Monday, November 19, 2012

New books reviews + giveaway

I always love when I come across a good new pattern book full of quilty inspiration.  For me to recommend a book, it has to contain multiple great projects so that you get a real bang for your buck. Today I have two to share that definitely fit that qualification.

The first is Pretty in Patchwork: Holidayscompiled by John Adams and chock-full of adorable projects by creative people. There are projects for every skill level and as complex as full quilt patterns to simple ornaments.
A huge variety of ideas - and they're not just for Christmas. I am using the Modern Maples pattern from this book as well
I tried out the drawstring bag pattern. I loved the Swiss Flag version on the cover of the book and wanted to make one in honor of our recent trip.  
There are other simple variations on this pattern and the bags come together so quickly. I'd like to make a bunch of different versions this Christmas. Really simple gift idea and a great way to bust through some stash!
One other book to share is this recently published Simply Fat Quarters book by the folks at The Fat Quarter Shop.
This book contains 10 original patterns all created with Fat Quarters.
One of the best features of this book is that each pattern has the the instructions for multiple quilt sizes.
This Carousel quilt is one of my favorites in the book.
I decided to try a scrappy version of the block using my own scraps and it was so fun to put together. I definitely need to make more!

I'm happy to announce that I have a copy of each of these books to giveaway to two of you, thanks to the generosity of their publishers! Leave a comment on this post to be entered. Giveaway open until Thursday, November 22 at midnight MST. GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Winners will be announced Friday so that we can get these books out quickly for your own holiday inspiration.

Winners:


Sandy D said...
Who couldn't use one of these books. Thanks for a chance to win .
and CJ said...
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that Carousel quilt! Your scrappy version is going to be so cute.


Posted by amy smart at Monday, November 19, 2012

365 comments:

  1. Those both look like great books!

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  2. Thank you Amy for a great give-away chance!

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  3. Both books look like just what I need to get moving on holiday gifts ASAP! Thanks!

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  5. Thank you i would love to win! lisaursino@msn.com

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  6. Thanks for the chance to win one of these awesome books!

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  7. Two great books!
    They are both on my amazon wishlist!

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  8. Oh,pleeeeeeease pick me, I've been so good, promise! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  9. Ive been eyeing Simply Fat Quarters for a long time. Would love to win!

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  10. thanks for having a giveaway

    mindingmomma(at)aol(dot)com

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  13. I'd love to try that stem and leaf table runner

    secretcityranch at gmail dot com

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  14. Winning would be so much fun! They both look like they would be fun books to own!

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  15. Soo amazing ideas ;)

    Greetings from Berlin,

    Nina

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  16. Excellent giveaway, new books with an simple theme, what's not to love.

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  17. These look like wonderful books, I've been admiring them on the blog hops!

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  18. The polar bear and penguins are so cute!

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  19. Great giveaway! I've had Simply Fat Quarters on my wishlist ever since it came out !!

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  20. I would love either of these books, but especially Holdays. Those penguin pillows are just perfect!

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  21. I've made the modern maples as well & am dying to have that book so I can make a few ore of the darling projects in it!!!!:)

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  23. These both look like really good books!

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  24. I love reading book reviews! It looks like you found two spectacular ones. Thanks for the chance to win one.

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  25. I've been lusting after Simply Fat Quarters for a while now. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. I would love to add both of these books to my crafting library, especially the holiday book. thank you for the chance to win them. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  28. great giveaway! thanks for the chance to win!

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  29. Thanks for sharing info about these books which both look great. I'm still smiling over those little penguin blocks. So cute! Thanks for the chance to win and have a great holiday.

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  30. What a great set of books! My daughter and I looked at the pictures you posted and already have some things we want to make :) Thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  31. Love the covers of both books! Would love to get my mitts on these. :)

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  33. Oh my gosh, I LOVE that Carousel quilt! Your scrappy version is going to be so cute.

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  34. Both those books look fantastic.

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  35. What wonderful books! I love the Swiss Flag bag...it has given me the inspiration to make a couple of my own gift bags.

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  36. thanks for the chance, I'd love to get my hands on either of those 2 books :)

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  37. Great books! Thanks for a chance to win!

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  38. Thanks for the lovely offer! I'd love Simply Fat Quarters; I can never resist buying fat quarters.

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  40. Love what you have shown from both books and would adore having either book...fun giveaway :-)

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  41. Those look like great books. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  42. What a great giveaway! I have been eyeing both of these books!!!

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  43. Thank you so much for the giveaway!! I'd love to try either :)

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  44. It's a toss-up - they both look great! I may just have to get both if I don't win!

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  45. What an awesome giveaway, thank you for the chance to win!
    missysaprons@gmail.com

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  46. Wow! they look wonderful! I've been drooling over the Simply Fat Quarters book for a few weeks now but the other looks great too! :)

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  47. These both look like great titles!

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  48. I love the sweet penguin pillows, and must make a pair for my penguin loving sister!!! :)

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  49. These books look great. Hope I win one!

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  50. I's love to won -- I want that Poppy pattern. Thank you!!

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  51. These books both look like they are chock-full of inspiration. Thanks for sharing your views!

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  52. These look great! I'd love to win!

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  53. Thanks for the grat giveaway and thanks for sharingyour opinion about these gorgeous books!

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  55. Such pretty fabric! I have a layer cake of it but can't decide what to do with it, YET!

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  56. I would so love to receive this book! I have ordered it from my Library however, I am 152 on the waiting list so it is going to be a long wait! I love your scrappy block and that is what I would make from this book.

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  57. Both books look amazing, especially that fat quarters book. Can't tell you how many fat quarter sets I have waiting for inspiration to strike :)

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  59. I would especially love to win the Fat Quarters book. Your block looks great.

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  60. These books look great! I would love to win!

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  61. Gorgeous books! I think I'll buy John's even if I don't win - I HAVE to make those penguins!!!!! Thanks for the chance!

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  62. What great books! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  63. Those books look like wonderful additions to any sewing library! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  64. That first book is on my Christmas list! Thanks for the chance!

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  66. I've got fabric to do a Modern Maples quilt - I just need the pattern. Hope I win that first book!

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  67. The books look like they are packed with wonderful goodies! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  68. Thanks for the chance to win such a great giveaway!

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  69. Oh...wow...would love love to win!

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  70. Great books, great ideas in. Thank you for introducing them and opportunity to win.

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  71. I like the looks of that fat quarter book

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  73. I'm kinda new to quilting so winning these books would help my quilty education! How cute is the tree pillow?

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  74. Looks like lots of inspiration...howbexcitingit woul be to win!

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  75. These books sound like they are a lot of fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  76. Both books look inspiring! Thank you for the giveaway.

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  77. Lovely books and the block you have made looks lovely, too.

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  78. Thanks Amy - they look very inspiring.

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  79. I really like both books. I'm always impressed to find a book that doesn't look too old fashioned and has some modern and not so trendy homemaker designs in them.

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  80. These books look like they are full of inspiration! Thanks for the giveaway, my fingers are crossed!

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  81. Beautiful books! Thanks for the chance!

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  82. So pretty! Want! Thanks for the giveaway...

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  83. I know the perfect person to make that drawstring bag for... will probably pick up the book even if I don't win :) thanks for the chance!

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  84. Ooooohh, how I love the carousel quilt!! Thank you for this great giveaway! What a great first christmas gift this would be! ;)

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  85. thanks for the giveaway! i would really love to add Pretty in Patchwork: Holidays to my quilting library! :)

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  86. I'm drooling as I look at these photos Amy!! Thanks for the chance to enter. Fingers crossed!

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  87. Thanks for the reviews and giveaway. I like the look of the Carousel quilt too.

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  88. Both of these books are fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  89. Oh these both look great! So many fabulous projects! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  90. These both look great! I'd love to try that Zap quilt :)

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  91. Both books look fantastic! Thanks for the give away!

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  92. What a lovely give-away! You inspired me in your previous post to help with hurricane sandy, thank you!
    jpshirley@ymail.com

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  93. What a great inspiration these books are ;-) I love the idea of breaking into my Fat Quarters ;-) Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  94. Such pretty colors and inspiration. I will look at the library for the mentioned books.

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  95. Both books are lovely but I really LOVE that Carousel quilt.
    Thank You for the awesomely great giveaway. Luba


    chris.luba@sympatico.ca

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  96. love books for their inspiration ... they encourage me to cut in my stash! would love to give either of the books a workout! thanx for the offering.

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  97. I love these types of books with quick projects. Thanks!

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  98. They both look fantastic! I'm always looking for these kinds of projects. Thanks for the chance :)

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  99. Oooh, either of those books would make me happeeeee.

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  100. These books both look great, and I especially love the variety in Pretty in Patchwork. Thanks for the chance!

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  101. I would love to win a copy of either of the books!

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  102. Either of these books would be great to win! Thank you for the chance!

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  103. They both look like such great books! Love your sample block, great scraps :)

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  104. These books both look fun! Would love to win them! Thanks!

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  105. HI! GREAT BOOKS!
    THANKS FOR A CHANCE AT WINNING THEM!
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  106. Carousel quilt is super cute!
    ni.chern at gmail dot com

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  107. Both of those books look really enticing -- I'd be delighted to win either one. Thanks for hosting the giveaway opportunity,and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  108. Lots of inspiration in those two books!

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  109. I particularly like the look of the Fat Quarter Shop book.

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  110. I would to do a scrappy version of that block but in blues for Hanukkah. How fun. I hope I win.

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  111. I would love to get either of those in my stocking this year ;) Thanks for the giveaway chance to win one! xoxo melzie
    melzie4boyz@aol.com

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  112. Such amazing books just chock-full of sewing/quilting wonderfulness, and, in plenty of time to whip a few things up for the most special friends and family members! Thanks so much.

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  113. What wonderful books. There are so many cute projects in them, where to start. Thank you so much for a chance to win.

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  114. These books look fabulous! I especially like the marbles pattern (for a special baby!) Would love to win- thanks for the chance!

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  115. These both look fantastic! And such perfect timing. Let the holiday sewing begin. :)

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  116. What great looking books! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  118. Amazing inspiration in these books! I'd love to win these!

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  119. I love both of these, especially the Pretty in Patchwork book! I'm planning on making a lot of my Christmas presents this year, so it would be super helpful to have a book chock full of ideas.

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  120. I love drawstring bags! They are my go to diaper bag of choice this go around. :)

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  121. I'd love to have either one of those books! I can always use inspiration, and these books look really good for that. :)

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  122. Your scrappy version of this block is beyond adorable! Love it!

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  125. How cute!!! I'm going to have to make those penguin pillows.

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  126. These look like great books! Thanks!

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  127. fabulous book selections! I have a couple of them on my Amazon wishlist

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  128. they both look like great books!

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  129. There are some ADORABLE things to make in that book! I would love to get to wroking on some Christmas gifts for family and friends!

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  130. Terrific books - your reviews of each were great! Thanks for the the lovely giveaway.

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  131. I'd love to own either book! Thanks for the chance to win one.

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  133. I love reading a book review that convinces me to purchase the book if I don't win it! Either way, Pretty in Patchwork is going to be mine, whether I win it or buy it! :)

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  134. I was in a quilt shop today looking through the books. Thanks for chance to win.

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  135. what a wonderful giveaway! I hope I win!

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  136. I love the pillows in the book!

    brookeali(at)hotmail.com

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  137. Simply Fat Quarters looks like my kind of book. You showcased so many great looking quilts; it makes me want to peruse the entire book. Thanks for your reviews.

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  138. Oh, I would love to have either one of these books. Thanks for the chance.

    Linda

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  139. I would love a copy of either of these books, the projects looks fairly simple and something I would a try. Thanks for the chance. Blessings sandra

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  140. wow they both look great thanks for the review and giveaway

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  141. I would love to win either of these books. I absolutely am drawn to Fig Tree Quilts fabrics, and love seeing ways to use them.

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  142. Both books look fabulous! I love the polar bear pillow and the quilt book has several I would love to make. Thanks!

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  143. These look like awesome books!!!

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  144. Both books look inspirational. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  145. I love crafty books. When I am too tired to actually work on projects, they are the perfect way to get my fix and inspiration.

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  146. Those both look like great books! I'd love to add either one to my library. :D

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  147. Love the carousel quilt. Very cute projects. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  148. How lovely! I would be happy with either one! Thank you.

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  149. These books look so good! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!

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  150. These look great for long winter nights, snowy days crafting and stiching away on cheerful cozy projects! Looks like some one is going to have loads of fun staying warm this winter!! :)

    sowingstitches [at] gmail [dot] com

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  151. Thank you for the great giveaway ! These books are going on my Christmas wish list !

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  152. I love, love, love the Patchwork book. It looks like there are so many cute gift ideas!

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  153. These look so interesting and I already see a couple of projects I'd like to do. Thanks for the chance.

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  154. Thank you! I'd love more options for all the fat quarters I've "collected."

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  155. Those are both fantastic books. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  156. These are two great books, so many things I would love to make.

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  157. Oh, I've been drooling over the Fat Quarter book for a while now...so many great quilts I'd love to make. The other book looks great, too. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  158. Ooh...I have huge stacks of Fat Quarters, just waiting for the perfect project :) This will be on my Christmas list for sure.

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  159. Both of those books look fantastic. I particularly like the tree mat on the cover of the Christmas book. Thanks for offering them up for us!

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  160. Great projects.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  161. Newbie quilter here ~ I love the Simply Fat Quarters book, but they both look fantastic! Thanks for the chance to win ~ fingers crossed :)

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  162. Oh, I just love them both! I think I could find something right away in Pretty in Patchwork... and then plan a long-range project from Simply Fat Quarters. Be especially blessed, Kathy

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  163. Such inspirational books! Would love to add them to my library. Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  164. Always on the lookout for new patterns and books, so I would love to win one of these. thanks!

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  165. Two books of projects and lots of inspiration. Sounds wonderful!

    Thank you and the publishers for an awesome giveaway and a chance to win. Two winners! Woot! Woot!

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  166. Wow...what neat products....great for all my fat quarters.

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  168. Those look like such fun books! :D

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  169. These are nice books. Thanks for give away

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  171. (*fingers crossed that I win the Holidays book*) because I loved your Modern Maples quilt that you blogged about last month.

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  172. I would love to win one of these - I haven't seen aither of them i the shops in New Zealand yet. Thanks for the chance.

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  173. Thanks for the chance! Both look like a lot of fun.

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  174. What perfect books! I am SO wanting to get back into sewing accessories like the first one.. I used to do that..if it was in my house, I made it! But life hit hard and I stopped all of it. I'd love to get back into it, what a great help the book would be! And...I am venturing out of the box..and starting using things like Fat Quarters and "unusal" fabric colors (I am very tailored and organized in my color choices!) and fat quarters are a great way to do that! I much prefer them over buying a 1/4 yd of fabric..they work so well. So...I'd love to win either of these books! Thanks for the chance!
    quiltingnanny@yahoo.com

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  175. Would love to add either of these books to my stash! Love the block you made with your scraps, it is so pretty!

    Thanks!
    Sandy A

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  176. Those look like great books - I'm always looking for fun Christmas projects! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  177. Love all the fun projects you shared from these books..thanks for the sweet giveaway!

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  178. The books look like they have a great many fun projects. Your carousel block is great. I think a scrappy version would be very interesting and a great way to use up some of the scrap bin. Thanks for the giveaway to some lucky reader. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  179. The books look like they have a great many fun projects. Your carousel block is great. I think a scrappy version would be very interesting and a great way to use up some of the scrap bin. Thanks for the giveaway to some lucky reader. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  180. I've been looking for a great book for Christmas! Love this recommendation!

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  181. Both of those are on my wish list - what a great giveaway! :)

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  182. Great Book! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  183. What great books. So many great ideas - so little time!

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  184. These books look beautiful. So many possibilities!
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    therese.aiken@gmail.com

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  185. Thank you for introducing these books and for the chance to win!

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  186. Love the books. Great gift ideas.

    Barrydlb@aol.com

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  187. Great books and just in time for holiday gift-making! Thanks.

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  188. Thanks for the giveaway! Crossing my fingers :-)

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  189. Pretty in Patchwork looks awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  190. Oh my goodness, these books are wonderful.

    Thank you for the chance to own them.

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

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  192. How exciting!! They all look like such terrific books! If I don't win I may need to ask Santa for one or two of them!

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  193. I have been wanting to learn how to quilt... these books look like they have patterns that I could start with. Thank you for the recommendations!

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  194. Both books look terrific! I would love to win either one of them!
    Thanks!

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  195. My stash of fat quarters needs some slimming action ... this might be just the right thing :)

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  196. Those both look like awesome books! It would be so great to win either of them!

    p.s I love Playmobile!

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  197. These both look like wonderful books! Thanks so much for the chance to win! :)

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  198. Both of these books have projects in them that I would like to do. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

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  199. What wonderful books! Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  200. Who couldn't use one of these books. Thanks for a chance to win .

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Thank you so much for your comments - they make my day! I try to respond to as many as my 'mommy' time allows, but life sometimes gets in the way. Please know how much I appreciate each of them.

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