Flourish Forum
Sharing and Caring Exchanges => Completed/Past Exchanges => Topic started by: Erica McPhee on January 08, 2017, 03:30:38 PM
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It's that time of year again! Last year was a bit of mix for exchanges. Some people became overwhelmingly busy and had trouble getting their exchanges out on time [sheepishly raises hand] and some exchanges had lower sign ups. Flourish is constantly evolving as members leave and arrive - it is the nature of forums.
So this year, I have made a little less ambitious schedule of exchanges. Still a nice variety and will be lots of fun! Now that I break up the lists into levels, any exchange can be considered advanced. Just do your thing!
I also included a new kind of "exchange" - the Flourish Forum Share. These Shares will allow anyone to participate, no signing up necessary so if you run out of time it isn't a problem, encourages more sharing on Flourish, and gives an opportunity for some community love and sharing. See details below.
I will be setting up threads for each of the Flourish Shares. Just post your share whenever you want. ;D
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – Consider your schedule carefully before signing up for an exchange. Your list members are counting on you! :-) Be creative – write a letter, a poem, or a story; use a new tool, or a new style. The exchanges are a chance to flex your creative muscle, have fun, learn new things, expand your repertoire, and play.
1. Give Me Your Heart – Celebrate all things love and friendship in honor of Valentine's Day!
2. Improbable Items – What crazy item can you get through the mail? Let's find out! Nothing perishable, breathing, (or illegal – check your local postal regulations). No wrapping. Address label must be in calligraphy. (Consider cost, both for the item and for stamps, before signing up.)
3. Thank A MailPerson Forum Share - While we are challenging all of those wonderful mail people, let's say thanks! February 4th is national Thank A Mailman Day. Calligraph a special thank you for your mail carrier and post a photo on the forum.
4. Yummy Yum Yum – Calligraph your favorite recipe - 5x7 size – to share with friends.
5. Poem in Your Pocket Forum Share – April 24th is “Poem in Your Pocket” Day. The day encourages people to “carry your favorite poem in your pocket to share with your friends and family.” Let's calligraph our favorite poem and share on Flourish!
6. Catch a Wave – We got so busy last year, this exchange passed us by – so let's catch this wave this time around! Ocean, Sea, River, Lake and all the accessories: mermaids, fish, sailboats, anchors, or pirates – Show us what you love about the water.
7. Cheer Up the Lonely Challenge – July 11th is “Cheer Up the Lonely” Day. Accept this challenge and send some cheery calligraphy to your local nursing home with a message to share with someone who doesn't receive any visitors or mail. Share a photo on Flourish.
8. Haunted Hellos – An annual favorite celebrating Halloween or Day of the Dead!
9. Holiday | Winter – The ever-popular end of the year exchange in honor of all things holiday and happy.
The only requirements are:
1. Although the exchanges do not have to be handmade, some kind of calligraphy should be used on the inside and envelope.
2. You will send an exchange to every member on your list (typically 7-9 members).
3. Must be related to the theme.
4. All skill levels welcome!
5. If you end up not being able to participate, please contact me ASAP. If you don't send your exchange after the list has gone out, you will not be able to participate in the next exchange.
6. You must sign up before the deadline via the form. No late sign ups.
7. HAVE FUN!
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So excited to join again, especially for 1, 4, and 5! :D
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yay, thanks Erica - was obviously some ESP going on there...
list sounds great!
best wishes
Claire
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Yay thanks Erica! The list look great. Can't wait to join them 😊
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This is awesome, @Erica McPhee ! Thank you for all you do!
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Hooray!! Excited for these!
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Thanks for putting this together again, Erica! Hope to be a bit more active on here this year! :)
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Yay!!! Can't wait! I loved the first exchanges I got to participate in for 2016 and am so excited about doing more in 2017!
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Eric, Thank you for arranging!! Excited to learn, practice and exchange more in 2017!
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Hi Erica,
Thanks for the detailed mail and really appreciate the efforts you are putting into all this.
The list looks fabulous. So Excited as always :D
- Ashok
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It's that time of year again! Last year was a bit of mix for exchanges. Some people became overwhelmingly busy and had trouble getting their exchanges out on time [sheepishly raises hand] and some exchanges had lower sign ups. Flourish is constantly evolving as members leave and arrive - it is the nature of forums.
So this year, I have made a little less ambitious schedule of exchanges. Still a nice variety and will be lots of fun! Now that I break up the lists into levels, any exchange can be considered advanced. Just do your thing!
I also included a new kind of "exchange" - the Flourish Forum Share. These Shares will allow anyone to participate, no signing up necessary so if you run out of time it isn't a problem, encourages more sharing on Flourish, and gives an opportunity for some community love and sharing. See details below.
I will be setting up threads for each of the Flourish Shares. Just post your share whenever you want. ;D
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – Consider your schedule carefully before signing up for an exchange. Your list members are counting on you! :-) Be creative – write a letter, a poem, or a story; use a new tool, or a new style. The exchanges are a chance to flex your creative muscle, have fun, learn new things, expand your repertoire, and play.
1. Give Me Your Heart – Celebrate all things love and friendship in honor of Valentine's Day!
2. Improbable Items – What crazy item can you get through the mail? Let's find out! Nothing perishable, breathing, (or illegal – check your local postal regulations). No wrapping. Address label must be in calligraphy. (Consider cost, both for the item and for stamps, before signing up.)
3. Thank A MailPerson Forum Share - While we are challenging all of those wonderful mail people, let's say thanks! February 4th is national Thank A Mailman Day. Calligraph a special thank you for your mail carrier and post a photo on the forum.
4. Yummy Yum Yum – Calligraph your favorite recipe - 5x7 size – to share with friends.
5. Poem in Your Pocket Forum Share – April 24th is “Poem in Your Pocket” Day. The day encourages people to “carry your favorite poem in your pocket to share with your friends and family.” Let's calligraph our favorite poem and share on Flourish!
6. Catch a Wave – We got so busy last year, this exchange passed us by – so let's catch this wave this time around! Ocean, Sea, River, Lake and all the accessories: mermaids, fish, sailboats, anchors, or pirates – Show us what you love about the water.
7. Cheer Up the Lonely Challenge – July 11th is “Cheer Up the Lonely” Day. Accept this challenge and send some cheery calligraphy to your local nursing home with a message to share with someone who doesn't receive any visitors or mail. Share a photo on Flourish.
8. Haunted Hellos – An annual favorite celebrating Halloween or Day of the Dead!
9. Holiday | Winter – The ever-popular end of the year exchange in honor of all things holiday and happy.
The only requirements are:
1. Although the exchanges do not have to be handmade, some kind of calligraphy should be used on the inside and envelope.
2. You will send an exchange to every member on your list (typically 7-9 members).
3. Must be related to the theme.
4. All skill levels welcome!
5. If you end up not being able to participate, please contact me ASAP. If you don't send your exchange after the list has gone out, you will not be able to participate in the next exchange.
6. You must sign up before the deadline via the form. No late sign ups.
7. HAVE FUN!
Wonderful Erica !!! Thank you !!! I'm excited to start. :)
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I can't wait for the improbable items one :D
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Thank you, Erica, for the advanced notice! I wanted to try the holiday exchange, but I didn't because I wouldn't be able to meet the deadline, since I have a hard time sending out my Christmas cards on time! I will try participating in at least one this year! It sounds like fun! Vickee
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So cool! I've never joined an exchange and looking into changing that fact this year :) Thanks, as always, Erica!
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Dear Erica:
I'm about to send the exchange "Give me your heart" and wanted to inform you that I will participate in the following exchanges in 2017: the 5,6,8 and 9.
Thank you for your dedication to "Flourish Forum"
Regards
Mabel :)
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I love all of the enthusiasm. ;D
@Mabel, That sounds great! Just be sure to check in for when the sign ups are open as you will need to sign up for each one. I can't send personal reminders but I will post on the top of the forum when exchange sign ups are open. :)
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Thank you Erica !!!
I shall do so.
Best regards
Mabel :)
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Hi Mabel,
Reserve one exchange for me if Im not on your mailing list :D
- Ashok
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Hope I wasn't too late to find out about this!
Thank you Erica for organising and putting together a list of exchanges that we look forward to! ;)
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I thought day of the dead was Dia de Muertos...or am I just being picky? :P
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I thought day of the dead was Dia de Muertos...or am I just being picky? :P
I don't speak Spanish. In English it is called Day of the Dead. In the US, it was customary to celebrate Halloween.
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I thought Halloween was an African tradition that we adopted...oh but then Halloween's history is shrouded in myth and legends...so I guess either way it works!
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Dear Erica, can I put my name down for 8 and 9?
Many thanks
Saron
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@Saron Be sure to check in for when the sign ups are open as you will need to sign up for each one via the sign up forms. I can't send personal reminders but I will post on the top of the forum when exchange sign ups are open. Thanks! ;D
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Can't wait for Winter Exchange... when will there be the announcement of subscriptions?
Thanks :-)
C
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Hi Erica, it's me ... Elizabeth.
Just letting you know that I've signed up for the Christmas exchange and that I've left about 1- messages everywhere cause my computer is not listening to me this morning and keeps doing strange things.
Hope you are well...
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@chiarag Sign ups are now open. ;D
Thanks @Elizgadus59 Noted! ;D
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Good morning!
First time exchanger here: do we get an email with the contacts for the exchange?
Thanks!
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Yes @vickiefinley ! I am putting them together right now and they will be going out shortly. ;D
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Hi Erica,
I participated in my first exchange this fall with the Haunted Hellos. I absolutely loved it and was planning on participating in the holiday exchange, but missed the deadline. It seems like I got an email when it was time to sign up for the fall exchange. Is there a way to receive notifications about when the exchanges go live or is there some other way I should monitor the dates? I don't want to miss out!!
Thanks,
Angie
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Hi Angie,
The exchange calendar for the entire year is posted in the open exchange board. Once sign ups are open, it is announced in the "news" in the upper right corner of the forum. Sign ups are usually open for 2-3 weeks.
I'm sorry you missed this one. If you post in the Pen Pal or the Open Exchanges board and ask for others to exchange holiday cards there will most likely be others who would like to exchange with you. ;D
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Dearest Erica:
Have SO missed out on FF exchanges this year!! Looking forward to 2018 and getting signed up for several of them - especially since I am Valentine's Day baby!!
Kindest regards,
Rebecca
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Happy Holidays to all of you :)
Just wanted to say that List 1 envelopes were sent out yesterday (Dec. 13th). I hope they reach in time. This is my second round at the envelope exchange and I am thoroughly enjoying them. Thank you @Erica McPhee for all the work you put into organizing these exchanges!
Carol