Challenge-mini book swap-due July 25th

[mellyr]

Due date: 25th July
Sign up/opt out: anytime just let me know
Number of players: 30
Number of mini books> 2.2


I found a video on Youtube by Tim Holtz where he created a mini book from 1 12x12 scrapbook paper and i thought it would be a fun challenge.

The basic materials are only 1 12x12 sheet and some tissue tape (or similar)
then embellish away!

So, the idea of this swap is to create a mini book following Tim's directions (i will provide a link to the video below)then decorate/embellish in any way/theme you wish.

In the "pockets" (you'll see when you watch the video) from memory i think there are 3, please try to include either an embellished tag or a small suprise for the person who receives it in each of the 3 "pockets". Stickers, rubons, ribbons, flat-ish embellishments are just some ideas of what you could include.

You do not have to use Tim Holtz products (unless you want to) and it does not have to be Tim's style (unless you want to do that style). you can use any products and any style you wish.

This is a bit of an adventurous swap and i hope you will share my enthusiasm.

Everyone (international and domestic) please include postage costs (what it cost you to send) in either stamps, cash or paypal. If you are unable to do so just contact me and we can work it out.
Alos, please include an address label.

If i have forgotten anything please let me know.

Youtube video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRSdd-P8AZ4

Who would like to play?....


1. mariloupatch RECEIVED
2. tiggerfan1973
3. lafaver55
4. 1orange WITHDRAWN
5. lacemuse RECEIVED
6. jensaz REVEIVED
7. artrageous RECEIVED
8. nancyl RECEIVED
9. robotsforkate WITHDRAWN
10. monica RECEIVED
11. artjujunque
12. hiddentreasure2010 WITHDRAWN
13. thepozbabe RECEIVED
14. crudeart RECEIVED
15. scrappea RECEIVED
16. colorfly RECEIVED
17. carole cadek RECEIVED
18. fantasia WITHDRAWN

[mariloupatch]

Would love to join this swap, although one question, I do not have TH papers
and they are not on sale. So let me order some by the internet first, or can I
use not-TH papers as well?

[mellyr]

You can use anything you like. It doesn't have to be tim holtz.

[Tiggerfan1973]

This looks like it will be an amazingly fun swap! Please add me.

[mellyr]

Yay, welcome aboard. Happy to have you both.

[lafaver55]

Count me in

[mellyr]

awesome,welcome lafaver55

[mariloupatch]

Just finished my first booklet, so easy, so beautiful. Need to put embellishments on and a ribbon. Great for small gifts, much nicer than an envelope!

[Evalila]

Lurking for the moment - will see what I can come up with first:)

[lacemuse]

Cute idea. I've made one of these & it's really easy & fun.

Lurking to catch up on some other swaps.

[mellyr]

Evalila and Lacemuse i hope you will be able to join us for this swap.

Mariloupatch, thats awesome so glad you enjoyed making it. i loved how simple, yet effective it is.

Please post pics of your finished books if you are able, we'd all love to see them

[Charlie Brown]

Oh, I really love this idea. I have a lot of stuff on my plate now, but do want to hang out with you all and see what you come up with. Looks so fun!

[Tiggerfan1973]

I just did all the folding (and cutting) necessary to make my first one. I love how easy it is to make. I don't have anything here with me at work to be able to finish and embellish the book, but now that i know how easy it is to put one together, it won't take me long to get them all done.

[1orange]

Sign me up, I would love to have a go at this

[mariloupatch]

my first book. A question: do we have to put something into the pockets?

[mellyr]

wow!!! i love your first book, its beautiful. im so glad everyones enjoying making them.

mariloupatch: yes we are putting things into each of the pockets. either an embellished tag or a small flat-ish gift for the person who gets it such as some stickers, rubons,flat embellishments,ribbon etc. anything that will fit in the pocket and is flat-ish.

so please try to include at least 1 thing in each of the 3 pockets.

welcome 1orange, glad to have you join in the fun

[mariloupatch]

Thanks Mel, I will find something nice to put into the pockets. Meanwhile I made 4 more books but need to embellish them. One is for my granddaughters 6th birthday end of July, with some €'s in the pockets. And one is for my german best friend's birthday with a necklace I made from friendly plastic. Great way to put presents in. Thank you for the swap!

[lacemuse]

OK, I've finished up the swaps, so I'm ready to join in the little book fun! Wooohooo! Please add me to the list.

[1orange]

I'm excited I will make my books after work today, can't wait. Best way to end the week!!

[jensaz]

Mel, please add me too! This looks awesome!

[mellyr]

lovely to have you all. hope you enjoy making them ;)

[artrageous]

Stalking! Lol

[mellyr]

hahaha stalk away artrageous, stalk away :)

hope you decide to join us

[jensaz]

Why only 2:2??? Just askin....

[mellyr]

I thought that it might take people longer to make them, but eeryones powering through lol

[artrageous]

GAAAAAAAAAA.... ive tried to watch the video about 4 times now and it keeps freezing up... someone kill me now, ..please

[1orange]

Well, a challenge, I'll say. Made a couple of attempts, but not happy how they look. But I will keep going until I am happy with the outcome.

[artrageous]

well... it took a few hours to finally watch the video... sign me up ....please

[artrageous]

I need ur address, mine are finished

[1orange]

That was real quick, I wish I was that fast.

[mellyr]

thats got to be a record artrageous :) pm'ing you now

keep with it 1orange, once you get the first one done you'll be addicted

[1orange]

The one that I'm doing at the moment, I am happy with. Instead of using tape for the edges I am sewing it, so it looks good to me so far.

[mariloupatch]

Please PM me your address, they are ready to send :)

[ArtDuJunque]

These are really cute, lurking for now though.

[mellyr]

Pm'ing you now mariloupatch, cant wait to see your creations!

Hope you will find time to join the swap Danielle...:)

[NancyL]

I WATCHED THE VIDEO . Too baD I have little finess with our laptop. anyway, I'll think about it...and look for possible paper while we are on the mainland.
seems to me you could also use plain paper and print or decorate it however,...will think about joining.

[NancyL]

Okay, please add me. I've seen the video and I've bought paper. I'm going to try a practice book soon. Yes, I would love to be part of this swap.

[jensaz]

Mel, is it okay if we bind them with something else? I'm not having any luck with the paper tape that I have and can't afford to go get TH tape... As long as they look similar?

[mellyr]

Welcome nancyl great to have you join.

Of course Jen you can use any items/method you wish.

Remember everyone, you don't have to use tim holtz products/methods I just used his video for the basic tutorial. What you use to make your books is up to you.

I'm on my way to see tim holtz and do his workshop in Sydney today, so excited will post pics later :)

[robotsforkate]

I would like to join. How many do I make?

[mellyr]

Just 2 to swap glad to have you join.

Waiting for tim to come out to start the workshop, I'm in the front row!!! Woohoo

[Monica]

I would like to try this one - Tim is amazingly creative, you are so lucky!!!!!

[Fantasia]

Well, I've watched the video and this looks like lots of fun. I've got to finish up a couple swaps due before month end, and then hopefully I'll have time and be back to join in. Great swap idea!!

[NancyL]

I just finished folding and taping the first. I'm going to make another two for the swap and then figure out how to embellish.
I'm also making these as biirthday cards for the July birthdays in my family.
I found my materials at Michaels. I looked in the tape section for the tape. No luck. then I discovered a section of Tim Holtz products. I got to choose from three different 2 packs of tissue tape.
My local arts and crafts store may carry the tape. Its a little scary to go look as other craft materials will jump into my shopping basket.

[jensaz]

Mel, hope you had fun in Tim's workshop! Wish I could do stuff like that.. I'm jealous! But happy for you, of course!

[ArtDuJunque]

I just made one up the other night so I guess that means I'm officially in!

[mellyr]

Hi everyone, ive been away for the last week and my phone wont allow me to edit posts so thats why i havent updated the players list.

But im home now and the list has been updated.

Huge, huge welcomes to our new players, i cant wait to see what you all come up with.

robotsforkate: you need to create 2 mini books to swap out.

nancyl: thats such a great idea to make these in place of regular birthday cards. think ill be doing that in the future too.

artjujunque: awesome Danielle, i was hoping you wouldnt be able to resist.

Tim's workshop was amazing. he is a brilliant teacher. if you ever have the chance to go to one of his workshops i fully reccomend it!!!

[HiddenTreasure2010]

WoW, don't know how I missed this thread... I would love to join.

[mellyr]

happy to have you hiddentreasure2010

[NancyL]

My books are almost done. Do you want the books in some sort of protection...like a baggie, plastic wrap, an envelope?

Because the books are mostly fun(I hate taping the edges) I've made several for friends. I even made one for each of my grandchildren with July birthdays. One of their pockets held a gift card from a book store.

[mellyr]

some fab books landed in my mail box today from artrageous...
they are beautiful thanks so much for the postage return and for the extra book.\


nancyl: yes if you could put them in a baggie or wrap them in some way it would be much appreciated, keeps them safe on their long journey.

[thepozbabe]

I'd love to join this please.

[artrageous]

sorry i didnt post pics, i was so excited out getting them in the mail, lol :mask:

[cRude hArt]

I love this! I'd like to give it a try!

[mellyr]

welcomem cRudeArt and thepozbabe...

no worries Artragrous, i usually forget to post pics to swaps due to my overexcitement also...(glad its not just me that does that lol)

[mellyr]

beautiful books from mariloupatch arrived today.

thanks so much for the extra book and the postage. it was so hard to choose!

[mariloupatch]

Glad they made it! Thanks for posting.

[1orange]

I'm very sorry I have to withdraw, things have come up and I won't be able to finish them in time, so very sorry.

[NancyL]

Hoping to mail mine tomorrow. Have to figure out postage.

[thepozbabe]

My little books are ready. Could you PM your address to me please?
And your Paypal details please.

[mellyr]

1orange. no worries at all, i hope everything is ok. thanks for letting us know

nancyl, i cant wait to see your books. everyone has been doing beautiful work.

thepozbabe, pm'ing you now

[NancyL]

MIne did go in the mail today.
Maybe you will keep the thickest as your hsot gift and then you won't have to mail it!

[HiddenTreasure2010]

Help! I have all my mini books made. Now I'm working on embellishing. I know to put something in each pocket. But, how much embellishment for me to complete the book or that the recipient can fill in pages? Not quite sure how to proceed... Will anyone be posting pics of a completed book?

[mellyr]

embellish the cover and it is up to you what you do with the inside pages. some people have chosen to embellish some of the inner pages and others have left them blank. its really all up to you...
there was no guideline on this as its your project and you make it with/how you wish.
i didnt want to put too many rules on it as i think sometimes that can hinder peoples creativity.

i have been trying to upload pics of mine but my scanner is not cooperating lol

[HiddenTreasure2010]

Thanks mellyr, I will post picks of the mini book I have been working on tomorrow. Looking for feedback...Cheers

Having trouble getting to sleep tonight so I might as well craft....

[HiddenTreasure2010]

Here are pics of my 1st mini...

[HiddenTreasure2010]

here is the rest, if it allows...

[ColorFly]

Very nice, HiddenTreasure!

Please add me to the list; I watched the video and loved making these! Please send me your address.

[Carole Cadek]

Melly, if it's not too late, may I play too? If you send me your addy, I'll mail them tomorrow. :)

[mellyr]

more than happy to have you both, thanks for joining

[thepozbabe]

Here are my books.

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/3303/small/1_Minibook1.JPGhttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/3303/small/1_Minibook2.JPGhttp://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/3303/small/1_Minibook3.JPG

Thare are some more images of the inside pages over in my gallery.

[brandyscakeart]

I'm new so I don't know but is it rude to leave a message, just to follow the tread while I'm thinking about it?

[cRude hArt]

Book 1

[cRude hArt]

Book 2

[cRude hArt]

Book 3

[Fantasia]

mellyr - I've done several books that I'm happy with, so would love to join this swap if you have room. Please PM me with your address so I can put them in the mail tomorrow. I will post pics later!

[Tiggerfan1973]

mellyr, I was thinking you lived in the states. :( I'm not going to be able to have mine finished in time to mail them out to you and have them arrive on time. I am so sorry. I will have to drop out of this swap. I got them all folded, but I haven't had a chance to sit down and get them decorated or anything.

[Carole Cadek]

Melly, mine little books are postal. :)

[ScrapPea]

HI. I saw this swap awhile ago, passed, and then got into the books. (I made one a few months ago and loved it). Anyway, I did books...and, uhhhh, I must be on some psychic vibe with cRude hArt because I did books in themes of birds, flowers and pseudo-vintage. In fact, I started out thinking butterflies - then winged things - and settled on birds. They were based on the three pieces of patterned cardstock I pulled out. I just need to add some embellishments to the tag/pocket surprises and I'll send them out.

BTW, my books are complete projects, no room for personal notes, even on the tags. If you are looking for something to journal in, you may want to PM the delightful host.

[lacemuse]

My little books go postal tomorrow (Tues), just finishing them up today.

[lacemuse]

Here's a sampling from each of my 3 books:
104395104396104397

MellyR, I PM'd you for your addy. I hope it will arrive in 2 weeks.

[HiddenTreasure2010]

mellyr,
I am so sorry, I have to withdraw. I have one and a half books done. Life has just dumped a few extras on me. I don't think I will make the deadline mailing from Canada.

[NancyL]

I made books for the swap and they are somewhere between ehre and there.
then I made more books. Next week, i am showing a group of firneds how to make them. Also have been experimienting with them. Sometimes I make cut outs on the pages that don't have a pocket and stick some colored or printed paper in before I tape them up. Today i made a book from vellum. Instead of gluing the cover, I just used tape. Also I put fancy (expensive) paper between the n-pocket pages and taped it in. Very pretty.
I am finding that making these mini books gives me a break from moving anxieties.

[ArtDuJunque]

Those are gorgeous lace, I'm putting the finishing touches on mine and should have them out Thursday.

[NiteOwl]

I wish I would have seen this sooner. Everybodies come up with such cute books! Enjoy!

[mellyr]

Mail call....some beautiful books arrived today from Nancyl and Monica.
thank you both so much for being awesome players.

Lacemuse: wow youve done such a great job, cant wait to see them in person.

Hiddentreasure2010: no worries at all, thanks for letting us know. hope to see you join one of my future swaps..(i have lots of ideas)...

Nancyl: so glad to hear that you are having fun with this idea. i love the ideas youve mentioned. so creative!!!

Cant wait till swap out time, everyone has done such an awesome job...

[Fantasia]

mellyr - I've done several books that I'm happy with, so would love to join this swap if you have room. Please PM me with your address so I can put them in the mail tomorrow. I will post pics later!

MELLYR - not sure you saw my comment above. Could I join at this late date? Books are ready, I just need your address if you think they will arrive on time.

THANKS!

[lacemuse]

Thanks ArtDu & Mel. They were fun to do.

[ArtDuJunque]

Here are mine, all finished. They will go out tomorrow, er today.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7554249774_7170bc6efd.jpg

[cRude hArt]

ooohhh...beautimous ArtduJunque!

[lacemuse]

Beeeeautiful!

[lacemuse]

Here's one of my favorite pages.

104528

[ArtDuJunque]

Awww, cute. Typically I hate cute but I'm feeling all lovey dovey now ;-)

[ArtDuJunque]

BTW I used a dark brown walnut ink and perfect pearls gold on the bottom books flower and LOVED how it turned out, think I'll be testing that technique more.

[thepozbabe]

There are some gorgeous little books here. x

[mellyr]

wow those are amazing danielle. im loving all the extra ideas everyones comming up with. think i need to take notes :)

lacemuse: i love that page. i just ordered some of the ivory honeycomb paper to use with the sewing room die

[ScrapPea]

My books. All of them tie closed with a ribbon and do not have room for personal journaling. More photos are in my gallery...but the tags are not! Surprise to the recipient! (and the host, who gets to see them all) Book 1: Soar

[ScrapPea]

Book 2: Trust (the pseudo-vintage one). I used more Tim Holtz stuff here as embellishments.

[ScrapPea]

Finally, Book 3: Flowers. After doing these, I realized how much fun they were but also how frustrating! The first one I did for myself, months ago, still sits unfinished. These took a lot more tuime than I expected.

[ColorFly]

Nice work, ScrapPea! I didn't post any pictures of mine, but they also were "full", with no room for journaling.

Looking forward to getting my returns for this swap; I really enjoyed making these!

[ArtDuJunque]

Scrap... Damn girl, I feel inadequate....
*Bows repeatedly*
"We're not worthy... We're not worthy... We're not worthy..."

[Fantasia]

Not a happy camper here:nah:....as I was packaging up my books (and some other art) I had a giant water spill all over the art table!! ACK!!.....worked quickly and saved stuff that I could, but unfortunately my lovely little books are now a soaked blob of paper mess!!:cry: A busy week ahead and no time to do more. So, looks like I'm out of the swap just after I joined.

Really cool books I've seen here. Great swap idea. HUGS!

[SilverSeam]

Hello! I watched the video, surfed the thread and am eager to join. This one looks like so MUCH fun. I can hardly wait to hit the craft store and browse the handmade paper section. Thank you SO much for the link and the swap. :D

Oh! Whoops! I thought it said sept 25th... Oh no! Oh well... I'll make some little books anyway... I'm sure there's more than One birthday coming up. Sorry that I can't join after all. Still thank you for the video link, it's on my favorites now.

[mellyr]

ScrapPea those are awesome, such a great job!!!

Fantasia: oh no, ive had that happen to me too. hope you can recreate them for yourself.

Silverstream: i hope to host a similar swap to thia in the future as everyone has enjoyed it so much. although...there may be a few twists etc added to the next one (insert evil cackle here)...

hows everyone else going with theres? due date is comming up fast and it takes around a week/week and a half to get here from overseas.

[ColorFly]

I was thinking that these mini books would work well in a PIF trade

[mellyr]

that would make a good PIF.

carole, your beautiful books arrived today. thanks so much for the suprise. i love it!!!

[Carole Cadek]

Yeah! Glad to hear that they arrived safely and that you liked the extras. :)

[mellyr]

thepozbabe: your beautiful books arrived today. i love the bright spring colours. thanks so much for the extra book.

[SilverSeam]

Hey guys. I realize this swap is just about over; however I thought this article might interest some of you for future endeavors.

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/how-to-make-decorative-tape#slide-1

I haven't tried it (yet) and so I have no idea how thick the end product will be. I imagine this could work for fabric and printed tissue paper as well. (or even book pages.... ) I'll get some pretty paper from the dollar store in town to test it out. Wish me luck, girls!

[thepozbabe]

Glad they arrived safely. Hope the little goodies in the pockets are ok. x

[cRude hArt]

Hey Mellyr. I mailed my books around the 10th. I see you haven't received them yet. I sure hope they get there soon!

[ColorFly]

I sent mine on the 7th...hoping you get them this week!

[mellyr]

i will be stalking the mail man all week and will let you all know when they arrive :)

[mellyr]

cRude hArt your books arrived today,thanks so much for the extra book and postage

[mellyr]

colorfly your books arrive safe and sound today. thanks for the extra book i love the butterfly one and the pop up elements are so clever

[jensaz]

Uh oh... Along with hoping you receive them in a timely manner, reading about all the other folks pop up elements, bright colors, etc... I hope if you get them in time, they are up to par... I only decorated the covers...

[mellyr]

thats ok, others did that too ill swap like for like where i can

[ColorFly]

Thanks for letting me know mellyr; I was getting worried that they wouldn't get there on time. Phew! They were super-fun to make!

[ArtDuJunque]

Mine havent got there either huh.

[mellyr]

the time for swapping has come!!! yay!!! ill wait a few more days for thw books in transit as long aa they are postmarked on or beforw the due date its fine

[mellyr]

books arrived today from jensaz,lacemuse and scrappea. thanks for being awesome players.

is there anyone else who has posted that i need to wait for? if not first batch of books will be going out on friday.

[ArtDuJunque]

Still no sign of mine? The post office guy said 1 week ;-[

[mellyr]

Dont worry.im posting out on friday and if they havent arrived by then ill swap then out with my host books

[mellyr]

first round of packages have gone out to their new homes. i hope everyone enjoyed this swap and dont forget your itraders/reps for the wonderful artists you receive from...

[ArtDuJunque]

Jeez Owe, I mailed mine on the 13th, you'd think that nearly a fortnight would be plenty of time.

[mellyr]

i know, the postal system is shocking. sometimes the gremlins in the system just hold on to an envie for a little longer...lol
im sure it will show up soon and when it does, you wont miss out as i have some awesome host books i will swap them with

[ArtDuJunque]

Thanks Mel, I hope they get unburied :-(

[mellyr]

Danielle, your books have managed to escape from the post office dungeon.
i will swap them with the host books and get them off to you this week.

the rest of the packages are on their way to their new homs also. i hope everyone enjoyed the swap and please let me know if there are any dramas and ill do my best to help.

[mariloupatch]

Yipieee my mini books have arrived safely. Thanks Mel for this wonderful challenge.
The returns are stunning, thanks to Carol Cadek and ScrapPea. Of to leave reps!
Have a wonderful weekend all of you,

[ScrapPea]

@ArtDuJunque--I'm glad they arrived. It must be a Midwest thing. I mailed something international this month. August 4 and still not there. It took NINE days to get from Michigan to New York. It would've taken me 12 hours to drive....

@mellyr--my books arrived and they are FABulous!!!!! Thanks to you and Colorfly. Love it love love it!!

@mariloupatch--Glad you enjoy my book!

[lacemuse]

Im thinking with all the post office closings in the US our mail delivery will be much slower. I have to travel farther to the PO now, & the lines are loooong.

[NancyL]

My returns are going to my son's address in CA.We are in Hawaii for one more week. Hope to meet up with our son and whatever mail came to his house last week in August.

[thepozbabe]

I am loving my little books. I couldn't wait fir the returns and i am not disappointed. Thanks to Mel for hosting and to CRude hArt & Artrageous for the books.

[Carole Cadek]

Received my very pretty little books today!
Thank you for hosting Melly, and to Lacemuse and thepozbabe for their lovely little books. :)

[lacemuse]

I haven't gotten mine yet.:radar:

[artrageous]

I was about to post that I think my mailman ate mine, but maybe ours are together Lace :)

[ColorFly]

Mine must be having a party with lacemuse's and artrageous' books; I'm still eagerly awaiting mine as well!

[mellyr]

Sometimes they just take their time lol give it anither week or so if thats ok,and hopefully they will all show up. i still have a couple of host books and will make more if needed. No one will be left without books. They wernt all sent at the same time so some may be more delayed than others.

[mellyr]

Just so we can keep track of who has received their books, if you have received yours and i havent marked you off please let me know.

mariloupatch RECEIVED
lacemuse RECEIVED
jensaz REVEIVED
artrageous RECEIVED
nancyl
monica RECEIVED
artjujunque
thepozbabe RECEIVED
crudeart RECEIVED
scrappea RECEIVED
colorfly RECEIVED
carole cadek RECEIVED

[cRude hArt]

I could have sworn I posted replies for this. I did receive my books but I see I didn't leave any feedback. So sorry guys. I've had a crazy few weeks. Received cool books from Jensaz and Monica. Thanks for hosting.

[artrageous]

oh, im not worried mellyr, most of my mail is late.. i hate my postman and he knows it, lol ...im grateful that it makes it here =)

[lacemuse]

Mine arrived! Thanks to NancyL love the whole tea idea & tea bags!! Thanks Artr for the Tim theme & goodies!

[ColorFly]

I got my fabulous little books! Thank you so much, Carole and Nancy L!

Thanks for a great swap, mellyr. I have made several of these little books as presents and thank you cards for people; I love them!

[artrageous]

there here! there here! ....from mariloupatch and the pozbabe ...thanks!

[NancyL]

Glad my books were received. My returns will go to my son's house and I am not seeing him on a regular basis. will see him maybe on Thurs the 6th as we need help unloading the shipping container.

[mellyr]

im so glad they have all started to arrive. only waiting on 2 more:

nancyl
artjujunque

could you please let us know when your books arrive.
thanks again for playing all. im hosting another mail art swap HD/HP halloween postcards, if you are interested please come and sign up

[NancyL]

I did get my books on the 6th. Ywo very different books from mellyr and Monica. thanks for hosting mellyr.