Alternate Ways to Do PFTH.......LONG...... but please read this.

[cyberspacequilter]

OK, I would like to make a comment too. As you read this, please keep in mind that I am still on medicine and can't sew or walk a straight line if my life depended on it but I hate not being able to participate in some way especially since you all have been so kind to and supportive of me for almost nine months with this lingering illness. When I have been aware of a project, I often try to participate but my dog even laughs at my sewing skills now. I have mailed fabric strips and you have made my blocks, I have sent PM's and you have put a block in for me and I have been so grateful to be a part of things especially knowing how the recipient feels to be graced with one of your wonderful gifts.
I am still on my meds and hope someday to be able to really sew again and participate. Keep in mind that this suggestion is made with the VOICE OF VICODIN, the PONDERINGS OF PROZAC, and the BELLOWINGS OF BACLOFEN. No offense meant to anyone's suggestion.
I think that the Breast Cancer project has worked well and it has been able to continue to function even when it had to be passed off because of illness and those quilts are made ahead of time.
Maybe we need to consider dividing into groups of projects such as Breast Cancer, Sympathy, Illness, and the workload would not be too demanding and each group can set up their own technique that works best for them.
I personally feel bad when my name is not on a project that has names on it as it makes me feel that the recipient will think I didn't care about that person or their situation when that is far from the truth. This brings another topic that maybe we should get a standard "El's Angels" label to go on each project and place a letter to go with each project (quilt) that lists ALL of the members of the PFTH group rather than signing each project individually. Some members are able to do so much more than others whether it be with fabric, quilting equipment, die cutting machines, monetary donations, quilt squares, thread, bindings etc. Also, think about the fact that just because someone is on one of the committees and a co-chair with backups doesn't mean that you can't help with all or any of the projects but there is a core group to get things rolling as the need arises or have something already prepared to be sent and let it work with what is best for the particular group you choose to help.
I don't mind to be one of the ones that composes a standard letter that will fit the bill for each occasion/event.
I have never seen this group back away from a request or a need and this would still leave open the possibility for a special request by a member for someone in their community or distant family who is in need. If a request is made for something other than the established committees then the "requestor" can shoulder the responsibility for the project and solicit participants and a co-host to get the project done in whatever way they choose whether it be a signature block, a pieced backing or donation of a selected block of a certain size for the project to be made.
I think each group can set up ideas about who will be deserving of a project but this needs to be consistent so no feelings are hurt. Are the quilts for illness going to be only for forum members? Are the sympathy quilts going to be for immediate family of members? Who do you consider immediate family? Does the same person get more than one quilt in a 2 year period? or do we send a quilt for an illness? and then send a card shower for a loss of a spouse? I hate to see us have to get so detailed but it will prevent hurt feelings in the long run. Granted we do have some exceptions when it comes to El and Linda who have brought us all together or can be handled as one of the special projects.
This is just my 2 cents and I know how hurt, angry and disgusted many were with the swap problem and I don't want that to happen again.
I know that Peachy and Sharon had an opportunity to share ideas when they were together and I see all of this as an opportunity to reign in some of our activities and make us even more effective and consistent in our mission to "comfort with quilts (and/or projects) by El's Angels". It is obvious how touched El is by the works of this group......she dedicated a book to "us". We are all over the world so there is no way to have a meeting, and give hugs so we must do it with the written word which so often loses the feelings of being able to express an idea in the warmth that it is intended.
I love all of the group and want us to work this out so please consider some of my ideas and then expand or modify them but lets use this as a start to only positive feedback. If you don't like something I said then say so but offer a suggestion too. I won't get my feathers ruffled.
I love you all.
Cyber-Sue

[SharonG/FL]

Cyber-Sue, If this is how a person can think while on your meds, gimme some! I feel basically how you feel. The only difference is that the comfort quilt I received, I never thought it was just from the names listed but that they represented the forum, and I hope the other receivers have felt the same way. We all can't do it all so we have representatives. But yes, I think our Projects from the Heart could be set up a little more efficient. I always join in whenever I can.

Regarding the label, on another forum, they have their own comfort quilt logo that goes on their label without individual names listed...'made by members of...' forum group, their url, washing instructions and a few lines of encouragement. Just a thought for consideration......

editing this to say these labels go on comfort quilts going to organizations. When giving to members, naturally, the member's name goes on the label, too.

[CindyB]

Great ideas... and to expand on them.... I have set up an email account just for the ARK Angels, and includes all the emails of those that have requested to be informed when card showers are done.... should this be expanded for the PFTH/El's Angels?? Just throwing my dollar's worth (not two cents anymore!) in the pot to think about....

My email account was getting confused with who was doing card showers and who wasn't, and I thought it was easier to set up a new account than try to remember who was family and who wasn't!

[mequilter9158]

Just to put my two cents in (and like CyberSue, I'm also on meds)the backing of my quilt with the names of the forum gals was fantastic. But I know how much love was in it from all of the angels. Maybe we could do a label similiar to Linda's El's Angel's logo and then have a card with those who participated? It's really the thought, warmth and love that the participant feels when they cuddle up with it that counts the most.

p.s. Could we please get spell check installed?

[SharonG/FL]

I just 'got it' ....PFTH......lololol

[Cathy32078]

Sue I want your meds please. LOL But only if it will help me to write like you.LOL I think you said it very well. I will go with the flow as I am really easy to please. I just do not want anyone to have hurt feelings over this. And we do need to consider everyone's feelings while ironing out all of the wrinkles.

Huge Hugs

[QIAD-Linda]

I couldn't agree more with everyones suggestions and ideas! There are no official officers here. We are just a bunch of loving and caring people who want to spread our joy of quilting, comfort those in need, and gab! I love the idea of the El's Angels label and will be happy to make a bunch of them up and send them out to whoever is spearheading a project. I have missed several projects because life just seems to get in the way of my good intentions and I know this happens to a lot of us. We are all El's Angels and the label will certainly include all of us with that title, El's Angels.
If you want committees, great. If you want to start a project for someone and ask for blocks, squares, fabric, whatever, do it! We do not need anyone to spearhead a project except the Angel who starts it. I don't want us to get bogged down with any self appointed Arch Angels to over see our good deeds. I don't think we need that. We have been doing great without that for over 2 years. Lets move forward and just continue to fly by the seat of our pants and not get so technical that we have to have a rule for everything. We are known by our actions, not our words. We have done a pretty good job so far so lets continue in that vein.

Enough of all this nonsense of anyone being in charge, you are all empowered to do as many good deeds as you want to and don't need mine or anyone else's permission to do so!

Yup, that's my two cents and I am sticking to it!
Now Cyber Sue, please share the drugs! ROFLOL

[macdor]

Cyber - Sue I want your meds. I'll sew for you if you write for me. I see where everyone is coming from. I will go with what everyone feels is best for the community. I think what everyone has done is great. I have never and I mean never meet a more caring community than this community is. From what I can see you have all done a great job.
DorothyM

[Joannequilts]

I think you are all an awesome bunch!!!
It's only been a little over a year since I joined this forum, but I now feel like I "belong"....thanks to many of you who have made me feel so welcome!
Linda, I think you are dead on right. Too much "organization" can ruin a "good thing". And it is just my opinion but I don't feel like there should be a "committee" or a "leader" at all. Whenever someone wants to put forth an idea or a project then they should do it! At one point, early on, I kind of got the idea that you had to be a "member" of "El's Angel's"....that only certain people could spearhead a project. I've since learned that isn't the case and I much prefer the "seat of our pants" approach!!
Just my humble opinon (I need spell check too ME!)

I only have one suggestion, for those who want to contribute to a project but don't have the time, money, etc. to make a block or do anything "quiltey".....maybe send a card instead, that could be included with the project...that way, the recipicant will know you wanted to be included, but couldn't sew, etc.???

Thank you all for this wonderful forum!!!

Joanne:0)

[Cathy32078]

Well said Ma Parker! As you said "We have done well for 2 years & we need to just get along and continue to do good deeds." Which is what PFTH is about. And we do not want to let down Eleanor or you Linda.

Love Ya!