Thursday, April 20, 2006
backtack 3 blogroll is live
Go on check it out. I've had a blast putting them all together and looking at all your blogs.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
MATCHUPS HAVE NOW GONE OUT
This is just a quick email to say that everyone who has signed up successfully will now have received their matchup emails. Nicole has literally worked through the night to send these out, so she deserves a massive pat on the back, flowers, chocolates, and good wishes for her effort.
Please check your addresses and tell us if something is wrong. We also strongly advise that you contact your person within the next few days and let them know you exist. Please also double check with them how they like their address to be written, particularly for those who live in outside the US - I know some of the addresses have loads of commas and full stops in them and it will always pay to get it right now rather than in 2 months time when your parcel has gone missing.....(which we sincerely hope doesn't happen).
We have people playing from all over the world - from Sweden to Japan, Australia to Portugal, and apparently the entire city of Portland in the USA is playing too. And there's many more inbetween and it's been wonderful to see where people are coming from, and the different blogs. We'll get the blogroll updated shortly as well so you can all peruse the players as they work.
I guess this means...
GAME ON!!!
Please check your addresses and tell us if something is wrong. We also strongly advise that you contact your person within the next few days and let them know you exist. Please also double check with them how they like their address to be written, particularly for those who live in outside the US - I know some of the addresses have loads of commas and full stops in them and it will always pay to get it right now rather than in 2 months time when your parcel has gone missing.....(which we sincerely hope doesn't happen).
We have people playing from all over the world - from Sweden to Japan, Australia to Portugal, and apparently the entire city of Portland in the USA is playing too. And there's many more inbetween and it's been wonderful to see where people are coming from, and the different blogs. We'll get the blogroll updated shortly as well so you can all peruse the players as they work.
I guess this means...
GAME ON!!!
SIGNUP UPDATE
Nicole and I have been sifting through names and emails and addresses of everyone who signed up and wanted to update you all on progress.
We know you're all keen to know whether you got in, and I've answered a number of emails personally, but just can't answer all of them in the time we have had. If you did not make it in, I would have contacted you immediately to let you know. Anyone else who sent us an email as instructed made it in, so you can all breathe a sigh of relief!!
Nicole is very busy sending out matchups over the next day or two. Please understand this takes hours and hours of her time, and if you don't get it today, you may get it tomorrow. Please don't get anxious, we're moving through it as fast as we can.
We'll post again here to say that all matchups have been sent out so you know when it's officially done.
happy playing and we are so excited to see what you guys come up with!!
We know you're all keen to know whether you got in, and I've answered a number of emails personally, but just can't answer all of them in the time we have had. If you did not make it in, I would have contacted you immediately to let you know. Anyone else who sent us an email as instructed made it in, so you can all breathe a sigh of relief!!
Nicole is very busy sending out matchups over the next day or two. Please understand this takes hours and hours of her time, and if you don't get it today, you may get it tomorrow. Please don't get anxious, we're moving through it as fast as we can.
We'll post again here to say that all matchups have been sent out so you know when it's officially done.
happy playing and we are so excited to see what you guys come up with!!
Friday, April 07, 2006
SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED!
Well that was quick! We are completely blown away at how quick that was - 1 hour and 9 minutes!! We have now reached our 100 place capacity for backtack3 and would like to announce that sign ups are now officially closed. We will not accept anymore signups. We’re sorry if you missed out, but hope you enjoy seeing what gets created in the meantime, and maybe we’ll see you back here next year for backtack4! For those of you who have signed up, we will get matchups out by the 18th April, and happy playing!
AND WE HAVE LIFT OFF
Did we tickle your interest with our BT3 theme? We’re pretty keen about it, and can’t wait to see the results, and from the feedback we’ve got, you guys seem pretty thrilled as well. Guess you now want to sign up right? OK. Here’s what you need to do, and understand, before signing up.
Please read our Terms of Agreement Disclosure Statement which follows::
As we have made explicitly clear at the start of each backtack, your decision to sign up is your agreement and commitment with us, and your backtack partner that you will follow through with that commitment – you will email regularly, you will email thanks and notification, you will send a parcel within the dates already noted, and you will give as good as you expect to receive. We take this seriously, your partner takes it seriously, and so should you. We will ask again, that if anything is coming up during the play time that could affect your ability to follow through on your commitment – are you moving? Going away? Having a baby? Going through life issues? Know that you’re not good at emailing people? that you seriously consider whether this is right for you. This message isn’t getting through to a number of people, and for that reason we are adding some changes to how things are handled once you sign up.
First, this will no longer be anonymous. Your blog address will be sent to your partner with matchups. Second, if your parcel has not arrived with its recipient by 2 weeks after close of play we will publicly list on this blog your name/blog address until you contact your partner and come to an agreement, or a parcel is received and we are notified. We want you to be more accountable to the person you are sending to, and we think that is only fair. We do keep records of non-performers, and we do cross check that list with sign ups. We will also warn you that there is a move amongst organizers of these swaps across the blog world to have a central blacklist to try and curb some of the non-performance issues which inevitably occur with operations like this. We cannot make someone email someone else, we cannot make someone send something and we cannot find lost parcels in the post, so please think carefully before signing up, and if something comes up, let us know immediately so we can take action.
Now we have the heavy stuff out, let’s sign up!
Please send the following information to this address :: bt3.signup@gmail.com . Do not send it to any other address – we will only accept sign ups to this address. Please do not send general enquiries to this address either - we have an email address for that, and it is located in the sidebar.
1. Your full name for mailing purposes
2. Your full address for mailing purposes including your postcode and your country.
3. Your blog URL
4. A statement of whether you will, or will not, send internationally. If you don’t say, we’ll assume you’re happy sending international.
We will notifiy on this blog only when we have reached 100 places and sign ups will be officially closed. We will accept no more sign ups after that time. Good luck, and we’ll see you on the otherside!!
Please read our Terms of Agreement Disclosure Statement which follows::
As we have made explicitly clear at the start of each backtack, your decision to sign up is your agreement and commitment with us, and your backtack partner that you will follow through with that commitment – you will email regularly, you will email thanks and notification, you will send a parcel within the dates already noted, and you will give as good as you expect to receive. We take this seriously, your partner takes it seriously, and so should you. We will ask again, that if anything is coming up during the play time that could affect your ability to follow through on your commitment – are you moving? Going away? Having a baby? Going through life issues? Know that you’re not good at emailing people? that you seriously consider whether this is right for you. This message isn’t getting through to a number of people, and for that reason we are adding some changes to how things are handled once you sign up.
First, this will no longer be anonymous. Your blog address will be sent to your partner with matchups. Second, if your parcel has not arrived with its recipient by 2 weeks after close of play we will publicly list on this blog your name/blog address until you contact your partner and come to an agreement, or a parcel is received and we are notified. We want you to be more accountable to the person you are sending to, and we think that is only fair. We do keep records of non-performers, and we do cross check that list with sign ups. We will also warn you that there is a move amongst organizers of these swaps across the blog world to have a central blacklist to try and curb some of the non-performance issues which inevitably occur with operations like this. We cannot make someone email someone else, we cannot make someone send something and we cannot find lost parcels in the post, so please think carefully before signing up, and if something comes up, let us know immediately so we can take action.
Now we have the heavy stuff out, let’s sign up!
Please send the following information to this address :: bt3.signup@gmail.com . Do not send it to any other address – we will only accept sign ups to this address. Please do not send general enquiries to this address either - we have an email address for that, and it is located in the sidebar.
1. Your full name for mailing purposes
2. Your full address for mailing purposes including your postcode and your country.
3. Your blog URL
4. A statement of whether you will, or will not, send internationally. If you don’t say, we’ll assume you’re happy sending international.
We will notifiy on this blog only when we have reached 100 places and sign ups will be officially closed. We will accept no more sign ups after that time. Good luck, and we’ll see you on the otherside!!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
BACKTACK 3 REVEALED
You keen? You ready? You wanna know what's going on?
Welcome to BT3 - our third run of the very popular Backtack series. We think we've come up with something which will really get people to think and create within some tight parameters. By restricting what you can do and use we hope to get some amazing interpretations from some very creative and clever people (umm, that's you guys by the way).
This time we'd like to to make a softie.
But not any softie.
The softie can be any pattern, but we've found three we'd like you to consider using first. Mainly because they're cool patterns, but also because we think they'll work with what we want you to do with the softie. Hillary Lang at Wee Wonderful's has very kindly agreed for us to use her two free patterns for the 'wee bunny' and the 'pointy kitty'. This is extremely generous of her, and we know her patterns will be fantastic for this. If you use her patterns we would appreciate you respecting her rights as an artist, her ideas, and her patterns and do not alter them. But don't go using Hillary's bandwidth, we'll send you copies of the pattern with your matchups. Second, we have a pattern we will make available only to those who sign up. We will tell you it's a very cute bunny pattern, very sweet and quite easy.
The softie has certain restrictions though. You could sense some catches coming couldn't you?! This is where we get tough. These are all non-negotiable, so read this carefully, because we want you to make the softies in a specific way.
1. They must be made from black and/or white materials. How much of either you use is up to you. It can be plain, or patterned. It can be knitted, felted, plastic whatever your imagination comes up with. We want you to get creative here, and think outside the box.
2. 1 additional colour - and one only - may be used, but it cannot comprise more than 20% of the final piece.
3. The softie cannot be any higher than 20cm
4. You must attach 5 buttons of your choice, in locations also of your choice, to the softie.
5. You must include on your softie somewhere the first initial of the person you are sending this to. So if you are sending to Sarah, you must have a letter 'S' somewhere on the softie. Again, use your imagination.
Clear? Good. Out of sameness comes diversity, and just as every snowflake is different yet the same, we hope to get many different, but same, softies. This isn't to everyone's tastes, so if it's not sitting well with you, please don't sign up.
If the concept grabs you, and we hope it will, we'd love you to sign up. But first you'll need some important information about dates and stuff. The following are set in concrete and we will be strict about them.
Sign ups: Start 9.00am Australian EST on April 11th. That means you need to work out your time zones, time differences and date differences. That time and date should allow everyone a chance to sign up. Do not attempt to sign up before hand. We will delete all emails attemtping to pre-sign.
On the 11th April we will post that sign ups are open on this blog only. In that post will be a new email dress specifically for signing up. We will only take sign ups from that email address, so take a careful note of it. The address will not be made public prior to that date. Sign ups are limited to 100 people - we cannot cope with more than that number. If you believe you had pre-signed during a small window of opportunity to do so last year, you will have received an email from us already asking if you still wish to be involved. Those numbers will not be included in the 100 places available. If you have not received an email from us, you need to sign up as instructed above.
Matchups: Will be made and sent out to reach you by 18th April. Be ready to play…
Playtime: Because we begin play 20th April with a finish date of June 10th. You must ensure your finished goods arrive with their person by June 10th.
If you can't make those dates, will be travelling, or moving house, or you know you have some life issues coming up, we'd like to ask that you carefully consider whether being part of this is a good idea for you. We take it that you signing up is your commitment to this, us and your partner. You are part of a chain, and it is upsetting and rude to not deliver on that commitment. Similarly we expect you treat everyone involved with respect, compassion and manners - email regularly, let us know if there's a problem as soon as it happens, email to let your person know they're parcel has been sent, and email a thankyou. Small amounts of kindness go a long way.
As in previous backtack's we require you to have a blog - don't have one? Start one now! We expect you to post regularly, show us what you're doing, and post what you sent and received. We also require a maximum of 2 photos of finished product be sent to us for inclusion in the flickr album. More details on that later though.
We hope you'll get excited about this, and look forward to seeing you all play!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER BACKTACK?
As sands through the hourglass, so too are the days of our lives and we come to find that once again we are on the cusp of another backtack installment. Nicole and I have been working on a slightly different backtack experience for BTIII. It will be a challenge for some of you, but a whole heap of fun as well, and when we put the final results together in a flickr album, you'll understand why we set what we did.
You didn't think we'd tell you right now though did you? Oh no. We're much more sneaky than that. On the 5th April we will announce BTIII - both here and on our blogs as well. We will tell you exactly what you need to do for this one, exactly what we require, and there will be explicit instructions to comply with for signing up and for playing. We urge that if you are interested in playing, that you read that post very carefully. The new backtack button above gives a huge hint about what is in store...
And if you're keen, follow the sign up instructions here on the 5th April NOT BEFORE because we'd love to have you all come and play.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
BT2 image library update
Hey Al - having fun in Paris, or is it New York now? Everyone wish Al happy travels!
Me, well I've been a little slack. I've been meaning to do this library update for the past week, I admit my motivation has been lacking and also looking for somewhere to live is a big distraction.
So, what are you waiting for, get on over to the flickr libary to see the new images! The picture below shows the updated pics in thumbnail preview.
Me, well I've been a little slack. I've been meaning to do this library update for the past week, I admit my motivation has been lacking and also looking for somewhere to live is a big distraction.
So, what are you waiting for, get on over to the flickr libary to see the new images! The picture below shows the updated pics in thumbnail preview.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
back-tack II finito!
Go on - get on over to flickr and check out the amazing creativity. We've had heaps of positive feedback from everyone. Thanks! We really enjoy seeing your creations and love your enthusiasm.
Some housekeeping - if you've submitted pics but don't see them in the gallery would you please email them again to backtackATgmailDOT.com. If you haven't sent them yet, please do so and we'll update the gallery.
The next incarnation will be in April 2006. So keep your eyes peeled.
>
Some housekeeping - if you've submitted pics but don't see them in the gallery would you please email them again to backtackATgmailDOT.com. If you haven't sent them yet, please do so and we'll update the gallery.
The next incarnation will be in April 2006. So keep your eyes peeled.
>
Sunday, October 30, 2005
winding up....
Today's the final day for BT2. By now you would have started and hopefully completed and posted your finished BT2 project. If you have not heard from your partner and don't know if something's coming please email us at backtackATgmailDOTcom with your name and blog name. Please don't wait for another couple of weeks.
If you have posted your BT but know it'll arrive after 31 October please do send your partner an email letting them know it's on the way and when you anticipate it might arrive.
AND - not to harp on it, please email us your pics to backtackATgmailDOTcom asap so we can put the final flickr gallery together (please don't email them to Nicole or Alison, us the back-tack email address, if you've already emailed them, please don't resend them :) ). This will be live in the next 5-7 days. We'll post here when it is live.
As we've mentioned previously (I think we have!) the next back-tack will be in April 2006! Keep your eyes peeled.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
cut, stitch, unpick, sew, knit, bind, felt...
Hey everyone.
It's great to see finished back-tack's on your blogs. Great creativity and attention to detail. From the feedback we've received sounds like you've all really enjoyed this version of back-tack.
A reminder to please supply the images of your finished BT before you post it (the one you created, not the one you receive) in the following way (this keeps Nicole sane and minimises the swearing she does at the monitor). If you've already supplied your images, then ignore this:
It's great to see finished back-tack's on your blogs. Great creativity and attention to detail. From the feedback we've received sounds like you've all really enjoyed this version of back-tack.
A reminder to please supply the images of your finished BT before you post it (the one you created, not the one you receive) in the following way (this keeps Nicole sane and minimises the swearing she does at the monitor). If you've already supplied your images, then ignore this:
- We only want 2 photos per participant please. Obviously feel free to post as many pics as you like on your own blogs, it's easier for us if we receive only 2 per person.
- Email them to us by 1st week of November or earlier, if possible with these specs, 400 x 400 pixels at 72dpi (if you have Photoshop or something similar, please save it optimised for web at 100ppi), please name the file your blog name (not the URL but the name your blog is known by and tell us whether it's a bag or kit picture ie sixandahalfstitches_bag.jpg and sixandahalfstitches_kit.jpg, together with your first name, your blog name and the blog name you are sending to.
- We'll unveil the photo's via flickr at the end, the week after 31 October.
Finally keep your eyes peeled for BT3 to be held in April 2006. We need a breather and some time to think about the next reincarnation.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Inspiration
We've been checking out participants blogs and have seen quite a few of you have finished! Very impressive.
For those of you who'd like some inspiration following are some links and also a link to some images we've uploaded at flickr.
Feel free to leave comments with any other links or suggestions you feel might be useful to other participants.
Check out humbag and because I can't work out the name of some of these sites :) here's some more links, here, here and here. Kath also has a bunch of links, handmade zakka, some more Japanese goodness.
For those of you who'd like some inspiration following are some links and also a link to some images we've uploaded at flickr.
Feel free to leave comments with any other links or suggestions you feel might be useful to other participants.
Check out humbag and because I can't work out the name of some of these sites :) here's some more links, here, here and here. Kath also has a bunch of links, handmade zakka, some more Japanese goodness.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Housekeeping!
Hi everyone.
You would have received your matchup by now. We hope you've sent your partner an email or commented on their blog!
A few little housekeeping items. Firstly, when sending out the matchups there are some commas missing from addresses, so please check that your address will make sense to the person sending to you and if you feel it needs clarification please let your partner know.
If you've accidentally revealed your true identity to your partner, that's ok! Let's just say...you guys now get to be 'real'people for each other. Please don't fret. Just keep what you're making secret!
You would have received your matchup by now. We hope you've sent your partner an email or commented on their blog!
A few little housekeeping items. Firstly, when sending out the matchups there are some commas missing from addresses, so please check that your address will make sense to the person sending to you and if you feel it needs clarification please let your partner know.
If you've accidentally revealed your true identity to your partner, that's ok! Let's just say...you guys now get to be 'real'people for each other. Please don't fret. Just keep what you're making secret!
We've added a link to Kath at Red Current's bag links. She's a linkin' machine. We'll post some more inspiration soon.
And, finally, the blogroll is up, go and check out everyone's blogs. That's all for now, we look forwarding to seeing all your creations.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
BTII - FAQ's
Pheeewww. The matchups have all been mailed out. Read 'em and check 'em.
The blogroll will be up soon, hopefully on Sunday.
If a L. Seven is reading this, please email us at backtackATgmailDOTcom , thanks.
Ok, on to the FAQ's:
Is it anonymous? - Yes, until you post off your BT and the recipient receives it, it's anonymous. You can put in a note and reveal yourself when you post it or you can be mean and let your recipient wait until the flickr gallery is launched.
What happens if my circumstances change? - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE find the time to drop us a quick email to say you'll need to withdraw or need help and we'll organise something for you. Don't be afraid! We'd rather know in advance and we understand that stuff happens.
Should I email my partner? - This isn't an option. :) Once you've recieved your matchup we want you to email (anonymously) your BT partner within 5 days of receiving the email to let them know that you're out there and reading their blog. Finding out about them and what interests them is the only way you'll be able to fill their bag. Maybe drop your partner an e-postcard. Just please contact them and stay in contact, read their blog, leave comments. Let them know when you've mailed your parcel, and follow it up - check to find out whether it's arrived, and similarly write and thank your person once you've received something.
Does my bag have to be sewn or made from fabric? - No, it can be knitted, crocheted, felted etc. We do ask that it is functional.
What's this about a kit? - The idea behind this BT is that you make a bag that would suit your recipient and take the time to find out about your partner, is there a craft they love or would like to try? Make a kit for them to make something. It could be a softie, or a cushion, bag or any other type of craft. You could straight out ask them, but make sure it's fun and easily accommodated in a bag (this isn't the time to launch into carpet weaving...).
I haven't heard from my partner - If say within 10 days of receiving your matchup email, you haven't heard from your partner. Please contact us via backtackATgmailDOTcom so we can put a rocket up them, in the nicest possible way.
It's the end of October and I haven't received anything - OK, before you contact us please can you do a couple of things:
1. If the person has been in contact and said they were posting something, please email them and ask when they posted it an when it might arrive.
2. If the person has NEVER emailed you then please do email us and we'll get in contact with them.
3. If your partner has emailed and said it's coming, be patient, if say, it hasn't arrived when she said it would then send her an email.
The blogroll will be up soon, hopefully on Sunday.
If a L. Seven is reading this, please email us at backtackATgmailDOTcom , thanks.
Ok, on to the FAQ's:
Is it anonymous? - Yes, until you post off your BT and the recipient receives it, it's anonymous. You can put in a note and reveal yourself when you post it or you can be mean and let your recipient wait until the flickr gallery is launched.
What happens if my circumstances change? - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE find the time to drop us a quick email to say you'll need to withdraw or need help and we'll organise something for you. Don't be afraid! We'd rather know in advance and we understand that stuff happens.
Should I email my partner? - This isn't an option. :) Once you've recieved your matchup we want you to email (anonymously) your BT partner within 5 days of receiving the email to let them know that you're out there and reading their blog. Finding out about them and what interests them is the only way you'll be able to fill their bag. Maybe drop your partner an e-postcard. Just please contact them and stay in contact, read their blog, leave comments. Let them know when you've mailed your parcel, and follow it up - check to find out whether it's arrived, and similarly write and thank your person once you've received something.
Does my bag have to be sewn or made from fabric? - No, it can be knitted, crocheted, felted etc. We do ask that it is functional.
What's this about a kit? - The idea behind this BT is that you make a bag that would suit your recipient and take the time to find out about your partner, is there a craft they love or would like to try? Make a kit for them to make something. It could be a softie, or a cushion, bag or any other type of craft. You could straight out ask them, but make sure it's fun and easily accommodated in a bag (this isn't the time to launch into carpet weaving...).
I haven't heard from my partner - If say within 10 days of receiving your matchup email, you haven't heard from your partner. Please contact us via backtackATgmailDOTcom so we can put a rocket up them, in the nicest possible way.
It's the end of October and I haven't received anything - OK, before you contact us please can you do a couple of things:
1. If the person has been in contact and said they were posting something, please email them and ask when they posted it an when it might arrive.
2. If the person has NEVER emailed you then please do email us and we'll get in contact with them.
3. If your partner has emailed and said it's coming, be patient, if say, it hasn't arrived when she said it would then send her an email.
Monday, September 05, 2005
BACK-TACK MATCHUPS ARE NEARLY HERE...
They're coming, really they are. All the matchups have been done, and we're checking them and getting ready for the big email out through this week. It's a lot of work, and the emails take hours of our time (mainly Nic's - it really is a mammoth effort), while also trying to work and be good people to our families, so please be patient with us. We're hoping they are all out by this Friday, and then we can all get started on some serious making of stuff!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Early signup
Hey everyone. Firstly we want to say thank you so much for the enthusiasm for back-tack. We are a little overwhelmed, but so appreciative of the keeness of you all. This leads us to the situation we are in now. We have disappointed people because Al and I made a judgement call late last week to open the signups earlier than we'd advertised.
There was method in our decision. In our post announcing signups we said, please signup from 17 August. Well after that post went up we had 30 signups. Thinking through the logostics of dealing with that many people that keen within a short space of time, and then multiplied over two weeks was a little too much for us. Now this could be an error in judgement, but at the time we felt it was a good thing to do. Another reason for the signups being opened early was we received a lot of emails from you saying you would be way when signups were starting. In trying to be fair to one lot of people, we've not been fair to another, and that's unfortunate.Signups closed fairly quickly after we opened the gates because we reached 100 people, and some of you have missed out and are pissed. We're sorry for your disappointment, that obviously was not our intent.
We're going to stick with our original decision. We know this will upset some of you and for that we apologise. We do have an offer for those of you who missed out and would like to participate in BT III (to be run about April 2006). If you've left a comment or sent us an email we'll keep a record of who you are and you'll be given an automatic option to signup for BT III before we go public, no obligation of course. We'll keep this option available until midnight Thursday 18 August, your time wherever you are. So send an email to backtackATgmailDOTcom if you'd like to be given a presignup for BT III. This offer DOES NOT apply to any of you that have signed up already for BTII.
Thanks again for your amazing enthusiasm.
Nicole and Alison
There was method in our decision. In our post announcing signups we said, please signup from 17 August. Well after that post went up we had 30 signups. Thinking through the logostics of dealing with that many people that keen within a short space of time, and then multiplied over two weeks was a little too much for us. Now this could be an error in judgement, but at the time we felt it was a good thing to do. Another reason for the signups being opened early was we received a lot of emails from you saying you would be way when signups were starting. In trying to be fair to one lot of people, we've not been fair to another, and that's unfortunate.Signups closed fairly quickly after we opened the gates because we reached 100 people, and some of you have missed out and are pissed. We're sorry for your disappointment, that obviously was not our intent.
We're going to stick with our original decision. We know this will upset some of you and for that we apologise. We do have an offer for those of you who missed out and would like to participate in BT III (to be run about April 2006). If you've left a comment or sent us an email we'll keep a record of who you are and you'll be given an automatic option to signup for BT III before we go public, no obligation of course. We'll keep this option available until midnight Thursday 18 August, your time wherever you are. So send an email to backtackATgmailDOTcom if you'd like to be given a presignup for BT III. This offer DOES NOT apply to any of you that have signed up already for BTII.
Thanks again for your amazing enthusiasm.
Nicole and Alison
Friday, August 12, 2005
back-tack mark II - SIGNUPS Closed
Oh my goodness! You're a mad bunch, but we love you. Signups are closed. We need to take stock, count, work it out, sit back with a cuppa and take a breather. Thanks for the enthusiasm!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
BACK-TACK II UNVEILED!
IMPORTANT ADDENDA
DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTACTED US SINCE WE LAUNCHED BACK-TACK II WHO WILL BE AWAY DURING SIGN-UPS, AND WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SIGN UP PRIOR TO THE SIGN UP DATE, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE LIFE EASY FOR ALL OF US (MAINLY NICOLE AND I REALLY) AND OPEN SIGN UPS NOW. WE WILL RUN THE SIGN UP PERIOD TILL 24TH AUGUST AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED, OR UNTIL WE HAVE 100 PEOPLE. This note will also appear on both our blogs, and we hope this doesn't confuse you, or cause any undue difficulties. Now go sign up! (If you'd already signed up please don't sign up again.)
With greatest pleasure and with much enthusiasm, we announce Back-Tack II!!
Many of you have watched eagerly as amazing items unfolded over the last few months on people's blogs. Crafty creations with so much variety and colour have been popping up all over the place.
Well now you get to play again, or for the first time, and be part of something pretty special. Nicole and I have been scheming this one for a while and I think the end results will be pretty fantastic. We've taken a more laid back approach this time, mainly because it's being run so close to the original. Also because we realise some people struggled with the inability to control fabric selection (don't fret - we will run the original version again next year). Back-tack II therefore is a chance to spoil someone, and indulge secret desires. Mmmmm, intrigued? Read on.
For this Back-tack, we'd like you all to make a bag for your back-tack receiver - something like a tote or a shoulder bag - something large enough to carry 'stuff'. You can use whatever fabric you want, whether it be from stash or something you've specifically gone out and purchased. Be creative. Knit it, sew it, felt it. Make it simple or elaborate. We want you to get to know your recipients, find out their likes and dislikes - are they a vintage fabric fiend, a knitter, or have they just had a baby and need something waterproof. We'd like you to think about accessorising the bag, making a little makeup pouch, pocket mirror case, or coin purse. There are many patterns and inspirational photos out there to get creative with, and we'll post a load of links to books and images as well.
But that's not it. Oh no. Wait, there's more. We want you to find out from your recipient what their secret craft urge is. What craft have they always wanted to try and never quite got around to doing? Crochet perhaps, or knitting socks, or needle felting, embroidery, making soft toys, printing cards...the urges are endless. Once you think you've got it sussed we want you to go out and put together a complete kit for them - an all in one craft kit in it's own little bag (which can be reused of course!). For example: if they've always wanted to try crochet, you could include a selection of crochet needles, enough wool for a small project, a pattern book or instruction book, needles for weaving in ends, and any little accessories which might make the kit complete. Give them everything they need to satisfy their urge. When it's all together, wrap it up and send it off to reach your person by October 31st 2005.
What we'd like to see is your end bag product, and eventually your finished craft piece as well, although we do realise these things take time, so there's no pressure on anyone to do that. We'll keep a flickr gallery open for it.
Still interested? Have we captured your imagination? Think you might sign up? Well here's the critical, serious, no-nonsense part. Please remember we place a high value on your commitment to this project if you sign up. If emailing your recipient and sending things on time aren't your forte, or you know you have some life things coming up which may interfere with this, please reconsider and come back when you think you can commit. You must make the effort to write to your recipient, say hi, ask questions, tell them you've sent your parcel, and say thankyou when you receive yours. You must commit to sending your goods out on time. We expect you will blog about what you've made, and what you've received, and that you'll send us photos as well. We expect you to make a minimum monetray contribution of $40US including postage which is fair given what we're expecting.
We are again limiting places to 100, and to bloggers only. It's a lot of time, energy and resources organising this many people, and that's our reasoning for limiting places. Having a blog is an absolute, and please don't ask us to change the rules if you don't have a blog - go out and start one!! This time we will screen people, and once we have 100 the list will close. If you've emailed us previously, we will have sent you an email about this post, and it does not mean you are automatically signed up. Please do not comment here and assume you're signed up - we can't track most emails addresses from blogspot.
Still reading? Good!! Here's the dates.
Sign Up Period commences August 17th and closes August 24th (or before if 100 participants reached)
Match Ups will be made August 24th - August 30th
Match Ups will be sent out September 1st - September 10th
Back-tackII officially starts September 15th and will run through till october 31st.
Flickr Gallery of finished products will go up beginning November.
Do you want to play? We'd love you to play because we had a lot of fun last time and know you'll enjoy it this timt too, so shoot us an email at backtackATgmailDOTcom, with "Signup for back-tackII" in the subject and sign up with your Name, full postal address, blog url, and whether you are happy to send internationally.
Happy sewing guys!
DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTACTED US SINCE WE LAUNCHED BACK-TACK II WHO WILL BE AWAY DURING SIGN-UPS, AND WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SIGN UP PRIOR TO THE SIGN UP DATE, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE LIFE EASY FOR ALL OF US (MAINLY NICOLE AND I REALLY) AND OPEN SIGN UPS NOW. WE WILL RUN THE SIGN UP PERIOD TILL 24TH AUGUST AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED, OR UNTIL WE HAVE 100 PEOPLE. This note will also appear on both our blogs, and we hope this doesn't confuse you, or cause any undue difficulties. Now go sign up! (If you'd already signed up please don't sign up again.)
With greatest pleasure and with much enthusiasm, we announce Back-Tack II!!
Many of you have watched eagerly as amazing items unfolded over the last few months on people's blogs. Crafty creations with so much variety and colour have been popping up all over the place.
Well now you get to play again, or for the first time, and be part of something pretty special. Nicole and I have been scheming this one for a while and I think the end results will be pretty fantastic. We've taken a more laid back approach this time, mainly because it's being run so close to the original. Also because we realise some people struggled with the inability to control fabric selection (don't fret - we will run the original version again next year). Back-tack II therefore is a chance to spoil someone, and indulge secret desires. Mmmmm, intrigued? Read on.
For this Back-tack, we'd like you all to make a bag for your back-tack receiver - something like a tote or a shoulder bag - something large enough to carry 'stuff'. You can use whatever fabric you want, whether it be from stash or something you've specifically gone out and purchased. Be creative. Knit it, sew it, felt it. Make it simple or elaborate. We want you to get to know your recipients, find out their likes and dislikes - are they a vintage fabric fiend, a knitter, or have they just had a baby and need something waterproof. We'd like you to think about accessorising the bag, making a little makeup pouch, pocket mirror case, or coin purse. There are many patterns and inspirational photos out there to get creative with, and we'll post a load of links to books and images as well.
But that's not it. Oh no. Wait, there's more. We want you to find out from your recipient what their secret craft urge is. What craft have they always wanted to try and never quite got around to doing? Crochet perhaps, or knitting socks, or needle felting, embroidery, making soft toys, printing cards...the urges are endless. Once you think you've got it sussed we want you to go out and put together a complete kit for them - an all in one craft kit in it's own little bag (which can be reused of course!). For example: if they've always wanted to try crochet, you could include a selection of crochet needles, enough wool for a small project, a pattern book or instruction book, needles for weaving in ends, and any little accessories which might make the kit complete. Give them everything they need to satisfy their urge. When it's all together, wrap it up and send it off to reach your person by October 31st 2005.
What we'd like to see is your end bag product, and eventually your finished craft piece as well, although we do realise these things take time, so there's no pressure on anyone to do that. We'll keep a flickr gallery open for it.
Still interested? Have we captured your imagination? Think you might sign up? Well here's the critical, serious, no-nonsense part. Please remember we place a high value on your commitment to this project if you sign up. If emailing your recipient and sending things on time aren't your forte, or you know you have some life things coming up which may interfere with this, please reconsider and come back when you think you can commit. You must make the effort to write to your recipient, say hi, ask questions, tell them you've sent your parcel, and say thankyou when you receive yours. You must commit to sending your goods out on time. We expect you will blog about what you've made, and what you've received, and that you'll send us photos as well. We expect you to make a minimum monetray contribution of $40US including postage which is fair given what we're expecting.
We are again limiting places to 100, and to bloggers only. It's a lot of time, energy and resources organising this many people, and that's our reasoning for limiting places. Having a blog is an absolute, and please don't ask us to change the rules if you don't have a blog - go out and start one!! This time we will screen people, and once we have 100 the list will close. If you've emailed us previously, we will have sent you an email about this post, and it does not mean you are automatically signed up. Please do not comment here and assume you're signed up - we can't track most emails addresses from blogspot.
Still reading? Good!! Here's the dates.
Sign Up Period commences August 17th and closes August 24th (or before if 100 participants reached)
Match Ups will be made August 24th - August 30th
Match Ups will be sent out September 1st - September 10th
Back-tackII officially starts September 15th and will run through till october 31st.
Flickr Gallery of finished products will go up beginning November.
Do you want to play? We'd love you to play because we had a lot of fun last time and know you'll enjoy it this timt too, so shoot us an email at backtackATgmailDOTcom, with "Signup for back-tackII" in the subject and sign up with your Name, full postal address, blog url, and whether you are happy to send internationally.
Happy sewing guys!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
CAN YOU HELP?
Oh thankyou to everyone who responded so enthusiastically for our call for Angels - I love you all! I have a lovely list of people now - so no more offers - and I'll be organising all that over the next few days. Thankyou again - the generosity of some people never ceases to amaze me.
Alison xx
This is a post we regret to have to write, but we feel it is necessary to put up anyway. It's unfortunate that some people at this point in August are still waiting to receive packages, and that, amazingly, some people have heard nothing from their pals. At some point we have to bite the bullet and declare we have wayward pals no matter what their initial, or current, intentions are.
We asked specifically when people signed up that they agreed to be fair on everyone in the chain - to communicate with them, to adhere to the deadlines, and to let us know if this was not possible. People have put in a huge effort over the last few months for this, and it makes us sad to see some people upset and angry that they've been left out. I've not received from my person either, so I am in full sympathy with those who are in the same situation.
I cannot stress enough the committment you enter into when you sign up for a project like this. We expect that basic fundamental manners are shown, and consideration for the people you are sending to. We understand life throws some wobblies our way every now and then, and we're not unapproachable and we will understand if it's too much to continue. If we know what's going on, we can help resolve glitches as they happen. I'd like everyone to bear this in mind if they intend signing up for backtackII - if these principles are too much for people, then sorry, this project isn't for you.
With this in mind, we have a number of people who we would like to 'make it up to', and as such we'd like to call for anyone who is able, and willing, to step in and be an Angel, and be able to put something together quickly. It's a huge ask from us, but we're hoping we can make something special for the people who have not had the best experience. If you'd like to help, please email Nicole or Alison at backtackATgmailDOTcom, or email Alison at sixandahalfstitchesATgmailDOTcom.
Alison xx
This is a post we regret to have to write, but we feel it is necessary to put up anyway. It's unfortunate that some people at this point in August are still waiting to receive packages, and that, amazingly, some people have heard nothing from their pals. At some point we have to bite the bullet and declare we have wayward pals no matter what their initial, or current, intentions are.
We asked specifically when people signed up that they agreed to be fair on everyone in the chain - to communicate with them, to adhere to the deadlines, and to let us know if this was not possible. People have put in a huge effort over the last few months for this, and it makes us sad to see some people upset and angry that they've been left out. I've not received from my person either, so I am in full sympathy with those who are in the same situation.
I cannot stress enough the committment you enter into when you sign up for a project like this. We expect that basic fundamental manners are shown, and consideration for the people you are sending to. We understand life throws some wobblies our way every now and then, and we're not unapproachable and we will understand if it's too much to continue. If we know what's going on, we can help resolve glitches as they happen. I'd like everyone to bear this in mind if they intend signing up for backtackII - if these principles are too much for people, then sorry, this project isn't for you.
With this in mind, we have a number of people who we would like to 'make it up to', and as such we'd like to call for anyone who is able, and willing, to step in and be an Angel, and be able to put something together quickly. It's a huge ask from us, but we're hoping we can make something special for the people who have not had the best experience. If you'd like to help, please email Nicole or Alison at backtackATgmailDOTcom, or email Alison at sixandahalfstitchesATgmailDOTcom.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
NEARLY OVER NOW...
The final packages have mostly been sent out and received, so it's about time we unveiled the final Flickr gallery. You'll find selected photos from every person who sent us pictures, and if you go to the individual's websites, you'll find more photos from them. If you haven't sent your images through yet of either your fabrics or your finished pieces, there's still time and we'll keep adding to the galleries as we get them. everything looks amazing, and again we have a brilliant gallery to show.
We'd like to send out a huge thankyou to everyone who has participated and has helped make this a success. I think we've all had fun with this, and Nicole and I have been quite taken with the quality and creativity being shown. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!
And if you're still waiting on your package, or you haven't even sent it yet, or you've received a package and you haven't sent a thankyou note, perhaps this will be a good reminder to you to send your person a little email to let them know what's going on, or that something hasn't arrived - it's unfair to leave your person wondering what's going on especially if someone else has been good to you. And if you feel you need us to help you, drop us a line at backtackATgmailDOTcom.
Finally, stayed tuned, because the next installment of back-tack is just around the corner...
We'd like to send out a huge thankyou to everyone who has participated and has helped make this a success. I think we've all had fun with this, and Nicole and I have been quite taken with the quality and creativity being shown. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!
And if you're still waiting on your package, or you haven't even sent it yet, or you've received a package and you haven't sent a thankyou note, perhaps this will be a good reminder to you to send your person a little email to let them know what's going on, or that something hasn't arrived - it's unfair to leave your person wondering what's going on especially if someone else has been good to you. And if you feel you need us to help you, drop us a line at backtackATgmailDOTcom.
Finally, stayed tuned, because the next installment of back-tack is just around the corner...
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