Nerd Games - Fall 2024

Crafty Shenanigans Craftalongs
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Photo courtesy of @Tapestry

Welcome to the Nerd Games!

Runs October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

This is a craftalong where nerdy crafters all over the world can share our projects and give each other encouragement - that’s really all there is to it! If you feel you might be a nerd, or enjoy some nerdy things of any kind, or if you’re just nerdy about crafting, you’re more than welcome here!

HOW TO JOIN

Simply make any craft, take photos of it, and post them in this group with the following header, which will be explained below:

Prompt: (Write the name of the prompt you are entering your craft for here. Don’t forget to include the month!)
Team: (Choose one of three, listed below)
Project Name: (Name your craft anything you like; fanciful titles or simple labels/descriptions are all fine)
Project Link: (Paste the link to your community post for the bonus points)
Brief Description: (Tell us anything you’d like to about the craft, such as how you made it, and why it fits the prompt.)
Project Photo(s): (Post photos of your awesome craft here, so we can ooh and aah over it!)

FAQs

Have more specific questions about the Nerd Games? You can find FAQs here!

THE TEAMS

There are three teams to choose from, and no requirements for joining any of them; simply choose one that speaks to you, put the team name in your first project header, and presto - you’re a member! You will remain on the same team for the entire season. You may change teams in future seasons.

  • Team So Corn-fused
  • Team Don’t Stop Beleafing
  • Team Gourd of the Rings

THE PROMPTS

Prompts will be posted on a monthly basis in the post below. Please choose a prompt. Monthly battles are the only time sensitive prompts. The non-battle prompts are open for the entire season. See THE POINTS section below for point values and several additional crafting opportunities for each of your crafts. You can craft specifically to fit the prompts, or you can craft first and then find a prompt to fit it into. We’re pretty lax about slightly stretched interpretations of the prompts; just explain in your description how it fits!

  • Monthly prompts will close at 11:59pm Central Time on the last day of the current month.

BONUS POINTS

We are trying to keep things simple, so there will only be one type of bonus point available. COMMUNITY POINTS will be given when you post a link to a post you’ve made within the Lettuce Craft community, and will be worth 20 bonus points for each project shared. Please be sure to participate in the entire community and not just in the craftalong!

THE POINTS

This competition is just for fun and the points are for nothing more than motivation and bragging rights, but go ahead and rack up points by posting projects for you team! Points break down as follows:

  • Monthly battles and prompts: 20 points each (must take at least 30 minutes of crafting time)
  • Free Range: 20 points each (must take at least 30 minutes of crafting time. Up to six allowed per season
  • Big Time projects: 50 points each (must take at least 5 hours of crafting time. Up to three allowed per season)
  • Zaps: 10 points each (any craft that takes less than 30 minutes to make. Up to five allowed per season)
  • Research Projects: 100 points (must take at least 20 hours of crafting time. Up to two per season)
  • Bonus Points: COMMUNITY bonus points (worth 20 extra per project) are the only bonus opportunity available at this time.

Special Note:
All prompts are supposed to be crafted within the current season. However, we have decided to make an exception to this rule. Let’s say you craft something for a swap near the end of the Summer season. You’ve sent the swap package, but it hasn’t been received yet. Fall season begins, your partner has received their swap item, and you are ready to post. You may go ahead and post your project from the previous season for the current season.

THE RULES

  • Players must craft to the best of their abilities and have a minimum of 30 minutes of crafting time per submission, unless otherwise noted.
  • A project can only be submitted for one prompt or crafting opportunity.
  • A project does NOT have to be "nerdy,” it only has to fulfill the prompt as you see fit.
  • Submitted projects must be started and completed during the current season, unless otherwise noted.
  • There is SO MUCH to do in the Nerd Games. Do not feel like you have to craft everything. Do what inspires you.
  • We welcome all players from the Nerdyverse, no matter their Geekdom. We even welcome non-nerds!
  • We are never mean.
  • We never exclude someone.
  • We will keep it clean-ish (PG-13).
  • Never hesitate in contacting the Gamemakers (@storerboughtcreation or @Smeddley) with your questions, concerns, or ideas.

Previous Seasons:

Summer 2024
Spring 2024
Winter 2024
Fall 2023
Summer 2023
Spring 2023
Winter 2023
Fall 2022
Summer 2022
Spring 2022
Winter 2022
Fall 2021
Summer 2021
Spring 2021
Winter 2021
Fall 2020
Summer 2020
Spring 2020
Winter 2020

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Team Roster and Tracking

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Please post your projects with the following header:

Prompt: (Write the name of the prompt you are entering your craft for here. Don’t forget to include the month!)
Team: (Choose one of three, listed above) *
Project Name: (Name your craft anything you like; fanciful titles or simple labels/descriptions are all fine) *
Project Link: (Paste the link to your community post for the bonus points) *
Brief Description: (Tell us anything you’d like to about the craft, such as how you made it, and why it fits the prompt .)**
Project Photo(s): (Post photos of your awesome craft here, so we can ooh and aah over it!) *

Monthly Battles

  • October Battle – Sweaters vs Hoodies - CLOSED
  • November Battle – Rakes vs Lawnmowers - CLOSED
  • December Battle - Snowblower vs Snow Shovel

October theme – It’s time for cooler temperatures and fall activities here in the Northern Hemisphere (sorry any down under peeps!). It’s my favorite time of the year, and even though we’re having a brief “false fall” right now (temps are supposed to climb back up) I’m enjoying it! Along with cooler temperatures, there’s spooky season! The best time of the year!

  1. Crow - craft something with a lot of shiny elements, or things you found, or something black or feathery.
  2. Scarecrow - craft something that uses straw, is vaguely humanoid shaped, uses flannel, or is yellow.
  3. Pumpkin - craft something that is edible, round, orange, or that you carve.
  4. Acorns - craft something that transforms or grows into something else, is related to trees or plants, has a “hat”, or is brown.
  5. Apple cider - craft something that uses a liquid, is amorphously shaped, is red, or requires some amount of crushing/squishing to make.

November theme – Leaves! I love trees, and I love fall, but I don’t love all the leaves that have to at least be partially picked up (please leave the leaves in your landscaped areas for the insects and critters to over-winter!). I also don’t love the acorns my oak tree intentionally throws at my head every time I go outside…

  1. Oak - craft something that is sturdy, is furniture, has seven pieces/parts, involves acorns, or is brown.
  2. Maple - craft something that is sweet (either figuratively or literally), is vaguely Canadian, has five parts/pieces, or is red.
  3. Sweetgum - craft something that has balls/is round, is spikey, sticks to something else, or is purple.
  4. Birch - craft something that is papery, thin, heart-shaped, or white.
  5. Fir - craft something that is long and thin, uses/has needles, is for the winter, or is green.

December Theme - Snow! It’s that time of year here in the Northern Hemisphere, some places more so than others (but we did get our first snowfall yesterday!) So this month will be all about snowflakes! Guide to snowflakes I referenced is here: Guide to Snowflakes

  1. Stellar Plates - craft something that is round (ish), flat, has six parts/pieces, is very symmetrical, or is clear.
  2. Stellar Dendrites - craft something that is branching, delicate, incredibly popular/trendy, or is white.
  3. Triangular Crystals - craft something that is three-sided or has three parts, has “arms”, is made of a rare material or subject/pattern, or is blue.
  4. Needles - craft something that is long/thin, is made using a needle, has “hair”, or is gray.
  5. Irregular Crystals - craft something that is lumpy, blobby, weird, or just didn’t turn out the way you thought it would.
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2024 countdown

Happy Fall! We are doing another 12 week winter countdown advent event! Each week I will post a new prompt for you to craft. These are EXTRA prompts, and the same rules and bonuses apply as regular monthly prompts. You will just have a lot more prompts this season to tap into your crafty mojo! Have fun and happy holidays! This event begins on October 1st.

The countdown has a music theme! Each prompt will include a song you might use as inspiration in your creating. The songs are loose associations to a theme either through title or lyrics as a way to provide a variety of inspiration options

Week 1: October 1

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Dog Days Are Over. We survived Summer! Who is ready for Fall? Craft an item that requires hot or cold temperatures, or is inspired by the song “Dog Days are Over” by Florence + The Machine.

Week 2: October 6

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Into the Mystic. We’re into spooky season! Craft an item that uses the color grey, or is inspired by the song “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison.

Week 3: October 13

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Get Ur Freak On. Craft something using supplies you either splurged on buying or have been hoarding as something special, or inspired by the song “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliot

Week 4: October 20

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Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. Make a diptych (any two items that go together as a set, not necessarily an obvious art piece), or something inspired by the song “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex.

Week 5: October 27

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(Don’t Fear) The Reaper. Craft an item using a skill you have built over time, or something inspired by the song “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult.

Week 6: November 3

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Ain’t No Sunshine. The days are getting short! Craft an item that is brightly colored, or inspired by the song “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.

Week 7: November 10

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I’m Still Standing. While fun, the changing seasons and holidays can also be challenging. Craft an item using bold colors, or inspired by the song “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John.

Week 8: November 17

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Call Me Maybe. The season might have you thinking of, talking to, or seeing folks you haven’t in a while. Finish a WIP, or craft an item inspired by the song “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Week 9: November 24

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Wouldn’t It Be Nice. It will be nice to go into the holiday season and enjoy some time with loved ones. Craft an item that reflects your best crafting skill, or inspired by the song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by Beach Boys.

Week 10: November 30

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Snowin’ on Raton. Craft an item that is soft (whatever you want that to mean), or inspired by the song “Snown’ on Raton” by Townes Van Zandt.

Week 11: December 8

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’99 Problems. Maybe your family is headed over, your holiday crafts aren’t done, or the countdown to your winter break from work just isn’t coming soon enough. Craft an item that is EASY PEASY, or inspired by the song “’99 Problems” by Jay-z.

Week 12: December 15

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Please, Please, Please. Give and receive with gratitude and enjoy the rest of the year. Craft an item you’ll use yourself, or inspired by the song “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths.

BONUS: December 22

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End of the Day. It’s officially winter (in the Northern Hemisphere), and we’re walking into the end of the year. Craft an item that you’re proud of, or is inspired by the song “End of the Day” by One Direction.

BONUS 2: December 29

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Unwritten. 2024 is nearly a wrap, but what does 2025 hold? Craft an item that uses the colors blue and orange, or is inspired by the song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.

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Pin Prize Collection

We’re continuing the Nerd Games enamel pin collection! Each season you’ll have the opportunity to earn up to three (or sometimes more) pins. Each pin will be different, and every season the pins offered will be different. Try to collect them all, or have fun picking and choosing ones to work toward!

This year we’ll have two pins each season based on LettuceCraft categories (Art, Home & Garden, Fashion & Wearables, Fiber & Textiles, Food & Drink, Paper & Vinyl Crafts, Crafty Shenanigans, and Swaps). The third pin offered will be random.

FALL EVENTS:

NOTE: Feel free to use a single project for as many pin events as possible!

Crafty Shenanigans: If you’re here, your into some Crafty Shenanigans! Submit a minimum of FIVE items to the current season of the Nerd Games. Combined crafting time must be at least 10 hours.

Swaps: Submit a minimum of FIVE items to the current season of the Nerd Games that you will gift to someone else (maybe for a swap, or maybe just as a present to someone in your life). Combined crafting time must be at least 10 hours.

Another Year: We’ve survived another trip around the sun, with all the ups and downs. Was it a dumpster fire? Even so, you made some awesome sh*t! Submit TEN projects to the current season of the Nerd Games AND make a separate post in this thread showing off 10 of your favorite projects that you made this year.

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To claim your prizes:

Once you have completed the requirements, send the below submission form to LovelyMiss via private message by 11:59 pm (central) on December 31, 2024.

Prizes will be sent after the season ends.

Pin Event Submission Form

I am claiming: (Crafty Shenanigans, Swaps, Another Year)

I attest that I have completed the requirements for the Pin Event(s) I am claiming: Yes/No

My name and mailing address (as it should be formatted for sending, including country) are:

Pin-ventory Clear Out Event

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Did you miss out on a previous pin and wish you could get it now? Want some to share as gifts? This might be your chance! I have pins leftover from prior seasons and it’s time to clear them out!

To participate:

  • Identify the pin-ventory pins you would like to earn this season – UP TO SIX.
  • Post the below Pin-ventory Intention Form in this thread ASAP.
  • For every pin you want to claim, post three projects of any kind to the current Nerd Games season. These projects CANNOT be combined with projects you’re using toward this season’s pins (Crafty Shenanigans, Swaps, Another Year), and a project cannot be used toward more than one pin-ventory pin. You cannot claim more than one of the same pin-ventory pin.

Note: If you claim the max number of pins this season (9 – the 3 season pins and 6 pin-ventory pins), you’ll need to post a combined total of 28 unique projects – 10 for the current season’s pins, and 18 for the Pin-ventory events.

Post the below form in this thread naming up to SIX Pins you would like to earn this season. There is a limited number of each one available, so they will be assigned FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, based on when you posted your INTENTION TO CLAIM THEM. Please check the available stock list below to see if your desired pin is still available.

Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

Get Your Pins

Once you have completed the number of projects needed to claim your pins (THREE FOR EACH PIN, NOT OVERLAPPING WITH PROJECTS YOU ARE USING FOR CURRENT SEASON PINS [Crafty Shenanigans, Swaps, Another Year]), PM me the below form by 11:59 pm central on December 31 2024.

Pin-ventory Claim Form

I am claiming: (list pins, UP TO SIX)

I attest that I have submitted the required number of projects to claim the listed pins: YES/NO

Name and mailing address as it should be formatted for shipping, including country:

Pin-ventory Claims and Available Stock

Animals (Current available: 2): Mountains_and_Clouds
Bunny (Current available: 2): gozer, Tapestry, Bunny1kenobi, Mountains_and_Clouds, Smeddley
Cacti (Current available: 0): AudiobookLover, megwell, LindyBlues
Camera (Current available: 0): LindyBlues
Crafty B (Current available: 0): gozer, megwell, Tapestry, ezrib
Crochet (Current available: 4): ezrib
Greenhouse (Current available: 0) megwell, LindyBlues, Bunny1kenobi, Mountains_and_Clouds
Heart (Current available: 1): ezrib, Bunny1kenobi
Make Magic (Current available: 0): megwell, Tapestry, Bunny1kenobi, Mountains_and_Clouds
Maker (Current available: 0): AudiobookLover, gozer
Mushroom (Current available: 2): LindyBlues
Palette (Current available: 0): AudiobookLover, bluebird
Panda (Current available: 0): AudiobookLover, Bunny1kenobi, Tapestry, Mountains_and_Clouds
Pantone (Current available: 2): bluebird
Paper Plane (Current available: 2): gozer
POW! (Current available: 0): megwell
Pumpkin (Current available: 0): ezrib, bluebird, LindyBlues
Raven (Current available: 0): Tapestry, bluebird
Salty (Current available: 0): gozer, ezrib, Bunny1kenobi, Mountains_and_Clouds
Scissors (Current available: 0): AudiobookLover, gozer
Sewing Machine (Current available: 2): AudiobookLover, ezrib
Tape (Current available: 0) bluebird
Yarn Sheep (Current available: 0): megwell, bluebird

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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Maker
  2. Sewing Machine
  3. Palette
  4. Scissors
  5. Panda
  6. Cacti
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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Maker
  2. Bunny
  3. CraftyB
  4. Scissors
  5. Salty
  6. Paper Plane
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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Make Magic
  2. Yarn Sheep
  3. Pow!
  4. Crafty B
  5. Cacti
  6. Greenhouse
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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season:

  1. Bunny
  2. Make Magic
  3. Crafty B
  4. Raven
  5. Panda
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pinventory intention list

pin-ventory pins i would like to earn this season

  1. sewing machine
  2. salty
  3. pumpkin
  4. crochet
  5. crafty b
  6. heart
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@AudiobookLover @gozer @megwell

Hey y’all! I added a few more pins - just a heads up in case you want to change your list at all!

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I went ahead and added the greenhouse, but others shouldn’t let that deter them from listing it. I don’t actually anticipate making it that far down my list :laughing:.

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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Raven
  2. Pumpkin
  3. pantone
  4. sheep
  5. tape
  6. palette
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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Cacti
  2. Camera
  3. Mushroom
  4. Greenhouse
  5. Pumpkin
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Pin-ventory Intention Form

Pin-ventory Pins I would like to earn this season (LIST UP TO 6):

  1. Heart
  2. Bunny
  3. Make magic
  4. Panda
  5. Salty
  6. Greenhouse

Thank you!

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Prompt: Dog Days Are Over (12 Weeks of Winter, Week 1, October)*
Team: Don’t Stop Beliefing
Project Name: Chocolate Banana Muffins… without a recipe!
Project Link: Banana Chocolate Muffins... without a recipe
Brief Description: These muffins required a hot temperature to bake :slight_smile:
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Pumpkin
Team: Don’t Stop Beliefing
Project Name: Spinach-laden “grilled” cheese sandwiches
Project Link:
Brief Description: These are edible :slight_smile: They don’t look like much, but they were delicious and nutritious!
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: October - Pumpkin
Team: So Corn-fused
Project Name: Do You Like My Baloon? ATC
Project Link: Ghostie ATCs
Brief Description: just a wee ghostie with his little balloon. The ATC has a watercolor background with gouache detail.
Project Photo(s):

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I love that you can vaguely see the background through him, like a good little ghost!

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I love this cute little ghost with the cute little pumpkin balloon :heart: The colours are great and I love the texture.

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@LindyBlues & @gozer - thanks!

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