Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog & Giveaway

Hello, so glad you could stop here.  I'm guessing you are here for the "Grow Your Blog" party being put on by 2 Bags Full. This is my first time every doing something like this, so I will start off by introducting myself, I'm Shauna, in case you've not been her before.  I have been blogging for about almost 5 years, wow that seems so long ago.  Up until recently my posts were to show off digital scrapbook pages I made, but I'm slowing working to show more of the quilting I'm doing.  I'm not a designer, of scrapbook stuff, fabric or quilt patterns.  I'm just a working woman, who loves to quilt, create scrapbook pages, and who knows what else.  I will say that I always try to be honest, if I like something I will say so, if I love something I will say so, and if I hate something I will say so.

This blog is a place for me to tell the world what I'm working on at any given time.  If I find something I think is really cool, I'll tell you.  I love taking pictures, so I tend to have lots of photos on my page.  And if you're a dog person, you'll find lots of cute photos/scrapbook pages with dog photos.

So let's get the basic info about me out there.  I'm single, but live with my sister, Sharla and nephew, Cole. My sister and I bought a house together several years ago so we could move our parents in with us to take care of them. Unfortunately we've lost both of them now, but we like the arrangement and so we continue on together. About a year ago my nephew moved in with us. We live in the great state of Texas!!!  We had three dogs, two yorkies (Tucker and Cooper) and a shih tzu (Zoey), but sadly lost one of the yorkies (Cooper) last year.  About that time my nephew brought a puppy (Hollywood) home, a lab/boxer/who knows what mix.  I had forgotten what it was like to have a puppy around.  I work as tech support on an off schedule of Wed-Sun, and have lots of time to spend on the computer when things are slow.  I love digital scrapbooking, because it involves computers and photographs, two of my favorite things.  I've been doing it for about 5 years, and at one time was on about 12 different designer/store teams.  But I've cut back to just a few that I love and focus more now on my quilting.

Now so you can put faces to the names, and yes we are a motley crew, but we have lots of love and that is all that matters to us.


Yes I will be honest and say... I am a fabric-holic.  I love fabric, and can pet it all day long.  Sharla and I starting quilting in 2007, but when I was laid off in 2009, we put it aside.  Then in 2012 we decided it was time to get back into it.  We both love piecing the quilt tops, but neither of us was that hip on quilting them with our regular sewing machine.  Part of the issue is we like larger throw/bed quilts and they are just so hard to maneuver through a small machine.  In late 2012 we took a long arm quilting class and to say we were hooked is an understatement.  Ok maybe I was more hooked than her, but we knew that is how we wanted to quilt.  So we saved money and shifted everything in the house around and made room for a Handiquilter Avante.  We just got it at the end of 2013, so I'm still learning it, but let me say it is so much fun!!!!! Am I good at it yet, no, but I do see improvement with every quilt I do and I'm really starting to feel like I can do it.  The first time I loaded a quilt on it I got scared and it was about a week before I started quilting it. Here is the quilt I finished just this week.



So what will you get if you follow this blog...pictures of a crazy woman's life...wait did I tell you I was crazy?? If not, then take my word for it, I am.  I promise that if I show scrapbook pages I will tell you who the designer is of the kit I used and normally where you can buy it.  If I use a pattern for a quilt I will tell you what it is, and if I know the fabric line I will give you information on that as well.  I will tell you things I learn about long arm quilting as well as any new cool digital scrapbooking thing I find. I know I love seeing what other people create, and if you look at the list of blogs I follow on the right side, you'll see I follow a lot (and that list is old because I now use bloglovin and I think I follow over 300 blogs.  I get inspiration seeing what others create.  Sometimes it is the pattern they used, or maybe the fabric or maybe just the colors.  I hope you can find some inspiration in my pages. If nothing else you will at least find some humor every now and again. If you want you can also follow me via Twitter (but I don't tweet too much) or Instagram (I love taking pictures) with the social media icons in the side bar.  You can also check out my Pinterest boards or Flickr photos.

And to thank you for stopping by I'm offering a small giveaway.  To enter simply leave me a comment and tell me where you are and what the weather is like.  It very cold here.  If you follow me, then you can add another comment letting me know, easy peasy.  Now I'm giving away two mini charm packs, Daydream by Kate Spain and Sewing Box by Gina Martin.  I'm starting to collect mini's in hopes of some day doing a postage stamp quilt...I can dream right?  I am also throwing in a Kwik Klip basting tool.  I recently won it, but since I don't baste like that with my long arm, I thought I would pass it on to someone that could use it. I will draw the winner on Feb. 15th. Here is what your getting.


I'm glad you stopped just to check out the blog and I hope you find lots of blogs to follow. Make sure you visit Vicky at 2 Bags FullI understand there are over 500 blogs participating, so I'm sure you will find something that peaks your interest.

2 Bags Full







113 comments:

  1. Hey Shauna! I am one of Vicki's helpers just dropping in on all the blogs that are part of the "Grow your Blog" party. Great Job! Wow, what an interesting and happy life you have! Love the dogs. I have a large choc lab/pitbull mix and two cats..love them! Lots of work though.. I am not a quilter...love those who do...such talent and skill. Have a great day.. I am following along with you.. COme on over and visit with me! Blessings!

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  2. Hi Shauna,

    I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is nice to meet you and your furry friends :-) I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

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  3. Returning the visit, GYB is wonderful for meeting new people. I will follow and watch your quilting (longarm)improve.

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  4. Shauna, it's so nice to meet you! You have a very lovely family! It sounds like we have a lot in common. I like to scrapbook too, but right now quilting is taking center stage! Congrats on getting the Avante! I am from Arkansas and the weather today was nice, sunshine and in the low 60s (yesterday the high was 36).

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  5. I am following through Google Friend Connect. I like to keep up with blogs from my dashboard. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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  6. Hi I just found you>love your Blog! Thanks for your inspiration! I'm a hand+machine quilter in Montana and it is around 40 here with a little snow! Thank you for sharing!

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

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  7. you have some very pretty quilts on your blog...I will have to come back so that I can finish going through your blog pages...thank you for such a great giveaway...

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  8. Thank you Shauna for visiting my blog! I'll be following yours too and hope to get to know you by reading your posts, & linking to your blog roll! I too follow a lot of blogs but secretly (bookmarked) and I plan to change that! You have some beautiful quilts and I wish you luck in your longarm journey!

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  9. I live in Pennsylvania and it is very cold. We have a winter storm right now that is adding to our 'already-too-much' snow accumulation.

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  10. Howdy Neighbor! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment on this Texan's blog. Wow, you have been busy with all your stitching. Good luck with the long arm - an awesome skill to master. It saves time and money!!!
    I loved the pictures of your doggies. I have one dog and two cats. Can't imagine life without them. Take care and I'll be sure to watch what you are busy with.

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  11. Hi Shauna, I can tell you have a great sense of humor! I am visiting from GYB. I live in western Colorado and it was actually pretty mild today and partly sunny. I bet we made it to the mid 40's. I just linked your blog to mine. I look forward to your long arm quilting progress--I am struggling to get better at it!

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  12. Hi Shauna, My name is Brittany and I live in Arkansas where it is a somewhat cold 43 degrees (I love winter, and I wish it was snowing)...but I take what I can get with crazy Arkansas weather. :) I just found your blog via the Grow Your Blog Party and I am very happy that I did! I love your work and your stories. I look forward to seeing what you post next!

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  13. Hello,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to participate in your giveaway.
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.

    Bernadett

    I am from Serbia.Here now it is quiet cold and snowy.

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  14. Hi I'm from London UK and it is raining hard at the moment.

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  15. Hi Shauna I'm now following you on GFC. Please give Tucker and Hollywood a hug from me. They are cuties.

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  16. Your last quilt is beautiful! I live in Norway and it is a little snow and -5 C (23 F).

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  17. Thank you for stopping by my blog and I can't wait to explore yours! It's great we have a chance to visit so many blogs.

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  18. Visiting from North Carolina & it's been really cold for us, though today & tomorrow will be more moderate before dropping back down again. Thanks.

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  19. I'm a new follower with Bloglovin'. Thanks again.

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  20. Great quilting and dogs too, whats not to like! lol

    Have a great time blog hopping!

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  21. Hi Shauna,
    I am in the lovely county of Yorkshire in England!
    It has been rather wet and dreary all weekend so I have been binding a couple of vintage style throws and hosting a family dinner (but not at the same time).
    I use Instagram, I am Patchworkalley and I have a blog though I haven't really got going with it yet!
    I am not sure how I made my way here, but it was great to read your message! x al

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  22. I live in a very small town in Alberta, Canada. The temperature today is -14 C, but it is a bright, sunny day! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Alright, so not only am I a fabricholic too but I just love those mini charms... they are just so stinkin' cute!! I am following you via Bloglovin' starting tonight ;-)

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  24. Hi Shauna! I'm from western Ky. and it's cold here too! Please include me in your great giveaway!

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  25. I Shauna! I am in the center of Kansas where it is currently 52 degrees. Tomorrow the high will be 22. Yikes.

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  26. Hi Shauna! Thanks for visiting me at Adirondack Girl @ Heart :) It's been fun meeting so many new people, hasn't it? Don't sign me up for the giveaway since quilting is one craft I had to give up (hurts my back). Blessings, Diana

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  27. HI! I am from just outside Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. It is pretty cold here right now and we got about 4" of snow yesterday and it is 9 degrees outside with the wind chill.

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  28. HI! I am from just outside Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. It is pretty cold here right now and we got about 4" of snow yesterday and it is 9 degrees outside with the wind chill.

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  29. I live in Oregon and it is cold and dry today

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  30. I live in the middle of Ohio and it is super coooold here!! Low temps & low as -35 Windchills the next few days too...has been a bitter cold stretch these past weeks. It is Winter tho...lol! Looooovin our woodburner!!! :)

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  31. I'm a new follower too, thru Bloglovin

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  32. Enjoy your blog. I plan to visit it again soon. I live in Wisconsin where they are predicting -46 degrees tomorrow night. I'm so thankful for a nice, warm home.

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  33. Hello from Oregon! The weather has been unseasonably warm here. Last couple of days has been in 70's! :)
    My silly daffodils are blooming in January!
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  34. I am also a new follower on bloglovin
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  35. pramuditahandaristi at gmail dot com

    I live in Renton, WA. It is pretty close to Seattle. This week it has been sunny! Eventhough it has been cold, I have really enjoyed the sun! Sunny is always better than gray :)

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  36. After spending 30 years in Chicago I shouldn't complain about NC cold but 10-30 is still cold to me. I want Spring.

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  37. I'm in uk, it's cold but not as cold as it usually is, but much wetter. Fortunately I've not been affected by all the flooding. I used to have a yorkie too, I love them!

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  38. I live in So Utah. It's been cold and dry or warmer and dry. We are prayig for rain and snow or we won't have water for our fields this summer. Thanks.

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  39. Shauna: So glad you visited me so I could find you. Your blog is really fun and I look forward to seeing your projects. I'm a new follower.

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  40. I live in Chandler (just outside of Phoenix), Arizona. The weather is really nice... 40's during the night and 70 to 80 during the day. Right now at 11:15 am it's 63 degrees!
    Dawn
    array-dawn at cox dot net

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  41. I follow you on Bloglovin!
    Dawn
    array-dawn at cox dot net

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  42. How lovely to meet you on the blog party. I live in England and it is very wet here, it has rained every day for a few weeks now. Thanks for a sweet giveaway.

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  43. Hi Shauna
    Good to meet you - I'm visiting from England and the weather is wet !!

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  44. Shauna,

    I very much enjoyed reading your blog, which I found from Vicki's GYB party. Your quilting skills are awesome, judging from all the wonderful pictures. Your quilts are gorgeous! How nice that you and your sister can share in the process and the fun.

    How nice that you have the technical skills that, for sure, are assets when it comes to blogging. I am definitely NOT a tech geek, but I have never been one to be easily discouraged when it comes to learning. That's why I sew and craft. There is always more to learn and it feeds that side of me that loves an adventure.

    I really appreciate your checking out my humble blog, Mimi Mine, and I have signed up to follow Shauna's World.

    Have a blessed week!

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  46. I live in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. It is very cold here now!!!
    Kathy Davis
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  47. I follow on bloglovin.
    Kathy Davis
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  48. Im in Newnan, Ga. Its getting colder and they just cancelled school for tomorrow. Calling for snow! Thanks

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  49. Hi Shauna, thank you again for stopping by my blog, peddlerjo.blogspot.com (Easy Street Ramblings). I live in the SE corner of Washington State near the Columbia River. Our side of the state is dry and currently we are having a cloud inversion, so even though we are supposed to have over 300 days of sun we haven't seen it for over a week. The temps have been in the 40s during the days and around freezing at night. I quilt on your longarms more expensive sister, Baby Lock Crown Jewel. I'm still renting at the shop until we remodel so I can bring one home. Looking forward to following along with your "crazy" life.

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  50. Hello Shauna, I'm visiting for the GYBP. Have you enjoyed it? I have had a blast visiting all the lovely blogs out there. I live on the NSW Central Coast (1.5 hours north of Sydney). It is currently summer here, and we are expecting a week of very hot weather from tomorrow.

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  51. I'm from/in Albuquerque, New Mexico (not really old, not really Mexico), and it's currently partly sunny and warming up. We're in a drought (again), and it's been in the 50s almost all month with no moisture! Great for yard work and going to the playground with the kids! Very bad for the upcoming fire season though :-/

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  52. I live in (normally warm) Charleston, SC but today everything is shutting down and we are expecting ice, snow and general winter nastiness. It is very unusual for us. We have been here almost thirty years and I think it has snowed twice!

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  53. From Vancouver, WA and it is a wet 40 degrees!

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  54. I am from SW Michigan and it is frigid and snowy here.

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  55. Upstate NY. Frigid with snow on the ground that whips you in the face when it blows. Ugh.

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  56. Following you because I love quilting and digital scrapbooking and mini charms and postage stamp quilts (never made one either) and fabric. Can't wait to see your future posts.

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  57. Hi Shauni, lovely to meet you and your fur babies. I have enjoyed visiting Shauni and plan to return later.
    hugs ... Carole

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  58. Hi! I'm just east of San Francisco. Our weather here is weird: 30's in the mornings and mid-high 60s in the afternoon... And it hasn't rained in over 6 months!

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  59. Hi! Today the weather in La Crosse, Wisconsin is sunny and -3 degrees. The last two days were so cold they closed the schools. Thanks for the give away!

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  60. nice to meet you! I'm in England and it's raining. Again. it rains all the time at the minute and I'm fed up with it.

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  61. So nice to meet you. You have a very nice blog. It's been fun to meet so many new friends through the GYB hop. I live in the sunshine state of Florida.

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  62. Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. It's snowing very gently outside. The forecast is for a total of 15 - 20 cm.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  63. Hi Shauna! Coming to you from Geneva, Switzerland, where it's not as cold as it should be! Thanks for the giveaway!

    http://www.busyneedle.ch

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  64. I'm a new follower on Bloglovin'! Thanks for the giveaway!

    http://www.busyneedle.ch

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  65. Hey Shauna it looks to me like you are very good at quilting, don't sell yourself short. Your family looks delightful and your furry friends are adorable. It has been nice getting to know you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  66. DAGMT is so funny! Love your living arrangement, it works and it makes sense and you're happy; what else matters?
    Visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog. I'm a quilter but a novice...still love quilting though.

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  67. Hi Shauna,
    I am visiting from Ohio. It is cold here and the snow is slowly melting.

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  68. I live in the Pacific Northwest. The weather has been cold and windy with sun breaks.

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  69. new bloglovin follower: Nicole Sender.

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  70. Nice to meet you. Just stopping by to have a look around. It is nice to meet you and your family. Your work is great. Happy hopping!

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  71. Nice to meet your Shauna! I live in Wisconsin where the weather is 12 degree right now - which is a lot better than it was last week. Thanks for sharing your blog! I can't wait to see more of your quilting!

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  72. Hi!
    I am in Norway, and where I live we have LOTS of snow! And it is still snowing.....

    jachelno(at)gmail(dot)com

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  73. I live in southwest Ohio. It felt like spring today because it was in the 40's. It has been really cold up to today so this was such a nice break for us.

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  74. Thanks for sharing your story & blog. I'm still, slowly, making my way through the list of blogs. Your quilts are lovely.

    aprilsongstress (embroidery blog in the 1st set on the list)

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  75. I've finally found some time to blog hop the GYB list and you were my first visitor to my blog so I came to visit you first!
    I just love your quilts. It's something I've always wanted to have a go at so I've booked my self into a 1 day sewing course in June.
    Think I'll enjoy following your blog!

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  76. oops! forgot to say I'm in Australia and the weather is blisteringly hot.

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  77. Glad to have found your blog! I am in Indonesia and it is raining!

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  78. I've just found your blog. I got a longarm this past October, too. I just finished my first big quilt this week. I practiced on baby quilts to begin with. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  79. I'm a new follower via Bloglovin. I forgot to say that I live in Georgia and it is in the 70s here today.

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  80. Hi I'm Valerie from Penarth, South Wales and it's grey and horrible here - not raining yet but it's going to

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  81. Northwest PA and the temp is 25 with a wind chill of 14

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  82. I live in Indiana, it has warmed up to 23 degrees today, we feel like we're having a heat wave. We were recently having -15 degrees. Thanks for the giveaway, and let's all cross our fingers for spring!

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  83. I am following you on Bloglovin.

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  84. I live near Virginia Beach, Va. The weather today eas rainy and 40.

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  85. Visiting from the Grow your Blog Party. I am in Missouri. temp is currently 25 degrees but we have a major winter storm moving in tonight and then another on Thursday. guess ole Phil was right this year.

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  86. Follow on Bliglovin' @ The Simplified Home.

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  87. I am a follower of your blog. Happy day, stay warm and stay safe.

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  88. Hi I also live in a mixed household with my son, grandson, daughter and grandson and 7 dogs. I love my family life and my crafts. Your blog is great and so is your giveaway. Thanks, Jackie

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  89. I am from Missouri. It has been snowing all day here!

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  90. Here, in NW Ontario, it is -23 C with windchill (it's warmed up!).
    We've had the kind of winter you want to bundle up UNDER the quilts!!
    :o)

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  91. The fabrics look great and the Kwik Klip basting tool would come in handy since I'm about to baste my 1st queen size quilt with safty pins. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  92. Liked the blue square quilt you made, following on bloglovin.
    24Tangent@gamil.com

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  93. I live in Ohio and we just got a foot of snow and it's now 6 degrees! NOT fun!!! Thank you!

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  94. I live in Ohio and we just got a foot of snow and it's now 6 degrees! NOT fun!!! Thank you!

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  95. Pacific NW and it hasn't stopped snowing for days!!

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  96. Shauna I live in central Florida where everyday the weather changes, yesterday it was rainy and in the 50's and today is beautifully sunny in the 70's

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  97. I will now be following via bloglovin from Georgia and it has been a really crazy winter. It has been very cold and we have had one snow and there is supposedly on the way.

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  98. I'm in NC and it's cold here. Is Spring coming? I hope so.

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  99. Thank you for sharing about your life. I like your idea that you can pet fabric all day long :) so do I. I am from Ukraine, country in Europe, that goes through revolution now. Probably you have seen or read in the news. It is the end of the winter now, so it is getting warmer and more pleasant. I have two little kids - Elizabeth is almost 4 years old and Daniel is 6 months soon. My husband is great that he takes care of kids so I can sit down and quilt. Thank you for your blog!

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  100. Great Job! Wow, what an interesting and happy life you have!I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. I will follow and watch your quilting (longarm)improve.

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  101. Hi! I'm in Indiana and it is very cold with snow that needs to melt now. So nice to meet you.

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  102. Hi, Shauna. I'm here from Riverside, CA where it is a balmy 78 degrees. I'm praying for all caught in the storm back east. Lovely family you have.

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  103. I'm in the Great State of Texas also. Don't know where you are but I'm in Amarillo. Recently moved here after living my whole life in Pampa.
    Today the sun was shining & it was in the 40s - finally! But they said it would be near 80 this weekend!

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  104. Wow I love my visit. Didn't realize that there is so much going on in cyber world. Forgive me for coming to the party at the last minute, But 600 blog reading was a little tasking. I wanted to read and get to know the girls so I did read everyone's bio. Your my 547 blog and 24 hours left to go. If you like come visit My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/and contact info is http://ovr_brd@yahoo.com I believe inspiration comes from all facets of life even knowing the great people out there with wisdom and knowledge the do's and don'ts and even the wonders of life from a personal point of view. I liked you following you on goggle connect and Bloglovin you. hope to see you in the cyber neighborhood I am new to blogging so I don't have a lot posted because I got side tract with GYB party. Kind of felt it was important to have some one read my silly chatter. I can't remember a time I didn't dabble in something creative. I tried a little of everything. But, my new love these days is Card making I just love it.
    Oh thanks for letting me enter your give away.

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  105. I'm in Manitoba and it's cold and we have tons of snow. Long winter!

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  106. I live in KY and it's been a long, cold, snowy winter! Today was an improvement, in the mid-40s, but the weather man says another storm is on its way. Enough already!

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