Monday 20 June 2016

New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop - Week 2

You may have noticed that a little thing called New Quilt Bloggers has been going on recently!  Hosted by three very talented bloggers, Yvonne from Quilting Jet Girl, Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs and Stephanie from Late Night Quilter, it has given a chance to people new to blogging to connect and learn from each other and, of course, our talented hosts.
 
 
Last week saw the start of the Blog Hop and there were some fantastic introduction posts, click here to see a list from last week.  There are also some fantastic prizes on offer through giveaways ....
 
So where should I start?  I guess with some quilts - it is the New Quilt Bloggers group for a reason!  Almost a year ago I got a longarm quilting machine and that has certainly altered the course of my quilting ..... I have also been a lot more productive since acquiring it!  There was something about basting a quilt on the floor that had the tops sitting on shelves for rather a long time. 
 
The first quilt of mine that I quilted on the longarm machine was Straight Line Bow.  It was also my first entry in a quilt show, The Great Northern Quilt Show in Harrogate in September 2015, where I was delighted and rather surprised to be awarded a Judge's Merit ribbon!  I love the texture on this one.  You can read more about it on this post.
 
 
Also last year saw me participate in my first ever Blog Hop, run by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for her Dog Gone Cute Quilt Along.  My daughters had seen me looking at the really cute pictures and my youngest loved the design.  Her birthday was coming up so I thought I would make the quilt for her.
 

I also really love the pieced back on this one.  For more information head over here.

 
Just last month I finished my oldest quilting WIP, which was such a wonderful feeling.  It had been 6 years in the making and I am absolutely delighted with the result.  The motivation to get it finished was twofold - I could now quilt it as I had always envisioned (I really couldn't get FMQ on my little vintage Bernina!) and I had entered it into the Group Quilt section of Quilts UK, in Malvern.  Yet again, if you want to know more about ANZAC Hearts then click on over here!
 
 
The last quilt I would like to share with you is entitled Should I Stay or Should I Go?  This was made for the Theme Category at Quilts UK, which this year was Where the Heart Is.


My statement for the show was:

I was born in the UK; married a Kiwi; one daughter born in New Zealand and one born in the UK; home has been moved back and forth numerous times over the years.  My heart lives in both countries and, no matter which country I am living in at the time, is always there at the back of my mind - should I stay or should  I go?


For more on this quilt head over here.
 
Why cut&alter?
 
In short because that's what we do in so many facets of our life.  We take something, whether that be fabric, wood or food, we cut it, we do something with it and it is altered!!  The wood comes from my husband who is, at times, a picture framer and a furniture designer/maker.
 
Snippets about me
 
::  I have been sewing in some shape or form all of my life.  I learnt to quilt 6 years ago but sadly had a 2 year period when I did not sew at all, due to injuring both my wrists - let's hope that never happens again.
 
::  I have made over 50 pairs of curtains - we move a lot!
 
::  I am a Pisces.
 
::  I now realise that I will never make all the quilts that are in my head.  As soon as I have made one then 10 more possibilities come into my head, not to mention all the inspiration I see on the great www!
 
::  Favourite book - too hard to say!  I am an avid reader and have recently discovered goodreads.  Here you can make lists (and I am a list girl!) - read, reading, to read .... get recommendations, read reviews etc, etc.  If you are a reader too then head on over. 
 
::  Dream holiday spot will always involve the coast.
 
::  I am the youngest of 5 children.
 
::  I have had hypothermia and my youngest daughter has had hypothermia!
 
::  I now truly appreciate living in the UK having lived in other countries.
 
::  How are you? in Māori is Kei te pēhea koe?  (Pronounced Kay tay pay he are kway?) to which you can reply I am good or Kei te pai ahau (Kay tay pie a hoe) - just in case you ever need to know that!
 
Blogging Tip
 
To post regularly and then it becomes a habit and much quicker.  I find the hardest thing is get to back to blogging if I have taken a break, intended or otherwise. 
 
Quilting Tip
 
Never be afraid to try anything and go with your gut instinct if something feels right.  There are lots of people out there with their own opinions, but that is exactly what it is theirs.  Some will work for you and some won't - don't be afraid to mix and match.  It's all about enjoying it at the end of the day and if a certain technique is not making you happy try another!
 
And a question for you ......
 
Books ..... The last couple of years I have tried to expand my reading horizons and have been taking recommendations from all manner of places and then reading the books .... to the end!  Some I have loved and some I have not but all have been interesting.  I am now on the lookout for more - so my question is twofold:
 
what is your favourite book or who is your favourite author?
 
Here's the schedule for the rest of my Hive:


Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter

but please do go visit the others too .....

there is the Sewcial Network over with Yvonne


and Hive Sewciety over with Stephanie


There are also lots of lovely prizes up for grabs in a giveaway!!  Talking of prizes .... there will be something up for grabs on my blog later this week.  I am approaching 150 posts which is definitely a cause for celebration.  I had hoped it would coincide with this post but it was not to be.  It just means that you will have to pop back later in the week if you are interested!
 
Many thanks for reading and hope to see you again. x


78 comments:

  1. Hi it's great to meet you. I am very jealous of anyone who owns a long arm quilting machine. Not sure if that dream of mine will ever materialize as there is no place here to put one. I love to read also..right now I'm enjoying a period of self indulgent reading by re-reading the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.

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    1. I debated for a year about whether to get a machine. Then an ex-demo one became available and we decided not to move so I had the room! Thanks for the book recommendations. I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  2. What a great post...so much info not to mention the Fabulous eye candy! So glad we got to be in the same critique group, this has been such a great positive group.
    I use to read a lot...than I got super busy with the kids and just could not even read one sentence with out falling asleep. Now I have not been as busy, just can not get back into reading. Some of my favorite books. The Kitchen house, Mudbound....there is some more, just not remembering right now. Have a super week. Hugs, Heide

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    1. Hi Heide - thanks for our lovely comments! I read every day, always in bed to help me fall asleep! And last night between 12-2am when I had woken up :( Thanks for recommending those books. x

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  3. Your work is really delightful. I love that straight line bow quilt. It was wonderful to revisit some of my favorite quilts of yours.

    As a child I hated studying history, but find myself drawn to history books more and more - especially if they have a good story with them. All time favorite book is Gone With the Wind.

    Great post!

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    1. Thank you!! I too love revisiting quilts ..... it's funny because it already seems like a while ago since I finished my last batch of quilts but it's only been a month! I too read a lot of history books - I get very caught up in the learning we are doing for Home Ed and gets bags of books from the library! This has also led to an interested in historical fiction. I have never read or seen Gone with the Wind so will make a note of it! x

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  4. Sorry i dont read...But use to read alot of romance books ...Back then i love rosemary rogers books...But my passion is quilting now...happyness04431@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Anna
      Thanks for stopping by my stop on the New Quilt Bloggers blog hop - it's very much appreciated!
      Thanks too the author recommnedations - it is now on my list!
      Have a lovely day, Abigail

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  5. Sorry i dont read...But use to read alot of romance books ...Back then i love rosemary rogers books...But my passion is quilting now...happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  6. I love Robyn Carr books. She writes romance.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Suzy and for the author recommendation - I have added it to my list! I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  7. first comment attempt disappeared! favourite writers Ursula Le Guin and John Scalzi (fun science fiction stuff!) book I loved most lately is Neil Gaiman's the Graveyard book about a baby that is adopted by two ghosts and is reared in a graveyard!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Ruth and for the author recommendations. Of course The Graveyard Book has left me really intrigued and may will make it to the top of my list!!

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  8. Hi Abigail, it is great reading your introduction post and getting to know you better, sounds like you are having such an interesting life. I really like Straight Line Bow, and your Anzac Hearts is is lovely, the colours in particular. AND, I know who to ask for advice if I ever make a pair of curtains, which I usually avoid. I make no secret of my love for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, which I now have in hardback and on the kindle. I also like Ken Follett World Without End. I just love historical fiction.
    Smiles
    Kate

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    1. Hi Kate - thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments! I love how ANZAC hearts turned out - it's going into our local club's show in July and then it's going on my bed! Curtains huh - I have been putting off (for 3 years now) making some curtains for the window in our family room - they are full length and the window is over 5 metres ........ I am with you on historical fiction and thanks for the other recommendations. x

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  9. I don't know what kind of book reading genres you like, but I am a huge science fiction fan. If you haven't read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and Ender's Shadow, I really recommend those two. I also really like the book The Martian and am re-reading it for the 3rd time at the moment. I am so glad to know you better, and can relate to the "stay or go" a bit having moved a lot in my life myself.

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    1. Hi Yvonne - thanks for stopping by! Science fiction is not what I would generally reach for but I will take your recommendations and try them - thank you. I have recently finished The Martian and loved it. We have generally moved every 2 years or sooner for the last 15 years .... and not just round the corner but to new towns, districts or countries. Being in this house now for over 3 years is such a record!

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  10. Cutting Stone is a fabulous book.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation Rilene - it has been added to my list!

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  11. Abigail, your quilting is wonderful! If I recall, I think you have the same machine that I took lessons on a while back. I'm impressed! I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite book or author. I am an avid reader and love all sorts of genres. Although my reading has gone way down lately in favor of quilting. Great post for the blog hop and I look forward to many more!

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    1. Thanks for popping by Janice and your lovely comments. Hasn't this group just been great? Meeting so many lovely people has been wonderful. Sadly I can't quilt in bed so I read!

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  12. Hi Abigail! Of my gosh, a favorite author is a hard task for me as I love reading, or I should say listening as I mostly listen to books on my MP3 player and get audio books from the library. Or favorite is James Patterson, or Lee Child, or Dan Stabenow, or...I think you get the picture. How fun to have a longarm. The first quilt you longarmed is beautiful. I love bright colors in a quilt. Happy stitching!

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    1. Hi Jennifer - thanks very much for popping by my stop on the Blog Hop and your lovely comments! I like both James Patterson and Lee Child but have not heard of Dan Stabenow ..... on the list he goes! I have tried audio books a couple of times but can't concentrate on them enough so I end up missing huge tracts for text!!

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  13. Nice to meet you Abigail! Your flag quilt is fantastic, as is the rest of your work. I don't read much but when I do, I read a Canadian author called Margaret Atwood.

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    1. Hi Amanda - thank you for stopping by and your generous comments. I haven't heard of Margaret Attwood but she is going on my list!

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  14. I love your Should I Stay or Should I Go quilt - gorgeous!! My favorite author is J.K. Rowling, but I've been quilting so much lately that I haven't read anything in quite a while. :)

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    1. Thanks Laurel! Whilst that quilt was on the frame I think I came close to hating it but with a bit of distance and seeing it hanging at the show I love it. JK Rowling is a favourite in our house too and new new books are top of my daughter's list to get!

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  15. Hi Abigail! I am so loving getting to know you better! What wonderful quilts. The quilting close up on Should I Stay or Should I Go? is so beautiful I just had to pin it. As you know, I'm a list maker too so we'll get along just fine. And my philosophy now is to just go for it when quilt making. Took me so long to get brave enough to feel that, but now I'm so happy I do!

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    1. Thank you so much Jennifer! The quilting on that quilt was so last minute and in a rush ..... I was really fed up of doing straight lines and so an organic swirly pattern was what I needed ... oh and something quite quick aswell! It's been lovely being part of this wonderful group and all the great people I have met in the process.

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  16. Hi Abigail! I really enjoyed your post and getting to know you better. I just love both your Straight Line Bow and Should I Stay or Should I Go quilts. The are so beautiful! I have been plowing through the Louise Penny series (Ganache), and am just finishing the Justin Cronin Passage Series with the recently released City of Mirrors. Good stuff! I do a lot of audiobooks - great for sewing.

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    1. Hi Ann - thanks for stopping by my blog and for your lovely comments - they are really appreciated! I haven't heard of any of the books you have recommended so will add them all to my list - thank you! I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  17. Your Straight Line Bow is BEAUTIFUL!!! My favorite book is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Stephanie and taking the time to comment. I have read some Steinbeck but not the Grapes of Wrath - thanks for the recommendation. I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  18. Love how you came up with your name, and it's a great one!! The quilts are beautiful, especially that first rainbow one! I have always wanted to learn long arm quilting. Maybe one day ;)

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    1. I accidentally clicked "publish" to early! LOL... any who, my favorite books are usually fiction. I especially love the Outlander series (and the show on Starz) but I also enjoy reading true crime stories.

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    2. Thanks for heading over Amista - hasn't this group been a lot of fun?! If you're ever in the UK come and have a go on my machine!! You're the second person to mention Outlander - will have to give it a try. I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  19. I like to read J D Robb. I like mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy. I also enjoy reading quilt books, magazines, and blogs.
    cork at pa.rr.com

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    1. Thanks for popping by my stop on the Blog Hop and taking the time to recommend some books.

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  20. Wow, your quilts are just stunning.My favorite book...I`m a book lover, I enjoy reading and don´t know which is my best favorite book and the last one I´ve just finished is The heritage by John Grisham but I read it in spanish.I`m from Murcia.

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    1. ¡hola Rosa! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I have read John Grisham before but not this one. I will put it on my list - in English of course!

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  21. Beautiful quilts. I am glad to have found your blog and look forward to seeing what you quilt next.

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    2. Thank you Kathy - lovely to have you here! Please do pop back and see what I am up to. x

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  22. I love your stay or go quilt! :) And I totally agree that there is no way to make all the quilts in our heads..... but that doesn't stop us trying! :)

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    1. And isn't the trying the fun part?!! Thanks for popping by and leaving a lovely comment. I can't reply personally to you because you are no-reply blogger. x

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  23. Hello Abigail! Great post! I love the flag quilt - the quilting is so pretty as well. I'm also a pisces and list maker...and I love to read, but nothing is coming to mind just now...

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    1. Thanks for popping by Jodie and for taking the time to leave a comment. Lovely to 'meet' and fellow Piscean list makers .... I don't think we're 'supposed' to be but it certainly helps me!

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  24. Hi Abigail! I love your Straight Line Bow quilt! Hadn't seen that one before. As for books, I read mostly children's or young adult books. I'll give you some of my favorite picture books: Wide Mouthed Frog by Keith Falkner, Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina, The First Tulips in Holland by Phyllis Krasilovsky, and Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin.

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    1. Hi Emily - thanks for popping over. A few people hadn't seen Straight Line Bow before so it was a good choice to include! Thanks for the book recommendations.

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  25. I like all of Danielle Steele and Debbie Macomber books. Haven't read one that I did not like.

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    1. Hi Renea - thanks for popping by. I will be adding your book recommendations to my list!

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  26. So nice to meet you! Great blog. So far I can't justify a long arm but I have been threatening to move our pool table into the family room and get rid of the T.V. to make room for one! I will need lots of advice if I make good on that one. My daughter vacationed in New Zealand and loved it. I saw 3 hours of pictures she took.

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    1. Hi Karen - thanks for popping by. It's been fun being part of the NQB group hasn't it? I have to say I laughed out loud that you had 3 hours worth of NZ photos!! After debating whether to get a longarm machine for nearly 12 months I am delighted with my purchase and smile every time I use it - I love it!!

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  27. Hi Abigail. You know I'm a fan and love your work. It was great to get to know a bit more about you. At the moment I'm working my way through all of the Jeffrey Archer books I can find at the library. I will check out goodreads it sounds like a good way of finding the next book on my reading list.

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    1. Hi Sue - great to see you here again!! Thanks for taking the time to pop over and recommend an author. I haven't read a Jeffrey Archer book in a long time so will look for his newer releases in the library. You should definitely check goodreads out. x

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  28. Abigail1 Well as my mum would say (from Lancashire, UK) 'the penny's dropped" and as her mum, my nana would have said, "I've been 'ere before" meaning in this case, I've been to your blog, and I follow you on Instagram, but haven't put the two together until this morning sheesh! Love your work, especially love Straight Line Bow (LOVE) and the Union Jack quilt (and you know from Instagram how I love the latest rainbow scrappy one!). Books: The Lightning Thief is a must-read for all bookworms and one of my all-time favourites. Currently I'm reading and LOVING, My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises, and it's every bit as good as his first, A Man Called Ove. Those are just off the top of my head.

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    1. Hi Sandra - lovely to see you here! Sometimes I get really confused with who is who and where - if you know what I mean. Especially when there's suddenly more than one Sue or Kate or Jennifer commenting!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting and for the book recommendations - haven't read any of them so they will go on my list!

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  29. I really enjoyed your post, Abigail! I can't imagine moving that much! I've heard of goodreads and been to the site a few times but I haven't really utilized it. My favorite author for historical fiction is Bernard Cornwell. I'm currently reading his Saxon series; it's about the struggle between the Saxons and the Danes for control over England in the 9th century. I think BBC made a show based on the first book in the series. My favorite author for a quick, funny read is Janet Evanovich.

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    1. Hi Sarah - thanks for popping by. When we decided to take our current home of the market last year I have to say I felt a huge sense of relief .... and I have accomplished so much since! Thanks for the author recommendations.

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  30. I love your quilts, Abigail, and your story.

    I'm an avid reader, too, so "favorite author" moves around a lot. My tastes range all over the map from fantasy and sci-fi to cozy mysteries and on rare occasions a romantic thriller. Of late, I've had a thing for the cozies - especially those that involve needlework, baking, cooking, or vintage stuff. Or all of the above! Victoria Hamilton's vintage kitchen mysteries are a favorite.

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    1. Thanks for popping by Holly. I have never heard of Victoria Hamilton - let alone vintage kitchen mysteries - so you have intrigued me ... will add to my list and check my local library!

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  31. This is a great summary Abigail. I read an awful lot but I can't tell you my favourite. I loved All the Light We Cannot See. Not only an interesting topic but a beautiful poetic writing style. I love your quilting advice...sometimes people are just so bossy and we have to go with our gut, for sure.

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    1. Hi Lisa - thanks for taking the time to comment. I have added your book to my list - I have never heard of it so thanks for sharing. Yes, sometimes people are bossy aren't they?!!

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  32. Hard to pick a favorite book...so the one I just finished is Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children, loved it!

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    1. Hi Sharon - thanks for supporting the NQB blog hop! The title of your book recommendations sounds great - added to my list already!

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  33. Great post! I enjoying seeing your finishes and learning more about you. I am so impressed by your first quilt on a longarm, the quilting is beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Cheryl. Some people thought I was crazy to enter a quilt show having not yet made the quilt and having only had the longarm machine for 1 month. However, I learnt a lot in that month ...... and unless I have a deadline like that other things take priority.

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  34. Abigail, what a great into post, your quilts are beautiful! And great advice you've given about blogging and quilting, thanks!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Paige. I have learnt so much from the group and have really enjoyed get to know fellow bloggers better. Thanks for your lovely comments.

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  35. You've made some really fun quilts. Congrats on finsihing off your oldest UFO, that's always a great feeling.

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    1. Hi Kate - thanks for stopping by. It was such a great feeling to finish my oldest project. It is going to be hung in our local club's Quilt Show next weekend and then it is going to be used - and I will enjoy it so very much!

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  36. Nice to "meet" you! The older I get, the more I dislike crawling around on the floor pinning. I have secretly been checking out longarms. Thank you for sharing your great quilts and quilting!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Jen and your lovely comments. I tell you the added bonus of not having to baste a quilt before quilting begins is such a great one!

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  37. Nice getting to know you as part of the hop! I like your writing style and what you've done with your blog. As for books, I don't read as much as before I had a child, but a favorite author of mine was always John Irving, best known for A Prayer for Owen Meany and Cider House Rules.

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    1. Hi Diana - thank you for stopping by on the Blog Hop and for your kind comments. Although I have heard of Cider House Rules I have never read any John Irving so he will go on my list - thanks!

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  38. Hi Abigail! Choosing a favorite book or author is too hard! I do like the classics best; Jane Austen and the Sherlock Holmes series are standouts. Glad to get to know you better!

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  39. Hi Abigail - I enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your lovely quilts. I have so many 'favorite authors' and am trying to read a lot of the classics but, lately, I've been reading several of Jojo Moyes books - seems like one of her books is always on my 'waiting list' at the library. The first one of hers I read was "Me Before You" and I was hooked. She is so good at getting you to know and like her characters.

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  40. Thanks for the great introduction post. It has been fun seeing what everyone is up to on this blog hop. Just like quilts, my current book is usually my favorite.

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Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. I love reading your comments and reply to them all via email. If you don't get a reply from me it is because you are a noreply-comment blogger and you might want to check your settings. x

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