Ghosts Among Us, Due October 11, 2022

Vicki Z

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Swap Due Date: Due October 11, 2022
Signup/Withdraw Date: Due October 11, 2022
Number of Cards: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited
Medium: Any and all media and techniques are welcome
Ghosts Among Us, Due October 11, 2022



As days get shorter and night comes sooner, shadows appear earlier and are more noticeable.

Ghosts go by many names -- spirits, spooks, apparitions, haunts
We may think of Helpers, Guardians, Protectors, or dearly departed relatives, that we may "see" or only "feel", but who may often council us, protect us, or in general, help us.
Also known as "Cold Spots", "Aural Emanations"
Specialized ghosts have specialized names, usually based on their personalities and/or activities

Do you believe in ghosts?
Have you ever seen a ghost, heard or felt a ghost, been helped by one, been frightened by one?
Call them spirits, or call them ghosts, be they helpful, frightening, quiet
Whatever form spirits or ghosts arrive in, 1 in 3 Americans believe in them. Do you?

My Maternal Grandmother is my Guardian Ghost, and I cannot tell you how may times she has helped me, as well as created a Miracle on my behalf. I see her passing through the kitchen. I smell her backing Banana nut loaf or date bread. I smell her distinctive "White Roses" cologne when she comes to help, or when she is just "passing through". I am comforted by her presence and her continued interest and care.
I have been told by others that they can smell their late father's aftershave, so we can "smell" ghosts as well as sense them and see them.

Ghosts may be tied to a physical object or to a particular location.
Ghosts may arrive with one of their personal possessions or with a piece of furniture (of theirs) you may have acquired.
You may be surprised to know that even a "New" House can harbor "Old Spirits" if built on the footprint of an "Old Site". An "Old" House may still house the earlier inhabitants - living as ghosts, even if the "Old" house has been removed or destroyed. Have you seen the 1935 movie "The Ghost Goes West", a comedy in which a Scottish castle and its ghost are moved to Florida, a perfect example of ghosts tied to a location.

Ghosts can often be seen or sensed by pets, and some young children, even when their owner is unaware of their presence.
Spirits often gather around the hospital bed of a dying person, perhaps to guide them beyond death's door.
Spirits may remain on this plane, rather than moving on, particularly if they have unfinished business, or if they died violently or unexpectedly.
Ghosts may be naughty children, for children are the most numerous of all ghost sightings.
.....It is theorized that perhaps they do not know they are dead, and continue to "live" and "play" and interact.
They may be playful pirates, or serious battle hardened soldiers, who died in battle, or died violently
They may be screaming Banshees, who, according to Scottish tradition, can foretell an impending death.

GHOSTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE PEOPLE
A dog ghost (or an animal, or bird, ghost) would be fine.
One does not have to stick with people ghosts.
Ghostly pirates, gallions, houses, graveyards, mansions are all fine.
Folk-lore and local legends provide lots of ideas about people, places, dogs cats and horses.

MIRRORS
In the 19th Century, Victorian funeral customs demanded that mirrors be covered with crepe or veiling to prevent the deceased spirit from getting trapped in the mirror and becoming a resident ghost in that house, consequently not being able to move on to the afterlife.
It is said that viewing a mirror by candlelight will not only show you your own reflection, but will also show you all the ghosts (and any other entities) that inhabit the place where the mirror is hung.
Sometimes family photos would be placed face down to avoid the ghost of the dead possessing the living.

OUIJA BOARD, SEANCES
It is thought that ghosts and spirits may be summoned and/or communicated with through the Ouija board or during a Seance.

AUTOMATIC WRITING
Sometimes when a loved one passes on, they may have information they want to/need to share with those left behind.
They may wish to grant assistance in finding lost or misplaced objects.
For those who cannot, or don't wish to, SEE ghosts, many people have had good results with "Automatic Writing", also called "The Moving Hand".
One takes in hand a writing instrument, poises the pen over blank paper, asks a question, clears their mind, closes their eyes, and lets their hand do the work.
One doesn't have to believe in ghosts, or see anything spooky, one just needs to be seeking an answer.
Of course, if the (correct) answer shows up in (dead) Mom's distinctive handwriting, it can be very spooky.

SHE STILL WATCHES
Do you smell her lilac cologne on a cool fall day when all the lilacs have stopped blooming? Do you see her in the morning mist, doing those things she used to do to please you, perhaps making you breakfast? Do you feel her presence at momentous events? Does she comfort you when you need her most? Can you sense she is with you?
You should know, she loves you still.
(This also applies to men, and the smell of Dad's aftershave.)

CLOTHING
Ghosts, when seen, are often wearing the same clothes worn then last alive.
This means they may be wearing the clothing of the time period in which they lived and died, which may be much different from today’s clothing. Or they may be wearing the same clothes worn the last time you saw him/her.

ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF GHOSTS
Photographs have been taken of ghosts, looking like a double exposure with the outlines of trees and buildings fully visible through the body of the apparition. Make a card depicting this, use a real photograph if you have one. Also consider photographs of ghosts in haunted houses, if you visit any.....

Try to explore other aspects of ghosts rather than just the "standard" Halloween ghost.
Make ATCs that depict ghosts in their many forms and appearances.
Helpful ghosts, Nasty ghosts, guardian ghosts, poltergeists......



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

* ALL mediums and techniques are welcome. Please make sure you add some depth to your cards, whatever style you choose. Your mediums can include, but are not limited to: paper, tissue paper, crayon, acrylic, watercolor, gel pens, colored pencil, rubber stamping, ink, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, etc. Please do not take an image, cut it out, glue it to a card, and call it done. Color the background. Add some texture. Add more than one image. Make the ATC YOUR CREATION! Please send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.

* Please sign up by posting to this thread.
* ONLY ATCs allowed. No APCs accepted.
* All cards need to be sent each in their own plastic sleeve.
* All cards need to be standard ATC size: 2.5” x 3.5”
* All cards need to be sturdy enough to earn the name “card” (no floppy or flimsy paper). If it is created on a single sheet of paper, and "flimsy", please back your ATC with something stiffer, or more firm, such as a cereal box.
* Just as important, check for cards that are too thick. Each card must still be capable of fitting into the standard ATC sleeve. If your ATC will not fit into an ATC sleeve, it is too bulky.
* Please put the Swap name and your Username on the back of all cards. And please write clearly on everything!
.....We can't give you itrades and/or You Rock! points if we don't know who you are.
* Please confirm there is enough postage on both the envelope you send to me, and the envelope I need to send back to you.
* If you are unsure about mailing ATCs, or just may want to pick up some good tips for shipping, here is a great link. http://atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=909

* If you are inside the U.S., please include a Self Addressed Stamped (Business Size) Envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches, with one "Forever" stamp or current First Class Postage, if trading 3 cards; or one "Forever" and one additional ounce postage stamp if trading 6 cards, OR if your cards are extra heavy or extra bulky (or 2 forever stamps if that is easier).

* International participants, if you have U.S. funds, or U.S. postage, it is greatly appreciated. However, since many of you do not have access to U.S. stamps/money, I will cover your postage. Please include a self addressed envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches (10 x 28 cm), or if you do not have the correct size envelope, please include a large mailing label with your address and I will provide the envelope.

* I apologize for being so demanding about the envelope size, but the postal rates in the US charge extra for thickness. When cards are stacked, or overlapped, in (a smaller) envelope, it almost always costs more to mail. If you send me a small envy, the cards get stacked. When I use the 4 inch by 9 1/2 inch business size envelopes, I can spread the cards over the area, making a THIN package, and only pay for basic (minimum) postage.

* Cards are due IN MY HANDS by October 11, 2022. Please allow sufficient lead time for cards to get to me, particularly if you are an International participant. Returns will be mailed promptly. Please leave iTrader for your host ONLY (me) when you receive your returns, and please take the time to leave Reputation/You Rock points for your fellow players from whom you receive cards.

* A hostie card in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!

* Thank you for considering this swap! If you have my address from previous swaps, it hasn't changed. If you are new, or have not been in one of my swaps for a while, please PM me for my address when you sign up or when you are ready to mail.

* Above all ~Have fun!!!

I have run out of room in this post.
Please see Post #4 for list of participants.
 
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Sorry, I ran out of room on the first post.

Current Participants:
Ghosts Among Up, Due October 11,2022


*1. Ancient Planter -- Cards Received 9/29
*2. AndromedasWitchery -- Cards Received 8/30 * ITALY
*/. TrinaLD -- WITHDREW
*3. chimerix -- Cards Received 9/08
*4; JoyceG -- Cards Received 8/12
rn5. Monroy28 -- Cards Received 8/29
*/. Arc2dreams -- WITHDREW
*6. RaineyDay -- Cards Received 9/19
*7. leydab -- Cards Received 9/19
8; angelmarlo -- Cards Received 9/23
*9. Boots -- Cards Received 8/13
*10. LuAnnP -- Cards Received 9/19
*11. mrubyjean -- Cards Received 9/21
*12. jezebelle -- Cards Received
*13. Vicki Z -- Cards Received 8/13
14. Morella -- Cards Received


* INTERNATIONAL
 
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Welcome Ancient Planter.
Good to have you.
I signed you up.

Hi jezebelle.
Hope you come back and join us.
 
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I'd love to join!

I do have a personal story about an encounter with my dad's dog's (who passed when I was maybe four?) spirit when I was younger, would a depiction of that be okay, or should I stick with "people" ghosts?
 
Welcome Morella,

A dog ghost (or any animal, bird, etc., ghost) would be fine.
One does not have to stick with people ghosts.
Please tell us more about your encounter.
This sounds fascinating.

I signed you up.
 
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Mmmm... sounds really interesting and intriguing....
May I ask if animal ghosts and/or things like ghostly gallions could be ok?
I love folk-lore and always find there a lot of ideas....
 
Mmmm... sounds really interesting and intriguing....
May I ask if animal ghosts and/or things like ghostly gallions could be ok?
I love folk-lore and always find there a lot of ideas....

Yes, animal ghosts are fine.
Ghostly pirates, gallions, houses, graveyards, mansions are all fine.
You are correct, folk-lore and local legends provide lots of ideas.
 
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Welcome AndromedasWitchery.
I signed you up.
I notice you are in Italy.
Please allow plenty of time for your ATCs to reach me in the United States.
Postal service has been extremely slow.
I suggest mailing 1o days to 2 weeks prior to deadline.
 
Yay! Surely will do!
Admit I try to leave around more that 3 weeks before the deadline for major security, even if I use a Priority shipping...
And... thank you sooo much for covering the postage! You're really kind!
 
Please tell us more about your encounter.
This sounds fascinating.

So, I had gotten up to get ready for school (this was in 4th grade I believe), it was still pretty dark outside. I opened the freezer to get out some frozen waffles for breakfast, and when I closed it, I saw the pale figure of a Labrador Retriever out of the corner of my eye, just sitting in the dark doorway, watching me. It gave me a sense of protection and peace. I went to tell my mom (who was still in bed) and she reminded me of Woodie, who was always loving and looking out for me when I was a baby and toddler, and we're sure he was still doing the same in his afterlife!

Here's me with our other dog, Hobie, when he was a puppy, with Woodie in the background.
P0004588.jpg
 
Wonderful story!
Thanks for sharing.

I cannot wait to see how you incorporate this into an ATC.
 
So, I had gotten up to get ready for school (this was in 4th grade I believe), it was still pretty dark outside. I opened the freezer to get out some frozen waffles for breakfast, and when I closed it, I saw the pale figure of a Labrador Retriever out of the corner of my eye, just sitting in the dark doorway, watching me. It gave me a sense of protection and peace. I went to tell my mom (who was still in bed) and she reminded me of Woodie, who was always loving and looking out for me when I was a baby and toddler, and we're sure he was still doing the same in his afterlife!

Here's me with our other dog, Hobie, when he was a puppy, with Woodie in the background.
View attachment 233762

Awesome story!
Is fantastic how who loved us in life continues to protect and guide us, no matter if they're human or animals!
Is really beautiful knowing that a protector like this is still by side, I think!

And I perfectly understand what you mean saying you've seen him at the corner of the eye!
 
We have been having extremely dry weather, but it FINALLY decided to rain overnight.
This morning there is a magical, mystical fog that has ghostly whisps rising with every breeze.
I think I shall create some ATCs this morning.
 
Even if here is still really hot, admit that today there were a little bit of mist too!
And... got some ideas! I'm near to finish the first card of Ghost series!!!
 
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