We Pin You a Merry Christmas

We're more than halfway there for the Christmas in July Charm swap.  I still have 24 spots open.  I know it's hard to get in the mindset of Christmas in July, but, really, now is the time to start planning your Christmas projects.  I have a lot of ideas for my charms.  I want to make another Cherry Quilt, like the I-Spy I did for Willa,  but this time, with all Christmas prints.  It takes 228 prints to do it.  I did a charm swap last year and another a 10" swap with Angela this year, so with this filled swap, I should have enough prints to get it done.  I'm not above begging, so Puuhhhleeeeze, won't you take a spot- or two ?

I've started an  Pinterest Board board to get you and others tempted to join the swap. I'd love for you to pin to it also. Contact me and I'll add you as a pinner to the board.  


Here are some other ideas that are on top of my "to do" Christmas craft list:

Lee made this tree skirt from the charm swap last year.  She is a no-share flickr member, so you'll have to click on the link to see it.  I promise, it is awesome.

Of course, once you have a tree skirt, you need to make stockings to match.

Source: theredpistachio.blogspot.com via Manda on Pinterest

But, I have to say, that the cutest thing I've seen today in looking for projects, is this Santa Mug Rug.

Source: pleasant-home.com via Manda on Pinterest

So, what's stopping you?  If you'd like to join, but there is some little thing stopping you, contact me and maybe we can work something out.  Come join us and make your own crafty Christmas goodness.

Christmas in July 5" Charm Swap

The swap is now closed.  (Thanks Susan, Lee, and Jennifer.) 

Hello quilty world!  I have been more than a little absent from my blog, and from FLICKR.  With good reason- I had to pack up my house and move a total of 3 miles.  It was a lot of work, and I'm still working on unpacking, but I am getting there.


I have toyed with the idea of hosting a charm swap for about a year, and have finally decided to take the plunge!  I'm doing a Christmas in July swap.  This will be a 5" charm swap, and I'd like to give props to Ellison Lane for her "How to Host" a charm swap, and of course Care- who got me started on my charm swapping addiction.


{Since posting the swap, in a bit of irony, several on-line swaps have issued discount codes.  I have no connection to these shops. The discount codes may expire before the mailby date of the swap. Those codes are being shared by group members in the flickr group.}

1. For swapping charm squares, each of the 56 participants (1 being me) will purchase 2 yards of holiday themed fabric to be cut each into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms. 2 yards= 112 charms

2. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an 5" charms. Scale of the print is very important. If you are buying online, look for retailers that have the grid included in the photo of the fabric in order to give you an idea of scale. If your scale is close, you may need to purchase additional fabric in order to fussy cut the fabric. ( I've done this in the past, I do not recommend it.) Go with the smaller scale fabrics. Buy extra fabric if you are worried that you could make a cutting mistake.

3. Fabric must be designer label, 100% cotton, quilt shop quality, holiday themed, fabric. No Hancocks, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, or anyone else who might have a flyer in your Sunday newspaper. 

4. Fabric must be from a smoke free home. Do not pre-wash your fabric. While this swap is not limited to modern fabric, please do not send the fabric that has been sitting unused in the corner of your fabric closet since 1990.   The Golden Rule applies to this swap: Send to others what you'd want to be sent to you. 

5. Cut your fabric into 5" squares (tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman). In order to move things along on my end,  pair your charms (alternate fabric A, Fabric B, Fabric A, Fabric B.... 56 times), in a stack and put them in a ziploc bag. Here is an example of how I received Becky's fabric. 

6. Include your name and address on an index card and mail the fabric to me. (address to be sent via email once we have our 56 participants) 

7. Upload pictures of your fabric to this Flickr group and be sure to include the name and designer of the fabric. Before you buy your fabric, check the pool to make sure no one has beat you to the punch. 

Shipping

Participants must include a prepaid self-addressed, stamped envelope along with their charms. Don't include postage you've printed from your computer.  A SASE flat rate priority mail envelope is the best way to handle postage.   I'm going for a quick turn around, so mail your package by  August 11.  (We still have some spots open, so I changed the mailby date a little. We're getting so close to filling the swap, and I want everyone who wants to participate feel like they can. If you're thinking of joining, just plan on being timely with sending your charms.)

Since this is my first swap, I have decided not to accept international swappers at this go around. International friends, please accept my sincere apology for excluding you.  In the interest of drumming up more swappers, I am opening the swap to international swappers.  I will invoice you for shipping through paypal.  In order to complete the swap expeditiously,  international swappers may have their fabric sent to me.  I will cut it for you free of charge, but if you want to add a FQ of any fabric in your fabric order - I wouldn't stop you ;)


Sign up by filling out  this form.  The swap will be run from Flickr, so you will need to join the group. 


7.19.2012- We are full,   If you'd like to be put on the list as an alternate, please let me know. 


7.19.2012- 1 hour later.  A double swapper dropped out opening a spot for Jeanne- and maybe you?  

7.20.2012- We are full again.  Thanks so much to everyone for your participation and for the quilty world in helping to get the call out.