February Swap – Cards, open theme

The second swap for this year is

CARDS (OPEN THEME) SWAP
Due 28 February
Make 6 identical greeting cards, receive 6 different cards in return

* You can use your favourite techniques and materials to make a card for any occasion.
* Measurements: Please make a card that fits into a C6or DL envelope, not large square cards that require double post.
* Please do not include hand-writing on your card.
* If you have a die-cut machine, like a Cricut, Scan N Cut, Big Shot, Cuttlebug, etc you may cut a shaped card base.

How do I join?
It’s very simple, and no need to sign up.  All you need to do is:
1. Read through all of these details and decide if you want to join in.
2. Create your swap pieces (6 identical pieces).
3. Follow the check list and send them to me.
How easy is that?!  I don’t check the PO Box every day, but I do check 2-4 times per week.  Check Facebook to see if your swap has been received.

Packing & Posting
Over many years we have developed the perfect packing method for swaps which helps keep postage costs and damage to post down low, low, low! You can find full details about why packing & post is the way it is … HERE.

This checklist has a handy packing tip reference.  Click the image below for the printable PDF.

NOTE: You do not have to include the check list … it’s just there to help you pack, especially if you’re a list person or new to swapping.

QUALITY & WORKMANSHIP
* Please make sure your blade is sharp … no fuzzy edges.
* Please make sure your cutting lines are straight.
* Please do not use handwriting as part of your design.
* Put yourself in the shoes of the person receiving your swap item … would you do a happy dance when you received this in the post?
* You don’t have to spend a fortune, but there’s a fine line between cheap & cheerful … and cheap & nasty. Let’s keep it cheerful!

Why do they need to be identical?
There are 2 main reasons for making your swap items identical
1. It’s easier to make so many items in an assembly line fashion, all the same design.
2. It helps me not to get confused during the swap out process.
Now … it is the design that needs to be the same.  If you run out of one colour card or paper, of course you can substitute in another colour or pattern.  The most important part is the design be the same.

When should I post my swap?
Well … that depends where you live, as it needs to travel to NSW.
NSW, ACT & Vic usually arrive 1-2 days
Qld, Tas & SA usually arrive 1-4 days
NT & WA are less predictable, 5-10 days
A good rule of thumb is to post, at the latest, a week before the due date.

Should I use Express Post?
Express Post is no  longer guaranteed overnight delivery, it is 1-2 days.
My postcode is within the area that receives guaranteed express post delivery.
You need to check to see if your postcode is within the area for guaranteed express post delivery.  That information is on the back of every express post envelope & satchel, also the Australia Post website.

Are you still collecting cards for Ronald McDonald House & Childrens Hospital?
Yes.  If you wish to include a card to be donated (perhaps a card you received in a previous swap that’s not to your taste or that you won’t use, or extras from an epic cardmaking session), please feel free to add it/them to your swap envelope, just pop a note on so I know it’s a donation.  This year I am also collecting used postage stamps (whether they have been postmarked or not).  The postmarked stamps go to an elderly gentleman with alzheimers, who collects them for his favourite charity.  He gets a real kick out of receiving a baggie of stamps that I tear off swap envelopes each month … won’t it be fun to knock his socks off with a HUGE bag! 😀  The unpostmarked stamps will be repurposed to send training materials to new volunteers for Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies.  So, if you have a second to tear stamps off envelopes for me (perhaps enlist family, friends and workmates to join in), they can be included in swap envelopes as well.  I thank you for your stamp-ripping in advance 😀

When is the next swap?
You can view the full 2015 swap schedule HERE.

When I have received all of the envelopes I will swap them around and post them back to you in the self addressed envelope. If the extra stamp(s) are not needed, I will return them as well. They are only there in case some of the tags are bulkier than the ones you sent.
I will swap out within a week of the due date.  If your swap arrives after they have been swapped out, I will hold it over and include it in a compatible swap.

I have also created a Pinterest board with some great examples of tags at http://www.pinterest.com/dawnlewis/cards/

Really looking forward to this, and I hope you all have lots of fun making your cards (and even more fun seeing what you get in return!). As usual, any questions, please don’t hesitate to send me an email or PM.