ATC Megaswap With A Catch #3 - US version

@KatarinaNavane has graciously allowed me to set up the US-only version of this swap. The rules are the same, just a different hostess!

Be sure to read the entire description before signing up!

For this swap you will be sending one ATC to each of your twenty partners. It's a lot of work but the cards are sender's choice so you can send ones you already have made or make your cards ahead of time. All media are welcome.

HOWEVER, here's the catch! At least one significant element of your cards must be uniquely made-by-you. If your card is a collage, it can't be possible to re-create your card completely with supplies bought off the rack.

There are a lot of ways you could do this--you could make your own background paper with inks or starch or paint, you could hand draw or paint part of your card, you could carve your own rubber stamp, you could start with a photo you took or your own digital art, you could add a handmade embellishment of some sort (wire? polymer clay? fabric?). The possibilities are endless and if you come up with even more ways to do this, feel free to add them in the comments section!

A change from the previous rounds! Since there was some confusion last time about how significant the unique handmade portion had to be, this time I am specifying that at least one quarter of the time spent on your card should be spent on your unique element(s). I am not going to specify on size, since a lot of effort can go into a small element, but the unique element should be significant, not an afterthought.

The nitty gritty (Read carefully!):

• 20 cards, one each to 20 partners, Sender's choice in both theme and medium.

• Standard ATC size is 2.5 by 3.5 inches. They should be at least card stock thickness. Be sure to at least sign the backs of your cards--all other info is optional, but most people like to include some additional information as well.

• Make sure your ATC is protected during mailing. I personally use baseball card sleeves, but I've received ATCs wrapped in note cards/letters, as well as homemade ATC envelopes. No one wants a bent or broken ATC!

• This is an domestic swap, but you may need extra postage to send your cards. Don't join if you can't afford it.

• The Catch: Every card must have one element that is unique and handmade by you. If this element is not obvious, mention what your unique element is in your note. You must put time and effort into your cards (more than a few minutes apiece!) and at least one quarter of that time and effort should go into your unique element.

• Include both your swap-bot screen name and the full name of the swap (ATC Megaswap With A Catch #3 - US version, since some people are in both swaps) somewhere in or on your envelope. This can be on the back of your card, if you like.

• Rating requirement of at least 4.9 and if your rating is less than a perfect five I want a legitimate explanation of all one and three ratings. If the explanation is not either on the rating comments or your profile, then PM me BEFORE signing up for the swap explaining how you got the poor ratings and what you did to try to rectify them.

• I reserve the right to remove anyone from the swap at my discretion. As with previous rounds, I will angel if I have to (or find angels if you're sick of cards from me) but really don't want to have to this time. No flakers!

• Sorry, but no newbies. You must have completed and been rated for at least 10 type three swaps to be allowed to join. No Exceptions! This is a big commitment and I don't want anyone getting in over their head. You should also have made and swapped at least a few ATCs before, although this doesn't have to have been on swap-bot.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. :)