Wednesday, February 27, 2013

My Quilts : :

The truth is, I don't really see myself as a very accomplished quilter. Within the online sewing community, I'm not sure where I rank when it comes to quilt output with a number of 7 : finished - 4 : unfinished. I'm not suggesting that matters at all! I realize that's both many more and perhaps much less than my sewing friends. I'm sharing this only because honestly, up until these last few weeks, I've felt very shaky and unsure when it comes to making quilts. I've been guilty of secretly doing a few things, over these past three years that I've been sewing, that I let get in my way. -- Comparing my own quilt ideas to the ones I most admire, which are so very different than what I imagine making myself. So often I wouldn't cut into the fabric I love most, fearing that I wouldn't be able to do them a justice. And, I definitely have a tendency to over think the process of making a quilt, which has kept me from both beginning, seeing through, and finishing the quilts I've wanted to make.

Well right now, I just want to make quilts! I've never ever wanted to make anyone else's, but I also never felt confident when it came to making my own, until now. I finally feel like I've completely let go of the things that I was letting hold me back, and I'm really, really enjoying it. For the first time, quilt work is bringing me a comfort that I have never felt before through the usual sewing I do. I've been absorbing it and it's been so, so GOOD.

Below are all the quilts I've made, all in one place, finished and unfinished, with dates. A couple of them were quick, easy, and needed. A couple to use up scraps and just for fun. A couple of them were made because of the support and love Pat Bravo has given me. And the most recent few, are the best examples of the quilts I want to make, right now.

A Symmetry Quilt -- Finished and Blogged September 8, 2011

Symmetry Quilt

A Patchwork Letter Baby Quilt -- Finished and Blogged May 1, 2012

simple patchwork quilt

A Scrappy Improv Quilt -- Finished and Blogged May 14, 2012

Srappy Improv Quilt

A Rainbow Quilt --  Finished and Blogged May 29th, 2012

My Bottled Rainbows Quilt

An Indie Quilt -- Unfinished and Blogged August 16, 2012

Indie Quilt for Pat Bravo

A Rock & Romance Quilt --  Finished and Blogged Unfinished last September 18, 2012

rock & romance skull quilt

A Glimma & Linen Quilt -- Unfinished and Blogged January 24, 2013

Glimma & Linen Quilt

An Improv & LillyBelle QAYG Quilt -- Finished and Blogged February 6, 2013

QAYG Quilt

An Applique Art Quilt -- Unfinished and Blogged February12, 2013

An Applique Art Quilt Top

A Tsuru Modern Sampler Quilt -- Unfinished and Blogged February 14, 2013

Tsuru Wind Blown

A Chicopee Triangle & Colorblock Quilt -- Finished and Blogged February 25, 2013

Chicopee Triangle & Colorblock Quilt

I'm very excited to see how this list grows over the next year or so, but even more than that, how I do.  
Maureen 

84 comments:

  1. Your quilts are awesome and I always enjoy see when you post them!

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  2. Your quilts are amazing. I wish I could make such beautiful ones with such (seeming) ease. I don't know which blogs you are using to compare quilts, but yours often stick in my mind. Keep up the amazing work.

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  3. It's nice to see them all together in one place and you can tell you love color, which is why I love visiting your blog!! I 'm looking forward to many more quilts of yours!! :D

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  4. Funny....I compare what I've made with yours...and come up lacking! Great job on all!

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  5. Every act of creativity is an achievement to be proud of. But of course your quilts are lovely!

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    1. I completely agree that everything we make is something to be proud of, especially having the courage to share so opening like so many do within this community.

      I have just felt like instead of allowing myself to grow slowly as a quilter, I've spend most of my time throughout these last few years, standing still.

      Thank you Catherine!!

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  6. These are all incredibly GORGEOUS! I always thought you had tons of quilts under your belt just because they're so pretty. Gives me hope... LOL. I have very few finished "quilts"... quite a few mini's though.

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    1. Thank you Penny! Yes, part of the reason I'm sharing this today is from the comments and conversations I get in with the nice people who join me here, I can tell most people think I have a huge list of finished quilts. I haven't ever mentioned the insecurities I have had about quilting in the past, and since I finally feel like I have both found my quilting confidence and a strong passion to make them, it seems like the best place to start!! I know some people may be surprised, but I'm guessing most can relate!!

      I do have a mini and picnic quilt that I forgot to add to the list. :)

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  7. I must tell you that I absolutely love your applique art quilt. It's my favourite. Keep following your instincts. You are just as talented as anyone else out there. eliz.i@sympatico.ca

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  9. Your work is beautiful! I need to go back to some of the other blogs posts and read more about them!

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  10. Such an amazing body of work! Your quilts keep getting more beautiful and expressive! I am new to quilting and you are very inspiring!

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  11. Well it's a good thing you've decided to no longer sell yourself short because your quilts are unique, STUNNING, and clearly full of love (which, I think, is most important). I've often felt the same as I look around me and see other quilters finishing what seem like several quilts per day (maybe not quite that many, but you know what I'm saying)! Meanwhile, I have an unfinished top from 2010. I get you. :)

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  12. They are all beautiful! Quilting is art! It's a chance to express yourself and let your style come out. Your style is so fun! Loving your blog and ideas. Keep it up!

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  13. By the way, it's too hard to pick my favorite :)

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  14. It doesn't matter how accomplished a quilter you are or how many quilts you have made. What matters is your enjoyment. You have some beautiful quilts.

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  15. Love your quilts! They are beautiful. Keep up the good work. I have looked on my area Adrian, MI to have a special quilt with pictures, etc made for my husband that is a wounded warrior. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions please.

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  16. I love all your work!

    Have you thought about a pattern/tutorial for the Indie quilt? I saw your quilt and immediately ordered a bundle with hopes of recreating that quilt...it still sits in a stack in my sewing room because I don't have the confidence to start cutting!!

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  17. Beautiful quilts and great post! Thank you so much for putting words to your feelings, I think a lot of us feel that way.

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  18. Absolutely beautiful, Maureen! What a gift you have!!

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  19. Scrappy improv quilt, YOU ARE GREAT!!! And the rest are all amazing too, but I'm such a sucker for scrap.

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  20. Looks like you've got the hang of it : ) Your quilts are Fan- tastic .

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  21. The blessing and the curse of the internet! So much inspiration every day that it can be paralyzing :) I'm glad you are finding your own voice and enjoying the confidence!

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  22. All your quilts are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us. I think alot of us feel the same way and I'm glad that you are feeling so inspired and finding comfort in quilting. You are so talented and creative and I can't wait to see your next masterpiece, hehe, no pressure. Great job!

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  23. Maureen, these are all so beautiful! I think you're doing just fine. : ) Glad you're getting into the groove with it!

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  24. I absolutely love them all! You style and eye for design and color really ROCKS! I love seeing what you have come up with and your posts have inspired me to quilt more. I am not quite ready to leap into the world of designing my own design just yet (maybe a goal for 2014), but I have been inspired to quilt the designs and fabrics that I love even if I don't "match" what's in my home or I don't have someone to give it to. So far, it's been about using what I have and making what I love. You are totally an amazing quilter! I am so looking forward to seeing more!!! thanks for sharing all that you do!

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  25. your quilts are great. We all quilt at our own speed and some of us have been on this earth longer than others so it is to be expected that some of us have made more quilts than you have :) I'm 60 and have made a lot of quilts when I was as young as you appear to be in your photo I had not made very many! Remember the joy of quilting is we all do it at our own speed and according to the time we have to do it in.

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  26. I guess it's hard not to compare yourself to others...I have to watch that too. I tend to shy away from anything that looks complicated, because I don't feel good enough to complete it. I think your quilts are lovely...so bright and welcoming. I hope that you have a wonderful year of being YOU! We'll all be sitting around ready to enjoy your successes!

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  27. Absolutely LOVE your quilts. They're so fun and colorful. I can only hope that I'm able to sew something remotely beautiful someday.

    I have a whole stack of fabric waiting to be quilted, but I'm AWFUL at cutting. I can't seem to figure out how to make sure that everything is square. Any tips?

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  28. I love seeing through your quilts how you've grown in skill, style and bravery.
    I don't consider myself to be an accomplished quilter, there's always something new to learn.
    I do particularly love the last two, I think you have a mass of gorgeous quilts ahead of you x

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  29. All of your quilts are gorgeous! I was also surprised at where you are on your quilting journey, just because you have a blog. We seem to be in similar places, and it made me feel great to know I'm not alone out here in my insecurity! :-) Thanks for the inspiration, the photos, and the great blog!

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  30. PS Didn't mean to be Anonymous, just couldn't figure out what else to choose in "select profile" - Karen Carr

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  31. You are so gifted - I adore your blog and seeing your quilts. Regarding it being difficult to cut into prize fabric, my husband tells me "even fabric wants to be more than it is". Keep that in mind!

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  32. So beautiful, Maureen. I feel like I could have written your entire first paragraph! Sometimes I let those little fears prevent me from even quilting at all.

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  33. Beautiful. I love all your quilts, they are so inspiring, I can't wait to see more quilts that you make

    Rachael :)

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  34. Wow! These are so beautiful. I'm gearing up the gumption to make ONE sometime soon. I really love the improv and the indie.

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  35. I love this post because we (and you!) get to see all you've accomplished over the course of a year. I'm so proud of all you do Maureen. You're very gifted- don't question your abilities.
    xo,
    Sarah

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  36. Your quilts are lovely, and it is wonderful to see them all together. What an amazing talented women you are!! Have fun while you enjoy the quilting bug :)

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  37. your quilts look awesome Maureen!!!!!
    You did a great job!!!
    Hugs, Dany

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  38. I found this post shocking. 12 quilts?!?!? I thought you had made like a hundred or something! LOL!! All your quilts are lovely. It is fun to see all them in one post! Totally oogling over that scrappy quilt!

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    1. Actually, it's 11. And, I have assumed that most of my readers, especially those of you who have recently found me, are under that impression. I just thought that since finally the confidence and passion in me seem to be equally strong right now, before I begin making all these new quilts, I should start by mentioning that I haven't actually made that many. Pillows on the other hand....that's another story! LOL

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  39. I love your designs and originality. So colorful and gorgeous!

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  40. Your improve art quilt is the most AMAZING quilt I've seen. I follow the rules, groan when my points don't meet and stop myself from trying new things. Because of you and your quilt, I'm going to break free and surprise myself - thank you!
    Karen (kwierenga13@yahoo.com)

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  41. I'm glad you are in a happy place now! I love your blog and your quilts! You are an inspiration to me and you have taught me a lot. I always tell people who ask me about quilting about you and your blog. I tell them I want to be like Maureen when I grow up! Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see your next quilt!

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  42. I love seeing them all in one blog. They are all beautiful and so varied in theme and design. No wonder I love reading your blog every day!

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  43. Well you have gotten so much accomplished compared to me. I have had other distractions for the last few weeks and have so many WIP's. I have not had any free time on weekends, out of town, ailing mother. Plus work-leave home at 7:30 am and return about 6:30 pm.

    Just want to tell you that you work amazes me and I am envious and inspired. Please continue to share. I look forward to it.

    I totally understand the over thinking too. See, I think I can copy stuff and then over analyze it trying to figure it out. And have never had any sewing instruction either so I am lost.

    Going to the Sewing Expo in Atlanta weekend after next to scope out a new sewing machine and take some workshops. Sew looking forward to it, pun intended!

    I am also jealous of the snow. I live in SE Georgia. Very seldom any snow here.

    Plus made a new contact with one of your sponsors, from Milledgeville, GA Will def be buying from her, my southern sister....

    God Bless!

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  44. I've been quilting for years and your quilts inspire me. You have a great sense of color and style. Everyone needs to walk before they run and we all learn thru mistakes and successes. Your quilts today will look different from your quilts tomorrow. It's a growth process for us all. Thanks for sharing your quilts.

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  45. Maureen, I admire your design sense, no matter what you are making. It is all beautiful. And it's kinda funny because my pendulum is just the opposite of yours. If it's a quilt, I'm fine. If it's anything else...a wearable, a tote, or an accessory, I'm a nervous wreck. You have inspired me to work toward overcoming those insecurities that keep me from enjoying that next step. Thanks so much for sharing with us in such a personal way.

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  46. Such a beautiful collection. It's so wonderful that you're feeling more confidence in your quilts. I can't to see where this takes you next! I enjoyed our conversation today. Miss you!

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  47. So beautiful! But what most made my heart happy was your last line of the post. :)

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  48. Really Beautiful. It gives me hope too that others have insecurities when it comes to their work. I am finally loosening up a bit myself, started a blog and share some of the things I have made. It is scary and yet it is freeing. I feel it is the only way I can move forward. Everyday is a learning opportunity and I want to embrace it.
    Thanks for sharing your quilts and your feelings!

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  49. So good to see your first to last quilts. You intimidate me (and I've been sewing and quilting for more years than I want to say!) with your Colors quilt: quite a beautiful display of your color sense! And your Glimma & Linen quilt made me want to make one like it (though I haven't: too many projects going!), and your applique art quilt is quite amazing!! I'd be afraid to even try that one! You just go and do what YOU do and don't compare yourself to others. You have your own talents, and they really shine, so don't try to be who you aren't! You've made me come to realize that I need to stop comparing myself to other quilter also, and just focus on what I do well, and be happy with what I do! Beautiful post: thanks for the thoughts that made me think about myself!! Big hugs to you!! Helen in Healdsburg

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  50. Be yourself. You are a beautiful person who makes beautiful quilts.

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  51. I love, love your rainbow quilt! This is the first time seeing it, since I found you after the date you posted it, I am so glad for the re-cap and I can really see how far along you have done. Amazing Accomplishments!

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  52. Another lovely post, Maureen. It is so much fun to see your creative journey. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Your kindness + grace are gifts to us all. Positive energy to you. Sondra

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  53. <3 So glad you've made them. You do a fantastic job putting together these tops. You are an inspiration and I think that is MUCH more important than being a perfect quilter.

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  54. First of all, let me say that I have made exactly 0 quilts! I only have plans to make one, and it will be whole cloth (someday).

    I can not imagine how you can look at this post & think that you have in any way been standing still for the past 2 years!!! Sitting still, at the sewing machine, maybe... ;) They are beautiful from first to last (most recent?), and it is easy to see that you are finding your quilting voice. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. PS - I hope that you are able to use this post to remind yourself that your voice is beautiful, no matter what the subject...

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  55. This is a great post. It gives me hope and a little more confidence to just go for it. As much as I am struggling to even finish my first quilt, my mind is already coming up with ideas for the next quilt and the next quilt, so I hope to do much more of it in future. I hope one day to be right where you are now, with enough experience behind me to just let go of my fears and have fun :)

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  56. Oh I wish I was as unaccomplished as you! Beautiful collection so far there :o)

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  57. Your quilts are wonderful - you are super talented, and I hope all the comments on this post give you more confidence :-)

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  58. I always love seeing your quilts, it's nice to see them all in one place. I'd love to know what quilters inspire you, because you sure inspire me! I haven't done many quilts either, but I take it slow and enjoy the process. They usually turn out totally different than I initially thought, too, but always better!

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  59. As I was reading your post today, I thought I was reading my own words/feelings! Now I am inspired to just jump in. Thanks!

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  60. Hey that beginning is mine. how can someone who has made that rainbow quilt and the glimma and linen and that applique quilt ever say something like that. You are very good Maureen and that is an understatement.

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  61. I don't feel like a quilter either. Or maybe I don't feel like a Quilter. I know how to make a quilt, but I would never tackle something as fancy as the ones I've seen at QuiltCon or anything, you know? Anyway, your creative eye always shines and your quilts are amazing and beautiful. Keep at 'em! :)

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  62. I love all your quilts and have done since I found your website about a year or so ago. My favorite quilt of yours, suprise surprise, is your improv quilt and I am determined to make one this year. My year is going great which is more than I can say for the past couple of years when I accomplished nothing. I think you are as an amazing a quilter as you are gorgeous.

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  63. I think you've created some really nice quilts so far. Don't stress about the number of them as long as you are enjoying what you are doing. That is the important thing.

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  64. I started following sewing/quilting blogs last year when I started sewing - your Indie and Applique quilts are some of my favorites - esp. the applique quilt - I thinks it's gorgeous and creative! Your blog is one of my top favorites!

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  65. All your quilts are wonderful ~ especially like the Scrappy Improv quilt and the Triangle quilt.

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  66. Every time I see a new post in my reader I am impressed by your work! Your quilts (finished and unfinished) are just beautiful. I think you're very talented and wow, 7 completed! :D

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  67. Let your freak flag fly!! They are all gorgeous!

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  68. These are such fun quilts, Maureen. I love how they are "yours", reflecting your style and giving you pleasure. I've also been thinking about "my style" a lot lately, about where I fit within this quilting community, and what kind of quilts I want to keep making.

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  69. You commented on the number of quilts you've created and how you rank...I've got to say I enjoy the sheer variety of the quilts you've created. It's as though every time you've finished one, you've thought "what can I learn next". I think that is awesome. Not to mention...your work is beautiful!

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  70. I keep telling myself that I can't improve if I don't practice which is especially true for the actual quilting step. You have made some wonderful quilts! I would like to see the Glimma and Linen finished. I recently got a great buy on linen and I plan to use it in some quilts soon. And your Applique Art quilt top is amazing! Keep Calm and Sew On! I stitched this up for my sewing room as a reminder.

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  71. I'm a relative newbie to quilting and I started following a selection of blogs in the last year. Yours have always stood out as being really impressive quilts to me & I always love reading your posts.

    Whatever you're doing, just keep on, It's a real inspiration, I can say that coming from a perspective of not knowing any quilting hierarchy or who's who.

    Thank you for writing this post, makes us just starting out think of where we are going.

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  72. I definietly see a theme, with the colors you love, and I'm glad you're Going for It!!! You inspire so many of us, with your progress and your honesty :D

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  73. i love that you march to your own quilting drum my dear! i love that you look at fabric and see what it can become rather than what others have made with it. i'm so happy you are listening to your quilting voice and seeing where it takes you! i for one cannot wait to see where it takes you this year. i totally love you and everything you make!!!

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