Margo wrote:
I would do it, but I'm not sure how we would make sure what gets sent back isn't just more duplicates of what they already have ... although I suppose having only 2 or 3 duplicates would be better than 5+. I suppose if people have a particular person they know they are missing they could send in a request...

If no one else has volunteered I can do it.

diana: well said - thank you

crocus999 wrote:
Terrie:

As I read it, basically someone international had sent in her HST; and when the sorting began, they set up a bag of HST to return to her/him in the exchange. That bag was set aside to be mailed later. However, instead of the bag getting mailed internationally, she had her return envelope addressed to a place in the US (maybe she was traveling here and would just pick it up when she arrived in the States, whatever . . . . ) But because she sent a SASE addressed to a different destination, when the sorters went to check off internationals who needed HST, they must have missed that she was a "special case" (her package was not to be returned to her overseas address). Does this make sense? It does to me, but then I could be all wrong in explaining this based on my conjecturing. Nonetheless, it explains what likely could have happened.

On to the other issue being discussed: if the goal was to get the exact number of HST returned to you that you sent in with no replication, then I think that was an assumption made on the part of individuals. Debbie and Clara explicitly stated that they would do their best to ensure as much variety as possible; they never promised we would each get uniquely different individual HST with no duplicates. I myself joined this community exchange for the thrill of connecting and receiving works of art from quilters around the world. I am thrilled I even received a package back given how things can get lost in the mail or in the sorting.

Last point to make -- I counted my half-squares more because there seemed to be so many, and also because I need an actual count to plan a quilt. Was I short a few? Yes. But that is OKAY. I am just grateful to be a part of this exchange, especially as I came so close to missing out. What fun it has been, what a blessing.

Hope you all feel likewise.

Diana

Maybe I'm slow, but I don't really understand how you ended up with an 'extra' bag of Hsts. But I'm used to lots of mystery in my life...LOL Don't worry about trying to expalin it, unless there is someone else out there who also doesn't 'get it'.

Debbie and Clara - there are enough wonderful people who have offered, that even if we each sent a few to the one who is so short, she will have enough. Please do not deprive yourselves, we are so thankful to you both. Let us enjoy 'giving' as much as you have enjoyed it.
Hugs,
Terrie
still waiting.....

Well said Florence!

Sorry Margo, not me! There are times I'd be stepping up for something like this but just now isn't it.

But I do want to address some of the concerns about duplicates etc. I know I got some, but I wasn't counting as specifically as some of the folks here. I did pull them aside, in case my chosen design can be worked without any dupes, like a charm quilt, who knows? And I haven't worked any wonderful maths as we've seen here before, but here's what I do know:
1) Not all of the 615 folks who signed up actually ended up participating.
2) Not all of the folks who did participate sent in the full 615 HST's which would have covered all participants.
3) Some of the participants used multiple fabrics & combinations to make their HST's, and likely (a guess) some used only 2 fabrics.
4) Not all of the participants paid attention to light & dark, I got several that are medium/medium!

So, using some logic, unless everyone sent in the same amounts, there's no way for all participants to receive one HST from every other participant. I'm sure our marvelous organizers have a list going somewhere, to give to the next person who attempts such a thing, but I'm guessing one item would be to have everyone agree to make the same amount. Maybe that's too open-ended for some, but if that's the case set a limit on participants.

I see that they took on a HUGE challenge, and I think we absolutely can still call it a success. I ended up with more variety than I ever would have come up with on my own (and I really collect scraps!) so I'm happy.

The glass is half-full!!
Piece,

Needless to say this first exchange grew in size and scope to dimensions that no one ever dreamed of! :shock:
There were a LOT of things that Debbie and Clara would have done differently if they had known then what they know now!

I do hope that this doesn't deter others from volunteering to take on more exchanges in the future, but we can all learn from this one, and take any words of advice from Debbie & Clara (SoTTTs), Ritzy (Batiks), Barbara (strips) and Romira (potholder exchange) about how to avoid some of the issues and pitfalls that they dealt with.
These ladies have all done a fabulous job.

In the meantime, would any one member be interested in volunteering to be in charge of exchanges? To be a clearing house for anyone wishing to return extras or exchange duplicates or to catch up with what they sent in???? Any takers??? We promise to heap many thanks and adulations on you!!

You get to make up your own rules and guidelines!!

ClaraLawrence wrote:
We all want Debbie and Clara to come out way on top of this, but I think we should honor their above wishes and give them a chance to work out their resolve to this issue. Then we can all send extra HST's to our favorite SoTTT angels.

Hi Ladies - This is the first time that I have joined this type of exchange and needless to say, I was extremely excited to see and read all of the postings on the Forum. When I signed up I elected to make 280 HST's plus I sent several extras for the ladies in New Zealand and Australia. Well, after many months of waiting (seemed like 6) I finally received my HST's last week and spent several hours going through them and seeing the wonderful fabrics. Then as I was going through them I started finding some dup's. No big deal, right? Well, let me sum this up, as I see that several other ladies have made comments about dup's, triples, etc.

Participants : 650 (approx)
HST's submitted: 225,000 (approx)
I sent: 280
I rec'd: 280

Out of the 280 - 88 singles; 74 dup (too numerous to mention); 36 -3 each (again too numerous to mention); 20 - 4 each (Ditto); 1 - 5 each - Cynthia (truckeetahoe), Truckee, CA.; 1 - 6 each - Mr. Martin Nieskens, Houston, Tx.; 1 - 7 each - Edie S, Bismarck, N.D.; 11 - Pati Beck, St. George, UT; 27 HST's - totally blank; and I did receive 1 each from Alex, Ricky, Edyta, Margo and Lilo (great treat).

I'm not a Math Major by any means, but logically, anyone sending in 28 to 650 HST's we shouldn't have rec'd as many duplicates, triples, etc.

Please this is in no way placing blame or pointing fingers at any person(s), believe me I don't know that I would have wanted to take on the task that these wonderful ladies took on. However, I hope that if there is another exchange in the future (and I truly hope there is) that this exchange provided some insight as to what not to do and to possibly put limitations as to the quantity being sent. I know this has been rather long, however, I wanted my voice to be heard. As I said before, Thank you ladies for taking on this huge task. You are truly quilting angels.

Yipee...I got mine...I think I just got over excited when others were receiving their HST..This is going to be so much fun.
Just want to stay home from work and sort and touch and smile and dream about how I am going to use them.

I also have a " long count" as well as multiples and duplicates..keep me in the contact list and I'll
keep watching for a way to help. Marilyn in Idaho

ConnieJean wrote:
I'm with you ConnieJean. Debbie and Clara should be the ones coming out ahead of the game here. I, for one, sent extras for them as I'm sure many others did. We want them to have the extra's. That's why we sent them. Please you two, accept a few more from us if you don't come out ahead of what you made!!!

Roine

I don't know if I am over or not but I have lots & lots of duplicates, triplicates & quadruples. I think I even had 6 of one & 7 of another. I wish I was at home so I could do an accurate count, but will do that this weekend. I am not only willing to send my dups, etc., I WANT to send them to those who are short, INCLUDING CLARA & DEBBIE. PLEASE LET US DO THIS!!

Why the wait on help. Here is what is going on and you will understand why we said to hold off a little bit.

I had an international package of triangles that had no label or paypal receipt for payment. Come to find out that she had already made arrangements for it to be sent to the US. So another package was set up for the US address. She replied back to me saying she had gotten her HSTs and she was good. So, we now had this bag of HSTs that did not have a home. Knowing that Debbie and I were short quite a bit I was being sneaky (to surprise Debbie) and sent her over half of them. After they were in the mail, she got an alert that a quilter got the wrong amount and was missing a lot. I saw the post and immediately contacted Debbie and told her about the HSTs in route to her. (I dumped a bunch in there and didn't count) She is going to count them out when she gets them and send them on. I will do the same and fill in the rest of the missing. We should be ok with this. That's the scoop.

Thanks for all of you ready to dive in and help us out. It means a lot and we might need that again. We have to see how this works out after everyone has received their HSTs. Clara