Newbie Questions: double mat

[piratesmate]

Susie, try not to stress so much about this stuff! (I know, I know...this is the pot calling the kettle black. ) I'm sure one of the others will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the intent of the "guidelines" is so that we have a bunch of nearly identical items.

I've always thought one of the reasons was more to prevent someone from just slapping things together - i.e. spending very little time or effort & generally being "cheap" about it.

Another thing is so the items are usable...like the Topper is supposed to be 8x2. The reason for that is so those using 8x8 books can still use them. Or the borders are supposed to be 12" but made so that they can easily be cut down to 11" for those using 8.5 x 11 books. (Of course that doesn't take into account those 8x8 books, does it? )

Having said that, I think the idea of stringing the tags together would have been cute! But if it had been my idea, I might not have done it either...I'm always hesitant to work outside the parameters given.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Susie I would love to see a stringed together topper, that would be kind of cool.

I really don't think there is a wrong way to do things except just printing something on a slip of paper and calling it done. I just looked at the swap photo gallery and it looked about 50-50 for double or triple layers. So I would say do what you feel is right for you.

I like to see people bend the rules a bit, if we didn't everything would be cookie cutter, KWIM??

Personally I do not journal a lot so I just add embellishments to my journal boxes and use then as tags or I'll use it as a mat.


Oh and here's a pic of my tags borders, out side of the box? a little, but personally I think they are way cool!

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4084831&a=32133894&p=73970816

 

[happycampers]

Since we're talking about the swap glossary, I'd like to ask a question: In many swaps, one of the element options is a license plate. That's not mentioned in the glossary. I don't have experience with that element. What would you do for that in a swap? Alter one of those metal ones that already have a word on them? (and with what?) Create a license plate look-alike with clever wording using paper?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

This is a good example of a license plate:

 

[happycampers]

That's a nice license plate. How was that made?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

not a clue! LOL I think I have one, she may have been in my group, so I will look at it tomorrow and try to post a better picture.

 

[SusieStone]

I agree. I think the main point of the guidelines is to keep people from turning in shoddy work with no thought to quality. Please, no flame throwing here. For example, turning in a handwritten word on a sheet of printer paper and calling that a topper - NOT.

I had already planned to do so unusual tags for a swap coming up - they are not the dimensions listed - but they will be interesting and I think cute. But, the next person might think, what in the world is that.

But, that being said, I think it is nice when not having things that are exactly identical, that is the point of swapping to get ideas of each other and so our books aren't all in the same style. I know for me - once I get in a groove, things tend to look a like for a while - so it is nice to break things up with other peoples work.

It's an all day crafting day for me. I plan to get got up on my swaps except for a couple of things with church.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Since we're talking about the swap glossary, I'd like to ask a question: In many swaps, one of the element options is a license plate. That's not mentioned in the glossary. I don't have experience with that element. What would you do for that in a swap? Alter one of those metal ones that already have a word on them? (and with what?) Create a license plate look-alike with clever wording using paper?

Oh man I dropped the ball on that. I was supposed to write out the desciption. When I made mine, I used Mickster's Snow White one as a template and 2 Peas for ideas on how to embellish. But I didn't follow any directions. I said I would come with one and than didn't. My bad.

I'll collaborate with Mickster and see if perhaps the two of us can put some proper wording for it.

But just my thought, the metal license tags would be more for the store bought element selection. When I put the license plate element in the swaps I hostess, I am looking for something made.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I too use the element desciptions as a "guideline" and not "code".

Sure the sizzix sizzlits make cute little tags. But they are little. If you spent a lot of time trying to make your 2x3 tag work with your theme and embellishing and I sent you a little 1x1/2 tag with two color & string--well I'm sure your first thought would be, "boy that girl is lazy". But if I sent you four of those with alternating Bazzill, embossed, eyeleted and fiber/ribbon for one of the 2x3, than the thought might be "wow, she made all those little guys".

So I think that is the main goal, "Wow, those are really neat and I want them in my book".

For any group I'm hostess, PLEASE feel free to offer up suggestions of doing things a little different. I am open to most new ideas. Like for the tags strung together for a topper. I would say go for it. Perhaps mounting them through two slits on the side of a length of cardstock so folks could see how they are supposed to look. (the idea being you then take them off the cardstock to put in your book, or those too chicken just mount the cardstock)

I love new things (I like alot of the older stuff too) so change is good.

 

[SusieStone]

While we are talking about guidelines.

How will the guidelines be accomodating to the new Martha Stewart line? Will we now be making 18 by 4 inch borders and 6 inch tags. Just curious- so I know how to prepare for supplies.

Of course, you all know that is a huge JOKE.

But if you plan on scrapping those, I am not making fun of you - but, I will offer my prayers for your sanity.

 

[SusieStone]

I did not make it .....

But, it looks like if you wanted to cut it by hand you could do a rectangle shape and use corner rounders, then make layers.....the holes at the top look like it could be the stampin up word punch thingie.


Just a thought.

I used a coluzzle for mine and it seemed big.

This one is way cute.

What swap is this from?

That's a nice license plate. How was that made?

 

[bobcat]

This discussion is great as it has clarified a lot of things. I love that license plate and now I know what one is. I'm going to have to try one out! I have been looking at all the beautiful work in the gallery from past swaps and am truely inspired. I know for me the elements I have made for the swaps I am involved in have been a labor of love. It's so much fun thinking up ideas and creating them for people who will appreciate them.

 

[happycampers]

This is why I started trying swaps, to learn things. I think this is great. I do like that license plate idea. There were a few handmade ones on two peas that I found mixed in with layouts that used the metal ones. They, and the one posted here are cute. I will probably try one of those soon.

Thanks for helping boost my creativity.

 

[SusieStone]

I know I keep going into the swap photo gallery and thinking...I wish I had been in that swap or I can't wait to swap with that person (not really meaning anyone in particular).

I think that people are really following my true Golden Rule of swapping.....Create something you would be proud to use yourself.

 

[bobcat]

OT but I searched on the scrapbook.com gallery for license plate ideas and there a quite a few cute disney ones. http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/

 

[happycampers]

Wow! That scrapbook.com site had more home made license plates than I found on two peas. I will have to look at that one more when I have more time. (getting ready to hit the bike trail)

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

While we are talking about guidelines.

How will the guidelines be accomodating to the new Martha Stewart line? Will we now be making 18 by 4 inch borders and 6 inch tags. Just curious- so I know how to prepare for supplies.

Of course, you all know that is a huge JOKE.

But if you plan on scrapping those, I am not making fun of you - but, I will offer my prayers for your sanity.

OMG that was funny!!!! I too will pray for you.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

OT but I searched on the scrapbook.com gallery for license plate ideas and there a quite a few cute disney ones. http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/

yeah they have a lot of great ideas!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

What swap is this from?

Good VS Evil

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

susie here is an example of my library pocket and tag. Not exactly following the guidelines either but it still looks cool.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4380923&a=32244272&p=74513362

and 2 tags, not really embellished all that much but that ride was a bit limiting. The glider on the white tag is 2 layers to pop it up.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4380923&a=32244272&p=74513341

both are from Epcot 6/06 host be PrincessNancy96