collaborative

WOW!

2009-08-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day that it's time to just delete this whole section and move on. Glad I didn't because today I got an e-mail from Erin! Here is the before:

Here is the after:

I love what you did to it oh, sister of mine! this is what she said: "So - here is the collaboration stuff - I found it as I was cleaning a pile off of my desk. I'm so sorry! You had wanted scans of what you did and I did - if I remember right... Now I'll pass it along :0)"

Enjoy the Journey!

It's time...

2009-04-24T13:28:00.001-07:00

In the last post I resolved to not let this project die and I sent off a package to my sister and her life exploded into chaos and hasn't gotten to it. I am letting it die. We'll probably never see the first page again (as I can get no response from the current holder) and I've come to the conclusion that if my own sister can't get around to keeping it going that life is just to crazy for people to do this... bummer.

I'll leave this up for a while so anyone who wants to check on progress can see that I'm giving up on the project as it was. Maybe I'll think of some way to do something similar only different. Maybe I'll just delete it in a while. Who knows.

Enjoy the Journey + Thanks for playing!

(Erin... this isn't a guilt trip. I don't fault you in any way, shape, or form. Life happens).

3.4.09 >>> March Forth

2009-03-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am such a complete flake. I was talking with my hubs on the night of the 4th. It was 10:30 p.m and I was ready to call it a night. Then I realized, "Ack! I totally forgot to send that package to Erin!" I printed the needed pages + grabbed the cellphone (so I could get her address) + hopped in the car for a mad dash to the post office while I prayed she would answer my call. I love 24/7 package shipping! So... I did get it posted on march 4th. It is on it's way to Arizona. I forgot to scan it first... maybe I can convince Erin to do a before and after...?

I am giddy with excitement! Enjoy the journey!

Your Secret is Safe With Me

2009-02-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

I didn't ship the package. And I'm glad. I had a stroke of brilliance today... I know I said I wouldn't try to guide the pages in any way. I'm taking that back - but just a little. I love the concept of Post Secrets. Have you seen it? I'm sure you probably have. Anyway, I propose that you get something off your chest. Let it out. Something you're afraid to say out loud. Let it go. Write it on the back of a piece of ribbon or a photo and then glue it to the page. Write it directly on the page and then paint over it or cover it up with masking tape and write some journaling you want to share. Whatever. You can do it. I'll keep your secret safe and you'll feel better for having told it. I'm going to start it now...

I'll post it on March 4th. It's a conceptual day for me. I love it. march forth. I've been wanting to do something profound on that day but didn't want to overwhelm myself. This is what I've been looking for. So, let go of your regret. Move past your fear and insecurity and march forth. Join me!

Enjoy the journey!

I am still alive and I haven't forgotten you.

2009-02-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

You're always there... in the back of my mind and I keep thinking, "I should just let it go." But I can't. I feel bad that the last page has stopped. I don't know what to do about that...

I am going to start another one. I won't give up this project. I think it's too much fun. I need novelty. I love anticipation. I love this project because I never know what's going to happen. I won't let it die. Even if I never get a single page finished, I won't let it die.

On Saturday I am shipping a package to Erin in Arizona.

Enjoy the Journey!

Out of the Ordinary

2008-11-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

But I just had to let you know... Those of you in the states can enter a contest to win these super cute baby legs. HERE.

The photo is lifted from the blog of this very talented woman... I hope she doesn't mind (and I hope she'll come and play with us)! Check out her blog. It's super cool. I think I should really dress this blog up more. It would certainly be more fun!

So... go to it.
Did I mention that you can win 20 pairs?
Yes. that's Twenty pairs!

Where in the World is...

2008-10-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I am so excited about the places this page is going. I've just received an e-mail from Hera:

"Just to let you know, the page left Switzerland today bound for Francine in Lyon, France! together with a few inches of snow…we got our first big fall last night!

Can’t wait to follow its further travels and additions…"

And I will say it again... I always wanted to be a world traveler.

Enjoy the Journey!

Are We There Yet?

2008-10-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how many times I heard this question on our recent trip to San Diego! I kept my promise... I've just finished scanning a few of the starts to share and now I'm thinking, "is it tomorrow yet?" which sounded oddly familiar. Reminiscent of little voices from the back of the van...

And I just couldn't wait. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I have time now so I'll do it now. Here you go:

This one is simply a sheet of notepaper with random typing by my four year old. He loves my old typewriter. I love it too. There is a back side to this one. It's just a one-liner. Use whichever you like.

This one makes me laugh. I am always thinking Arby's. Have you tried the french dip (minus the swiss, please)? I know, it's horrid, but I love it and right now I really am thinking Arby's! ... There are two sides to this one too. The back is less... colorful.

This is American Crafts EVERYDAY HI. I had a vision when I saw it. Let's see what happens when many are involved!

This one is from a Domino's Pizza box. I got a kick out of reading the Batman references... "Are you the Joker?"

Last one for tonight...

this is left over contact paper from a page I did for an online class by Rachel Denbow at Red Velvet Art. I loved the class and can't wait to see what happens with this.

Call Me! (or e-mail me... or just leave a comment... whatever.)

Every Morning You Greet Me

2008-10-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

Hello there! I've just received this from Margaret :

This is what she had to say,"I've added a couple of little 'Swiss' touches to the work. I had the idea I wanted to add a new stamp to the old and then bring them together with the postmark 'Foreign Office'. I also attached and painted a little Edelweiss, a wild flower that grows high in the Alps. I have now posted the work back to Hera, good luck with the rest of the journey."

I am, of course, slightly cheesy and thought of the Sound of Music when I read her post. Now after titling this post as such, I wish I was greeted every morning. I would love to send out more starts and I know I keep saying this, but it's true! I also know I've been promising to post photos of the starts I'm hoarding so I'm going off to scan them right now, and I will post them first thing tomorrow. Promise.

Enjoy the Journey!

P.s. If you haven't checked out the other fun stuff Margaret is doing be sure you do. You can find her here.

Switzerland Checking In...

2008-10-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Definitely on my list of places to visit. Our newest contributor Hera Frei has checked in and I'm excited to introduce her to you (and I love that she is in Switzerland)... I am loving the world travel. Really. So, Hera Frei... so nice to meet you!

"My name is Hera Frei and I live in Zurich, Switzerland. I just wanted to
let you know that I received the “collaborative work” from Evana in Perth and have made my “LITTLE” mark, and now handed it on to a friend here in Zurich, Margaret (I dare you to check out her blog and see why we should all want to visit).

I now understand why everyone said they wanted to do more..must say I had to restrain myself as well. Nonetheless it was great fun and I am really keen to see the final product..not to mention where it’s travels may take it…wouldn’t mind being in the envelope myself.

Here is a picture of what it looks like now…
I dotted 3 butterflies around which were punched, inked and bent slightly to give some dimension as well as a small word bubble above your label..I HOPE you don’t mind but I just couldn’t resist."

Just so you all know... I love that she chose to highlight the label. I loved the label. Please, feel free to mix and match and blend and ... whatever. You don't have to avoid other people's work. Add to it, expound on it. When you get the page, make it yours to that point. I'm not great with words, but I can't say this enough. HAVE FUN! This is about playing. Do what you want to do. Don't feel constrained. Don't be afraid to be big or bold or whatever. I know you're paper crafters and that someone out there respects your work or you wouldn't have received the page. Whatever you do will bring character and excitement to the page. When I said don't cover up or remove that's all I meant. You don't have to leave it as you found it. Just don't change it completely. Let the previous work show through. If that makes any sense.

This project is about doing your part and then letting go. Accepting it as it becomes something we didn't imagine or maybe even intend. An example: my sister-in-law frequently does card swaps with a friend of hers. She had made up a bunch of cards with a label on the front and wondered what I though she needed to have it look "finished". I took a black pen and drew a border around it. Done and done. So, if you get the page and it's "missing something," add it!

A whole bunch of words... what I'm really trying to say is this: accept what you've been given and make the most of it.

Enjoy the Journey!

P.S. Don't be afraid! Just go for it!

P.S.S. Sorry about the spacing. I sometimes just can't get these posts right.

I Always Wanted to Be a World Traveler

2008-10-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

The lovely & talented Evana Willis has finished her addition (and a little "how to" lesson for a cool technique). This is what she had to say about the project.

"Well, I received this project from Tracey, and I have to say, I thought this concept was awesome.

My addition is a simple corner piece using silver embossing powder and pressing an old Making Memories foam stamp into the soft warm powder. After it had cooled I rubbed over some black stazon ink to highlight the raised edges. I finished it with a little hand doodling in conjunction with some Basicgrey acrylic stamps ...just tough to stop.

Thanks for creating this awesome project. I have been honoured to be a part of it.

Huge hugs. "

If you will check out her blog: I am just me...e you will see a whole lot of fun going on, and discover who will be the next recipient in this project (I'll give you a clue...we're headed to Europe).

Enjoy the Journey!

It Just Keeps 'Growing'

2008-09-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is what I found today. I love it! Tracey did a super job. This is a little of what she had to say:

"...here it is with my little mark added. I used some of the new Twiddleybitz flowers and added a definition...This was really fun. Because you only had to add a small bit there wasn't alot of pressure to do something 'big'. Although as with Jo I did find it hard to stop at that one little piece."

Read more of Tracey's comments here and check out the fun Christmas stuff she made with more Twiddleybitz products.

Enjoy the Journey!

So I'm Not the Only One...

2008-09-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

If you noticed in the last post Jo Kay mentioned finding it hard to stop. I had that same problem! I've been thinking a little about it (actually, more than a little) and not because it's a real problem, but because I just think more than a little about way too much... this is what I'm thinking. I have a thousand ideas of things I would like to do scrap-wise. So, I'm going to pick one and no matter what comes along I will use it. So, the next page I'm working on I will ... type my journaling right over the top of my picture (for example).

I have a really fun group of "starts" and I'd love to send another one (or two) out to have a couple two or three going at the same time. Do I have any takers? Do I need to post photos and who ever speaks up first gets the prize? What are your opinions. I'm open to suggestions.

Enjoy the Journey!

On the Move

2008-09-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Jo Kay has updated the page and it is on it's way to contributor No. 3... Here's what Jo had to say:

"Well here we go! ... I must admit, it was really hard not to add too much!! I added a cute daisy ribbon and removed the definition of "Bloom" from an old dictionary, attached it to a tag and topped it off with a KI Bloom Chipboard flower."

You can read more of what Jo Kay had to say here.

Thanks for playing Jo Kay! We can't wait to see what will happen next!

It Has Begun!

2008-08-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

We're starting out by going all the way to Western Australia! I started this work out with a few things I had around the house... I cut the scallops from really great Daisy D's paper called "here we go!" which I though was very appropriate (that's why I included the barcode/title). The background is... I'm not positive, but it's probably Bazzil. That's mostly what I have. The collaboration definition is from a 1954 dictionary, and the stamp is a 1959 Hungarian stamp that I've been wanting to use on something. I love old stuff!

Something I found a little funny... I really had to stop myself from adding more and more stuff (and I really think that I might have added too much in the first place). It was harder than I thought to send an unfinished project on to someone else. I am a control freak! This will be a great experience for me. I will learn how to let go.

Now, on to Jo!

Easy As 1.2.3.

2008-08-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Leave your mark. Document it. Pass it on.

1. Leave your mark: choose a meduim i.e. paint, stamping, stickers, photo (if you contribute the photo please include the journaling or at least give us some little details in the travel log. We all like to get the scoop on what we're looking at!

2. Document it: on the log, at the blog, or e-mail me.

Take an "after" photo when you're done
Note on the travel log who you are, what you did/products used, and anything else you'd like to say.
Share your photo and thoughts on the project/what you did. You can do this on your blog and just leave a comment here with a link (I will hop over and grab a copy of the photo and your thoughts) or you can e-mail me (the photo and thoughts)and I will include them in a post.
Please feel free to blog about this project. Just make sure you link it up to the collaborative blog.

3. Pass it on: but please ask first! Being the mother of three we occassionally have the neighbor kid show up to play without asking. Sometimes it's okay, sometimes it isn't. In an effort to keep the project running smoothly let's be sure to ask first.

As for mailing... I'm trying to figure out how to "keep it green". I'm thinking that if we paint over or put a label over the address/postage then we won't have to use a bunch of different mailers . Also, I can't imagine this costing more than 3 stamps to mail. I will know for sure when I've picked a mailer. I'm trying to make passing it along as simple as possible. When I have more info on this subject I will update this post.

Want to Play?

2008-08-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

So, maybe you've heard of collaboration journals. Or that game where you start a story and then pass it on to the next storyteller? Here's my take...

To start I will pick someone [I already have a very fun and talented person in mind... if she wants to play] and send them a something for a background... it could be a photo, paper, found item... whatever. A jumping off point. The person who receives the package will add some touch of their own and then send the package on to a person of their choice. The person who receives the package will add some touch of their own... and so on, etc. until somewhere in this line a contributor feels the page is complete and says, "the end". At this point they will date the work and mail it back to me. Done and done.

In my mind the potential for this project is huge and [if it goes the way I think it could] I intend to put the pages into a book for publication. So, please don't try this on your own. If you'd like to play leave me a comment. Everyone is welcome. Also, because of the potential hugeness of the project, I will not be able to compensate for postage, materials, etc. and if the book is published the only compensation you will receive is the pride of having your name in print. You can tell everyone you know that you were part of such a cool project and get kudos for your creative brilliance.