Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Introducing Shifting Gears QM Rocks The Blocks

** Note - If you are looking for the Precut Paradise Giveaway you can find it here :)

I am so excited to get to share my newest published quilt!!!  It is called Shifting Gears and it is part of Quilt Makers Quilts from 100 Blocks!!!!! 


You might remember from a few months back when I got to share my "Gear Works" block from the 100 Blocks Vol. 5.   


I also shared this little photo and said that I had another little secret quilt to share in the fall.


 Well, it's the fall, and this is the quilt!!!!

Can I just say I am so in love with this quilt!!!  The fabrics are mostly Emily Herrick's Hall of Fame for Micheal Miller and a few other Micheal Miller prints.  I love that these fabrics are All Boy!!!  I had so much fun designing this quilt.   I loved that the secondary block added to the original block created such a  great "gear" movement. And it was so much fun to piece together.  And thank you to Natalia Bonner for quilting it with an all over "circuit grid" pattern that finished it up perfect!!!!

Oh, and I wanted to share a little tidbit.  I shared this in my original Gear Works post but wanted to add it again in case you missed it before.

You can really speed up the process of putting  the "Gear Work" block together by strip piecing your rows together instead of doing individual blocks.

Just decide the width of the quilt and then strip piece your top rows, your middle rows, and your bottom rows to that length.

Then go back and piece your little "cogs" to create an entire row of cogs.
Then it is just simply sewing the rows together to recreate the block but creating 4, 5, or however many blocks at once.  And who doesn't love time savers!!!


Sadly, there are no ways to speed up the connecting blocks, but they are pretty simple and go together fast.

So what do you think???  I hope you love it as much as I do.   And how would you like to win a copy of the magazine so that you can whip up your own version???  Quiltmaker is generously donating a copy for me to give away to one of my fabulous readers.  Just leave me a comment, any old comment will do, and I will choose a winner on the 7th of September :)



Oh, and be sure to pop on over to Quiltmaker to see a list of all of the other fabulous quilters participating in Quilt Maker Rocks the Blocks and have some more chances to win a copy of this fabulous magazine!!!

Pin It!

138 comments:

  1. Wow this pattern is gorgeous! I'm mathy and love sketching out patterns on graph paper, so I don't buy too many patterns, but this one is on my list.

    Thanks for the chance to win,
    Sarah

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  2. Love your block & the quilt. Thanks for the short cut tips. And thanks for the giveaway.

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  3. Oh wow, I love that quilt! I'm excited to get this magazine, thanks for the chance to win!

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  4. Love this quilt. You are right, it is all boy. Thanks for the chance to win the mag with instructions.

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  5. So fun! I could also see a little boy driving cars all over the 'roads!'

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  6. This is a great pattern and I love your fabric choices too! I'd love to have the magazine in my little hand too......thanks so much!

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  7. I've liked this block since you showed it to us, the quilt is wonderful. Thanks.

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  8. Great quilt! It's nice to see the entire quilt because sometimes it's hard for me to envision with only a block.

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  9. What a fun quilt design! I'd love to win a copy of that magazine!

    MGM

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  10. I commented at Quiltmaker that I would love to make your pattern as a college quilt for my oldest son. I think it would look great in red, white and black with a mixed print thrown in. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  11. I've always loved rail fence type patterns and the gears in this just make it wonderful. This would be a great quilt for a boy and I love your colors.

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  12. I can just see a little boy and matchbox cars all over this quilt. Delightful!

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  13. Your ingenuity is endless! This seems like a masculine quilt to me--perfect for a baby boy or baby going off to college...

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  14. Love the quilt. Hope I win the magazine so I can make this quilt one day.

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  15. Very clever quilt! Thanks for the give away!

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  16. Cute, cute quilt! Congratulations!

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  17. I just love the colors you used. This quilt is definitely going to keep someone warm and comfy this winter. Just gorgeous!

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  18. I love this quilt. A great pattern for the boys and since I have a son complaining I never make anything for him this would be perfect.

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  19. I fell in love with this quilt. It is going on my "to do" list. Perfect "man quilt" but could be turned into a girly geometric quilt using pinks, greens, purples, etc.

    Would love to win the magazine.

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  20. I'm always open to new inspiration. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  21. Woohoo....congratulations! It makes such a beautiful quilt.

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  22. I saw this earlier this morning and loved it the instant I caught my first glimpse. Nicely done and congrats on being in the magazine.

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  23. Wow! I am really loving this block and design!

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  24. THe quilt is great!! The design is great!! Congrats on the mag. Keep up the good work.

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  25. How cute! Love how they all go together. I can see hot wheels traveling along this one.

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  26. What a beautiful quilt Melissa. Love the colors and movement in this one. Awesome job!

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  27. Wonderful design! I've a grandson who would just love this quilt and Christmas is coming quick :D

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  28. It's a very interesting quilt. I like the "movement"--I always like movement--and the summery colors.
    Congratulations on publication.

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  29. Fabulous! I remember seeing your block a while back and thinking what a versatile block it was!

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  30. How fun!
    Thanks for the tips!
    And a chance to win!

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  31. I thought this block in the original publication was very clever, but you have made the quilt fantastic with the addition of the connecting block! I would never have thought of that. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. I love the movement of this! My grandson is getting ready to turn 2, maybe this quilt will be his gift! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway! :) Good luck, Everyone!! :)

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  33. I do like that quilt. I can see it in so many color combinations! From soldiers to children, this will be a popular one! Thanks for the giveaway chance.

    dezertsuz at gmail

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  34. Congrats on such a great quilt! Thanks also for the giveaway!

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  35. I have to try this Lookslikelots offun mary

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  36. Very masculine. It is hard to find boy quilt designs.

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  37. Very cool quilt and perfect for a guy. Thanks!

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  38. Love how you turned your block into a great guy quilt!

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  39. I was just on another blog and saw you in the magazine! I said yippy skippy! LOL

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  40. very interesting pattern. I would love to try it!

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  41. Melissa, you must have boys, right? As soon as I saw this, I thought "perfect roads for little Matchbox cars to drive!". Congratulations on having it published. Super cute!

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  42. I love this quilt. In this color combination it really makes a great boy quilt. Thanks for offering the giveaway.

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  43. Love it; pinned it; want to make it. Thanks for sharing ... :) Pat

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  44. Great looking quilt. Little guys will want to us it for matchbox tracks!

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  45. I love it, you do such a wonderful job with everything. I am in awe.

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  46. Love it! I keep telling myself that I am not allowed to start a new project until my Christmas gifts are finished, but this is tempting! It doesn't count if I am just buying fabric though, right?

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  47. You did a great job designing that block/quilt! It looks wonderful!

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  48. I love this pattern!! It's all boy in your colors, but could be girlish also..I kow you are excited to have your quilt in this great magazine, would love to win a copy! You are an inspiration to all of us with your fresh ideas..

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  49. Melissa, this is such a great way to incorporate your block into a complete quilt! It looks great! Very boy--we need more quilts like those.

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  50. I love the colors you chose in Shifting Gears

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  51. It's really neat, and I like that there is another quilt design that works for boys/men! :)

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  52. I love that quilt! I need to put it on my list for 2013. I'm already "booked" for the rest of 2012. ;)

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  53. I love love love this quilt! I'm seeing it in team colors: scarlet and gray for the Buckeyes, or orange and brown for the Browns. Either would b a winner!

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  54. I really love this quilt. Congratulations!

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  55. Love that quilt!!! So great to see something for a boy.

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  56. Congratulations on a great design! thank you for the giveaway chance!

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  57. wow! this looks fabulous! Congrats!!!

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  58. Absolutely LOVE this quilt--I can see it in every color scheme in the book!!

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  59. Great quilt! Also, Congrats!!! :)

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  60. So many great patterns! I'd love to be included.

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  61. I loved Testing this Block. I Love the quilt you made even more. There is a very lucky child who gets this Quilt. Thanks for the chance to win the Quilts from 100 Blocks issue. :)

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  62. I love your quilt.When I make this quilt it will contain the colors you picked.Love green so it will be in it along with the blue for sure.

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  63. I love the effect of your quilt. I think it would be a great boy quilt.

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  64. I saw the announcement regarding this new magazine. I can't wait to see it. The projects look amazing...of course, yours is the best!

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  65. I really like your pattern from the new Quiltmaker 100. I would love to win a copy.

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  66. That's really a unique quilt. Very interesting and modern. Might just have to try it when I need a good boy quilt. Thanks.

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  67. I'm always looking for a BOY quilt. This is perfect. Congrats on being able to share you talent in the magazine.

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  68. Just beautiful! Would love a copy of that magazine.

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  69. Very clever way to put that quilt together - thanks for the tip - and as a former physics teacher, I LOVE the gears! :)

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  70. I would love to have your pattern in the magazine to use for my wounded soldier quilt group. it is so simple yet so stunning, and would look great in red, white and blue for the guys!

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  71. Thank you for hosting a giveaway.

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  72. This would be a wonderful quilt for all those guys out there that are into "gear" stuff...cars, planes, etc.
    Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the magazine.
    CathyC in Alberta
    cathyc1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  73. Very nice! Thanks for the chance!

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  74. Congratulations on your quilt being published in this inaugural issue. Your Shifting Gears quilt is wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the magazine.

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  75. Very pretty quilt. I like the way you pieced it to make a speedier quilt.

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  76. That quilt is so cute! I love the colors. This magazine is now on my wish list.

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  77. I love this quilt! The designs are just great!

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  78. this pattern is so fun! congratulations on getting it published.

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  79. What a cool quilt. I love the cogs idea, especially.

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  80. I really like this quilt, it's a great pattern. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  81. Great quilt! I like the movement of the blocks. Thanks for the chance towin a copy of the agazine.

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  82. I like the staggered look of the quilt - congratulations for having it in the magazine.

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  83. Beautiful Quilt block! Congratulations on your quilt!!!

    Please put my name in the hat for the drawing. I'd love to win one.
    ~a

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  84. Your gear concept is unique and very eye catching..love it! awolk at rogers dot com

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  85. Nice quilt and nice color combo! -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  86. Your quilt turned out great it is nice to see your block design made into a quilt.

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  87. Great Quilt! Thanks for sharing the Post (I would have missed it.)
    I'd love to win the magazine Quiltmaker.

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  88. I really like your "Gear Works". I need this magazine for all the great quilts.

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  89. What a great quilt.
    Congratulations

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  90. What a striking quilt and I loved your tutorial on speed piecing! I hope I'm a winner! What a great issue!

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  91. Amazing design. Who would think that squares and blocks could make so many different patterns. Thanks for sharing your talent will all.

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  92. Great job on the quilt. So creative and innovative. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  93. Fabulous what you did with your block! Thanks for the chance at the give-away!

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  94. What a beauty! That is a great design! It could be in any color combination and can easily be used for a boy, girl or 'grown-up' quilt. I would love to give it a try! Thanks for a chance to win!

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  95. I love the gear quilt, you have inspired me to make one for my little boys bed, now I just have to get the pattern and find some fabulous fabric! eatkin85@yahoo.com

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  96. Very creative... and congratulations on being published.

    Thanks for a chance

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  97. I really like Shifting Gears, Melissa. If I make it, I would probably do it in warm colors.

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  98. That's a great quilt! I love trying to figure out how it went together. I need to make one soon!

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  99. I love love love this quilt - definitely on my list to make for my boys (hubby and son)

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  100. So nice to see the final quilt in all its glory - it is wonderful Melissa!!

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  101. Lindo trabalho,parabéns.Faço aniversário no dia 26 de setembro,me escolha para ganhar presente de ...Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

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  102. Congratulations! I'm new to quilting and this would give me great motivation and inspiration! Thanks for the chance to win.
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  103. Oh my gosh! I love this quilt and thought it was striking when Quiltmaker showed it on their FB yesterday. Congrats!

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  104. What a fun quilt! I just love your color selections, too.

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  105. Awesome quilt, so many possibilities!

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  106. Wow, I love that quilt! The colours are wonderful. :)

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  107. I love your quilt! I have a new nephew who will be arriving in December. This pattern is adorable!

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  108. Great guy friendly quilt. Colors and pattern. Looks like a good issue!

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  109. Very cool quilt! Love it!! Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  110. This is a great 'guy' quilt. I'm always on the lookout for those kind of patterns.

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  111. Hi Melissa!
    Thanks for the great block and quilt design!
    And thanks for the giveaway too!
    Take care, Leslie

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  112. This design is so cute! I could also see some little cars or trucks appliqued on it for a little boy.

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  113. Great little boy's quilt. I can see my grandson playing on iy with his dinkie cars!

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  114. I love the quilt. It is now on my bucket list.

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  115. Great quilt! Nice "Guy Quilt" for sure....lil' guy, or grown up guy! Love it!

    Thanks for chance to win your drawing! :)

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  116. Love your quilt--there aren't enough guy friendly quilts out there!

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  117. Would I like to win a copy? Silly girl! Of course I would...count me in!

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  118. Your quilt is so cute - thanks for the magazine giveaway!!

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  119. I'm always looking for something unique. This is it!!
    cen@mcc.org

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  120. Thanks for the chance to be a winner.

    Dotvining@yahoo.com

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  121. So cool! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  122. Would love the chance to win this part of the quilt block magazines. Nice to see what you can do with some little blocks put together in different ways. thanks!

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  123. What a lovely, light, bright quilt! Thanks for the opportunity to win a mag!

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  124. It is a fabulous quilt! And its nice and "boy" without screaming "I needed a boy quilt."

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  125. I love your quilt, it would be a perfect design for my mountain bike riding adult son. Thanks for the chance to win the magazine!

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  126. Wow..great quilt, and most impressive that you get so much accomplished with 5, count them 5 kiddos!! Again, wow!

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  127. Very pretty!! I love it!! And, I'd surely love to win a copy of this magazine!! Thanks for the chance! :-)

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  128. Boy that's cute. Thanks for the giveaway--I'm also wishing for a new quilt magazine to settle in with.

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  129. Looks like a fabulous magazine!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

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  130. This is gorgeous! I'd love to win the magazine.

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa