Monday, March 31, 2014

Happy Anniversary to Me (or rather to my blog)!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FAERIES AND FIBRES!



Today is my blog's one year anniversary! A bunch of friends dropped by to help me celebrate!

It has been a busy, productive year for me. I've shared quilts, patterns, tips, techniques and my first ever quilt along (QAL), Soupcon!  I've met many wonderful people that I wouldn't otherwise have met and blogging has allowed me to learn from others! But this is an anniversary party and what's a party without gifts? I've got some wonderful gifts that you could win!

As you know I love Superior Threads. To help me celebrate Superior Threads has very generously donated a $30 gift certificate as a giveaway for one of my blog readers! I would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to Bob Purcell at Superior Threads for this gift. The lucky winner can use it to purchase the Superior products of her choice! If you haven't tried them you are in for a treat!


This is not a paid advertisement! I am a fan of Superior Threads and when I quilt I always use The Bottom Line in my bobbin. It is a fine polyester thread with a gorgeous sheen. But it isn't just for the bobbin - I also love to quilt with it. I used The Bottom Line to quilt this little miniature which was donated to my Guild's Silent Auction last Spring.


I also used it to quilt Baskets and Nine Patches. I used a lovely neutral colour (Statue) for most of the quilting and in the centre of the large beige squares I used Gold. Cindy Needham highly recommended that colour in one of her online classes and so I thought I would try it out. It is a very lovely and versatile colour that adds richness to a quilt.



I just finished quilting Lazy Girl and I used So Fine! on top and am in love with it. It is soft, has a little sheen and it is fine so when I backtrack I don't get a heavy thread build-up. Best of all it is very affordable and a cone goes a very long way! I used Monopoly for my stitch in the ditch. Again, one cone goes a very, very long way so it is a great investment!


Kimono is a silk and it is another of my favourites not only for quilting but also for applique. It just disappears into the fabric! I've been using it in my Love Entwined quilt. That project has been set aside for a while and I should get back to it!


And I've got cones of Magnifico and Fantastico that will be used in some upcoming projects including 81, The Giant Monstrosity!


But wait - there's more! I've got a second giveaway. I love to add fussy cut patches to my quilts so I have a bundle of fabric that is perfect for fussy cutting! It includes two prints each measuring one yard! There are so many great bits for fussy cutting including the stripes! One lucky person will win both cuts.


Enter my Giveaways!
So how do do you enter my giveaways? Simple! Just leave me a comment at the bottom of this post! Many of the comments I get are from no-reply bloggers. How do you know you are a no reply blogger? I answer every comment so if you don't hear from me you odds are that you are a no-reply blogger so be sure to add your email address to your comment. If you are a no-reply blogger and I don't have your email address you won't be entered in the draws. For three additional chances to win you can:
  1. Sign up for the Superior Threads newsletter here and leave me a comment to let me know. If you are already signed up just let me know in a comment.
  2. Follow my blog and leave me a comment to let me know how you are following. If you are already a follower let me know how in your comment.
  3. Mention my giveaway on your blog and leave me a comment with a link to your post for a fourth chance.
Remember, if you don't get an email from me it likely means you are a no-reply blogger so you won't be entered in the draw unless you include your email in a comment.

I'm a bit of a Neanderthal when it comes to computers so I'm going to select a winner the old fashioned way: each entry will go in a hat and I will draw the names of the winners at 9:00 am EDT on April 4th, 2014! Good luck everyone!

It was a very busy year for me;  300+ posts published, more than 80,000 page views and the odd ice storm complete with a multi-day power outage thrown. When the weather was good I shared pictures from my garden. This spider in the pink peonies last June is one of my favourites!


Along the way there were a few curios like my whisker collection.


Then there was Saturn Rock! It rocks!


I had fun with my stories about the critters in the garden such as the three part story about the zebras and Teetoo (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3).

Zebra Fellow and Zebra Girl during the filming of 
the adventure story from the garden

How about the Turtle Girls doing yoga! Well at least one is doing yoga and I think she's mastered downward turtle!


The snow is almost gone so the garden will start up again soon and I hope to have more picture for you! Maybe this week I'll see the first of the snowdrops! And of course there will be quilts - lots of quilts!

For all of you hexie lovers I've got another QAL planned with a start date in April and more quilts, tips, techniques and ideas to share! The next QAL is called Value Proposition and I hope you'll follow along with me!

Thank you to my followers old and new! Blogging has been so much fun for me and I hope you've enjoyed reading and sewing along with me over the past year! I appreciate that you take time from your busy schedules to read my blog and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the lovely comments. I'll try to keep my future posts fun, pretty and most importantly informative!

As always, until I post again happy sewing!
Karen H

123 comments:

  1. Karen, I really enjoy following your blog, thank you. I wonder if you could tell me please the name etc of the fabric in your second giveaway, the one with the stripe. Would much appreciate this info. Congratulations on your anniversary. Celia in England

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  2. I only recently found your blog and have been enjoying your wonderful inspiration. Happy Anniversary.

    I follow your blog using feedly.

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  3. Hi and happy birthday to your blog! I just love it.
    Have a nice day
    Marina from Norway

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    1. Sorry, I forgot I follow you over Google und I linked you on my blog.

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  4. Karen I am so glad that I found you here in blogland-you have been an inspiration to me. Your last quilt shown here is just amazing!-but then I always love your work. and those animal critters are just too cute-I need to go back and find those posts.
    I have heard great things from others about superior threads-so please enter me in your drawing. and Happy 1st anniversary for you and your blog

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. I just signed up for superior threads newsletter

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    3. I follow you on my blog list now in my blog-no longer on bloglovin

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  5. Karen, Hi, Happy Birthday to your blog and happy birthday to ME! I'm still working on my soupcon borders, 2 done and 2 almost ready to apply then on to the last border. As for the giveaway, that fabric is to die for and I am dying over here. It was my birthday the 28th, just so you know, I didn't receive any little fabric packages or needle-keepers in the mail. I say no fair! Congratulations on the mile stone and thanks for the blog. I love your dedication to posting so often. Some blogs get boring when the months roll by with no posts. NOT YOU!

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  6. Karen you are so inspirational with your beautiful work and so kind with your knowledge. I just love visiting your blog. I have never used Superior never found it in a store near me and hard to just order one spool. I signed up for the newsletter and am a follower. Good luck to who ever wins I will also post a ling to you on my blog.
    Hugs Bunny

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    1. posted--and I just had to mention-I did not know Karen yet when the links to the turtle girls, and the adventures in the garden with the zebras were posted-but I have to tell you these posts made my morning-definately worth the time to click on those links-

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  8. What an amazing accomplishment Karen. You have enriched my life with your talent and wisdom.

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  9. Popping over from Kathy's blog to say happy anniversary!!!

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  10. Congrats Karen! I enjoy following your blog and seeing your creative endeavors. Thank you for sharing your insights and processes. Loved the Soupçon QAL. It made me really stretch and learn new techniques. I also follow Superior Threads and love their products! Congrats again.

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  11. Congratulations Karen on your one year anniversary! Judging from your photos it has been a busy productive one! Looking forward to seeing what the next year brings. Cheers, Lorraine

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  12. I found your blog when a friend recomended it when you started Soupcon Quilt Along. My goodness I sure do like your blog. I get it as an e-mail. I have been on Superior's Newsletter list for a long time. I have used their threads for a very long time. Wonderful threads.

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  13. 2 wonderful prizes!!
    I tried Bottom Line for quilting and didn't care for - I do however adore it for my hexies. I use Masterpiece for piecing and King Tut for quilting. I am a Superior Girl all the way!

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  14. I've been getting Superior's newsletter for more than 6 years!

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  15. Hi Karen! Congratulations. I am so happy I found your blog. I enjoy reading it tremendously. I am so happy to hear you are doing another quilt along. Yay! I will most definitely join in the fun. Thanks for sharing all your expertise with us. Happy Birthday to your blog!

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  16. I follow your blog! So happy that I found it.

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  17. Happy Blogiversary. I'm so pleased I found you. I have been a follower, learned a lot, been inspired and have (nearly) made a beautiful quilt. Thankyou for all your ideas, support and encouragement.

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  18. Love the pic of the spider! I am already a follower.

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  19. never even knew that I was one of those! no reply bloggers that people talk about... I do know that I don't have a blog but I have an email: ssg207@yahoo.com and I comment out of (google) read my blogs thru bloglovin and don't really have a glue what most of these are.

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  20. Congratulations on your Anniversary! I am a follower already, by getting your posts sent directly to my email. I just found you a few months ago. I LOVE your blog. Thank you so much for all that you share!

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  21. Congratulations on your anniversary! I follow you on bloglovin', and am still planning to do your quilt-along -- I am back on step one.

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  22. Love,love,love the baskets and nine patches. Wish I could quilt those spaces like you do. Congrats on your anniversary!

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  23. I am on Superiors email list. Some of Bobs jokes are really funny!

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  24. Congratulations! I am reading the newsletters of superior threads.

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  25. I follow yoy by bloglovin. Thanks for the chance.

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  26. Happy Anniversary! It has been fun following you and making Soupçon. I follow you on Bloglovin, I also receive the Superior newsletter, I will link your give away on my blog. Thanks for the chance to win. I am getting ready with the 1" hexies.

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  27. Congratulations on the anniversary Karen! I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog since discovering it. I love Superior threads also, and am on their newsletter mailing list. I also follow you on Bloglovin. I am hoping to have Soupcon done tonight and then I will blog about that too!

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  28. Hi, Karen - Congratulations on your First Blog Anniversary. You are such a natural at this. I love to read your posts - interesting and informative. And thanks for the chance to win either of those fabulous giveaways.

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  29. I've been following you for a while now via Bloglovin' but I also have you bookmarked at the top of my browser - don't want to miss/wait for a post!

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  30. I just got my latest order from Superior Threads. It was a special in their newsletter plus a free So-Fine Class 15 pre-wound bobbin! I'm planning on trying it out soon.

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  31. I'm a long time follower of your blog via Bloglovin and I think your quilts and other creations are gorgeous! Happy Blogaversary and thanks so much for all the inspiration. And thanks for introducing your delightful and well-dressed friends! They make me smile!

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  32. I get Superior's newsletter. I agree with you - it's wonderful thread, And Bob and Mother Superior always have great advice too. Thanks again!

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  33. Hi Karen, I have just signed up for the Superior threads newsletter. I would love to try out some of their threads. I follow your blog in Feedly, and of course, I am a Soupçon fanatic! Go hexies go :-)
    Best, Jean
    Arbutusbooks@gmail.com

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  34. I already follow you on Bloglovin! Happy anniversary.
    Barb@Witsend

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  35. I also love working with SoFine. I get Superior's newsletter already. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Barb@Witsend

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  36. I love your blog posts, they are a little differnt , with a little quirkiness. I too love Superior Threads and have been recieving their newsletter for quite a while now. Getting ready for my next order. I have lurked on your blog via BlogLovin and have now signed up to get your posts by email. Sorry i don't have a blog, but i have shared my soupcon with many friends , who have since checked out your blog. (

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  37. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!! You are such a generous blogger so I am definitely a follower. I use Superior threads for needle turn appliqué and I would love to win those gorgeous fabrics - many thanks for the opportunity.

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  38. Ti ho trovato solo da circa un mese e non hai idea di quante cose ho imparato e quanti spunti ho preso. Sei un grande blogger. Grazie per tutto quello che fai e per questa opportunità.
    Silvana
    elosarig59@gmail.com

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  39. Hi Karen and Happy Anniversary. I have been following you for a bit now, I loved learning hexialongs with you. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  40. I get Superior Thread's newsletter, but have yet to try them, now I am so excited to do so.

    Jodi

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  41. I have been a faithful follower through Bloglovin

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  42. Happy blog anniversary, I follow you via email.
    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  43. Congratulations on your year of blogging! I love Superior threads also--especially So Fine. A friend just gave me a cone of Magnifico and I'm excited to try it out! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  44. I also subscribe to the Superior newsletter.

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  45. Happy Anniversary! I love your projects. I already subscribe to Superior's newsletter. I love to read and laugh at Bob's information.

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  46. I admire you for taking on the LE coverlet project. Good luck it was way too much work for me.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  47. I already get the Superior newsletter and daily deals.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  48. Follower of yours via Bloglovin.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  49. Happy Anniversary and I love your wonderfull blogs.
    I follow You through email updates and also subscribed to Superior`s Newsletter

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  50. Congratulations on your anniversary .. I enjoy reading your blog. This fabric looks like it would be great for appliqué.

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  51. Karen -- Happy Anniversary!!! woohoo! You have some amazing stats girl -- so many posts -- so little time. Just love the party you're having!! Keep up the good work and thanks for the awesome giveaway (ps - your feathers are just beautiful!!)... hugs, Karen

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  52. I follow your blog on Bloglovin.

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  53. I signed up for the Superior Threads Newsletter!! I've never tried there threads - can you believe that ? Would love to give it a go!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and keep inspiring !! Karen

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  54. Following via my Google Dashboard - GFC -- Since "Grow your Blog" Hop -- so happy that I found you Karen -- love your content !! Cheers...

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  55. I have been getting Superior's newsletter for some time. I love their threads.

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  56. Hi Karen I linked your blog on my blog.
    Hugs

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  57. Happy anniversary. Receive your blog via email. Thank you for all your wonderful tips and techniques and the videos. I use Superior Bottom Line thread for my hexagons and I love fussy cutting. I now look at fabric in a different way all thanks to you.Looking forward to the next QAL.

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  58. Happy blog anniversary. I follow you through email. I love your quilting. So beautiful.

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  59. I get the superior newsletter. I use omni thread in my machine and am very happy with the results also.

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  60. Thanks for sharing and congrats on hour Blogaversary. I already follow you.

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  61. And I already get ST newsletter.

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  62. Happy Anniversary! I am really glad I found your blog. Those are some great projects you have made and are working on.
    I am a follower.

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  63. Congratulations on your blogaversary. I always enjoy reading your blog. I already follow your blog by email. lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

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  64. Hi Karen,
    Happy anniversary!
    I follow you through blog loving and have signed up for the newsletter on the superior threads site.
    What a fantastic Giveaway!
    Can't wait for your new QAL.
    Take care,
    Kel x

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  65. Happy aniversary. I'm a follower of your blog (already was :-))
    I love your turtle girls, simply fantastic. Thanks for sharing the link to the quiltmuseum in York, I'd never seen it, so there was a lot of beautiful quilts to admire.
    I've never done a quilt-along but you are tempting me!
    Dutch reetings

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  66. Happy anniversary! I love Bottom Line for sewing hexies, Masterpiece for applique and King Tut variegated for quilting. I already receive the Superior Threads newsletter.

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  67. I also follow your blog with Bloglovin.

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  68. Congrats on your anniversary. I love Superior quilting thread cones and almost everything else they do.

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  69. wendy forgot to say I am a follower of your blog and really love what YOU do.

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  70. Happy Anniversary!!! Thanks for your wonderful blog. I enjoy reading it.

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  71. I already receive the Superior Newsletter. Love their thread.

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  72. Karen I read your blog first thing every day and am truly disappointed when it is not there, You are so talented and generous with your knowledge. I am working on my Soupcon quilt and slow progress on Love Entwined, both using Superior threads. Congratulations on reaching your first year, may there be many more.

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  73. congratulatons on your first year. I have enjoy the different hexis I am trying my hand at them but I am alot slower then a friend of mine who put them out like crazy.
    Kep posting the pictures, they inspire me to see what you and others do.

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  74. Hi Karen, I follow your blog through email. love your conversational style, your generous sharing, and your wonderful ideas. Happy first blogging year.
    Beeverley

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  75. Happy Happy Anniversary! I follow your blog and look forward to each new entry from you. Love looking at the pictures you post too. You led me to Love Entwined and now I'm hooked,

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  76. I've been subscribed to Superior threads for quite a while and love their products. Would love to win the gift certificate. They have really superior & great products.

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  77. I've been following your blog regularly the past couple of months and love your "soupscon" quilt, particularly the paper piecing to get that star medallion. I enjoy working with "bits" -- your blog is so inspiring.
    Happy Anniversary!
    valeriehazelton@mymts.net
    p.s. I have long been a fan of the "Superior" threads and get their e-mail newsletter regularly.
    Valerie Hazelton

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  78. Happy Blogday to you! I receive Superior Newsletters and Deals of the Day already and I even call them sometimes for more info on thread. I do enjoy your wonderful quilting and all the tips. Here's to more years of blogging!
    diannefinnegan28@gmail.com

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  79. Hi Karen - I've popped back to say hello and Happy Anniversary after posting about your anniversary on my blog. I receive the Superior Threads newsletter already and am enjoying foloowing your blog. I follow through Google and Bloglovin.
    Here is the link to my post
    http://stitchingfarmgirl.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/bits-and-bobs.html

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  80. Happy Blogiversary! I'm happy to have discovered your blog. I follow you with Feedly.

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  81. I am also a big fan of Superior Threads. I have received their newsletter forever ...

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  82. Congratulations! That fabric is oh so wonderful -- haven't seen it before . . . and Bottom Line is my go to thread for longarming -- great stuff!

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  83. The things you make are so beautiful and whimsical. Thank you for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org

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  84. Congratulations on your blogiversary! I've enjoyed reading it since I found it a few months ago.

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  85. Congratulations on your one year anniversary in blog land. I was introduced to your site by a friend and thoroughly enjoy it thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your give away.

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  86. I've been getting Superior's newsletter for years (to a different email address.) Thanks for the donation, Superior!

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  87. I follow Faeries and Fibers with my Feedly reader.

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  88. What a happy post! Love to see some of your great photos again!

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  89. Hi Karen congratulations on your anniversary. I came across your blog through a friend and have since signed up for Superior threads newsletter. Great work and awesome photos-:)

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  90. You have a wonderful blog and you do beautiful work. I have used Superior threads for years and also enjoy their newsletter. Thank you for the give away.

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  91. Hi Karen, Happy blogaversary to you! I am a follower of you via email and love seeing what you are working with your wonderful hexies.

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  92. I am also a Superior thread fan and already receive their newsletter. I use King Tut, Masterspiece, So Fine almost every day. Haven't tried some of their newer threads, but would love to win the gift certificate to try them. Thanks for the chance to win and thanks to you and Bob for being so generous.

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  93. Congratulations on your blog anniversary Karen. Such a generous giveaway.

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  94. Hi Karen, I receive your blog via email. Love the giveaway, especially the fabric. Jackie

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  95. I love superior thread and just signed up for their newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway. Jackie

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  96. Happy blog Anniversary. Yes, following your blog and have just signed up to Superior Threads newsletter. Thank you for the inspiration you give, especially after quilting two quilts then losing the mojo through been drawn away with family concerns. Nearly two years ago I purchased a Janome Horizon 7700 for FMQ and did enjoy it, so hoping to start practicing again due to your beautiful work. I purchased Cindy's class on Craftsy and learnt of Superior Threads but have yet to find any here, maybe at the next Quilt Show. Thank you for the giveaway with two wonderful prizes.

    P.S. Would you have any advice on the most suitable/useful sizes of stencils to purchase? Thank you.

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    1. I've purchased some stencils but rarely use them because I really dislike marking quilts. However that being said I have purchased a number of stencils that are wreath type designs and they are about 8" square and I do study them for design inspiration. I suppose the size of stencil can be determined by the size of the blocks in the quilt. Not sure if you saw my Lazy Girl quilt that I just finished but the filler I used is just all sorts of shapes that I've practiced on quilt sandwiches and when they were all combined in a single space I really liked the effect. The feathers were done freehand. I have a book Dream Feathers by Peggy Holt and if you can get hold of a copy I think it would open your eyes to a world of possibilities and you may decide that you don't need stencils at all!

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  97. I've signed up for the Superior Threads Newsletter.

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  98. I've been following your blog by email. You have really cool friends. I'd love to go out to my garden and see all those critters.

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  99. I already get the Superior Threads newsletter!

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  100. Happy blog Anniversary. Love your tutorials and still working on the Hexie Wall hanging. I love your latest machine quilting feathers. I have a Janome just purchased and need to get started on free motion. Thanks for all the tuts and guidance. This is one of my favorite blogs to follow.

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  101. I have been a follower of Superior Threads Newsletter. Have never tried their threads but have several quilts that need quilting. Needing needles and threads will probably buy from them.

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  102. Hi Karen
    Congratulations on one year of blogging, and I hope to read much more from you! I've been an email subscriber of your blog for awhile now; I think it was about the time I saw soupcon. I also subscribe to Superior Threads newsletter. I've been using their thread for English Paper Piecing and love how the stitches just melt into the fabric. Recently, I've started to applique' with Superior and really love it there, too.

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  103. Hi Karen:
    I just signed up for your blog as a friend of mine introduced me to your blog. I have just purchased my own sewing machine (was using my wife's) and it has a stitch regulator on it so I am hoping to get started quilting my own quilts. I just hope your line above:
    The lucky winner can use it to purchase the Superior products of her choice! If you haven't tried them you are in for a treat!
    isn't literal and it can be a his/her choice thing! ~8O)
    I need to look into the Superior thread line as I have also started using the embroidery unit on my machine also. Looking forward to following your blog and learning many things!!
    Hopefully I can answer the standard questions that are asked of me before they are asked here.
    Yes I am a guy, yes I do quilt, and yes I am an engineer! ~8O)

    Thanks!
    Dennis
    dduggan123@comcast.net

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    1. Oh and congratulations on one year. I can see from your blog entries why you have been around for a year! This is going to be a lot of fun! Thanks!

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