Last weekend, I finally had a chance to really take time and flip through the print edition of the newest issue of Style Sample magazine–and I have to say, it looks great!

Individual issues are mailed in a sealed poly bag for protection–no scratches or tears here!

Images are clear and bright:

Text is crisp and legible:

As a lifelong magazine fiend, I love coming home to find a pristine new magazine in my mailbox (even though I already know each issue practically by heart!) and it’s just nice to feel the weight of the paper and leisurely flip through each page.

You can order print issues for about $8 here. Enjoy!

~Tamia

Issue #7 cover girl Shini’s brilliant do-it-yourself fashion projects have inspired us to at least think about getting creative with our hands. The jury is still out on whether anything will actually be accomplished, but in the obsessive DIY frenzy, we’ve discovered some really inspiring how-to’s!

Here are some of our favorite fashion DIY bloggers from around the web:

ThreadBanger

ThreadBanger is the big mama of DIY fashion sites, complete with tutorials for fashion, home, and their own Threadbanger YouTube channel.

Oustapop

Brimming with do-it-yourself suggestions and tutorials, including working with leather pailettes and shredded tees, Oustapop also runs the Trashionista Flickr group.

…Love Maegan

Love Maegan features plenty of simple designer-inspired DIY projects, from Gucci-like tops to Prada-ish necklaces.

Style Hurricane

Fun and inspiring craftiness from Style Hurricane’s Anni, including her signature scrolled zipper cuffs.

Out of Order

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, check out some of the projects by Meghan at Out of Order. We’ve been promising ourselves to at least try the full skirt tutorial.

Chic Steals

Chic Steals has plenty of ideas on sewing your own creations from upcycled clothing. Check out the “How to make a ruffled top from a men’s shirt” tutorial. Nothing short of fab!

P.S. I Made This

P.S I Made This is a well known do-it-yourself dream haven of simple projects with maximum impact.

2 Bitchez Deep

If you like it raw with studs and spikes, 2BitchezDeep is the spot for you! You can also buy some of their finished pieces at Patricia Field.com.

Adventures in Dressmaking

Adventures in Dressmaking is a great place to learn the things your mother never taught you, from hem-facings to invisible zippers. You’ll find handy sewing tutorials aplenty, and Suzannah makes it look easy.

New York Design Shop

If you need inspiration and materials, check out New York Design Shop, home to how-tos and all of the studs, sequins, and extra bits and bobbles needed to complete them.

Do you have any favorite resources for DIY inspiration? Share ‘em in the comments!

Issue #7 of Style Sample magazine is filled with interesting articles: a midnight romp with a Topshop visual merchandiser, surf-inspired shopping, instructions on how to create a video blog and set up your own YouTube channel, advice for writing professional reviews, independent designers, fashion illustration and photography, and much more!

Thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue:

MyFashDiary
Fashion Hippie
Queen of Hearts
Unconventional Morning
Dirty Hair Halo
Walk the Sand
Closet Full of Nothing
PYT in PTY
ChiChi Says Robyn
EmmaEmme
Ou Est la Mode
Red Sole Diary
Lala NYC
Obsessionista
Saucy Glossie
Style Eyes
Haute in the Heartland
Mary Catherine Moody
Park & Cube
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fashion Trend Guide
PrettyShinySparkly
Tuolomee
FashionArtExpression
Polkadot Stripes
Student Flair
Fabulous Doodles
Marvelous Things
Everything Style
Fashion Intel

Be sure to stop by and say hello to everyone, then settle in with your computer (or the print edition, available at MagCloud on May 11th) and enjoy the issue!

If you’re a fashion or style blogger and would like to be a part of  Style Sample, complete the submission form.

Here’s how to enter:

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post between 8:00am ET on May 4, 2010 and 11:59pm ET on May 16, 2010. Don’t be afraid to tell us what you would buy if you won (yes, you’ll have to do a little online fantasy shopping—it will be difficult, we know). We’ll randomly pick a winner on May 18, 2010 and announce it here on StyleSampleMag.com!

Don’t forget to check out the latest issue of Style Sample for the best of independent style, photography, illustration, and tips and advice from your favorite fashion bloggers!

By entering this contest, you agree to the Rules. Please review for details.

The next issue of Style Sample magazine comes out on Tuesday, May 4th! Expect more fashion, shopping, photography, illustration, and tips and advice from your favorite established and up-and-coming bloggers!

Features in the upcoming issue include:

• A day (actually, a night!) with Topshop Visual Merchandiser Steph of Walk the Sand, complete with creating color stories, building outfits, and previewing the new makeup line.

• Fashion illustrator Brooke of Fabulous Doodles talks about the “Project Runway” nature of design school and what she’d do for Rachel Zoe.

• Shae of Everything Style talks about her transition from selling vintage wares to chronicling her adventures in the world of photography, and the “exercise” she does to improve her skills.

• Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly provides an extremely thorough instruction guide for creating a vlog (that’s a video blog for the uninitiated) and setting up your own YouTube channel, and recommends some of her favorite tools for getting the job done.

• Looking for a great place to travel? Carolina of Closet Full of Nothing and Maristella of PYT in PTY provide an insider’s introduction to the best style, shopping, and nightlife in Vancouver and Panama City, respectively. You’ll definitely want to allot some of your frequent flier miles to visiting these amazing destinations!

• Ceri of Style Eyes talks about she used her blogging and online marketing skills to start her own fashion marketing business, and offers tips on finding your own way.

Also, look for the best styles for summer sun, tips on writing professional reviews, how cover girl Shini came up with the name Park & Cube, and more!

Be sure to follow the Twitter list of contributors to keep up with everyone, and stay tuned for a chance to win a gift card to one of our favorite stores!