Sunday, October 7, 2012

Photo Corner Frame Blocks Mini Quilt


Sweet Treats Blog Hop

As you probably know by now - I love a good blog hop so I was very excited when Alyce from Blossom Hearts Quilts organized a hop to showcase the new mini charm packs and invited me to join in (Thanks Alyce!!!)  If you don't already know, the new mini charm packs from Moda have just started making their way to the shops and are a pack of 42 2.5" charms.  



The charm pack that I received was Deb Strain's Spa.  If you read my blog at all, you know that most of my projects contain lots of color - so not surprisingly, it was a challenge for me to decide what to make with this line.

My first thought was to make something for my mother who would very much like the color and patterns in the Spa line.  But then in walks my 9 year old with a drawing of a mini quilt that she would like me to help her make as a gift for a friend's birthday.  Yep - you caught me - I admit it - the project I'm about to show you was 100% my daughter's idea!  But I have to say, I loved her idea and I immediately got started figuring out how to make her drawing a reality.  And then I realized - this would be the absolute perfect project to use the 2.5" mini's.  


So, this is it - a mini quilt that can be used as an interchangeable photo frame.  (I can't find the original drawing but I think the major difference between hers and mine is that her plan finished at about 5 x 10 FEET with room for about 50 photos!)

Click to the end of this post for the step by step tutorial.

Here are a few of the details:  see that frame in the lower right hand corner - well, if you look closely, you'll see it is actually a pocket to hold the rest of your photos.


Oh, and did you notice another great use for those mini charms that I used for this quilt???  Well, if you cut your binding strips 2.5 inches wide (like I pretty much always do) then these 2.5" squares are just perfect for scrappy binding.  



And, of course, after this was finished, my middle daughter requested one to hang on her side of the bedroom.  She chose some charms I had left over from a Lucy's Crab Shack pack ( I cut these into the 2.5" squares as I don't know if this line comes in mini's.)   I also made one of the frames 8.5x11 so it can hold either pictures she has drawn or stories she writes (the regular paper is a bit flimsy in the frame so I would recommend backing it with card stock.)  We are going to use stamps to add some words/labels to the solid gray squares - I'm still waiting to hear what words I'm supposed to write!


A few notes:  

(1) There are a few changes I made to the second quilt that I wish I hadn't.  When (if) I make another one of these, I'll choose solids for the background fabrics because I think the prints (even in the same colorway) distract too much from the photos.  Also, I much prefer how in the first quilt, I used an obvious border for each of the photo frame blocks as opposed to in the second where I used the same fabrics to border the blocks and for the background. 

(2) Actually, if I had thought about it, I would have used more of the mini charms to make the border for the frame blocks - oh, well.  

(3) If you want to quilt the pocket - you have to do that BEFORE you attach it to the rest of the quilt!!!

(4) I would like at some point to make a third one of these with the changes above and my daughter is about 1/3 of the way through the one she is making for her friend (things like school, soccer, and gymnastics seem to be getting in her way) but if/when we get done, I'll post both our finishes.




Want to see what everyone else made with their charms?  Here is the schedule:

Sunday 7th - Right here at Blossom Heart Quilts
Monday 8th - me
Tuesday 9th - Jennie and Clara at Clover and Violet
Wednesday 10th - Lindsey at Happier Than A Bird
Thursday 11th - Kristy at Quiet Play
Friday 12th - Jane at Want It, Need It, Quilt
Saturday 13th - Wrap up back here at Blossom Heart Quilts

Plum and June

GIVEAWAY
I want to thank the Fat Quarter Shop for generously sponsoring this blog hop. They are also sponsoring giveaways on all the blogs in the Sweet Treats Blog Hop this week.  The giveaway is for a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. 

To enter: 

1.  Leave a comment on this post (any comment!) 

2.   My followers - old and new - get a second entry - just be sure to leave a separate comment indicating that you are following.  

And as always, unless you are sure that you are NOT a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address in your comment so that you can be contacted if you win.  The giveaway will remain open until October 13, 2012 at 8pm EDT a winner will be selected at random.

This giveaway is now closed!


TUTORIAL
This is how I made the photo corner frame blocks:

1.  Take 6 mini charms (I picked randomly) and lay them out as shown below.


2.  Sew together two rows of three charms.



3.  Press the seams and sew the two rows together.  Press the seams.




4.  Take 4 charms and press in half to make triangles (do not cut.)



5.  Cut a piece of card stock according to the measurements of your photos.  I would have thought my photos were all 4 x 6 but they were actually 4 x 5 7/8.  Place the card stock on top of your rectangle from step 2 and arrange the triangles as shown below.  Depending on the size of your photos and how well (or not well) you stitch a 1/4 seam, you may need to place your triangle closer or farther apart than shown.  Use your preferred method to mark the placement and remove the card stock.


6.  Using a 1/8 seam allowance, baste/stitch around all four sides of the rectangle.


7.  Put your card stock into the "frame" and make sure it fits - it should not be too snug yet because you'll be stitching another line in the next step that will make the opening smaller.  If not, stitch another line inside the previous one - no need to unpick the first because it will be covered up later.



8.  Cut a piece of contrasting fabric the same width as your completed frame - it should be approximately 6.5 x 1.5".  



9.  Attach the contrasting fabric to the frame using a scant 1/4 seam - make sure that your line of stitching is below the line that you stitched to attach the triangles.


10.  Attach strips the rest of the way around the frame - I attached them using the log cabin method.  I usually press my seams open but for this, I pressed all my seams toward the middle rectangle since it made the border appear more like a frame.





11.  Get out your card stock again to make sure it still fits!  And trim.


That's about it - for this first mini, I made 5 frames 



and basically improv pieced them together.


Add your photos and you are done!


Let me know if you have any questions.


172 comments:

  1. This is a great way to show off those mini charms and make something useful and fun.

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  2. I think the mini charms are a great idea and I like how you used them too.

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  3. That is a very cute idea! I love that you were able to translate your daughter's idea into fabric. I bet she was thrilled with how it turned out too!

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  4. This is such a good idea for displaying photos and the kids' artwork! My elder daughter is going through a big arts & crafts phase so I would have to make a huge one of these! I am going to bookmark this tutorial so I can make one for her x

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  5. Thanks so much to you and your sponsor for this giveaway.

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  6. I'm already a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  7. Love the mini charm packs, and especially love what you did with them. Your daughter must be so excited to have her drawing come to life! :)

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  8. This is such a fun idea! I have been looking for a way to display my son's artwork, and I like the idea of having something that is easily interchangeable. Thanks! :)

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  9. I love the way that your projects are so often the result of teamwork with your daughters. I can't wait till my daughter is old enough for that- although she is already pretty good at commissioning work!

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  10. I'm a follower! :) love your blog!

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  11. Love the blues you used!!! :) So pretty!

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  12. Such a cute idea! Kids are so creative -- you have obviously raised her to dream up big ideas!

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  13. I also follow your blog- just started the other day when I found you through another blog!

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  14. What a fab idea for showing pictures! I have a mini charm pack in the post - perhaps I'll make one as a Christmas gift! Thanks for the tutorial :)

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  15. I am a new follower to your blog, via google reader. :)

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  16. This is such an inspired idea. Love your execution. :) Thanks for hosting a giveaway, it's always fun!

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  17. This looks like a lot of fun...thanks for the tutorial.

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  18. This is such a clever idea. Beautiful AND practical!

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  19. Great gift idea! Tanks for the tutorial!

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  20. Yay! I'm now a follower. I'm thrilled to have discovered you (via Alyce!). Looking forward to trying some of your projects.

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  21. Such a creative and unique idea!!! Love it! Thanks for sharing the how-to photos and steps. I

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  22. I am already a follower - thanks for a second chance!!

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  23. I already love regular charms because they give me a chance to work with and try out a line at a manageable cost. These look like even more fun. Sometimes I only really want a 1" hexies worth for my charm quilt. Thanks for the chance at a gift certiicate!

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  24. Hi!!! Love the fabric!!!! Very cute idea and useful!!!!

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  25. I really like this idea, clever daughter ~ clever Mom!
    Thank you for the tutorial as well and the chance :)

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  26. I'm a follower on google reader!

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  27. I would love to use some of those mini charm packs to make an irish chain quilt!

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  28. So cute! I had to giggle because I love the Spa line;) Great tutorial and thanks for the give away too!

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  29. Beth, this is brilliant!! You -- and your girls! -- are so clever.

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  30. That is lovely! What an unusual idea and so very effective.

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  31. I'm a follower and enjoying your blog.

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  32. You must be so proud of your very creative daughter! What a lovely and functional project. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. I'm a follower....keep those great posts headed my way!

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  34. Great project! I love the mini charms!

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  35. Very cool idea. Totally original and I think, even if your daughter prompted you, this is totally your creation!!

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  36. This is a brilliant idea. I may have just found my grandmother's Christmas present...

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  37. Oh, and I'm a follower. Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  38. What a neat idea! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  39. what a clever use for the mini-charms!!! i can think of two people who 'need' these for christmas presents!!

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  40. I think you have a little designer daughter, what a great idea, I just have to pin it!

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  41. What a great tutorial, thanks for sharing it.

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  42. I'm watching this blog hop with interest because I've been collecting 2.5" squares. I'm looking for ideas, and I love this little mini!

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  43. That is a fabulous idea, I have added that to my bucket list. I want one for my kitchen to display all art my kids bring home from school.

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  44. I am also a follower, thank you

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  45. What an inventive project - I really love it!! Thanks so much for sharing and for the chance to win the gift certificate!

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  46. I am a happy follower of your blog.

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  47. Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this tute!

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  48. What a great idea. This would be super cute to make as a baby shower gift too. I can see one of these on a nursery wall. It would be perfect to use if the parents are taking a picture each month during the baby's first year. Each month the newest picture could be put in the frame on the front of the pocket and then the one removed can be placed inside the pocket. Then at the end of the year, they would have all 12 pictures in one spot to save in the baby book if it wasn't done each month.

    Thank you for the idea and tutorial.

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  49. I am already a follower of your blog.

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  50. Super cute idea! I love the quilting on the first one. :)

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  51. Such a great project your daughter has great ideas

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  52. Your daughter is so artistic! Who knows,some time down the road she will be a pattern or fabric designer babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  53. I am already a follower babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  54. I have been looking for a way to make a quilt for a friend who has a dog that she could put in pictures and this concept fits my criteria. I like the idea of using a solid color background so it doesn't detract from the pictures and although I like the idea of using interchangeable pictures, I'm going to put in a few that she put on FB as a starter. Your tutorial is very helpful, thanks for sharing-no sense in "reinventing the wheel"

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  55. that is a neat idea!!! I like it!

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  56. Your daughter had a great idea, glad you worked with her to develop it.

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  57. I love the mini-charms. They are so cute. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw. bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  58. HELLO! ALREADY FOLLOW YOU!
    THANKS FOR A NEAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  59. THANKS FOR SHARING ON YOUR BLOG!
    DELIGHTFUL MINI'S!
    HAPPY STITCHING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  60. I am a follower Thanks.Becky
    derry04@yahoo.com

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  61. Thank you for sharing this tutorial and your site I really appreciate all the work you put in to it.This collection of deb Strains is one of my favs.Love the blues.Thanks for the give away.Becky
    derry04@yahoo.com

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  62. I love the mini charms, a great way to see if you like the colors in a line with out spending a ton and regretting it. You can always use little swuares

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  63. I think your daughter has her career figured out. Very cute idea. Congrats to her.

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  64. What an AWESOME idea! Thanks for sharin' the How-To!!! Have a Daughter who would loooove one!

    Thanks for chance to win your Drawing! :)

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  65. I am a new Follower of your coooool Blog!

    Thanks for a second chance to win! :) YAY!

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  66. those are very cool! Great idea

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  67. How nice that your daughter came to you with her creative idea and you brought it to life. I'll bet her friend was thrilled.

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  68. What a clever idea!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  69. I need one for every Holiday because I love to pull out photos of the previous year or Years and today I pulled out my halloween ones and thought, There must be more than the fridge..LOL love it.

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  70. Love this! I'm thinking that I might have to add a couple of these to my, already ridiculous, Christmas gift list. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  71. Great collaberative effort bewteen you and your daughter. I haven't seen any of these candy charms in person yet, they sure look fun! Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

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  72. I am already a follower. Thanks for the second chance.

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  73. Hiya! LOVE IT!!! What a neat and colorful way to display some favorite photos. I received a mini stack with a prize package that I won, this may lead to a new mini or two. Thanks for sharing and for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!

    playamom57 at yahoo dot com

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  74. Hiya! I am an email follower, love getting the new posts. Thanks for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!

    playamom57 at yahoo dot com

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  75. I like your tutorial - thanks for sharing! :D

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  76. You (or in this case, I guess it's your daughter) are so creative! What a fun idea!

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  77. I love the fat quarter shop - such a great selection!
    ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  78. What an adorable idea! I love how the pictures fit into pockets! Thank you for a lovely tutorial.

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  79. I'm a new follower, visiting from Clover & Violet. =)

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  80. What an amazing idea! Fabulous!

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  81. I love all your child-friendly/inspired projects!

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  82. And I am a follower:) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  83. What a fabulous idea. It's creative and fun and best of all gives the kids a special place to put the pictures. I love that your daughter is making one for a friend, I think you've got a gangbuster idea going here.

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  84. Follower here. Thanks for 2nd chance.

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  85. What a clever idea! I love the quilting, just beautiful!

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  86. I'm a follower. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  87. Thanks for presenting something just a little bit different.

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  88. This is so cool. I love the blue and grey one. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  89. what a smart idea. thanks for sharing.

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  90. Love this blog hopping and especially when there is a prize involved.

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  91. Your project is a sweet treat to see! I like the concept of framing photos. Thanks for the giveaway too.

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  92. I am a follower on my Googl Reader

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  93. I love your tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

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  94. Great idea! and thanks for the easy to follow tutorial.

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  95. Awesome Idea! I love innovative ideas that we can do with sewing! Great job on the Tute.. Fabulous.. will put this on to do list..

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  96. Your daughter must have been so pleased to have you use her idea. And it turned out great!

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  97. Thank you for a wonderful tutorial, your daughter had a great idea.

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  98. Love those blue fabrics! Thanks for the tutorial and giveaway!

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  99. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I also loves the blue fabrics you used.

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  100. This kind of reminds of scrapbooking and looks like a fun project.

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  101. Your project is so fun. Thanks for sharing :-)

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  102. Very pretty! Something I would never have thought of.

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  103. I am a follower. Thank you for the tutorial.

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  104. What a cool wall hanging! I like the photo pockets! :)

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  105. The photo pockets are so cute! Thanks for a great tutorial.

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  106. The photo pocket is so sweet and love the fabric colors! I always enjoy my visits! Thanks for sharing today. Judith, Texas

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  107. Thanks for the tutorial! I want to make one for everyone now! ;)

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  108. I'm a new follower.. thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  109. This is such a beautiful idea, and so lovely that you could incorporate your daughter's ideas!

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  110. I'm a follower too, thanks for the giveaway :D

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  111. Awesome idea! What a great way to display her art work!

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  112. what an awesome way to display your photo's !

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  113. What a neat idea! I'd much rather buy fabric than picture frames!

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  114. I really like your mini charm project

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  115. I just became a follower of yours
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  116. I love the idea to a photo holder. great ideas for grandkids.

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  117. I follow you now. I'm excited to start seeing your ideas.

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  118. Clever use of the charms for photo corners...this would also be a great idea to make hanging corners for the back of mini quilts and small wall hangings!

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  119. What a wonderful idea! Can't wait to make it. Thanks!

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  120. I like the idea of a photo carrier too.

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  121. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Those mini charms are so cute, aren't they? Thanks to you & the FQS for the giveaway.

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  122. This is a lovely idea thanks for sharing it. It would look good on the fridge with some magnets in the corners, for the drawings my granddaughter gives me

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  123. New follower, there are just toooo many great craft blogs out there, I like yours

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  124. I can't believe I didn't comment. I read this days ago and meant to! I adore the picture pocket idea and I really can't wait until I can do things like this with my kids. Make sure you show your daughter's creation when she finishes!

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  125. I admire anyone who can do a tutorial! I'd love to be entered for your giveaway.

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  126. Very nice! Thanks for the great tutorial.

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  127. Thanks for the tutorial. That is really a nice idea and makes the hanging quilt very useful.

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  128. That's a clever idea. I love the colours you used. Thanks for the tutorial :)

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  129. Just come over from 'My Quilt Infatuation' and have been having a good browse, as well as leaving a comment on the blog hop coming up. I really love this mini quilt idea, your daughter is a genius! Please say thank you to her, and to you too for putting it into practice and sharing it.

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Thanks for visiting!