be creative! journal swap

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." ~Jack London

Let's be creative!! In looking for the journal swap that I MOST wanted to do, I found that I did not have enough swaps under my belt to do most of them -- so here's what I came up with. A basic, creative journal swap that could include fun pages, visual pages, written items, poetry and artwork. :)

Basic requirements: A standard-size cowprint journal, or another journal at least 5 x 7 with at least 30-40 pages. Decorate the cover and back cover in any appealing way that you desire -- but both the front and back must be decorated.

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For this swap, each participant will create a journal that includes at least 10 of the 15 following items:

1 -- an introduction page, telling a little bit about yourself. this is open to interpretation.

2 -- a pg-rated story, written by you. the topic can be anything, but the length should be limited to 5-10 pages of your journal.

3 -- two vision collage pages -- these pages should combine images, words and sayings that are important to your life, or what you want to bring into your life. (shopping for a new car? that image would work! hoping to buy a new house? include that! have a quote that epitomizes your life dream? include that, too! want a new puppy? want to find love, go on a vacation, lose weight?) remember you can also include words, such as "happiness", "love", etc. as well.

4 -- a favorite main-dish or side-dish recipe. explain why this dish is important to you -- did your mother make it? is it something you've learned to make on your own?

5 -- a favorite dessert recipe that you like to make. explain why this dessert is one of your favorites, and if you have a memory associated with it, please feel free to share that, too.

6 -- two pages of favorite quotes, with attribution.

7 -- two favorite poems, on separate pages, with attribution.

8 -- a "free" page to design around a theme word of your choice. :) the only catch is to be sure to include a sentence or two about why you chose the word you chose. possibilities include: "love", "thankfulness", "change", "strength" .... but can be ANY (pg-rated) word.

9 -- artwork by you! if you're creating an original piece of artwork for this journal, use a thicker piece of paper and simply glue it in. if you're using a photo of a piece of artwork you've done previously, simply glue in the photo or printout. either underneath or on a separate page, please describe a bit about the artwork, what it means to you, what inspired it, etc.

10 -- poetry by you! this should be one poem you've written. edgy is fine, but please try to keep to the pg-theme. please feel free to include any history surrounding the poem, if you'd like -- how old you were when it was written, what inspired it, if you remember where you were when you were writing it, etc.

11 -- 3+ pages of window shopping. See something in a magazine, or in a catalog that you just adore, but can't afford to buy? Let's share the joy -- this section must be 3 pages, but can be as many as you'd like. Please include the place the item can be purchased at, and the cost.

12 -- one page that is focused on the best advice you've received. this advice could be from a friend, a family member or someone who is no longer in your life. it could also be advice obtained through another route -- an article in your favorite magazine, a TV show that's inspired you with a bit of advice. be sure to explain why the advice is important to you and tell who gave you the advice (or where you found it).

13 -- simple instructions for making one of your favorite craft projects. if possible, but not required, include a photo of what the end result looks like.

14 -- a list of 10 home-made present ideas, either that you've tried or would like to try. list any tips, or websites people can go to for inspiration. (this can take as many pages as needed.)

15 -- on at least one page, define what creativity means to you! this can either be done in words or with pictures.

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NOTE: Only 10 of the above are required for this journal, although you are welcome to do all 15 if you'd like. Also welcome (but not required) are additional "free" pages (see #8) based around words that are important to you. Items may appear in any order, and you are also free to decorate as much as you'd like, throughout all the journal pages. I'm hoping that those participating will want to make their journal something special for those receiving it!

For this swap, you MUST have a filled-out profile and have completed at least 10 mail exchanges. (I'm wanting newbies who are interested in journals to have a chance to actually do one!) No recent unexplained 1s or 3s allowed. If you have questions, please write and ask.

ALSO NOTE: I will not be able to angel this swap, due to its time commitment. That said, ONLY join if you will be able to hold up your end of the bargain! There will be over a month allowed for the journal creation process, so time should not be an issue.

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I hope that everyone will enjoy being creative!