MJS: Magpie Journal 2018 #5 - US

I was in several of these swaps a few years ago and just loved them. I've hosted several over the past few years and they're always fasincating! I think the original was hosted by honeyblossom.

What's a magpie journal? Well, a magpie is a bird related to the crow that is know as being a collector. Similarly, people are called "magpies" who collect things, particularly things that seem to have little value. So, for this journal, you're going to collect various items and paste them in a small journal.

For the sake of postage, you need only fill 30 pages of collected items - you don't need to fill an entire journal (but please feel free to do so if you wish). Please keep the journals no larger than roughly 5 x 7 inches - smaller is definitely okay. I generally use a small composition book (roughly 4x6 inch size). Decorate the cover any way you like.

What to include inside the journal? Here are some ideas:

Recipes/Menus/Postcards/Playing cards/Stickers/Tags and labels/ Interesting stamps /Coupons /Found items (as long as they're clean)/Notes /Grocery Lists /Poems /Song Lyrics/ Interesting bits of paper /Interesting ads /Flyers /Clippings from newspapers and magazines /Inserts /Labels from favorite products /Candy wrappers (make sure they aren't sticky) / Washi samples

Try to include things that have visual interest or meaning. Feel free to add a note here or there to explain why you included something if you'd like. Doodles and other decorations are likewise encouraged but not required. If you'd like an extra challenge, see how much of the journal you can fill within the deadline!

Basically anything goes - just make sure you have 30 pages full and nothing dirty, smelly or sticky!

There's a long lead time on this one, so you can go ahead and get started as it's sender's choice and not partner-specific! I am also running an International version of this swap in the group if you'd rather do that.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE SIGNING UP: There is no artistic or written requirement for this swap. The swap is also not partner-specific, so your partner is not under any obligation to make a journal that meets any requirements other than 30 pages of magpie goodies. Because this swap is open to the participants' interpretation, you may receive something that is completely different than what you've created. If you are not okay with that, then this may not be the swap for you.