Flourish Forum
Sharing and Caring Exchanges => Completed/Past Exchanges => Topic started by: Erica McPhee on December 29, 2015, 01:40:20 PM
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Hi Flourish Friends,
I am preparing the exchange calendar for next year. It will be slightly lighter than last year to allow for spontaneous exchanges and a lighter schedule. I know many people last year wanted to participate in some of the exchanges but the calendar was tight. This will hopefully give people some breathing room.
Please reply with any new ideas for exchanges. The Valentine, Halloween/Day of the Dead, and Holiday/Winter exchanges are the only ones set. I still have some ideas left from last year that we weren't able to incorporate but thought I would open it up for any new ideas before setting the calendar.
Thanks! ;D
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I'm excited!!! Favorite recipe exchange maybe?
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How about a "Wish you were here" postcard exchange from your favorite (past) vacation? It could be made from a personal photo or stock image.
It could be scheduled anytime.
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I'd like to see the Ransom Note exchange again: that was a lot of fun. :)
A sort of random letter exchange could present opportunities for people with a bent for creative writing as well as calligraphy: by this I mean adopt a persona and write a short letter on any subject to anyone you like, real or fictitious, pop it in an envelope and send it off to some unsuspecting recipient on the list. Scope for a good deal of hilarity and / or mystification there, I should think.
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What about a famous literature letter exchange or something like that?? I am thinking about copying a famous letter from a book, or maybe a piece of a diary. I mean, for example, Dracula is writen as letters and diary fragments from their characteres. Copying one of those letters could be an awesome way to practice and maybe be creative as well, as you can write it as you think the character would do it. There surely are a lot of books where we can find letters!
Poem exchange. I think that speaks for itself.
The Crazy letter from Santa on Summer holidays exchange. Imagine you are Santa on summer holidays and send a letter or a postcard telling people what you are doing. "Dear Erica, hope you are being a nice girl. I cannot know at the moment because my magical mirror to watch you is lost, as is the rest of my luggage. I will never again let me be convinced by an elf to get a flight on the airport as the common people do! At least it is hot here in Brazil, so no need for a lot of clothes. Oh, Mama Claus is getting me a Mojito! See you on Christmas!".
Favourite word exchange. Opportunity to get creative in any language!
Family tradition exchange. Tell people about any tradition your family has. Maybe is a once a year big dinner party with all the family members, or how you give birthday presents, when to put the christmas decorations at home,...
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Crazy Santa letter - hilarious!
Perhaps a proverb exchange - proverbs from any source. "The pen is mightier than the sword!"
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Oh, I like Inked Botanicals idea of famous letters! That would be fun. I also like the poems one.
What about quotes from a favorite movie or book?
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How about something to do with feathers? We could choose to do a flourished feather or a quote which includes the word or just the word written in a fancy way. Or just write on a lousy envelope and see how the ink feathers . . . hahaha.
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How about
'write with something unconventional'
'drunken mail swap - 3 drink minimum, 21+ only'
'random page in a random book'
'nib exchange?'
I like the poem exchange.. but then I love poems!
Famous letters would be fun too!
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I second the recipe, the unconventional writing instrument and the drinking one!
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How about
'drunken mail swap - 3 drink minimum, 21+ only'
I better start practising for this one.
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great ideas already! I particularly like the feathers theme...
Other trendy themes could be
Ombré
Rainbow
Galaxy
Monochrome
:)
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Perhaps along with unconventional writing instrument, we can do an non-dominant hand exchange, write as if you're a lefty or a righty. I'd be terrible at this but no doubt it would be fun.
I think a specific color exchange would be cool. All black, all blue, etc.
Recipe, famous letters, postcard, and a redo of the ransom note are great ideas.
Happy New Year's, everyone!
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How about
'drunken mail swap - 3 drink minimum, 21+ only'
I better start practising for this one.
I need wine ASAP, just in case this exchange becomes true. You know, mom, it is all for the good studying and maintenance of my calligraphy...
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Drunken mail swap idea is hilarious!
I also liked, the recipe and poetry ideas... Just so long as it isn't original poetry, lol
Writing with the non-dominant hand could be really fun! I'd love to see what people came up with.
Black and White
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Poems, eh? How about a clerihew (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerihew) exchange? For instance:
Platt Rogers Spencer
(In his defence a
Fine artist with pen and ink)
Was rather too fond of a drink.
Doesn't have to be calligraphy-related, but anyone coming up with a rhyme for Herman Zapf should probably get some sort of a prize. :)
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I love the recipe idea!!
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I think a specific color exchange would be cool. All black, all blue, etc.
Mmm . . . all one color . . . good.
Other ideas:
Numbers. This might get me to practice them.
Textures. Either drawn or added to ink.
'Rustic" lettering - that is, drawn letters in the shape of branches & tree trunks.
Drawn letters, any form.
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Such great ideas! Keep 'em coming! ;D
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These ideas are awesome!
I think it'd be fun to do a sender's choice exchange...but I guess it's nice to have a theme!
Maybe a favorite movie exchange? Or a USA/favorite president quote exchange since the election is this year?
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How about
'drunken mail swap - 3 drink minimum, 21+ only'
I better start practising for this one.
I need wine ASAP, just in case this exchange becomes true. You know, mom, it is all for the good studying and maintenance of my calligraphy...
Yes we have to be on our toes for the sake of calligraphy and start practicing. Bottoms up!
I love the specific color exchange! Every list would be different colors!
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Yes we have to be on our toes for the sake of calligraphy and start practicing. Bottoms up!
You mean, of course for the Sake of calligraphy, but you left the accent off the e. haha.
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Let's do a Schinspiration exchange - all things inspired by The Amazing Schin!!!
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I just realized how lame my president quote idea was! There are so many people from so many countries on this forum...I'm going to hop on the color train! We could have hot color and cool color groups!
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I just realized how lame my president quote idea was! There are so many people from so many countries on this forum...I'm going to hop on the color train! We could have hot color and cool color groups!
Where's the "laughing my arse off" emoji when you need it?
I do love the color idea, too!
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I just realized how lame my president quote idea was! There are so many people from so many countries on this forum...I'm going to hop on the color train! We could have hot color and cool color groups!
But maybe we could expand it a bit and have a 'Why my country is great/not so great exchange' and list the 5 best and worst things about the country we live in, obviously not taking it too seriously, so no long rants!
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Or what about a hometown exchange? Decorate your envelope card with specific colors, landmarks, etc. or share something unique about your hometown (or your current city, if you prefer)!
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Poems, eh? How about a clerihew (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerihew) exchange? For instance:
Platt Rogers Spencer
(In his defence a
Fine artist with pen and ink)
Was rather too fond of a drink.
Doesn't have to be calligraphy-related, but anyone coming up with a rhyme for Herman Zapf should probably get some sort of a prize. :)
There once was a designer named Zapf,
While in Germany met botanist Stapf,
Hermann and Otto
Did share a good motto
That your work should be good not krapf.
I know, not strictly a clerihew--I like 5 lines better)
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Maps! Maps! Maps! Imaginary or real.
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1-Can we celebrate calligraphy in a particular date?
When is the flourish forum birthday?
2- a recipe exchange
3- music exchange (lyrics or a particular quote)
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I just realized how lame my president quote idea was! There are so many people from so many countries on this forum...I'm going to hop on the color train! We could have hot color and cool color groups!
LOL! I thought it was a GREAT idea! But I thought of "Inspirational Leader" quote - must be a political leader from your own country or another.
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Or what about a hometown exchange? Decorate your envelope card with specific colors, landmarks, etc. or share something unique about your hometown (or your current city, if you prefer)!
We did this earlier this year - it was called the Culture Exchange. I have an amazing scrapbook that I plan on photographing and posting for all to see. I brought it to IAMPETH. It's pretty spectacular to see all the different countries represented.
So great idea! But we probably won't repeat this year. ;)
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There must be a lot of cooks in this group. I'd probably have to write an 'Ode to the Microwave'. ;D
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Everyone has such great ideas (I especially like the write and drink idea though in my case probably all that would be sent are cards with various shades of drinks spilled on them - hey, pinot noir and merlot coordinate pretty well).
The only idea i can come up with is a "letter" exchange where you get assigned a letter then write/draw/ or illuminate the letter and/or object that begins with that letter and a small explanation about it (building a sort of "A is for apple" mcguffey's reader type of collection of cards for everyone in the exchange group).
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I really like the idea of a recipe exchange! Especially if there's some sort of size standardization.
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I'd love a recipe exchange too! It'd be so fun to share some favorite recipes, especially with how many people are from various countries on here.
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1. The goofy Santa letter example was hilarious! But, what if we could pick any character or historical figure we wanted? "Dear Elisabeth, Still no word on who killed Mr. Body. Professor Plum is acting very suspicious, but he was nowhere near the Conservatory and his fingerprints aren't on the lead pipe. Colonel Mustard spent the whole afternoon in the Conservatory, but his prints aren't on the lead pipe either. Could we have the wrong murder scene? Love, Mrs. White"
2. I like the recipe idea.
3. What about a Try Something New exchange? You must use a style or tool that is new to you that you haven't used before. Broad pen when you're usually a pointed pen aficionado, or glitter when you're not into bling.
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Everyone has such great ideas (I especially like the write and drink idea though in my case probably all that would be sent are cards with various shades of drinks spilled on them - hey, pinot noir and merlot coordinate pretty well).
This made me think of using red wine as an ink - has anyone ever tried it? We could do an exchange where we use different substances as ink - wine, food dye, fabric dye, household paint, wood stain, beetroot juice, etc and see how they work. Might have to sacrifice a nib or two though!
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Everyone has such great ideas (I especially like the write and drink idea though in my case probably all that would be sent are cards with various shades of drinks spilled on them - hey, pinot noir and merlot coordinate pretty well).
This made me think of using red wine as an ink - has anyone ever tried it? We could do an exchange where we use different substances as ink - wine, food dye, fabric dye, household paint, wood stain, beetroot juice, etc and see how they work. Might have to sacrifice a nib or two though!
I did try it!! I made a post about it some time ago: http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=3434.msg47009#msg47009
It worked well with a bit of gum arabic added, but I also added some grape skin powder to enhance the color. The wine by itself was pretty but quite light in color. You should try!
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Everyone has such great ideas (I especially like the write and drink idea though in my case probably all that would be sent are cards with various shades of drinks spilled on them - hey, pinot noir and merlot coordinate pretty well).
This made me think of using red wine as an ink - has anyone ever tried it? We could do an exchange where we use different substances as ink - wine, food dye, fabric dye, household paint, wood stain, beetroot juice, etc and see how they work. Might have to sacrifice a nib or two though!
I did try it!! I made a post about it some time ago: http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=3434.msg47009#msg47009
It worked well with a bit of gum arabic added, but I also added some grape skin powder to enhance the color. The wine by itself was pretty but quite light in color. You should try!
Haha! I love it, it looks awesome! There you go, an alcoholic ink exchange! No licking the letters!
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I Just Want to Participate This Year!!! :) :)
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Well, I missed the Bling exchange, which I would have loved.... So my wish would be for a Bling related exchange. Maybe a variation? E.g. Bling with a specific color (or color per group)? Or bling while integrating another theme?
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A Chinese New Year exchange (might be a bit late for this year though, maybe for next year!)
A dream vacation exchange, ie you write a letter or card as if you are on your dream vacation, telling the recipient all about it.
A letter to Santa exchange, telling him what you'd like for Christmas
A zodiac exchange, where you send everyone a card depicting your (or their) sign of the zodiac
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Things I'd like to see on the list:
* Calligrapher's pets
* Butterflies/dragonflies/insects?
* something with a medieval flavour
* creating your own illustrated alphabet?
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I love Lynette's Medieval idea!
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I'd love to see:
-Botanical exchange, one with flowers and foliage.
-Birds
-Americana, something patriotic, historic, American.
-Pastels, with pastel colors.
-Desserts, with sweets, candy, pastries, etc.
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I love everyone's ideas!
What about an ocean/mermaid/old-timey-sea-faring-ship exchange?!
Along those lines... What about a PIRATE-themed exchange?
x
Riana
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I love everyone's ideas!
What about an ocean/mermaid/old-timey-sea-faring-ship exchange?!
Along those lines... What about a PIRATE-themed exchange?
x
Riana
Love that ides!!!
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I would love to see:
Bird, feather, butterfly (as I am learning this right now) and with pastel color :)
but I also want to participate in any kind of everyone's ideas! LOL.. sounds really fun!
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First, I love the ship-theme and the medieval flavor suggestions.
Next, what about pen-themed? Quotes or poems featuring pens? (I just learned to do a quill flourish, so I'm quite keen on this skill.)
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Such great ideas! Everyone is so creative!
... -Desserts, with sweets, candy, pastries, etc.
Will this be solely writing, or include an actual sample of the pastries? ;) yuuuummmmmyyy count me in! ;D
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;D haha I wish! Someone could definitely send me some Krispy Kreme's and Laduree! But it would be super if I could challenge myself to flourish a dessert! But I might just doodle them or use stickers ;)
Such great ideas! Everyone is so creative!
... -Desserts, with sweets, candy, pastries, etc.
Will this be solely writing, or include an actual sample of the pastries? ;) yuuuummmmmyyy count me in! ;D
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What about a PIRATE-themed exchange?
Yep, I'm up for that. Black Spots all round. (https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fyoursmiles.org%2Fhsmile%2Fpirates%2Ft3802.gif&hash=b192114c1bc4649e42942566c1a968a5) (http://yoursmiles.org/h-pirates.php)
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Speak like a pirate day is September 19!
Other fun Days we can do:
January 23: National Handwriting Day
February 4: National Thank A Mailman Day (thank each other's mailmen?)
March 12: National Plant a Flower Day (send seeds in an envelope?)
April 9: Cherish an Antique Day (vintage nib exchange?)
July 1st: National US Postage Stamp Day
September 6: National Read a Book Day (write about a recent book?)
November: Fountain Pen Day
There are so many other fun ones here: http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/calendar-at-a-glance/
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Rivers . . . quotes about them or, even better, names. There are so many quirky river names.
Or all things geographic.
Or anything to do with water.
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So agree w this! I may end up focusing on eating the desserts :P coz it happened to me before LOL It is very challenging, indeed to flourish a dessert ;)
;D haha I wish! Someone could definitely send me some Krispy Kreme's and Laduree! But it would be super if I could challenge myself to flourish a dessert! But I might just doodle them or use stickers ;)
Such great ideas! Everyone is so creative!
... -Desserts, with sweets, candy, pastries, etc.
Will this be solely writing, or include an actual sample of the pastries? ;) yuuuummmmmyyy count me in! ;D
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Perhaps a color palette theme...
I like the recipe and proverbs idea, too.
EXCITED!
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How about an exchange where you have to write something like a fake newspaper report on a story/subject of your choice (with a max amount of words), but there is a twist in that you are given a dozen words which you MUST include in that piece, ie cabbage, baseball, red setter, bulging, etc. It could be quite funny to read what people come up with!
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How about an exchange where you have to write something like a fake newspaper report on a story/subject of your choice (with a max amount of words), but there is a twist in that you are given a dozen words which you MUST include in that piece, ie cabbage, baseball, red setter, bulging, etc. It could be quite funny to read what people come up with!
it's like a twist on Mad Libs, which always had me rolling!
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September 26- October 1, 2016 is the American Library Association's banned books week - celebrating freedom to read without censorship. An exchange based on that theme would be fun - favorite banned books, favorite movies based on banned books, favorite characters from banned books, etc.
I love all the ideas so far!
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September 26- October 1, 2016 is the American Library Association's banned books week - celebrating freedom to read without censorship. An exchange based on that theme would be fun - favorite banned books, favorite movies based on banned books, favorite characters from banned books, etc.
I love all the ideas so far!
This sounds awesome!