I did my first charm swap. It was fun. Actually it was great fun. In fact the only thing that could possibly have made it more fun would have been if everyone had just given me their money for me to do all the choosing myself... (if that would interest anyone... seriously... call me) but no, really, it was great fun.
I took loads of photos, these are the ones in focus my favourites.
Yes, I had a little helper. A little helper that just HAD to help, whether I wanted it or not. A little helper that probably took up far too much of my time shifting her... That big centre picture is my favourite one of all, as that is after I had picked her up off the charms and shoo'ed her away about a dozen times... Quite the persistant little fabric addict. (Hmm what is it they say about pets and their owners?!)
I had thought these would have been arriving at their new homes today, but no. Tomorrow hopefully!
Would I do it all again? Of course, I've learned all the tricks now... why let that go to waste?!
One thing I have learned, a tip for swap participants and or hosts, to do with posting.
Posting, and price of posting, (in the United Kingdom) is all about the thickness.
How's that for a difference in two different charms?!
To put it as simply as possible, and to make things as easy as possible for the host AND participant, I'd say the following is the safest guide.
On the left, small envelope, ziplock bag just over 5" square. Expect to mail as small parcel. Currently £2.70.
On the right, we have a plastic envelope and ziplock back to fit 5" by 10" minimum - that way the single charm pack can be split into two piles. If this can be done, and the charms flattened out good (the zip lock bag helps!!) the parcel can then be thin enough (and still under A4) to be posted as a large letter, and hopefully much cheaper! You can get a cardboard size checker thingy from the post office if you ask. The kind lady explained to me that it is not a matter of "can I flatten my parcel and get it through the size slot". She told me that the new sorting machines are apparently quite fussy. If your parcel doesnt drop easily through the slot with NO HELP, its too big - the machine will jam.
Plastic envelopes are best by far. Good air-tight ziplock bags are essential. Posting isnt always particularly gentle. Or weatherproof...
I should probably have found all this out before I ran a swap. But, there you go, I've learned something new...
And finally... my #quiltphoto number 3. "on the floor"
Dont know whether to call this "I hate hoovering" or "R.I.P. supersoft fluffy deep pile carpet" either way, I'd kill for a tiled / wooden floored sewing room! (Or a cleaner.)
Oh look at Miss Ellie asleep on the piles of charms! Your little helper! You wore her out Sarah! Haha!
ReplyDeleteThey all look so fabuloso, can't wait :-)
Well Done Missus :-) .........Well Done Miss Ellie ;-)
Such gorgeous pics of Miss Ellie! I can see who rules the roost there! The charm squares are so yummy! Great advice re: posting! It can be a right nightmare sometimes! Jxo
ReplyDeleteAwesome charms - I can't wait till Monday (I don't have Saturday post). You've done a brilliant job - many thanks!
ReplyDeleteYep, definitely would have kept a couple (lost in the post, that'd be my excuse!) xxx
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to getting that package!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have been invaluable with your advice for my swap, thanks so much hon x
ReplyDeleteI know what would have made it better.... If I could have played. Hehehe
ReplyDeleteEllie sure earns her Kit-e-kat! I have two helpers but they aren't quite so persistent. I also have wooden and tiled floors! It just encouraged huge balls of thread and dust, like tumbleweed!
ReplyDeleteI love Ellie, she knows how to steal the limelight! Don't envy you with that hoovering!
ReplyDeletePostman not been yet today. I am waiting anxiously! I can't wait to get my hands on these charms.
ReplyDeleteMine arrived today, I'm delighted, you've done a fab job - can I sign up now for the next one???
ReplyDeleteI just got mine! Yay! They are all fabulous ... thank you so much, you brilliant person, you! xxx
ReplyDeleteMine arrived before I was up this am. So exciting. Have no idea what to do with them so will just be fondling and stroking them.
ReplyDeleteJust arrived and sooooo brilliant. I love. Thankyou so much. I think I owe you for postage - caught out in the thin v fat charm pile, I guess. Who knew posting could be such an art? Definitely not me. Juliex
ReplyDeleteYou're a marvel!! An aching marvel but a marvel nonetheless!!
ReplyDeleteI got my charm pack this afternoon and am super excited to see all the fantastic fabrics! Such a great experience for my first swap.... thanks a million!!
ReplyDeletebeen here, got the tshirt (and bad back)! no intention of doing it again, well done you for surviving, me and the girls had such fun looking through them when they arrived this morning, thanks sweetie xx
ReplyDeletePoor Ellie cat! Thanks so much Sarah, my little package in the left arrived safely today!
ReplyDeleteMaggie cat is akin to Ellie, if you move her off the fabric she'll be back again in a matter of moments! ... and probably laying down just like Ellie too!
ReplyDeleteThe postage costs based on size were introduced weeks before I left for USA and I never really understood what a letter of any size was going to cost me! ... useful tips you've discovered there :)
It is a fantastic collection of squares! And a very handy hint about the posting too.
ReplyDeletePomona x
I love the photo of Elliecat sneaking a touch on the charms. My parents' cats think the quilts I gave my parents and my sis were in fact meant for them.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the successful swap, the charms look so cute.
You did such a great job, lady, I love my pile of fabulous fabrics! x
ReplyDeleteMy parcel dropped through the door yesterday, after i left the house for a week away - gutted!! Thanks so much for hosting the swap - you rock!
ReplyDeleteWell done Sarah - I participated in a mystery charm swap with Jenelle - she chose all the fabrics and chose well! No fuglies. Completely fugly free!
ReplyDeleteOh hai thin stack of charms on the right- I believe you were my contribution! My dog is the same as your cat, sometimes his nose gets dangerously close to the iron or the sewing machine. He's a little git. Well, a big git really.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your work in the swap Sarah :)
I don't think anyone would trust me to send me their fabric - I might just keep it all!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job & truly deserve some couch time! I have mine on the coffee table in front of the couch & just keep putting a new one on top every now & then so I can get the most eye candy moments possible.
ReplyDeleteMy kitty LOVES to sleep on my fabric, she can be outside or upstairs & the minute I put a piece of fabric on the table she magically appears!! She really loves to play with selvedges but I keep her away from the best ones LOL.
I will never understand the mysteries of the post. You were lucky the woman explained it to you. I sent off a package to my son recently & the woman saved me nearly 30 quid. I just had to separate my package into 2 so they were 2 kilos & 1 kilo instead of 3 kilos??? I said, so it's significantly cheaper to send 2 parcels?? The mind boggles???
As for the "you pick all the fabrics swap" I would be up for any future swap you arrange!!
Cheers
Lush x
I'll keep my fingers crossed for the cleaner for you ;o)
ReplyDeleteYou could get an Ikea plastic floor protector mat thing like this: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/44881100/
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend has one over his carpet that lets his wheely office chair move about. I don't know if it's colder on the feet than carpet but that'd just be a good excuse for fuzzy socks :)