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Monday, April 07, 2014

shimmer feather pillow

Why hello there! Today I am happy to be a stop on Jennifer Sampou's SHIMMER blog hop!
Shimmer is Jennifer's newest fabric line (manufactured by Robert Kaufman) that is full of....well...shimmer! It's really beautiful.
It took me several weeks to decide on a project for these fabrics. I kicked around several ideas in my head, rearranged the charms a bunch of different ways, but that spark was missing, you know? One day it occurred to me that the fabric would be PERFECT paired with Anna Maria's feather pattern. That was the light bulb moment I was waiting for. (It's always fun when that happens!)
I love how it all came together! I made the feathers smaller than the original pattern so that 3 of them would fit on a pillow cover. I foundation pieced the shimmer fabric unto paper, then proceeded to assemble the feathers, figuring out the rest of the dimensions on the fly. It was a little trickier that I thought it would be-with all those angles-but nothing a little stitch ripping couldn't solve.
I cross hatched the background using purple thread. I know that's an unconventional choice, and very much out of my box, but look how much depth it adds to the pillow! I started and stopped the quilting lines at each feather, so I had a bunch of threads to bury. But it was worth it in the end!
To finish it off, I made an envelope backing with this fabulous olive colored fabric from my stash. I sewed a double line of stitching on the edge of the closure for a more tailored finish. I really like it! I'm sure I will be revisiting that detail again soon. (The only drawback about working with dark fabrics is all the lint it attracts, but what are you gonna do?)

The pillow measures 20" square. (It's so weird! Usually my projects are made from scraps. I'm so used to counting them toward my 101! Ha!)

Since this is a blog hop, you know there has to be a giveaway!
If you would like to win this shimmer charm pack, please leave me a comment in this post. I'll pick a winner in a few days.

Happy Monday to you!

364 comments:

  1. That's one classy + modern pillow. Thank you for all the ideas! Take care.

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  2. Loving the purple, what a fantastic contrast with the gorgeous shimmer fabrics!

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  3. Clever use of the beautiful fabrics!

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  4. Great looking pillow. Love the feathers. Thanks for the chance to win. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com.

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  5. Beautiful fabric!

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  6. Love those shimmering feathers on the solid background!
    Great pillow!

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  7. Love the pillow, and thanks for the chance!

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  8. Beautiful pillow, wonderful fabric.

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  9. Love the pillow! I'm just getting into quilting and you offer so much inspiration.

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  10. The feathers really are a perfect choice for this fabric. I have to say that the fabric is very different to anything I have used but would be fun to try. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Love this collection of muted colors.

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  12. Oh, how pretty! Thanks for the chance!

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  13. This is a fabulous new collection. Love your feather pillow!

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  14. Would love to win this lovely fabric. The feather pattern is on I've been using too; love it!

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  15. Thats a great pillow! Im going to try something like that. My scraps and a Snow background. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  16. beautiful use of the shimmer material--feathers usually do shimmer in the light! Would love to try this

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  17. Pretty feathers!
    24Tangent@gmail.com

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  18. Great choice for these fabrics. Love your quilting. The feathers almost look real in your photos.

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  19. That is beautiful. I love the purple with the blues and grey.

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  20. Such a pretty use of these fabrics" I'm really excited to get some of my own!!

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  21. That feather pattern has always scared me, but I know I could put those charm squares to good use!

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  22. Inspirational choosing to make feathers - they really do 'shimmer'.

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  23. Beautiful pillow!!!:) I love the cross hatch quilting.

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  24. What a great use of this fabric!

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  25. Beautiful fabric and I love your pillow!

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  26. Your feather designs are always winners.

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  27. The pillow is beautiful!

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  28. Fabulous use of these stunning fabrics!

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  29. Love your pillow-- and the purple background and quilting. Wow...

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  30. I love what you did with the fabric & the feather pattern. Shiny fabric is out of my comfort zone but you showed me the possibilities- thanks!

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  31. I didn't love the feathers - until I saw them on this pillow! Fabulous. I really like this shimmer fabric on the dark background. Great job!

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  32. Beautiful fabric and I just love the feather pillow!

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  33. Love the pillow! The feathers really stand out on the purple.
    Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  34. I would love to win this charm pack. Your feathers are fantastic. Hugs

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  35. What interesting fabrics! Thanks for a chance to win.

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  36. Love your pillow, that AMH pattern is great. I've made something similiar but I up-sized and had three feathers on a double duvet cover. Maybe I should make some cushions like yours to match!

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  37. Beautiful pillow! love the color and use of fabric.

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  38. I love the shimmer fabrics in the AMH feather! Such a good idea!

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  39. Fabrics are beautiful and I love, love how you used them in the pillow. Very nice!

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  40. Those are beautiful fabrics. I went to a quilt convention in my town yesterday and am super inspired!

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  41. Beautiful choice! The fabric is perfect for feathers!!

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  42. The pillow is beautiful!

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  43. Beautiful prints! I like these fabrics contrasted with the dark purple for a more modern look.

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  44. You would think that fabric line was made for feathers... Great idea!

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  45. What a great idea!
    raverne at comcast.net

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  46. I'd love to win that Charm Pack of Shimmer! The line looks beautiful! And, your feather pillow is fantastic! o:)

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  47. The dark plum is perfect with those shimmery fabrics. Thanks!

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  48. I love the feathers
    a pillow is a nice way to try a pattern and use just a little fabric.
    thank you for the giveaway

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  49. What a beautiful pillow! I love the purple cross-hatching. Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  50. Gorgeous fabric and I love the feather design you chose. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  51. Beautiful choice of a project for the Shimmer fabric. I really love the contrast of the dark fabric. Most of all though, I love your top--stitching! Your work is exquisite! Taking the time to hide all your tails shows such a high level of mastery and a desire to do fantastic work. I have not been to your blog before the blog hop but will be a regular reader from now on. You are nothing short of amazing. Thanks for sharing!

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  52. I love the purple background with the shimmer fabrics. Beautiful pillow.

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  53. Love the feather idea! Might have to do the same...

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  54. Your "aha" moment was on point! the pillow is a great way to highlight those shimmering fabrics!

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  55. I really am liking those feathers!

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  56. I am now sold on those feathers...your pillow makes the look so great! I've never seen the Shimmer fabric line in person, but wow...l have it on my shopping list now!

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  57. Anonymous10:08 AM

    Ive always loved anything shiny! Such pretty fabric and a lovely pillow.

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  58. Perfect project. Your background fabric makes your feathers sing.

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  59. Awesome pillow cover! I love the purple and green together.

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  60. I really need to make more pillows...

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  61. What a great idea & your piecing is beautiful! I have been pinning ideas in hopes of making a feather quilt one of these days.

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  62. I love the purple quilting. Adds so much!

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  63. Really love your choice of purple on plum quilting--lovely work and project. Thanks for the giveaway! belopminata@gmail.com

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  64. Anonymous10:55 AM

    Love the pillow and the crosshatch quilting!

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  65. Love Shimmer! Love your feather pillow!

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  66. Your pillow is fabulous!! I would love a whole quilt. Hmmm...may have to do that! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  67. Looks great, thanks for the giveaway.

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  68. How wonderful...I can't wait til these fabrics show up locally so I can see them up close.

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  69. This looks great!!! The whole feathers thing is very slowly growing on me ... good work :) and Happy Monday!

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  70. Beautiful Pillow, thanks for the giveaway.

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  71. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  72. I've never made feathers and I'll bet they look amazing with this Shimmer fabric!!

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  73. Gorgeous fabric! Thanks for the chance to win

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  74. i love your purple thread choice!

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  75. Beautiful pillow and fabrics!

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  76. Simply gorgeous. What more can I say :-D

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  77. Pretty feathers! Here's hoping to win that great charm pack :)

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  78. What a beautiful use of the eggplant solid, and a great way to show off the shimmery fabrics. I can't wait to see this line in person!

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  79. Love the feathers, it really shows off the shimmer in the fabrics. The dark purple thread is wonderful, but it's my favorite color too. What can I say.

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  80. I love, love, love your pillow! Especially live the purple crosshatching. Those fabrics are beautiful.

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  81. You made lovely cushion out of those pretty fabrics. The quilting is really cool too.

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  82. I've been trying to pick a pattern to make pillows for a dear friend... seeing this project I am feeling inspired to do feathers for her. Thanks for the inspiration and the giveaway!

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  83. I don't know why I don't make more pillows. They are such a fun and easy thing to change up your decor and I never do it. This pillow is fabulous! Just love it!

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  84. What a great way to introduce a bit of subtle shine to a room. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  85. love the pillows! great job!

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  86. love the shimmer feather pillow!
    thanks for the giveaway!

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  87. I already loved AMH feathers and they look fabulous sewn up with Shimmer!

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  88. Anonymous12:28 PM

    I love it when that "ah huh" moment comes. Your pillow is beautiful. Thanks!

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  89. I've never used a shimmery fabric. Looks fun!

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  90. A feather is a perfect way to use the Shimmer! Luv it! TIA! B-)

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  91. I love everything about this pillow. I really need to get past my mental block about making pillows and make one. Or 50...
    Love the shimmer fabric too - thanks for the giveaway:)

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  92. Such pretty colors! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  93. these would be awesome in my coin quilt and little twister twin quilt.
    love the feathers!

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  94. I think I like the feathers themselves more than the fabric. :)

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  95. You're right! It is perfect for the feathers! Love your pillow!

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  96. Lovely pillow. Purple was the perfect choice for the background and stitching.

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  97. I love everything about your pillow. The feathers really showcase the Shimmer fabric - great choice!

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  98. LOOOOOOVE your Pillow!!! Have a Jon that would love it for his Living Room!! Would match like Custom Made!!

    Grrrrrrrt job too!! Love those Shimmey fabrics, don't you?

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  99. Fabulous feathers and beautiful fabric!

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  100. The feathers are perfect for the natural/ nature colors. great light bulb moment!

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  101. Gorgeous pillow!! And I just read your post on burying threads - how did I not know this. I suspect I'll still hate burying threads but at least it'll look neater.

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  102. What a great idea! The contrast to the background was just what the fabrics needed. About burying those threads... I still don't like to do it...

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  103. The dark burgundy really makes those feathers pop. Beautiful.

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  104. this is stunning!! I love the purple thread on it, wise choice

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  105. Would love to have a little shimmer! Love the purple on purple! Hope to do something with the feather pattern myself someday. Thanks for the chance!

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  106. Your pillow turned out beautifully! I have yet to attempt that feather pattern.

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  107. Beautiful fabrics! Thanks for the chance!

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  108. Anonymous2:33 PM

    What gorgeous fabrics! And I love the colours you chose for the background and the back of the pillow.

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  109. Love the pillow! Fun fabrics.

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  110. Your beautiful feathers contrast perfectly with the rich purple,and you quilting is also perfect.

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  111. I'd love to see that fabric in person! Fun project.

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  112. What a lovely pillow -- I have been admiring this fabric for some time and can't wait for my fabric diet to be over so I can indulge.

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  113. great job on the pillow! very classy

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  114. Firstly, you made a perfect choice for your project, Anna's feathers are adorable. Secondly, who wouldn't want a Shimmer Charm pack! (I think a shimmer is a touch more sophisticated than full-on glitz ...)

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  115. The feathers were a perfect choice to show off this fabric collection. Love the pillow!!

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  116. Beautiful feathers, beautiful pillow, beautiful fabrics. You have done a great job!!!

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  117. I really am liking those feathers!

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  118. What a beautiful pillow. Perfect for the gorgeous fabric!

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  119. Gorgeous pillow! The dark purple really does make the feathers pop.

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  120. Gorgeous fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  121. I love how the feathers turned out with Shimmer!

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  122. What a lovely giveaway! carolann427@aol.com

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  123. Gorgeous fabric and lovely pillow as always!

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  124. Great looking pillow. I really love the purple thread.

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  125. Anonymous4:05 PM

    I've been wanting to make a feather quilt for my son and his wife. Glad I haven't begun yet. I would really like to add shimmer to the feathers.

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  126. What a perfect idea! The feathers show the shimmering fabric in a very attractive light. Amazing quilting job too. congrats!

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  127. Love Your pillow, and that purple quilting, Fab.u.lous!!! Looks fantastic!! He shimmer fabrics just POPS on the solid background! Did I say I loved your pillow? Well, I just love this project.

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  128. Beautiful pillow! And beautiful use of Shimmer with dark solids.

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  129. Love the shimmer, its so fun!

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  130. Enjoying the blog hop and all the fantastic projects. The Shimmer line is beautiful.

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  131. I love the deep plum colour with the shimmer. Great inspiration. I wonder whether a leaf on green would also work? Thanks

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  132. Wow, feathers were a perfect choice for the shimmer fabrics. Beautiful!

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  133. Love your inspiration - the "shimmer" feathers look great against the rich background color. Look forward to finding this fabric at my LQS and playing! kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet

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  134. I like the feathers idea! The fabric has lots of potential.

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  135. Great idea! I might have to steal it!

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  136. Thanks for the chance to win some of this pretty fabric.

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  137. wonderful fabric love the metallic shine!!!!!

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  138. You know, I am not much of a purple lover, but I think that is changing. I recently took over... ahem, I mean moved into our never-used guest room, and painted the floor the same eggplant color as your pillow (at least, purple *looks* like an eggplant color). I really like it (much to my husband's dismay)! Those shimmer fabrics look fantastic with that dark purple!

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  139. The background really sets it off. Nice choice.

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  140. Gorgeous, gorgeous pillow! Excellent use of the Shimmer collection. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

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  141. Love the color combo of the backing with the top. I would love to sample this line by winning a charm pack!

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  142. I love the metallics with that rich plum color. I'm seeing a lot of feathers recently. How about a tutorial?

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  143. Anonymous6:24 PM

    Beautiful fabrics made even more beautiful by the dramatic contrast of the purple! -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  144. Thanks for this opportunity. Wendy

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  145. Welcome back! Sure did miss your updates but it is so nice to take a break to recharge. I love the pillow. I have never tackled feathers but I may have to put them on my some day list. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  146. Anonymous6:49 PM

    Great pillow, love the purple and the shimmering fabric.
    Thanks
    Dee
    dw7645@charter.net

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  147. What a beautiful pillow. It has a lovely tailored look and would be a great gift for one of the men in your life.

    Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.

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  148. The fabrics are beautiful and gives me so many project ideas.

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  149. That's one gorgeous pillow. Such lovely fabrics.

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  150. What a fabulous pillow. Love the feathers.

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  151. Happy Monday right back at you. As a Green Bay Packer fan, I'm just not a fan of purple-but wow it really works here. And thanks for the shot at the charm pack too.

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  152. I am really looking forward to getting my hands on some Shimmer. Wouldn't mind winning a little bit! :)

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  153. What a unique pattern for your pillow. Shimmer makes it sing!

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  154. So far my favorite use of the fabrics......really clever!

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  155. I've seen these feathers done in all different fabrics, but I love the way they look in the Shimmer fabric!

    Sandy A

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  156. Love the feather pattern. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  157. I love your pillow. It would be perfect in my living room!

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  158. I think that you may start a trend. Looks great... and such a modern look. I just love the contrast. Great job!

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  159. What an innovative use of some beautiful fabric.

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  160. Shimmer,not something I would normally look at but you've done it again girl. Love the feather pillow pattern.

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  161. Cool pillow! And gorgeous charm pack to try our own pillow.

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  162. great pillow to rest your sore back upon. feathers as wispy as they are, make it inviting. The stark contrast with the thread is astonishing. I'm a Tangerine fanatic and stitch with indigo, olive and fuchsia to add that texture to a quilt.
    BTW adore Scrappy Vortex:)
    Thank you

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  163. What? Another pillow? Of course! How well the feather design shows off each of those gorgeous fabrics. And the cross hatch quilting really makes them stand out beautifully! Well done!

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  164. WOW, what a beautiful design, and the fabric is perfect for it! sarah@forrussia.org

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  165. Your pillow is stunning!

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  166. Anonymous9:13 PM

    I love following your blog. You are one of my favorites and your projects are so inspiring. Love the feather pillow.

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  167. Your pillow is gorgeous! I like the purple thread, too. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.

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  168. I love it! The fabric is beautiful!

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  169. Like your pillow. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  170. Ohh, I love your feathers!! Great use of the fabric.
    Thanks for the chance at the giveaway,

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  171. I'd love to have a little "shimmer" lol! Seriously, your pillow is absolutely inspiring. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  172. I love the purple cross hatching! The feathers look gorgeous. Great job!

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  173. I've been wanting to try the feathers...your pillow is my inspiration! Thanks for the chance at the fabric.

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  174. That pillow is just my favorite thing ever. Purple and green are the best colors. I normally don't care for the feather pattern, but you rocked it.

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  175. I would LOVE to win - looking at making table runners for my girls who have modern decor, I think it would be great!!

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  176. Great pillow, makes me want to redo my family room to include that purple. Working up the courage to try those feathers one day. Love the Shimmer

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  177. Great looking pillow! I love the look of the purple thread for quilting.

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  178. I would love to work with those fabrics. My granddaughter is getting a bedroom make-over. Dancers, butterflies & fairies - all of which could use some shimmer. Michelle

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  179. Love it the fabric and the pillow!

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  180. Really loving the feather pattern in the shimmer fabrics. I could see making a whole quilt of them!

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  181. Thanks for the giveaway! I've never made a pillow before, but you are continually reminding me that I need to try it!

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  182. I have feathers down on my "to do" list so would love the giveaway. This fabric gives a great texture to the feather

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  183. Oh wow! That pillow is fabulous. Gorgeous fabric too.

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  184. What a pretty fabric collection

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  185. Oh wow! I'd love to win this because it's way out of my usual comfort zone. It would get me to experiment more!

    lisamerkley at gmail dot com

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  186. I love the feathers. The fabric is beautiful.

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  187. Shimmer fabric would be so much fun to sew with! Sorry for comment repeat. Rec'd an e-mail that comment was not delivered.

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  188. I am in the process of making an AMH Feather quilt--- no easy task. I am impressed that you scaled the blocks down. Again, no ready task! The feathers turned out gorgeous in these fabrics however, so well worth your effort. I love them with the purple background.

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  189. I wasn't that fussed on the fabric line until I saw your cushion. It looks great sewn up as feathers!

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  190. Love the feathers!

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  191. Love the pillow :)....and the fabric line. Thanks

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  192. Beautiful fabrics and wonderful pattern - I love it!

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  193. Love the results of the light bulb moment. Patience really paid off waiting for that moment as it turned out beautifully

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  194. Lovely - I love the color of the binding and the pretty purple thread!

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