Friday 9 October 2009

QUILT FALL FESTIVAL 2009 - Sunshine & Shadow




QUILT FALL FESTIVAL 2009 Oct 9-16
(click on the logo at top of this page to join in!)

Sunshine & Shadow

by Esther Aliu (2009)

2m x 2m

'Sunshine & Shadow' is my latest stencil quilt. Inspired by ironwork and french motifs, particularly the Fleur- de-lis, it is an original design.

I love stenciling - as a technique it allows you, as a quilter to create original designs from beginning to finish. This design started out as a sketch in one of my journals and grew from there. After some drawing up and defining lines, I transfer my designs and stencil them directly onto fabric. A really rewarding aspect (although sometimes frustrating too!) of this stage in the work is that you have total control over your coloring and hues. With stenciling, you create around your own sketches, blend your own colors and control the whole process.

Although a lot of quilters have met stenciling for the first time in 'modern quilts' and designs, stenciling is actually an heirloom technique. It was used as a technique in the first generation of New England quilts - a method which arrived with the European settlers who were in the midst of a 'stenciling craze'.

Unfortunately, due to the paints available for use during this era, few stencil quilts have survived. Paints available today however will last as long as commercially available 'printed' cottons, so there's no reason not to get stuck in!

Obviously I'm biased - I love stenciling! If you havent tried stenciling as a technique...what's stopping you? If you want to try stenciling, but arent ready to take on a whole quilt, why not try stenciling a table runner?

FALL QUILT FESTIVAL 2009 GIVE AWAY!

To celebrate the Fall Quilt Festival, I will be giving away my Stencil Tulip Runner pattern (PDF format) to 25 viewers who comment on this specific post. At the end of the fair, I will place all names in a teapot and draw 25. Please ensure you include your email address at the end of your comment.

A pic of this table runner is available on my blog!

Why Not Try A Stencil Quilt Today?

132 comments:

  1. Goodness! This quilt is amazing! What a great design, and I love the techniques you are using. Stencilling is definitely a technique I would love to learn more about! Oh I wish there were more hours in the day - if only I did not need to sleep or work....

    Rita
    redpepperquilts@gmail.com

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  2. Hi,
    That is a lovely quilt! And I love the table runner with tulips. I'd would be so happy if I win the pattern and could try to make it. I'm not as good as you with applique but to learn you have to keep trying.
    Lotta in Sweden

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  3. Your quilt is wonderful; I would love to enter your giveway! Stencelling is so versatile, but I don't think I have seen any work as beatiful as yours.

    mrsmoen@yahoo.no

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  4. Just beautiful and you are so involved in every stage of the process too. I am amazed at your skills!!

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  5. I would love to see that quilt in person. It is so elegant and timeless. What an inspiration piece to nudge us into learning stenciling!

    Anne
    filmandthread AT gmail dot com

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  6. Beautiful work! This is a very striking and dramatic quilt. I have never tried stenciling and know very little about it. I will have to learn more about it!
    Lesly
    wadewool@gmail.com

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  7. Your quilt is fabulous. I just watched a PBS show "Craft in America" where they showed one of these iron work artists from New Orleans. You quilt is very reminiscent of that work.

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  8. What a stunning quilt - your work is absolutely amazing!

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  9. Esther....I fell in love with this incredible quilt the first time I saw it and knowing that photos never do a work justice I am sure it is magnificent in person.
    If a quilter is still apprehensive about a first stencil project they could start even smaller with a fabric postcard.

    thequiltrat@yahoo.com

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  10. Your stenciling technique is so beautiful and intriguing. The table runner and quilt are both so lovely. Thank you for your generosity. rn9999@gmail.com

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  11. Wow Esther, I've been reading your blog through "Quilt blogs" and find this technique beautiful. Your blog is very inspiring. Thanks for hosting a giveaway. Pick me!:)

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  12. Hi Esther
    I love your stencil quilt! I've never seen one before and yours is outstanding!
    Happy quilting, Rhondi

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  13. Wow, what a stunning quilt - as always! If you're ever teaching in Adelaide, I'll be along to learn stencilling in a lash!

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  14. I have drooled over this quilt many times since you first posted it - it's a genuine beauty. I would love to learn stencilling, you make it look simple but I know it cannot be!

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  15. Very beautiful! I'm pretty to new to quilting myself and it's great to be able to visit everyone's blogs and get inspiration.

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  16. These are absolutely awesome! They remind me of midieval tapestries hanging in museums. The quilting and the detail of the birds in the corners are amazing.

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  17. Your quilt is absolutely amazing and I am not surprised. You are so talented and I am thrilled that you share so much with us!

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  18. I just love your quilts and stencils! I would love to win this pattern!! I have tried a bit of colored pencil work on fabric --it is so much fun and addicting!!

    Michelle
    heartnsoulquilts@yahoo.com

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  19. wow!! that's all i can say - wow! quite a stunning piece.

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  20. I love Sunshine and Shadows. Another beautiful quilt!

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  21. Esther, The stencil tablerunner is gorgeous. I would love to try stenciling a quilt. Thank you for the opportunity to win the pattern. Take care and God bless, Cory

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  22. Wow! that's a beautiful quilt! thanks for sharing. :)

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  23. Thank you for sharing the technique -- I love the quilts both for the unique designe and the creativity.

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  24. This is quite lovely. I've always been inspired by the mosaics in the historic building I work in, but haven't figured out a way to make them into quilt form. This might be the trick!

    Mary
    mpustejovsky at gmail dot com

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  25. I have never tried stenciling, but would love to learn. Particularly now after seeing your beautiful work!

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  26. Wow, I would have never thought to try something like stenciling to create such an intricate design on fabric! It is terrific.

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  27. Very lovely. Your designs all feel so "comfortable."
    jonesjo at gmail (dawt) com.

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  28. Your stenciling quilts are just wonderful! I love the way your quilting emphasize the pattern. I would love to try your tulip pattern!
    flisa!
    pauel33@hotmail.com

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  29. Gorgeous quilt. Love the different color choice.
    I have a large stencil collection that I am contemplating trying out on fabric.

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  30. I love your quilt! Your quilting is very good... and the stencil is so classic.

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  31. This is simply incredible! So is the tulip table runner. What talent.

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  32. Absolutely stunning!

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  33. I'd love to win your pattern! Beautiful work.

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  34. The quilt is so detailed and perfect looking. I admire your capability and the quilt is wonderful.

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  35. What a cool technique...I sure would love to try it!
    Liz

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  36. I love your quilts and tried simple stenciled quilts manu years ago, but yours are so more inspiring. I think I am going to branch out and try more complicated designs.

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  37. Wow! What amazing work! I would love to try your technique.

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  38. What a beautiful quilt, just amazing! I have not heard of this stenciling technique but would love to know more.

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  39. This is gorgeous!!!
    The stencilling leaves such a beautiful dimension to the quilt - and of course the quilting is gorgeous too

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  40. Your quilts are just simply lovely. I have never used this technique but it looks like it would be fun to learn.

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  41. So beautiful. It reminds me of european style quilts that I've seen before. You'd think for europe they would quilt a lot but I'm in germany and I havent met any!

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  42. The stenciled designs that you do are truly wonderful. I'd love to try one!

    Edna
    medena789@gmail.com

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  43. Wow, at first I thought this was an applique but then realized it was the stencil you wrote about. Amazing technique and the colors are very sophisticated. Cheers!

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  44. This is interesting! Thank you for opening me to more techniques!!!

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  45. what a beautiful quilt and table runner. Something I have never tried, but it looks very interesting.
    cheers Julz
    simplestitches@bigpond.com

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  46. I just love your stencilled table-runner. I agree a table runner is a lot less intimidating than a whole quilt.
    You do lovely work and your stencilled quilts are amazing.
    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  47. That is an awesome quilt...so many new techniques i find myself learning as I go through this great internet show...

    Thank you for sharing...

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  48. This quilt is gorgeous! I love the technique you have used on this quilt! Awesome is all I can say! I would love to learn this technique.

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  49. This is wonderful! It is in your banner right? Love it, love it, love it! Thanks for sharing this quilt. Stephanie

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  50. This is beautiful!! I would love to learn this technique!! thanks for sharing!

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  51. What an amazing design. It is stunning!

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  52. Stunning! Is there any applique or is it all paint? Your quilting is also gorgeous.

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  53. Drop dead gorgeous! I don't think I've ever seen this technique in such a big quilt before. I think I'm going to have to learn more about this.
    quiltluver@live.com

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  54. I love the style this is a beautiful quilt. I am so glad the pictures get bigger when you click on them so that I could see the detail. You are very talented.

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  55. Your work is outstanding! Just beautiful.

    dubosehouse at gmail dot com

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  56. I love this quilt. It's stunning.

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  57. Your quilt is incredibly gorgeous! What a wonderful accomplishment!

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  58. amazing quilt. i love your process! I am excited that there are fabric paints that won't deteriorate the fabrics! I need to learn more about this. thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous quilt!

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  59. What an exquisite art quilt you have created...thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work.

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  60. WOW! Not much else I can add to that!

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  61. Your quilt is sew lovely! Wow!

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  62. Your quilts are so gorgeous. I would love to learn this technique! Thank you!

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  63. I love the quilt and the table runner

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  64. I love your designs and love your quilt...its amazing! I would love to be a winner of your pattern :)
    hugs Vicki

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  65. It is such an interesting quilt- I have never tried stencilling on a quilt though I have stencilled things to make cards.
    Perhaps I will have to try your idea of creating a table runner.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  66. What a beautiful quilt. I love the ironwork inspiration.

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  67. This is a beautiful pattern! You are right about the paints ... what we have now is much better for longevity. :)

    I"d love to win a pattern for this piece -- my Shiva paintsticks are ready and waiting. :)

    Linda

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  68. Your quilt is amazing! I also love your tulips table runner.

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  69. What a beautiful quilt! The thought of stencilling scares me, but if I won a pattern I would definitely give it a good try! Might try it anyway... one day.

    Cheers
    Shari

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  70. Another amazing quilt. I love your work but have not tried stenciling myself. Would love to win a pattern.
    marlene.scobbie@gmail.com

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  71. Hi Esther, What a beautiful tablerunner, I just love your gracious designs. Red Delicious is nearly done (snif) and I loved doing that. Time to learn something new: stencilling!! Kindest regards from the Netherlands, Anita.
    email: janwesterveld@zonnet.nl

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  72. This quilt is amazing and so wonderful to watch, each time I notice something new!
    It's been a couple of weeks since I bought your stencil lessons, and now I finally have the right fabric to begin.....
    It will take a longer time to get close to your workmanship and maybe I never will. Thank you for sharing this beautiful quitl!

    Genie
    from http://lapis-lazuli-q.blogspot.com/

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  73. this is a stunning piece of art!! thanks for sharing it

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  74. Thanks so much for all you share on your blog. You are such an inspiration to me. I would love to win this pattern.

    Gayle
    mazonsquilting@certainty.net

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  75. Hi,

    I love your quilts..you are so talented!!

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  76. Absolutely beautiful. Inspirational. Now I want to try to make a quilt using your stenciling approach. Thanks for sharing.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  77. Wow! This is a stunning quilt, which I thought was appliqued until you explained it is stenciled. Now that is intriguing and opens up so many possibilities! Thank you for sharing it with us :o)

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  78. Just discovered your blog.
    I belong to a Quilt History
    Study Group and have only
    seen one antique quilt that had
    "some" stenciling on it and
    it was very well cared for.
    Love your technique - the
    results are beautiful!
    I am tempted to try it as I
    do paint and dye my own fabric.

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  79. Well, I've learned something....add to the list of things I want to try! Beautiful work.

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  80. I've stenciled walls, but never quilts. What a good idea!! It looks wonderful. kathryn.laposata@gmail.com

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  81. Wow what an amazing quilt! So very stunning.

    Jocelyn
    http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/

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  82. A work of art!!! Thank you for sharing this.

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  83. Oh, Esther, this is exquisite. I'm a Francophile at heart and love all of their intricate ironwork so this quilt touches on both of my favourites. Excellent work. I've never tried a stencil quilt but I have stencilled on walls. I'd love to try this technique. It looks so complicated.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  84. Your quilt is stunning! I have never tried stenciling and it does seem intimidating. It sure is lovely!

    Trisha
    tlcstitches@q.com

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  85. Very Striking - I'm new to quilting and have never heard of this technique. Thanks for sharing!


    cjnm at yahoo dot com

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  86. Quite gorgeous! You are doing some fabulous work with stencils - I am really impressed and look to see more of your quilts!

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  87. These quilts are great. Truly exquisite and works of art. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  88. That's not a technique I've ever thought of, but it is certainly effective. Thanks for showing us.

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  89. Oh Esther, another gorgeous stencil quilt!

    Thanks so much for offering your pattern as a give-away-I would love to try one of your stencil patterns!

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  90. Very striking. I am not familiar with stenciling as it applies to quilting. Another technique to learn!! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.

    Rene'
    renecreates@gmail.com

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  91. Way back at the beginning of my quilting life (let's just say about 30 years ago), I put together some double wedding ring blocks from my step-grandmother. Because I thought the 'center' portions too plain I cut my own (simplistic) stencil and stenciled a flower. I then used portions of the stencil as a quilting pattern. I like yours better. You can see mine here.

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  92. I never heard of that technique, and it looks beautifull, I´ll love to win your giveaway, and I´ll be visiting your blog to learn more.
    Diana Zamora
    From Costa Rica
    chinazamora@costarricense.cr

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  93. Very beautiful work duvet .
    Wonderful autumn.
    Greeting Marika Hungary

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  94. Your quilt is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Debi in Grand Rapids, MI USA

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  95. Lovely quilt it is so nice. I have never tried stencil quilting.

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  96. I love to stencil clothing, but had not thought about for quilts .... excellent idea and just love your quilt!

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  97. What a beauty! I'd love to try this technique....just started using paints and colored pencils on my quilts.

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  98. A wonderful quilt and a great design! kienypoppen at gmail.com

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  99. I have never heard of stencil quilting before, but I find your quilt amazing, so I hope I win and try it out. Thanks for introducing us to new ways of quilt art!

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  100. What a wonderful idea and talent you are sharing with us! I never knew that quilt stenciling was considered an heirloom craft, but it makes sense - kind of goes along with the whole cloth quilting idea.

    kristanellsworth@gmail.com

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  101. I've not seen this technique before, it's amazing - your quilts are absolutely beautiful. I can't imagine myself producing such a work of art but I would certainly like to give the technique a try. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous quilts.

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  102. That is lovely, I've never seen anything like it.

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  103. this is absolutely amazing! What a beautiful design!

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  104. This is a really stunning quilt. I hope one day I can make such things too.

    Have a nice day

    Szkornelia

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  105. You are an artist...and the perfection of your focus is clear. Thank you.

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  106. What a stunning quilt. I love it!

    I may have to try this technique, but I feel it is your creativeness that makes it so amazing.
    Congrats!

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  107. Beautiful quilt! I don't know about stencil quilting so will read up on this technique. You are very talented.

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  108. beautiful quilt...... just love it.... please enter me

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  109. The quilt is just lovely! The detail and intricacy you are able to achieve with stenciling is awe-inspiring. You do such beautiful work. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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  110. Wow!! I love the colouring and the detail. Another thing for me to want to learn :)

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  111. Your work is beyond amazing and obviously professional. I've been following your blog for some time now from mine at dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com.

    Please enter me into the drawing. If I win, my email is on my blog.

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  112. Beautiful! I love hearing about your technique - thanks for sharing!

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  113. That is a stunning design. I have never heard of stenciling a quilt, or if I have I never knew what it was. I'd love to give it a try!

    Rachel
    Rachel.obradovich@live.com

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  114. Stunning quilt. I always loved stenciling but never tried it with quilting. You do an amazing job at combining the two and I'd love to be included in your draw for your table runner pattern. It's beautiful too and a great way to try your technique. Thanks for sharing.
    WLAllen 219 at aol dot com

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  115. I've never stenciled before. Your work is truly lovely!

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  116. how exciting to have a chance to win something sooo lovely-thanks Esther for your generosity-Red Delicious and now this-luv the pattern, luv your blog-thanks again

    srocca2004@hotmail.com

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  117. Your work is absolutely amazing!
    The table runner and quilt are both so lovely. Thank you for sharing the technique and for the giveway. Hugs from France

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  118. I would love to learn stencilling, you make it look simple and I would love to give it a try.

    greeting Guilitta from Germany

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  119. Oh, I love this pattern! I Hope so I win this one.........
    Greetings, Anita in the Netherlands

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  120. Beautiful!
    Leila
    lmgardunia@yahoo.com

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  121. I would be so pleased if I won your glorious design. I am plodding away at Red Delicious, interrupted this month with wedding sewing, alterations packing for holiday and Christmas goodies being hand done, why wasn't the day made 36 hours long instead of 24???
    I love your work, admired your quilts when the were shown in Melbourne and thought 'if only' maybe one day with practice and patience

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  122. What a beautiful quilt! I've never thought of stencils as a quilt technique.

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  123. Beautiful Esther and what a generous offer to give-a-way a stencil. I would love to win. Good Luck everyone.

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  124. Both your design work and your quilting are amazing and beautiful; well done!

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  125. Who could resist such an amazing pattern? Love your work!
    blpaul28 at gmail.com

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  126. I would never have guessed this was stenciled when I first saw it. You're very talented and the intricate design is obviously the work of a passionate person! Thank you for sharing your quilt's story.

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  127. Esther,
    This is lovely work and indeed there are so many possibilities for colors and uses: totes, table runners, curtains, as well as quilts.
    I would like to try this technique.

    Lily
    Dutchgarden@yahoo.com

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  128. I think my reaction is too late, but I still want to let you know how wonderful I find your quilts. And I love flowers, so.... But your quilting is beautiful as well.
    Keep on going and I love to come back again.
    Bye, Marjolijn

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