Vicki Z
Addicted to ATCs
ATC Swap Due Date: June 21, 2026
Signup/Withdraw Date: June 21, 2026
Number of ATCs: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited
Media: Any and all mediums and techniques are welcome
This Swap is about the Summer Solstice, or the Festival of Midsummer, also known as Litha, and sometimes called St Swithun's Day.
In some parts of the world, the Solstice heralds the rainy season, so is associated with rainstorms, and water.
It is associated with Solstice Bonfires, water rituals, and fireworks.
Summer Solstice marks the beginning of summer.
It is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the further north one goes, the longer the day.
Celebrate with sunshine!
In Minnesota, on the Great Lakes, there are water rituals, and water festivals, and water programs.
Flowers and garlands of flowers are thrown into Lake Superior to travel with the outgoing tide during Summer Solstice.
In Alaska, still the United States, but further North, the sun shines almost constantly on the Summer Solstice, and skiing at midnight is a festive celebration, drawing people from all over the United States to enjoy skiing during the Midnight Sun.
In Finland, Midsummer is the biggest family holiday (after Christmas). In Finnish the event is called "Juhannus", which is simply Midsummer in English. The biggest celebration occurs on Midsummer Eve and people gather together with their relatives and friends to eat a lot (and many drink a lot too). Many Finns have summer cottages, and many pack up and go to the cabin for the weekend, turning towns into virtual ghost towns for lack of people. Parties at summer cottages are very popular at Midsummer, but Midsummer is celebrated in towns as well. At midnight, the Finnish people burn "kokko" which is a kind of a bonfire.
In Poland and in the Ukraine, Midsummer is also a huge family holiday. The celebration is called "Ivana Kupala", which means Midsummer in English. The biggest event occurs on Midsummer Eve. People gather together with their relatives and friends for a large meal. At midnight, maidens place flower wreaths into a local river and all gather round a burning Solstice bonfire.
Midsummer is a magical time of year. On Midsummer’s Eve anything can happen. Trolls lurk. Animals speak. Swans turn into beautiful maidens. Wishes and dreams come true.
Midsummer is a time to harvest next year's supply of herbs (which are believed to be fully potent with miraculous healing powers on this Special Day). It is a day associated with fertility in both man and beast. It is a time to create magical wands.
Evil spirits are said to lurk on the magical night of the Summer Solstice.
St. John’s Wort is bound to Sun and Fire. Also known as goatweed and chase-devil, St. John's Wort is an aromatic herb that smells like turpentine or balsam. Circlets were fashioned from stems of St. John’s wort and worn on the head to ward off witches and evil spirits. Farmers made wreathes, circles, and hangings of St. John’s wort and wreathed their livestock and their barns. Bouquets of the herb were placed in the home, on the doorstep of home and out buildings, and over doors to prevent evil from entering. It has a long history in folklore, and for centuries it was thought that burning it would drive off evil spirits and demons, so St John's Wort was always thrown into the Solstice Bonfire.
Rosemary was also grown outside the home, for Rosemary grown by the doorstep keeps witches away, and prevents evil from entering.
Many of the ancient sites, such as Stonehenge, or the Pyramids, have stones and/or openings oriented toward sightings of the solstice sun.
* This is a 3 for 3 or a 6 for 6 card trade. Make 3 or 6 ATCs cards and receive the same number back.
* ALL mediums and techniques are welcome. Please make sure you add some depth to your cards, whatever style you choose. Your mediums can include, but are not limited to: paper, tissue paper, crayon, acrylic, watercolor, gel pens, colored pencil, rubber stamping, ink, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, etc. Please do not take an image, cut it out, glue it to a card, and call it done. Color the background. Add some texture. Add more than one image. Make the ATC YOUR CREATION! Please send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.
* Please sign up by posting to this thread.
* ONLY ATCs allowed. No APCs accepted.
* All cards need to be sent each in their own plastic sleeve.
* All cards need to be standard ATC size: 2.5” x 3.5”
* All cards need to be sturdy enough to earn the name “card” (no floppy or flimsy paper). If it is created on a single sheet of paper, please back your ATC with something stiffer, or more firm, such as a cereal box.
* Just as important, check for cards that are too thick. Each card must still be capable of fitting into the standard ATC sleeve. If your ATC will not fit into an ATC sleeve, it is too bulky.
* Please put the Swap name and your Username on the back of all cards. And please write clearly on everything!
.....I can't give you itrades and others can't give you Reputation points if we don't know who you are.
* Please confirm there is enough postage on both the envelope you send to me, and the envelope I need to send back to you.
* If you are unsure about mailing ATCs, or just may want to pick up some good tips for shipping, there is a great link in the Site FAQs.
Also, here is a direct link:
@
Feb 19, 2008
HOW TO: Pack and Mail your ATCs for Swaps
* If you are inside the U.S., please include a Self Addressed Stamped Business Size Envelope (Approximately 4 by 9 1/2 inches), with one "Forever" stamp or current First Class Postage if trading 3 cards; or one "Forever" and one additional ounce postage stamp if trading 6 cards, OR if your cards are extra heavy or extra bulky (or 2 forever stamps if that is easier).
* International participants, if you have U.S. funds, or U.S. postage, it is greatly appreciated. However, since many of you do not have access to U.S. stamps/money, I will cover your postage. Please include a self-addressed envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches (10 x 28 cm), or if you do not have the correct size envelope, please include a large mailing label with your address and I will provide the envelope.
* I apologize for being so demanding about the envelope size, but the postal rates in the US charge extra for thickness. When cards are stacked, or overlapped, in (a smaller) envelope, it almost always costs more to mail. If you send me a small envy, the cards get stacked. When I use the 4 inch by 9 1/2 inch business size envelopes, I can spread the cards over the area, making a THIN package, and only pay for basic (minimum) postage.
* Share pics if you can. Everyone enjoys seeing what others are creating.
If you do share, be sure to delete your pics before the swap is archived so that they won't count toward your gallery usage.
* Cards are due IN MY HANDS by June 21, 2026. Please allow sufficient lead time for cards to get to me, particularly if you are an international participant. Please try to mail your cards early!! Delivery times are taking much longer than we are used to. Unfortunately, I do not know why??
* Returns will be mailed promptly. Please leave Feedback for your HOST ONLY (me) when you receive your returns, and please take the time to leave Reputation points for your fellow players from whom you receive cards.
* A hostie card in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!
* Thank you for considering this swap! If you have my address from previous swaps, it hasn't changed. If you are new, or have not been in one of my swaps for a while, please send a direct message to me for my address when you sign up or when you are ready to mail.
* Above all, Have fun!
Signup/Withdraw Date: June 21, 2026
Number of ATCs: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited
Media: Any and all mediums and techniques are welcome
This Swap is about the Summer Solstice, or the Festival of Midsummer, also known as Litha, and sometimes called St Swithun's Day.
In some parts of the world, the Solstice heralds the rainy season, so is associated with rainstorms, and water.
It is associated with Solstice Bonfires, water rituals, and fireworks.
Summer Solstice marks the beginning of summer.
It is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the further north one goes, the longer the day.
Celebrate with sunshine!
In Minnesota, on the Great Lakes, there are water rituals, and water festivals, and water programs.
Flowers and garlands of flowers are thrown into Lake Superior to travel with the outgoing tide during Summer Solstice.
In Alaska, still the United States, but further North, the sun shines almost constantly on the Summer Solstice, and skiing at midnight is a festive celebration, drawing people from all over the United States to enjoy skiing during the Midnight Sun.
In Finland, Midsummer is the biggest family holiday (after Christmas). In Finnish the event is called "Juhannus", which is simply Midsummer in English. The biggest celebration occurs on Midsummer Eve and people gather together with their relatives and friends to eat a lot (and many drink a lot too). Many Finns have summer cottages, and many pack up and go to the cabin for the weekend, turning towns into virtual ghost towns for lack of people. Parties at summer cottages are very popular at Midsummer, but Midsummer is celebrated in towns as well. At midnight, the Finnish people burn "kokko" which is a kind of a bonfire.
In Poland and in the Ukraine, Midsummer is also a huge family holiday. The celebration is called "Ivana Kupala", which means Midsummer in English. The biggest event occurs on Midsummer Eve. People gather together with their relatives and friends for a large meal. At midnight, maidens place flower wreaths into a local river and all gather round a burning Solstice bonfire.
Midsummer is a magical time of year. On Midsummer’s Eve anything can happen. Trolls lurk. Animals speak. Swans turn into beautiful maidens. Wishes and dreams come true.
Midsummer is a time to harvest next year's supply of herbs (which are believed to be fully potent with miraculous healing powers on this Special Day). It is a day associated with fertility in both man and beast. It is a time to create magical wands.
Evil spirits are said to lurk on the magical night of the Summer Solstice.
St. John’s Wort is bound to Sun and Fire. Also known as goatweed and chase-devil, St. John's Wort is an aromatic herb that smells like turpentine or balsam. Circlets were fashioned from stems of St. John’s wort and worn on the head to ward off witches and evil spirits. Farmers made wreathes, circles, and hangings of St. John’s wort and wreathed their livestock and their barns. Bouquets of the herb were placed in the home, on the doorstep of home and out buildings, and over doors to prevent evil from entering. It has a long history in folklore, and for centuries it was thought that burning it would drive off evil spirits and demons, so St John's Wort was always thrown into the Solstice Bonfire.
Rosemary was also grown outside the home, for Rosemary grown by the doorstep keeps witches away, and prevents evil from entering.
Many of the ancient sites, such as Stonehenge, or the Pyramids, have stones and/or openings oriented toward sightings of the solstice sun.
* This is a 3 for 3 or a 6 for 6 card trade. Make 3 or 6 ATCs cards and receive the same number back.
* ALL mediums and techniques are welcome. Please make sure you add some depth to your cards, whatever style you choose. Your mediums can include, but are not limited to: paper, tissue paper, crayon, acrylic, watercolor, gel pens, colored pencil, rubber stamping, ink, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, etc. Please do not take an image, cut it out, glue it to a card, and call it done. Color the background. Add some texture. Add more than one image. Make the ATC YOUR CREATION! Please send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.
* Please sign up by posting to this thread.
* ONLY ATCs allowed. No APCs accepted.
* All cards need to be sent each in their own plastic sleeve.
* All cards need to be standard ATC size: 2.5” x 3.5”
* All cards need to be sturdy enough to earn the name “card” (no floppy or flimsy paper). If it is created on a single sheet of paper, please back your ATC with something stiffer, or more firm, such as a cereal box.
* Just as important, check for cards that are too thick. Each card must still be capable of fitting into the standard ATC sleeve. If your ATC will not fit into an ATC sleeve, it is too bulky.
* Please put the Swap name and your Username on the back of all cards. And please write clearly on everything!
.....I can't give you itrades and others can't give you Reputation points if we don't know who you are.
* Please confirm there is enough postage on both the envelope you send to me, and the envelope I need to send back to you.
* If you are unsure about mailing ATCs, or just may want to pick up some good tips for shipping, there is a great link in the Site FAQs.
Also, here is a direct link:
@
Feb 19, 2008
HOW TO: Pack and Mail your ATCs for Swaps
* If you are inside the U.S., please include a Self Addressed Stamped Business Size Envelope (Approximately 4 by 9 1/2 inches), with one "Forever" stamp or current First Class Postage if trading 3 cards; or one "Forever" and one additional ounce postage stamp if trading 6 cards, OR if your cards are extra heavy or extra bulky (or 2 forever stamps if that is easier).
* International participants, if you have U.S. funds, or U.S. postage, it is greatly appreciated. However, since many of you do not have access to U.S. stamps/money, I will cover your postage. Please include a self-addressed envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches (10 x 28 cm), or if you do not have the correct size envelope, please include a large mailing label with your address and I will provide the envelope.
* I apologize for being so demanding about the envelope size, but the postal rates in the US charge extra for thickness. When cards are stacked, or overlapped, in (a smaller) envelope, it almost always costs more to mail. If you send me a small envy, the cards get stacked. When I use the 4 inch by 9 1/2 inch business size envelopes, I can spread the cards over the area, making a THIN package, and only pay for basic (minimum) postage.
* Share pics if you can. Everyone enjoys seeing what others are creating.
If you do share, be sure to delete your pics before the swap is archived so that they won't count toward your gallery usage.
* Cards are due IN MY HANDS by June 21, 2026. Please allow sufficient lead time for cards to get to me, particularly if you are an international participant. Please try to mail your cards early!! Delivery times are taking much longer than we are used to. Unfortunately, I do not know why??
* Returns will be mailed promptly. Please leave Feedback for your HOST ONLY (me) when you receive your returns, and please take the time to leave Reputation points for your fellow players from whom you receive cards.
* A hostie card in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!
* Thank you for considering this swap! If you have my address from previous swaps, it hasn't changed. If you are new, or have not been in one of my swaps for a while, please send a direct message to me for my address when you sign up or when you are ready to mail.
* Above all, Have fun!
