was not sure if I signed up already, so just sent Lori a PM to make sure! I have a box about ready to go!

I made a mistake and didn't realize it! We have 11 people that asked for 2 secret pals! Not 1 lol

Welcome back walk-n-roll Mary

It might be difficult to work on...but it is beautiful. You did a terrific job!!!

Diana are they for show only? they are beautiful. Mary

they look like the ones from harbor freight. if yours are from h.f., the harbor freight ones are 2 blades for $1.99 so they would be cheaper than olfa. there are a couple of threads regarding the harbor freight blades. you may want to take a look at them also.

i buy my rotary blades on ebay and have found them cheaper than buying in the fabric stores, online or with coupons.

Yea I saw that on the website.....what's wrong with them? We do have a store here I could get them from if they're worth it.

OK, I just read thru the thread about the blades and they were really bad! Guess I won't be using these after all! Thx! I have 2 pks....if anybody wants them just PM me!

I have heard good and bad things about these blades.
In fact the ONLY bad thing I heard was that they "skipped"
while cutting. Than the person who was using the blade
pulled out their NEW cutting mat that was not all scratched,
cut, nicked whatever you want to call it and the blade went
through the fabric like butter.

I have not tried them yet, but was thinking about it next time
that I make a trip to HF.

i would try them for yourself and see how they work. i received some in a swap also but have not tried them yet. some quilters swear by them. include them in your next swap package. i am sure someone will get a good use from them.:) also if you look on the back of the package it says harbor freight.

Some relly like them some say it's a waste. I'd try them first.

I have HF blades and love them. I've had a couple that did skip, but I put them into my blade sharpener and they were terrific. You'd be surprised at what you can get at HF for quilting. Love the plastic clips and the suction cups.

At last! I have some peace and quiet. DH is at the dog park and DS and Melissa are at work. Before I dive into Teresa's embroidery, I'm whipping up a pile of Christmas aprons to sell at craft fairs next year. I have an assortment of matching prim country fabric and it's a snap using the serger. I just wish I had one that wasn't missing pieces! I might make some scrappy pot holders to go with them. The plan is that they'll be done and away and ready to roll when the season rolls around.

Ok, even though I received my Secret Santa package kind of late, count me in. Lori, I will send you my information this afternoon.

I used the HF blades one time and they were okay but did not sit in the handle firmly, so do not use them. Need to get a good sharpener for the blades.
Just received 5 hard back quilting books from 1985 yesterday evening as a belated Christmas gift from my daughter's in-laws. We are all friends and exchange simple gifts at Christmas time. They are nice books and will be great reference for later.
Today is my youngest grandson's 5th birthday. Have to go wrap his gift. A big firetruck with several figures and a DVD. Hope he likes it. I need to get back to his quilt. Fortunately it is not going to be a gift.

Diana Lynn, The placemats look wonderful.

OK ladies, you all convinced me. I will at least TRY the blades. I do have an old mat too, I can use them on, just in case! OK the offer to give away the blades has been REMOVED UNTIL I at least try them! :thumbup: This is really so UNLIKE me because I always at least TRY something before offering up an opinion. Thx all for making me see that!

Glad you decided to try the blades....after all, they didn't cost you anything and so what better way to test them out. Hope you find that they work well.

Funny, I was reading your comments about the HF blades, and thinking that I should ask my son to check on them for me (he lives near HF). So, the phone rings, and it's him, and he's going to HF tomorrow. Of course, I asked him to grab a package of blades. Now I just have to see if he remembers them!

I just sent my info to Lori, and will be back for January. Was reading through here and didn't see Arizona - hope she is okay.

beautiful oriental placemats Diana

:eek: Oh my!!! I almost missed this. What was I thinking? Hee Hee, I guess I wasn't thinking. I love this swap. Glad I made it in time.

Beautiful colors and so elegant...

Teresa I have been using them for a year and once in awhile one seems dull, I found that if you turn them around in your cutter they work better and another thing, if they still don't cut right use it to cut through about 8 layers of fabric... think there is some kind of finish on them, they are used to cut carpet... The Harbor Freight stores sometimes have them on sale for $1.50...

Thank you all for the kind words about the placemats :)..I sure hope they are for show because if you get a stain on them, its going to be difficult to get them out..Guess what I am also working on??? Its going to be a surprise for my SP :D..Can't tell you all what it is..but will say its something I always wanted to try and its my first one ever :thumbup:..Diana

Welcome Melissa and Gail, and all the other newbies. You are going to have so much fun doing the swap.

Mary I hope that you will be able to play with us this month. Do you want me to send you some of my brain cells?

Hey it looks like I am going to have some company here in AZ for the swap now. Welcome Maggy.

Louise I love the snow balls. Can I keep them? They are so cute. Can't wait to see your sleigh and 9 reindeer.

Juli something went out in the mail to you today, so keep any eye out. I would love a copy the pincushion patterns. I will pm you my email addy.

Louise as far as rulers go I have a little bit of all the name brands. I also like the specialty rulers. Yes to panels. I have some of that glow line tape but have not tried it yet. I am a gaget/notion person when I can afford it. I would love scraps with or with out fusible on it. I really want to make a scrap quilt some day. Good luck on the downsizing.

Mary the tool belt is super cute.

Other Mary it's not just you. I seem to be trimming my rulers also. It's heck on the blades also.

Hi Kris. Yes I doing ok now. It was a very rough couple of days. I am back for January's swap.

I'm really hoping to do some sewing this weekend. I haven't done any since I got my machine back except to try it out. I really miss it.

HEY QB. friends: thanks for the comments on the Harbor freight blades. I live near a HF and have wondered if the blades were worth buying and trying. I do have an old cutting board set aside for tasks that I don't want to use my good CB for. It is a fun place to wander around and they know quilters/sewers buy their products and are amazed what we tell them what we are buying for! ( P.S. DO NOT put an old cutting board in a window to block out the sun HAHAHA.... i did last summer and forgot the heat warped it a good one!! Just plain ole wasn't thinking!) HAPPY NEW YEAR :-)

I picked up a couple of neat things for swap packages at Tuesday Morning today. They have precut fabric, sewing/knitting items and books (sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, beading, craft books). If you have one of these stores around you, it's worth a look-see.

Hi Robyn glad your back. Good morning everyone ! Mary

I just tested the HF blade out and they cut just fine so I don't know what bad luck others are having with them. I probably will not use it to cut my most expensive fabric but as for all others, I will use it.:thumbup:

Today is the last day to sign up.......

Yay! I know who has me as an SP this month! :o
She is a member of the quilting board.
And I know most of the stuff she is sending me, too! :thumbup:
She lives in an area that has a zip code with five digits and her favorite color can be found on the color wheel.
OK. No more hints for now.

Krystyna..................your too much............It could be me..........

well I might know who that is?????

Oh! Oh! Oh! I know who it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh oh oh....I think it's me!!!!

is everyone ready for the new year i hope i am not feeling to good right now HB gave me his cold and i hope it don't last too long...
oh by the way HAPPY NEW YEAR...

SOrry Leidene, it has to be me. That describes me perfectly.....LOL
I'll have to start swaps again later. Still waiting for surgery. Have fun....Anyone who gets you will be so lucky. I love my monthly boxes from you. Waving from Texas. HUGS♥♥ Kepi-san

Awww, Debbie I hope all goes well. Keep us posted.
As for the rest of you ... you're all correct! Once again I will use my super powers to control the minds and vehicles of postal workers so that all packages will be diverted to you-know-where!

You wish!!! Krystyna has me pegged to a T. LOL