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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Welcome to the Fall into Fall Blog Hop.


This is your chance to find some great new inspirational quilting blogs and maybe win some prizes. Check out the host site Quilting with Debi (http://www.debiquilts.blogspot.com/). You can do this by clicking on her link, or by clicking the scarecrow picture. On her site, you’ll find a full list of the particiapating blogs. Be sure to check them out. I know I’ll be reading at them all.
As for the contest, I am going to give you at least 3 prizes and 5 ways to win. I’ll add another prize for every 25 entries I receive.
  1. Sign up for my blog. (3 entries) If you are already a member and want to enter, make a comment and let me know you have already signed up.
  2. Become my friend on face book. When you send your friend request, mention the blog in the comments. Or, after I have accepted your request, tell me that you have entered the contest. (1 entry)
  3. Sign up for my mailing list on my pattern website http://www.pinefreckleforest.com/ by sending me an e-mail and mentioning this blog. (2 entries)
  4. Comment on my blog. (1 entry)
  5. Answer today’s blog question. (2 entries)
Remember that you can receive an entry for each comment you leave so check back tomorrow and comment on tomorrow’s topic.

As for me, I’ve been busy cleaning out my studio. In the interest of making room for new fabric and patterns, I am going to give away some of the patterns I have published, and some that I have purchased and never used (occasionally I like a pattern so much that I accidentally buy two copies.) I’ve got a couple of small fat quarter bundles as well.

With my longarm machine down for maintenance, I’ve found a lot of time for other things. I’ve been finishing up old projects and tidying things up a bit. So far, I’ve finished six UFO’s and spent two days mucking out bins. There is a lot of fabric going to Piecemakers for their charity projects. Piecemakers is the guild I belong to here in Calgary. The guild will make great use of it, and I’ll have space to put things away. Some of the fabric is quite dated, some of it is just small bits great for a scrap quilt and some of it is "what the heck was I thinking" fabric.

It is my goal to only purchase what I need for a fabric, but still I can’t help but purchase wonderful, inspiring fabrics that I see, even if I don’t yet have a use for them. How can I resist those pretty angels and fairies. And I think I’m addicted to Alexander Henry’s nearly naked men. Mmmmmmm. Some day I’ll turn those buff men into a quilt that will give a friend the best dreams she’s ever had.

Today’s question: How often do you clean out your studio or sewing space and what organizational method works best for you? Give me your top five organization tips.

193 comments:

  1. I'd like to say I tidy up every time I start a new project but that would be a lie!! it's more like when I can't find things!!
    Gill

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  2. Right now since I am still organizing my sewing room, I am organizing daily. The best organization method I have right now is using an over the door shoe rack to store all my supplies in.

    1. Over the door racks work great for storing supplies so you can see them.
    2. Clear jars are good for storing buttons.
    3. Organize scraps of fabric by color.
    4. Keep fabric folded on a shelf so they are easily viewable.
    5. It is easier to stay organized, than to have to reorganize frequently.

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  3. Thanks for participating in the Fall into Fall giveaway :-)

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  4. I follow your blog

    http://www.jayteespatchworkplace.blogspot.com

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  5. I am afraid it is always a mess!!
    1. I use the plastic shoeboxes to sort fabric by color.
    2. i cut pieces of fabric from whatever I'm making into 2 1/2" strips. ( I like making string blocks)
    3. I use the 2 gallon size plastic bags to put everything needed for the project in it.
    4. I store patterns in a notebook in plastic sheet protectors.
    5. Fill boobins and have handy before starting project

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  6. Thanks for entering your blog in the big giveaway

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  7. I signed up for the newsletter on your pattern website

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  8. Thank you for the chance to win. I just love to decorate with fall colors. When you get a chance check out my giveaway.

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  9. Thanks for the chance to win your GA!
    Take care!
    Paulette

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  10. I clean my room up after every project. I use clear plastic for storage, bookcase selving, doublecloset for fabric storage and binders with clear plastic pages for patterns.
    quiltsampler.blogspot.com

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  11. I'm not a good organizer but I love using my wooden folding laundry rack for my ironed fabrics.

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  12. Thanks for having a giveaway. It feels good just to be connecting with new people!

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  13. New follower - 1
    Thanks for the chance
    fsarah09 at gmail dot com

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  14. New follower - 2
    fsarah09 at gmail dot com

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  15. New follower - 3
    fsarah09 at gmail dot com

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  16. I clean out my studio closets once a year-fabric is organized on shelves by color and there's a shelf for quilt backs or fabric of more than 4 yards. I keep any fabric less than 1/4 yard in a plastic set of drawers that are on wheels. There are five drawers and so almost fat quarters have their drawer, smaller pieces have their drawer and there's a drawer for me to toss in scraps as I sew a project. That drawer has to be cleaned out and organized when its full.

    The floor is vacuumed or washed every week but the work table is only cleaned and dusted when I'm ready to machine quilt. I really hate dusting!

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  17. I have a storage closet to have all my supplies organized.
    Micki

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  18. I follow you on facebook.
    Micki

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  19. Great giveaway! Please add my name to the drawing.

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  20. I am all about vintage so I am always looking for vintage storage ideas, old shelves, old cabinets, old boxes, cheese boxes, button tins, lots of visual in my sewing area, kinda busy but cozy too. My valances are old dishtowels with embroidery in the corners, love that look. I need a bigger room or less stuff (Optiong for a bigger room at this point) And how often do I reorganize or "Clean" OFTEN, I change stuff up because I can't stand the clutter if it gets bad.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  21. I clean my sewing room pretty much daily. I can't sew in a mess!
    1. I store all items for a project together, fabrics, patterns, and if there is special thread or embellishments, I put those in as well. That way I'm not searching when I'm ready to work.
    2. Every few weeks I have a cutting day. I cut two or three projects up ahead of time.
    3. I make sure things are clearly labeled. When I buy solids, I pin on a note saying what color and manufacturer it is. If I buy something unusual or that was hard to find, like this super stiff fusible batting I once bought, I also add where I bought it.
    4. Skirt hangers with clips are handy for holding pressed fat quarters that are waiting to be cut up.
    5. REally the biggest and best one, is clean as you go. Don't let things get in a mess. Quilting is faster and less frustrating when you aren't wading through scraps or hunting for scissors or a seam ripper or that darned rotary cutter!

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  22. signed up for you newsletter on your pattern site

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  23. signed up for newsletter on pattern site #2
    ladycolmn(at)aol.com

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  24. I wish I knew how to use a long arm machine, I quilt with my sewing machine and I am not totally happy with the results. My mom used to hand quilt my quilts but I don't have that kind of patience

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  25. question of the day answer
    I clean my sewing room when I can no longer walk in there. I am bad, I know, but I get so wrapped up in the projects and I pull fabrics and leave the totes out.
    organizition tips
    1. I use clear totes lg ones for my fabric stash
    2. I use lg gallon size plastic bags for fabric cut for my blocks.
    3. I have coffee mugs on the sewing desks and I keep scissors, making pencils and seam rippers in them,
    4. I have a u shaped desk, lt side is printer for patterns, corner hold the computer, middle holds embroidery machine, corner hold serger, rt side is sewing/embroidery machine *this is the main machine) then there is another sewing embroidery machine. Ironing board is at the end
    5. Book shelf hold all my books for easy reference.

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  26. I reorganize my stash and storage containers frequently. I have some sorted by collections and others by color and large yardage fabrics & backings get a couple of bins of their own. Scraps have their own bin as well.

    I like to do this frequently...and admire my stash

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  27. I follow your blog

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  28. I clean in my sewing room about every other day because by then, things need to be tidied up again.

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  29. I cleaned out my sewing room two months ago....it took me three weeks to do!
    1. I folded my fabric with a 6" wide ruler. This way I could fit 4 rows across every shelf instead of 3!
    2. I organized the fabric by color/shade, future projects, juvenile, and tone on tones
    3. Gave away fabric I no longer liked to my guild for the upcoming quilt show
    4. Purged the closet, moved a bookcase in & filled it with quilt books
    5. Now I'm making quilted curtains to hang in the room which will cover/protect the fabric from sunlight

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  30. I signed up to stalk...er, follow your blog!

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  31. I signed up on for your email!

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  32. I re-sort out my room when I cant get into it anymore without knocking something over.
    Large fabrics are stored in cupboard.
    Three bedside tables from an opp shop in a row store 8" to fats in colour.
    a large plastic bin has my scraps. (my favourite container)
    clear glass containers for buttons and oddments.
    Plastic drawers for wools, laces and ribbons.

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  33. Hello!
    I have sign up to be a follower of your blog

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  34. Here's my 5 top tips to have an organised working place:
    1. Find a place that is your own and only your own.
    2. Start gathering good storage furniture, shelves, drawers, preferably something that keeps flooring space free.
    3. Make it comfortable, attractive, cozy, hang nice photos, painting, work that you've done.
    4. Have a little containers in different points to leave scraps and loose threads.
    5. tidy up after you finish, so when you're back it's nice and appealing again and you don't start by having to tidy up.

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  35. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway!

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  36. I clear up once a year. That is the big clearing up. In between ofcourse some smal cleaning too. My fabrics and stuff are all over the house....
    1 I have an antique cupboard in wich I fold most of my fabrics
    2 another small drawer with my old looking fabrics
    3 storage containers with fabrics of wanting to do projects
    4 many boxes with actual projects
    5 and always a pile of stuff on my sewing table.....

    connysquilts@live.nl

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  37. I am going to follow your blog too, and thanks for organizing this give away

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  38. I'm a new follower (fellow Canadian!) on GFC.
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  39. I signed up for your newsletter.
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  40. Tips for organization: I wish I had some!!
    I'm lucky if I manage to organize twice a year (I use the term loosely--it's more like stuff everything in the closet, and worry about it later!).
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  41. I usually clean up my sewing room about once a month and give it a deep cleaning/rearranging twice a year.

    My best organizing tip has to be “get rid of what you are not using”. I had, and I must stress the word HAD, a bad habit of keeping everything. It was hard for me to pass along fabrics I wasn’t using because I “might need it one day”. However, I am cured from this and I am more disciplined than ever. A clean sewing room is far better than a stuffed sewing room.
    Tip number 2) Keep a small container near your sewing machine for tossing threads and small fabrics, once full you can then empty it into a larger trashcan. This keeps all those threads from ending up on the floor.
    Tip number 3) Keep like fabrics grouped together, this helps you find what you are looking for quicker.
    Tip number 4) Shop your stash first before going to the fabric store, it’s easy to forget what you have.
    Tip number 5) Keep your utensils in clear shoe box container. I have a container for scissors, one for needles/pins, one for rotary supplies etc.

    Patty
    Sewsecret (at) gmail (dot) com

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  42. I love seeing you clean out you sewing space (I think I will do the same)

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  43. I'm a follower, thanks for having a give away.
    Sharonj.

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  44. my top 5 organizing tips (I do about 4 times a year) Since my tools are always put away it really just leaves fabric and odds and ends that creap around my sewing room.

    1. send the kids to bed (if I don't do this I might as well skip to #5)
    2. Collect all the ideas I have written down or collected place each in a project box (its own clear plastic show box. If I do not not have enough boxes I chose the ones I want to do most and with the left overs I place in an a "someday" drawer for when a box comes availble)
    3. Pick up all fabric and find its rightful place (either in the main stash or in one of my project boxes)
    4. I pick up the odd and end notions (stablizers...special threads...buttons) and place them either in a project box or simply put away.
    **What is left is either vaccumed up or thrown out.
    5. Reward myself with guilty treat, like a box of chocolates.

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  45. I clean my sewing space every day that I work on a project, only because I live in a small space. If not I would be dining on the sewing machine! If I had a extra room to sew in, I'm sure it would turn into a happy oink mess! Thanks again for a chance at the give away & have a great Autumn! Sharonj.

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  46. Don't Panic! Your blog is now part of "Avoidance" squad-those blogs that help me avoid anything and anyone that I don't want to associate with.LOL I am now a follower and thank you for the invitation.

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  47. 1) Sit quietly and tear out all patterns in magazines that you really like. These are organized by topic in binders on a bookcase.
    2) Cut all fabrics you no longer like into 2" or 2 1/2 inch strips. This way when you are ready to strip piece they are ready and 2" of an ugly fabric isn't really big enough to matter.
    3)Put UFOs in their own 2 1/2 gallon bag so that when you are ready so are they.
    4) Organize your fabrics by color including blacks & whites. Cover them with ugly fabrics when a fabric grabber comes to visit.
    5) Enjoy quilting and if things aren't organized who cares...just as long as it is in one area. You will find it and shopping in your own studio is great!

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  48. Thanks for a chance to win - fat quarter bundles - yum!

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  49. I clean up regularly because my space is small and I wouldn't be able to do anything otherwise.
    1) I have a spot for rulers, with racks to hold them
    2) I always keep my cutting mat and ironing board cleaned off so that I can work on sewing even when things are sort of chaotic
    3) I put scraps away often, sorting them by colours and keeping them in plastic bins
    4) I keep paper patterns in a binder in plastic sleeves - organized and easy to find
    5) I've misplaced my colour wheel dang it. Guess I should have found a special spot for it. I have also lost a pair of quilting gloves somewhere in my sewing space. Now they are not small items - how could they disappear? Well number 5 is that I have a good memory and at least I know what I'm missing....

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  50. I am forever tidying and arranging my stash, so I have to say I'm yet to find the best way to organise it! I had a tidy up just this weekend. I don't really have any organisational tips as my workspace is just a chest of drawers next to the sofa - I keep thread spools in mini boxes which fit into a bigger, clear box, I keep my embroidery threads wrapped on bobbins in bobbin boxes and I keep my fabric in the drawers of the chest. Everything else gets thrown in the basket which lives on top!

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  51. I thoroughly clean my sewing room twice each year. The week between Christmas and New Year. Then again in July at the time of the Major League All Star game/week. I do try to dust once a month and vac every week, but I often get so into what I am working on that I just plain neglect to do the weekly chores.

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  52. I know that this is off the subject of the contest, but I just had to comment on how much I "like" the photo on your profile. That is so cute!

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  53. I fear that my organization tips are not very helpful as my stuff is always a huge mess. My tips:
    1. I use a shoebox for storing supplies for ongoing projects.
    2. I use small see through plastic boxes for small stuff.
    3. I try to put all my patterns and paper stuff into a filefolder
    4. Putting stuff away right after you have used it!!! (Which I never do.) :-(
    5. Putting stuff that goes into the trash in the trash right NOW.

    Thanks for the giveaway. And if you want to come by my blog and enter my giveaways ... you could win
    some custom-made buttons ... or a teacozy ...
    Have a lovely week!
    ulli-xox[at]web[dot]de

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  54. I'm not the tidiest person in the world, but I prefer my sewing room to be at least semi-organized, lol. I try to do a quick tidy before I go upstairs, and I try to finish off *something* every day, whether it be a piece of fabric, a piece of trim, a package of buttons or a pile of scraps. I like using glass canning jars for storage and I'm waiting for hubs to make me a shelf or five to display them on. I have a big wicker basket on my sewing table for the projects I work on daily or whenever I have time - it holds about a dozen small "kits" I've prepared to work on at a moment's notice :) The more boxes and containers you have, the more organized the room will be ... as long as you actually USE the boxes and containers, lol!

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  55. I'm a new follower. Not sure if I need to leave 3 separate comments, but I guess I will, just in case. So here's I'm a follower (1)

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  56. I requested to be your friend on Facebook, and referenced Fall into Fall. :)

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  57. I signed up for your pattern newsletter. (1)

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  58. I signed up for your pattern newsletter (2)

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  59. Great giveaway! Can't wait to find out what the prize is! :)

    ~Teresa

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  60. Today's Question: Well, it feels like I hardly ever clean my work area...but in truth I probably do a little bit of tidying every couple of weeks. Or generally when it just REALLY needs it. :) I wish I had 5 organizational tips. I recently bought one of those 9 cube storage shelve systems, and I love it for my fabric. I need a couple of bookcases so that I can put some of my other stuff that is everywhere right now. Frankly, we just moved and I'm a pretty big mess!!! :)

    Thanks for a lovely giveaway!
    ~Teresa

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  61. I've signed up for your mailing list.

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  62. I clean out my sewing space when I can't stand it anymore. I keep all of my fabrics on shelves by color and one of the first things I do is refold. My thread is in containers also by color and mostly it just needs to be gathered up and put away. I have clear zippered bags for charm squares, fat quarters, jelly rolls and batiks. My patterns are all in plastic containers. All rulers are stacked up together and I always put them pack as soon as I am done with them.

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  63. I have signed up for your blog. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. :)

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  64. I have registered with your sight.

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  65. I love surprises. This will be fun.

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  66. I clean up my studio after each project so I can keep organized.

    1. I have all of my rulers on my table
    2. My fabric is stored by colors
    3. My threads are stored by color in enclosed containers.
    4. My patterns are stored by categories - children, crafts, etc.
    5. My ironing tools are all stored in a basket by the ironing board.

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  67. I don't have to clean, because I only have a small sewing "space" which I clean up every time I sew. It is in my bedroom and don't want a mess.

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  68. I clean out my quilty space (small) about every time I start a new project. I usually had been busy taking things out so my fabrics are usually unorganized by this time. I have to keep things organized usually because I have young children and don't want them getting into anything.

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  69. I follow your blog

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  70. I like all of the advice you give on your blog. I have lucked out thus far on adding borders to my quilts, but I think I need to start putting more effort into making sure things are right or starting off on the right foot. I would hate to work so hard on my quilts to have them turn out wonky.

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  71. This is an interesting list of chances to win...I kind of liked it :-) Your blog looks interesting so I signed up to follow it and to receive your newsletter too. I don't do Facebook anymore so I'm out there but I'm here telling you about it, so that's something :-)
    I like my sewing space to be fairly orderly...though that has a wide margin of meaning there!...I clean up a bit after each sewing session and sometimes before..except for the cat beds on my cutting table. I can't seem to have fun without my felines around.
    Thanks for the chances to win your giveaway gifts. I look forward to enjoying your blog.
    Oops! Tips...put fabric in manner that is easily seen for colors and textures. sew in strip piecing fashion..and 3 use leader-ender strips like Bonnie Hunter taught us. clean and oil sewing machine often to avoid trips to repair shop :-) and 5 keep rulers in handy holder for easy use and storage. Tx

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  72. I signed up for your mailing list
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  73. I'm a new follower
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  74. I clean my sewing space every weekend and the only organizational method that really works for me is "put it back". Not working on several projects at the same time also helps :)
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  75. Thank you for the giveaway!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  76. neece quiltqueen1@bluemarble.net I like your blog and appreciate the wonderful gifts which will find their way to Bloomington, IN.

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  77. neece quiltqueen1@bluemarble.net I really have to put my thinking cap on for the TOP 5 ways to organize/clean out my studio.
    1 No help no matter what they say to try and convince you that they will help.
    2 Be strong and realize that this will probably take more than 1 afternoon.
    3 Keep all UFOs together.
    4 Maintain a positive attitude and
    5 Repeat your mantra "I am cleaning this so I can bring more fabric home"

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  78. Thanks for the giveaway. I don't organize often enough but basically I use white boards to keep track of projects, clear plastic containers to sort fabric and then lots of time wasted looking for stuff I can't find!

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  79. A take a full week every summer and go through all my fabric. I also sort scraps and cut lots into 2 1/2 inch squares.

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  80. Sharing a small apartment with an adorable, very active, cat means the sewing area has to be "secured" immediately after use. Five tips 1) Lots of plastic storage containers of all sizes, 2) Keep a garbage can close to sewing area for clipped threads, 3) Place scissors, rotary cutter, needles, and pins in dresser drawer, 4) Place projects in progress in zip lock bags and 5) Make the cleanup part of the process - like washing pots and pans while preparing meals instead of stacking in the sink. Happy blog hopping.

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  81. I sent you a facebook friend request.

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  82. I sent you an email asking to be added to your website's mailing list.

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  83. I browsed your patterns on your website and noticed the christmas patterns. I thought that having a panel in a rag quilt was unique. And the other quilt was really very pretty.

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  84. I've been meaning to get to that:) This is what I try to do.
    1. Things need to be visible to me. My fabric right now is sorted by darks and lights, Christmas separately, scraps separately and projects separately.
    2. I use plastic see thru containers for my cross stitch threads and keep them together.
    3. My books are precious and are more or less separated by subject; crochet, quilt, knit, general. Magazines the same.
    4. My yarn is separated by type, such as the cotton for doilies in one place and heavier yarn organized by color, more or less.
    5. I'm more organized if I keep working on projects until they are done. Too many scattered projects make a mess, which is where I am now.

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  85. I try to tidy up before I start a new project but if I am in the middle of more than one which is often the case, I use baskets for each project. Keeps me somewhat organized but I'm always looking for better ideas!

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  86. I lie down until the moment passes; sometimes it takes all afternoon.

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  87. My studio is my bedroom, so everything has to be put away again. I bought the artbins at Joanne Fabrics--everything for the project goes in there, and it fits under my dresser. All my yarn is in a basket in the 'knitting corner'.

    Thanks for the chance to win.
    ktyoung1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  88. Since my "studio" is my kitchen table...it gets taken down every time we need that end of the table. :)
    sntbosch@msn.com

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  89. looking forward to seeing the goodies for the giveaway...i love a mystery.
    sntbosch@msn.com

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  90. This is the first mystery giveaway! How Fun! Thanks!

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  91. Here are my five organization tips -
    1. I use a shoe hanger in my closet to store items
    2. I recycle plastic containers from Costco and other places for scraps
    3. I sort my scraps by colors
    4. I collect cool garage sale jars for buttons and bits.
    5. I have a tack board to keep my ongoing WIP lists! I cross off as I go and add too!
    Thanks!

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  92. I sent you an email to be added to your newsletter list.

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  93. Hmm... I don't think my sewing space is as neat as it could be *looks guilty*

    However one thing I like to do is put my spools and the bobbin with matching thread in little ziploc bags to prevent threads from getting tangled.

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  94. I have never organized my sewing space!!! I am a slob but my excuse is that I live in a 600 square foot condo and there is no room for organization.

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  95. I usually get around to cleaning up my sewing area when I can no longer freely roll my chair because so much stuff is caught in the wheels or piled around me. I have baskets for organizing but in reality they all serve as catch-alls. When I need something set out for a project it goes into a ziplock bag and into the "project" basket. We have a rough tote for scraps and a trunk that hold the larger cuts. There are 2, 3 drawer bins that are supposed to sort the scraps by color families but that just never seems to work out. MY tools though go into a decorated paint can with the brush cups on the side and threads are organized in an old wall hung cassette tape unit.

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  96. Great question! I dung out my craft space about 3x per year. My method goes something like this:
    - get a garbage bag, recycling bag, giveaway box
    - start with furthest holiday from today's date, cull supplies that I don't absolutely love
    - get overwhelmed, eat some chocolate
    - start with the mystery pile of things I didn't put properly away (bits and pieces of things), cull
    - get overwhelmed eat some chocolate, surf the internet for "craft room organization"
    - start sorting things by colour because this is a quick way to feel accomplished and it looks pretty
    - quickly pick up all the randoms off the floor, chuck or put away
    - fall into a heap in my chair, stare in despair that it doesn't look much better than when I started
    - pull self off chair, leave room firmly closing door behind me!!!

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  97. I've joined your blog-thanks for the chance to win!

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  98. I am not as organized as I would like to be but my favorite ways to try to keep organized would be
    1. my peg board where I store many of my small notions .
    2.my bookcase for my magazines
    3. plastic clear totes for my fabric
    4. more totes for projects to keep things together for that particular project for easy access.
    5.my desk drawers to hold patterns etc.
    How often do I clean up , well generally I try to out things away as often as possible as I hate complete clutter but still it does get a little unruly at times lol!
    Thanks for the chance to win .

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  99. I am now a follower , interesting as I have 47 followers and I am now your 47th;-)

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  100. I no longer have a sewing room, but when I did, I forced myself to keep everything labeled and in boxes by project. I'm really not that organized, but it kept sewing fun to not have to dig for anything - which made it worth it!

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  101. *I use plastic bags or containers for everything
    *Notion in a baskets and in easy reach
    *Store the material and the pattern together
    *I cut the fabric for more then one quilt and store the in separate container with the pattern. (I do not like to cut, so more the fabric is cut up and ready.The more I am going quilt)
    * I also have bobbins ready to go and store in pill boxes.
    *I store rulers in clear file holders on the wall

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  102. cid
    i clean once a week, i have jars and baskets to store all my bits and pieces
    cidtwoatcoxdotnet

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  103. Nice blog...also my sewing room is little..
    1-put things away after using them
    2-I put everything pertaining to a project in a separate plastic bag.
    3-plastic storage containers are my friend...I put my fabric in them
    4-keep all of my sewing essentials in little bins near my sewing machine so they are easy to get to (scissors, bobbins, etc.)
    5-I close up my sewing machine and cover them when finished...

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  104. We have a very small sewing space. Everything has a place so we attempt to keep it tidy as we go. It's the areas not in the sewing space that get messy! 5 top tips.
    1-once a project is finished, put all the leftovers away in the fabric bin by color, thread holder, batting pieces bag, and store in the sewing closet.
    2-keep IP projects in a boot box or large shoe box(es).
    3-keep handsewing items in a small tray that can move with me around the house
    4-keep the pin holders my father made on the sewing machine and use them - when finished, put pins back into the closed pin box
    5-clean off the cutting mat after every use and put trimmings in a container as you go
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  105. Thank you for this lovely prize for the Fall Into Fall giveaway. alternate email mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  106. I am always trying to orgainze my creative space. I find photo boxes are helpful. Shelfs, Shelfs and more Shelfs!

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  107. I signed up for your mailing list.

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  108. I just finished organizing my sewing room actually. I'd like to do it more often, but I'm usually in too much of a hurry to move on to a new project to spend time cleaning. As for tips:
    1.I keep kits individually in clear plastic tubs or kit bags.
    2.I keep my threads organized on a thread rack.
    3.I have a nail above my cutting table where I hang my rulers.
    4.My fabric is organized by color on my shelves.
    5.My scraps are sorted in small clear plastic containers by color.

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  109. Thanks for participating in the giveaway!=)

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  110. I am a follower now and proud to be

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  111. I have only had a sewing room a short time so I havent needed to clean it out yet.
    My tips are:
    I organize ribbons and thread by color in plastic shoebox sized bins
    I organize fabric by color/collection on shelves
    I keep current projects in baskets so they are handy
    I try to finish a current project before starting a new project
    I straighten up before beginning a new project

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  112. What a fun giveaway. Love reading all the comments. I'm not a very organized person, so not sure I have helpful tips:

    1) I re-organize once a year, typically when DH is gone and I can take over the house. I have previously organized fabric by color, but I've currently "kitted" fabrics together with colors in my stash. This makes it easy if I need to pull a project together quickly, as well as that I'm trying to use fabrics from my stash before I buy more.
    2) patterns are organized in 3 ring binders on my bookshelf. I'm trying to buy more e:books as they are easy to store.
    3) threads are all in plastic containers.
    4) I use Snapware and Artbin totes to store active projects (fabric, pattern, special tools, etc). Again, making it easy to pull out/putaway/take to a sew-cial/retreat.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  113. I like to keep up on the cleaning everytime I go in, but alas, it doesn't always happen that way. My tips:
    Use a dry erase board with list of current projects
    Keep a basket or small container with only the
    current projects in them
    Always vaccum at the end of the day

    Thanks for being part of the giveaway

    quiltersr (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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  114. I am a new follower, I look forward to checking out your blog some more.

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  115. I am so excited for your giveaway, thank you so much for the opportunity.

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  116. Ok, I clean out anything I can bear to get rid of every 6 months. Since my studio includes my painting and quilting studio I can't bear for it to get too crazy. My desk gets cleared every 2 weeks, down to bare bones.
    1. I have lots of clear drawes so I can see what is in each drawer.
    2. I label said drawers as to what colors of fabric are in each drawer and what paint stuffs are in each drawer.
    3. If it can't be organized well, it goes into the wooden drawers so it doesn't drive me crazy.
    4. Bookshelf on my painting table gives me space to take things upward without taking up work space.
    5. Totes and cubes keep yarn, large pieces of fabric, rags, and tools, together and neat.

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  117. I follow your blog and on facebook :)

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  118. I clean my sewing room pretty often as I clutter it up really fast. A few ways I organize:
    1. "flannel book" made for all my needles. The first pages start with the tiny betweens needle and continue all the way up to the last pages holding large doll needles.
    2. a plastic container, a bit larger than a canning jar, on my cutting table to put the rotary scraps/threads in as I use the rotary cutter.
    3. fabric is organized on 5 bookshelves and organized by color or theme. I like the stripes,dots and plaids to be separate as sometimes I can grab one of each per project. If I can't see the fabric or get to it easily I foget I have it.
    4. I have one cabinet. Top drawer is for scissors and rotary cutters, then a drawer for only pens of all kinds, a drawer for thread, one for quilting supplies (gloves etc.)
    5.A door covered with thread on wire shelving. Embroidery thread on one shelf etc. (This wire shelving is probably designed for spices). I have this covered with clear vinyl so I don't have to worry about dust on thread and can see the thread colors easily.

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  119. Entry 1. I subscribed to your blog.

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  120. Funny you should ask. I just did a good cleaning out on Saturday. I was so overcrowded I couldn't think. 1. First I picked out all the old fabrics I no longer wanted and donated them. 2: I reorganized the fabric by color on the shelving units. 3: The specialty packs (charms, layer cakes, jelly rolls) are all in the same cabinet in drawers 4: Clean off the worktable and all areas thoroughly. It feels refreshing to do this and opens up my mind to create again. 5: I use pretty containers that I love to hold things. Like paper mache suitcases on my table to hold all my floss, another one holds all my machine embroidery stuff.

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  121. 1. fold any fabric on comic boards and file by either color or style. 2. sort fabric scraps in to appropriate containers-I got a great vintage green tupperware set-1 for fleece scraps, 1 for selveges,1 for randomsmall shapes, and 1 for misc rickrack,ribbon scraps. 3. hole punch, label, and file project sheets in notebook. 4.Clean out thread bowl. 5.Sweep the floor with the magnet for loose pins and then vaccum.

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  122. How often do I clean out my sewing space? The current space only once. I have only lived in this house for a year. I am cleaning out the space now, moving my sewing room to the basement, twice the space. Clear plastic totes are my choice. I can see whats in them from across the room.

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  123. I don't clean very often :) but I am organized. I keep all my projects started in it's own box...including the fabric, pattern, and any notes about what I was planning or what I have finished. I also follow Bonnie Hunter's scrap system and keep every little tiny bit of fabric for making mini quilts.

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  124. i'm a follower now! :)
    thanks for the opportunity to win ~

    sarita0818 at comcast dot net

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  125. re: today's question...
    i'm living at home after graduating university and until the BF finds a job and we know where we're going... so I have no quilting space to speak of. everything is stuffed under my bed, and a little in my closet. I have this notion that once I DO have my own quilting space I'll keep it superbly organized, with lots of little cubbyholes and everything in it's place... heehee! yeah, right. *grin* but that's what I'm thinking.

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  126. I don't quilt, but my wife cleans her room after each quilt, she says she wants a fresh start for each one.

    I am entering for my daughter, her computer is down and she called and asked if once again I would enter her in contests, I couldn’t say no as she helps my wife and her mother with their charity quilting projects. I try to support them any way that I can, so here I am and I hope I am doing this right.
    thank you for putting our name in your drawing. Florida area
    tcsean(at)aol(dot)com

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  127. I don't sort it out often enough. This winter I plan to go through the whole darn storage system taking out stuff I know I will never use and package it to go on the "Gently Used" table at the annual quilt show I convene where twenty percent of anything I realize from it will go to the small local church. I will then try to sort by 1)period 2) colour 3)solid or print and 4)project or kit already set aside together. There - did that make 5?

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  128. I am following your blog!!

    I go through my stash once in a while, usually after we move (which has been once a year since 2007), I used to organize by color, but other people would go through it, so I just put it all in boxes.

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  129. I sent a friend request on facebook :0)

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  130. I signed up for your mailing list, but the link on your profile won't let me send you an email to tell you. :0)

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  131. I try to limit my fabric purchases, but there are just some prints that I can't resist :0)

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  132. I clean out my quilting area every couple of months. There is always something that I need to reorganize.
    1. I sort my fabrics by color
    2. I try to fold all fabrics the same size so that they will stack better
    3. I sort my books and patterns by type. applique, embroidery, paper piecing, etc.
    4. I have a 2 drawer box on my table that holds specifics. One drawer for scissors and cutting tools, one for needles and machine feet
    5. My room can't be too clean, it needs to look "lived in" to make it cozy :0)

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  133. lovely blog and lovely giveaway!

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  134. I've been trying to organize..I try to keep my flimsies in one spot, so I can get them quilted someday. Then I sort my fabrics according to color, then to size. I keep yardage on the bolt standing up in a bookshelf to prevent excess wrinkling and ease of finding it! I have a 3 drawer plastic organizer for notions, fusibles and interfacings. My books and patterns are in total disarray..but am trying to organize them by subject. Magazines by year published. (I have them back to 1992...)

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  135. cleaning about every cpl months..
    Top 5 Org tips?
    1- use hanging shoe caddies for fabric stashes
    2- keep fabrics in site as reminders of what i have :)
    3- use small clear containers
    4- separate items according to task
    5- store/keep in the area where used - at hand !

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  136. about your blog ~
    i really like the mix of personal with quilting tips and adventures :) makes it friendly ! must be Cdn :))

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  137. i did sign up at your pattern website & quite happily! it's a great resource :) thx !

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  138. Wow if I knew the top 5 hints, I could have a clean studio!!

    1. put things away after each use
    2. arrainge fabrics by color to find what you need easier
    3. keep a trash can handy
    4. wind extra bobbins ahead of time
    5. always shut your rotary cutter

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  139. I signed up to follow your blog. As to my studio, I clean and organize it about once a month. You see I have this 16 year old who quilts also... and she is TERRIBLY messy! So at least once a month I have to clean just to be able to find a machine! I have a great organizational tip on my blog about how I fold and store my fabric. Just look for the fabric wrap tutorial!
    Happy quilting
    Ginny

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  140. I try to clean after each project...and sometimes when it is a big project in between when everything gets so messy thst I can't find a place to work!

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  141. I clean up my quilting area when the piles get too big to find anything. LOL Also when my cat starts knocking things down. My area is almost always a mess. I guess I might as well face it. I am a messy quilter.

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  142. I'm glad I found your blog. I recognized the name because I am in Calgary too.

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  143. I confess, I don't clean up my sewing room often enough. That's why I don't want a webcam! I use clear plastic bins for my fabric. I have two closets and three bookcases to contain the stuff.

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  144. organization is only something I dream about. lol!!! I do keep projects neat and fairly orderly but everything else sort of not, mostly not, just not!

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  145. I clean up when the piles get too high or when I finis a project

    jackthewarner(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  146. Thank you for having this giveaway.
    warnerar at hotmail dot com
    I just found your blog so I haven't had much time to look through it yet. So far I'm very interested in seeing more.

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  147. i'm correcting my previous no reply status, so hoping this now works for everyone! thx :)
    tho' a comment to my blog does get emailed to me ~

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  148. Morning! now that i've gone thru the entire list to make sure i'm in it and able to win it! thought i'd add a comment for another chance! thank you for participating & offering us the xtra opps :) hoping it's been fun for you too!

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  149. I'm a follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  150. signed up for newsletter
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  151. thanks for the fall giveaway.
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  152. wish I had a room to clean and organize. I have to set up and tear down every time I sew bummer!!! I'd sew more often if I had a sewing space. thanks for the giveaway.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  153. I friend requested you on facebook with a comment.

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  154. I signed up for your mailing list.

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  155. 1. Clean up after each sewing session.
    2. Organize fabric by color in clear plastic containers.
    3. Always keep bobbin with spool of thread!
    4. Always have trash nearby.
    5. Always have ironing board next to sewing table (same hights as well) to give you extra space to hold quilt as you go. Or if you need to iron something you don't have to get up all the time!

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