I’m in! Thanks for hosting Kathy. Sending my details….

I have so many amazing memories, it’s hard to pick just one. I realized as I prepared to post this, just how blessed I am, thanks Kathy! 😊

I grew up very poor but my mom always managed to give us good Christmases. She was a silver smith and would make jewelry and sell it at Christmas bazaars and then use the money to fund our Holiday. She also used to pick a family, an acquaintance or neighbor who also was living in poverty and we would buy them gifts and sneak up to their porch and ring the bell and run leaving the “santa” gifts for them to find. She would tell us you are never too poor to give.

Pamela, your mother was right. But you knew that already!.

I am very sorry, Ladies, but I won't be taking part I this years Ornament swap. International postage is now beyond a joke, just far too expensive.
We are now retired and without an income, a new meaning to stretching the $$$'s.
I would like to wish you all a successful Ornament swap and I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.
We are hoping for open borders so we may see our grandsons.

Betty J - I think Marion signed up and she is in Western Australia. Maybe you could be partners as she is in the same predicament. Her user name in m-fay. I love having her as a partner as she is very talented and a sweetheart.

Betty J, that breaks my heart as you've been in this swap from the very beginning. You're right about International Postage. I looked up rates before volunteering to send outside USA -- they're absolutely outrageous! I could only commit to that because I started a part-time job in July at a local grocery Bakery. By the way, LOVE that; I feel like I'm being paid to play. Anyway, Nonnie's idea sure sounds like a winner!

As soon as I read betty j post I thought I'll send her one as I have her address from a previous one then I read nonnie post so you're in regardless betty j

And thank you Bonnie for your lovely comments too.

That is so gracious!

Oh Marion, that is so nice of you to make that offer. I had thought that I would sign up if we could do a swap between us. I will go ahead and sign up and request that I swap with an Aussie member and I am sure that will be you. I do enjoy making ornaments for these swaps.

I see I have 5 stories... WMUTeach, DixieDolls, RoseIrish, PamelaOry, and RedGarnett.

You all have something headed your way. Thanks for participating!

The prizes have started arriving... apparently with no gift note. If you posted a Christmas story and recieve a random package, it's your prize.

Thank you Kathy! I did receive a package today, with a measuring tool, some marking chalk, and a big ol’ bucket of clips! Thank you so much! How did you know I was low on clippies and needing to get some? 😉. Excited to check out the measuring tool too!

[QUOTE=hav4boys;8515123]The prizes have started arriving... apparently with no gift note. If you posted a Christmas story and recieve a random package, it's your prize.[/QUOTE


Oh, goodness, I spent way to much time late this afternoon trying to figure out why I got a mystery package. Love the clips, never to many of those little darlin's. Thank you ever so much, Hav4boys. What a nice surprise at my door and the solution to my mystery here on the "thread".

Almost time for your partner
 

Names are coming soon. Sign ups close Sunday.

can't wait. Started working on my ornament and it is looking awesome. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/heart.gif

I too got my clips, chalk and marking tool. The funny thing is I have been looking at all of these to buy for myself! Such a generous gift you sent to us. Thank you so much. I love and needed them all. I am glad you can't see my seam guide, so scratched up and bent. I am very touched and grateful to you.

You all are very welcome. Glad the items came in handy. My pleasure to host and provide some little gifts of appreciation.

The ornament exchange partners are out.

Please mail to your partner on or before November 19, 2021. That is a hard date and must be met by everyone. Please make sure you have a tracking/confirmation number on your package. It just makes it easier to find in the event a package is delayed or lost in the mail. If something comes up and you cannot mail, please let me know ASAP so I can get an ornament to your partner.

Please remember to send me a PM when you receive and when you mail.

Thanks all,

Kathy

Got my partner. now to finish what I started https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Got my name -- and it's someone I'm familiar with from our years doing this great swap. Can't wait to finish my ornament and send my package her way!!

I picked up my name today. Very fun to get this in the mail to her. Have we chosen an ornament party date?

Need input on a date to open. What did everyone think?

got that package of chalk , measuring device and clips. Funny thing is I ordered some not to long ago and thought they were from that order. but then I thought i had received all of the thing I ordered. I have used both clips and chalk in my pursuit of doing secret santa gifts already

It seems we are silent on opening up and I assume posting photos of our new tree ornaments. I will go with the group decision or the choice of our hostess.

And no one has posted what they are making. We "newbees" could use some direction here. Naw, we wouldn't copy yours but it would be nice to see some ideas of what is being created. I may try to look at a previous year's swap just to confirm that I am on the right path.

I thought I would post what I received last year and the three I sent. This give a little peek into the wide variety.

How does everyone feel about a December 1 opening date? Or do you prefer to open when you receive and post pictures?

Let me know and we will go with the majority.

Thanks for sharing your ornaments. , I did go to last year's thread and wandered around to see what was given and sent. I am on the right track! Now to get back to really creating my ornaments.

I will vote for December 1 and post photos so we can "ooo" and "ahhh" at eachother's new tree "candy".

Getting Excited!
 

I am hoping to get my package ready to mail this weekend so it should get to it's destination in plenty of time. The December 1 date works for me although it will be hard not to peek.

Here’s the ornaments I made. They still need a finishing touch, I’m thinking maybe a jingle bell?

Oh, my too cute! I see grandchildren projects in my near future making these little fellows to share with their teachers and other grandparents.

I enjoy looking forward to Opening Day, so vote that we choose a date for everyone to open and post. Any date works for me.

Pam, those are so cute. Well done.

Opening day will be Dec 1. Anytime that day and make sure and post pictures. Remember to send a thank you PM.

Those are so cute!

You got some lovely ornaments and I was the lucky recipient of the beautiful ornaments you sent! They went into my family collection. I always love to put the maker's name on the back of the ornaments.

Not participating this year because we are moving and rehabbing a second house we bought near to the grandchild. But I will watch for pictures you all post!

Ornament ready for posting
 

I'm posting my ornament tomorrow and Dec 1 suits me fine.

On its way!
 

My gift is on its way to my Christmas friend!
Tracking #9500 1129 6856 1312 3338 33

I am going to print out a label today to mail mine off. I sure hope she loves it. I had fun making it.

i missed signing up for secret santa last year. M-Fay took pity on me and sent me a great package so i didnt miss out