Inaugural I-Spy Charm Swap

OK, anyone missed out on other closed swaps but want in on the madness? JOIN ME. I have read a TON of posts about I-spy charm swaps, see Obsessively Stitching, Ellison Lane Quilts and FabriKate for instance (Thank you all), and was sad to have missed so many great ones. I also noticed a lot of comments from others in the same sad boat, so I thought, why not host one myself. Hopefully people will give me a chance, even though I am a newish quilter and all. I am a fabulous organizer though (when I want to be) and get things done - usually late at night, hence the blog name. I'd rather be crafting than sleeping most of the time, and since I gotta pay the bills as an attorney, midnight is where it is at! I digress.


I have decided that I like the big size, high quality, and simple rules from Jennifer at Ellison Lane. She graciously said I could copy her swap format. So if you want to join me, here are the rules: 1. We are swapping 5" charm squares. You will purchase 1 yard of fabric and cut it into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms. Keep one charm for yourself and send in 55 charms to me.
(I recommend buying 1.25 yards- never hurts to have a little extra in case you make a cutting mistake.)

2. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an I Spy quilt. Scale of the print is very important as smaller works better in this case. A lot of Japanese fabric has great small prints that shout I Spy to me.

3. Fabric must be designer label, 100% cotton, quilt shop quality fabric. No licensed prints, floral, flannel. No Hancocks, Joanns or Michael's fabrics.

4. Fabric must be new and unwashed and must come from a smoke free environment.

5. Before sending your fabric to me, cut your fabric into 5" x 5" charm squares.

Press your fabric before cutting. You may want to purchase a slight overage in case you make mistakes cutting your charms.
1 yard = 56 charm squares (5" x 5".)

Here's a great tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman.

6. Put your fabric in a ziplock bag and include a 3x5 index card with your name and email address.

7. In your envelope please include:

the charms in ziplock,

the index card

a PREPAID SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE for me to mail your charms back to you! This is very important! To determine how much to put on the envelope, use the amount it cost you to send your fabric in and add an extra stamp (to allow for fabric weight differences)

8. Finally, upload a picture of your chosen fabric ASAP to MM I Spy Swap Flickr Group. This is really important so we don't have any duplicates and will be fun for everyone to know what is coming.
This swap will be open to 55 others (56 including me) and will also have some alternates just in case. The swap is open to US residents only. To join, simply comment and leave your email address or email me at loreleicraig[at]gmail[dot]com. I will then email you confirmation and my mailing address.
Deadlines:
Your charms need to be in my hands by February 15! I will email everyone my mailing address once the spots are all filled.

Bonus: Everyone will receive a bonus charm from me as a thank you for helping me host my first swap!

Button: Grab one and spread the word:

<center><a href="http://midnightmaker.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Midnight Maker" src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k150/loreleicraig/midnight_symphony2.jpg"/></a></center>

Here is what I am choosing from Fabric Shack. I just ordered some for myself and love it, and think it is a cute one to share - and on sale!

And the bonus fabric - so many little animals in bright colors! Also from Fabric Shack.