Its a NEW SWAP!

Hello all! Rhonda, Lorraine and I wish to announce a new swap. This swap will be a bit different than previous swaps in that you will be able to choose a project to swap. We have had many great suggestions for swaps, and have chosen two of these asour swap.

In keeping with our desire to simplify and green up our lives we have chosen to swap either pin cushions and a small sewing needle book, or a water bottle holder. Making the pin cushion and needle book reminds us how important the basic skills of sewing are today and each time you sit down to sew you will be reminded of your swap buddy. If you choose the water bottle holder, you will have chosen a green idea which encourages us to use a re-usable water bottle-either a plastic one or a metal one - but, please remember that many governments are now banning the old-style nagalene or plastic bottles that leech dangerous chemicals, so be very careful when you purchase a water bottle which you will be re-using!!

There are many great ideas out on the web teaching us how to make each of these items and I will leave a few links for ideas and tutorials at the end of this post.

We will have three months to complete and ship the chosen project-the deadline is the September 6, 2008, at which time we will announce a new swap for the holiday season.

I also wish to let you know that I will be off line for a couple of days and will be unable to respond to your comments until Sunday (US). I am having my computer repaired and it will take about 2 days to do the work. On Sunday, when I get back on line I will respond to all of you. Until then I am sure Rhonda or Lorraine will keep up with all the comments. I have added most of the tea cosy photos to our flickr group, so when you visit you now have many more photos to look at. I still have several tote bags and two tea cosy photos to upload.

When you sign up for this swap will you please give us the following information:

1. your name,

2. your e-mail address (spelled out),

3. your country,

4. whether you wish to swap internationally (many ladies still want to) and

5. which project you have chosen to make and if you would be willing to do either project just in case there is an odd number of swappers for a particular project, please let us know also ;).

The following are links for water bottle holders:

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1098

http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/06/lacy-leaf-water-bottle-carrier.html

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/07/28/recycled-plastic-water-bottle-holder/

http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2006/07/10/whiplash-challenge-water-bottle-carrier/

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/water-bottle-carrier.shtml

http://www.ymib.com/daily-inspiration/creative-living/articles/make-it-water-bottle-carrier.html

The following are some links to pin cushion ideas :

http://tipnut.com/22-free-pincushion-patterns/

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_sewing_accessories/article/0,,HGTV_3321_4423942,00.html

http://www.purlbee.com/very-easy-pincushions/

When you go to our flickr site, which is linked to on the sidebar of this blog, you can also type in a search for photos of either pin cushions or water bottle holders and you will find hundreds of wonderful photos to give you ideas!! Have a wonderful week-end and happy swapping!!