One thing that helped in the Birthday (candy) swap was that you had to have a referral from another member or a swap coordinator before you could join. Might want to think about something like that for this swap. We have way too many people signing up and not following through or communicating.

True but lots of people sewbizgirl don't know other quilters yet. and Lots of newbies are good swappers. Everyone here started somewhere right? we didn't come in with 1000 emails or feedback. You have to start somewhere and I think I cant disqualify anyone because they are new and don't have friends yet. Its never that simple it seems sigh... good idea but hard to put in place.

guess I will have to stick with faith. faith they will follow through on commitments. worst case your out a mug rug. its only a mug rug. If I was doing a swap with say table runners.. that is a good idea. people put lots of time and energy into something bigger deserve a good swap. I did do a quilt exchange last year.. it was very sad in the end because I mailed a lovely Christmas quilt to my partner who was a high scoring member here. then.. nothing. I didn't get a quilt back. I didn't get a note. She disappeared. Moved. Her house address was no longer good no forwarding address. She was younger too had teen children and young adult kids. gone. so you cant guarantee anything. did it stop me from swapping? no it did not. I cant hold a swap leader responsible to oh just run out and get me a back up quilt like they have three or four waiting in their room to send asap. plus 20.00 to send it to me. I hope you see what I am saying. People have things happen to them. Good people disappear. And bad people come on and say they want to swap and for whatever reason they disappear too. We have no control is what I am saying. You play knowing its a risk. and its ok with you. If its not ok with you well I am going to suggest perhaps you skip swapping. No matter what swap your in no matter how many security things we do to protect you.. it happens at times. It wont happen everytime. You just have to expect it and go with it. I am sorry. I truly am. I wish it was all people sent at all times. That is why I ask for angels. if everyone of you said once a year I am free this month to make another or I have another made already to help you out.. that would be awesome. It would take the burden off of people who help out all the time. just a thought ladies just a thought.

True, Brat... I do like your idea of not sending until you communicate with your partner and try to send around the same time. That personal contact can only help.

Sorry about the quilt swap. Hope your quilt was returned to you. Sometimes people have serious turmoil in their lives, such as domestic abuse or substance addictions, or serious illness. They may use quilting and the QB as an outlet but we just never know what may have come up in their lives that they had to disappear. I guess we can just be thankful that is not how our life is and let go of a minor swap we didn't get.

I don't mind, I just hope she got it and liked it. I'm not worried about getting anything back. I always forget i'm to get something anyway. I'm in shock when I get pkg at my door from someone and say, "I wonder what this could be", and I get a gift. it's a shocker to me for sure. lets hope our friends don't have to"disappear" for sure.