Thanks MKRuby, I look forward to the 6th to see who I'll be trading with, I have already started on my May box in an effort to be on time this month. I hope you can use some of the plants I sent to you. Your in a climate similar to mine and everything I sent does well here. I am excited to see my first trade box too. I will post when it arrives and let everyone know about the goodies I get. Thank you for doing this monthly trade, I know it is a huge undertaking and your very appreciated for doing it.

Hi Golbar, Thanks for the suggestion, but I prefer not to follow that route...for a couple of reasons. This swap is intended to be a surprise swap. I will not be posting a master list of seeds. I will be guided by your wish lists or preferences if you choose to send me that information, but I cannot guarantee anything. What you receive in return is completely dependant on the seeds that are sent in. Most of us that participate in exchanges love the element of surprise. This is my personal preference for hosting a swap. You'll find other hosts will try different themes at different times. I have been involved in swaps like you suggest in the past and I personally do not favour them. For the simple reason, that they often end up being a free for all and those that have the luxury of being on the computer at any time during the day, always end up getting first dibs on the more rare seeds. Not fair at all to those that work during the day and won't get to their computers until night. The folks that have limited computer access ultimately end up feeling disappointed and disadvantaged. I believe the swap can be handled fairer by taking into consideration everyone's wishes. I do my best to be fair and make sure you're getting a good selection. Compiling a wish list or even letting me know if there are seeds you do not want helps to guide me through the process. It's certainly a good idea, but it's an idea that's best implemented by someone else hosting another swap with a different theme. Please understand that it takes a lot of work to compile the information and organize everything to manage a swap with this many people and I just cannot get involved in that kind of complicated work. I fully expect to be receiving at least 3000 seed packs that have to be researched and managed. I work 12 hours a day on average, so I need to keep it simple for me at the moment. I hope this helps to clarify. Thanks for the suggestion though..it's just not something I can undertake for this swap. Thanks....Heather

I know you guy are going to have so much fun fixing up your packages and even more fun when your's arrives... I love doing the swaps.... One of these day....I will be able to do it again...but until them...Lot of pictures when you get them ...okay?? patti

I like the quote and agree completely. I can't imagine someone criticizing someone else's hard work. I have a friend who is just learning to quilt; to be honest her seams are not straight yet and the variations make her blocks come out a bit odd. But she's learning and she's having fun and I'm delighted with her. I keep telling her that someday when she's a famous quilter everyone will want one of her original early works! When I decide on a birthday block I plan to ask her, as well as a quilter friend in Maryland, if they'll make blocks for me too. I would always cherish having their blocks in my quilt. Kate