Received HST's

[Jeanne A.]

Well, i haven't recieved my HST's yet - i am so looking forward to getting them, i don't care what condition they are in!
Maybe today!

[Jeanne A.]

I glad to report that my triangles arrived in Friday's mail.

My husband and I were not at home when they came, so they sat on the porch waiting for me. It was appropriate that they arrived on the day they did. We were at the airport picking up a colleague who was to arrive from India around 4 in the afternoon. His flight was late-- first due to mechanical difficulty and then due to the severe tornado weather in the midwest. This was the tornado that hit the St. Louis airport and closed it down. He finally arrived 8 hours late...exhausted, but none-the-less glad to be here safely. I was delighted to get back to my own place by 1:30 a.m. to find my package of triangles...sent from around the world greeting me. My husband and I sorted through them until nearly 3 a.m. and then headed to bed.

The world has become so much closer to each of us. Thirty years ago when we traveled into Eastern Europe there were no cell phones or internet and my husband or I could be away from home for three weeks behind the iron curtain, unable to have contact causing so much anxiety. We made it work...but how fortunate are we today to be living in this world where we can communicate in milli-seconds with quilters in those same countries now.

This was an exchange which grew into a monumental exchange, why? Surely not because we all just wanted 'more fabric' to add to our collection. No, it is because we truly want to connect with women outside of our own comfortable homes and forge meaningful relationships revealing that despite different customs, religions etc. we all dream of peace and safety and shared life and respect for one another.

God bless each and every one of the women who devoted so much energy and effort into bringing the quilting world right up to my front door!!!

Take care, I 'sew for peace'......

[Lotti D.]

..... This was an exchange which grew into a monumental exchange, why? Surely not because we all just wanted 'more fabric' to add to our collection. No, it is because we truly want to connect with women outside of our own comfortable homes and forge meaningful relationships revealing that despite different customs, religions etc. we all dream of peace and safety and shared life and respect for one another......

:P :P :P :P :P :P

[Lotti D.]

I am so excited!!! I have finally been able to sort through all my HSTs from the 2 exchanges, and guess what!!! Of the ones which were signed with a name and location, I have 329 different individuals, 45 states and 8 countries represented!!!! WOW!!! Now, here's a challenge....I'd like to get representation from those 5 'missing' states: Arkansas, Hawaii, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma. Were there any participants from those states? If so, may I send you a SASE and a HST so that I can receive a HST from you representing your state?
Thanks!

[Alice S.]

I received my HST's on April 20th. I sent in 448 and received 451- so just 3 over my original number. I have triangles from 41 states and 9 countries but did not receive any of my own and not one from my home state of NewJersey. I do not know who had more fun, myself or my husband, looking at the places and countries where the triangles were from. The triangles were in great condition and one more beautitul than the next. The icing on the cake were the four special ones from Alex, Margo, Edyta, and Ricky. A great big thank you from my heart to all those who worked so hard on a very challenging proposition. My husband ,who is originally from Germany, raised his glass of beer (I did say he was from Germany) and toasted that night at dinner-"To all the quilters aound the world" and I raise mine as well to all of you. Job well done. Thank you Alice

[Alice S.]

Personally, I do not want anyone to be disappointed in any exchange - but you must remember those of us who have volunteered to manage the trades have NO control over what fabrics people buy and then put together, the post office, sewing or cutting skills, etc.

I always refer back to a national teacher who gave a lecture at my guild - she said when you are involved in a trade of any sort you must "learn to lower your expectations". I have been in many trades since I heard this statement. This philosophy definitely works - I use everything I get and am happier with the results.

I am managing the batik strip exchange and have gotten strips neatly folded into separate small baggies - such pretty packages!! Of course this is one person taking her time to make her own individual neat stacks - not 30 people working with 250,000 hst's, or in my case 23,000 strips soon to be sorted.

Everyone should be happy to have the opportunity to get involved - use your iron and make something awesome.

Barb, I'm with you on lowering our expectations. And now I got far more than I would have ever expected. I sent in 616 hst's and got a large bag full back. I haven't counted them but plan to. Mine were messy too. A few ironed open, about 50 or so with no id on them, and even a few I can't read. Each one of them is more beautiful to me than the last one I looked at. I know in my heart of hearts that when I make a quilt with them it will be my favorite quilt of all time. It will remind me of all the fun we've had waiting, and "talking" and keeping up on all the postings. On some days we really chattered a lot and I've enjoyed everything I've read. This whole experience will be in my quilt. I never dreamed that I'd be exchanging fabric with people from so many states and so many countries! I feel lucky to have been a part of this and I would do it again in a heart beat. Thank you all! I just love my bag of messy, wrinkly hst's. :P :P :P :P
:lol: :lol: :wink:
Roine

[Alice S.]

I'm with you Roine! I kept it 'secret' from my hubby until after I received the bag of HSTs back and was sorting them. He really got enthused about it, too! And has been encouraging me regarding what to make with them. And he's excited about the possibility of me finishing out the 50 states....I've been contacting those states' TQS members who didn't participate in the exchange and asking - so far, a good response. And, today, I put together a block! YEA! So much fun!

[Alice S.]

My HST's are here!! Whoo Hoo!! I sat and played with them yesterday evening, looked at them all, checked out the labels and amazed at all the states and countries they came from. There is one stack that didn't have labels. Those are loved and will be used too. So, thanks for all that sent HST's and those wonderful sorter ladies and gentlemen who did so much work to get them to us. I have not counted them yet, just ooooo'd and awwww'd (can you believe spell check doesn't like those words!) One question...one is labeled NZ...New Zealand? Thanks for the golden tickets. They will be placed special on the quilt. I would love to put the sorters in that bag too. Is there a list of those that helped sort? I recognized several names, Debbie and Clara's, but would love to add some of the others. I'm rambling this morning! I'm still excited after playing with them last night. Many thanks again to all!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sandi in tropical (another word for muggy!) FL

[Alice S.]

I was so excited when I got my package in the mail. It has taken me a bit to get them ready to sew, but finished that job last night. I went camping last weekend and torn papers as i sat around the camp fire - quite relaxing. I kind of put them up on a wall this morning, but still have lots to put up and I can see I have a few to change around. It was a big job and I thank you all for what you did. Can't wait to see everyone's quilts.

[Deborah W.]

Yippee! My triangles arrived in the mail today and I have been looking at them all. I received a beautiful selection of triangles from the exchange--39 states and seven countries. Now I can begin to sew. Thanks to Clara, Debbie and all your helpers for this wonderful experience.

[Deborah W.]

Hi Barb, I'm assuming from yout message that you still have not sent out all the strips---good, because I was starting to wonder where mine were. Now I feel better. Mona80

[Deborah W.]

This is my last post/inquiry offering HST exchanges. I have an extra from Alex, and quite a few duplicates, including duplicates from several countries which I am offering for exchange. I'm nearing the completion of the blocks for my project and would like to do any exchange prior to that completion. Let me know if I can help you! - Thanks!