Chinese New Year - Due February 4, 2011

[Vicki Z]

Chinese New Year - Due February 4, 2011
Swap Due Date: February 4, 2011
Signup/Withdraw Date: February 4, 2011
Number of Cards: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited

RETURNS MAILED 2/09

Let’s CELEBRATE with cards!
We can celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival, the Year of the Rabbit.

Your cards can be depictions of this year, 2011, which is the Year of the Rabbit.
But you may also depict any Chinese New Year Animal, there are 12 to pick from.

You can show the Moon Rabbit, closely associated with this year.
You can show celebrations of the Chinese New Year, such as Shanghai parades, Singapore fireworks, Dragon Dancing.
You can show Chinese New Year traditions, like the gifting of money in red envelopes.

Usually the post office releases an awesome stamp to celebrate Chinese New Year, but I haven't seen this year's offering quite yet.
But it should have something to do with the 2011 Rabbit, and may give you additional inspiration.




* This is a 3 for 3 or 6 for 6 card trade. Make 3 or 6 cards and receive 3 or 6 cards back.

* All mediums and styles are welcome. All I ask is that you send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.

* If you are inside the U.S., please include a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped BUSINESS SIZE Envelope 4 by 9 1/2), or a mailing label with your address and loose stamps. Please put your Username and Swap Name on your mailing envelope, return envelope, and on all cards. And please write clearly on everything!

* International participants, I will cover your postage. Please include a self addressed BUSINESS SIZE envelope 4 by 9 1/2, or a mailing label with your address. Please put your username and Swap Name on your mailing envelope, return envelope if sent, and on all cards and labels. And please write clearly on everything!

* Cards are due to me by February 4th. Please allow sufficient lead time for cards to get to me, particularly if you are an International participant. itrader ratings will be given when I receive your cards. Returns will be mailed promptly. Late cards will be returned as it is unfair to those participants who always have their cards in early or on time.

* Remember: We all want to be able to know who to give rep points back to. So, do not forget to put your username, swap name, and title on the back of each card!

* An extra ATC in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!

* Thanks for considering this swap! I’ll PM you with my address when you sign up!

* Above all ~Have fun!!!

Here are some links to get you started:

http://lunarnewyearhouston.com/the-rabbit-and-the-cat/

Recipes and Food Symbolism
http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Lunar-Ne...29=Link_1&me=1

Chinese New Year
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/chinesenewyear1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_new_year
http://www.hillmanweb.com/newyear/

Chinese Zodiac Calendar
http://www.infoplease.com/calendar/chinese-zodiac.html

Chinese Year of the Rabbit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_(zodiac)

Canada Postal System Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit Stamp
Link to it's web site for the story behind it's creation, and how it will be issued: (the souvenir sheet is wonderfully designed)!
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/pers...jan_rabbit.jsf

U.S.A. Postal System Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit Stamp
https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/sto...WT.ac=10007152

Australian Postal System Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabit Stamp
The Australian stamps are a little different in that they show how the Chinese character developed.
http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamps/st...-new-year-2011

Chinese Lantern Festival
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival

Special Chinese red packets called hong bao (in Mandarin) or lai see (in Cantonese) - are specifically used during the Chinese New Year to give monetary gifts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_bao


Current Participants:
Chinese New Year - Due February 4, 2011

*1. Wil Opio Oguta - it - Cards Received 12/27 * THE NETHERLANDS
2. RaineyDay - aa - Cards Received 1/7
*3. SMikell - it - Cards Received 1/28
*4. Katelnorth - it - Cards Received 12/27 *LONDON
*5. Locke - it - Cards Received 1/8
*/. Gerry - WITHDREW *UNITED KINGDOM
rn6. Cecileb - it - Cards Received 1/03 * NEWFOUNDLAND
7. thepozbabe - it - Cards Received 2/01 * UNITED KINGDOM
*8. PAMI - it - Cards Received 12/10
*9. lafaver55 - it - Cards Received 12/10
*//. mamagoiter - WITHDREW
*10. WildGoose - it - Cards Received 1/18 * CANADA
*11. pirategrrl775 - it - Cards Received 1/27
*12. bridgetgethins - it - Cards Received 1/31
*13. Vicki Z - Cards Received 1/22
*14. Donnacr - it - Cards Received 1/22 * AUSTRALIA
*15. jo.on.the.go - it - Cards Received 1/22
*16. Dakota.Joe - it - Cards Received 1/21 * CANADA
*//. bastcrystal - WITHDREW
*17. GingerGirl - it - Cards Received 2/01
*//. CAMeo Chery - WITHDREW
*18. RedRoses42 - it - Cards Received 12/22
*19. margoartist - it - Cards Received 2/04
*20. Laura D. - it - Cards Received 1/03
21. FingerPainter- it - Cards Received 12/27
*22. maggiebloom- it - Cards Received 12/21 * CANADA
*23. papersaga - it - Cards Received 1/04
24. Tam - it - Cards Received 1/31
*25. CynthiaSillitoe - it - Cards Received 1/06
*//. thenuttyhousewife - NO CARDS NO COMMUNICATION
*//. tlsexton0913 - WITHDREW
26. msscrappyr - it - Cards Received 1/15
*27. Elf - it - Cards Received 1/13
28. Josette - - it - Cards Received 1/28
*//. paine - NO CARDS NO COMMUNICATION
*29. SunTrade - it - Cards Received 1/13
*30. Tilas - it - Cards Received 1/15 * CANADA
*31. Mossiccie - it - Cards Received 2/02
*32. sammylouise40 - it - Cards Received 1/11
*33. Phrixy - it - Cards Received 2/02 * CANADA
34. minnkel - - it - Cards Received 1/28
*35. memhill - it - Cards Received 1/22
*36. louisezee - it - Cards Received 1/20 * CANADA
*37. Kavka - it - Cards Received 1/13
*38. alanabannana - it - Cards Received 1/13
*39. arlie707 - it - Cards Received 1/25 *CANADA
*40. Craftygirl34 - it - Cards Received 2/01 * UNITED KINGDOM
*41. momoruth - it - Cards Received 1/31


* INTERNATIONAL

[Wil Opio Oguta]

Chinese food?? I am getting hungry Please sign me up

[Vicki Z]

Yippeeee, my first victim (err, participant)
I have signed you up.

[RaineyDay]

Oh boy! I'm so glad I stumbled onto the group today. Please sign me up for the Chinese New Year swap.

[Vicki Z]

Welcome RaineyDay.
I have signed you up.

[Mossiccie]

Oh, wow! I would love to participate, though for now I'm going to have to lurk. I'm going to be moving right around the time when the returns come back, so I might need to give you my sister's address or something. but that will mean needing to talk to her first. I'll let you know when I've got things worked out. Either way, I'll be international.

Chinese New Year is one of my favourite things though! When I was 11 my grade 5 teacher read us the story of the great race and I memorized just about the entire thing. I always have found it fascinating that most of the animals actually arrived in twos, with the exception of the Dragon and the Rooster (numbers 5 and 10). It's such a great, colourful and lively story. It would make AMAZING cards!

Yeah. Anyhow, lurk lurk.

[Vicki Z]

Sounds like a wonderful story!! Do you know/remember the name of the story you were read? I did some checking on "the great race" and didn't find anything connected with Chinese New year.

Hope to see you back.
I can also hold your cards until you are re-settled, but you would get them late that way. But if that you help you out, I am happy to delay mailing them out. Just let me know.

[SMikell]

I would LOVE to join!

[SMikell]

I remember hearing a story like that. It tells how the Zodiac was put in order.

[katelnorth]

this sounds like a good one - count me in, please.

kate

[Mossiccie]

Yeah, that's the one SMikell. There's a few different versions of it and I've recently realized while looking it up that the one I know is actually a bit different from most others. Don't know why, but I like the version I know best. It does change the tone of a lot of the relationships though, particularily that comment I made about the animals arriving in pairs, but either way it's a beautiful story. It's pretty long, though, so I'll refrain from reciting the whole thing.

Maybe just try googling origins of the Chinese Zodiac? If you find something about a great race and crossing a river, that's the one. And yeah, still considering joining the swap. I need to finish up some other cards first for other things, but thank you for being willing to work within my confusing situation! I just don't want to commit until I feel like I can definitely do it.

[Locke]

fjhksjdfnsklfb I wanted to start a swap like this!

May I please join?

[Gerry]

oohh me me me please

[Vicki Z]

Welcome SMikel, Katelnorth, and Gerry.
I have signed you up.

fjhksjdfnsklfb I wanted to start a swap like this!
May I please join?

Hmmmm??
Not quite sure how to translate that, but I have signed you up, Locke

[Cecileb]

Please can I join?

[thepozbabe]

Can i join please?

[alanabannana]

I may be interested. Will think on it.

[Vicki Z]

Welcome Cecileb and the pozbabe.
I have signed you up.

Lurkers welcome, alanabannana.
Hope to see you back.

[thepozbabe]

Thank you Vicky.x

[PAMI]

please sign me up this sounds like fun