Monday, November 19, 2012

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts-- Book Review and Give Away

Today, I am so pleased to introduce you to a new book about my favorite type of modern quilts: those based on traditional quilt patterns. Modern Designs for Classic Quilts is destined to become a classic itself, with it's beautiful illustrations, easy to follow directions and exciting design layouts!
The table of contents provides a sneak peek into the wealth of great information and teaching techniques that this lovely book contains. Each quilt is labeled with a difficulty level from beginner to advanced, is accompanied by easy to follow illustrations and highlighted with extra hints from the authors, Kelly Biscopink and Andie Johnson.
There are more than a couple of quilts within these pages that I am dying to make, including this stunner called Effie's Web. 
 I've had a spider web quilt on my Quilt Bucket List for quite awhile now and Andie's instructions look clever and easy to follow. Andie and I have been blogging friends for several years now, first "meeting" through a block swap we both belonged to. Through the wonders of email, she has become a dear 'invisible' friend to me and one that I hope to meet in person someday soon. 
 Kelly's quilt, Must Stash, is a wonderful way to highlight all of your favorite stash fabrics in one delicious quilt. I love Kelly's tip for preparation: "Consider making a box or drawer in your sewing room specifically for this quilt.Every time you buy a new fabric you really love, cut a diamond and throw it in the box. Soon you'll have a precut quilt featuring your favorite fabrics all ready to go together." Isn't that a great idea!
 What could be more classic than a log cabin quilt? But wait! This "Urban Cabin" is not like your grandmother's quilt! Another one for my bucket list, for sure!
 And then there's this gorgeous and original layout for the traditional dresden block. What a fresh and unique design. These gals are geniuses!  Many quilts also feature a mini project as well, like this adorable offset pillow pattern.
 Wanting to really "try out" the book before I reviewed it for this blog tour, I decided to create a small project using one of the patterns. This simple and fun little quilt called "Les Elefants et Hippos  (Andie speaks French!)  was fast and easy to put together. Because there  are lots of seams that need to come together just so, it's labeled, rightfully so,as an intermediate level project. (Most of the projects in the book are intermediate level.)
 Like the famous disappearing 9-patch design, this pattern involves creating simple 4 patches and then cutting them apart with a rotary cutter and ruler to create a more complicated and sophisticated block.
Instead of the suggested 4 novelty prints plus a neutral graphic print, I chose to use shades of aqua solid fabric coupled with a grey background print called Mod Century, by Moda.
 I made nine blocks, rather than the sixteen in Andie's original quilt and had the cutting and piecing all finished in an afternoon and evening.
 My idea was to try to create a 'paint dipped' look using fabrics that I had on hand: a collection by Connecting Threads. When I didn't have the one really light aqua to achieve the ombre fade I was going for, I just soaked one of the fabrics in a little bleach water for a while till it was the tint I wanted.
 I may end up adding a little border of another fun Mod Century fabric to make the top a bit larger before I quilt it.
This picture makes me think that I might need to seriously consider making a wooden barn quilt to hang over the door of our little garden shed. I wonder what my hubby would think of that!
I know that any one of you would enjoy Modern Designs for Classic Quilts as much as I do. Andie and Kelly have generously donated a copy to give away to one lucky reader. I'm including a fat quarter of the Mod Century fabric from my little quilt. To enter the give away, please leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite traditional quilt block designs.
To be eligible, please make sure that you have an email address available. I'll draw a winner on Sunday evening, November 25. 
For more book reviews and give aways, check out the blog hop below:
This giveaway is closed.

Tuesday, Nov. 6             (Lindsay, CraftBuds)
Wed., Nov. 7                 (Jill, Darling Jill Quilts)
Thursday, Nov. 8           (Faith, Fresh Lemons)
Friday, Nov. 9               (Generation Q)
Saturday, Nov. 10         (Angela, Quilting is my Therapy)
Sunday, Nov. 11            (Shannon, Stitch Craft Create)
Monday, Nov. 12           (Laurie, Scarlet Fig)
Tuesday, Nov. 13          (Kaysie, KZJo’s Studio)  
Wed., Nov. 14               (Jessica, A Little Gray)
Thursday, Nov. 15         (Mary, The Tulip Patch)
Friday, Nov. 16             (Deborah, Whipstitch)
Saturday, Nov. 17         (Lindsay, The Cottage Mama)
Sunday, Nov. 18           (Jenny, Sew Kind of Wonderful)
Monday, Nov. 19          (Carla, LollyQuiltz)
Tuesday, Nov. 20         (Thomas, Thomas Knauer Sews)
Wed., Nov. 21              (Brenda, Pink Castle Fabrics)
Thursday, Nov. 22        (Lindsay & Liz Rea, CraftBudsInspire Me Grey)
Friday, Nov. 23             (Sarah, The Last Piece)
Saturday, Nov. 24         (Cara: Cara QuiltsAndie: AndieJohnsonSews, Kelly: Stitchy Quilt Stuff)

96 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I love scrappy quilts and maybe that's why the Spiderweb pattern has always been a favorite of mine. It's great to see a modern take on a traditional pattern.

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  3. Ooo, I do like that Must Stash concept! I like the modern take on log cabins but, as we have already ascertained, I love the Disappearing Four Patch!

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  4. What a wonderful review! The book looks really great, as does your beautiful quilt!!! I really love the "Jewel Box" pattern :)

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  5. Log Cabin is a good one because it's so versatile. I recently made my first wonky log cabin. It was fun to do and I love the results. This looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win!

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  6. I love the diamond guilt idea - going to try it! Love the concepts in the book!

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  7. This book looks fantastic. I love scrappy log cabin blocks, and love the log cabin in this book. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  8. I love any type of log cabin quilt! thanks!

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  9. I love your quilt - especially the gradation of colours in the background squares!
    I love flying geese!

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  10. Your quilt is beautiful!! The book looks fantastic, so many gorgeous projects. I love dresdens and they are on my list of things I want to make :)

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  11. Dresden plate, double wedding ring, in fact most traditional blocks based on curves rather than angles. This book looks amazing, and I would love to win a copy!

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  12. Love the quilts. Obviously a good inspiration.

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  13. The diamonds really appeal to me, and the Spiderweb looks so pretty. Hard to choose!

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  14. The Dresden plate is my all time favorite block. Love the disappearing nine nine patch is very inspiring and I think I will be making one soon. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.

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  15. Ahh, the log cabin is my fave. And I, too, wonder what your hubs would think of that idea. I know what mine would say! Ha!

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  16. I like log cabin and especially the one on the cover! That diamond quilt is awesome too.

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  17. I think my favorite is also log cabin, but I do also like stars. This looks like a fun book! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  18. I like charm quilts in general. Right now I automatically cut a 2 1:3" square from every fabric I get for a hexagon charm quilt and a 18" X 2 1/2" strip for a Many Trips Around the World quilt. I can very easily see myself beginning to snip diamonds too. I think that might Ne my favorite from this book, despite my lack of talent when it comes to bias edges.

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  19. I love the storm at sea quilt. I got inspired just reading your post and will have to try your bleaching technique. Why don't I think of things like that when I need them -- I just agonize over trying to find the exact correct shade of fabric, then give up on the whole quilt when it's not available. Thanks for the brilliant insight!

    Susan.stitch(at)sbcglobal.net

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  20. this book looks amazing! and fun!

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  21. I'd say YES to the quilt block on your shed. I always love to come across an unexpected block on a barn. Love this pattern, and would love the book. Thanks.

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  22. Log cabin is my favorite. The one on the cover makes me itch to make another one. It is beautiful!

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  23. Triangles, especially Birds in the Air!

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  24. Flying Geese. This book looks wonderful!
    sdjg@pacbell.net

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  25. These Log Cabins are really lovely! What a clever idea for such a variable pattern! My fingers are itching already... :-)

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  26. Looks like a good book and your quilt is lovely! A traditional block I really like is the churn dash

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  27. Hi!!! Love your quilt!!! The book sounds wonderful!!! You know!!! I have been saying the nine patch is my favorite...and it does give a basic starting point with which you can go anywhere from...but I don't really have a favorite!!!! What is done with any block is what could make it my favorite!!! Oh!!! You did't ask for all of that!!!! Thanks for the fun!!!!

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  28. The dresden plate is one of my favorites- I'd love to try that layout you show from the book!

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  29. I think Dresdan plates are my favorite old quilt block.

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  30. so that is what you have been up too. great little quilt and yes, you need a barn quilt block. :)
    I have always love the log cabin. It was one of the first quilts I made. thanks for the giveaway.

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  31. I really do like the traditional 9-patch. It's simple, quick, and can be changed up.
    This book looks fascinating.

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  32. I love stars and am wanting to make my (new) soldier son a quilt eventually :)
    xoxo melzie

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  33. My favorite would be the simple nine patch as there are so many things you can do with color to make it different. We have many wooden quilt blocks on barns in Ia., so perhaps you'll start something in Kansas.

    Jean
    Jetanner31@gmail.com

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  34. Thanks, Carla, it looks like a great book! I like the churn dash block a lot.

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  35. foundation piecing w scraps....but i admire all vintage...i marvel at the history of quilts and love love love the modern twist xoxoxo
    fingers crossed...thanks for the giveaway xo

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  36. I will always love the Schoolhouse blocks. I'm working on a modern series featuring them right now.

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  37. I love Ohio Star blocks. They just never get old for me.

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  38. Churn Dash is one of my favorite traditional blocks. Thanks for the sneak peek inside this wonderful book!!
    beckygreene10 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  39. Oh my gosh! You just made me want this book even more with all you have shown. Wow. I LOVE the Urban Cabin and the Dresden but now that 9 Patch is awesome too. LOVE IT!

    vburr at charter dot net

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  40. I love stars and flying geese...and Dresden plates. It's hard to choose! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  41. What a wonderful book! I think the dresden plate would be my favorite. Thanks for the opportunity. tsilva1303@msn.com

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  42. With bins full of scraps, scrappy quilts are my thing...the spiderweb would be a great one to do. Looks like a great book!

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  43. I love the log cabin block because it is so versatile.

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  44. HI! I LOVE THE DRESDEN PLATE!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  45. This would really be a fun book to win. Love the log cabin and the Dresden plate patterns!

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  46. The diamond quilt is perfect for my fat quarter souvenir stash.

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  47. I love the ohio star block the best.

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  48. So many blocks I love: Bear Paw, Ohio Star, New York Beauty! This book would be a wonderful addition to my little library! Your mini quilt is lovely! I love the colour shading across the quilt! Clever you!

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  49. I really like New York Beauty (love Andie's!) and Winding Ways.

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  50. Great review! What a clever idea to cut a diamond from your favorite fabrics as you go so cutting on the future quilt is done. I love any of the star blocks.

    Thank you, Andie and Kelly for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. I like Card Trick and New York Beauty. The book looks great.

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  52. i would love to win this book thanks

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  53. Oooo Oooo Oooo!! I would SO love to win this book, just my kind of style. Love the tip about cutting a piece from your favourite fabrics as you go too. I have my fingers & toes crossed!

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  54. Got so excited I forgot to say I love the Flying Geese block.

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  55. I like flying geese, but I usually make my own patterns since I applique alot.

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  56. have yet to make a drunkard's path bloc and it's now on my fav thing to-do list. love the curves on the quilt in that last picture. thanx for the opportunity to win a copy of this book

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  57. I like Grandmother's Fan and NY Beauty blocks. I believe I saw this book browsing either Amazon.com or at JoAnn's and made a mental note to add this to my "Wish List". I love quite a few of the designs in this book and would love to own it if I were so lucky.

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  58. My favorite traditional quilt design is log cabin.

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  59. I love storm at sea and would love to translate into this style.I love what you did with the blue1

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  60. i love log cabin designs! what a great giveaway.

    zoehhuff@gmail.com

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  61. My favorite traditional quilt design is the log cabin...thanks for the sweet giveaway!

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  62. You wrote such an excellent review, Carla! I can't imagine anyone wouldn't like to have this beautiful book. (Love your pretty nails there too, girl!) This is a nice giveaway. If I win, I expect delivery in person. Thanks for the chance!

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  63. I've sure enjoyed the blog hop! I would love to win this book. I really love the log cabin on the front cover, and that pattern and the pinwheel are my two favorites.

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  64. I think that a basic star is one of my favourite quilt designs. That and the pinwheel, I think. The motion that they give to quilts and their amazing diversity make them my favourite.

    beaniekins84(at)gmail(dot)com

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  65. I love the Dresden plate block and their quilt is gorgeous. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  66. The first quilt that attracted me years and years ago was an Amish Ocean Waves quilt.

    I love the ombre effect (very much a trend) of your quilt!

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  67. I've always been partial to the shoo fly block. Change the colour placement and you change the entire look of the block. Endless possibilities. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.

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  68. Love the ombre quilt! Soooooo cute! And what a brilliant idea to bleach... duh right?! I wouldn't have thought of it. One of my most favorite classic blocks is currently the HST! It changes the look of a quilt and the "direction of the layout" so quickly.

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  69. Great review, thanks. I love the modern spin on these traditional blocks.

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  70. I also love modern quilts that are based on traditional designs. I love the look you have created, the paint dipped look. Very striking. Well done!

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  71. I like pinwheels.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  72. Your ombre quilt is so cute, I really like it. My quilt bucket list includes a feathered star. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  73. I love the log cabin, and I have made a couple of those, but I would love to make a spiderweb quilt

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  74. i just love log cabin. i love making them, i love experimenting with them...just lov e.
    and i love how you worked your solid blues in that quilt top. awesome

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  75. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this wonderful book. I enjoyed your review. My favorite traditional block is the 9-patch because a variety of sub-unit designs can fit within that 9-patch grid. It's versatile. I have always wanted to make a log cabin quilt and the one on the front cover suits me.

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  76. What a lovely book! And I love the sample that you made... what a clever way to get the ombre effect! I'd say my favorite quilt is whichever I'm looking at at a given moment, but if I have to choose, I'll go with a star design. :)

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  77. Love the look of your paint dippign! Very cool...may have to try that myself!

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  78. My favorite is pinwheels! I love the quilt you made - the fabrics are great! Thanks for a chance to win this fabulous book! :)

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  79. I love the log cabin, but as I am new to quilting I am yet to try one!

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  80. So many of these patterns are on my bucket list, too. Thanks for the chance! I really, really love your quilt top. That shade fading is so cool! Mod Century is on my wish list, big time. I really love it. And now I love it even more! Wow. What you did is amazing!

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  81. One of my favorite traditional blocks is Sunbonnet Sue!

    sowingstitches [at] gmail [dot] com

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  82. One of my favorite traditional quilt block designs is the Churn Dash.

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  83. One of my favorite traditional blocks is the log cabin.

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  84. I like the sawtooth star. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  85. Thanks for such a generous giveaway! My favorite traditional pattern is Card Trick. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  86. Definitely a great book to add to my book stash.. I love traditional and modern.. Such an inspiring book.. Thanks for the chance to win...

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  87. I love your quilt with the graduated colors. Might have to try that soon. I've also been itching to make a disappearing 9 patch.

    Log cabins are my absolute favorite though! Thanks for the chance to win such a great book & fabulous FQ.

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  88. My favorite block has always been the log cabin. It was my second quilt I made. It was the block I chose for my daughter's baby quilt 29 years ago too.
    What a great giveaway!

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  89. I love the turquoise quilt! I'd love to win the book too! Thanks!

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  90. I love the virginia reel block! log cabin is nice too!

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  91. I don't know which is my favorite traditional block, but I love the tip for the Must Stash quilt and would want to make that quilt first if I won.
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    kcneiman (at) gmail (dot) com

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  92. So many beautiful quilts! I really like the log cabin block - and what a great modern approach!

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  93. I like the log cabin. Awesome giveaway!

    Francisca
    dodkalm83 at gmail dot com

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  94. That log cabin on the cover really grabbed my attention!! I love the spider web too. Your quilt is beautiful with its clever use of colours and love the photo with the barn!!

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