Margo - I've tried to get the little smilies onto posts, but can't seem to get them to go. I know you know everything about posting - can you give me some direction, please. My smilie button is turned on, but I only get the code when I try to move one over. Thank in advance!

I can finally join those who can say, "They are here"! I heard the mail come early today and yes, there they were. Haven't counted the states yet but I have 4 HSTs from 3 countries. About 1/4 of mine are unsigned. Your triangles are missing out on the fun! Also got 4 of my own back and that is just fine with me. I like them or I would not have sent them out. There was one surprise. Yesterday "breeze" in Redlands, CA sent a note she had one of my triangles and liked the shops in Calimesa (small city, 2 quilt shops). As I sorted for those from the same people, I found one from her. Oh Happy Day.

MoggyD wrote:
I have some available. See my list under the Wayward HSTs topic.

Just wondering if the international triangles are swapped out.
Diane

YIPPEE! WOO HOO! My HSTs came today. Thanks to all involved....making HSTs, organizing HSTs, sorting HSTs.... Especially Debbie, Clara, sorting and mailing wizards and elves, Alex, Ricky, Margo and Edyta(!).
The fabrics and colors are incredible!

Alisa

Margo wrote:
Oh, Annis, the minute I saw your purple threads, I immediately thot of putting them into a tiny miniature glass bottle (like the ones used in the jewelry industry) and making them into a keepsake pendant that could hang from a chain or fine cording like...get this ..."mice tail" which is thinner than rat tail! I make jewelry as well as quilts and think this would be a great pendant, little earrings?, or a charm (which could be attached to a metal bookmark like the ones you can get at a craft store),...or anything else you guys can think of!

...and, Oh, Dawn, your really started something here when you suggested we save those precious SoTTT threads Great idea

Great visual Annis! Thanks! I can't wait to see how yours comes out, and I know it will be spectacular!
That's the kind of attention to detail it takes to create a perfect quilt, and you have to start with precision from the very first units.

For what it's worth, my quilt is going to be much more casual, like me!

I'm using my HSTs the way I received them, and know that mine will not be a "perfect" quilt.

It will, however, be a perfect memory of our wonderful TQS community, and I'm going to enjoy using it!

My HST's didn't get to rest for long. I had a few spare hours last night and didn't want to work or clean house so I decided to press them open. I couldn't wait any longer to see all of the different fabrics! They are now partially sorted by color. As I was pressing I noticed that some of them were different sizes, depending on if they were sewn on the line, or to the right or left of the line, or cut accurately on the cutting line. I'm used to squaring up my HST's so debated for awhile on whether I was going to do that or just clip the bunny ears and mark the ones that were slightly off. In the end I decided it would be worth it to square them all to the same size, so this morning I started on my purple stack. I am squaring them to 2 3/8". All of the bunny ears fall off as I am squaring and also the loose threads. I'm leaving the paper on until they are sorted by block so it will be easier to handle them and they won't fray so much, and I can keep a record of which fabrics are in each block. If anyone is interested in my clippings just let me know, which will include tiny strips of paper. It will be awhile before they are all squared as I will just do a couple dozen at a time. This is going to be a long term project and I'm not in any hurry. I know this defeats the purpose of using paper, but having the blocks all the same size will make my project go together much easier.

Hooray!!! My package just came in the mail. I have to go to work at 3:00, so not much time to look at them. Can't wait until tomorrow. This is my first quilt exchange. I have several good ideas and suggestions from quilting friends about how to put them together. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much to all who made this happen.

JaneVA
Fishersville, VA

My HST's arrived this week while I was away on a retreat! I told my DH before I left that if my package arrived while I was gone, he had to tell me the truth and he did - it arrived Wednesday! I was torn between enjoying my retreat time and wishing I could hurry home to open my package. I did the right thing, I enjoyed the remainder of my time at the retreat and managed to set my excitement aside. Well I made it through Thursday morning by finishing up the last minute projects and packing and eating and saying goodbye to newly made friends. Travel time involved stopping at quilt shops along the way and - well you know what happens when you walk into the LQS - yep - that's right I bought fabric - the prices were so good that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity. Well enough about my trip - Oh when I got home I couldn't wait to get my package and open it up and remove all those LOVELY hst's. OMG - I was at a loss for words. My DH sat down at the table with me and I was totally surprised that he picked up the triangles to see where they were from and he was as amazed as I am at the variety of places the triangles came from and the fabics used. All of them are beautiful. Thank you Debbie and Clara and everyone who helped with the incredible task of sorting and organizing and giving of your time to make this exchange successful. I plan to use some of my triangles to make a Tree of Life wall hanging for my twin sister that will include a picture of my mother and a recipe in her hand writing transferred to fabric. I'm thinking the recipe cards may be part of the tree trunk - we'll see. I think all of the pictures shared so far are just gorgeous! Can't wait to see what everyone makes and hope to see a lot of sharing. Again THANK YOU to all that made this possible - especially you Debbie and Clara and TQS!

Marty Galbreath
Tennessee

Hi All,

So I didn't get my hst's today... it's only right. I signed up for the exchange on the last day. I sent in my hst's at the last possible moment. I think the good Lord is trying to teach me patience. :shock: I guess I'm a slow learner!!

Anyway, it's time for a little bit about me since you've all been so good about sharing yourselves. I live in Liberty Center, a small town in northwest Ohio. My dear (translate: supports my quilting habit) husband and I live on a 26 acre family farm that never ceases to inspire me. We have 5 grown children. We share our space with 2 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats who love to help me quilt and various and assorted wildlife that drops in and out.

I've been quilting for about 20 years, but continue to learn from all of you on the forum every day. This has been so much fun. I hope we go on for a looooong time.

I'm retired after working 33 years in the field of special education. Now I work part time at the library in our town and have been asked to set up a quilt program for our patrons. I'm thinking of doing an exchange of some sort since this has been so much fun, but haven't worked out the details yet. Any ideas out there? I'm wide open to suggestions.

In the meantime, I hope you all are having as much fun reading this forum as I am.

Jean aka Jmheff from northwest Ohio

My HSTs are here. Thanks Debbie and Clara for the monumental task of sorting that you had to do. Also many thanks to the sort helpers. This was my first exchange ever and it was very enjoyable . THANKS, DixieH

Margo, I certainly agree with Jean from NW - it IS nice to hear your voice and the videos were very informative and well done.

Everyone have a wonderful Easter weekend. The weather is supposed to be lovely (a little cloudy today) this weekend in North Carolina. I wish rain for Texas!

I'm still waiting for mine and still loving when you ladies tell us your packages have arrived and how excited you are!!

THEY'RE HERE!!! Love having early mail delivery. All I know as yet is that the Golden packet is there as well as a set of mine that were excess.
Waves of gratitude flowing.......