Journal out of ad cards

I kind of felt sorry for the 'free (and) ad cards' - as they are excluded from swaps most of the time. Still, I have a nice collection of them. A stack, obviously not store bought but some of them pretty neat.

So I came up with this idea for a swap: Create a junk journal out of free postcards. Don't just stack them together, but upcycle them into a journal.

I define a freecard and/or ad card as follows: any actual postcard (classic back design with the address space on the right) that is not store-bought or homemade. There may or may not be an advertising message on it. (You can cover that if you like). You may find them at book stores, libraries, cafés, the cinema, in a magazine, in the mail (I received some nice ones from charities I support).

Specifications:

• Size: about A6 (postcard size)
• Minimum number of cards to use: 10. The more the better! Extra pages (not made of cards) are allowed.
• Upcycle! Create some pockets, inserts, tabs, writing areas, maybe cover the advertorial texts with pretty stuff...
• You can use paint, paper, stickers, stamping, even store bought stuff, as long as your base is made out of free (ad) cards.
• Create an actual front and back side. These can be part of the 18+ cards, but your partner should be able to tell the difference.

So just to be clear: you provide a lovely journal base for your partner to fill with journaling and extra bits. I think it will make a nice handbag size.

Some extra ideas:

• add a book ribbon + charm
• add a title for your journal
• it could be a travel journal - if your partner travels
• create a profile based journal (please note how this is a suggestion, not a requirement).

Binding

There are several ways to bind your journal - that's sender's choice - AS LONG AS YOU USE AT LEAST TWO CONNECTION POINTS. So not just a string through a hole (or a giant staple) in a top corner. You can use binder rings, sew your pages together, create a spine with sturdy paper... just do what you usually do.
Just remember your partner will have to be able to open it properly to fill the pages.

Swapper requirements:

I will be quite strict with the swap requirements, since this is a 'heavy craft swap' and international postage is not a joke, people. Swappers with a rating < 4.99 will be removed from the swap. Furthermore, I will check all participants before assigning and remove anyone who:

• has not logged in the week before the swap deadline;
• has been rated for less than 5 type 3 swaps in the last year;
• doesn't have a complete profile.

I hope you like this idea as much as I do - please join me!