Happy Groundhog Day!

Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, so I guess we had better burrow in and work on crafting for another 6 weeks! If the idea of 6 more weeks of winter bums you out, how about making these happy little groundhog cupcakes to cheer you up! You can find the recipe and some cute crafties here.

Inspiration

Need some fresh inspiration for your February mini sampler? I think these are lovely. The first one is my favorite. They arePam Garrison's "mini sampler stitched bits".

Looking at these inspiration pieces, I am reminded of something that I want to work on this year with my samplers.
I tend to over-think the placement of elements on a collage- whether it's a card, tag, mini sampler or whatever I might be making. The result is often a "tidy" look, (like a scrapbook layout) which is not the spontaneous look that I would like to achieve. Haphazard placement and irregular bits can add so much interest.

Happy February!

I'm excited to begin another Mini Fabric Sampler! This month I am making mine for Jan, who made that gorgeous one for me last month. I really want it to be special. I went back to my project box and started digging, and this is what I pulled out.

The fabric samplers do NOT have to be seasonal or themed, but it is very like me to do this anyway, without even thinking. Ask my husband about the paper towel thing. For example: Me- "Why would you buy a roll of paper towels with blue flowers for February? Didn't they have any red?" Him- "Paper towels are paper towels".) Au contraire! We've been having this same conversation for 30 years. I will try very hard not to go overboard with the Valentine thing on this fabric sampler. So please, when making yours this month- choose blue if you like!

See you tomorrow!

a lovely bit of Royal Mail- The January Mini Sampler I received from Jan

I received some Royal Mail this week! I received my January Mini Fabric Sampler from Jan in the UK. I was blown away by how beautiful it is. My goodness, she is talented! I love every last detail. The images are beautifully printed on fabric. The Mary Jane shoes (which is my favorite part of all!) were free-handed and stitched by Jan. Every last detail is a delight-(like the bit of lace on the baby's head!) The handmade tag that she sent along was a pleasant surprise and every bit as beautiful. I have posted a couple more pictures on my blog if you would like to check it out. Oh Jan, thank you so much for your beautiful work of art! I am honored to have it!

The January Mini Fabric Sampler I made for Pam

The Valentine Giveaway Winner

The random number generator at psychicscience.com gave me the number 10. The 10th comment is our winner, and that is.... Beth! She is a follower of our blog and you can learn more about her here. Beth, your Valentine goodies will be mailing out ASAP so you have plenty of time to do some creating! Congratulations, and thank you to everyone for playing!

Don't worry, Helen. There will be another giveaway in the Spring!

One week left to enter the Valentine Giveaway

Here is what you'll win. (There are lots of hidden goodies that you can't see in the photo too!) To enter, click on the link in the right column over there >>>>>>>>>. Winner will be chosen on January 30th. Good luck!

Did I say I wasn't going to post anything until next Friday? Don't believe everything you read! I may even have one more between now and then...

Don't let this be you! Click on the link in the right column to enter >>>

This is the last post until the Giveaway winner is announced on January 30th! You can sign up to enter through January 29th. Don't forget to check in to see if you are the lucky winner!

Daily postings will resume on January 30th and the February Mini Sampler Swap will begin on February 1st.

If you would like to see some of the January Samplers that the swappers made and received, there are 3 ways to do this:

1. Visit the blogs of the swap participants. The list of blog links is in the right column >>>>>>>>>

2. Visit the ASFAS Flickr group page.

3. Find pictures on Instagram at #aswapforallseasons. There is a quick link in the right column (look for the camera) >>>>>>>>>>>


See you all again on January 30th!

off to where?

The packaging is simple. I wrapped the sampler in tissue paper, and placed it in a pretty pouch that I found in my wrappings stash. Throughout the year, I pick them up in clearance sales, after holiday sales, etc and save them for just such occasions. I made her a tag in the same colors and general theme as the sampler and added that to the pouch as well. I added a sparkling snowflake to the pouch's zipper for a finishing touch. And it's ready to go.

The irony of it all, is that it wasn't until I was looking up Pam's address that I realized that this wintery sampler and snowflake packaging that just screams of cold weather and white surroundings is all headed to...wait for it...ARIZONA!

A typical Linda snafu! Well, I hope she will like it despite of this oversight on my part! If someone sent me a sampler that reminded me of warm sunshine this month, I would be grateful for the respite from the cold St Louis winter! I will just hope that Pam will feel likewise!

Off it goes!

more wednesday wows

The first sampler is a stitched postcard. It originated on a delightful site called feeling stitchy Such a cute name! I love the colors and the randomness of it. Very fun!

The second one is a fabric sampler brooch. It's so dear! It was made by Marilyn of Interlaced Textile Arts. You can see this as well as several others on the header of her blog (scroll across to see them all). Her blog is no longer active, but there is a link to her facebook page in her farewell post.

technique tuesday

I imagine that most of you (maybe all) may already know how to do the blanket stitch, but in case you do not, here is a link to a nice tutorial. If you already know how, maybe this can a nice reminder that this stitch could come in handy when making your samplers. It's a nice way to finish or just to add a pop of color to the edges of a piece of fabric.
Even though I am familiar with the blanket stitch, I learned something new from the tutorial. She suggests marking the placement of the stitches before beginning. I've never done that, and since I am the Queen of Crooked, that was very helpful to me!

back to the sampler

After I finished the edges and covered up that wonky stitching(!) and rearranged the elements on the background a few times, I settled on my layout.

The tattered fabric flower and feather are from my son's wedding. I used these to make clips for the bridesmaid's hair and had a couple leftover. The lace trim below it is one of my favorites from my stash- pretty roses. I used 3 teeny tiny fabric yo-yos. I had purchased 50 of these in various colors on Etsy several years ago- they make great little embellishments. The beaded snowflake? I can't remember where it came from. Perhaps in a thank you package from one of my swappers? I decided to use just one button on the bottom, and it took me forever to choose one! As you can see, I went through the whole jar! (me and my button fetish!)

I then used simple needle and thread and sewed each item in place. Nothing fancy or professional, just some tacking stitches where they needed to be to hold the element down. With some embroidery floss I back-stitched the words "begin anew". I didn't use a pattern, I just free-handed it, counting the threads in the linen as you would in counted cross stitching.

On the back, I sewed on an old "made by" tag that I've had since I was in my 20's! I ordered them from Lillian Vernon or somewhere like that and they've been living in my sewing box all this time. They need to be set free!

SIDEBAR- The first 2 photos were taken with my phone, the last 2 with a really good Canon camera. I can't get over how much clearer and more true the colors are with my phone camera. Amazing.

Next, on to the packaging and presentation...

another sweet and inspiring fabric gift

Another wonderful birthday gift from heidi! She really has a way with fabric! I thought you'd enjoy seeing this beautiful apron she made from vintage fabrics and embroidered linens. I took a close up of the side so you can see the fab tags and the apron ties (yellow). And yes, the red and white embroidered linen towel is indeed a big pocket! Amazing! So inspiring!

when should I go to the mailbox?

anytime you wish! mail your sampler whenever you would like on or before the last day of january!

friday fun

Happy Birthday to all who were born in January! Let us know who you are by leaving a comment. Here's a list of some famous January birthdays and their ages this month: Cuba Gooding, Jr 46, Mel Gibson 58, Bradley Cooper 39, Katie Couric 57, Kate Middleton 32, Betty White 92, Michelle Obama 50, Dolly Parton 68, Ellen DeGeneres 56, Oprah Winfrey 60, Tom Selleck 69.

tbt

For "Throw Back Thursday", I'm revisiting 2010 and the Mini Fabric Collage Swap here on A Swap For All Seasons. This is one that I made. It's a very simple layout on a piece of an old quilt. I used a vintage original photo, either sewed or glued it onto warm and wonderful batting, adding french knot embroidery around the diameter. The word "forever" was rubber stamped onto the cotton ribbon. My favorite part is that deliciously vintage and worn large pink pom pom trim across the top! I think I still have about a 3 ball length of that left that I know I will never part with! Isn't that silly?

wednesday wows

Credits:
Pink "Dream": The only link to this artist I could find was her facebook page. Lots of inspiration there!

Red and Gold: Yet another Pam Garrison gem! See it and so many other inspiring "stitched bits" here.

technique tuesday

What a wonderful way to sew on a button- I'm going to try this! Here is a very simple explanation of how this is done. The top of the flower can either be a sewn-on bead (as in the instructions in the link) or it can be a french knot (as in this photo).

decisions decisions

We left off where I a had decided upon whites and creams for my sampler. I selected a nice assortment(both large and small) from my project box.

I had to choose a base fabric/fabrics first. I opted to cut a full piece from a vintage linen towel as opposed to piecing together several fabrics to make the sampler. After I cut a 5" x 7" piece from the towel, I ironed the wrinkles and a 1/2" hem on the sides, and 1" at the top so the edges would be finished.

Instead of a straight top stitch, I decided to use a decorative stitch from my machine for the edges. Problem: I've never used a decorative stitch on my machine before! This was a first. I am neither a seamstress nor a quilter. I have done a little of both, but never enough to be proficient. Most of my recent sewing experience has been curtains. I learned from the Mary Ann Moss SEWN class that I took, that it doesn't matter! You just sit down at the sewing machine and start sewing! She calls it kamikaze sewing. I chose my stitched, punched in the number on my machine, and started sewing. I had to learn not to push the fabric through, but to gently hold it and let the machine do it's thing creating the stitch.

When I was finished, I had one side that was embarrassingly wonky. Solution? Sew some trim over it!

Which brings us to the layout. Let's save that for another day...

Tomorrow? technique tuesday!

sleep tight

This gorgeous pillow was a birthday present from a dear friend. I photographed the pillow to put on Instagram. (Which is something I didn't do until today. I've never been very satisfied with the quality of these pic- they don't do the pillow justice!) I realized that this would be a great thing to share with all of you as well, as it really is like a fabric sampler pillow- very much like what we are making. It is a great inspiration piece for this swap.

She pieced together bits of vintage linens, embroidery, fabrics and trims, to which she added what I like to call her "Heidi magic". I took a closeup of one side of the pillow so you can see the brilliant assortment of fabric "tags" she added.

Heidi creates the most beautiful things! Many of you have swapped with her and have experienced her talent firsthand. She no longer actively blogs, but you can find her on Instagram at #heidisuewallace. Talk about inspiring!

Tomorrow- back to my mini sampler in progress.

A Valentine Giveaway! Open to All~ Comment on this Post to Enter

One lucky comment will be selected by random number generator on January 30th and will win a tin filled with Valentine craft supplies and trinkets! I will mail it right away so the winner has time to create some Valentine goodies.

Please leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you (and get your mailing address) if you win!

Feel free to share this picture/badge on your blog (with a link to this post) to help spread the word!

Good Luck!

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!