March 2014 Pincushion & Needle Case Swap ~ Sign up closes March 1st
 

This is a secret swap and you will not necessarily be sending to the person who will send to you. You may sign up for two items: can be either 2 pincushions OR 2 needle cases OR 1 of each. Make sure you let me know what you want to swap when you sign up with a PM.
Internationalswappers, please join us.
All skill levels welcomed!
THEME: I am dreaming of spring, so the theme this month will be GREEN. It could be St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, or even just using green fabrics.
CONSTRUCTION:
1. The cushion/case does NOT have to be quilted or hand embroidered, although it can be. But it must be handmade - not purchased.
2. Use cotton or wool felt for the pincushions and stuff with appropriate filling. Use cotton or felt for the needle case, and it should have an insert of wool, felt, or Warm and Natural (this is great for needle cases).
3. Embellishments/appliqué/embroidery are welcome but not required. PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL LINE IN THEINFORMATION SHEET REGARDING THE USE OF POLYESTER BLENDS IN THE COTTON AND FELT.If you plan on using the cushion as a daily use item please mention this, as polyester will dull the points of pins and needles.
4. The size andshape of the pincushion/needle case is up to the individual creating it, but should not be smaller than 3” x 3”.
SIGN UP NOW:
Sign-ups begin today and end on March 1st at 9:00pm EST. This is a firm closing time. Names will be assigned by PM beginning the morning of March 3rd and should be completed by end of the day.
Please respond to this thread with a post if you are joining the swap. Then highlight and copy the information sheet onto a new PM, fill it in and PM it to me. Please put in the subject line what you want to swap. I will acknowledge receipt of your PM.
MAILING DATE:
The deadline for mailing is Friday, March 21, 2014. International swap mail date is March 15th.
Participants in the February swap who did not fulfill their obligation by the time the March swap closes will not be able to participate in upcoming swaps.
Please PM me with your tracking number when you ship. You are required to have a tracking number on your package but priority mail is not required. First class with a tracking number is acceptable.
If for some reason you will not be able to fulfill your obligation, please PM me no later than March 15th so that I can locate a swap angel. And speaking of swap angels, let me know if you would be willing to be an angel if needed. Thank you.
PLEASE SEND ME A PM WHEN Y0U SHIP AND WHEN YOU RECEIVE. Remember to thank your partner, either by a post, or a PM for a personal thank you. It would be nice if you report a feedback score to your SP. Pictures are encouraged, but not required. We all love seeing what everyone is receiving. If you are unable to post a picture, please make sure that you mark that on your information sheet so that your partner can take a picture before shipping it. Please understand that this board has members with different skill levels and you will not necessarily be swapping with someone at the same level. Let's love the creation we are sent. We all started somewhere and the most important thing to remember, is that our partner made it with you in mind!
EXTRAS:
Please add card or note so the recipient knows you made it. It is not necessary to send other items such as needles, pins, etc., but you can if you would like. Just make sure the pin points will not poke out during shipping and stab the postal worker. Honest – this has happened – one of the swappers mentioned it.

PARTICIPANT’S INFORMATION FORM:
Screen Name:
Real Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Are you using your pincushion for everyday use:
Is it ok to be made with or stuffed with polyester:
Favorite Colors:
Favorite fabric line:
Your least favorite color(s):
Least favorite fabric line:
Is there anything you like to collect:
What are your hobbies other than quilting:
Is there anything you do not want to receive:
Do you have Allergies (smoke, cats, dogs etc):
Do you have pets:
Is it ok if your partner smokes:
Do you smoke:
Do you have a digital camera to post pictures on thethread:
Can you mail international:
E-mail address:
Phone number:
This form will be given to your secret swapper (minus the email address and phone number – this is for me should I need to contact you).Feel free to add more about yourself to the information sheet. The more you add, the better she/he will be able to get to know you. Plus, I will be using this info to match partners. If you have questions, please PM me and I will try to answer as quickly as possible.

REQUIRED: I am required to tell participants to send me a monthly PM to verify that they are still active in this swap and are working on their promised project. I am required to insist that all participants send me verification of shipment, to include tracking information. Participants are required to ensure packages will not arrive “postage due.” Any and all other fees, such as import duties, taxes, etc imposed by the recipient’s government are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Absent legitimate and reported mitigating circumstances, participants who have not fulfilled their obligation to ship shall be deemed “late” and risk receiving Negative [Swap] Feedback. Please keep in touch with me and let me know right away if something happens that will interfere with your ability to complete your project on time. Swappers should treat each other as friends and focus on the fun. So … please be prepared to be flexible, patient and understanding if necessary and appropriate.

SHOULD YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE PM ME IMMEDIATELY! Thank you, and enjoy this swap.
This swap has been approved by PatriceJ.

I want to be the first to post on here. lol.. I will go back and read, and send pm. Thank you so much for hosting for us. A big welcome as our fine host too. :)

I'm in for two pincushions, I'll pm you, thanks.
welcome as our new hostess and thanks for hosting

Lauriejo I sent you a pm for one needle case. I am a bit low on funds this month, but I could change my mind before the deadline of signing up for more. lol...wishful thinking. :D

Hooray we have two signups, now I know I won't be in this swap alone.

Lauriejo I just signed on again for 1 of each.I recieved the really cute NC from scrapper today too.

~~~~~~~hi Susan, Hi Mary~~~~~~~, glad to see both of you back again. Are you ready for some fun?????
I can't wait to see how many we have this time, Might be a lot. All the major Holidays are over, (December and valentines day) so everyone should join. What are you making????

I'm going to sign up for 1 pc and 1 needlecase. I'll pm you

Yippee! More signups. It's good to see familiar "faces" on the swap, but I wish I knew how we could encourage more people to join us. Any suggestions???

Lauriejo send us all a free pin cushion and a needlecase. I think that would help.lol.You have my address already. Just saying.......I'll sign up again ok? Lynnie I made a needlecase to send for march. it's funny because it is similar to the one I recieved from Scrapper for feb. Great minds seem to think alike.I have a pin cushion done but need to do some embellishment on it. Can't post pictures so I guess you will have to wait to see it. I love looking at pictures and not any on here yet. Today is so pretty and sunny,until you stick your head outside and feel the wind and 37* weather. My husband started a new fire to heat the house up. We went to town to do errands and shop. Came home to a cold house. Not a good thing this time of year.Hope everyone is warm and dry.Have a good day. Mary

LOl I guess I better get to work then if I'm gonna make all those pincushions!

oK, THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG!!! Laurie is so excited about doing this swap and I know she is going to be doing a great job. Good luck, Laurie.
Hugs,
Judy

Laurie, sign me up also. I'm not sure if I will do 2 pc or one of each. I will decide and send you my info. Thanks for taking over the swap. I know you will do a great job. :thumbup:

Thanks Judy, I really appreciate all the help and advice you have given me.

Yes it is good to see more signing up. Hopefully we will get more sign ups to this one. I am still deciding on what kind of needle book to make. It was sunny here today, and tonight it's cold. Maybe if we offer some popcorn and cracker jacks some more will join. :D

I'm in again for one of each. Already sent PM.....

how about free chocolate. I ate a whole box of big valentine chocolate today, sugar free. My tummy is making weird noises and it hurts. ate about a pound.
maybe some of us can spread the word in other swaps that they are in. this is my main swap, don't really do any.
I made leprechaun pincushions. maybe that will stir some interest. finished my pins, got my shipping Tupperware containers. now i'm on to april and eastery stuff. ie...bunnies, eggs, pastel colors. ect. next to may. what to do???

~~~~~~~hey scrapper, what's up?
any hints on what you're making????

Hooray, we have another swapper signed up. I've been thinking about themes for upcoming swaps. What do you all think about lynnie's idea of pastels/easter for April? And maybe floral for May?

Those themes sound fine to me. Sometimes it helps to know ahead of time to plan and check out what colors we have etc. I live in the mountains, so I don't easily get to the bigger fabric stores. I live in the boonies, but they are beautiful boonies. :D I am up late tonight. I must be getting delirious. lol...

Laurie, I've decided to do one pc and one nc. I'll be sending you my info this morning. I think pastels/Easter for April and floral for May are good ideas. I already have my pc finished for April.

I agree that it helps to know themes ahead of time. It can take my brain awhile to get started. Usually my problem is I can't decide which pincushion to make, that's where a theme helps me narrow it down. I do not want to make any themes that are too restrictive though.

Love the theme's also maybe mothers day (may) rain showers (april) usually around here gardening starts in april. May is graduation here.Just some other thoughts in case someone doesn't celebrate the usual holidays of others. Have a good day all. Mary

And the theme of pastels keeps it general with lots of possibilities. Same with floral.

I enjoyed the last swap so I am in again for this one.

Oh, I just love coming to this swap on the board. everyone here is so creative, and positive. we have a ball here. love the themes, gives us a good push in the right direction, and I've got time to go thru the monstrous mountain of scraps for fabric. Of course, I won't find anything I like, so I'll have to go buy something new for the swap. what's a swap without shopping for a bit more???? I'm having fun. Now, off to get some more "floral" fabric. can't wait. how many do we have now??? and today is really just day one of the signup.

Hey we're getting 3 more days of snow!!!! is that good or bad?

We have 8 swappers so far, with most everyone doing 2 swaps. Lots of room for more people to play! Just to give you some place to start: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins...on%20tutorials

I had some snow today. Just enough that I had to shovel my driveway and now it's so cold. Tomorrow it's going to be 16 and then in the teens until Saturday. I'm so done with winter. That's what I do. I have so much fabric but I always end up buying more. And the beads too. Now I keep going to the thrift store to buy 100% wool long coats and blazers just for the wool. Right now I have 2 coats and 6 blazers that I have to cut up and then wash/felt before I can use them.

Ok, I refuse to be the only one making one. lol... I will make a pincushion also. I have an idea. I can't believe at my age, I am submitting to peer pressure. :D

LOL we are never to old to feel peer pressure.;)

NH we're getting snow again tomorrow, but not nearly as bad as you got this year. thank goodness you've been shoveling, otherwise, you'd be really under.
Susan, glad you joined in again.
off to do my May pc's. I need to get a head start on things

I just want to know if my second partner from last month received her pin cushion.

Oh gosh I don't like that feeling of being left hanging. Wondering did the package get there, why didn't they respond, not good. I do not have any of the records though for February's swap. Have you sent a PM to Judy?

Yes I sent a pm, the persons name was "peachs" if that helps. I asked if I needed to make another one and re send, but haven't heard anything. Paintme judy did respond that I received mine, but that isn't what I wanted.
Who is missing a pin cushion for FEB??I feel like someone is missing out.

We are up to 9 swappers now! NanaKathy55 is joining us for her first swap. I am hoping for a few more.

Yeah, Lauriejo....looks like things are picking up.

I spent some time this morning on the last two swaps and sent PMs to a few people to see if they wanted to come back. Does that make me a stalker???

Hello everyone - This will be my first swap but it sounds fun and I love pin cushions! I would like to join in on the fun. I will PM my info later. Thanks for hosting!:thumbup:

Hooray another newbie! Welcome to the group.

lauriejo, not stalking, inviting. they're probably glad you reminded them. we got new swappers...welcome and have a great time. sit a spell and tell us what you're working on. I'm sooo nosy. still thinking about May. mother's day, Mayday. Beltane, Memorial Day to name a few. there's a website I used to go to that told all the obscure holidays.
like peanut butter day and things like that. gotta find that.
welcome all