Boomerang Friendship Swap 6.0Mailing deadline to mail all blocks home to their owners is February 1, 2012

Hello and welcome to the Boomerang Friendship Swap. This swap is about a great opportunity to get a large number of blocks from all over the world made by our online quilting friends. This is open to swappers no matter where they live, so come on and join us international folks :)

How it works:
1) You will select a fabric or selection of fabrics from your stash (or you can buy new-up to you) and cut them in to Fat Eighths (18 x 11).
2) You will send each member in the swap one F8 to work with. The person who receives the fabric will make you a block with your fabric in it.
3) You may advise the person of colors you would prefer they use or not use but please do not request specific blocks. This is meant to be a “friendship” swap where your friends pick, design and create a beautiful 12.5” unfinished block for you based on the fabric you send them.
4) In turn you will receive an F8 from each member in the swap and have to make them a block.

Rules/Guidelines:
(please make sure to also refer to the basic policies that apply to all swaps announced through the board: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20154-1.htm )
1) Please make sure all fabric is prewashed prior to making the block and sending it home.
2) When sending your fabric please make sure it is in some kind of sealed item (Ziploc baggy, saran wrap) with a piece of paper or even a peel-off label with your name, address and quilt board name so that the items are protected and won’t get mixed up. Please do this when returning blocks as well. (This way if for some unhuman reason the PO mangles a package the plastic has a chance at saving the work and with an address visible it just might make it home)
3) Please mail your F8 within three weeks of receiving the address list. This helps ensure we all have ample time to work on everyone's blocks.
4) Please handle all fabric received with the utmost care and place it somewhere where it won’t be lost or forgotten about.
5) In order to help keep track of the blocks sent and received I will be emailing out a chart to all members who participate so that you may fill it in as we go.
6) All blocks should be 12.5” unfinished. They can be regular pieced, paper-pieced, appliquéd-whatever the quilter decides to do. It is up to each individual. Again the feeling is to get a true friendship quilt out of this. Please remember to measure two, three times and cut once and do your very best to make sure the finished block you are sending home is 12.5"
7). Please remember to trim your threads, cut your dog ears...in essence remove any excess work from the back of your block that the receiver should not have to worry about. We do not want to have any extra bulk in these blocks that are not needed (harder to quilt them :-) )
8) You may sign the back of the block if you wish to or perhaps pin a small muslin square with your name, where you live and what the name of the block is.
9) Please measure your block before mailing it. We all started somewhere but it is nice to be able to get all the blocks back measuring the same size so the quilt can go together nicely.
10) Please make a block that you yourself would be happy and proud to call your own.
11) This is a one block per swapper swap. You will have to make 35 blocks per large group (36 swappers in each group) or 15 blocks per small group (16 swappers in each group) (If you wish to do two groups please be aware this means you will have to mail 70 F8s and make 70 blocks or any combination of the possible group size). Please be aware of this before you commit yourself if you do not think you would be comfortable making 35 blocks in 4 months. (70 for 2 groups)
12) Please be courteous to our swappers and post when you receive either someone's fabric or a completed block. This helps us to know the postal gremlins are not at work lol If for some reason you cannot get on the board to post please let me know and I will let the members know. We appreciate interaction with all of our swappers.
13) Have FUN!!! This swap will let you explore your creativity as you do not have to make the same block for everyone. You can try that block you always wanted to. Try new fabrics, new colors...step outside of your comfort zone in to a different box

PLEASE DO NOT SEND FABRICS/BLOCKS WITH PERFUME OR OVERWHELMING FRAGRANCES ON THEM DUE TO ALLERGIES. THERE MAY BE MEMBERS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE SEVERE ALLERGIES TO CERTAIN THINGS SO PLEASE TRY YOUR BEST TO NOT SEND ANYTHING THAT COULD CAUSE AN ATTACK

Also please remember when posting on the board to use members board names or just first names and not their full names. This is a courtesy to our members as the information here can be seen publicly and we do not want anyone to have that private info.

Please, NO public complaints or criticisms of other swappers, items received, or other type for any reason. ALL complaints must be addressed by Private Message (pm) to me. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE!!!!!

Just one more friendly reminder-please make sure your packages have proper postage on them-if you are unsure either take them to the PO or throw another stamp on. We do not want anyone to have to incur any extra expense during this fun time. Also be aware postage could run high on this swap so if you think that may be an issue you may not like this swap.

I think you will find yourself enjoying the blocks because you can work at your pace as they come in as long as they are all out by the established deadline once the swap is closed.

As always please feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns-I am always happy to help.
If you check these five threads you will see some of the awesome work that has been done in the past:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-32780-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-41063-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-57109-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-88100-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-88099-1.htm


Hugs
April


Members in this group:

babeyruth
brenda21
dconroy84
deltadawn
dungeonquilter
hoppyfrog
jillnjo
Kathy N
marytoddliz
oma7
Quilt Mom
quiltin'gran
Roseysue
sewhappy30
troy26
yayaquilts

Thank you, April!! I am stumbling around trying to figure out the computer(because I'm not real smart on the computer) and what I can do with the spread sheets. Do I print them off or do I keep my records right on the computer? And how to make labels competely confuses me. But, I have a grandaughter that can help me!
I plan to send my blocks out in a couple days and am excited to get started making blocks for my swap!!

Usually I print mine out and use it and I keep one on the computer lol You can definitely print it out and use it that way :)
I usually send a label doc but for some reason it doesn't always work for people...still perfecting that technique :)
Hugs
April

How long does mail take to make it overseas? Or Canada? Maybe it's a good idea to make them as soon as we can.

Generally it takes about 7-10 days overseas and 5-8 to Canada (or at least that has been my experience)
Hugs
April

Hi everyone, I am really looking forward to this swap - first boom for me . Will be cutting the f8ths tomorrow and mailing them next week .

My first boom, too! I am looking forward to it. I hope I chose fabrics in a way that will work well for everyone.

Another question-I posted pictures of my fabrics to send out on the original boom 6 thread. Should it be posted here again or will that thread stay active?

Yeah!! Hello everyone, I'm so excited to be in this group, this is my first boomerang,I have my fabric ready to mail but it will probably be Monday before I get it out. This is going to be so much fun.

What is your fabric like and what are you planning for the blocks you get back?

THis is my first Boom swap too! I am cutting my fabric today and tomorrow and hope to get them in the mail tomorrow or Sat. I was going to use only one fabric for my F8's, but I didn't have enough in my stash, so decided on two. What's everyone else doing, one fabric or several?? Looking forward to getting everyone's F8's soon.
karen

I sent 4, but I'm thinking one might be easier to work with myself. Oh, I will find out as time goes on!

Hi, I am so glad to be part of this group, my envelopes are ready to go in the morning mail. I will add addresses tonight.

Can't wait to get the fabric and start making blocks for real, I have been doing a few practice blocks to see if I can manage some of the harder patterns. this is going to be so fun!

My fabric has shades of purple,orange, pink and white and if you look real close it has a little bit of sparkle mixed in around the small flowers. Wish I could post pictures but I have dial up and it takes way to long for 1 picture.
This quilt will be for me just to snuggle up with when I'm watching tv or something.

Well I couldn't stand it no longer, so I addressed all my envelopes and they will go out in the mail tomorrow. Have fun with my fabric, can't wait to see what you all send me to work with. I'm so excited!! I can't stop saying that. LOL

I just wrote an info letter about me to include with my fabric. Would love to get some info about everyone else in the swap !!

They are ready to leave in the morning! Karen, I also wrote a note to tell a little about myself too. I posted pictures of the fabrics I am sending out on the other thread, i will have to bring them over here maybe tomorrow in the afternoon.

I am now heading to bed, I finished cutting and folding fabric for the other group! over the next 4 months I will make 50 blocks! This is going to be fun learning new blocks, and getting to know new friends!

Hi,

Looking forward to this swap...

Mine will go out next week...finally picked out the fabric from my stash tonight...now to wash, iron, pack, address, and mail...

suzanne aka quiltin'gran

Here's the fabric I have chosen to send out to everyone in this group .

deltadawn I love your fabric, that gives us a lot of color choices. BEAUTIFUL!

I also included a note about myself as well. Mine goes out today.

Where is everyone else in our group? I hope they have found this thread to post in.

FYI...I love to do applique and paper piecing, so if anyone would prefer not to have a block made with either one please let me know. I have zillions of block patterns traditional piecing block patterns as well. Not sure until I get your fabric what block I will be making but just in case. I have to say this again..I'm so excited!! LOL

I love applique and PP!!


Delta what beautiful fabric and it looks so fun to work with.

I am posting my fabric here on this thread. It is also on pg.10 of the original thread. At least some of my envelopes will be sent today (or tomorrow at the latest). I need to get to the PO to see how much postage they will take. I'm excited :!: -I have lots of new blocks I can choose from to make your block!

I absolutely love these fabric choices!!
Lindsay do you know the maker of your fabric? Izabella and I love brights and butterflies (which I think you already know lol) and have a huge collection of both. Would love to find some.
Hugs
April

Hi April ,

The fabric is Kona Bay - design is called rain . Send me a pm with your addy and I'll send some on .xx

WOW!! You will be busy making fun blacks-50!! I'm busy these days, with granbabies, and getting back in the swing of things, so opted for one small group this time around. Hopefully things will be less hectic for the next Boomerang Swap for me to do more than one group!

Love the fabric you chose--do you care which colors we pick to go with it??

Here's the fabrics I chose for the swap: for a playful beachy theme:
Suggested colors to use with the fabrics are: 2 shades of lime green, yellow, 2 shades of lavender and a pink

Wow! Fun fabrics posted - I am excited to be part of this swap.

I am almost ready to mail things out, probably Monday as I do not yet have a letter to go with the fabric.

Now to check the spreadsheet for the destination of all these squishies!! :D

Just in case anyone needs help with labels try this:
Open and save the excel spreadsheet in your documents. Open up word, click on mailings, start mail merge and then choose the step by step wizard. From the right choose labels, then next, then choose label options from right, the box that pops up 5160 is generally the 3 rows 10 per row address label format, then next to select recipients, browse and choose the excel spreadsheet, click next arrange labels click address block, match fields in the lower right, first name should be swapper name, last name & suffix not matched, company (this is optional) you can put their boardname here or not matched, address 1 will be street name, address 2 not matched, city will be city, state & zip, state & postal code will be not matched and country or region will be country. Once you select these fields click okand then ok again and then update all labels on the right hand side. Then click on next preview your labels then next complete the merge and then print on the right. You should be good to go. I would recommend not putting their board name on the labels as this may make them too large.
Hugs
April

Just go with whatever colours are in the print - I really don't mind , but have sent a note with the fabrics that I would prefer no patterns as it is so busy !

Mine were all sent today! Only one 44c stamp to the USA and a single stamp overseas and to Canada. I ironed the envelopes to get it as flat as possible, so now to wait for my f8ths to start to arrive!

I mailed most of my F8s today. I have to find out the postage for the other countries and then the rest will go
Out ASAP.

This is such fun. Mine are Christmas, so you all can look forward to the holidays and start singing!
Sue

I mailed all mine out today, postage was $8.04 for all 15. I wrapped my fabric in saran wrap and put it in a #10 envelope along with my letter and it only took .44 to USA, .85 to Canada and .98 to Australia and England.

Thanks for postage info.

I spent the day sight seeing with family! It was fun, we took the ski life up to the top of Mt Baldy, and had lunch and went on a short hike.

The weather was perfect for it. I hate being dragged from my sewing room, but once I am out in the beautiful clean mtn air It was fun.

Tomorrow I mail, everything is ready to go we just go back into town to late tonight to go to post office!

Happy sewing <3

Mary; a fun day! I've never been to CA, but have friends and relatives near Modesto. Your fabrics are going to be fun to work with-it looks like a lot of brights are going to be sent out on the swap. I can hardly wait to get started.

Mary, Love your fabric. I have the day off work Tuesday I hope I have a f8 by then to start on, I know a few mailed yesterday, so I just might have 1 or 2 by Tuesday.

marytoddliz: Had to quote you.....We must be true kindred spirits as that is my sentiment EXACTLY!!!

Mailing my fabric today fellow boomerangs!!!

Love the fabrics...they all look like fun!!