Hold Dear: s w a p . a n n o u n c e m e n t . . .

I'm hosting a swap! And it's a fun one!

***** ETA *****

***** Swap is full! *****

**** Thank you! ****

This swap has been on my mind for about a month but with all the prep and anticipation of the Moulin Rouge event, I wasn’t able to carve out even the tiniest little corner of time to formulate the details. But now with the sweet memories of Moulin safely tucked away in my dreams, I am ready to get this going!

February of last year I participated in the sweetest little swap ever! It was hosted by the super nice, super crafty, super talented Julie Collings. Oh how I loved that swap! Creating the book and then making it little was so fun. Then there was the packaging part, which I loved. Top that off with then receiving 20 tiny books from 20 fabulous artists and boy oh boy, was I happy! Here’s a pic of my little book…

And pics of some of the other books I received in the swap...

After very recently exchanging books with my sweet friend, Jessica, I realized I wasn’t done with this whole tiny concept. I asked dear Julie if she would mind if I hosted a swap similar to the one she hosted and she very kindly said yes! So I'm jumping in...let’s do this!

Here are the swap details…

Make an eight page little book using any theme or topic of your choosing. Links to instructions and a tutorial are below.

Start with an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. Once you design and decorate, you will make good quality color photocopies, reducing it so that two unfolded books are on one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Please note: when you reduce, you will lose approximately 1/8" border of the page. You'll need to be mindful that nothing important falls in the lost 1/8". The number of copies you will make is still to be determined (depends on how many people sign up for this swap). Each unfolded book will measure 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" before you fold it. If you take it to a copy center, request that they print it "2 up" and you will be golden!

After you reduce your book, fold and cut them up. When I folded up my little book it measured 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" If yours is a little larger or smaller, that's fine. Maybe even add some flat embellishments such as glitter, paint, a scrap of lace or a bit of ribbon. Be sure to check out Julie's Etsy shop for some wonderful materials to use! Oh and please make sure you sign your little book on the back.

When you’re done with your books, mail them to me in a thick envelope (so they won’t get bent) and paypal me $5 for postage at seester@mail.com by May 31st.

You will receive from me a big bundle full of little books, one from each person in the swap, all decorated and full of cuteness! I will mail out by June 10.

If you would like to join this swap, please send me an email at seester@mail.com. This swap will close on April 9 or at 25 participants. I will email you confirming that you are in the swap and then on April 10, I will send you an email confirming the number of photocopies you will need to make of your book as well as the address where to send them.

The number of books you will need to make will depend on how many lovelies want to join the swap. You will only need to make one original (keep for yourself) and you will send me color photocopied little books.

So how does that sound? Fun I hope! If you have any questions, please send me a note at seester@mail.com.

Here are some resources and "how to" information...

Tiny Book Tutorial from Julie Collings

Mini Book Instructions

Mini Book Instructions from eHow

To hopefully help, here is what my book looked like after I decorated it but before I reduced, folded and cut.