This is very exciting. I have got a couple of homemade items to finish this evening and pack it all up and post tomorrow. Want to get it in post before the tenth because it has got to go across the pond as my dear gran used to say. Candy for feline friends included because my sp is not supposed to have candy and I am a nurse so I would be very naughty if I put it in the package.I would like to say how kind and friendly everyone has been. This is my first swap and I really appreciate being made to feel welcome
Jan x

Here are the directions for the first aid kit.
http://www.positivelysplendid.com/20...-tutorial.html

Is looking forward to a weekend of sewing as the Dear Hubby will be out of town. My secret pal is going to be the lucky recipent of an awesome package. Need to remember to take pictures, because she does not know how to uplaod pictures. Maybe I will include a tutorial!

well I guess hav4boys isn't coming to me since I know how to upload pictures:shock:

Already beat you to the draw Hav!:thumbup:

You're welcome!:)

Awwww. Quiltnut! Take it easy, girl friend.

SP ... packing your box today. It will go out tomorrow. I hope you and someone special to you love it all.

That is what I get for not finishing reading the thread before I posted. Maybe someone else needed them. The kits are so easy to make. I need a SP that likes fingernail stuff... dying to make the manicure set but so far I have not gotten that as a request on the SP form. :-(

That's a GREAT idea!:thumbup:

My SP Package went out today Tracking # 9405 5036 9930 0343 ---- --

I promise to hug it and love it and call it George!

ok SP swapper, Lori muct be sick so I am proceding right along and will put some dryer sheets in your package, as u have allergies, i have a cat, and a dog, and a hubby that smokes, but NOT in MY sewing room lol, i will be posting yoru package this next week, and well im in kansas and you are in some kind od direction from me, haha ,
clue 2 u like something hot
clue 3 u are not fond of the color black
clue 4 u do not like chockolate
so with taht being said im making u something this weekend, have a few things already in padded envelope and u are a grandma.. that is it for the clues, had to say about the allergy so if it causes major issues u know ahead of timebut i love u as a partner,

Secret Pal, your package is packed and going out in tomorrows mail. One little tid bit about you is you have a child graduating from college this year.

Gathering up things so I can take my package to the post office Saturday. A few clues for my partner:
You like twizzlers and tea, and aren't picky about colors. But your favorite colors are popular for flags.

Wardy74...welcome...I hope you will continue to love this swap. It is really so much fun.

My package to my SP was delivered at 2:43 this afternoon. I hope she was home and most of all I hope she liked it!

9505 5108 4829 3063 50@@ @@.

I have seen only a couple of messages that could apply to me. Right now I believe Carol has my name but I am not the craftiest guesser...I think I have really only figured it out once in more than a year.

I got the email saying my package was delivered today.
So far no message from her that she got it sure hope she
likes what I sent to her.

Of course guess what I DIDN'T do, that's right I totally
FORGOT to take pictures of everything I sent to my sp.
So I sure hope she can/will take pictures.

I have been doing TONS of research and reading about
alternative starch products and "recipes".
Found 2 recipes one here on the QB and the other just
with a "google" search.

Well I have been "playing" with the idea of trying to make
my own to see if it is really as "good" as I have heard it to
be.

Today I bought the 2 ingredients that I needed to make my
own. at a cost of about $4 for the first bottle.
Here is a break down of my costs.

1 spray bottle from Dollar Tree = 1.00
1 small bottle of sunny citrus essential oil = .97 (at WalMart)
2 "shooter" or single serve size (I call them sample bottles)
of the cheapest vodka you can get = .99

Well call me dumb or whatever, but I am a FIRM believer now!

Just thought I would share my own personal experience with you
all.

Sounds great Louise I will have to try it also as I have been buying Best Press and you know that's not cheap at all!

luvstoquilt, I received your package today. Thank you very much. I love everything. Since my birthday is St. Patrick's Day and I am also Irish, I will definitely try to wear the St. Patrick's socks. The fabric on the far right is from England. I am very excited about that. All of the fqs are beautiful and I love the little card too. Thank you again. Hugs, Sherry

I know what you mean about the Best Press I was thinking about
buying a gallon of the stuff, but I didn't want to spend that much
money on something that won't last long even when I dilute it way
down to help conserve the usage.

The recipe I found and seem to like is:

2 cups distilled or filtered water (I used filtered tap from my faucet)
3 oz of CHEAP vodka
1/2 tsp. of essential oil (original recipe calls for 1 tsp.)

Mix well pour into spray bottle that has a fine mist adjustment.
I am thinking of adding a bit more vodka to the mixture to help
get a little more stiffness to the fabric.


Even my inexperienced daughter (who I am teaching to sew/quilt)
tried it and liked the way it worked on getting some particularly
stubborn wrinkles out of some prewashed fabric.

She asked me to make her some of this starch. So after taking her
home I went to the liquor store and asked for the cheapest vodka
they sold.

The poor guy looked at me like I had lost my mind and was like
um ma'am not to be rude but I have heard that the cheapest stuff
we sell is worse then gut rot.

I smiled and said PERFECT! I will take the 750ml bottle at 6.49.
After a few more strange looks from him I explained that I don't
plan to drink the nasty stuff, I only plan to put it in a spray bottle
and use a starch for my quilting fabrics.

Think I need to find a new liquor store now he might have the men
in white jackets waiting for me the next time I stop.

Good night everyone I am off to bed.

Quilty Louise you don't even have to buy the essential oil if you don't want it scented. Just plain old water and vodka. That's all I use because of some that have allergies. And yes you are right, the more vodka the stiffer fabric. 1 plus is when you iron it, no scent. Kind of like cooking with wine, the alcohol all goes away.

Yep the essential oil is optional.

I used the sunny citrus scent, but I also purchased the "linen" scent
that is what my daughter wants me to use for her bottle of starch.

I pretty much gave up drinking 25+ years ago while still in my 20's
(discovered they was making it faster than I could drink it) HAHA
this is ONLY a joke (please don't take this serious).

But ever since New Years weekend when we was at the cabin with
dad and Louise (step MIL), we had some margaritas. Tim (my husband)
has been hooked on the margarita so now he wants one every evening
after dinner before going to bed.

But if I am sewing he won't let me have a drink.

So not fair....tequilla is even better, love that stuff but I wouldn't waste it for fabric starch....no cheap tequilla that you'd even want to drink :thumbup: I think he just wants you to sew so he can have 2, heehee

Even though I'm not participating in the swap this month, I'm still following all of you.
Our baby is still breech so my dd is scheduled for a c section on Wednesday. A bit of a disappointment for her, but we need to do what is best for baby and mother.

Quiltnut hope you are feeling better.
Never head about making homemade starch. Learn so much on this board.

I also make my own best press... Cheap vodka...
But I keep a spray bottle of Vodka with my cleaning supplies, works great in the bathroom and Kitchen.

Mailing my pkg to my SP today. If I drove it to her, it would take me over 18 hours. But it is a state I have always wanted to visit. Hope it gets to her quick through the mail.

Seems like VODKA makes everything, that's how you can make your own vanilla extract as well.:thumbup:

Not sure if Maggy can post pics (can't remember from last time), but she got her pkg on Wed and has acknowledged it so I am posting pics for her of what I sent to her.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]400447[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]400448[/ATTACH]

Nice pkg you sent msCupid! You can be my sp anytime!
I hope to have my pkg in the mail on Monday, still looking for a few more things to go with her (purple) tablerunner.

We shall see....;)

K, I hate to tell you this, but one of my last DQ actually had some rocks stitched to it!! Keep trying K.
By the way, I didn't sign up this month, I was not good at following the rules so I punished myself by not allowing myself to sign up. I will follow ALL the rules from now on. I miss this very much!!! Hopefully April will bring me some calmness to my life and I will get to do what I enjoy a little more.

Louise I can't wait to try this..Best Press is nice but really pricey...rather spend on fabric and notions!

If you are referring to me sorry don't have your name. Perhaps another time.

You can be my SP anytime cause I love batiks and quilting arts mag. :-)

Thx Crafty Darlene & Carol, I try to get what my SP wants and that's exactly what I did. Her "most wanted" item was the FriXion pens.

SP just to let you know that your package has arrived at your post office and is scheduled to be delivered today. I hope you are ready for it, and I hope you like the items I sent you. Have a great day.

Um, Buslady ... rocks in a doll quilt? Huh?

OK SP ... even though I never see you post here (third SP in a row who doesn't post much :() track this
9405 5036 9930 0346 9884 98

I am in such a good mood.... just was looking online for some projects and hit the mother lode... a casserole carrier, 2 different table runners, 6 different pin chusions (even a zombie), and a friendship tote. My secret pal is going to be blessed this month. Sewing all weekend for her. Woo hoo!

I was a lucky past Sp to recieve one from you and I LOVE IT!!! Colors are the best!!!!!!! Sue