Gemm

I feel this might be an "oldie" for many of you professional candy users, but I really liked it when it showed up in my FB feed (how DO they know what I spend hours of my life doing?) and thought it could make a really good leader-ender project, too. :-)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1504...ibextid=K35XfP

Merry Christmas, everyone - wishing you all the best as you head into a new year of candy swapping.

WMUTeach

Yes, Gemm, that pattern has been around for a while, 2016, and on my "To Do Someday List". Thanks for the reminder! We will all just need to note that the pattern is designed for 2" squares. Can you imagine how big the finished quilt would be if using 2.5's? I for one will need to make some adjustments so your final quilt is not a GIANT. Yes, yes, yes a terrific leader and ender project. Thanks for the first new idea of the 2024 Birthday Swapping Year,

ibex94

Thank you, Gemm! I need to start using my candies and this may be a perfect pattern for me.... Not too much thinking involved and a great leader and ender project. I have a white sheet around here that is a great sasher for this, too!

Heathermom2opmc

Hello Everyone, Newbie to this swap but very excited to be joining. I have been doing the wall hanging swap for about 3 years now and loved that (hoping it will resume). I have several questions about fabric selections. Do you go completely random, color themes, pattern themes or any other general unstated rules? I am thinking that batiks are out as well as flannels? Any and all suggestions to us newbies would be great. I look forward to this swap so much. I have the perfect free online pattern that I am hoping to make with all my "candy." My birthday isn't until December, so I will be watching as others receive their goodies. Here is the pattern if anyone is interested--I have made 2 quilts in this pattern already and can't wait for a scrappy version.

Free pattern

Macybaby

Heather, that is a neat pattern, thanks for sharing. I have several jelly rolls I'm trying to use up and that would work nicely.

WMUTeach

Heathermom2opmc, The fabric you chose is up to you and what you have on hand. I know that some swappers shop for their swap squares or at lease some fabric, but it is not expected. Some follow a theme, others do not. I will let you know what I have done. Last year I sent all batiks, but that is what I had on hand. Other years I have have followed a single color way (all orange or all purple) or rainbow colors or red/white/blue. For several years I chose a song theme, or poem theme. But that was just me. You are absolutely free do as you choose as long as you send 50 different squares. I have gotten swap envelopes that are random squares and themed which are equally useful in the quilts I make.

While here, some folks send small special surprises or trinkets in their envelopes. Again, it is not expected. In the past I have gotten a fussy cut square that said Happy Birthday, a little birthday bookmark or little hearts or a pattern that makes use of 2.5's. Please, please, please don't feel obligated to go beyond the 50 squares.

Thanks for the good question. I am sure that other will chime in too with there own experience.

Heathermom2opmc

Hello Everyone. I decided on my theme for this swap, and it will require a ton of fussy cutting......but I am about 1/2 way there. Each person will get the same theme but each package will be different bc of what I have in the stash (does this make sense?) Hope everyone is having a good Holiday season. We have zero snow, which is unheard of for my area. Rain for the last 3 days has soured our ability to take the kids skiing this break. Hoping the weather changes soon, yes I would take snow over all this rain. Best to all.....H

WMUTeach

Oooo, Looking forward to your package in my mailbox.

I know I promised you a photo of how I package my little squares, but I can't find it. I will do a mock up and post a photo. If you look in the 2023 swap, our December Birthday Swapper posted photos of each of the envelopes she got. You can gather packaging ideas there too. (BTW, we don't post photos of packages each month. It was OK for her to post the photos in December because she was the last for the year and would not be spoiling the surprise for others with an upcoming birthdays.)

sewbizgirl

https://kitchentablequilting.com/pro...463005ff&_ss=r
Here's a fabulous new pattern (not free) for candies. Scroll down to see the rainbow and b&w one! Perfect for candies!

WMUTeach

After a weekend of celebrating a family birthday and New Year's Eve with friends, I came home this afternoon to an email box loaded with good stuff, odds and ends, and the normal amount of junk. I did find the Stash Buster from Border Creek Station. There is an option to use 2.5" strips, but strips, smitch, we have 2.5 squares that would do the trick for this double Irish Chain challenge. Whether your or I do the challenge or not, this would be a good way to use up some of our backlog of little squares. One more option, my swapping friends.

https://media.rainpos.com/5177/The_S...structions.pdf

We are off to begin another year of swapping. If you know of any one teetering on the edge of whether to join us or not, they have until the middle of January to PM me. We don't have any January Birthdays.

Happy New Year's Day to all. In my neck of the woods, it is Go Blue Day!