Postage Stamp Charm Swap

It's hot here in NH today! According to the Weather channel, it's a roastin', toastin' 93 degrees and it feels like it! The heat reminds of the one item I miss the most in our new home: central air conditioning! We bought an AC for our bedroom which is nice for sleeping. We bought a stand up fan for the living room and that helps. If we get desperate all we have to do is go downstairs. It's very cool down there. I don't know how much that will change once we refinish it.

My studio is on the top floor and today it was too hot to work in there without the fan. DH came home from his guys night so I had to give up the fan for now. I do have some handwork to do while watching the Red Sox game with him if my cold doesn't put me to sleep first. I did see an AC on sale at Target for $79. It looks like it would work well in the studio and I may go get it this week.

Have you ever thought about making a postage stamp quilt? Are you collecting 1.5 inch squares? If so, you can sign up for a postage stamp swap. We are swapping 1.5 inch squares. If you'd like to sign up, please let me know and I will send you the email for the hostess: Jo in Scotland. Here are the guidelines:
1. Please select 50 different fabrics from your stash of yardage. It would be best if the fabric is washed and ironed, but at this size, shrinkage probably won’t be an issue.
2. After evening up the edges, cut a 1 1/2 inch strip from each fabric.
3. After you have 50 of these strips, cut the strips into 1 1/2 inch squares. It is fairly easy to get at least 25 1 1/2 squares from each 1 1/2 width-of-fabric strip.
4. Stack the squares into piles of 50 different fabrics. You should have 25 piles.
5. Thread a needle with a contrasting thread such as red or black. “Sew” down through the pile so the thread goes through each fabric. Either tie a knot on each end of the pile of charms, or tie it together so it forms a loop through the fabric.
6. Place all 25 piles into a plastic Ziploc bag or similar.
7. Place bag inside an envelope addressed to Jo, and post.
8. Please aim to have your envelope in the post to Jo July 1st, 2008.
9. She will have the charms in the post back to you by July 15th, unless we are waiting on some late swapper who has contacted her and made arrangements with the group.
10. In order to help with postage costs, please place either 3 American dollars in with your package, or put in 10 extra 1 1/2 strips of fabric. She can use either! If you live in Europe, please include 2 Euros with your package, or put 7 extra 1 1/2 strips of fabric in the parcel.