September VSN - Everything You Want & Need To Know!

[stagccva]

This thread will contain all the information you need to play VSN. This thread will be locked so that the information can be easily found. I will, in the coming days, provide links to threads where discussion and questions about each topic can be held (this will get you in practice for the actual VSN night )

Dates: September 7th and 8th
Theme: Jumping Into Fall

Brought to you by your coordinators:
Taylor (stagccva) abd Patty (pattyb)

Want to discuss the Theme? Do so here!


Posts that will be coming in the near future:

2 - What is VSN (see post #2)
3 - Hostesses (see post #3)
4 - Pre-Challenges (see post #4)
4 - Shopping List (see post #5)
5 - Rules (see post #6)
7 - Schedule (see post#7)
8 - Master Challenge Thread & All Gallery Submissions (see post #8 )
9 - Hostess Favorites

[stagccva]

What is VSN?

VSN stands for Virtual Stamp Night, which is a SplitCoastStampers tradition. VSN consists of a series of stamping challenges for participants to complete. ANYONE can play, there is no registration or fee and you can do as many or as few challenges as you�d like. Whether you are a new stamper or a seasoned vet, VSN will get you to try new things and get your creativity flowing. Most importantly, VSN is all about fun!

VSN Forum

Everything VSN takes place in the VSN forum.

You can even subscribe to the forum and be notified of new threads and posts. To subscribe, first be on the thread listing page for the VSN forum. Then select �Subscribe to this Forum� from the drop �Forum Tools� drop down menu.

VSN Basics

Theme � The Coordinators choose a theme for the VSN. Challenges usually relate to the theme. The theme for September 2007 is Jumping Into Fall.

Challenges � VSN is made up of a series of stamping challenges. The challenge is a set of rules to be followed when making a card or project. Challenges can involve something simple like a color scheme, more involved like creating a specific type of interactive card, or a stamping technique; and challenges can even be non-card types.

Schedule � VSN is two days � Friday night and Saturday. The �Tailgate Party� on Friday beings at 6pm EST; Saturday begins at 12 noon EST. Challenges are posted every hour until 11pm EST. You have 45 minutes to complete each challenge and an extra 15 minutes to clean up, snack, upload or do whatever you need to. You do not have to have your challenge submission uploaded within that timeframe, but it must be uploaded by the deadline.

Participation � All challenges will be posted in the Master Challenge thread found at the top of the VSN forum. The thread will be stickied � to stay at the top of the forum � and locked so that you can easily find each new challenge. In addition, each host will post a �chat� thread for their challenge. The chat thread is where you may ask any questions about that challenge (or simply chat). Also, you do not have to play every challenge � your level of participation is up to you. Finally, you do not have to play a challenge when it is posted, but you do need to complete your card within 45 minutes � this is on the honor system � and it must be uploaded by the deadline.

Deadline � All VSN submissions must be uploaded to the SCS gallery by 3pm EST, Sunday, September 9th to be considered for judging. Each submission must include the unique code (for example: SEP07VSNA) in the keywords field; this will ensure each host can find your entry. It is not required to post a link to your entry within the chat thread, but many people enjoy doing so. Winning entries will be announced a few days after the deadline. Each winning entry will be moved into a special gallery forum for easy perusal.

What Does a VSN Host/Hostess Do?

Each challenge is presented by a challenge host/hostess. The host chooses a challenge topic and is responsible for judging his/her challenge entries.

Additionally, the host will also start a chat thread for their challenge, where you can go to ask questions or just hang out and chat! Hosts are allowed to play, and win, during VSN (just not their own challenge).

What Do the Coordinators Do?

Each VSN has two coordinators. Coordinators choose the hosts, post the challenges, and just all-around coordinate the entire VSN. Coordinators participate by helping to make samples for the challenges. Coordinators are not eligible to win any VSN categories.

What Can You Do to Prepare?

Prior to VSN the coordinators will post several things to help you prepare for VSN:
� Rules � specific and detailed guidelines for participation and submission
� Shopping List � a list of supplies you may need to complete the challenges
� Schedule � starting times and VSN codes
� Other Relevant Information � anything else that the coordinators feel will be helpful

If you have questions, look and ask here!


many thanks to Karen, who I completely stole this fabulous post from!

[stagccva]

A list of the hostesses, who we are calling Autumn Fairies (except for WonkaIasMyCat, who is a Harvest Hobo ) can be found here:

Hostess Announcement

[stagccva]

This post will have links to all of the prechallenges. Feel free to play whenever you get a chance - just upload by the stated deadline, and follow the time limit!!

Countdown to VSN!!! - this thread contains the dates of all the prechallenges.

SEP07VSNPre1 - hosted by lacyquilter

SEP07VSNPre2 - hosted by kthaman

SEP07VSNPre3 - hosted by eliotstamps

SEP07VSN04 - hosted by Miss Minx

SEP07VSN05 - hosted by alcesalces

SEP07VSN06 - hosted by WonkaIsMyCat

[stagccva]

Here is a link to the Shopping List!!

[pattyb]

RULES

Playing

Challenges are issued within the VSN Forum.

VSN Coordinators will have a Master Challenge thread listed for you to view all the challenges in a central location. Additionally, hostesses will repeat the challenge info within their own challenge chat thread. Challenges will be posted every hour to allow 15 minutes for uploading, cleaning up, snacking and anything else you need to do.

Hostesses will provide attachments or links to sample cards for each of their challenges.

Each player must complete his or her challenge submission within 45 minutes. This is on the honor system so please play fair!

No double-duty entries are allowed. This means you cannot submit one card to more than one challenge. If you choose to combine challenges on a card, you may submit the card to only one challenge.

Only one entry per person allowed per challenge.

If you are unable to complete a challenge while VSN is happening, you are welcome to complete it after VSN is over � just don�t spend longer than the 45 minute time limit on the challenge. If you want to be considered for the honor gallery, be sure to follow the uploading rules for deadlines. Cards must be uploaded by 3 PM EST on Sunday, September 9. Hostesses will not consider cards uploaded after the upload deadline.

Participants do not need to complete all of the challenges to play.

There is no entry fee to participate.

There are no vendor restrictions! You can use products made by any company, this is not just a "Stampin' Up!" event.

Uploading Keywords are important!!!

All entries must have SEP07VSN_ in the keywords. This is how the hostesses will find all the entries for their challenge. Example "SEP07VSNA� or �SEP07VSNQ� Please use all caps when entering in your keyword. If you are entering more than one keyword, please be sure to separate them by commas. You can also "copy & paste" the keyword right from the hostess thread into your gallery submission. It helps to have 2 or 3 windows or tabs open during VSN!

ALL VSN entries from the Tailgate Party on Friday, and the Main Event on Saturday must be uploaded by 3PM ET on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

Cards should be uploaded into the appropriate gallery. Uploads have automatic approval during VSN, and so the moderators aren�t checking to see that you are uploading into the right gallery. Please select the proper gallery. If you are using a specific stamp set, upload to that gallery. If you are doing a technique, upload to the technique gallery.

If you have questions about what gallery to upload to, feel free to ask a coordinator or the hostess of your challenge.

Here is some great info if you need help uploading.

Honor Gallery

Hostesses will review the submissions for their challenge and will identify approximately 5 cards they determine to be superb. Those cards receiving this nomination will be moved into a special VSN honor gallery, where they will remain on display. The SEP07VSN honor gallery is being titled: The Leaf pile:mrgreen:

There will not be a "Viewers Choice" category for cards with the most comments.

All hostesses will have from 4pm ET on Sunday (9/9) until 8pm ET on Tuesday (9/11) to complete their review of submissions. Hostesses will then notify the coordinators of their nominations.

Honor gallery entries will be announced on Wednesday September 12 at 7pm ET.

Participants are eligible to be nominated into the honor gallery for more than one challenge.

For the September VSN, the coordinators and the hostesses will not be eligible for challenge review. However, the coordinators will select one card from each hostess for inclusion in the honor gallery.

[pattyb]

September VSN Schedule

Friday Tailgate starts at 6pm ET
Saturday Main Event starts at 12 noon ET

Both Events begin with the Children's challenge (though adults are invited to play those if they wish). Add one hour to the begin time for the first adult challenge. For September we will also be hosting a bonus challenge that will run at the same times as the children's challenges for those of you who can never get enough;)

For those of you not in the Eastern Time Zone and who wish to modify and print the attached schedule in your own time zone, use the following list:

Note: /// separates Friday's 'Tailgate party' night from Saturday's Main Event.

* Newfoundland, Canada: Fri - 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM /// Sat - 1:30 PM to 12:30 AM
* Atlantic Time Zone: Fri - 7:00 PM to Midnight /// Sat - 1:00 PM to Midnight
* Eastern Time: Fri - 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM /// Sat - 12:00 noon to 11:00 PM
* Central: Fri - 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM /// Sat - 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
* Mountain (& Saskatchewan): Fri - 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM ///Sat - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
* Pacific (& Arizona): Fri - 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM /// Sat - 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
* Alaska: Fri - 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM /// Sat - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
* Hawaii: Fri - 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM /// Sat - 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
* London, England: Fri - 11:00PM to 4:00AM (Sat) /// Sat - 5:00PM to 4:00AM (Sun)
* Brisbane, Australia: Fri - (really Sat) 8:00AM to 1:00PM /// Sat - (really Sun) 2:00AM to 1:00PM
* Auckland: Fri - (really Sat) 10:00AM to 3:00PM /// Sat - (really Sun) 4:00AM to 3:00PM

And, the deadline for uploading submissions is Sunday, September 9th, 3pm ET, which converts to:

* Newfoundland, Canada: 4:30 PM
* Atlantic Time Zone: Fri - 4:00 PM
* Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
* Central: 2:00 PM
* Mountain (& Saskatchewan): 1:00 PM
* Pacific (& Arizona): 12 noon
* Alaska: 11:00 AM
* Hawaii: 9:00 AM
* London, England: 8:00 PM
* Brisbane, Australia: MON 5:00 AM
* Auckland: MON 7:00 AM

If you're still unsure, try using TimeAndDate.com.

[Thanks Cris (aka avonlea) for the above info, which I stole from the March VSN thread ]

5/17 - fixed typos for International cities

[pattyb]

Master Challenge Thread

All Gallery Submissions