It's been a while since I've created a pocket letter and here in the throes of a really bizarre and icky New England winter, I thought: what better way to bring some summer excitement into my life than to host a nautical pocket letter swap!
Swap Requirements
Create a decorative insert (this will be the "front" of the letter) for each pocket, using the nautical theme. This is a great, quick video tutorial for different ways to create the decorative portion of your letter. You can choose to go cutesy, vintage, seaside cottagey/whimsical...however you want to execute this theme. Don't leave the back of the insert blank - lightly decorated or craft paper overlays are fine. (I like to use double sided scrap book paper for these when I can). Theme elements may include:
- Ships
- Nautical compasses/navigation tools/maps
- Anchors
- Lighthouses
- Seashells/sea stars (aka starfish)/sand dollars
- Sea birds
- Mermaids (infamous to sailors...)
- Sailors
- Whales
- The Nautical Star
- The Kraken! Or, you know, octopuses...
Once you have gotten your pocket letter set up, you will tuck in the following - from left to right:
P1 - An intro letter, introducing yourself to your partner. Must be a minimum of 1 sheet, front and back, of letterset sized stationery (or 1 sheet 8x11 or A4 paper, front).
P2 - Tuck in some ATC sized scrapbook paper or images that can be used in future PLs or on ATCs relating to the theme. They can be overtly nautical themed or colour coordinated to go with a nautical theme. You can include nautical images, mermaids, whales...anything listed above. Include at least 5 tuck ins here.
P3 - Tuck in some stickers (no sticker flakes unless they number 25 or more) or rub-ons. There should be a minimum of 5 stickers as well. Stickers should be approximately the size of your thumbnail. They can be 3-D, epoxy, etc.
P4 - Include a mail tag for your partner to (hopefully) respond to. If you don't know what this is, click the link to learn more about mail tags!
P5 - Tuck in some embellishments such as brads, ribbon, mini shells, epoxy/resin embellishments, or charms (anchors, fish, ships, etc.). The sky is the limit however, please check your partner's profile to make sure you don't send something they really don't want...like, seashell shaped glitter or something. Minimum of 5 embellishments here. NOTE: If including sequins/glitter/confetti, 1 small baggie, that is sealed, counts as ONE embellishment out of the 5.
P6 - Be creative! Whatever you'd like to include in this pocket is fine provided it is not, specifically, on your partner's dislikes list.
P7 - Tuck in some fancy/fun/whimsical paper clips! NOTE: These do NOT have to be explicitly nautical themed. They can be cute, whimsical, creative, decorative...(minimum 3).
P8 - Washi samples, minimum 4. Samples must be at least 12" in length, and affixed to a glossy medium such as a playing card. Do not put your samples on regular card stock. And remember kids, deco tape is NOT washi tape!
P9 - Flat, profile surprise. This can be more embellishments, paper, ephemera, etc. in a theme your partner expressly likes to receive. It can be a tea bag (new, in factory sealed packet - NO loose tea or loose tea bags please!) or other drink packet if your partner digs tea or expresses a wish for drink packets. It can be a pair of earrings or small trinket if your partner likes jewelry. Maybe they're really into fabric crafts and you have the perfect 6 x 6 square you can fold and tuck in there for them. You get the picture.
Finally, decorate the side of the letter where the holes are punched on the sheet. You can make a cute tassel to tie in to the holes or use washi tape to pretty it up instead. Or both! Or anything else you come up with to make it visually appealing.
Once you've done that, mail your letter in a standard sized business envelope (these fold perfectly for that).
In a Nutshell:
1 pocket letter to 1 partner
Create a nautical themed pocket letter in accordance with the criteria outlined above.
This is sender's choice so you can start creating now and have it ready to go when partners are assigned!
The Administrivia
Send on time. Rate promptly upon receipt. Sending late without communication warrants a 3 rating and removal from the group. Not rating or having to be chased for a rating also warrants removal from the group. Communicate and rate.
Rate according to the Swap-Bot Rating Criteria. Failure to rate your partner or to rate correctly will result in your removal from this group.
If you are going to be late sending, make sure you let your partner and me know prior to the send-by date.
Hearts are purely at the discretion of the rater.
If you flake, you will be removed immediately from this group.
If you are flaked on, let me know. I will angel this swap after you rate a 1.
Questions? DM or leave a comment!
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