Monday, November 21, 2011

Giveaway starts today -- Accuquilt Go!Baby and fabric, too!!

Update: November 29, 12:01 AM   This giveaway is now closed.....winners will be announced on Tuesday after my first cuppa coffee!
The long awaited day is here! We're starting our giveaway, and one lucky ducky winner will receive an Accuquilt Go! Baby fabric cutter, three dies of their choice, and a layer cake of delicious fabric from the Green Fairy Quilts online store!

Whew! That was a mouthful! Let me grab my cuppa tea and we'll get this show on the road!

First I'd like to show you the tutorial that I made just for you special Lilypadquilters --- the Roanoke Star tabletopper!  Why is it called that? Well, I used to call Virginia my home, and there's a little mountain town there called Roanoke, where a huge neon star has been shining from the top of Mill Mountain since it was first illuminated in 1949. It's huge --- over 88 feet tall! Here's a picture to give you an idea of the size:


And here is what it looks like, all lit up and shining in the night:


So my table topper, even tho the star is a little differently shaped, is my tribute to a wonderful landmark that I remember seeing as a child.

Ready to begin?  I do need to warn you --- this post is full of pictures for the tutorial, so hang in there and stay with me till the end, OK?
First thing you want to do is get out your fabulous Accuquilt Go!Baby and cut some scrappy 3.5 inch half square triangles . . .


Some equally scrappy chisels . . .


And then some half square triangles out of what you might think of as a "background" fabric. You want a pretty sharp contrast between your other die cuts and these.


What? You don't have a Go! Baby?  Hmmmm, we'll have to take care of that later!

Next, take your background HSTs and match them up with your darker HSTs, right sides together:


Sew them in a scant quarter inch seam, and finger press them open, like so:


Aren't they cute?
Now you are going to sew them together with your scrappy chisel shapes, but I'm warning you --- danger ahead! You will have to be careful how you place these right sides together, because if you are grooving to Jingle Bell Rock and not staying focused, your unit will look like this:


Ask me how I know. Well, don't, actually. Just pay attention to yours; you don't want it to look like a pyramid drawn by a tipsy Egyptian architect . . .
You want your completed unit to look like these:


You will actually need eight of these bad boys, and if you want to make them up ahead, that's cool. I made the star in four blocks, and just did these units as I went.
Now, if you want to work with your units and see how they will play together, you can do that now . . .


When you are happy with them, go back to that background fabric, and cut a 6.75 inch square from it --- I like to be a little generous and then go back and square things up.  Cut it in half diagonally, and take one triangle and bring it over to one of your parallelogram units:
You want to match up the sides that you see here in the picture (please excuse the chubby finger). Don't get freaked out because the corner of that triangle extends further than you think it should --- it will all turn out OK. (By the way, a big "thank you" to Sharon of Vrooman Quilts, for her tips on the size of these triangles!)


Now, put these pieces right sides together, pin, and sew!


Make another unit just like the first, and you can lay them out to see what they will look like. Aw, go ahead and sew those together! 
You now have your first block for your star!


A word to the wise here: I found it helped immensely to starch my 6.75 inch squares before cutting them into triangles. They held their shape while I sewed that bias (gasp!) seam.
Now, make another one of these blocks:


. . . and sew it to the first block, to make half of your star. Repeat to make the other half, and then join the two halves of the star.

Now, we're not finished. We want to make a border! Let's get out the Accuquilt cutter again, and make some more HSTs! (This Go!Baby really cranks my tractor --- I've had so much fun with it!) You want some background triangles, and then pick another contrasting color. I was still in my holiday stash, so I chose a pretty holly print:


This time, you are going to chain piece these like so:


. . . and then pin that border, right sides together with your star:


So when you open that out, and iron it carefully, you will be ready to join the borders on the corners, much like you would a mitered border. You'll fold your whole star and the borders on the diagonal, and sew those border edges together.


Then when you open it out, your corners will look like this:


(Trumpet fanfare) And this is what your finished Roanoke Star will look like!


I'm going to hand-quilt mine, and add a narrow red binding. Then it will sit on our table and look festive! At a finished size of twenty-two inches square, it is a super size for a tabletopper, all by itself. But you know me, I can't miss an opportunity to show you how I used it on OleFrogEyes design wall! Look at the awesome secondary patterns this block makes!



Now I can hear what you are saying . . .  this is all very nice, but let's get to the important stuff!

Alright! Your wish is my command --- today the entries begin for the giveaway.   And here are the prizes in this bodacious package!
First on our list, an Accuquilt Go! Baby die cutter!  Whoooo hoooo!


Next on the list, three dies to use in that wonderful Accuquilt machine! That's why I told you to check out this link and this one, and be ready to tell us which three dies you would choose!

Last but not least, some fabric to use with your new cutter! Feast your eyes on the prize that the Green Fairy Quilts store is going to ship to our winner! 


It's the new line by Cosmo Cricket, called Chemistry! Hoppy froggies! A layer cake of yummy fabric goodness, with absolutely no calories or carbs! 

Here is what you can do to enter our giveaway:  
     
           1. Leave a comment telling us what three dies you'd choose with a Go! Baby.
           2. We love our followers, so if you follow here, leave a comment and tell us.
           3. Click on the button on the left-hand sidebar of our blog, and
              get  the free patterns from Accuquilt in your in-box. If you've
             done it before, you can do it again. Leave me a comment and tell me
              that you did. You will also receive occasional emails with awesome
              tutorials and tips from Accuquilt bloggers - some of them are
             geniuses with those cutters!
          4. Go to the Accuquilt Facebook page and click to "like" them,
              but they've asked for me to tell everybody please DON’T deluge
             them with comments there! OK? OK!
          5. Click here to go to Green Fairy Quilts and sign up for their
              newsletter, and leave me a comment that you did (or that you
              already do).
          6. If you are just having dee-duck fits to get your hands on one of
              these babies, then you can tweet or post this on your facebook page
             and leave me a link to say that you did.
          7.  Check out the Green Fairy Quilts PrePurchase section, and tell me which
              one of the lines coming in December has caught your eye.
          8. Are you still reading? Are you a blogger? You'll be glad you are
             still with me here - if you post our giveaway on your blog, you will
             get an extra entry for the cutter AND BE ENTERED INTO A
            SPECIAL DRAWING . . . wanna see what you can win?




           It's a charm pack of Chemistry, by Cosmo Cricket -- our generous sponsors, the folks at Green Fairy Quilts, have said they'll provide this yummy charm pack for the blogger that we pick from that special drawing!  So if you help us spread the word, leave a comment and tell us - and you'll be in that drawing!

Now, I know that some of us are already preparing for Thanksgiving; there's a lot of baking and defrosting and prepping going on. So, we are going to leave this giveaway open for a week --- it will close at midnight (Eastern) on next Monday, November 28, and we'll announce winners on Tuesday! That way everyone has time to enter as many times as they would like to!

Well, there you have it --- lots of ways to get entries into the drawing. And one of you lucky peeps is going to win an Accuquilt cutter, three dies, and some fabric! Hoppy froggies!

Let the commenting begin!!

Love,








636 comments:

  1. Your star project came our wonderfully and is going to make a lovely quilt too. A follower.

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  2. I'd choose Feathers, Drunkards Path and Circles dies!

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  3. three dies - drunkards path, apple core, tumbler

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  4. I've signed up for the free patterns in your sidebar!

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  5. I receive the green fairy newsletter!

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  6. Thanks for a lovely giveaway. The three dies I would chose are 1 1/2" strip, hexagons and 5" square

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  7. Already get the Green Fairy Quilts newsletter

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  8. Tweeted it https://twitter.com/#!/Michells_Place

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  9. LOVE red & white! I have to say that the pre-cut coming in December that caught my eye is Renaissance FQ bundle. Thanks for the additional giveaway. WOW!

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  10. I tweeted about your giveaway today as KShahann. Cute holiday fabric in the tute, by the way. Shahann at yahoo dot com

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  11. I follow Accuquilt on facebook as Kathy Schaller Snider. Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  12. I would love to get my hands on the rickrack die, Rose of Sharon die, and the chisle die. Thanks for the chance. Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  13. I follow Lily Pad Quilting! Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  14. I receive the Accquilt e-mails and already received the free patterns. Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  15. I already receive the Green Fairy Quilts Newsletter. Thanks again! What an awesome giveaway. Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  16. I would love to win this! My choices are - Tumblers, 5" Square and Half Square 4"Triangle

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  17. id get the bird dies, a circle die, and a flower die! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  18. i like them on FB steph sweeper scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  19. Wow, can't believe it's already! =) If I happened to get lucky, the 3 1/2" tumbler block , the 3 1/4" square, and the 2 1/2" strip cutter would be nice!

    Have fun with all your visitors. =) and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  20. I follow your blog. =)

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  21. I"m signed up for their newsletter.

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  22. Signed up for Green Fairy Quilts Newsletter.

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  23. I tweeted your giveaway!
    http://twitter.com/#!/AMKreations/status/138576803886403584

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  24. I really like the Redwork renaissance bundle. I want to do some redwork!

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  25. and last but not least, I blogged for ya! =)
    http://amkreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/lily-pad-quilting-is-giving-away-baby.html

    Thanks again!

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  26. I would love an Accuquilt Baby Go!

    And I love Virginia too! Especially the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Peaks of Otter. We have visited the Railway Museum in Roanoke - wish I could remember that star!

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  27. The three dies I would like are Go!Value, Go!Snowflake ans Go!Feathers. There are a whole lot more I'm sure I'd buy later.

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  28. I already receive the Green Fairy Quilts newsletter.

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  29. I have downloaded the Accuquilt patterns.

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  30. My favorite dies are Birds, Critters and Fall Medley.

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  31. I follow your blog. Loved the tutorial and I haven't seen that Mill Mountain Star in years. Used to see it many years ago when I was a student at Tech.

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  32. 2nd.... hmm, the dies, I already have the GO! and love it, I do think I like applique dies better than anything else, maybe the sunbonnet sue, the baby blocks one, and drunkards path ( I really want both sizes but that's too many)
    oh drool

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  33. i LIKE accuquilt already and I have their free patterns :-)

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  34. I also already get green fairy quilt newsletter.

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  35. I would get the Drunkard's Path, Apple Core, and Value dies!

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  36. I would choose 2 1/2" strip cutter, 3 1/2" tumbler and 3" finished triangle if I were so lucky to win.

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  37. I signed up for the Accuquilt emails and patterns.

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  38. Already get Green Fairy Quilts' newsletter!

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  39. Summer Breeze in the coming attractions section looks so pretty! Love blue and yellow.

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  40. Three dies, Go Fantasy Flowers, Go Folk Art Fowl, Go Ring of Oak.

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  41. I have signed up for the Green Fairy Newsletter

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  42. I follow you...that's how I know about this, hehe.

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  43. Three dies I would choose: 5" square, Drunkards Path and rickrack.

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  44. I got my free patterns from Accuquilt

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  45. I receive Green Fairy Quilts Newsletter

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  46. My favorite pre-purchase is Twirl.

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  47. I think my favourite of December's fabrics is Redwork Renaissance.

    Not on Facebook, not a blogger so I think I have done all i can to win your fabulous giveaway! Thank you.

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  48. :) 3 Dies
    1. Hexagons 2,3,5
    2. Sparkle Diamonds
    3. 2 1/2 inch Strip Cutter

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  49. Great tutorial! I am iching for the hexagons, the circles and the 1.5 inch HST dies.

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  50. I receive the Green Fairy newsletter :)

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  51. I love Quilt Fairy already follower them!

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  52. The Tropicana Batiks look very pretty :)

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  53. Love your table topper! Very festive! :)

    I'd like the Rose of Sharon, the Pomegranate, and the Dove.

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  54. I received AccuQuilt's free patterns.

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  55. I would get one of the half square triangles, the parallelogram and one of the cute ones. Maybe something that has a butterfly.
    And I love that Chemistry fabric. Pink!!!!

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  56. Dies:
    - Sparkle Diamonds
    - Go Fantasy Flowers
    - Circles dies
    Great giveaway! Please count me in!

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  57. What a great giveaway! The 3 dies I like are calico cat, circles, and funky flowers!

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  58. I am now a happy follower of this blog!

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  59. I'd love to win the Go Baby Cutter and thank you for the opportunity to win. If I were to win, I'd like these dies:
    Sunbonnet Sue
    Fall Medley
    Home

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  60. I am already a follower of your blog and thank you for the opportunity to win a Baby Go Cutter.

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  61. I have received the free kpatterns from Accuquilt and thank you for the opportunity to win a Baby Go Cutter.

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  62. I downloaded the free patterns!

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  63. I already follow Accuquilt on facebook and thank you for the opportunity to win a Baby Go Cutter.

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  64. I "liked" Accuquilt on facebook!

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  65. I signed up for the newsletter at Green Fairy Quilts

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  66. I tweeted the giveaway @SewingScene1!

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  67. Since red is my favorite color, my favorite from the Prepurchase section at Green Fairy Quilts is the Redwork Renaissance Fat Quarter Bundle!

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  68. I would choose the Hexi die, the Tumbler die, and the Circle die. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  69. I get the Green Fairy Quilts newsletter.

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  70. I would choose the Ribbon Twist, Funky Flowers and the Home dies. Thanks.

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  71. I receive Green Fairy's newsletters.

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  72. For the coming soon, I love the Felicity, those colors are wonderful. Thanks.

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  73. What a great tutorial! I'm a follower for sure!!

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  74. If I were the very lucky winner, I would love to have the drunkard's path, the 4 inch HST and the hexagons.

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  75. I downloaded the free patterns for Accuquilt

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  76. I subscribe to the Green Fairy Newsletter

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  77. Ok, I think these three dies...

    4 7/8 triangle
    6 1/2 triangle
    6 1/2 square

    Yep.

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  78. My favorite December precut is Summer Breeze II

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  79. Now getting Green Fairy newsletter... :)

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  80. I've been liking Accuquilt on fb for a while now. Sure would love to have a Go Baby!

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  81. OOhh, I love the Tropicana Batiks!! I tend to go for Batiks a lot.

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  82. Oooh wow, this could be the time for me to actually...oh, not me, never mind! It's just fun to try! but if it were, the circle, feather and rag square dies would be great.

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  83. And now I am following your blog!

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  84. Well I have done the enlisting at Accuquilt again!

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  85. My 3 favorite dies are the birds, the funky flower and the rose of sharon!

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  86. I am a happy regular follower of the Lily Pad blog!

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  87. I have previously liked on FB

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  88. I receive the Green Fairy Quilts' email newsletter.

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  89. I did sign up at Green Fairy Quilts!!

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  90. Felicity, now that looks yummy!

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  91. I added Green Fairy Quilt's to my email list.

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  92. I think I'd choose the Funky Flower, one of the 3" HST and the Bountiful Baskets?

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  93. I've already gotten the freebies and am on their mailing list.

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  94. I already receive Green Fairy's newsletter.

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  95. Domestic Bliss looks pretty. Thanks for sharing!

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  96. I have blogged about your giveaway at:
    http://muchashilachas.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html

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  97. The three dies I'd choose would be the hexagons 2", 3", & 5", The circles 2", 3" & 5", and the Daisy!

    Thank you for a chance to win.

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  98. I signed up for the free patterns. :-)

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  99. I'm a Green Fairy newsletter subscriber! :-)

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  100. I tweeted! @dlk3265

    http://twitter.com/#!/dlk3265/status/138692042342678528

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  101. Urban Cowboy for December 2011 at Green Fairy looks sweet! :-)

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  102. For dies...I would love them all....lol. Thanks for this chance. I pick Rag Floweres & Circle, Drunkards Path and Fall Medley. thanks again

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  103. I'd pick the tumbler, an HST, and the Drunkard's path!

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  104. I would love the Go! baby! My pick three - apple core, tumbler, and holiday medley

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  105. I am blogging about it here...http://marjoriesbusycorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/wow-baby-go-giveaway.html

    I want on of these so bad...lol. thanks for the chance.

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  106. I subscribe to the accuquilt newsletter.

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  107. I now subscribe to Green Fairy Quilts newsletter!

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  108. I would love to win the giant rick rack, drunkards path and circles.

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  109. my three favorite dies for the go!baby: rose of sharon, ribbon twist, and go!birds! would love to have them should i win this go!baby cutter!

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  110. signed up for the patterns and newsletter again.

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  111. i get click on your button for free accuquilt patterns, thank you!

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  112. I am signed up for GFQ's newsletter.

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  113. i am already an accuquilt fan on facebook.

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  114. Those Tropicana Batiks are beautiful.

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  115. i to get the green fairy newsletter in my email!

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  116. i did post this giveaway on my fb page!

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  117. looking forward to green fairy getting in the Redwork Renaissance Fat Quarter Bundle! delicious! will want this for doing a redwork piece!

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  118. and, yes! i did post this giveaway on my blog, akgranny.blogspot.com!

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  119. I blogged about your awesome giveaway today at:

    http://new2quilting.blogspot.com/2011/11/orca-bay-step-1-complete.html

    Shahann at yahoo dot com.

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  120. Oooohhh... so many wonderful choices.... how about Go! Calico Cat!, Go! Reindeer!, and Go! Snowflake! Love all of them!! :-)

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  121. My 3 favorites are Rose of Sharon, Fall Leaves and, Bountiful Baskets. Count me among the many who would love to own one of these Baby's. ;->

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  122. I signed up to receive Accuquilt's free patterns! Thanks!

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  123. I'm a new follower to your blog. Your Roanoke Star turned out beautifully. Great tutorials and reviews, thank you. ;->

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  124. I "like" Accuquilt on Facebook! :-)

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  125. I signed up for Green Fairy Quilt's newsletter! Thanks :-)

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  126. LOVE that Domestic Bliss fabric from Moda!! :-)

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  127. Dies I would love...squares, hexagons,tumbler

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  128. I am now a follower. I love your Roanoke Star.

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  129. I would request the chisel, the 8.5" square, and the parallelogram dies. Great tutorial, lady!

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  130. Of course I follow the Snoodles. I'd be crazy not to!

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  131. I receive Green Fairy's newsletter.

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  132. I just signed up for 22 Accuquilt patterns. Thank you! ;->

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  133. I receive Accuquilt's e-mails. It's amazing what those designers can do with their Gos. I'm just happy to get 6 straight-cornered squares at a time.

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  134. I already receive Green Fairy Quilts newsletter. Thanks again! ;->

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  135. Tropicana Batiks is my favorite December pre-order from Green Fairy Quilts. Thanks for making me want more fabric, as if my house wouldn't explode with 1 more fat quarter.;->

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  136. Entry 1: The dies I would love to have is the 2 1/2 in strip, the double wedding ring and the winter medeley

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  137. entry 3: I got the acquiquilt go free patterns

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  138. entery 4: I get the GFQ newsletter and am a frequent customer!

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  139. entry 5: I am looking forward to reunion on the GFQ coming soon page

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  140. I would love to get my hands on the rickrack die, Rose of Sharon die, and the chisle die. Awesome giveaway!

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  141. I really like the Redwork renaissance bundle.

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  142. I receive the green fairys newsletter

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  143. Dies I'd pick:hexagon, circle and applecore

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  144. I've got the newsletter and free patterns from accuquilt.

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  145. I receive Green Fairy's newsletter!

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  146. I subscribed to the accuquilt newsletter!

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  147. The dies I'm hankering after are hexagons, strips (2.5 inch) and half square triangles

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