Details of Velveeta Box Auction, Gals!!!

The prize ribbons for the Velveeta Cheese Box Challenge are ready!   They will be awarded for the top four favorites by popular vote.  The boxes will be on display Friday and Saturday at lunch in the hotel lobby.  Please place your vote for your favorite.  Please just vote one time--how hard will that be--just one vote.   Favorites will be announced around 7:00 on Vendor Night and ribbons will be awarded. 

 

During Vendor night, the boxes will be on display and a Silent Auction will begin.  Sign up for a bidding number at Susan and Bonnie's table.  Be sure to place your bid and keep a watch on it in case someone out-bids you while you shop!!!  You will write your bid on a ballot placed next to the box.   The creator of the box which recieves the highest bid in the auction will be awarded the Paper Cowgirl 2011 Trophy for raising the most money for the Tina Wright Scholarship Fund.  Trophy winner will be announced around 8:00.  Total donations earned for the fund will be announced and awarded to Tina's daughter Nicole.  Bring your $$$ and jump into the bidding so we will have a generous donation.

 

Please get your box to Susan Skinner Thursday afternoon or night. I'll post my room number and cell number so we can connect.  If you can't on Thursday, please bring it to lunch in the lobby on Friday.  I'm so excited to see the boxes.  The sneak peeks we've had are fabulous!  I know the rest will be just as great!

 

Susan Skinner

SWAP Partners LIST

INSPIRATION BOARD PARTNERS:
Cathi makes for Judy
Judy makes for Linda
Linda makes for Debi
Debi makes for Shannon
Shannon makes for Cathi
Susan makes for Mendy
Mendy makes for Susan

ALTERED CIGAR BOX PARTNERS:
One change, due to a dropout - all parties have been notified:
Shannon makes one for Dina Kellogg
Judy Johnson makes one for Shannon
Dina makes one for Judy
Bonnie Bernardi - Cami Dilsaver
Suzie Button - Kristi Day
Jennifer Babcock - Laura Crudup
Susan Jose - Cassie Fisher
Sherryl Hofener - Betti Zucker
Lisa Phillippi - Susie Moore
Trisha - Jennifer Barnes
Marie Jenkins - Debi Maerz

Nametag One-to-One Swap

Mendy Mitrani  makes a tag for

Jennifer Babcock 

Jennifer Babcock  makes a tag for

Susan Jose  

Susan Jose  makes a tag for

Betti Zucker  

Betti Zucker makes a tag for

Marsha Albee

Marsha Albee makes a tag for

Susan Hahaj  

Susan Hahaj makes a tag for

Jennifer Barnes  

Jennifer Barnes  makes a tag for

Jodie  

Jodie  makes a tag for

Laura Crudup  

Laura Crudup makes a tag for

Kathy Scott   

Kathy Scott  makes a tag for

 Judy Johnson  

Judy Johnson makes a tag for

Kristi Day   

Kristi Day makes a tag for

Phyllis Ann Shows  

Phyllis Ann Shows  makes a tag for

Dina Kellogg    

Dina Kellogg  makes a tag for

Jana Martin     

Jana Martin  makes a tag for

Debbe Lackey   

Debbe Lackey makes a tag for 
Cassandra Fisher   

Cassandra Fisher makes a tag for

Mendy Mitrani 

APRON SWAP PARTNERS:
Jennifer Babcock - Debi Maerz
Susan Hahaj - Ginger Snap
Kathy Scott - Kristi Day
Jodie Alley - Marsha Albee
Debbie Lackey - Jana Martin
Betti Zucker - Marie Jenkins
Ann-Denise - Betty Leintz

Faithful Horse participants
(make a horse for each participant)
Cathi Bruni
Jana Martin
Shannon Martinson
Susan Hahaj

Charm Swap participants
(make two charms for each person signed up)
Betti Zucker
Cami Dilsaver
Debbe Lackey
Jana Martin
Kristi Day
Marie Jenkins
Marsha Albee
Susan Skinner
Trish ginger snap
Phyllis Snows

SWAP EXCHANGE DETAILS...

Hi Gals, So let's get down to business of the actual day of swapping, ok?!! Yee-Haw!
So there are two types of swaps, there are one on one swaps and those are:
Inspiration Board
Aprons
altered cigar boxes
Nametags

The second type of swap required making multiples for each participant in that swap and include:
Charm swap
faithful Horse swap

Here's the SCOOP:
If you are in a MULTIPLE exchange swap, please get all those charms and horses to the HOST at the Meet and Greet, and if you're NOT attending the Meet and Greet to do that, please contact the HOST by name on this group by a message or email her if you know her email and let her know when you can bring those, on Friday or Saturday? This way there is no confusion about where all the swappers' pieces are. 

If you are in a one to one swap you can hold onto your swaps until we actually exchange. 
Here are those details:
The exchange will happen on MEET and GREET Night at the Dove's Nest. It will happen at 
8 P.M. in the upstairs dining balcony. there will be an announcement for each swap to now go to this area for each swap. There will be up to 15 minutes for everyone to switch, one swap at a time.
If you are NOT there, please notice HOSTESSES that you need to write down to keep track of who in your swap did NOT pick up and then on Saturday at about 4 p.m. in the lobby of the hotel each hostess can put their items on a table and those who were not there or need to still do a one on one swap can do it at that table on Saturday. So gals, if you're doing a one on one swap and your partner is NOT there on Thursday night, don't panic, just bring it into the hotel lobby at around 4 p.m. and meet at the designated table to exchange.

***~Apron Swap~***

Okay Gurls ....We only have a few signed up for the apron swap.......I will extend deadline to May 5th to get those last few in that want to take part!! Remember to go to the Yahoo site and sign up!! Rememeber...use an old apron or create a new and alter till your heart contents.....!
Thanks so much for your participation Ladies!!! See you in June!!

Just a couple of ideas!!!!

"Cowgirl Vintage charm swap"

 

Have you ever rummaged through grandma’s jewelry box or jeweled treasures at a flea market?  Find joy in the beauty of old, well loved and worn baubles and trinkets, sheet music, lacy metals, flowers, gears, and magical beauty. Well now is your chance to use those vintage treasures! Join us in this fun and fabulous charm swap.


 You will make TWO sets of charms per person one Art/creative charm and 1 filler charm
*  You will keep  1 Art/Creative and 1 Filler for yourself (2 charms).

Art Charms/Creative Charms

One of your charms should be something creative and fun, an “art charm”. 
   Suggested materials might include altered metal charms, altered beads and baubles, altered coins, stamped and altered metal pieces, Shrinky Dink plastic, polymer clay, metal accents such as photo hangers, eyelets, or brads. 
Please keep the size UNDER the size of a US Quarter to make our bracelets or necklaces easier to wear.  Also, please make sure that any wires or metals are smoothed so not to snag clothing.     
Do NOT personalize your charms for the Charm Swap .  We are doing this round robin style so you will not know ahead of time who’s charms you will be receiving back.  If you would like to personalize charms for friends, please make extras and swap those on your own.

Filler Charms

The second charm is a "filler" charm. This charm adds a little more color, sparkle and bling to the bracelet and fills in the spaces between our artsy charms.  This should be very simple, just a bead or a couple beads on a head pin or an eye pin.
Make Them Sturdy! Your charms should be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear on a bracelet that will be worn.  Paper items should be covered with some kind of sealer. ModPodge, liquid glass (please test to make sure ink does not run) – Judikins makes a very good sealer for paper art charms, laminating film, spray sealer, and even clear nail polish are all great options!

No Clasps/Hooks

 Please attach "lobster claws" to your charms so they will can easily be attached to your bracelet or necklace. 
I usually use jump rings to attach charms but if you don't know how to solder this can be a issue. With the lobster claws you can remove and add the charm easily to anything with out damaging it.

Packaging (follow these instructions)

Help our swap angels sort and distribute your charms easily.  Following these instructions is vital to receiving your swaps back quickly.
* Package your charms for the party in small baggies (sandwich baggies are fine).

* Put one of EACH charm in the SAME bag. 

* LABEL your charms with your name and (optional) contact information.   You can use a stick-on label, slip in a business card, or even just a small piece of cardstock with your name.

* AND THEN *

* Put all of these in a big Gallon size ziploc bag, BOLDLY labeled w/your name.

Assemble Your Bracelets

Bracelets are not included in this Charm Swap. I thought it would be best if everyone brought their own "necklace or bracelet" to add your charms too. I will bring some extra chain for those who can't find or forget to bring theirs. We will be setting up an "assembly party" so be prepared for fun and laughs.  You also may want to put a few of your charms on a pendant or pin instead. 
 ** It is fun to take a group picture of all the bracelets and necklaces! 

Hope to see you in the swap,  Trishalicious

Last Push for Sign-Ups for The Inspiration Board Swap!

Hi Gals! I decided to set the sign-up deadline for my particular swap, the Inspiration Board, for May 9th and then I will on that day take and assign partners, so Giddy-Up on over to the comment section here on this posting AND/OR to the database on the Paper Cowgirl Yahoo group and add your name in to the records or just contact me at purrpage3 at verizon dot net to let me know you're interested! Maybe you're a mite confused on what this Inspiration Board Swap is all about?! So let me 'splain it to y'all...
Well, my thought was that we all are creative souls attending, and, thus, we most likely are very VISUAL souls too, so a board of inspiration would help to spark our creativity in our 'lil 'ol craft rooms, so, thus, this swap came to my mind to host....
I didn't want to HAVE to set the rules of the board you create has to be this or that style, you know, like it doesn't HAVE to be a Cowgirl theme at all! Or any such theme! BUT, I wanted you to spread your creative wings and to create with the person you'll be matched up with to THEIR style and taste, so there will be a sharing of your likes/ dislikes when you're paired up!
Here are a few more examples to make it clearer (than mud, that is!)...
Maybe your swap partner would be a minimalist type, this might be her style...

                                       (Photo courtesy of Burlap & Blue blog and tutorial)
Maybe she likes the unusual touch and a handy way to cover up the details when needed...

                                           (Photo courtesy of Crafty Nest)
I know my creativity is stoked by pretty fabrics, laces, vintage buttons, tulle, and most of all sparkle!!!!
So here is a board I created for myself...

I am adding to it as I find the time to create a pretty for myself!
So, if you've been on the fence...

It's time to jump off and sign up and see the creativity you'll give and receive from your fellow
Paper Cowgirls! Yee-Haw!
Remember, you can sign up by emailing me purrpage3 at verizon dot net, or by adding your name on the database (just go under swaps and click "add record" and put in your info!)
The deadline again is May 9th and I'll send out your partner's name for the swap the following day, May 10th!
                           Suzie

Velveeta Cheese Box Paper Cowgirl Challenge, Contest and Auction!

We all love Velveeta cheese, the boxes really are iconic symbols of our childhood and takes us back to the kitchen table with a yummy orange macaroni and cheese plate before us...

And as Paper Cowgirl Artists, we can create ART now out of anything,

EVEN the box!

Yee-Haw!

The challenge is laid at your craft table...

The challenge will be to make something out of a Velveeta Cheese box. (2 lb size)  It can be anything decorative or utilitarian.  The main rule is that the bottom of the box (brown corrugated part) must retain it's form so that it will still be recoginzeable as a Velveeta box.  You can cut holes in it, or take it apart and reassemble as long as it keeps its shape and app size.  The lid can be used or not and can be cut up to use in any way.  The lid should be incorporated into the design, not a seperate item. 

Here is one little sample of using an everyday item of a Velveeta Cheese box to create something else...

{Photo courtesy of LollyChops}

 

The "entries" will be displayed at some point during PC so that everyone gets a chance to vote on their favorites.  Winner will get a trophy (I found one at Warrenton) and a donated prize (depending what we get).

Then on Vendor night, winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd...) will be announced, and a silent auction will be held for all the pieces with donations going to Tina's Scholarship Fund.   

Are YOU game?!! If so, please go to the Yahoo Database for Paper Cowgirls and add your name to the Velveeta Cheese box Challenge record there.
Questions? Email me, Susan Skinner at sissyfox1 at yahoo dot com.
Now get Challenged!

 

Ideas for Inspiration boards

Hi, Gals! I am looking for some cowgirls to join my inspiration board swap, right now there's just me and one other lonely cowgal, so I thought I'd share a few inspiration board ideas and links to pique your creative bug and have you consider signing up!
Just browsing through the internet I found a couple boards that are made in different ways but are both fantastic! One I really liked I found over at Joy Folie where she used a metal board to make it magnetic! How fabulous! Here's a peek at her board...

Easy to make and I can imagine a little bit of cowgirl fabric and trims to Paper Cowgirl it up!

EEK!

Then I was over-the-top excited when I saw she had a linked tutorial to these to use on such

a board...

cute magnetic tacks! These could be adorable to put in the altered box swap too!

click HERE for the tack tutorial too!

Just love the internet for ideas, don't you gals?!!

Then a favorite blog of mine for tutorials of all sorts had this board similarly made to

the inspiration board I made that I posted originally...

over at Sew Mama Sew

Here's her board, not very cowgirl style, but a good strong tutorial on making one...

Remember, your glue gun is your FRIEND!

or at least it's mine!

Have i made you want to join in?!

I hope so!

If so, please leave me your name and way to contact you

under the comments on this post!

And just enjoy the freedom of creating!

Love and cowbells to y'all...

                                                          Cowgirl Suzie

One-to-One Altered Box Swap

Picture from Deb Trotter's blog - project from Jill Haglund's book Altered Art Projects

This will be a one-to-one swap. We'll be swapping altered boxes. By popular demand, although I first mentioned that it could be any size, I'm going to limit it somewhat so we're all on the same page. Boxes need to be about the size of a cigar box or small lunch box. When I close the swap, I'll assign partners, and you can talk to your partner about what colors they like/have in their house for decorating the outside, but the inside will be completely up to you. You can make it a shadow box, or fill it with fun stuff for your partner like found objects or supplies for art, or finished art you made, or pretty much anything you want. 

From Lynn Stevens of Trash to Treasure Art

Can you believe that's a cigar box? From Saray Viola - check out her blog, she's got some great mixed media altered art pieces!

I found a lot of examples on the internet just by googling altered cigar boxes or mixed media boxes, but if people want more examples, I'll be happy to come back and post more links. Really, though, anything goes.



If you're interested in participating, leave a comment here. I'm going to close the swap on Monday, May 2, to give everyone time to work on their boxes. 

Thanks!
Shannon
 

Name Tag One-to-One Swap

PC Name Tag One-to-One Swap is up!!

Details for the swap are as follows:

1. Check out the swap on the Paper Cowgirl Yahoo Group Database. You will sign up for the swap here, on this post. Swaps will not be limited, but will be CLOSED on April 1st  (Due to having time to create your partner's "name")

2. Wait until April 1st to find out who you will be swapping with. I will be posting partners on this blog. Go ahead and start planning your name tag while you wait for your swap partner!! Please use vintagy, faded colors...nothing bright!

3. Create, create, create your fabulous name tag! Use millinery, soldered pieces, lace, trims...perhaps a little digital hybrid art? The sky's the limit!! Use soft vintage colors such as pinks, creams, greens, etc. Silver glitter would be a nice touch too! Make sure your nametag is really fussy and gorgeous!

4. Bring your assigned name tag to PC on swap night! Remember presentation is everything!!

Sound fun? Sign Up HERE on this post if you are interested. Please email me with any questions
mendytexasart@yahoo.com

Faithful Horse Swap Version 2.0

Howdy Cowgirls!

Every cowgirl needs a faithful horse.  Last year we had six swappers because the swap went up late in the game, but as you can see by the photos, the paper horses were awesome!

Join this swap to collect a colorful herd of pretty ponies using this free template (here) created by Artist Ann Wood.

You can utilize the pattern in any way you wish, using any materials you like.  Choose from two "breeds" of horses.  If you want to enlarge or alter the pattern, go ahead.  If you want to make your own pattern, that's fine, too!  We'll make one horse for every swapper, so we get 15 swappers, we'll make 15 pretty ponies.  This swap will close at 20 horses.

So saddle up and have fun!  You can leave a comment here if you have any questions!

Yours, Cathi B. (Calsidyrose)

Ready to have a few swaps?!

Hi Gals! This will be our go-to site for all things Paper Cowgirl Swap related!  You'll be able to post your swap details and who is involved in those swaps and pictures too!
There's still a ways to go to make some links that will be needed, etc. but I wanted to at least begin with gathering the detail from any gals out there who want to HOST a swap!
If you're one of those gals and have a great swap idea, please send me an email to our email site I set up just for this purpose at 2011pccowgirl at gmail dot com with your name, the type of swap you will have, and I'll contact you next week by Wednesday with more details, ok?!
This blog will be interactive for those swap hosts to post templates, pictures, news for their participants, etc.
So, start thinking if you'd like to host a swap and contact me!
Let's corral the swappers, gals! Hope to hear from you soon!
P.S. DID YOU NOTICE HOW FABULOUS THE BLOG HEADER AND BACKGROUND IS ON THE BLOG IS? WELL, ALL CREDIT GOES TO MENDY MITRANI FOR THE DESIGN!
 HUGS AND MORE HUGS TO MENDY!

Remember, contact me at 2011pccowgirl at gmail dot comto register for swaps. This is at this point an open deadline, so no need to rush, unless you want to, of course!
Questions? send them to this email too and I'll answer ASAP.