that's awesome! Did you receive one from every person on the list?

Woot! Glad to hear everything is there and in one piece!

<whisper>: Any word on the status? I know it's too soon, and I don't intend to bug Tommi at all, but I'm just so excited I can't stand it!

Can't wait to get our Spring delivery! Is it on the way, Tommi???:hanging: What are we going to do next? Any projects waiting in the wings?

Ok, I've gotten a seconding from Gemme and a little bit of private feedback that folks would be receptive to me starting a new project and thati's good enough for me! For this project we will be doing:

MATCHBOX SHRINES

What is a matchbox shrine you ask? Good question. It's a miniature shrine created inside a small (the 32 count matches size) match box.

A shrine is defined as:
1.
a building or other shelter, often of a stately or sumptuous character, enclosing the remains or relics of a saint or other holy person and forming an object of religious VENERATION and pilgrimage.
2.
any place or object hallowed by its HISTORY or associations:
a historic shrine.
3.
any structure or place consecrated or devoted to some saint, holy person, or deity, as an altar, chapel, church, or temple.
4.
a receptacle for sacred relics; a reliquary.

Obviously, this doesn't need to be literal and/or religious--but the spirit of creating a miniature scared space that has some sort of meaning is the point. Plan to delight you recipients and creature something they will treasure!

For some references on what different sorts of matchbox shrines look like please use some of these resources (linky loos):

Pinterest
Google Image Search
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amatch+boxes&keywords= match+boxes&ie=UTF8&qid=1428737676"]Buy matchboxes on Amazon.[/ame]

Please familiarize yourself with what a matchbox shrine is and the time commitment in making them as you consider signing up for this project. It *IS* a commitment. The good news is that this will be a super fun trade (with a twist even!), the bad news is there are some strict rules and also some guidelines which are not rules but recommendations.

RULES:

1) Because this IS a time consuming project and I want folks to really be able to focus on their creations, the number of participants is being capped at 6. Which means making *FIVE* matchbox shrines, one for each of the other participants. That is a lot work, actually and I will not budge on the number.

2) Signing up is strictly first come, first serve. I will post the sign up two weeks from today, so folks have time to think about whether or not they can truly commit to this. And at that point it's out of my hands. I will post the sign up Saturday, April 25th at 3PM. The next five to sign up are in.

3) Projects will be due *TWO MONTHS* after the sign up date. I want to give folks enough time to put the work into their shrines, but not let so much time go by that people start forgetting there's a deadline. So projects are due in the mail on or before Saturday, June 20th. Please include $5 to help handle shipping costs.

4) NO LATE PROJECTS. Seriously. Just--don't. I am giving you two weeks to truly search your soul as to whether or not you want to take this on. No excuses. As per the agreement of the thread--people who have outstanding projects unsent are not allowed to join. Anyone who joins this and flakes will end up publicly named and put on the list of people no longer able to join projects for that next year. Also, because of the time intensive nature of the project (and the twist which will be named momentarily), please also realize that dropping out puts a huge wrench into the works. I understand sometimes life happens but please, please, please try your 100% best to follow through if you sign up for this project.

TWIST
When each person signs up they will name a theme. This theme is how they want THEIR matchboxes decorated. So, say I pick the circus as my theme. That means everyone else makes a shrine for me with a circus theme. And it means that each shrine you make will be tailored to another participant. Hence, another level as to why this project requires a lot of thought and time. Also, themes are first come first serve. If someone who has signed up before you names a theme you want, womp womp, sorry pick a new one!

I *REALLY* want people to get projects they love and it's rare to tailor something to what the recipient wants. I think this will be a fun challenge!

GUIDELINES WITH SHRINES

Shrines are meant to have some elements of three dimensionality, texture, sculptural elements, etc. Please do NOT make something that is completely flat and one dimensional on the outside and completely flat and one dimensional on the inside, and containing no small objects.

Please decorate the outside with at least two (2) flat/base materials on your box. For example--don't use just one layer of paper or paint. Use paper and paint, paper and fabric, paint and glitter, paper and rubber stamping, etc. etc. Just think layers. I am not going to make this a rule per se--but just look at pics of shrines and use your better judgement and your best work!

Please use three dimensional elements in decorating the outside. Rhinestones, shells, sand, string, cardboard add ons, clay, etc. etc. The sky is the limit, really.

Please decorate the inside. No plain cardboard insides.

Please put something INSIDE your box. It doesn't matter what it is. A rock, a totem, an amulet, a coin, a key, a miniature card or letter. A shrine is meant to house something--so include something for your shrine to house. It does NOT have to cost money or be expensive, just a little something with a special feel to it.

LASTLY: HAVE FUN AND COME TO ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!!!
I'll be checking the thread daily.

CCB, what do you think about the idea of doing an evening sign up instead of day? I think it gets murky when we have other people sign people up, and this might be a better compromise.

I would be willing to do an evening sign up if that works, but unwilling to let others sign someone else up. I agree that gets murky.

How about 9pm? Would that work Gemme? I will only change the sign up time once, so if that works for Gemme (since she spoke up first) and no one else has any major conflicts it will be Saturday April 25th at 9pm.

Speak now or forever hold your peace, everyone.

What time zone, CCB?

Eastern Standard Time

Ok, I'm going to be really stern right now. It's not directed at a specific person.

Here's the thing: Not everyone who wants to will be able to participate in this project. Period. It sucks that it has to be that way, but I love intense, involved, time consuming, personal projects. And with something of this scope it just cannot accommodate a high number of participants.

I can't make the sign up convenient for everyone. If you have a specific time conflict with 9PM E.S.T. on Saturday April 25th, please let it be known now and I will do my best to make it fair to the largest number of people. I'm willing to try and compromise but I am not willing to let this get out of hand. I actually picked 3PM on a Saturday originally because I thought it would be a fair time considering different time zones.

Again--once the sign up time change is official, it's official. I will *NOT* change it again. I will announce the final sign up time tomorrow at noon, my time, E.S.T. Put in your bids until then--after that it's just gonna have to be tough luck for those who can't participate.

Edited To Add: Ok, I was just informed that since we're in Daylight Savings time Eastern Standard Time is not currently a thing. So. United States East Coast time, Massachusetts time, CCB Standard Time, is the time I am going for here.

I think this project sounds awesome! What I don't like is that only five people are "in" and it is taking 2.5 months. Would there be a problem with having another project going at the same time for the people who don't make it onto the list? That is, if anyone wants to, of course.

Not complaining about the participant number, I can see why it is necessary. I just don't want to not have a project for so long if I'm not one of the lucky ones.

It's totally fine for anyone to start a project at the same time as any other project. :)

Adding: it's also fine for CCB to say if it's a rule for her project that the people who sign up for the project she's wrangling agree not to participate in other penpal thread projects that happen within that same time frame.

And for all projects, a reminder:

"For 2015, the rule is if one of us is more than a week late or drops out* of a project for whatever reason, that person is welcome to continue posting but is not allowed to sign up for a project again until 2016. No exceptions. This rule must be posted at the bottom of all new projects that are being wrangled so that members can thoughtfully consider whether we wish to commit to a new project."

*drop outs can, of course, occur if done within the rules (i.e. BEFORE the closing date for the sign up period)


I think (correct me if I'm wrong CCB) that CCB's project has so few slots for sign up that she's not having a closing date for sign up and is instead asking that anyone who signs up only do so if they know they will NOT be dropping out.