SWL ~ PL: Beginners using template

Hi all & welcome to the "PL" - pocket letter series.

For this swap we are using a template for our pocket letter. I found the template on Pinterest. I thought this would be great for a swap, as the usual questions that arise in pocket letter swaps is "what do I put in each pocket?" - people tend to get confused what is required in the pockets, and if it just "senders choice" -- then many people shy away from this, worried that they don't quite understand what to do. However, with this swap, whether you are a "newbie" to pocket letters or not you will follow the template so you know what to put in each pocket. The template is very basic & I have come up with ideas for changes which are listed below. This keeps your creativity alive and is not strict with themes or colours, etc. Have fun! :)

Requirements / info

1) Grab a 9 pocket sleeve.

2) Using the template here fill each pocket AND see the explanation guide BELOW.

3) You don't have to follow the template guide pocket for pocket... you can move them around, for example. If your partner doesn't like one of the pockets on the template, you can switch it for something else but it's not required to do this. Please don't change the template completely & just make a random pocket letter - this is the whole point of the swap to somehow use the template to help you.

4) Themes, colours, types of stationery to use is senders choice. For example you could theme your pockets by a colour, an animal or each pocket could be random. It could be bright, have a handmade theme and use ATC's/drawings etc. You could include a profile-based pocket, or it could be all senders choice. I would check your partners profile for dislikes and allergies, though, as there is an edible pocket.

5) Each pocket must have at least 1 item in it minimum.

6) If you haven't mentioned in your letter, please include a short note - in the pocket letter or in the envelope you're sending in - with your swap username & the swap name.

Examples & explanations for each pocket - Image of the original template here

1) Letter ~ Handwritten letter on letter set paper, memos, misc paper. Length is up to sender, if it is too long you may have to split it up into separate pockets. Please don't just write a few sentences on 1 tiny memo sheet... use common sense. You could talk about yourself, your life, your likes/dislikes, what you are doing next week, plans for the summer, etc.

2) Ephemera ~ It can be difficult to pin down what exactly IS ephemera. Some ideas could be paper scraps (attractive) for collage/mail art, embellishments/buttons, washi tape samples, postage stamps, craft items like rub-ons, rubber stamped images, doilies, paper clips, ATC supplies, small notecards, anything paper/card that can fit into the pocket, attractive/nice cut-outs for collage, stationery. The list is endless.

3) Stickers ~ Self explanatory ;)

4) Mail tag ~ This is handwritten on a memo/piece of paper or card; or anything that can be used to write on, really. It is a fun, friendly "request" that your partner is asked of to send back to you. You can ask questions, or ask them to send you something like their favourite tea, a receipt from their purse, a to-do list. Example here

5) Quote ~ Self explanatory, again. :) Could be written by you on a memo/card, a journaling card with a quote, small/tiny quotes cut out from magazines & books inside the pocket, or it could be a quote stuck on the outside of the pocket & something else inside the pocket. Get creative. :]

6) About me ~ If you would like to keep this separate from the Letter, I would recommend you don't repeat yourself. xD You may also swap this for something else, such as another Ephemera or Stickers pocket.

7) Misc ~ Filll the pocket with whatever you want! Senders choice pocket ;) Perhaps handmade, completely random, themed pocket?

8) Pocket letter explanation ~ I don't think this is needed for ours, however you can if you wish. I would change this for something else, perhaps a Profile based pocket - then you can use the Misc for senders choice & they're next to each other. Or you can swap it for something else entirely, e.g, a vintage pocket, a postage stamp pocket, a handmade pocket.

10) Tea ~ Check your partners profile for this. If they have allergies to caffeine, or dislike tea, you may send a different hot drink instead, or something else edible for example a small snack or treat; Mini chocolate bar, a wrapped sweetie, a lollipop, a gum packet.

If you have any questions, just let me know. Happy swapping & have fun :)

Swap picture is not what is required from you & is just a picture of a pocket letter.