Sunday, June 7, 2009

Block Swap


A couple of months ago I was itching to participate in a block swap. Over the years I have done a few and hosted some as well. They are quite a lot of fun and I have missed participating.

If you haven't heard of a block swap, a traditional block swap has a hostess that sets the rules for the swap. In this case, the block was set at 8" and was to be a basket block of your choice. The participants will make a set of 8 blocks. Seven of the blocks are sent off to the swap hostess with a self addressed stamped envelope and a small hostess gift to show appreciation for the host. (You keep one block because you will not get your own back.) A couple of weeks later, in the mail, will arrive seven different basket blocks. Now I signed up for 5 sets of blocks, so I will receive 35 different blocks back, plus the 5 I kept for myself of my own blocks, for a total of 40 different 8" basket blocks. Pretty fun!



The really neat thing is, you get these blocks from all over the country. Most people will put an address label on the back so you can see what part of the country they came from.

I finished my blocks today, and packaged them up to send off to Louann in North Carolina. She is our swap hostess. I bagged them up into sets and can't wait for them to be mailed back out. There is a twist though, instead of putting my address on the return envelope, I put someone elses address. Someone that I thought would like them. I thought it would be really fun to open the mail one day and find 40 1930's basket blocks just waiting to be put into a quilt. It will be a nice surprise.


Now for some more fun news. Scottie Dog Quilts will be hosting a 1930's block swap of it's own. I have just finished quilting the sample and am writing up the details. Anyone can participate, whether you are local or live across the nation.

I'll have more details to follow soon and I'll share some of the swap quilts that I've made.

10 comments:

Lara said...

I'm in! Love the swap idea!
--Larissa

April said...

I'm IN for the swap!! Give me details asap! :)

BevH said...

I want to join too! I used to do a lot of internet swapping and it was so fun.

Anonymous said...

I wish it was me getting the surprise in the mail box!! I know who it is and she will be delited! Count me in on the new swap! Huggies! Lk

BrendaLou said...

cany your mom swap?

liz scott adams said...

Anyone can swap! Including you, mom! I will even be swaping.

Amanda Elizabeth said...

this is so awesome! Will you tell me who you are sending the blocks too!? I'm so nosy! lol! I'd love join! woot! woot!

Shari said...

Please count me in. This sounds great !

Shari

Christine Thomas said...

How can I get in touch with you to ask some questions about this? I'm intrigued..I've never done a swap before.
Christine Thomas
shoppernana@gmail.com

Beka and Jason Haché said...

I got the blocks!
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!

How amazing?!!! It's crazy to just get a whole stack of blocks already made for you!

thanks you Liz!!! You're the best sister in the world!!!