The tag books are starting to come together. Well, sorta. I have about a dozen or so made up. Thats a start! Its been such fun to open them all and see the talent inside the avalanche of mail. And here and there, I come across a sweet treat like this extreme goodie pile from Sharon, and that makes it even more fun. Like a treasure hunt. Its all I can do to be polite and gently unwrap everything and be organized with the tags, and stop myself from being like a kid at Christmas ripping into pressies!
And look at these beauties from Rebecca! There is the perfect spot for that spoon in my kitchen cabinet.
I thought you might enjoy a rundown on the process of the whole swap. I am NOT an organized person by nature and I have to be very strict with myself to make sure it all runs well. I have lots of steps each package goes through and I have to concentrate while doing them, so I don't screw up.
It starts with the sign ups, as people email their info to me, I add it to a word doc on my computer, when it is full, I alphabetize it and print it out.
No packages get opened till the swap begins. They trickle in a few at a time for weeks, then as the deadline approaches, they arrive in a daily mountain on my porch. The mail lady doesn't even knock any more, she just stacks them on the chairs in front of my studio.
Here is a snippet of the list, as I open a box I mark it delivered, and paid.
Everyone was asked to send their mailing address on a separate piece of paper. If they forget, I cut it from the return address on the box.
I arrange each person's pile of tags with their info underneath. I don't use these as the mailing label, they are just to keep me straight on whose tags I am dealing with and whose books have been made.
When the books are done, I make pay pal labels. It costs more and takes a lot more time than just taping down the label they sent in and having the mail man add the postage, but this way I can track each package, just in case we need to trace it.
It would also be quicker to just make books willy nilly, without knowing who each one goes to. This might sound silly and time consuming. but I like to know who is getting the book I made, and I enjoy looking at the artist's tag and trying to make a book of other tags that I think she'll like.
It probably doesn't even show, but it matters to me. I make the books with love.
I try not to send the artist her own tags back, but sometimes it happens, especially with later tags when there aren't as many to chose from. In the beginning, with billions on the tables, its easier. As I compile the books, I mark each off the list.
Cash and checks go in this box, with the tags that were sent to me as gifts. I think that my personal swap book is going to be extra fat and gorgeous this time!!!!!!!! There must be 30 tags in there. How lucky am I to get so much cool art for myself?
Tags that look pretty together get stacked near each other as I open the boxes, so as I make the books, I gather the tags from the area surrounding the artist's own tag. A more left brain person would probably put the tags out in the order they come in and work from first to last. I go by color and style instead.
Hey, I have to make it fun and interesting to me, or I'd go crazy! This is hours and hours of work. I know I could do it more simply, but I want to do it right. Each book of tags has to look good together. I'm not going to put a wild colored one in a book with all muted colors. The wild colored one will go with a selection of other colorful and fun tags.
While I am unpacking, I sort and recycle. Pretty ribbons, tissue, and wrappings get saved in one tub, and another fills up with bubble mailers. Boxes get stacked and saved, too. I can always tell when it is time for another swap, when my packing materials get low! I'd like to say that I am saving the earth, but honestly, I'm just cheap.
As I go through the packages, I have to force myself to stay on task, and put all the gifties aside for later. But all I want to do is PLAY with them! Its hard to not open and peek inside the gifts for Sugarwings too. I get as excited as she does about them. And when I get art supplies, it takes a lot of self control to not go sit down and make something right then and there. You know how tempting new supplies are.
There are too many to make to wait till all are here before I start the assembly. It will take me a couple of weeks to get them all made and shipped.
My workspace has a stack of fresh, new padded envelopes, lots of lace and ribbon, a crop-o-dile to punch holes for the people who forgot or made them too small (about 1 in 6), pretty bird paper of some kind to wrap the books in, and tape to add their label to the envelope.
I'll make up a dozen or so loose books, then sit and tie them all, and stuff then slip the envelopes into a basket by my side. When its full, I go and make labels. After the label is made, I mark that person off the list as shipped.
It helps to break the job up this way, bringing a dozen or so to completion before making more. Selecting the tags for each book is the fun part, if I did it all at once, then the tying and labelling would feel like punishment. I like to know that I can get up and go make more choices as soon as I finish my stack of envelopes.
I will be working on these for quite a while, so if you haven't sent yours yet, don't waste money by overnighting them! Please email me and I'll let you know whether you have time to get them in.
Thanks so much to all of you who sent your artwork in to me to enjoy and play with. I'll do my best not to drool on it. And I'll try to keep plugging away at these books and not get too sidetracked by how pretty the tags are. Just don't make them too sparkly or shiny, because I get mesmerized pretty easy by shiny things.
And thanks to those of you who sent my little fairy grand child some tidbits. I've given her a couple of them, and might throw a tea party and let her open the rest then.
The winner of my mini dress form online workshop is Debbie Jullieret.
I think I'll do another giveaway. The prize is a dress form tutorial. If you have already purchased one of the $15 classes, (thank you!!), then I'll send you a kit of vintage goodies instead if I draw your name.
Oh my gosh…I can’t believe I won!! Thank you so much, Karla! I can’t wait to try out the tutorial. All the tags look awesome–how much fun!
Karla, I just realized that I didn’t send the money. I’ll send it very soon!!! My name is Christine Nay in Boise Idaho.
Karla, you put an incredible amount of work into your swaps. I truly appreciate that you take the time to try and send us back tags similar in style to the ones we made. That’s not something I would have expected.
Thanks so much for hosting this ~ I hope you enjoy “playing with” all the tags you recieve.
Karla, You are like the Patron Saint of Tag Books! Thank you so much for all the work you are doing so we can each have our little treasure. Don’t think for a minute that it isn’t appreciated. Just think of the smiles you are spreading when each of those packages is received and opened!
I think you need to have a Silly Doggie tag swap one of these years. Between now and then, you deserve a rest, though another retreat would be lovely.
<3
Suz
Thank you SO MUCH for doing this in such a caring, creative way! It’s so wonderful of you to take the time to create nice tag books for us!
I second all those lovely words Karla.
I wish I lived closer and could take part in your retreats etcet as I just know that they would be my kinda thing!
You’re a gem, and I have to add my THANK YOU KARLA to the rest!!!
love
Shane
Looks like a little bit of heaven in the scrap room.
You crack me up, Karla. “billions on the table” and “I try not to drool on them.”
My Mama, Ruth Flowers and I are looking forward to receiving our tag books put together with love and care.
I have said before “Karla’s Cottage” was our first blog we ever saw and you do not disappoint. We say your name and Sugarwings like you are our family. lol And we would be proud if you were.
Thank you for all you do.
Debra
love the studio tours!!!! wish i could be with you all. tell me where you got the yorkie figurine? i have been looking! thanks for posting = its part of my daily thing inthe a.m.
WOW! You are a busy lady. Each person has a system that works for them. If yours works for you, don’t apologize. I haven’t participated in one of your swaps yet but I will. I look forward to the swap theme you come up with next. Until then, relax.
WOW Karla, Now that’s my idea of one organized mess!!! You go girl!!! ~ I too would have sooooo much fun creatively putting all of those wonderful gems together in their very own special groupings. Note to self ….start following Karla’s blog more closely so next time she hosts a gorgeous swap I’m sure to get in on all of the fun!!!
I hope you have a great day Karla,
Mrs. Tricia k.
When I heard you had 100 participants, my heart went out to you. I cannot imagine coordinating such an event, but having swapped with you before, I know you put your heart and soul into everything you do. This little tag book will be amazing and I am so excited to get mine. Please know how much we all be thrilled when we receive our package from you and how much we appreciate all you are doing to make this possible.
Karla, I can’t wait to see my book. You take such care in putting them together. Thank you for all the time you spend on the swap.
Hi Karla,
I so appreciate all the time and heart you put into this. I can’t wait to see this book!
xo
JoAnne
Karla, it just looks like so much fun! A ton of work, yes, but the volume makes it even more fun! I would love to host a tag swap Karla-style!
I hope it is not too late to send tags in. I thought we had until the 28th?? Would love to win one of your classes so please add my name.
Hi Karla, Thanks so much for sharing, what a huge job. I just want to thank you so much for hosting this swap. Everyone’s tags are beautiful. This tag book is going to be such a treasure. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Terri
Oh gosh Karla, I wish I were nearby to lend you a hand. What a huge job. It does look like so much fun though. I’s love to see all the tags in person.
Thank you for all that you are doing. Your hosting of this swap has encouraged me so much. You make the world a nicer place with the things that you take the time to share and do.
This was so interesting! You’re right — doing them a dozen or so at a time makes it that much more fun, doesn’t it? Everything is looking wonderful! I hope you’re enjoying it as much as it sounds like you are.
What a job, a labor of love.
Thanks for doing it!
that spoon is so stickin cute! Does the lady that made it have a blog?
Yes I do have a blog, but I haven’t posted about my spoons on it yet. I’m just getting started and getting the hang of blogging. http://www.lovelinest.org.
Thank you so much btw!
Karla – Thank you so much for the time and effort you’re putting into this swap. I’m sure we will be able to feel the love, when we finally receive and get to open our packages! The wait is torture, but I know it’s going to be SO worth it! I’m glad you’re getting some goodies for yourself, and I hope you enjoy them and feel the love right back! Also, speaking of my blog, I mentioned you in my “Where Bloggers Create” post, if you get a chance, go check it out!
Rebecca
I love reading this post….it is always so interesting to find out how people approach tasks! And, especially the people, like you, that so many of us admire…
Wowwwwwww! That is an incredible amount of detailed work!! Really, BLESS YOU! You have the patience of a saint. I would shut down inside trying to figure out a system, but you seem to have it pretty darn well together. You’re a pro at this sort of thing!
Wow, that is an incredible project and so much love and work goes into it. I so wish I had known about this sooner because I would have so loved to be a part of this ‘tag swap’. I love tags and collect them myself. Most definitely hope to be included the next go-a-round! Fabulous idea.
Ill add your link when I get to my computer, Im not as adept with my iPad. Thanks for sending it, Im sorry that I missed it before.
I did see what you said about Mary and I, Thanks for the kind words!
Sent from my iPad
The books will be wonderful because of all the time and effort the swappers went to!
Sent from my iPad
All the tags are so beautiful! Sorry I missed out on this great swap! It’s apparent all the time and love you put into your swaps and I know everyone certainly appreciates it! I’ll jump in on your giveaway as well!
I enjoy your process details. It certainly should be made into some fun for you, because it surely is a lot of effort. I see a peek of my tags in a pic so I know they will be enjoyed every step of the way. I shall patiently wait for my Karla package.
Thank you Karla not only for hosting these fun swaps but also for all the care and love you put into making each one so very special for the participants. I know when my tag book arrives in the mail it will be such an exciting day and I’m full of anticipation.
Thank you! 🙂
woooow. you are a brave woman indeed and I salute you ma’am for this massive undertaking. oh so pretty…yeah, I would be bedazzled and glossy eyed for sure. so glad to be a part of it all, can’t wait to see what I get!
Wow, that is an incredible project and so much love and work goes into it. I so wish I had known about this sooner because I would have so loved to be a part of this tag swap. I love tags and collect them myself. Most definitely hope to be included the next go-a-round! Fabulous idea.
+1
I come across a sweet treat like this extreme goodie pile from Sharon, and that makes it even more fun.