Samplers - a new kind of team swap

Sampler Swap

Our team did a different kind of swap – a sampler swap. Here are photos of 1 sampler with a Love theme (Heartfelt designer paper, Flirty Flamingo, Real Red, Silver, White and one with a Poppy theme (Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive, Poppy Parade).

and a few close up shots of each sampler.

The very talented Bonnie O’Neill in Long Island provided inspiration and helpful tips on how to do this.  I appreciate that she said feel free to share her samplers as inspiration!

And here's the Poppy sampler for some more inspiration.

Here’s what we did.  The host picks a theme such as “love” or “beach” or “spring”.  The host sets the 2 or 3 colors (not more than 3). The host creates a rectangle with these words 6 ¼ x 3 and 1 square (so for the Love example it’s the top row. The host recruits other team mates to join in and organizes the swappers on our FB page by collecting and sharing the list of mailing addresses of each swapper.

Host option: you can ask each person to use the same base color.  This can really add to the coordination of the sampler. 

The swapper creates 8 IDENTICAL squares and mails them out to the other swappers. Squares are 3 x 3 and square and can but don’t have to include a relevant sentiment.  The host will mail out the rectangle.   Swappers may wish to put in a protective post card into your envelope. Each square is 3 x 3 – exactly 3 x 3.    Swappers use ONLY the selected colors, with any current stamp set. You can use ribbon or embellishments or die cuts or punched shapes – IF they are part of the color selection.

You can get 12 x 12 frames anywhere – there are lots of sales on now! If searching online a tip is to search for a "scrapbook frame"

I'm thinking of organizing a beach themed sampler! Stay tuned :)

happy crafting MaryKate