage was right. It's for you to get your package back, full of swaps from everyone else.

We just do a general I Spy theme, but in the past we have had an optional "twist" (extra swap) and those had different themes each time. I did not offer a twist this time because I didn't know how much participation we would have.

Hope you join us, catjo. Read that first post and then send me a pm, if you want 'in'.... Cutoff is the 15th, Monday.

Got Jarenie's package of goodies yesterday... thanks! Only 7 packages left to collect, according to who has signed up so far. Which reminds me to remind YOU:

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THIS SWAP! Get your pm to me by then or the swap will close without you. :( Then we have til the last day of the month to get the swap squares in my hot little hands. Its a short month, so don't procrastinate.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

Mine our in the mail!!!
sewbizgirl did you want the tracking number, I couldn't remember if that was a request for this swap or a different one I signed up for.

I sent mine (16) out on Friday so you should also have shortly. I added an extra square in each pack ��

Joining at nearly the last minute....

Count me in for 16 bags, please. Sending pm with info. Thanks for doing this. What fun!

If it is still open, I want to join. My schedule has changed so I have time. Will pm you now.

Not unless your package gets lost. I'll let you know when it arrives! Thanks!

Same to you, Mommiepainter! The extra square in each bag will be a nice treat for everyone.

Nearly all of us are swapping 16 sets so we'll soon have loads of sweet I Spys coming our way.

Welcome pinkflowers and Jannie! Glad to have you.

Okay, we are up to 18 swappers as of now. This is who I have info from:

Kele (received)
DJMat (received)
barbarakibbler23 (received)
mmonohon
Bullocks2us
Jarenie (received)
Clmay (received)
Mommie painter
lucky-alf2
Cheya (received)
PeginCo (received)
fiestypixy
sunrise450 (received)
MonaG
JckieP (received)
pinkflowers
Jannie
sewbizgirl (received)

SO, if you think you are in this swap but don't see your name on this list, pm me asap please.
Sorry to anyone I failed to notify when their swaps arrived! I'm a bit scattered that way....

ONE more day left for sign ups! Then mail those packages and I will swap as soon as the last one is in. I'm seeing some cute fabrics coming from you all.

It's Feb 16 today, so this swap is officially CLOSED. I'm so happy with the response and the great group we have. Packages came today from MommiePainter and Bullocks2Us, so that means only 6 packages are still outstanding. If you send early, I will swap early... so lets get those last packages in! The squares look like so much fun.

Here is our updated list:

Kele (received)
DJMat (received)
barbarakibbler23 (received)
mmonohon
Bullocks2us (received)
Jarenie (received)
Clmay (received)
Mommie painter (received)
lucky-alf2
Cheya (received)
PeginCo (received)
fiestypixy
sunrise450 (received)
MonaG
JckieP (received)
pinkflowers
Jannie
sewbizgirl (received)

:) :) :) :) :)