tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post3647326945618224267..comments2024-03-28T05:52:39.759-07:00Comments on A Little Blacksheep Stitchin': A VERY disturbing email -Edgarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00837185107544953448noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-12952309386648775782009-02-01T18:38:00.000-08:002009-02-01T18:38:00.000-08:00I've just entered this blogging community and purp...I've just entered this blogging community and purposely focus on the stitched piece, WHEN I participate in an exchange. Sometimes it is financial, but often it is time. Some of us are single, some of us are not, some of use are retired, some of use work at least one job, some of us have children, some of us do not...everyone comes from a different place. And sometimes it is about boundaries...especially if someone has tried to confront codependency issues...okay, enough from me.Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299148595100680412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-51264778169870248152009-01-29T03:15:00.000-08:002009-01-29T03:15:00.000-08:00Unfortunately there will always be people like tha...Unfortunately there will always be people like that....but the good thing is MOST people are not!Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08199146842146306456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-63341181694463935172009-01-28T12:57:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:57:00.000-08:00Nicely said Edgar. It's about sharing and the love...Nicely said Edgar. It's about sharing and the love our hobby.Milly~https://www.blogger.com/profile/06626272834842277723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-9621068842626896302009-01-28T12:31:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:31:00.000-08:00Unfortunately we have some similar situations, her...Unfortunately we have some similar situations, here in Portugal. <BR/>I'm with you. The important is the stitched piece and not the gifts!<BR/>I'm now part of an international group (Tiny Treasures Exchange) and one of the rules is to send only 1 piece and useful for stitch work.<BR/>And... It's better to give than receive... but that's my opinion...;)Cenourahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17633323840612905943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-51711561795454010242009-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:002009-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00Edgar, I totally agree, it's the fun of stitching ...Edgar, I totally agree, it's the fun of stitching that counts, and the fun of giving in case you will and can afford that financially.Jokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14255167372810863497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-69622273284986601972009-01-28T05:20:00.000-08:002009-01-28T05:20:00.000-08:00Hear, hear!I totally agree with you, Edgar. I'm al...Hear, hear!<BR/><BR/>I totally agree with you, Edgar. I'm always feeling very spoiled with the extra goodies I receive. But most of it end up with the rest of my stash. The stitched items however, are displayed in my stitching room and I'll treasure them and proudly show them to anyone who's interested.<BR/>Sorry, that some people can't see the value of the stitched piece...Simonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623619311964186503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-54969441463996658112009-01-28T04:39:00.000-08:002009-01-28T04:39:00.000-08:00I completely agree with you Edgar! When I began ex...I completely agree with you Edgar! When I began exchanging, I had loads of fun putting together little goodie packages to go along with the exchanges but it really starts to eat into the budget! Now I only partiticpate in exchanges to allow NO or one extra per exchange. The stitching is the true gift! It should never be about extras or who can send the most!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14819180160599823876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-66094078740777159762009-01-28T04:14:00.000-08:002009-01-28T04:14:00.000-08:00This is a difficult one I think. I am a fairly new...This is a difficult one I think. I am a fairly new blogger and have not participated in any exchanges yet. <BR/>Why? <BR/>Because although I feel that my stitching would be appreciated by the lovely people in the stitching community, I am not really au fait with the kind of goodies that might be considerd 'acceptable' and would not like to be considered gauche by sending the wrong stuff. The cost and availability is a consideration also. It's a shame if lots of others are put off like me.Starry-eyed stitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11617572469207597697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-73766212437014868272009-01-28T02:49:00.000-08:002009-01-28T02:49:00.000-08:00Edgar,Well said - I could not agree more. I read y...Edgar,<BR/>Well said - I could not agree more. I read your blog faithfully and love it but have never commented before. I'm unlurking to thank you for this commentary.<BR/>Evelyn in MaineEvelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13718097936505768595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-91658688037611680742009-01-28T00:56:00.000-08:002009-01-28T00:56:00.000-08:00Amen Edgar !!! My partner and i are both disabled ...Amen Edgar !!! <BR/>My partner and i are both disabled to work and if i look at all those goodies that are coming with the exchanges ... all i can think is ... OMG, how they can affort that ??<BR/>Here in the Netherlands life is extremely expensive at this moment , 1 skein of DMC is US $ 1.70 , so imagine the price from the overdied silks...... <BR/>Actually what i wanted to say is that those kind of emails are the reason i never participated in exchanges ...<BR/>Patti xxCreative Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846029094330081720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-77064228125701103972009-01-28T00:16:00.000-08:002009-01-28T00:16:00.000-08:00Tho' I don't often comment, this post hits home. I...Tho' I don't often comment, this post hits home. I used to be involved in a lot of exchanges but I kept running into situations where the amount of "extras" I received was just ... insane. I was deeply uncomfortable with the one-upmanship that seemed to be developing in the various exchange groups and eventually stepped out of exchanges entirely. I now belong to a very few groups in which extras are not allowed and I'm much more comfortable. I love putting together little packets of carefully-selected goodies for other stitchers and friends, but I'm not going to cut into my family's grocery budget to do so - that simply isn't what it's supposed to be about. Anyway, reading over the comments you've received, I can see that I'm not the only one who's felt this way and I'm really relieved to see that the majority of stitchers are in accord - it's about the stitching and not about one-upping someone else's extras.mainely stitchinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05915498269348257624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-59976442378108287932009-01-27T22:56:00.000-08:002009-01-27T22:56:00.000-08:00Something nobody has mentioned yet about the "equa...Something nobody has mentioned yet about the "equality" of an exchange....<BR/><BR/>I recently received an exchange piece that many people would have been sadly disappointed with. The piece was done by a (dare I say it) beginner. It was also her first ornament. Now I have to say the ornament was not the "best" ornament I have ever seen. However, it was stitched with love and done to best of her ability. I do not feel that I "received less" than what I gave. This ornament will go on my exchange tree along with all the professionally beautiful ones I have received from experienced stitchers and I will love it as much as any one of the others. <BR/><BR/>Am I supposed to feel 'cheated' because I didn't receive a perfect ornament? Should I hide this one in a drawer and call it a 'bad exchange'? No, I'm sorry, I don't exchange for the "quality and quantity". I exchange for friendship and community. I am happy to have provided this beginner a smile and the encouragement to continue learning the craft.<BR/><BR/>When the day arrives that a less than perfect stitched piece, or the amount of extra goodies can make an exchange disappointing, I will stop exchanging.Yoyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14230651257160627560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-30831296906050989292009-01-27T21:07:00.000-08:002009-01-27T21:07:00.000-08:00Knowing the time and energy I put into my exchange...Knowing the time and energy I put into my exchange pieces, I appreciate the stitched piece more than the extras. That block of chocolate, while delicious, will go in a matter of minutes. The threads will join others in the stash, the origin of which will be forgotten with time. But the stitched item. At Christmas time I have a special tree full of hand made ornaments from exchanges.On this tree I have two hardanger ornaments, that every year, I think of the beautiful lady who, in the last days of her life, made them for me. I have a basket full of hand made 'smalls', again from exchanges. These are more valuable to me than the other items.<BR/><BR/>Thank you to Edgar and all others who take the time to organise these exchanges, because you help create these wonderful experiences.Bettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931814993048675905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-61131976434304270992009-01-27T20:18:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:18:00.000-08:00Bravo! You don't need people like this participati...Bravo! You don't need people like this participating in exchanges. Besides, I think I read somewhere that "it's better to give than receive". Guess that person never stepped outside his/her world long enough to understand that.Marianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13002191578737704634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-42489519344161236752009-01-27T20:17:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:17:00.000-08:00I agree with you, Edgar.I can't say what I want to...I agree with you, Edgar.<BR/>I can't say what I want to say properly with this my poor English ability, though, the exchange is for stitched piece, goodis is just extra!<BR/>Of course I would be happy if I could receive beautiful goodies, but everyone has not the same background, like finacial etc...<BR/>We are exchanging not goodies!Yukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13946127508421801897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-52804885177639385672009-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00Edgar, I'm so sorry you had to get that email. I'm...Edgar, I'm so sorry you had to get that email. I'm with you...I love making up my exchange parcels. I also understand where Wendy is coming from. I don't think that extras need to be expensive...it's the little things that count. If someone doesn't agree, then they don't have to participate. That's called freedom of choice!<BR/><BR/>Frankly, I get more upset when people don't acknowledge receipt or post a pic of something they've received.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-66246217279475847162009-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:002009-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00Well said my friend, well saidWell said my friend, well saidMarjeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10425263137116676874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-48871952752233538932009-01-27T18:23:00.000-08:002009-01-27T18:23:00.000-08:00Edgar, you are SO correct!!! I have only recently ...Edgar, you are SO correct!!! I have only recently gotten back into stitching and am very limited when it comes to exchanges if there's "extras" allowed just because I don't have an LNS close by. I enjoy stitching for myself and for others; I hope those who sign up will realize this and thank you for your thoughts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-5303731423807992512009-01-27T17:12:00.000-08:002009-01-27T17:12:00.000-08:00Bravo! I just participated in my first exchange. I...Bravo! I just participated in my first exchange. I was very nervous as I'm not a fantastic stitcher, and, well, as far as finishing goes... It was fun adding a few little fun things, but I would never assume I was entitled to anything other that what we all signed up for! I'm ready for more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-16056313146612659672009-01-27T16:52:00.000-08:002009-01-27T16:52:00.000-08:00Well said Edgar! It's always nice to get a few lit...Well said Edgar! It's always nice to get a few little goodies, but the main idea is the stitched piece! I personally like shopping for a few special little goodies. I hope that this person realizes that exchanging is from the heart, not the pocketbook!<BR/>DonnaDaisyGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453313601205912796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-72463626323537264972009-01-27T15:50:00.000-08:002009-01-27T15:50:00.000-08:00The only exchanges I've joined are those that don'...The only exchanges I've joined are those that don't allow extras for exactly the points that you've made. Most cross stitch materials are two to three times more expensive where I live than in the US and many are not obtainable here at all, I would have to order them from the US probably to end up sending them back there! To my mind that's just crazy!<BR/><BR/>I'd love to be able to send those little extras but to feel "obligated" to send $XX worth with every exchange would take the fun right out of it. Instead I get to focus on my stitching and do my best to create something lovely for my partner.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Edgar, lots of people feel the same :)Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11530928752736456885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-65126698693591181142009-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:002009-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:00I'll be really honest, I hesitate to join exchange...I'll be really honest, I hesitate to join exchanges/swaps. We are so limited financially right now (like so many others) that I hate for someone to get one from me and be disappointed...especially since I love to give, but I just can't right now (sigh).<BR/><BR/>2009 WILL be our year though. In the meantime, anyone need any custom cabinetwork, I am married to an amazing cabinetmaker who has a couple of openings for spring/summer.....;DSusie Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663241365525328953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-59156627749066901172009-01-27T14:28:00.000-08:002009-01-27T14:28:00.000-08:00Wow, you're right. That is a disturbing email. I...Wow, you're right. That is a disturbing email. I have yet to find an exchange group that isn't already full, but I agree with your sentiment. These exchanges should be about the love of stitching, creating and giving. Not about what you may or may not receive.Marenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537683034918740402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-30649359273125672802009-01-27T13:48:00.000-08:002009-01-27T13:48:00.000-08:00Very well said!Very well said!Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08587844943582332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479870152494411695.post-12543215582805519782009-01-27T13:03:00.000-08:002009-01-27T13:03:00.000-08:00Well said, Edgar!Well said, Edgar!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04394547512267611452noreply@blogger.com