SWL ~ Handmade envie book #9

Welcome to round 9! Can you believe it? :)

For this swap we'll be getting super creative! I am so happy to be here with round 9. From previous rounds, the books I've been receiving are absolutely beautiful. I encourage everyone to get involved because to receive and make something like this is easy yet so thoughtful. If you'd like to see pictures or details how I make mine, if you've never done it before but would like to join in, check the forums. :)

PLEASE do not join if you are hard to please. I assure you, everyone; please don't panic about requirements, what your book should look like, if your book is good enough, etc etc. Sometimes, it can be hard trying something new... or even making something; whether or not you've done it before. :) This swap is about YOUR artistic ability. I make sure those who join this swap, I know and trust, to create something nice, to dedicate their time to making this, and will rate on this. Your are NOT being rated on your artistic ability but the book itself so PLEASE don't worry! I would love to see some new faces in this swap!

For your 1 partner, you'll be making them a handmade envelope book. Pockets are also allowed; as long as it resembles an envelope/pocket and it opens from the side, top, bottom and something can be put INSIDE it, it hits requirements.

In each envelope/pocket, you put a little surprise for your partner. Really, anything goes here as long as you follow size & layout guidelines.

The difference between this swap and the other handmade book swap is that THIS swap, the book has pockets and envelopes with ephemera/stationery "inside" each pocket/envelope for your partner. If you just want to create a book that has pages without pockets or envelopes, that's the other swap.

Creativity is key here, there's no really "wrong" or "rights" and it's all about putting your own spin on things.

What to do?

Make a book from papers, envelopes, postcards, card stock, etc (1 front, 1 back, binded/stuck), even a greeting/note card can be used as the front & back of the book. If the book itself is not being made from envelopes, you may use anything that is, you know, not gunna fall apart easily; as it is the backbone of your book.

Make a front and back cover paper book; from anything, a notecard in half, postcards, paper stock, envelopes, whatever! Stick, bind, string pages & envelopes you make inside as pages. Please make sure your book is not super tiny. I would say minimum postcard size.

MINIMUM 4 handmade envelopes/pockets in the book. You are more than welcome and encouraged to also include pages made from anything else, or pockets, or smaller envelopes. Or you can stick to the basics. It is up to you.

Each envelope should be a different colour/theme/made out of different papers. Craft paper, card stock, magazine pages, mail art, whatever you want to use. Note the envelopes don't have to all be the same size, they can get smaller and smaller, be in different shapes and sizes, open from the top, bottom, be "pockets", etc.

Make sure each envelope inside your paper book is stuck or binded inside and secure. They can't be loose and fall out. What you use to bind/secure them is up to you, book rings, sellotape, ribbon, twine, etc.

In each envelope, put a small surprise for your partner. A sticker, a letter, paper scraps, a postcard, atcs, embellishments, anything that can fit. Your partner will open each envelope throughout your book and find little surprises along the way.

How many pages you have in your book is up to you and essentially how heavy you want to make the book. If each page is an envelope/pocket it's a minimum 4, but you could also add pages that don't have envelopes/pockets, if you've already included the 4 pockets/envelopes. What you make them out of is senders choice; get creative.

Decorate the envelope book further with stamps, stickers, collage, drawings, paper goods, quotes, embellishments, anything you can think of. ;] The book should NOT be blank!!!

Put it inside an envelope, include a note for your partner with the swap name etc, and send it! :)

Please put a lot of thought into it and create something you are proud of. I can't, and don't want to, tell you how to make this book; so please just use your imagination, get creative & don't worry too much.

Stick to the layout guidelines above & size. As long as there is a front and back cover made from any paper medium, and inside "pages" made out of envelopes, with small surprises inside for your partner, it is up to you what to do with it! :) i am loving what i am receiving and making for this swap, we really are getting more creative each time! :) no journals or notebooks allowed, it has to be all handmade.

Do not worry about it being "sloppy" or "not art" - please. We are all here for 1 reason; we are creative and love creating things.

There are tons of inspiration online, on pinterest, there's tutorials on youtube etc. There's also a little tutorial in the forums how I make mine but please... don't worry. Below are just a few and are not exactly what is expected of you; it is just ideas. The swap picture is one I have made before.

~ http://lulupu.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/all-about-mini-albums-tutorial-and.html - a mini album.

~ http://feeling-crafty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/new-mini-book.html

~ http://www.pinterest.com/happyhippo56/mini-albums-envelopes/

~ http://feeling-crafty.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/christmas-planner-for-2010.html

just simply google for more, there's tons on the internet & pinterest!