Monday, January 7, 2019

Getaway! Island Batik Blog Hop and Giveaways

Who doesn't love to hear that phrase, "Let's get away!" be it January, cold and dark in the northern hemisphere, OR January, summertime in the southern hemisphere, school's out and let's head to a great camping spot or the big city or the ocean...
I try to be all-inclusive, and I have realized especially over the past year, but even years ago when I had a grade 7 student from South Africa (whose mum was my first Yin yoga teacher😊) who spent a month, December/January, in the southern hemisphere summer visiting their family each year, that we northern hemisphere peeps do not recognize our sister/brother southern hemisphere peeps' seasons. So I am right here right now. Sidenote: said grade 7 student is now a doctor, as in M.D.!


And welcome to my spiralling mind! It's how I roll, both on the blog and IRL, (in real life). I always have been like that; menopause exacerbates it, and I sometimes leave my dear husband, aka MacGyver, in the dust with my spiralling and jumping around and assuming he is following my meanderings. Anyhow. Let's focus, shall we?

I am so excited to show you my quilt I designed for this hop! It's the biggest one I've made for Island Batik, measuring 69 X 84". All the fabrics were provided by Island Batik, the batting by Hobbs Batting (I'm using 100% wool, pinch me!), and the threads by Aurifil. I should also tell you that I found out this week that I've been accepted for a second year representing this wonderful company as an ambassador for their fabrics. I just love their fabrics, truly. I've been a batik lover forever, have used them solo, or mixed them in with other cottons. Here is the group I got to work with for the hop. It is called Crystal Ball.

Apologies for the roller bar shadow; that's Avril, my Avanté! Twenty lucious half yards of fabric, oh my! 'Create a Getaway-themed quilt, lap-size or larger.' Those were the basic parameters. We were about a third into December when I realized I had to go first in the hop, GULP!! December was nuts: two weeks vacationing in two different locales, and the usual hubbub of Christmas, not to mention, recovery time and general, down/blah/post whirlwind feelings from my daughter Dayna's wedding which was November 24.

However, I work well under pressure, and that is often the catalyst for my creativity. Such was the case with this quilt, which I've named "Oh the Places We'll Go!" Yep, avid Dr. Seuss fan here. Cut my reading teeth at age 4 1/2 on The Cat in the Hat. And this phrase just planted itself in my brain as I was creating this quilt which is truly my favourite of all 12 monthly quilts I've made for Island Batik.

I'll take you on its journey. And yes, there is a giveaway, one here on my blog, where there are a couple of prizes, and one fabulous one at Island Batik's blog. These batiks are not stiff, which is a question I am asked fairly often. They are lovely. Rich in colour, rich in designs (I mean just look at the variation in my collection above), they don't fray much at all due to the tight weave, and you can use either side, though I am obsessive and use what I deem is the right side. Top shelf quality. I used every one of them in my quilt.

The theme percolated for a couple of weeks, I kid you not, on my brain. The fabrics didn't bring to mind any kind of getaway thoughts, though the paisleys made me think of henna, which made me think of India, and the flowers made me think of Florida, which is where one of my vacation weeks in December happened... Maybe I can sketch out a suitcase?
Little photo. Small, early, thoughts. Possibilities. Yet from small beginnings mighty things grow...



First test block. When I was doing the first suitcase, I came up with the idea of an outside pocket, and, well, blame it on the .... drum roll.... wait for it .... 350 (yes, you read that number right) 350 6" blocks I've made over the past two years. 150 were in the150  Canadian Women QAL that I participated in during 2017 and 200 more I made in the Tula Pink City Sampler QAL I participated in this past year. I made two of each of her 100 blocks, destined for two quilts. Yeah. So a few more 6" blocks? No sweat.

Travel-themed!

Why a star? Well, they are my favourite blocks, they and the schoolhouse block. 'Reach for the stars'; 'Follow the northern star'; 'Stars in her eyes'. All these things float in my mind when it comes to the realm of travel.

After I made the first block, it hit me that most suitcases these days do not look like that, but are more upright rectangles. Back to the graph paper book. (It's where I do my best thinking/drawing/creating.)

What's with the book? Well, one needs a passport, right, when travelling?

Remember my 150 Canadian Women quilt? Well, I figured there had to be the word 'Canada' on one of the selvages of some of the Canada 150 fabrics I'd bought. Yes!!

I just wrote PASSPORT across the top with my blue line marker, and thought AHA! We'd been given a pack of Aurifil threads in Box 2, various weights, and I knew there was an embroidery one in there. Let me say it is terrific thread, and I'm a LONG TIME  DMC only girl. I used 6 strands. I know the green doesn't pop as much on the purple as I'd like, but hey, it works for me.

Not working so well, was Bella deciding to be a part of the embroidery. She thought this sumptuous blue batik brought out her eyes, so photo op, Sandra?

I obliged, as per usual where she is concerned!
She was either headed to snag the green thread, or headed to settle down on the quilted tablecloth I wrote about in my Throwback Thursday post. She's not allowed on the table, but she figures, hey, there's a real bonafide quilt there, so what the hey? Works for her!

Meanwhile, the suitcases and their pockets continued to grow. Here we have an arrow. Make sure you're headed in the right direction, whether you're off on a getaway, or on a trip of a lifetime, or moving along on your day-to-day life journey.  Flying geese. I was a snowbird for several years, now flying off to new places, which is pretty exciting! Like geese flying in formation, sometimes I've been a leader when travelling, sometimes a follower.

I was going to do nine blocks, but then thought no, having a tall suitcase and a wide one  made for a better rectangular quilt, so I decided upon twelve. Here they are sitting on the design wall. I'd made two appliquĂ© blocks at this point, a palm tree, and the sunglasses-wearing face.

I used the Crafted Appliqué method as described in Lara's book: (affiliate link)


Here is another block, a 3D one:


I was pretty tickled when I thought of creating an actual pocket on the quilt. Why a pocket on a quilt? Well, there are always pockets on suitcases, for one. For another, it's good place to stash a kleenex, (my mum instilled that in me), or maybe my phone LOL.

And one more with which I was also pretty tickled.

I knew I'd do a palm tree as they grow where I love to be, in warm places! My first experience with a warm place in the dead of winter was when I was 18 and spent a university's Reading Week in Phoenix in February. That was when I decided I'd be a snowbird when I quit working, no lie. I can draw these freehand pretty easily, and I'd originally planned to put it on a plain background, probably the light blue sky that I did use. Then I thought, hmm, what if I could find a piece that kind of looks like sand... voilĂ ! The paisley yellows and pinks and greens print, and then my favourite print of them all, that rich turquoise/aquamarine/I want to bite it blue for the ocean!

It was on Saturday, yes, two days ago, that I had a bit of a meltdown when I had all twelve blocks on the design wall, and realized my math was faulty:
Two wide suitcases plus one tall suitcase two tall suitcases plus one wide suitcase in width.

You may think, well, duh, Sandra. My response to you is, see name of blog. Focus on adjective, 'menopausal'. I used to be excellent at math. Now, I struggle. Not always, but more often than I like.

After I gathered my wits, and soothed my crushed 'success!...or not' feelings, I grabbed my trusty graph paper notebook and started sketching the blocks to see if there was a straight lines way to assemble this quilt without set-in seams.

And there was. You can see my idea of adding in spacing squares above. It took a little pencil and eraser time, maybe more eraser than pencil, lol but I got it. Below is the quilt almost all sewn together, not too many hours ago if I'm to be honest!

Oh how I love it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these fabrics, the motifs, the colours. The quilt I made for the The Great Outdoors blog hop this past summer, Maple Leaf Rag, is for sale, but this baby is not because it has too much personal symbolism within its fibres. It's symbolic of my travels thus far in my life, but also of this coming next adventure in my life where we will be travelling to new destinations (two booked and a third in the works for this year), but also my quilting 'travels'. Who knew that 5 1/2 years ago when I started my blog, one day I'd be published in several magazines, and that I'd be working for a couple of different fabric companies! Who knows what awaits?

Here it is right before publishing (because it was dark when I sewed the final seams and gave it its final press last night! Finishing the quilt is my January OMG!

The wind is HOWLING this morning (hence, heavy blocks to hold corners down), and the deck where I was to take this photo, is covered with freezing rain so it was a wee bit treacherous, but I persevered for a daylight photo! I used the two lights in the collection plus some of Buttermilk Mini Dot background yardage they sent in Box 2. It all works doesn't it?

Row 1: 1. Palm tree, for all the years we spent in Florida, both vacations while working, and winters once we quit working.  2. Pocket: already discussed. 3. Heart: head out on my journeys with an open heart, willing to learn about different cultures, embracing the growth that will ensue, and being kind, to myself and to others, especially my travel companion, my husband.

Row 2: 1. House: we do not need to leave home to get away. Stay-cation is the cool term, but my husband and I and both our daughters, have always been quite content for long lazy days at home doing whatever makes us happy. 2. Passport: needed for flights! 3. Flying geese: already discussed.

Row 3: 1. Sunglasses-wearing face: I love the sun! Sunny days just make me glow, inside and out. 2. Flag: I purposely made this generic. No explanation needed. 3. Arrow: already discussed.

Row 4: 1. Star: already discussed. 2. Trip Around the World quilt block: no explanation needed, but I was pretty chuffed when I hit upon this block idea, that, and the execution of it if I may say so! 3. Open book: again you do not need to get on a plane to get away (though taking a book with one when going on a plane is most beneficial); you can travel to many places through books, both fiction and non-fiction ones. I plan to write out some lines from a favourite book on the 'blank pages' there. I have about 20+ favourite books, so I'm not 100% sure on which one I'll use!

Will there be a pattern for this quilt? You betcha. It's already mostly written, just needs the EQ diagrams, and instructions for the 6" blocks.

If you would love a chance to win some of Island Batik's gorgeous fabrics, head to their blog, where you will find the Rafflecopter giveaway.

To enter my own giveaway, you will use the Rafflecopter below. This one is not the same as Island Batik's, so be sure to fill out both! I have four options; you do not have to fill all of them out to be eligible for prizes.

I have two (maybe more) prizes: one is a collection (to be determined, but you will love it) of Island Batik fabrics. Probably a piece of each of the Crystal Ball ones (I haven't made the backing for this quilt yet, which is why I'm saying 'probably'😉, and quite possibly some others left over from 2018. Like Island Batik, who is such an inclusive company, I will ship anywhere. Another prize is a copy of all of my patterns. With Craftsy being rather disappointing to pattern designers and purchasers, I will send a winner a copy of every pattern in my shop. There are at least eight off the top of my head. Okay I just went there to check.  Make that WERE at least eight. Now there is .... ONE?? I don't understand. Anyhow, big breath here, I will send you all those that were there, which should be eight. More on my patterns in another post.

Please know I won't be responding to comments due to the volume during giveaways; however I will be reading and appreciating every single one! Now I'm off to make the backing and get this baby quilted!

Linking up
Cooking Up Quilts
Free Motion by the River
Elm Street Quilts


Here is the list of all the ambassadors for this month-long hop!
WEEK 1
Monday, January 7 - Crystal Ball


Tuesday, January 8  - Ditty


Wednesday, January 9 - Elk Lodge


Thursday, January 10 - Feline Fine


Friday, January 11 - Flea Market


WEEK 2
Monday, January 14 - Fortune Teller


Tuesday, January 15  - Gypsy Rose


Wednesday, January 16 - Paisley Park


Thursday, January 17 - Soul Song


Friday, January 18 - Twilight Chic


WEEK 3
Monday, January 21 - Winter Park


Tuesday, January 22  - Bazaar


Wednesday, January 23 - Blossom


Thursday, January 24 - Boho


Friday, January 25 - Brookview


WEEK 4
Monday, January 28 - French Blue


Tuesday, January 29  - Midsummer Night


Wednesday, January 30 - Oh Deer


Thursday, January 31 - Snow Berry  


Friday, February 1-  Candy Cane Lane and Icicle
Anne Wiens- Icicle - Sweetgrass Creative Designs


Barbara Gaddy - Candy Cane Lane  -Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

a Rafflecopter giveaway

180 comments:

  1. I love the "suitcases" idea. We always have some luggage when we go anywhere....so just perfect.

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  2. You are really on a roll with this, Sandra. What a fun quilt.

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  3. What a great quilt, and such a fitting name! You sound too much like me, putting things together and realizing they don't quite fit. Those suitcases would come in handy for my bucket list trip to Hawaii (especially the one with the palm tree on it)!

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  4. Love your design and the batiks. Beautiful fabrics.

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  5. Alice Martina SmithJanuary 7, 2019 at 9:14 AM

    With your fun suitcases as inspiration, I'd say my "getaway place" would be Australia. Still, my happy place will always be Michigan, which is much more accessible from Indiana

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  6. Oh I love your quilt. And the symbolism makes it fantastic. Cant wait to see it finished. It will be great. Thanks for sharing.
    One of the things on our bucket list is taking a Disney Cruise on our 40th Anniversary. Right now we just hit 35 years, so plenty of prep time. LOL
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  7. Sounds like you had fun making this.

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  8. What a beautiful quilt and what a story to go with it! The fabrics are perfect for it and I can't wait to see how you quilt it! Thanks for sharing Sandra!

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  9. Absolutely stunning, love the idea of the suitcases. And every little detail on each case is beautiful 💕

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  10. This is a fantastic quilt idea. I live in central Florida but by bucket list destination is Florida Keys. Down there every chance I get.

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  11. I love the creativity in this quilt! Everything about it is fantastic - the design, the fabrics, the details. You did a wonderful job on this Sandra and I can't wait to see how you decide to quilt it!

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  12. Oh my, I love, love, love this quilt! It is so you! And the pocket for the kleenex makes me smile; it sure brings back memories!

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  13. Love the Crystal Ball fabrics. The pockets on your suitcases are perfect. Thanks for sharing. My go to bucket list is beaches, any beach. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  14. Love the suitcase idea. My bucket list places to travel are Ireland and Japan.

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  15. Suitcases - what a clever idea and superb execution! Sandra, as always I love reading your wordy and sometimes hilarious blog posts!

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  16. Wow!!! First of all the quilt is truly amazing - so creative and it just exudes your personality. The colors, the gorgeous batiks (Island Batiks are really amazing) but mostly the meaning behind it. Also, that you completely designed this. I am really impressed and inspired - way way beyond my abilities. I just love it.
    Also, loved your post. You were in the mood to write when you drafted this post and it is so cute. I have missed your humor - you really made me smile with this one. Well done!!! Can't wait to see it finished up. Definitely a keeper Sandra. This is all you, through and through. (tho maybe enter it in a show? It is so unique)

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  17. Such a clever design with the suitcases! My big lottery win location would be Australia & New Zealand. Until that happens, would love to get back to the Canadian Rockies.

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  18. i love the suitcase idea, it would be great for someone who is leaving home for the first time

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  19. I am really impressed with your speed! These days, I'm meandering through projects. And one getaway on the bucketlist is Chicago.

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  20. Your suitcases are Adorable to say the least, I love how life inspires us to create! My bucket list destination.....there are so many lol! But how about the next one I will be marking off my list come next vacation... Yellow Stone National Park, Wyoming.... and a stay at Cody Wyoming of course!

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  21. It's funny, but I don't really have a "place" on my bucket list. I'd love to go away with my dear friends Diane and Sarah, though. Anywhere would be lovely. Kindred spirits, we would learn, and share, and laugh, and relax in a deep, soul-restorative way. Could be England, Italy, or a hotel in the next town.

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  22. I love this idea for a quilt and the fabrics are beautiful. I would love to get away to Italy

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  23. Your quilt is amazing! I love how personal it is. Beautiful work, and it showcases the fabric wonderfully.

    Where would I want to go? Italy.

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  24. This was such a wonderful way to use these fabrics! Totally unique and very beautiful. I really love it.
    Thank you for the chance. I would love to go to Hawaii.

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  25. Another exceptional quilt, Sandra! All of the special details really add to the beauty of this design, even the pocket! Congrats of being chosen for another year of Island Batik ambassadors! You really know how to use their fabrics and make them shine! One bucket list destination is Hawaii...and we'll be there in April this year!

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  26. Oh, that is fabulous! Love your suitcase idea, and all the special blocks on each one that have meaning. Beautiful fabric, too! Our travels seem to mostly take us to the West Coast (California and Oregon) where we can walk on the beaches, listen to the ocean, and explore the tidepools. Those are the things that I love the most when traveling!

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  27. What an amazing quilt, I just love it....

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  28. Sandra - I can tell you had so much fun making this quilt. It's awesome! As for being a snowbird, I can vouch for it! This is our first year of retirement and we've been in Tucson almost a week and will stay for a couple of months. SO MUCH FUN! Even brought my sewing machine along because I knew I'd have sewing withdrawals, lol. Congrats on your great suitcase quilt.

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  29. Congratulations on being named an ambassador again in 2019. You deserve it.

    Your suitcase quilt really fits the theme and looks fabulous. Thank you for taking us through the process.

    My travel bucket list has only one item on it - a car trip across Canada. We live on the west coast. Thanks for the chance to win such a generous prize package.

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  30. Gorgeous fabrics! I would love to get away, anywhere!!

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  31. Your suitcases are AWESOME!!! So fun. My bucket list destination is the 2020 future opening of Bonnie Hunters Quiltville Inn. My LQS worker and I are already saving and planning. (P.S. she has never flown before-but WILL!).

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  32. Loved seeing how this evolved! Great quilt. My bucket list destination is Ireland, with stops in England, France and Italy if I'm going to be wishing. Australia is another bucket list but seems almost impossible, so I'm setting my heart on Ireland because I'm Irish.

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  33. Would love to see Australia! The kangaroos and koalas! :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  34. Cute suitcases, each one going somewhere different and new. Asia comes to mind as a place to see.

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  35. Clever quilt and excellent design! My bucket list getaway is the Southwest. Never been but would love to see Arizona and New Mexico.

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  36. I want to go to England, Ireland, and Scotland one day.

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  37. I love that your math did not work out because now the setting is just that much more exciting. Wonderful, wonderful quilt, Sandra, and I’m just so impressed that it came together so quickly for you. The symbolism is something we can all relate to whether we travel physically or from an armchair. I can think of so many reasons/ways this can be gifted, so it’s especially cool that you are writing a pattern for it so others can make it (without the math challenges). And yea for another year of you being an ambassador! But, wow, after this year, I’m not surprised.

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  38. Very cute thanks for sharing. My bucket list getaway is Jamaica
    @cork@pa.rr.com

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  39. You've outdone yourself there, faulty math and all. I completely blame everything on menopause! hahahahaha Great save though, and a fabulous finish. Looking forward to that pattern release!

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  40. Oh, your suitcases are fabulous!! Retired teacher here who loves to travel!! One place on my bucket list is New Zealand...my parents traveled all over and New Zealand and Finland were the two places they wanted to go back to visit. Oh, I could happily drive around Australia for a year or two as well!! Can a longarm fit in a van and run on a generator powered by solar energy???

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  41. I love how you took your idea and flew with it... I wouldn't let this quilt out of my sight if I where you either.

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  42. Well done with your suitcases! Not just suitcases, but with all the special personalized additions to them. Thank you for taking us on you creativity journey as it's always nice to see the process behind the end results. Thanks for sharing these fabrics with a giveaway. Your photos really do show us how lusciously lovely they are!

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  43. Definitely the travel theme with the Island Batiks. A warm sunny island sounds good in January, lol.

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  44. Dang it! I completely forgot to answer your question!! My bucket list travel destination would be to stay Canadian, first being the Yukon!

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  45. Your quilt is adorable. My bucket list getaway - travel around in the Austin Healey that my husband is restoring. Almost ready to be painted. Just get in the car and go anywhere and everywhere.

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  46. ingenius - its no wonder that you have been choosen for a second year of participation - they know a winner! My bucket list destination - Amsterdam - I will get there some day!

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  47. A keeper definitely, and the meanings behind each block,love the stories and it all, and then the colours. Summer, cooler days, and rolling cases. You are a whizz at this design. How far south are you planning to travel?

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  48. Such a personal note I feel like you were sitting near me telling me all this. Beautiful fabrics and quilt! You made it so personal.
    I love to go to Florida!

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  49. I forgot my getaway? Maybe to visit family further south and up north.But in May to Wellington for our Grandson's University degree graduation.This will be the first one I have been to so very special.That tops the bucket list this year.

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  50. What a great blog hop! I've got my travel gear all ready to go to visit the blogs on the agenda! The quilt you made is stunning. The batik fabric along with the color selection (and customized centers) work so well together. Wonderful sharing!!

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  51. I really like this quilt and the emotions behind the making of it. I guess my bucket list would be Ireland. However, I have visited Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand and Majorca. Each and every place I have been is beautiful and has been worth the time and expense of each trip.
    Susan

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  52. thanks for playing! I love to see new things

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  53. Such a clever idea! I love how you came up with this and reading about your thought process to make it all work! Beautiful!

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  54. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.netJanuary 7, 2019 at 2:28 PM

    cute quilt! I have been in 47 of our 50 states. My ideal get away would be a visit to the last 3 states.

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  55. My bucket list getaway is Australia and New Zealand. Your quilt is fabulous! I love all the variety in the suitcases and your creative solution to the math issue.

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  56. My bucket list is long! But I think Hawaii would be at the top!

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  57. What an awesome idea! I really like how you made it so personal.

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  58. I love your quilt. What a clever design.

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  59. A lot of suitcases! When I travel, I usually take one! Australia, my bucket list & every list destination! Thank you, Susan

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  60. I'd love a train trip across Canada. Your quilt is fabulous!!

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  62. I would love to see the Grand Canyon; maybe one day.

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  63. I would love to visit Ireland and England.

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  64. Sandra this quilt is perfect! For those of us who love to travel, it just brings on pleasant memories or dreams of travels to come. The Crystal Ball fabrics are my favourite (so far) of Island Batiks new lines. Thanks for your fun blog and being part of the hop.
    Carol Andrews
    QuiltSchmilt@gmail.com
    https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/

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  65. My bucket list getaway is Austria.

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  66. My bucket list vacation is to go to New Orleans! Forgot to add that part of the comment! Oops.
    QuiltSchmilt@gmail.com
    https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/

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  67. Adorable quilt idea!!!!

    lstangl482 at aol dot com

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  68. I am impressed by the result! Νow I am waiting to see it complete! The trip I would like to do is in Ireland!!!

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  69. I love your quilt. The fabric looks gorgeous.

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  70. Fabulous design with
    the suitcases. Love
    the palm tree block.
    I'd like to visit
    Ireland or Egypt.
    Carla from Utah

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  71. A gorgeous quilt with so many meanings. I will be looking forward to this pattern being published. Thanks for sharing your project, thoughts and leftover fabrics and patterns.

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  72. I love your quilt! Perfect to start out the hop with!

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  73. Your Island Batik fabric quilt is so very clever with the traveling suitcases. Well Done. Crystal Ball fabric is stunning in this colorway. Thank you very much for hopping.

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  74. Your suitcase quilt is delightfully creative. I would love to visit Italy. Thanks for giveaway.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  75. OMG that suitcase quilt is adorable!!! Great job!!! My bucket list place is Los Vegas (with my siter in tow!!!) mumbird3atgmaildotcom

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  76. Love your suitcase quilt! How perfect for a "Getaway" hop!! A return to Ireland is on my Getaway Wish List,also a visit to somewhere WARM this winter...
    Thanks for sharing your work with us, Hops are such fun!

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  77. Seattle Washington to see my son maybe toto see the Grand Canyon I'd love to travel United States to see our great country..happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  78. Your quilt is terrific. And I love your solution to your incorrect math! Really adds to the quilt. I would love to travel to Argentina and Patagonia some day!!

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  79. Oh my goodness, this is so fun! These colors are AMAZING! And I love your suitcases with designs on them. I think the palm tree is my favorite. Brilliant project!

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  80. Beautiful fabrics and lovely quilt! My "getaway place" would be Italy.

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  82. These fabrics are gorgeous. My bucket list include Alaska!

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  83. Loving that suitcase quilt - how clever to add the pocket!! One of my favorite getaways is the beach on Lake Michigan!

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  84. Amazing! I need to channel your creativity. Those fabrics are fabulous. I'd love to get back to South Africa -- didn't get to see everything.

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  85. That's an amazing quilt, beautifully done. I like your solution for filling in the holes. The pockets are great - but I would have put the palm tree in the desert - 'cause I'm a desert rat, and I LOVE Phoenix weather! All 4 seasons of it. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway. I love batiks, and I don't care which ones they are. They are great for appliqué by hand, too. I'm so sorry you got smacked by Craftsy. I didn't have a shop there, and now I don't have a user account, either. I don't like the way they do things. =)

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  86. P.S. I comment before I sign in, because if I do it the other way, I have to sign into the rafflecopter again, but my favorite getaway is in the mountain forests of northern Arizona in a 5th wheel, a camper, even a tent, not picky!

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  87. Love to go to Europe to see my son (currently in Austria). He has been checking out fabric stores for me in Austria and Italy! Hope I get to go while he is still there.

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  88. Beautiful fabrics, wonderful design and always enjoy your blog! So glad to know I'm not alone in losing my former math genius as I age! But I just check and recheck everything now, a pain, but a must. LOL Thank you for a great blog.

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  89. Absolutely stunning and so personal! My bucket list getaways are Ireland and Australia-maybe someday!

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  90. What a great suitcase quilt, and the fabrics are perfect! Love it!

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  91. I want to return to Europe, especially France where my relatives live.

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  92. I'm looking forward to a trip to Europe with my husband. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to visit several countries. Your quilt is quite cleaver and the fabrics are so pretty.

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  93. I would really love to go on a quilt cruise. And if all quilters had suitcases like yours it would be a very colorful
    trip.

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  94. First time I’ve done a blog hop. So interesting! And this is the first time I’ve seen your blog. Love your creativity and originality! And for being one of the presenters. Looking forward to getting some Island Batik fabrics to work with—a new experience for me.

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  95. My bucket list get away is to visit Scotland and Ireland. My family is from there many generations ago!

    Sandy A

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  96. I love the suitcase pattern. The colors of the collection are beautiful.

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  97. The pocket is my favorite!!! This is such a wonderful quilt adventure. As I head into Menopause myself, I'll be watching your blog.

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  98. What fun! I would love to visit Sctland.

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  99. Your Quilt is Awesome!!...you are sooooo Creative!! Love it!! Thank you for chance to win yur Give-a-way too :)

    I have always wanted to visit England & see the old Castles :D

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  100. Tahiti is on my bucket list. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  101. Very clever indeed. I only have one state left to visit. That's Alaska.

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  102. What a great design! I would love to return to England & Wales but would settle for a week in North Carolina. pjrquilter at msn dot com

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  103. Hi! absolutely gorgeous colors and a wonderful quilt. if we get away, the beach is always top on the list!!!

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  104. If I could get away I would go to New Zealand. Beautiful scenery!! I really enjoyed reading about your process and how you made the mistakes seem planned.

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  105. Outstanding quilt design. I love the wheeled suitcases, and the symbolism of your pocket blocks. The fabrics are lovely, and I used them, too. Maryellen

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  106. great design and looks like fun to make

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  107. These fabrics are just so beautiful! I would love to go to Ireland, England and Scotland some day . . . Thanks!

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  108. Great quilt ideas Sandra. I enjoyed the journey with you this morning

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  109. Love your suitcases, such a clever idea!

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  110. Love your suitcases, such a clever idea!

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  111. Fantastic design! Kudos for using ALL the fabrics.

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  112. Gorgeous and I love the way you placed a different motif on each bag.

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  113. I had to laugh when I read the beginning of your post....that's how I roll too;-) Your suitcases are adorable!!

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  114. Oh, this is just so stinkin' cute!! I absolutely love that you decided early on that suitcases are both horizontal and vertical. Ha ha! Somehow my menopausal mind has no trouble following your train of thought :)

    Since my life is actually one long trip, I can't say I have a bucket list. I would love to take another train trip, though. Maybe I need to make a tiny square version of your block (a train case!) and start planning.

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  115. I think Ireland would be a great place to visit.
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  116. The Quilt is wonderful I love it. Love the wheels it is so modern.

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  117. What a fun, unique quilt, so different from most quilts out there. Could it probably be the product of your menopausal mind? lol

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  118. Wow, Sandra - This quilt is just amazing. And you made it so quickly!

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  119. I would love to visit Italy! I like your suitcase blocks.

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  120. This is so fabulous, Sandra! I love the variety of suitcases...no one would have trouble identifying their own on the carousel, lol :) I love all the meanings to all the 6" blocks you used, too. I really enjoyed reading the post, too :)

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  121. On my bucket list would be to get to Alaska someday.

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  122. Although impossible, my bucket list getaway would be New Zealand.

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  123. Sandra, you've outdone yourself! What an awesome, personal quilt. island batiks are beautiful! I'm making a comfort quilt for a friend and using my stash of batiks, and, like yo--working well under pressure.
    Thank goodness for my morning yoga practice, or I'd be pulling out my hair. Congratulations on a wonderful finish!

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  124. P.S. San Francisco, my hometown, is my favorite destination.

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  125. I love your creativity I would love to pack my bag for the Southern Hemisphere namely Australia and New Zealand

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  126. My bucket list get away would be to either New Zealand, or to Australia (Ayers Rock specifically).

    LOVE those suitcases. Oh, and I laughed out loud over the math required for large/small/large! Thank you for not hiding the humorous mess ups!

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  127. What a delightful, beautiful, creative quilt! Thanks so much for sharing this. My bucket list getaway would be to Iceland. I would love to see the Northern lights.

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  128. Love your suitcases. I would love to go to Hawaii.

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  129. Fantastic quilt with fantastic back story. I love the way you were able to "fix" the miscalculation (doesn't that just make your brain fizzle when that happens). I'd love to tour through Canada in the fall and I'd love to see New England in the fall.

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  130. I love your quilt the colors are beautiful and your suitcase blocks are so fun. I actually traveled to my bucket list country this past year which was Switzerland. I had always wanted to see where my father had lived as a child and it is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to.

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  131. I love your suitcases! I want to go to Hawaii! I need some sunshine! I have to say that I filled out the rafflecopter wrong and listed instagram twice; so sorry. I follow you by e-mail, bloglovin: Nicole Sender & instagram!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  132. What an awesome quilt! The fabrics are wonderful and the design is so unique!

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  133. It is snowing here at the moment, l would love to get away and your block certainly reminds me of that.

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  134. Great quilt top! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project!

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  135. Really awesome unique blocks and quilt! Island Batik rocks!! Enjoy your day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  136. This idea was incredibly genius! I love the little suite cases! And my sweet Bella, those fabrics were made just for her eyes :)

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  137. I love your quilt. I really like the idea of adding a pocket as well.

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  138. Very clever, appealing, and original design! Am in love with those fabrics!

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  139. I enjoyed scrolling down and watching each new suitcase. Such a great way to showcase all the fabrics. Fantastic!

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  140. Cute cute cute idea for a quilt. I love those fabrics.

    With so many places in the world to visit, I'm not sure where I would want to go. Maybe Scotland or Israel or Hawaii. I just don't know.

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  141. The suitcases are such a cute idea. I like how you made every pocket different - it adds to the charm! And the Crystal ball collection is SO gorgeous!
    My Bucket List getaway would be Alaska! I'd love to see the glaciers and scenery there.

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  142. Very cute quilt! My top bucket list trip would be Scotland in August so that I can go see the Highland Review (bagpipes) in person.

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  143. What a great quilt! I would love to go to an all inclusive on a beach somewhere.

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  144. What a great quilt!! Please tell me that there will be a pattern for this in the future???

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  145. Love, love, love this, Sandra!! Great design! My bucket list getaway is Hawaii, but as I don't enjoy flying, probably will remain on my bucket list! LOL

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  146. On my getaway bucket list is Iceland, Ireland, Canada, Alaska. Thank you for the giveaway. I'm new to quilting and would love to have this fabric!

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  147. I love this quilt and all the symbols in the suitcases.

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  148. Love the suitcases, always ready for a quick getaway ! Lovely fabrics, have never used batons.

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  149. I love yout design. Great suitcases. Thanks for the opportunity to win your draw.

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  150. Wow I just love love the vibrant colors

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  151. These colors are gorgeous! My favorite is the "suitcase" fabric you used in the star suitcase, a lovely blue and green mottle. I really like mottle batiks, staring at one is like looking at clouds in the sky. The depth is great. Thanks for sharing your process. I already follow your blog. lbjisme at msn dot com

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  152. One day I'd like to go to the Galapogos Islands.

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  153. a great way to mark your travels!

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  154. My favorite getaway is Kenya! Cannot wait to get back.

    Julie.mirdoch@shaw.ca

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  155. I love your quilt Sandra, and enjoyed reading about it's journey to completion. Here's to another fun year of sewing and creativity.

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  156. That is one of the best I have ever seen. Love it.

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  157. I love your travel bag blocks and the meaning behind the blocks. It always makes the creations more memorable when you explain the creative process. And that you are human and admit the adjustments needed to make a pattern thought become reality.

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  158. Love your quilt. Very creative. Love the batiks used.

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  159. What a cute idea, quilting suitcases with a destination in mind. I never thought of that. My dream destination would be somewhere with mountains with a sprinkling of snow with an outside hot tub and pork green chili soup, or blue partly cloudy desert skies with mesas and wonderful sunsets, or breezy beaches with brilliant green foliage and yellow sunshine.

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  160. What a cute idea love the suitcases and all the different little set ins. Great solution. Love the colors also.

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  161. Bucket list get away? I have been dreaming of Curacao

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  162. I love the quilt you designed--good problem solving!

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  163. I have always wondered how great designers come up with awesome new quilts. Now I know! I loved reading this post from beginning to end. And of course I adore your quilt as well, clever girl!

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  164. Your suitcase quilt is so adorable! I like to build my quilts "the hard way" quite often too. I make a few blocks and then make some more so everything fits together.

    I've always wanted to travel to Australia.

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  165. Such a fun suitcase travel quilt! It could also be personalized to show where you’ve traveled! The favorite place I’ve traveled to is Germany! I’d love to visit Australia!!!!

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  166. This is a wonderful quilt and I love how you take us through your journey of creation. I'm not much of a traveller...but I would like to go to Australia and New Zealand, Newfoundland and Japan. I think I need to win a lottery.

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  167. I would love to visit the big 3 Pyramids some day....

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  168. Cute quilt! I would love to go to Hawaii or on an Alaskan tour.

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  169. Your quilt is so creative. The fabrics were perfect. I also truly enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for a chance to win.

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  170. What a neat quilt! Good for the traveler. My bucket list includes getting sewing and quilting area organized after a recent move and figuring out easier ways for us to travel. Then I'll need to make a suitcase quilt!

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  171. Love the suitcases my bucket list would contain a textile tour possibly England

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  172. The top of my travel bucket list is a trip/cruise to Alaska.
    Beautiful fabrics and great quilt design!

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  173. I don't have a bucket list, but I'd love to be able to go to South Korea next year. Half my grands are stationed there.

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  174. P.s. suitcases are wonderful 💚💚💚

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  175. My bucket list get away place was England. My paternal grandfather came to the US from England by himself when he was 18, so I always wanted to go to England. After my second husband died, I decided to take a "quilt tour" to see mostly American quilts to England. It was like being home without ever having been there. If I have the chance, I would love to go again. I love you suitcases. Thanks for being a teacher. There are many teachers in my family. I knew that's what I wanted to do. However, I took the first computer class offered at my University and that became my minor. I still did all the work to become a teacher and got a job offer in IT first. I got a master in education and was working on a doctorate in gifted education when I became disabled. My daughter in a math teacher.

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