well, now .... don't we have us a nice little squabble boiling on this here stove. :shock:

howze about we all calm down, regain our perspective, and put on our Preacher's-Comin'-fer-Sunday-Supper manners.

Look. My dogs smoke. I know ... I know. I tried to get them to kick the habit but they threatened to switch to beer, cigars, and crack so i backed off. naturally, some of the comments - and the tone in which they were offered - ticked me off. but i'm used to it. nowadays ... drunks, junkies, and hookers get more respect and consideration than smokers. i roll with it. :roll:

i think we might turn this conversation back around into something constructive IF

1. we individually resolve to either quietly decline to swap OR to accept graciously and gratefully whatever comes our way.

2. if swapping, don't send anybody anything you wouldn't use yourself.

3. those among us with allergies and asthma could offer some constructive tips about removing dander, odors, etc from the fabrics we plan to swap immediately before packaging them - so they'll arrive in a less dangerous state to our friends at the other end.

4. AND those of us with pets (who may or may not smoke) can automatically do those things to every fabric we pop in the mail - whether or not we know the recipient's state of health - and regardless of how we'd treat the stuff we keep for ourselves.

now ... let's all take a deep breath ... dial 1-800-getoverourselves ... and make nice. don't make me pull over! 8)

I love you Patrice!!!! Sorry you have to deal with us!!!

How about wet noodles at 10 paces :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

I meant no disrespect and will bow out of this conversation.

Sybil

i love all of you, too, beachlady. oodles and buckets and tons. :-)

MSage and Sybil ... kiss and make up.

Ruth! you have noodles that's reach 10 paces? QUICK!!! somebody pass the Alfredo sauce. i finally figured out what i want for dinner! :P

Hey we are all just voicing opinions here. I also suffer from asthma but thank God it's a mild condition handled with an inhaler. Of course 2 cats in the house don't help LOL.

Now for those noodles!!! LOL

I am with Ruth WOOHOO that is the best answer yet. I am always do as I want and what I like and if you don't like you don't have to look or participate.

I understand not getting in for allergies though. That is real tough and can cause serious health risk.

I say we each choice and pick what is best for us and not worry about what the other guy is doing. That way everyone is happy and content.

I am somewhat of a fabric snob as far as what I like in fabrics for myself, (havent had much luck finding civil war fabrics at Walmart!!!) :D
And as far as the swap I am going to be in, I dont really care if the fabric came from Walmart and has been recycled 5 or 6 times!!!! I will just feel honored to be recieving blocks made from different wonderful ladies from all over the world!!!!! The final quilt made with these blocks will be a treasure to me and will be treated like an heirloom so wont see much actual use.

you are a collector. having a personal preference - especially when we're talking about a category - doesn't make you a snob.

you have a personal preference, but would never sneer at somebody who uses something else. you would graciously accept whatever came your way.

you are not a snob. :wink:

Very well said, Patrice :D

I participate in a few swaps each year, and like most I treasure what I receive. I don't worry about what I send, because of my other 'hobby' - bargain hunting at quilt shops! I get more fun out of my bargain hunting than should be legal in most places :wink:

I can see where it would be possible to assume that I spend tons of money on high dollar quilt shop fabric, but nothing could be further from the truth. I think it is genetically impossible for me to pay full price for anything. Today I had convinced myself that I'd have to pay full price for more background fabric for my current project - only to find it half price at the after-Christmas sale :shock: I admit, after I felt my first piece of Red Rooster, I was hooked on good fabric. Everything I touch, I unconsciously compare to it. It doesn't matter where I'm at - quilt shop, Joann's, Hancocks - if it doesn't feel that nice, I just can't bring myself to buy it - not because of what anyone may think of me, but because of how I feel when I'm sewing with it. That's the feeling I want to pass on to my quilting sisters!