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Friday, August 5, 2011

A Touch of Whimsey by Abbey Lane Quilts Book Review and Giveaway

Most of you know I didn't make it to Spring Quilt Market in May.  Thankfully there were some very wonderful folks who noticed my absence and sent me e-mails asking where I was.  It was a wonderful feeling I gotta tell ya.  Two of the gals who noticed I was missing were Marcea Owen and Janice Liljenquist from Abbey Lane Quilts.  Once they learned I could not go they immediately shipped me a copy of their latest book to review.  Thanks Marcea and Janice!!!


Oh I'm telling you there are some very fun and whimsical patterns in this book.  Check out the wreath pillow at the top of the page, isn't that fun?  Not only does it look nice in cotton....I think it would be beautiful in wool or felted wool as well.  Adding a little personal touch with some embroidery....the possibilities are limitless.  You know me...I'd add one of those little battery operated string of lights too!

The Joy pillow makes me smile.  I love those little dangle balls around the ruffle and the little bells on the stocking.  My grandmother had those dangle balls on her bathroom curtains....I loved playing with them. 
Check out all the different patterns included in A Touch of Whimsey.  So many to choose from....and you know what I was thinking?  How fun it would be to use some of the patterns in wall hangings or reduce the size and put them on a tote or purse.  I really like the witches hat (top right) and I think that would be so fun on a Halloween treat bag or on a t-shirt.  Most of you already think that way....but sometimes I get stuck in my thinking and see patterns only one way....today is not one of those days....thankfully.

Do you need to add a Touch of Whimsey to your life?  Here is your chance.  Leave a comment on this post telling me which design you would make first and I'll choose a winner on Sunday and let you know who won on Monday. 

Thank you Abbey Lane Quilts for thinking of me and for this wonderful book!!

Smiles,
Kelly

60 comments:

  1. I am loving that heart pillow -since i first saw this book come out that one has called to me... that and the witches hat - I wanted to put that on the back of one of those quilted sweatshirt cardigan jackets to wear to work around Halloween.

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  2. I would make the Joy pillow you have pictured or the Snowman- Who wouldn't love a little whimsey !!!! And I just love Christmas :)

    Thank you for the Giveaway !!!!

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  3. Those puffball flowers struck my fancy--on a pillow yes, but how about a pin cushion or the cuff of a pillowcase? The book and its authors are great inspiration.

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  4. I love the Christmas Joy pillow but then I'm a sucker for anything Christmas.

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  5. Love the Joy pillow (I would do it in everyday colors so I could leave it out all year long!!)

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  6. I love anything halloween so that may be first - the penquin is adorable too! thanks!

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  7. I would make the JOY pillow first unless I could get to the Spooky pillow in time for Halloween. Joy is my word for this year!

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  8. I like the flowers and the penguin best!

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  9. Decisions, decisions. If I had to pick just one it would be the heart pillow. All of the patterns look great and easy. Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  10. I think I like heart pillow the most. They are all wonderful, though.

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  11. HI!! I fell in love with the Joy-pillow!!!

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  12. I like the flowers just below the snowman. They are all cute though.

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  13. I would make SPOOKY then the heart. So cute!!!

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  14. I like the puffball flowers, especially in a cute wall hanging.

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  15. Well, since we've been following the sun for a few years now....I haven't seen snow! Don't miss it either, but I still loooove snowmen! In fact, our Christmas decorations usually center around reindeer and/or snowpeople! So, I guess I'd have to go with him, but I've never seen the dingleballs used with a ruffle, and I'm lovin' that too!! The whole book looks like lotsa fun!!

    I just don't have that out-of-the-box brain that you do - I look at a picture & recreate it, or I can engineer a finished product, based on someone's description, but daggum if I can re-imagine the way you do! I admire that!

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  16. All the pillows are so very sweet and the snowman has to be my favorite... I would probably make that one first.

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  17. Hard to choose, and I need to see the black and white up close. I love to make pillows and these seasonal ones look like fun. The black and white for now.

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  18. I am in love with the Joy pillow. It is just so darn cute. It would be my first to make.

    lsandes@comcast.net

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  19. I think I would go with the wreath pillow first. I think I could finish it by Christmas, but then I would go on to the other holidays in quick succession.. I could certainly use some whimsy and some pillows!!

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  20. those really are adorable!! so nice of the gals to send the book, tell 'em thanks from all of us!!

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  21. I like the circles pillow (3rd row from top). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. I love the JOY pillow! I might make it as a wall hanging though - for the front door!

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  23. I love the Christmas Joy pillow! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. Hmmm....decisions...decisions....decisions!! lol I really love those dimensional flowers on the front pillows, and can visualize something like a garden of them on an art quilt. (I don't do throw pillows because then I have to "de-fur" them when the cat lays against them!) I would also love to do the "Joy" one as a wall hanging with that cute stocking, since I have some small red jingle bells that would be perfect. And of course, that cute snowman might find it's way into a wall hanging or two.

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  25. I'd make the Joy pillow first, and then move on the the next page. Lots of cute ideas!!

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  26. I think I would make the wreath pillow first because I have some wool that would be the perfect color. OH and I have some red wool too!

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  27. Do I spy a snowman in there? He would be first on my list! ..then JOY and SPOOKY and, oh, you get the idea! What a fun book. Thanks for the chance!

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  28. I like the star. But I really want to know if dangle balls is a technical term?

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  29. Anything a-symetrical is right up my alley, I am choosing the Joy pillow pattern.Of course any of the patterns would be a joy to try. I also liked the halloween one!

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  30. I am a huge Abbey Lane pattern fan. I think I would start with the pillow in the back with the flowers on it. Love that!

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  31. I love the heart pillow & the "rosebud" pillows! So fun :o)

    And I LOVE the name of the book!

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  32. I'd make 'Joy' for a friend. Joy is their family motto. She's moving into a new house later this month. It would be a great present for the new house.

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  33. Oh, so many choices. You could cover all seasons! I love the heart pillow, and I have a soft spot for snowmen too.
    What great friends to notice your absence, and inquire.

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  34. I like the Joy pillow. I have a little bit of Christmas fabric that would look great in this pillow.

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  35. I would make the witch -- as have some fabrics that would work with that design - possibly for one of my grandnieces for Halloween - or for me should my brother have his kiddie hayride that comes across the field to visit our house for treats. Thanks for the whimsey fun.

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  36. I do believe I see a purple witch hat in the upper right hand corner. I have the perfect material. This would be my first project. Happy quilting!

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  37. I love the two Halloween pillows. I have nothing at all like it. Thanks for featuring this book!

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  38. I'd begin with the JOY pillow, dangle balls and all! Had my eye on that one the first time I saw this book, and I'd want to be sure to have it done in time for the holidays.

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  39. I would make the JOY pillow. I need to update my Christmas decor and that would be a terrific start! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  40. Patsy Griffith nlsbabe@msn.comAugust 5, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I love the joy pillow, it is so whimsical and adorable!

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  41. I would love to try those rosette pillows!

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  42. So many choices, If I had to pick just one it would be the gathered pillows in the front. All of the patterns look great. Thanks for a fun giveaway!

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  43. Well, I looked them all over, I thought about it, and then I decided that I couldn't decide for sure but I think I would start with the snowman! One thing's for sure, though, I will be buying this book if I don't win! Thanks for such a great giveaway!

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  44. I just love these. So creative and fun. I think I would start with the Joy pillow...but I certainly couldn't stop there. Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

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  45. Oh I love Abby Lane patterns. This book looks so cute. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. The patterns are just beautiful. I would love to win, I would make the Evergreen first. It's very unique!

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  47. I love flowers, anything with flowers. Those flower cushions are lovely.

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  48. I would make the spooky pillow first for my sister-she loves Halloween! Then I would make myself one of the Christmas pillows. thanks!

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  49. Oh, I'd do the witch's hat! I have some funky maribou that I got on sale at Joanne's last year, lime green with black sparkles in it! I'm working on Christmas gifts but that would be a nice change and a quick and really fun project. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Kim
    kimma722 at aol dot com

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  50. The
    'Spooky" pillow looks like fun with Halloween just round the corner. Thanks

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  51. Hmmm....I like JOY, but my niece would like the bright flowers.....and my mom's birthday in on Halloween and she really likes Halloween decorations...hard choice!

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  52. There are so many cute pillow ideas! I think my favorite is the gathered pillow with the fabric roses! Its so feminine and pretty.
    tkmattson@hotmail.com

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  53. I would make the witch's hat pillow for my daughter who has a Halloween birthday.

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  54. Love the joy pillow and the circles one next to that. I'd make those 2 for sure, but not certain which first...lovely designs!

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  55. Love that Spooky pillow! Thanks for the opportunity to win!=)

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  56. They are all great, but I really like the one with the rose embellishment.

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  57. I would absolutely make the joy or snowman pillow first. It is so hot here in Kentucky I am already thinking winter and looking forward to it! Thanks for the chance!
    gale

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  58. Oooooooh, it's so hard to choose just one!! I think it would have to be the Lollipops though, it's just so sweet! Best, Ann
    playdoll2 @ gmail.com

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  59. I would make the JOY pillow as this looks very quaint.

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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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