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Friday, January 29, 2016

snowflake pillow

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

I made this single snowflake block about 2 years ago. It was inspired by the Health Partners logo that I saw at the top of one of their office buildings. Inspiration really does come from all places! :) Those white strips are 1/2'' finished....which I love!!!
Yesterday, I added some wide, simple borders to the block....
...and I quilted it quite heavily in dark thread, which ends up being very forgiving. I love that. And I LOVE the texture!
Then I turned it into a throw pillow, of course! It's still January, so we still have plenty of winter to "enjoy"....like it or not. Ha!
I finished it off using my envelope backing tutorial and this fun aqua fabric. Isn't it a nice compliment to the front? The pillow cover finishes at about 18" square. I'm so glad to have a finished object rather than having the block floating around my sewing room! Finishing feels GREAT!
 
Two other BIG finishes for the week....my business taxes are done for another year, which is always a huge relief. And....I shipped off my quilts for the new book this week. (Hurray!!!) It's amazing I'm still upright after all of that! I'm hopeful that things will get back to normal around here soon!
 
To celebrate those BIG finishes, I'll be picking 4 winners (two from the links and two from the comments) to win their choice of any 5 of my PDF patterns from my pattern shop!
 
Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

188 comments:

  1. The backing is the perfect compliment isn't it - and stunning fabric in it's own right. I love that your inspiration came from the logo on a building, you'd never have guessed looking at the bloc, it just looks very appropriately wintery!

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  2. Wonderful, modern and clean. Great finish this week.

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  3. I always am inspired by your work. I love using scraps and yours are SO pretty! You put yours to good use. Lovely pillow this week! Good luck with the book too!

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  4. Wow, congratulations on finishing your taxes and shipping for your next book - those are huge accomplishments. I don't know how you find time to do everything and still make a finish a week. :)

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  5. Great minds think alike;-) I made a different sort of snowflake pillow this week... now I might need another! Absolutely perfect!!!

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  6. I will eagerly await your new book. I love Sunday Morning Quilts, refer to it often, and my modern sewing group has made two charity quilts using the slab block technique.

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  7. Very stunning pillow! And so perfectly pieced! Beautiful.

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  8. LOVE the block - you're right...the quilting really 'makes' the block. It makes a lovely pillow.

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  9. I love that pillow! And I'm so jealous of the complete taxes!

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  10. love, Love, LOVE this!

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  11. Well done on that tax return - the pillow looks great!

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  12. I really love the idea of having seasonal pillows (or quilts for that matter) to help us be excited about the season we are in!

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  13. Love that pillow! Thanks for the giveaway chance.

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  14. Perfect for a pillow--I saw a storm drain in a similar design last week and was also inspired by the pattern! I really love the navy and white--beautiful!

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  16. Love your pillow. It looks simple but I know it wasn't easy to get everything so straight and lined up :)

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  17. You are simply amazing and an inspiration!!
    Can't wait to see the new book!

    brooke@sillymamaquilts.com

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  18. a new book ? WoW ! I can hardly wait ! That backing fabric on the pillow IS perfect !

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  19. It turned out so beautiful! Great quilting choice.

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  20. Hey that's great!!!! I can't wait for your new book! I was just looking at Sunday Morning Quilts for inspiration yesterday.

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  21. congratulations...great start to the weekend!

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  22. Love this! The block is beautiful on its how, but turning it into a pillow was brilliant. :-)

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  23. Love the quilting on your pillow. Perfect compliment to the snowflake. Thanks for the opportunity to win some free patterns.

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  24. I can hardly wait for your new book! I've got an upcoming project that I'll be using your good neighbors fabric for- unfortunately, too many things that I want to start and not enough time...

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  25. What a fun block! I love the clean lines of your snowflake! And, yes..the perfect backing!

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  26. Very inspiring! Thanks for your great work. I would love to buy your fabrics here in Germany. ;)
    ann.bee@hotmail.de

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  27. Great clean lines. Love the designed. A a great finish.

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  28. I love the pillow - a perfect winter project!

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  29. It must have been a pillow-y kind of week! I just linked up my 2 pillows, also very geometric :) I love your snowflake, and the backing is perfect! I have always used your envelope backs for the several pillows I have made :)

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  30. This pillow is great! I started a crocheted snowflake motif blanket years ago with a similar concept- maybe inspiration to get back to that project.

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  31. soooo great! Love the pillow. it's amazing!!! But even more excited that you shipped your quilts off!!!!

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  32. Gorgeous! I love it's simplicity.

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  33. I love, love, love this design!! Will there be a pattern?? The backing is beautiful too!

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  34. I love the pillow! It looks perfectly snuggly, with just the right pop of color. Congrats on your major finishes as well, I can't wait to get a copy of your book!

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  35. Your pillow turned out awesome! I love the simplicity of the snowflake.

    I haven't had any finishes lately as I haven't gotten to spend much time sewing. Having a mobile toddler isn't conducive to sewing time!

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  36. Congrats on your two big finishes! Always feels good to accomplish big projects.

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  37. Very nice! Love the quilting.

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  38. Love the aqua, love your blog. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  39. The cushion is just lovely!! Love the snowflake design - it would look gorgeous as a winter quilt .....

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  40. Love the pillow, especially the quilting. I really need to try something like this!

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  41. What a great pillow and the backing is perfect.

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  42. I'm excited to hear you're writing another book! I so enjoyed your first one.

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  43. I love the snow flake block. That would make a great quilt. Love your patterns . Matsche.christine@yahoo.com

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  44. A comforting snowflake, that's for sure (as opposed to the real kind). Very pretty. Thanks for the chance to win your patterns.
    joyecox@yahoo.com

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  45. Awesome finishes Amanda!! I can't wait to see your new book!!

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  46. Lovely pillow. It is always great when you find the perfect backing fabric.

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  47. I love it! I'm on a pillow making kick right now. They're kind of addictive, I've discovered (much to my surprise ).

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  48. Congrats on 2 big finishes and one smaller one, that's awesome! How exciting that you've taken the next step in completing another book as well! :)

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  49. Your snowflake pillow is simply elegant! As much as I love to throw together wild and unexpected color combinations, I love the simplicity of the navy and the white here. Very peaceful.

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  50. Love your style! Congrats on the new book.

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  51. What a striking pillow! The back is perfectly coordinated, too. Really pretty!

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  52. I love the front, and I love the back...and I love that you have another finish! You're amazing...but i know everyone already tells you that!

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  53. I would LOVE another pattern of yours. I just finished making about 10 of the in progress sleeves and love them along with the people I gave them to for gifts!

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  54. If the groundhog predicts six more weeks of winter, I will have to make one of these! Your work is beautiful and always inspirational.

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  55. I love the texture created by the close quilting. I need to try that!

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  56. Love the pillow! I'm so happy you are writing another book; your first one is my favorite quilt book of all!

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  57. The quilting is fabulous!!

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  58. I love the pillow design and the colors. Sometimes I wonderhow you come up with a finish each week :)

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  59. Love the pillow. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of your patterns!

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  60. I love thin strips too, and what bold contrast! Congratulations on getting your taxes done. I know how much that means!

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  61. Love snowflakes! This turned out great!

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  62. I don't actually like snow, but snowflakes as yours I can like.

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  63. It looks fantastic, I love it but it looks too fiddly for me!

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  64. The pillow is gorgeous! Thank you for the give away.

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  65. Beautiful block & I love the quilting.

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  66. adore the snowflake block!

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  67. So pretty! Your work is always so beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  68. I love that envelope tutorial. I have used it and it is easy and looks beautiful especially for the zipper phobic. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  69. The heavy, straight quilting looks very lovely and I adore that aqua backing fabric. Great finishes.

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  70. Great finish and I love the quilting! I wonder if you tied off each of the small sections before adding the perimeter lines, or did you QAYG then add the border? I envy your finished taxes...

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  71. Congratulations on both your big finishes!!

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  72. Yay for finishes! Love your patterns!

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  73. I adore the pillow and the backing is perfect!

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  74. Love your snowflake pillow. The two blues (front and back) look beautiful together!

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  75. I would love to win a pattern and I love your blog since i have found it. Paula in KY

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  76. Love the snowflake!! Such beautiful piecing and the beautiful border really sets it off ;)

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  77. That's so beautiful! I wish it snowed here in Australia! Perhaps I need a few of these instead! I just want to finish sorting my fabric cupboard! Such a big job!

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  78. That's so beautiful! I wish it snowed here in Australia! Perhaps I need a few of these instead! I just want to finish sorting my fabric cupboard! Such a big job!

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  79. Anonymous6:36 PM

    Congratulations on wrapping up the quilts for your book. Can't wait to see it.

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  80. What a great finish. 1/2 inch?? Wow......

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  81. I just love the clean lines of this pillow! And even more important, congrats on getting those taxes done! Such a huge relief when I finish mine.....

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  82. The quilting is beautiful! What a great job you did. I'm inspired to get busy on two pillow cover tops waiting for some quilting. They won't look as wonderful yours, but they have been hanging around here too long! Haha.

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  83. Love the pillow and the quilting is perfect!

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  84. I love the pillow. I have Health Partner's insurance and go to a Health Partner's Clinic. I should pay more attention to logos! Have used your envelope back tutorial, thanks for sharing that.

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  85. Pillow, taxes and quilts shipped. Woo hoo! Great finishes for the week.

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  86. Beautiful snowflake pillow!

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  87. Hooray for finishing major tasks!

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  88. Love your fabric choices!! Wish I had my taxes done, but I'll get there. Congrats on your happy week!!

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  89. pieced or appliqued? that is the question ;-) Love the look - pattern?

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  90. Love your pillow!

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  91. Love your pillow! And congratulations on another book in the works. Very exciting!

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  92. Nice! Love the pillow (the backing too!) I'm about half way through your Craftsy class so am especially excited to read your new book. And I'd love to have any of your patterns! Thanks.

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  93. I love that snowflake pillow. It is true - inspiration is found everywhere.

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  94. The pillow is great! I can't wait to see the new book. Congratulations!

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  95. A new book that's exciting...for all of us!

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  96. Really great snowflake pillow! Can't wait to see the new book.

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  97. Very graphic cushion. I really like the wintery look. Lovely finish. Thanks for all the inspiration you give us. Mel

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  98. What a great cushion!

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  99. It's always so fun to check out your blog each Friday to see what cute thing you have made! It is a fun and wonderful source for inspiration to me! Thanks! ✂️✂️

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  100. Congrats on the book! Please let us know the date we'll be able to purchase it.

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  101. Thanks for the envelope pillow tutorial, but what I'm most impressed with is that you got your taxes done AND the books quilts shipped. You must feel such a huge relief.

    I also love your tiny 'mini-nines'.

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  102. Congrats on a new book And getting those taxes done -- no small feat! I love your pillow, especially the detail of using a bright backing. I've still got my red, white, and grey Christmas curtains up. They look great with the snow outside and will last till at least Valentine's Day :)

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  103. I love your snowflake block, so neat and tidy with those straight lines, my OCD is very satisfied! The quilting looks very strokable too. Congrats on the tax and your new book!

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  104. It's a stunning pillow! Congrats on the finish of your quilts. That is a HUGE step, isn't it?

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  105. Sooo inspiring to see your work, just love it and it makes me think one day I can make a beautiful quilt like yours!

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  106. Beautiful design! Thanks for sharing.

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  107. The pillow and block are beautiful. Yes, lots of winter left to enjoy it.

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  108. Congrats on ALL your finishes!! Love the block/pillow, it's great for this weather!

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  109. I love your snowflake!!!

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  110. Wow! Another book coming out soon - congratulations! Looking forward to seeing it. I believe your first book was the first 'modern' quilting book I purchased. Love it! Oh, and love the pillow, too.

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  111. Love your pillow! I made a Scandinavian snowflake pillow last year and it's nice that it can stay on the couch past Christmas! Love your quilting! The texture those straight lines add- just beautiful!

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  112. Wow, the pillow is awesome! And the backing fabric is perfect. I would love to win some of your patterns - thank you so much for the chance!

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  113. Your pillow is beautiful, front and back: thanks for sharing it. SOOO excited to hear you have a new book coming out: I love Sunday Morning Quilts! :-)

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  114. Love the pillow and your inspiration for it made me laugh!

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  115. That is so nice! Its clean and crisp. Can't wait for the new book.
    kpentondecker@hotmail.com

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  116. Ohioholman at all dot com
    I am finally back to sewing after cutting off a rather large chunk of my left index finger with my rotary cutter😬!
    I love your snowflake pillow. Wish we had some of that here in NE OH.

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  117. Love the snowflake pillow! Hopefully it'll snow enough for a snow day so I can sew

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  118. Beautiful quilting. Need to try this technique.

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  119. I like the pillow and the back fabric is very complimentary to the Snowflake.

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  120. I love the snowflake pillow. Is it made from bias tape? Id love to know more about the construction.

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  121. This is so great! I'm like you and think you just can't have enough throw pillows ;c) Thanks for the chance to win! Your patterns are the best. shopgirl7232 at yahoo dot com

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  122. Love the snowflake and the the backing fabric, too! Nice finish!

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  123. Never thought I would say snow is beautiful but that snowflake is beautiful.

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  124. Love the pillow. I have too many extra blocks hanging around. I need to make pillows.

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  125. That snowflake is beautiful! I've got to try it.

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  127. I love the snowflake pillow! Your work is always inspiring. Working with half inch strips takes patience!

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  128. Great pillow, and the quilting looks fantastic!

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  129. Great pillow! Love to see what you make. Inspiring!

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  130. Amazing where inspiration can be found. SIMPLY beautiful! Enjoy using it this winter. Good luck and Congrats on your book!

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  131. OMG! Very inspiring! Love the pillow....

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  132. I love getting your Finish Up Fridays. It's always so inspiring. Your pillow is gorgeous. Did you do free motion quilting with rulers?

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  133. I love the pillow - a perfect winter project!

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  134. love the quilting on the snowflake pillow. can't wait to see the new book, thanks for the chance to win.

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  135. Love the quilting you did on the pillow in and around the snowflake. So cute!

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  136. Nice pillow. I just got some more pillow insides from ikea so I need to make a few covers. Yay! I'm really excited to hear there's a new book! I love Sunday morning quilts!!!

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  137. Love the snowflake design, made a striking pillow. Reading your blog is so fun, so much eye candy! I, too,am always finding ideas for quilts in my surroundings. Floor tiles, buildings, wallpaper, you name it, there may be a quilt design there!

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  138. Great pillow and finish after two years! I'm inspired to go back to some of my old abandoned blocks.

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  139. I absolutely love that block and the fabric for backing. I am going to have to add this to the top of my To Do List. Debbie

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  140. I have a logo from an insurance company pinned to my design wall. I think I'll dust it off today. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  141. Great Pillow... Love your work. Thanks for the giveaway

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  142. I would love to make this pillow. Will you be offering the pattern or directions in your shop or is it in your new book?

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  143. this really is a stunning pillow. Have been trying to trace tour fabric here in the UK but looks like no one sells it here do you know if there are plans t make it available please

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  144. Fantastic pillow! Thanks for the chance to win some of your patterns.

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  145. Love the texture of the parallel lines! Thanks for even more inspiration.

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  146. Great Grahics!

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  147. Looks great! I like the graphic simplicity.

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  148. Love this! I am looking forward to the new book. You provide such great quilty inspiration.

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  149. love the pillow. I do believe we will have more time to enjoy the snow this year.

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  150. I always get a kick out of where you get your inspiration from:)
    Such is life as a quilter/sewist.
    Love the dark thread quilting...such depth. The backing fabric reminds me of Sparklers and yep it's a nice finish.

    bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  151. Perfect use of this block! Love how it looks quilted as well!

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  152. I love the texture the quilting gave it and I LOVE your backing fabric. What great pillow.

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  153. Well done on your book quilts and tax return, and especially your cushion. Its lovely!

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  154. Well done on your book quilts and tax return, and especially your cushion. Its lovely!

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  155. So perfect love the contrast from front to back

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  156. I had no finishes, but I started another pillow top :)

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  157. I've been staring at the center of this snowflake and can't figure out how you did it! It's not bias tape top stitched, but they all meet and overlap in the center. Is there a tutorial or pattern in the offing? :) Love it!

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  158. Hi there Amanda,
    I always love to see what's being finished all over blog-land! I don't have any finished items to share this week , but have contributed in the past. **'I am hoping to be selected a winner of your patterns(I already have your book!) as I really need to have the Scrap Happy purse and birch trees patterns!!!
    Thanks!
    Quilty Huggs,
    Jaqueline
    snausages22 at yahoo dot CA

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  159. What a gorgeous pillow! The quilting really enhances the snowflake. And that backing is perfect!

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  160. Love, Love, Love the snowflake pillow!

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  161. First time to your blog. I love that pillow. I'll be back.

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  162. Great pillow. Thanks for all you do.

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  163. You are amazing !!! The quilting really adds to the snowflake. Love the back fabric too !

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  164. Love this pillow! The quilting is perfect!

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  165. That is a great pillow! And yes, the backing is the perfect compliment to the snowflake front. Great job!

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  166. Love the pillow; the quilting absolutely finishes it. Well done!

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  167. I love that pillow! oh and "stay upright" I think I will start saying that to people instead of: have a good day! :)

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  168. Love the narrow quilting, it's perfect!

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  169. Strikingly beautiful design Amanda Jean! The quilting you did is perfect for it too!

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  170. Love the colors and the strong graphics of your pillow. Thanks so much for creating a forum for bloggers to share their quilts so that those of us who are too busy or shy to share can see all the creativity in the quilting world! And congrats on your taxes - what a relief :o)

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  171. Beautiful pillow - if only that could be one of the pdf patters to choose from! It's gorgeous!

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  172. I love that you get inspiration from seemingly random things! Your pillow turned out spectacular - shows that keeping your eyes open can lead to all sorts of exciting and beautiful adventures!

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  173. All your finishes are so inspiring and give me hope that I can get some of my unfinished projects done! Love your snowflake pillow!

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  174. LOVE, love, love the pillow!! Thanks for a chance to win.

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  175. Your snowflake block is gorgeous!

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  176. You have been busy! I agree with the feeling of finishing something - even something very small - it feels great and with me I can then tuck up my machine, close the door and relax:))

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  177. Your work is always so precise. Love your blog and your patterns! REally 5?!!!! Thank you. debfaber@verizon.net

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  178. Anonymous7:08 PM

    I love the aqua back. And I can't wait for a new book.

    Mindingmomma at AOL got com

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  179. Beautiful pillow, I love the contrast of the white snowflake on the dark background.

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  180. I'm thinking this would look great repeated for a whole quilt. Imagine the secondary patterns that would make!

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  181. Love your cushion and the fact that your inspiration came from a building.If only I could finish all of my WIP's 😢

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  182. I love where you got your inspiration for this. Great giveaway.

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  183. Wish I could have you over to help me finish up all my UFO's...Love the pillow....great inspiration as always, keep up the good work

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  184. Congrats on finishing up your taxes. I need to finish my business taxes. More importantly, congrats on the new book! The pillow is lovely and now I want to make one.

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  185. Do you know the name of the backing fabric? It is gorgeous and looks great with your snowflake.

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  186. YOU never fail to inspire me with your projects! I'm running out of bookmark space on my Kindle!! Hehe

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  187. I just love the simplicity of this design. Don't remember if I commented already since I read your blog through emails and then see them again on Bloglovin.

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