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‘Around the World’ Birthday Quilt

By Judith on August 10, 2017
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Happy Thursday everyone!

It’s a happy day here at the Hollies Household because not only is the sun shining, we have just had gas installed in our new home! This means we now have long awaited hot water, cooking facilities and a little heat on chilly evenings! #livinglikekings

The quilt I’d like to show you today is long overdue its reveal!

My middle daughter turned 18 last February, and I got her birthday quilt started at Brit Bee Retreat.

My daughter loves travel/world themes as well as old style items, images and graphics. Also, she isn’t into pink or girly colours so much, so I knew I had to get the fabrics and colours just right.

I was browsing travel themed fabrics online and came across this Makower fabric called ‘Airmail Travel Stamp, Special Delivery!’ It was my perfect starting point and this became my ‘headline’ print. I used the colours in this print to guide me through the rest of my stash and scrap boxes.

I didn’t want to chop the Airmail print up too small, so designed an ‘on point’ block where large sections of the headline print would appear in the secondary pattern, with scrappy pieced dividers. A little white on white to separate the busyness and it all came together beautifully.

Keeping the scrappy prints to softer tones and small scale prints helped create an overall calm feel to the quilt. My daughter’s bedroom is mostly neutral creams and greys so I didn’t want the overall look of the quilt to be too bright.

I managed to get the quilt almost completed by the end of February, just a few weeks late of the birth date. And then a request came in from a magazine editor requesting a quilt for a summer edition!

This was the only quilt I had available in the tight timescale, so off it went to England, with an apology to my daughter for yet another delay on her quilt (she was most forgiving)!

The quilt was published in the August issue of Pretty Patches (still in the shops now) and it was returned to me yesterday!

I could finally present it to my girl, who I’m pleased to say, loves it!

She travels to Norway in September for 6 months and only wishes she had room in her luggage to take it with her (she might well be needing it over there!).

So that is the story behind ‘Around the World’ Birthday Quilt. Always a special make when it’s for a loved one, and only 6 months late!!

Happy travels!

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Mini Baby Basket & Bibs

By Judith on May 10, 2017
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My colleague in work had a bonny baby girl last week!

As we both work in a Quilting shop, it seemed only fitting to make her a quilted baby gift!

I have loved Ayumi’s fabric basket pattern since she released it in 2008, and have made many in a variety of sizes as gifts for recipients of all ages!

The original size makes for an adorably cute baby gift, especially when it gets stuffed full of treats for mummy and baby!

I recently blogged about my Ditsy Daisy Quilt, which used an uber cute collection by Lewis & Irene called Flos Little Flowers.

I had some leftover scraps from this quilt which I used to make the pretty girly mini basket and matching bibs. Some Essex Yarn Dyed Linen for the base and a little crochet trim finished off the basket perfectly!

For the bibs, I kept the patchwork simple, with a little panel of squares and ribbon trim.

The bibs are backed with towelling, making them soft and absorbent for dribbly little mouths! Using my own template I can get 5 bibs from one hand towel! This time I stitched on little velcro circles for the fasteners.

I like how the bibs make sweet little roll-ups to fit neatly into the basket!

This is a sweet collection of prints I have very much enjoyed sewing with. I hope you like them too!

Linking up with the fabulous ladies of Scraptastic Tuesday!

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Tweed Hare Cushion

By Judith on April 30, 2017
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Hi everyone, can you believe we are through April already!!

It’s been an eventful month for me, especially this past week (more on that another day). But as always, there has been lots of sewing!

I have two great friends that I regularly breakfast with. They have birthdays 2 months apart, and you may remember ‘Vi in Tweed’ made an appearance as one of these birthday gifts.

For my other friend, I made ‘Harriet in Tweed’! I recently inherited a lovely bag of tweed and wool, which set my heartbeat racing!! I couldn’t wait to use them and immediately new a Tweed Hare Cushion was on the cards.

I made the background in the same way as before, piecing strips of tweed and then quilting the seams onto wadding.

The main inspiration for this version of Harriet was a piece of vintage chintz linen. It went perfectly with a piece of green tweed I found in the bag.

Harriet is my favourite of my Woodland Friends. I used Irish linen for her face, ears, feet and tail. There’s just something about her sweet, friendly smile that gets me every time!

This time, I satin stitch appliqued the pieces to the background (bondawebbing them first of course)! I used Aurifil 12wt wool threads for the satin stitching, with a size 100 needle (just use your normal thread in the bobbin).

It’s soooooo satisfying when you have just the right coloured threads!

The back is an open weave tweed, trimmed with the chintz linen and a recycled duffle coat button to finish.

My breakfast friend is chuffed with Harriet. So that’s two happy breakfast friends, with new Woodland Friends of their own!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the new month!

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Mother’s Day Pot Holder!

By Judith on April 11, 2017
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I realise Mother’s Day is a while ago now, but I haven’t told you about a wee make I made my mum!

I have made mum pot holders before, and was pleased to see them put to good use in her kitchen recently.

But continuous use means they get a little ‘worse for wear’ over time. So I thought a replacement was in order.

I mainly store my scraps in colour order, in a tall drawer stacker! But when I have leftovers from a particular collection, I will keep them together.

I had one such little bag of small 2″ squares leftover from a quilt project a few years ago. I can’t remember which fabric collection these are from, but I had just enough to create 9″ square pot holder.

Instead of using Insul Bright Heat Resistant wadding, I tried an extra thick compressed wadding (sold in the shop where I teach as ‘oven glove wadding’!).

I increased the stitch length and was able to quilt through it no problem. I love the firmness and texture from the thicker wadding.

Curving the corners and adding co-ordinating bias binding & a loop finished this quick little gift. It only took an afternoon!

I love how this pot holder has turned out! Can you believe I don’t have a single one in my own kitchen! I really must make myself a few, especially as they don’t take long, and let’s face it, I have oodles of scraps to choose from!

Linking up this hot pot holder with the Scraptastic Tuesday queens, Nicky and Leanne!

Happy sewing!

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A Family of Owls!

By Judith on February 19, 2017
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A lovely ‘owl loving’ friend of mine had her birthday this weekend!

‘Olive Owl’ first made an appearance in my Woodland Friends quilt last year. (And I’m currently teaching this quilt in my classes – it’s been so lovely watching a beautiful ‘Parliament of Owls’ appear!)

I adapted the pattern to create mummy owl, and her 3 babies on this Essex Linen wallhanging.

I love satin stitch applique, scraps and ~~mini quilts~~ wallhangings! And I’m pleased to say that my friend (a talented quilter herself) does too!

I managed to source an Owl wire hanger too (no pics sorry!).

So these cute birds are now too-wit too-woo-ing their way into their new home!

It’s a while since I’ve linked up to Nicky and Leanne’s Scraptastic Tuesday! Great to be checking in again with the many other talented scrap-busters out there!

Happy tweeting!

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Another Denim Pouch!

By Judith on January 11, 2017
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I hope you aren’t tired of seeing my denim pouches!

I was woefully late getting a birthday present to my friend, but now that she has it I can show it to you!

This one is a little different from my other denim pouches. I thought I would keep hexies as the dominant theme this time.

My Sizzix cutting machine makes light work cutting through the denim. And because I enjoying EPP-ing hexies so much, there are more hexies on the back, with just a hint of Aurifil Wool thread featuring in the base (couldn’t resist)!

Sometimes denim can feel a little masculine, so I made sure to add some feminine touches with the floral lining and pink zip!

While this pouch has been made from recycled textiles, I haven’t even made a dent in my hoard!

I guess I’ll just have to think up a few more ways to use denim!

Linking up with Nicky and Leanne’s Scraptastic Tuesday!

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Denim Pouches

By Judith on December 30, 2016
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Some much needed time off in December meant ‘play time’!

And for me, playtime usually involves denim!!

I love the many different tones that exist in this durable form.

I started my ‘playtime’ with a little denim EPP (English Paper Piecing) in front of the open fire on chilly December evenings.

Pretty soon I had 2 EPP panels made, and before I knew it I had 2 sizeable pouches made! I even employed The Beast for those particularly thicker features!

I was loosely basing these pouches on my denim washbag. I love how Aurifil wool thread holds its own on the thicker textiles.

I had 2 people in mind as the recipients for these pouches.

This one went to Katy, who I was making for in our Brit Bee Secret Santa.

And this one went to a good friend on her birthday – can you guess what her name is?

And I might just have a 3rd EPP Denim project on the go!

My name is Judith and I’m addicted to denim!

Happy sewing!

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Fussy Cut Coasters

By Judith on December 22, 2016
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(Don’t forget to enter my Joel Dewberry Giveaway here.)

It seems like ages ago when my Fussy Cut Christmas Coasters appeared in the November issue of Quilt Now.

This ‘Chalkboard Snowman’ fabric by Studio E was perfect for fussy cutting.

And if you make your templates from see-through plastic, then cutting them out is a doddle!

Some simple quilting and a bias trim makes these cute 4.5″ coasters a quick little stocking filler or secret santa gift!

There’s still time! Only 3 more sleeps!

Happy Sewing!

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Gingerbread Men Garland

By Judith on December 17, 2016
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My uni daughter loves Gingerbread men biscuits, Gingerbread houses, Gingerbread scented candles – just about everything Gingerbread!!

So I knew the perfect gift to make for her ‘room away from home’.

I sourced some brown felt online and fiddled about with the size of the template until I was happy! I cut out 12 men.

Then I fixed some heavy weight sew-in vilene to the wrong sides of the front men, and sewed on the ric rac trim.

Buttons and embroidered faces finished the fronts.

A long time ago a good friend bought me a spool of Liberty of London twine, and I knew it would be perfect to string up these gingers!

Not wanting to have loops coming out of the tops of the heads, I machine tacked a continuous length of twine onto the wrong sides of the ‘back men’.

Then I sewed the fronts and backs together, at first with a top stitch on the machine, close to the edge, and then I blanket stitched the edges by hand using Aurifil Wool 12wt.

I’m really pleased with how these cute fellas turned out! And so is Uni daughter! It will be so lovely having her home for a few days at Christmas.

If you’d like to have a go yourself at some gingerbread men ornaments, you can get my free template here.

Along with my Tipsy Santas, this has been one of my favourite Christmas makes this year!

I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did!

Happy sewing!

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6 Christmas Stocking Filler Tutorials

By Judith on December 14, 2016
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Often the smallest and quickest sewing projects can bring the most pleasure.

I’ve curated some of my free tutorials for you, in a ‘Stocking Filler’ collection!

Who wouldn’t love a framed purse in their stocking, or a handy little glasses case?

Keyfobs are such a useful accessory, as our my stacking nesting boxes (you can use these on desks for stationery or for keeping those beauty essentials organised on a dressing table!).

My towel backed bibs make sure the youngest members aren’t excluded (yes of course they have their own stocking!). Make them in cute Christmas fabrics for ‘baby’s first Christmas’!

Use 2.5″ squares for these festive patchwork bibs

And if you need to create a little more intrigue for a small gift, pop it into one of my gift bags! Isn’t the opening of presents just as much fun as the presents themselves?

You can find even more Christmas themed tutorials here on my tutorials page.

And check out my new Christmas tutorials Pinterest board for more ideas from around the web!

Now you’ll never be stuck for super seasonal sewing stocking stuffers! (try saying that after a few Baileys!)

Happy sewing!

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KITS!

By Judith on December 5, 2016
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I don’t mean to worry you, but Christmas is less than 3 weeks away!

Eeeeekkkkk!

I need to get my ‘Christmas shopping skates’ on!

But if you need a few ideas for what to buy a fellow sewist (or yourself!!) then how about a kit?

This is an exciting new feature of my shop and I currently have 2 types to choose from:

Hexie Framed Purse Kit:

Framed purses are so versatile and make great gifts. These hexie purses mean you can indulge in a little hand sewing (English Paper Piecing) as well as machine quilting and construction.

You can choose from a ‘Mixed’ Kit in bright rainbow colours, or a ‘Tilda’ Kit (4 ranges to choose from). Everything you need to make the purse is in the kit, including the pattern and templates. You can see a full list of the kit contents here.

Hexie Notebook Cover Kit:

If you know someone who enjoys journalling, keeping recipes, class notes etc. then a removeable A5 notebook cover could be the perfect gift!

Again the techniques combine pre-cut hexies with machine quilting and construction, and you can add in some embroidery details too.

The kits are available as ‘Brights’ (multi coloured hexies with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Denim) or ‘Tilda’ (with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax).

The kit includes everything you need to make the notebook cover, all pre-cut and ready to sew. You also get the pattern and an A5 spiral notebook.

So that could be one less pressie to think of, right?

Happy shopping!

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Tipsy Tomte Santas!

By Judith on December 3, 2016
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The December issue of Pretty Patches included a complimentary booklet called ‘Easy Christmas Gifts’.

I fancied having a go at the cute Swedish Santas. However it took me 3 goes to get them right!

A few ‘bottom’ issues meant my Santas weren’t sitting completely upright. And so they were affectionately named ‘Tipsy Santas’! (I think they got to the sherry a little too early!)

I also had a few ‘glue’ issues first time around, so I exchanged gluing the ribbon on with self-adhesive crochet trim. Oh how I love this stuff!

But despite the issues, I’m pleased with how they turned out, and have gifted 2 of them.

So if you would like to have a go at making some Swedish ‘Tipsy Santas’ my advice is to cut out the circle base a few inches smaller, go carefully with the glue and stay well away from the Sherry!

Happy sewing!

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Free Storage Caddy Pattern

By Judith on November 30, 2016
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Hi everyone, I hope your week is going well. Can you believe it’s December tomorrow?!

And you know what that means!!

Giveaway time! I’ll be announcing the winner of my Tula Pink giveaway tomorrow evening, so if you haven’t already entered, just sign up for my newsletter (right) and/or like my Facebook page here.

And 18 fat quarters aren’t the only free items I’m giving away!

How about a free pattern?

This is my Storage Caddy, as seen in Pretty Patches Magazine.

It is 7″ tall with 7″ diameter and can be used to keep lots of bits and bobs in order. You could use it in the sewing room, the nursery, the bathroom, even on your bedroom dressing table!

This pattern will give you a flavour of how I structure and present all my patterns.

So if you fancy having a go at this ‘beginner friendly’ pattern it is available for free download here.

(If you have trouble downloading the pattern, please let me know and I will email the pattern to you. We have been having a few teething problems on the new site, but are working hard to get you a fully functional service!)

At the start of my patterns, you get a ‘Good to Know’ section (you can see this section before purchasing). This is where you can get all the essential information e.g. if a zipper foot is required, main techniques, best fabrics to use etc.

The rest of the pattern is then made up of the following headings:

There are step by step colour photos throughout the Make It section, and all templates have been professionally art-worked.

I have worked hard to ensure that my patterns are as easy to follow as I can make them. It is my desire that you can use a pattern confidently at home, without needing a teacher on hand to make sense of it!!

But I’m always up for constructive feedback! Let me know what you think of the Storage Caddy pattern, or any others.

Happy Sewing!

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Gift Bag Tutorial

By Judith on November 26, 2016
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It’s wonderful to see so many folks entering my Tula Pink giveaway.

If you haven’t already entered, just sign up for my newsletter (right) and/or like my Facebook page here.

So Christmas is sneaking up quickly, and I thought you might like a quick and easy Christmas tutorial.

How cute are these gift bags?

They are fully lined and stand at 7″ tall. Perfect for jazzing up those smaller (but no less important) gifts!

So let’s get started. Here’s what you need:

Outside: 2 x (7.5″ wide x 10.5″ tall)

Lining: 2 x (7.5″ wide x 10.5″ tall)

Channel: 2 x (2″ wide x 8″ tall) or use 1″ wide ribbon

Drawstring: 2 x 20″ lengths of narrow ribbon

Safety pin

Small square ruler

Method:

Assume 1/4″ seam allowances

1 Place both outside pieces right sides together. Sew around the side and bottom edges. Repeat for the 2 lining pieces, but this time leave a 2″ gap in the middle of the bottom edge.

2 Make box corners: Pull the corners apart and place the side seam on top of the bottom seam. Place the ruler on top of the corner and measure and mark 3″ vertically (or 1.5″ from tip horizontally).

3 Sew along the line, starting and finishing with a reverse stitch. Repeat for all 4 corners. (I like to trim off the excess from the lining, but leave the corners on the outers for a ‘stronger bottom’!)

4 Turn the outer bag right side out (leave the lining inside out).

5 Place the outer bag inside the lining. Match and pin the side seams and top edges.

6 Sew around the top edge (you will find this easier if you remove the accessory tray). Start and finish with a reverse stitch.

7 Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining. Push the corners out and stitch the gap in the lining closed.

8 Push the lining into the bag and press the top edge to neaten.

9 Make the Channel: Press under the short ends of each piece by 1/4″. Also press under both long sides by 0.5″.

10 Pin the channels to the bag. The top edge of the channel will be 1.5″ down from the top of the bag. Don’t worry if there is a little gap at the sides.

11 Slide the bag into your machine (without the accessory tray) and sew around the top and bottom edges of the channel, 1/8″ seam away from the edge. Rather than stopping at the sides, just continue sewing onto the next channel. Start and finish with a reverse stitch.

12 Finishing: Attach the safety pin to one end of a piece of ribbon. Thread the pin into the channel at one side, all the way around and out the same side. Knot the ends of the ribbon together.

13 Thread the other piece of ribbon in the same way, this time from the opposite side.

14 And you’re done! Fill with goodies and make lots more!

Happy sewing!

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Hexie Stars Quilt

By Judith on November 10, 2016
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I’m one of hundreds of quilters who love hexies!

I’ve even got a Pinterest board dedicated to them!

And machine sewing hexies isn’t as tricky as you might think (and no, I’m not talking about Y seams!).

One way to make machine sewing hexies easier is to use pre-cut fabric like a layer cake, and create star points in the spaces between the hexies.

The hexies and their star points are then sewn together in rows – Simples!

And there are great templates out there that make cutting the hexies super quick and easy. I particularly like these ones from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Here are 2 Hexie Star Quilts I’ve made in the last 2 years ….

Autumn Hexie Stars Quilt — Autumn Hexies with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen (Flax)

Hexie Stars Quilt class sample — Sweetwater’s ‘Noteworthy’ with Navy solid

… and here is the one in the current issue of British Patchwork & Quilting:

I made this one as a ‘man quilt’ with Sweetwater’s ‘Elementary’ and Essex Yard Dyed Linen. And they put it on the front cover!!

So if you like hexies as much as me, why not have a go!

And if you are looking for a gift, both my Essex Linen Hexie Stars Quilts will soon be for sale (watch this space!).

Happy Hexing!

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Folksy Tea Cosy

By Judith on September 23, 2016
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Sewing World asked me to make a Scandi inspired Tea Cosy for their October issue.

After much deliberation I broke with tradition and chose felt to best illustrate my design.

I used my trusty Essex Yarn Dyed Linen (Flax) for the background. I think the rustic linen gives a lovely foundation for the tactile felt.

I bondawebbed the shapes down (took quite a bit of heat to adhere) and then had to decide on how to applique them.

I haven’t free motion sketched on felt before so wasn’t sure if my risky decision would pay off. But I’m really pleased with the added texture it gives to the felt.

I hope you like my cute cosy, and my nod to all things Folksy!

(The October issue of Sewing World is in the shops now.)

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Hexie Notebook Cover

By Judith on September 15, 2016
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Today is the 2nd Tuesday of the month! And that means Scraptastic Tuesday!

It’s a while since I’ve linked up with Nicky and Leanne. But I’ve actually had some time recently to play with hexie scraps!

This notebook cover fits an A5 spiral notebook and uses 36 English Paper Pieced 1″ hexies, the perfect size for using up those smaller scraps.

I also experimented a little with some Aurifil 12wt wool thread. I like the way these thicker threads sit proud on the Essex Yarn Dyed Linen.

These notebook covers come together really quickly once the hexie panel is made. And they are a ‘go to present’ when one of the kids needs a last minute gift for a friend.

So what are you making with your scraps?

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creating modern quilting patterns you will love to sew

Category: Gifts

‘Around the World’ Birthday Quilt

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Mini Baby Basket & Bibs

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Tweed Hare Cushion

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Mother’s Day Pot Holder!

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A Family of Owls!

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Another Denim Pouch!

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Denim Pouches

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Fussy Cut Coasters

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Gingerbread Men Garland

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6 Christmas Stocking Filler Tutorials

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KITS!

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Tipsy Tomte Santas!

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Free Storage Caddy Pattern

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Gift Bag Tutorial

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Hexie Stars Quilt

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Folksy Tea Cosy

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Hexie Notebook Cover

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