Nerd Games - Spring 2025

Crafty Shenanigans Craftalongs
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Photo courtesy of @Tapestry

Welcome to the Nerd Games!

Runs April 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025

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 Running with Scissors
  • Team Knotty By Nature
  • Team Bits and Bobs

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 sixallowed per season
  • Big Time projects: 50 points each (must take at least 5 hours of crafting time. Up to threeallowed 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:

Winter 2025
Fall 2024
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

April Battle - Rain vs Flowers - CLOSED
May Battle - Shoes vs Barefoot

April Theme: This month’s theme is brought to you by @gozer and SPRING!

  1. Red Poppy – Poppies are used in a lot of medicines that relax you. Craft an item that you can use during sleep, the process is repetitive or relaxing to you, has 4-6 pieces (petals) or red.
  2. Orange marigold – Marigolds ward off negativity & evil spirits. Craft an item that brings you joy, has fringe or is ruffled, or is orange.
  3. Yellow Sunflower – Sunflowers face the sun! Craft an item that is tall or long like a sunflower, includes a sun, requires heat to create, or is yellow.
  4. Green Grass – Grass makes its triumphant return from being dormant in the spring. Craft an item that requires a lot of poking/holes, is something you haven’t done in a long time, has to be cut, or is green.
  5. Blue Rain – The Spring brings rain so all the plants can grow. Craft an item that requires water, has splatters, or is blue.

May theme - footwear, again brought to you by @gozer! Spring is the time to get out and about, and how you choose to cover your feet is a very important decision!

  1. High Heels - Craft something that is fashionable, is not comfortable, hurts a bit to make, is pointy, or red or shiny.
  2. Cowboy Boots - Craft an item that is made of leather (or faux leather), functional, tall, or has rhinestones, beads, or gems, or is brown or embossed.
  3. Sneakers - Craft an item using a technique you are comfortable with, something that is practical or useful, is flexible, has ties, or is white.
  4. Flip Flops - Craft an item that makes noise, is flat, is useful on a beach or uses shells/sand, requires heat to create, or is beige or blue.
  5. Slippers - Craft an item that is soft, cozy, fuzzy, or pink.
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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, for Winter, Spring, and Fall rounds, the pins will be themed around the OG Nerd Games teams.

Spring 2025 Nerd Games Pins
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SPRING EVENTS:

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

Textbook: Submit FIVE projects that require precision or detail. Create posts for the projects in the appropriate Lettuce Craft categories (and don’t forget to claim Community bonus points).

Wordy: Submit FIVE projects that use, are inspired by, or otherwise incorporate books. Create posts for the projects in the appropriate Lettuce Craft categories (and don’t forget to claim Community bonus points).

Multimedia: Submit FIVE projects inspired by any media, or for which you used some type of media in their creation (such as watching an online tutorial video). Create posts for the projects in the appropriate Lettuce Craft categories (and don’t forget to claim Community bonus points).

Fandom: Submit FIVE projects that reference, represent, or incorporate something you love. Create posts for the projects in the appropriate Lettuce Craft categories (and don’t forget to claim Community bonus points).

Randomizer: Submit FIVE projects that incorporate all of the following colors: RED, BLUE, GREEN, PURPLE, ORANGE (one color per project, or any combo, for a total of all five colors represented over your five projects). Create posts for the projects in the appropriate Lettuce Craft categories (and don’t forget to claim Community bonus points).

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 June 30, 2025.

Prizes will be sent after the season ends.

Pin Event Submission Form

I am claiming: (Textbook, Wordy, Multimedia, Fandom, Randomizer)

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:

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Camp NG 2025
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Join us at CAMP NERD GAMES!

We’re going to Summer Camp next season! We have lots of fun stuff planned, and now is the time to sign up for some of it. Please be sure to read through all the information INCLUDING the IMPORTANT NOTES section at the bottom of this post before submitting your request forms.

Welcome Me to Camp!

Receive a Camp Nerd Games welcome letter. Available to anyone who wants one and plans to participate in the Nerd Games Summer 2025 season.

To participate, request your welcome letter by PMing the form below to LovelyMiss on or before Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Form to Submit:

I’d like to receive my Camp Nerd Games welcome letter!

My name and address as they should be formatted for shipping:

Arts & Crafts Club

  • You’ll receive supplies, a guide, and a schedule to complete a small arts and crafts project each month of the season (July, August, September).
  • Each project will likely take between 30 minutes – 3 hours to complete. You can make the finished products as simple or elaborate as you’d like, and alter, add on to, or construct the projects however you’d like. The projects are easy - like one might make at camp, and none of them involve scents or food.
  • You will be provided with the basic supplies. To complete the projects you will minimally need:
    • Scissors
    • Glue (regular or hot)
  • Each month you will:
    • Complete a project.
    • Take at least one clear, well-lit photo of the finished project.
    • Post the project during the designated month. You may submit it for a prompt or as a standalone item if you don’t have a prompt available.

To participate, request a kit by PMing the form below to LovelyMiss on or before Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Form to Submit:

I want to participate in the 2025 Nerd Games Summer Camp Arts & Crafts Club!

I understand by signing up I am agreeing to complete the received projects and post them in the 2025 Summer Nerd Games thread during the designated time periods. YES/NO

My name and address as it should be formatted for mailing:

“Write Home” Postcard Club

  • You’ll receive 3 pre-stamped postcards, 1 to send each month (July, August, September). In return, you’ll receive 1 postcard each month from another player.
  • Modify the front of the postcards however you’d like – paint or draw on it, add stickers, collage, whatever! MAXIMUM modding time is 15 minutes per card. (Make sure it stays flat and everything is securely attached so it can survive the mail without issue AND remain within the postcard stamp weight - 1 oz.)
  • On the back, share one thing you’re enjoying about your summer (e.g. “I saw a firefly.” “I went to the beach.” “I read a great book!”) AND SIGN IT with your name and/or username.
  • Put it in the mail by the 15th of each month and report when you send. If you are not able to send, you must let LovelyMiss know ASAP.
  • Submit the cards you modded as Zaps sometime during the season, using clear, well-lit photos.
  • I’m happy to send the blank cards internationally, however, they will not be pre-stamped (since it’s not really feasible for me to access stamps from your country). If you’d like to participate, you’ll need to supply postage to send out your 3 postcards.
  • NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SWAP. Though I hope all players who request a pack of postcards will participate as outlined, there is no guarantee you will receive postcards in return.

To participate, request a kit by PMing the form below to LovelyMiss on or before Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Form to Submit:

I want to participate in the 2025 Nerd Games Summer Camp Postcard Club!

I understand my address will be shared by LovelyMiss with the 3 other participants who will send me postcards during the season. (Note: Addresses will be shared on the postcards themselves, not shared with others online or via PM.) YES/NO

I understand by signing up I am agreeing to send my postcards on time, report when they are sent, and preemptively contact LovelyMiss if I am unable to send them in the allotted time period for any reason. YES/NO

I am international/outside of the USA: YES/NO
If YES, do you understand you are agreeing to provide postage for the 3 postcards you send? YES/NO

My address as it should be formatted for mailing:

Adventure Club

The Adventure Club does not require sign-ups and will be open to all players. More details will be shared on the first day of Camp!

IMPORTANT NOTES

The spots in the Arts & Crafts Club and “Write Home” Postcard Club are limited! Be sure to sign up ASAP if you want to participate.

If there is more interest than spots, priority will be given based on the order sign-ups were received.

The Arts & Crafts and Postcard Clubs are only open to present and past Nerd Games players. You must have participated in at least one season any time between Summer 2013-Spring 2025. If you’re new to the Nerd Games, don’t despair! You’ll still be eligible for the end-of-season prizes! (Or hop into this season really quick and then send in your forms! :smiley: )

Packages will be shipping at the beginning of June to (hopefully) ensure you receive everything before the start of the Summer 2025 Nerd Games.

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Prompt: Orange Marigold (April)
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Rainbow jars
Project Link: Rainbows in Jars
Brief Description: I made some rainbowy bits to brighten up a gloomy week.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Blue Rain
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Even more affirmations for abandoning
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: Another round. I used water to thin and spread the paint on these.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April - Blue Rain
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Spring Harbinger
Project Link: Spring Harbinger
Brief Description: A bunny watercolor painting with lots of lovely splatters.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April - Green Grass
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: A fuzzy, buzzy bee hoopla
Project Link: Fuzzy bee hoopla
Brief Description: A needle-felted little hoopla that required lots and lots of poking!
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Research Project
Team: Knotty by Nature
Project Name: Cryptid Blanket
Project Link:
Brief Description: I tested this blanket for SBC, and I gave some creative feedback that resulted in her adding mothman and the final stage of the chupacabra motif
Would also like to point out that SBC was so intent on having me post, that she literally wrote everything but this sentence! :rofl:
Project Photo(s):

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Yeah, well, I knew you would keep dragging your feet and I’d have to harass you otherwise. And everyone should see your finished blanket, because it rocks :metal:

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Procrastination is my middle name and putting things off is my favorite game :upside_down_face:

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I am so glad to see you back! Hopefully SBC haggles you some more and we get more of you. :gift_heart:

Your blanket is amazing. I adore cryptids, and Mothman is one of my current favorites.

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I may have lured her in when she saw the pins being offered this season. :wink:

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Im a sucker for cute stabby things :woman_shrugging:
@gozer I can’t promise much, but I will try to be more present. But it’s softball season and BOTH of my children are playing. 14u and 8u… I. Am. TIRED.

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@megwell
Those rainbow jars are adorable! Love the abandoned art.

@tapestry
OMG that bunny picture is awesome! I love bunnies. And the little bee hoop is so cute!

@queenhobo
The blanket is definitely worth posting!

Prompt: April Battle - Rain
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Cat Mat
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: I got a “Secret Santa” sack of mystery yarn and it had this loop yarn in it (the loops kinda look like rain drops!) and I had no idea what to do with it, so I knitted it into a cat mat for the shelter (and I kinda slip stitch crocheted around the edges until I ran out of yarn). No idea if it’ll hold up. No shade if you love this yarn, but I found it very difficult to work with and it would have been so much faster to knit! It’s very soft, and you could snip the looping thread, but I figured this was a good way to use it up and I won’t be buying it again!
Project Photo(s):

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Cat Mat
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Prompt: April Orange Marigolds
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Basketball Coasters
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: I painted some coasters as a prize for the basketball pool I was running at work!
Project Photo(s):

Coasters
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Prompt: April Green Grass
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: TTRPG Hanging Tags
Project Link: TTRPG Hanging Initiative Tags
Brief Description: For use in our gaming, for the GM to keep track of often-referenced stats and initiatives!
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April Blue Rain
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Granny Square Chicken
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: This chicken was made with the granny square pattern they use in the chicken post, unlike my zap below. And even though it has fewer holes, I still lined the inside with some spare fabric to keep the stuffing from coming out.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Zap 1
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Granny Square Chicken
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: This was made with granny squares I had leftover from my Sophie’s Universe blanket, and it was pretty full of gaps so I did line the inside with fabric… this is where I learned you need to poke the safety eyes through that lining, as well, or it looks weird with the stems of the eyes pushing on the stuffing pack!
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April - Battle - Flowers
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Happy Monster Tiny Painting
Project Link: I will add this next month and let you know.
Brief Description: This little monster is springing up like flowers do in Spring! It is only 3x3. It is also part of the prize pack for May’s Monster Jam. :green_heart:
Project Photo(s):

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So cute!

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@QueenHobo, that blanket is amazing!! I love the variety of colors throughout it.

@Smeddley, Those granny square chickens are fun and look like a great way to use up any extra squares!

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Prompt: Big Time 1
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Spring Butterfly Flag
Project Link: Spring Butterfly
Brief Description: This was both my first laser and hand embroidery project.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Yellow Sunflower
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Butterfly bookmark
Project Link: Spring Butterfly - bookmark
Brief Description: This was made using the extreme heat of a laser.
Project Photo(s):
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Prompt: Orange marigold
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Butterfly flag magnet
Project Link: Spring Butterfly - magnet
Brief Description: This little magnet brings me joy. I enjoyed the process of making it and it makes me smile when I see it.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Green grass
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Colorado Hairstreak butterfly
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: I made three of these Colorado hairstreak butterflies. There was so much poking and so many holes made as the embroidery machine stitched out the design. Once the designs were stitched out, I had to then cut them out of the stabilizer.
Project Photo(s):
The purple butterfly

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Prompt: April battle - Flowers
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Monarch butterfly
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: Butterflies have a symbiotic relationship with flowers. I made three of these monarchs. One has flown away to my swap partner, but the other two have remained with me.
Project Photo(s):
The orange butterfly above.

Prompt: Blue Rain
Team: Running with Scissors
Project Name: Blue clipper butterfly
Project Link: N/A
Brief Description: This isn’t just any clipper, it’s a blue clipper. Again, I made three of these and once they were cut out of the stabilizer, I had to use water to dissolve the stabilizer that was left bordering the butterflies.
Project Photo(s):
The butterfly on the bottom right in the picture above.

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Prompt: April - Orange Marigolds
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Otter & Bunny paintbrush rests
Project Link: Paintbrush rests
Brief Description: Making these cute little characters is an act of joy!

Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Zaps
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: Have A Good Day Greeting Card
Project Link: Greeting Card
Brief Description: Just a quick little card for a swap.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: Big Time Project
Team: Bits and Bobs
Project Name: The Lantern Keeper’s Tree
Project Link: The Lantern Keeper’sTree
Brief Description: A gouache painting based on a tutorial by Ruth Wilshaw. I think hers took her 2 hours at most. Mine took six. I’m slow.
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April - Battle - Rain
Team: :yarn:
Project Name: purple blanket
Project Link: Braided wheat blankets
Brief Description: this purple is like the colors of clouds as a spring rain starts rolling in
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: April - yellow sunflower
Team: :yarn:
Project Name: yellow blanket
Project Link: Braided wheat blankets
Brief Description: it’s certainly yellow!
Project Photo(s):

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Prompt: big time
Team: :yarn:
Project Name: Neapolitan blanket
Project Link: Braided wheat blankets
Brief Description: each of these blankets probably took 10-12 hours to complete
Project Photo(s):

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