Boomerang 8.0 RUBIES Group
 

Boomerang Friendship Swap 8.0 RUBIES Group

Boomerang Friendship Swap 8 Rubies group. Mailing deadline for all blocks to be home is January 1, 2013 to allow some time with the holidays.

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) or (9x22) We prefer the 18 x 11 for this swap as it gives a bigger cutting area for certain blocks but either measurement will work.
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: RULES FOR SWAPS AND SIMILAR ACTIVITIES - Updated 8 December 2010 )
1) Please make sure all fabric is prewashed prior to making the block and sending it home. You do not have to wash the fabric you receive.
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 do not request specific blocks as the idea is to let everyone, of every level join in and try new things and grow.
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. So measure, measure and when you think it is right, measure once more
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. You can do a weekly update as well if that works better for you.
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.
Hugs
April


Members in the RUBIES Group

Anastasia
buddy'smom
CharlotteMarie
ctmhjenn
DogHouseMom
Elisabrat
immemother
jaba
Jacquie
LovingIzabella
moonwork42029
nygal
Ok Darla
Phannie1
savannahrandons
travelinggramma

YAY! I'm A Rupie :)

April, Thanks again for all you hard Work. I know it is a lot to get to this point of new groups. Just know you are appreciated and Loved.

Let the SWAP begin.... I am a Rubie Rupie tootie!

Hi Boomers :)

I'm in the diamond group. I thought I would be swapping out 50 blocks but only doing 35 so if any of you want to do an additional swap just pm me and give me your address if we didn't swap last time and don't have each other's addresses. Looking forward to seeing all your blocks! :)

I'm a Ruby :) Perfect ... my fabric is cream/brown tones with a hint of RUBY!!

Will get it cut and packaged for mailing Monday.

Can't wait to begin, this is my first Boom!

Penny,
I know you had offered to fill in a small group if needed but we ended up just right. Sorry about that but please feel free to swap with the girls on the side :)
I am excited to be swapping with you all. My peacock fabric is packaged just have to label, stamp and send :)
Thank you for the kind words Phannie-I love these swaps and the friends I make through them.
Who will get the first F8??? Hmmmm probably me and buddy'smom since I will see her tomorrow lol
Hugs
April

Watch your mail boxes :)

I am a Rubie too!! My fabrics are various Asian themed ones. I think red would really look well with each of the fq's that I am sending.

Getting mine ready, they'll be in the mail on Monday. Sent you a PM oldcatlady, would love to swap again with you.

Same here jaba :) Thanks!

Okay ladies, all the rubies are addressed and ready to go. I already had the envelopes sealed so will have to send your candy bar on the return trip, I got your fav's written by your name. Elisabrat, damn potato won't fit in a small flat rate, sorry I'm not falling for the med. rate box. Send me your fav candy though and it'll be sent.
I think I included a note in each 1, but if I missed, please note by my name...only preference is no red. Thanks. Looking forward to getting your beautimous fabric!!!!:thumbup:

Ok.. since as I mentioned before I have tiny little scraps for all my fabric.. I have 8 different fabrics.. various blues and one set of purple. Tried to have 2 of each but one I had 1 of and one I had 3 of..

WHY do I do these things to myself .... I went shopping and the autopilot on my car parked in front of the LQS. I *had* to go in. Found two gorgeous fabrics and they came home with me. Debating whether I want to keep them for my stash or use them for the boom ... will have to decide soon.

But the bigger problem was on my way out the owner stopped me just as I was passing the Janome 12000 and we started chatting about it. He knows I have the 6600 and wouldn't part with it for the world. He whispered to me .... "l'll sell it to you for the trade-in price of $8,000 and you can keep the 6600 instead of trading it in!!".

ACH!!! How do I tell my husband that I NEED $8000 for yet ANOTHER sewing machine when he's trying to save a few $$ to buy himself a "toy" (a BMW). He never buys himself toys!

I think I'm going to have to pass on the deal of a century :(

ok, i'm a 'ruby'
i will hold on writing my envelopes until i hear of any amendments to any addresses...

april, you've done an amazing job!!! looking after all of us ladies...
dont worry!
xxx

by the way, do we have an updated address for 'travelinggramma'???
seeming her address is wrong?

I was just ironing my fabric (decided I'll stick with the original plan) and I noticed two things. 1) the selvege is extra wide and 2) it's only 42" (with 41" "usable) across - not 44".

So I'm going to cut my pieces 9 3/4" X 20.5" to get roughly the same total square inches.

Also, I'm going to dry press the fabric, I'm not going to starch it. Not sure if everyone wants/uses starch coupled with the fact that I use a scented starch (Maryellen's) and want to avoid scents on the fabric.

Hope this is all OK with everyone.

Sue that will be fine.
I just want to say again I am sorry for the errors this time around. Those who have swapped with me in the past know I usually try to make sure everything is 100% before lists go out so I have no idea what went wrong this time around. Hope it was not too much trouble for anyone.
My fabrics will go out on Monday..I am debating if I want to go over to the ER or go to my mom's and spend the night there. My IH is acting up real bad and hubby is not home :(
Hugs
April

Hi Boomers,
I am in the Diamond Group and would love to swap with some more people. So if any of you want to do an additional swap just pm me and give me your address. Happy swapping and sewing ladies. Wooohoooo

April...Stop stressing over such little things! All is good and we all love and appreciate all of your hard work...now go to your Mom's and de-stress! We'll be here when you get back...promise!

April, you have been working on this for hours, enough is enough. You get some rest and forget about us. We can all talk to you when you feel better. Love and hugs!

Got the fabric cut, ironed & wrapped (thanks Dad for doing the ironing and wrapping :)).

Got the labels made and all the envelopes are ready to go (once Dad seals them). I even got a note inside already.

Are there address changes to make?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]356471[/ATTACH]

These will go out Monday :) Yipee

Thank you for the support ladies. Guess I stress too much sometimes. Moon the only fix I am aware if is traveling gramma which I emailed.
I'm at moms destressing with a nice cup of tea, Meds and my mom :)
Hugs
April

Penny
I will do a block with you if you wish. Just let me know.
Hugs
April

April ... Chill hun. Stuff happens, and this barely registers on the Oops scale.

Yea! I would love to swap a block with you! I already have your address. That makes 8 extra swaps:)

April, don't think another minute about the few booboos. Man, if I was trying to do that at any time let alone midnight, it would be a royal mess :) You're the reason things run so smoothly :)

Ok.. so I have my super cute foodsaver-ed baggies of 8 types of fabric stuffed into "Social Envelopes".. which they fit perfectly in, nice and skinny, and fall under the sizing/thickness guidelines for normal letter postage.. yippee.. put in a note, a return label, and sealed it all up. But i probably won't mail til wednesday when I get another check cause I'm down to $10... hehehe. Even got one going to Nexxus.

I FOUND YOU I had just posted it was like the DAY AFTER movie deathly silent in the old post.. funny here you were hiding in plain site. How I often lose things.. put them in front of me and wham GONE. I am doing fifty this round so I think I will stick with that for now but hope you both find someone who will take you up on it. Having not done fifty like this before I better not bite off more.
CANDY uh ok. I hope it cools down. WAIT jelly bellies dont melt! yipppeee sure was looking forward to that 20 lb potato though, not quit the same. I would love to see a pic of a little kid fork/knife in hand sitting behind that thing just the eyes peaking over the top.. go snag a neighbors kid and snap that photo. You will get rich.

and I will ask again here, was it you April who was looking for the veil fabric? I get a tad confussed at times and cant figure out if it was you or Krystyna on another blog. I had some fabric I 'found' today when sorting. Not that stuff but cool never the less..
last: do you make your own blocks now or at the end?

I absolutely love your ladybugs, I have some I am getting ready to quilt as you go. I drew a pattern or two of them and put them on my website and blogs.

Elizabrat it is Krystyna looking for the veil fabric. Couldn't send that big ole' potato but you're going to be surprised. Nexxus831 I'll swap with you, I have different fabric for this one so will get you an envelope and put it in the mail with the rest tomorrow. I already have your addr. and you have mine but will PM you

Sorry people about my addy - but I am up and ready to go. Spent the last two days washing and folding all my material (I made an enormous purchase from Connectingthreads when they had their solid and mirages on sale) so I will be able to pick colors to match.
I LOVE the ladybug!!! And can't wait to get to know you all!

Mine are ready to be mailed on Monday !! How long is the turnaround for Scotland and Australia?

TravelingGramma ...

I've mailed scraps to a board member in Australia and it took about 14 days for it to get to her. I mail to the UK all the time (London) and that takes about 10 days to London and probably 5-6 days from London to the US.

I've got all the envelopes stuffed and ready to go. Will bring them to work tomorrow for mailing.

I used regular #10 (letter) size envelopes. I wrapped the fabric in plastic (cut pieces of plastic grocery bags), then inserted the package of fabric inside the letter I wrote to each of you with my preferences. I also adhered a label to each piece of fabric with my name, screen name, and Boomerang 8 Ruby group.

I didn't like the zip lock bags, they were too bulky with the zipper part and the only size bags I have are gallon size. Cutting the plastic grocery bags was a great way to recycle those and protect the fabric.

Mine are all bagged and ready to go. I am using sturdier envelopes for the ones to Scotland and Australia.

April, I will say a prayer for you that your feeling better and on the go again. I am so sorry to hear your down. sending you a virtual quiet hug, close your eyes girly and just give yourself the gift of peace. We will drive you nuts soon enough. Any and all complaints can come this way glad to share if there are some. I forget so much these last couple months I doubt I would remember to worry about it. ITS ALL LITTLE STUFF KIDDOS.

I was thinking on that new 8k machine and then the new bmw... wowsa. I will hope you both get the things you are wishing for. Wishes are wonderful things aren't they? almost as good and often so much better than reality... unless it comes to quilting then well those wishes should win right?

Your peach colored Fruit Coctail fabric is coming at you in Mondays mail. Do you guys make your own block too or only if need be? tomorrow I am making mine. Are we supposed to post the blocks we make or how do we do this? put them in a folder for others to view? how to do this.. inquiring minds. I am excited to see the different ideas that come out of everyones fabrics.. it will be so cool to watch the rainbow of ideas and colors.

oh yeah, if you like I can give you a virtual scalp massage or ankle rub with your favorite lotion April. When I was sick the docs all said wow you have such pretty toe nail polish. I had to laugh, my sis and my little girl would daily redo them as they were one upping each other.. egad barbie doll pink, candy apple red, for a dying woman moons in the hospital I sure had lovely .. TOES. Want your nails done? know some experts lol..(I never paint them in the real world too much darned work)

Yep, block swaps usually take around 2 weeks to get here and 2-3 weeks to get back to America, Canada usually 3-4 weeks to get back (whats with that??) and the UK generally 1-2 weeks.

Generally -- from past experiences

Fat 8ths -- please make a note on this thread when you receive a F8 from someone. This way the sender can check off (if so desired) to be sure everyone received their squishie. After about a month, please post a listing of the f8s you have NOT received yet and check with the member to see if one has been mailed. If they mailed it but you haven't received it ( given ample mail time ) it would be up to the 2 of you to work out alternative plans -- mail another F8 if possible or whatever you agree to do.

Blocks you receive -- Please post a note on this thread to let us know you have received a block and who it was from.

I love when you post pictures the blocks you receive so we all can see the pretties. This can help get the creative juices flowing and sometimes helps up decide what to make with similar fabric.

Blocks you mail -- When you mail a block out, please post a note on this thread who you are mailing it out to and when you mailed it. This helps the receiver watch their mail even closer. I'd suggest taking a picture of all the blocks you mail out so if there is any confusion later on (and there will be :) ) about who sent a block, you can post a picture of it.

As much as the anticipation kills us, I'd rather wait for the receiver to post the picture so they get first crack at seeing their block. If the receiver is unable to post pictures, then they can kindly ask the sender to post a picture if possibl

For me, I create another thread and post pictures of the blocks I am sending out so the receiver can get a sneak preview of it if they so wish. The link to the new thread will appear in my signature line of each post so it's easy to find.

The worksheet April sent out is wonderful to help track your exchange progress -- use it faithfully and your exchange will be a pleasant experience. I add in a couple more columns (my choice) and put in little thumbnail photos of the blocks I receive and send out so I have them at a glance. I also put in a photo of the f8 when I get it. It's your worksheet so adapt it as you so desire.

When the squishies come in, I date the envelope, open it up carefully, make a note of what the fabric looks like on the envelope and then I actually take a picture of the fabric so I know what was sent (in case it gets separated from the envelope).

I put each envelope, fabric and any notes into a large ziplock baggie. I keep them in a box in the order they were received and that's the order I work on them. I only take out 1 baggie at a time to match up fabric and pattern. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get the wrong fabric back to the wrong baggie otherwise if you have several f8s laying out.

I record my progress in the worksheet each time I have f8s in, blocks in and blocks mailed. I don't try to "remember" to do it later.

These are some of my hints...hope they help and can't wait to get started.

Moonwork ... Thanks for the tips, this is my first boom so I really do appreciate it.

BTW, love the bug fabric.

I am Sooo hyped to be doing this swap!!!!!!

where is the freaking "like" button for that post.. Thanks a bunch for the tips.

Wonderful tips, thank you for sharing them. anastasia, should be easy to remember.. they are on page one! yippee! i get in trouble when its more than one page remembering but page one.. phew!
btw hear you on the postage timing of the month been there done that too. the cut off date for mailing out is Sept 1st which should allow everyone to mail what they can when they can. the mailing back as we go is much easier I think as its not all at once. Well off to jump, ok crawl into bed. Meds then sleep. Wow I get to sleep in past 4:30.. like Christmas. Shoot I can't repeat enough (yes I can) how much I love my Mondays. I wont even be tired all day long.. wowsa.

Good Morning all,
My F8s will be out in tomorrow's mail but I already have a completed block from Buddy'smom :) I will take a picture of it this evening and get it posted.
Thank you for the hugs they ALWAYS help!! I have a hug quilt from my boom friends and let me tell you not only did I use it after surgery in the hospital but I use it at home all the time too! Love love my hugs and my friends!
Hugs
April