Doesn't everyone love finding those perfect little embellishments? 
And doesn't everyone have a stash of these in their sewing room? And wouldn't it be fun to exchange these fun knick knacks with our IFQ friends in other countries? Well, get ready for the IFQ EMBELLISHMENT CHAIN! Kellie Murchie, the Chapter Deputy of the V - Quilting Sisters FQ has kindly volunteered to host this IFQ event!
What 
are embellishments? Well, they can be anything that adds a little extra something to your project. Here's where IFQ members can really use their imagination. Here are some ideas: lace, beads, ribbons, threads, charms, special buttons, sparkly things.
What we're going to do is is create something like a chain letter full of charms and embellishments. Every 2 weeks, you will receive a delightful package of surprises, during this exchange. Here's how it works:
You sign up and are assigned to a "team" with 5 
other members (you can sign up as many times as you wish)
You are sent the names and addresses of all your teammates. To keep ahead, you will create 5 envelopes addressed to the team member you are assigned to send to. Put the proper round number on each envelope (believe me, this will come in handy later!)
There will be a rotation order. You send to the same person in each round.
Round 1 begins with you creating an envelope with 6 different lovely embellishments in it. Since we are sending this by post, let's try to keep things small. You send your envelope with your 6 treasures to team member #1 on your list.
Round 2: You will receive an envelope with 6 different embellishments in it. You take out one charm and replace it with one from your stash and send on the envelope to the next person on your list.
Round 3: You will receive an envelope with 6 new 
embellishments in it. This time, you will take out TWO and replace it with 2 of your own, both of which are different. You now put this in your prepared envelope and send it to the next person.
Round 4: Another envelope arrives (this is just like 
Christmas, isn't it?) and this time, you choose THREE embellishments from this new selection and put in three different new ones. Put them in the prepared envelope (you see why we say to prepare these envelopes in advance - it gives you more time to play with your new toys!) and send them to the next person on your list.
Round 5: Another envelope! A new set of embellishments! This time, pick out FOUR fabulous treats and replace them (you see the pattern here?). Put them in that prepared envelope and start waiting for the mailman to return.
Round 6: Can you believe it? More treasures in the mail! 
This time, pick out FIVE and put five different embellishments in the envelope and find that last prepared envelope and put it in the mail. But....it's NOT over yet!
Round 7: Just when you thought it couldn't get better, your original envelope returns to you...but with different treats inside! Who knows what it will contain!
Here are some tips to make this swap a success.
1. Don't sign up if you can't can't make the commitment. It really isn't fair to your fellow IFQ members and we know you wouldn't want to disappoint anyone.
2. Pre-address your envelopes. Once you get your team 
information, prepare your envelopes and have them ready. Be sure to put the round number on the envelope too since this will help us all know where we are at.
3. Choose 6 small embellishments to put in your starting envelope and then create another set to use when swapping out of the envelope. You can certainly put in embellishments that you already have taken from other envelopes during the course of the swap, but you may find it hard to part with your
new-found treasures! Your first envelope must have 6 different embellishments so there is NEVER 2 of the same embellishment in the same envelope.
4. Out of consideration to others and postal charges, do your best to keep your choices small. After all, don't they say "The best things come in small packages"?
5. Let Kellie know what you've posted and what you have 
received in the Embellishment forum. If you are having a problem with keeping up, please let Kellie know immediately at embell@friendshipquilters.com.
IMPORTANT DATES:
August 16th: Sign ups begin
August 31st: Sign ups end. Teams are assigned. Information is sent out. Participants: prepare your envelopes!
September 5th: ROUND 1 begins. The first envelope is sent.
Participants receive their envelopes, swap 1 treat, send to the next person on the list.
September 19th: ROUND 2 begins. This means that your original envelope MUST have been received by your teammate NO LATER than this date.
Participants swap 2 treats and send to the next person on the list.
October 3rd: ROUND 3 begins. This means that your Round 2 envelope MUST have been received by your teammate NO LATER than this date.
Participants swap 3 treats and send to the next person on the list.
Ocober 17th: ROUND 4 begins. This means that your Round 3 envelope MUST have been received by your teammate NO LATER than this date.
Participants swap 4 treats and send to the next person on the list.
October 31st: ROUND 5 begins. This means that your Round 4 envelope MUST have been received by your teammate NO LATER than this date.
Participants swap 5 treats and send to the next person on the list.
November 14th: END of swap. You will receive an envelope of 6 embellishments for you to keep by this date.
