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Profile-Themed Collaged-Decorated File Folders

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:Masterbard (contact)
Swap categories: Paper Crafts 
Number of people in swap:7
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:December 30, 2009
Date items must be sent by:January 20, 2010
Number of swap partners:3
Description:

Profile-Themed Collage-Decorated File Folders - International

I haven't seen many swaps on here for decorated file folders, yet they are so lovely, practical, and on-trend. Not to mention that they're flat, thus light and easy to ship.... and perhaps one of your New Year's resolutions is to get more organized? I know it's been mine for, er, the last several years.....

Take 3 standard size (designed for 8 ½ x 11, or for A4 paper) heavy card file folders and decorate them, choosing your colours and themes from your partners' profiles as much as possible. Make sure at least the original exterior surface is completely covered with scrapbooking paper, printed tissue, paint, etc. then go to town on the rest. Remember to keep your embellishments reasonably flat and leave/create a space on the tab for labeling the folder; it can be a work of art and still be practical & usable! Include your artist's information, as with an ATC, somewhere on the back or interior of the folder.

You'll be making and sending out three unique, profile-themed folders. You'll be getting back three different, unique, profile-surprise folders which should be in your favoured colours and themes, which you can then use to store MORE Swapbot papers, stash, swap info, etc. and start the whole thing all over again....

The usual sort of rules will apply: please don't sign up if you think you can't complete and send out the project ON or BEFORE time. You must have no unexplained 1s or 3s in the last six months, must have completed at least 10 mail (not electronic) swaps, and I regretfully reserve the right to remove any suspicious swappers due to unmet criteria, incomplete profiles, or outstanding complaints. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like an exception, prior to signing up.

Swappers are welcome to leave comments here if they'd like to get a more specific 'set' (bearing in mind that three different people will be interpreting your theme!) - for example, "Masterbard would love teal, aqua, chocolate / birds, branches, floral"...

Discussion

scrapkween 12/16/2009 #

ooh this sounds like fun, I have it on my watchlist for now.........

Emkay 12/18/2009 #

This sounds fun, but with three partners to send to, postage (becuase of the size) is to much for me. If it would be three folders for one partner, I would be in. :((

JohnnyDingo 12/19/2009 #

Hmmm, looks fun and interesting. I'll think about it!

cleopatra 12/20/2009 #

I agree with @emkay I'd much prefer one partner too. But more because I'd enjoy uniformity in this.

hollycm6 12/21/2009 #

Fun idea masterbard. Does it need to be collage... can it be drawn on instead? (I don't care either way, just wanting to make sure I understand what you are looking for)

Masterbard 12/25/2009 #

I may host this again with "three folders to one partner", since there seems to be some interest in that. For me part of the fun in this swap is in seeing how different artists interpret the same theme for one person.

No, doesn't need to be collage - I would just specify that the original 'raw' surface of the file folder needs to be completely covered somehow - paint, paper, etc. and then decorated with your partner's theme in mind. I'd like to avoid anyone getting a bare manila folder with highschoolish doodles and a couple of dollarstore plasticky stickers (I love stickers, really, but quality ones integrated tastefully into the overall design!) if you see what I mean. Check out these links to see how the commercial ones look, just as a starting point of inspiration.... they can be simple or quite elaborate. Again, try to think what your partner would like! (And feel free to post here specifically... :) )

paris

gibson

best friends

Masterbard 12/28/2009 #

OK, folks, time to start posting your preferences here! Leave a bit of room for creative interpretation (no one would be too happy with "I want a pink & burgundy small-print paisley folder - K&C scrapbooking paper # 245 - embellished with the new Princess Tiana stickers from Disney - glitter only, with the princess facing to her left, and a silver tab accent...." ) and different stash selections, but give us an idea of what you might like. Here's mine:

Masterbard would like folders in this colour palette (any, some, or all) - teal, aqua, robin's egg, chocolate, linen, coffee - and with a natural theme - leaves, birds, branches, trees, dragonflies, etc.

pthalostars 12/28/2009 #

i would like folders in some or all of - teal, sage & shades of brown (i particularly like brown the color of kraft paper) - i like patterns as themes - polka dots, plaids, stripes, paisleys. :)

Kevsbabe29 12/29/2009 #

I would like a fairy theme. I love earth colors, soft colors, have fun.

Denise 12/29/2009 #

I would like to receive file folders decorated however my partner would like to decorate them.

earthnk 12/29/2009 #

Hi All- my fave colors are in the lavender and teal family. I am a mystery shopper, an actor, a comic. I could use folders for the many jobs I do. Flashy is fun! Conversation starters are Cool! Go Wild! I'll show it off on stage :-)

Masterbard 12/30/2009 #

Oooh, sounding like fun - and a nice bit of variety for the various folders we'll be creating. I'm looking forward to doing these!

And since @Denise is being all coy and modest :) , here's a hint from her profile : "Orange & Red Yellows...collect anything French or with a Paris theme...anything with Cactus on it ...also would love to have anything with turtles on it..." so there you go!

deercnc 12/31/2009 #

I would like something with frogs on it.... Sunflowers.... Cows... Winnie the Pooh.... or CSI Miami, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, or CSI NY or Criminal Minds. My #1 choice would be frogs though :)

Masterbard 12/31/2009 #

Thanks, folks! Ok, assigning partners...... now! (closes her eyes and stabs the big red button)....

Denise 12/31/2009 #

Thats very sweet Masterbard but i assure you i am neither coy or modest. When i say I would like something of senders choice that is exactly what I mean. Part of why I enjoy swapbot so much is to receive other peoples art work. Their interpretation of what we are putting together is always exciting to see. Whoever has my name, please do whatever you want to do with my folders. If you need something for inspiration you can always refer back to my profile but i do enjoy getting your original artwork.

Masterbard 01/ 1/2010 #

Ok then, that's pretty clear!

Now, however, please bear with a little 'disclaimer' from your humble host.

Without attempting to sound argumentative or aggressive in any way, the intent, name, and description of this swap all specify that the folders should be profile-based (Note: comments here are merely to clarify your preference, and swappers are not REQUIRED to follow those themes exactly. Personally, I think everyone did a great job of narrowing it down without being restrictive! You all rock!). Stepping outside of those guidelines leaves you, 'legally', open to receiving a 3 if your partner decides she doesn't care for your work. I'm going to assume - since I did check everyone's profile and ratings carefully - that there is no one mean-spirited enough to do that, and that we're all swapping in good faith.

But again, since I'm a new host, I want to be a careful and meticulous one who protects and supports her swappers. It's clear to everyone what the 'rules' are, and Denise has stated that she's happy with being outside of them. I quote: "Whoever has my name, please do whatever you want to do with my folders." That should provide her partners with creative license, not an excuse to send something with no thought or effort - but I think that goes without saying!

Right, people, that gives you carte blanche on Denise's folders - you heard what she said, so have fun and be creative with that leeway!

Regards from the bard, Judith

Denise 01/ 1/2010 #

Ha ha ha, Im so amused... Ive been here a very long time and have never ever given someone a bad rating for anything other than never sending. Do people actually rate someones art work? the ratings have to do with swap requirements and sending. If you think a folder with a sticker on it is art, who am I to say it isn't? of course i would like to receive something nice, we all do. My point was simply that I prefer not to restrict anyone's creative expression. My apologies if I offended you in some way Judith, You are the host and it is your swap.

Masterbard 01/ 2/2010 #

Goodness, no, not offended - again, just trying to make sure we are all on the same page (in the same folder?) - as it seems we are. Thanks for communicating so clearly!

However: you raise a very different but valid point that I've wondered about from the get-go: who defines what 'art' is and what is pleasing? Whether it's a child's scribbly crayon drawing done with love, or abstract expressionism, or a gaudy scrapbook page that someone laboured over for hours and put ten bucks' worth of supplies into, or a simple watercolour that somehow evokes the mist and silence of snowclad northern woods.... we bring to an artwork as much as the artist puts in. Something to ponder this morning!

Hugs, Judith

Denise 01/ 9/2010 #

How are you ladies mailing these folders?

earthnk 01/20/2010 #

My folders were mailed today. Funny thing, my partners are all from the same state. I wonder who will get theirs first being where they live is such a big state :-)

Denise it's been raining here so to protect them I shipped each one those postal/ups/fedex envies. It seemed to help make the package sturdy.

Masterbard 01/22/2010 #

I have contacted the two people who have not sent as of today with a friendly reminder - both have posted illness on their profiles. It's up to you, if you happen to have one of them as a partner, to decide if you want to give her the grace to get the folder out past the deadline or not.

As a separate issue, if anyone here actually winds up flaked on (give it some time yet, of course!) please let me know. I'm the hostess, it was my idea to run this particular swap, and I'm responsible for the people I allow into it: I want everyone to have had a good experience.

Hugs, Judith

Masterbard 02/21/2010 #

Note: I'm going to be angelling for two folders. The ladies I'm angelling for have promised to get back to me - if they don't, I'll post that detail on my profile, but I will give them plenty of time to fill their committments. Everyone else, thanks for waiting for me to get your angeled folders out to you!

Hugs, Judith

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