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Have we done a surprise exchange here yet?
solveg   Beginner MN USA Member since 2/16/12 Posts: 366	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/12 2:39 PM The women on my cycling list once did a cool thing where we made a bow and sent it from one person to another. That person had it for a period of time and usually went on a bike trip, sharing photos with the rest of us on where the bow went and what it did. The bow traveled the world. We also developed the habit of putting a "surprise" in the package. Something regional or from the bike trip...I put minnesota stuff in mine, like wild rice and stuff like that. I thought this could translate to this website pretty well! Wouldn't it be cool if we grabbed a length of fabric we pretty much knew we wouldn't use and sent it to the next person on the list. They would have to sew it up and show us a photo. Now, this could go in two directions.... we could have this be a sweet contest, where we actually sent usable fabric, or we could have a funny contest, where we picked the oddest, ugliest, homliest fabric in our stash. It would be more like a fabric challenge then. Anyway, what do you think?
poorpigling Advanced TX USA Member since 12/28/07 Posts: 10223	Login to reply to this post In reply to solveg << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 4:05 PM I am going to be honest with you here. .Perhaps there may be some that would love to do this. but a few months ago it was suggested and no one was a bit interested.. except poor Valerie.. We talked about this in chat a bunch.. as she often joined us there. I just think that during that time frame.. and maybe still. people were so busy.. and already under the strain of a lot of commitments, many have a struggle just to find quality time to sew.. So...the idea was dropped. I might add however.. there are lots of us who do send out all sorts of stuff. I know I do.. and I have received a lot of items too.. But these are freebies. and have never charged or been charged shipping either.. I often contact members if I have something in particular I no longer want and think that they may. I am the slowest shipper in the west too.. which explains why I never sell. I just give it away.. As long as they aren't paying they dont mind the wait.. .. I just didn't want you to get too excited or get your hopes up.. as I know Valerie was somewhat disappointed.. Who knows.. maybe some members may not be ready and willing to do this..
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8383	Login to reply to this post In reply to solveg << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 4:13 PM I also wanted to do something like this, and I think it has to go through Deepika if it's going to be done here. Having someone to moderate it is a PIA, and I don't think she wanted the hassle of PR being associated with people not following through and all that. At least I'm hoping I remember all that correctly! ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Juki TL2010 Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
solveg   Beginner MN USA Member since 2/16/12 Posts: 366	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/12 5:16 PM Oh, my expectations aren't raised, don't worry. I'm just an ex-social worker who worked with kids, so I have a lot of "let's have a play in the barn" ideas. If they take off, they take off! If not, it's all good. I kinda suspected the idea may have occurred before....
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7110	Login to reply to this post In reply to solveg << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 6:25 PM I believe we did something like this a while back; many years ago, and it was problematic. People didn't send their fabric, others didn't receive it, although it was sent, and with others, "life got in the way". The idea sounds very fun, though I don't know how you're going to deal with followup. I used to teach "disadvantaged" adults (drugs, drug rehab, etc.) and I too had to keep their minds active with activities (love the reference to "a play in the barn" ) ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
solveg   Beginner MN USA Member since 2/16/12 Posts: 366	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 7:02 PM Yes, I worked with the same kind of kids. I miss it! How the cycling forum did it was... well... loose. You kind of expect this kind of thing to peter out, and when it does, you just skip over the person and pretend it didn't happen. It takes a certain amount of non-control. Just a fun thing and if you end up giving away fabric but not getting any...well...ya didn't want it anyway, so you were just out the postage. I think we had one person in charge of a list. If you wanted to play, you were added to the bottom of the list. We all had the bow for a month each. I think we could slow the process down and make it less a big deal if we didn't expect people to run to the post office real quick. But that's cool if it's already run up the flagpole and burst into flames....
BJ1400 Intermediate WV USA Member since 10/29/03 Posts: 2382	Login to reply to this post In reply to solveg << Like this post Date: 8/9/12 3:55 PM Quote: solveg How the cycling forum did it was... well... loose. You kind of expect this kind of thing to peter out, and when it does, you just skip over the person and pretend it didn't happen. It takes a certain amount of non-control. Just a fun thing and if you end up giving away fabric but not getting any...well...ya didn't want it anyway, so you were just out the postage. I think something like this could be fun. It could be either a trade or donation. It wouldn't have to be a strict thing. If you had a fabric you wanted to give away, you post a picture of it & someone speaks for it. Then you mail it. Or 2 people could trade fabrics, if they wanted to. The only "rule" is don't take more than you give. There could just be an on-going thread where everyone posts their donations. Maybe there could be a separate thread for notions & patterns. Would this work?? ------ Beverly. Sewing Makes Me Happy http://bjsewmuchmore.blogspot.com
Sharon1952   Advanced MA USA Member since 7/1/08 Posts: 2666 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to BJ1400 << 1 member likes this. Date: 8/9/12 4:12 PM I would pass this by Deepika first. She usually prefers to keep any giving away of free items in the classified section and not on a thread. It becomes an issue when people post their email addresses, or don't follow through and others get upset. I think this could easily be accomplished by having a thread where those who are interested post such. Then whoever is in charge can pick a day and time to show up in the chat room and discuss who has what and who wants it. For safety- just use PMs to pass any snail mail or email addresses. ------ Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 9003	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/12 5:37 PM Even when we tried to do the first PR Quilt - people sent blocks to one person who had volunteered to take care of the blocks, then something happened - I have no idea what and our blocks were lost. Not doing that again. Most of us haven't the time nor the inclination for this kind of thing, and in the "old days" local guilds or groups would do this, and some still do - at least you can get your hands on the ladies who should be coughing up that way! ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines

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