Announcing Secret Pal Seven

Hi, everybody - we're pleased to announce that Secret Pal 7 is starting up. The deadline to sign up is January 4.

We've got a new batch of hosts for SP7, and they're asking for buttons - so please head on over to the blog to check it out: secretpalseven.blogspot.com

That should about wrap things up for Secret Pal 6. If you have any outstanding issues with SP6, please email sp6hostesses@gmail.com.

On behalf of the SP6 hosting team, please allow me to thank you for participating. We hope you had fun!

Heather

Clarification.

To clarify...

As SP6 is wrapping up, we're in the process of sorting out missed packages and missing pals.

Our first priority is for people who haven't received anything in the exchange because of a missing or bailed pal. We're working to contact the AWOPs (absent without package) pals, and matching up angels (people willing to cover in just such a situation) with pals.

We are also working to address concerns of under-gifting (for lack of a better term, I guess).

If you haven't received any packages from your pal, please either contact your host directly or email the general host email at sp6hostesses@gmail.com.

If you feel you have been under-gifted and email, please bear in mind that there may be a short delay in receiving a response.

Comments are temporarily disabled to give everybody a chance to cool down. If you need to contact a host, please email the general account.

Thank you for your understanding. SP7 details are in the works, and as soon as we have more information about it, we'll be posting a link.

Thanks again!
Heather

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Calling all Participants...

Good Morning,
This is a call for people who might consider hostessing. Please email SP6Hostesses@gmail.com with a subject line of: I WANT TO BE A HOSTESS FOR SP7. (This would be a perfect time to test your own patience~little miss anonymous)

And yet another great offer.

Hi,

I'd like to make an offer to all Secret Pal 6 participants.

Now through November 21st, 2005, when you purchase one Straight Knitting Needle Storage Box for your Secret Pal, you get one for yourself (or a friend) at half price. Visit http://www.jordanapaige.com and use promo code SP6. If you'd like each box shipped to different addresses, please state so in the "comments" box at checkout. We can even include a special note to your Secret Pal.

Sincerely,

Jordana Paige

On a nice note...Another Offer....

Hi,
SuperCrafty.com would like to offer all Secret Pal 6 participants free shipping on any purchase during the month of November. Just purchase what you'd like, contact us with your blog name as it appears on the Secret Pal 6 participant list and the code "Secret Pal 6 Discount" and we'll send an invoice to pay through PayPal with the shipping set to $0. I'll even include a note to your pal for free if you would like us to ship directly to them. Of course, the purchase doesn't just need to be for your Secret Pal, get free shipping on your own purchases too!

Thanks!

Allison
SuperCrafty
http://www.supercrafty.com


Check out the SuperCrafty Blog for a Gift Guide for Knitters and Crocheters - gifts under $10 and $20!
http://supercrafty.blogspot.com/

Hello...Anyone There???

We the hostesses have sent some of you emails... We need replies... 1 week is too long to wait. Would you like it if we weren't able to get back to you, when you asked a question, for over a week? My guess is you'd be MAD. I am not trying to be mean, nasty or anything else. I am trying to get the persons that we have emailed to reply back to us. We need answers: Good, Bad or Indifferent.

Edited to bold and italic the parts of the post that were misunderstood. 11/5

Another great SP6 offer!

This one just arrived, folks!
- Heather


I am writing to you to present an offer for all Secret Pal 6 Participants.

My husband, Scott, & I own a knitting boutique in Tolland, CT, and we also have an Ebay store that services world-wide customers. We specialize in hand-made wooden knitting needles. I'd like to offer all Secret Pal 6 participants a 10% discount on all orders through November 26th.

This is the first time we've ever offered a discount~ it is well deserved by all the wonderful knitters I've met through this program.

Participants simply need to specify "SP605" when ordering, so we can adjust the invoice accordingly. Store site: http://stores.ebay.com/Gracie-and-Company

Enjoy!
Michele Cady
www.knittedpurl.blogspot.com

Please READ me~~

Okay,
Here's the deal~
We are getting alot of emails regarding pals not emailing, sending gifts, replying to emails, etc.
Please, please, please at least tell your pal what is going on. They will be more understanding if you tell them what is going on in your life.
If you haven't sent anything...you must do so NOW!!!!
Please go say hi to your pal.
If you are concerned about not hearing from your spoiler, email them first, then ask for our (the hostesses) help.

Don't forget about the great specials from www.fullthreadahead.com , www.zephyrstyle.com , and www.knitpixie.com .

Full Thread Ahead

Hollis the owner of www.fullthreadahead.com is offering the following!
Here’s our offer for all SP6 participants. Full Thread Ahead is offering 15% off of any purchase over $15.00 for their secret pal by putting sp6discount at checkout. We’ll ship it right off to your secret pal! This offer will be good until the end of SP6 on December 4th.

Go over and say thanks for this great offer and get something for your pal....especially if you haven't gotten anything yet!

Thanks Hollis!

Okay SP6er's

We are starting to get emails from concerned spoilers and spoilees. Please take the time to say hi, it means a lot to the giver and the receiver! And if you have yet to send a package out, you must do so immediately...those were the rules and it isn't a fun feeling to look on the majority of the other blogs and see they have gotten gifties and you haven't. It could even start with a card, followed by a package, but please send something!!!! We understand that things come up in life, but your pals worry if they haven't heard from you!

Thanks for your help!

Look what Zephyrstyle has for your pals!!!!

Customized stitch markers...and they will send them anonymously with a card, just for you! Click the Zephyr button on the side bar and check them out.

"Here's what Sarah & Rachel from Zephyrstyle.com wanted you to know:" :


When you find the set you like enter the customized phrase or name in the field provided, and in that same field you can enter a short message that we will put on a little note card to send with the order.If you would like the package sent directly to your SP, simply enter your SP's information in the Shipping info section and Your info in the Billing info section, during checkout. If you'd like it to come to you first, just fill the forms out regularly.Any questions can be e-mailed to zephyr@zephyrstyle.com
Thanks,
Sarah & Rachel

Looks like we are off to a great start

So here are a few things:

Don't forget to update your blogs.(it lets us get to know each other)

Don't forget to say hi to your pal every now and then (keeps 'em from getting anxious)

Check your spam mailboxes

Check any other email addresses you may have (maybe you have a different one on your blog!)

Other than those couple of things, it looks like things are going well!

Have a great day!

Please READ this~

1. If you haven't Contacted the person you are spoiling, please contact them NOW. We have lots of worried participants this round.
2. When leaving comments on your spoilee's blog, please check the information (sometimes your real info is cached)
3. Please be patient with your hostess, some of us work, have families, etc. So if she doesn't get back to you right away, it doesn't mean she is ignoring you. I would like to remind you that this is a huge undertaking (even with 6 hostesses) and we are doing it for the love of Secret Pal.

Thanks.

Friday Update

Okay...
Just a little update and a few reminders...

Remember this is SECRET PAL...please check your "anonymous" email addresses to make sure your name doesn't show up (I am not perfect, this happened to me last round...lol) Also, You shouldn't reveal yourself until the end.

If you haven't received your partner yet, please wait until tomorrow evening to email us at sp6hostesses@gmail.com

Please, if you have recieved your partner and haven't contacted them yet to say Hi, I'm your pal and I am really out here, now would be a great time. (Some people are getting worried)

The participants list is on the sidebar once again. If you are not there and have a pal, please contact us at the above email address with list in the subject.

ETA: Please don't forget to copy and paste the questionaire into your blog and answer the questions. We have eager spoilers looking for things to send to you:)

I hope this helps, and onward!

Look what Knit Pixie Did For YOU!!!! Go ahead and click!

Distraction, Distraction, Distraction

Okay, oh so (more often now, than not) patient ones (this is a joke, for those of you who do not "know" me)!

I have finally remembered to write out all the lovely persons who made us blog buttons names on little pieces of paper for one of my children to pick out.

And the winner is>>>>>>>>>>> Erin


Go say HI and congratulate her.

Patience is a virtue

I wish more of you had...

But seriously, here's the new deal! I noticed that my SP was sent through the gmail account to my personal aol account. I accidentally intercepted it in the gmail account... that was at 9:04 am today. It has not shown up in my inbox, yet. So, please, please, please be patient. If you have not heard anything from any of us by Saturday night (uh, like midnight) then please feel free to send an email to SP6hostesses@gmail.com (we are able to recieve there) I understand your point, and know that you are oh so very excited, but remember we are too! Don't forget to say hi to your pal as soon as you know who he/she is, okay? I am still waiting to find out everyone's status, I will let you know as soon as I know. Keep the excitement, just with a little more patience, okay?

Easy Does It!!!

Okay, we all know how excited you all are! And we appreciate your patience. The persons in the following groups...please check your emails...you have matches.
Christine
Heather
Lee Anne

The rest of you are going to have to be a little patient :)

We are still having issues with gmail and we are trying to work around it.

ETA: You should have already recieved an email from your hostess with a little introduction, explaining that they are your hostess and giving you directions on how to contact. This will not be posted, as it would make it easier for you to figure out your Secret Pal. Please check your spam boxes!

While you are waiting, you may want to check out the archives and refresh your memories on the rules!

Thanks!

The SP6 Hostesses

Houston, we have a problem

We are so very sorry and would love to get your matches to you, however, gmail is not playing fair. We are working amongst ourselves to resolve the issues, but as it stands right now, some or all of you will not be getting matches tonight. Please, be patient. We don't like this anymore than you :)

Thank you for your patience

This post is to let you know that we will be sending out matches tomorrow (9/12). We are waiting to hear about who is on the "blacklist". Also, there have been questions regarding SP5 and SP7... SP5 was not handled by us, therefore, we cannot help you. SP7 will be announced on this site, when SP6 is nearing the end. If you would like notification, subscribe to bloglines for the updates.

The Questionnaire

We have noticed that some of you are getting antsy, so here is the questionaire for you to answer and post on your blog (somewhere, where your pal can find it) Don't forget to reread the rules and be sure that you would like to participate.

We have added a question and some of your preferences may have changed since the last SP Exchange.

Thanks in advance, and we are looking forward to sending you your pals real soon!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

4. How long have you been knitting?

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

17. What are you knitting right now?

18. What do you think about ponchos?

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

21. Are you a sock knitter?

22. How did you learn to knit?

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

25. What is your favorite holiday?

26. Is there anything that you collect?

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?

The Button Post

Okay SP6 Button Divas,
Here's the deal!!!!! Please check and make sure that your name and blog are correct. Then make sure your button(s) is(are) up! If there is a problem, yo, I'll solve it (Sorry channeling Vanilla Ice for a second there, the horror!) I am not perfect! So patience please! Email to the SP6Hostesses (at) gmail (dot) com addy with button problem in the subject. The blog/name list isn't in any order, just the unorganized way I work things sometimes!

In about a week, when I know there aren't any problems I will have one of my brats uh kids pull a name! Simple as that.

ETA: Due to some confusion ~ Please note that the list below is of the persons who have submitted the buttons on the sidebar... I will try to be more clear in the future. The Participant's Blog will be published on the sidebar through a link after we do the matches. Also, there was some confusion as to when you were going to get your partner's name and info... Please reread the posts to make sure that you know the rules! I have my doubts because the dates are very carefully spelled out and we would prefer to not have any FLAKES this round.

Thanks!

Lisa

Robyn

K. Anne

Kit

Lee Ann

Jos

Kelly

Elizabeth

Peggy

Zona

Meghan

Lucinda

Melissa

Erin

Susie

Sarah

Chris

Nikki

Carole

Shannon

Kathryn

Pam

Amy

Leigh

Jessica

Jan

Kelly

Silvia in Brazil

Button Contest

Okay all, please note that at 12 midnight EST the button Contest is officially closed. I want to say that you have all done a wonderful job with your buttons. I will be making a list of persons that made buttons and I will be posting it with links to their blogs. Please, if you made a button, check and make sure your name is there. (Just remember, it may take me a couple of days) I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the raffle! You Rock!!!

Note To All:

Please, please, please check your junk mail for emails from us. Also, please know that we are trying to get acknowledgements out to you as fast as we can! Thank you for your patience!!!

Your Hostesses

ETA: If you think you may have lost your email, please, please, please do not post in the comments send an email to the gmail account. Thank you. (We wouldn't want you to get spammed)

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons Anyone?

Here is what we're looking for:

100 pixels wide by 50 pixels high. Please save as a jpeg and send to the signup addy below with button in the subject line.

Remember, for every button you send us...we will put your name in a raffle for something very knitty! Maybe crochety! :)

Good luck all you talented knitters!!!

Edited to add: the email to send to is sp6hostesses@gmail.com

Buttons should start being put up this afternoon!!!

I know that there are more buttons than this... I am getting to them...I have had to learn how to do this on my own and think I am catching on quick! 8/11/05

The Rules and Contact Info

Deadline to sign up: September 3, 2005

Matches will be Distributed: On or before September 11, 2005

Secret Pal 6 Dates: September 12 - December 4, 2005

Who is this for?
Knitters and crocheters only please.

International Participation

This SP event is based in the United States - the term "International" will refer to all participants outside of the U.S.

Where ever you are - you are welcome to join!

If you would prefer to send to a pal who is either in the same country as you are OR on the same continent, please indicate when you sign up. Unfortunately, with the number of international participants we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate this request, but we will try. If we can't match you, we'll let you know and you can decide if you still wish to participate.

Finally, if you are able to communicate in any language other than English, please let us know. We have a few people who may be more comfortable corresponding in other languages.

Blog
Having a blog (or website) is mandatory for participating in this program. This online journal is a great place for the SP who is spoiling you to find out who you are and what you like or dislike (do you like sweets? Are you allergic to specific yarns?). It also provides a place for you to publicly thank your SP when the packages start rolling in. Your blog certainly doesn,t have to be a knitting blog, just somewhere where your pal can find out about you.

Anonymous Email Address:
You must set up an anonymous email address such as the free ones from Hotmail or Yahoo so that you can contact and be contacted by your SP buddies anonymously to find out more information about preferences. Make sure to check the account regularly; you might consider having that account's mail forwarded to your regular account so you don't miss anything. If you do this, though, don't forget to reply from the anonymous account!

Minimum contribution:
$50 in US dollars over the course of three months. This can include the value of your time if you make something, and it can also include any postage costs. Establishing this amount should make it clear to all what a fair commitment should be, and no one should expect more, or less. $50 over three months is just $16.67 a month; if you feel this is too much or not enough, We're sorry, this is not for you.

Your Pal
Once you have been assigned a secret pal, please send them a quick note to say hello (from you anonymous email address) so they know they've been paired. Keep in mind that the fun of a Secret Pal event is to meet and get to know a random person who shares a common interest with you (knitting and/or crochet). There is a method to the madness of matching up all the participants, and you only get one match. Complaints about your secret pal of the "i'd rather not have a pal who " nature are a quick way to have yourself removed from the event. If you feel you have a valid reason to request a rematch, email away... just know that you cannot pick and chose your secret pal and we will not hesitate to remove anyone who appears to be missing the point of a Secret Pal exchange.

What to give?
Knitting and crochet-related items are great but not the only thing. If you've been following any web sites whose authors were in other Secret Pal programs, you'll know that people gave special bars of soap, cards, candy, and other nice treats to their pals. Just remember that not everyone likes to crochet, and not everybody spins...that's why it is a good idea to get to know your secret pal a little bit by reading his/her blog or sending a few questions by email.

Number or frequency of gifts, mailings, etc.:

You must make contact with the person you are spoiling at the beginning of each SP6 month - let them know they have a pal, and let them know you're still around with an email to touch base at the beginning of each month (sept, oct, nov)!
It is required that you send your secret pal at least one something per month of the event. This something can be something as simple as an e-card or postcard, with one package of gifts at the end, or you can send a little package every month, or whatever - how you manage it is up to you, as long as youreceivescieves something each month. This ensures that your pal knows you're still around and thinking of them.
Remember to use your anonymous email when contacting them. If you are going to be out of contact for a while - let your pal know. It's an awkward situation when you think your pal may have forgotten about you. You can also use Hallmark (or countless others) to send free e-cards as often as you like. Remember to treat your pal as you would like to be treated.

Also, please be sure to keep in touch with the secret pal who is spoiling you. A quick email to let them know you got the package will ease their mind as to whether or not it got lost in the mail. Part of the fun of Secret Pal is the joy of giving, and that includes knowing your gift was received.

If...
Stuff happens. So - if for some reason you are unable to follow thru with your responsibility with the program - please do not hesitate to let us know.

If you find you cannot participate, you must let us know ASAP so that we can find a replacement. If after a reasonable amount of time, if you can't come up with a good excuse for failure to hold up your end of the bargain on the Secret Pal 6, you will be replaced and your name will be passed on as blacklisted for hostesses of future SP programs.

If you have not received any word or package from the SP who is to be spoiling you, please let US know instead of using your blog to blast that individual.

Let us know, we will try to find out what happened to your pal and if they have flaked out, we will get you a replacement.

If someone does fail to participate as they agreed, we will remove their name from the participation list and replace them with someone else. This means that we will need a list of "angels" who are willing to jump in as replacements. As a replacement, you might come in after a package has been sent to the person you are replacing. This means you might not get 100% of the packages you normally would receive.


Final Note
And it's important!

Please keep in mind that we are *volunteering* our time to run this event. We have all participated in past Secret Pal events and know how much fun they can be and wanted to help continue the tradition - but it does take a lot of time and effort. While we're perfectly open to constructive criticism if you think something is a bit amiss, and we will gladly respond to any civil and respectful queries, please check your attitude at the door. Thank you.

Once you have agreed to these terms... and we will assume that you have agreed. Send us an email to:

SP6hostesses@gmail.com (if this email doesn't work please try SP6hostesses@yahoo.ca )

Please include the following in the email.

1) Your full name
2) Your main email address
3) Your mailing address
4) Your blog/website
5) Your anonymous email address that will be used to communicate to your SP buddies

Thanks!

By the way, please visit our blogs and say hi!!!!

Welcome to SP6

Hi there!
Welcome to SP6. We are accepting signups! We need buttons. Make a button and be entered into a raffle. Leave a comment and we'll get back to you with the email addys and such!