Perhaps consider a later deadline, maybe January? That would give people not sure that they can complete time to start on as many cards as they can, but with the ability to drop (instead of flake) if they get suddenly busy. I tried running two 3-month long swaps earlier last year which were total flake-eathons, simply because a lot of people vanished from the site in that amount of time (even people with otherwise reasonable ratings).

I'm never going to be organised enough to join any 20 card swap, so I probably can't get involved in either case - I'm too much of a slow worker and perfectionist. But it is just an idea I felt I should pass on, because angeling would be so very depressing, and if you are as unfortunate as I am with people, there could be a lot of angeling to do (mind you, 20 partners mean everyone should at least get something)

appreciate the suggestion @unmutual ..

i want to give swappers 2 months to send out their 20 atcs by the mail-by date... that is the main reason i posted this type of swap early. i am aware that i am taking a chance (or rather, a calculated risk)...& actually, that's ok with me. i've hosted a ton of large group swaps (50+ in some cases!) over the years elsewhere online and i am prepared. i expect that people who commit to a swap will follow through and if something unforseen happens (& sometimes LIFE does throw us curve balls), then i expect a heads up. we're all adults here & if folks aren't up to something such as this swap, then please do not join. that's a given, no? anyway...i'm leaving my requirements as they are.

i'm hosting another similar type swap (mega atc swap/usa) here on swap-bot and no worries so far there. i do take the time to check every person's profile & i am generally good about sending out reminder emails to all the swappers re: deadline, questions or concerns that may invariably come up.

so in a nutshell, please do not join this swap if you are unable to follow through.

thank you.

hooray! Valentine ATCs! Thanks for hosting :)

I don't want to sound stupid...but is there a site...I can go to...that will tell me what an ATC is...and how it is done.....?

I am intrigued..... thank you so much for your help.... Pat

I love anything with Hearts on them! I painted my whole truck with hearts! I am in!

I love anything with Hearts on them! I painted my whole truck with hearts! I am in!

Um....apparently with a double post.....! Hehehehehehe

thank you for joining @1000valentines + @bloodykissesgirl ! i appreciate your enthusiasm! :)

@courtmm11 here are some links i found while googling...

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/artisttradingcards_atc/

http://www.squidoo.com/atcs

these are just some...there are tons more all over the net, youtube ( e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agCOo6JSlMY ),

books (i recommend http://www.shopping.com/BookArtistTradingCardsWorkshopCreateCollectSwapBernie_Berlin/info) etc...

hope that helps! anyone else have ideas, please feel free to share! happy creating!! :) mary ann

I am definately in but I am on the watch list until closer to the date so I can get some more swaps in. It is going to cost alot to send out but then who can put a cost on ratings right? Also if i post 2 out each other day, it might not look like so much. This will be the only swap I will participate in for the month of Dec so i do not get swamped. Looking forward to it and thanks for the great idea.

Thansk for hosting such a cool swap!! I love Valentines day

you're welcome @hgoodbrad . @nasreen a book of stamps plus a few extras in case you are partnered with someone who lives in canada, mexico & overseas...

if your atcs contain bulky/3-d embellishments, you may pay a surcharge...typically 64 cents (usd) instead of the regular 44 cents (usd). regular airmail stamp is i believe 98 cents (usd) and then bumps up to $1.22+ or more if your atc is bulky. just something to keep in mind.

i usually get two books of stamps and end up using a book and a half... if that helps...

@firstborn >>>>Darn. I love ATC's and Valentines and have a cool stash of hearts. My problem is that I seem to get a lot of INT'L partners and at .98 each to send even a postcard, this postage could be prohibitive for me! Boo Hiss..... I can offer to Angel (USA) a few for you if needed......but I can't join unless I win the Lotto between now and Tuesday....LOL = )

Oooh- I really loved the last Mega ATC swap you hosted- I'm so in!! :)

@misspaula if you host a US version...let me know...i also am avoiding any int'l swaps due to postage rates

I'd love a USA version of this swap! International postage is really taking a toll on my purse:(

thanks for your comments... i have decided to host a US-only version of this swap here: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/78388?new=1 for anyone out there who wanted a US-only version. i just posted it now and the sign-up period is now until 12/18 with a send by deadline of 2/12/11...

only a couple more days left for this swap & then soon swapbot will randomly partner us all!

happy swapping!

THANK YOU! (for the Regional version) Making all those ATC's for my US friends will put me in a LOVEly mood!!! Sooooo excited! = ) woo hoo!

I am excited about the US version!!!!

you're welcome @misspaula and @luleemik !!

ok, last day to sign-up...so if you've been on the fence, now's your chance to join in... come tomorrow, i will have swap-bot randomly pick partners.

so excited that we're about to begin swapping! have a wonderful day! :)

hi all,

i edited the # of partners to 16, so that there'd be 2 groups of 16... i hope that you all don't mind i did this... just thought it would make things easier for partnering... anyway, gonna let swap-bot do it's thing... partners to be randomly selected & then we can all get on with creating our cards :) happy swapping!! :) mary ann

hi all,

i just looked at how many haven't sent their atcs out yet, nearly half! so i decided to go ahead and extend the mail-by deadline in case these folks need a little bit more time. & also, pls. don't forget to rate your partners! will send a group email a bit later... but wanted to mention the extended deadline here. thanks!! :) mary ann

Mary Ann, thank you thank you!! I just got on to let my 16 partners know that I'll be late mailing; we're snowed in again (surprise!!) My cards are done, but there's no way I'll be getting to the P.O. anytime soon. So...thank you!