ENCOURAGING TAG FOR MAY

I am astonished to already be setting up a MAY tag! The months are flying by too rapidly for me although I am guessing those of you in colder northern climates are looking forward to any sign of spring!. Here in the Houston area, we have gardens in and are enjoying the lull before the dreadfully long, hot, humid summer days that can begin even in April!

While reading a book about working with colors today, I discovered that purple is often associated with creativity and imagination; green, not surprisingly, is associated with growth and vitality. SO I hit upon the idea for this month's tag: a purple and green color scheme with some message to encourage your partner's growth of creativity.

So, this swap is a chance to encourage ONE partner with a Tim Holtz style #8 size tag for May using a combination of purples and greens and using some words or phrases to encourage your partner's growth and development of greater creativity, imagination, even the courage to stretch beyond anything they have tried already, to venture into a new style, to use a new medium, to try a new technique. Send an encouraging nudge to grow in creativity--stretching to new levels with confidence.This is a slight change from the previous tags that left you free to match your encouraging words to you partner's life challenges. We will return to that, but I thought this might be a fun change of pace.

Remember to include two or three profile surprises that are flat, inexpensive, and won't be costly in postage. However, don't send something you would not be happy to receive! A couple small pieces of scrap paper or a couple stickers will not suffice. Send something you’d be honored to send your partner—check your partner’s profile for some things she/he would enjoy. These should not/nor need not be expensive, but they should show that you've chosen something that will make your partner smile based on her/his profile. PLEASE do not send something you’d just like to get rid of!

Remember that we are Crafting QUEENS! We send items on which we are PROUD to put our names! This means basically no stickers unless used in true Tim Holtz/vintage/shabby-chic/steam punk style. Google “Tim Holtz tags" or explore You Tube for video demonstrations of his tag techniques and style. Remember that the tags you’ll see are only for inspiration, not for items you must precisely reproduce. They are just starting points and ideas to jump start your creativity. Also,you do not need to buy Ranger/Tim Holtz supplies--I substitute with buttons, ribbons, fabric pieces, odds and ends of jewelry, etc. that I often find at home and just hadn't thought about using until I began catching on to the vintage/shabby chic/steam punk style.

BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT TAG SIZE: #8 size tags MUST BE 3 1/8” wide by 6 1/4” long, with notched top corners and a hole punched in center top of tag. I find these in office supply stores--much less expensive than in hobby shops unless you have some good coupons or sales. Use the hole in the top of your tag for ribbon or cording that allows your tag to be hung on a banner, or any little clever spot your partner might like.

Enjoy this adventure in purple and green--bring new life to your own creativity and growth of your skills,media, and techniques as you create the tag for your partner. Swap-Bot has opened my imagination, creativity, and courage to experiment and explore new methods, media, tools, techniques, etc. that I'd never thought to try without a swap pushing me to do so. I am a totally changed artist since I found this fun place in January 2012.