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Journal Signature (Series)

Let’s make a journal signature by signature. A signature is a set of pages to be bound into a book. More on book binding later. This will be a series of swaps, making one signature at a time, with a combination of prompts and free for alls.

Start by folding three pages of 8.5” x 11” paper in half to form an 8.5” x 5.5” booklet--a signature. Regular weight copy paper should be sufficiently sturdy for most applications, and keep in mind the heavier the paper, the more difficult to bind, and the more expensive to ship. Consider each signature a chapter for a journal. The “front” should be titled: Include the swap name, your user name, and the date. Decorate, illustrate, or otherwise embellish the page to reflect the theme. Treat the remaining pages as individual pages or spreads. Each signature should be a good mix of writing/text and crafting/art, and each page should be more treated than untreated. There is no need to fasten the pages together, but do send them in their final folded arrangement.

Signature #1 Introduction

*Use at least three journal styles in your pages: Junk, magpie, wrecked, scrapbook, diary, dream casting, storytelling/reporting…
*One page or spread should reflect the season either in a broad sense (late summer) or specifically (Labor Day)
* Otherwise, go to town. Experiment, explore a new medium or genre, choose a theme or go random.

This series is intended to introduce participants to journals, prompts and techniques. BE GENEROUS!!! In both creating and rating. It will be TIME INTENSIVE! You will need at least a couple o hours per week to devote to it. If you are inclined to perfection, this is not the series for you. This should be fun for both partners. If you receive something that falls short of the expectations, please reach out to your partner and your host to resolve before rating.

There are a number of ways to bind signatures into books, and it will be up to the recipient to determine how to treat their signatures. The interwebs offer a vast variety of book binding tutorials:

2 Easy Ways to Create & Fold Signatures for Bookbinding
Sea Lemon’s Coptic Stitch
Treasure Books’s Journal DIY

Okay, housekeeping: You will need at least a dozen rated type 3 swaps and a history of time intensive swaps at the time you sign up. If there is anything in your history (to include but not limited to downrates, recent lengthy absences or gaps in swapping, a history of late and/or resends, stingy or silent rate giving, poor communication, an excuse filled profile) that will trigger a ban, anything at all, message me before you sign up. I will clean as I go. You must be actively swapping and have signed in within two days at the time of partner assignments.

If you have any questions regarding the requirements or expectations, message me, ASAP!