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- Apr 20, 2011
- Messages
- 9,587
Oh My Word (yes, I'm from the South)! I am SO.EXCITED. about this!
I teased you last week...
And a few of you picked up on it. Perhaps the new TLP Pinterest board helped
And if you didn't figure it out, it's time for the Big Reveal!
*LILYPAD LETTERS*
OK, guys. Prepare yourself for a long post. I need to review all of the details and it will take a bit. Be patient and let's get going...
This is a recent phenomenon that many of you are already aware of. It is inspired by Pocket Letters, created by Janette Lane. You can find her website here and it gives a lot of information about the original idea and many examples.
Basically, the idea is a Snail Mail Swap between TWO swappers only (at a time). The pages will all be the same size. We will be using 9 Pocket Page Protectors (8.5 x 11 in). These are Trading Card (or baseball card) Pocket pages similar to this:
They can be purchased from Amazon (above) or from most stores that sell office supplies (Wal-Mart, Target, Staples, etc)
And they fit in standard 3 ring binders like this, that can also be found just about anywhere and can be customized to look super cool (psst... the gals participating in the ATC Swap here at The Pad are familiar with these and are already filling a gorgeous book):
Once you have your pocket protector, you get to fill it up with awesomeness and send it to someone else in exchange for a work of art created by them! How cool is that? Here are some more specifics for you in the form of FAQ.
1. What do I use to fill my Lilypad Letter?
You will fill each pocket with paper/cards and goodies. My suggestion is that you start with a background. For example, you can use any of the incredible variety of Journal Cards from right here at The Lilypad, cut them down to size (2.5 x 3.5 in) and slip them in.
Or you can print some Paper or use paper you already have, cut it up and slip it in as your "background".
Once you have your background, you can start adding the fun stuff to some (or all) of the pockets. Here are a FEW ideas although once you see some inspiration you will think of an endless number of goodies to add.
a. Die-Cuts, ephemera, tags, alphas or Elements!
b. Small office supplies like paper clips (altered to be super fun perhaps?... tutorial coming)
c. Scatter (a fun chance to get out your sewing machine or fuse tool)
d. Stickers
e. Sticky Notes
f. Quotes
g. Gemstones, small beads or buttons
h. Tickets/receipts
i. Ribbon/string
j. Lace or doilies
k. Washi tape card
l. Tea bag, gum or candy (wrapped of course)
m. Paper dolls, Vintage pattern art
SEE... anything goes. It just needs to fit in the pockets and be flat enough to fold and ship.
2. Why is it called a Letter?
Each Lilypad Letter needs to include something about YOU tucked into one of the pockets. This will be a letter or a short note sharing a bit about yourself. It doesn't need to be any deep, dark secrets (in fact, I would not advise that). But it does need to tell something about yourself, in your own handwriting. Maybe another hobby, a bit about your home life/home town. Just some way for us to connect a bit more with one another!
3. What does it cost?
There is NO cost from The Lilypad. The cost of participating is just what you spend creating your page... and honestly it can be done with things you have on hand for the most part... and the cost of Shipping.
4. Can Internationals participate?
ABSOLUTELY. Everyone is welcome. However, it is a teeny bit more expensive to ship internationally so it that is a significant concern for you, please just indicate that you prefer Domestic Only when you PM me to sign up. No biggie.
5. What about a Theme? I need a Theme!
I will be listing FIVE different themes for you to choose from. These will rotate out every few weeks so be sure to take a fresh look and be sure your theme is still available to choose when you sign up
Current themes can be found HERE.
6. I'm In! What next?
All you need to do to get involved is send ME a Private Message that you want to play along and send me the Theme you choose. The 1st TWO individuals to request a particular theme will be paired. Please know that it will be completely 1st come, 1st serve... so if I have 3 requests for a theme, the 1st two that were sent will be paired and the 3rd will be paired once a 4th person also requests that theme. Easy? I'll also be updating this thread if someone is in need of a partner
I'll be updating THIS POST with Confirmed Partners.
7. Do I decorate the back?
It's up to you what you do with the back, but an easy way to make sure the back is as pretty as the front is to put patterned paper there as well. Or get creative... there are so many options.
8. What about my Personal Information?
You will be exchanging that with your partner ONLY. Please do not post any addresses, etc. in the public forum for your own protection. Once you are paired with a partner, you are free to PM or e-mail each other with updates/questions/addresses, etc.
9. How much time do I have to create my Lilypad Letter?
Once you are paired with a partner, you have TWO WEEKS to get it in the mail. If there is a previously unforeseen reason this cannot happen, please contact with your partner to let them know, but please do all you can to send your letter in a timely manner.
10. How do I ship these?
The easiest way is to fold them 3 ways (top down and bottom up) so they fit nicely in a smaller envelope.
11. Can I sign up for more than one theme/Letter?
Once you have the Lilypad Letter that you created IN THE MAIL, you can request a new partner. You do not have to have received your Letter, just have sent yours.
12. Can I use Mixed Media?
YES! COOL! PLEASE! LOL. If you are a painter, paint. A scrapper, scrap. A zentangler, zentangle. You get the idea. Make it all your own!
13. Is there a TLP requirement?
These Letters will include all kinds of goodies, as mentioned above. However, TLP product must make up at least 75% of any digital products used.
Also, we really want to see these! So, please snap a photo of your pocket before you send it if possible and once your partner receives it, please upload the image (with credits) to The Lilypad gallery. We'll be pinning these as well to the Pinterest board. I can't wait for the inspiration you guys are gonna bring!
13. I still have questions!
Feel free to respond in this thread with any other questions/clarification and I'll answer as promptly as I can.
This is gonna be SO.FUN.
INSPIRATION
Check out this Lilypad Pinterest Board for some awesome inspiration. Or just search Pinterest/Google for Pocket Letters. It'll really get your creative juices flowing.
And HERE is where you can find the Thread listing the CURRENT THEMES and Confirmed partners!
HAVE FUN!
I teased you last week...
And a few of you picked up on it. Perhaps the new TLP Pinterest board helped
And if you didn't figure it out, it's time for the Big Reveal!
*LILYPAD LETTERS*
OK, guys. Prepare yourself for a long post. I need to review all of the details and it will take a bit. Be patient and let's get going...
This is a recent phenomenon that many of you are already aware of. It is inspired by Pocket Letters, created by Janette Lane. You can find her website here and it gives a lot of information about the original idea and many examples.
Basically, the idea is a Snail Mail Swap between TWO swappers only (at a time). The pages will all be the same size. We will be using 9 Pocket Page Protectors (8.5 x 11 in). These are Trading Card (or baseball card) Pocket pages similar to this:
They can be purchased from Amazon (above) or from most stores that sell office supplies (Wal-Mart, Target, Staples, etc)
And they fit in standard 3 ring binders like this, that can also be found just about anywhere and can be customized to look super cool (psst... the gals participating in the ATC Swap here at The Pad are familiar with these and are already filling a gorgeous book):
Once you have your pocket protector, you get to fill it up with awesomeness and send it to someone else in exchange for a work of art created by them! How cool is that? Here are some more specifics for you in the form of FAQ.
1. What do I use to fill my Lilypad Letter?
You will fill each pocket with paper/cards and goodies. My suggestion is that you start with a background. For example, you can use any of the incredible variety of Journal Cards from right here at The Lilypad, cut them down to size (2.5 x 3.5 in) and slip them in.
Or you can print some Paper or use paper you already have, cut it up and slip it in as your "background".
Once you have your background, you can start adding the fun stuff to some (or all) of the pockets. Here are a FEW ideas although once you see some inspiration you will think of an endless number of goodies to add.
a. Die-Cuts, ephemera, tags, alphas or Elements!
b. Small office supplies like paper clips (altered to be super fun perhaps?... tutorial coming)
c. Scatter (a fun chance to get out your sewing machine or fuse tool)
d. Stickers
e. Sticky Notes
f. Quotes
g. Gemstones, small beads or buttons
h. Tickets/receipts
i. Ribbon/string
j. Lace or doilies
k. Washi tape card
l. Tea bag, gum or candy (wrapped of course)
m. Paper dolls, Vintage pattern art
SEE... anything goes. It just needs to fit in the pockets and be flat enough to fold and ship.
2. Why is it called a Letter?
Each Lilypad Letter needs to include something about YOU tucked into one of the pockets. This will be a letter or a short note sharing a bit about yourself. It doesn't need to be any deep, dark secrets (in fact, I would not advise that). But it does need to tell something about yourself, in your own handwriting. Maybe another hobby, a bit about your home life/home town. Just some way for us to connect a bit more with one another!
3. What does it cost?
There is NO cost from The Lilypad. The cost of participating is just what you spend creating your page... and honestly it can be done with things you have on hand for the most part... and the cost of Shipping.
4. Can Internationals participate?
ABSOLUTELY. Everyone is welcome. However, it is a teeny bit more expensive to ship internationally so it that is a significant concern for you, please just indicate that you prefer Domestic Only when you PM me to sign up. No biggie.
5. What about a Theme? I need a Theme!
I will be listing FIVE different themes for you to choose from. These will rotate out every few weeks so be sure to take a fresh look and be sure your theme is still available to choose when you sign up
Current themes can be found HERE.
6. I'm In! What next?
All you need to do to get involved is send ME a Private Message that you want to play along and send me the Theme you choose. The 1st TWO individuals to request a particular theme will be paired. Please know that it will be completely 1st come, 1st serve... so if I have 3 requests for a theme, the 1st two that were sent will be paired and the 3rd will be paired once a 4th person also requests that theme. Easy? I'll also be updating this thread if someone is in need of a partner
I'll be updating THIS POST with Confirmed Partners.
7. Do I decorate the back?
It's up to you what you do with the back, but an easy way to make sure the back is as pretty as the front is to put patterned paper there as well. Or get creative... there are so many options.
8. What about my Personal Information?
You will be exchanging that with your partner ONLY. Please do not post any addresses, etc. in the public forum for your own protection. Once you are paired with a partner, you are free to PM or e-mail each other with updates/questions/addresses, etc.
9. How much time do I have to create my Lilypad Letter?
Once you are paired with a partner, you have TWO WEEKS to get it in the mail. If there is a previously unforeseen reason this cannot happen, please contact with your partner to let them know, but please do all you can to send your letter in a timely manner.
10. How do I ship these?
The easiest way is to fold them 3 ways (top down and bottom up) so they fit nicely in a smaller envelope.
11. Can I sign up for more than one theme/Letter?
Once you have the Lilypad Letter that you created IN THE MAIL, you can request a new partner. You do not have to have received your Letter, just have sent yours.
12. Can I use Mixed Media?
YES! COOL! PLEASE! LOL. If you are a painter, paint. A scrapper, scrap. A zentangler, zentangle. You get the idea. Make it all your own!
13. Is there a TLP requirement?
These Letters will include all kinds of goodies, as mentioned above. However, TLP product must make up at least 75% of any digital products used.
Also, we really want to see these! So, please snap a photo of your pocket before you send it if possible and once your partner receives it, please upload the image (with credits) to The Lilypad gallery. We'll be pinning these as well to the Pinterest board. I can't wait for the inspiration you guys are gonna bring!
13. I still have questions!
Feel free to respond in this thread with any other questions/clarification and I'll answer as promptly as I can.
This is gonna be SO.FUN.
INSPIRATION
Check out this Lilypad Pinterest Board for some awesome inspiration. Or just search Pinterest/Google for Pocket Letters. It'll really get your creative juices flowing.
And HERE is where you can find the Thread listing the CURRENT THEMES and Confirmed partners!
HAVE FUN!
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I've tried the shops that sell American craft products, but no joy. Can't find them on Amazon either.
