Canadian Swapers
 

Does anyone know of a Canadian swap. I used to love entering these swaps before postageto US became impossible. When I first started quilting fabric was fabric, to me. I really couldn't see a difference in LQS and others, except price. When I started receiving my swaps it soon became clear to me. LOL. We all learn at different rates.LOL. So any experienced quilters please know your knowledge is really appreciated, unknowningly some of you have helped me understand a lot about fabric choices.

I don't know of any Canadian swaps, but I would be very interested as well.

Canadian quilters unite! All the swaps and round robins I have participated in have had me mailing to US or overseas. Boy, you really have to plan well ahead to get a package around the globe!

I would welcome something a little more homegrown and the opportunity to send domestic packages. I suppose if we keep adding our names here, we'll eventually have enough to swap around with.

I would be happy to join a Canadian swap. I am a beginner, and swaps force me to learn.

sounds like you are gathering interest.... just remember :) ... one of you has to volunteer to be the leader. if you feel that you have a large enough group, please contact PatriceJ to go over the ins and outs of posting a swap on the QB.

Hey this sounds like fun!! A homegrown swap!! I would love to participate too!! I have not participated in several just because of the postage costs involved. (But maybe we should allow our fellow QB'rs from other areas, to join too. if they aren't put off by the exorbitant postage to our fair Country.)

Maybe a bunch of Canadian quilters will see this and want to start one up.

(Hockey season is soon) Thank you Canada for inventing hockey!!

I'd be interested too! Feel free to contact me about it, if it happens!
GEMRM

Count me in......looking forward to a Canadian swap!

Count me in too!

Wow, sure seems to be an interest. Hope some volunteers to do this.

True4UCA ... Maybe you could volunteer?
Please be sure to let me know too!
(all dependent on what is being swapped, and when it will happen, as to whether I can commit at the time)


You're welcome!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D
Did you know that Basketball originated here too?

QuiltE,
Sorry , I just wouldn't know how to host this. I just want to take part in one.

[QUOTE=QuiltE;6917184]True4UCA ... Maybe you could volunteer?
Please be sure to let me know too!
(all dependent on what is being swapped, and when it will happen, as to whether I can commit at the time)

Dumb question - but I don't know the answer -

Is the Canadian postal system similar to the USA system?

Yes our system is similar to yours. It is generally cheaper for you to mail to Canada than for us to mail to the USA. Wish we had those boxes ( I forget the name), they are flat rate mailers.

I'm in the Secret Pal Swap and there are swapper/s from Canada in it. Re the postal system - for some reason I can send to most part of US in around a week (best was five days!) or so, but it's around three weeks to Canada. No idea why it takes so long - I'm assuming some sort of Customs delay.

I, too, might be interested in this depending on the item swapped, and timing. Did you have something in mind true4uca?

No, I am unable to host as there is very little me-time for the foreseeable future.

An issue with inviting other countries to join - we get right back into the postage dilemma. Yes, they can send here if they don't mind the postage but one of us then has to send outside of the country.

Our system is similar to the US postal system. It does not seem to be as efficient. And I have found that two weeks seems to be the magic number for parcels in either direction, although lately a week seems to be doing it.

I am not familiar with swaps on this forum. What kinds of things get swapped?
Another Cdn. who might consider it.

Looks like we have quite a few Canadian quilters that may be interested in swapping!! You can count me in that group as well!!!
In my opinion we need to get it started soon or maybe wait till the new year when we tend to have a bit more time!
I would be interested in block swaps, fat quarter swaps, that is what is coming to my head right now! lol
I will have to bookmark this thread and keep an eye!

Count me in to, love to join the Canadian swap........

I dont know of a canadian swap. But I would be interested also

I too am a Canadian and would be happy to participate as well. What kind of swap would we start with? I think maybe something that is easy for the first go round.....just to see how it all works with everyone and our PO system.
Maybe an ugly sway or a fq swap or ?????

I agree ... keep it simple for the first round!!

I don't think I would want an ugly swap ... at any time! :)

Since so many of our Canadian friends to the North may read this post, perhaps someone can help me locate a pattern that appears to have been produced in Canada. The company was called Patchworks Plus and the name of the pattern is Vintage Patchwork. It appears to be a row-by-row pattern. I've tried searching the internet far and wide, but cannot locate the pattern, and evidently the company is out of business. If anyone has the pattern and is willing to sell it to me, please send me a PM. Thanks!!

I'd hate to see this die. Can anyone host this swap. Is there a site on how to host a swap. I'm really intimdated about trying this, it just sounds like it must be so organised (we don't get along).LOL.

Another Canadian here! I'm a new quilter and don't really know what all is entailed in a swap but it sounds like fun - I'm interested!

I don't have a clue on how to host a swap, but I'd be willing to help. I'm not too well versed on computer but I'm trying hard. When one gets to my age a lot of brain cells have been lost. I wonder if a member from the US has experience and can give us a head's up on the procedure. I'm sure that between a few of us we can find a way.

One suggestion for a start on what to swap would be FQ's. Unwashed. FQ can easily be washed by those who prefer to wash fabrics before sewing. I wash all my fabrics when I get them into the house but I know many do not. And, since fabrics can be washed and not unwashed, unwashed seems best to me.

We already know that we must check in with Patrice, so that's a start. I agree, lets not let this die. I'm always open to learning something new.

I'm another who washes all my fabrics before they arrive into my sewing room.

If it is a "theme" swap (eg. all floral fabrics or whatever is decided), that many of us might have fabrics in our stash that might be a better fit for the swap, than something we might find if we go out purposely shopping.

Perhaps the stipulation could be made that if washed, they must be well pressed and trimmed to the full size of a fat quarter (if that's the size we go with).

Plus the fat quarter size would need to be specified ..... Canadian Fat? or American Fat? :D

There you go! I didn't know there was a difference between Canadian FQ and U.S. FQ. Washed pressed and trimmed to size sounds good to me. I have a few FQ bundles on order so either way if fine for me. Thanks for the info.

I think it is awesome that those of you in Canada are reaching out to one another for a lower postage swap. I know I am finding postage in general, for PIFs and such is just getting to be such a strain.
I find myself wondering how we will be able to reach out to one another when postage finally becomes prohibitive.

Anyway, I cheer you on and think it's a wonderful idea!!! You go up there!!!

So far, this is what I have found regarding swaps. Anyone interested may wish to give this a read.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/member-...-a-t20154.html

Still no host coming forward. The more I read the more I realize I really can't do this. But I sure will participate. I just a follower no into leading at all.

I think after reading the rules for swap hosts, it may not be appropriate to have a Canadian only, and exclude some members on this board. I have found that there are strictly Canadian groups on Yahoo that look to be very interesting. You need only to have a Yahoo mail account. Although you must be approved by the moderator. If any Canadian member on this board is interested, here is a link.

https://ca.groups.yahoo.com/neo/sear...ian%20quilters

Sorry! It doesn't look like that one worked, so I'll try this. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...tswappers/info

Quilting Gallery has a mug rug swap that includes partners in Canada. The last two I joined allowed me to meet two new friends in Canada. As for an only folks in Canada I haven't heard of one. I enjoy having partners in other countries. At present I'm in a global swap with six Australians, one New Zealander, a lady in South Africa, a lady in Canada and one in Missouri. As Nan suggested, one of you should take on the responsibility and organize a Canada swap. Have fun.

Lady Dukes,
Did you get an answer from anyone? Do you have a picture of the quilt?

I'm in if a Canadian swap comes together.

I'm also interested in a Canadian swap. Something easy enough for a disorganized aging procrastinator!

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I will cautiously say I'm willing, but I always seem to miss important info on swaps etc. BTW there have been almost 2000 viewers of this post. Might there be 2000 Canadians on this forum?

Hello there from the U.S. I am a newbie host. I am just finishing up my first swap as Hostess. I am here to help out with advice if someone would like to host this for all of their Canadian friends. I can tell you that it may seem very intimidating but if you start with a good plan of action and stay organized it is not that bad for the most part. I was terrified I was going to mess something up but I just got myself organized before I ever sent a PM to the admin about it. I just made a chart on my computer using excel. You can use Office or just draw it out by hand. I had a column for name of participant, addy, number of partners they wanted, mailed to, received from, and next time I will be adding a complete column along with a space for notes. I just filled it the spaces as the info arrived during signups. I also highlighted in the mailed and received section when that person completed that action. Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding to host.

1. Start out and stay organized
2. Stay calm
3. Know that most people here on the board are willing to help if needed and understand you are only one person
4. Be aware that you will run into problems (late mailers, lost packages, etc.)
5. Be willing to devote the time needed to make it a success. This is slightly time consuming depending on the amount of participants. You just need to take your time and pay attention.
6. Keep it interesting, this means once the signups are over and all names are handed out you want to keep everyones interest. Have a few small games planned like ABC game, Name that item, I even did a Word Scramble. Certain games had prizes. Even a question every few days that requires the people to do a little snooping helps.
7. I also kept all my communications in folders that can be created in you inbox page. I kept one participant info, one for PM's I sent out related to the swap, PM's notifying me of people who mailed, one for when people received, adn even one for volunteers to help, be Angels, or to take on extra partners.
8. Did I mention stay calm. After all you are in the swap to have fun. I just took my time and stayed organized and all has gone smooth so far.

With all that said, if you are thinking about trying to host read through some of the other swaps. I suggest the monthly ones. Look at how they are running theirs and the games that may be going on. PM the host of those for any advice they may have. Especially dont forget to have all your plans thought out and written down as you would have them in the signup post to send to Admin for their approval. I can also tell you that if you are new to the Board they may ask that you be here a while before hosting so you get a better sense of how it runs. If anyone is interested in getting this one started let me know. I will be more than happy to give any advice and moral support needed.