July 11, 2016


Peace and Good Tidings to You from Quilt Beach! A "Christmas in July" Giveaway Too!

It's Christmas/Winter Holiday quilting time here in Connecticut. It's feeling breezy and tropical. 

I can’t say “Christmas in July” without giggling, can you?

Swim suits, high SPF sunscreen, heat rising off the street, you know it’s time to reach for that [enter the name of your favorite icy cold beverage here] ... and to get to work on some great ideas for Christmas/winter holiday quilts, stockings, ornaments ... or whatever your inner elf desires. 

I had the happy surprise of receiving this quilt in the mail last week.
It was made, quilted, and sent to me by the extremely talented Christina Egner, whom you probably know, because I’ve highlighted Tina here before. She used the "Felicity" quilt pattern and the "Northwoods" collection, which I designed for Moda Fabrics.

Tina completely surprised me by giving me this quilt. Thanks so much, Tina. I hope things are going swimmingly for you and your family down by the Jersey Shore. 

Tina is the prolific talent behind Emily Ann’s Kloset site. Her instagram is @emilyannskloset.

This afternoon, at the urging of our Sudden Activities Committee (headed by Roscoe), we left the studio a little early to show Felicity our neighborhood beach. The southwesterly breeze had its way with us.
(Here's Pete's head popping out from behind the quilt, to see if laughing and smiling might help the breeze die down. It didn't.)
At the urging of the Giveaways and Prizes Committee (headed by Lou), we are celebrating "Christmas in July" by giving away 3 prizes to 3 lucky winners: 

A limited edition Bigelow® tea tin, which I designed, full of delicious teas for you to make iced (or hot) tea. I don’t want you getting parched while you're creating. 



A Fat Quarter Bundle of “Northwoods” -- my latest Christmas fabric collection for Moda Fabrics -- including this project panel for creating a Scandinavian-inspired table topper and ornaments.
If you'd like to enter, please leave a comment here on this post by midnight (Eastern U.S. time) on July 18th. Please, just 1 comment per person. In your comment, be sure to include: 
1. Your e-mail address
2. A brief description of the Christmas/winter holiday project -- or any creative act -- you’re dreaming up and/or you've got going

If you do that, I promise that you’ll be entered into the random drawings (overseen by Franny).

The three winners will be posted on my Instagram feed @katespain on July 20th. 

Happy, colorful creating.

Kate

P.S. I want to share with you this summertime passage from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life. The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers. The air is full of birds, and sweet with the breath of the pine, the balm-of-Gilead, and the new hay. Night brings no gloom to the heart with its welcome shade. Through the transparent darkness the stars pour their almost spiritual rays."
Shade border, July 11, 2016
 Drumstick allium showing off again in the Winterthur Viburnum bed. The rose in the back is the David Austin rose called "Lark Ascending." Here's a closer look,
And you can't have a fair-colored, luminous rose without a pink one too. Here's the David Austin rose called "Boscobel."
 Enjoy the flowers in your midst. Happy summer. Happy creating.

89 comments:

  1. Caitlyncrist@gmail.com

    I am dreaming of using your Jingle prints from last year in a "raspberry kiss" block pattern for a Christmas quilt this year.

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  2. I love this pattern! I'll be finishing up my tree skirt soon and then on to the rest of the holiday sewing. Shelbycefoldo@gmail.com

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  3. This is a really great Christmas Quilt! I've been working on Christmas on my blog too (Lemontreesnippets.wordpress.com) We're creative little summer Elves! Thanks also for the giveaway, it would be great to win. ~Patti kwilter87@gmail.com

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  4. I am planning a set of Christmas placemats for my wonderful neighbor! I wonder if I could use the ornaments from this pattern......

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  5. Thank you for the fun giveaway! I plan to sew tree skirts this summer for myself as well as for gifts. I would love to incorporate North Woods into the plan. :) Your garden is stunning! I love the quilt Tina gifted you too. Is it her design?

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    1. Ah! I see it's your design! I will add that to the Christmas quilt wishlist!

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  6. This quilt is gorgeous! I am currently working on (and stockpiling) Christmas pillows so that I am ahead of the game at gifting time. twilaowen@gmail.com

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  7. I really want to make a Christmas quilt this year as I LOVE Christmas! So that's easily what I'd do with the fatquarter bundle. And my husband wants me to make a tree skirt... For now I'm enjoying summer sun! Lori.m.Lopez@icloud.com. Thank you Kate Spain! Love your designs.

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  8. I think I will make festive coasters and placemats this year! Love your flowers :-D smithdrygoods at gmail.com

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  9. I think a Felicity quilt will be on my Christmas to-make list - Love it! anita (dot) mckay @ comcast (dot) net

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  10. I am doing a mystery quilt with my athens group. Kinda scary...But always go with the flow...happyness04431@yahoo.com ps no instagram here...

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  11. I love all the flowers in your garden! ❤️ As I am in Australia we are mid winter , so Xmas in July is a great excuse for us to have all the things our northern hemisphere friends experience at Xmas...including this week we are expecting SNOW!! ❄️ Yay!! Belvesvalley@gmail.com

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  12. I want to make a Christmas mini for above my sewing machine! Quiltyobsession@yahoo.com

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  13. ploughsocks [at] hotmail [dot] com
    I'm planning matching pajama pants for everyone in the family :-)

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  14. I'd love to finally make a Christmas quilt to decorate my home. However, I'm renovating a bedroom to become my sewing room, so I'm waiting on a place to sew before I can get started. debgirotti at gmail dot com

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  15. I have been dreaming of making a Christmas quilt for my bed for a couple of years now. I haven't picked out a pattern yet, nor the fabric, so I have a long way to go! :) Thanks for the chance to win!
    Sandy A
    scotty4me39 (at)yahoo:dot:com

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  16. I still have a Fig Tree Lollipop quilt kit to break open but I'm a little nervous because I've never made Dresden plates before!

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  17. I haven't tried a Christmas quilt but am finishing up a Swoon using Terrain and dark grey. It's beautiful!

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  18. I'm not remotely thinking of Christmas yet, but I'm working on a bookcase quilt right now. Thanks for the chance!
    Lauracparker06@gmail.com

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  19. I am dreaming of making a Scandinavian design quilt for my sister!

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  20. I have a quilt made using Moda's Winter Wonderland fabric. It's even sandwiched! I better get on that!

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  21. cheripica@gmail.com New Christmas stockings for my family!

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  22. I am dreaming of using a Solstice jelly roll for a Christmas Tree skirt, and the charms from the KS Christmas Charm Swap to make a Charming HST Christmas Tree Quilt from Moda Bake Shop.
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. I want to make a Christmas quilt for my nephew and his wife who just bought their first home!

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  24. I made a Christmas quilt using your Jingle fabric last year and ended up giving it away. I would love to make the Felicity quilt with North Woods for myself this year. Thank you! Hilaryblanchard30@gmail.com

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  25. Such a beautiful quilt, Kate! I'm currently working on the blogposts for a 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop and quilt-along that starts this Thursday - so I'm up to my eyeballs in Christmas!! Thanks for the chance to win - salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  26. Emlynnkim@gmail.com
    I need to finish up our Christmas Stockings made from all Kate Spain Christmas fabrics! I was able to finish two of the four right before Christmas last year. Just have to finish the last two before Christmas this year!

    PS...I love the Scandinavian gorgeousness of North Woods!

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  27. I'm dreaming of making a Christmas quilt for our bed. I've had the fabric and pattern for over a year now but it keeps getting bumped for other projects.

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  28. I have 3 Christmas quilt tops to get quilted before Christmas: In From the Cold Cups, the Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Bar Tinsel & Baubles made with Jingle and and Jolly Pinwheels by abrightcorner.com also made with Jingle. I'm hoping to use Sweet Jane's A Good Day to make another scrappy Christmas quilt with the leftovers. mssooner(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  29. I am dreaming of making several Christmas stockings with Scandinavian themes. tacdah(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I am working on two aprons for Christmas. One for me and one for my two year old daughter who loves to do anything mommy is doing. My dreaming projects are your In From the Cold and Joyfully patterns. I am determined to learn how to quilt.
    Berdie32@yahoo.com

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  31. WOW!!! Its great to see Pete in a photo!! Since it's winter over here I've been progressing my daughter's 'north by north west' cuzco jelly roll quilt. However, I am dreaming of the table runner (or maybe a pillowcase??) I am going to make out of a mini charm of Northwood fabric.
    ahdevogel06(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. Actually, I just pulled out your Felicity pattern to kit up for our two week vacation at the beach. I always take my sewing machine along and get lots of sewing done while my husband plays golf. A fun time for everyone.

    dlmcc(at)cablespeed(dot)com

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  33. I just finished up a little quilt from a UFO block that was sitting in a drawer. It's kind of fun to work on Christmas stuff this time of year, no stress getting it done in time ;)

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  34. I'm trying to get some Christmas quilts done this summer, so I'll be ready for Christmas and have a Christmas quilt to send to each of my daughters' families! Chgrimm1@gmail.com

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  35. I'm making a patchwork Christmas stocking for my baby boy's first Christmas 😊

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  36. I am dreaming of handquilting my snowmentop "a winter wonderland" made after a crabapple hill pattern which is waiting already a long while...! And sewing some little gifts for my loved ones. This year probably some potholders with crazy hearts. Just have to find out all the recipients favourite colors for their kitchen,lol!
    This quilt looks wonderful! Thanks also for the give away. Would be awesome to win!
    Hugs Martina (sammartina@buewin.ch)

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  37. I am in the process of interviewing fabric for a Christmas quilt that has been on my list for at least five years. Thank you for the opportunity to win what may well be the perfect fabric I need.

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  38. I'm planning to make a cute little dresden quilt with some xmas cross-stitching and a bit handstitching to make it perfect. But now I've seen Tina's quilt and wanna shamelessly copy it;-)
    hildy(at)ebertzeder(dot)de

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  39. I finish a UFO and make a quilt mystery!

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  40. Before I saw the Felicity quilt, I planned to make a Christmas quilt for my bed using a layer cake of last year's Christmas line of fabric but now I'm not so sure. I do love to start projects but find it hard to finish them. I really have to do a clear out of my stash as I'm looking for a new apt. and chances are it will be smaller than the one I have now. I think my email address shows up but just in case it doesn't, please use howlandquilt (at) gmail (.) com. I hope that fools any scammers.

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  41. This year I hope to have a Christmas quilt completed for the veterinary oncologist who took tender care of three of our dogs. Last year she told me she loves Christmas, and I was so thrilled to think that with all of the sadness she sees, she can still throw herself into a time of magic and wonder. So I want to give her something from our family, to show our appreciation for her incredible kindness, and a quilt she can associate with a happy holiday seems like a good choice.

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  42. Thank you for the chance in your generous giveaway! I got a couple of North Woods charm packs and plan to do the Boxes & Bows table runner from the Moda Bake Shop--so cute! But then there's the Moda Love charm version of the star quilt I could do also--decisions, decisions! I may just try to do both! Rosenowde@live.com

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  43. Winning this would be amazing. I am currently working on a tractor quilt block. I want to make all of my children and grandchildren a quilt for Christmas. I know I'm nuts, but I am one of those people that focus more when under pressure.

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  44. Winning this would be amazing. I am currently working on a tractor quilt block. I want to make all of my children and grandchildren a quilt for Christmas. I know I'm nuts, but I am one of those people that focus more when under pressure.

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  45. I love that quilt!! I have an advent calendar that has sadly been in the works for a few years and I need to make a Santa sack for my
    Littlest

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  46. Love this quilt! I'm working on a Christmas block of the month...that was supposed to be finished last year! dntpeel(at)hotmail(.)com

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  47. Our dear neighbors are selling their house and moving to Florida. She always held a cookie exchange every Christmas and I will sorely miss it and them. So, I'm making her a Christmas table runner to commemorate all those years of cookies and friendship. My email address is aevrard(at)rcn(dot)com

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  48. The other day I came across a Christmas table topper that needs to be quilted, so I plan to get going on that. quiltingloon10 at gmail.com

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  49. I have loads of green batiks, and they are definitely going into Christmas table runners for family and friends this year. Kathryn dot Laposata at gmail.com

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  50. I have been Internet stalking this quilt pattern and collection for the past week so of course I want in on this giveaway!
    I am super excited about my Christmas quilting plans. I'm going to make the Lattice quilt by Fig Tree & Co which I absolutely love. And I just ordered a bundle of Pixie Noel by Tasha Noel.. Still trying to decide how I will use it. There are so many good options.
    Jessica.china@ymail.com

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  51. I love your Jingle fabric, and this year I am making a simple half square triangle quilt with it. Thanks for the giveaway! ssmullis(at)comcast(dot)net

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  52. I'm dreaming of making a Christmas quilt made of scrappy trees.
    I so enjoyed your pictures, especially the roses. Thanks for sharing.
    mcdurham(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. I'm having a hard time thinking about Christmas quilting when it's 100°outside. But I am making a quilt for a dear friend's 60th birthday with your Horizon fabric. Thanks for the giveaway. aggiemom2207@gmaill.com

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  54. Thank you for sharing such lovely pictures and quote. My Christmas projects remain in planning stages only as of today. I am scheming away though!

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  55. That is one gorgeous quilt that you now have in your possession. You are definitely worth it. There was a Christmas quilt that I had seen and it had to do with Snowflakes. I might just start this quilt or then again I might have the best of luck in my favor and win that Felicity Quilt Pattern and then I can start making this one - for me for Christmas. Thank you for giving me the chance to try and win. Hope your cats are doing just fine. All of my animals are well and are so loved and spoiled.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  56. Awesome photos. I am making wall hanging United States maps for the grands (5).never too young to teach them about their country and they can mark where they have visited. One of the Dad's travels a lot and the girls can see where he is. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

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  57. I'm excited to be writing my first pattern this month. It's a Christmas quilt to be put together by a group of women of varying skill level. We will use it for decoration at our church and then sell to raise money for various charity organizations. I've never done it before and I'm looking forward to the challenge. rebecca@sherwoods.net

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  58. The colors in your Northwoods collection are perfect!

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  59. BEAUTIFUL POST! "NORTHWOODS" IS BEAUTIFUL TOO! I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME CHRISTMAS GIFT TABLE TOPPERS FROM THIS COLLECTION SOON! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  60. I hope to make a Christmas quilt as well as some table runners.
    bveinote at juno dot com

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  61. Your garden is so beautiful, love it. I haven't started any Christmas projects yet, there is a big spider pattern on my cutting board at the moment, but I love making table runners for Christmas because they are fast to crank out and look great and I get to use a few different holiday fabric lines without a huge time commitment. pcrum_ludwigatyahoodotcom

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  62. I don't have a Christmas quilt and really need to make one, so that is what I am planning on starting soon. I love the Felicity Pattern and the quilt that Tina made. That would be awesome to make. Thanks for sharing pics from your beautiful yard and flower beds!
    kogrady@cableone.net

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  63. I have plans for a Swell quilt with Evergreen. And a Moda Love quilt with Solstice!

    Would love to win! Staceyhall710@gmail.com

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  64. If, no-when-I get my UFOs finished, I am planning on making a quilt from the "Baskets, Birds, and Boughs" book by Debbie Roberts. There are numerous wonderful quilts in this book, but the one I have my eye on right now is called "Dash Away All". I'm excited to start it, but I have 1 or 2 things to finish up first. mammich at comcast dot net

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  65. My mother has Christmas EVERYTHING, except for a quilt. I want to make a quilt for her for Christmas this year but I really need to get cracking!
    erika.stelzer at gmail dot come

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  66. What a fabulous giveaway. Thanks so much for the chance. I would love to make a tree skirt this year; I've never made one before and see so many cute patterns for them.

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  67. Great quilt! I've got a small Christmas table runner waiting for a binding right now!

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  68. So beautiful quilt and pics.I don´t have a Christmas quilt and I`d love to make one.Every year since I quilting, I love to gift runners, wallhanging and decors to family,friends and myself.

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  69. I always make a Christmas quilt - I'm currently choosing a pattern!!

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  70. Well, right now we are in between jobs, so sewing and money are a bit thin right now.
    However, we have a bright spot in that it looks like we will get a new job and move into a new house! Yay!! So, what I wish is that I could make a Christmas quilt for our new dream house that sits on the water, where we could snuggle up to watch the geese fly south.
    Thank you for the giveaway! I am unabashedly hoping that I will win!!
    Love,
    Ann
    Piffcat23@yahoo.com

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  71. I am working on getting my scrappy Christmas top quilted. Love the fabric and the quilt. Love the garden photos. dorthac@aol.com

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  72. I have plans to make my sister a tree skirt, hopefully will be done by thanksgiving so she can use it this year. vlhill3459@sbcglobal.net

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  73. I plan on using your North Woods fabric on the pattern Peppermint Twist by Sharon Holland. caf001@hawaii.rr.com

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  74. I'm hand quilting a Christmas tree skirt that I made a few years ago and am determined to finish before Christmas this year. I've got a kit for your Flurry pattern on my cutting table and those fabrics are much more appealing than the fabrics I'm hand quilting! I'm dreaming of starting that quilt top soon.
    tstanulis@verizon.net

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  75. I have not started any Christmas sewing yet. I have been working on my Crossroads QAL blocks for the past few months. I want to make a Felicity quilt--I fell in love with it after seeing it on Tina's IG account. I also hope to sew a By the Chimney quilt by Lella Boutique.
    Thanks so much for the wonderful giveaway! onlybas(at)aol(dot)com

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  76. My sister and I have already started our Christmas holiday sewing. We are making pillowcases, potholders with cookbooks, denim totes, fleece blankets and aprons. In between all of this, I am making a baby shower quilt, a graduation quilt and a wedding quilt. Smiles.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  77. I am willing to make your felicity pattern quilt for christmass. I do not have any quilt and I find it so festive. I have already the pattern and I hope Il will do it as soon or along the quilt I am doing for my husand.
    thank you for the giveaway
    Katia
    delwak(at)gmail(dot)com

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  78. I've promised myself for the last few years to make a tree skirt, maybe this will be the year I manage to actually do it before my dear husband PS the tree up! Maybe a set of table mats and some napkins too.
    Love your fabrics! Lynnstranghall@gmail.com

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  79. I!m working on a Halloween table runner right now. I haven't gotten to Christmas yet!
    Sue.f.payne@gmail.com

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  80. I'm hoping to start a new quilt using Jingle fabric - love this christmas fabric. dundas645@aol.com

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  81. I have finished the class but still working on a 'Moonglow' quilt which may be my second quilt top ever finished, and which I might actually finish by Christmas! Would love to win a Kate Spain giveaway: hrh.dmk@gmail.com
    ~Diana from Toronto

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  82. I need to finish a hexagon lap quilt I've started and I want to finish a heart quilt as well. misskim139[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  83. I'm going to be finishing a scrappy Christmas lap quilt I started last year. carolann427@aol.com

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  84. Wow Kate - I have never seen fabric with rosmaling so I must have this collection! I am 300% Norwegian (3 sets of grandparents from Norway). My sisters and I paint and knit rosmal and fair aisle styles. We have looked for a long time for fabric with our heritage motifs - can't wait to see it in person :-) abuela@mediacombb.net

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  85. That quilt is really wonderful and I'm sure you will love snuggling under it. My email is michele@crayonboxquiltstudio.com and I'm hoping to finish my new quilt made with your Christmas lines for an upcoming blog hop.

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  86. catinthegrass@gmail.com
    I am working on a couple of cute Christmas quilts for my cute nieces...and dreaming of cooler days!

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