2013 Progressive Mini Album Swap

Progressive Mini Album Swap Rules and Guidelines

The is a Progressive, or Round Robin, style of swap. You will be creating a base book with 6 pages. Groups will be made of of 7 people, with each person in the group creating a page for your album.  The following are some guidelines for you to read and COMMIT to prior to signing up for the swap.

  • The swap is available to ALL skill levels. YOU are “good enough”. I am confident that EVERYONE will appreciate your work.
  • Shipping/swapping will take place within each of the individual groups. You will be shipping and receiving a different book every 2 weeks.
  • This swap is available to US and international participants. Every effort will be made so that US participants will swap only with US participants, Canadians will swap only with Canadians, Australians only with Australians, Europeans only with Europeans, South Americans with South Americans, etc. This will help to keep shipping costs and shipping times to the most reasonable. Deadlines for International participants may need adjustment if shipping times are longer than anticipated.
  • Album owners should include at least (12) 12 x 12 papers (or equivalent in smaller sizes) to be used in the mini album page embellishment. No addition items NEED to be included. You may add other items if you wish.
  • Album owners should at least partially complete the Album Covers and Inside Covers. You may chose to complete the cover AFTER your book returns to you. Covering the Album covers with patterned paper is the minimum that should be completed.
  • During each round, you will be embellishing/decorating ONE page (front and back) in the base book. You may use any paper or embellishments you wish, as long you use a recognizable amount of the original paper included by the owner. Feel free to add any leftover paper or embellishments used into the box for others or the owner to use. Any leftovers of the original paper provided by the owner should continue on with the book to the rest of the group.
  • Use quality materials and embellishments. Use the Golden Rule….use the quality of materials that you would like to have in your book.
  • Please review the ship dates/deadlines noted below and make sure they will fit into your schedule. We are heading into a very busy time of year. This swap will complete before the holiday’s, but it is still a busy time. Life does happen and most of us don’t have a crystal ball to see into the future, but do your best. You will be shipping a project every two weeks.
  • The key to a successful swap is commitment and communication! Check in with your swap group frequently. As a courtesy, please let the group know when you ship and receive each round.

 

Critical Dates

  • Sign ups end:  Friday, August 23, 6 pm PDT
  • Group Assignments/Info sent to groups:  August 25
  • Ship Base Book: Tuesday, Sept 3
  • Ship Rnd 1 (Page 1 done):  Tuesday, Sept 17
  • Ship Rnd 2 (Page 2 done):  Tuesday,  Oct 1
  • Ship Rnd 3 (Page 3 done):  Tuesday,  Oct 15
  • Ship Rnd 4 (Page 4 done):  Tuesday,  Oct 29
  • Ship Rnd 5 (Page 5 done):  Tuesday,  Nov 12
  • Ship Rnd 6 (Book done, returns to owner):  Tuesday, Nov 26

 

Shipping Guidelines and Rules

  • Ship by the dates noted
  • Package the Base book and all papers and embellishments in a plastic bag, preferable with a zip closure. This plastic bag will continue on with the Base Book through all rounds. Attach your Name, Screen names, Email Address and Shipping Address to the outside of the plastic bag.
  • Include a small purchased or handmade journal with your base book. Include on the inside cover of the journal your Name, Screen names, Email Address and Shipping Address. You may give any information regarding preferences, themes, and a bit about yourself in the journal. Please try to limit the constraints you place on the participants regarding your album. Each participant can include a bit about themselves and their inspiration for the page they did for the album.
  • Ship in a sturdy box with appropriate shipping materials.
  • Please ship by 1st Class or Priority Mail (or equivalent for International participants)

 

The Five Most Important Rules

  •  Follow the rules and guidelines for the swap – Carefully read all the directions for the swap. Make sure you understand what is expected of you to fulfill the swap, BEFORE you commit.
  • Follow through with your swap commitment – If you sign up for the swap, you are expected to complete the swap. Other players in the swap are counting on you to submit your work. If you can not complete the swap, contact Laura and the rest of the group immediately. Allow enough time for Laura to find someone to angel your spot.
  • Be on time – Send your swaps on in the rotation by the due date.  Making your fellow swappers wait for late swaps is not fair to those who turned theirs in on time.
  • Respond to communications promptly – If you are contacted, please reply within 48 hrs.
  • HAVE FUN!!! While there are rules, the point of the swap is to have FUN! The rules are there to make the experience the best it can be for ALL participants!