scrapbook

An acid free scrapbook is the best way to create a journal photo memory book for our future children from China. A scrap exchange will take place each month with members sending the same decorative item to each participant (approximately ten total).

Borders and corners can be created with stickers, punches, stamping, creative cutting, your own words and wishes...there's no limit to our creativity! See below for more suggestions & idea's...

June Theme:
Birthday's

Schedule for each month's exchange:

1st of the month: Coordinator posts that month's theme directly to our yahoo group list

5th of the month: Anyone wishing to join that month's exchange, must email the coordinator directly by this date!

heartinchina@pobox.com

(If you wish to be considered a permanent member of our scrap exchange, please notify me of that fact. )

6th of the month: Coordinator directly emails all members who have registered by the 5th and provides confirmation and final details.

4th FRIDAY of each month: ALL EXCHANGE ITEMS MUST BE MAILED TO THE COORDINATOR ON OR BEFORE THIS DATE. On the day your packet is mailed to the coordinator, you must also email the coordinator.

And finally, please email the coordinator when your return package has been received!

Your scrapbook exchange packet must include:

***Duplicate acid free/lignin free scrapbook exchange items (average number of items to be made is 10, though this fluctuates monthly). Please initial or sign the back of your work.

***One firm piece of cardboard to protect return package shipment.

***Return self-addressed stamped 9X12 or 9X13 envelope -- stamped with $1.03 or $1.26. If your cardboard is thin (cereal box), stamp the return envelope $1.03. If your cardboard is heavy, stamp the return envelope $1.26. The post office does not accept metered return envelopes. ONLY use stamps! Please mark the SASE "Fragile, Do Not Bend." The coordinator will immediately resort and send after all packages are received.

*** 2 additional stamps -- These are used only if the coordinator requires additional postage and will be returned if unused. Typically, the SASE $1.03/$1.26 postage is sufficient.

Please understand that swap items should include at least several gender neutral items since several members may be requesting boys. For example, one member recently included ladybug babybugs with and without hair bows.

Email me directly with questions or if you wish to join a future scrapbook exchange!

Upcoming themes: Red Thread, China, Travel, Dragons, and a "border only" swap. Everyone is invited to suggest future themes by directly emailing the coordinator. |

June: Birthday's

Past Months Themes:

July -- Ladybug Swap (see samples!)
August -- Panda's

September -- Patriotic (see samples!)
October -- Autumn / Halloween (see samples!)
November -- Thanksgiving (see samples!)
December -- no exchange
January -- Christmas or Hanukkah (see samples!)
February -- Chinese New Year (see samples!)
March -- Spring (see samples!)
April - China Travel (see samples!)
May -- First's & Favorites (see samples!)

Suggestions:

Corners, borders, punchart, unique acid-free creations of any kind suitable for inclusion in our children's future scrapbooks. See suggestions

I suggest that you send a minimum of 2 identical borders, 4 matching corners, or 1 unique paper piecing (if you're unfamiliar with paper piecing, please view a lesson on paper piecing that was made for our August Panda exchange). Or use your creativity and design a unique title box using punchart, design an original layout that can be copied and include cut components and stickers...there is no limit to the creativity you can share!

Please note that borders should be 12 inches long in order that they may accommodate the largest scrapbook (12 x 12). In general, 12 inch borders can be cut shorter by recipients for inclusion in a smaller book.

If you are interested in exploring the best scrapbook websites, I suggest the following:

www.twopeasinabucket.com
www.dmarie.com
www.pebblesinmypocket.com

These three websites contain a wealth of product information along with layout suggestions and much more.

I also recommend Creative Memories consultants for their superior scrapbook products.

If you are curious about scrapbook paper piecing, you might want to explore ebay. Search for "paper piecing" and you'll be amazed at what you find....and sometimes the prices people pay for unique creations!

And if you'd like a lesson on chalking your paper piecing and punch art

Click here! Graceful Bee Features:
Enhancing your Scrapbook Pages with Chalk!

Best of luck and happy scrappin'!

Karen, June2001DTC scrapbook exchange coordinator