F-R-I-E-N-D-S SWAP IDEAS

We are having a terrific response to the FRIENDS SWAP sign up and I am so pleased to say that to date there are 63 of us. This is so much fun. Looking at all these new blogs and seeing all the lovely work everybody does out there. Makes me want to make more and try new things.

SOME IDEAS FOR THE FRIENDS SWAP are first to think outside the box girls. I am thinking of how we package each gift too. Think about each letter and how you can put it in a separate little package of its own. Put them in a cute tin, covered box, sweet little mason jar, little zippered pouch, cosmetic purse..there are lots of ways you can make this swap really special for you partner with a little thought. I know I want to make it a SPECIAL FRIENDS swap....don't you!! There is no dollar value on this swap girls and we wouldnt expect to cost you an arm or a leg. What would be nice though is just to give it some thought about what your partner would like and how you can make it special.

What I suggest we all do...is when we get our partner we email her and ask her about all the things she likes. Does she collect anything special for instance? I myself collect golliwogs, mammies, raggedy Annie's and Betty Boop....I love prim dolls, and old tins...but I also have a thing for all the new owls and birdie things that are out now. These are things that might help us to make our swap special.

F is for.....

* four or five of something in a nice container - pins, needles, embroidery thread, thimble...or for scrapbookers maybe brads, embellishments, ribbons,rubons etc

* Favourite things - you could make a little gift with some of your new friends favourite things it in

*fabrics that your new friend will love - ask her if she has a favourite brand

R is for......

* Revive/Rejuvenate/Refreshing - This could be a nice little cosmetic bag with lovely smelling soap, bubble bath, shower gel, face mask, body scrub, bath mitt...all those lovely rejuvenating things us girls need to keep us feeling good...lol

* Red - you could send a cute litte mason jar full of red buttons, red ribbons, red ric rac, red embroidery cotton, red cotton thread, red candy...hehehe

* Rose - of course it depends if you partner likes roses, but you could send a nice zippered bag with rose scented items or rose themed items in it

I is for.......

* Inspiring - things that might inspire your new friend - magazines, book, patterns.

E is for......

* Everything - everything you think your partner might like
* Embroidered - purse, pincushion, wallhanging, needlecase, scissor fob, etc

N is for......

* Notebook - a lovely fabric or paper cover personalised notebook
* Notions - pins, needles, tape measure, quick unpick, cotton, scissors, etc put into a lovely sewing pouch

D is for......

* Drinking items - cups with your friends favourite thing on it, tea, coffee, you could make a mug/cup carry bag for them or a tea wallet to put teabags in

* Dilly bag - you could make your new friend a dilly bag in fabric that she loves

* Dolls - you could make your partner a doll that she would love

* Drawing/writing items - pens, pencils, that your partner would like - you could send some souvenir ones from your area and make a zippered carry bag to put them in

S is for.....

* Something Super Special - this should explain itself
* Sweet Stuff - this could mean chocolates and candy or sweeeettt because its special