Found scrapbook swap

I understand that the point is to use found items, but could we also use some items we already have maybe like paint or markers or something else to embellish and decorate more?

It would be okay to an extent, for example to do decorative borders or a background etc, as long as the main feature is the found objects.

Duh me, what is a 4A notebook?? Is that the black and white test book???

Another question: Do we put the items on front facing pages only or on both front and back of the pages???

OH MY GOSH I LOVE FOUND! GREAT IDEA

sounds like fun but what would you do with it once its done? Any uses other than looking at it? Isn't A4 somewhere around 4" x 5"?

Would this be total page collaged or one or two items per page?

Sorry, I didn't realise A4 wasn't a worldwide paper standard. The measurements of an A4 page are 21cm x 29.7cm. Most sketchbooks etc here are that size, but if this is not the case where you live just pick something that is close to this size, not too much smaller.
Please do put things on both front and back of each page! Do your best to find a notebook that will be suitable for lots of glueing in, e.g. with strong binding and sturdy pages.
In terms of uses, it is just like any other journal, fun to create and also a fun way of learning about other people and places.
Generally try to use common sense as to how many found things per page. For example you may choose to do a collage of a whole lot of receipts on one page, because receipts are more common, but if you found a really unique or interesting item it would be okay to give it some space to really be appreciated. Try not to have too much 'white space' showing where there is nothing.
But remember to be creative! Don't get too hung up on worrying about doing it right, just use good judgement and put lots of effort in and it will be fine!

Thanks for the update and now I am finding myself looking on the ground more for interesting pieces of "garbage" art.

I thought you meant something like a random glue book of things but just wanted to be clear in my mind so thanks......

boy was I way off on the guess of A4 size..it looks to be more like 8.5" x 11"

So it is the composition-black and white- book??

I'm not sure what a composition black and white book is, but if it measures to approximately the right size and has enough pages then it will be fine =)

I don't think the composition-black and white book would work. Also I think it is smaller than 8-1/2 x 11. Think the pages wouldn't hold up. Need to be sketch book or journal pages with more weight to the paper to hold up to glue and other items on both sides. The black and whites have very thin writing paper and I really don't think they would work. I also think something with a spiral binding would be the best so that it lays flat when open. If the binding is too tight, too many glued insertions will make it too thick.

I am looking forward to this swap. I already have lots of found papers and objects to use. Just have to get a journal to put them in.

when i went to the art store the sketchbooks measuring this size of 21 x 29 mm were approx 8.5 x 11. It sounds like a big book to fill with 40 pages of found junk. I am wondering if items found in stores such as post card size flyers, business cards, etc would be included here or only found stuff on the ground because I am having a hard time picking up garbage papers found on the ground. Still thinking long and hard because I want to do this however all these thoughts and questions hold me back from signing up to do it.

just found the link for the above mag....now its making alot more sense.

I finished doing one of these in a private swap a couple of weeks ago and I really miss it, so tempted to do it again. But 40 big pages may be too much for me/where I live, there isn't that much on the ground. I just filled a 40 page A5, one side of the paper only and it took 3 months. We just did one side and stapled the items on so that we could use the pieces in our own journals after. If the items are glued there is no way of re-using them or if they are on both sides of the paper...

Perhaps to clear up any confusion, i will try to explain further what this journal should contain, because the list of things in the swap description is not the entire extent of things that can be included. It is perhaps poorly worded, because it is okay to include things that are found other than just on the ground, things can be found all sorts of places such as between the pages of second hand books, in old diaries, in junk shops etc. In terms of using business cards and flyers, it is up to your individual discretion as to what you consider acceptable, but it should not be a majority of that type of thing or a whole lot of advertising or anything. The concept behind found objects is imagining their history, who wrote the note or who is in the photo and how did it get to be where you found it. If there is no intrigue or mystery it can kind of lose its fun. However such things as flyers etc have a visual appeal, being colourful and what have you, so they are also good to include.
For further inspiration visit http://www.foundmagazine.com/

So...if I am reading your directions right, I need to add comments as to were I found these pieces that I am gluing in to the journal. Is that right? I don't remember where I found most of my stuff that I was going to use.

I was just going to glue the found items to the pages and let the receiver finish the pages. Now, I am not clear on what to do.

Am I to finish all 40 pages???????

Well, she says "If you would like to make notes by the items saying where you found them then that would be great." so I don't think you have to do that. But that's just the way I read it.

I have been working off and on trying to get just the backgrounds painted and ready to glue on the found art. So far I have glued 4 pages and have a box of stuff to add but have to let the pages dry in between times. Slow going. Good thing I have other projects to keep me going.

Why won't the options open to let me see my partner? I have already opened it once before and got her address but need to send an email and didn't write that down. Help!!!

Okay, finally got it.

My "send to" partner hasn't been on since May and has a couple one's. I'm not sending to her so if whoever is suppose to receive from @lltip wants to get in contact with me, I'll be more than happy to forward mine on to you!!

Sorry...meant to say she hasn't been on since March :-)