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From: Patty22
Date: 07-09-2007, 12:35 PM (1 of 36)
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Civil War Block Swap Almost 150 years ago the United States was involved in a bloody conflict involving ideology and economy. This swap is about the common ground shared by women, mothers, sisters, men, fathers and brothers – and their needle and thread to mend the wounds. There is no Mason-Dixon line drawn in cyberspace. The swap is not about battle strategies and politics, but rather the love of family, hopes and dreams of unity. We will be drawing our inspiration from the The Civil War Love Letter Quilt and the The Civil War Diary Quilt by Rosemary Youngs. Each book contains 121 quilt block patterns inspired from diary entries or letters from both Union and Confederate soldiers and families. The blocks are 6 inches finished, 6 ½” unfinished. Although you may find inspiration for your block color choices from the Jane A. Stickle Quilt, we are not using the patterns copyrighted by Brenda Papadakis. Furthermore, the Stickle quilt blocks drafted by Brenda are 4 ½” square. More inspiration can be found from: Southern Quilts by Ramsey and Waldvogel; Facts & Fabrications: Unraveling the History of Quilts & Slavery by Brackman; and Quilts from the Civil War by Brackman. I hope this is a swap everyone can enjoy, especially if you like reproduction fabrics and history. Guidelines: 1. Blocks are to be 6 ½” square unfinished (6” finished). 2. Reproduction fabrics from 1840’s to 1860’s. I’ll write more about this for those who are unfamiliar with the appropriate fabric and color choices. Fabrics should be a good quality 100% cotton. 3. Prewash all fabrics. 4. Any technique for making your block is acceptable. The test is this: would you like to receive this block in the mail??? Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, but do a block that will reflect your best work. Be sure to measure and send 6 ½” unfinished blocks. Paper piecing if used should have all stabilizer removed from the back and be quilt top assembly ready. 5. Sign-ups will close when 20 participants have signed up or by August 30th (whichever comes first). Blocks will be due to me no later than November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day). Let me repeat that, November 22nd is deadline for me to have your blocks. I will repackage all blocks and remail so everyone can receive their blocks by December 7th, 2007. 7. PM me with your screen name, full name, address, phone number if you plan on participating. Please indicate what block you will be making for the swap. 8. If there are 20 participants you will need to mail me 19 blocks in a SASE envelope (not sealed). You can take this to your post office to get the correct postage and then place it in another envelope addressed to me. I will give you my address when you PM me. Tyvek envelopes work well as they are waterproof and lightweight. Let the signups begin! Participants: 1. Patty22 - Sewing Society for Soldiers (Civil War Diary - pg 256) 2. shaysmema - Games, Music and Knitting (Civil War Diary - pg 117) 3. Bama - China Doll (Civil War Diary - pg 272) 4. Jeke 5. Sewhappie 6. MotherInLaw - Yankee Papers (pg 95) Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-09-2007, 02:23 PM (2 of 36)
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Count me in too Patty. I have been waiting for this one. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52 
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-09-2007, 04:36 PM (3 of 36)
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Participants: 1. Patty22 - Sewing Society for Soldiers (Civil War Diary - pg 256) 2. shaysmema -Games, Music and Knitting (Civil War Diary - pg 117) 3. Bama - China Doll (Civil War Diary - pg 272) 4. Jeke Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Jeke
Date: 07-10-2007, 04:23 PM (4 of 36)
I want in on this one, too. I have no idea yet which block though as I need to get a book. Great way to use my gift card for Barnes and Noble 
Jay
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User: Jeke
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 232 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-10-2007, 04:35 PM (5 of 36)
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Okay Jay, I've got you down. Everyone, these blocks sew together very quickly and shouldn't be intimidating. Here's a hint though because the pieces can get small and seam allowances can get in the way..... - press your seams open and trim dog ears if you sew hrt's together. My block.....my avatar, sewed up in less than 1 hour and that was with constant interruptions. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-10-2007, 05:01 PM (6 of 36)
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I bought "The Civil War Love Letter" book today at my LQS!!!! The other book is on order with that shop, BUT I have a few others in my area that I can check, plus 2 major chain book stores. Did you say that this will be a fall time block swap? If so than count me in |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-10-2007, 06:08 PM (7 of 36)
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Just ordered the Civil War Love Letter quilt. I can't wait for it to arrive. Got my fabric today , now to start my blocks. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-10-2007, 07:42 PM (8 of 36)
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Participants: 1. Patty22 - Sewing Society for Soldiers (Civil War Diary - pg 256) 2. shaysmema - Games, Music and Knitting (Civil War Diary - pg 117) 3. Bama - China Doll (Civil War Diary - pg 272) 4. Jeke 5. Sewhappie Naomi....the deadline for me to receive the blocks is Thanksgiving.... a good four months....... so yes, this is the fall swap. Barbara....any hints on the colors you are using? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-10-2007, 08:06 PM (9 of 36)
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Blues, browns,biege and a touch of red. When I get a block done I'll send you a picture. got to wash my fabric tomorrow. Windham fabric Plantation II by Nancy Grer Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: Bama
Date: 07-10-2007, 08:45 PM (10 of 36)
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I found some good priced fabrics here: http://www.thecuttingcounter.com/display.php?catID=41 Didn't order yet, just wanted to pass along the website. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-10-2007, 08:52 PM (11 of 36)
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Ohhhh Barbara....sounds very nice. I just love the Windham Fabrics! Thanks for the website Lori, a new one for me to check out. Have fun at the Harry Potter movie  I don't see how you can even stay awake for the movie to start!
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-11-2007, 07:43 AM (12 of 36)
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Just checked out the website Lori and the fabric looks great. I have never ordered on line before but I might just to try it out. Thanks for the site. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 07-11-2007, 11:51 AM (13 of 36)
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I'll send you my info Patty.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-11-2007, 02:12 PM (14 of 36)
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Participants: 1. Patty22 - Sewing Society for Soldiers (Civil War Diary - pg 256) 2. shaysmema - Games, Music and Knitting (Civil War Diary - pg 117) 3. Bama - China Doll (Civil War Diary - pg 272) 4. Jeke 5. Sewhappie 6. MotherInLaw - Yankee Papers (pg 95) Yippppeeeee Susie is breaking away from her toys to join us! Hey Susie, did Barbara tell you to join us? I'm giving a fair warning to all of you.....these six inch blocks are addictive! I made a couple today between washing the floor and errands..... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-11-2007, 03:19 PM (15 of 36)
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Yep Patty I even helped her pick out her fabric today so she couldn"t back out. LOL. I made a few last night before I went to bed. Looks like I will have mine done before August. Can't wait to see who else joins. It is so much fun. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 07-12-2007, 12:21 AM (16 of 36)
Yes Patty She made me get on the computer at the quilt shop and sign up. LOL You have to know Barbara to know what I'm going through over here.  She wouldn't let me say NO!!! But she doesn't know it yet but since she is doing hers so fast she is going to help me get mine done too. I picked out a very easy one so I know I'm not taking on too much. Barb you know I love you!!! All kidding aside, I'm looking forward to playing with ya'll. I think it's going to be fun. Especially since I have till Thanksgiving to get them done. I go on vacation Sept 30 - Oct 6th. Sooooooo Let the games begin. I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-12-2007, 09:01 AM (17 of 36)
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Susie, we all need a friend like Barbara to set us on the straight and narrow path leading directly to a quilting activity! I'm glad bloth of you will be joining us. This morning I finished my 10th block; I warned you about the addictiveness of these wonderful little blocks. Many are just 6" versions of many familiar blocks, but in their diminuative version, they are just special. Furthermore, since I love fabrics it is a chance to use them. I am doing a store sample as I was asked to do a class and I couldn't think of something I enjoyed more than talking about fabrics of the period and different ways to piece these blocks. I decided to do the China Doll on an 18" square background and then sash blocks around the center. I'll post a picture once I get it finished. Have many of you been reading the letters, diary entries accompaning the blocks? The China Doll story had me in tears. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-12-2007, 09:10 AM (18 of 36)
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Patty It had me in tears too. Its a little more challageing than I want to undertake right now. I haven't done any applique yet. I'm going to do Elenor Burns Magic Vine then I might try china doll. But then we have our good friend Bama who is making them for her block. This is a fun swap, sure hope more join us. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 07-13-2007, 01:07 AM (19 of 36)
Barbara get on them and make them join us!!!!  Barbara is coming to my house to play in the morning and she's bringing two more friends with her. Then we will go Shop Hopping in my neighborhood. I can't wait. Barbara can sell an eskimo a snowball. That's no joke. I know why the owner of the quilt shop lets her come over to play, she makes her money.  You're a sweetie Barb you know I love ya!!!
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-13-2007, 10:51 AM (20 of 36)
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http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=167429936/PictureID=3525985458/a=51774012_51774012/t_=51774012 PhotoSite is disbanding and I'm trying out a new place..... wondering if it will allow me to copy my image...... urrrrrrrrr........... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Jeke
Date: 07-13-2007, 11:19 AM (21 of 36)
Oh Patty, I love that new block!! I hope to go out and get my book the beginning of next week. Kids and grandkids coming today until Monday. Must play being a grandma 
Jay
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User: Jeke
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 232 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-13-2007, 11:56 AM (22 of 36)
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Oh Jay........ I want to come to your house and play with your grandkids too! I know you're going to love the letters and diary entries. And darn, you have my favorite fabric shop nearby....know you won't have a shortage for choices for this swap! I am suppose to be outside digging up my iris and debugging the slugs by dipping in clorox/water mix. blah, what a job...... Have fun with the beautiful babies. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-13-2007, 08:37 PM (23 of 36)
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Patty I love the new block. What do you use to resize them, block base, EQ 6. I'm thinking of buying one or the other. Not quite sure which one I want. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-13-2007, 09:08 PM (24 of 36)
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The blocks I have been making are 6" (6 1/2" unfinished) .....I didn't resize them. It is easy to resize patterns to any size - especially odd unit blocks (say a five patch) into an even block size (say 12") without high math computations. I'll have to draw some pictures explaining how you use a long ruler running from the lower left corner to the outside right edge of block and just marking off the increments. Sounds terribly confusing and here it is the simpliest thing. I had the old block base program and ditched it because my computer didn't take the floppies anymore. :( I do have Brackman's encyclopedia of patterns.....the very first one she did where you bought the chapters on installment and received photocopies of the chapters in the mail. How old is that? I have them in plastic sleeves in two giant binders. I think I would love the new Block Base, but I wonder how much time I would have to devote to designing. I have a habit of doodling on napkins, scraps of papers for border ideas on quilts I'm working on and then just taping and gluing them into my sketch book (since I never seem to have it handy when inspiration hits). The appeal of Youngs' book isn't so much for the patterns but the first person accounts that accompany the blocks....well, at least for me. I am rotary cutting and machine piecing all my blocks...I might get into some paper piecing, but I dont' like it as well. Over the years I think I have developed enough tricks to get the blocks to look okay. On one block I used a Judi Rothermel print....red and white stripe that had "The Battle Hymn to the Republic" written in the white stripe. Although this isn't a true reproduction print of the 1860 time period....I just thought it was neat. Commemorative prints became popular in the 1870's and 1880's. There are several examples of prints used for the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in museum quilts. The Libertyville line of fabric by Moda gives a flare for what the prints were like - but as I said post Civil War. Printed linens of political nature were popular and used in quilts and an example in the new book out by the Winterthur Museum. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 07-14-2007, 01:22 AM (25 of 36)
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Wow Patty am I going to get one of those blocks? They are beautiful!!!!! I sure hope so.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-14-2007, 03:32 PM (26 of 36)
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http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=167439942/PictureID=3526407214/a=51774012_51774012/t_=51774012 I have some signatures I may photocopy and reproduce on my quilt. I won't use the John Quincy Adams signature as in the above picture, but some of women of the time of Civil War Era. The photoreproductions almost look as though the individual picked up the pen and inked them. I do make a label whenever I photoreproduce and indicate it as such on every quilt. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-16-2007, 04:51 PM (27 of 36)
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received my Love Letters from the civil War book today. Can't wait to start reading them. the books look great, just might have to make some of them too. Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: Patty22
Date: 07-16-2007, 06:39 PM (28 of 36)
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Oh Barbara, can't wait to hear what you think about the new book. BTW, is anyone planning on paper piecing their patterns? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-18-2007, 01:30 PM (29 of 36)
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I took my store sample into the LQS and had all my friends crying over the China Doll story. Like a smart *&&, I was thinking to myself last night I can get these last borders on and get the top finished before I go upstairs. I guess there is a reason why I go to bed at 10:30 as I cut the borders too big and I couldn't figure out why they weren't working  Something I would have caught immediately in the morning. I did the China Doll pattern blown up 200% and appliqued on a 18" square ( 18 1/2"). To that I added a 1" (1 1/2") border. Sixteen blocks are around the outside with 1" sashing and 1" square corner pieces. The last border is 2 1/2". My finished top is 41 (41 1/2" square) I didn't get a picture before I took it to the shop, so I will have to get one later. The blocks sew up very quickly and I am thinking of doing another in just browns and pinks rather than the assortment of fabrics from my scrap bag. I'm wondering if we're on hold with six participating, or if some of you can recruite some quilting friends to join us? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Jeke
Date: 07-18-2007, 03:25 PM (30 of 36)
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Okay, Patty, so where is the picture? You show it to your LQS friends and not your swapping friends! What's up with that?
Jay
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User: Jeke
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 232 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-18-2007, 04:04 PM (31 of 36)
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Well Jay, I took it to the shop without getting a picture of it first....and it is there now to hang in the shop. I won't get a picture till next week when I work. I am working on another one with signatures in the blocks and hoping to set them as a strippy quilt (which was a popular setting for blocks during the time period). Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: shaysmema
Date: 07-30-2007, 05:56 PM (32 of 36)
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Just finished my 9th block sure hope more people join in. It is so much fun and once you start you just can't stop. Come on everybody join us !!!!!!! Barbara |
User: shaysmema
Member since: 02-14-2007 Total posts: 52
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From: Jeke
Date: 07-30-2007, 08:47 PM (33 of 36)
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Okay, ladies, I have gone through the Civil War Diary Quilt book very carefully and have narrowed my choices for the swap down to no less than 50. All 121 are wonderful but don't think I am at that level of piecing some of those blocks. Have a couple of other irons in the fire before I can get started making them so gives me a little more time to decide. One of my LQS's has a sample quilt with about half the blocks. It was very fun to look at. Am getting my hot blocks mailed in the next couple of days. Maybe they will take the hot weather away with them. One can only hope. 
Jay
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User: Jeke
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 232 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-31-2007, 02:38 PM (34 of 36)
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Maybe this evening I will be able to post a picture of a quilt top I am almost finished with using one of the Civil War Diary blocks set on point into a strip quilt. Unfortunately, I have spent as much time sewing as I have ripping apart due to my whacked out spatial reasoning. What I once had is gone, or else has been severly thrown out of whack due to the full moon. Anyway...... I hope a few more join the swap. Back to the machine......one row to go before adding the top and bottom border.......... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-31-2007, 06:46 PM (35 of 36)
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http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=167439940/PictureID=3597017401/a=51774012_51774012/t_=51774012 Finally got it done. http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=167439940/PictureID=3597017413/a=51774012_51774012/t_=51774012 Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Bama
Date: 08-07-2007, 05:02 PM (36 of 36)
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Very Nice Patty. Just wondering..... will we keep this swap going with the yahoo group after the SWN boards close? |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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