Monday, June 6, 2016

Maggie's First Dance - Block 1 and a giveaway (Closed Now)


Today is the day!

Block One of the free Block of the Month, Maggie's First Dance, is released today! It's a Jacquelynne Steves design!



I can't wait to show you all the fun we've had here at the Lilypad . . . got your cuppa and a snack handy? (Grin) Regular readers know that means there is a picture-heavy post ahead!



The first thing you're going to do is decide: applique, embroidery, or focus fabrics in the center of these lovely blocks. I chose applique! I'm using one of the fabric palettes that Jacquelynne will show in her options; it's a beautiful line of fabrics called HomeTown Girl, by Pat Sloan.



Look at these adorable prints! Jacquelynne's instructions are always clear and easy to follow. I added a step at this point -- I starched these bad boys! You'll see why in a minute . . .



. . .  because we're cutting up those squares into triangles! I like how the starch keeps my triangles from getting weird on me.



That keeps me from going batty, which is what Padsworth and DragonDrop were convinced that these were supposed to be: bats. Nope, guys, these are building blocks, just wait and see.



See? I told you so. Those triangles get made into cute squares! (I've been told by a non-quilter that ours is a hobby distinguished by our taking perfectly good fabric, cutting it into pieces and then sewing it back together again. Works for me.)



Sharp observers will notice that DragonDrop takes his inspection job quite seriously. The points simply MUST line up, you see.



I LOVE the fact that Jacquelynne has us make the squares just a little bit over-sized, and then we cut them down to perfect size.



Then we sew all the sections into the finished block!



These fabrics are playing together beautifully!



My applique skills are getting better!



And just look at those points! (See, DragonDrop, they match!)
I used two tools that proved to be essential to these successes: 



I was provided with some Heat and Bond "LITE," and I love how it worked for these flowers and stems. And my trusty Aurifil thread made the stitching a breeze!



A big Lilypad THANK YOU to Julia Sandvoss and the folks at ThermoWeb Inc! Be sure to check out their site and consider this product for your own blocks!



This is my favorite stash of thread . . . the Simply Color collection from Aurifil. These colors go with everything!



The Boyz take thread selection quite seriously!

All right, let's talk about this month's block activities and our giveaway! It's going to be so much fun to see everyone's blocks!
You can get started by visiting the other feature bloggers to see what they did for their Block One:


Then you can hop over to the new Facebook page, and also to the linky party!

Be sure to drop by Jacquelynne's blog and say "howdy" and "thank you" for this fun Block of the Month project!

There is even a Pinterest page for more colorful and creative inspiration!

Now, to enter the giveaway, answer this question: Which of the collections on the Aurifil "Collections" page do you like best? Which colors make your heart go pitty pat? 

Also, you don't have to follow (it's not required, but we appreciate it!) but if you do, you can add a second comment to tell me -- easy peasy, you have another entry in the drawing!

And here is what you have a chance to win:



I know, gorgeous, right? Exciting! 
May the commenting begin! We'll leave this giveaway open till midnight on June 12, and then we'll announce our winners as soon as we possibly can! Bear with us, you know it's not easy for a froggie and a dragon to get this done!

Good luck!

Love,




270 comments:

  1. I love the Ultimate collection!!

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  2. I am a follower on Bloglovn! thank you!

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  3. What an adorable block! I will have to follow along now.

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  4. I follow via Google. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  5. Love your fabrics. The boys did a good job modeling for this photo shoot.

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  6. I am a follower via bloglovin' . The first block is so lovely!

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  7. Your block is wonderful!!! My favorite thread box is " Tid bits". Because it has alot of basic colors but I also LOVE super bright colors too. :-) Happy quilting!

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  8. There are SO MANY awesome Aurifil boxes, but the one that probably makes me happiest is Darlene Zimmerman's - which is what happens when I see most of her fabrics, too!

    Thanks for participating in such an awesome giveaway!!

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  9. I got completely lost looking at those. I am going to choose: Rainbow of Colors by Shari Butler. But I think they need a "Gene Black" collection - so I can get ALL of my favorites in one box.

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  10. I follow by Google Friend Connect and Bloglovin'

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  11. Rainbow of Colors is my favorite. I like brights. This is going to be a wonderful quilt a long!

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  12. I follow you on Bloglovin. Love your blog.

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  13. I like the McKenna Ryan collection. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  14. Exciting stuff! I look forward to receiving the pattern today, perhaps I will even get to start on the block tonight! I love the Sew Modern Essentials (50wt) collection, I really enjoy the brightness of it.
    ~Brandy
    brandizzle7133 at gmail dot com

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  15. I follow you via Bloglovin'

    ~Brandy
    brandizzle7133 at gmail dot com

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  16. Love your appliqué!!! That's what I'm planning for my block too! Thanks for the chance to win :)
    My fav is Uppercase💕

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  17. I love the Uppercase collection - it's filled with beautiful colors that I use as much as I can!

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  18. Very pretty! I can't wait to get started!
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  19. I've just discovered your blog today, but after reading posts I've added you to my feedly.

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  20. So many cute helpers and it always helps to have a second or third opinion. I like your bright colors too.
    I guess winter essential would be my choice of the kits as I have quite abit of colors.

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  21. I too have starting following you and hope to become friends.

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  22. Beautiful forest block! I am loving the tropical box by McKenna Ryan! It has beautiful and bright colors! Love your block!

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  23. Edyta Sitar's Winter Essentials (these are the colors I piece with!) followed closely by Tula Pink's Premium collection--Lots of variegated. I love using varigated threads in my quilting!

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  24. I really love Edyta's! Rainbow collection.

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  25. Edyta Sitar's Winter Essentials collection is marvelous. Love all the variegated threads as they blend so readily into various backgrounds. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of these wonderful Aurifil threads.

    Love your website and have become a follower. You offer lots of tips, and the Frog is just the cutest mascot!

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  26. I like the Tid Bits collection.

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  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  28. I think the Jinny Beyer handpiecing collection calls to me. I love her color pallette.

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  29. I think the Jinny Beyer handpiecing collection calls to me. I love her color pallette.

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  30. I like all the collections, it's too hard to choose a favorite. Your helpers are sweet!

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  31. It's hard to pick just one collection of all the great color choices, if I have to pick one I guess it would be Transformation Cool. It is so fun to see all of the different blocks being shown. Thanks for opportunity to win.

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  32. I love the Transformation Collections---both of them! Also enjoyed looking around on your blog today. I will be back!

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  33. Love Aurifil threads! Very hard to choose a favorite, my choice would have to be SIMPLIFY by Camille Roskelley. Love the colors! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  34. Any of them. They are all beautiful. I have been quilting for 5 years and never appliquéd. This will be interesting for me

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  35. Any of them. They are all beautiful. I have been quilting for 5 years and never appliquéd. This will be interesting for me

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  36. Oh my gosh--I started to make a list, and stopped at 14 names. I'm going to point my finger and just pick one from it: Fig Tree. Aurifil Threads are amazing--I never thought I would have a crush on thread, or that it could make a difference, but Aurifil is so smooth and yet strong. Love, love, love that thread.

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  37. When you are hooked on Aurifil thread it is hard to choose. I enjoy Pat Sloan's blog so I am going with her thread. Thank you for being a part of this giveaway and giving all of us the chance to become a winner of this awesome thread. Just got to love Aurifil. Can't wait for the next block to come out. Going to love Maggie's First Dance. Brings back memories of when the first dance was for us.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  38. THE BASICS COLLECTION by Mark Lipinski for piecing.
    TRNASFORMATION WARM by Sarah Vedeler for beautiful collection of colors. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  39. I sew with all colors so any one of the collections would be so much appreciated. I love all the Moda designer's collections. Thanks.

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  40. I'm brand new to quilting and only have one spool of Aurifil (a light grey) so I would LOVE any of them, but I think I would prefer something with some good primary colors. We're a military family and I'm sure that I will be doing lots of red, white, and blue quilting. ;)

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  41. Big Stirch Quilting as I love handwork. But can't go wrong with any Aurifil thread!

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  42. I have been following you since I first saw your blog, when Maggie's first dance was announced.... One look at Padsworth and DragonDrop and I was a goner!! LOL!

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  43. I really like the Retro Farmhouse Floss by Joanna Figueroa. Totally my colors! Like your sewing companions. My dog, Lucky, is my companion, although he's usually napping!

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  44. I've only used 2314 to piece with so don't have any of the collections. They all look yummy...would be hard to pick a favorite!

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  45. Love the Uppercase collection :)

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  46. I love the Aurifil Neutrals collection, they go with everything just perfectly.

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  47. I signed up to follow your blg, love this first tutorial!

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  48. It's sooo hard to pick just one favorite aurifil collection! I love them all!! I love, love love the minick and Simpson portage lake one - I'm wanting to make that quilt when it comes out....but I love the Amy sinabaldi one, the pat Sloan ones, the tula pink ones....the list goes on....oh, and I can't forget bonnie and camille! They have several and camille has one on her own....I'd love to have all of them....I'd look at the different collections all the time....and dream!!

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  49. The tropical collection is bright and inspiring but there are so many other good ones. It was difficult to pick just one!

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  50. Oh yeah, and I follow you on bloglovin!!

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  51. I like Mark Lipinsky's The Basics Collection because it is so versatile for piecing almost every color. So many of the other collections are so beautiful that I'd love to have them ALL!

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  52. Love the Basics Collection---and love the fact that it provides most of what is needed.

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  53. I'm just learning to quilt, so the collections were a bit overwhelming, but I love the Transformation Cool collection. Green is my go-to color and the shades in that set are yummy!

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  54. OMG, I am in love with the Tula Pink collection. I LOVE the variegated thread that is in it, especially the green and yellow variegated!

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  55. Love the Transformation Warm.

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  56. I love Tinsel by Cheri Good Quilt Designs. I love all the icy blues, so pretty

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  57. This is going to be a fun quiltalong. Love the pattern and colors.

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  58. Hard to pick, but I think the Tula Pink collection looks great and would be fun to use. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  59. I like Simplify by Camille. I enjoyed seeing your cute models.

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  60. I've just gotten into this, so I'm going to say "Big Stitch Quilting." I can use more thread! =)

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  61. I like tid bits by Jeni Baker.

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  62. My favorite line is Sweetly Stitched.

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  63. My choice and it was very very hard would be Big Stitch Quilting by Sarah Fielke

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  64. Wow, there are so many gorgeous collections! I especially like THE TROPICAL BOX by McKenna Ryan.

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  65. I love your blog. So fun! I amnow a follower

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  66. I like The Perfect Box of Colors by Pat Sloan :)

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  67. I want them all, but WINTER ESSENTIALS by Edyta Sitar is one I have and use. crystalbluern at tds dot net

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  68. I follow you on Bloglovin. crystalbluern at tds dot net

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  69. I love Voluminous even though it's an older collection! thanks!

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  70. Pat Slone's color collection is really pretty. However, blue is my favorite color and picking just one of those is difficult.

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  71. Love the Tid Bits collection by Jeni Baker.

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  72. Up and Away are more my colors. Thanks for the chance

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  73. I love the wildflower collection. I'm a colorful person

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  74. Pat Sloan's The Perfect Box of Colors.

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  75. Love the McKenna Ryan collection!!!

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  76. Every collection from Aurifil makes my heart go pitty pat but Transformation Warm Collection by Sarah Vedeler is so neat!

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  77. I'm now following you via Blogovin.

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  78. Wildflower meadow is my favorite! I love the brights!

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  79. I love VOLUMINOUS by Katarina Roccella as those blues are fabulous with the rest of the collection.

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  80. I'm a new follower on bloglovin. Sure glad I've found you as am enjoying your blog already.

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  81. I love the Dancing Umbrellas. Such bright colors.

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  82. Hands fown, Pat Sloans, perfect box of colors. taylor71758@outlook.com

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  83. Hands fown, Pat Sloans, perfect box of colors. taylor71758@outlook.com

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  84. Love you block, and the bright fabric.

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  85. I really Love Love the Meadowflower and Box of perfect Colors are the Best Ever!

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  86. This Block of the month is sew much fun! I love my Aurfil Splendor 1920 thread collection by Bari J! But I would love to have another collection with more colors :) Thank you for the chance to win!

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  87. I like the transformation cool collection. I seem to always lean toward blues and the cool coolers.

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  88. WILDFLOWER MEADOW by Melly & Me, I looked at several of the collections but I kept going back to Wildflower Meadow.

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  89. My second favorite is Heritage Collection.

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  90. Love Transformation Warm. Orange, Orange does something to me.

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  91. I can't choose a favorite - I have been trying to avoid the temptation to even look.

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  92. I can't wait to start on this great BOM! I am using stash fabrics as I have to downsize but I think I found some that will work OK. I am also a Bloglovin' follower!

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  93. I like the Valerie Wells'collection - great colors!

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  94. I like the Valerie Well's collection. I like bright and bold colors.

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  95. Your block is adorable (as are your helpers!). As others have noted it is awfully hard to pick just one Aurifil collection favorite, but today I'm picking 'Over the Rainbow' because of all the bright, vibrant colors. We are about to have a thunderstorm where I live so I might just get to see a real rainbow today!

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  96. Oh, and I am following you via Bloglovin'!

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  97. Thanks for sharing your wonderful version! I can't afford any of the collections, but if I could, I'd probably choose either a neutrals one, Fig Tree maybe, or something like Happy Colors. Thanks to you, Jacquelynne, and Aurifil for the chance to win a collection. dezertsuz at gmail

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  98. Pat Sloan's and Valerie Well's collections.

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  99. I love Wildflower Meadow and Up and Away. Bright cheery colors. Ha which is very different from the blues and greens in my fabric collection.

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  100. I love anything Tula Pink, and I love varigated threads for machine quilting.

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  101. I like Mark Lipinski's Basics box. I use Aurifil for piecing and I use a lot of the colors in that box.

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  102. Too many to choose from but push comes to shove, I'll go with Transformations, both warm and cool. Also Tula Pink.

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  103. Enjoy your site and how you have put together block 1. Looking forward to more ideas. Where can I find my own Dragondrop and Padsworth?

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  104. Love teh basics collection but really all the threads are delightful!!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  105. Simplefy by Camille Roskelley because I love her fabrics!!!

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  106. Love them all but especially Pat Sloan's Hometown Girls

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  107. I like Tide Pools by Kathy Engle

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  108. love the mckenna ryan collection although its so hard to select one as my favorite. my go to color though is the grey, works for just about anything.

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  109. Comment one, following your blog, it looks like lots of fun.

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  110. Comment 2, do you really want me to select just one collection of Aurifil thread? I love all the colors. But if I have to select one it has to be either the Simply Color you are using or the Pat Sloan HomeTown Girl group.

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  111. I really love the Wildflower Meadow.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  112. I follow you on Bloglovin.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  113. Your block looks lovely! Great colors! How can I choose only one collection of Aurifil? Now I've found even more to love, hehe. I'm loving Lori Holt's Happy Colors, Simplify by Camille, Over the Rainbow by Edyta Sitar and The Perfect Box of Neutrals by Pat Sloan. There's many more as well.

    Awesome giveaway Aurifil! Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  114. I really like the Tula Pink Premium Collection. I would love to try the varigated colors and see what they would add to my embroidery and creativity.

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  115. I have also joined your blog. What a fun site.

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  116. I'm a follower via BlogLovin.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  117. Thanks for the tutorial for this block! I like the High Voltage collection.

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  118. I have just started aMcKenna Ryan bom. I love her colours! I am working on a project with fabric I love...flower sugar. It makes a beautiful quilt....very fresh.

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  119. I love Mckenna Ryan's Tropical box.

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  120. Tula Pink's Premium collection would be my dream collection!! But truth be told I would be happy with any of them.
    Love your block!

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  121. Wildflower meadow is beautiful I would love to have any of them

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  122. Wildflower meadow is beautiful I would love to have any of them

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  123. Tinsel is my favorite ..beautiful!

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  124. I am one of your blog followers.

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  125. I like Mimi Dietrich's Applique Collection for the reds and the blue. Your block looks super.

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  126. Wow - so hard to choose between all the collections. Love the Basics Collection, but have to admit that Perfect Box of Colors by Pat Sloan really grabs me. Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  127. I really like the Color Me Happy collection.

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  128. I love the Wildflower collection! Beautiful colors! Leslie Prothero

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  129. I love the Wildflower collection- just love the beautiful colors! Loved looking at your blog, too!!

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  130. Sweetly Stitched is my favorite.

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  131. I love the transformation Cool collection. Beautiful earth and sky tones!

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  132. I just followed your blog. Love your writing style :) I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts.

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  133. My favorite Aurifil collection is the FigTree Collection by Joanna Figueroa. I just love all these colors!

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  134. My favorite choice of Aurifil thread is "Transformation Warm" - love the orange!

    I follow you through Google friend connect.

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  135. The Transformation collection in Cool makes my heart sing!
    cotten.gloria@gmail.com

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  136. Oooohhhhh the Tide Pool collection is gorgeous!

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  137. I love Simplify by Bonnie & Camille. I love all things aqua.

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  138. I follow you on Bloglovin. cotten.gloria@gmail.com

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  139. I love the Splendor 1920 collection. Your block is beautiful.

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  140. I'm a vintage 30s girl. Tinsel is a close second.

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  141. I like the Valori Wells collection. 30's are next in line

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  142. Pat Sloan's Perfect Box of Neutrals. I do not have any Aurifil thread yet and this would be a great basic box to begin with.

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  143. Your block is too cute! I also use starch and it helps keep those triangles from getting mangled. Love your froggie styling as always! And I am happy to be making this quilt with you!

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  144. Definitely Tula Pink's Premium collection!

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  145. I like the neutrals collection.

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  146. I love the Tidepools collection

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  147. Up and Awayis my favorite. Cute block!

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  148. I really like Drawn Large Aurifil Thread Box by Angela Waters
    tracinecharest at gmail dot com

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  149. I started to follow you on Bloglovin

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  150. I love Transformation Cool collection.

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  151. I love Transformation Cool collection.

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  152. I love Up & Away! And I love your pictures!

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  153. I am also a follower on Facebook!

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  154. I don't have a favorite collection.

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  155. What beautiful fabrics. I'll be following along from now on

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  156. I love working with Aurifil thread

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  157. my favourite is Tula Pink's Premium Collection I love the subtle variations you get. 1 other entry

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  158. I think I would like to add tinsle to my thread box. I'm not confident enough to use bright colors in my FMQ!

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  159. I'm following you on bloglovin.

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  160. The colors in Seashore, by Tammy Silvers, make my heart go pitty pat and SING!!!!! Such bright, happy colors!

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  161. All the Aurifil collections are great, but I will go with The Ultimate Collection by Tula Pink.

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  162. They are all beautiful but I guess I'd choose WILDFLOWER MEADOW by Melly & Me - thanks.

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  163. The Ultimate Collection is great. Love the colors of your block.

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  164. Love to embroider so looking forward to this BOM

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  165. Wildflower Meadow! Love those colors!

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  166. I love the Tide Pools collection. Awesome!

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  167. I like Pat Sloan's perfect box of colours. You've got to love applique threads that go with everything.

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  168. Your block turned out beautiful. I am also using that fabric and doing the machine applique plus I have the same box of thread. I just hope I can get my points to match like you did. I really love the Tropical Box by Mckenna Ryan.

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