This is not a time to worry over the Forsaken or the Goblins of Gnomeregan. The valiant heroes of the Alliance will triumph over their foes. ahem. Excuse me. What I mean to say is. it's time for the 6th Annual Hallow's End Swap.
This year, instead of swapping fabric, we are swapping sets of blocks, made with Halloween fabric! (This is the *only* Halloween swap I will host this year) This is my favorite holiday, and therefore, my favorite swap. Participants should print out these rules for future reference - computers have a habit of "losing" important info like this just when you really need it!
You must e-mail me privately to sign up - posting here to the newsgroup is not good enough because of all the goblins in the servers. After you e-mail me at FroodBuffy at GriffinsFlight dot com , I will send you a confirmation e-mail with my mailing address. If you think you are signed up, but have not had a cheery, personal email from me, you are *not* signed up!!
Sign up by August 15, 2006. If you are not signed up by then, it's too late! While I will be sending confirmation e-mails back to you as quickly as possible, I will be on stash raids on and off this month. I'll check my mail and get back to you as soon as I can when I return. The swaps need to be in my bone-chillingly cold hands by September 18th.
Here are the Official Rules:
1) We are swapping sets of quilt blocks, the number to be determined by the number of people who join, but no less than 6, and no more than 10 per set. (If a large number of people sign up, there may be a chance to swap more than one set. But don't hold your breath - you don't look great blue)2) Blocks may be pieced or appliqué. Embellishments should be washable or removable. (Embellishments are strictly optional). Blocks should have a Halloween theme, either with Halloween fabrics pieced, or as an appliqué design. These blocks should be G-rated. We are not swapping excerpts from a Wes Cravens film. Think FrankenPooh and Great Pumpkin, not Freddy Kruger and Jason. If your block makes my children cry or run away in fear, I will sic my minions on you.
3) Blocks may be any size divisible by 3". 3"x3" or 6"x6" or 6"x9" or 12"x12" or 12"x6", etc. Max size 12" square, min size 3" square. NOTE: add seam allowances to above sizes.4) Please use your best skills in creating these blocks. That's not to say you can't try something new, or that you need to be an expert. But sloppily-made, hastily-sewn blocks are no fun to get back in the mail.
5) All fabric must be washable. Have I stressed the washability enough? I plan on using any quilt I make and in my house, that means it gets washed.6) I live in a smoke-free home. I do have a dog, but he is not allowed free access to fabric, and I take precautions to ensure no hair gets on swaps. (Ok, this one's not a rule, but a FYI)
7) Send your blocks in a plastic bag (HOWEVER! Press-N-Seal is NOT acceptable, due to bad experiences in past swaps!!), to keep it safe on its journey, and enclose your name and address in the wrapping, in case of envelope rippage. Send a self-addressed envelope with return postage (not metered!!!) in with your swap. My post office will not accept metered mail, no matter what your post office tells you.8) Non-USA participants email me for mailing instructions. I try to allow enough time for swaps to get to me from outside the US, and to allow for mail holidays.
9) Mail your package so it arrives in my hands by September 18th. I will mail the swaps back out by September 22nd.10) Email me privately to sign up and get my mailing address. FroodBuffy at GriffinsFlight dot com
Everyone who signs up is expected to follow through with the commitment. If you sign up, but find you cannot participate, please send me a note to let me know not to expect anything from you. Stuff happens, no big. But a note will give me a heads up, so I don't sit by the mailbox, harassing Alton everyday. :-)
I will be inviting some of my real-life friends to participate. If you know a non-RCTQer who would like to participate, you may invite them to sign up. Just please make sure they are willing to follow through with the swap. (you can even save on postage by combining the mailing)
If you are unsure what kind of block or fabric to use, just ask. I'll be happy answer any questions.
Questions? Email me, the lvl35 Skeletal Mage: FroodBuffy at GriffinsFlight dot