preview: Frieda's Tags for the Technique Tag swap!

I am so excited! I just visited frieda's blog as i do most days and had a most wonderful surprise! Frieda has finished her tags & envelopes for our Technique tag swap due October 9th. Wow, I really like them! I copied the photo she had on her post so I could add it here. You can visit her blog to read her very complete instructions on how she created them! Amazing & wonderful tags . . .

so very cool. I adore these layered tags, frieda!!

Thank you so much Frieda. I will post more in detail after they arrive here in the states. I just could not resist sharing a bit of inspiration from you, with the group! Again check out Frieda's post for more details & pictures. She just added some wonderful detailed photos HERE.  (8/20/2010: the swap is now CLOSED for registration.)
: ^ ) Happily yours, lenna

Donna Butcher: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap

Donna from sunny California sent in 5 lovely postcards (1 for me, don't be too jealous!) and an ATC for our garden variety swap, done all in fabric. The paper images she added to the fabric base come from the 'seed catalog' and 'flower catalog' collage sheets at Alpha Stamps.

beautiful color combination

love the quote!

the bunny!!

so very nice, Donna. Great postcards!

I absolutely love this!
Look at the "creative swaps" .28 cents postage : ^  )

great ATC!

I am in awe of all the varied and wonderful postcards I am receiving for this swap. My thanks go out to you who have been able to work ahead of the deadline and send in early . . . this really helps me to manage this large swap. Thank you!! Remember, postcards/ATCs are due in my mailbox by August 28th - only a month away. Hope to see your contribution soon!!!

Barbara Johnson: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

Barbara from Illinois sent in 4 great postcards and an ATC for our garden variety Alpha Stamps swap. Take a look!

Barbara's ATC

The back of her postcards - so cool!

I love the landscapes in pencil 

The frames are great!

beautiful.

Thanks so much Barbara J, glad to have you in this swap!

Laura Hummel: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap

From Laura in Maryland, we have 4 beautiful postcards and an ATC for our swap! Laura says, "Alpha Stamps Rocks! They are my source for most of my materials & inspiration." : ^  )

wonderful, laura! Thank you!

what the Tag Book looks like (new swap)

I announced a new swap today, not due until September 30th  October 9th -deadline extended. (8/20/2010: the swap is now CLOSED for registration.) You can find out all of the swap details right here, in this post. I think it is going to be a great one and we have already had some wonderful artists sign up -see the sidebar! I thought you might like to see what the tag book that we will be using looks like in action. To write instructions for the pdf file that comes with your registration, I made samples of 15 different techniques on the tags that come in the "Envelope & Tag Book" set, available from Alpha Stamps. The tags tuck into envelopes that form the pages of this 4-1/2" wide x 5-1/2" tall tag book.

I haven't worked on decorating the envelopes, the "pages" for this tag book yet, but when I do I will share what I do, here with you. Look in the sidebar of the blog for the "Buy Now" button to register for this fun swap! Thanks to everyone who has signed up already!! 

Leah Povloski: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

The gardens are blooming everywhere! Look at what has arrived from Leah in Texas - 4 gorgeous postcards and an ATC for our Alpha Stamps garden variety Postcard swap : ^ )

Leah has used a delicious mix of dried flowers, images from Alpha Stamps, fabric, scrapbook paper, yum!

Thank you, Leah - great job!!

* Technique Tag Book - New Swap! *

A new swap for us! This one was truthfully born out of the delight of many of the participants receiving the Colorful Words Tag Book swap we recently wrapped up in June. Afterwards, we talked via email about doing another Tag Book swap and a "technique" swap idea was mentioned. I wanted to add instruction in the form of step-by-step photos (a pdf file) as part of the swap. After a bit of work, it is finally done! My instructions on possible techniques for you to try ended up with my creating 15 techniques and describing them over 25 pages, but I think this will only help to create a better swap.  (8/20/2010: the swap is now CLOSED for registration.)

*Technique tag book swap* due in lenna’s mailbox by OCTOBER 9th - deadline extended. Register for this swap in the sidebar of the creative swaps blog -registration is closed. Your $15.00 registration fee includes a 25 page PDF file filled with 15 techniques, step-by-step photos and return postage to anywhere in the world. The artwork for this swap will be showcased on the creative swaps blog & by registering for the swap, you are giving me permission to share your art, thank you!

Your techniques must be created on the set of 10 tags in the 'Envelope & Tag Book' -it can be found at Alpha Stamps (back ordered) - but also at Bluemoon Scrapbooking . . . and emma's paperie (thanks, Helen!) . . . and the online store, eCrater. Or find it locally! We are using Melissa Frances 'Attic Treasures' Envelopes & Tags Book, item GN292. You will purchase this item and then decorate the 10 tags with any technique(s) you wish. The technique(s) can come from the pdf file that you will receive when registering, from something you’ve dreamed up, or a technique you’ve found elsewhere. Your 10 tags can be a variety of techniques or all 10 tags can be done using the same technique; whatever you wish. The envelopes may also be decorated, but I will not require that. Be creative with the envelopes - or keep them simple if you prefer. They are the pages of the book. I will require brief instructions for your technique(s). Either affix these instructions to the back of the tag with your name and contact info – or if you need more room, type/legibly write instructions on a separate slip of paper that is tucked into the envelope page.  Your Returns: You will receive a tag book filled with 10 different techniques; one of yours & 9 from different artists around the world!

I am excited about this swap. It took more work than I expected to present it the way I wished, but i think it was worth it and will make for a fantastic swap. I hope to see you register for this swap soon. Once you find the tag book, look in the side bar near the top of the blog to register!

Val Cowan: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

Wow, we have some beautiful postcards and an ATC from Val Cowan in Scotland, UK. Take a look!

Val created this postcard for me -
It is so beautiful!

Val used the Garden Scrap sheet, the brass sunflower charms, and other Alpha Stamps products to create her pieces. Thanks so much, Val!

.

Lynda Roddy Ozzauto: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

We have more beautiful art from Lynda Roddy Ozzauto!

Lynda used scrapbook paper and beautiful Dresden Die-Cut flowers from Alpha Stamps for her postcards and ATC. Visit Lynda's blog: paper.pencil.paste to see what else she's been up to!

Barbara DeLisle: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

Barbara DeLisle from Palatka, Florida sent in a delightful blooming bunch of postcards and an ATC for our Alpha Stamps garden variety swap due August 30th. Thanks for being so early Barbara, and for the sweet little tag you enclosed for me. ; ^ )

You can check out more of Barbara's art, on her blog! Just go here:
http://barbarasme-ownfolkart.blogspot.com/

Ruth Harris: Alpha Stamps garden variety swap!

The mail today brought a delicious package from Ruth Harris in Oklahoma. Enclosed was a note. Ruth told me she was a "newbie" and this was only her second swap -hard to believe! Ruth used scrapbook papers for her postcards and ATCs, including the lovely 'Bird in Paradise' sheet found at Alpha Stamps. The cute cricket rubber stamp is also from Alpha Stamps.

Ruth made an ATC too!

And a beautiful gift for me! Thanks so much, Ruth. 

Ruth's website is: http://www.redroosterstudio.com
As always, I look forward to receiving more swap art in the mail.
Let me know if you have any questions!