USA RR Journal Swap #2

I'm in! Jewels told be about this but I missed the deadline so I was excited to see this.

welcome - and we look forward to having you join us!
MaryB

WOOHOO I missed the other one!! I can't wait to do this!!!

I've sent other journals out into the world without having them returned to me. This format sounds promising. :) I'm in! -Juli

(some faq's, if you will, from previous rr journal swaps)

"What size journal should I get?" I think we don't have to go larger than about 9 inches by about 6 inches, (22.86 cm x 15.24 cm) - not too big, not too small.

I've also seen some smaller, some that are more square than rectangle - - but the point here, is that you are picking out YOUR OWN journal - and it will come back to you, so if you LIKE some particular style, then that should be YOUR choice. (does that make sense?) Please be kind, and don't pick something that weighs a ton, because 10 people are going to be shipping it around the country - ~smile~

"What is the PROCESS of how this works?" Every person will receive (from me) the swap partner that they receive from, and also (from swap-bot) who they send to - (and yes, you will always receive from and send to the same swap-partners) - this is why we are limiting this to about 10 swappers, or it could get very outrageous!

Since we are not open to newbies, I sure do HOPE that means that we all understand what it's like to be on the receiving end of a no-sender, so this will help to track down any journals.

AFTER you send a journal, please post here that you received so-and-so's journal and sent it on its way. That way we know where each one is in the process, and yes, can track them down if necessary.

"Can I do the same thing in each journal, or does each one have to be different?" As far as I'm concerned, you can do whatever your creativity guides you to do - if you have a wonderful idea, carry it through so everyone can be the happy recipient of it - if you think of a "theme" where each journal is related, yet different, that would be awesome also. And if you want to go completely off in a different direction on each one, that will be superb! I think I can safely speak for this wonderful COMMITTED group of swappers that I'm sure we will enjoy whatever each person puts forth - let it speak from your heart - even if you don't think you are artsy, be encouraging. It's gonna be FUN!

more than 1 journal? it may be possible that at some point in this process, you will end up with more than one journal in your possession at a given time. If that is the case, you CERTAINLY can send them all off together, since they will all be going to the SAME partner. (Plus this would save on mailing!) Please, however, do not hold any journals more than a few days, "waiting" for others to arrive. (Just make sure that you remember to add something to every journal before sending it on its way! lol)

Remember, this is a HEALTHY addiction - artsy round robin journals! I'm lovin' it so far! MaryB

Hi, and welcome all of you - these round robins have been filling up faster than I ever thought! What FUN!

Just so you know, since I am very determined to keep the numbers manageable, and would not want more than 10-11 swappers, if we reach that number quickly, I can easily close the swap and move it ahead, so we can get started sooner.

Therefore, please YES, get your journals right away and begin decorating/embellishing them, so that they will be ready to send when you find out who your partners are.

If you have any questions, write them here, or contact me.

Let's have some FUN with this! MaryB

How many swaps must one participate in to no longer be considered a newbie? Is it once you have a rating, or is it a particular number of swaps? Just curious. I've been in 3 so far and am signed up for about 10 more (I love this site!) but want to know if I can play. I've participated in local round robins here on the Oregon coast and have had a blast with it! May I play with you too?

Starwatcher, "newbie" means no ratings yet - and as long as you think you could commit to this, (it is a bit of a responsibility, since you would be agreeing to work on and send off maybe ten journals) -

we'd love to have you join us -

this really IS a fun, inspiring, addictive swap - and yes, I'm really lovin' it so far!

MaryB

and I've been asked, and YES, you CAN sign up for more than one of these round-robins, just remember that it is a commitment to work on and send off that many journals, but let's all have FUN with it!

have a good week, MaryB

if you need some inspirations - there are some wonderful resources, books, etc....just a FEW are listed here -

Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino alphabetica (I'm not sure, but maybe Lynne Perrella) artist journals and sketchbooks by Lynne Perrella The Decorated Journal and The Decorated Page by Gwen Diehn How to Make a Journal of Your Life by Daniel Price Drawing from Life by Jennifer New Making Journals by Hand by Jason Thompson

(and many others...)

These should be available thru your library, or at a bookstore, or amazon, or just google "artistic journals" or something like that, you'll come up with oodles of ideas.

what a HEALTHY addiction! MaryB

I got in! I got in on this one! Can't wait. Hopefully will get started decorating it today! Thanks for hosting this swap!

welcome prpldy - I know they've been filling up almost faster than I can open new ones!

It's great to have you aboard - and yes, you can start decorating your own journal right away so it will be ready to send.

it's really SO inspiring and addictive! MaryB

IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone in this swap: Just so everyone knows - i am very serious about keeping our numbers right around 10 swappers - one more or less is fine, but since this swap is about sending EVERY journal to EVERY swapper, I do not want it to get so big that it's unreasonable.

SOOOO.....as the number approaches ten, I will contact each of you, to ask if you'd like to shut it down SOONER - and yes, that means getting it started sooner! (Another good reason for you to get started on your journals right away!)

Keep checking back on this page, to watch our numbers, and let me know if you'd be agreeable to starting earlier if necessary.

have a great week, MaryB

a p.s. to my previous message -

Also, if you know a great swapper who might be interested in joining us, please contact them - for either THIS swap or the Int'l version (swap #3054)

have a good week everyone, MaryB

My journal is pretty much finished. I just want to cover it it packing tape so the cover I made doesn't get messed up. After that, it's ready to be sent!

emails have been sent to everyone - I'm getting excited to get this started!

If for ANY reason, you don't think you can commit to this swap (yes, it IS a responsibility), please drop from it before the deadline, or contact me. We all understand rt things can get in the way - and another rr swap will be coming along soon.

have a great week, any questions or concerns, email me or contact me here -

let's have FUN with this! MaryB

Some little points -

*Delivery confirmation costs 60 cents in the US - it sure might be helpful to include it, the package can be tracked online, and it might help reassure everyone about sending these little beauties "out into the world" -

*Be sure you SIGN the pages you do for each other -

*And post HERE when you've sent a journal, telling us whose journal...

Have a good week everyone, I'm looking forward to getting this started. MaryB

I have my new journal and I am decorating the cover. Should I "do" the first few pages?

Hi kheli - thanks for writing - and that's a great question - I hope that some of the others will add to this idea, you can do whatever you feel like doing - that's the first "rule" -

I know that some have left the first few pages for something like "autographs" where everyone signs in, sort of -

some have started a poem/story, and want each person to add to it -

some have begun their own journal, to "set the tone" in a way, even tho each other person may or may not follow that lead -

the only actual "RULE" in all of this is that your own name/address and swap-bot name appear some place visible on the inside front or back cover -

and once these beauties are 'out there', be sure to sign the pages you do for each other!

please do not be too hard on yourselves, especially on your own journal - and if this is your "first foray" into artsy journals, that's cool - learn from this one, and join us in a future one too!

• it's ALL good! MaryB

I have been contemplating this swap for a while now and I have decided to jump in...I'm really nervous and excited about it...I have a really beautiful journal that I will add a few embellishements to and send...this is going to be really interesting and something new for me...I'm looking forward to it +}

welcome!!

and this puts us at TEN - which is so wonderful - I'm closing this swap now - but will open another USA-only RR journal swap this coming weekend!

partners will be assigned SOON! Get your journals ready to send - if you have any questions, post here or message me -

let's have some FUN with this! MaryB

check your emails, everyone - partners will be assigned SOON - also please note that the mailing deadline has been moved to MAY 7! - (two weeks)

have a fun week, MaryB

I do have to CAUTION everyone tho - these artsy round robin journals are highly addictive!!!

be warned!!

MaryB

several requests have resulted in me opening another USA rr swap right away -

you can find it at swap #3417 (just change the swap number in the address bar) -

hope to see some of you "over there" also -

MaryB

partners have been assigned, and I've also messaged you with who SENDS to you - you will want to keep that info, especially if you are in more than one of these rr journal swaps.

Just a note - the NEXT Int'l version is going to maybe be "Theme" centered - perhaps a song lyric, or line from a poem, or even a color - - it will be open within a week, so be watching for it if you are interested, or message me -

enjoy, MaryB

be sure to post here when you SEND a journal, so we can keep track of the progress of each of these beauties!

MaryB

I uploaded a picture of my journal. But I messed up and listed it as what I recieved, not what I sent. I didn't read the entry correctly. I thought it asked for who I was sending to, not who I recieved from.

what an adorable journal! love the pics -

please YES - post pics to the gallery everyone!

As we go along, and we see each other's journals in various stages, you can surely take pics of them, but perhaps hold off posting them until closer to the end, to save the surprises.

hope you are all having FUN with this! And please get your journals sent in a timely manner.

Also, delivery confirmation in the US is only 60 cents extra - that would sure help everyone feel more confident, about the journeys of these little beauties - something to think about.

have a good week, everyone, MaryB

since there are SIX round robin journal swaps going on right now whew - it is easier for me to keep them all listed at the TOP of the "My Swaps" page - so I will not be clicking the "Sent" button until the very end - (once I click it, the swap moves to the bottom of that page)

anyway, I hope you having a good week, everyone, be sure to POST HERE when you've sent your journals onward - MaryB

I can't wait to get your journal, DixieWitch. I already have some great ideas I believe are right up your alley! I am going to scan and post my cover too!

MaryB, Thanks for hosting this. And I love your idea about trying a "hand-made" journal swap. I am not that good at book binding, but how will I get better, if I don't try!

This is my very first time. I sent a blank journal, no decoration or anything as I thought that was part of the swap. Sorry Guys, you'll be getting a plain Jane for me. But the inside will be loverly, right? :-)

Hey DixieWitch, Would you have photos of the couple of pages you did? I would really like to see the innards of some pages before I mangle er alter my person's. LOL Warmly, Chy

FunToScrap - you might be gloriously surprised at what comes back to you! In one of these other RR's, someone sent off a "blank slate" and asked everyone to do as they wished - what FUN!

Some people have thought of each of these pages as a larger ATC, if you are into that, some have written small meaningful poems or lines from songs that touch them - and then expand from there - truly, you can do whatever YOU want, to add to each of these -

and as it says in the swap info, even if we don't think we are artsy - we can all be encouraging!

and please - - have LOTS of FUN with these! (sign the pages you do) MaryB

emails have gone out to everyone signed up for ANY of these RR's - about maybe doing a "hand made" journal one - possibly mid-summer - after these have "wound down" - nothing will change for THESE swaps, but just something to think about.

Hey People, Feel free to embellish the covers of my journal. :-) Can't wait to see it. Warmly, Chy

DixieWitch... Your journal arrived a couple days ago! I'll get it forwarded in the next couple of days! :) ♥ Juli

just for some info, if anyone wants to see some of the journals of the other rr swaps going on right now - you can check out the galleries on swap #'s 2766 and 2780 - there are several beautiful pics on the galleries for those swaps -

that reminds me, be sure to post some pics in our own gallery, also, for your own journals, and also for the pages you do - (pictures of the pages can wait to be posted until we get closer to the end, to save the surprises, if you'd like, or go ahead and post them - )

have FUN, MaryB

I have sent my journal on! Prpldy, be on the look-out! (BOLO)

Ohhh, EVERYONE, when you get my journal, do your own thing! I am excited to see what everyone wants to express and share. NO RULES (just right)!

the weekend is here, everyone - please try to get your OWN journals sent by Monday, the 7th, if possible.

If you are unable to do so, PLEASE post here, so that we do not have to worry about these little beauties.

have a great artsy weekend, everyone, MaryB

DixieWitch - my journal is headed your way, be watching for it.

Everyone - my own journal cover is not embellished, but it's slightly decorated - you will see what I mean when you see it - - PLEASE help yourselves and do whatever you wish to add to it, or embellish it.

Have fun with it, and with each other's - -

be sure to sign the pages that you do for each other, MaryB

I received the journal from fun to scrap on Monday. I finally got mine sent today 5/5/07. I will send Fun to scrap's journal out next Saturday. I can only get to the post office on Saturdays. I never get home before it closes. :)marie

please note - as you post here that you are sending a journal onward, please tell us WHO'S journal it is - I do keep track of each journal's progress, and like to know where they are in the process.

thanks, MaryB

Oh no! I'm late said the white rabbit and so am I!!! :+{ I have been out of town and forgot to take my journal with me. I am sending it in the mail to prairieknitter01 tomorrow. Sorry that I have gotten started on the bad side...it will get better I promise....

DixieWitch's journal and mine were mailed out tonight to FunToScrap. :)

DixieWitch - I sent you a message regarding this swap and my journal - hope it isn't too much a hassle. thanks, MaryB

My journal is in the mail today! I'm sorry I'm a day late, but it is on the way to suzielucie.

Andrea

My journal is on its way to prairieknitter01 today...sorry it is a day late...Lana

Thanks both of you for posting - with six of these rr swaps going on right now, I've learned that communication is the KEY - we all understand rt things can come along, and sometimes disrupt a person's "plan" -

Everyone, please have a nurturing and inspiring time with these, remember, even if we don't think we're artsy, we can all be encouraging.

And let's have FUN with this! MaryB

Received Susie Lucie's journal today. WOW! This is a fun one! I will post as soon as I get finished and it is shipped.

Please post photos! I am so eager to see your works of art. Sounds like I have journals coming my way tomorrow or Friday. I'll be ready. :-)

As I'm sure you know, postal rates in the US are going UP Monday, the 14th -

SOOOOO...hint hint hint, if you have some journals sitting around, waiting to be sent - do it by Saturday, of you will get stuck with the higher rates!

Have a good weekend, MaryB

As I've alluded to on some of these swap pages, sometime perhaps mid-summer, I'm thinking of having a "Hand-made" journal swap, like these - and I've just seen some gorgeous TINY journals - like 3"x5" (index card size), up to maybe 4" x 6" - I think that just might be perfect - toss the idea around in your heads a little bit, and let me know what you think....

I think it would be FUN - and would be SO easy to mail them!

MaryB

vintageprincess: I received your lovely journal today! Will work on it this weekend and send it on its way...

Andrea

Andrea, got your journal...wow, how organized! Should have it traveling by Monday.

DixieWitch and kheli - love the pics - - what beautiful, and different FUN journals will be coming our way everyone!

YES, please post pictures! - (Just follow the link in the yellow box "Upload image" - )

The gallery is such an inspiration all by itself!

have a great fun weekend, everyone, MaryB

As I'm sure you know, the postal rates go up Monday the 14th.

BUT - - the "second ounce" rates are going DOWN! It used to be $.39 + $.24 (for the 2nd ounce) = $.63,

now it will be $.41 + $.17 = $.58!!

it's gonna PAY to write longer letters everyone!)

ALSO - "Priority" and "Express" packaging, even if it says "Domestic Use Only" will be valid for international mail!!!

not sure if anyone knew that, smile

Have a good week, MaryB

Prairieknitter01: I am sending Pandagirl's journal to you today...be on the lookout for a visitor :+}. Have fun! Lana

MaryB - thanks for the postage info...who knew?, and does that make any sense at all!?!?! It probably won't last long once they figure it out. LOL

Prpldy, be on the look out! One beautiful journal is on it's way! This one is for SusieLucie. I am trying to upload a scan of the cover but am having a little trouble!

please go ahead and rate your partners for this swap, everyone - I know that we are all working in every person's journal, but you only get to rate the person who sends to you -

everyone has worked SO hard on this swap, and it's been so much fun and such an inspiration - I know that I've discovered brand new things that I want to now try, because of these round robins!

So be VERY kind to your swap partners, it would be an excellent opportunity to give some hearts -

have a great week, everyone, MaryB

FunToScrap... just wondering if you received the journals I sent?

hope you are doing okay, prpldy, and that the journals are bringing some joy to your days -

I look forward to getting the ones you are sending, and seeing your talents added to them -

have a good week, MaryB

I've been trying to upload to the gallery but can't get it to work. That's likely the reason someone suggested starting a flickr group. Mary B, if you aren't interested, I'd be happy to do one. Any of the journal round robin participants would be welcome to join, discuss and post work. It would just be an additional resource, not a requirement. Let me know.

Anyhoo, I am mailing on prairieknitter's journal to kheli for her artistic input!

I have had no luck uploading either. If you start a Flickr group, will you post how to "use" it? Thanks. And I will let you know when I receive prairieknitter's journal.

suzylucie, that would be wonderful - I do have a flickr account but have NO idea how to do something like that, so if you DO know, maybe you or some one can just go ahead - -

and yes, that is just an ADDED bonus, it is NOT a requirement, nor is it necessary for people to be posting THERE that journals have been sent onward - -

I want that info posted HERE most of all - if you ALSO want it posted in flickr that's fine -

MaryB

Grams' Button Box: Today via Priority Mail and delivery confirmation I sent to you both mine and Kheli's Journals. So be watching your mailbox.

Hi Everyone! I'm Susan (suzylucie). I have started a flickr group for the round robin journal swaps. This is not a requirement but an additional resource you can utilize if you want. We will have discussions, inspirations, lots of photos of the art in progress. I hope you all will join. Flickr is free and easy to learn and use, if I can do it, anyone can! Go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/roundrobinjournals/ or do a search in groups for round robin journals.Hope to see you there!

Kheli, I've put a few getting started tips on the site and will answer any questions you have. It's very easy to use, I doubt you'll have any problems.

Thanks Susan,

yes, come and join us "over there" - lots of beautiful pictures should show up, I hope that EVERY one of these swaps comes thru, with lots of us being a part of the group.

enjoy, MaryB

OM GOSH! I just spent an hour looking at the FLICKR page/group that Susan set up...Thank You!!!!!! it is sooo awesome, but now I am a little intimidated.. :-{ everything was so wonderful... I hope that I can measure up to those really lovely pieces of art. My ART muse is hidden inside me and I am really hoping to bring her out, but art is from the heART isn't it? Have a great day and do look at the FLICKR page...it will make your day even better. Lana

Okay, I have just looked "our" Flickr site and I am about to cry! These are so beautiful. I am so excited to be a part of this. Hey, maybe we should publish these pages as our very own artZine? Thanks for starting this site, Susan, I will post my scans when I get home. I am currently at work (I am on my lunch break. Yes, I do swapbot at lunch, it is what gets me through the day!)

vintageprincess - Hi, I got your wonderful letter and fabric (just gorgeous!) for the BUICK project - and loved the stamp - (I was a teacher in the "old days" also, hahaha - I will get your goodies sent to you by the end of the week! - thanks SO much for checking out my website - hugs, MaryB

prpldy - oh goodie, I can hardly wait - I'll let you know as soon as they get here -

have a fun week, MaryB

Thanks for all the wonderful comments re: the flickr site! Please join the group and do not be intimidated...from the heart is definately what counts. I have been in a round robin ATC group for a couple of months that a lot of the journalers are in as well and these are fantastic ladies who are so kind and talented. They have really inspired me and I feel that I improve in my efforts everyday because I am allowed to grow and experiment in that group and now with the journals as well!

if you "come and visit" the flickr site, please think about JOINING the group - it does not compete with this site at all, and you have access to so many things there - it's easy to join, and it's FREE! come be a part of the Round Robin group!

Enjoy, MaryB

prpldy and kheli - both journals arrived today, from prpldy - thanks Brenda Lea - I messaged you also.

I'm gonna be wonderfully busy - with the other swaps, and this one, I now have FIVE beauties to add to - I'll be busy here trying to encourage my shy muse to come forth!

have a great weekend everyone, MaryB

Okay ladies, I now have my own space on Flickr. Check out my page:http://www.flickr.com/photos/kheli/. I have included a mix of stuff as I love photographing and documenting my family, friends, pets and art. Thanks suzylucie, Gram's button box and prpldy for tempting me to look at this site! I will post my pages as I do them!

I have only received one journal...is everything on track?!?? I will contact Pandagirl and find out when one was sent.

MOST of the journals in this swap have only been to one person so far - (a couple have been to the second person) - - and OVER half of them are "in transit" right now - I do not think it's anything to worry about, but yes you certainly can check with her.

Our mailing deadline was the 7th, so figuring a couple days to get to our partner, then 5 days to work on it, and another couple days to send it onward, puts it about 2 weeks - we aren't quite to that point yet.

I know it's frustrating waiting, but please be patient, these little beauties ARE on the move.

MaryB

have a good weekend, everyone, MaryB

WOW - I just see that there is a new link in the yellow box - seems we can rate partners immediately, when they are assigned - and I guess that you can also now rate hosts - that is cool -

have a good week everyone, MaryB

DixieWitch - TWO journals headed your way in today's mail - - prpldy's and kheli's - - have lots of FUN with them I sure did!

(I'll post delivery conf #s tomorrow - I live in an apt, so he picks up stuff one day, and brings back the receipt, and stuff the next day)

keep posting everyone, as you move these little beauties around - it's always great to know where they are and where they've been -

enjoy the ART! MaryB

I'm actually still learning the best way to "do these" round robins - and since I've been asked in one of the other swaps, here it is -

our "Journal's Journeys"

DixieWitch - (Mikki - Alabama) -
girlonaglide - (Juli - Florida) -
FunToScrap - (Chy - Minnesota) -
pandagirl - (Marie - Texas) -
vintage princess - (Lana - Alabama) -
prairieknitter01 - (Andrea - Minnesota) -
suzylucie - (Susan - Florida) -
kheli - (Kelly - North Carolina) -
prpldy - (BrendaLea - Illinois -
me - (Mary - South Dakota) - (and I send to DixieWitch)

(So just find yourself (sounds like zen) - and travel DOWN the list, to come back to your name)

I was certainly NOT intending to keep anything from you, especially if it helps you feel more comfortable or confident about sending your beauties "out in the world" -

have FUN with it, and yes, you certainly can keep track of each journal's journey this way, to know who and how many YOURS will travel to before coming HOME again -

hugs to you all, MaryB

Hi all! I have received and am working on prairieknitter01's journal. Great concept! Hope everyone has a good week.

please - any and ALL of you - come to the flickr site - there is some great conversation going on there, as well as getting to see the pics for ALL these round robins -

It'd be so much fun to have ALL the journals from all these RR's show up there - what an inspiration and beautiful FUN that would be!

hope to see you "over there" and have a great week, everyone, MaryB

PLEASE NOTE - I will be offline until Tuesday or Wednesday - please do not worry, but I will not be able to post anything until I return.

Also, there is no mail service Monday (in the US), with the holiday, so please do not be concerned if you are "in between" - or do not hear anything for a few days.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend, everyone, MaryB

I put vintageprincess and gnome to roam's journals in the mail to Suzy today, together. I am only in one round robin swap, so if they came to me, I figure they have to be in the same swap!

vintageprincess--I don't know why I was so determined to put ribbon embroidery in your journal, but I was and the glue for fabric was a little wet for the paper in the journal. Not a terrible disaster, but I had to use an extra page or two as backing for the embroidery. I hope you don't mind! I put a backing page behind the embroidery as well. It's not too bulky, but this is my first time doing a swap and I guess maybe I wouldn't try to do embroidery again...I hope you don't mind the experiment.

Andrea

Lana-I'm sorry, what a stupid comment for me to leave (above)! The journal is fine-- I just glued two extra pages together behind the ribbon embroidery page so that the heavier, wetter glue for the linen would have sufficient support. That's all! I promise!

Prpldy- I shipped prairieknitter01's journal on to you today. Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, it may take an extra day to get to you.

Prairieknitter01, I love your concept in this journal!! I really had fun with my pages!

Prairieknitter01 ~ I am sure what you did with my journal is just wonderful!! No Worries here... I can hardly wait to get it back! I know it is going to be beautiful and what you said that you did is very intriguing...I LOVE ribbon embroidery and have not gotten very good at it. I am really excited to see it. I adore all the needlearts!!! Thank you for your message and keep experimenting...that is what makes art so fun for me. Blessings, Lana aka vintageprincess

Well, if you don't like it, both Mary B and Chy live close enough to come and kick my butt for messing up your journal! LOL

Andrea

I'm back - thanks to everyone who sent 'well-wishes' - and yes I was in the hospital a few days - but am back "on track" now -

And Andrea, ya got that right! hahaha - drives by Chy's place to pick her up, on the way to your house! - - "Umm, I just wanna see your crafting room!" ((shameless plug for my own flickr group, hahaha - "My Crafting Room" - check it out, also!)) It's at http://www.flickr.com/groups/416385@N22/

I really DO apologize if I've created any bottlenecks, but hopefully, with the holiday weekend, things are back in motion again.

have a great week, everyone if you haven't yet, go and check out the flickr site for Round Robin Journals - all I can say is WOW - just LOOK at those pictures - every round robin swap I've hosted has been invited "over there" - and just for the inspirations and the oooohs and aaaaahs, it's really wonderful!

MaryB

Kheli, I received prairieknitter01's awesome journal today. L-O-V-E the artist Bio page you made for everyone, Andrea. Will take a day or two to figure out what I will create....can't wait and hope it will measure up.

BrendaLea

I received panda and vprincess' journals. OMG, they are so awesome and so different! It's very cool.

Andrea, the work you did with the ribbon embroidery is fantastic! It didn't mess anything up and whatever you did or didn't do to make it work...I didn't notice. I cried in my heart when I read that you wouldn't be trying that again! It's beautiful!

A gnome away from home is also a real joy! I was just cracking up looking at it! I can't wait to get to work on it!

I hope I have everyone curious! Come and check out the flickr group. I will be posting all the images from these journals on the site!If you are unsure of how to get to the flickr site, message me and I can easily explain it!

suzylucie, you are such a tease!!! I can not wait to get these and see the treasures within. I hope everyone has a good weekend! PS: I am now addicted to flickr as well.

Thanks to a wonderful suggestion (and I had not even thought of doing this) - to avoid receiving all the "swap reminders for these round robins, I am moving the 'mail to' deadline date ahead -

this will not change anything in the swap, and it will not "open" it again, so no new people can slip in - but hopefully it will cut down on all those reminders coming into our inboxes.

(thanks to jakfrostwife) MaryB

Mary, changing the dates is GENIUS! Now when I want to check the comments, the swap is always on the top of my list. Perfect!

I think my major problem with the ribbon embroidery is the very heavy, very wet glue I had to use for the fabric. I won't be using that glue again! As for ribbon embroidery, well, I don't seem to be able to stop!

Is anyone game for a beaded embroidery piece? If a journal comes my way that looks like a good home for a beaded piece, I have received a lot of interesting advice from experienced parties about how to affix them to journal pages and I HAVE PRACTICED!! I'm ready!

Anyone game?

Andrea

I am just FURIOUS. I had to go down to the post office to retrieve a package for a swap NOT THIS ONE where the person had written "POSTAGE DUE" where the postage was supposed to go! $3.42 for a package that she could have sent in a business sized envelope. What do you want to bet she starts sending me emails demanding a 5 and a heart for the "box" she sent me?!

What should I do? She is in the Forums wailing about how abused she feels about low ratings, and evidently she has had some pathetic tragedy, but this was so snotty! She just wrote "postage due" on the box and dumped it in the mail for ME to deal with!

Oh, I guess I am asking because I think this group of swappers is just about as nice a group as I have come across since starting Swap-Bot. I haven't had to rate anyone with anything lower than a 5 so far.

Andrea

Andrea

Andrea, I think that borders on mail fraud - I'd message her and tell her so, and that she certainly will NOT deserve a '5' for that -

I'd also contact Rachel/Travis - as I said, I think it borders on the illegal - it's like using an "official, for govt use only" envelope for personal use - and THAT can put a person in jail with a huge fine!

She can't just get by with demanding "free postage" - I mean, if it were legal, lots of people would be doing it.

Also, sending something COD (collect on delivery) HAS to have permission first! - If possible, I'd refuse the package - unless you've already paid it - but definitely contact her and tell her that she can be reported for mail fraud for doing that.

Just a reminder request - everyone - - please - when you post that you've received/sent a journal, PLEASE tell me WHOSE journal it is -

it's also very helpful if you post WHO you received it from - especially if you are in more than one of these rr's.

I do try to keep track, and it does not help me much to just know that you've sent off two journals, if I have no idea who they belong to.

Your help is so appreciated, thanks, MaryB

Has everybody received a 2nd journal? I hope they are not being held and sending a couple at a time...I am new to this and need plenty of time to work on each journal. :+{

Hi Lana, most of the journals have reached their FIRST swap partner by now - some are still in transit - it is possible that at some point, you MAY receive more than one - do not feel like you have to rush thru it - for the most part, these round robins stay ahead of schedule - some of us send in 3 days, some of us have to hold them for 6 - it all balances out -

if you DO receive more than one together, it's nice to keep them that way, as they have someone to visit with on the trip! hahaha

please just have lots of FUN with this - and if you haven't, yet, or lately, everyone - come to the flickr site - new things have been added! MaryB

Thank you, Mary, for your advice re: rating matter. I just hope I never have to deal with her again.

I have no journals in my possession currently.

Andrea

thank you to those who have responded here or answered my email SO quickly - As many of you know, there are SIX of these round robins going - (If you have not answered the email, or posted here, please do so as soon as possible - thnx)

With the higher postage rates, it IS very likely that journals will travel together in these round robins - please do not be stressed about that - when I have more than one, (I've had FIVE at a time already, with six of these round robins going) - please just try to enjoy and relax - as I've said all along, no one is judging anyone, or even comparing anyone's work - and if your muse is asleep, and you cannot be artsy, you CAN be encouraging and empowering! (climbs off my soapbox)

Anyway, there are only a few people I have not heard from yet, but I do know where most of the journals are in ALL the swaps - there are several cases of "more than one journal" at one swapper's place - and that is true for one of these round robins.

I myself, have TWO journals right now, from two different swaps, and will be sending them off Tuesday -

there are also (at least!) THREE cases of swappers who have FOUR or MORE journals right now - so these little gems ARE on the move - and lots of them are "same swap, travelling together" journals!

and yes, that means that you MAY be getting a truck load - so if you are "without" at the moment, enjoy the reprieve - it won't last long! hahaha

please be patient, do NOT give up, our journals ARE on the move!

Have a great week, everyone, MaryB

DixieWitch - I am SOOOOO sorry for this - -

Because I am disabled and do not drive, my mailman picks up my mail, even packages, and handles all the processing of them - that has never been a problem in the years I've lived here - -

BUT...I sent a bunch of stuff on Saturday, my mailman took it all, with the money for ALL the postage and a note to the postmaster about what to do with everything.

But for some reason, everything was sent off WITHOUT any postage, and was not "caught" in time by the post office -

Two things came back, they put the correct postage on them, and sent them off again - -

but YOUR package is either "still out there" or on its way there or here - with NO postage on it!!

IF some post office along the way catches it, and it gets sent back, my post office will put the postage on it immediately and send it off again - - but there is also a possibility that it may be delivered - postage DUE!!

I am SOOOO sorry - if that happens, PLEASE contact me immediately, and I will send you either the stamps or the money for it -

this is just AWFUL! I called the post office, wondering where my receipts and change were, and they told me all this happened Saturday!

Please let me here from you if you either get a postage due package or a "well-travelled" one that has made TWO round trips between us.

I don't know what to say to make up for this....oh this is just AWFUL!! I'm SO sorry! MaryB

Hi! I will be mailing fun to scrap's journal to vintage princess tomorrow 06/06/07. This is the only journal I have. I am waiting to receive others from fun to scrap. :)marie

Mary: I wonder if there is a small crisis of competence at the Post Office related to the new rates! I really think there might be. Hopefully it will all straighten out soon.

Andrea

I LOVE bead embroidery! I do a lot of beading myself, expect for the past 6 months or more I haven't touched them because my eyes are getting worse and much harder for me to see the teeny tiny holes. But I would love to see some bead work in my journal!!!!

Please disregard the previous message.....I HAVE Andrea's NOT SuzyLucie's Journal. Didn't mean to confuse anyone...like I already am. :-)

prplady: Well, consider yourself beaded! ;o)

Andrea

panda and princess journals off to kheli. Wrap them securely gals, I had a hideous mishap in another swap!

Where is mine...someone please scan and post it to flickr soon. I really need a pick me up!!!

prpldy - I just deleted that post to avoid any confusion. thanks for clearing it up -

have a fun week everyone, MaryB

Somehow I missed Andrea's post about the beaded emboridery...I would love it!!! The ribbon work was just amazing and I posted it on the flickr site so all the other groups could be jealous!

suzylucie: what was the size of your journal? did you have a theme or colors you preferred? Beading takes some time I would like to have some pieces ready to go...

prplady, also, could you answer those questions about your journal?

Thanks for your help! It will keep the round robin flowing quickly...

Andrea

I really do LOVE how involved everyone is, and curious about each other's little gems - yes, this makes for a smooth swap, it also makes it fabulous! You are all so superb!

have a great ARTSY weekend, everyone, MaryB

suzylucie-I received the 2 journals from you today. My son just graduated from high school tonight, so they will have to wait til tomorrow. Have a good weekend, all!

prplady: I meant to tell you--my eyes are pretty bad, too. I have discovered those magnifying lenses that clip onto my glasses and flip up and down. I use them all the time and they are quite comfortable! The most amazing thing is how much better my BACK feels now that I don't hunch over my work and I can work for many hours without problems. I got mine for less than $15 at Herrschners or Keepsake NeedleArts, I can't remember which, and I like them much better than anything else I have tried. Just a thought! Andrea

Good tip for others too andrea! I usually have to get my husband to thread my sewing machine. And small print menus in a dimly lit restaurant...forget it!

My journal...size maybe seven by nine or so. I am actually terrible with guessing measurements. Maybe if whoever has it or gets it soon could post.

The journal is for my daughter who is getting married in November. I asked everyone to randomly do pages in any way they want and to share art, wisdom and advise about love, marrige, homemaking, anything at all to help a new young bride. There are recipes, quotes all kinds of stuff. Anything goes!

Oh, dear. My only advice to a young bride would be:

1. Never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. It doesn't matter who made them dirty. It will bother YOU the most!
2. Money in the bank is more important than "stuff" in the house.

Doesn't sound very hopeful, does it?

I sent Fun to scrap's journal to vintageprincess today 06/10/07. The tracking number is 03070020000413710712. I do not have any other journals. I have PM'd Fun to Scrap about status of the next journal.

Reading the comments makes me anxious to see the other journals and all of your artwork.
:)marie aka pandagirl

Oh My!! I just looked at the pics on the flickr page and I am just speechless...they are beautiful!!! Such talented folks!! I say a little prayer each day --"Please Mr./Ms. Postman be careful with our little treasures and be blessed". This is such fun and it will be like waiting for Christmas before the journals get home. :+} Have a terrific evening. Lana

suzy, I had your journal just last week, and sent it off - I've been in the middle of some really bad storms, and have lost internet service for a bit - I'm at the library right now, but can only be online for a bit - your journals is delightful, and is on its way -

I hope that clears some things up - delightful topic by the way, I found some old shower and wedding "advice" to add to it - hope it gives her a chuckle. MaryB

Andrea, I like your advise! It's good to let them know it's not all sunshine and flowers! Most of the journal has a fun tone and is very sassy, not serious. It's hard to explain, I'm hoping someone will scan a few pages and post them to the flickr group. I'm still trying to get you a measurement as well.

MaryB thanks for letting me know you had it. I will send out a couple of messages and see if I can get andrea a measurement! Also thanks for the compliments...I bet it is turning out great! I have no doubt it will be a great wedding gift...from all of us.

Suzylucie, your pages were around 6" x 6 1/2". I created my pages and glued them in, so I had measured. I hope this helps! And I apologize for not having scanned my pages before sending it on. BrendaLea, vintageprincess's and pandagirl's journals are on the way to you. I shipped both of them in the same package this morning. The gnome journal is a hoot! suzylucie, seems like you guys in FLA know how to party!

Yay Kheli! That totally helps! I just saw your newly posted pages on flickr and I'm still cracking up! Love them. Don't worry about not posting my pages, I didn't think to either!

Andrea, Kheli says my pages are 6"x61/2".

Pandagirl is getting 2 journals, one from girlonaglide and one from dixiewitch. I no longer have any in my possession. :-)

bad storms, no internet. Will be in touch soon.

MaryB

Thank you for the measurements! Sitting under a shade tree with a lemonade and lots of beadwork is my favorite summer!

Andrea

I can hardly believe how FUN this has turned out to be - like Jewels told me, I cannot wait either, seeing a package in the mail, have to open it before I even get it HOME -

have a wonderful weekend, everyone, hugs, MaryB

Hi! Received Fun To Scrap's journal from Pandagirl...Giving some thought as to what to do.

Prairieknitter - wish I lived close to join you under that tree and learn beadwork from you. I always admire beautiful handwork and beading isn't something I have learned to do yet.

Suzylucie - please keep posting the pics on flickr. I love seeing the journals' progression. I can't load pics - I have an old computer and b/c of where I live I can only get dial up internet service :+{. Maybe someday I will catch up with technology, but right now I have two children in college and they get all the good stuff and my money!

Mary B.- Wish we were getting some storms with RAIN. Here in Alabama we are suffering from the worst drought in over 40 years! The crops are dying and farmers are selling their cattle or taking them to the slaughter house because there is nothing for them to eat. It is awful.

Happy journaling - Lana

OH NO! I forgot to put my contact name, etc on the pages I did. I didn't know we had to add addresses too.
SORRY. I will remember next time.

Chy

Lana: That is terrible about the drought in Alabama. I can hardly imagine what the farm families are going through. Very bad times.

Andrea

I know my journal is plain on the covers, I didn't think to decorate it, so if any of you would like to add some type of embellishment, please feel free! That will just add to the excitement! :-)

The package containing Girlonaglide/Juli and Dixiewitch/Mikki journals has arrived.
:)marie

Just received vintageprincess's and pandagirl's journals from Kheli today....can't wait to work in them.

VintagePrincess: Thanks for the info on the clip-on lenses...will check them out. I definitely need something.And about my journal.....it is approximately 5"x7". There is no theme, I just want everyone to do whatever they feel inspired to do. If you don't have time to do beadowrk in my journal....do not worry. I know how long it takes to do beadowrk. Believe me I know.

it is so wonderful, seeing all the posts, that the journals are "on the move" - you are all so fabulous!

Hugs, MaryB

Mary: Andrea's journal went on it's way to you yesterday. And Tomorrow I will be sending out both vintageprincess's and pandagirl's journals to you. I'm posting pictures at my Flickr acct if anyone wants to see them, as well as the flickr group acct. I love working in all these journals. Each one so different and so creative.

oh goodie, I can hardly wait! I have just sent off SIX journals in other swaps, the past couple days, so I'm suffering some serious withdrawal pains here - - -I'll take some chocolate and ease some of that pain, hahaha

enjoy the week, everyone, MaryB

I just sent a package containing Girlonaglide/Juli and Dixiewitch/Mikki journals to vintageprincess. Tracking number 03070020000157222656 :)marie

received Andrea's (prairieknitter)'s journal today - I have THREE now (from other swaps also)- - so I will have LOTS of fun this weekend! Will try to get them sent Monday.

Have a great wknd,everyone! Hugs, to you all! MaryB

When it rains, it pours! I've been journaless for weeks but alas, 4 journals arrived yesterday. SO, here's whose journals I have:
* prpldy
* MaryB
* SuzyLucie
* kheli

Thanks Girlonaglide....glad to finally hear where my journal is. Hadn't heard anything about it since this started. Guess you will have a ton of fun working on all these fabulous journals. Enjoy!

Prairieknitter01 ~ Fun To Scrap's journal is in the mail.

Today, I received two journals from Pandagirl. They belong to: girlonaglide and Dixiewitch. Already have some ideas so I will get started soon. ~Lana

I have prairieknitter and vintage princess' journals - but had a family funeral today, so will try VERY hard to put them in tomorrow's mail -

I have SIX journals altogether - so I'm in "journal bliss"!! and it's been such a day-brightener, and inspiration to me - I'm having SOOOOOO much fun with these!

hugs to you all, MaryB

Sent off prairieknitter's and 2 of vintage princess' journals today to DixieWitch. Be watching for them, and have lots of FUN!

MaryB

DixieWitch - - the gnome journal belongs to pandagirl - - it's packaged with one of the others on the way, so please be watching for that - and please separate them, with a label - - I got them "together" and just kept them that way, but it belongs to Marie -

hugs, hope you are doing well, take care, keep cool! MaryB

I have received Chy's journal! What I do with it...well, that is a SECRET of EPIC PROPORTIONS and no one is allowed to tell! Hee!

Andrea

I'm moving in a few weeks, so only have internet access at the library, for 30 minutes a day - to save some money for the move, etc, but I can only "check in once a day" then -

Good luck with the move, Mary! Are you moving closer to or further away from us in Minnesota? Andrea

(I'm moving to TEXAS, can you believe??!! - - AND getting married!!!! whew!)

follows is my "copy and paste" that I'm posting to each of the rr swaps - -

I'm really SO sorry, but cannot be online every day - I'm moving in a few weeks, and being on Disability, have turned off my internet to save some money -

I'm SO thrilled tho, seeing how wonderfully everyone is keeping in touch - if it ever DOES become an "emergency" you can surely call me - my phone number IS listed, and Huron, SD is a very small town, in area code 605.

I can only be online at the library, for 30 minutes a day, and they are NOT open sundays. AND they were closed yesterrday - (Friday) -

Please be well, everyone, take care, and have a good weekend, I really AM keeping track of things, but just don't always have time to post much!

hugs to you ALL! MaryB (Boatright)

Welcome to Texas. I know Texas is a big state but will you be near Houston? :)marie

yes actually - very near Houston, hahahaha

Just to let everyone know - I AM moving, but not until the last week of August - so any journals heading my way, go ahead and send them -

Also, even tho I cannot be online much, I DO promise to work on any journals that come my way quickly, and get them sent!

(It would be nice if EVERYONE made a similar promise - I know it's summer, and lots of family activities going on, so no one is online as much it seems) - -

you are ALL such an awesome bunch - hugs to you ALL, MaryB

A second bride!! Congratulations, Mary! And good luck with the move -- I hope all goes smoothly!

Andrea

I too promise to work on any journals that come my way and get them out ASAP.

Mary, since I send to you, please send me your new mailing address as soon as you have it. And Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.

Gentle Hugs, BrendaLea

I sure will, and thanks so much for the kind wishes - I'm a grandmother, for goodness sake! who'da ever thought I'd be a bride again??

hahaha

have a wonderful (and SAFE) holiday, everyone! hugs, MaryB

I am without a journal at the moment, and suffering greatly! hahaha - - actually, enjoying a bit of reprieve - have a good week, everyone - I can't be online tomorrow, and don't know yet if library is open Saturday - it's definitely closed Sunday, so I might be "incognito" til Monday!

Please be well everyone, and yes, if I get a journal, will hurry with it and send it onward quickly!

hugs to you ALL, MaryB

I feel at a loss.....no journals to work on. :-( Maybe I will have to make myself a NEW journal, if I get too lonely. Hee! Hee!!

I am journal-less as well. But I am working on my own journal. Congrat's Gram, and to your lucky groom as well. You are never too old for love! He is getting a well-seasoned lady who will keep him intrigued!

Hmmmm, what will I do in Gram's journal..............

I do not have any journals either.

thanks everyone, for letting us know - -

please do not get discouraged anyone - this swap IS on the move - there's been a lot going on, with summer here, and lots of family stuff, as well as some emergencies, even -

I was going to try to call everyone, this weekend, but actually could not get phone numbers for MOST people - even with addresses - just to re-encourage everyone, and to keep the good thoughts!

I'm in all six of these RR's, and have been without for almost a month - but I know also, that in several of the swaps, there are FOUR and even FIVE journals travelling together.

Please don't be down, or worry - I see NO reason to doubt everyone's commitment to a successful swap!

hugs to you ALL, MaryB

I will be sending girlonaglide and dixiewitch's journals off this week - I hope...sorry for being so long about it, but this has been a crazy few weeks.

My daughter is graduating from college and moving from Alabama to Georgia for her first "big girl" job and of course, Mom and Dad are doing the moving. Her stuff is at my house now, we are going apartment shopping tomorrow, and hopefully moving her stuff to Georgia next week. Keep fingers crossed *** thank the good Lord, she has a job, so she must get moved. Life is good!

Thanks for the patience with the journals, as I know I get very impatient about them myself. They are so beautiful and full of surprises that we want to get them home. In good time I keep telling myself.

Prplady ~ watch for an email soon. I have missed our notes, been so busy, but will write soon.

BEST WISHES! on the upcoming marriage and move to Texas, Mary. I wish you all the best of happiness, health, love, and good fortune. Lana

I have Friday off, and I am hoping to have FunToScrap's journal in the mail to suzielucie on Monday. I will be ready for the journals, Lana!

Andrea

I am off to the Florida Keys for two weeks of fishing, diving and hunting lobster! Sorry I am boasting but I'm very excited. I will be keeping my eyes open for inspiration and fun goodies to tuck into the journals!

I hate to slow things up but I promise to come back with my batteries all charged up, creative juices flowing and jump right on whatever journals I find waiting for me. Looking forward to that should take away some of the letdown of vacation being over!

Hugs to all and talk with you in a couple weeks!

have a WONDERFUL time, and think of us at least once or twice! hahaha

we look forward to hearing from you, upon your return, you can send the lobster to me anytime!

these RR's really ARE winding down, everyone -

and yes, I AM going to be starting another, but think I'll just wait til I move (end of August) - with kids back in school, and fewer family vacations/absences, it might be easier for everyone to keep track.

hugs to you ALL, have a great week! MaryB

Ack! Susan! Wait! Should I hold the journals until you get back? It might be safer (and drier) than having them stack up on your porch!?

Andrea

Okay, for anyone wondering, the journals I get will stay cool and dry in air conditioned splendor here in Minnesota until I hear from Susan that she is back and ready to receive!

Right now, I have only FunToScrap's journal, but when Lana sends me the next two she has, I will post. And here they will stay until Susan posts that she is back from vacation!

I do have a scanner, so I will post some scans on our usual Flickr site! I think Susan has a better scanner than I do, but I will give it a shot!

Andrea

thanks Andrea, that sounds like a very good idea - let us know when those others arrive - hope everyone is having a good week, hugs, MaryB

I'm so sorry all! I still haven't added to the four journals I received weeks ago! Life has a way of distracting us! I will work on these over the next few days so I can get them moving early in the week. My apologies for the delay.

thanks for letting us know - please let me know who's journals you have - -

also - -

I AM moving, and it's been "moved ahead" - to August FIRST!

I will message who sends to me, with my new address, please use it effective right away for any journals coming my way.

have a really GREAT week, everyone, warm hugs to you ALL! Mary

I will be sending two journals - Dixiewitch and girlonaglide - Monday to Prairieknitter01. So sorry for the delay, but my daughter graduated from college and moved to Atlanta and we have been helping her get moved and settled this past week. It has been a really hard few days for me. Thanks for the understanding and patience. Lana

Mary: got the address and good luck with the move.

Lana: Hope your daughter got settled in in Atlanta. And hope you won't be missing her too much. Write when you can, but I understand how life can get in the way.

girlonaglide: Life...does get in the way and it is Summer and that doesn't help either. Just glad that everyone let's us know what is going on so we don't worry. Communication is the key!

Andrea - Two journals on their way TODAY! yeah, finally you say. This has been a rough summer. ~Lana~ Oh, the journals belong to Dixiewitch and Girlonaglide :+}

I will keep an eye out for them! I think I am more than half-way through the cycle now...

Andrea

Lana: The two journals have arrived safely! The plastic bags are a good idea.

Andrea

Forwarding kheli's journal to FUNTOSCRAP tomorrow. I still have:

• prpldy
• MaryB
• SuzyLucie

Once again, so sorry for the delay!

Hello all, I'm back.

Andrea, feel free to mail to me whenever. I had my daughter house sitting and she was tending to the mail as well as my dog daughter so nothing would have been damaged but better safe than sorry. I should have let you know but no harm done.

Hope all is well with everyone and each of you is enjoying your summer!

Sorry I've been sucking at updating....These are the journals I have that are finished and will be on the move later this week: vintage princess and prairieknitter.

thanks SO much for keeping us all informed - -

also - I'm moving THIS weekend, so this will have to be my last post for awhile - til I get settled or find a library there - thanks for keeping us all informed, and please have a great weekend, everyone! MaryB

I think Dixiewitch should also have my gnome journal.

I have received Kheli's journal! Will work on it this weekend. Warmly, Chy

Dixie Witch, if there are THREE journals travelling together, then you have the gnome journal also - I did not know it when I sent it to you, but messaged you soon after - the gnome journal belongs to PANDAGIRL - please change the baggie that I included in it, if possible - but those three were sent together, so hopefully they will continue that way.

Hi everyone - I'm living in TEXAS!!!!!

and loving it!

Thanks for the wonderful well-wishes everyone, the move went smoothly and FUN - saw lots of interesting sights and made excellent time - my address is now DIFFERENT from originally stated, to my "mail-from's" - so I will message those (in all 6 RR's) with it, so be watching for the message.

Hugs to you ALL, have a great week everyone! MaryB

Susan: glad to hear you are home! I will wait until Monday to put the journals in the mail. I will send three: FunToScrap, DixieWitch, GirlOnAGlide.

Andrea

How are the journals coming? I haven't had one for a couple of weeks now... So glad your move went smoothly Mary, and I am glad everything is as you had hoped it would be. Hope everybody is enjoying this really hot summer. Keep smiling - Lana

I finished my additions to the following journals over the weekend and will be mailing them to FunToScrap tomorrow or Tuesday.

• prpldy
• MaryB
• SuzyLucie

Once those are mailed, I'll be journaless.

I'm sorry, Susan, but I'm having some trouble up here. I had to glue something into the journals but the humidity is almost 90% and the dewpoint is the same as the temperature -- just tropical. The glue is still wet and I don't want to put anything wet in a plastic bag and mail it. This may take a day or two.

Andrea

Andrea, if anyone can relate to tropical humidity problems, it's me!!!! I'll share a few tips if it helps...I usually hit the area with a heat gun or hair dryer to help the glue along. I use dryer glues like dots and glue sticks as much as possible but if I have to glue something heavy, I use a heavy gel medium cause a little can go a long way. Lastly, I sandwich my pages between waxed paper and then send them on to a drier climate or a least a few travel days to finish drying and the waxed paper won't stick!!

Also...I am in a couple of journal groups and I just wanted to let everyone know to check the rates for priority mail when you send these babies off. It would seem that regular first class would be cheaper and it is...but sometimes by only spare change. The last time I mailed out journals, two were $6.00 regular mail and $6.70 for priority. Those same journals, when mailed to me took two weeks from the postmarked date to arrive to me. I am certain that priority mail is not only delivered with priority, but handled with a little more care than regular parcels. Anyway, that's my two cents for today. I know we are all anxious to get journals and to know they are safe so it never hurts to check the rate and see if you can swing the priority postage.

Can we get an updated on who has what? I have no journals. -Juli

Hi everyone, I really do think that now that summer is winding down, these little beauties are once again "on the move" - in all the RR's, I see lots of travel activity coming our way - so if you are momentarily "without" - it won't be for long -

thanks to EVERYONE for being SO wonderful, and even tho busy, keeping on top of this, and not forgetting us, and taking good care of our little gems.

looking forward to these RR's winding down, as they move swiftly along -

have a great week, everyone, MaryB

I do not have any journals. marie

I do not have any journals either. As far as I can figure, I have had half of them. Haven't had a journal for several weeks. Lana

Hi, the last ones I worked in were three travelling together - prairieknitter, vintage princess, and pandagirl - that DixieWitch has also now sent onward.

I only have three left to work in, but know that there are some (many) travelling together - so please keep your thoughts optimistic - in one of the other RR's, one of the member's roommates posted to me that the swapper had been sick in the hospital for a while, and SHE was just now sending off those FOUR journals.

Summer is nearly over, the kids are going back to school, and time will settle down once again - while this has gone on longer than I had originally anticipated, I AM still very hopeful that it WILL be a complete success, and our journals WILL make it safely HOME - and soon!

hang in there everyone, please do not be discouraged, I do have faith in all the swappers in this group to be "on track" and keep us informed.

have a good weekend, everyone, MaryB

I have sent along Juli's and DixieWitch's journals to Susan, priority mail (she is QUITE right about priority vs. first class only being a few cents apart) and yup, it does have delivery confirmation. I posted scans of the journals (the beaded pages I did, anyways) on the flickr site. On the opposite page from the page in the journal with the beaded embroidery piece I did a regular embroidered page with my name and the date and a little design, which I did not scan because, well, someone is sanding my floors and someone else is jack-hammering a trench in my basement foundation to put in sump pumps and draining channels. I don't know if Lana still needs rain in Alabama, but I wish to heaven she could have some of ours. Three or four counties over they had 15 inches of rain in one day and it washed away a whole town in Fillmore County. I have not lost Chy's journal, don't worry, honey, it's fine. Will let you know when it goes out. I am so sorry but I had to pack everything in basement for the foundation drainage work and pack everything on the first floor so the floors could be done. We are living in three rooms on the second floor with one bathroom, a microwave, and a dorm fridge. It is good to bead a little, and now that everything is packed, my production has picked up a bit!

Andrea

I received Juli and Mikki's journals this afternoon. I am so impressed with the beautiful work everyone is doing...Andrea, your beading is absolutely stunning! I know the owners are going to be so happy to get these home and pour over the wonderful pages everyone has contributed! I will get to work on them ASAP so I can pass them on to kheli quickly.

Sympathies to you Andrea on the flooding in your area. I hope things get back to normal soon for you. Mother Nature can be a real bi*#h sometimes!!!

We in NC could surely use some of that rain! Susan, I look forward to receiving the little beauties! I have been Sans Journal for a long time!

Hi all, I've been away for a family funeral, so have not had a chance to check in.

I've heard from DixieWitch, and she is requesting that her journal be returned to her, right away - due to pressing circumstances, she is unable to continue with the swap - she is sending whatever journals onward that she has, with her first paycheck (i think she said Friday maybe) - -

and since I send TO her, I will be bypassing her in the future, and will send directly to girlonaglide - I'll let you know, Juli, when I'm sending you anything.

At the present, I do not have any journals for THIS swap, but I have five journals for three other RR's - so these ARE winding down, everyone, let's all stay enthused and inspired to wind these up, and run these last few laps with excitement and eagerness, to return the little gems safely HOME soon.

hugs to you all, MaryB

OK Mary... thanks for the update. Hope all is well with DixieWitch.

I only have TWO journals left to work on, for this swap, FunToScrap and girlonaglide - so yes, this swap IS winding down, and you are, and have been SO wonderful through it all, and keeping these little beauties well-taken care of, and "on the move" -

keep up the great work as we wind it down, MaryB

I haven't had any journals in a very long time. Maybe one will arrives soon...sure would feel good to work in one. Have a safe and Happy Holiday Weekend, BrendaLea

I put Chy's journal in the mail today. Susan should have it early next week. I also posted the front cover on the round robin journal group on flickr and also my flickr page. The back cover is the names of all of us embroidered on felt, and I didn't post that. The main material for the cover is felt, and I know it attracts everything on the worktable, so I put a stretchy bookcover from Wal-Mart over it so you can work inside without worry. It's just a stretchy cover, so if anyone wants to look at the cover I did, just take it off and have a look! Whoever sends the journal to Chy, maybe you could take it off before returning it to its owner so Chy doesn't wonder what kind of a lunatic put a cheap-skate lousy cover on her journal! Thanks!

Andrea prairieknitter01

P.S. I have no journals.

Oh, what I should add - Chy, I did the front and back covers and didn't do a page inside the journal.

Andrea :)

I now have the following GORGEOUS journals: vintage princess & prairie knitter!!

Is my gnome journal lost?
It had been travelling with Vintage Princess and Prairie Knitter.

Thank you for the update Juli. I am glad to hear that my journal is still traveling around even though I am anxious to get it home and feast my eyes on all the great artwork that has been added to it. I am still without a journal and have been since about the 24th of July. Hope they are coming around soon ~ I think there are 4 that I have not seen. Keep swapping and have a blessed day, Lana

PANDAGIRL!!! I DO have the gnome journal! I'm sorry... I hadn't opened the plastic bags before I commented. It's here and safe. :) Juli

THIS GNOME JOURNAL IS A RIOT!!! You are SO gonna love this!

I was so afraid he had been gnomenapped.

LOL

I wish I could see the gnome journal when its finished! It cracked me up when I had it quite a while ago and I can't even imagine what has been added.

I'm always amazed when I get a journal at the beautiful work that has been done in all of them. I feel very honored to be in this group and can't wait to see what comes next. You gals are amazing!

yes, I agree! the gnome journal was a hoot!

:o) Andrea

Also, Lana's birds in the girlonaglide journal were very, very beautiful!

The post office website confirms Chy's journal arrived at suzylucie's on 9/7. (Just a little tracking info) Andrea (no journals)

It's been wonderful seeing current postings here once again, and I do agree, that gnome journal was such a kick! I chuckled at every tiniest entry!

Please note, to anyone who sends to me, I've changed my address to a PO box, since I'm planning a move, but have not decided which place it will be yet - I've also had my mail forwarded, so anything that might be "in transit" will find me.

I am plannning to run another RR swap, or more than one, but it will be either private, or "by invitation only" - I'm sure that most of us understand the reason why.

You've been fabulous, and I really do thank you, let's get this wonderful swap wound down, and onward, so the little gems can make their way home finally! They've put on a LOT of miles!

take care everyone, MaryB

(sorry I've been offline for about week, we've had bad weather here, and I didn't have internet for a while)

I am also in the process of moving but my old address is still good. I will be getting a PO box soon.

GBB I would love to participate in another RR swap. Hopefully I can get an invite.

Any future RR swaps that I host, whether USA or Int'l will be set up basically the same, with one "send to" and one "receive from" partner - - BUT -

I will change the "order" that swap-bot assigns, so that the journals will travel in a more-logical "straight line" - everyone will still work in everyone's journal, but rather than sending them back and forth a half dozen times across the country or the world, they will travel straighter. (hope that makes sense)

have a great weekend, everyone, MaryB

Things have been really crazy at work so I had not been able to check in until now but I did get, work on and mail out Girl & Fun's journals. Kheli should have them as they went out priority on Wednesday.

They were such a joy to work on, and I just adored pouring over everyone's work. I was acyually a little intimidated because all the work is so beautiful!

I would love to join another one of these swaps. But do hope my journals arrives soon...can't wait to see all the beautiful work.

BrendaLea

Is my journal still with Girlonaglide? I think that was the lat person to have had it....meaning that 5 or 6 people did have not received it.

Would it be possible for those with journals to make a post so we can get an update? Seems like it has been a while since journal updates have been made. Or maybe I skipped reading some messages. Sorry if I did.

BrendaLea

I agree, BrendaLea - everyone please check in here - - SOON!

Tell us if you HAVE any journals, and whose they are - or if you've SENT off any in the past week, let us know that also -

Let's get this swap wound down, everyone,

Personally speaking, I do NOT have any journals for this swap, at this time, but only have TWO left to work in - girlonaglide and FunToScrap - - (I also had Dixie's to add to, but she has asked to drop out -

let's hear from everyone else - right away please!

MaryB

I also agree. I would like an update on the journals. I haven't had a journal since July 24th and I know I haven't worked in them all. Where are they getting held up? I think I have only had five journals. Hope to hear something soon. How long have they been traveling? 3 1/2 months!?!?! Anxious to hear something soon, Lana

Lana, do you receive from Chy (FunToScrap)?

Andrea

once again, for everyone's clarification - the journals' routes are:

I send to girlonaglide (bypassing DixieWitch)... girlonaglide sends to FunToScrap... FunToScrap sends to pandagirl... pandagirl sends to vintage princess... vintage princess sends to prairie knitter01... prairie knitter01 sends to suzylucie... suzylucie sends to kheli... kheli sends to prpldy... prpldy sends to me...

hope that helps, like I posted, PLEASE everyone,

CHECK IN NOW! thanks, MaryB

Andrea ~ Thank you for inquiring, but I receive from pandagirl. These are the journals that I have seen and worked in: 1. vintageprincess(mine) 2. pandagirl's gnome journal 3. funtoscrap 4. girlonaglide 5. Dixiewitch (no longer in the swap) To the best of my knowledge or memory, which is sometimes poor, I have not seen the journals that belong to prairieknitter, suzylucie, kheli, or prpldy.

If someone has any of the four that I listed as not being ones I have worked in, and I have in fact worked in them, please let me know. Are you truly confused now? LOL

This is a wonderful swap and I hope it makes it to the end without problems and that everyone gets their lovely journal back.

Thank you to those who have been so diligent about keeping us informed and continue to do so until the end. MaryB, thank you for your hardwork and for hosting a swap of this magnitude.

Everybody keep up the good work! and lets see this to the finish! Happy swapping and journaling, Lana

Post Script ~ Gram's Button Box, Mary B, I don't think I have worked in yours either. That would make my ten. I hope everyone responds to you soon so that we can get this moving. :+} Lana

I have received the journals belonging to Girlonaglide and fun to scrap. I have been out of town and will work on these this weekend. I have worked in suzy's, the gnome journal, vintage princess's and prairieknitter's . I hope this updates everyone! All of these are truly treasures!

Andrea,

I just looked at the flickr site and your bead work is absolutely GORGEOUS! I love Dixiewitch's night sky, and Chy is going to flip when she gets her journal. I love the big bright flower you did for girlonaglide and I can't wait to see mine in person. I love that you posted your "classwork". Just wanted you to know. Happy day, Lana

Thanks, Lana! I know it takes time to do the beading but please know I do work (and work and work) on the journals the whole time I have them. In the interest of speeding things up, I am doing things more like I did for Juli's journal now -- a central motif of a standard size that I applique to background fabric fit to the size of the actual journal. This means that DixieWitch was the last piece I will make after seeing the journal itself - the last four people I work on will be done beforehand by the "vibe" I have gotten in all these postings but not from seeing the journal itself. I guess what I'm saying is that it might stick out like a sore thumb, BUT the journal didn't reside in southern Minnesota for longer than it takes the glue to dry!

Speaking of glue, this Round Robin has taught me more about ADHESIVES than I ever thought possible. I used four different adhesives on DixieWitch's journal! And had a heart attack between each one. Clothespins are great clamps, but glue squishes up between felt fibers, and I have glued wooden clothespins into felt. I have had glue refuse to dry in humid conditions, and even worse, on Chy's journal, the cover turned into a wet glue sponge and it was just odd. Adventures in Adhesives! I now own a whole box of glues, dry adhesives, adhesive sprays, and glue sticks.

By-the-way, I always put an embroidered piece on the left hand side of the journal with my name and the date on it. I don't scan that for posting on the web but it will be there in the journal when it comes home.

I have four journals left to do and two of the pieces will be ready to post on flickr by Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!
Andrea, who always writes too much because she types fast

I have suzylucie's page done and posted on flickr. (I do not have her journal, though).

Andrea

Hi Andrea, Yes, glue is always a problem when working with fabric of any kind. It always reacts differently. Have you ever tried ironing a heat bond to the back of your piece and then ironing it to the paper? It really adheres, but it might be difficult putting it on a journal page?.

I hope you didn't think that I thought you were holding things up...you still have not seen the same amount of journals that I haven't seen because I send to you, and I still don't have any journals and haven't heard from anyone sending them my way. I would definitely be GLAD to wait on your work! and I know you worked in mine as one of the first ones.

Well, gotta go get 5-gallons of peas worked up and put in the freezer.

:+} Lana

Lana: Lucky you! Peas! I am canning chutney today. There was a girl on TV just now who thought gravy only comes from cans. I can't imagine it. Pickles are my favorite to do.

I am going to look up the heat bond you spoke of, although my chief concern with adhesives has been the variety of different papers we have worked with in the journals -- remember how delicate the paper in DixieWitch's journal was? And it was a small size journal with a sewn or glued in binding, so there was a fierce curl to almost a quarter of the page running vertically along the binding. I loved Juli's journal with her heavy lovely paper, the spiral binding and the nicely sized pages! Of course, in some cases I was trying to glue beaded pieces into journals the owners thought people would write in, so I was butting heads against the originators and I got exactly the amount of trouble I deserved!

I AM slow and I HAVE slowed down the progress - but I feel pretty spiffy about getting on top of it now and hopeful I won't be a sticking point in the future!

Best wishes for your freezing/canning!

Andrea

Just checking in...I don't have any journals. I've worked on fun to scrap, vintage princess, pandagirl, and prarieknitter's journals. I don't think I have worked in Gram's and I know I haven't worked in ppldy or kheli's.

The last time I saw anything about mine, was way back in the beginning of August. It was traveling with MaryB and BrendaLea's and it was leaving Juli and going to Chy. Since Lana on down has no journals, I figure mine must be with Chy or Panda. Here is my personal plea...

I realize everyone wants to get their journal back and I realize that everyone has a life, responsiblilties, etc but PLEASE everyone, try to get my journal back to me quickly. AS most of you know, it's for my daughter who is getting married in November. I wanted to give it to her at her bridal shower which is coming up in October. I also wanted to add a few more pages myself etc before she gets it so PLEASE!!!! keep it moving quickly!

Thank you.

If we could find out whether the journals are with Chy or Panda, it would be a big help.

Susan, would it help if Lana and I sent you our pages and you could insert them as tip-ins? Then whoever has your journal now (probably Panda?) could just send your journal directly to you. Somewhere in this comment section we have the exact size of your pages and I think we could send something of correct size.

Okay, and not to mention the fact that I could skip the hair-raising adhesive adventure... :o)

Andrea

I do not have any journals, but I have finished the piece for Mary B's journal and it is posted to the group site on flickr (as well as mine).

Andrea

Andre ~ The beading piece you did for MaryB is BEADUTIFUL! :+} She will be thrilled. I hope that the drainage project at your home is almost complete and remedies the problem. I wish we could have had some of that rain this summer, not the flooding mind you, but enough rain to keep grass and trees alive and the farmers able to survive. I hope the journals are on the move, but I still do not have one. Lana

Lana, you would not believe it -- I finally have a DOUBLE SINK and a TOILET THAT FLUSHES in my basement! Hooray! Also, all the basement windows OPEN! I should reinforce the fact that toilets elsewhere in the house flush just fine and always have, but the basement in my 100 year old Prairie School original was...prehistoric. Now UP TO DATE! And a SINK! I can dye my fibers IN THE HOUSE, not out on the lawn! Although, it's fun on the lawn. But now I have CHOICE! Happy, happy, happy...dusty, but happy. If only they would reconnect my hot water heater...tomorrow they have promised!

What can we do for Chy? Her cousin did pass away. She isn't checking in on Swap-bot. If Panda does not have Susan's journal, it might be a long wait. If Chy knew about Susan's daughter's shower coming up, she would send those journals out in a flash no matter what was going on in her life. But I don't see what else we can do...

Andrea

Andrea ~

Yeah, for modern conveniences like flushing toilets and double sinks. How wonderful that you dye your own fibers! I would love to be able to do that! I do alot of punchneedle and counted cross stitch so I just purchase what is already out there. The hand dyed linens are beautiful and that is what I use, but I am starting to do some sewing with wool and those hand dyed wools are exquisite and expensive.

I am so sad for Chy. I hope she is able to get back to her routine soon. And as far as the journals go, just knowing where they are is okay with me. It is too bad Susan may not have her journal in time, I know she is disappointed, but I'm sure her daughter will love it just as much when she does get it. It would be fun to give it to her after the honeymoon...after she has said I Do, that way there is no turning back. teehee I haven't seen it yet, so I am anxious to see what everyone said.

Do you have the size of Susan's journal? I couldn't find it anywhere in the posts and thought I might need it in case I had to do a tip in.

Thank you for keeping the communication flowing. Not only do I enjoy the posts, its just nice to know where things stand. I wish everybody else would sign in. Maybe Mary could change the date again and push this back to the top.

Lana

Lana: someone posted or emailed to me somewhere that Susan's journal is 6" x 6 1/2". I have only two more beaded pieces to make and that's it! I have them all planned and the supplies are tucked away into kits that I can pick up and take to work for night shifts. For once, I don't feel like I'm slowing things down in the round robin.

I think you should hop over to joggles.com and get some fabric dyes and paints, or ribbonsmyth.com for their Victorian ribbon dyes. The ribbon dyes are a nice wash that can go as dark and saturated as you like, and doing needlework on canvas or fabric you have dyed yourself is a rush! Also, it is easy to dye wool and roving -- you would save a fortune. If you're going to shred it anyway for punchneedle -- how can it be a mistake? Punchneedle is very interesting and I'm trying so hard to stay away. Can't..start..anything..new...must....resist...! Heck, you can dye wool using Kool-aid if you want to start really cheap. I dyed alpaca yarn with bright Kool-aid colors, and knit very cute booties with it. Never faded or bled in the wash, either, unless the Mommy is fibbing to me.

I wish Panda would check in. Maybe Chy got all the journals sent off on 9/12. She said she was "all caught up with all the swaps" in her profile as of 9/12. Maybe she meant us, too. Pandagirl was moving in mid-September and hasn't checked in for a while.

Best wishes, Andrea

Well, shoot! I don't know what to do. I never dreamed when we started that five months out, we would still be at it. We had to have the journals mailed out by May 7. Anyway, I guess I could give the journal to my daughter after the fact but it's kind of designed as a before thing...you know, words of wisdom (or sarcasm) (or horror stories) for the bride to be.

I usually have no idea about what I will put into a journal until I see it, look at all the wonderful contributions and read the owners profile. I don't want others to not be able to see the "mood" of the book before adding to it, that's a big part of the fun! Andrea, since yours is already done, you can send it on if you like and I can deal with the glue and drying time on my end. Lana, it's completely up to you...I guess we would have a better idea if we knew who had the journals.

MaryB...do you have any way to contact Chy and Marie via phone or snail mail and get their status?

the only contacts I have for either of them are snail mail and email -

also, Marie's (pandagirl) address is Houston Texas, and that's where I am, but I've looked in the phone book and cannot find ANY listing for ANY "hesler" - so she may only have/use a cell phone.

here's what I have - -

Chy Parker (FunToScrap) 25020 96th Street Zimmerman, MN 55398 funtoscrap @ gmail.com

Marie Hesler (pandagirl) 801 Country Place #65 Houston, TX 77079-5512 pandagirl @ hotmail.com

I don't know if anyone else has any other info about them, from any earlier swaps, or anything, but maybe if so, let us know - (I did not try directory assistance for Houston to try to track down a number, tho)

Also, even tho I'm a born-and-raised Minnesotan, I'm not altogether sure where Zimmerman is - it's area code is EITHER 507, 612, or 312 - unless they've added more in the past year.

MaryB

Chy is actually Cheryl, and her phone number is published for Zimmerman, Minnesota, area code 320. I tried to call, but had to leave a message with her daughter. That was on 9/20. I left my number but she didn't call me back. As far as I know Chy still doesn't know about Susan's daughter's shower. I'm sure she would send it on if she knew.

Susan, I will wait until I hear from you that you have decided to take your journal back before I send as there is a chance it is still traveling and you would prefer it travels through. Since I'm the last one to work on it for you, it's really just as well that I can send it on almost the minute it lands here. I promise I will overnight it. What is the date you need it by?

Andrea

Susan ~ I receive from Panda and if your journal is on its way to me, I will work in it and sending out the next day. I send to Andrea. I just don't know if the journals are in route or not. Lana

Susan ~ What is the need by date?

I sent Chy's and Juli's journals to BrendaLea today. No journals are with me now!

You ladies are so awesome! Andrea, I just had time to check out flicker for the first time and I was moved to tears (literally) by the BEAUTIFUL piece you did for my daughter Justine's journal. You are amazing and exceptionally kind.

I thank you and Lana for offering to overnite the journal but that is hideously expensive and I don't think it will be necessary. I have decided that I will give her the journal the morning of her wedding instead of at her shower. I'm very happy with that decision and I think it will work out even better. That gives us until November 24 to get it wrapped up.

I really appriciate everyone's concern and effort on my behalf and I thank you all! What a great group!

Susan, I think that is a wonderful idea! to give your daughter the little journal the morning of her wedding. That way the two of you can sit down and look at it and laugh together and lighten the tension of oftentimes a very stressful day. And, you can throw in some last minute advice of your own without seeming to pushy. :+} The 9th of October, I will celebrate my 27th wedding anniversary and I remember my wedding day well. ;-} Now, I just hope we can get these journals moving and get yours to you by November! BTW, what is your daughter's fiance's name? Have a blessed day, Lana

Tomorrow, October 1, is our 24th anniversary. 1983 seems just like yesterday. I am lucky to have married my lover and best friend. We enjoy laughing together now more than all those years ago! With our only child now a freshman in college, we have begun our 2nd honeymoon. Susan, I really wish the best for your daughter and her fiance as they begin this adventure!

Congratulations to all the October anniversaries! Hope you all have marvelous plans for celebrations!

Panda checked in today! Panda - are you there? Do you have the journals from Chy?? Welcome back!!!

I'm back online. I have finally gotten my computer set up. I am not really moved yet cuz I still have my apartment in Houston. So that address is still ok to send to. It may take me awhile to get it since I'm about 300 miles away. My son is in Houston and is collecting my mail. I have updated my profile with my new address.

I have only worked on three journals. They are Fun to scrap, Dixie Witch, and Girl on a Glide. I receive from fun to scrap and mail to Vintage princess.

GBB I'm in the phone book under my maiden name. I just never got around to changing it. But I've disconnected my phone and moved to South Texas.

I will send Fun to Scrap a private message about my new address. I was in Houston over the weekend and there weren't any packages for me from this swap. Also I didn't have any messages either saying anything was in the mail.

Sorry I haven't been able to get back online sooner. :)marie

Marie, it's good to hear from you! I hope you hear from Chy soon.

By-the-way, joggles.com has a new book, "A Crafter's Guide to Glue". I ordered a copy by express mail! Wow!

Andrea

Happy October everyone - and Happy Anniversaries to those who have them - some of you MAY know that I'm getting married, having moved to Texas - (whod'a thought - and me a grandma!!) - and it will be in October also! - great minds and all that...lol

anyway, thanks for posting and drawing yourselves back into the swap, everyone - hugs to you all,

let's hurry with these journals and try to get them finished and sent HOME soon -

have a good week, MaryB

Well, at least we know where all the journals are. Maybe we can get Chy to at least mail them on. I understand if she is down and feeling uninspired...maybe she could just pass, not work on this batch but send them on...or maybe a daughter, husband etc could do so for her.

Congrats to all the anniversaries. That's wonderful that both of you have been married so long...it gives me hope for the kids!

Also congrats again to MaryB on her impeneding nuptials.

Lana, my daughter's name is Justine and her fiance is John and their last name will be Purkey...and no, she isn't but perhaps her new name will inspire her!!! HA HA

Laugh if you like (I did), but the "Crafter's Guide to Glue" has good stuff....fun projects, too. Just thought I would give a report.

Still keeping my fingers crossed for Chy.

Andrea

Well, I think is is time to be proactive about the situation with Chy. Has anyone attempted to get someone in her family on the phone and have them mail the journals on? It may go best from someone with a relationship with her or maybe Mary as the group leader. If no one else wants to do it, just get me her contact info and I will do it.

I can try again. My last try was 9/20 and I ended up talking to her daughter/daughter-in-law. Will try again Monday afternoon and report back. There is no reason she can't send on those journals and send us tip-in's to add to our journals at a later time when she feels better. For my un-bound journal, she could just pull out the pages for herself and keep them until they're done later.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM JULI/GIRLONAGLIDE! She had three journals on 9/5 and she should probably NOT send them to Chy.

As far as I can tell, here are the last known locations for our journals:

9/20 kheli had: Juli and Chy 9/5 girlonaglide had: Lana, Andrea and Marie Hopefully these have not gone to Chy yet!!??? 8/12 Chy had: BrendaLea, MaryB, Susan 8/3 Chy had: kheli

DixieWitch's journal was returned to her. So that would account for all ten.

If Juli did send to Chy, Chy has eight of ten journals. If not, kheli has two, Juli has three and Chy has four.

Has anyone heard anything else? Like I said, I will call Chy tomorrow afternoon. Maybe someone should try Juli as well.

All best wishes, Andrea

This messaging window has a mind of its own when it formats. I think hard returns need html or something.

On 9/20: kheli reported she had Juli and Chy's journals.

On 9/5: Juli reported she had Andrea, Lana and Panda's journals.

On 8/12: Chy received BrendaLea, MaryB, and Susan's journals.

On 8/3: Chy was sent kheli's journal.

Hope that saves my formatting.

I just wanted to post that I have not received my journal back from this swap. I did get the one back for the other one, but not this one. Does anyone happen to know who has my journal?

Thanks!

Wow! This has become a nightmare. Thanks Andrea for all the effort you are putting in to get this situation resolved. And again, my thoughts go out to Chy, but we need to get this swap concluded. Lana

I just talked to Chy, and she confirmed she has four journals. She will post here later what the status of her plans are. Welcome back, Chy!

About DixieWitch's journal: I sent it to suzylucie at the beginning of September, shortly after that we were told it was dropping out of rotation. I don't know if Susan was going to send it back or if she had already finished and sent to MaryB when it was taken out of the rotation. If it got to MaryB, it was finished anyway.

Hugs to Chy-- Andrea

On 9/18 MaryB said she had DixieWitch's journal to add to but she sent it back. I don't know if that is the actual date it was sent back.

If it is the journal with the dark blue ribbon on the side and the big fat beaded piece in the center of the book, it is the journal from this swap, not the other swap.

Hi Guys, I am SO sorry to have held you up for this long. I do have these journals which are being sent to Marie (pandagirl) today! BrendaLea, MaryB, kheli, and Susan's journals.

I will put delivery confirmation on them. Chy

I wanted to add if you want to bypass me for the remaining journals, I understand. You guys have been more than patient and more than fair.

Yay!!! Thank you so much Andrea for all your efforts and welcome back Chy. Thanks for moving the journal on!

Welcome back Chy! and I hope every day gets better and better.

Now, we know where 4 of the journals are...where are the other ones? We need to get this swap wrapped up. The holidays will soon be upon us and everyone will get busy with other things.

Mary B, haven't seen any messages from you in a few days. Hope everything is okay in Texas.

Juli, have you sent the journals you had on to the next person?

I'm ready to get this one finished. :+} Lana

I'm confused about DixieWitch's journal. Maybe MaryB sent her a journal from another swap, not this one. Susan, what did you do with it after I sent it to you?

The journal I received is from the other swap, NOT this swap. I still don't have the journal from this swap.

Okay, we have a Halloween mystery.

Susan acknowledged receiving Mikki/DixieWitch's journal from me on 8/28. Pretty much that same day, MaryB posted that the journal needed to go back to the owner.

Kheli receives from Susan and she acknowledged receiving the journals traveling with DixieWitch, but not DixieWitch.

This is a good thing, though, because if Susan sent it somewhere, it was tracked with delivery confirmation -- she is very careful. We just need to know where Susan sent it - MaryB or Kheli or Mikki.

Andrea, confused

I haven't received any journals yet. I will PM Fun to Scrap to get the confirmation number. :)marie

delivery confirmation number 03062400000309754209

Sorry to say, but I did not receive the DixieWitch journal. I had so looked forward to it! But, c'est la vie! Good luck, DixieWitch, in all of your endeavors! PS:no journals since Chy's and Juli's.

So for DixieWitch, we just need to wait until Susan checks in. That might be a while, her daughter's wedding shower is this week.

Oh, I hope we get that journal done by the wedding!!!

Andrea

Hi all! A rare day off for me. As far as Dixie's journal, I sent it to her a long time ago. I was also in the other swap that she dropped out of too but I was very careful to keep them seperate. I had sent the journal on in the other swap after I had added to it but I didn't add in this one, I just mailed it back since she had quit.

Well, in that case, DixieWitch will need to take another look around for it. It seems like it went out almost a month ago, and if she can't find it, there's nothing we can do about it at this point.

I received the four journals from Fun To Scrap. :) I guess I know what I'll be doing. They are all so beautiful. I will send them to Vintage Princess as soon as I finish them.

I posted the beaded piece for prplady's journal on the flickr site. It really is purple, not blue! I promise! Only one more piece to make.

Andrea

I sent Chy's and Juli's journals to Mary on Thursday. She should have them any day now.

BrendaLea

Nope I definitely DO NOT have my journal for this swap. The only on I've received is for RR #3: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/3417

Hi all, sorry to have been out of touch for a while - I got married! have just changed my address here, (and also my name, heehee) - but everything is being forwarded from my old address, so no problems -

hope everyone is doing well! hugs, Mary

the journal of DW's that I returned to her was the dark halloween-decorated cover - (swap 3417) - I have not seen her journal for THIS swap yet - but I would be the last person to work in it, as my name is just before hers on the list. For THIS swap, I still have to work in FunToScrap's and girlonaglide's also.

Mary: could you send Marie's current address to Juli? Or Marie, would you drop Juli/girlonaglide a note with it? I left a note on Juli's profile asking her to send my journal to Marie and not to bother Chy with it. If you remember, my journal is only temporarily bound -- it has those snap rings and you can take pages out. I would just as soon Juli took out her pages from my journal if she doesn't have them done and return them to me later. Also, I don't think I want to pester Chy about working in the journal either, so I would just as soon have the journal sent directly to Marie/Panda. Then Lana can finish it up and I'll be done. If Chy wants to work a few pages for me later, I can send her the loose pages with her name on them.

Thanks! Andrea

Sent Girl on a glide my new address. :) marie

Thanks, Marie!

and a big thanx from me too - you are all great!

hugs, Mary

and a big thanx from me too - you are all great!

hugs, Mary

still waiting for my journal....

Can we please get an update on where the journals are? Thanks!

I am with suzylucie ~ can we please get an update as to where the journals are and are they moving? I am afraid your journal will not be back in time for even the wedding, Susie. I still do not have any journals. Maybe they all just need to come home - finished or not. This swap has really been something else!!! I sure hope I get mine back as I would love to see the work that has been done in it. Please send these journals on their way. :+} Lana

I am curious as to whether or not Juli sent my journal to Marie/Panda yet. Juli hadn't started it when I contacted her at the end of October. She did say she had yours, too, Lana, and she would be sending to Chy...

I still have no journals............

I have no journals.

have been trying to track down some, but have not yet heard back from a few who have not posted here -

if you HAVE a journal, please get it sent onward FAST - let's get this thing FINISHED already! I do not really look forward to the holidays coming with this still up in the air!

so let's wind this thing UP!

have a good weekend, everyone, Mary

I also do not have any journals at the present time.

If we decide to send all the journals home immediately:

I have beaded pieces done for BrendaLea, MaryB, Susan, and kheli. If you send me your journals, I will be happy to put them in.

Andrea, who is hoping Lana will still work on my journal

Well, anyway, this is my last Swap-Bot post. I will still monitor the message board for Round Robins on the flickr site, but I am closing down my account here. If I receive any journals from Lana, I will send them to Susan as usual. If I receive Susan's, I will wrap it up a.s.a.p. and send it as fast as I can. It would be nice if I ever saw my own journal again, but I won't hold my breath.

Andrea

If anyone has my journal, please send it to me. Don't worry about putting postage on it, just put my address in both places and drop it in the mail.

I have four journal. (susie lucie, brendalea, mary, and kelly) I will be sending them out next week most likely. I have been so busy at my new job. I amsoory for my delay in responding.

Andrea, I would love to work in your journal if I ever get it. I am so sad that this has turned out the way it did. I don't even know who has my journal and I so wanted to see all the beautiful work in it. Haven't read anything from girlonaglide in a while. Why have you quit swap-bot? Email me. Maybe we can do something one on one. Lana

I am with Andrea! I HAVE REALLY TRIED TO BE PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING BUT THIS IS GETTING SO RIDICULIOUS!!! It has been over six months and I can't give my daughter this journal for her wedding. After the fact is pointless...I might as well just not even have done it! I really wanted Andrea and Lana to be able to contribute so if you still have the heart, Please send your contribution to me and I will add it in if I ever get the thing back!

I messaged pandagirl to send it directly to me without her contribution, if that is what is holding her up. MaryB...if you have a phone number or some way to get to her since she rarely checks in, please ask her to mail it to me now.

I understand that everyone has a life, things come up etc. but there are just no sufficient excuses for what some people in this group have done. I work 50-60 hours every single week, I am planning a wedding, I have bills and expenses but I have never shirked my responsibility and commitment in this swap or any other. Why sign up if you don't have the time, inclination or financial ability to keep your commitment?!?!? Why not drop out or pass them on without adding if you don't have time?

Thank you to all who did the right thing in this swap and shame on those of you who didn't. You have truly been a dissapointment and need to do a gut check and see if that is the kind of person you want to be.

Anyone who wants to add to the journal or help me get it back will have my undying gratitude. I likely won't check in for a few days so maybe the next timne I do there will be some good news!

Bravo Susie! This swap has really been a disappointment! For the life of me I can't understand why someone would sign up to do something, have in their possession someone else's belongings, and then do nothing!!! I am so sad about this. After I complete the two swaps I have signed up for I am taking a break from swap-bot for awhile. I love the swapping, but I have been disappointed lately with flakers, people not rating so that you don't even know if they received what you sent, and the lack of communication with some swaps. I think a break will be good for me. Of course, if I should receive any journals I will immediately work in them and then send them on to their owners or whatever has been decided to do. So sorry that this didn't turn out good for you. I know we are all disappointed. Lana

I would like to know where my journal is. I shouldn't have to take it as a loss....Someone out there has my journal and it's not right that no one is responding as to where it is. I asked over a month or 2 ago for my journals to be sent back to me. I don't agree with prairieknitter's advice "there's nothing we can do about it at this point." Bull sh!t. Someone out there has my journal and all she needs to do is come forward. Who had my journal last and who did you send it to? I've already offered to pay for shipping by sending it postage due. There's no excuse for me not having it in my hands.

I will send the four journals I received from Fun to Scrap at the same time back to the journals owner. If they want to send them to the other members of the swap they can.

I need to get confirmation from brendalea, mary, and kelly for your current address.

I think Susielucie was the last person to have Dixie witch's journal. She has written five paragraphs complaining about me. She has only sent a PM on the day of her rant. I have the package ready to send tomorrow.

I haven't disappeared. I've posted comments as often as anyone. I think Susielucie forgets she was gone for two weeks during July.

I am living in another place 300 miles from my old home. I have started a new job. I have not found a permanent place to live so most of my belongings are still in Houston. Lighten up on me. I sent everyone I had an address for my change of address that even included my home phone number. My address in Houston is still valid. If you look back thru the comments that GBB has posted my full name and address in one of the comments. (so much for privacy)

I am still waiting for the journal from girl on a glide. I sent her a PM with my new address back on October 24th. She has read the message and she has logged into swapbot today 11/09/07.

Sorry if I sound cranky but I have been out of town working for two weeks. I've been working 12 hr days outside in the middle of nowhere Texas and even managed to get a sunburn. Thank goodness it is the weekend and I don't have to leave again until Wednesday.

marie

sent sucielucie her journal. confirmation number 03061070000459211733

I am not going to respond to your pm, pandagirl, since you aked for a public apology. I'm not going to do that either since I don't feel I have anything to apologise for. If you took my "two paragraph rant personally" and felt it was directed at you, then perhaps you identified with some of the comments that I made. I can assure you that I did not forget about my vacation, which I forwarned about repeatedly, nor do I recall my vacation causing any sort of back up at all. I had someone picking up my mail daily and I didn't get any journals for weeks after I returned. I certainly don't hold you responsible for the failure of this swap...you just happen to be the person who has it and I want and need it by Nov 24. I assumed that if you were reading the messages, you would have picked up on that and have tried to quickly send the journal on its way.

All I have been asking is that my journal get back to me for my daughter's wedding. Is it too much to ask for people to keep to their commitment? I don't think it is.

Susan Since you won't read my PMs I am forced to repond as a comment. The last PM that you aren't reading is only the confirmation number for the package.

I guess I'll get over my hurt feelings and just figure your just stressing out over the wedding. I'm sure everything will be perfect.

:)marie

Susan Label/Receipt Number: 0306 1070 0004 5921 1733 Status: Processed

Your item was processed and left our ORLANDO, FL 32862 facility on November 12, 2007. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

I say that it is time to send the journals HOME to their original owners! If you have a journal that does NOT belong to you, please DO SO immediately!

The original owner's name and mailing address better BE IN their own journal, since that was one of the first "rules" of this swap! If you do NOT have it, or need it, let me know HERE - in public, please -

you are right, this has gone on without enough commitment for too long - and I'm sorry if anyone "misses" someone's journal, you can send them pages to add if you'd like,

but SEND THEM HOME IMMEDIATELY!!! please!

Mary

Label/Receipt Number: 0306 1070 0004 5921 1733 Status: Arrival at Unit

Your item arrived at 10:26 AM on November 13, 2007 in PALM CITY, FL 34990. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

I spoke with Panda Girl and she is sending my journal to me. Thanks Marie. This has been a long swap. If there are any journals that I need to work in...if you contact me I will be happy to complete a tip-in page for you to add to your journal if you like. I hope everyone's journal will arrive to their homes soon.

BrendaLea

Label/Receipt Number: 0306 1070 0004 5921 1733 Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 5:11 PM on November 13, 2007 in PALM CITY, FL 34990.

pandagirl....didn't mean I wouldn't read pm, just didn't want to respond earlier via pm as you had asked me to apologise publicly. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I received my journal and it is wonderful! Thanks so much pandagirl for express mailing it to me.

Thanks to all for their wonderful contributions and I hope all are as pleased with the end result as I am!

I am mailing out PrairieKnitter and Pandagirl journals to Pandagirl. Both have been PMd.

VintagePrincess' will be mailed to her tomorrow as well and I PMd her to let her know.

I have not heard about my journal in a long while... I'd welcome it home. :)

Sent all three remaining journals out 11/17/07

Mary delivery confirmation 03052710000113170672

Brenda Lea delivery confirmation 03052710000113170214

Kelly delivery confirmation 03052710000113170689

These round robin swaps have been such a learning experience for me ( probably for all of us) - and I've really enjoyed every journal that I've been honored to be a part of - I know that I said earlier that I would be starting up another, soon after these wind down, but have re-thought that, and decided that I'm going to take a little break, when these are done.

I honestly never imagined that they would last as long as they did, but for me, that has not diminished the pleasure or inspiration that every one of them has brought my way.

Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your art with me, for being so generous with your talents, by adding to my humble beginnings, and for taking such good care of each other's little gems.

Have a nice Thanksgiving, everyone, (at least here in the US, but everyone, please enjoy your week) - I do look forward to "seeing" you all again, in future ventures, either here in swap-bot, maybe even in future round robins, or if you'd like to just drop me a note to say hi, I think you all have my email address - if you'd like my "real" address, just let me know -

In spite of whatever problems have come along with this swap, I still hold true that this HAS been a wonderful experience, and will stand alone as one of the most FUN things I've been a part of.

Thank you all, and blessings to you and your family! Mary

I received the journals from girl on a glide. I have prairieknitter's journal. I will be sending it out as soon as possible. I promise.

I got my gnome journal back. It is wonderful. Thank you to everyone who worked in it. I have really enjoyed looking at it and showing it off to others. It is a hoot!!

GBB I have enjoyed your Round robin swap. I would love to be invited to join your next one whenever you start it. I promise not to move. LOL Although I haven't actually completed my move yet. Still have my stuff in Houston and me in south Texas.

Here is the status of the last three journals. I mailed them on the same date. I understand the one to Conroe arriving first. Hopefully they arrive soon.

Mary delivery confirmation Label/Receipt Number: 0305 2710 0001 1317 0672 Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 10:11 AM on November 19, 2007 in CONROE, TX 77301.

Brenda Lea delivery confirmation Label/Receipt Number: 0305 2710 0001 1317 0214 Status: Processed

Your item was processed and left our SAINT LOUIS, MO 63155 facility on November 21, 2007. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

Kelly delivery confirmation Label/Receipt Number: 0305 2710 0001 1317 0689 Status: Acceptance

Your item was accepted at 9:18 AM on November 17, 2007 in KINGSVILLE, TX 78363. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

I have my journal! I love it. Thank you to all who blessed me with their talents!

Thank you Marie,

I received my journal back and a HUGE "Thank You!!!!" to all that worked in it. I just got it this morning so haven't had time to really check it out, but look forward to sitting down with it and a cup of coffee later.

Anyone that wasn't able to work in my journal and that would like to send a tip-in for it, it would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays to you all, BrendaLea

Mary is in the hospital, has been there for two weeks - she will be unable to add to any journals that come this way, but would forward them onward immediately.

She sends her apologies, for any problems that this may cause, and wishes all a happy holiday.

(On a personal note, speaking on behalf of her family, she is in very serious condition, so please say a prayer on her behalf.)

Thank you.

Did anyone hear how Mary is doing?