Sorry, the bit about the sleeve did come up in a discussion, but now I cannot find it!!! Someone posted that they had forgotten to put the sleeve on and a discussion followed, but I can't find it!
This has been covered in a previous discussion, if you look through the discussions. Wendy says it is not required, but your partner will probably want to hang it, so why not put a hanging sleeve on it. 4" is the usual size.
Wendy replied to a previous question re. the due date, and said she thought the end of March, but nothing definite has been announced. I sincerely hope it is the end of March!!!! Re. payments, I think you would pay that when you submit your entry online, paying by credit card or similar. I hope so, as that would be the easiest for the overseas participants of which there are many, including me. Re. the size, it has to be at least 18" x 18", but no more than 24" x 24", so anything in between is fine.