Ok I have to admit something.....I have forgotten how to change my avatar! Where do I find out how to or someone could tell me hint, hint.

Lori you have to go to your settings page, not your profile. It is on the left hand column.

I would love to join but have a few things on my drawing board right now.. I might just join in but participate next month.

This is Secret Pal and not a block exchange. Please go read message #1 to learn what it is all about.

Welcome mrsmck, that sounds like a good idea. Now everyone be on your best behavior, we have company!

Were is settings page? I did it when I joined and haven't changed it.

Lori, the settings is at the very top of the page towards the right side.

I was really wanting to get back into this swap but from the pictures from the last couple months swaps it looks like people don't follow the $10 limit. I defiantly don't have a stash and am afraid if i do sign up and stay with in the limits some of the swappers would be really disappointed it they got a small package.

SewsonSaturday. The rules say $10 limit. Some people have gigantic stashes and opp to send more. Don't worry about that. There are many little things you can make for your pal that will cost you nothing if you make it from scraps. I pick up things on sale at JoAnns, Walmart, Michaels or Tuesday Morning. If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area. That is a good place to go too. A new quilting magazine from Walmart is a good item. It is the thought that counts. Sometimes people send a little something from their state like a magnet etc. Some people can afford to be more generous and that is their choice but $10 limit is the rule not including postage. If you put on your info sheet that you have no stash and would welcome scraps, rulers, etc. you might be surprised at what you could possible receive.

Please don't feel initimidated by some of the packages! Like fayzer said, some people have huge stashes. Some also go over the $10 limit. I have received packages of all shapes and sizes, and none have disappointed me. I am really tickled just to get mail that isn't going to cost me money! I also enjoy seeing the different ways people interpret my list. I just bought a bag of quilting magazines at a book sale for a quarter each, those might show up in future packages. I also got free brochures from my local travel/convention bureau and include one in many of my swaps because I really enjoy receiving one in a swap.

Krystyna I think it's starting to happen more and more

I'm going to start putting together a package, and then just personalize when I get a partner. That mailing deadline is EARLY this month, particularly since it is Mother's Day weekend that weekend and i'll have to ship before Sat. Going to go send my PM now.

I can't post pictures and am very diligent about posting a 'thank you' to my SP as well as letting Lori know.

Jane

Good thng I checked the qb finally.... I"d like to participate in the MAY SWAP. Missed last month and really missed the fun. SO I AM IN....Info on its way.

I am in for May

I'm in been out for a while but i am back. lol

I'm in again. I went to the Brownwood quilt show this weekend and snagged 5 quilting magazines for $2.00, so look for those in the packages over the next few months.

I make small handmade items in spurts, and try to make a variety of colours so I often will send something handmade and match the colour to the recipient. The idea is to send things that you feel the recipient would like according to what she's written on the questionnaire. I can rarely send the "one thing" a person wants due to cost but really try to match other things specifically to my SP. Also a personal note is really nice.

Wanted to share the latest addition to our Family. Jaxon Gilliam Martin, born April 25th @ 8:46 a.m. central time. 4 lb 14 oz, 17 in long. He is struggling with breathing but getting better. Proud Great Grandma for the 6th time
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I have suffered through that before! Not fun! I hope your package comes soon!

Krystyna, you need to go easier on yourself...after all you and your family have endured..thank you notes should be the least of your concerns! I certainly agree when a package is received a PM needs to be sent to the person that sent you a package. It only takes a second and I know I personally really sweat that the package got lost when I don't hear. I call it "simple good manners"!

You know, I don't really expect anyone to buy the one thing I really want. It has happened that my partner has bought that special item several swaps. Sometimes I write down things I intend to buy for myself but just haven't had the money for yet. Sometimes the thing you want is something your partner has in her stash and has already used and passed along to you. I remember getting a special piece FQ of Prince Charming and my last partner bought me a mechanical pencil I wanted and needed. I have had other items bought but they slip my mind at the moment. They were so sweet to do that. I had intended to buy the pencil the next time I went to JoAnn's. Those handmade items you are making are a premium item in my book. I agree about the personal note.

Belfry I hope you get me...I love old magazines, quilt books, patterns...stuff! I have gotten packages that were beyond belief and some that were smaller...I love them all. It is all just for fun and getting to know each other!!! I just love it when I open my mail box and there is a box or an envelope waiting for me! Love getting the notes, too! You will really enjoy this swap, Bilben. Do not feel intimidated...it is all good!

I will pm Lori, so I can be in again this month. Mailing date is early, but once we mail we won't have to worry about it during mother's day weekend, which is a big deal in this household. I am an awful procrastinator, so I guess I will have to get on the ball and decide what I am doing and not change my mind a dozen times.

Awww, Twinkie, adorable little Jaxon! Praying that his breaths grow in strength day by day.

Thank you my friend. He is improving but still in NICU

Donna, congrats on the new great grandson and hope and pray goes well for him.
Packages come in all sizes and they are all very special.

I got a couple of things made today for whoever I get for SP. I hope they like it, this weekend was my only time to do any sewing before the May mailing date. I'll be out of town next weekend and working full time with a lot of projects coming due, I don't do anything on weekday evenings but come home and crash.

SewsonSaturday......... do not let what others do or don't do stop you from participating. In todays market it is hard to just spend $10 and also realize some folks have huge stashes from years of crafting, sewing, quilting, etc. and will pass on some of what they have from fabrics, rulers, magazines and more.

Many are creative and make items for there secret pals which I cherish. I've received pot holders, pin cushion, stitched towels, etc and love it all.

It is everyones choice to do what they can or want to within the confines of what they have or don't have.

This is not a "keep up with the Jones" thing.

IMHO if anyone on here felt they gave out more than they received and get upset than perhaps this is not a swap for them. Just saying! I however have never seen this here.

For me personally whatever I get I feel it comes from the heart of the giver and how it should be taken and they do what they do based on that. We should never presume to start comparing what we can do as to little nor the oppositite like I said that what we do is not equivalant to what we might send out.

Join us and do what you can based on what you can afford. Like I said for most of us we enjoy getting small items made by others more so than a dollar amount to try and keep up with the Jones so to speak.

I personally enjoy getting a little something about where folks live like a bit of history, postcards, any momento from where they live. Something they made themselves. What ever they send makes me happy.

So please join and do what you feel comfortable with. Don't lose out on the fun and our getting to know you based on dollar amount.

Well said, Carol! I completely agree.

Hey Carol and Krystyna...I second that! Twinkie, I am in love with your tiny little great grandson. I am sure next year when you are chasing him this part will be all but forgotten. Prayers are with you and your family.

Lori, I love your new avitar.

I am going to sign up today. I always love my packages. They are full of surprises!

Checked in on break and time is almost up so I'll have to sign up tonight. But I wanted to say that some of the best and fun things are getting something from a swappers local area(like black pepper spam or peppermint pig poop, little fish snacks,-you know who you are), once I got a chip from Frenck Lick casino, and I love to spin it on the table-it makes a really neat sound as it slows down. I'm also happy to get the hand made things, or the box that gives the postman a hernia, but like Traci said -do what works for you cause I'm thinking your partner will probably love it.

Nancy I'm glad to see you finally got your April package-I was going to say if you didn't have bad luck in the swap you'd have no luck-let's hope your luck has turned a corner and it will be smooth sailing from here on out.

I read somewhere the cardboard flat rate envelopes were intended for documents only and the P.O. might end up restricting them to paper only-but flat rate bubble envelopes are available just have to order at no charge from usps.com.

I've learned a lot from this swap. Not just about sewing/quilting, but more about sharing, kindness, friendship, faith. There are so many wonderful people in this swap and I am happy to be a part of it.:)

Aww, Fayzer you made me cry alittle there, well said and I agree with every thing you said and also Carol and Kystyna. I set the mailing deadline early because we are having so many late mailers that it over runs the date to start the next month.

Thank you I really like it too!

I usually don't have the time to make anything handmade. So I do try to get them some things off their list. I do enjoy getting things home made, some things I keep some I pass on, when I do I always let them know that it did not come from me. Really though I just enjoy getting a package from someone. Its like someone out there in cyberspace is thinking of me and that really makes my day. I wouldn't care if there was just a note in it, at least I know someone cares enough to fulfill there obligation by signing up here.

I will admit to the fish snacks, but peppermint pig poop? Nuh uh ... that wasn't ME!!!

Twinkie~he is a beautiful little guy! Congrats and God bless him :)!!

Still in Ohio playing with Grandbabies, going home tom. Dont want to miss sign ups but hate using my phone. Yall have a great day!