Challenge for the New Year

A week or so ago, one of our town's oldest 

family-owned high-end furniture stores completed their downsizing.

They moved many (!) of their sample books to the new location,

but there was a HUGE pile of trim and fabric sample books destined for the dumpster.

I rescued a car-load and brought them home.

(DH has been such a good sport about all this . . . )

As you can see, DH and I have removed the pieces from their books.

(great project while watching television)

Now ~ for the challenge part.

There are a LOT of inventive, artistic, creative people out there in blogland,

and I would be delighted to share some of this bounty with you.

(feel free to share with your altered-arty and scrap booking friends)

Most of these trims were priced at $15/yard up to $300/yard ~

the threads are silky and lustrous.

(perhaps taken apart and mixed with Angelina fibers?)

And turning this into a swap sounds like fun  ~

I'll mail you a squishie full of trims

 (and fabric - see below)

and you mail me a squishie of batik, Kaffe and/or blender fabrics ~

strings, squares over 2.5", etc.

(no selvages, solids or novelty fabrics, please)

This photo shows the back side of several pieces.

All of the trims had been glued into their books ~ most pulled free with no paper.

(although there are a few like the ones above)

Most of the trims do have some glue residue on the back side ~

but, depending on how you use them, this should not be a problem.

There is also this large batch (maybe 20 or so pages like the ones shown above).

We removed the plastic coverings, but left these trims on their paper backing.

* * * 

Along with the trim sample books,

I rescued 15 or so fabric sample books.

(cottons and silks along with some gorgeous linen/wool/rayon blend pieces)

DH used his band saw and cut the headers/covers off the books,

so the fabrics are now loose and easily accessible.

taken before laundering

I trimmed and stitched this group of Laura Ashley cottons

so I could toss it in the washer/dryer to see how the fabric behaves.

(it did fine, a bit wrinkled but then the quilting is pretty far apart)

* * *

So, if you would like to play along,

please leave me a comment that includes your e-mail address.

Once I see how many are interested, 

I'll figure out how many ways the bounty can be divided 

and still have enough variety to be useful.

* * *

I've made several gift tags already.

I also have some greeting card ideas.

(birthday or anniversary or just because)

For you postcard makers, there are lots of interesting textures . . .

There are also a few Priority Quilt ideas forming.

* * *

What ideas do you see?

Table runners?  Pillows? 

Table toppers?  Mug rugs?

Tote bags?  Purses?  Patchwork vests?

C'mon ~ let's see what we can create!

Note added 12/31/11:

The fabrics and trims have now gone to 

Pennsylvania, Washington (state), Alabama,

California and New Mexico.

THIS CHALLENGE IS NOW CLOSED.

Quiltdivajulie