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Friday, April 22, 2011

Pre-Cuts and Scraps.....What to do?

If you are like most folks, then you are cutting back and working on de-stashing and using up scraps to make some fun things for Spring......and other celebrations of life (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new babies etc.)  What ever the occasion is for you and your family, I think you may just find some inspiration in the two new books I have reviewed for Martingale & Co. 

Since I get to select the books I want to review, it is almost a sure bet that I'm going to like them or there is there is something about the book that grabbed my attention....either the author or the subject....there is always a thread I'm wanting to tug to see what unravels.


by Claudia Plett and Le Ann Weaver
How many charm square packages or layer cakes do you have in your stash right now?  Fat Quarters and Fat Quarter Bundles?  I have to admit that I have 2 Layer Cakes and 4-6 Charm Square packages.....and probably 6 Fat Quarter Bundles if not more.  Why do I have them?  The only one's I know why I bought were a few of the Charm Square packages I bought for a I-Spy block exchange.  After I bought them I felt bad because they were pre-cut and I kept them instead of including them in the swap (felt like I was cheating by not cutting my own).   The rest....I don't remember....but I really liked the fabric.  I want these fabrics to be used so I don't end up with "moldy oldies!"  Hence my interest in More Loose Change, 14 Quilts from Nickles, Dimes, and Fat Quarters.

Claudia and LeAnn have put together a very fun book.  They have coded their patterns $, $$, and $$$ (Simple, Intermediate and Experienced) for skill level.  I just so happen to fall into every one of those categories....depending on what day it is.  The introductions talks a little about charm squares (nickles), layer cakes (dimes) and quarters (fat quarters) as well as color arrangement.  I think the book is well written....plenty of photos and diagrams and the wording was clear (you know that is really something when I say that....cuz I have the hardest time understanding sometimes).

Honestly there is not a pattern in this book that I would not consider making but the two that I would consider making first are: 

"Liquid Assets" appealed to me because of focus fabric inside the circles.  Here they have chosen fish fabric and the circles look like port holes.  I could just as easily see any other fun print inside the circles and the outside fabrics complimenting what ever your theme would be.  The other thing that really surprised me was the way they put their pattern together.  I think this looks like a rather difficult pattern and guess what?  I'd not.  I'm not going to give their secrets away....let me just say they show you how to maximize the use of your fabrics while showing you how to get the fun results below.
The other pattern that I want to show you is their "Pumpernickel."  As I'm writing this I can't remember how many photos I'm allowed to use from the book....clearly if you were writing books you would not want the world to post all of the patterns on the internet....so if I've gone too far....I might have to come back and delete a photo or two....I'm always flying by the seat of my pants....and of late....my thin memory.


Here they have used black as a background and I like that.  I see lots of colorful quilts set on black or white to enhance the other fabrics used.  Think about how many fabrics you could use up if you made this quilt....and who would not love to be the recipient of a "Pumpernickel" quilt?  I would....so get to stitchin' : )



by Gayle Bong

The scrap table at my guild meeting is always full of free fabric.  Does your group or guild have a free table at their meetings?  If not, you might want to consider starting one.  I am always marveling at the free fabrics that return to the guild meeting for show and tell after they have been transformed into beautiful quilts.  S is for SCRAPS, 18 Great Quilts made me think of all of those transformed beauties so I had to see what Gayle had to say about scraps. 

When I read a quilting book, the first thing I notice is how the person writes.  When I am reading I want to feel like I can almost hear the person speaking to me....more of a conversation than a recipe is my preference.  Gayle has done just that.  Her writing style is personal and informative.  She has provided lots of tips for organizing your scraps and a variety of ways to consider grouping your fabrics for a project. 

"Joy in the Morning" is an example of what I would consider to be a "easy" project that would make a lovely quilt for almost any occasion...including charity quilts.  I can't share how Gayle recommends putting this pretty pattern together but I can tell you that it goes together very nicely and Gayle has given you plenty of good directions and diagrams.  There are 17 other patterns that work very well for using up scraps.  I'm feeling guilty for all the photos I've already shared so I'm not going to continue on and on.  Suffice to say I definitely think  S is for Scraps would be a great addition to every-one's quilt reference library. 

While reading both of these books, More Loose Change and S is for Scraps, I was thinking about my own stash and the tools I find to be so useful when quilting.  Starting with pre-cuts can really cut down on prep time before stitching.  If you don't have pre-cuts you can certainly make your own.  I thought I'd post a few ways to make your own pre-cuts faster if you have the fabric but not the pre-cuts. I also included two tools I love for bindings.

Under 20.00
Creative Grids Template Set On Point Charming 5 Square
Creative Grids Quilting Ruler 5 1/2in Square
Cut a Round Tool Midi
Perfect Half-Square & Quarter-Square Triangles

Under 40.00
Shape Cut Plus Template

Over 50.00
Manual

Sizzix Big Shot (dies required)
Sizzix Big Shot Pro (dies required)
GO! Baby (dies required)
GO! Fabric Cutter (dies required)

Electric- Great for those with arthritis or any other concerns that make manual cutting difficult

Sizzix Big Shot Express (dies required)
Sizzix Vagabond (dies required)

BINDING-  under 20.00

When it comes to binding....these are some IHAN favorites

CutRite Bind Up Template 
 Simpli-EZ Bias Ruler

Hopefully these are tools you already know about from reading the IHAN blog.  If not, check them out by clicking on the words as they are linked.  You can also read more about them by reading the reviews of these products on the sidebar of this blog....see....right over there on the right hand side of the blog...yes...right there :)

If you are still with me and you want an opportunity to put your name into a drawing for More Loose Change  and S is for Scraps (one book per winner-two winners will be chosen) then leave a comment on this post telling me which one you would like to win and why you want the book.  Two names will be drawn at random on Saturday April 30, 2010.  Good luck!

Smiles,
Kelly

90 comments:

  1. I'd choose More Loose Change - I don't have a lot of scraps at this point, but do have some precuts, so I thought this book would be best. Thanks so much for the giveaway chance! :)

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  2. I'd like the "More Loose Change" because I have the "Loose Change" and love it!

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  3. I would be happy with either book, but I would choose S is for Scraps first because I make a lot of scrap quilts (not always from charm squares, layer cakes or fat quarters)for our church quilt ministry. Thanks for the chance!

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  4. I won a jelly roll last week, so have to come up with a pattern I can use them on. Will be nice to use precuts and save some time on cutting.

    Debbie

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  5. Well darn #1 comment, oh well, I love the look of the More Loose Change book, especially love the look of the Liquid Assests quilt.

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  6. Hi Kelly - I would love to win More Loose Change. I purchased Loose Change a few years ago and love the patterns in that book for pre-cuts! There are a few I've used more than once and I would love to see what else they've come up with! Thanks for the great review of these books.

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  7. Thanks for the inside info!

    I have seen Gayle present her Trunk Show and she does some amazing work with scraps!!! And I have one of the other books by the other Authors... so I'd be happy with wiich ever one was left!!!

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  8. I'd love to win More Loose Change - I've got lots of loose change that needs to be turned into a quilt for someone to love!

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  9. Good reviews. I am always on the look out for scrap patterns. And the books I get have to have a lot in them for me to buy them, same with magazines. We all have to make our pennies count. I have lots of scraps to use up. Either book would be fine with me should I win. Happy Easter to you.

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  10. The S is for scraps looks like a fun book. I don't know of anyone who quilts who doesn't have scraps of fabric sitting around.

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  11. More Loose Change sounds interesting. Well, both do! But I have charms, layers, jellies and fats all over the place! (And I'm not talking body parts here!)

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  12. Either one would be great. I have so many scraps that I could probably make every quilt in both books! Thanks for the chance, Kelly!

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  13. My choice would be "S is for Scraps" because I love using scraps.
    However, I would take either one -I do have a number of charm packs that need used.

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  14. I was immediately drawn to the cover of More Loose Change - even before you highlighted that pattern in the book! My daughter is a new quilter and will be moving away from home soon. I would love to send her with a great quilting book!

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  15. I'd love to win S is for Scraps. I have more scraps than precuts. Thanks so much for the giveaway. Kathie L in Allentown

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  16. Since I have more scraps than pre-cuts, I'd like to have that one. However, I wouldn't turn down the other....*S*

    Thx for the chance to win.

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  17. Scraps are prevalent in my sewing room and I'm always looking for ways to use them. I think pieces I have leftover from precuts would also work well in a stash quilt. Of course, I love the quilts you showed from "More Loose Change" so I guess I'm saying I could find quilts to make and fabric to use for either book!!

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  18. Both of the books look great, but I think my first choice would be More Loose Change - maybe that would entice me to use some of the charm packs that are in my stash! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  19. I'd like to win the book More Loose Change. I like how they talk about using the diffent size pieces (nickles, dimes, and quarters).

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  20. I would love either book because I am always looking for new patterns and ways to use my scraps and fat quarters!

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  21. More Loose Change really looks like a fun book and even tho I don't ever buy layer cakes, etc. I could easily cut those pieces from my enormous stash!

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  22. I would love to win More Loose Change. I have lots of charm packs and a whole stack of nickles from a swap I was in. I could really use some inspiration to turn them into projects.

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  23. Great review, Kelly! I definitely will look through both of these books next time I see them. How did you get involved review for Martingale? Did they approach you or did you ask them? Happy Easter!

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  24. I would choose S is for Scraps -- I love scrap quilts, and I am making quilts to give to an organization that helps children removed from their homes. I would love new ideas and inspiration! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

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  25. I'd love to have the More Loose Change, I have a bunch of pre-cuts that I look at often, but never use. I have to tell you, you made me laugh out loud with your comment about fitting into each categorize depending on the day. I just made a quilt that had me telling everyone I wasn't a quilter, I was a fake. I'm calling it the slap down quilt.

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  26. I too would be happy with either book, but I'd really like "More Loose Change". Thanks for the giveaway!

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  27. I took a class from Gayle at the quilt show. She is awesome!! Very sweet!! And her S is for Scraps is on my must have list!! :)

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  28. Gayle was a WONDERFUL instructor at IQS - I would love S is for Scraps - since I am kicking myself now for not grabbing it during her class!!! Both books look great, though! Thanks for such a great review!

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  29. Wow--how wild! I read through your post and when I came to those two books, I thought, "I HAVE to get that one!" Now you're giving those two away! If I had to choose, I suppose I would choose the "S is for Scraps." I do, however, think it's almost mean to make us choose between such great books! :o)

    Dot
    dminshall67 at yahoo dot com

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  30. I would love either one of them! Looks like both have good patterns in them. Thanks forth info on the rulers!

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  31. Scrappy is my favorite, ever! I like both of these books but don't buy precuts much. I would shop my stash and scraps to create my own precuts :) I think the patterns you are showing from More Loose Change are catching my eye more. I do love the Pumpernickel one. I appreciate your naming the tools and prices that would help with cutting. Thanks for the chance to win a book.
    P.S. You are going back in time with your ending date--2010 was a year ago, LOL!

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  32. I'd love to win S Is For Scraps....my scrap drawers are overflowing, and I promise to use them!!

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  33. I would choose the More Loose Change. I have so many fat quarters that this book looks like a great place to use them. Thanks for the give away.

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  34. Both books look great Kelly but More Loose Change looks fantastic! I have some charm packs that I can't figure out what to do with, and I don't want them to just linger on. I love both the quilts you showed from that book!

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  35. Like a couple of your other commenters, I have the first book Loose Change and would love to win their second one. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    I have some charm squares and a couple of layer cakes too so it would be great to win a book to use some of them up.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

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  36. More Loose Change...the patterns just call to me more...

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  37. I would be delighted to "cut down" my stash. I have already precut a zillion pieces of fabric into squares, triangles and rectagles of varying sizes. I have made three quilt tops, one for each grandchild, and still have enough pre-cuts and scraps for several others. I'd love to have one of these books, either I would be delighted to recieve! Who doesn't like "free" things. Tahnks for the post Kelly!

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  38. HI Kelly, I think the Loose Change book looks interesting. I have found myself with a nice collection of pre-cuts that I need ideas for. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  39. Hi Kellie, Happy Easter....I think I'd prefer the 'S' is for Scraps book, as the more I sew, the more these babies (scraps or offcuts as I prefer to call them!) seem to be multiplying big time! Hugs Naomi

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  40. hey Kellie that is great of you to share the books with 2 lucky winners!!! if my name is chosen i would love to try out the S is for Scraps book ,i have plenty of scraps in my stash bag
    Thank you for the giveaways you are always having

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  41. I would choose the More Loose Change book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.=)

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  42. I would love to when S is for Scraps. Quick. Before my scraps take over!!! LOL! Thanks for the chance and Happy Easter to you and your two executive assistants!

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  43. Thanks again, Kelly, for a great giveaway on the books. My choice would be More Loose Change. Now, you know I have stacks, stacks and more stacks of my charm squares, and jelly rolls from my Etsy store....so I'd be set with the pre-cuts for this one. Sounds like just the book I need.

    Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  44. Hi Kelly thanks again for making this possible. I am addicted to scraps. My local craft shop has a big basket of pieces for 10c each; I started buying from there when I was doing I-Spy quilts, and now I am addicted. For a dollar I can get ten pieces - usually about 12-15 inches square. These books would be great for some more ideas. I do use the scraps for quilts for family and to give away, but there are always more :) Sam sdownes@oceanbroadband.net

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  45. They both sound awesome.
    1st choice would be "S is for scraps" Then "More Loose Change"
    Thanks for the chance :D

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  46. I would take either...Im on a mission this year to finish the multitude of quilt tops I have in the quilt room, and to use up at least half of my stash on new tops...the local children's hospital could always use some more quilts!

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  47. SEW very kind of you to give away both these book! Dunno how you do that - I'd certainly be tempted to share pics & leave it at that! But, since you ARE being SEW generous, I'd love the S is for Scraps book, because I've NEVER been able to hand over the bucks required to purchase a charm pack or jelly roll or anything else that sounds like it comes from a bakery! And I've eaten more than enough brownies & cinnamon buns that all I have to carry all my fat quarters with me wherever I go, all the time. Working on loosing them is just as hard as using up my scraps, let me just say.

    Happy Easter - hope the bunny was good to you & yours!

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  48. More Loose Change would be my choice because I already own the other book. i love scrap quilts and can always use more ideas to use up those leftover bits.

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  49. Thanks for the reviews. I would love to have More Loose Change because I like the two quilts you pictured. I have a layer cake and two charm packs I haven't decided what to do with yet.

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  50. One can always use MORE LOOSE CHANGE. Thanks for the great review of these books.

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  51. I think I would go for S is for Scraps as my first choice...but either would be great. THanks for the giveaway.

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  52. I would choose the S is for Scraps book. I am trying to organize my scraps and this book would help me use them. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  53. Kelly - thanks for such thoughtful reviews...I really get a lot out of your "take" on things. I think if I were lucky enough to win, I'd like the Loose Change book. As soon as I saw the cover, I was intrigued by the Pumpernickel quilt, and the one with "fishy" portholes has really got me interested! Thanks for the chance to win!
    Jacque in SC
    quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. Thank you for the review. I have been eyeing More Loose Change for awhile but just hadn't committed to buying it because I wanted to see more of the patterns in the book.

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  55. Since I am new to quilting & have no precuts, I am more likely to have scraps left from my first quilts...so I would choose "S is for Scraps". And I really like the quilt pattern that you have shown from in the book. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  56. I am crazy over scrap quilts and have a big stash I need to use up. I think both books look interesting. If I had to choose one I'd pick Loose Change. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  57. I would love "More Loose Change..." my stash would be put to very good use with this book. I can't pass up a garage sale that might just have fabric that needs to join my rather large collection...sigh.
    I have been whittling it down this year but hardly seems like I have made a dent.
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    hadacres at comcast.net

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  58. More Loose Change sounds like fun. I mostly have fat quarters, so this book looks like it would help.
    Thanks!
    Micki

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  59. I'd like to win MOre Loose Change. I've seen the book before and like the patterns. Thanks for a chance.

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  60. I'd love to win either book, Kelly! My scraps are getting out of control and it's time to make something out of the mess! Thanks for the chance!

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  61. Both books sound great, but if I had to choose, I'd pick S is for Scraps because we do have a free table and I have loads of odds and ends that I can't bear to part with.

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  62. I would love S is for Scraps! Over the years I have made planned projects, so I now have a pile of scraps, and I need ideas. The pictures/book would help me tackle scrap quilting and learn a whole new concept in planning a freer way of putting colour together.

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  63. I would love to win More Loose Change..I'm new to quilting and have charm squares,a jelly roll, a layer cake and lots of fat quarters just ready to be made into quilts. Thanks for the chance!

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  64. I would enjoy S is for Scraps. Gale Bong produces such nice patterns, and I have PLENTY of scraps!

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  65. I would enjoy S is for Scraps. Gale Bong produces such nice patterns, and I have PLENTY of scraps!

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  66. I would love a chance to win S is for Scraps. I'm always looking for new ideas to use up the load of scraps I have. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.

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  67. Both books look great - but if I had to choose I'd go for Loose Change because here in the UK we don't use nickels and dimes!! ha! ha!

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  68. I love the quilt on the cover of "S is for Scraps", so I'd choose that book. However either would be great! Thanks for the reviews!

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  69. Both books sound so interesting but I think I would like "More Loose Change" best. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.

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  70. Thanks for that great giveaway! If I would be a winner and could choose, I would chose S is for Scraps. Why I would choose this one? Because your description made it more interessting for me than the other book!
    Greetings
    Maribel
    MaribelB(at)web(dot)de

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  71. Both those books look great but I think the S is for scraps is better for me as I have more scraps than precuts. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  72. I like S is for scraps. I love to make scrap quilts and maybe some of them would work for my Go.

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  73. I like More Loose Change. It would be a great book to have for all my left over fabric! (Allison) gougeonathome@charter.net

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  74. Oh gosh, it's hard to choose. Both books would fit into my quilt library. But I think S is for Scraps is my first choice. Thank you, Kelly, for this nice giveaway.

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  75. I would like S is for Scraps! I don't have many sraps, but it would be fun playing with what I have!

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  76. Either book would be awesome! But if I had to choose, I'd pick "S is for Scraps" because I have a huge collection of scraps that I need to use up!!! The reason, obviously....to make room for MORE scraps!

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  77. More Loose Change would be the book for me. I love pre-cuts. Thanks for the chance.

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  78. That is a hard choice as both books look great. I have some precut patterns and books so I would choose S is for Scraps.

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  79. More Loose Change looks like the perfect book for me! I just recently used some older (alright, OLD) charm packs, and I realized it would have been much more fun to use them immediately after I bought them. Now I have some new charm packs, and I want to make them up into quilts right away!

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  80. More Loose Change looks like the book that i would use the most. I like buying precuts, it gives a good start to the quilt.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  81. I'd love to win either book! Thanks for the chance!

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  82. I would like either one. They look like great books.

    I have posted your giveaway on my blog too. :)

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  83. Thanks for the reviews! I'd love to win "S is for Scraps"! Seems to be more my pace! :)

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  84. I would choose S is for Scraps as I have lots and lots of scraps. With the price of fabric today, my scraps are like gold!

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  85. If you are going to make me choose I would have to go with "More Loose Change".

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  86. I think either book would be wonderful but More Loose Change looks great. I have Loose Change and love it.

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  87. I'd choose S is for scraps. Because I'm a newbie quilter, I have some scraps, but I get a bit unfocused when thinking about a pattern to use the scraps. I end up with 20 mins just playing with the scraps of fabric. Having a book just on scraps might help focus me....then again, maybe not. (wink wink)

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  88. I love More Loose Change but would also like the S is for Scraps.
    Love your blog

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Thank you for reading the IHAN Blog. I love getting and reading every comment that is left here; however I may not be able to respond to all comments left during giveaways. There are times when I am juggling many tasks at one time and may not reply to all comments. Please e-mail me at quiltnotions@gmail.com if you need a reply quickly. I thank you for your understanding and-
More Later-Beth

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