Fantasy Masquerade Ball Swap DUE Oct 31, 2007

[catsavannah]

Fantasy Masquerade Ball Swap


Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Faeries, Elfin, Lords, Ladies!
The invitation list has now been filled for the
Fantasy Masquerade Ball

Magic, enchantment, and mystery abound as you create your own vision of this fantasy ball.
We request that each guest doth don mask and costume of delight
for much mischief and merrymaking will take place herein.
Offered for your inspiration:
http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/
http://masksandmakebelieve.com/carbalmas.html
http://www.gypsyrenaissance.net/
www.themaskstore.com

# of players: 20
Sign up by: When all spots are filled.
Cards due by: October 31, 2007
Mediums: Hand drawn or painted art of costumes, masks, dancing, etc.
# of cards: 3 for 3
Hosted by: Catsavannah

U.S. - Please include a self addressed stamped envelope. Envelope must have at least a 58 cent stamp.
International participants – Please include a self addressed envelope or label. I will cover postage.

When your cards are ready to send, please PM me for my address.
I will leave feedback for all participants before I mail returns.


1. Me - Has Arrived at the Ball!
2. Amerasu - Has Arrived at the Ball!
3. Anonevyl - Has Arrived at the Ball!
4. Chronata - Has Arrived at the Ball!
5. Princessgene - Has Arrived at the Ball!
6. Livia - Has Arrived at the Ball!
7. Ninnerfish - Has Arrived at the Ball!
8. Merricat - Has Arrived at the Ball!
9. Randommara - Has Withdrawn
10. Artyiagirl - Has Arrived at the Ball!
11. Adriayna - Has Arrived at the Ball!
12. KlawzieHas Arrived at the Ball!
13. Meran - Has Arrived at the Ball!
14. Judithian - Has Withdrawn
15. Leahfelicity - Has Arrived at the Ball!
16. Al Fresco Gal - Has Withdrawn
17. Mrs_Weyremaster - Has Withdrawn
18. EraserQueen (finally!) - Has Withdrawn
19. Dina54 - Has Arrived at the Ball!
20. Potbelly Arts - Has Withdrawn

[EraserQueen]

ooooH! Cool! I will come back after I make all the cards I need to make LOL This is a great idea!

[Chronata]

OMG! Yes yes yes!!!!

(you guys are trying to keeeeel me aren't you?)

This is my comfort zone, so of course I have to attend!

[catsavannah]

Chronata, your ears must have been burning! When I ran this by Amerasau, she knew you'd have to attend! Thank you kind lady!

EQ, please not to lark about for the hall will soon be filled! :jiggy:

[princessgene]

Please count me in on this one.

[livia]

Please sign me up

[Ninnerfish]

My plate's a bit full as it is, but this one sounds too fun to pass up. Sign me up, please!

[catsavannah]

The fun has just begun!! Welcome Livia and Ninnerfish! (I love that name! Makes me just want to run around the house saying "Ninnerfish, Ninnerfish, Ninnerfish. . .")

[Merricat]

Bleepity, bleep, bleep, BLEEP!

*mumbling* Sign me up....

LOL!!! This is an awesome swap idea!

[catsavannah]

Ye Merricat the Fairly Odd Mother will attend the ball!

[randommara]

I soooo love masks! Please sign me up for this one. I can't wait to start the cards!

[catsavannah]

I can't wait to SEE the cards! Thank you for attending!

[artyiagirl]

Please, Please sign me up . . .

[catsavannah]

Yes, yes, you shall attend!! Welcome to the ball!

[adriayna]

Oh, I can't resist this one. I keep comign to the thread and trying to decide whether or not to sign up! So sign me up :)

[catsavannah]

Resist not the temptation to partake in such delights! We welcome ye Lady Adriayna!

[Klawzie]

Ah - what the hay - Yes, please reserve my seat at this occassion. :3

[catsavannah]

Your reservation is secure Lady Klawzie!

[Meran]

may I play? A friend of mine actually makes masks, sells them online, and in New Orleans. We meet at my house once a month for glass play. Soon, she'll be giving me a mask class. I have ideas :D

the url, if I'm allowed, :), is www.themaskstore.com (she's only ONE of the artists there). Another piece of trivia: just 2 wks ago, 12 of her masks were picked for an episode of Ugly Betty. Was filmed last week for showing this fall!

Meran

[Judithian]

Hey Cat - Sign me up. Sounds fun.

[catsavannah]

Greetings, Ladies Meran and Judithian,
The hostess of the Fantasy Masquerade Ball welcomes you and wishes you both a bewitchingly grand time!

[leahfelicity]

Definitely! Let's go! Sign me up!

[catsavannah]

WOOO HOOOO!!! (Ahem) The hostess of The Ball warmly welcomes you and thanks you for partaking in the festivities~!~

[al fresco gal]

Please sign me up for this one! Sounds wonderful. Cheers, Margaret
a.k.a. al fresco gal

[catsavannah]

Welcome al fresco gal, a newcomer to our site! Yes indeed, you must join our soiree!

[mrs_weyremaster]

Can I play please?
Suzi :D

[EraserQueen]

I can't decide whether I love you or hate you.

Add me damnit.

:D

[catsavannah]

Hey sista!!! What brings you here?? Eh eh eh-
Welcome to the Ball. Don't forget your glass slippers!

(Hey, we're all going down together. Besides, what's a par-tay without the Queen!)

[livia]

My finished cards are in the gallery. I will be mailing them tomorrow.

[catsavannah]

Well I see the first of our guests are arriving! And they are adorned in such finery! They will be the belles of the ball, Lady Livia.

[dina54]

is there room for one more? I'd love to attend!

[catsavannah]

There is always room for a wonderful artist such as thou! Welcome to the Ball. And mind you watch ye the elves - they are about. . .

[dina54]

I have 3 of my cards finished and posted in the gallery!

[potbellyarts]

I've been holding off despite loving this theme because I couldn't find my angle on these but it came to me today, so can I pretty please have the last spot?

Thank you!

[Anonevyl]

Hey Shel - Cat mentioned she was going to a wedding in AL. this weekend so if the list isn't updated any time soon that's why.

[potbellyarts]

Thanks, Anne. Just wanted to get in line behind Dina so I'd be able to play with the rest of you on this one. I'll wait out her return.

[catsavannah]

Lady Livia, your cards have arrived and they are fabulous!! Your envie is wonderful too! Thank you so much for the host card - It's almost impossible to pick one I like more than the others!!

[catsavannah]

Lady Artiagirl, Your lovely cards have arrived, and thank you for the great goodies!!

[Klawzie]

Finished all four cards (3 for the trade and 1 for the dear hostess - and I'm not specifying which. ;D ) - so I'm off to PM for the address. :o And am linking the finished cards here:

"The Prince" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1196
"The Firebird" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1164
"Forbidden" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1165
"Flower & Leaf Dancers" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1179

\o/

[catsavannah]

The Ball will be enchanting with guests such as yours, Klawzie!

[catsavannah]

Finished all four cards (3 for the trade and 1 for the dear hostess - and I'm not specifying which. ;D ) - so I'm off to PM for the address. :o And am linking the finished cards here:

"The Prince" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1196
"The Firebird" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1164
"Forbidden" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1165
"Flower & Leaf Dancers" - http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=1179

\o/

Lady Klawzie, Your gorgeous cards have arived. Thank you so much for the host card, this is so exciting!

[dina54]

My cards have been mailed.

[catsavannah]

My cards have been mailed.

Woo-Hoo, can't wait to see them! Thanks.

[Chronata]

My masqueteers have decided that they are finished.

I fell in love with them at one point in the process (must be the faerie glamour!)

But tricky beings that they are, I adore them slightly less now, which means that I will actually be able to let them go!

(otherwise I would have kept them in little mayonaise jars, or in boxes with enchanted locks, and they never would have seen the daylight...nor this swap! Muw ha ha!)

ahem...anyway, here's a preveiw...I should probably put them in my gallery too!

[catsavannah]

My masqueteers have decided that they are finished.

I fell in love with them at one point in the process (must be the faerie glamour!)

But tricky beings that they are, I adore them slightly less now, which means that I will actually be able to let them go!

(otherwise I would have kept them in little mayonaise jars, or in boxes with enchanted locks, and they never would have seen the daylight...nor this swap! Muw ha ha!)

ahem...anyway, here's a preveiw...I should probably put them in my gallery too!

Delightful guests they shal be all! So colorful! So delightful! So welcomed at the Ball!

[catsavannah]

Lady Leah Felicity, your gests have arrived and an enchanting group they are!! Thank you so much for the host card, I am thrilled to have one!!

[catsavannah]

Lady Dina54 is now arriving at the ball with her lovely entourage! They certainly add to the intrigue and charm of the evening! And how sweet of you to add a gift card for the host - they're beautiful!

[catsavannah]

My masqueteers have decided that they are finished.

I fell in love with them at one point in the process (must be the faerie glamour!)

But tricky beings that they are, I adore them slightly less now, which means that I will actually be able to let them go!

(otherwise I would have kept them in little mayonaise jars, or in boxes with enchanted locks, and they never would have seen the daylight...nor this swap! Muw ha ha!)

ahem...anyway, here's a preveiw...I should probably put them in my gallery too!

Lady Chronata, Your enchanting party has arrived at the ball! I am humbled by the lovely gifts you have bestowed on me. I offer my thanks and many hugs!

[EraserQueen]

I'm so sorry I'm going to have to withdraw from this swap :sad: I'm not coming up with anything I think looks good, and don't want to force out sub-par work.

I hope you all will share what you've made in the gallery!!

[catsavannah]

I'm so sorry I'm going to have to withdraw from this swap :sad: I'm not coming up with anything I think looks good, and don't want to force out sub-par work.

I hope you all will share what you've made in the gallery!!

I'm so sorry to hear that! We will miss you! :cry: If you get inspired before the deadline please join us!

[EraserQueen]

I will! I know I'm missing out on cool art :sad:

[Judithian]

Hey Cat - I hate to do this to you, but with having had family emergency's, and a impending art show coming up, I simply don't have the time to participate in this swap! And I don't want to just rush through the cards throwing out any old thing. It's such a lovely subject that deserves focus and time and energy (none of which I seem to possess in plenty right now).

I do hope you and the other artist participating will forgive me – but this elf must pull her name. Sorry. :unsure:

[catsavannah]

I understand (snif). We'll drink a toast to you at midnight!! And miss you a bunch.

[Amerasu]

My cards are done for this swap and I'll stick them in the mail on Monday. I'll scan and upload tomorrow.

[catsavannah]

Wondrful!!! Can't wait to see them!!

[Meran]

I thought of dropping out of your swap but didn't want to join the exodus! So, I'm squeezing everything out, still doing a good job, (a great one would take 2 wks per card, and I'm not doing that!!!) .. I designed your swap's cards last night (along with abi's text swap cards). Am working on them today. I'm pretty pleased with them! (this is a hard subject for me... masks) I decided they had to be painted. btw, for me, it's all about the masks, not the wearers. Masks cover up our daily wear-torn faces, presenting an entirely different aspect to the viewer.

I'm sorry all the others have felt so much day to day grind type pressure that they've had to leave. I too, feel that way, many times. And think of all the time I waste; I wish I could give it to some of these less timed folks!

[adriayna]

I, too, thought of dropping....sigh....I have one card done and two more I'm not happy with and will need to redo. I'm going to try to get them done this weekend, but if not I'll let you know!

[catsavannah]

Hey, that's great Meran! Thanks for sticking it out. I know lots of folks are glad just to have their cards done for the 15th deadline swaps. Don't feel pressured, tho, this is supposed to be fun. I still have one more card to do myself. And I was thinking of doing a neat mask, too. Anyway, there are still eight of us trading for sure and nine if you can make it. That's a pretty fair swap. And there are still a couple of weekends left; maybe we'll see a few more pull through.

It would be cool if the rest created some interesting masks. that would be a neat swap in itself!

Anyway, your a star Meran! Thanks!

[catsavannah]

Hey Adrianya! Don't worry so much - just do something loose and happy. It's a party!! You could do them in zetti or animals or faeries. There are still two weekends left and if they get to me a few days late, it won't be a big deal.

Let's all celebrate and have a good time! :twitcy:

[adriayna]

I've got a peacock mask card I'm very happy with. Maybe you are right - elves or fairies seems more my style :)

[catsavannah]

I've got a peacock mask card I'm very happy with. Maybe you are right - elves or fairies seems more my style :)

There ya go - yeay!!!!!!

[EraserQueen]

Cat, I sent out your figure returns, and included a masquerade card for your raffle prize :) It was actually the one I made for this swap :) I wish I could have made more :sad:

[Meran]

oh poop. So, I was getting all my files ready for putting in the card gallery when lo and behold I have only 1 of my cards to show!
Catsavannah, or whoever gets them, would you scan at 600 dpi my cards Mariposa and Sun God for me? I'll take care of the saving for web and putting in the gallery part.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience!
meran

[catsavannah]

oh poop. So, I was getting all my files ready for putting in the card gallery when lo and behold I have only 1 of my cards to show!
Catsavannah, or whoever gets them, would you scan at 600 dpi my cards Mariposa and Sun God for me? I'll take care of the saving for web and putting in the gallery part.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience!
meran

Sure, not a problem!!!

[catsavannah]

Cat, I sent out your figure returns, and included a masquerade card for your raffle prize :) It was actually the one I made for this swap :) I wish I could have made more :sad:

You should make a couple more. This one is gorgeous!! There is still time! :D

[catsavannah]

oh poop. So, I was getting all my files ready for putting in the card gallery when lo and behold I have only 1 of my cards to show!
Catsavannah, or whoever gets them, would you scan at 600 dpi my cards Mariposa and Sun God for me? I'll take care of the saving for web and putting in the gallery part.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience!
meran

Meran, your very lovely cards have arrived. I scanned the two you needed. I am not very savvy at sending files. Let me know if you got what you wanted. I was worried that at 600 dpi they would be too big to send????? Anyway, let me know if I need to resend them. :rolleyes:

Oh, BTW, thanks for the paper - you did send me a piece once before but I am looking forward to trying different media on them - so it's great that I have a few pieces.

[catsavannah]

Sal, your gorgeous cards have arrived today as well!! Thanks so much for the grouchy lady!! She's a hoot!

[catsavannah]

FYI to all: I am going out of town on Wed. Will return here on Mon. 10/29.

[adriayna]

Cat, my cards were mailed today. I hope you like them!

[catsavannah]

Cat, my cards were mailed today. I hope you like them!

Thank you, thank you!!!

[Ninnerfish]

My cards are going out today.

[catsavannah]

My cards are going out today.

Many, many thanks!!!

[catsavannah]

Cat, my cards were mailed today. I hope you like them!

Your lovely, lovely cards came! Very enchanting!! And thank you so much for the host gift. Living in the South, I miss the leaves turning. Your gift brought back so many beautiful memories of New York in the fall. Thanks!!

[princessgene]

I was going to drop out as this move put all my art on hold for the past few weeks but I realized that I just couldn't miss this swap. Everyone's work is sooo amazing. I just have to participate. So here are my cards I finally finished. I will send them priority mail Tuesday morning. Hope that's okay.

[catsavannah]

I was going to drop out as this move put all my art on hold for the past few weeks but I realized that I just couldn't miss this swap. Everyone's work is sooo amazing. I just have to participate. So here are my cards I finally finished. I will send them priority mail Tuesday morning. Hope that's okay.

Oh!! I just sent you a PM before I read this!! Sure you can send them out!! I know that we will all understand. We all get into crunches! Your cards are wonderful and I'll be looking for them.

[catsavannah]

Just want to post a message to all players who have hung in there on this swap:

You have sent some of the most devine works of art! Hosts have mentiioned how awesome it is to see all the cards together and now I know what they mean!! You are the ones who made my first host experience gratifying. Thank you for joining me on this challenging swap - I hope you'll agree, it was well worth it!

A few of our guests have been delayed en route - I should have all the cards ready to mail out by Saturday. Please forgive this delay - We'll just call it fashionably late!!

;)

[Klawzie]

The party just didn't start until midnight. :3

[adriayna]

Hahaha! Anyways, I'm happy to wait :)

[Amerasu]

I don't mind either! Can't wait to see the cards from this one. What a great swap theme it was :)

[catsavannah]

Lady Ninnerfish has joined the party with the most exquisitely delicious guests!

[catsavannah]

I was going to drop out as this move put all my art on hold for the past few weeks but I realized that I just couldn't miss this swap. Everyone's work is sooo amazing. I just have to participate. So here are my cards I finally finished. I will send them priority mail Tuesday morning. Hope that's okay.

Lady Princessgene, your guests have arrived and they are stunning!! Thank you so much for the wonderful host gift, and the beautiful card you included, and for shipping them Priority! You went above and beyond!

[Merricat]

Crossing my fingers for tomorrow!!

[catsavannah]

Crossing my fingers for tomorrow!!

Me too!!! :eek: But I'm keeping an eye out for them! And sending good thoughts to the universe! They'll make it.

[Ninnerfish]

I'm going to be checking my mailbox eagerly every day next week!

[catsavannah]

Note to all!

All the guests have arrived -- let the party begin!!

The cards all went out today. Hope you all love them! I had a...BALL!

[dina54]

I received cards today from artyiagirl, leahfelicity and adriayna. They are all beautiful!
Thanks all, and thanks catsavvanah for hosting this delightful soiree

[Merricat]

Woo-Hoo! I received my gorgeous cards yesterday! Thanks to Livia, Dina54, and Anonevyl for absolutely gorgeous cards! And of course THANKS to Catsavannah for a fantastic swap!!!

[Klawzie]

My beautiful cards from Merricat ("Madame Masquerade"), Ninnerfish ("Fiendish"), and ArtyIAGirl ("Masquerade 3") have arrived. :3

Thank you so much to everyone for participating and Catsavannah for hosting! :D

[Ninnerfish]

Got my cards today! I got Meran's "Sun God Mask", Amerasu's "Card No. 0673" (have you really made that many cards? Wow), and Cat's "Masquerade Faerie". Thanks to all of you - they're fantastic! And thanks, Cat, for hosting!

[Meran]

I got mine today too!! But I didn't get a Ninnerfish, :( (note to self: start sending in more cards....)(and I really really want a Ninnerfish, let me tell you!!)
I DID get lovely cards! One from Catsavannah,(blue mask), The Rake by Anonevyl (gotta have one of those kicking around, there are USES for rakes, lol) and a very fun and wacky livia!
Thanks to all the partygoers!!
Meran

[Anonevyl]

I got a special delivery from Cat tonight - I now have a wonderful Meran mask, magical Chronata, and a fantabulous Princess Gene. YAY!!!!

[livia]

I hope mine arrive soon.

[livia]

I guess I whined loud enough. My cards came today, they are very lovely. Thanks to Cat for hosting and her card, Merricat and Princessgene for the nice cards.

[artyiagirl]

I rec'd such a lovely celebration of cards . . .
The stark and dramatic Sapphire eyes from Dina - love your linework and print qualities of your figure
A shimmery, magikal troll from Chronata (yea, my Chronata collection is growing!!!)
A gorgeously coiffed "Elven Mask" from Adriayna. Love the background and the color contrast against her lovely flowing hair.

Big thanks to our delightful host, Catsavannah!!! Well done :D

[adriayna]

I have some wonderful masked cards!

Dina54 - beautiful work! I love the fae at the ball. Livia - That green woman looks like she's having a blast. And Chronata - WOWO! Lucky mee to get the male dryad. Woot! Great cards :)

[catsavannah]

Some people put 41 cent postage stamps on their return envelopes. I wasn't sure if your returns would get to you on this postage. In the future, the safe thing to do is to put a 51 cent postage stamp on the envellope. That is the recommended postage for the three card swaps, to be safe. I hope they all get to you safely.

The guests I am watching now are: Princessgene, Chronata, Leahfelicity and Amerasu.

[Meran]

Catsavannah, I've noticed this about mailing and weights. IF there are no extraneous papers or heavy boards, as painted OR as stiffeners to the envelope, 41 cents is fine. Weigh them, next time, before you send them out.. I was surprised, myself.
(I hate to pay too much to the USPS, ya know?)
Just something I noticed.

[dina54]

I have checked this out at my local post office. 3 cards in sleeves, taped together in a standard envelope is 41 cents to anywhere in the US, 69 cents from US to Canada and 90 cents to Europe.

[catsavannah]

You're probably right about the postage for just the three cards. I'm always afraid the cards will get damaged without putting them in a notecard to protect them. Has anyone who put a 41 cent stamp on the envie gotten your returns from me yet? I'm hoping my notecard didn't make too heavy. Let me know if anyone got your cards postage due just for my future info.

[princessgene]

Received my beautiful cards yesterday. Thanks to Leah Felicity, Amerasu, and Ninnerfish. The cards were all gorgeous!

[Anonevyl]

Love your new avatar, Joy! Not that I didn't like your old one!

[Meran]

I was one of the 41centers. That's why I responded. :) They were just fine, WITH your note card.

[catsavannah]

I was one of the 41centers. That's why I responded. :) They were just fine, WITH your note card.

Kool! I'm glad they made okay. I don't want the PO to get any more of anyone's money than they deserve either.

[Ninnerfish]

I did a personal 3/3 trade not too long ago and sent them in a notecard with 41 cent postage. They got there fine. I think the envelope always feels a lot heavier than it actually is.

[leahfelicity]

JUST GOT MINE TODAY! Hurray! Thanks to Meran, artyiagirl, and klawzie! Especially a big thanks to our hostess, catsavannah!

[Amerasu]

I received my lovely cards today too. Thanks very much to princessgene, merricat and Klawzie for such great little treasures. I loved this theme!

Thanks so much, Cat. This was a great swap :)

[Chronata]

Yay! My fantabulous fantastical masqueraders arrived yesterday!
(actually they were probably here much earlier...only I wasn't!)

THANK YOU to Catsavannah for one of the very best themed swaps I have ever participated in!

and big thank you to....

Klawsie...I am absolutely in love with all your cards! and I have a nice growing collection now! "Forbidden" is exquisite!

LeahFelicity...Such a wonderful whimsical and unique style...I am always thrilled to add another of yours to my stash too! "Fire Face" is so much fun, and so beautifully colorful!

Adriayna...yet another of my favorite artists! "Elven Mask 2" is fabulous! I love her coy expression, her gorgeous flame colored hair...and the coolest mask!

Thanks again! I love every one of these cards so much!
I have them on the same page as my last returns...from the colorful swap...and it's amazing how they all compliment each other!