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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

November Blogger Bundle & Giveaway

Yes! A big secret I've held onto (see Dayna? I can...) for most of this year can finally be let out of ....
the bag!😝

Welcome to everyone, new readers and regular ones.

Many months ago Bernie of Needle & Foot emailed me asking if I'd like to be the November Blogger Bundle chooser-upper. Pinch me? I was and am excited and so honoured that she asked me! It's another one of those things I've seen other bloggers do; the first one was Alyssa at Pile o' Fabric, and I thought, wow, I want to be her one day...well, I guess that day is today!

Without further ado, here are the fabrics I put together. It was such a fun process.
Beauties, right?!
This last Blogger Bundle for Needle & Foot for 2018 is extra-special: Bernie, in her generosity and inclusive nature, had the idea to have two giveaways, and asked if I'd be willing to send a bundle to one of my Canadian readers, while she would hold a giveaway for American readers. Anyone who's hung around my blog for any length of time knows how much I value inclusiveness, so I absolutely love this aspect of this month's Blogger Bundle. Would you like to open up that bundle?

Of course you would!
Aren't they just wonderful?! If you'd like to get your hands on any or all of these, links are below to individual fabrics, as well as to the bundle itself.

From left to right, starting with the yellow print they are:
Boho Meadow by Bethan Janine for Dashwood Fabric
PBT Elements, Textured Plaid in Blue for P&B Textiles
Cinese Mystery from Virtuosa by bari j for Art Gallery Fabrics
Theatre Resonance from Virtuosa by bari j for Art Gallery Fabrics
Bear Essentials 3 in Violet for P&B Textiles
Textured Solid in Sand from Wonder by Carrie Bloomston for Windham Fabrics

The bundle is on sale Nov. 7-9 in Bernie's shop, Needle & Foot Fine Fabrics for 20% off the fat quarter or half yard bundle.

What I love about this bundle, and I hope you've noticed, is the flow; that pieces in each fabric connect to others. See the tiny hits of violet in the yellow? The hits of yellow in the centre one by bari j? (Love her designs btw, have several from previous collections.) The violet that appears in the diamonds and flows into the P&B Textiles print?

Okay on to my project. My first thought was I wanted to make a small sit-upon quilt for teaching yoga, but when the fabrics arrived, I realized my plan needed more than a fat quarter of background! (smacks head)
Not to worry; this is what I go through each month (and I love it) with Island Batik, is figuring out what to make, and trying to decide because I have so many ideas and 'wannamakes'!

Well, if you picked up the foreshadowing hint in my first sentence, you'll know I decided upon making a bag, reworking one I designed about 11 years ago after I made a 9x9" quilted lunchbag from Quilts 'n More 2006. I based this teacher book bag, 16x20".on that little lunch bag. As you can see from the photo below, I used it so much I wore nearly right through the hand handles. The shoulder strap is still going strong!
Since I retired from teaching, I've used this a few times for my yoga stuff when I teach.
That bag was made with a pack of 4" Moda charm squares. It was back when they'd just introduced pre-cuts and hadn't hit upon the 5" is the charm (pun intended) size.

Here's my re-created bag!
Yup, I changed it up a bit, bringing in some fun plus blocks and featuring my two favourite prints as side panels. I used the sand textured solid as the top band because I just 'saw' a flowing line of feathers there. I bought that button a couple of years ago at a quilt shop that had fancy and vintage buttons, and I'm so glad I could find it immediately because I knew it was perfect for this bag.

Here's the reverse side:
Surprise! So this bag has non-matching sides! You can carry it either way, really. I thought it gave it a whimsical element. (Aside: I'm so glad I got it done and photographed yesterday as today the winds are blowing at gale force, no lie.)

Here's the bag bottom:
That place where it's a definite darker section of fabric is not pieced! Isn't that just so cool? Not only does the plaid kind of change like that, but the colours fade in and out too. I used a Sulky 30 wt variegated blues and purples to quilt a straight line down the centre of the bottom, and then an undulating line on either side of it.

So quilting. Somewhere I saw a pantograph (sorry can't recall whose blog) that was a wiggly serpentine line that did huge spirals. I thought, 'I think I can FMQ that!' and decided to give it a whirl on this bag. I loaded the front and back panels onto Avril, using a leftover Warm 'n Natural piece and IKEA muslin. I had a dusty-mauve 28 wt Aurifil thread I was dying to try, and so loaded it. It quilted beautifully.


You can see from this photo that I followed some lines in the diamond fabric and emulated the diagonal non-parallel lines in the violet print. For the plaid plus I just did three straight lines through the centre of each 'bar' of the plus.

I used a variegated creams and greys Aurifil to quilt the feathers and to do the meander in the yellow side panel.

I had to do my signature (ha!) FMQ initials to show this is my bag!

Here are the threads I used with a better look at the snazzy handles:
I like to put a double layer of batting in the handles. Easier on the shoulder and longer-lasting.

Want a peek inside? I didn't have enough to make a lining unless I did a patchwork lining...but I had a half yard sitting in my Island Batik box from the Basics Bundle, and it was perfect!
And I didn't have enough of the batik to make pockets, so the violet P&B Textiles fabric worked out perfectly inside and ties everything together. In my teacher bag I made sections for three pens, so I thought one would be handy, as I plan to use this for travelling, or taking quilting stuff when I sew with friends, or to yoga classes I teach. You can see I remembered to insert my mmm! quilts label when I stitched the pocket to the lining.

One last look!

I started writing a pattern for it, so I'll let you know when I publish it. I'd hoped to have the Playtime Plus pattern release coincide with this post, but it didn't quite happen, (so close!).

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: Original design
Size: 16" x 20"
Fabric: November Blogger Bundle at Needle & Foot (see links above)
Batting: Warm 'n Natural scraps
Quilted: on Avril; 18 668 stitches
Threads: pieced on Bernina with Gütermann cotton 50 wt; quilted with Aurifil variegated 4060 50 wt; Aurifil 2525 28 wt; and Sulky Blendables 733-4022 30 wt.

Now some important details!

To read Bernie's blog post, and to enter for the giveaway she's is hosting, go here.

To purchase your own November Blogger Bundle, fat quarters or half yards, go here. Remember it's on sale beginning today and running through Friday, Nov. 9.

The Blogger Bundle giveaway I am hosting is for Canadian addresses only; you'll enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. Followers of mine get an extra entry. For a third entry, head over to Bernie's blog Needle & Foot, where you will find links to following her on Instagram, FaceBook or her blog! If you aren't familiar with Bernie, spend a little time checking out her blog; I promise you you won't be disappointed. She is a caring blogger, and it shows in the causes she has supported and taught us all about. One I supported this year is A Doll Like Me; another current cause is Mercy-ful Quilts. Any bit of compassion and care without boundaries is much-needed in our world.

Update: I got up this morning, re-read this, and thought, this isn't fair; I have lots of overseas readers, many of whom I count among dear friends, and hope to meet up with one day...so for you dear friends not in Canada, but perhaps in Ireland, England, France, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, where several of my dear friends do live, then please enter as well! Your prize will be my two most expensive patterns in my Craftsy shop, and another of your choosing, for a total of three!

The giveaway runs from Nov. 7 through midnight EST Nov. 10. Winners will be notified by email and announced here on the blog as well. Due to the high volume of comments during a giveaway, I won't be responding personally, but rest assured I will read each one!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

77 comments:

  1. Sandra, this bundle blows me away! A few years ago, I purchased a pattern from Meadow Mist Designs, and this is the color scheme I want to make. But because I’m not very good at choosing fabrics, I’ve dragged my feet for like forever! I’m just loving your bag! Very versatile and oh, so pretty! XO

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  2. I follow your blog via email notification.

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  3. I follow Bernie via email notification, too! Also on FB. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!

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  4. I’d love to win this bundle. I’m Velda at the Freckledfoxquiltery and these fabrics would find a home in my Sarah Fielke BOM that starts early next year.

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  5. Hi, I’m Velda at the Freckledfoxquiltery and I follow you here in Canada. I’d love to win this bundle and stashnit for early next year when I start working on 2019 BOMs

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  6. I just love the bag! Having the front and back different makes it extra interesting.

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  7. Me again, Velda at the Freckledfoxquiltery. I follow Needle and Foot on Instagram. My user name is @freckledfoxquiltery. Freckledfoxquiltery at gmail.com

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  8. I would make a table runner with the fabric bundle. I like your free motion quilting on the bag!

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  9. Love that bundle those colours just sing! Your bag with the plus blocks a win!

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  10. I follow Bernie's blog and on instagram.

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  11. Good morning Sandra ~ what a stunning WOW factor color combination. Absolutely love the blue plaid and violet and how the fabrics just flow from color to color. You have outdone yourself again. Not entering to win this bundle just wanted to let you know how over-the-top this bag is!

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  12. WOULD LOVE TO MAKE a bag similar to yours roomy and fun to carry

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  13. Hi Sandra! Seriously, talk about keeping mum on a subject! Holy moly, you are REALLY GOOD at it. So, what are we going to make with your bundle?? I'm not entering to win your bundle either as I already purchased the half-yard set. Can hardly wait to get my hands on them, as I know the are great. Bernie really has excellent fabrics. Could I get more off-topic if I tried?? I haven't even read one word of your post yet! Have fun with your daughter. I really here to nag you about coming up with a project for a quilt for your bundle. Not a tote . . . a quilt. ~big smile~ I look forward to your response!! I'm going to really read your post now. Happy Wednesday! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  14. I can't stop drooling over your bundle, my friend! I just love those rich jewel tones. As someone who is bag making challenged, I am in awww of your fun new bag!

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  15. Lovely bundle! I'd continue your inspiration and make a Plus quilt.

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  16. How awesome of Bernie to have a bundle for you to give away, too. I really like that quilting: it reminds me of a topological map. I think I saw Cheryl free motion quilt it at some point, too, but that would not have been a pantograph for her, either.

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  17. Oh my goodness, Sandra! Your bundle is awesome! I love the fabrics and the way they play together. Your bag -- wow wow wow -- of course you snuck in a little Plus Playtime there (so cool). You've given me some inspiration for another piece of fabric that has been puzzling me, so yippee! Meanwhile, a bundle is already being packaged up for me. You and Bernie make a good team!

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  18. Such a lovely combination of colors & textures! Your finshed bag is wonderful!

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  19. I do love the colour combination, Sandra. Love the way you show them n a "flow". The textures work so well together. Think I'd made a bag as the colours are perfect for a gift for a friend. PS in Canada

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  20. Sandra this is a great bundle AND an awesome bag!! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. I love your bag, therefore, I think I would make a bag for myself..

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  22. your bag is lovely. those fabrics really jump out and say "hello here I am, happy day"

    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  23. Good morning blogger bundle buddy - Thank you again for working with me and selecting such a lovely collection of fabric. Your bag is wonderful and I think my favorite aspects are the different front and back designs and the BUTTON! I love the button. It is the perfect accent piece.

    Thanks again and I hope we will be working together soon on some other venture. :-)
    PS - how awesome are. you to offer a pattern giveaway too. So sweet!!

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  24. As I said before, I really enjoy your blog and your obvious caring personality.

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  25. That bag is fabulous. Way to keep a secret about the bundle, and congratulations on being chosen to select. At the moment, I have no idea what exactly I would make with this bundle but I know it will be used in a quilted item.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  26. I get email updates when you have new blog content.

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  27. Snazzy handles is right!!! Love them!!! The plus blocks on the front--sew cute!!! The whole bag is just fun, fun, fun!!! Great job, Sandra!!!

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  28. I love your bag - so creative! I would love to make a fun tote for my sister!

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  29. I love your plus blocks incorporated in your bag . . . also love the squibbly spiral. Nice design. Thank you for sharing this. (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

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  30. Absolutely stunning! I love the plus blocks in the bag. PS love your blog!
    Julie.mirdoch@shaw.ca

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  31. Absolutely love it! I may just use it to make your Plus Quilt that you had the sew-along for.
    Julie.mirdoch@shaw.ca

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  32. Wow, just wow! There are so many fun details to talk about in this post, where do I begin? Starting with the bundle, LOVE how they colors all tie together even in the littlest bitty bits. Love the deep rich colors you chose. I'm with Roseanne, I hope you are going to design a quilt for this bundle too. Even if it's just a lap quilt. These colors are just so yummy! I love that the sides of the purse don't match. SO much more interesting and all the details, down to the pretty plum pockets and beautiful button are just so fun. Your have amazing skills in so many areas, Sandra, it is a pleasure to watch you soar!

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  33. What a fantastic bundle. It's tempting me even though I really do not need any more fabric.
    Pat

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  34. These fabrics are just so YOU! Flowing, purpley, artsy fartsy...some of my favorite Sandra aspects :) OK, so maybe you, personally, aren't purpley, but you know what I mean! And I love that you put plus blocks into your cool bag. Congrats on being a FABRIC BUNDLE DESIGNER!

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  35. I'm not in the giveaway as I'm a US citizen but I wanted to tell you how much I like the fabric bundle AND the bag. You've thought of everything when you designed this bag and made it. Your explanations of the thought process behind the different elements takes all the guess work out of it for me. The handles and the shoulder strap being double batted make sense. Great job.

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  36. Thanks for changing it so I could win, really appreciated. I would make a bag; you can't have too many bags!

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  37. This bundle is a beauty, and your bag too! Thanks for including non-canadian followers! Hugs from France ;))

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  38. Somehow I missed the part about Canadian addresses only and entered on the rafflecopter. Please delete my entries since I live in the US. I love your fabric choices and your bag though.

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  39. Great work on curating a beautiful and unique bundle. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  40. Great bundle. I like coordinating fabrics from different manufacturers as I think it is more interesting. Nice looking tote.
    mfhagopian@aol.com

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  41. Hi Sandra,
    What a gorgeous bag you’ve made, love it to bits! Absolutely perfect fabric mix! And such wonderful quilting, well done you!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  42. These colors play so well together, and bari j shes one of my favorite designers,love your bag!

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  43. Your bundle is gorgeous, Sandra, and how sweet of Bernie to give you a bundle to give away :) I love the bag you made, especially those feathers in the band across the top. What would I make with the bundle??? I really don't know, but I sure would love to add those lovelies to my fabric collection!

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  44. Beautiful bundle! Which was your staring fabric? Was it Boho Meadow? I discovered that fabric last week and am so thrilled to see you have found it too. Love the combination. Janice.snell@gmail.com

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  45. I love your bag but I would make a lap quilt because I love the colour combinations and that suits my home very well. Janice.snell@gmail.com

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  46. Congratulations on being a fabric picker/chooser upper! That bundle is fabulous! Well done.

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  47. This bundle is so you! It's a really lovely bundles and I like the cute bag you made with it. It's great to have a chance as a Canadian to win the bundle.

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  48. Love this bundle and the bag is very bright and happy. Love the idea that there is two different sides

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  49. I follow you on Instagram and via email.

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  50. I follow Needle and Foot on Instagram

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  51. I love these colours. I have no idea at this time what I will make if I win, but will definitely sit and ponder and pet ir for a while before I make any hasty decisions. Thanks for sharing

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  52. Wow! Amazing colors together! Love love love to win this beautiful bundle.

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  53. I follow you via email and bloglovin everysince I found your amazing shadow quilt. ;-)

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  54. Sandra, your fabric choices for this bundle is so cheerful and lively...just like your personality! What a great honor to be Bernie's November gal to put together a bundle. I've loved so many of the other bundles this year. Putting the fabrics to use to make a new bag was a perfect choice and I love how it's pretty no matter which side is showing. What fun to have a new bag in your own celebrity fabrics!

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  55. Oh, Sandra, what fun for you! I love your mix of fabrics and how they flow. They are so you! And using your own design on one side and the fun basic squares on the other makes this bag so versatile. (And you know I’ m big on special buttons!) Thanks for letting us get in your mind again as you plan a project. How sweet that you are one of Bernie’s Blogger Bundlers. (Was it really hard to keep the secret? It sounds like Dayna was really uncertain.)

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  56. I have been wanting to make a quilted skirt for myself. This would be fun to do that with!

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  57. Beautiful bag! Thanks for the link to the other giveaway.

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  58. WOW! I adore the colours and prints in your bundle. What an honour to be asked to curate a bundle. I love your bag. I can't wait for the pattern. Thanks for sharing.

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  59. Oops. I commented before I read the widget question. I would make a bag or a small lap quilt so I could enjoy the vibrant colours often. Thanks for offering a giveaway.

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  60. I absolutely love this fabric bundle and I love your bag, so that is what I would make (when the pattern is available). Thanks!

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  61. Nice bag! Looks like it would hold a ton of stuff!

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  62. The bag is stunning! The colours are gorgeous! I would make one just like yours’......except my FMQ would be somewhat elementary to what you can do, Sandra!

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  63. What a nice choice of colours! Exactly corresponds to my current state of mind : recently in my Local quilt store I selected a few yellow and violet fat quarters and a blue one.

    I like your bag too. Seems very parcatical.

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  64. A bag, a Bag, my kingdom for a bag ( with apologies to Richard the Third!!!) I love bags, am finally on line again with my mobile as a hot spot, and as I am down under, a pattern would be most wonderful.You, as always, are so generous. All is well with us, blog post to follow.

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  65. Sandra what a great blog you have. I love seeing all the beautiful quilts you create. You motivate me to continue with my quilting hobby.
    The bag you made is so colourful . I would love to try this.

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  66. A beautiful and bright bag! The side with the pluses is my favorite, such an effective use of all the fabrics.

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  67. That bundle is gorgeous; my colours for sure! Love your blood g and that bag is perfect. I love the pluses.

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  68. If I was lucky enough to win I would’ve using these fabrics in a Kaeidoscope quilt I have designed and am pricing. The colours match perfectly with those I pulled from my stash.

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  69. If I won, I would wait for your bag pattern to be my prize. I really do like that.

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  70. I wish I could match fabrics as well as you. Gorgeous. I would make a bag so a I could enjoy the fabrics every time I used the bag.
    Thanks for giveaway.
    djcutting2(at) gmail(dot)com

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  71. I didn't know you teach yoga, Sandra! I just bought my husband a yoga mat for his 50th birthday and promised we would find a class together... Feeling a bit apprehensive as a newbie, though! Your bag is gorgeous and you are super brave to put an INK PEN in there after all that work -- what if it leaks?! :-) Beautiful colors in that fabric bundle. I'm probably too late to enter the giveaway, but if I won that bundle I'd chop it up into oversize clam shells.

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  72. Lovely bundle Sandra. The bag you made with it really showcases the fabrics well.

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