Phannie1

I finally got my fabrics picked out. Since I moved up to the the larger group I have had to figure what I have to do with all those blocks.... So I have three fabrics for three different projects. Which is great, I have bought these fabrics for projects for myself so now I will get something done with them. I can't wait to get started! Love Swapping.... Phannie

Sunflowers, Red Roses on Black and Christmas Flowers/two-tone

moonwork42029

Generally -- from past experiences -- I will post this again in whatever "group thread" I belong -- but here's the hints I have for everyone

Fat 8ths -- please make a note on the thread that you are assigned to when you receive a F8 from someone. This way the sender can check off (if so desired) to be sure everyone received their squishie. After about a month, please post a listing of the f8s you have NOT received yet and check with the member to see if one has been mailed. If they mailed it but you haven't received it ( given ample mail time ) it would be up to the 2 of you to work out alternative plans -- mail another F8 if possible or whatever you agree to do.

Blocks you receive -- Please post a note on your assinged thread to let us know you have received a block and who it was from.

I love when you post pictures the blocks you receive so we all can see the pretties. This can help get the creative juices flowing and sometimes helps up decide what to make with similar fabric.

Blocks you mail -- When you mail a block out, please post a note on your assigned thread who you are mailing it out to and when you mailed it. This helps the receiver watch their mail even closer. I'd suggest taking a picture of all the blocks you mail out so if there is any confusion later on (and there will be ) about who sent a block, you can post a picture of it.

As much as the anticipation kills us, I'd rather wait for the receiver to post the picture so they get first crack at seeing their block. If the receiver is unable to post pictures, then they can kindly ask the sender to post a picture if possible

For me, I create another thread in the picture secton and post pictures of the blocks I am sending out so the receiver can get a sneak preview of it if they so wish. The link to the new thread will appear in my signature line of each post so it's easy to find.

The worksheet April sent out is wonderful to help track your exchange progress -- use it faithfully and your exchange will be a pleasant experience. I add in a couple more columns (my choice) and put in little thumbnail photos of the blocks I receive and send out so I have them at a glance. I also put in a photo of the f8 when I get it. It's your worksheet so adapt it as you so desire.

When the squishies come in, I date the envelope, open it up carefully, make a note of what the fabric looks like on the envelope and then I actually take a picture of the fabric so I know what was sent (in case it gets separated from the envelope).

I put each envelope, fabric and any notes into a large ziplock baggie. I keep them in a box in the order they were received and that's the order I work on them. I only take out 1 baggie at a time to match up fabric and pattern. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get the wrong fabric back to the wrong baggie otherwise if you have several f8s laying out.

I record my progress in the worksheet each time I have f8s in, blocks in and blocks mailed. I don't try to "remember" to do it later.

These are some of my hints...hope they help and can't wait to get started.

jaba

I have a basket for each one of the groups ( if you are in more than 1), Now they sit with the envelops and a piece of the fabric so I know what's in them. As I get your fabric back, sometimes I open them sometimes not until I'm ready to do your block. I print off the list of names for each group and put it in the basket. I write the receiving date on the sheet that you will get from April as to who is in your group and on the envelope. I write the group on the envelope too. As I get them in the mail I add new ones behind, so 1st ones I get go out first in the order received. Then I write when I mail back to you. There is also a column for when you receive yours back. Sounds complicated but not really after you see the spreadsheet that you can print. After I make your block, I put any bit of fabric I have left back in your envelope and just put it in a ziplock bag and file the sent ones the same way. I keep this until the Boom is complete and closed. pic below of group 1 lg. and 2 others for the small groups, cause that what I signed up for. I'll get another bin for just filing your envelops as they come in so I know which is first and so on. Doesn't matter what group it is because remember I wrote the group on the envelope then I can file it when I send. As I get mine back the finished blocks go into each one by group. Hope this makes some kind of sense.[ATTACH=CONFIG]391073[/ATTACH]

bibliostone

It amazes me that so many of you work on the blocks in the order that the fabric arrives. Some fabrics "speak" to me loudest and they get done first. Troublemakers go to the end of the timeline.

jaba

Maybe that's why I don't open the envelops and look very often. They're all a surprise! I just figure if you send them out quickly and on time, you deserve yours back first.

Phannie1

Me too. Some Sit till something stirs the creative juices....

calquilter

I agree about working on the fabrics that speak to me first. I open each envelope as it arrives. Sometimes (no offense) I think, "What will I do with this?" and other times it comes easy. The large scale prints give me the most challenge. The fabric is beautiful, but when I have to cut it up into smaller pieces it takes on a new personality. My first idea is often to fussy cut it and make a block that features the fabric's prominent design.

Can't wait to get started!

Lori
aka calquilter in Southern California

ctmhjenn

I guess I like seeing all the beautiful fabric that is coming in. I take each envelope with the fabric over to my bins of FAQ and start the process of find the fabric to go with the f8. If I find something I love to go with it, it goes in the envelope, or is pinned to the envelope if there is more then one fabric, or I do the same to my shelves of fabric. Once I do that, I then put it in the basket to be worked on, but my first step is numbering the envelopes as they come in. If I end up with an f8 that stumps me, it still goes in the basket. I will just take more time looking for what will be beautiful with your fabric. Once done,it goes in the mail, but I keep everything together. I keep your envelope in a stack, and write in big letters, DONE. As MY finished blocks come in, I am going to try to make sure I first take a picture, and then they all go back in a stack but I also mark a check mark when I send them out on the list and an x mark when I receive a block. I am new at this, but I had to come up with a system to keep my area clear to work.

Short an Sweet

thank you ladies for all the wonderful tips to keep organized, I've been gone from the board almost a year and this is my first swap since I came back lol

LovingIzabella

Okay folks the small groups may end up with 17 in them or at least three of them so you will have to make 16 blocks instead of 15...I hope no one minds. I believe I have one small that is still 16 so you make 15 blocks.
Still putting them together
Hugs
April