2008 Swapping Themes

Ok Ladies here is the entire years swapping themes. I decided to list them so you can sign up for the ones you want to participate in by posting a comment here, or if your a Swap-o-holic like me sign up for them all!






The same rules apply to each month as follows:

• Contact your partner and say "Hello"
• Let your partner know when you mail her package you also must CC the hostess
• If your package will be late you must email your partner and Crochetoholic Debb
• Post on the swap blog when you mail your package
• Be sure and post your "thank you" on the blog when you receive your package
• Be sure to follow the theme and include ALL items listed
• Be sure to send a package like you would want to receive
• Send only new items or items in like new condition
• All packages to be sent before the end of the month
• Any problems be sure to email
• Any package not received by the 10th of the following month will have an angel assigned
• If you have not contacted your partner and Crochetoholoc Debb with an explanation to your tardiness or sent your package on time, or did not send all the required items for two months in a row, you will be banned from future swaps
• And you will be required to forward a "JIC" ["Just in Case"] package to Crochetoholic Debb to be able to participate again in future swaps

Remember to have fun!

January = Is considered "white" month, Trivia: The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

You will be sending your partner:

1. A pattern for 1 small project, EX: some socks, mittens, slippers, [crochet or knitted depending on your partners preference]
2. Enough yarn for the project
3. All the notions needed for the project
4. Some white buttons, beads, or other embellishments
5. A white treat of some sort, candy, note cards, candles, anything white
6. A calendar
7. Some tea or coffee or hot cocoa to keep warm

February = is Valentine's month, Trivia: 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. [Oh my where is that goldfinch, I think I'll see one!] LOL

You will send your partners:

1. A pattern for 1 Valentine project, anything with heart's, or cupid, on it could be socks, decoration, pillow, hat, mittens, or anything related to Valentine's Day
2. Enough yarn to do the project, red, pink, white, "Valentine" colors
3. All the notions
4. Something red or pink
5. A Valentine's treat
6. A Valentine's card or a romantic CD
7. And a note about a favorite Valentine's Day that you have experienced, EX: you were proposed to, married on, or why you like that day

March = this is St. Patrick's Day month, Trivia: According to the World Book, St. Patrick lived about 389-461A.D., and is the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick was cheifly responsible for converting the Irish people to Christianity. He became known as the Apostle to the Irish. His Latin name is Patricius.

You will send your partner:

1. A pattern for 1 animal of some type, green teddy bear, frog, Leprechaun , dragon, doll, shamrock, or any other green themed stuffed object, can be anything made with green yarn
2. Enough yarn to complete the project
3. All the notions required [including the stuffing]
4. Something green
5. A green mug or cup
6. A St Patrick's Day pin, magnet, key chain, good luck charm or anything green
7. A some Irish music CD or recipes, poems, or book, or some type of traditional Irish item

April = is usually Easter month, Trivia: Each year witnesses the making of nearly 90 million chocolate bunnies. Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25. But Easter was last month so I am changing this theme to Spring.

You will send your partner:

1. A pattern for 1 Spring project, EX: flowers, or pillow, or spring bag, Spring bonnet, or a decoration
2. Enough yarn to complete the project
3. All the notions required
4. A small Spring basket with chocolate, candy, and/or coffee, ice tea, or tea goodies in it
5. A spring knit or crochet magazine with patterns in it
6. 1 package of Spring colored beads, buttons, or some other kind of embellishment.
7. 2 washcloths to make a "washcloth" bunny or Lollipops or Roses

May = Mom's Day month, Trivia: Mother's Day is intended to be a day to celebrate motherhood. Many churches and families in the United States recognize the second Sunday in May to honor mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution of Congress recommending that Congress and the executive branch of government recognize the observance of Mother's Day.

You will send your partner:

1. A pattern for 1 project, EX: shawl or shrug, or cape, or poncho
2. Enough yarn for the project
3. All the notions required
4. A Mother's Day card or a birthday card [for your partner to use, so do not write in it]
5. A package of seeds and a small pot
6. A photo album
7. An "old times" good Mother's Day DVD movie, like Gone with the Wind, or An Affair to Remember, or an old Betty Davis movie, there are tons that are priced $1 and some in black and white [try any Kmart or Walmart for cheaper prices]

June = is the beginning of Summer: Trivia or fact: There's no better knitting than knitting in natural light. No other season gives us as many natural light hours in a day as summer. Summer's take-along projects can turn into winter's completed holiday gifts

You will send your partner:

1. A pattern for 1 cotton design [cool and fun] Tote Bag for your yarn, or bag, or any item themed after your novel, EX: Gone with the Wind, Harry Potter, Marilyn Monroe, the Devil Wears Prada, think of all the possibilities of a great "summer" read. [ your project will have the colors or style relating to what the book is about]
2. Enough Yarn to complete the project
3. All the notions required
4. The novel to go with your themed project,
5. Something to put in your bag, or go with your project chosen, Ex: folding scissors, measuring tape, hooks or needles, stitch markers, or if something else maybe a vintage style pin with a hat project, or a magnet or key chain or even a DVD, anything themed after your novel. Ohhh what fun!
6. Something sweet or salty
7. Some ice tea mix, with splenda or sweetener, or to go
8. An insulated cup [summer colors]

July: Red, white and blue month, Trivia: This is a theory: There was an act that said that the flag of the thirteen United States be the thirteen stripes, alternated with red and white and the union be thirteen stars be white in a bay of blue field that would represent a new constellation. The Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose the colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows: white to mean purity and innocence, red for valor and hardiness, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. According to legend, George Washington interpreted the elements of the flag this way: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country. However, there is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.A vexillologist is an expert on flags and ensigns.

You will send your partner:

1. Any 1 pattern made of Red, white, and blue colors
2. All the yarn needed to complete the pattern
3. All the notions needed, including the hook or needles
4. A red, white , or blue bag to put the project in [can be handmade or bought]
5. A red, white, and blue decoration, stickers, or magnet
6. A novelty, costume jewelry red, white, and blue pin
7. A surprise gift in the red, white, and blue colors

August... No Swap Month

September: Surprise Me Month, Trivia: To possess a white elephant was regarded(and still is regarded, in Thailand and Burma) as a sign that the monach was ruling with justice and the kingdom was blessed with peace and prosperity. Because the animals were considered sacred and laws protected them from labor, receiveing a "gift" of a white elephant from a monarch was both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because of the animal's sacred nature and a curse because the animal could be put to no practical use.

You will send your partner:

1. A surprise pattern for a ???
2. Enough yarn for the project
3. All the notions required
4. A fancy pen or pencil
5. A package of stationery
6. A pattern booklet or stitching Novel. [any kind like Liesure Arts publishes, or a book by Debbie Macomber or Maggie Sefton]
7. A surprise "White Elephant"gift???? [something you have that is handmade]

October: Halloween is at the end of the month so I think doing a Halloween theme will work out. Some trivia:

You will send your partner:

1. A pattern related to any Halloween decoration or theme or something with a fall theme if your partner does not like Halloween.
2. The yarn to complete your project
3. All the notions required to complete the project
4. An orange or black or black and orange pair of socks or anklets
5. A bag of candy [wrapped]

November: Is Turkey month Trivia:

Thanksgiving Swap: Some Trivia: Did you know that Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor with a magazine, started a Thanksgiving campaign in 1827 and it was result of her efforts that in 1863 Thanksgiving was observed as a day for national thanksgiving and prayer. Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. Whereas earlier the presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held. President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. But it was Thomas Jefferson who opposed him. It is believed that Franklin then named the male turkey as 'tom' to spite Jefferson. $1 is the average cost per pound in of a frozen whole turkey.The long fleshy skin that hangs over a turkey's beak is called a snood.The color of a wild turkey's naked head and neck area can change blue when mating.Male turkeys are nicknamed "toms" while females are called "hens."When turkeys reach maturity they can have as many as 3,500 feathers!Faster than a speeding bullet--Wild turkeys can run up to 55 miles an hour! so ladies don't try to catch one for this year as he might out run you! LOL

You will send your swap partner:

1. A pattern related to any Thanksgiving decoration or theme or something with a Fall theme
2. All the notions and yarn to complete your pattern
3. Fall colored ribbons, beads, or buttons [see your partner's likes]
4. A Thanksgiving or Fall Surprise gift
5. A Thanksgiving or "warm" favorite recipe
6. One Thanksgiving or fall table setting, napkins, tablecloth, placemat, centerpiece, or ??
7. A crochet or knit magazine from the month of November

Be sure to get your packages out early this month.

December :

Be sure to get those packages out early this month. Partners will be assigned early

You will send your swap partner:

1. A pattern for 2 Christmas dishcloths, 2 towels, or 2 pot holders, or 4 Ornaments, or decoration
2. Enough yarn for the project
3. All the notions needed to complete the project
4. Something red and white
5. Some Christmas goodies or candy
6. A box of Christmas cards
7. Christmas wrapping paper or tissue paper
8. Christmas crochet or knitting magazine

Let's get creative and give our partners a fun project that they can make for themselves or to give as a gift. Have fun and put together a pretty and fun package. Have a great time shopping for your partners and be sure and check out their "Wish Lists" for their likes and dislikes and when you email them ask them questions for more hints!

Happy Swapping Ladies!