Swapping…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

For those of you that read my blog, you know that I love to participate in swaps.  Since I started blogging in January of this year, I have had the extreme pleasure of becoming friends with people from around the globe, all of whom I would never have had the occasion to ‘meet’ had it not been for swapping.

I was invited to participate in the Christmas in July swap hosted by Stephanie and Linda which is now in it’s final stage.  I would like take this opportunity to thank them both for hosting such an organized, fun and most professionally run swap.  Thank you both so much for your time, dedication and perseverance.  I just can’t imagine the work that must be involved, especially when dealing with women from all around the world.

However, there comes a time when the ‘human factor’ sometimes does get in the way.  Kelly, the gal who was assigned to me as a swap partner, stopped blogging immediately after joining the swap.

Everyone understands that life sometimes does have the nasty habit of rearing it’s ugly head and we all understand that.  As far as swapping is concerned, all it would take is one email to let the swap hostess know that your commitment cannot be met, to allow her to make alternate arrangements.  Dropping off the face of the earth and not responding to emails or to numerous messages left on a telephone answering machine just doesn’t cut it to my way of thinking.

I am a giving person and those who know me know that I give from my heart and in the true spirit of friendship.  I have no way of knowing if what I made and sent to Kelly ever reached her as no one has heard from her.  Because of this, Stephanie has asked me to show the gifts that I sent to Kelly in Australia.

This is the main gift, a santa sack measuring approximately 16” x 14” done in the pieced, crazy quilt style.

I also included a hand painted notions box, a biscornu pincushion, scissor fob, Jeana Kimball specialty needles, decorative pins, some rick rack and a Canadian magnet…

as well as a Mary Englebreit journal and note cards, a Christmas tea towel and cookie cutter and a purple (Kelly’s favorite color) ribbon embroidered draw string sack.

And finally, I included a pair of purple socks that I knit especially for Kelly and one of Tom’s incredible hand carved santas that I painted.

Am I disappointed?  Yes.

Will I give up swapping?  Absolutely not!

Life is full of disappointments but thankfully, the good outweighs the bad by leaps and bounds.

Stephanie and Linda have also made sure that Kelly’s partner will receive the swap gifts that she is waiting for as well.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥