Christmas in the Not So Caribbean

Mr Play · Post by **Mr Play** » October 28, 2005 1:15 am

OK - now that we know who we're sending stuff to, let's get going.

Who should we send money or materials to for pillowcases, and what does it take to make 10 of them?

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » October 28, 2005 7:00 am

Four Play wrote:OK - now that we know who we're sending stuff to, let's get going.

Who should we send money or materials to for pillowcases, and what does it take to make 10 of them?

Can we start a list of people who are willing/can sew? I think that would be a good way to start. Once we know that information, then we can figure out who to send money to for materials.

I was told that it takes about a yard of fabric for each pillowcase. Can any of you seamstresses confirm that (remember I'm domestically challenged!).

There are going to be 3500 troops in Crash's group. Are we going to try to make 3500 pillowcases? I would say another thing that would need to be done is to try to find someplace we can get material from in bulk at a good price.

My $.02....thoughts, comments????

mommar · Post by **mommar** » October 28, 2005 8:19 am

I can sew some, not quoting how many just yet

If we are all agreed on tropical prints, we might be able to get good prices in the discounted rack at Wal-Mart Summer is over with up here in New England

I'll check this a.m.

I was told that it takes about a yard of fabric for each pillowcase. Can any of you seamstresses confirm that (remember I'm domestically challenged!). I am in no way touching that one, (see my 3000th post

) Math Sucks!!!!

Also, can/should we all use the same directions.......this is aimed at the sewers, should we make the cases with the large hem at the open end,or should we cheat a little and use a smaller hem so we can get more cases out ofour fabric, not sure how many more you'd get to make up the difference between a 4 inch hem and a 1, 1 1/2 inch hem, hope this makes sense. Remember, Math Sucks

I'm not going to be anywhere near a Jo-anns fabric this weekend, but as far as getting a discounted rate, I'm wondering what kind of info the store would need from us...........can we just tell them we are a JB on-line fan club at Buffettnews.com, I mean can we "use" Buffettnews.com name as our organization, I've never requested info from a business before, just curious (what's to stop me from going in and requeting a discount just for the jo shmo organization???)

I think that's all the ?'s I have for now, will post back later.

mommar · Post by **mommar** » October 28, 2005 9:02 am

Ever so lightly stepping on the brake peddle. Q*S posted someting last nite at the Oar House around page 8, or 9, hopefully she'll respond here latr today.

I will only check prices, I WILL NOT BUY FABRIC TODAY!!!!!!!!

You have no idea how difficult that is for me

I have my own little fabric store in the cellar!

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » October 28, 2005 9:30 am

OK - with my little experiment of sewing one myself (it really is easy - I'm just straight line challenged

) I will donate whatever is needed..........I have fabric here (that I've had for quite awhile - why I don't know since I don't sew but once every blue moon

) - just let me who to send it to

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » October 28, 2005 9:36 am

I have at least 2 seamstresses that are willing to sew cases, maybe 3. I can coordinate fabric and help purchase. No sewing for me !

I'm going to start a spreadsheet, because you know that's the only way to track things, and keep track of what everyone would like to do.

Thanks everyone!

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » October 28, 2005 1:33 pm

mommar wrote:Ever so lightly stepping on the brake peddle. Q*S posted someting last nite at the Oar House around page 8, or 9, hopefully she'll respond here latr today.

I will only check prices, I WILL NOT BUY FABRIC TODAY!!!!!!!!
You have no idea how difficult that is for me I have my own little fabric store in the cellar!

Yikes!!

Okay, so I was hanging around that Oar House again last night....

Here's what I posted in there:

Yeah...headed to a phlocking at the original CIP tonight...to meet up with Cool Blue Swing, Ches4me, Davesnik, Coconuts and her special guest...she brought Crash!!

He's doing great. Came home for some family stuff and will head back in a few days. We had a great time chatting about BN, Buffettfest, etc. When he goes back it'll be to a group of 3,500 vs. the 400 he worked with before. He'll still be in the Baghdad Green Zone but they're consolidating some so he's going to the big camp. Said he'll try to stop by BN tomorrow or so to say "hi".

He was truly touched by all of the wonderful things BNers did for Buffettfest. It went great and the locals were amazed by all of the crazy stuff that came over from the US. He said they're still working on the "official" photo album from Buffettfest; it really went great and the troops are now huge Buffett and Bahama Llama fans and were very grateful for all that was done for them.

Crash really enjoys his job, BTW.

And then I posted:

Well, I've got a couple of ideas...but need to do a tad bit of research tomorrow on something. Otherwise, we just do what we can and it will be much appreciated.

Sorry if I caused any confusion, but I wasn't intending to stop what's already been talked about and planned...I was just referring to managing the number of 3,500.

So, please go forth and conquer...whether it's pillowcases, stockings, or whatever else.

A couple other thoughts from Crash re. Christmas: He doesn't have any idea what percent are Jewish or of other faiths (e.g. Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, etc.) He encouraged us to do things that will help the troops know it is Christmas (vs. just providing necessities), and said not to worry, that everyone will want to take part and celebrate regardless of their background.

As with Buffettfest, contacting for corporate donations is great, just continue to coordinate and work together so we don't have multiple requests of the same folks.

You guys/gals are great!!!

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » October 28, 2005 2:02 pm

I just spoke with Jo-Ann Fabric's corporate headquarters. They have asked me to send them in writing information about our project so they can assess the situation and see what they can do to help us. I have been asked to make that letter out to the founder of Jo-Ann who deals with special projects like this. I'm going to fax it to them this afternoon and stress to them that time is of the essence. Q&S just let me know that we have 40 days from today for the shipping deadline for Christmas!

Besides the pillow cases, what other types of things do we want to do for these guys/gals? We should probably get started on that as well. Thoughts....comments????

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » October 28, 2005 4:04 pm

davesnik wrote:I just spoke with Jo-Ann Fabric's corporate headquarters. They have asked me to send them in writing information about our project so they can assess the situation and see what they can do to help us. I have been asked to make that letter out to the founder of Jo-Ann who deals with special projects like this. I'm going to fax it to them this afternoon and stress to them that time is of the essence. Q&S just let me know that we have 40 days from today for the shipping deadline for Christmas!

Besides the pillow cases, what other types of things do we want to do for these guys/gals? We should probably get started on that as well. Thoughts....comments????

As soon as I get a reply from phjim re. using the BuffettNews name for communications, I'll let you know!!

mommar · Post by **mommar** » October 28, 2005 5:58 pm

Ok as promised I went to my local Wal-Mart today and spoke with the girl in the fabric department, (Ithink I should try another day-store manager) anyway, she told me that because their prices are so low already they do not offer discounts for fabric. She also could not give me a specific date of delivery for ordering and receiving certain bolts of fabric. She said that the delivery time on each bolt was different, depending where it was coming from

I was short on time so I could not wait for her to figure this out for me

They did have a few tropical prints, tropical fish, palm trees, parrots, oceany-nautical prints, and I forget what else, but it was all $3.96 a yard. I didn't buy any!!!!!!!!!!

And lastly there was no tropical prints inthe $2 secttion.

Oh don't worry about confusing me Q&S, that's a permanent state of mind with me

coolblueswing · Post by **coolblueswing** » October 28, 2005 10:24 pm

Well, I don't sew, but after last night, I am ever so willing to help! Please count me in and let me know what I can do! I'm guessin' you can probably count SDD in as well!

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » October 31, 2005 5:15 pm

I know this is late notice...but better late than never...

Attention MOTMers:

Before you depart for MOTM in KW...I just talked to our Margaritaville friends there about helping spread Christmas/holiday cheer to our troops stationed in Baghdad (Crash's group)...they'd love to help out so please consider the following:

On your way to the airport/KW pick up a couple boxes of Christmas/holiday cards and drop them off at the Margaritaville store in Key West. Margaritaville will have their employees and customers write personalized messages/greetings to the troops and send them off. With 3,500 troops to reach, Margaritaville can help us insure that each soldier will recieve at least one special message of thanks for their service. (And, the space those cards took up in you luggage can now be used for those KW souviniers! )

If you want to contribute but aren't attending MOTM or can't hand-deliver cards, please send cards ASAP to:

Margaritaville
500 Duval St.
Key West, FL 33040

(include a note indicating: Christmas cards for troops)

For background on how BuffettNews has become involved in supporting our troops:

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38616

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 1, 2005 3:00 am

Quiet and Shy wrote:I know this is late notice...but better late than never...

Attention MOTMers:

Before you depart for MOTM in KW...I just talked to our Margaritaville friends there about helping spread Christmas/holiday cheer to our troops stationed in Baghdad (Crash's group)...they'd love to help out so please consider the following:

On your way to the airport/KW pick up a couple boxes of Christmas/holiday cards and drop them off at the Margaritaville store in Key West. Margaritaville will have their employees and customers write personalized messages/greetings to the troops and send them off. With 3,500 troops to reach, Margaritaville can help us insure that each soldier will recieve at least one special message of thanks for their service. (And, the space those cards took up in you luggage can now be used for those KW souviniers! )

If you want to contribute but aren't attending MOTM or can't hand-deliver cards, please send cards ASAP to:

Margaritaville
500 Duval St.
Key West, FL 33040

(include a note indicating: Christmas cards for troops)

For background on how BuffettNews has become involved in supporting our troops:

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38616

That's great Alison! Once they have them signed, then what are they going to do with them? Should we send them all to just that Margaritaville or should we spread them out over more than one location?

crash_davis7 · Post by **crash_davis7** » November 1, 2005 11:43 am

Just so everyone knows - everything will be spread out over 3 camps - Union III, Prosperity and Honor.

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 1, 2005 11:44 am

crash_davis7 wrote:Just so everyone knows - everything will be spread out over 3 camps - Union III, Prosperity and Honor.

Are we still talking about 3500 troops?

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » November 1, 2005 1:59 pm

davesnik wrote:
Quiet and Shy wrote:I know this is late notice...but better late than never...

Attention MOTMers:

Before you depart for MOTM in KW...I just talked to our Margaritaville friends there about helping spread Christmas/holiday cheer to our troops stationed in Baghdad (Crash's group)...they'd love to help out so please consider the following:

On your way to the airport/KW pick up a couple boxes of Christmas/holiday cards and drop them off at the Margaritaville store in Key West. Margaritaville will have their employees and customers write personalized messages/greetings to the troops and send them off. With 3,500 troops to reach, Margaritaville can help us insure that each soldier will recieve at least one special message of thanks for their service. (And, the space those cards took up in you luggage can now be used for those KW souviniers! )

If you want to contribute but aren't attending MOTM or can't hand-deliver cards, please send cards ASAP to:

Margaritaville
500 Duval St.
Key West, FL 33040

(include a note indicating: Christmas cards for troops)

For background on how BuffettNews has become involved in supporting our troops:

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38616
That's great Alison! Once they have them signed, then what are they going to do with them? Should we send them all to just that Margaritaville or should we spread them out over more than one location?

The idea is that blank/unsigned cards go to Margaritaville (and from Key West they'll distribute them across their other locations), they'll get them signed with notes written and then ship them to Iraq. If you want to write notes and sign the cards yourselves, that is great, too. If you do it that way, there is no reason for the cards to go through M'ville; once they're signed they can go directly to Crash. We're just aiming to get 3,500 cards with personalized notes sent over for the troops. PM me if you need Crash's mailing address.

mommar · Post by **mommar** » November 1, 2005 6:38 pm

So........I'm guessing that 3,500 pillowcases is pretty much out of the queston now??????????

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 1, 2005 7:00 pm

mommar wrote:So........I'm guessing that 3,500 pillowcases is pretty much out of the queston now??????????

I thought that we decided that we couldn't get that many done but we would get as many as we could done. Maybe we should just scrap that idea and come up with something that we can do for all of them? Or maybe we do something different for each camp? Just my $.02.

mommar · Post by **mommar** » November 1, 2005 7:50 pm

davesnik wrote:
mommar wrote:So........I'm guessing that 3,500 pillowcases is pretty much out of the queston now??????????
I thought that we decided that we couldn't get that many done but we would get as many as we could done. Maybe we should just scrap that idea and come up with something that we can do for all of them? Or maybe we do something different for each camp? Just my $.02.

I must have been out sick that day

I think the card idea is great!!!!!!!! I'm wondering if there's a Caribbean Music Christmas CD as well as of course Jimmy's Christmas in the Caribbean that we could send over

Thinking cap still on..........candy canes, oh Paper cut out snowflakes.........for decor, that's it for now

crash_davis7 · Post by **crash_davis7** » November 1, 2005 8:01 pm

Guys. I think the 3,500 was for the cards. Don't change what you were doing before.