I agree that this is really fun and I don't care if I get some of my own back, or if some are pressed open, I can deal with these. I do think it's amazing that so many wonderful quilters are sharing around the world so enthusiastically. It is great to be part of such a group of people, and I enjoy reading all the posts. You have given me a lesson in threads--I am learning so much from all of you.

Thank you Debbie and Clara, and I know, somehow, you will get us all sorted out in the end. Keep planning those wonderful projects with all the HSTs.

Anne

i'm so glad you're not loosing your humour - thank you clara and debbie for the time and efforts you are investing - and thanks also to all those who are helping you.

i'm super-happy to be a part of this - and look oh-so-forward to whatever i get back - be they fabulously colourful, calming and pull-it-all-togethering, ironed open, or a good number of my own creation (they'll have had a journey (no two)) and have visited nice people and are bringing me back their good wishes - and i just love the idea that we can do something something like this with likeminded people from all over our lovely planet

thanks so much to all who are making this possible
lotti

Scoopie wrote:
I agree with everything you say!!
Karen
In snowy North Dakota

I'm sure the intent of the "615+ers" was to make sure each person (yes, including the sender) gets at least one of his/her HSTs. It would also seem that these "+ers " should be able to receive back one from everyone else. Most "+ers" probably wouldn't care about the "+" amount they sent--perhaps they could be given one from everyone else, make a note on their bag how many other ones they still are entitled to, take care of the non"+ers", and the remainder of the HSTs would go to the "+ers" according to how many were needed to complete their total sent. As for me, I would hope that I would receive one from each person since I would have made the effort to ensure that there would be one HST for everyone, and after that I wouldn't mind receiving multiples from the same quilter/quilters. I know I would love each and every HST.

Pat--"Keep Calm and Carry On"

No more fretting over the sorting, that's my job. And I plan not to fret an ounce until that day. (frankly because there is no real point) I do plan on doing a few common sense things to organize ahead of time and enjoy the moment. I have never been involved in an exchange before of any type. That's because I mainly do art quilts. So, I am enjoying everyones energy from all over the world. It's wayyy cool!

Let's have fun with this. Clara [/quote]

Yea for you Clara! So well said. Let's just enjoy the process and focus on planning how we'll use our little treasures when they arrive. Organizing is always a moving target and it'll work out just fine...with or without learning how to back up a jet! Thanks again for the efforts of all the volunteers. I for one will not fret if something's not perfect. Hey, we're quilters and know how to improvise. That's what scrappy means, right?
Now, lets give our organizers a big break!

Alright everyone. The sorting queen is here. (self appointed of course) It is my job to organize and direct the sorting. We have rented the Astro Dome. We will line 615 chairs with flannel with the names of quilters on them. Then we will bring in a jet plane and point the engines toward these chairs. Slowly we will release a giant bag full of the HST and the jets will project them toward the chairs. Naturally the sorting will take a little time preparing. I've never backed up a jet plane. Could get interesting. We will need many people to cover the chairs with the flannel slip covers, but all in all we should be done in time for lunch at Papasittos for some much needed fajitas and margaritas!!!

No more fretting over the sorting, that's my job. And I plan not to fret an ounce until that day. (frankly because there is no real point) I do plan on doing a few common sense things to organize ahead of time and enjoy the moment. I have never been involved in an exchange before of any type. That's because I mainly do art quilts. So, I am enjoying everyones energy from all over the world. It's wayyy cool!

Ok, little secret here. I will probably be one of those quilters that will also send in 700 too. So, I can't get mad at that either. Hee Hee.
Here's to making the best of this and wondering what will become of all those HST that I touch. Humm. That is what I want to see. Imagination and love and detail at it's best. The end result. No more fretting. The sorting thing is mine.

Let's have fun with this. Clara

Scoopie wrote:

To each her own - I love spreadsheets! I have played games, designed quilts, and kept track of the first year of my son's life in excel. I have programed excel reports at two different jobs that eliminated the need for that job. I simply offered the only kind of help I can offer so that people don't have to 'consider' sending fewer. I was never asking them to start a spreadsheet only if they already had one. I think this exchange is a great thing. It is amazing the volume of triangles and the number of people who wish to participate. I think that Debbie and Clara are wonderful for doing this. I truly wish I could help more - I like to organize (well, organize other people's stuff).

[/quote]I am one that sent 700, but to help with variety I did not make all 700 out of the same two fabrics. I made 25 different fabric combincations (total 50 fabrics used) of 28 triangles (per sheet). I will be happy for what ever is returned to me, even some that are already pressed open and even my own.
FluffBallQuilts (Nancy in Mt. Pleasant)[/quote]



I have done exactly the same. No two fabrics alike.

I'm cutting mine back to 16 sheets for 448. I've used about 10 different darks and will be sending no more than 56 that are the same. So someone could get up to 10 of mine and not get a repeat. Since I also signed up for the batik exchange I will still have plenty of variety for the quilt I hope to make. I will just make it smaller so it will get finished quicker. And I'm cutting mine into 4 pieces anyway to make 2 triangles and 2 squares, and I may even turn some of them into hourglass blocks so I will have more than enough pieces for multiple miniature quilts. I have every confidence the sorters will do a great job.

NaneeWolf wrote:
I am one that sent 700, but to help with variety I did not make all 700 out of the same two fabrics. I made 25 different fabric combincations (total 50 fabrics used) of 28 triangles (per sheet). I will be happy for what ever is returned to me, even some that are already pressed open and even my own.
FluffBallQuilts (Nancy in Mt. Pleasant)

Serin10,

Spreadsheet? You're kidding, right? This is suppossed to be fun for everyone. Debbie and Clara are volunteering many, MANY hours for OUR enjoyment! Trust me, you will get a good assortment, no matter what their method of sorting! I personally have made about 5 different combinations, so even if you get 2 of mine you probably would not get the same two combinations. Also, If I did my math right, and figuring 2 seconds per HST, and using a figure of 400 HST as the average per person; it will take 9 people working 8 hours each, for 2 days, JUST to do the sorting. :shock: That's a LOT of hours! And, that's not counting lunch, breaks, and time for questions that may arise. My hat is off to you, Debbie and Clara! You girls ROCK

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

How about grouping the people who send a lot (600+) and send the extras to another high contributor. Personally, I'd prefer to get duplicates from someone else who has different fabric than me. Otherwise, just return mine to me. That's OK too.

Maybe you should set an upper limit. It sounds like your more concerned about the work load. If that is the case then I understand and can appreciate that. Just tell us how many we can send at the most. Idaho is right if at least 50 people send over 600 then most of the duplicates should go to those 50 people and everyone will still get a good assortment. If you are keeping track on a spreadsheet of the amounts that are coming in, I might be able to help you devise a sorting arrangement so everyone gets a good mix.

idaho wrote:
Probably not a good idea at all, so let's not go there !! If everyone started sending in more than they originally planned, this sorting process could roll into weeks rather than days. Just imagine if 615 members sent in 600 HSTs, that would be 369,000 to be sorted and mailed, and there are not that many people who will be helping us in this process.