A Cemetery Journal, with an uninspired swap name

I'm going on record, one last time, and reiterating: I have NEVER done a journal swap and, frankly, am guessing. However, I WILL put every ounce of creativity in my journal so my partner will get my best effort, I promise.

That being said, here we go! =D

The nuts and bolts: This journal will be sent to your partner, never to be seen by you (the creator) again. The size we'll be using is about 9X7, like this or similar. The example has 100 sheets (200 pages, front and back) and I think this is a fine target. Pages should be sturdy enough to support mixed media; if you plan on watercolors or acrylic, gesso being necessary, etc.

Please make the cover pleasing to the eye (like my picture for this swap. Cute, huh?) Begin with a title page/contact info/swap-bot user name. This way your partner knows who to thank for this OTT journal!

And now, the fun stuff!

In trying to educate myself on how journals work, I (sorta) know that what I envision for this swap is a combination art, text, photo journal.

Please include at least 20 pictures. These can be: taken by you, illustrations created by you, collaged by you. Art off the web is fine, so long as you credit the artist.

Next! Please include quotes or poems regarding our beloved topic. (Kudos if you include the person quoted’s marker! lol) We’re looking to inspire here, so be inspiring!

And to stimulate your partner's little grey cells, here’s a list of prompts. Pick a few (let’s say 5 or more, as we have plenty o’ space) and make sure to leave space for them to respond.

• Today was sunny/wet and decorate the page accordingly

• A poem, haiku, short story

• Being here today makes me think of...

• What I want my headstone to say

• A bit of history (for the cemetery you're visiting)

• A ghost story

• Do you fear death

• If money were no object, I'd have X marker

• Memories of loved ones passed

• (X) made me cry; (X) made me laugh, etc

• The cemetery I visit most

• The cemetery I WANT to visit most

• The song going through my head

• Ever been in a crypt and if yes, tell us about it

• Night visits ("Can you leave?") (Ask me if you want the story.)

• Seasons in the cemetery

• A letter from the 'other side'

PahLEEZE! Call me out, add, delete, let it all hang out in the comments. I wanna make this a great swap and welcome your thoughts!

The sign up time will be long, but the mailing time will be a week. I've seen too many journal swaps gone bad, so I will contact people who have joined the swap BEFORE assigning partners to see if their journal is done. If it is not, that person will be dropped, period. No ifs ands or buts.

Any questions, comments, complaints, please comment below, or PM me if you’re shy.