I am so excited for this! This swap will run concurrently with the Pink/Brown Swap, so if you want to do both, you will be able to mail your blocks together.
Here are some guidelines…
1. Everyone can choose their own 12 inch (finished) star block for this swap. Blocks can be from any source; your own books, websites, etc. This is a good site to search for your block. Quilters Cache Be sure to choose a 12 inch finished star block PM me or post your choice here so we can keep a list of who is doing what block. When you do a practice block, it should measure 12.5 inches; the unfinished size. Any confusion over this, please ask and I’ll explain it better.
2. Please wash and press your fabrics before beginning. Browns could lose a little dye in the wash, and we don’t want any ruined blocks. I always throw in a “Color Catcher” by Shout when washing fabric and I can’t believe how much color it does catch!
3. Please use 100% cotton fabrics of good quality, no thin, loosely woven or see through fabrics. No homespuns or flannels. We will only be using teal and brown fabrics. They can range from palest teal and light tan to darkest teal and deep, dark, chocolate. Please make sure your fabrics ‘read’ only those 2 colors! They can have teeny bits of other colors in them, but must look teal or brown. If in doubt, post a photo of your fabrics and we’ll all help each other.
4. A set will be 6 blocks. You can make up to 3 sets. If we get 15 swappers or more, I'll up it to 4 or more… Please make each set of 6 with totally different fabrics. Please be sure to check your blocks! Square them up and snip off any loose threads, make sure they are pressed well. Blocks usually don’t wrinkle in the mail. They should each measure 12.5 inches when you send them off to me.
5. You must label each of your blocks with your HGTV board name so the recipient can enjoy your lovely blocks and know who made her blocks. If she wants more of one of your fabrics, she’ll know who to ask for info! Sticky labels, masking tape, freezer paper all work well. Please do not write on your blocks.
6. Place your sets in a large Ziploc-type bag. Enclose a card with your HGTV name, name and address on one side and mine on the other just in case it gets torn open in the mail.
7. Enclose a stamped, self addressed return envelope (the free priority Tyvek envelopes from the PO work great). The return envelope must have enough postage on it in stamps (No meter stickers) to get your blocks back to you. Ladies: Return postage must be in stamps!
8. Enclose one dollar for delivery confirmation and in case your return package needs extra postage. I will return your change in with your blocks. I have my own postal scale so I can figure postage before going to the PO.
9. Make extra blocks for yourself if you wish. Depending on how many participants we have, you may not get any of your own blocks back.
10. You must send me a PM with your ‘real’ name, telephone number and email address to sign up. I will not share your info with anyone, but in case you or I are having computer problems, I would like to be able to call you if needed.
Blocks will be due on May 1st, 2008; they must be mailed (postmarked) by April 25th, 2008. If you haven’t mailed by then, and I’ve not heard from you, I will swap without you. Communication is so important ladies, please lets work to keep each other informed! If you finish early and mail them early, I’ll swap them when everyone’s blocks arrive. Once the sign up period ends, I’ll send everyone an email with my address and phone number.
Any questions? Post them here or PM me.
I’ll take a pic of some of my fabrics and add it here to give you some ideas.
Participant's;
1. me.. Maryland Star from C.Doak's 50 PP Stars book, Sweden in Mariner's Compass Stars, and Seaside Star variation from Jinny Beyer's website.
2. Shelbydayle.. Constellation Star and Starshine
3. TX~Wildflower.. Carol Doak's 9-patch star #12 Idaho and Hunter's Star
4. Nickilee... C. Doaks's PP Stars, #16 Kansas Star and possibly # 7 Alabama Star
5. SavedSinnr.. Annie's Choice
6. Owie.. dropped out
7. STinMT.. 54/40 or F*ght and Twin Star ~Rec'd 2/6
8. NICUnurse.. Spinning Star and StarFlower dropped 4/7
9. sewlove2quilt... C.Doak's Bonnie's Block and PP Exploding Star and Friendship Circle ~rec'd 4/10
10. Shawkl... Crossroads, Folded Star and Martha Washington Star dropped out
11. shey.. .. C.Doak's Japan Star and Connecticut Star ~rec'd 3/28
12. MelindaMG... Galaxy Star, Diamond Star and Enchanted Star
13. MNGrandma... Judy Martin's Rising Star, Liberty & Justice, and Mansfield Park
14. baseballmama... C.Doak's Germany and Austria from Mariner's Compass book rec'd 4/9
15. Royalboomer... Star and Sawtooth Star ~rec'd 3/28
16. Evelynb... Millenium Star, Memory Star and Amish Star ~rec'd 3/24
17. I Love Alton... Shooting Star 2 and Pieced Star
18. toni333... possibly Aunt Rachel's Star, or Twisting Star, or Courthouse Star, Friendship Star
YUP!!!Mine's been humming for the last 2 days....I have 4 1/2 blocks done...it takes me almost 2 hrs just to make ONE block!!!! The one I'm working on is the 'EXPLODING STAR'...too many pieces...LOL!!!
And no I don't sew in the wee hrs, CBQ...just posted that a couple of mine were made (sometimes I can't sleep on get on the MB)...my sewing room is too close to my DS's room and I don't think he'd appreciate the noise I'd make while he was trying to sleep...
****************************** Take time for kindness & for giving. Take time for friends & happy living!
WOW those blocks are gorgeous...can't wait to get mine started. I DID play w/my fabric and tried to decided which ones I was going to use so I could get them all washed and etc...but haven't had a washing machine since I got back from the retreat... til late last night (tiling that room)...but when I get back from outta town I plan to start them...I'll post a pic when I FINALLY get some done...hopefully by the end of next week...wish me luck!
See ya'll next week, I'm heading home to see my family til Sun or Mon...have a great weekend.
Hugs, Lin
"We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"
Shey & Sewlove your blocks are gorgeous! Well I've finally got all my other obilgations out of the way and have recooped a bit from the retreat so now can totally concentrate on these babies. Funny thing about waiting a bit to start sewing them up - I found some more beautiful fabrics to use - pretty soon I'm going to have a room full of just teals and browns!
***We got hope, we got dreams but most of all... we got each other***
Wow very pretty blocks! I hope I get one of each of them. I am signed up too my name just isn't listed yet. Quilts will be posting a pic of my blocks soon. I didn't get a chance to take pic before I sent them as my camera is acting up. I think I need a new one
All of the teal/ brown blocks have been gorgeous so far.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: zeydrajo,
**Today's mighty oak tree is just yesterday's firmly grounded nut!--author unknown***
We are having a rain/snow mix today, so the mailman's bag had a soggy bottom~ so glad I could be here to rescue your packages! They all had wet corners, but the insides were nice and dry thanks to your careful packaging!
I received blocks from shey.., royalboomer, and zeydrajo. I'll be back with a few photo's.
The one I'm working on is the 'EXPLODING STAR'...too many pieces...LOL!!! 
