I've kept a list of preferences so far so I could either post that or send it to you MizMelly.

MizMelly-Just realized you can only attach files with the following file extensions bmp, doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png. That is why you can’t attach an excel file.

Ah, that is why it doesn't work! Well, if folks want the spreadsheet, they can PM me and I'll email it to them on their personal email account. We just won't do it on the quilting board.

Hello Everyone!!!!!

I have made one already. I'll look tomorrow to see if I have it on a thumb drive or if it is on my office PC. I know it is a Word. doc chart. Will check in the AM.

Birthday color preferences. That is an interesting twist to the swap. That does make it more thoughtful. And I suppose it would be optional as well?

As I am cutting from new fabrics, I am making sure to put them in a box marked "New" so that I send the return swappers new squares and not repeat squares.

Hi I hope this is Barb I’m in I hope I’m going to Texas Monday and will be back the Tuesday 27 hope to here from you soon my Birthday is 9-19-52

The suggestion of sending people candies in their color preference is ambitious... It might be prohibitive for people with modest stashes of fabric, or people who don't want to go shopping for more fabric. As it is now, with 50 different fabrics that is quite a big selection of fabrics. If we start making individualized 50-fabric sets per participant-- can you imagine the hundreds of fabrics that would be needed for that?! It would be sweet, but doesn't seem practical.

I feel I started this way back in January with a silly comment. I agree with GIVIO that it may be problematic to "tailor" our envelops to folks wishes. I just finished my sets of 50 and would not want to reorganize my little packages in 30+ different ways. That said, If folks express an "I just love_____. I might swap out a square or two but that is all. I think we need to hear from our fantastic fearless leader with how to keep this fun and not burdensome to any one. Our swap has worked so well for so long, I do not want to jeopardize the fun of giving and receiving all of those wonderful little surprises on our birthdays.

I am sure all of my hometown heard me cheering early this evening. All squares cut. Now, bag them, squish them and put them away!

I need to go cut, bag and squish! LOL

No way I could tailor mine to 37 different people... especially since I themed mine. I do not have that much time, although I am sure my stash could do it.

Looking forward to the new "birthday" year.

Oh my - I am just hopeful that I put in different fabric than last year (and thus is another reason I always add a few extras). Last year we gave our pet preference and since I had some extra cat and dog fabric I could add a fussy cut piece into the envelope. That's about it. I am in awe of everyone as it is!

There are only a few people who expressed a preference for specific colors. And it's not like they are demanding all 50 to be pink or yellow or whatever. I cut a lot of pinks because I have a lot of pinks., but even the packages for WMUTeach and onamtnest have other colors.

I spent a lot of time cutting up scraps, so my packages have everything. I do not sort by color either, it's a wild mix.

I will send everyone a PM with the address. It will be on February 20th...almost here ladies!!!

Hi ladies

Love all the chatter on this thread!

It has been mentioned on the thread about having to "personalize" the envelopes for each swapper for their color they mentioned. That is NOT what we are doing. It is a suggestion of what people like to use. if you have your envelope ready by no means take it apart and redo anything. It is totally up to you on what you are sending. Only rule is 100% cotton and something you would like to put in your own quilt.

This swap is suppose to be fun and a scrap eater!!! Goal: buy no fabric for this swap!!!

Also.....here is what I do all year long.

When I finish a project I cut the left over scrap fabric (anything smaller than a yard) into pieces:
10 x 10
5 x 5
2.5x 5
2.5 x 2.5
It makes it much easier to get my squares ready for any project or swap.

Travelinggramma, I am giggling. If you used a fabric from last year.... I would not know. I love my little squares but I do not keep track of what came from who or is it whom? Any way, for my 2 cents, I would not worry about a possible duplicate fabric from a previous year. Consider yourself blessed to have enough fabric to go another round.

I also cut my scraps. It took a few years to discover the cuts/sizes that I use often. I have about 10 of those plastic shoe boxes labeled and full of my own "precuts". I also save bias binding scraps and l-o-n-g 2.5 by what ever. I use white and white on white often so, I have a box for those long strips also. Just love the wonderful feeling of reaching up to my shelf and finding all I need ready to go for that final row on my current scrappy quilt!

I jumped on the bandwagon when it was first 'suggested' that it might be nice to know if someone had a color preference. Let it be known however, I've been happy with whatever anyone has sent over the years I've participated in this swap. I will be most grateful for the time and effort anyone puts into sending me candies this year. I in no way expected anyone to even remember my preference if I could delete my post about having a couple of preferences I would.

My apologies to any who thought I was bending the guidelines of this swap.

After spending several weeks last summer cutting my scraps into sizes, I finally learned to keep up with them as I make projects so they don't build up on me again. I also now Use them-i never did when they were just thrown into a basket. I have a bin for strings and every size square or strip from 1.5" to 5". 1 odd size I now cut is 2.75" squares. I pair them with 5" squares for flying geese using the 4 at a time method. And a 4 patch made with 2.75" pairs with plain 5" squares. Y'all have any odd sizes you regularly use?

Ladies you all have me smiling, I guess i should not tell you all that I do not have a stash of fabric and I went and bought a lot of FQ's to use for the swap. I live in a very small space and don't have room for a sewing room I use my small table to sew on. I did make sure to buy some yellow and orange so I could mix things up some.

Armylady, welcome to the swap. I’m sure what you bought will be great. And Just think, now you have started on having your own stash/scrapes. LOL.

I bought new fabric for this swap, just b/c I wanted to. And I wanted to make it easier on my self. Plus I did not want to duplicate from the past. I just realized I can do so now. But I won’t. LOL. I just want Bd members to be happy and hopefully like my color choices. As for individual color choices, I may mix in a few more of that color for the individuals. Unlike Most of you, I need to do my final cut tomorrow and place in baggies, etc tomorrow. Or at least get through 3-4 months. I really enjoy this thread and want to see it continue for years to come.

FYI: }If you want a throw idea for using up some of the squares? Check in on Judy’s train ride mystery #18, which just finished this week. It was short and fun. I’m thinking of putting a 9-patch border to enlarge the throw and use up more of my squares. Check it out if you haven’t. The next few weeks members will be posting their tops and give you ideas of how to make one if you like.

My scrapes are disorganized right now. I have laundry bags and boxes full of scrapes that I have save from 30-current years. I’m in the process of organizing them into colors I use most often and into lights and darks. That will be as far as I go for sorting of my scraps. I never know what size will fit in future projects. IMHO: For me scrapes are 1/8 yard or smaller, otherwise I consider it stash.

Well I’ll I hope you all have a great day, take care and happy sewing/quilting

Armylady, you're retired, aren't you? Now you can start to accumulate Stuff without having to worry about weight limits and will you be overweight this PCS.

I remember having to get rid of the sandbox we built for our daughter, because it would have put us overweight. We just squeaked by on that PCS. I think we were 40 pounds under our maximum.

I'm ready to roll ladies!!! Candy cut and packaged and the card finished. I'm glad I've prepared ahead of time. It makes the swap so easy. I even had my hubby get me four sheets of Forever 70¢ stamps before the price went up. I'll use the spread sheet as we go and if I remember I'll add some extra candies in the color preferences.

It's fun reading everyone's cutting/storage methods. My fabric isn't so organized, except for a bin of batiks, 30's, neutrals, candy- of course, 1800's, and cheddar/plum. I use to cut all my scraps to 2.5", 1.5", 1". I've made a 1" mini quilt but have yet to use my 1.5'. I really dreamed of a quilt where I use all three..... I have a bin of scrappy scraps, maybe I'll clean them up and start using them.

I have purchased fqs just for this swap a couple of years. I had a shop that always had a killer fat quarter sale on FatTuesday. This year I'm using a box of fqs I purchased online last year. When they arrived it was a mix of cotton, homespun, and Denim... It appeared the shop got rid of their ugliest prints. Then I started pressing them and found plenty of coordinating sets with Tula Pinks and more. Really lovely sets. I'm pleased with my little candy packets. ;)

I'm still trying to get my 2017/18 candy sew along quilt quilted. Maybe this week, right? I actually feel like I'm in a sewing rut after sewing this together. I have all my Big sewing projects done. Now. What to do......

SheriR...it must feel good to have everything ready and have all your projects done. I keep starting new projects Before finishing the old ones. Not a good idea! :shock:

Ohhhhh I have more than one UFO, just nothing important.

I'm working on my candy packages too. Going through my toss box, where I toss leftover strips and pieces in as I go. Then I sort and cut to standard sizes and put away. This time I am putting them in my birthday packages first, and storing them for myself last (or not at all if I use them up). I've been working on a lot of scrap quilting projects, so I have some brights and crazies as well as muted reproductions....Ya'll should enjoy the variety.

Yes, do check out the Mystery Train #18. It will help you deplete your supply of candies! I joined this mystery on a lark and although not finished like some, it was fast, four sets of directions and the result is a lovely scrappy star quilt. I will finish it for sure and save the directions for a future quilt too.

Happy Monday everyone....just checking in. Have a great week:thumbup:

Thanks for the check in bjsmith57...I would love for everyone to do this once a week ....so I know you are all lurking around. :thumbup:

Yes - Happy Monday! I'm happy to have the day off today! :)

Yesterday I got back to working on my BH On Ringo Lake and I plan to spend a good amount of time with it today.

I had put it aside to complete a couple UFO's. I needed that satisfaction a finished project and now feel like I can get back to On Ringo Lake.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!


Here's a 2018 Finish:

https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...spy-2-2018.jpg

https://pinterest.com/pin/3612028326...ce_app=android. Hope the link works, it looks like a good pattern to use candies.

It worked. Thanks for the link!

If you want to see the clues for Mystery Train #18 and you don't want to search through all of the posts, they are #1 (really just a welcome), #111, #252 and #368. As mentioned a good use for our 2.5 candies/treats or what ever we wish to call these mini charmers.

Hello ladies

Getting things ready to get March addresses out. We have 2 birthday's in March

I need the following ladies PM me the following information. Most of you I already have but I want to put it all in one place. So thanks.:thumbup:

Crazyconnie
Jane Quilter
JENNR8R
JuanitaBeans
kele
Oldcatlady
onaemtnest
Pattyjo
Pinkflowers
Rosemary Attaway
SheriR
trish b
WMUTeach

I want the individual person to send me their information. I know a lot of you probably have these address.:thumbup:

Information I need:
Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
email:
phone number:

Looking forward to getting the March birthday candies sent out! This is going to be a fun year!

Excited to be a part of this swap waiting patiently for the March addresses.