Card Front Swap – Birthday

Welcome to this Card Front panel swap!  This swap is for Australian residents only.

Signups are open from 23-29 January 2023.
Swap items are due to arrive with the host on Friday 24 February 2023.

What is a Card Front Panel?
It’s a fully decorated card front, without the card base and envelope, which makes postage more affordable.
Card Front panels must be A6 (14.8cm x 10.5cm).
** Cut a piece of A4 cardstock into 4 pieces OR cut a piece of 12×12 cardstock or pattern paper at 14.8cm then 14.8cm, and cut each of those strips at 4 inches (this will be a fraction smaller than 10.5cm, but a mere fraction that is easily fixed when applying to your card base).
For the purpose of our swap, card fronts should not be thicker than 5mm (for ease and economy of post).

Theme: Birthday
Restriction: Must include stamping

This means that you can use any stamp company, any shades / tones, any technique you like, just make it around the theme of Birthdays.

How does this swap work?
1. You sign up by filling in this form.
2. You create 8 identical card front panels.
3. Watch the handy packing video HERE
4. Place each card front panel in a clear bag, and refer to the packing instructional video to pack and post them with a stamped self addressed return envelope.
5. Post them, allowing sufficient time for them to reach NSW.

When all swaps are received on the due date, I will swap them all about … repack them … post them … you receive happy mail with 8 different card front panels made by other cardmakers.

FAQ’s

How do I join?
Simply CLICK HERE, read and scroll down and fill in the form, then click the ‘Submit’ button.

What does it cost to participate?
There is no fee, this is a free activity. The only costs involved are supplies and postage.  The packing video & instructions show the most economical way to pack and send your swap via Australia Post.

Is there somewhere I can learn more about craft swaps?
Yes … I have 2 podcast episodes, which you may find helpful HERE and HERE.

Can I participate if I live overseas?
Unfortunately not this time, as return post is complicated.

What if mine aren’t good enough?
This is a common worry that a lot of crafters have when entering a swap (especially for the first time). My best recommendation is a simple design executed well beats a complicated design executed poorly every single time.  Keep it simple, and make sure your workmanship is top notch.  There will be stampers at all different levels in this swap.

How long does it take for post to arrive?
You will be posting to NSW.  If you are in …
NSW … allow 3 days
QLD, VIC, ACT … allow 3-5 days
SA, TAS … allow 5-7 days
NT, WA … allow 5-10 days
Check with your local post office if you are unsure. Also keep in mind this will be a combination of pandemic post AND Christmas post, so it may travel slowly.

What happens if I have to drop out?
My first recommendation is to start your swap ASAP, that way if life throws you a curveball, your swap will already be done!  However, life isn’t always so accommodating around the fun stuff, so if you need to drop out, please notify me ASAP via email reply to let me know that you are unable to meet the deadline.

Do I have to be a customer to join a swap?
No! Swaps are open to all Australian card makers, whether you shop with me or not.

What happens if all the swaps arrive early?
I swap out and return everyone’s envelopes early!

Do I have to create an arty custom background?
Short answer … no.  Feel free to use pattern paper.  If you want to create a custom background though, go for it!

What if I don’t have plastic bags?
I have plenty!  If you don’t have bags you’re welcome to purchase a set from me for the princely sum of 50c?  Just jot me a little note and tape a 50c coin to it, and pop it in with your swap. Alternatively, if you prefer not to send cash in the mail, just email me to let me know you need bags and I’ll be happy to send you my bank account details or you can send 50c via Paypal family & friends to sales@dawnlewis.com.au .  I’ll pop each of your card fronts into clear plastic bags for you before swapping them out.

What happens if I don’t like the pieces I receive in return?
Unfortunately, it’s luck of the draw … that’s what swaps are all about!  Put it on a card base and give it away?

Will I get one of my own card front panels in return?
If there are more than 8 people signed up for this swap, then no.  If you specifically want one of your own pieces returned to you, pop in a note to let me know, and I’ll make sure you get one of your own back.

Can I sign up twice?
Yes … if you would like to sign up twice, you sure can!  That means you can make 2 different card front designs, 8 of each, and send all in one envelope.  You may receive double ups in your return envelope, especially if there are less than 16 people signed up for this swap. You may need extra postage as well.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can join this swap?
No.  We need a minimum of 8 to go ahead, but there’s no limit to the number of people who can join.  Feel free to tell your stamping friends & aquaintences (in real life and online) … the more the merrier!

Can my friend and I send our swaps together to save on post?
Yes.  You absolutely can!  Just make sure you put the right amount of postage on both envelopes ?

Is there a checklist I can use to make sure I get it all right?
Yes. You can CLICK HERE to download the checklist printable.

Have you ever hosted swaps before?
Yes. I took over from Rachel Greig as owner of OzSwapTillYouDrop (back in the old days when we used Yahoo groups for everything!), and have hosted hundreds of swaps.  I also hosted swaps between seasons of Scrap It TV via the Facebook group.  I have a great system to make sure everything is swapped out and repacked properly, and all swaps will be lodged over the counter at my local post office.  I have a PO Box, and the ladies at my post office take great care of large envelopes, so there is no risk of your beautiful work being folded and jammed into a letterbox at my end!

How do I pack and post?
You can watch the Pack & Post video HERE

Workmanship
I am going to be very specific about this … please do not submit sloppy work. Good workmanship is important, and it should be something that you would be delighted to receive in the post.  My top recommendations are …
* Keep your cutting lines straight
* Keep your cutting lines clean (no fuzz)
* Clean up any oozing glue and hide your adhesive
* Choose your colours carefully
* Stamp with care and precision, being sure to line up your stamps nice and straight
* Cheap & cheerful beats cheap & nasty hands down, every time
* Handwriting is usually not a great idea as part of the design (unless you have amazing brush-script skills!).

If you have any questions before signing up, please email me at enquiries@dawnlewis.com.au with ‘Swap Question’ in the title line.  I will get back to you ASAP with an answer … and there are no silly questions!

I am very excited to see your card fronts!