Dear Designers,

We're sending out a call for our May 2008 issue of Homegrown Hospitality, a quarterly special issue magazine from CK Media (the publishers of Paper Crafts magazine). At Homegrown Hospitality, our goal is to promote the art of "home sweet home." We provide the inspiration, ideas, and instructions to help busy readers create a warm and inviting home and heart-felt gifts by adding personal touches to everyday things and making the most of everyday life.

In our May issue, we'll be exploring a whole year's worth of gift-giving opportunities! From the traditional to the surprising, from the everyday to the once-in-a-lifetime, gift-giving events like birthdays, golden anniversaries, Grandparents' Day, and even National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day are a fun way to show people how grateful we are that they're in our lives.

We want you to think about the different times of year and find special days that call for a fun gift for family, friends, colleagues, teachers, or people who help you in your community. Then send us photos of gifts/cards/thoughtful gestures you would give to celebrate those days. We're looking for the traditional days as well as the lesser-known days or the just-because days. Need inspiration? Try websites like these:

www.epromos.com/calendar/promotional-calendar.html

www.holidaysmart.com/holidaylist.htm

www.earthcalendar.net

Please send us your simple, comfort-inspired, and innovative ideas for projects based on the following themes. Increase your chances of being published by using fun products, interesting techniques, the finest execution, and a style that says you care about "homegrown hospitality."

1. Spring: March, April, May

Subject heading: May 08 Spring

Find special gift-giving days that fall in the spring-time months, and show us the gifts, cards, and/or thoughtful gestures you'd give to celebrate those days.

2. Summer: June, July, August

Subject heading: May 08 Summer

Find special gift-giving days that fall in the summer-time months, and show us the gifts, cards, and/or thoughtful gestures you'd give to celebrate those days.

3. Fall: September, October, November

Subject heading: May 08 Fall

Find special gift-giving days that fall in the autumn months, and show us the gifts, cards, and/or thoughtful gestures you'd give to celebrate those days.

4. Winter: December, January, February

Subject heading: May 08 Winter

Find special gift-giving days that fall in the winter months, and show us the gifts, cards, and/or thoughtful gestures you'd give to celebrate those days.

5. Random Acts Days

Subject heading: May 08 Random

You've heard the phrase "Random Acts of Kindness." It doesn't have to be a holiday for us to be kind and giving. It can be a way of life we embrace. Do you carry something in your purse to give to the helpful people you meet, like the bag boy or the kid who mows your lawn? Do you have ideas for spur-of-the-moment expressions of gratitude, for cheering someone up, or just for sharing a smile? Show us the gifts, cards, and/or thoughtful gestures you'd give as your own "random acts of kindness."

MAY ISSUE DEADLINES

Idea/digital picture deadline: Monday, December 3, 2007

Project acceptance from Paper Crafts editor: No later than December 6, 2007

Completed project deadline: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

E-mail submissions to: hheditors@ckmedia.com

WHAT WE NEED WITH YOUR SUBMISSION

When you submit an image of your design, please make sure it is clearly photographed or scanned. Make note of items or techniques we may not be able to see. Send the finished size of the item and a list of supplies used plus any notes about unique techniques you used to create the project.

Remember

If we accept your project we will need a detailed supply list so please pay attention to what products you are using when creating your projects. A detailed list will include the name/description of the product, the brand name or product line, and the manufacturer.

Examples

Send your ideas in the form of digital pictures or scanned images (300k or less). Do not send completed projects until accepted.

If you have any questions or ideas you'd like to discuss in advance, please feel free to e-mail me at hheditors@ckmedia.com.

Thanks for all of your support. We love working with you!

Yours truly,

Kelley Lindberg
Homegrown Hospitality magazine