Ongoing ATC Swap Discussion Thread for 2013!

[leather and lace]

So I'm pretty sure the Postmaster lady in the town my school is in thinks I'm nuttier than squirrel poop. Usually I just drop ATCs in the blue box, but sometimes I need to go inside for tape, stamps, etc. This last time I needed proof of posting for the journal prompt swap. Since we don't have that specific thing in the U.S, I went inside and asked her to put postage on and give me a receipt. She looked at me kind of funny and said "I can sell you some stamps, and you can put them on yourself. . . ."

to which I responded that that wasn't the issue, what I needed was proof that I sent them. Well, she picked up the envelopes and bent them and said, "What is in here?"

and I said, "Umm, pieces of cardboard. . . with. . . paper. . . glued on them?"

Needless to say, she didn't ask any more questions and wordlessly sold me ten stamps and wrote out a receipt, after which I hightailed it out of there like the weirdo I am.

[corchen]

I am very annoyed - we have had no post all week! And I know for as fact that we should have had deliveries the day before yesterday It seems that two inches of snow really does make the UK grind to a halt... *sad*

[leather and lace]

I'm very frustrated with myself at the moment. I feel like I'm in an ATC rut-- I write the medium of each card on the back, and it feels like all I've written this month and the last half of December is "Ink and Prismacolors". I was especially unhappy with some of the cards I sent in my last batch; they just didn't say "I made this," to me, yet I sent them anyway. So, to fancybutch, cabaute, and corchen, don't be surprised if you receive an extra card later on .

[Oath Keeper]

Ah I wouldn't feel to bad about it Leather and Lace. I think we all have a medium we enjoy using and may over use sometimes (Namely myself and my love for watercolor and ink together lol) But I see it as the style, care and story behind the ATC that makes them great. Not so much what they are made of. Plus (I know I can't speak for everyone but) I love getting your prismacolor and ink cards. *Stars lovingly at Nightcrawler ATC on display*

[gozer]

 Funny you should say that Leather and Lace, because the card I sent you this month is in a new medium and I almost didn't send it. I am so used to and confortable with my trusty markers that sending anything else scares me!
 

[cabaute]

Just realized there is a discussion thread as I was thinking to myself "I wonder where I should put this update info...?"  (Bonks self on forehead...)

So, to fancybutch, cabaute, and corchen, don't be surprised if you receive an extra card later on .

Sadie, I know what you mean about getting into ruts; I have my own favorite techniques too... That said, I loved your card!

An update on all my outstanding cards (I'm at 12/5/3) - I really need a color printer for some of the components.  My HP inkjet died about 6 months ago, so I finally broke down and ordered a new Epson, which should arrive tomorrow (!).  I work during normal business hours, so that means I'll probably just be able to get it all set up tomorrow, and realistically won't have much time to spend making until Saturday.  I should be able to send them out on Monday, which is the date of my soonest outstanding "send by".  Just wanted to let everyone know!  The cards within the US should arrive next week... Not sure about the timing for the last one, due by 02/05 to Cindy (Homerof2) in Canada.

Hm... As I'm posting I'm now wondering... Based on the format for all the other swaps I guess I've just assumed that the "due by" date is the "send by" date... But is that supposed to be when they are arriving to partners (uh-oh)?  Surely not.... I really hope not!!!  Eeek!!!

[Mountains and Clouds]

Fear not! It is, indeed the send date, so no worry!

[cabaute]

Fear not! It is, indeed the send date, so no worry!

WHEW!   

[cabaute]

Another question I've been confused about (and based on a recent claim I'm not alone):  when listing # claimed / # sent / # received, I've assumed that the "received" number is how many of the cards which I sent have been received by my partner.  But, it *could* mean how many I, personally, have received from people who claimed me.  Can someone confirm the protocol?

Hm... Off to re-review ATC FAQs, in case (but it took a long time to type this on my phone, so I'm going to go ahead and post here in the meantime!!!!

[Mountains and Clouds]

Haha yes, it's how many cards you made that have been received by partners . (And, theoretically, the first number should decrease every time the last number increases, if that makes sense!)