Penpals, Scrapbookers, Postcard Artists and Other Creative Types

[nycfem]

I mailed my Halloween projects out yesterday. My apologies to those for whom that means a late celebration. No need to let me know you received because I like to operate under the assumption that mail is received. But if you want to comment, please do so on my visitor messages (as always, just my quirky preference).

I've been loving all the cards! Halloween is such a fun holiday, and I love how it makes the craft stores have to sell slightly darker merchandise

[ahk]

I got more mail-- Miss_Tia, Laney, and Unique--

Thank you, Thank you, and more thank you.

[laruss]

Laney I received your wonderful card today. Thank you

[laruss]

Received a beautiful card from Miss Tia today, thank you

[sis]

I was quite caught up in the Halloween festivities at school yesterday. I arrived home sugared up, very tired, needing to finish decorating and getting treats ready for the tricksters. To my total amazement I had also received my first Howloween greeting! Thank you so much to Unique for going above and beyond. I really appreciate your creativity and your effort to include me!

Deb

[nycfem]

Reposting the Halloween list so that people can please put an update by their name of the status of their own cards:

1.) ahk
2.) nycfem (sent last week)
3.) sis
4.) LaneyDoll
5.) Miss_Tia
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi
7.) Katniss
8.) laruss
9.) amiyesiam
10.) Uniqueswtfemm
11.) pinkgeek
12.) Gemme
13.) leigh

[Bèsame*]

Reposting the Halloween list so that people can please put an update by their name of the status of their own cards:

1.) ahk
2.) nycfem (sent last week)
3.) sis
4.) LaneyDoll
5.) Miss_Tia
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi
7.) Katniss
8.) laruss
9.) amiyesiam
10.) Uniqueswtfemm sent at beginning of Oct and some have been received.
11.) pinkgeek
12.) Gemme
13.) leigh

[Gemme]

Reposting the Halloween list so that people can please put an update by their name of the status of their own cards:

1.) ahk
2.) nycfem (sent last week)
3.) sis
4.) LaneyDoll
5.) Miss_Tia
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi
7.) Katniss
8.) laruss
9.) amiyesiam
10.) Uniqueswtfemm sent at beginning of Oct and some have been received.
11.) pinkgeek
12.) Gemme-sent mine out the first week of the month, I think. Some have been received.
13.) leigh

[laruss]

1.) ahk - I received
2.) nycfem (sent last week) I received today
3.) sis
4.) LaneyDoll - I received
5.) Miss_Tia - I received
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi - I received
7.) Katniss - I received
8.) laruss - I sent a week or more ago, I will double check. I checked and I actually mailed them Oct 9th so I hope everyone got them.
9.) amiyesiam - I received
10.) Uniqueswtfemm - I received
11.) pinkgeek - I received
12.) Gemme - I received
13.) leigh

[ahk]

1.) ahk
2.) nycfem -- received
3.) sis -- received, though I've been super lazy going to post office. Actually, its very inconvenient place of post office for me. But I need and will get it before the 6th.
4.) LaneyDoll -- received
5.) Miss_Tia-- received
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi
7.) Katniss -- received
8.) laruss -- received
9.) amiyesiam -- received
10.) Uniqueswtfemm -- received
11.) pinkgeek -- received
12.) Gemme -- received
13.) leigh

[candy_coated_bitch]

As promised, the posting of my project today, Friday Nov. 1st. I am hoping it doesn't get too lost in the wrapping up of the Halloween cards, but I can always repost.

I would like to say first off that I am going to be a strict bitch with this swap. If that is annoying to anyone, you shouldn't sign up.

Here's the concept:

*Inchies are miniature works of art created on a 1 X 1 inch square. Similar idea to an Artist Trading Card, just on a much smaller scale. I make mine on watercolor paper, but you could use cardstock, cardboard, old greeting cards--anything that is a bit sturdy.

*Because of the small scale inchies can be difficult to make. I would like participants to keep this in mind. It doesn't mean if you're a beginner I wouldn't love for you to participate--but just know the small scale is a challenge. But a good one!

*I am going to ask for a requirement that your inchies each have three layers/elements. Obviously, I can't force anyone to do anything, but think ART. Like, a background layer of scrapbook paper or paint would count as one layer. A collage element another layer, and something on top/combined with that as a final layer.

*For example: I usually like to start out with a layer of paint or a collage element as my background. I like using interesting tidbits of magazine pictures as backgrounds a lot. Then depending on what I feel like I might paint something on top of that or add another collage element--maybe one that builds upon the background idea. I also love things like rhinestones, glitter, sequins, etc. to enhance an inchie and give it some texture. So there's three elements. It's not super hard to come up with three layers--but I am putting this requirement because I want everyone to be considerate to their fellow participants and try to make sure everyone is on the same page with how much effort goes into this.

*I HATE when I spend hours thoughtfully creating something and then I get something back that someone has put no thought into. (And no, I am not talking about anyone specific here but I have experienced this in other swaps.) I don't want folks to be intimidated, but please carefully consider the time commitment of this swap before signing up.

*I am limiting this swap to 7 people (including myself). I thought long and hard about this. I know it might seem limiting and unfair to some--but this is going to be a fairly intensive swap and I am NOT NOT NOT negotiating on this. If folks miss out, there are other swaps, we can always do inchies another time, and you just can't have everything you want in life.

*Please create two inchies that are a pair for each of your swap partners. Not exactly the same, but two inchies that play off each other or harmonize in some way. You can make all your inchies the same theme, or make 6 sets, it's up to you. So everyone will be making twelve inchies and receiving twelve back in return.

*Please include some money to help out with postage and packaging, whatever you can afford, maybe $2-$5.

*I am NOT going to take responsibility for coordinating anyone's personal tastes/dislikes/requests. I tried to make the requirements clear, but ask questions if you are confused but, you get what you get in the swap. Sender's choice. If you hate bling--too bad because I'll probably be sending you some LOL.

*I will be posting the sign up list two weeks from now to allow ample opportunity for everyone to see this post, think about it, and then sign up. The sign up will go up Friday, November 15th at 5PM EST. First come, first serve. All's fair in love and pen palling.

*The due date will be two weeks from the sign up--Friday, November 29th. I will get them in the mail that following Monday. It's a relatively quick turn around time but I want to take into account getting the swap done and mailed out well before the holidays get hectic.

*I will repost/remind folks over the next two weeks up until the sign up date.

Happy swapping!

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by nycfem

Reposting the Halloween list so that people can please put an update by their name of the status of their own cards:

1.) ahk
2.) nycfem (sent last week)
3.) sis
4.) LaneyDoll
5.) Miss_Tia
6.) Ts_kaijira and Tommi (sent weeks ago, except for ahk as I needed addy)
8.) laruss
9.) amiyesiam
10.) Uniqueswtfemm
11.) pinkgeek
12.) Gemme
13.) leigh

(sent weeks ago, except for ahk as I got addy late)

[nycfem]

Have we heard from Leigh on the Halloween cards? I'll go check in with her. Laruss's list was helpful in figuring out if everyone had sent.

[amiyesiam]

I have gotten 1 from everyone on the list except Leigh.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by amiyesiam

I have gotten 1 from everyone on the list except Leigh.

Ditto.

She's also on the holiday list too (another thread but I feel one feeds into the other). I hope everything's okay.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by candy_coated_bitch

As promised, the posting of my project today, Friday Nov. 1st. I am hoping it doesn't get too lost in the wrapping up of the Halloween cards, but I can always repost.

I would like to say first off that I am going to be a strict bitch with this swap. If that is annoying to anyone, you shouldn't sign up.

Here's the concept:

*Inchies are miniature works of art created on a 1 X 1 inch square. Similar idea to an Artist Trading Card, just on a much smaller scale. I make mine on watercolor paper, but you could use cardstock, cardboard, old greeting cards--anything that is a bit sturdy.

*Because of the small scale inchies can be difficult to make. I would like participants to keep this in mind. It doesn't mean if you're a beginner I wouldn't love for you to participate--but just know the small scale is a challenge. But a good one!

*I am going to ask for a requirement that your inchies each have three layers/elements. Obviously, I can't force anyone to do anything, but think ART. Like, a background layer of scrapbook paper or paint would count as one layer. A collage element another layer, and something on top/combined with that as a final layer.

*For example: I usually like to start out with a layer of paint or a collage element as my background. I like using interesting tidbits of magazine pictures as backgrounds a lot. Then depending on what I feel like I might paint something on top of that or add another collage element--maybe one that builds upon the background idea. I also love things like rhinestones, glitter, sequins, etc. to enhance an inchie and give it some texture. So there's three elements. It's not super hard to come up with three layers--but I am putting this requirement because I want everyone to be considerate to their fellow participants and try to make sure everyone is on the same page with how much effort goes into this.

*I HATE when I spend hours thoughtfully creating something and then I get something back that someone has put no thought into. (And no, I am not talking about anyone specific here but I have experienced this in other swaps.) I don't want folks to be intimidated, but please carefully consider the time commitment of this swap before signing up.

*I am limiting this swap to 7 people (including myself). I thought long and hard about this. I know it might seem limiting and unfair to some--but this is going to be a fairly intensive swap and I am NOT NOT NOT negotiating on this. If folks miss out, there are other swaps, we can always do inchies another time, and you just can't have everything you want in life.

*Please create two inchies that are a pair for each of your swap partners. Not exactly the same, but two inchies that play off each other or harmonize in some way. You can make all your inchies the same theme, or make 6 sets, it's up to you. So everyone will be making twelve inchies and receiving twelve back in return.

*Please include some money to help out with postage and packaging, whatever you can afford, maybe $2-$5.

*I am NOT going to take responsibility for coordinating anyone's personal tastes/dislikes/requests. I tried to make the requirements clear, but ask questions if you are confused but, you get what you get in the swap. Sender's choice. If you hate bling--too bad because I'll probably be sending you some LOL.

*I will be posting the sign up list two weeks from now to allow ample opportunity for everyone to see this post, think about it, and then sign up. The sign up will go up Friday, November 15th at 5PM EST. First come, first serve. All's fair in love and pen palling.

*The due date will be two weeks from the sign up--Friday, November 29th. I will get them in the mail that following Monday. It's a relatively quick turn around time but I want to take into account getting the swap done and mailed out well before the holidays get hectic.

*I will repost/remind folks over the next two weeks up until the sign up date.

Happy swapping!

Dammit, woman! I'll be stuck in traffic at 5pm on the 15th. Can I authorize someone to post my sign up for me (you know, should I think about it and do all the formulas to determine that I have enough time/supplies/funds to do this project)?

Also, does it have to be 3 layers only or 3 layers minimum for each card?

[Leigh]

hi everyone, I'm so sorry i haven't been here lately just dealing with alot of personal issues. My cards are done they just need to be sent so I'm doing that tomorrow when I'm near a post office and will update when they are sent! Thank you to everyone for being patient with me, i cant wait for everyone to see them when they finally do arrive

[candy_coated_bitch]

Originally Posted by Gemme

Dammit, woman! I'll be stuck in traffic at 5pm on the 15th. Can I authorize someone to post my sign up for me (you know, should I think about it and do all the formulas to determine that I have enough time/supplies/funds to do this project)?

Also, does it have to be 3 layers only or 3 layers minimum for each card?

Three layers MINIMUM. I just wanted everyone to have a starting idea of at least how much labor should go into an inchie--but more layers is always fabulous.

And to be fair, someone else may not sign up for you. I already told someone else no, so now I have to be equally annoying to everyone else LOL! We may have a Hunger Games situation when the list goes up.

[nycfem]

Adding a thought: if a lot more than 7 want to do it, then a second person can wrangle the same project (if said person wants to take that on) and get another list of 7. Inchies are terribly fun!

[PoeticSilence]

That's a great idea nycfem. I'm sure several people wouldn't mind doing the project but might not be able to get in by the deadline. Anyone volunteering?