where to begin?

I created a "Project Box" for making my mini fabric samplers. I just love the 12 x 12 clear boxes from Michaels. I purchased several when they were on sale and I use them for various crafting projects.

I began by going through my vintage linens. I chose the ones I would be willing to cut- stained, torn, etc. I especially like the ones with embroidery. I went through my fabric scraps and lace containers and pulled out little snippets that I love. I gathered some embroidery floss and a few basic sewing supplies (pin cushion, thread, scissors, ruler).

I received the most beautiful handmade zippered pouch as a hostess thank you gift from May last year. I gathered some sweet little things that I might want to use as embellishments on my samplers and placed them in the pouch.

This box gave me a starting place. I sat and went through it until inspiration set in. I found myself pulling out whites and creams and the idea was born. I pulled out everything that matched, and then put the bin aside. I further hunted through my studio to find another goodie or two that I knew would match (and of course my ivory button jars, as I knew I'd be using buttons!). And I was on my way...

Happy New Swap!

The 2015 Mini Fabric Sampler Swap is something I've been looking forward to for months! I hope that the participants have fun creating and receiving their samplers each month, and that all of our ASFAS friends find fun and inspiration in following along! You can also follow the swap on Instagram at #aswapforallseasons, where all of the participants can post as well.

This picture shows some beautiful "stitched bits" made by the very talented Pam Garrison. These were my inspiration for the swap that we did a few years back, and is my inspiration once again for this swap. The idea to make it a year long swap was inspired by my love of handmade garlands, such as in the 2nd picture, which is from this wonderful blog. At the end of 2015, I will have 12 mini samplers for my garland. The participants can play as many months as they'd like, so the garlands created will all be different, and of different lengths. Such an exciting endeavor! And it's time to get started!

This first month there are 16 participants, and I am making a sampler for Pam. I will be posting the making of her sampler from beginning to end throughout the month. Tune in tomorrow to see the humble beginnings! And a special thank you (apology?) to Pam for being my 1st month guinea pig!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends! I really like this quote about January. Such a positive (constructive,hopeful) way of looking at a new year. Wishing you all a year filled with good health, love and wonderful things!

A Swap For All Seasons is now on Instagram!

If you would like to follow along or to add pictures of your Mini Fabric Samplers, we are at #aswapforallseasons
If you would like to follow me personally, I am at #lindaperrysmith
Yay! You'll know you're in the right place when you see this picture of me.

Did you know that you can follow Instagram on your desktop computer? You can view the photos, but you cannot add any photos from your desktop- that must be done from the app. Just go to www.instagram.com/aswapforallseasons (insert the person's user name after the /)

It's getting closer...

Time keeps racing on... Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and before you know it, the New Year will be here! I hope you get everything done, and can sit back and enjoy this next week! Merry Christmas! I'll see you in 2015!

A 2015 Preview

A wonderful group of crafters will be swapping 4 x 6" Mini Fabric Samplers each month of 2015. Although the swap is not open for all to join, please feel free to follow along as there will be lots of inspiration, creative ideas, and giveaways open to all beginning January 1st!

Can You Believe A Year Has Passed?

I've had such fun with this year-long swap! I hope you have too! There will not be an open swap to follow this one. I have a different type of swap project that I'm working on for next year. Thanks for card and tag swapping along with me these last 12 months. I sure have enjoyed it!

This will be the last post on A Swap For All Seasons for awhile... have a safe and happy Fall! xox Linda

one last time...

If you haven't already, it's mailing time! Please post pictures of what you receive on your blog so we can all see! The blog links for the September Swap are listed in the right column>>>>>>>>>

witchy wednesday

But don't be scared... this little witch is a sweetie! I just love the background...and her hat! This little gem originated here

another prima doll Halloween tag...

...because, well, I can't help myself! This one was part of a Prima Doll Blog-a-long that our own Joyce was a part of. I was so inspired by the blog-a-long that I had to get a couple of my own Prima Doll Stamps. And well, you know the rest.
I just love this witch! I especially love the little stamped silouette characters at the bottom. Great tag that came from this talented blogger.

mason jar monday

I'll bet most of have a mason jar stamp or die-cut. But oh dear, what do I put in it? Well, candy corn, eyeballs, spooky pops or witchy things, to name a few. One good tip I read is to adhere a piece of acrylic the size of the jar on top to make it look like glass. So cute!

another Sweet Sunday

Halloween Chex Mix

Ingredients

8 oz white chocolate baking bars, coarsely chopped
4 cups Corn Chex™ or Rice Chex™ cereal
2 cups bite-size pretzel twists
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup candy corn
1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ orange and black candy decors

Directions

1. In large microwavable bowl, microwave chopped baking bars uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.

2. Gently stir in cereal, pretzels and raisins until evenly coated. Stir in candy corn and decors.

3. Spread on waxed paper or foil until cool and chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Break into chunks. Store loosely covered.

vintage image saturday

trick or treat!

an oldie but goodie

My friend Heidi made this for me a few years ago and it is one of my favorites. She never liked any of the scary elements of Halloween so she made some "unscary" Halloween tags. I've shown this before, but it's because I love it so!

how cute is this packaging?

It would be such fun to receive a swap package all dolled up like this! I found this on Pinterest, but I can't find the source. I love it!

washi wednesday

Not sure where to start with your card? Start with washi and build from there? No washi? Use paper strips!
These inspiration cards came from here, here, and here- all great sites with lots of card inspiration!

Two for Tuesday

I couldn't decide which one of these to share today, so I'm sharing them both. The one with the wonderful curry colored dress is from here. The one with the black hair and polka dot tights (which I think is my favorite of the two) came from this great blog.

Now I have two more reasons to try out my Prima doll stamps! Someday...

a sweet idea to start the week

I love this! So cute to add a Halloween treat to your card or tag! These cute tags originated here.

we have a winner!

The random number generator at mathgoodies.com chose comment #9. That means...Sarah is the winner of the Orange Giveaway! Sarah, if you would please email your mailing address to me at aswapforallseasons@gmail.com, I will send your package of orange fun asap! Thanks for playing, everyone!

TODAY is the ORANGE GIVEAWAY...Leave a comment TODAY ONLY to enter

Leave a comment on this post, TODAY ONLY, (anytime between midnight and midnight on August 15th) to enter the ORANGE GIVEAWAY.

One lucky person will win this prize package including: a small orange tote (begging to be decorated), a variety of orange paint chips, Halloween cupcake liners, a Halloween rubber stamp, and one of my handmade Halloween cards and tag, 2 juicy orange fabric quarters, a package of orangey gemstones, paper flowers, pom poms, buttons, feathers, thread, washy tape, and a vintage orange clothespin.

The winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow by random number generator. Good luck!

whoooo's going to win tomorrow's GIVEAWAY?

Don't forget to visit the blog tomorrow to sign up for the ORANGE GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment on the blog post anytime from midnight to midnight on August 15th. It's that easy! I have a delicious assortment of orangy goodness for the lucky winner...including this card and tag that I made just for YOU!

halloweeny destash

location location location

I just love this photo. I found it on Pinterest (of course!), but it originated here. First of all, the cards are stellar. Very well made. And what brilliant photography! The old typewriter is the perfect showcase for these very professional cards. An inspiring, artistic gem!

mummy monday

This fella is from the archives of Archivers! This would be a fun card to make. So cute- he looks too scared himself to be able to scare anybody!

So Sweet Sunday!

Are these not amazing? They are inspiring just to look at! If you are having a Halloween party, a few girlfriends over for a fun Halloween lunch, take a treat in for your co-workers, or want to create a special Halloween treat for your family- what could be more fun? I'd say they'd be as much fun to shop for & make as they would be to eat...well, almost! I think I'd have to make one of each just for myself!

Vintage Image Saturday...trick or treating!

Feel free to save and use. Delightful!

franky friday

I posted this last October, but I'm repeating because it's still a fav of mine. Soooo simple, fast, great stamp. Frankly, I love it!

a destash dreamsicle

a real treat

If witches and goblins are not for you, you might find inspiration in this great card. It celebrates Halloween with color, sparkle, fun layering, and of course one of my personal favorites- buttons! It originated on this great blog.

Witch Hazel

Let's start off our Halloween inspiration with an adorable play on words. Oh how I love this little cutie! So nicely made. It came from this etsy shop. The seller has several others and one is cuter than the next!
I just have one question. Which witch is Hazel?

Meet our Halloween Swappers!

Don't let the picture scare you...only good witches swap here! The best, actually! We've got Rinda, Marie, Pam Sp., Sherry, Wendy, Debbie, Sally, Deb, Lorraine, Sandy, Joyce, Marti, May, and Elizabeth. You can visit them on their blogs, which are listed in the right column >> just scroll down a bit.

I have some great Halloween inspiration lined up for you! We're going to have a ghastly good time!

TODAY is the last day to sign up for the September Halloween Swap!

There is still time to join the fun! Read the post below and send an email to aswapforallseasons@gmail.com to sign up.

I will be answering all sign up emails and closing out the sign ups in the wee hours of Monday morning. If you sent me a sign up email and haven't heard from me yet don't worry-I am working at the hospital this weekend and haven't had time to answer emails. Everyone will get their confirmation emails Monday morning.

Don't be scared....join in the fun!

Sign Ups Begin TODAY for the September Halloween Swap!

The September Swap is the 12th and final swap of this year long series, so don't miss out!

The theme for the September Swap is Halloween. This month we will be swapping these 3 things:

1. a handmade card
2. a handmade tag
3. just a WEE BIT of orange crafting destash


There will be daily posts filled with lots of great Halloween inspiration. And of course, there will be an ORANGE GIVEAWAY on August 15th. The "mail by" date for this swap is August 1st. Don't miss the fun- sign up now! Here's how:

STEP ONE: See the list of Swap Rules in the right column >>>
STEP TWO: How to sign up for The AUGUST Swap:

Send an email to aswapforallseasons@gmail.com with the following info:
1. your name
2. email address for your partner to contact you
3. link to your blog
4. if you are willing to mail to an international partner THIS month

If you have never swapped with A Swap For All Seasons before, please list any recent swaps you have participated in and how you found A Swap For All Seasons.

I will send out a confirmation email letting you know if you have been added to the swap. When the sign ups are closed, you will get an email with a list of participants and who you will be swapping with.

As long as you are still seeing this post, you can still sign up! I will close the sign ups on the morning of August 4th or if we reach 25 swappers. COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE NOT CONSIDERED A SIGN UP FOR THE SWAP- please send an email!