Friday, May 30, 2014

For the love of Architextures and Botanics - And a giveaway!

I know everyone has a design crush. And I have one on Carolyn Friedlander. I've been hoarding my stash of Architextures and Botanics, as well as a healthy bunch of Robert Kaufman's Yard Dyed Essex Linen and waiting for the perfect quilt design to come to me. And it finally did.


Made this lovely a few weeks ago for a special someone and am absolutely delighted with how it turned out. And the stripey bottom of the quilt just seemed like the perfect finish.


Pre-quilting


The lovely ladies at Over the Top Quilting quilted it for me with big loops and I have to say I am simply in love with the way it turned out.


I love Carolyn's color choices and her designs are simply just so delicious, aren't they? And to top it off, she's simply a genuinely really nice lady that I really admire. It's been such a treat to get to work with her designs. And she has a new book coming in a few short weeks, Savor Each Stitch, that I can't wait to get my hands on!

I can hardly believe that its been so many months since I've posted here!! Been busy with other projects, but have been working to make more time to design new fabric patterns of my own and to find time to enjoy some sewing. There just never seem to be enough hours in the day and I'm finding that the creative side of my brain has been slow to turn on these days. That means it can be hard to design some days, so am finding that for me, its just better to wait until inspiration strikes. Lately my mind has just been on other wonderful things!! But I have been able to sit down and design a few new fabric designs lately that I'm pretty excited about. And that feels really great! Hopefully I'll have some new collections soon. Cross your fingers for me? :)

Back to my design crush!! My fabulous family at Robert Kaufman provided me with a 10 square of Botanics to share with you! Just leave me a comment here before EOD next Wednesday 6/4. Would love to hear what's inspiring you these days or what your summer sewing plans are!

Oh, and a little birdie at Robert Kaufman let me in on the news that they are reprinting a few of the prints from Architextures, so get ready to stock up on ledger (AFR13501-2 and (AFR13501-184) and the text (AFR-13502-15  and AFR-13502-12). They start shipping next month!! Make some room in your stash :)




Fiona admiring the quilting and perfecting her photo bomb techniques






123 comments:

  1. Love this quilt! Your design works so well with these yummy fabrics. The loopy quilting is a playful juxtaposition to the linear design... love it.

    Squeal! So glad to hear that reprints will be made - I didn't get in on those Architextures prints quick enough (will have to make some room in the stash for some hoarding... ;o).

    Thanks for the sweet giveaway and congrats on a great finish.

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  2. I plan to make a lot of my Christmas gifts this summer. Lately I'm inspired by all the new beautiful fabrics coming out. Carolyn's fabrics are always on my wish list!

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  3. That's exciting news about the reprints, I really like the ledger ones!

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  4. i have a little of that fabric and love it thanks

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  5. Right now I'm working on a baptism suit for my grandson and next up is a quilt challenge for our guild!

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  6. I also have a design crush on Carolyn!! I've already pre-ordered some of ledger. I'm getting ready to work on some selfish sewing and I'd love to use this Ten Square! Thanks for the opportunity!!

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  7. Two of my favorites!! You + Carolyn!

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  8. What a beauty you made!! I too have a fabric crush on Carolyn's prints and appreciate the chance!

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  9. I'm a big CF fan too!
    I've got two baby quilts to make this summer!!

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  10. I love your quilt! Carolyn Friedlander is one of my favorite designers! I love everything she creates! If I won, I'd be tempted to hoard, but I have a quilt idea I've been wanting to try out, so I'd take the plunge! After I got some more of the Architextures for this special project. :) You've inspired me! Thanks!

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  11. Love Botanics! Wonderful quilt. I will be moving in August so I am piecing the quilts I will be giving this year. I tore my rotater cuff last month so I'm praying I will be able to FMQ them after I move. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. What a gorgeous quilt, I love the stripey bottom! I am still plodding away on my very first quilt. It's slow going but I will get there :) Thanks so much for the lovely giveaway!

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  13. Your quilt is lovely - I love the contrast of the brights with the grey. I have lots of plans for sewing this summer but all are being thwarted at the moment with a sewing machine being repaired and no backup :-( I am making lots of piles of fabrics with patterns or instructions so that I can zoom into action when it finally returns.

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  14. That quilt is just beautiful, I too have been hoarding my Carolyn Friedlander fabrics just waiting for inspiration to strike! Not sure it'll happen this summer though as I have 6 baby quilts to get done, must be something in the water around here! Thanks for the chance!

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  15. I love your quilt! I am about to use a Botanics jelly roll and charm pack on a quilt. It will be hard to cut because I love it so much!

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  16. So cool! I love this fabric line. I'm working on a Anna Maria Horner voile quilt for my bed.

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  17. I am absolutely in love with the quilt you made! I'm a little late to the Carolyn fan club but I have fallen hard for her designs.

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  18. That is just such a beautiful quilt! And I love the quilting on it also. The loops are great.

    My inspiration right now is all the beautiful colors and textures that i'm seeing in photos from Market!

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  19. I love the Essex yard dyed linen and how you used it here!

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  20. That birdie has such exciting news. I was so bummed to cut into the last of mine and couldn't find any online so I'm super excited about the reprint. Love your quilt and I am also a big fan of CF (obviously). I'm finding inspiration from blogs, nature, architecture, and science (I'm a microbiologist).

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  21. Very nice quilt...love the grays and the quilting

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  22. I love Botanics and Carolyn's designs! For summer I am concentrating on finishing all those WIP's and on some great pouches for gifts

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  23. The quilt is gorgeous, can't get enough of those colors, I have just finished a triangle quilt in Botanics.

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  24. Great news! For some reason I always miss the first run.

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  25. Your quilt is beautiful (I love the use of that ledger fabric) and the quilting totally enhances the whole thing! Summer sewing plans - finishing some WIPs and hopefully making a voile quilt. :)

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  26. I like the stripes at the bottom too. This summer I have 2 wedding quilts to work on. Also hoping to finish some smaller projects like zip bags.

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  27. I'm getting ready to make a sew together bag with Carolyn's fabrics! :)

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  28. Botanics is one of my all-time favorites! Would be fun to use it for a summer quilt.

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  29. I'm in a buying freeze at the moment...😫 but will desperately try to make an exception for ledger!!! Summer is around the corner and there are lots of kiddie shorts and skirts being sewn around here right now.

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  30. I really love both of these lines too.

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  31. i have a Liberty of London quilt pin basted and ready to hand quilt this summer...i forsee park visits, soccer field visits and camping trips all filled with hand quilting! your quilt turned out really lovely, carolyn sure has cranked out two very lovely fabric lines.

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  32. I too have a fabric crush on this line. At the moment I'm trying to finish everything I have started so I can make more quilts

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  33. My summer sewing plans include an EPP quilt for myself, and sewing a JetBag for my mom!

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  34. I'm inspired by my kids right now. They're funny and the come up with such interesting things that seem to spur my creativity in ways I never would imagine without them.

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  35. My summer goal is to finish my king size scrappy trip around the world quilt for my bed!
    missysaprons@gmail.com

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  36. I'm working on some bags for a wedding...and several charity quilts. I have yet to decide what the "for me" sewing project will be.

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  37. Your quilt design is stunning!! Love it!!

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  38. I have so many things I need to be doing- a challenge, a mini swap, a donation quilt and I have zero mojo right now. Not a good place to be. I love Carolyn Friedlanders lines. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  39. Oh good...I thought you'd gone a bit quiet on the fabric design front . Am waiting patiently to be wowed again. No pressure then ;-)

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  40. Wow that is stunning! I've just found the courage to cut in to my architextures stash, love it. Summer sewing plans include a Super Tote for me and planning teaching workshops!

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  41. Your quilt design is a great match for these understated fabrics. It will be easy to love this quilt for a very long time.

    My summer quilting plans--on which I am behind already--include making two quilts for two of my dearest friends who are celebrating milestones: one is having a 50th birthday party and another is celebrating her 45th wedding anniversary.

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  42. I love these lines too. Prints are simple, but so intriguing! And these colors!

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  43. Gorgeous :) And yay for reprints - I adore her texty low volume fabrics for paper piecing!! Woohoo!

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  44. Ooooh, sweet! My summer plans are to try to get Christmas gifts sorted. I want to have quilts for each family member under the tree this year. I've never done anything like that before, so I'm hoping I'll manage it!

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  45. Wouldn't mind having more of her fabrics. I am working on a quilt using some of her fabrics now. Thanks for the chance of winning.

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  46. It's winter over here now, so I'm working on making some hot water bottle covers for kids who are cold here in NZ

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  47. I'm working on a blue and black optical illusion quilt. I need to start another scrap quilt as the scrap basket overfloweth. Love your designs. Hope you get the design spark! Love what you do.

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  48. Great news about the reprints! I found a great skirt pattern and I am using up some stash for my summer wardrobe.

    lenelson(at)mail(dot)com

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  49. Beautiful quilt. I am currently sewing baby things for a craft fair in July.

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  50. I am re-entering the quilting world this summer after a 30 year hiatus....great fun!

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  51. I have a crush on Botanics too! Lovely design and great quilt. This summer I am making quilts for my nephews! thanks!

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  52. Love your quilt! The colours are really fresh. My plans involve a bit of back to work sewing (tote, laptop sleeve etc) if I can find the time

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  53. I want to work on quilts for a big girl quilt for my oldest granddaughter and a matching one for her baby sister who is due in September. This is a great collection, thanks for the chance to win.

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  54. How creative you are, love the color choices on your quilt.
    Would love to be the winner of your giveaway. Can't wait to see what you will do next. Sincerely, Paula K.

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  55. I'm feeling inspired to sew clothing this summer. Haven't done that in a while.

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  56. I heart Botanics, too! Mostly I am in finish mode, pin basting, etc. I like to take my machine out to the patio to sew! I am inspired by the birds, especially the quail.

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  57. Laurie, Your quilt is beyond delicious! I always thought I'd like to make a postage stamp quilt, but this pattern would allow me to make some postage stamps for fun, but to balance them with larger pieces of fabric. It's brilliant! Any chance of a pattern?

    Right now I am working on a quilt as you go piece, but would love to play with some Botanics. Thanks so much for the opportunity and for sharing this amazing quilt!

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  58. Beautiful quilt and I love the photo bomb shot of it. Can't wait to get my hands on the new book and crossing my fingers about a new line too. I'm making my granddaughter a small stroller quilt out of voile in fresh summer colors.

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  59. This summer, I plan to quilt 3 tops, make 2 more quilts, finish up 4 table topper/runners, and make another 9 toppers/runners, and 6 zippered bags...I have a lot of time on my hands (:

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  60. Beautiful quilt!1

    I`m working on several projects and this summer my goal is to sew several Dear Jane blocks.

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  61. What a lovely quilt! I will be camping most of the summer so I think it is time I learn epp

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  62. Love the loopy quilting too! Nice finish! I think I'm going to finally tackle a quilt for the my husband this summer. It will be epic. Thanks :)

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  63. Lately I've been inspired by playing with scraps, some of my friends have helped out with giving me bits and pieces from their stash. I'm hoarding some botanics too, I'd love to play with this stack!

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  64. i am with you about this fabric line! i hand piece and hand quilt for charity, so this time of year i sit on my porch with my coffee pot and hand piece while nature serenades me. i get inspiration from so many different places, such as seeing a quilt design in floor tile as i wait to see my acute pain doctor, from nature, but mostly when i see the beautiful creations you and other quilt blogs show. i love the name of carolyn's new book savor every stitch. that is exactly what i do, each stitch is a stitch of love. thank you and your sponsor for a great giveaway. now, what inspires you? babscorbitt at gmail dot com

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  65. Hi,I'm currently enjoying making a baby charity quilt in soft greens,aquas+white! Thank you for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  67. Would love to win as budget is real tight at the moment. Am making due with stash and scrappy quilting!

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  68. Thanks for the sweet giveaway and congrats on a great finish.

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  69. At the moment I am working on a mini for my secret Schnitzel and Boo swap partner---using some Botanics! Next I want to do a little holiday sewing instead of my usual oh-no-we-just-had-Thanksgiving panic sewing! Thank you for the chance to win such a great prize!

    xo, meg

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  70. I am trying to finish up all my WIP's before starting something new. Not sure how long that will last!

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  71. I'm finishing up the quilting on a gift, then will undertake quilting my queen-size plus quilt!

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  72. I'm finishing up the quilting on a gift, then will undertake quilting my queen-size plus quilt!

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  73. I love the quilt on the bed. Not sure of my next project, I am still getting the garden in shape.

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  74. Oooooh absolutely LOOOOVE your Quilt!!! AWESOME!!!

    Summer plans pretty much will be garden, & canning...but do plan alot of time with our Grangirlie..and she wants to learn to sew on my machine...we have done easy hand-sewing during winter, I don't know who's more excited...this Grandma or her! lol

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  75. I am hoping to tackle my UFOs after I get my daughter settled in her new apartment in mid July.

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  76. I love your quilt ! What a great pattern....
    perfect for the fabrics used. I also like her
    designs ( & the Essex linen too ! ) I'm finishing
    two large quilted pillows ....& then on to some
    unfinished baby gifts.

    I hope the summer breezes brings your muse
    back.....because you a great designer too !

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  77. Beautiful! Love that quilt! Thanks for the chance.

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  78. What a great design to show off these wonderful fabrics. I'm working on a baby quilt for my new great nephew that just arrived yesterday.

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  79. Summer sewing plans are to try my hand at applique!

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  80. Your quilt looks beautiful! I have a long list of summer projects - a swap, some gifts, multiple quilts!

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  81. Your quilt is just beautiful! This summer I am making two flannel rag quilts to give to my nieces and Christmas gifts. Thanks!

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  82. My plans include lots of small projects. I am finishing up a hexagon doll quilt for my niece and then I will start a stocking kit for my SIL.

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  83. Summer plans, learn to quilt on a machine. Your loopy quilting looks easy.
    24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

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  84. My summer sewing plans involve cushion covers for my parents bedroom. I made a quilt for a friend's birthday and they both loved it, so I'm using the leftover fabric for them. I'm also working on a wall hanging for my room.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  85. I absolutely love your quilt. It is fresh, soothing, and colorful all at the same time. The design compliments and showcases these lovely prints. My summer sewing goal is to get at least four scrap quilts done for Christmas presents. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  86. summer sewing plans are to be brave enough to try something new- maybe a bargello!
    allisonpogany@gmail.com

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  87. Love your quilt:) Thanks for the great give away!

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  88. Sewing a quilt for my daughters 18th birthday using some Liberty prints - she has got a thing for Liberty at the moment!

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  89. Awesome Quilt! I need to sew up 2 charity quilts this month.

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  90. What a great quilt. You asked "what's inspiring me?". All the blogs I follow, of course.

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  91. On my summer list. Lots of skirts for me and my daughter, and Christmas stockings.

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  92. Very pretty quilt. Love the fabric. Gave me lots of summer ideas :)

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  93. We are going to be on the road a lot this summer, so I'm planning on piecing a few cushion covers to hand quilt as we travel. I'm looking forward to it! sarah@forrussia.org

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  94. What's inspiring me? Finishing up a few almost done machine needing quilts so I can spend my summer doing hand sewing outside where it's gorgeous. And thank you for the heads up on Architextures, I think it's other prints I am sad I'm not getting more of since I have lots of ledgers and text, but I'll keep my fingers crossed another print or two I liked comes back!

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  95. I wish I had big sewing plans for the summer. I am due in July and I have a feeling my sewing machine will be put aways for a little bit!

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  96. Lovely Quilt! I am spending my time sewing a picnic quilt! The summer with Grandchildren means sewing a few clothes for both and doing a few flickr swaps (making blocks and pouches) hope everything is wonderful in your world. Sure have missed seeing your llama! Maybe they can go to the beach and surf! So glad to see your post in my inbox

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  97. The warm weather inspired me to finish those UFO's I have stacked around everywhere and to work on Christmas quilts early rather then later. I am whittling down the piles and it is a good feeling. Also doing some major (deep) house cleaning and redecorating in between. Thanks for a sweet giveaway.

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  98. Love the fabric. Love the quilt.

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  99. I'm always inspired by all the greens found in my backyard. Then there are the splashes of blue sky and bright flowers. Ahhh...

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  100. I've admired this fabric, makes a lovely quilt. Color, from spring flowers is always a great inspiration.

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  101. Just finishing up a quilt on commission. Love your new quilt!

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  102. I'm being re-inspired by the fact I'm on a Minimalist Journey and have re-purposed so very many things I no longer need or want in order to more clearly focus on the things I want to be involved with in my "Ideal Day". My hubby and I are making a just-the-right-height cutting table (YES!!!) and have quilting and sewing projects started and lined up for the whole summer and fall!!! Plus I have a new grandson coming in September and want to make something special for him.

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  104. Love the quilt. This summer I am quilting a lap quilt for The MQG Michael Miller challenge and a lap quilt for our church auction. They are both pretty big events, so, i'm making sure they are just right. svonfumetti at yahoo dot com

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  105. Your quilt is awesome! I love Carolyns fabrics too


    Susanne

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  106. I love your quilt! I'm going to be travelling all summer, so I probably won't get much sewing or quilting done, but hopefully I'll get at least a little in.

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  107. fab quilt, i love the stripes at the bottom. I'm inspired by the medallion quilts that are popping up everywhere... I have to make one!

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  108. Oh I love Botanics! I recently acquired some of these prints and I would love love love to have some more.

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  109. I like the look of the linen. I've seen a lot of quilts like that recently, but I haven't taken the plunge myself yet

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  110. Beautiful quilt! I love Botanics. Happy to hear they are reprinting some as I have sewn up almost everything I have in my stash.

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  111. Love the quilt! And thanks for informing us about the ledger reprint:)

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  112. Love your quilt. Just finished a Butterfly Blooms and I am onto Granny Squares after my grandchildren leave.

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  113. Gorgeous quilt! Thanks for sharing! This summer I will be finishing my low volume quilt!!

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  114. I'm working on a lap quilt for my youngest son. Trying to decide how to use my 4 patches that my quilt guild is swapping. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  115. I have been intrigued by the botonics.. but haven't had a chance to do anything with them!! Thanks for the chance to do it!

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  116. I plan on making a summer quilt and a table runner. Your quilt is gorgeous! Love those fabrics!

    Susie

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  117. Looks like I'll have plenty of time to sew for my group, World of Charity Stitching, making tote bags, wheelchair bags, and quilt tops.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  118. I've been making toppers for picnic tables. I'm sewing in heavy on all four corners and two in the middle. They work perfectly. Working on some 4th of July ones.
    Thanks for the give a way

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  119. I have a picnic quilt on the go for the summer, plus some sundresses for my baby grand-daughter.

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  120. I love her stuff! I am using Botanics at the moment - more would be better. : ) Thanks for the opportunity! notwendy at gmail dot com

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  121. Love Botanics! I have a few WIPs I'm trying to finish this summer. I also have my sewing for my Bee and a couple of BOMs that I'm behind on!

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  122. I am planning to make an all-voile quilt this summer - maybe an equilateral triangle design? Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  123. I plan to make lots of baby shower gifts this summer - mainly clothing for little girls :)

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