New Summer Apron Swap

Well, summer weather has FINALLY hit Oregon and I'm feeling SO much better.  Work seems like we're almost through the mad rush of the end of the school year and other not-so-fun stuff due to budget problems, so I'm getting home a little earlier, too, and starting to feel alive in the evenings (and my family is grateful).  But enough about me .... this is about sewing Adorable and Flirty APRONS!!

These images inspired the swap theme for this summer ....

Because I'm trying for a less stressful swap this summer, I AM limiting this round to past participants only. I will allow you to register if you've been successful in a past Sassy Apron Swap, Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap, Hot Mama Apron Swap, with verification from the swap mama.  Thanks for your understanding.Here are details:

Deadline to Register: June 30

NO NEW SWAPPERS this round - sorry

Mail Between: July 16 - 23

Create an amazing "Aloha Apron" – a special apron that makes you think of the islands, of beaches, of summer! Please include some inexpensive summer goodies to make a fun package (minimum of $10 in value in the tuck-ins).

If you sign up, you are agreeing to send 2-day priority and get a tracking number for delivery confirmation, post lots of pictures, and send me messages when you send and when you receive. Fun, huh??

POP ON OVER TO THE FLIRTY APRON SWAP BLOG TO REGISTER!

Arrested for Neglect?

Okay, I wasn't arrested but I'm GUILTY!  I admit it - I have neglected my personal blog!!  Sorry friends. I have lots to share with you soon - crochet projects, new aprons, recipes, and more.

I didn't even share my new apron swap yet - TODAY is the last day to register for the "Spring Fling" flirty apron swap.  If that sounds like fun, RUN over to the swap blog and register quick!!  I have a lot of sweet little giveaways ready to go in that swap, too.  One right now, a $15 gift certificate from my own business, Thirty One Gifts.  Tweet or post to enter!

Have a great day and I'll be back soon!

FAS12 Flirty Halloween Apron Swap OPEN

I've just opened up my new apron swap for registrations over at my Flirty Apron Swap blog.

First, I just need to put it out there that I struggle with Halloween. I LOVE the dressing up, the colors, the fun and laughter; I HATE the creepy, the evil, the dark side. For this swap, the rule of thumb is CUTESY/FLIRTY or COSTUME-Y not creepy/scary. Aprons made in a fall theme/colors would be great, too. If you're interested, check it out! Or enter the CONTEST ... below.

Deadline to Register: September 30

NEW FAS Swappers Mail to Shawnee by: October 12 (received)

All Others Mail After: October 13

Mail Before: October 20

Create a handmade Flirty Halloween Apron package! Your apron can be cutesy, costume-y, or fall-flavored -- no CREEPY aprons allowed! You will include at least three "tuck-ins" relative to the theme; all items must be handcrafted, new, or be in "good as new" condition if they are thrifted or re-gifted. Plan on spending a minimum of $15 on the tuck-ins, in addition to the apron and postage. Really read your partner's registration/blog for their likes and dislikes. And, as always, make your package pretty … wrap it in tissue, tie it up with a cute bow, and include a personal little note card please.

Also, due to the time-sensitive nature of this swap, NO LATE PACKAGES. Please do not sign up if you cannot make the deadlines for this one.

Since this is a short registration window, I'm hosting a little contest to get word out. I bought some adorable Halloween fabric and have three fat-quarter bundles to give away (one FQ of each style included in every bundle).

You automatically get an entry when you register early for this swap (by 9/25). One more entry for posting the swap badge on your blog/facebook page. One more entry for every time you tweet/FB about this swap. For every entry, leave separate comments with links as appropriate in the comments at the swap blog. Contest deadline is 9/26.

Let's make this a full one, shall we??

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Apron Swap

I'm excited to let everyone know registrations JUST opened for a very special Passionately Pink Apron Swap. I hope you'll join me. Even if you don't have time to join, please consider blogging/tweeting/inviting your friends. Breast Cancer Awareness is a worthy cause!

Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap - Passionately Pink Apron Swap
Last Day to Sign-up - October 10, 2009
Last Day to Ship Packages - October 30, 2009

This special apron swap is for Breast Cancer Awareness. You will make TWO Passionately Pink aprons in this swap – one for your assigned partner and will include at least $15 worth of pink goodies to make a fun package; the second apron is for you to somehow leverage for The Cause. Half of the $10 registration fee will be donated to Breast Cancer research, half will be held for prizes and angel packages. If you have something you'd like to donate as a prize (preferably pink or breast cancer logo'd), then contact Shawnee and your registration fee is only $8. REGISTRATION INFORMATION HERE.

Summer's gone bye-bye

I cannot believe how fast summer zipped on out of here. Last weekend was rainy and windy here in Oregon, but it's looking to be a bit nicer this weekend. I've got a full weekend planned, too. T has a play date, I'm going to learn how to enter PTA memberships in their database, I'm sewing up my special apron for the next Sassy & Flirty Apron Swap. But, the big news is that we start Puppy Kindergarten!

We're registered with Auntie Sally, who came highly recommended, for a beginning puppy class. And, not a moment too soon --- Apollo already weighs almost 45 pounds and he just turned three months old. So, for the next six Saturdays, T and I will be in a class with several other puppies and their owners learning a variety of puppy issues such as mouthing, house training, dog/dog and dog/people socialization. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes.

I'm so bummed that I haven't been able to locate my camera cord since we moved. So frustrating! I have loads of good pictures to share ... puppy, new house, T's first day at school, my swaps received, and the adorable apron I made last weekend. That apron was for my Lucy swap (very late) and it totally a Diva apron made in leopard with red accents. Very flirty!!

Well, mornings come early and I'm already tired. We had an Ice Cream Social at out the new elementary school tonight and I stood behind the PTA table for memberships. Not one bite but I wasn't really "selling" it either. I'll get a second chance next Thursday at Back to School night. My shyness really comes out at times like this, though. Of course, I sign up thinking it will help me make friends but then I get all self-conscious.

Oh, almost forgot to share that I'm back to tracking my weight loss in SparkPeople.com. That website helped me lose almost 20 pounds since March 30, and I have quite a bit more I want to lose. I'm average 30 minutes of exercise again, and trying to curb my eating. I eat such a typically-bad American diet --- too low in fiber and protein, too high in fats and carbohydrates. But, that will change! Mikey's lost almost 50 pounds since he started dieting in late April (and, yes, I'm just a big jealous); I am very proud of him. It's HARD work.

I'll leave you with this image ... it's a hint for the theme of the next Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap. I hope you'll join us!!

Blessings,
Shawnee

Too Much Fun?

I have somehow managed to get myself caught up in too many fun activities. Do you ever do that? I enjoy so many things in life that I can find balance difficult to achieve, especially when LIFE HAPPENS. All it took was an illness, family problems and an unexpected tragedy to throw me off course. See what I'm talking about:

MOVING: The big, top-priority is moving households over the next few weeks! I don't have ONE BOX packed and am mired down in the sorting of clutter. Why oh why didn't I stay on track with FlyLady's decluttering system?!? So, my scatter-brainedness is catching up with me. sigh We got a lot done in the well house yesterday but I have a lot more to complete.

Hostess of the Lucy Apron Swap: This is the sixth Flirty Apron Swap that I've hosted online. I just LOVE this theme and cannot believe that the mailing window begins next week! I still have have several giveaways to offer my gals and hope I can pull myself together to really enjoy my Flirty Apron Swap. PLUS, I need to make my own creation!

OASIS Crochet Class Instructor: Our church offers a time of relaxation and learning for the ladies of our church and their non-churched friends; this is my fifth year as an instructor. This summer, it's a four-week series and I'm teaching crochet. I've felt behind the whole session, and have two weeks left. My class has seven people enrolled and only one gal made it last week. I'll call everyone tomorrow and decide what the last two classes will look like.

Weight Loss Bible Study Team Leader: SparkPeople.com is the website that's helping me in my weight loss journey, and First Place 4 Health has a six-week bible study that I love. So, I started a SparkTeam and have almost 20 gals who are participating in a six-week challenge to help us meet our spiritual and physical goals while going through the Healthy Summer Living bible study book. Again, I'm behind and haven't been the leader I need to be as we're heading in to Week 3. Perhaps my timing on this one was bad??

HP Swap: I enjoy Harry Potter and crafting, so when I found a swap for a Harry Potter Summer Camp yarn swap, I joined in. Again, the fun attracted me without completly weighing the time commitment. This swap requires that I blog weekly, contact my partner weekly, they offer fun games to earn "house points" (so I let down my team if I don't participate). I'm struggling to keep up here and am not enjoying it like I could have had I been able to focus.

Nursery Community Builder: Every other month, I assist in the church nursery coordinating/hostessing the classroom leaders. Such an easy and fun volunteer position, but I don't feel as connected as in years past. July is my "month on" and it's been hectic with lots of vacations to work around.

Overdue Commitments: I have a handful of items that I need to send off to people -- I haven't forgotten but they're not out the door either! If you're waiting for something from me, IT'S COMING!

Family Needs: In the midst of the fun/chaos I've caused, my family needs me. My youngest is struggling with losing her puppy. We really miss having a pet to cuddle and love on. My next daughter will be home soon from a California trip and I can't wait to have some time with her. My oldest daughter got back from Africa and had some sort of reaction to meds or bug bites or something, and has been in a bit of a crisis so we've been spending extra time together. My son has a birthday tomorrow(!) and I can't wait to celebrate. My dear hubby is also in the middle of a weight loss program, and doing just great. His birthday is in a few weeks. Lastly, our 24th anniversary is also in a few weeks and deserving a celebration, too.

So, what's my plan? Well, SIMPLICITY is the key. To get me through the rest of July, I will start my days in prayer, 10 minutes of bible study and then half-hour exercise. After giving my day to God and taking care of his temple, it's all focus-focus-focus to get my family moved. I will set aside one hour for my outside commitments and just make it work. I also promise to not sign up for any more fun swaps or groups.

My August is going to be all about wrapping up prior commitments and setting a clean slate for the fall. Lots of prayer will go into what my new schedule will look like. I can't give away too much of myself or my family suffers, no matter how good something sounds. I am excited for a new town, new routine and new possibilities.

Flirty Apron Swap - Oooooh, it will be FUN!

I'm so excited!! We have 65 swappers so far and it's not quite two weeks until sign-ups close on St. Patrick's Day. I know they are all looking far and wide for the perfect vintage linens. I personally LOVE the hunt ... following the obscure "Estate Sale" signs through new neighborhoods, popping over to my local Desert Industries and Goodwill stores during my lunch hour and trying to not be late getting back to work, and planning a side trip to antique shops during a trip out of town.

If you're a participant, PLEASE post one of the swap badge images from the sidebar onto your personal blog, so your readers will know you're a Flirty Swapper and maybe they will join us, too. We are made up primarily of previous swappers but there's always room for a new friend. There's still time if you'd like to join us. Click HERE to go to the FAS blog.

Lastly, my inspiration for this swap, EllynAnne Geisel's new Kitchen Linens Book, has been released for publication earlier than planned which is GREAT for us. I received a preview copy and it is so INSPIRING. This comprehensive book not only has information about linens, but is chock full of beautiful pictures, recipes, apron info and MORE! I highly recommend that you purchase one during our swap - for yourself and/or your partner. If you purchase by clicking the image below, about 50 cents will go toward the Flirty Apron Swap - thank you for your support!

Snow Queen Apron

My DD just nicknamed this apron "The Snow Queen". I hope my partner enjoys it.

I re-purposed a sparkly prom dress, by cutting a huge hole in it
pleating because my gathering threads kept breaking,added some fur trim and a satin ribbon for ties, here's an apron fit for royalty.


Little T even giggled and showed how it can also be a "Snow Capelet"!!

Contest - Guess the Theme!

In preparation for the next round of the Flirty Apron Swap, I'm holding a little contest. Take a look at the picture above and then guess the theme of the Fall swap to be entered into a drawing for a pair of my famous Flirty-Not-Dirty Kitchen Gloves. Pop on over the the swap blog to enter .... then come back again between July and August 15 to join!!