Makes me sad :(

Yesterday I put a post out there about someone starting a swap for mug rugs or quilted ornaments. Not one single person answered that post although almost 100 viewed it. What has happened to our forum that used to do such wonderful swaps? we used to do many swaps a month all kinds and now I never see any being started. Maybe its me... But it makes me sad , I really liked making an item for someone and watching my mail for something special to come. Oh well such is life. I would start one but I don't have the time it takes to run a group or swap correctly, but I so enjoy the making and swapping part.

I am sorry you're sad Iris Girl. I didn't see your original post. I have been "trying" to quilt for a couple of yrs now...still learning. I guess it's because I will sew a little and leave it for a long time, I get side tracked so easily! :icon_rolleyes: I have never joined a swap, because I think my work would not stand up to everyone else's. Hope someone starts a swap that you can join. :)

I domt recall your other post so cant comment about that one. I can say I like doing the layer cake swap, its easy and I dont have to make anything. And I agree its fun waiting for my package and hearing others enjoy theirs. I am very grateful to our leader because I couldnt do all she is doing for us. Running one of these is not something I could handle.

That may be the answer more than anything. Folks are so busy sometimes that adding another to do just is not possible. There are swaps going on, not many, but at least they are not forgotten.

Thanks for looking and answering ladies. Terri I am sure your work is wonderful! and would enjoy receiving a swap item from you. Karen you are right I am sure , everyone is just too busy to take on the responsibilities of a swap. I know I couldn't run one , but I love making and swapping. I enjoy the mugrug, potholder,tabletop or runner , pinnies or ornament swaps where I have to make something. Have enough fabric don't need to do a fabric swap so much. I seen there was a fall runner swap but never seen it til it was to late to join.

I am sorry that you are sad. I look at the swaps when they come up but do not partake anymore. I remember reading remarks from people who complained about things that came from homes with smokers or animals. I live with both so instead of living with hurt feelings I just don't join in anymore. I love my pets as they are my children and wish my loved ones did not smoke but I can do nothing about that. I love giving to others but for those reasons I don't anymore. Hate to think my hard work and love would be thrown out with the trash. But my thoughts are always with the wonderful folks here as I do think of a lot of you here as part of my family. I also would have no earthly idea of how to host one of these swaps right now I am working on keeping my life as simple as I can.

I too am sorry that you feel sad about this, but I went back and looked at your post about starting a swap and I see that you suggested an idea for a swap but could not run it. Perhaps those who enjoy these things are just too busy running their own swaps to take this one on as well. So it might not have been a lack of interest but simply a lack of time and ability to commit to taking this on. :)

It might help if you posted a link to the mug rugs and ornaments you found. Sometimes a visual whets the appetite and someone might then step up. :icon_bigsmile:

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Originally Posted by Terri

I am sorry you're sad Iris Girl. I didn't see your original post. I have been "trying" to quilt for a couple of yrs now...still learning. I guess it's because I will sew a little and leave it for a long time, I get side tracked so easily! :icon_rolleyes: I have never joined a swap, because I think my work would not stand up to everyone else's. Hope someone starts a swap that you can join. :)

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I just joined my first swap this month but I feel the same way. Not sure my work would be up to par. Plus, my quilting time is limited. I am still raising kids. Don't be sad Iris. Life just gets busy.

Iris, I read your post and I would be interested but I am currently in two other swaps right now and I just managed to finish up the blocks for the one late last night (they are due the end of the month) and I am a couple months behind in the monthly gift for the other. So I just don't feel I can take on another commitment right now. My other thought is folks may be thinking about finding time to finish up holiday projects - I know I am. The next few months seem to be my "crazy time" when I realize how over-commited I have made myself. Nothing says you can't make holiday ornaments in February........that's probably when I will be able to come up for air.

Attachment 86569 I did not see your post but I'm sad you are sad. I'm not very good at the swap thing so did not see your post. Hopefully someone starts one soon. ((((HUGS))))

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

Yesterday I put a post out there about someone starting a swap for mug rugs or quilted ornaments. Not one single person answered that post although almost 100 viewed it. What has happened to our forum that used to do such wonderful swaps? we used to do many swaps a month all kinds and now I never see any being started. Maybe its me... But it makes me sad , I really liked making an item for someone and watching my mail for something special to come. Oh well such is life. I would start one but I don't have the time it takes to run a group or swap correctly, but I so enjoy the making and swapping part.

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Originally Posted by Spiff

My other thought is folks may be thinking about finding time to finish up holiday projects - I know I am. The next few months seem to be my "crazy time" when I realize how over-commited I have made myself.

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That was my thought as well! Plus in my family everyone's birthday falls in between mid-September to end of November as well. So this time of year is always the busiest (and most expensive! :icon_razz:) time of the year, present-giving-wise.

I did see your post Iris and I used to do swaps when I did scrap booking and always was pushing to get those done. I only have my weekends right now to do any work on my quilts so I know I would disappoint those if I committed and couldn't get my project done. I should have commented then.

Thank you everyone for responding. Lonna I live in a pet household also, and would never turn down a swap gift from someone with pets or smoking even tho I have a non smoking household. My thoughts are someone took the time to make something for you , most items can be washed or aired out if they come with any odors. Never had any problems there. As far as being good enough again would never judge anyone, because again all are beautiful. My only complaint ever from any swap was one I never received a comment on and I know through tracking they received it and one swap where I was sent an incomplete item.
I remember when I first joined we had all kinds of swaps and I loved them all, no one worried about being good enough or their items smelling just right. It was just a fun time to be had by all. I miss that. I am in a few groups and enjoy them a lot. Just also enjoy the thrill and anticipation of waiting for a gift to come and your swap buddy receiving yours. Oh well I guess its a sign of the times. I have noticed a lot of the people that ran those swaps no longer post here that too is sad. Just me reminiscing about things past I suppose. Maybe I just don't run with the big guys here and get lost in the shuffle.

I saw your post but I do not know how to run a swap. I have been in a couple and really enjoyed them. Alas, I live overseas and postage is bad for me to send out from here and it is crazy expensive to send things TO me and I don't want to stick people for that expense.

Don't be sad! Maybe it's the wrong time of year. I know I've got more bubblegum than I can chew right now. I need to hurry up and finish my "me" project so I can start (and hopefully finish on time) the Christmas stuff I have waiting in the wings. No time for anything else, unfortunately. Try again after the holidays! :)

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

Yesterday I put a post out there about someone starting a swap for mug rugs or quilted ornaments. Not one single person answered that post although almost 100 viewed it. What has happened to our forum that used to do such wonderful swaps? we used to do many swaps a month all kinds and now I never see any being started. Maybe its me... But it makes me sad , I really liked making an item for someone and watching my mail for something special to come. Oh well such is life. I would start one but I don't have the time it takes to run a group or swap correctly, but I so enjoy the making and swapping part.

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Sandy just started a Christmas swap...come join it!

Oh Iris Girl, Please don't be said, many times our posts get lost in the crowd. As for beginning a new swap I agree with those who said it may be a bad time of year as most are thinking of Christmas gifts at this time and don't want to over commit themselves. Try again in the New Year. I can't believe I said that - New Year! Where has all the year gone?

I've known the anticipation of getting swap mail but my arthritis is affecting my hands so I'm sewing much less than I used to. I'm not joining swaps because I don't want to disappoint the swap group by not fulfulling my commitment.

I am amongst the post's readers that didn't answer. I was curious to see your proposal, but I can not join an international swap because of the scandalous shipping charges and post delays. I wish you luck, though, as I see Sandy has started it for you.

IrisGirl - sometimes it takes awhile for all of us to see all of the posts - especially on a busy weekend. I know that we also have a lot of people who are not members or posters who read our forum. I read this forum for months before I actually joined and started participating in the conversations.

I did see your post this morning and Sandy Navas has started a group for a Christmas ornament swap because of it. All are welcome - every skill level. I am also ok with items that come from a smoker's home and a pet lover's home - we are a pet loving household here. I hope we get a big turnout for the group! Thanks for the idea IrisGirl!

Iris... I totally understand.. and wow you've got a lot of answers pretty much saying how my life goes...I would never run one,,and the only one I did was the "Spring Ladder something"... it was finished right away and I LOVE it... especially with all the signatures.. it's on top of a piece in my 3 season room and a treasure... ONE of the 2 quilts I've saved for myself...
I make 130 ornaments every year, to send out each year and perhaps that's why NOW is not a great time... I am also one who "commits" and follows thru NO MATTER WHAT!!! that's why I don't join a lot... One of these will get me though soon!!!! :) chin up GF..I still look for your work and admire you gift of creations... hugs, B

Iris, so very sorry you're sad. I didn't catch your post until today! To be quite frank, I'm so involved in making Christmas presents after getting bitten by Jenny's tutorials, I'm not sure I could actually take on a "swap" right now. I think I'll need a vacay come Christmas. Sending big hugs to you! :)

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Originally Posted by lourixe

I am amongst the post's readers that didn't answer. I was curious to see your proposal, but I can not join an international swap because of the scandalous shipping charges and post delays. I wish you luck, though, as I see Sandy has started it for you.

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YOU can join - something in an envelope can easily be sent. We also have peeps in Europe who are close . . . don't let the cost sway you - even a card is something very, very special at this time of year.

I'm sorry IrisGirl. I saw your post, and though I like the idea of maybe trying a swap, I just have way, way, way too much on my plate right now. Maybe try your post again later?

:(
Sorry didn't see your post yesterday.
Did not see it

April, I am so sorry I did not see your post sooner. I would be more than happy to swap a mug rug or ornament. You did hit a nerve though. Our little piece of Heaven is NOT the same as it used to be. I think it can be again, but it will take time. There were a lot of hurt feelings, and things said and done, or not done, that left a bad taste in some peoples mouths. There are hundreds of new members that don't chime in much. Let's start it from here. We WILL get our forum back to where it was. Maybe we should e-mail some of the used to be regulars to get it going.

I didn't see the post either, I'm so sorry. I've got more on my plate than I can do right now. I've made more plans than I can probably do at an even pace before Christmas and I've been giving away my Christmas ornaments and decorations as we try to downsize this house. I wish you all luck. It is fun to get something in the mail. Sounds like fun. I'll be your best cheerleader!!!!

I have never participated in a swap of any kind. My life is too busy with caregiving a husb. in poor health & all the responsibilities I have of taking care of our household. My sewing time is limited, & it goes mostly for baby quilts for the new moms at my church. I seldom look at posts about swaps b/c I know I won't be participating. JCY

I too am sorry you are sad.....Today I looked for a swop.....I wanted to participate in a Christmas swop.
I used to belong to another forum and they offered a Christmas swop....basically you had to put together a little wish list of things you would like and that was passed onto another member and they would get you something off it plus a few other bits.
I live in the uk so it was wonderful to get something from America.....would so love to do something like this here but like so many I do not have the time to organise something quite so grand.....but happy to try something smaller.
By the way....I loved the other forum until I had my first grandchild and posted a picture of him with a quilt I had made...it was removed from the main discussion as I had commented more on my grandson than the quilt I had made.........I am so glad that this forum is so well balanced.....I love sewing but I love people too....and I hate the thought that someone is sad because no one replied

.......anyone fancy doing a Christmas needle case exchange.....? I'm not sure how to go about starting a swop but I'd be prepared to try and organise it if I were allowed