#$@!%! Holiday Stress ATC

As we near the midpoint of December, I am absolutely comfortable in saying that I am ready for the holiday season to be over. Perhaps you feel the same! Whether it's stress with family, stress about money, crappy weather, having too many obligations, being the only person putting in effort with organizing anything, being depressed but everyone else you know is also depressed so it doesn't really matter, more stress with family... hey, I get it! And I bet a lot of people on here do as well!

For this swap, you will be releasing some of that stress, anger, rage, frustration, anxiety, and persistent clinically significant despair on an ATC! Think of it as art therapy. ;) Just use the card to depict whatever you are feeling. For some people, maybe that's a ton of angry scribbles and the "F" word written repeatedly over them and some matching embellishments. For others, maybe it is a messy collage or sticker bomb where the mental disorganization is palpable. For others, maybe it's a more traditionally crafted "carding" type-ATC, except it has a few words or a short poem written on it. Maybe it's a HD/HP goth anime demon who is very sexy but also very sad and maybe if you were dating him, you would feel better. Or a quick sketch of your own face with the different doubts and negative feelings about yourself surrounding it. Or a soft-edged watercolor painting of a shadowy figure because you've been dissociating and sometimes that's just the way it is! I can't tell you how you feel.

Though the requirements for this card are pretty loose and the card itself is meant to be expressive, please make something you would like to receive. Don't just scribble and consider it done. Don't slap on 3 stickers and call it a sticker bomb. But, be aware that this swap also does NOT require HD/HP and that there will be a mix of abilities and mediums, with no expectation that the result will be aesthetically pleasing. If getting an ugly, angry card when you painted the sexy demon will stress you out, don't make things worse for yourself.

RULES

• 1 ATC for one partner depicting any stress-related emotions you're currently dealing with. It does not have to depict anything related to the holidays or winter at all, though feel free to run with either theme (use bits of wrapping paper, etc) if that is something you want to express

• standard ATC rules apply. 2.5" x 3.5", sturdy cardboard backing, portrait/vertical orientation. The swap name, your username, and date go on the back. Send in a plastic sleeve, and make sure it is packed to protect any 3D elements (and that you utilize appropriate postage)

• any medium is a-ok, just make sure everything you use is clean and that any embellishments are secured in place to withstand travel and storage

• send on time! The date is set so that you can make the card now (before partners are assigned, it's not profile-based), during the actual holidays, or -- if you end up having a really busy, crappy time and not even wanting to craft -- make it in January once you've had time to chill out (just not too much!)

• please rate promptly and fairly. 5 if it meets requirements, hearts if you love it. rate on the card, not extras or lack thereof

• 4.9 minimum, no recent 1's or 3's, must be active on the site. Profiles will be vetted for any shadiness and treated accordingly

That's all! Message me with any questions and happy holidays!