ENCOURAGING TAG FOR JUNE

"June is bursting out all over!" is the tune running through my mind today!(I know I'm behind schedule as well!) For some in our group, spring is just beginning and for others in the southern US, gardens are at their peak! Here in Houston I always love how lush and green my JUNE gardens are from flowers to herbs to the tomatoes and green beans we are just beginning to harvest.

Since we used purple and green as last month's theme for growth and creativity, I cannot use growth again (at least not alone). So this month's them will be GARDENING which can be anything from lush lawns, to award winning roses, to making jams and jellies from fresh strawberries, to herb growing, veggie gardening to garden seeds and , yes, garden PESTS! Dang those weeds, snails, rabbits, and caterpillars (they DO become butterflies!). This gives you a wide range of subjects and themes even if you are not a gardener. You can do butterflies, roses, petunias, parsley,, sage,, rosemary, and thyme!

For this swap you will choose any sort of gardening theme, and, as usual:

1. Make a #8 size tag ["6.25 x 3.25" or "15,8 x 7,9 cm]

2. In Tim Holtz vintage/shabby chic/ beautiful style--check out his web site and others such as Theresa Collins' for inspiration. Also check out the Flickr sites for members of our group--they have some awesome creations!

3. Add an encouraging word or phrase for your partner's tag--check profile for any specific struggles she/he may be facing, or use anything that boosts morale, creativity, imagination, curiosity, courage to try something knew, ability to see a failure as a learning and creative opportunity, etc.

4. Add a few (2-4) fun surprises from your partner's profile.

5. Send your tag and a few surprises by the deadline.

Remember that we are Crafting Queens---we make everything to the best of our abilities and send items we are proud to put our names on. A shabby imitation with sticker slapping, childish drawings, mismatched ephemera, etc. are not our kind of work.

Past experience shows that so far this has not been a problem. If you do receives a tag like that, please let me know. I will angel if necessary, but am certain I will not need to do so!

Most of all--HAVE FUN creating a wide open garden themed tag for your partner and please DO check your partner's profile for color, style, likes, and dislikes to help you create the "just perfect" tag for that partner.

If you have questions or problems, PLEASE PM or email me so I can help you resolve the problem.