May Secret Pal Swap Signup Closes April 30th 4pm CDT
 

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. People follow along all month on this thread to see the hints and the pictures of what is sent.




Please do not send me a sign up PM until the new sign-up sheet is available

1) YOU NEED TO SEND THE HOSTESS A PRIVATE MESSAGE WHEN YOU MAIL YOUR PACKAGE TO YOUR SECRETPAL.

2)ONCE YOU GET YOUR PACKAGE FROM YOUR SECRET PAL, YOU WILL NEED TO SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO THE PERSON WHO SENT THE PACKAGE TO YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU DID RECEIVE IT AND TO THANK THE SENDER.

3) AFTER YOU HAVE THANKED YOUR SECRET PAL, YOU WILL NEED TO SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE TELLING ME THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PACKAGE SO THAT I CAN KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS.

4) Even if you can not post a picture on the thread you can acknowledge on the thread what you received.

FAILURE TO SEND THESE PRIVATE MESSAGES IS REASON ENOUGH TO BE BANNED FROM THE NEXT MONTHS SWAP.

I cannot send a PM to everyone asking for package updates, so please remember to keep me informed on your mailing date and your date received.

PACKAGES NEED TO BE SENT OUT BY May 11th this is a FIRM deadline (NOT A SUGGESTION).If for some reason you cannot mail by the 11th and are considering not signing up, then send me a private message and we can see if it can be worked out. IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU CANNOT MAIL BY THAT DATE, PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP. You can send your package as early as you'd like!


If you are sending an international package it will need to be mailed by the 11th of May as well. If that is not possible then please say NO to International mailing on your sign-up sheet. Due to mail processing, our mail dates for international mailing has to be as early as possible! No later than the 11th of May. It can take many weeks to reach your SP so any delays in mailing can delay the start of the next month’s sign-up sheet being posted.

International mailings—it is imperative that you keep your copy of the Customs Declaration Notice that you fill out until your SP has notified you that they received their package. If a problem encountered with the package, you may need to PM me the information from that sheet in order to work effectively with the Postal Service.


You have to send me a PM every month you want to sign up and send me your information. I have no way to keep track of people signing up for more than 1 month at a time. Please don't post a message on the thread about signing up.(Also, please make it clear to me if you are asking for more than one SP.)



Once you have decided to join the swap, please send me a PM with the completed information sheet.


I would prefer that you review and then send your information sheet to me every month that you sign up for the SP swap. This review will allow you to make minor changes about holidays, personal preferences, etc.

Our International board members are welcome to join the swap.

If I do not have a valid email or phone number, you cannot participate in this swap.

Your secret pal is excited to receive your name and really wants to send you a great package. Please help by answering the questions as completely as possible.

Screen Name:
Real Name:
Address:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
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:
Do you have an embroidery machine:
Is there anything you like to collect?
Besides quilting, what do you like to do?
Do you have Allergies (smoke, cats, dogs etc)
Do you smoke?
Do you have cats, dogs etc)
Do you hand embroidery?
The ONE thing I want the most is_______
What holidays do you celebrate?:
Anything you would NOT like to receive:
How long have you been sewing/quilting?
What are you currently working on:
Do you have a digital camera to post pictures on the thread?
What types of books do you like to read?
Would you like to receive gently used items such as templates, patterns or appliqué books etc?
Do you have a pet? What kind?
The fabric color I am looking for is___
What is your favorite beverage?Additional info (the more info you provide, the better):
Can you mail international?
email address:
phone number:


This form will be given to your secret pal (minus the email address and phone number) . 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. Items from your stash or homemade items are not included in the $10 limit. 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 THAN $10.

If you want ideas on what to send, look at the previous swaps.

Examples of some fun things to receive are: fabric, notions, notepads, pens, postcards, handmade items, little things like that.

Sign ups will close the 30th of April and names will be paired on the 1st and 2nd of May and the names will be sent out to swappers no later than the 2nd of May. (I will try to have all names out on the 1st.)



I really want to stress that if you sign up, 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. It is not right and it's been happening a lot here lately; if it continues, we will not be allowed to do secret swaps anymore.

Please make sure that you put your real name and screen name inside the package so the person receiving the package knows who to thank.

1. You must ship your package using a method that provides tracking and delivery confirmation un less you are mailing international. You can purchase it at the post office or if you print postage, it is free for priority mail and 75 cents for all others.


2. If your pal does not receive her/his package within a reasonable time (7 days max from mailing dealine for within the same country. Then I will need tracking information, 15 days for between countries. There are exceptions, but I MUST be notified of any delays in sending on your end). Failure to comply may result in the following:

A public note that you failed to send would be added to the Group Activity matrix.

If your pal is still empty handed at the end of the month, it is possible that negative feedback will be posted to your account.

This is why it is imperative that you keep the hostess informed on ANY mailing issues. Along with negative feedback, you will not be allowed to participate in future secret pal swaps. It is also possible that 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.

SHOULD YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE PM ME IMMEDIATELY!

Coordinated by: Lori Peercy <!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig --><!-- END TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig -->

Am I first? sending you a pm now. Thanks, Lori

Sent my PM!!! I'm second! I'd like to say I try harder, but truth is I'm too lazy!!

I'm in. Why are 2 words too short?

count me in. I so enjoyed april

Lori I will send you my list later in he week.

I sent my PM. I also enjoyed April's swap.

In for 2. I will send my PM tomorrow.

Sent PM excited for May!

In as usual :thumbup:

I'm in too, but don't know whether to have one or two...........

Got signed up. Missed last month so I am super excited to put together a special package. Thanks Lori for doing this.

I'm in again! Sent my pm already and can't wait for my May SP!

I'm in for May also and I want 2 this month. Sending PM with list
Pat

Lori, I just sent my PM to with my information.
Pat

I'm back! Have to give some thought to it before I send in my PM to Lori.

If it doesn't have at least 10 letters/spaces it rejects it. I often times just add ..... to fill in to get 10.

I'm in just sent Lori Pm!!

Just signed up....ready for the May swap ;)

Yippee time to sign up again!

Even though I am getting somewhat discouraged (not yet received for April, had very generous angels step in for February since that one was MIA), I will give it one more try. Sent my info to Lori today.

Don't be discouraged Nancy. There are so many great people on this swap. I have found that sometimes tramatic events happen that completely over-ride the swap. Occasionally we have swappers that just don't swap but I feel those are few and far between. Hugs!

I will send a PM soon. This will be my first swap. I'm pretty excited, but a little worried too. I've been looking at photos of past swaps and I don't think i can match them, but I'll try. I'm going to have to get a bit creative - costs are high in my neck of the woods.

I'm in again for May, though will admit it is for selfish reasons. Crud in my life has sucked the fun out of what should be a great month for me... birthday, anniversary, mother's day and so I will get my self-care from the QB. :)

I'll likely take a few months off starting in June as I will be moving and am unsure if it will be local or 2200 miles.

Hope everyone's weather and health are improving so the days become enjoyable for all.

Welcome!

I'd recommend just do what works best for you ... make something, send things from your area... I was intimidated at first as well (some of these ladies have FANTASTIC stashes and skills and I've only been sewing again for a year or so). Just go with the flow and know that we all do it for the sharing and fun and HELLO, WE GET A PACKAGE IN THE MAIL!!

But most importantly... HAVE FUN!

I have not been forgotten and feel so happy -- received pkg from April swap. It was totally mangled by the post office which may have been the reason for the delay. Gotta watch out for those thin cardboard flat-rate envelopes that the post office gives out. If not reenforced with a lot of tape, they really take a beating. I don't know why they even made them like that. They disintegrate with the slightest drop of water.

I had made a suggetion to Lori that if a package is sent late or not noted as received by the last week of the month, that the sender reveal themselves to the recipient with a quick note or give them a heads up that it was sent and somehow got delayed (as in the case of this poor envelope). I know life can really go wonky, and I'd rather be able to give moral support and send prayers where needed than worry about material things. Afterall, we are supposed to be reaching out to build friendships and learn about each other who live in different areas. I am so blessed for being able to become familiar with so many people here. You are a great group of people!!!

Please don't worry - it really is the thought that counts. Everything costs at least double here - sometimes three times - the cost of US and there is only one LQS, so I really have to get creative. I include a few Scottish souvenirs and some local information and I often make something (usually tartan, lol). As long as you keep your pal in mind, even if you can't get them the thing they want the most, you'll be fine.

I saw the lovely photo of Blade and Melissa - still waiting to see one of you.

I am in again.

I'm thinking, I just don't sew as quickly as you seasoned folks so handmade sewn project in this time frame is difficult for me.

Yay, get to play this month! Sent 2 PM to Lori...forgot vitals in the first :)

I too don't sew handmade products very often. I try but just never seems to happen. So don't worry about sending anything handmade, just enjoy the swap

Well I am going to have to think about joining the swap, still have not received my April package. This is either the 2nd or 3rd time this has happened and secret angels have stepped in. Shame when someone pledges to do something then backs out and doesn't even notify anyone.

Is it my imagination, or is this happening more and more? And no pix, no thank you's.

I shouldn't talk. I still have many thank you notes to send to people who were so generous after Sandy.

i'm in again can't wait to start this month.

Enough lurking around this post; I'm signing up.

What size is the block to be?

I am in again for May. I am so excited. It is very sad that so many packages are not making it .

This is not a block exchange, perhaps you should read through the rules again. Here is a link so you can decide if you would like to join in the fun, we send packages to each other not blocks. I hope you decide to join us. Lori hostess of swap

http://www.quiltingboard.com/member-...t-t219913.html