Who won the Spring Giveaway?

Congratulations to the author of comment #11, chosen by the random number generator at mathgoodies.com.....Deb, the Garage Sale Gal! Yay! Deb, if you'll email your mailing address to aswapforallseasons@gmail.com (even if you suspect I already have it!) and I will get your treasure egg in the mail this morning! Thanks for playing and happy hoppy creating!

I'm going to end the Spring Giveaway Early! Last Day to Sign Up is Friday, March 27th

I've decided to end the Giveaway early to give the winner more time to use the Treasure Egg contents before Easter! There have been few new sign ups recently, so I didn't think it would matter.

SIGN UP by clicking on the giveaway picture at the top of the right column >>>>> right over there>>>>>
Then leave a comment on the giveaway post, including your email address if I don't have it.
You have THROUGH FRIDAY, March 27th. I will draw one lucky winner on Saturday morning, March 28th by random number generator.

Don't forget to sign up for the SPRING GIVEAWAY! Open to All!

You have until March 31st FRIDAY, MARCH 27th to sign up. Click on the picture link at the top of the RIGHT COLUMN >>>>>
It will take you to the original Giveaway post where you can leave a comment to enter. The winner will be chosen on April 1st and this Spring treasure egg will be mailed to you on April 1st MARCH 28th so you have it in time for some last minute decorating and crafting. PLEASE leave your email address so I can contact you for your mailing address! Good Luck!

For those following the March swap, this is the last post for the month. The next post will be the Giveaway announcement. The list of the swap participants' blogs is in the right column>>>>> Visit to see the wonderful Mini Fabric Samplers that have been created and swapped this month. You can also follow us on Instagram at #aswapforallseasons

vintage image saturday

Have fun with these cute chicks!

I forgot to tell you the weird thing I did...

On my post about printing on fabric, I mentioned doing something unusual on my sampler. I wanted to print the "little pink houses" phrase on pink fabric, and I was in a bit of a hurry. (I'm not always a patient crafter.) So I printed it on paper in the font that I wanted, spaced the way I wanted. I used a little glue stick on the back of a pink fabric square and glued it on right on top of the printed words. Then I ran the paper through my printer again, and it printed the phrase right on the fabric square. I crossed my fingers that the paper didn't jam, and it didn't. It ran though smoothly and the words printed clearly. Perhaps it worked because the fabric was thin and I only printed a short phrase (as opposed to a detailed image. It worked well enough that I would recommend it as an option. So anyway, that's that.

to heidi with love

Before I knew Heidi very well, I received one of her atc's in a "favorite song" atc swap with Red Lead in about 2005 or so. She did a great atc based on the "Pink Houses" song by John Mellencamp. I loved her atc and I still have it. As we became friends, I began to realize how much we both love, remember, appreciate and laugh at so many of the same things about growing up in the 60's and 70's.
We both love going to estate sales with our husbands. We both know to run, not walk to the ones that advertise those magical words, "mid century modern". How much fun it would be to be neighbors in those little pink houses. I added the third house for our friend Becky. The block wouldn't be complete without her. If any of you would like to join us, we could create a whole wonderful neighborhood! Wouldn't it be fun?

"Oh, but ain't that America for you and me
Ain't that America somethin' to see, baby
Ain't that America home of the free...
Little pink houses for you and me"
~John Mellencamp~

wednesday wow...from Elizabeth

My fabric sampler arrived in the mail this week! It feels like Christmas morning or my birthday when I see an envelope in the mail, and I realize that there is a fabric sampler inside!

Elizabeth always packages things so beautifully that they are like opening presents. She made a beautiful tag for me, sent along a sweet little package of goodies (the little polka dot bag is a treat in itself!), and just look at the beautiful sampler she made! The fabric is just lovely. Such soft, beautiful colors. I love the quote and every pretty little touch. The lace trim is exquisite! She actually sent me a little bag of trims awhile back that includes a bit of this. I believe I shall just hoard own it. I'm not sure I could bring myself to part with it! Thank you, Elizabeth for this beautiful sampler. I can tell it was made with love- I can feel it! I will treasure it and think of you when I see it on my garland!

P.S. If any inquiring minds want to know the contents of the little packet of goodies...visit my humble blog. (Just don't expect too much- it gets neglected for long periods of time!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

winging it

I finally had some studio time this weekend! The first order of business... Heidi's sampler for March. Using one of the decorative stitches on my machine, I did a very casual green wavy border around the quilted fabric base. Then I put the tiniest dab of glue stick in the center of each little fabric piece to hold it in place and I sewed around it. No tutorial or previous experience under my belt, I was just winging it and hoping for the best! This is how the sewing turned out. On Thursday I'll show you the finishing touches and the completed sampler.

vintage image saturday

sweet bluebirds of spring ~ these make me smile!

a fun st patty's day treat

Make these cute cupcakes topped with "lucky charms" for St. Patrick's Day. Make any cupcake you wish, topped with white frosting. Sprinkle with green sugar and add some "Lucky Charms" cereal pieces. Fun and easy. You can even make a healthy version for yourself with a breakfast muffin and just a dusting of powdered sugar or a bit of light whipped cream. If you only want to make a few, buy the cereal in one of those little sizes.

wednesday wows

I heart them all! They originated here. The artist has many more wonderful fabric samplers to see on Flickr as well. Check out the grouping that features leaves Wonderful!

I've been busy

No update on my fabric sampler to share yet. I've been too busy working on my Easter bonnet.

Is it Monday already?

Happy Monday! To start our week, here is a wonderful sampler from Colette Copeland, one of my favorite artists. I found this on Pinterest and I just love it. I've always been drawn to interesting fabric tabs on clothing and that is what this reminds me of. And as always, I love the simplicity of this sampler. So inspiring to me.

vintage image saturday

St. Patrick's Day images, just in time for a little creating...

taking form...

Heidi's sampler is still a work in progress. The ivory base is the flip side of the worn colorful quilt that I use in so many of my projects. I've decided to try my hand at a bit of applique. I haven't decided if I'm going to do this by hand or machine. There are still plenty of unsettled elements that I need to work on, but it's coming along. The pink piece across the top will have words on it that will pull the piece together. Hopefully I will get some time to work on it/finish it this weekend. I'll keep you posted... By the way, if you would like to see some of Heidi's creations (trust me, you do!), you can visit her on Instagram at #heidisuewallace

great garlands

Some great garlands from a great blog! You've got to spend some time visiting The Linen Garden - You're in for a treat!

a Wednesday wow

Isn't this a great sampler? I love everything about it. It came from this Etsy shoppe. There are some other great ones there too- take a visit.

Open to All! It's a Spring Giveaway! Sign Up by Commenting on THIS POST by March 31st!

This giveaway is open to ALL swappers, friends and visitors of A Swap For All Seasons! Sign up NOW through March 31st by leaving a comment on THIS POST. One lucky comment will be chosen by random number generator on April 1st and will win a package filled with Spring sweetness! Please add your email address to your comment so I can contact you if you win! Good Luck!

Who was born in March?

One of my favorite people was born in March- in fact his birthday is today. That would be my sweet brother-in-law Phil, my sister Susie's husband. Other famous March birthdays include Fred Rogers, Albert Einstein, Rob Lowe 50, James Taylor 66, Jon Bon Jovi 52, Carrie Underwood 31, Jon Hamm 43, and Prince Edward 50. Do we have any March birthdays in our group?

Happy March! In like a lamb they say??

Not in St Louis! It came in like a lion with 4 inches of fresh snow overnight and continued frigid temperatures! I'm assuming that means it will go out like a lamb...

Anyway, at least when I'm in my happy little crafting world, the weather is always sunny. I am already on my way to creating my March sampler for...drum roll please... Heidi! As most of you know, Heidi is one of my dearest friends and one of my knitting buddies. Not to mention one of the most talented people I know. I want to make her something she will love.

Once again, I started where I have started each of my samplers so far...in my project box. And this is what I pulled out. As I saw the pink, an idea took hold...

A bit of February warmth from Arizona

This is the lovely sampler that arrived today from Pam in Arizona. She said she thought I could use a bit of Spring. It has just begun to snow again, and it is so very cold here is St. Louis. She is absolutely right!

I love the textured fabric. I'm not positive, but it looks like a piece of vintage duck cloth to me, which is something I dearly love. Such beautiful detailing, from her expert machine stitching to the sparkling sequins to the hand-stitched message "SPRING". I especially love the touch of butterscotch(one of my favorite colors!)in the lace accent. Even the back is a lovely bit of patchwork. Perfect.

Thank you so much, Pam. It is a cherished addition to my growing garland!

It's a wrap

This is the last post for February. The next post will be March 1st, with the beginning of the March Swap and the announcement of the next free giveaway! Thanks for following along this month.

The links to the swap participants' blogs is in the right column over there>>>>>> if you would like to take a hop around to see some of the February samplers as they are posted. You can also visit our Flickr group page or find us on Instagram at #aswapforallseasons.

See you soon!

a "twofer"

I got a little behind this week, so today you will get a "twofer" (as in "two fer one"!). I have 2 special samplers to show you today, from 2 of our own swappers!

The first is a lovely sampler that was made by Elizabeth. She likes to find fabric panels with special little squares to use in her mini quilts. She found a bit of fabric with this little star fish and also some seashells that she is using to make a garland. She lives close to the see and loves all things beachy! I love the simplicity of it, and I'm sure it will look fantastic in her garland- do send me a picture of it when it's finished, Elizabeth!

The second sampler was made and sent to me by Sherry for Valentines Day. What a wonderful surprise! I will certainly be adding it to my garland. I love everything about it, especially all of the wonderful sewing and the vibrant color. Even the back is gorgeous! Thank you so very much!

what's in the pocket?

Since it is February, and since the colors of my sampler are red and pink, I thought a few little valentines would look cute in the pocket. I chose an adorable vintage valentine, a little heart embellishment, an image, and a valentine atc that I made. I wrapped it up in some sweet cherry printed tissue paper, tied it with baker's twine, and it's ready to go. I am sending it off to Jan today. I hope she likes it, and doesn't mind not being surprised! It's almost time to reveal who won't be surprised next month! March is right around the corner!

finishing it up

I hope you are all staying warm on this cold Monday morning! It is 15 degress and snowing here in St. Louis.

Back to the sampler...I decided to create a pocket on the front of the sampler with the eyelet trim and the quilt piece. After sewing the sides, I sewed a short line above the pink trim of the eyelet to form the bottom of the pocket. I sewed a cute little flower applique onto the center of the quilt piece, and then I secured the triangular quilt piece in place by sewing a button on the top 2 corners. I added another decorative button to the center of the rick rack and it is finished! I like the cherries so much that I didn't want to cover it all up! And by creating a pocket, I have a place to tuck in a card or tag... tune in tomorrow to see what I tucked in there and how I wrapped it all up.

back to my sampler... kind of

Yesterday, I sat down to work on my sampler. I decided upon the layout of my fabric pieces, and ironed them. I cut a piece of warm and wonderful batting for backing to make the sampler nice and stable. (I'll explain why tomorrow.)

At this point I must digress... Can we talk about needle threaders for a moment? I have a devil of a time threading needles, even with my readers on. I use needle threaders, which I have in abundance, until of course, I need to use one. At that moment, the only one I can find is the broken one that I won't throw away because it has the pretty vintage lady on the top and I might want to use it in a craft project. (I have never actually used one in a craft project.) I also keep handy a package of the handy dandy floss threaders. (You can find them in the toothpaste aisle.) They are perfect for threading ribbon through buttons, small holes, etc. They also work for threading needles when all I can find is one broken vintage lady needle threader. So I get one of the floss threaders out to use, and before I can thread my needle with it, I accidently knock it off onto the floor. I proceed to crawl around looking for it, only to discover that it is stuck to my arm.

Does any one else craft like this?? Lord, help me! And thank you for listening.

In tomorrow's post, I will actually finish the sampler. On Tuesday, I will show the presentation & packaging and send it on its way to Jan in England.

Happy Valentines Day!

To all of my swapping sweethearts...one of my favorite vintage Valentine images! Have a love-ly day!

think lucky thoughts!

Great Idea

Debbie shared this fantastic idea (and also this great blog) with me and I couldn't wait to pass it on! It is a perfect (and easy!) way to create a hand made card that coordinates with your sampler. I know that this swap is not about sending a lot of extras, but most of us like to send a personal card or tag along with our gift. I also enjoyed reading the blog. And you could seriously get lost in the blog links at the bottom! If anyone participating or following along has an idea for a post, a photo of a fabric sampler you've made or received, or just anything you'd like for me to share on the blog, PLEASE drop me an email at aswapforallseasons@gmail.com. I love getting ideas from you!


Adding this on at 6pm: I actually forgot to share the link that the scrap cards originated from. This is the blog that has all of the blog links at the bottom that I mentioned above. Sorry! crazymomquilts

wednesday wow

Today, a lovely ivory and white sampler featuring a heart. Such a pretty mix of vintage fabrics and trims. It is another from the HappyArtHappyScience Etsy Shoppe.

Five Most Common Embroidery Stitches || KIN DIY

Technique Tuesday. This is a delightful (and short!) video on how to do a few basic stitches that might come in handy as you make your samplers. Even if you already know the stitches, it's an enjoyable refresher. I hope you find it helpful.

Happy Monday!

This beautiful fabric sampler banner/garland was made by Constanza of peregrine blue. She is a lovely woman and artist whom I've been following on flickr for many years. Her garland is a lovely example of what we will have at year's end. Depending on how many months you choose to participate, yours could be twice as long. And no two garlands will be exactly the same. I find that very inspiring!

vintage valentine saturday...these are sew cute!