Shoebox Swaps

Shoebox Swaps


Weather here has gotten cold with more snow.

Last blog I mentioned that I would be attending a couple of shoebox swaps.  I had one and finishing up items needed for the next one (this Saturday).

The last one I went to was a large one, but full of fun and goodies.  For those who don't know a Shoebox shop is where you the attendees move around the room making a card at each station.  The station has a sample card, instructions if necessary and a kit for each participant.  Each kit has everything needed to complete the card (paper, embellishments, etc.).  The box also will have the stamp set, ink pads, adhesive squares, die cutter, dies, embossing machine, embossing folders.  These are set out around the work space.  If the group is large (like this one was), you make kits for 1/2 the attendees and completed cards for 1/2 of the attendees.  The attendees are divided into 2 groups (odds and evens).  If you are an Odd Number 1,3,5, etc. you take one each of the odd number cards and make one each of the even numbered cards.  Evens do the opposite.

Many of these events will have other swaps to participate in.  Anything But A Card (ABC or ABAC), Altered Items, Altered Notebooks, Lottery/Secret Sister/Secret Stamper.  Attendees sign up for what they are interested in and then make one for each participant of that particular swap.  The Lottery/Secret Sister/Secret Stamper you only make 1.  This item will usually be a basket filled with craft items, something to pamper the sister, chocolate, and something handmade (altered items, cards, etc.)  Basic cost is stipulated in the Rules for the Swap.  The ones I have participated in have ranged from $20 to over $100.

For the last event I participated in the Shoebox Swap, Holiday, Any Occasion and Lottery. All cards I make I CASE.  I find one I like in a craft book, or received some someone else.  I then copy the idea and change it to make it my own, by adding/deleting items, using different color combos and/or paper.

These are the cards I did for the categories I participated in.  I included envelopes that I stamped a small image in the lower left corner.  Can't send a naked envelope.

Shoebox Card

Holiday

Any Occasion

Thanks for stopping by.and please feel free to leave comments.  Let me know what you would like to see on my blog.

Welcome

February 5, 2013 

Welcome to Butterflies N Robyn's Bog

My goal with this blog to is post at least weekly about what I am crafting.

A little about myself.
I have been crafting since I was a little girl and constantly want to try new things.  I currently making card and other paper crafts, crochet, knit, make jewelry, trying mixed media and whatever else strikes my fancy.

What I am involved in.
BUTTERFLIES N ROBYN
Last year I started Butterflies N Robyn, LLC to help me share my passion with others on Etsy.  Unfortunatly, many liked my products but no one purchased.  I have stepped back and reviewing this area and hope to post items for sale again.

Etsy Shop for Butterflies N Robyn:    www.butterfliesnrobyn.etsy.com

STAMPIN'UP!
I am a Stampin'Up! demonstrator.  I have held classes but currently just in for myself.  I love their products, however, as I am branching out into other areas, I may have to drop out as I am unable to promote other companies products if SU sells similar items.

My Demonstrator Webpage for Stampin'Up!:      www.redhatrobyn.stampinup.net

CHARITY WINGS
I volunteer with Charity Wings aka Scrapbook Royalty.  The founder Elena Lai Etcheverry is one very special woman.  She is tireless in her passion and it spills over to those of us who believe in her and what she is doing.

Charity Wings is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises money and awareness for other non-profits though arts and crafts related events.  It is largely supported by the generous in-kind donations from manufacturers and designers in the craft industry.

Charity Wings hosts and sponsors fundraising events across the country, including but not limited to art gatherings, crops, raffles (on and offline), mixed media workshops, auctions and retreats (such as the annual Seaside Soiree). When people donate their money and or time in support of Charity Wings it is almost always for the benefit of a designated charitable organization. This transparency has allowed us to award money to a diverse range of charitable organizations, from humane animal shelters, to cancer research and veteran's organizations among others.

ART CENTER
Now, in our seventh year of operation, Charity Wings is poised to expand into a community art center with classrooms, an open studio, and art galleries. This facility will enable this home-grown non-profit to offer art classes and events to the community and its members.  The center will focus on free art classes at the facility or online through live stream technology to various groups such as children and adults faced with life-threatening illness, victims of domestic violence, foster children, as well as after school art enrichment programs to low income schools. We want to bring arts and crafts to other non profits who may benefit.
 
You can check out more at www.charitywings.org

 I am currently pulling items together for 2 Shoebox swaps this month.  Carrie Ann Poff's on Feb. 9th.  This event will benefit the NODCC, National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum, a valuable resource for families dealing with disabilities similar to her son Andrew..  I have everything done for this and will post picks after the event.

My next event will be the 1st Annual Jefferson Shoebox Swap on Feb. 23rd.  I am working on the items for this one and will post pics after the event.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read what I have written.

Until next time,
Happy Creating.