I need to be reminded 2 days before sign-up deadline so I can send the verification e-mail to everyone in the swap. This is to ensure that everyone who has signed up has not changed their minds BEFORE the sign-up deadline. When I send this e-mail to everyone I will also notify the group of who the swap assistant is.

I cannot accept any art after the deadline to be fair to all involved. I need time to sort everything and get them mailed out on time. If your swap arrives after the swap return date, it will be returned to you, unopened. Please be courteous to others. I don't want to return swaps unopened, but if I promise everyone I will send their's back by a certain date, it's only fair that I do so. So please be sure to mail your swaps to me at least a week before the submission deadline. This is the biggest problem we have with swaps.

I will update the individual swap page (that you joined) as I receive swaps. If I don't have time to scan it in I will at least mark it as received. Please check this page to be sure I got your swap. If your swap doesn't show up (the image or "received") a week after you mailed it, please contact me.

Send a return self-addressed envelope with your swap so I can mail the other cards back to you. You must include postage (stamps, NOT metered) for the same amount it cost to send your envelope to me, plus 10 cents in stamps (in the envelope, not on it), just in case there's a weight difference. I keep the extra stamps and use them as needed for swaps. Also please consider what you are submitting. If you are making something quite light (using thinner paper or few layers possibly), throw in an extra .37 stamp or two just in case. I will always return the larger stamps if I don't need them. Remember that many people really embellish their swaps so this increases the weight.

Note about extra stamps: I have about a million 1 cent stamps right now, so some 3 cents, or 5 or 10 would be good. The larger 23 adn 37 cent stamps come in handy too. So maybe some who forgot their stamps for a swap or two could send some of those for the kitty.

Please use a large envelope as opposed to the 5x7 size. It is often difficult to squeeze everything back into those little envelopes. Remember, not everyone makes cards 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

Always put your samples in a large zip-lock bag, to protect them from the elements, just to be on the safe side. Please use the gallon size, not the sandwich size. You never know what everyone else will do for the swap and it is often difficult to get the swap into those small baggies. It is a very good idea to label your baggie. Just put an address label on it. That way I don't get them confused when I have over 100 cards and who knows how many envelopes and baggies sitting in front of me.

Hint: It would be a great idea to stick a piece of cardboard inside your envelope (that I can return) to protect your cards. I have one of those little community mailboxes and the mailman often insists on stuffing everything possible in there. This can bend your cards. If you put the cardboard in there he won't try to squeeze it in. He'll just put it in the large mailbox that we share so I can retrieve it.

Each piece MUST have the complete recipe. It should be attached to the back of each piece submitted, not lose (they have a tendancy to get separated when sorting out a swap). The recipe should contain the following information:

• your name
• your e-mail
• all stamps used (and company they are made by, Do NOT submit work if you can't tell me who made ALL stamps you used)
• paper, markers, inks (colors and brands)
• any special techniques, tools, and/or supplies
• project size (dimensions)
• anything else that would be helpful