Disney Surprise Swap: Details up and Signs Ups on August 15th.

[NemoMom07]

General Information:

I just love the surprise swaps here on the board. I love the thrill of “what will it be” in the box anticipation. I also love just being able to create whatever idea I have running in my head or change it. This will be my second swap to host, but my first where I will be mailing everything back to you. If something seems a little off or there is a better way I can do something please just let me know. My goal is to have fun being a part of this swap and making sure it runs smoothly.

The general idea of this swap is to make 5 elements for each group you have signed up for in a particular category. So one element pp in your group. You can use your stash and mix and match your elements or make all 5 identical. You can also mix and match your element choice for each group. Only one thing do not make more than 5 of the same item. Basically if you sign up for 5 different groups in a category do not make 25 of the same element. Also you have the opportunity to use the “pass it forward” concept on our swap board.This opportunity will have its own category. So only use "pass it forward items in the catagory and none of the others. If there is a swap item from previous swaps you have received and you just do not know how to fit it into one of your books you can trade it out here. I am sure someone (me included) would be okay with you passing something they have made to someone else so they may be able to use it. We all have different dynamics to our Disney trips and family life styles so not all our swap items we use can fit into our albums. I do not think there will be any hurt feelings on this idea. I certainly hope not. It is not meant to be thought of that way. Just a way to share more of our talent for others.

**Remember please DO NOT make more than 5 duplicate items per category. You can make 3 of one item and 3 of another if you want to use your stash to fill a group. ** For example you can make 3 titles and 2 paper piecings or all 5 can be different or the same.


Each “group” will consist of 5 elements. If you sign up for 1 group you will make 5 elements to receive 5 back.

You can sign up for as many groups you want in a particular category. When you sign up just put down the Group Name and Letter and let me know how many groups you would like to be in. I will keep a tally and once the swap is closed put every one into their individual groups. This way I can mix us all up in the groupings and we will not have the same people in every group we sign up. We will have some of the same, but not all the same. I know we all love each others work and would like to have something from everyone. When all finalized I will post under each Groups the individual groups and names of those in your group.

After sign-ups, please pm me your name, DIS name, mailing address, email address and phone number when you sign up (I will only use these in an emergency). I will pm everyone with my information for mailing to me.


Mailing Information:
Sign ups on August 15th
Mail Date: November 16th
Due Date: November 23 (arrives at my house)

Since this is my second swap,my first to mail back, I am going to give myself several days to swap out and mail out. I will most likely do it at night after my overactive 3 yr ds goes to bed. So my plan is to have them mailed out on Friday(Nov. 27) and Saturday (Nov.28). I wanted some extra time to re check everything several times to make sure I get it right...

Packaging:

Please place your completed elements in a Ziploc bag labeled with your DIS name, real name, Group number. Place all your baggies for ONE group in a GALLON size bag and labeled the same. Please use a gallon size bag, because your pieces may fit in a smaller bag, but the pieces you are getting back may be bigger.

Postage:
You may send to me, by any method you choose unless you are mailing after November 16th, then, you must mail Priority WITH Delivery Confirmation. I prefer to send to you using flat rate boxes/envelopes. Please include enough postage in your package for return shipping. The rates are: Envelope or Small Box (9”x6”x2”) - $4.95, Standard box – $10.35, Large - $13.95. Please send a return label filled out, so to prevent any mailing errors. If you want your items shipped to you with DC, please include the $.70, and a filled out slip. I will not mail the items back with delivery confirmation unless you include the $.70. And I am not responsible for postal errors.

DO NOT include clik-it/ship-it postage. I will not be able to use it since it is only good on the day it was printed, and from the location it was printed.

Details:

1. Choose a group, or multiple groups.
2. Choose ONE element for each “group” you select – see the list below. Don’t Post your choices of elements. It will be fine if some of the elements duplicate within a group. Just think about what you want to receive back as you make your element selections.
3. You all know the rules of the swaps nothing new on this one. Make your items the kind of quality you would be proud to showcase in your own it
4. There is a category set up where you can "pass it forward" previous swap items.You can take this opportunity and use swap items that you have received from previous swaps here on the board and “pass them forward”. Sometimes we just can not use every wonderful item we get back, so it is nice to be able to pass it onwards, so it may find a home where it would find a place in someones album. These items must follow the element requirements listed. Please use the category for this concept only...not in any of the other categories.

Please note:
• Each item must be embellished at least once. Some suggestions for embellishing are using die cuts, stickers, flock, glitter, ink, chalk, brads, charms, flowers, eyelets, ribbon/fiber, sewing, paper tearing, embossing, stamping, clipart, or additional layers of paper beyone the required double mats. I am sure there are some ideas you may have for embelling that is not listed, so please feel free to share your ideas.
• NO handwritten lettering on any items. Please use computer fonts, rub-ons, stickers or stamps. (you may use glaze pens, stickles, watercolor pencils to enhance your elements on top of the fonts)

Element Choices:

Choice one element from the list below and embellished at least once, you may embellish more if you like.
You may mix and match elements (example: 1 photo mat and 1 journal box = 1 element).

Title/Topper – options include the standard 8x2 (up to 12x2), tag, borders, letters on squares or other shapes, welded letters. Please double-mat or shadow.
Photo Mats: 2PP for a 4 x 6 photo without cropping. Again, two layers as the photo sits on top of these. Please be sure that your embellishment does not infringe upon the placement of the photo.
Journal Box: 2PP at least a 3x3 writing area, triple matted (the writing area is the 3rd layer) and embellished
Tag: 1 PP large tag 4.5-5 inches, 2 pp if smaller, double matted and embellished another way in addition to either ribbon/fiber or eyelet/brad in the hole. May include both....
Embellished shapes: 3PP min. size of 1 ½ x 1 ½ or larger, double matted and embellished. You can use any kind of shape such as flowers, cirles, squares, or whatever your choosing. If you feel the shape would not look write double matted you can add an extra embellishment (ie. inking, tearing, etc) or make an extra shape or throw in something extra.
Slide Mounts: 2PP be creative here please
Matchbooks: 1 PP if medium size or lager, 2 pp if mini sized, embellished. Please make sure to enclose a blank page in the matchbook.
Library Pocket and Tag: 1PP embellished, no smaller than to hold a 2x3 tag embellished and should also have ribbon/fiber or eyelet in the hole
Shaker Box: 1PP be creative please
Paper Piecing: 1PP be creative please (not a single layer die cuts)
License Plate: 1PP be creative please
Signage/Bookmark: 1PP 2x6, double matted and embellished
Song/Lyric/Poem: 1PP, double matted and embellished, print area should be no smaller than 2-1/2 x 2-1/2, can be larger
Altered letter: matted at least 4 inches
Altered Paper Clips: 3 large size ones
ATC: 1pp. Should measure 2.5x3.5. Please be creative and use different mediums to make your ATC. Do not slap a sticker on it and call it done.
Inchies: 1x1 embellished square on chipboard or mat board. 4pp


Check In Dates:

After closing of sign ups(Aug. 21) please verify that I have you in the correct amout of groups for each category you signed up for.
First check in date: September 20
Second check in date: October 11
Final check in date November 1
Mail Date: November 16
Arrives at my house by: November 23

Angels:
I understand completely if something happens during this swap and you need to angel out your spots. Please let me know asap if you see that you will not be able to complete your groups in time. You never know what Life has instore for us when we sign up for our swaps. I diffently know this one this year. If you have some of your groups complete, but not all we can just angel the spots not complete that way you still can be a part of this swap.

Please make sure you check in on the dates listed above. If I do not hear from you a week after the check in date I will angel out your spots, so we can keep things rolling for everyone involved.

Also I would prefer we not post our finished elements in this swap since it main theme is "surprise". I love seeing everything throughout the process, but I want to keep it a "surprise". I will take pictures of every thing made and post pictures after I have mailed off all the boxes.

Groups:

Group A:General Disney


Group B: Disney Holiday(any Holiday celebration at the parks)


Group C: Holiday (non Disney)


Group D:Anything Goes (non Disney)


Group E: Disney Paper Piecing


Group F: Anything Goes Paper Piecing


Group G: Disney Photo Mats


Group H: Anthing Goes Photo Mats


Group I: Pass It Forward Items(only use these items in this Group and none of the others please)


Group J: Kiddos Disney

Group K: Kiddos Anything Goes

 

[Arizona Rita]

This might fall under non-Disney, but how about a holiday grouping but you dont know what holiday (Surprise!) and Iwas wondering if you would have a kids group and its just one element per person?
October or November is fine with me. Lyrics will be due in October and since its my first, Im going to stay within the dates that Bamb and Rebecca set.

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

I'd be in with a November due date. I like the groups you have set and AR's holiday group too.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I like holiday, but I want mine Disney themed.

I'm not sure how Kat did the actual sorting last time, but I do remember her not being happy with her method.

My suggestion, you make actual groups out of the folks. A list only you know so it is a surprise. But this way, you can presort the baggies into those groups to then swap between them. Less headache then putting them all in one place and trying to pull from them all. This way, with the pre-made group assignments, you will know right away if have to enlarge one group to make sure the shuffle is even. You have 12 even groups of 4, but one set leftover. You end up with 11 even groups and one group of 5, but everyone gets their correct number of items back.

Kids group would be fun.

I would redo your elements to take away borders (easer to repack without those) and maybe add the ATCs?

 

[123SA]

I remember that too. There were issues with the photomat groups I think? Since there wasn't that many people in this group, I think I got back some of my own or duplicates of someone else's. I think Kat had a hard tim with people who were in a lot of groups. AWM's idea would solve that.

On the subject of inchies -- I haven't made any yet so I don't know the answer, are 2 inchies = 4 squares ?? Seems like squares are actually more work since they require more layers.

I like the November date

I don't have a strong opinion about 4 or 6 in a group.

 

[NemoMom07]

okay gals thanks for helping me with this one. I have taken your suggestions and redid some things (still very rough directions, etc.) First to a few questions:

AR: it would be one element per person in the group.

123SA: I have never done an inchie either and they do seem to be easier than squares. I have been looking at some of the inchie swap set ups and some do 2 inchies per person and others 4 inchies per person. I think they are suppose to be on something more sturdier (if thats a word) than just cs. I thought it would be a good way to use up those little disney jolees we have laying around or I can just drop it also. It is very new to me. I will research some more.

Okay I have a few questions:

1. For the Holiday group is it best to leave it as a general holiday or do I need to get more specifice and breakdown into holidays.

2. I did add a disney holiday should that one be divided into a halloween grouping and a christmas grouping. And are there any other holidsay celebrations at Disney you would like to have?

3. I got the Kiddos added in, but should that be more specific? Should I add a Kiddos Anything goes group and a Kiddos Disney group?

I am sure more questions will be coming. Also I will make the due date in November most likely second or maybe third week. That way there is lots of time and those who want can sign up for more groups if they want. I will not be going out of town, so mailing out will not be a problem.

 

[123SA]

123SA: I have never done an inchie either and they do seem to be easier than squares. I have been looking at some of the inchie swap set ups and some do 2 inchies per person and others 4 inchies per person. I think they are suppose to be on something more sturdier (if thats a word) than just cs. I thought it would be a good way to use up those little disney jolees we have laying around or I can just drop it also. It is very new to me. I will research some more.

Oh no. I don't want you to drop them. I also think it will be great for using up the jolees and other embellishments. Maybe after we all start making some we'll have an idea. I also think that 2 slide mounts = 2 photomats is way unequal too but that doesn't stop me from making them

Okay I have a few questions:

1. For the Holiday group is it best to leave it as a general holiday or do I need to get more specifice and breakdown into holidays.Normally, I'd want them separated, but this is a surprise swap, so I vote for all lumped together

2. I did add a disney holiday should that one be divided into a halloween grouping and a christmas grouping. And are there any other holidsay celebrations at Disney you would like to have?I would use Christmas and Halloween, grp separately or together is fine. While I wouldn't make other other holidays, I wouldn't be against them in a grp

3. I got the Kiddos added in, but should that be more specific? Should I add a Kiddos Anything goes group and a Kiddos Disney group?I like these two grps -- DD would want disney and ds would want dinosaurs--so anything goes for him

I am sure more questions will be coming. Also I will make the due date in November most likely second or maybe third week. That way there is lots of time and those who want can sign up for more groups if they want. I will not be going out of town, so mailing out will not be a problem.

I can never resist a surprise swap. This will be fun!

 

[tyniknate]

I'm definitely in. This last surprise swap was fun and now that I'm getting some swaps back I'll have a better idea of exactly what to make and send.

Question....Since there seems to only be one general disney and one holiday disney group, are we able to join in on more than one of the groups if there is enough interest? The instructions kinda read if there are 3 general disney groups we can join all three as long as it's a different element for each? Maybe we could break it down to general characters, general places, general events, or doesn't it matter as long as it is Disney related. I'm still kinda paranoid when making my stuff, but I'm quickly learning. I'm so new that I'm still trying to build up my disney stash before I start on another book, so these are the categories I'm mainly interested in, although I'll probably join more than just these.

How would we do signups if we want to join more than one group in a category? I know, I know.....I've reached my limit of questions.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I agree with everything 123SA said.

I don't mind my holidays mixed. Just because I don't go to the park on the holidays, doesn't mean I won't find use for them.

My boys would want specific Disney and an anything goes. One child is really into pirates lately. Darn that expensive on line game.

 

[NemoMom07]

I'm definitely in. This last surprise swap was fun and now that I'm getting some swaps back I'll have a better idea of exactly what to make and send.

Question....Since there seems to only be one general disney and one holiday disney group, are we able to join in on more than one of the groups if there is enough interest? The instructions kinda read if there are 3 general disney groups we can join all three as long as it's a different element for each? Maybe we could break it down to general characters, general places, general events, or doesn't it matter as long as it is Disney related. I'm still kinda paranoid when making my stuff, but I'm quickly learning. I'm so new that I'm still trying to build up my disney stash before I start on another book, so these are the categories I'm mainly interested in, although I'll probably join more than just these.

How would we do signups if we want to join more than one group in a category? I know, I know.....I've reached my limit of questions.

Oh please the more questions the better... it will help with getting this organized. Do not be paranoid about making your stuff. I believe I have a few of your items in my stash and I think they are great. I know we have been in a couple of swaps together .

First question: you can join in as many groups under each theme as you want to. Because I know I want multiple groups in several of the catagories.

I am still trying to figure out how to do the sign ups where someone wants in on more than one group in a particular catagory(i hope I am spelling that right... doesnt look right). I was thinking maybe when you sign up you can let me know how many groups you would like to be under each catagory?
For example lets say that 123SA want to be in 6 Anything Goes groups, so I could keep a tally and as each group opens I add her into that group. I am thinking it may end up having the same swappers in each group and I bet everyone would like a little variety of us. So maybe I could just keep the tally and when the swap closes I go back and mix it up and add names to the groups. Does that make some sense.

What do you think AWM or 123SA you ladies are awesome hostess and you probably got some good ideas on how to do that?

I am not sure about breaking it down into characters, parks, rides, etc..., because then it may not seem like so much of a "surprise". I could do it like that if the majority would like it better that way. I am fine with it.

Oh and 123SA... no getting rid of the inchies. I am very intrigued with them...lol.

I think I will keep the Disney holiday group as that and not break it down anymore, since so far it seems everyone is okay with it that way.

What about the photo mat, paper piecing, and inchies groups on their own. Leave em or ditch em?

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I like the idea of the mats, piecings and inchies in their own groups.

Yes, I would make a fake sign up sheet to fill in by hand as I go along. And yes, some of the same folks will be in each group at first. I would definitely go back afterwards and mix it up. I like everyone's different styles so I would like as main different swapper's work as possible.

So as long as you keep the swappers and amount of groups they sign up in the thread, it should be easy to go back when mixing up to make sure everyone has the right amount of groups in the end.

 

[123SA]

Yes, this makes sense to me and I like it. [/COLOR]

What do you think AWM or 123SA you ladies are awesome hostess and you probably got some good ideas on how to do that?THanks! I agree with AWM. Make a secret list of groups and mix people up as needed.

I am not sure about breaking it down into characters, parks, rides, etc..., because then it may not seem like so much of a "surprise". I could do it like that if the majority would like it better that way. I am fine with it.
I would prefer it not to be broken down into sub-categories. I'd rather not have to do a lot of pre-planning


Oh and 123SA... no getting rid of the inchies. I am very intrigued with them...lol.

I think I will keep the Disney holiday group as that and not break it down anymore, since so far it seems everyone is okay with it that way.

What about the photo mat, paper piecing, and inchies groups on their own. Leave em or ditch em? Well -- are they anything goes, or are they disney? IF you separate them out, does that mean they are not an element choice for the other groups?

in red above

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

I agree with AWM and 123SA on you keeping a list of who is in which group, but nobody else knowing so that it's a surprise. If I were doing it, I would make a list that has like 6 groups for General Disney and then as swappers sign up, I'd put them in a group, but not necessarily the first open spot in any particular group. I'd try to mix it up so that, let's say the first 5 swappers who sign up say they want to be in 3 general Disney groups, you don't want those 3 groups to be full with the exact same swappers.

I also like the holidays grouped together and I like the Disney holidays. Even if I haven't been at Disney for a specific holiday, I can always use it.

I know I wouldn't sign-up for a group that is just for photomats, paper piecings, or inchies. I prefer to leave my element option open and also get a variety of elements back.

I always love the surprise swaps and have enjoyed them in all the different ways we've done them!

 

[123SA]

I know I wouldn't sign-up for a group that is just for photomats, paper piecings, or inchies. I prefer to leave my element option open and also get a variety of elements back.

I always love the surprise swaps and have enjoyed them in all the different ways we've done them!

Well said -- same for me.

 

[NemoMom07]

Thanks for helping me gals.

123SA: I can do seperate photo mats one for anything goes and one for disney. Do you think that is a better option? I remember Kat's swap with this group on its own and it was very popular that is why I listed it that way. Diffentley you can still do photo mats as elements in the other catagories.

I will do signs up like you suggested so that way I can mix us up in different groups for the same catagory.

 

[Arizona Rita]

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play! In other words, it all sounds good and Im there!

Shawn, Im sending you a pm.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Photos mats as a their own group AND as an element option. I like photo mats and I do use them more than the other elements so far in my swapping.

The thing with paper piecing items is even the Cricut ones are a pain in the tush to put together. Making one of those seems like you should definitely get back something that took as long. And some folks really like them and would want more of them to put in their books. Mine however are stuck on my cabinets in my swap room. I like to look at them, lots.

I don't really know enough about the inchies, not sure if they are more or less work than slides & squares, but them having their own groups wasn't causing me any undo stress. Not that I was going to sign up for that group. Trying to make them could cause me stress.

 

[NemoMom07]

Photos mats as a their own group AND as an element option. I like photo mats and I do use them more than the other elements so far in my swapping.

The thing with paper piecing items is even the Cricut ones are a pain in the tush to put together. Making one of those seems like you should definitely get back something that took as long. And some folks really like them and would want more of them to put in their books. Mine however are stuck on my cabinets in my swap room. I like to look at them, lots.

I don't really know enough about the inchies, not sure if they are more or less work than slides & squares, but them having their own groups wasn't causing me any undo stress. Not that I was going to sign up for that group. Trying to make them could cause me stress.

Do you think I am better off dropping these groups and keeping more to the element of "surprise". I will go and drop inchie, but they can be used as an element. I know DR got an inchie swap going on. LMK about the others.

Boy there is so much to think about getting these swaps a rolling....

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

I would go ahead and offer photomat groups for Anything Goes and Disney and also Paper Piecing groups. If there's interest, swappers with sign-up for them. If there's not, then you just delete those groups. I think it's better to offer it because I'm sure there are some who will want to sign-up for them. But, I think those elements (photomat and paper piecing) should still be an element choice for the other groups.

NemoMom, you are doing a great job getting this all together and I think you will have an awesome swap!!!!

 

[tyniknate]

I know with this only being the second surprise swap I still have lots of questions. If a category is a general Disney category I can make anything as long as it is Disney related (characters, parks, events, places, etc) ? I was so worried with the last swap that I wouldn't make the right kind of items. It's kinda just.....what's the word I'm looking for...... A SURPRISE!

I'm making this way harder than it should be.