Thursday, November 16, 2017

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour Road Rally



Welcome, to everyone visiting on the Quiltmaker's 100 Block Road Rally! I'm excited to be part of this tour. But before we get started, let me tell you a little about myself.

I live in St Louis, Missouri with my husband and 5 daughters, ranging in age from 5 to 17. Yeah, it's busy and if I had magical powers, I would put a spell on my house so that it would be self cleaning, but I still make plenty of time to quilt. 

I also like helping people learn to quilt. If you are just learning, or want to stretch your skills, you might like my book You Can Quilt! Building Skills for Beginners (and more advanced quilters). If you are more of a visual person, my iquilt.com class, You Can Piece!, might be more up your alley.


What kind of quilts do I like to make? Scrappy all the way! I have rarely, if ever, bought an entire line of fabric, and prefer to mix and match. The scrappier the better!


I have recently started making super scrappy foundation paper pieced half square triangles and I am in love! You can read more about them here. I will be posting a new foundation pattern every Tuesday for the next year if you would like to make them with me. You can find more pictures on my Instagram feed or with the hashtag #yearofscrappytriangles. Like the blocks, but don't know how to paper piece? I've just wrote up a detailed tutorial. You can find it here.



But enough about me, let me tell you a about my block from the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine. Rocky Road is a traditional block. Just a simple grid of 4-patch units and half square triangles. Honestly, a bit boring when you put tons of them together, but look at what you get when you put the blocks on point.


 Much more interesting in my opinion.



The block becomes especially striking when the background of the quilt is changed to black and the on-point blocks are alternated so that the background is broken up. Love!


 This layout is my favorite. With some of the 4-patches oriented horizontally and some vertically a whole new secondary pattern emerges. There are so many options with this little block! You don't have to stick with a traditional grid layout. Get creative!



With the open background, one of these quilts would come together quickly. I timed myself making a block and it took about 40 minutes. You can speed the process, especially if you are making more than one block, by strip piecing the 4-patch units. Easy as pie!


I have a copy of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks and a 100 Blocks Calendar to give away. Just leave a comment below telling me what some of your favorite books are to be entered to win. I listen to a lot of books on tape and would love to get some new recommendations. I will pick the winners on November 22nd.

Thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway Closed




105 comments:

  1. My favorite book is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.

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  2. I've always been a reader so it is hard to name just one favorite book. But of the ones I've most recently read, A Man Called Ove is wonderful.

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  3. Love the different setting options for your block! I haven't really listened to books on tape--I prefer to lay in bed and read before sleep (though that often delays the actual sleeping). I have enjoyed books by Charles Martin.

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  4. As far as audio books go, the Harry Potter books narrated by Jim Dale are some of my favorites. I also liked Eleanor Oliphant by Gale Honeyman, Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory, The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright, Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, and the mysteries by Tana French.

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  5. Congratulations, Leila! Thanks for showing different layouts for your block. A really though provoking book is 'Things That Matter' by Charles Krauthammer. Although I don't agree with all of his opinions, it gets you thinking. A different genre to try is poetry...it also gets you thinking. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot con

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  6. Congratulations and thank you for the giveaway. I love this block, especially with the black background.
    My favorite books to read are the ones written by James Patterson. I really love the Alex Cross series.

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  7. I loved the Mitford series by Jan Karon. It took a while to get into the first book, but once you get to know the characters, it's wonderful!

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  8. Wow, the last two versions with the black background are stunning. Nicely done. I am currently reading the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. The hero is a wizard investigator and gets into so much trouble with other world creatures. He also has a great sense of humour. I love books like that, action but humour, too.

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  9. I enjoy the books written by Danielle Steel. She is a great author and I have a collection of her novels. I am coming back to your blog again. I love your block,especially with the black background and on point with the color blue -my favorite. Thank you for being a part of the Road Rally Tour. Wishing you Happy Holidays.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  10. One of my favorite authors is J.D. Robb, great books.
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  11. 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Badley. 'Morna's Legacy' by Bethany Claire.
    24Tangent@gmail.com

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  12. gosh - I haven't sat down and read a book-book in a long time. I like reading my devotionals - like Guideposts. Love the block, by the way!

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  13. I love your blocks. My favorite books are quilting books. All of them. Never have time to read a novel anymore. Too busy sewing.

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  14. What colorful block against the black background - lovely layout! No need to enter me in the drawing - I am on the block tour also.

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  15. My favorite books are Harry Potter, and anything by Jane Austen. I really like how your block appears on the black background.

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  16. Great quilt block and I love the different setting versions you have shown. I read quite a bit and don't stick to one type of book. Over the years I have enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit as well as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I also like mysteries that are quick and easy to read and one of my favorite authors is Laura Childs. I also like reading Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and other classic authors.

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  17. Beautiful block. I haven't read a book in several years. I do like mysteries.

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  18. I love listening to audiobooks while I sew! Nonfiction books have been on my list lately. I really enjoyed The Radium Girls, and I just downloaded Endurance by Scott Kelly.

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  19. I like audio books, but I mostly listen to music

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  20. Audio books are great to listen to while sewing. I like Jd Robb, James Patterson, I also like to listen to music.
    Your block looks like the block my grandma was going to use in her next quilt.
    Thanks for showing all the possible layouts, I really need ideas.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. My Kindle just busted. Ouch! I love audible because I drive 1/2 hour each way to work and listen to audio books. I have numerous Lisa Gardner books. Also, I have listened to "Super Natural" by Dr Michael S Heiser. It lets you think about your life and God in a new light. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

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  22. I like listening to the John Muir books. They talk about his time in the sierras and one is traveling south. rita_l_39212@yahoo.com

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  23. Recently listened to "Dinner with The Buddha" which was both entertaining and enlightening... am currently listening to "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" which I grabbed on impulse and have found it totally fascinating. A great historical fiction novel of the Lincoln era. Want to pick up "The Radium Girls" soon.

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  24. I'm a scientist all science for me but I do listen to James Patterson.

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  25. I, too, love scrappy quilts and would like to give this block a try in scraps. Let me know if you figure out how to have a self-cleaning house :-)
    quiltschon@att.net

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  26. oh--- I forgot :-) Linda Castillo and Julia Spencer-Flemming are two of my favorite authors.
    quiltschon@att.net

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  27. I love Linda Hubalek! She's written a number of books and series, such as this:Trail of Thread Book Series
    http://lindahubalek.com/historical-fiction-series/trail-of-thread-book-series/
    They are novels based on her ancestors journals, plus, she has included quilt patterns in each book!

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  28. Love the modern rendition of this classic block. My go to authors for fast-paced action and crime mystery are Lee Child and Michael Connelly.

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  29. Since this is so close to Jacob's Ladder, I have made several quilts with this basic design. LOVE how putting the blocks on point with the dark background really makes the blocks sparkle. May have to try that!

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  30. i love mystery's but my kindle are hard back books are what i read. Love Peter Roberson

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  31. I don't read much anymore, but the last book I read was a novel by Brian Freeman. I couldn't put it down!

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  32. Mystery Books are my favorite to listen to. David Baldacci is good.
    prycek(at)mymts.net

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  33. I really enjoyed all the Anne of Green Gables books by L.M.Montgomery. I also enjoyed Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia McLachlan and all the Laura Ingalles Wilder Little House books. okruhlik6 at aol dot com

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  34. I haven't read a book in a very long time. When I was working, all I did was read. It was my job. The only books I read now are quilting books!

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  35. We love to read, and my husband reads to me every night when we go to bed. After his prostate surgery a year ago, he rested in bed a lot, and I would read to him. We recently just finished reading If I Am Found which is the second book of a trilogy. I think the 1st was called "If I Run," and the 2nd was called "If I Am Found. I the author is Terri Blackstock. The 3rd book doesn't come out until the spring -- March I think. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  36. I don't read much anymore due to poor concentration but I used to love Russian novels.

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  37. My favorite books are way too many to list. However, I am currently reading a book by Debbie Macomber with the title of "A Turn in the Road" and so far, it's fairly good.

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  38. Intrigued by the weekly paper piecing. Maybe I'll invetigate that. I read regency romance because I read to relax and to fall asleep.

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  39. I like your block! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy your day! I don't read books too often but I like Short stories. angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  40. I have some free motion quilting books that I enjoyed reading. Now I need to practise

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  41. I just got “Modern Machine Embroidery”. I’m anxious to learn machine quilting. I think it might add some new interest to my quilting. Fingers crossed!

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  42. I listen to audio books while I sew. I've listened to most of the books by J.A. Jance (having read them before) - there are several series. Then I like the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon and have listened to most of those. I've gotten them through my local library on CD...our downloadable catalog doesn't carry them, yet. Your block is great and I really love the on=point settings. I'm doing the 1/2 square triangle blocks but am already running behind!!!

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  43. Your last layout of your block is my favorite too! Tara Road by Maeve Binchy - an excellent read! Thank you for sharing, Susan

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  44. I'm with you on the housework. Lots of people have "bucket lists" but my only wish is that someone would (regularly) come with a bucket and clean!

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    1. Oh and forgot to say that I love to listen to almost any adolescent fantasy novels. Always have great plots.

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  45. Janet Evanovitch books always make me laugh.

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  46. I like sci fi novels to listen to while I am in the lab (and Sherlock Holmes too!) mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. John Grisham books are my favorite. Harry Potter never lets me down and books by Helen Hardt if I'm feeling a little sassy.

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  48. I would absolutely recommend Louise Penny's "Three Pines" series of mysteries, beginning with "Still Life". She is a brilliant writer, very sensitive and insightful while at the same time being funny--all of this in excellent mystery novels that are always about so much more than the crime itself.

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  49. I read constantly and I'm all over the place, but right now I'm reading John Connelly and loving his books.

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  50. I like to read Quilting Books. All kind of techniques , to learn perfect piecing

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  51. Right now I'm listening to the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Love your block!

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  52. I would agree with another commenter about the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters--The main character and her husband and family are archeologists in Egypt exploring for tombs--Amelia is both humorous and smart--mystery and a little romance all in one--I have read them all.
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  53. I just read Britt Marie was Here, by Fredrik Backman. I liked that it was a little quirky but the lead character makes some great discoveries about herself as she goes through some changes in her life.

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  54. I am enjoying reading Kristin Hannah's books right now. The best is definitely The Nightingale. It is set in WWII France during the German occupation and is a great read.

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  55. I like to listen to books on CD, too. Some of my favorite authors for listening are Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, Joanne Fluke, Carolyn Hart, and Nevada Barr.

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  56. I love when bloggers ask the book question - then I can read all the comments & get book ideas too. Some of my all time favorites are: The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein; Ape House - Sara Gruen; Sunday at Tiffany's - James Patterson; Girl at War - Sara Novic; The Camel Knows the Way - Lorna Kelly; Stardust -Neil Gamon;All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doer; Prodigal Summer - Barbara Kingslover; The Host - Stephanie Meyer; Lissette's List - Susan Breeland; The Woman on the Orient Express - Lindsay Jayne Ashford. I better quit :)

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  57. One of my very favorite books is "In a Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson. Entertaining, educational, and sometimes laugh out loud funny.

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  58. I really like your block and your choice of fabrics. As I sit here in my sewing room , the sun is coming in the window shining on my notebooks filled with paper pieced patterns from many different favorite designers, like Tartankiwi, Soma Acharya, Quilt Art Design, Amy Friend and may more. They are the sunshine in my life and those patterns make me happy like a good book.

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  59. Great block! I really like the layouts with the black background. Love to read, mostly historical novels. Have enjoyed the books by Marie Bostwick.

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  60. The Shack is one of my favorite books.

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  61. Cute block. I'm doing your scrappy triangles, following you on Instagram. Thanks for sharing. odiane79atyahoo.com

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  62. Love your block - the on point layout is my favorite. I just read John Sandford's latest book Deep Freeze - great read as his always are. Thanks.

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  63. I enjoy a good mystery, so I like stories by Agatha Christie. Murder on the Orient Express is my favorite.

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  64. I sorry I don't have books on tape. I am a quilt nut maybe a book of quilt tips on tape would help. I lost my vision for two years. Through medical science and getting help before more damage I have gotten my vision restored. I missed sewing and especially reading during the past few years. I did during this time watch You Tubes on quilting. Love the block you made and dark layout did set it off even more. It would also make a great border.

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  65. I love the Outlander series and the narrator is fabulous!

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  66. Great block! I enjoy Jane Austen's books, such as Pride & Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Congratulations on being included in this magazine.

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  67. Congratulations on having your block included in Quiltmaker’s 100, Vol. 16! Love, Love, Love! The last layout is my favorite also and is going on the to-do list. I love the Eve Dallas series by J.D Robb (Nora Roberts) I’ve read almost the whole series. ;-D

    usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com

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  68. Great block...I love how versatile it is. I've just started reading books by Norwegian author Jo Nesbo. Very suspenseful and interesting plots...warning: also a little grisly but not too bad.

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  69. Karen Kingsbury Christian novels.

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  70. For an audio book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt was fantastic--very well read. It's a true story set in Savannah and I listened to it just before I went there for a wedding. In fact, the wedding was held in the square just outside the Mercer House.

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  71. I enjoy cozy mysteries... themed or not. There are series based on bakers, park rangers, antique dealers, and archeologists... most of these are from the library and are audio-books... can do a lot of sewing and "reading" all at the same time.

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  72. I like the blocks on point with a chain effect, and I always like doing dark backgrounds....I love the contrast and the unique look. I love star blocks, so dark backgrounds make star quilts look like a night sky.
    I've discovered all sorts of books on my Kindle. I like cozy mysteries like LeighAnn Dobbs, a bit of supernatural, and I like listening to Jennifer Chiaverini's books on CD while quilting (duh, quilting). I love historical fiction.
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  73. Beautiful block and I am loving your paper pieced half square triangles. I am currently reading the Outlander series.

    Barb
    spurr@mymts.net

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  74. Gosh no audio books come to mind right now. The local library allows you to listen to audio books online. So that is how I listen most often and usually it will be a mystery like Elizabeth George.

    Nice to meet another St. Louis quilter along the way. I am at Jackman's Fabric every week or so buying remnants for scrappy quilts. A new follower to your blog.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com



    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  75. Great block. I like anything by Susan Mallery, Marie Bostwick, and Debbie Macomber. Thanks.

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  76. Debbie Mac Comber? I think that is how you spell it. Anything Tolkien, haha. BUT I have to say, I am not much of an audi-book girl. That said, the best book I have ever listened to was "As you wish" by Cary Elwes. (Princess Bride) OMG it is soooo good. I listened all the way to NC one year. And I do listen to the Little House books in my car. My grandson likes them. :) So, I guess I do listen after all, haha. Thanks.

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  77. Try "Any Day Now" by Robin Carr.
    rozz01 at cox dot net

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  78. Great block - congratulations! I love the mystery series by Louise Penny.

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  79. I have never listened to an audio book, I always have music on when I Sew. I do like to read and I'd have to choose The Red Tent by Anita Diamont. Love your block with both the black and light background. Because of you I have found Berninas scrappy Triangle Sew along, thank you.

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  80. I am currently listening Pachinko by Min Jin Lee-- I can see why it was a national book award finalist
    I also liked the hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet, anything written by stieg laarson or gillian Flynn
    I don't know how your listen but, I use my library subscription to hoopladigital.com no holds, good selection
    sharongalli@gmail.com

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  81. I have been reading Swedish and Norwegian author mysteries lately - Jo Nesbro, Arne Dahl, Emelie Schepp There’s a whole new world of mysteries out there that are now being translated to English. Don’t know if any are making it to books on tape, tho a Nesbro book Thr Snowman was recently made into a movie.

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  82. 100 Years of Solitude, one of my favorite books. I listen to a lot of books on tape while I am quilting or piecing. Love those black quilts you posted. So dramatic.

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  83. Hiya!!! Love that block and the different layouts. I love anything by Dean Koontz. His books can run a bit on the dark side, but always have a lot of hope in them too. Thanks so much for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!
    playamom57 at yahoo dot com

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  84. I'm a scrap quilter and love your block! For laughs I like Patrick McManus, "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?". For romance it's a Johanna Lindsey novel. I'm a Mary Higgins Clark gal, too. Thanks for the giveaway. jskbloomers@gmail.com

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  85. I love mysteries and when they include quilting-win, win! Latest author is Isabella Alan.

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  86. What a lovely giveaway. My favorite book--at least one of them--is "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner. A sweeping saga that I will so reread.

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  87. Such a nice giveaway, Leila! And I love this block! I too like to get book recommendations, though I nearly always LISTEN to books. It's such a good way to enjoy a story while piecing or free motion quilting. My current listen is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I'm quite enjoying it. Oh, but if you haven't yet read anything written by the Australian Liane Moriarty, you simply must!

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  88. Love your block & the use of scraps! I like to listen to JD Robb, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, JA Jance, Lee Child & John Sanford books!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  89. my favorite books at this time of my life are books where i learn something.

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  90. I love most anything by Anita Shreve and as of late I've been reading alot of the books in the Quilts of Love Series. They are fabulous! Or try

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  91. I'm currently reading A Man Called Ove...really enjoying it. One of my recent favorite authors is Frieda North. She is a terrific writer!

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  92. I read more than I should...lol I read J D Robb.. James Patterson... too many more to list... Our library started posting on our checkout list what we have saved by checking out books.. I am over 2500.00 so far this year... thanks for the chanced to win.. drhodes9@cox.net

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  93. Fun block! I will be putting it on my to do list! Thank you!
    Yes life can be busy and you certainly have a lot going on! I have been sharing a number of books with my DIl. We like books that can be picked up any time to read for a few minutes or for an hour depending on time - something that is interestig and/or makes us laugh or smile whether on the subway, waiting for an appointment or relaxing at home. We have recently discovered books by Sophia Kinslla and many of them are perfect when time is valuable and you don't want to think about what happened when you last left off reading and who the characters are - just pure entertinment. Her books make us smile and laugh! Great easy reading!

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  94. Nice block! I read and listen to a lot of historical romance books. I recently discovered Maya Rodale's books. She's got quite a sense of humor.

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  95. Don't know if it is available yet on audiobook, but just finished Scott Kelley's Endurance about his year in space. An older book I like is Pat Conroy's South of Broad ( he depicts the Charleston weather so well, that you'll want to wait to the dead of winter to read (or listen) to it. Congrats on your great block!!

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  96. What a nice block and love the fabrics you used!

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  97. Great block. The setting with the black background is very striking. I listen to audio books all the time. I really enjoy mysteries. Recently I am enjoying the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Long time favorite authors are Rex Stout and Dee Henderson.

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  98. Definitely dramatic with the dark background; my kind of color palette. I listen to audiobooks all the time. If you like thrillers, try the Mitch rapp series by Vincent Flynn/Kyle Mills. pjrquilter at msn dot com

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  99. Great little paper pieced blocks...fun!
    I've been reading several mystery books by English author P D James
    This week I am reading Quilt with the Best...put out by Oxmoor House.

    Bev Hernandez ebhaloha at gmail dot com

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  100. I like to read mysteries or quilt books. Fun block. Looking forward to learning how to piece it.

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  101. I read quilt books like other people read love stories or murder mysteries. I enjoy finding out how the author thinks about their project and of course I plan on making every single one!
    kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

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  102. I want to share your magical power for the same reason! I love the traditional block but HST are my all time favorite. I am interested in the foundation piecing so I'll be seeing you on Tuesdays next year. grin

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  103. Thank you for sharing your block. It was great to see the different quilt possibilities. I like to read mystery books, I have been reading them since I was a child. Some of my favorite authors are David Baldacci, Catherine Coulter, Sue Grafton, and James Patterson.

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  104. Thank you for the sharing your block, it is quite lovely. I love to read paranormal books, right now I am into Dragon shifters, I am finishing up a series by Terry Bolryder, romance, mystery, and funny.

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