LovingIzabella

Okay apparently while I was away dealing with medical issues and Irene some folks decided to get a little out of line so I am stepping in now.

First and foremost thank you to those who have stepped in and tried to reiterate the rules and guidelines of the swap-your help is much appreciated. This has always been a fun and friendly atmosphere and I will do everything I can to keep it that way. I work very closely with those who are late to try and either get F8s back or blocks home.

Second the deadline is September 4th so there is still time to mail blocks.

Third and this is a HUGE one IF YOU DO NOT HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY, SAY NOTHING AT ALL!!!! If you are unhappy with a block or something you received you bring it to me in a PM and we will work on getting it fixed together. Open Criticism on this board (or any board) is not allowed and that is in basic member guidelines as well. If you cannot abide by this, perhaps you do not need to be in this swap.
I try to be fair and let everyone play regardless of their skill level. We all started somewhere and to criticize anyone only discourages them from trying it does not help them. There is a proper way to do things and constructive criticism PRIVATELY is the best.
As far as members who do not complete-that is out of my control as well. I do everything I can to make sure this swap is fulfilled. I have taken out of my own pocket to get people's F8s back to them, I have helped people make blocks and I have gone on smiling because this is supposed to be a swap of friendship and growing, not who makes the best block or who gets done first. No matter how many emails I may send or calls I may make, if someone does not want to complete I cannot force them to. All I can do is disallow future participation.
This swap has been pretty successful I would say based on the fact that this is the 5th one with 3 groups and I already have a huge list of interest for Boom 6. If you are unhappy with the blocks you are receiving-don't join the next one. I will not tell someone they cannot join because the most complex block they can do is a friendship star.
I did not realize all quilters were perfect. If that is what some of you desire perhaps starting a "This is a perfect block swap" is the answer.
We are all here to learn and grow, to help each other and encourage growth. I would honestly say that out of all the Booms I have done more than 90% of the blocks I received were usable. Those that aren't I still love because they came from my friends who tried their best. I will use those blocks in another project.
We have no idea what is going on in other people's lives so unless you have lived through some of the things our members have, it's best we don't judge.
Now anything further please PM me.
Let's get back to what this swap was designed for fun and friendship!
Hugs
April
PS This swap takes a lot of coordinating and organization and I do my very best to make sure it runs smooth. A lot of time and effort goes in to it so please let's make the best of it that we can.

Janetlmt

I am editing this post. This morning I was putting my dear granddaughters toys away. I found two envelopes addressed to me. They were opened. After further investigation..I found two blocks being used as doll blankets.
I received blocks from

Navarre2011
Heyjami

Navarre2011

Janetlmt,
Thanks for the info. Hope the dollies were compfy!!!
KaSandra

materialgrl

That is so precious,even at a young age she sees the value in a good quilt.and hey it was the right size

PokerDiva

Janet, that is so funny.

paintmejudy

Janet, too funny! :-P

karenpatrick

AngieS went out today too.

karenpatrick

Blocks received:
bolin0909
brenda21
carsey
craft phanatic
Cyndi H
DonnaD
fromzstore
heyjami
janecat
janetlmt
JudyVA
KathyN
kreinhart742
MFQS
montanablu
moonrise
Ms Grace
NanaKathy55
Navarre2011
OK Darla
paintmejudy
patis47
PokerDiva
selfhunter

Blocks sent:
AngieS
bolin0909
carsey
fromzstore
janecat
janetlmt
judyVA
kreinhart742
LauraEllen
MFQS
moonrise
MsGrace
paintmejudy
Poker Diva
Roseysue
selfhunter

If this does not agree with your records, please let me know.

AngieS

That is so sweet Mom (Janet)! Chloe wanted to play with the quilts like her dear grandmother. ;)

Diane Baldwin

Hi April
I am new to this. Sept 6 is just a few days away. Is this the cut off for members, or the day to send the Fat eighth?
I like the idea of making different blocks for each of the participants.
I am so afraid that I will be black-balled if I cannot complete the swap correctly. Is there a small group, maybe of just 4 members, where I could start on this before I jusp right into a 12 or 15-member swap?
Diane in Conn