All the hostesses have received their groups and are in the process of sending out welcome letters and getting their matches done. If you have not received your welcome letter, please check all your emails; some of the hostesses have sent their letters to your anonymous email addresses. Also check your spam filters just to be sure it didn't get caught in there for some reason. Once you receive your letter, please acknowledge it by dropping a quick reply to your hostess so she knows you received it.
Please make sure that your questionnaires are on your blogs and filled out so as soon as you get your matches, you may begin!
Happy 4th, and happy swapping!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Questionnaire for SP14
Here is the questionnaire for SP14. Please be sure to post it in a spot on your blog where your pal can easily find it. Since your pal will use this to help create your packages you'll want to have it posted to your blog no later than July 10th, but sooner would be better as it can be helpful to us in selecting your pals.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
5. What's your favorite scent?
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
13. What are you knitting right now?
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
19. Is there anything that you collect?
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
23. When is your birthday?
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
5. What's your favorite scent?
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
13. What are you knitting right now?
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
19. Is there anything that you collect?
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
23. When is your birthday?
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
LAST DAY TO PAY INVOICES
This is a reminder to let you know that today is the last day to pay your invoices. If you have not received one, please go to the main address on the blog and let a hostess know that you need another one. Once you receive it, you MUST pay it immediately, or you will be removed from the list.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Friday, June 19, 2009
SIGN-UPS CLOSING MONDAY, JUNE 22ND
As much as we would like to keep sign-ups open forever, we've reached the point where we have to shut them down and get this show on the road! Monday, June 22nd, is the day when sign-ups are being closed. We need the time to get everyone put into groups, assigned to hostesses, and get partners assigned in time for the July 1st opening of the swap. If you've even been thinking about joining, this weekend will be your last chance to get your application in.
For those of you who are sitting on the fence, we sincerely hope to have you join us. For those of you who are signed up and ready to go, we're just about there! Hang on to your hats - this round promises to be the best ever!
For those of you who are sitting on the fence, we sincerely hope to have you join us. For those of you who are signed up and ready to go, we're just about there! Hang on to your hats - this round promises to be the best ever!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
SIGN UPS ARE OPEN!
Sign ups for Secret Pal 14 are now open!
To sign up, go to http://secretpal.bidwellfamily.net/, log in or create an account and log in, and follow the instructions.
The official blog is at http://secretpalxiv.blogspot.com/, but of course you know that since you're here right now! :)
There is also a discussion board open on Ravelry at
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/secret-pal-14.
Welcome!! And let's have a great swap!!
To sign up, go to http://secretpal.bidwellfamily.net/, log in or create an account and log in, and follow the instructions.
The official blog is at http://secretpalxiv.blogspot.com/, but of course you know that since you're here right now! :)
There is also a discussion board open on Ravelry at
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/secret-pal-14.
Welcome!! And let's have a great swap!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
THE RULES
1. Deadline to sign up: June 15, 2009
2. Matches will be distributed: On or before July 1, 2009
3. Secret Pal dates: July 1, 2009 though September 30, 2009
Who This Is For
Knitters and/or Crocheters only, please.
International Participation
This secret pal (SP) event is based in the United States. The term "International" will refer to all participants outside the United States. You are welcome to join no matter where you live! Due to the high number of International participants, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests for same Country/Continent pals. If you are able to communicate in any language other than English, please let us know. We normally have several participants who are more comfortable corresponding in other languages.
Blog
Having a blog (or website) is mandatory for participating in this program. If you're new to blogging, please note that you must have at least 10 posts in order to join SP. Your blog must be public (if not, you MUST allow anonymous access to your pal and your hostess) and post once per week throughout the three (3) months (July, August, September) of the exchange. This online journal is a great place for the SP who is spoiling you to find out who you are and what you like or dislike (do you like sweets? are you allergic to specific yarns?). It also provides a place for you to publicly thank your SP when the packages/cards start rolling in. Your blog certainly does not have to be a knitting blog, but you must have one fiber/hobby related post each month.
Anonymous Email Address
You must set up an anonymous email address such as the free ones from Hotmail or Yahoo so you can contact your SP buddy without giving away your identity. Make sure to check the account regularly. You might want to consider having that account's mail forwarded to your regular email account so you don't miss anything. If you do this, don't forget to reply from your anonymous account when corresponding with your pal! Make sure to check to make sure the account is anonymous by emailing yourself first.
Minimum Contribution
Participants will have a choice to participate in one of three different spending levels: $30, $60, or $90. These amounts do not include the value of your time if you make something or any postage costs. Establishing the amount should make it clear to all what a fair commitment should be, and no one should expect more or less.
Your Pal
Once you have been assigned a secret pal, please send them a quick note to say hello (from your anonymous email address) so they know they've been paired. Keep in mind that the fun of a Secret Pal event is to meet and get to know a random person who shares a common interest with you (knitting and/or crochet). There is a method to the madness of matching up all participants and you only get one match. Complaints about your secret pal of the "I'd rather not have a pal who..." variety are a quick way to have yourself removed from the event. If you feel you have a valid reason to request a rematch, feel free to email your hostess. Please remember, though, that you cannot pick and choose your secret pal. We will not hesitate to remove anyone who appears to be missing the point of a Secret Pal exchange.
What To Give
Knitting- and crochet-related items are great, but they are not the only things you are limited to sending. Lots of participants also like to send their pal soaps, lotions, candy, cards, candles, and other special treats. Just remember that not everyone likes to crochet and that not everybody spins. It's a good idea to get to know your pal by reading the responses to their questionnaire and their blog entries. If you're still stumped, ask your pal what specific things they like. You can always ask your hostess for help, too. We've seen lots of neat packages and will be more than happy to make suggestions.
***If you will be gifting items from your stash, they MUST be in brand new condition.***
Number or Frequency of Gifts
The number of gifts you send to your pal is entirely up to you as long as you meet the minimum spending requirement of the spending level you chose. Post cards, letters, and cards are great, inexpensive ways to stay in touch with your pal. Sending of only one large package at the end of the exchange is permitted as long as you notify your pal that that is what you're doing. Also, though you may decide to send one package at the end of the swap, you are required to send a note or card or something small by SNAIL MAIL each month just to ensure your pal knows you're out there! Purchasing delivery confirmation for packages during this round is highly recommended. For less than $1.00 at the post office (or free when you use Click
'n Ship at the USPS website), you (and your hostess) will have peace of mind (which is priceless.) If you do not purchase delivery confirmation and your package is lost, your hostess will have to treat the situation like the package was never sent. Every round, this happens to someone who didn't purchase the confirmation. It never ends happily - don't let it happen to you - get the delivery confirmation!
Contact
You must make contact with your pals twice per month, each month of the exchange (July, August, and September) to let them know you're still around with either an e-card, blog comment, or email. Of course, if you'd like to contact your pal more often, you're more than welcome to do so. Remember to use your anonymous email when contacting your pal. If you're going to be away for more than five (5) days, you must let your pal and hostess know. It's an awkward situation when you think your pal may have dropped out of the exchange because you haven't heard from them. Remember to treat your pal as you would like to be treated.
Please remember that keeping in touch with the pal spoiling you is just as important as staying in touch with your spoilee. A quick email to let your pal know that a package has arrived will ease their mind as to whether or not it got lost in the mail, not to mention being just plain old good manners. A public post to your blog to thank your pal is required within 72 hours of receiving your goodies . Part of the fun of Secret Pal is the joy of giving, and that includes knowing your gift was received.
Also keep in touch with your hostess. If you have a problem, your hostess is your FIRST and BEST resource for a swift resolution. Unless your hostess instructs you otherwise, contact her via the email she will provide you-- and give her a little time to respond. If you don't get a response, use the SP hostesses main email:
sphostess14@gmail.com
Stuff Happens
If for some reason you are unable to follow through with your responsibility with the program, please let us know immediately so that we can find a replacement for you. We realize and completely understand that sometimes, things come up which are totally out of your control and which might prevent you from participating, but you need to let us know instead of avoiding your pals and your hostess. If you stop participating and don't respond to your hostess, you will be replaced and your name added to the banned list for future SP swaps. If you have not had contact from your pal as outlined above, please let your hostess know immediately. Do not use your blog or any other means to blast your pal. We will try to find out what happened. If they have flaked, we will get you a replacement.
Participants' Fee and Angels
Five USD ($5.00), which should take care of anyone who has been abandoned by their pal. In this scenario, the hostess will assess how much of the commitment has been met, and will make arrangements to have the rest fulfilled. We do not anticipate not having enough, but there are no guarantees; however, we will do our best to make sure everyone is accounted for and, if need be, recruit "angels" for shortfalls. If there is any extra cash at the end of the exchange, we will donate it to a knitting-related charity.
Final Note
It's an important one! Please keep in mind that we are volunteering our time to run this event. We all have participated in past Secret Pal events and know how much fun they can be; therefore, we want to help continue the tradition. This takes an incredible amount of time and effort. If you think something is amiss, please let us know. We're perfectly open to onstructive criticism and will gladly respond to any civil and respectful queries. The hostesses also reserve the right to remove any participant at any time at our discretion.
*Anonymous comments on the Secret Pal blog will be immediately removed no matter what the content of the post is.
Thank you, and have a wonderful SP experience!!!
2. Matches will be distributed: On or before July 1, 2009
3. Secret Pal dates: July 1, 2009 though September 30, 2009
Knitters and/or Crocheters only, please.
This secret pal (SP) event is based in the United States. The term "International" will refer to all participants outside the United States. You are welcome to join no matter where you live! Due to the high number of International participants, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests for same Country/Continent pals. If you are able to communicate in any language other than English, please let us know. We normally have several participants who are more comfortable corresponding in other languages.
Having a blog (or website) is mandatory for participating in this program. If you're new to blogging, please note that you must have at least 10 posts in order to join SP. Your blog must be public (if not, you MUST allow anonymous access to your pal and your hostess) and post once per week throughout the three (3) months (July, August, September) of the exchange. This online journal is a great place for the SP who is spoiling you to find out who you are and what you like or dislike (do you like sweets? are you allergic to specific yarns?). It also provides a place for you to publicly thank your SP when the packages/cards start rolling in. Your blog certainly does not have to be a knitting blog, but you must have one fiber/hobby related post each month.
You must set up an anonymous email address such as the free ones from Hotmail or Yahoo so you can contact your SP buddy without giving away your identity. Make sure to check the account regularly. You might want to consider having that account's mail forwarded to your regular email account so you don't miss anything. If you do this, don't forget to reply from your anonymous account when corresponding with your pal! Make sure to check to make sure the account is anonymous by emailing yourself first.
Participants will have a choice to participate in one of three different spending levels: $30, $60, or $90. These amounts do not include the value of your time if you make something or any postage costs. Establishing the amount should make it clear to all what a fair commitment should be, and no one should expect more or less.
Once you have been assigned a secret pal, please send them a quick note to say hello (from your anonymous email address) so they know they've been paired. Keep in mind that the fun of a Secret Pal event is to meet and get to know a random person who shares a common interest with you (knitting and/or crochet). There is a method to the madness of matching up all participants and you only get one match. Complaints about your secret pal of the "I'd rather not have a pal who..." variety are a quick way to have yourself removed from the event. If you feel you have a valid reason to request a rematch, feel free to email your hostess. Please remember, though, that you cannot pick and choose your secret pal. We will not hesitate to remove anyone who appears to be missing the point of a Secret Pal exchange.
Knitting- and crochet-related items are great, but they are not the only things you are limited to sending. Lots of participants also like to send their pal soaps, lotions, candy, cards, candles, and other special treats. Just remember that not everyone likes to crochet and that not everybody spins. It's a good idea to get to know your pal by reading the responses to their questionnaire and their blog entries. If you're still stumped, ask your pal what specific things they like. You can always ask your hostess for help, too. We've seen lots of neat packages and will be more than happy to make suggestions.
The number of gifts you send to your pal is entirely up to you as long as you meet the minimum spending requirement of the spending level you chose. Post cards, letters, and cards are great, inexpensive ways to stay in touch with your pal. Sending of only one large package at the end of the exchange is permitted as long as you notify your pal that that is what you're doing. Also, though you may decide to send one package at the end of the swap, you are required to send a note or card or something small by SNAIL MAIL each month just to ensure your pal knows you're out there! Purchasing delivery confirmation for packages during this round is highly recommended. For less than $1.00 at the post office (or free when you use Click
'n Ship at the USPS website), you (and your hostess) will have peace of mind (which is priceless.) If you do not purchase delivery confirmation and your package is lost, your hostess will have to treat the situation like the package was never sent. Every round, this happens to someone who didn't purchase the confirmation. It never ends happily - don't let it happen to you - get the delivery confirmation!
You must make contact with your pals twice per month, each month of the exchange (July, August, and September) to let them know you're still around with either an e-card, blog comment, or email. Of course, if you'd like to contact your pal more often, you're more than welcome to do so. Remember to use your anonymous email when contacting your pal. If you're going to be away for more than five (5) days, you must let your pal and hostess know. It's an awkward situation when you think your pal may have dropped out of the exchange because you haven't heard from them. Remember to treat your pal as you would like to be treated.
Please remember that keeping in touch with the pal spoiling you is just as important as staying in touch with your spoilee. A quick email to let your pal know that a package has arrived will ease their mind as to whether or not it got lost in the mail, not to mention being just plain old good manners. A public post to your blog to thank your pal is required within 72 hours of receiving your goodies . Part of the fun of Secret Pal is the joy of giving, and that includes knowing your gift was received.
Also keep in touch with your hostess. If you have a problem, your hostess is your FIRST and BEST resource for a swift resolution. Unless your hostess instructs you otherwise, contact her via the email she will provide you-- and give her a little time to respond. If you don't get a response, use the SP hostesses main email:
sphostess14@gmail.com
If for some reason you are unable to follow through with your responsibility with the program, please let us know immediately so that we can find a replacement for you. We realize and completely understand that sometimes, things come up which are totally out of your control and which might prevent you from participating, but you need to let us know instead of avoiding your pals and your hostess. If you stop participating and don't respond to your hostess, you will be replaced and your name added to the banned list for future SP swaps. If you have not had contact from your pal as outlined above, please let your hostess know immediately. Do not use your blog or any other means to blast your pal. We will try to find out what happened. If they have flaked, we will get you a replacement.
Five USD ($5.00), which should take care of anyone who has been abandoned by their pal. In this scenario, the hostess will assess how much of the commitment has been met, and will make arrangements to have the rest fulfilled. We do not anticipate not having enough, but there are no guarantees; however, we will do our best to make sure everyone is accounted for and, if need be, recruit "angels" for shortfalls. If there is any extra cash at the end of the exchange, we will donate it to a knitting-related charity.
It's an important one! Please keep in mind that we are volunteering our time to run this event. We all have participated in past Secret Pal events and know how much fun they can be; therefore, we want to help continue the tradition. This takes an incredible amount of time and effort. If you think something is amiss, please let us know. We're perfectly open to onstructive criticism and will gladly respond to any civil and respectful queries. The hostesses also reserve the right to remove any participant at any time at our discretion.
*Anonymous comments on the Secret Pal blog will be immediately removed no matter what the content of the post is.
Thank you, and have a wonderful SP experience!!!
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