Profile-Themed Collaged-Decorated File Folders

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

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. :((

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

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

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)

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... :) )

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.

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. :)

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

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

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 :-)

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!

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 :)

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

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.

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

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.

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

How are you ladies mailing these folders?

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.

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

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