Card Swaps

Out on the forum for the store, several types of swaps happen. On September 15, cards were due. Only four people did the card swap this time, but it is still fun to see what people do. As you can see in the picture, each has kind of fall coloring, but are very different from each other. The criteria for the swap was to use black somehow on the card, use floral paper and two stamps. This led the four people in very different directions.

If you like swaps, go over to the forum and check out all the swaps. There is also a lot of other information out there as well and a lot of fun, sometimes silly fun.

Cards from the January Card Swap

Well, with all the CHA excitement happening, I thought I would post these over on this blog for now. As usual, there were GREAT cards submitted and swapped. So many awesome cards made from 1 template as inspiration. To remind yourself of what the template was click HERE I love seeing how everyone interprets the template. The next swap is due the end of the month for cards, but if you check out on the forum, there are people looking for partners for circle journals, recipe card swaps and I'm looking for other ideas of what folks might want to swap! Enjoy these wonderful cards. I am just sorry that I had to be the one to photograph them and get them blurry....You'll be able to tell how pretty they really were though, since even blurry they are great!

It's That Time Of Year...

...to join our card swap. Each month we have been doing cards and then swapping them. There are very few rules, but for new folks, here they are:
1) Do 10 cards based on the template provided for that month.
2) Please include envelopes for mailing
3) The cards may be the same, different or mixed. It does not matter.
4) The size does not matter, can be 4 x 5 or 5 x 8 or whatever.
5) Turn them in by the due date to the store, or let us know they are coming so we wait for them before doing the swap.
6) You can do a month here and there, you can do all the months, you just have to bring them to the store to participate
7) Have Fun. This is the most important really. Those participating have often found that this is a great way to try out new techniques, find out about new techniques and to become a better crafter..It's not about the skill though, it is about having fun and maybe learning in the process.

I might throw in that some have done digital cards, some have done paper (cut and glue) type of cards and some have done mixed cards...so don't let this be an excuse. Also, signing your cards on the back is always appreciated.

Ready? Here is the template for January & cards are due in the store by January 31, 2008:



December's Card swap was just WOW! There is just not another word to describe these. With this being such a busy time of year, we were uncertain how many would be able to participate in the card swap AND then how much time would anyone have to make cards....WELL, the cards that came in were amazing. There were fewer people who played this time, BUT the cards were awesome. This is the template that was provided for December:


The photographs can not do them justice, but I share some here anyway.

Card Swap #3

Well, what do you think? Here is a picture of cards from the swap. As always, there are a lot of interpretations of the template and many unique and creative designs. From the use of a Sam's card for an embellishment to old patterns to coloring of cute stamps and cut outs, the group was inventive. So many beautiful cards. Some cards for fall, for Christmas and some for everyday use.

Want to be in the next swap? Here is all you do. Make 10 cards using the template below as your guide. Bring your cards to the store by the due date. The next swap is due December 6, 2007, and you will get cards and a thank you for playing gift back on December 10, 2007.

Awesome Cards! Card Swap Round 2 & 3

WOW, do you see all these awesome cards? Aren't these something?!? Just fabulous. These cards are what was turned in for the card swap that ended the 28th of September. The fabulous customer card designers only had to follow a template, and from there they could let imagination rule. Some added a flowers, clips, circles or ribbons onto the basic template, others decorated their envelopes and one even made her own envelopes. Some have stamping, some don't. Some stamping is colored in with Gamisol, some with water color, some just pencils and some with jelly roll pens. Each card has such a different style and look from just one template!

Do you want to know how you can get a set of cards like this? Join us in the next card swap!

Here is the template for the cards and again--they can be any size with envelopes. The design can be horizontal or vertical. You may use any paper styles or stamps that you desire. As you see, there was a variety of circles, ovals, squares, rectangles and even paw shapes on the last one for the center image. The next swap starts now and ends on November 3, 2007.

All you have to do is make 10 cards that fit the design template and turn them into the store by November 3, 2007 (Saturday). We will sort them out and have a group of cards ready to give back to you by November 5, 2007 (Monday)




It is so easy and FUN. It is a great way to get new cards, new ideas and for us to practice techniques that we are learning! To those participants who just turned cards in---Your swaps are at the store ready for you to pick up! Thanks so much for playing!

What's Going On At The Store These Days???

We are all keeping busy getting new products out, marking down older products, getting examples ready, working on swaps, preparing classes and planning for parties. This is a pretty long post, but LOTS of good information for everyone.

CARD SWAP:
September 28 is the deadline, so you have plenty of time to participate in this card swap. See the full information here. The basics: 7 cards at the store by the 28th following the template. SO easy!


CLASSES: (note schedule on the left column too)

Prayer Journal: September 27, 29 and October 13.
We have added an extra day for this class due to the demand. Get signed up if you are wanting to take this class

Trick OR Treat altered book: October 25 and 27.

Join us for a spooky time of altered creations! We'll us the fabulous K&Co halloween papers and an old, creaky book (our treat to you). You'll learn how to transform an ordinary hardback book into a spook-tactular masterpiece! Bring your class kit and a craft knife, eyelet setter, liquid glue, and ultra-strong tape (like terrifically tacky tape). Here are pictures of the neat book.

School Daze: November 1 and 3.

Want an album with a descriptive overview of each of your child's school years? We will use Rusty Pickle School Daze papers and a hearty Maya Road album to make this treasured keepsake. You'll have room for school pictures, class schedules, favorite things, etc. For each school year! The Luxe Design Jotters add the perfect journaling touch. Fun!! Bring class kit.

We will post pictures as it gets closer to the dates.

Christmas Card Mania: November 15 and 17.

Our usual card class on steroids! We will use the beautiful Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas stamps to create cards worth your every Christmas wish. We will try techniques that will leave your card recipients breathless. Crackled glass effects, watercolor, and so much more. Don't miss it! Bring class kit, ink pads, eyelet setter. Pictures will follow later on these too.

More classes will be announced as we get them set up.

PARTY:
Halloween Costume Party is the theme of the next all day crop. Sign up a the store & start getting your costume ready. There will be food catered by College Street Pub and lots of fun people. The party is October 20, 2007, all day from 10 am to Midnight. Prizes for best costume. Check out this awesome Project to make and take!!



See you Soon !?!?!

Card Swap....Join Us

Here is the challenge for the newest card swap. Make 7 cards using the template posted here. It is up to you what papers or stamps or other things you use on the card. It is up to you what size you make the cards. Please include envelopes. Just have them to the store by September 28, 2007 and we'll get them swapped out and ready for you to take back by the first of October. Join in the fun.

(PS: Susie from the design team is hosted a challenge with this same template if you want to see how others interpreted the theme, check it out here)

Card Swap

Over on the forum, there has been discussion about something to do as a swap. Swaps are always good to promote new ideas, challenge the person participating and just plain fun for the participants. The decision was made that for July, a card swap would be done. There wasn't a particular layout design to copy, only that the cards be 4.5 x 5 inches in size, using at least one stamp on the front of the card and usable as a Thank You card for someone. They didn't even have to have envelopes--that's just how easy it was. They have to be somewhat easy so that we can fit them in our busy lives.

Well, several people had to drop out at the last minute, which is understandable, but we still had five participants. There will be another one soon. Take a minute to provide some ideas on the forum for swaps or things you would like to do. In the meantime, thought we'd share what you missed out on getting in the last swap.