Please make sure you use the new form included in this month's swap. As always, PM me with your info.

Let the sign up begin!

This is a monthly secret pal swap. There is a sign up every month, and you can choose whether or not to participate each month. You will get a different partner every month, and the person you send to will be different than the person you receive from.

You do need to send me a PM every month, as I cannot keep track very well of people signing up for more then 1 month. Please don't post a message on the thread about signing up, as I may not see it.

I would prefer that you resend your info, to make minor changes about holidays, personal preferences, etc.


If you would like to do it, please send me a pm with this information. If you are international, feel free to join!

if you are interested in joining, please send me a Private message with the following information. If I do not have a valid email or phone number, you can't participate.

Screen Name:
Real Name:
Address:
Address:
Do you celebrate Easter or be opposed to getting Easter related items:
Favorite Colors:
Favorite Candy:
Your favorite notion/fabric line, etc:
Your least favorite color(s)
Least favorite candy
Least favorite notion/fabric line
Brand of sewing machine:
Is there anything you like to collect?
Besides quilting, what do you like to do?
Allergies:
Can you mail international?
Favorite thing:
Anything you would not like to receive:
Do you drink any hot beverages? Preferred?:
Additional info (the more info you provide, the better):
email address:
phone number:


This form will be given to your secret pal. The more you put on there, the better she/he will be able to get things you'd like. Additional information may be helpful to them as well.

There is a 10 dollar budget for this swap. The 10 dollars can, or cannot include things from your stash. Postage isn't included in the ten dollars. The most important thing to remember with the budget is to have fun, but please do NOT spend more then $10.

If you want ideas on what to send, look at the previous swaps. Things that are always fun to get is fabric, notions, notepads, pens, postcards, handmade items, little things like that.

Sign ups will close the 26th of each month, and names will be paired on the 27th and sent out by the 28th.

Packages need to be sent out by the 19th of March. Send it as early as you'd like!

I really want to stress that if you sign up, please, PLEASE follow thru. It's a horrible feeling to not receive a package.
I will be keeping a list of people that don't follow thru. Sorry to be hard nosed but it's not right and it's been happening a lot here lately and we will not be allowed to do secret swaps anymore.

1. you must ship your package using a method that provides tracking and delivery confirmation. You can purchase it at the post office or if you print postage, it is free for priority mail and 19 cents for all others.

2. if your pal does not receive her/his package within a reasonable time (14 days max for within the same country, 30 days for between countries) a public note that you failed to send must be added to the Group Activity matrix. if your pal is still empty handed after 14 more days Swap Coordinators are required to post negative feedback against your account. You will not be allowed to participate in any more Secret Pal swaps. Also, other coordinators will not allow you to participate in their swaps.

It's all about fun, so please have fun with it.

If you have questions, please pm me and I will try to answer as quickly as possible.

This swap has been approved by PatriceJ.

Thanks!
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne, just sent you pm and new info

Wooo Hoooo! Just sent a PM....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the swaps!!!!

Just sent my info to you - these are so much FUN! Thanks Suzanne for coordinating all this on our behalf.

PM sent :)

I will pm you later.

I've seen some of the wonderful swap items and can't for the life of me figure out how they come up with so much for $10. Seems like everything around here is pretty costly quilting wise.

How do you score such treats?

I would hate to be the sender and have just a couple little items because of that...any ideas would be greatly appreciated so I wouldn't shortchange anyone.

Thanks

Everyone has their own formula, but for me, 1/2 of my gift is always from my own overall stash of craft related items, and/or things I've made and the other 1/2 come from shopping with the designated $10 budget at places like Joann's and Hancocks where I use coupons and my VIP discount which usually gives me at least 50-60% off the items i'm purchasing which allows me to buy more items.

Also, I always check out the clearance aisle at any store I'm at case there is anything that fits the bill of my buddy's desired items, as you can never beat a good deal! I always try to personalize things in as special a way as possibly I can, and just by making the right cost conscious selections while shopping, perusing your stash and a touch of creativity - anyone can come up with a pretty nice selection!

So - bottomline is - don't worry about it, it's all for fun anyways. The only way anyone would be offended is if you mailed a single 1/2 inch jelly bean and that was it to the entire package. Clearly that didn't cost $10, LOL. However - if you manage to find a 3 lb jelly belly, than that's okay! Just have fun and do what it is you can. Something small and heartfelt can mean more than and speak volumes that a box chock full of a million things. We are all in the same boat with the economy, and the budget for this swap fits just right in line with that. It's just meant to be a fun and inspiring experience for all of us - as often the packages come just when they are needed during the course of our lives during the given gift month. I hope this inspires you to join us!

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

P.S. - PM sent - totally in for March 2011!

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

I personally look at it from the viewpoint that if a "treasure" or fabric is sitting in my stash and has never been used I see it as a free gift to go with my package which adds a little special extra value. However, I also try to find items on the person's list that I can include in the package as well. Sales, coupons and a discount at the LQS help too.

I agree with the creative seamstress. I made something for mine and Used other items are from my stash. I have made purchases but stayed in the budget. It is just meant to be fun so don't stress about it.

Thanks for the ideas and encouragement.

Several years ago I depleted 90% of my stash and craft items. I had my sister come over while I was work (to keep me from second guessing myself) and asked her to clean out / off certain shelves to give to her ladie's group at her church. They were trying to do some fund raising and most of them are in their 80's so they had limited funds to work with. I had all this "stuff" just sitting there and wasn't using it during my non-craft/non-sewing phase (yes that is sad I know, but I'm over it now). I know it was used for good purposes so that makes me happy. I'm trying to rebuild my stash (much to my DH's dismay...he wasn't "around" the first stash building so he's in shock).

Thanks again :)

I just sent my pm to sign up.

Like everyone else, some of my package comes from my stash and I try to make something small...Our Michaels and Joann's have one and two dollar bins in their stores with all kinds of neat stuff in them like pens/pencils, tablets, journals, buttons, beads, emery boards...just all kinds of neat stuff that you can put in your package...If I buy myself a quilt magazine, when I'm finished looking at it, I pass it on with a swap...you can find people here on the board selling great patterns for a few dollars and send them in your swap....your stash doesn't have to be just fabric...notions you don't use or need, patterns, magazines, etc. It's a lot of fun and like alot of other people I love getting something handmade....we're always so busy making things for other people, it's nice to get something made for us...and it's all fun

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I'm in. Sending PM now.

Moonwork make a pin cushion ,a needle case,potholder,kitchen towel ,buy some new needles,thimble,seamripper,buttons thread,lotion,candle etc. there are lots of items for $1 or less in most stores. Try the local $store.There are alot of small items you can make from your own stash. Just have fun with it.Mary

I also look for the bargins........for instance in the JoAnn flyer sent to me last week on the back page was a $5.00 off a $5.00 + regular priced item........ I did find something to add to my SP package for 90 cents...........

Local quilt shop had a bin of fat quarters for $1.00..........

Michaels had a 25% off your entire purchase...........and I checked out their $1.00 items.....pretty note pads .....pretty nail files...........pretty pens..........

Even our quilt guild has a freebie table...........You never know what you might find........I have a nice recent pattern just waiting for the right SP.

Yes ............I also take from my stash.................

Better get myself signed up before I forget...........

Just sent p.m. I'm in again. Yeah.

Just send my PM. This is my first time and I am looking forward to the fun!!!

I came back to 30 private messages. AWESOME!

Please make sure you use the new form on the first page as it has some important info for your pal.

Suzanne

Love this swap. I know I should resist, but don't have the will power.... lol

PM'd Suzanne. I love these swaps! I don't have the will power either CAgirl1.

LOL, Me neither!

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

This will be my first swap. I have been watching these swaps for a while and I thought it would just be something fun to try out for the moth of my birthday. I cant wait!

just sent my PM

I sent a pm. I'm in.

I sent you a PM. I'm in this was so much fun!

41 signed up so far. I'm thinking this will be the biggest secret pal swap ever!

Of course we are expecting more snow on Wednesday and in the 60's next weekend.

Suzanne

I sent my PM, love this swap. The more the merrier!

Just sent a PM with new info

homecaregiver
Pat

Sending my PM now.

I just sent my pm. I can't wait to see who I get to buy for this month.

I have been watching these posts and find it very exciting! So I signed up last night for my very 1st one! I can't wait!

i love to do hand sewing projects,soall month long i do that, when swaptimes come, i pack the box full of the hand made items, then shop for sales with my $10, what ever fits in the 4.95 shipper, they get.

Ooooohhh, I wanna be your pal!!! :-)

Me too!!!!! :D

I just sent a PM. Sounds like this should be fun!

Please make sure that you get delivery confirmation on your packages unless you are sending international. This protects YOU, plus, it's a requirement of the swap.


Suzanne

I just signed up for my first swap, also. I am just confused about the $10. limit. I can use "stash" items and still spend the $10. OR I can include the cost of items in the $10. Either way, right? Looking forward to it!

Lynnie was my pal for my very first secret swap back in July, it was actually my very first swap of any sort, she got me hooked, she really does make nice stuff.