More Grrl Stuff!

The Better Pal Exchange was loads of fun.  It was a small group and I knew many of the people involved, but not all.  As of this post I don't know who my pal is (and I didn't try to figure it out, like some people.)

   

My pal sent the most perfect gifts.  Remember the silk  that I'm using for DFS ?  It was dyed by Fyberspates and is such a lovely silk to knit and the colors are wonderful, too. This time my BP sent sock yarn dyed by the same company and named for Marie of the Knit Cast fame.  It could have been dyed for me! Can you see the little stitch markers in front?  They are made from glass beads. My pal made sure I knew not to stand on them because,  as you know, I'm constantly trampling my knitting underfoot. (Love a pal with a sense of humor!)

Oh and don't forget the lovely Opal, one of my favorite yarns, the RY Cashcotton in the colors of my blog (it should make a lovely hat, no?), and the chocolate (loads of chocolate) that isn't pictured, but isn't ALL gone, either.  I love it all, even piece of the beauteous yarn.

This just in! My Better Pal was Emma. Thank you Emma for the fabulous gifts and for being such a great pal.  Emma also promises to keep in touch...the connection is important to her, too. We do read each others blogs, but now we'll be Better Friends.

A Secret Pal exchange can be a gamble. You never know what type of pal you'll get, if they will enjoy what you send, or even acknowledge it much.  Many people are disappointed and that is sad.  My hope has been for more of a connection than just a gathering of yarn and stuff.  We can buy our own stuff, so the exchange, at least for me, is about having a great time, making a new friend and being a part of the community at large.   

This was exactly what happened when I found that the pal I had the opportunity to give to was Ann.  Any package sent from Utah would peg me as the giver.  Ann and I knew each other, not well, but certainly enough read each others blogs and share many of the same friends.  The idea to employ the same friends to aid and abet me, while keeping my identity a secret, seemed like a viable plan.

Norma sent the first package for me and Ann was sure she knew who her pal was.  Norma said, "You think you know, but you don't!"  Next Vicki sent a little note and gift that produced such a fun reaction she coined the phrase, "It takes a village to drive Ann around the bend."  At this point there were many emails flying back and forth while we had a good laugh. Katy  had been on board from the beginning and she hand delivered the second package. Because Cara was the main suspect we made her privy to the plot. 

Teresa then contacted me through Cara with the offer of a lovely piggy tea pot (Ann collects pigs.)  It was too funny to pass up, so she sent it as another co-conspirator.  This gift is totally Teresa's and I thank her for being a good sport and adding to our fun.

At this point Ann was totally convinced her pal was Cara, and even named the tea pot Georgie! (She must now change the name to Teresa, don't you think?) Therefore, Cara sent the last package.  As you can see it all paid off!   Thank you, Ann, for making this so much fun! Thank you Norma, Katy, Cara, Vicki and Teresa for helping me milk this for all it was worth.  I may have spent a small fortune in postage by mailing every package twice, but it was worth every single penny.

Better Pal was the best secret pal yet.  Make all your exchanges fun for you and your pal.  You may have the time of your life.

Comments

[Carole]

I'm glad you had such a great time, both receiving gifts from your own pal, and also teasing Ann! I've been enjoying SP6 but it's definitely not as personal. The list of bloggers that are participating is HUGE and I couldn't even begin to narrow down who my SP is. Nor do I think the person I have been gifting is trying to find out who I am. It's not a disappointment, exactly, but it's not the really fun time you've had with Better Pal, either.

[ann]

Margene!! once the FBI and CIA read of your exploits, they will be enlisting you ...... the different addresses, all that extra mailing, and the pansy stickers for crying out loud (that was a nice touch), not to mention the Junior Caramels.....

you are the very best secret pal ever! I had a great time being gifted by you! the presents were over the top fantastic, but the intrigue was the best of all! rarely does the cat get the mouse smile after this game, but I am grinning from ear to ear. Bravo darling!

[Norma]

You singlehandedly made the BP exchange such fun! This is really the way it should be -- and I agree: it's the connections that make it worth doing. "stuff" is just secondary. And if the pals take the time to get to know you, that's the best gift of all. My pal has been marvelous in that respect, too! She has really read my questionnaire and really seems to care.

[Susan]

I think I know who your BP is, but I'm not going to tell. This whole BP thing has been so much fun; can't wait to do it again, and your subterfuge has given me some ideas.

[Kris]

It sounds like y'all had a load of fun. I think its great that you created a little exchange amongst friends. You're right, that really makes it more personal and a lot more fun.

[Kate]

Glad to see a pal exchange that actually works. I think the problem of the Secret Pal programs was the newness wore off and people just got sick of it. Glad to see you all take the program in your own direction and create the Better Pal exchange.

[Rachel H]

As a non-blogger, I have a very limited concept of the whole secret pal or Better Pal thing, but reading your story of intrigue makes it all sound like so much fun! The planning, the connections with people, getting to share the fun with co-conspirators. It sounds wonderful. Just the sort of fun 'grown ups' need more of in our lives and don't get enough chance to have in my opinion. Cheers to you and your network of aiders and abeters!

[rock chick]

Okay, maybe now I can stop knocking back shots of Pepto Bismol, wondering if people were having a good time. ;-)

[Kathleen]

Hey, I am carrying those stamps around in my pocketbook to send back to you!! I may have lost one...but it was a cents one...not a dollar. Margene, it was a blast being in on the intrigue. Nothing I love more than screwing with Ann! Thanks.

[marie in texas]

oo-oo how fun. wonder if my smallish group of girls can do this too....after christmas lol

marie in texas
or maybe FOR christmas

[Jennifer]

I'm glad you had a good time with your secret pal exchange. I agree, it's all about fun and getting to know fellow knitters/bloggers better.

[Snow]

I'll be interested to see who your BP is, Margene.

You really do make me want to overcome my postal angst and get in on the fun. Maybe after the first of the year. I can make it a New Year's Resolution.

[Cara]

Yeah yeah yeah. You get ALL the glory and I get called names. Although I did get some Junior Caramels out of the deal - so for that I thank you.

The best part of this whole thing, besides torturing Ann of course, was getting to know YOU better. You are the definition of a Better Pal.

And not just because you buy me Socks That Rock. ;-)

[Vicki]

I'm smiling so wide that I can hardly make enough sense of words to type. I know that doesn't make sense, but that's how it is -- I haven't had this much fun in a long time! It's been just absolutely, 100% delightful, getting to know you and all of your co-conspirators, whispering and giggling behind Ann's back, watching her squirm (that was especially fun). You've raised the bar, Margene!

I had a blast, both giving and receiving, and the privilege of assisting you with the torture heightened my appreciation for the whole, entire thing.

[Manise]

What fun- the better pal thing. You certainly tortured Ann much to her delight.

I'm more and more interested in spinning. Can anyone out there recommend a drop spindle for a beginner and where to find one? Thanks.

[Julia]

The giving is the best part, isn't it? (Though with a pal like Emma, the receiving is pretty darn good, too!) I'm glad you guys had fun!

[Julia]

The giving is the best part, isn't it? (Though with a pal like Emma, the receiving is pretty darn good, too!) I'm glad you guys had fun!

[Birdsong]

Isn't it fun when you can keep them guessing? Glad you got so much out of planning and giving - to me that is the best part of doing an SP project. Plus, I love surprises, on, and I love the colors of your new yarn, of course.

[Jenn]

Ah secret pals.....what can I say. I am so glad that you had fun with this! I do know what you mean about the SP's. The last one was my first and I had a great time all around. This time...well...I've been getting gofts but there has been no communication. That's really the key. It's so much fun to get to know someone new!

I just comfort myself by thinking that I am being the best pal that I can be.

I can't wantt o see what is made with the new yarn!

[Jackie]

So glad you all had fun - sounds like a great thing to have been a part of!

[Emma.]

It really was a pleasure. Great fun.

[Karen]

Love reading your blog! You posted a picture of Shaefer Anne yarn and I'd love to know the color of it.....it's gorgeous! Thanks so much

[Jennifer]

What a great story! :)
I am also wondering.... can people join and be a part of the better pal exchange? or is it an exclusive club? :)

[claudia]

That was a truly evil plot. Nice work!

[Wanda]

Better Pal was a great exchange and as you say, you never know what you're going to get. It's cool that yours turned out so well and that you totally surprised your pal. I love it.

[MJ]

I think it's cool that you took the extra effort to bewilder your secret pal! It probably amused you (and your cohorts) to no end.