Monday, May 7, 2012

Zakka Style Sew Along: Week 6 - Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets

Hi! Welcome to Week 6 of the Zakka Style Sew Along!! If you're new, this Sew Along is the brain child of two friends, Lindsey and Amy. They rounded up a team of bloggers and together we are sewing through the book, Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale, one project at a time. Oh, and  there are prizes when you finish up a project and link up! You can join anytime.

If you are already following along, are you having fun with your projects? So far I've only managed to make the Zigzag Tote, but I can't wait to make the Orchard Path Tweed Pouch and the Patchwork Pot Holder.

Today I'm going to show you my version of the Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets by Nova Flitter from the blog a cuppa and a catchup. I remember when I first saw these cuties pop up on flickr. Nova made a batch for a swap she was in and I was smitten immediately. I mean come on! They are so cute!!


MATERIALS: 
  • Essex (a cotton/linen blend) by Robert Kaufman in Medium Aqua, Sunshine, Carrot, Grey and Hot Pink
  • Cosmo Embroidery Floss by Lecien

I started with one block to test out the pattern and I quickly made two more. They were like chocolate kisses, I couldn't get enough. One thing I cannot overstate. When they say Itty Bitty, they really do mean teeny tiny! The finished size is 1.5" x 1.5". That is shorter than your pinky finger. The best advice I can give to you is to follow the pattern as written. It's laid out very well in the book. Some of the pieces you cut are smaller than 1".  Eep!




My kids were home with me the day I worked on these and they really wanted to help. They are 4 and 6 and it took a minute to figure out their jobs. I printed off some over-sized graph paper so they could color the patterns in.  While they colored, I cut squares of fabric for them to arrange. Then I sewed them together. Both of them were really into it and it was fun to work on it together.

Before you get started on your blocks, I have a few tips to share with you.
Tip #1: Starch is your friend. Seriously. You will be working with itty bitty pieces of linen. If you stretch your pieces even a smidge, it looks like a lot. I used Essex (a cotton/linen blend) and starch and it was still tricky getting things lined up.


Tip #2: Lock those stitches. I popped more than one flipping these right-side out in the final step. If this happens to you too you can mend it with a hidden ladder stitch like I ended up doing. I won't tell! ; )


Tip #3: If you make the string block and you use a paper foundation (as recommended in the book) shorten your stitch length. Every machine is a little different. I changed mine from 2.5 to 1.2. This step will make it much easier to tear off your paper pieces. 
Tip #4: This is actually in the book, but I am repeating it. Test you magnet to make sure it works and is facing the right way BEFORE stitching it closed. Before! Ok, I feel better. Now I know you won't sew it backwards like some people I know. Ahem. 


 It's such a sweet little project and useful too. Great for holding up your most important notes. ; )

GIVEAWAY
**This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered!**


Yup, that's not all!  Aurifil generously gave me five packs of thread to giveaway to my readers!!!  Five winners will be randomly selected on Friday, May 11, 2012.  Winners will be contacted by email, so if it is not visible in your profile, please add it to your comment. International entries are welcome.


TO ENTER:
1) Please leave a comment below
2) If you are a follower please leave a second comment.  I love you guys!!!

Thank you so much to Lindsey and Amy for putting together this fun sew along!  And a big THANK YOU to all of the sponsors for making it possible.


181 comments:

  1. Your itty-bitty magnets are absolutely adorable!!! I wonder if I can dig out some time this week to make a few? And thanks for the chance to win the thread - yum!!!

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  2. I can't wait to try these cuties!

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  3. What a cute idea. These are adorable.

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  4. I wasn't sure if I was going to do this project from the book, but having seen your lovely magnets, I think I will have a go.

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  5. I am a follower of your blog.

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  6. These sure are cute, but I don't think my fingers can hold something that small.LOL! Thanks for a chance to win the thread.

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  7. Thanks for the tips on this weeks project. Very cute!

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  8. prettiest magnets I ever did see!

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  9. These are so adorable! Would love to try out some Aurifil.

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  10. Your magnets are so summery and fun! I used plaids and natural linen so I think I may go make some more. I need stronger magnets though - the .8mm thick sheet (I think that's what it was) I purchased just isn't strong enough.

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  11. I am a happy follower :) Thanks for this chance to win some yummy thread :)

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  12. How fun is that, that your kids helped you designing the color scheme of your little magnets!
    Love the bright colors you used.

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  13. I loooove your colourful magnets

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  14. Those are so cute! And I could definitely use them.
    Thanks for the chance to win some awesome thread.

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  15. Thanks for your project, enjoying the sew-along very much!

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  16. Those magnets are as cute as can be! Thanks for sharing them with us. I would love the chance to try some Aurifil thread. I have heard so many wonderful things about it. The drawing is on my birthday, so maybe I will be a lucky winner.

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  17. I am VERY happy to be one of your loyal followers. I love your blog!!

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  18. great/helpful post - thank you!! Love the ones you made.

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  19. I'm a new follower - glad to have discovered you!

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  20. Those magnets are a cute idea! Thank you for giving me a chance to win! missysaprons@gmail.com

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  21. The fabrics choice are cheerful. Judith, Texas

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  22. What a great way to get your kids involved!

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  23. They are so itty bitty cute and colorful.

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  24. i would love some thread to try out! and thanks for the tips!

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  25. Are you going to market?! We really need to meet up there. Your magnets are cute. I love itty bitty piecing.

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  26. So adorable! I love the tiny piecing.

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  27. Adorable magnets, thanks for the helpful tips!

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  28. I love your itty bitty magnets!
    Thanks!

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  29. This is my favorite thread, my fingers are crossed!

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  30. Love your bright bitties. I used 1.5 stitch length on all my seams. I haven't finished, but hoping the seams will hold when I turn them. My machine wanted to chew these tiny things up when I tried to back stitch.

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  31. Thanks for the extra tips. I have been wanting to make these.

    molly acyder {at} gmail

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  32. Those magnets are seriously cute! Love them. Thanks for the chance to win some thread.

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  33. LOVE your little magnets!! :) They are so cute! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  34. Your magnets turned out WAY cute and I love the way your kids were able to participate!

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  35. Adorable itty bitty magnets Adrienne!

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  36. I'm really enjoying watching everything that's made in this quilt-along. I wish it wasn't crazy end-of-semester time so I could join in a more 'actual freaking sewing' way. :O)
    Your magnets are too cute!!

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  37. Your magnets are so sweet! I had a right pain getting mine together and wish I'd backstitched at the end of each row as they split when i turned them through. I finally got them stitched up (major pain) and the magnets don't work! They are facing the right way but they're just not strong enough.

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    1. I thought it was just me! My magnet sheets were really weak too. And so much thinner than I remembered. I bought mine from the office supply store. I ended up using four layers (instead of two). Now I'm on the hunt for some of those flat disc, super strong magnets to try. Or maybe something more industrial from the hardware store. I keep a lot of papers (school lunches, coupons, calendars) on my fridge and my magnets need to be heavy duty!! If I find something good I'll let you know.

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  38. adorable! love your version!

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  39. Oh my goodness, so cute! I love the bright colors that you are using for these projects.

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  40. I'm a follower, so sign me up for some thread!

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  41. I'm not so sure about this project as it seems really teeny-tiny and my sewing machine has a tendency to eat small pieces of thread.

    That said, yours are GORGEOUS! Love that you involved your little ones.

    Warmly,
    Nicole

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  42. I'm a follower and would love to try that beautiful thread!

    Iamhollyb @ hotmail.com

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  43. Wow...these are super teeny! I'm anxious to give them a go, though. Yours are so bright and fun!

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  44. I'd love to win some of this thread to try!

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  45. Your magnets match your zig zag tote. So beautiful with the bright colors. I have ideas for that lovely thread!

    Mary svalgoma@yahoo.com

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  46. I'm now a follower! (Have loved your stuff on Flickr for a long time.)

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  47. Thanks for the giveaway. It'd be great to try out this thread.

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  48. Your magnets are charming! Thanks for the giveaway - I'm a new fan of Aurifil.

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  49. Your magnets look wonderful and bright!! I missed last week and really want to do these, but I am slightly wary of their tiny size and my sausage fingers!!

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  50. I am a new follower and am really pleased to have found your blog through this sew along!

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  51. Your magnets are so cute! I also love how you included your kids - great idea. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  52. Such sweet little magnets! Not sure I have the patience for such bitty things, but they sure are cute!

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  53. I am finding all these projects such fun to do, and better still is seeing how others are managing, and especially getting the helpful "extra tips" from those who are test-driving the items. Would simply be thrilled if I am a winner of a pack of the Aurifil threads. Margaret

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  54. These are so cute, although I don't really have a need for magnets right now, so I'm skipping this one until I can think up an excuse ;o)

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  55. I think it is neat how you involved the kids! Itty bitty kiddie magnets.

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  56. Love these little magnets. I'm making some tonight!

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  57. Those are so adorable and need to get busy making mine!

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  58. Love those magnets, so cute. Would love to win that thread. =)

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  59. Love your colorful magnets, this project has been my most challenging so far sewing those tiny fabrics together was hard for me but i still got them done lol

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  60. HELLO! SUCH CUTE LITTLE MAGNETS!
    LOVE AURIFIL THREADS-NEAT GIVEAWAY!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

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  61. HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU ALREADY VIA GFC+BLOG LOVIN'!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!
    HAPPY SEWING/QUILTING ALL !

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

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  62. Thanks for the giveaway. Looks like great thread!

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  63. Love your approach to the magnets!

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  64. I love the colours - very Zakka.
    I also found them to be quite tricky. I did come up with an easier method for the nine-patch though which saved quite a bit of fiddling around.

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  65. Cute magnets! I would love to enter your giveaway!

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  66. Love your little tiny magnets- such tiny pieces.

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  67. I'm considering making the pattern larger and making these coasters instead of magnets.
    Linda F.

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  68. I would love for the chance to use this good stuff (so i've heard!) Aurifil threads are fantastic said a little bird. You did a great job on your blocks, these are cute, I just started today im having trouble with my color scheme. :)

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  69. I also follow your bloggy blog :)

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  70. cute itty bitty magnets! i have some good round magnets, so i just might give it a try! of course, i'd need some of this super fantastic aurifil thread to sew them with ...

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  71. Cute little magnets! They would make great gifts :) and I LOVE Aurifil... thank you for the opportunity to enter your give away. Elly

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  72. I love your colors, perfect for springtime! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  73. Those little magnets are just darling.

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  74. Love your magnets! Would love to try some different weights of the Aurifil thread. I've been using it to piece for about 6 months now & love it. Next I'm going to use it to do the quilting on a couple of baby quilts I've finished that need quilting.

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  75. I'm a follower. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  76. Thanks for a great giveaway and the tutorial.

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  77. I love these little Magnets! The possiblities are endless! I need to give these a try and if i guess correct they will be addicting! I can see making little magnets for each occasion: birthdays, Easter, Halloween, Christmas etc! I have never heard of this thread so did a google search and found it's website! Interesting! I am a new quilter and would love to give it a try. I see there is a shop that sells it not far from me..I see a day trip in my near future! lol Thank you for sharing. I love how you got your little ones involved! Perfect!
    Valerie

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  78. I am a follower and love your blog/site! Has to be one of my favs that i look forward to seeing in my in box! Much inspiration, for me for sure! Thank you!
    Valerie

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  79. I still haven't gotten to try Aurifil

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  80. I'm a follower of this blog.

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  81. who doesn't want aurifil threads!!
    ivyworis@yahoo.com

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  82. Some days I feel like the only quilter on the planet who hasn't tried Aurifil yet!! Please oh please pick me! I want to be one of the cool kids, too!

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  83. Love your take on this cute, teeny project! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway. Mr. Random, please choose me! :)

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  84. I was already following you on Bloglovin', sweetie!

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  85. Those magnets are wonderful, my book arrive last Friday so now I can join in on the fun.

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  86. I also follow your blog because it is great

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  87. I'm also playing "catch up" with the Zakka Sew Along projects but just might jump the queue and make some of these cute magnets - what a great idea!

    I only have a small selection of Aurifil threads as they are difficult to find here in Australia, thanks for the chance to win some!

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  88. Your itty bitty blocks are so *cute*!! I love that your kids helped so much, too. What a great idea. (Also love your Zakka bag!)

    k

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  89. I'm a follower! (Why do I hear Lotsa's voice when I type that? lol)

    k

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  90. Very cute magnets! Thanks for sharing :)

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  91. I'm a follower...love your blog :)

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  92. These tips are essential...and I was hanging out for your post on Monday but we are a day ahead. I had to upgrade to the disc magnets as nothing was staying up on mine either. http://findingfifth.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/itty-bitty-worries.html

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  93. Just joined your cohort of followers. I would love to try some of this thread that everyone raves about.

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  94. They look like great fun! I bought the book but as yet have to join the sewalong... time just flies!

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  95. Cute magnets. Thanks for the giveaway

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  96. So cute! I love magnets and can see myself making lots of these with precious scraps :)

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  97. Gorgeous magnets, don't need any more magnets on my fridge though.

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  98. I've been a follower for a wee while now.

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  99. Super cute magnets! I just moved into a cubicle at work that has magnetic walls - this would be a great way to incorporate some quilting!

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  100. I've been following you via Google Reader. :)

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  101. Cute magnets! I'd love to win too.

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  102. Gaaah CUTE quilt magnets! Clever!
    And I LOVE Aurifil thread! I only own one kind, the thinner kind for piecing, in creme - but I love it! I'd kill to have a plethora of colors to choose from! Thanks so much!

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  103. And of course I follow your blog...

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  104. Ooh, these magnets are really cute. I'll have to make some now.

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  105. What a fun way to make a statement with quilts and kids! kristen.takakuwa@gmail.com

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  106. I've really been looking forward to this week! And I just LOVE that you used such colorful linens! Great job and thanks for the tips.

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  107. I'm a devoted follower of my fellow A.O. :-)

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  108. Love the bright linens, the carrot really pops! I really need to get my hands on some more of that wonderful Essex.

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  109. I would love to use some Auriful thread on my next sewing project!! I hear it doesn't leave lint on your machine.

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  110. These are the cutest little magnets. So tiny they blow my mind.

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  111. I'm also longish time follower.

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  112. Those magnets are far too cute. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  113. i love those little bitsy magnets! so cute!

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  114. Oooh, please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

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  115. Thanks for the giveaway chance! The magnets are adorable!!

    sue
    legato1958@aol.com

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  116. I am a follower now!

    sue
    legato1958@aol.com

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  117. Your magnets are awesome! I think I coul manage the string block. Love them! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  118. I am already a follower, thanks!

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  119. And I am a happy follower! : )

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  120. what a great idea!
    thanks for sharing!

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  121. I am a follower and appreciate your comments and show and tell..

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  122. I am trying so hard to win this thread...LOL.. thank you, Gotta get to sewing here in TX, I just got back from SC.. on vacation

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  123. Those little quilt magnets are DARLING. You must have a lot of patience to be able to sew such small things!! I would LOVE to win these spools of thread. Thanks for the chance.

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  124. I am a follower so am happy to have a second chance to win the spools of thread. THANKS

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  125. Your magnets look wonderful! Thank you so much for the tip about the spray starch, it REALLY helped.

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  126. adorable magnets! quilts can go anywhere. :)

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  127. I just finished mine. They were not easy to finish and I gave up and topstitched them. But they're so cute!

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  128. Oh- and I'm a subscriber. Thanks!

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  129. Oh love your colourful blocks, and Ive been dying to try some Auriful!

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