WANTED: ...to say I got my very first swap!!! Yippee!!!

19 years ago

Dedtired (also known as Pam), sent me the most WONDERFUL swap, all the way from Philadelphia! It came in record time too. First off was an envelope which said to open gifts first, (don't need to tell me twice, cause I LOVE presents!)

First gift was a set of beautifully embroidered shell tea towels. (she must have had someone snoop through my drawers and tell her the ones i own are very old and worn). The shell pattern on them is a beautiful shade of rose with a deeper burgundy threading which matches beautifully with the colours in my kitchen! They are also made of a heavier cotton so I know they will last a long time! Tied with colorful ribbons around them was also a set of pinch,dash and smidgeon measuring spoons which are so cute and will be put to good use not only for measuring but also scooping out the insides of fruits and vegetables for stuffing as suggested by other forum members.

{{gwi:1464300}}

{{gwi:1464301}}

Up next was a beatiful heavy cotton apron with a pocket(love the pocket on the apron), in beatiful shades of blues and teals with shells, fish and starfish embroidered in contrasting colours all over the apron. I needed an apron so badley! I do have some but they were made by my grandmother years and years ago with lots of frills and ruffles (are you visualizing?). They were so ugly I was too embarassed to wear them around guests, and have ruined more than one top because of that. It will be a joy to finally wear something that looks nice, and also doesn't make me look like an oversized hippo in a tuttu!

{{gwi:1464303}}

Next was a magazine from Philadelphia and some local grocery flyers! (Wish I had thought of the idea of including fliers in my swap..what an excellant idea..especially to see prices and various food items available in another country. Love the magazine and will enjoy reading it out on the deck in my comfy chair with my morning coffee!

{{gwi:1464305}}

An last but not least was a beautiful serving tray divided in three sections, with a giant shell print in each, with a lovely colorful striped pattern around the outside. I have just started buying more "serving dishes" as i put out these wonderful meals and end up serving them on old tupperware or dinnerplates as I haven't had anything nice to serve food on! This serving tray will be wonderful both on and off the patio!

{{gwi:1464307}}

Pam also wrote me the most wonderful letter. A line as quoted from her letter:

"Here is your first swap package! I hope you enjoy it. It was easy to choose a theme for you - Summer Shells for Shelley Somerville!) How priceless is that!

Here are all my wonderful swap items together!

{{gwi:1464309}}

Pam I couldn't have asked for a better first swap partner! Everything you picked is absolutely perfect both in colour, theme and in the items themselves. Things I needed desparately, but always put off buying. The theme you chose in connection with my name make them that much more treasurable. So thankyou so so much from the bottom of my heart. You are incredibly thoughtful!

This was a fantastic experience and I can't wait for the next one! Thanks again Pam, and Ann for letting me be included and organizing this whole thing..no small undertaking. I will be able to relax when I know my swap partner has received theirs in one piece!

Shelley

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Comments (24)

earthlydelights
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
shelley - isn't it exciting? i am on my second and the thrill is just so exciting. the choosing of the items to send, the receipt of the items sent - such great feelings. i love seeing what everyone sends and receives and hearing the why behind it.

enjoy all your lovely things. pam did a great job!

maryanne
annie1992
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh wow, I really like the towel, I love the colors in the apron, the serving platter is really interesting and unique.

Yup, I love it all, and I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of food on that plate.....

Annie
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wizardnm
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Nice looking towels, I really like them. Great apron in pretty colors and the platter will definitely be useful. Cute measuring spoons too!
Pam you did a great job!

Shelly, we all worry about our choices and about the shipping...but it is fun and a way to get to know each other better.

Nancy
craftyrn
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Clever Pam-- love the theme tied to Shelly's name-- and all your "shell" items are so nice . Love the colors.

Shelly-- glad you sound as excited & pleased with with the swaps as we all have become -- fun huh?

Diane
doucanoe
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Shelly, isn't it fun? you are hooked, just like the rest of us! LOL

Love the shell theme, Pam! Great idea!

There's not a thing in this package that I wouldn't love to have in my kitchen!

Linda
Gina_W
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Bwa-ha-ha! Another successful swap indoctrination... Good job Pam!
alison
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a wonderful tie-in! The linens are really nice, and the serving dish is the perfect cap.

That's the wonderful thing about the swaps, Shelly; you get things you've always wanted but never gotten for yourself -- and sometimes you didn't even know how much you wanted it!

Good job, Pam!
homesforsale
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I also love the way you showed us your gifts!
andi_2006
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Pam, what a great theme!!! Love the towels, the measuring spoons, one can never have enough aprons (especially with pockets!) and I am coveting the serving platter!! Enjoy, Shelly!!
dedtired
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Holy smokes, I never expected that package to arrive so quickly. It had to cross an entire continent and go to another country. I was thinking it would get there one day next week. I only mailed it last Saturday morning. Guess I better stop ripping on the USPS.

Shelley, I am happy that you are happy. When I saw the gifts others had received, I was worried mine would not measure up -- not a smidgen, a pinch or a dash!

I could have bought 10 more items and narrowing it down was difficult. Of course the spoons were decorations and the magazine and flyers were bonus items, so I only sent three items, really.

Your chef looks very natty in that apron. I hope you can get it back from him.

So welcome to the wonderful world of swaps!
diana55
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Shelly....who's the man in the Apron? LOL. Aren't the 'Swaps" fun? It's just so enjoyable to see what everyone recieves. I think Pam did a great job with your package!!! I hope you enjoy everything!!! Diana55
artsyshell
Original Author
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
The swaps are definately FUN! and I am definately Hooked! The man in the apron is my little friend, who keeps me company when my husband is away! lol. Pam you definately did not have to worry that yours did not measure up (although I know what you mean, because I have been thinking the same about my swap gift I sent). Trust me, yours measured up in more ways than one, but the gift that I enjoyed the most, was the letter you sent, because it just made everthying so special and it was so heartfelt, so again thank you soo much!

For me doing the swaps, it wasn't the item limit that I found hard to get around, (although trust me I could have shopped til I dropped)! What I found most stressful about the shopping was the price limit. When I first read it I thought it was thirty dollars max. Then I re-read and realized it was thirthy dollars min. The biggest stress for me was my swap partner thinking I hadn't spent enough, or spending to much and embarrassing him/her. Especially after seeing some of the swaps posted,knowing they were well above thirty, fifty and even sixty dollars. I also always stress because I would pick something up that I liked, and it could have been expensive, but then I would worry that it didn't look like it cost very much, and Iwas worried my partner would think I was cheap, so I would put it back. In the end I just decided to go with what I liked and not concentrate so much on the cost of things. Does anybody else stress about this also or is it just me?

Shelley, ( who can't wait for the fall swap).
msafirstein
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Cute idea to use Shelley's name as the theme! Love the serving plate and the towels!

Michelle
dedtired
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
You know what else I think is fun? Seeing the items you chose in someone else's house. I don't know why, but that always gives me a giggle.

Yes, I worry about the "too much $, too little $" issue. I try to include one item that is more "substantial" than the others. However, I think the hand made, home made items are very special (like my bowl and spoon from Linda) and I wish I knew how to make something.
chancesmom
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
As a former Pam swap recipient, I knew she would do good by you Shelley! That is a very lovely thoughtful selection, with a great theme!

I know what you mean by hooked Shelley, I missed the announcement for this one, but I still check here a few times a day to see what is going and coming. I too am ready for the next one!
brenda55
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
"Summer Shells for Shelley Somerville" what a clever and wonderful swap package, Pam. The towels are lovely (not sure I could use them...lol) and the divided serving tray is so pretty. Really nice apron, too. Welcome to swap-dom, Shelley!

Brenda
lsr2002
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a great package. I really love the the colors and the woven designs in the apron. Everything is neat - what a perfect first swap package for you Shelley.

Lee
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wow...nice shells for Shelley!
jessyf
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I love 'clever' themes.

Beautiful items, Pam, and its nice to see Shelley enjoyed them.

Nice, no, great job!
User
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Shelley, what a terrific swap box Pam sent you. The theme is so cute. Love your "man" in the apron. I look forward to seeing that beautiful dish show up in your dinner photos.

Just so you know Shelley, you aren't the only one that worries about all of those things you mentioned. I think that everyone that participates has the same worries.

Ann
lakeguy35
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Now that was a very clever and cool theme for a swap package Pam! I love all of it! NO comments on your little man in the apron...LOL! I'm sure you've seen the famous DW posted here! Sounds like you are hooked on swappin Shelley!

David
diana55
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Shelly it looks like that Man in the Apron doesn't need you, just by looking at the hole in his hand !!! LOL Oh, I'm so bad !!! I just had to say that, I just had to !!! LOL Diana55
artsyshell
Original Author
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Diana55, ROFL, that is just tooo funny! lol.
To everyone else, yes I am definately hooked, this was just so much fun. Also a great way to get to know a little bit more about everyone here on the forum. I have been showing off my stuff to everyone that comes over!

Shelley
sheshebop
19 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Shelly, I just love linens! Those are just gorgeous! And the tray is really cute, too. I'd say your first swap package was a really great one! Nice job, Pam!

WANTED: ...to say I got my very first swap!!! Yippee!!!

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