Friday, 22 May 2015

musings on swapping and bees and online hangouts.

Someone (I forget who) mentioned a few days ago that Flickr had gotten it's act together and "fixed" the problems we've been having the last few years. You know, from when they "fixed" it last time. *rollseyes* With the huge photos taking ages to load and difficulty commenting or getting into group chats (I couldn't log in apart from on my phone for about 6 months. And the app was terrible - no group chat at all!) I know loads of us have abandoned it for the easily usable but not-so-satisfying Instagram. So I've been for a wee peruse. It seems fine but  I am browsing on a powerful tower at work and not trying to upload anything. It may still be total bollocks.

So. I think judging from the passing comments I see we all miss the halcyon days of the Flickr quilting community. And I know it's still there, albeit in a much-reduced form. Blogging is also much reduced these days, whether people are using social media more (or less! you know - actually sewing) or what I don't know. And I don't actually know if there is an appetite still there FOR swapping and online bees and the likes. Maybe they had run their course and just happened to decline in popularity at the same time that Flickr got all screwed up. But I've had a wee wondering so thought I'd ask you lot.

Does anyone want to have a wee Flickr based swap/mini bee or something to test the waters out? Both the tech and the community to see if there really IS still place for a social space where we're not limited to weenie pictures and 140 character replies.

Anyone? Anyone? (name that film. *g*)

Answers on a postcard down there, please! \/ \/ \/

(note: I am talking smallsmallsmall. So if there by some miracle is a bunch of us fancying it then we might not all get to play. No offence given so none taken, right? Just putting that out there incase it doesn't all fizzle out...)
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21 comments:

  1. Susan22 May 2015 at 11:07

    YES indeed! I have seen some swaps on IG but I'm thinking they're 'by invitation only'.... I never abandoned Flick'r but tried to adjust to the changes. I seem to have learned to live with them. In fact I have just noticed a nifty little feature where replying to a previous comment is very easy! There seem to be new members popping up and this might be the revival we need! Let's do it!

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  2. Unknown22 May 2015 at 11:14

    Lynz - I've been a bit of a non quilter for a while (being President of the SWD guild here for 3 yrs and with a BIG exhibition now completed) and may now have the chance to start dipping my feet into quilts and swaps again - so I'm in too.
    I've been stalking on Flickr - but it's been mainly photos and little to nothing on discussions - because like you it's been a bit of a struggle to instantly see what's been going on - unlike old times - so hopefully we can pick things up again ;-)

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  3. Isisjem22 May 2015 at 11:54

    I stuck with flickr because it's my main photo sharing place and to be honest I didn't have all the problems other people seemed to have. I think a lot of people migrated because they didn't like the look of it anymore and the site was data hungry for those on devices with limited allowances it could use those up pretty quick.

    I think I've only joined up with one thing on IG because I find it too hard to stalk and discuss on there. I would join in with something on flickr though :-)

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  4. cheeky monkey22 May 2015 at 12:29

    I tried to be part in IG swaps but I never did enjoy it as much as on flickr. It was all about the chatty fun we could have there. I am still waiting over there and maybe the fun comes back :D

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  5. Dru22 May 2015 at 12:33

    I just wanted to chime in and answer the movie reference...Ferris Bueller's Day Off...one great movie!!

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    Replies
    1. Lynz22 May 2015 at 12:37

      Ding ding!! We have a winner! Have a party hat and a virtual cupcake. Great for the hips. *g*

      P.S. Your name immediately takes me to Buffy!!

      Delete
    2. Dru23 May 2015 at 15:06

      I had to look that up, but...yup...same name :-)

      Delete
  6. Leanne22 May 2015 at 12:54

    I am enjoying flickr more and more again, but I don't try to use it on my phone. Depending on your timing, I would love to join you, I've not done a swap in a long long time.

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  7. Molly22 May 2015 at 13:43


    I have had a lull in my quilting as we just moved into a new house and now am getting married (OMG!!) next month. Stupidly we decided to have the wedding in our backyard and patio so no sewing or swapping for me for a while. After all is said and done I'll be setting up a cool sewing area and starting over again. Let's do something this fall too!

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  8. pennydog22 May 2015 at 14:38

    I'll have to go check it out, I'm not in the right point in time to take part in another swap yet but I need to try Flickr in general again. I've just been using it as cloud storage for my photos on my phone for tutorials and stuff :S

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  9. Sarah22 May 2015 at 15:43

    i wish i could but i so rarely get to sew! if the chat went back to flickr i'd be there. i think too that the brit quilt group got too big for easy chat, when i'd spent so long getting to know one bunch of folk on it along came what seemed like hunners more and i couldnt keep up without feeling like i was bein rude or exclusive to noobs.

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  10. mammafairy22 May 2015 at 19:31

    Yes, Lynz, I am still bee-ing on flickr-I have an old fashioned mobile, you know, without a camera on it? so Instagram etc have entirely passed me by..I would happily join you in a something on flickr again, if that is what you fancy!

    However, Flickr has just changed again, and I am still getting used to it's new face...

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  11. Mrs Flying Blind...22 May 2015 at 20:34

    Oooh I need to go check it out - if I can remember my password and it lets me in again after the shambles!
    I'd be up for a little swaps dependent upon the timing xxx

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  12. dolores23 May 2015 at 05:04

    I've never left flickr and not had the problems others have had. I also don't have a smartphone (yet) so that's another reason for sticking with flickr. Go check out Mini QT swap (I can get you in)...it's still alive and kicking as is the Bitty Block Committee. They also do side swaps like pincushions, ornaments, etc.
    Also if you go to Fresh Modern Quilts and look at the discussion threads there is one there called "Swaps and Bees" and the last thread has several threads that lead to several more.
    Etc, etc, etc,....name that film!:)
    So...answer to your question...yes there still are swaps and yes...I would love to play!:)

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  13. Benta AtSLIKstitches23 May 2015 at 08:42

    I never felt the love for Flickr, even before every else complained! I tend to just use Facebook and the blog

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  14. myBearpaw25 May 2015 at 11:22

    Hi Lynz, I do miss the old flickr days and have tried a few IG swaps, but like you said they are not very satisfying as there is no room to chat and it's hard to see all the photos in one place. I love IG but it is very ephemeral - I used to love my 'favourites' on flickr! But I just stopped loading photos on as it seemed a right chore and then I stopped visiting all together. I'm not sure if I have time for what you are planning but would be interested in finding out more if you'd like me in the group :)

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  15. Archie The Wonder Dog25 May 2015 at 12:30

    I still use Flickr but then I don't have a smartphone so my only internet access is through a computer. I do miss the good old days of Flickr chat and swaps...

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  16. helenjean@midgetgemquilts26 May 2015 at 20:49

    I only came into all of this at the end of flickr, but I liked the way conversations had continuous themes. I had a great ongoing conversation on ig about books, but then forgot who it was with! I would be up for a mini swap or some such thing. I love the chattiness of these things as much as the actual doing

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  17. Jo27 May 2015 at 08:54

    I had almost dropped out of Flickr but did miss it, but some friends locally started a challenge mini quilt ( no swapping so no postage to add to the bill) and in one of my blogs I ask if anyone wanted to join. To my glee Dee ( from Flickr land ) joined us and so we have set up a Flickr group called Mini Mania Callenge, where we hope to get back some of the enjoyment we had with the old Flickr. All welcome x x

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  18. Unknown9 June 2015 at 04:45

    Lynz - I would love to join! I did a mini swap last year and sent mine over to Australia. The mini I got came from the states. I love sharing this craft with others. Please let me know if you're doing this. nelson_lisa_marie@yahoo.com

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  19. Dianne Neale14 July 2015 at 13:22

    Hello - late again. I must have missed this one. Ive never really had a problem with Flickr and it's so much better for swaps than IG. Only problem I have is that I cannot get on it on my iPad, so don't use it so much. If I'm not too late (and after all this time I probably am) I would be interested in a Flickr based swap

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