Tuesday, July 25, 2017

12 Days of Christmas in July - The Finale!!

Hi, all!

Well, it's finally here - the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas in July blog hop!  All the stops on the hop have been so wonderful - loaded with inspiration and fabulous ideas to get us in the Christmas spirit!!  I hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as I have.  My bucket list has expanded exponentially, but I'm so excited about all the wonderful things I'll be able to make this year to make our holidays super-special!

Today's stops on the hop are:



Christina of Christina's Handicrafts, Aby of Abyquilts, and Kathy of Kathy's Kwilts and More are wrapping up the hop with some fabulous decor, quilts, and kids' crafts that I know you'll want to see!  Hop over there and be sure to leave a comment on each blog to be entered in today's giveaway, then come back here!

I also want to be sure you know about some additional posts that have happened during the hop.  Karen of Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats has been stuffing a stocking with some great ideas, and is having a giveaway today.  Be sure to head over to her blog and see her creations, then enter the giveaway - it's a goodie!  Michele at Crayon Box Quilt Studio posted a tutorial for the quilt she made for the hop - click here to find the directions!  And Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life did a tutorial for the cute little JOY mini-garland she featured in her hop post.  You can find those instructions here!  Carole of From My Carolina Home has a wrap-up post on her blog today, too.  Jennifer of The Inquiring Quilter is posting some of her Christmas tutorials from earlier years today on her blog.  And finally, Jan of The Colorful Fabriholic has a tutorial for her wonderful tree wallhanging - I know I'm excited about seeing that!  You can find those instructions on her blog.  


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If your Santa's Trip Around the World top is finished, I imagine you're thinking about the kind of back you want to put on it.  The fastest back of all, obviously, is a single piece of fabric, and you can use a 90" wide print or muslin to achieve that very quickly.  

But I had a LOT of Christmas fabric scraps that I wanted to try to use up, so I decided to dump out my Christmas scrap tub and see what was in there...


I started pulling fabrics and sewing them together in just a random mix, slowly building up the panels that would become the back.


This is definitely not the fast way to make a quilt back, but it is a good way to use scraps.  As you can see, there are small scraps and large scraps in this quilt back...


 And finally, at the end, I just added wide strips to each side to bring it to the correct width, because part of those will be lost completely after the top is quilted and trimmed.



And here's the final result - the back of my Santa's Trip Around the World Quilt!!


And here's a funny story - when I was cleaning up after finishing making the back, I was excited to put all the unused scraps neatly back in their tub and see how much I had used....


...and it barely made a dent!!!  Oh well, I guess there's still a few more Christmas quilts in my scrappy future!

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Now how about showing off your own versions of the Santa's Trip Around the World quilt?  It doesn't have to be finished - I'm sure everyone would even love seeing your progress shots!!  Just link up below and share with us.  And be sure to visit some of the other links and give them a big pat on the back!!  The linky party is at the very end of the blogpost, after the list of blogs participating in the hop.

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Thanks so much for joining me on this journey - it's been a blast!!!  

Now - about the giveaways.  I know I originally said I would announce the winners on Friday, July 28th, but we've had such an awesome response to the blog hop this year that I think it's going to take a little longer to tally all the responses and draw the winners.  So I will announce all thirteen winners on Friday, August 4th.  Thanks for your patience - I guarantee it will be worth it!  



After all, it's not every day you get a chance to win some of Tula Pink's Holiday Homies, is it?  Big time thanks and a huge shout-out to this year's sponsor, Free Spirit Fabrics, who provided all those lovely pre-cuts!!

So hop on over to today's blogs and leave your comments to be entered in today's giveaway!

Hugs!

Sarah

Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

Friday, July 14th


Saturday, July 15th


Sunday, July 16th


Monday, July 17th


Tuesday, July 18th


Wednesday, July 19th


Thursday, July 20th


Friday, July 21st


Saturday, July 22nd


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99 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see everyone's quilts. Jmikebalou (at) aol (dot) com

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  2. Your quilt looks great Sarah, and I love the back, it makes it reversible. It's been a great hop, thank you so much for hosting. I'm off to check out the Christmas tree tutorial now, I've been waiting for that.

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  3. Thank you Sarah, so much for this Christmas in July Blog Hop. All 3 visited and subscribed for the last day. I now have an inbox full of great patterns, tutorials and blogs. You have done an outstanding job! delissac@hotmail.com

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  4. I have never done a back like that before..lneat idea. Almost a quilt in itself!

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  5. I chose a pieced flannel backing. Only 3 pieces. I am a getter done girl! Janice.snell@gmail.com

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  6. Sarah, thanks so much for all your hard work for this blog hop. I've gotten some truly wonderful ideas from the great postings. And I love the back of your quilt! Lol that it didn't make much of a dent in your Christmas stash!

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  7. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first hop with you and all the super-creative folk! Thank you, thank you doe a fun time. Confession: I will try to post a picture of my quilt progress...I WILL...try...
    Debbie
    ollieami@aol.com

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  8. Neat! a truly reversible quilt! Thanks so much for all your hard work on this hop. I've collected some great ideas and found some news blogs I want to keep up with.

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  9. Your quilt turned out great, front and back! Thanks for putting this hop together, it has been great fun and I have loads of ideas I want to try. Now to find the time...thank again.

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  10. Thank you Sarah for a wonderful blog hop!! It was great. I love your backing!

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  11. I am going to try to finish up my quilt today and figure out how to post a picture. This hop was great, I got a lot of new ideas and visited many new to me blogs that need more exploring. Sarah thanks for all your hard work on this adventure.

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  12. Your quilt back is so clever & is perfect for this quilt! A truly wonderful & fun hop-have so enjoyed seeing all the Christmas makes! Thank you, Susan

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  13. I'm looking forward to seeing the quilts that were made. Thanks for hosting an amazing hop, Sarah!

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  14. I have to laugh at your "definitely not the fast way to make a quilt back." I have made many pieced backs. Sometimes they take almost as much time to make as the top-especially if I am adding orphan blocks that I want to use up.

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  15. Thank you sew much for hosting this wonderful Christmas in July blog hop. I have enjoyed all of the blogs and seeing all of their projects that everyone shared.

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  16. Wow, love the way you finished your quilt. Thanks for a great Christmas quilt project.

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  17. Thanks for the additional links! I knew about Jan's tutorial, but had no idea about the other posts. I really enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop!!

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  18. Funny how the scraps seem to stay the same in our bins! I think fluffing them and airing them out make them grow!

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  19. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I LIKE MORE THE FRONT OF THE BACK :) BEAUTIFUL THANKS FOR THE AWESOME JOURNEY!!

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  20. I REALLY ENJOYED THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BLOG HOP,
    THANK-YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK SETTING THIS UP AND SHARING YOUR QUILT.
    hjrogers@sympatico.ca

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  21. Wonderful Christmas hop and so many projects to do! I like the scrap backing!
    patsystitch@gvtc.com

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  22. Your Christmas ideas all all the great blogs have me creating a new To Do schedule. 20 Countdown to Christmas clothes pins with a project on each one should get me finished by Christmas Eve or so. Thanks for organizing this series of inspirational projects. Company leaves tomorrow and then it is time to put the petal to the metal.
    D. Weeks ( aka Momma Llama)

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  23. I love your quilt -- the back is perfect!! Thank you so much for all your work in organizing this terrific blog hop, and in sharing the tutorial for the Christmas quilt! I have definitely added to my ideas list!!

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  24. Thanks for putting this together. I must say my to do list has grown beyond my capability to make it all!! LOL

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  25. Thanks for hosting the blog hop! I saw so many great ideas I could try for this year!

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  26. You made it! The final day! It's been a nice journey - thank you so much for organizing everything. Awesome!

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  27. Awesome backing!!! Just splendiferous! Thanks for the fun Christmas event! I made a table runner from The Inquiring Quilter's post. Love this hop!!!

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  28. That back is great and a wonderful way to use stash. Thanks again for hosting this fantastic blog hop.

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  29. Thank you so much for hosting the blog hop! There were so many great ideas and tutorials. I'm so glad I found out about it in time.

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  30. Thank you for the blog hop. I found a few new blogs to inspire me.

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  31. Thank you for hosting the blog hop--There were so many wonderful ideas!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  32. Say it isn't so...! I have enjoyed this year's blog hop so much, Sarah. I've gotten some really good ideas, saved a ton of tutorials and found some new blogs to follow. Thanks so much for hosting this for us.

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  33. I'm sure I have enough scrappy Christmas to make several backs :)

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  34. Thanks for hosting a fun blog hop and for the tutorial. I like the scrappy backing you put together...a fun conclusion to a great project.

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  35. Thank you for all of this!! Such work and such beautiful inspiration!!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  36. Your blogging co-stars have really outdone themselves this year! Thank you for hosting all this fun :-)

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  37. Thank you so much for hosting this hop. I really enjoyed visiting the various blogs.

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  38. It has been fun seeing all the different ideas from the hop. I especially like what you did with the Christmas fabric scraps.....I have a slew of it too and this is great! Thank you!

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  39. What an amazing undertaking. Thanks for all of the inspiration.

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  40. You sure ended this with a bang. I don't think this hop can be out done. Success all the way around. My hat is off to every one of you who participated. It was so enjoyable to sit back and and look at all the beautiful ideas and workmanship.

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  41. Sarah, this hop has been so much fun. Thanks for putting it together and for the Trip around the world quilt.

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  42. this blog hop has been so fun! thanks for hosting, i know it must be a lot of work.

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  43. What a wonderful and fun blog hop this has been! Thank you Sarah!

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  44. I got so much inspiration from the bloggers in this hop! Great ideals for gifts! thank you so much for all of the fun!

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  45. Fun hop even if I didn't get the quilt made. creations4u7@aol.com

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  46. Thanks for sponsoring this wonderful blog hop. Christmas reading and ideas were greatly appreciated. my replies have been under two different email addresses. Depending on the blog I am commenting on. Just noticed that yesterday.

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  47. Okay like HOW is it that there's barely a dent in that scrap box? I totally know what you mean: 106 so far 6" quilt blocks in the CA Women QAL and my red, pink bags and whites box looks much the same! Wonderful quilt, front and back and wonderful hop!

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  48. Thank you for a wonderful hop! Can't wait to see the quilts everyone made. ndfromsdATgmailDOTcom

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  49. That's the thing with scraps. No matter how much I use it never seems to dent anything. Thanks for the fun blog hop and QAL.

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  50. Great group of ideas and tutorials, thanks! And looking forward to seeing all the TAW quilts, mine is in the making ......

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  51. I've had a great time, thanks so much! Your backing is a great scrap buster, I love it.

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  52. The back of your quilt is as fun as the front! Thanks for a great hop!!

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  53. What a resourceful way to use fabric on hand! This quilt is like a Christmas feast!

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  54. What a resourceful way to use fabric on hand! This quilt is like a Christmas feast!

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  55. It's been a great hop! I have 2 large buckets full of Christmas fabrics, so, don't you dare put my name in the bucket for these. I need to use some of my own, first.

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  56. Thanks again for all you did with this hop. It has been very rewarding to learn so many new things. I especially love your backing on your Trip quilt. Love it!!

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  57. Thank you and all participants in this years blog hop. I really appreciate that you have all taken time to not only prepare and present tutorials but have also replied to many of the comments. Thank you all once again

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  58. Thank you for doing this fun blog hop. I looked forward to each day and was never disappointed. I now have a collection of new gift and decorating ideas along with some quilts to try thanks to your kind efforts. I always enjoy reading your blog.

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  59. Thanks again for all your efforts. Gave me something to look forward to each and every day.

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  60. This has been a great blog hop. I'm glad you've extended your deadline for announcing the giveaway results. Don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself--you've already given us an outstanding blog hop with its many fine tutorials.

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  61. I give a sigh of complete satisfaction, sort of like after the Thanksgiving dinner when we are replete with all good things! Thanks for the wonderful participants and for your terrific quilt directions. dezertsuz at gmal

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  62. Sorry to see this end. It has been a lot of fun and loads of inspiration. Thank you so very much!!!!

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  63. Loved this blog hop. I have added a few notes to my Xmas list about gifts for the quilters in my life. Thanks so much for putting this together.

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  64. Thanks so much for coordinating all this inspiration! Your quilt back looks wonderful!

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  65. My problem with piecing backs is keep them square and flat.

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  66. Thank you for hosting such a fantastic event these past two weeks! I've really enjoyed all the great ideas and discovering some new blogs along the way!

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  67. I've gotten to really like using the quilt scraps for the backing piece. Thanks for all hard work and hours you have put into the hop. I have really enjoyed it and have many things added to my to-do list.

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  68. This has been the best blog hop ever!! So many ideas and tutorials. I will definitely be going back to the ones I liked and working on some new projects!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  69. Many very good gift ideas to craft and sew for gifts. This has been a fun hop, thank you for putting it all together. Learned a lot, found many nice patterns. Now it's time to work like an elf!

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  70. Thanks for everything! This wa s a really great blog hop!

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  71. I love your pieced quilt back! Even though you know you used a bunch of your scraps it's strange that you put it back and it looks like you barely made a dent. Happens to me too.

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  72. All pretty fabrics, and I love that pieced quilt back. The blog hop is so much fun. Thank you for hosting it again this year :)

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  73. I'm sad to see this Blog Hop end. It was so much fun and I found some great ideas and tutorials.

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  74. Oh! Sarah!...
    What a stunning back you created for your quilt!... I love it!
    I'm going to try that, too!
    (I'm looking forward to finishing mine when I get back home!)
    Sarah, I want to *Thank You!* for the Trip Around the World tutorial, and all the hard work you put into creating an amazing blog hop!!
    SO many creative ideas, projects, tutorials!... And meeting new (to me!) creative bloggers!!
    I'm going to be very busy with the inspiration I've gotten from everyone!
    *Thank you, again, Sarah!*

    (Also, Sarah, know that you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers... Blessings... )
    Pat T.

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  75. I'm happy to say that I at least finished the blog hop on the final day. It has been so much fun, with so many great ideas to follow up on. So thanks to you and all your contributing bloggers for a fantastic hop.
    Pat

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  76. Too funny about your scrap tub! I have the same problem, thinking I'm using up a bunch, but the tub stays full. It always seems like the ONE fabric scrap I need is no longer there though. Oh well. Your quilt back looks great, Sarah! Thanks for letting us know about the extra bloggers sharing their projects...I need to check them out! Thanks, also, for hosting this hop. I'm sure it's a lot of work, but it's so appreciated too!

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  77. I really like the back of your quilt. It makes it reversible and much more interesting than a single fabric.

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  78. You get a whole heap of thanks from me for this 12 day hop, your quilt back, I thought the scraps would have decreased quite a lot!! Lovely backing for your quilt,and as a HOSTESS, you are definitely the MOSTEST .

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  79. This has been such a wonderful hop--thank you! I love your scrappy Christmas quilt!

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  80. Thank you for hosting such a wonderful hop!

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  81. Thanks, Sarah, for putting together such an interesting hop. I'm planning to use several of the ideas as soon as I can cut up fabric and sew again (dislocated shoulder takes such a long time to heal).
    susanprincess at att dot net

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  82. Thank you for sharing how you made the scrapy backing for your quilt. And it is amazing how you can use so much fabric and not make a dent! Thank you for all your work at setting up such a fun hop.

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  83. Thanks for another great Christmas in July, Sarah! You put together a great group of bloggers as well as showing us another quilt pattern to take a bite out of our scraps!

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  84. Your scrappy back looks planned. So much fun to turn it over and look at all the Christmas fabric! Two quilts in one! I am always surprised at how the fabric stash just doesn't seem to go down no matter how many quilts we make from it!

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  85. Great way to use up your scraps!

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  86. Thanks for a great Christmas in July! I really enjoyed it.

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  87. Thanks so much for hard work putting this together
    Swoot@att.net

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  88. I have loved the "12 days" this year, can't believe it's over already. Isn't it amazing how you can use that much fabric and not even make a dent in the stash....simply amazing!

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  89. So much talent - I just love all the inspiration - thank you.

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  90. Thanks so much for organizing this- I'm enjoying seeing all the unique projects!

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  91. Wow - so many fantastic projects and ideas have been in this blog hop. I have really enjoyed it. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  92. THIS HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING HOP THANKS FOR ORGANIZING THIS FOR US! READINGTIRZAH AT YAHOO.COM

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  93. Your quilt is great, and I love how you pieced even the back. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  94. Thank you for everything you've done! I so enjoyed being a part of this hop. Put me on the list for next year as I've already got ideas. Your quilt is lovely. I did a final day after Christmas post today to recap and included direct links to all the hop posts. kthurn@bektel.com

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  95. Fantastic quilt and love what you do on the back,great idea.

    Thanks for this great party!!

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  96. Thanks again for this great hop. I really enjoyed looking at all the fun ideas and great projects.

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  97. I love the scrappy back idea. I can not thank you enough for putting this whole thing together. It has been a lot of fun, and gone way too quickly. Thank you!

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