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oldsofas
264 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Nov 2006 : 17:05:16
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I've had four entries to the competition - two you can view via the hot link in the "View the Entries" question and two that are much appreciated, but don't include a picture showing the piece in the stripped stage, so thanks, but if you, me and everyone who's interested can't see your starting point how can we judge the end result? Or more to the point how do we know you didn't just slap a layer of wadding over the old stuff and whack a nice shiny new cover over it?
Ruth has just said to me that there would be uproar if we included entries that didn't conform to the entry criteria, but I don't agree. The amount of activity on the forum, regularity of comment and interest just isn't there. We thought it would drum up some interest and stir the level of comment on the forum if we ran a competition, but lets face it the whole thing is flat - Jean and Sue Dixon are the only members who've put their arses on the line - Ruth and I doff our caps to you both - good on you.
We're seriously considering winding the forum up - seemed like a good idea at the time but it hasn't evolved into the mine of upholstery information we had envisaged.
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2006 : 17:40:57
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I'm glad David has posted this - I was wondering where all the entries were but thought maybe they were in the pipeline. So, where ARE they? I think this competition is a great idea - but maybe Sue D and I are unique in this. Hope not.
Maybe, like me and the two "others" they don't have before and stripped photos as required (I hit the wrong button and deleted my chaise longue photos a week before the comp was announced. Not thrilled!). Well, the requirements seem fair to me as it is being judged purely on photos.
And the forum - this is a GREAT forum. Easy to use, the topics are easy to find and the people are friendly. And it's based in the UK - no offence to our friends across the pond but it's helpful to source an item less than 3000 miles away and most of the other sites I've seen are US based.
So David and Ruth have laid down the gauntlet - and who can blame them with so little interest in the competition, never mind the lack of topics coming up. It's up to us now - come on everyone!
SAVE THE OLD SOFAS FORUM! |
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claire
United Kingdom
39 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2006 : 19:16:18
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| It would be a shame if the forum was to close. i look in on it most days even when i do not have any thing to share, the competition was a really good idea, my problem has been that the pieces i have upholstered in the last couple of months, is the property of clients so i'm not really in a position to enter them in the comp. |
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jean
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2006 : 09:10:46
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My chairs (entered) are the property of clients. I did wonder about it but then thought that as they are totally unidentifiable there is no problem.
England's a big place. Unlikely someone's going to go into a house in the middle of XXXXXXXville and say "Oh, I saw those on OldSofas.com!"
Or why not ask the clients involved? They might be flattered and imagine how impressed they'll be when you win! |
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n/a
118 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2006 : 20:20:49
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Oooh- let's not get too carried away with emotional reactions here. Just because only two of us decided to enter the competition doesn't mean the forum should close. Competitions are not for everyone. Many people feel a bit daunted by 'exposing' themselves. Jean and I are just seasoned' flashers' I think!
I understand, David and Ruth, that you put a great deal of effort into this and I, for one, really appreciate it. I would not have got the confidence to tackle what I do now without the support of this forum.
So - don't under estimate the power of your efforts. Simply reading the forum can have an impact that you don't even know about - people think and appreciate without necessarily putting thinking into writing. Does that make sense?
But - I would urge those looking in on this forum to have the confidence to express yourselves in words too. Everyone here is very supportive - so feel free to expose yourself. No-one will laugh at your edge roll, stare at your loose covers, or ask you to strip too often in public!
Come on down!
Sue D
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n/a
153 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2006 : 10:33:58
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well only popped the photos of before and after in as was a) so pleased with end result and b) theres only 2 entries, I know I hadn't taken any inbetween photos and for that I apologise but it co-incided with Mum in hospital and moving in here for her recovery that I forgot. I also thought that this was a dummy run and not the competition proper as it were, my mistake. Hadn't really wanted to be judged just trying to help/encourage.
As for the forum not being that active - so what - it would be a shame to close it just because folk aren't stuck for answers every day of the week, you have to admit it is a busy time of year.
off to work on loose covers galore - don't suppose you want photos of them either?
www.tankslappers-mcc.co.uk |
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oldsofas
264 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2006 : 12:10:01
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I mentioned no names, nor did I criticise, I simply said that there was no way of judging the upholstery without seeing the starting point so the submissions could not be entered into the competition. However, as you've waived the anonymity that I was prepared to maintain, I admit it was your submission that precipitated this thread.
Would you be prepared to let me to publish your photos now on the understanding that I will only do so if you also consent to me giving an explanation to members as to why they annoyed me so much?
Be in no doubt that if you let me publish the photos I will criticise your work so don't agree unless you're prepared to stand by it. Ruth and I make it a policy never to criticise anyone elses work so we will only do so if you allow us - we quite understand if you'd rather not, but you did send the photos in for us to publish as an entry in the competition.
It's high time this forum was stirred up - perhaps a row is just what we need to find if there's some life in the old dog.
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n/a
153 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2006 : 15:41:15
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Ok I'll back down.
No I didn't 'enter' the photos to be critisied as I said just to encourage, which in the past is what you have always been seen to do.
Maybe this is why folk are wary of entering such competitions.
So sorry David but this is me signing over and out, I'm a peaceful soul and have quite enough hassle in my life without having the gentle upholstery forum that I so enjoyed being a part of stirred up.
To Jean, Sue et al thoroughly enjoyed your imput - carry on upholstering
Cheers
Sue
www.tankslappers-mcc.co.uk |
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n/a
118 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2006 : 16:38:23
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This is bloody silly!!
Stop it everyone right now!
(I'm a teacher - you have to obey me)
I too look to this forum for a peaceful, funny, but challenging side to my life.
I spend many long hours with people at work who are middle class, pompous, grey suited, empire builders - mostly stupid egotistical men - who have been promoted well beyond their capabilities and can only view the world in a small and unimaginative way. This forum is devoid of such creatures - right?
This forum, for me, is one of the counter balances to all the crap in my life. I don't want - nor have come to expect- this sort of silly, childish bantering.
Sue - come back - I want you to stay - you have given loads of help to me and others.
David/Ruth - if a competition causes this much hassle - I can live without it.
I don't know what's gone on between you guys - but it can be sorted, surely?
There are too many important issues in life.
Now - who wants to be first to get a gold star from me?
Anything to go back to how we were
Please?!!!! |
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Nicola West
4 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:45:31
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I love reading the forum as it helps me to feel that I am in touch with a group of people with similar interests and who clearly know loads more than me, especially as upholstery is rarely sociable! My problem with the competition is time, I wish I could spend all day every day in the garage but I have a job and a family too! I relish the few snatched hours which means my projects won't be finished for AGES and I bet I'm not the only one in the same position.. |
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paula
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 18:14:25
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I don't participate much but I check out the forum most days. Like Nicola I work full time and have a family. I have been working on a chaise and 2 Victorian chairs for the past 3 years. The chaise is on it's 2nd year and I'm still only on the edge stitching. The chairs have reached calico stage and are in their 3rd year but I can't find a top fabric to do them justice. Essentially the few hours I have to go to what amounts to 16 classes a year and a few snatched hours are few and far between and there is no way I'm going to finish anything in time to enter the competition (as much as I would like to).
I don't understand why you're thinking of winding up the forum just because of the response to the competition and you're not getting new posts every day. To be frank with 2 chairs and chaise which are all sprung and over stuffed - just what can I ask which hasn't already? If I've got a problem I go to your book, then I scan the forum.
Like both the Sues I find the forum a sanctuary amongst all the day to day crap we all have to live with. I love the banter and enjoy the read as well as all the advice.
Just what did you envisage? Perhaps if you share your vision we'll be able to better understand your feelings right now.
Don't give up on it - there's loads of supporters out there, perhaps like the nature of the task, we're tucked away in dusty garages and workrooms - doing back room boy stuff - doesn't mean we don't care what happens.
Keep the faith
Paula
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Georgina
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2006 : 17:29:00
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Don't often have the time to read all the way through anything but, because I was trying to find out who had won the competition, I started reading further. Having entered the competition I wanted to see the competition and was, possibly like Ruth and David, disappointed in how few people entered. Unfortuntately only three of the five photo's required actually made it through the ether and were published - unfortunate because that meant I was not really eligible under the 'rules'. I was SO pleased to see that the photos were published in any event and would absolutely love to have the chance of winning - it would be an absolute first for me to win anything.
As with other who have written to Ruth and David I hope you don't discontinue either the forum or possibly further competitions. No we don't all participate in either but it's good to know it is there if we want it! Obviously I have no idea how much time and effort is involved for Ruth or David in running either but will attempt to take more part in the future if this is what is needed.
Sorry to ramble on but I have enjoyed the anticipation of the competition and look forward to finding out who wins. I didn't realise you could enter more than one item either but that may be because I didn't take enough time to read through ALl the info. |
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Is that all Folks!!
