Well, some photos to post tonight. A few ATC swaps on the go. I've done a Snowman swap - we're now getting into that time of year when a lot are themed towards Christmas and related subjects. For this, I stamped a snowman image straight onto the cards, then coloured in using a combo of Twinkling H2Os (there's a surprise!) and some Gelly Pens, which also have a lovely twinkle and a good coverage of pigment. Actually, although they are very simple, sometimes that works; I'm pleased with the final effect. Also made a little Christmas RAK for the lady organising the swap. I usually do this - it's a good way to say thank you, and I usually find that by the time I've done the cards for the given subject, I'm on a bit of a roll, so am happy to do one more.

The other cards are for a regular colour themed swap held each month. This month the theme was "My favourite colour". This stumped me a bit, as I love colour and have different favourites depending on the time of year, what it's for (I wouldn't wear bright orange but a bowl of clementines look glossy and wonderful) and so on. Anyway, after a lot of thought, I decided on purple. For one card, I covered it in glossy deep purple paper and trimmed the corners. Then applied some lovely embellishments featuring a vase of purple pansies and a butterfly. Quite simple but with strong colours, so it worked. The other card was one I had brayered with an inkpad called "Evening Enchantment" or something similar. The colours are shimmery lilac, green and blue. Over this, I used a layer of pearl embossing powder to emphasise the shimmery, dreamy quality. Corners rounded again, and then applied some more flowers and butterflies.

I've recently updated my ATC to-do list - it's pinned to my notice board and lets me keep track of swaps. On it I list the swap theme, the organiser, the deadline, number of cards needed or limited to, whether I have the address of the organiser and a tick when I do, and a section for any other notes or special instructions e.g. no peel off stickers is a common one. In this way, I can keep track of the swaps I do, as sometimes people have long closing dates and you can be doing cards a couple of months in advance, or more often quite close to the deadline. When I have the organiser's address, I usually write it on the envelope and stamp it, thus ensuring I have an incentive to make the deadline. By listing them like that it also ensures I keep an eye on the total number of swaps so I don't swamp myself when there's a lot going on or conversely I don't run dry. Receiving cards in the post is always a treat. Often they are also in pretty hand-made envelopes - it almost seems a pity to open them. When I've finished stroking them and admiring them and wondering "How did she do that?", I place them in a special folder. This has clear plastic pages with nine pockets on each page, ideal for storing the cards neatly and allowing me to view them easily. Then it's onto the computer and a thank you to the swapper - this is important - firstly out of gratitude and secondly as sadly cards are often stolen or go missing. The thinking on the forum is that it is assumed there is cash inside - many ladies actually write little messages on the envelopes saying things like "Artwork enclosed - no monetary value". After all that, it's time to have a cuppa and dream of the next swap.....