This is the place to post your letter about your Circle Journal. In your letter let us know all the information that we need to create the perfect page for your book.

Hi Benita, (is this what you had in mind....this is my first one so give me any tips to make changes and I will do so, thanks)

STOP PRESS - SLIGHT SIZE CHANGE!!

To all in the CJ swap,
I am so excited to be in my very first CJ swap....how will I wait til next year to see the completed album?..........OMG that's a challenge . I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all a little better so I've chosen a friendship type of theme.
Many of you may find my theme a little ho-hum (not that friendship is ho-hum ). I would really really like a little album of my crafty friends. I know that many of you have done things before about yourselves like CJs, tags, LOs etc. but I don't have anything like it ...poor me !
I was thinking of a title like: "My Arty/Crafty Friends" (yep, the originality is overwhelming you, I can tell... ) subtitled.........drum roll............ "Fellow Addicts from Aussie and Across the Ocean."
I envisaged a LO with these things (others things as well is you like):


1. a photo of yourself;

2. an example of your art/craft or a pic of some of your art/craft;

3. journalling or journal tag of a little bit about you including a bit about where you live;

I had in mind that it would be a little album that sat on my coffee table or it could stand splayed opened on my bookshelf so I don't mind if it's a bit bulky. It would be great if your country stood out - what I mean is that as I flip through the pages I'd love to be able to easily read "Wyoming, USA or Brisbane, AUSTRALIA, London, ENGLAND" etc.


I have been into altered board books lately and originally I was thinking that's what I'd like because it could stand up on a shelf on its own and 'splay' open. Then I thought that might be too fiddly BUT I was talking to Carolyn yesterday telling her my thoughts and she encouraged me to go for it! So sorry to change my mind but I do think it would look good. Please don't work too close to edges so that when I put pages in I have 1/8" to play with particularly where the pages meet at the seam. The opening edge corners are rounded but I will adjust that when the LO arrives. (see photo added Sept 12)

I would probably prefer paper scrapbooking but if that's a hassle for you I don't mind digi or a mix of both styles.

I will use an old Barbie Golden Book that is 8" across and 7.5" high. I'll cover the board book in neutral shades then adhere your LO to it. I don't mind what colours you use.

Thanks girls,

Here's a before pic. I'll cover it and post the next stage soon.

Looks awesome Debbie

Hey Girls,


I am so happy to be involved in another Circle Journal Swap. My journal will be a little diferent from the last.
I am calling it an 8x8 Artistic Layout Design Journal.

I am asking you to contribute one 8in x 8in layout either paper or digital - although i prefer paper i will accept digital layouts for the album i am creating.

The theme is 'Friends'

I would like you to create a page with mounting space for one 4in x 6in photos. You will need to sign the Layout somewhere. The page will need a tag or journalling block. The rest is up to you. I allow chunky 3D ellements and prefer acid free and lignin free products used. Keeping in mind the Friendship theme.

I have a small additional request. Due to these layouts being used to create my own scrapbook i would like for you to make a small signature tag (3in x 3in) Perhaps with your name, location, photo etc and something on it to identify it with your page ie. brads, eyelets stickers, card, paper etc that were used on your LO. I can then add this to the front of the album. This page will be called then be the signature page for the contributing artists. This way you will be recognised for the creation of your page and not me.

Please dont hesitate to contact me regarding the Journal. Please let me know if i have forgotten anything here.

I am so looking forward to this swap, thanks to all involved and a special big thank you to Benita for hosting.

My Theme is: My Little Black Book.
size: 8x8. prefer paper please..
Include: a photo of yourself, something about your town/city- where you live, family, etc..anything that should be in a "little black book". Yes your country's flag or symbol can be used. or what you love to "craft".

Every page should be put on BLACK ground paper.. I'd love to have paper pages..if you need help with postage, lmk

I know you all use AF/LF scrapbook items..and on the back of your creation( a sticker works for me), please put your name and date so that I can give YOU credit!! for all the hard work.


**use one or two pages-whatever you need to Fill in My Little Black Book**

Hi girls please note I've change the size of my LO. (See above). Hopefully no-one has started yet. Now having 8"wide 7.5" high. Thanks girls!

Ok all you are probably screaming at me by now because of my theme.
A-Z of me, what i would like everyone to do is an 8"x8" layout (paper preferably) on themselves. I dont expect you to do all of the alphabet if you dont think you can, you could just pick a few letters out of the alphabet but if you think you can do something on all the letters well go for it. What I am looking for is you guys telling me all about yourself. What your interests are, where you live, your family etc etc.

I dont mind the pages chunky, acid and lignen free sounds good. Would love a small signature tag with your name and date etc on it, dont care what size i will leave that up to you as long as it is not to big.


I will leave it up to the individual if you want to do 1 or 2 page LO.


I hope this all makes sense to you if not just let me know.

Looking forward to seeing everyones pages.

Jodie

Jodie, I hope this is what you were wanting..and this is how I interupted your ABC's of Me.
Since my name and intitials are JFB.. I was going to go with Those Letters/Alphas, and what my name means. That I am the oldest in birth rank and who started me "crafting". Alphas for each craft I do will also be "highlighted"...

My question: Is this what you were looking for? I can expand it a bit..but just wanted to know/clarify the content... lmk if you want MORE. I have 60+ years of living that I can draw from.

Hi all I have just edited my letter a little.
That is fine Judy and also maybe a little about where you live that would be great.
Sorry its a little confusing.

Jodie

I'm really looking forward to this collaborative project! Thanks ahead of time to my CHW friends for sharing this experience with me.

The theme for my CJ will be "Music to my Ears." Please create a page with words, pictures, stamps, embellishments, or any type of handy work you desire, that goes along with the words to a favorite tune.

The pages need to be 4 inches by 4 inches and created on cardstock OR digital is okay too.

Lumpy bumpy is fine as I'll be adding your wonderful creations to a handmade book that's actually slightly larger than 4x4. So if your embellishments hang off the sides, it will look just fine and I'm not worried about a hinged side at all.

Alter only one side of the CS because the back side will be adhered to a page in my book. I'd love it if you'd add your signature to the decorated page.

Please don't put my name on any of the pages, as I may share this with a friend as a gift. Not sure yet.

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Everyone's books are sounding really interesting to me thus far and my little brain is starting to churn over some ideas too.


Just Added ---->>>> Single or Double page LO is fine with me. You can choose whichever you prefer.

I'm so excited for our next CJ swap!

My theme is: Collections of my friends. My book will be 8x8 and I will accept paper or digital layouts. What I would like to see is what you collect - it can be one thing, or many! I would also like a little bit about how you got started collecting and why you collect what you do.

Please sign and date your pages. Use any embellishments you'd like, and as many or as few photos as you need.

The rest is up to you - have fun with this!


Edited to add: Please make these DOUBLE PAGE layouts! Thanks!

My CJ theme is What makes You Smile, Giggle Laugh?


I am putting these into a normal 8x8 album, top loading.

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Please make a double page LO, in whatever colors and fashion you like to fit the theme.



I would like you to include a tag with a photo of you and your signature, as I like to see your pretty faces as I read through the book. Adhere them to your page in the place that fits your LO the best. How cool it would be if you were smiling, giggling or laughing in the photo!



If you have questins. please just ask.











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I would like the theme of my album to be "Color Me Happy". I think that is a Stacey Julian quote - but I love it anyway.

What I would like:

1. 8 x 8 paper page
2. Background paper in the color that makes you happy
3. Include at least one picture of whatever makes you happy
4. Tell why the color makes you happy
5. Page can be bulky or however it makes YOU "happy"!
This page will go into a toploading album

Signature Tag:
1. No larger than 3 x 6 in the same background color
2. Include a picture of yourself
3. Any info about you that you would like to share with me (for example, where you are from)
4. Your signature

I think that is it. If you have any questions, you can PM me.

NOTE: IF you wish - you can make this either a 1 page or 2-page layout

I don't see a letter from Cindy (PC?) I know she is sick right now, but just wondering if I am overlooking something? If it is here, can someone lead me in the right direction??

Have another question - do we upload our finished pages BEFORE we send them to our partner or do we let the recipient upload photos if they want?

Also - if we have our address and emails on any of the pages or tags can we make sure that they are covered or blotted out BEFORE they are uploaded for the world to see? Just thinking of saftey issues here.

Tammy, you are right that Cindy doesnt have her letter posted here. She told me she had it ready to post and then it looks like we both forgot about it. I'm sure once she is feeling beter she will post her letter.



Tammy, thanks for reminding us that we need to be careful with the privacy of others. When posting in the gallery we will be sure to respect that privacy.

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[color="#cc0000"]I think that we will post the pages as we recieve them so that they are a suprise for those who are recieveing them.

OMG - how did I miss this? What a ditz I can be sometimes.... well okay, maybe more like most of the time!

My template and letter are at home. I'll load them after work tonight. Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!

My Circle Journal theme is Winter Wonderland. Please interpret that theme however you please. This book will rest on the bedside table in one of our guest bedrooms and be available for browsing by any sleepover guests who visits our home.

The book flips open from bottom up rather than from side to side. You can use a single sheet of letter size cardstock to create two pages. Please decorate only one side of each page using the attached photo as a cutting and design guide. Your pages can blend together to build a single spread or be two separate LO’s - your choice. Paper and/or digital layouts are welcome.

The page margins (shown in yellow on the diagram) will be hidden in the binding. So you are welcome to leave that portion blank or undecorated. Slightly chunky or fiber type embellishments are fine as this is a handmade book and can easily accommodate some bulk. No need to decorate the back of the pages because they will be hidden when the book is completed and bound.

Please sign your name to one of the two pages.

I’m also adding a set of, “contributing artists” pages to the book. For this LO, please create a 3” wide by 2” high tag with your name, location, and anything else you want on it. I will add your tag to the contributing artist pages my self. Please decorate the tag in a style that coordinates with the pages you created. So that book viewers can easily match up your tag with the pages in the circle journal. It can be in any shape that pleases you as long as it isn’t any wider or higher than the 3x2” size. Otherwise it may not fit on my pages correctly.

Thanks so very much for participating in this circle journal adventure. I’m looking forward to adding your artful pages to my book. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Click to view attachment

Tammy, do you want the tags to be separate or do they have to fit on the LO? Like, are you putting them elsewhere in the book?

Deb - I will have a tag page so separate is fine, but if you want to include it on the LO that will be okay.