What is a FB?
There are different qualities of FBs, such as N&N (Nice and Neat, which is explained more in detail below), HQ (High Quality), and not-so-neat ones such as friendship sheets and crams.
When a 'friendship book' is only one page (no staples), it's called a 'friendship sheet.' If the page is small, like the size of a postcard, or smaller, it's called a 'cram.'
There are many different "codes" used in FBs, such as SNNP NSW SAHM (which means Sorry No New Pals, New Swappers Welcome/Wanted, Stay-at-home Mom). Some people write their birthdays, hobbies, collections, interests, etc. This is a great way to find new pen pals and swappers.
Want to start making and swapping Friendship Books?
Great! Here's some information to get you started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship_book
The wikipedia also explains:
http://www.lettersets.com/what-is-a-friendship-book.php
http://fbfun.com/about/
http://www.squidoo.com/friendshipbooks
Want to see FBs I've made?
* See pics of friendship books I’ve made here.
I have been pen palling & swapping friendship books, decos, etc. for years and have met so many great people along the way. Lately my favorites are N&N (nice and neat) FBs, label/goodie/memo/craft bags (no excess sticker bags at the moment plz.), and exchange slips. I also swap mommy fbs, and am always looking for more people to do private swaps with... just drop me a note :) (Comment below.) ~Barbi
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Different types of FBs?
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There are a few different "classifications" or types of FBs... this blog shows some pictures and describes the differences...
What is a N&N FB?
N&N FB = Nice & Neat Friendship Book
Guidelines for N&N FB swaps on this blog:
1. There will be NO staples in the front cover.
2. The FB should be laminated with packing tape, shelf liner, or laminating sheets.
3. Lamination should be done neatly.
4. Embellishments should be added to the cover. Embellishments include glitter, stickers, foil borders, sequins, ribbon, a nice background, cloth flowers. You can also do something fancy with pictures. Basically just a picture covered with lamination isn't a N&N FB.
5. Addresses should be printed legibly or typed.
6. Make it nice AND neat. Ask yourself whether you are proud of your work or not.
7. For established N&N FBs, please make sure your partner hasn't previously signed it.
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- What is a HQ FB? (HQ = High Quality)
You always use thicker paper like cardboard or similar. Don't use any staples to put the fb together, use something like ribbons or brads instead. Be sure to cover fbs with plastic/foil neatly. Decorate the cover with nice layers, for example different kind of papers, ribbons, confetti, paper flowers, brads, stickers, nice pics, etc.
Always write the theme of the FB, date, to whom its made for and by whom its made -Its preferred to use labels to write the info on the inside of the cover. But if you write by hand, please do it neatly.
2-4 pages is a good amount (just one page means hardly any signers, but too many means it might take forever to get back...) Use blank sheets inside the FB, to leave address labels on.
- What are Mom-fbs?
These are the same as traditional FBs, but are swapped between women who are mothers, and only seek contact with other women who are mothers.
- What is a Deco?
Decos are similar to FBs, but are often larger in size. The cover is often decorated with interesting materials like magazine pictures, rubber stamps, decorative papers, and other embellishments. Each person who signs decorates a full page in the book. Sometimes the book has a theme, for example cats. Then, each person decorates their page following the theme. As with FBs, when these are full, they are sent home to the person for whom the book was made.
- What is an Art Deco?
This is somewards similar to High Quality FB's. But are often larger in size, just as the common Deco. When making an Art Deco you don't use any staples to put the Deco together, use something like ribbons or brads instead. Decorate the cover with nice things, for example different kind of papers, ribbons, confetti, paper flowers, brads, stickers, nice pics, etc. Be sure NOT to cover the Art Deco with plastic/foil. But you can put the whole Art Deco in a transparent bag that suits the Art Deco for protection.
Each person who signs decorates a full page in the book. Sometimes the book has a theme, for example cats. Then, each person decorates their page following the theme. As with FBs, when these are full, they are sent home to the person for whom the book was made.
- What is a Sticker Book?
These are the books, NOT bags. You would decorate one entire page with stickers, add your label, and pass along to someone else.
- What is an ATC?
An ATC is an Artist Trading Card. It's the size of a baseball card (2-1/2" x 3-1/2"). The person who makes the card uses any medium (collage, drawing, paint, etc) to create the card. Anything goes unless there is a theme for a swap. ATCs are meant to be traded, not to be sold.
(ACEOs are the ones that are sold. Wiki it if you need more info.)
(ACEOs are the ones that are sold. Wiki it if you need more info.)
- What is a slam?
These are swapped in the same manner as FBs, but instead of filling the entire book with penpal messages, participants add thier labels to a "sign in" page, and then proceed through the book which has been designed like a questionairre or game.
- What is a Friendship sheet?
It's a sheet of paper, maybe stationary or note paper. Where maker writes his/her address on top , and then pass it on till its' full, and the last to sign, is asked to return the sheet to the owner.
- What is a Lyrics?
Similar to decos, but each participant adds some favourite song lyrics to thier entry.
What are X-slips/ exchange slips?
Loved by some, hated by others, these are similar to small chain letters, "send 10fbs to #1, delete thier address, add yours at the bottom of the list, copy 20 times and send to pals".
- What is a LB? (Label Bag)
Label bags are small envelopes filled with address labels, and made for and by somebody, just like a Friendship Book. The idea is that each person puts a number of their own labels in and takes a number of labels out and makes FB's or label bags with them. Then it's passed on to another person and the last signer sends it back to the person it was made for.
- What is a Sticker Bag?
It is the same principle as for Labelbags. You put in a number of Stickers, and perhaps write on a following note, what stickers you added and took. Then you sign the bag, and then send it on to the next person.
- What is a Goodie bag?
As far as I know what it is a bag where to put all kinds of deco things in. Things can be brads, ribbon, paper flowers, stickers, sequins and other creative things.
- What is a Memo Bag?
Is a bag where to put in memo sheets. When you make them, advise the signer on taking 4 sheets out and put 10 sheets back in and sign your name.
- Commonly used abbreviations
- A/A = Answers All
- A/O = Answers Only
- A/S = Answers Some
- A/M - Answers Most
- AVF = Answers Very Few
- ICR = I Can Return (meaning this person can return the friendship book back to the owner)
- LLP = Long Letter Pal (meaning this person is looking for pals that will send lengthy letters)
- N&N FBS = Nice and Neat Friendship Books
- NSW = New Swappers Wanted
- NPW = New Pen Pals Wanted
- SNNP = Sorry No New Pen Pals
- Addy - Address
- BD - Birthday
- DOB - Date of Birth
- Envie - Envelope
- SAHM - Stay at home mom
- SASE - Self addressed stamped envelope
- WAHM - Work at home mom
- WA - Wedding Anniversary
- Take excess - It means the person is not asking to swap but will take whatever extra there is, of fb's and Deco's
