Artistamps swap - due August 17th

Gina is back as guest host, and this time she wants to coordinate another "arti-stamp" swap.

What is an arti-stamp, you ask?

Basically it's fake postage....

“The term artistamp or artist's stamp refers to a postage stamp-like art form used to depict or commemorate any subject its creator chooses. Artistamps are not valid  postage and typically the creator has no intent to defraud postal authorities or stamp collectors. “  

We did one of these swaps back in May of 2014 and it was great fun.  You can read Gina's tutorial on how she makes hers by clicking here. 

You can also read my original post, with other tips and info, here. 

You can also see what your fellow swappers made last time by clicking here and here.

For this swap:

Make 5 half-sheets of stamps (with at least 10 stamps per sheet).

Gina is going to keep one of your sheets for herself, and send you a sheet of her own sheets of stamps, plus sheets from four other artists.

Stick your sheets in an envelope.  Include one "forever" stamp ($.49) and one return address mailing label.  Gina will recycle your envelope for the return mailing.

"Afterlife" postcards - due August 10th

Naila Moon is our next guest host, and the theme she chose for her postcard swap is "What the afterlife looks like."

In her email to me she said "The idea here is we all have different religions or lack thereof and we all have different ideas of what the after life looks like. Let's see what people think it does look like but I am including the no words caveat. I will not resend a card if it has words on it."

So interpret this visually however you want, using any style or media you want, but don't put any words or text on your card.

Have fun!

Swap details:

• You may submit as many as four cards (you will get back the same number you send, each from a different artist.)
• Include a mailing label with your name and address for each card you create (they will be attached to the cards that get mailed back to you.)
• Please attach proper postage to your postcard (see below for postal guidelines.)
• If you're sending more than one, please make sure you insert waxed paper or parchment in between the cards so they don't get stuck together in the envelope.
• Write "MSSA Afterlife" on the back of your card to remind the recipient why they are receiving this wonderful work of art in the mail.
• I strongly suggest you write your return address on the back of the postcard in case of postal delivery problems.
•  Leave the right side of the postcard blank (the part where the address goes.)
• A note for your partner on the left side of the postcard is a nice touch.

Postage and card size:

You are welcome to make an size postcard you want, but please pay attention to the following postal guidelines.

• In order to use the postcard rate ($.35) your card cannot be bigger than 4"x6" and it must be thin and flexible.  A 4"x6" card that is thick, lumpy or doesn't bend needs more postage.
• Keep in mind postcard stamps recently increased.

 

•   If you have the old hummingbird, or apple, or aloha stamps you will need to add $.01, $.02 or $.03 respectively to equal the current postcard rate.

 

• If your card is a rectangle bigger than 4"x6" but still flat and flexible, a regular "forever" ($.49) stamp is what you need.
• If your card is an usual shape (square, round, flip-flop) or is kind of lumpy you will need to pay the "non-machinable" rate of $.71
• If your card doesn't bend at all, the post office considers it a package and you should get it weighed to figure out the proper postage.

You can find all the postal specifications and a handy postage calculator here:

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

Primarily - part 1

Gina has started receiving some wonderful primary-colored art in her mailbox!

Two from Christie:

Two from Janice:

 One from Joanne:

Three from Judith:

Patricia sent four like this one:

One from Sandee:

Four from Sheri:

One from Yvonne:

Three from Laurie:

A series of four like this from Sherry:

There are still a few days left to get in on this swap.

Get your cards in the mail to Gina by Monday the 27th.

Swap details are here.

Houses part 2

Check out these beautiful house postcards!

I love the variety.

Two from Care:

Two from Christie:

Three from Cynthia:

Four from Honi:

One from Joanne:

 

Four from Lois:

Four from Nancy:

Three from Patti:

Three from Susan:

Silver Muse - part 5

Four from Nancy C:

Four from Phillip:

Four from Polly:

Four from Rose:

Four from Sheri:

Four from Susan S:

Four from Valerie:

Four from Doris:

Three from Jenny:

Four from Linda: