Tuesday, January 23, 2018

A Bit of Subtle and a Giveaway to Lift your Seasonal Blues

Welcome - welcome Quilty Friends!
I'm excited to guest post on the
Aurifil Blog today sharing
a free project & tutorial:
~ The Subtle Tree ~
an 11" x 13" mini quilt.
The Subtle Tree is an exercise in thread painting, machine applique, and free motion quilting on a home sewing machine using my debut Aurifil Designer thread collection,
The Subtle Sampler.
Summer Heat or Winter Blues
have you down ?

The Subtle Tree can be stitched in a weekend and will brighten most any decor.
The tutorial video (below) will take you through the steps necessary to
make YOUR OWN
Subtle Tree.

Be sure to click to the Aurifil Blog and
download the Supply List,
watch the video tutorial (below),
pickup The Subtle Sampler
at your favorite shop,
and get making your own
Subtle Tree.

YouTube Video Tutorial -- Click image below 

It was so much fun to create
The Subtle Tree
I think we should have
a Subtle Tree for Spring too!
Are you in ?
I'm giving away a Subtle Tree kit including:
1. V and Co's Mint Ombre by Moda
2. The Subtle Sampler thread collection
3. A slice of Dream Fusion by Quilters Dream
4. AND a bit of muslin.
*
To get in on the Kit Giveaway, leave a comment with your feedback on the project.
I've never done a video tutorial quite like this one.  
Did you like it ?   
How would you improve upon it ? 
Any other constructive comments appreciated... 
*
Be sure to leave an email address so I can reach you when you WIN!! 

For extra entries you can:
Like, Comment or Share any or all of the following:
*
The Subtle Tree announcement on my
*
The Subtle Tree announcement on
*
*
For each entry leave a comment on this post. 
Entries will close Monday, January 29th at Midnight EST
Good luck!
Thank YOU for joining in the fun.
Good luck and Happy Stitching!
*
Karen

PS -- Special thanks to sissy Janet for the photo-stop.... Her cottage is sweet! 

Handy Links for The Subtle Tree


169 comments:

  1. I love the SubtleTree. It is beautiful but seems doable. You do a great job showing how to do it! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  2. This is incredibly creative and so "out of the box"!! I just love the idea and now my mind is in fireworks with other ways to use this technique. Your video shows the technique very well and thank you!

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  3. I do LOVE the SubtleTree! And, yes, I'm in for a tree for all seasons!! A great opportunity to increase my stash of Aurifil threads! Love #Aurifil thread!! I've done a little thread painting and this will be a great exercise. The video was nicely done, but moved a little too fast for me to catch everything. Thank goodness for pause and rewind! LOL Thanks for the opportunity to win. This is awesome!

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  4. Your video is perfect! I have not tried thread painting before, but these directions make it so doable! I would not of thought of using prairie points as hanging tabs - wonderful idea! So pretty! Thank you so much for sharing, Susan

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  5. I shared on Facebook! Thank you, Susan

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  6. I shared on Instagram! Thank you, Susan

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  7. I shared your video on Google+! Thank you, Susan

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  8. I liked and shared on facebook.

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  9. Very cute! Love the birdie! ndfromsd atgmail dotcom

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  10. I enjoyed the tutorial very much. It covered everything needed to know with just the right amount of photos! The project is lovely and looks like a lot of fun!
    yoyopattycakes@hotmail dot com

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  11. The video is so helpful -- I never would have tackled a project like this before but with your video, I think I will give it a try. Thanks so much.

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  12. I love your video. Lovely project. I've never tried thread-painting before, but will try it! Thanks!

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  13. I've "liked" the post on Aurifil FB page.

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  14. I "liked" the post on the Redbird Quilt Co. FB page.

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  15. I love the SubtleTree! What an adorable idea!

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  16. Very nice and the video is great. Thanks.
    nlienfargoatgmaildotcom

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  17. Gorgeous, Karen. I love thread painting... Thanks so much for another wonderful tutorial

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  18. The video tutorial was nice, but moved a little to fast for me to read everything. Would be nice to have a voice and even nicer to actually show doing each part of the thread painting and quilting. It wouldn't have to be complete, but a few minutes from the beginning and ending of each step. People who have already been doing thread painting and FMQ may not need this, but as a beginner I do. Thanks for the tutorial. I really like the concept.

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  19. Loved the tutorial! It's great to have written instructions on the screen, and it's easy enough to stop the video if needed. And thanks for the chance for the great giveaway!

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  20. Great job Karen! The only thing that would make the video better would be to show some of the actual thread painting. The little bird was a cute touch. Thanks for the instructions for a cute project.
    cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

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  21. I have been wondering about thread painting and I think I'm ready to try it! The tree is one of my favorite things in nature and this one is awesome! Love it! How about one in fall colors?

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  22. What a fantastic project. Can’t wait to try it myself. Drhodes9@cox.net

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  23. I liked the announcement on Aurifil's Facebook post.

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  24. I liked your Facebook post announcing this project.

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  25. I also liked your announcement on Instagram.

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  26. Hi, first, I just want to say that because of your blog I really really do want to try the aurifil thread for quilt bindings and quilting. I never knew which needle I needed and how the thicker thread worked in the machine. My feedback for this post is that I am not able to watch the video because I am at work. (sad face) I would love to to try the aurifil threads.

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  27. I Followed and liked this post on facebook! I look forward to more posts!

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  28. I Liked and followed you on instagram! bring on the eyecandy!

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  29. The Aurifill's blog page link wasn't working , but I tried to go and comment.

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  30. OOOH. I am now following aurifill's page on face book! and I liked your post :)

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  31. I went to Aurifill's Instagram and followed but I didn't see your tree post :(

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  32. I commented on the Auribuzz page.

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  33. Thank you for the tutorial. Very cute project. I really like the quilting background. That clear Bernina foot is intriguing.

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  34. I commented on the Youtube Video.

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  35. I liked the post on the Redbird Quilt Co. Facebook page.

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  36. Beautiful thread collection. Thanks for the instructions. You make it seem doable!

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  37. I "liked" the post on the Aurifil Facebook page.

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  38. I love this design! Your video was great for showing all the steps. Well done!

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  39. I visited your FB feed and liked your Subtle Tree there. Calund47 at gmail dot com

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  40. I also visited Aurifil’s FB page and liked the Subtle Tree post. Calund47 at gmail dot com

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  41. This is very pretty. Karen you are so talented with this artistic sewing. Well done. Thank you always for sharing

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  42. The video is well done and easy to follow. The only improvement I'd want is to watch you FMQ. That's always an inspiration! golfingofcourse@gmail.com

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  43. I commented on the video on YouTube. golfingofcourse@gmail.com

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  44. I commented on the Aurifil Blog.
    golfingofcourse@gmail.com

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  45. LIKE Your creative process here! Thanks for the tutorial+giveaway! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  46. Thanks for the tutorial, I had no idea how you made this adorable tree. Great job!

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  47. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  48. COMMENTED on the post of Aurifil FB page.
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  49. COMMENTED on the post of Aurifil's Blog page.
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  50. COMMENTED on the post of Your FB page, Your Blog+Your Instagram! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  51. I love this project. I have been wanting to try thread painting and this looks like just the project to get me started. Thanks for sharing via the u-tube video. kjconnelly@verizon.net

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  52. This is a beautiful project. I like how you combined different ways of creating this. One for Spring would be amazing too, I'm sure. Have a great day!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  53. What a great project! I like the video which are always too quick for me so I always go back and listen again.

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  54. Loved the video. Thank you for sharing the project.

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  55. I liked on Instagram! Thank you for all of the inspiration! I also love the scenic photos, and the bird (animal) photos you along with your sister share with us!

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  56. I miss your smiling face on this video! But otherwise, it's very fun to watch. Constructive comments: along about the 4 minute mark, the slides change too fast and I had to pause and go back 3 times to read all the info. Same in a few other sections, too. I also didn't know how those hanging tabs worked? As far as the process, I do believe viewers will get the idea. Great tips, and a wonderful finished product!

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  57. Hi There Karen,
    Another Stunning Work Of Art,Absolutely Love Your Work

    Linda Gervin

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  58. I love its simplicity and the color palate but I would make the bird more distinctive. Maybe outline with a contrasting thread.

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  59. Loved the tree quilt, but miss your regular videos. Thanks for the giveaway. I will try this thread painting quilt soon.

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  60. I loved the video, especially since I seem to retain things better when I see how they are done. It helped, too, being able to read what is going on. I don't hear well, so reading was much better for me!

    Sandy A

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  61. I thought the way you showed the tree thread painting was very helpful. The notes on the side were also very helpful. Only downside, was I found the music a little distracting.

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  62. I liked the IG post on aurifil @lolly2430

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  63. I've done a tiny bit of thread painting on water soluble interfacing, but love this idea of using muslin. All the colors are so, so .... subtle, love it!!

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  64. I liked Aurifil, & redbird facebook pages. btw - your directions were clear & seem as if they will be easy to follow. thank you for sharing the project

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  65. I love your Subtle Tree. I have never tried thread painting, but after watching your video, I would like to give it a try.

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  66. It was wonderful to watch, excellent. I've never tried thread painting but I might now. Not sure of how to improve. Looked great to me. Jmikebalou(at) aol (dot) com

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  67. I left comments and I do follow on FB both you and Aurifil. Jmikebalou(at) aol (dot) com

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  68. Saw the picture of the Subtle Tree and thought, I could never do that. I then watched the video and thought, "yes I could". Great work Karen as always. Love your quilting.

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  69. Loved your video. I'd love to learn more about thread painting. I commented on your YouTube channel. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  70. I also commented and like and follow your IG feed. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  71. Love the SubtleTree. The tutorial is wonderful with easy directions. Thread painting is on my "list to do" now!

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  72. The video is great! I did think that some of the typed signs were shown too quickly. Very lively and fun! Thanks!

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  73. Great video. Thanks for sharing. I like you listed the thread color and wt that you used.

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  74. This is a great project! Not overwhelming at all. You are so generous with your time and talents. So fun to see your picture on the thread case!

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  75. Great video! Easy to follow and not complicated.

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  76. Your video tutorial is great the way it is. No two people have the same style of creating and teaching so having fresh and new perspectives with music and other voices is great! Thank you for sharing!

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  77. Great project to showcase your lovely collection! Very much enjoyed the video. Would recommend having a downloadable PDF for the quilting design because not everyone will know how to "trace" from the video. ;-) elita(dot)sharpe(at)live(dot)com

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  78. I've liked the post on your Instagram. Thanks for the opportunity to win such an awesome kit! elita(dot)sharpe(at)live(dot)com

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  79. I've liked the post on your FB page. Thanks for the opportunity to win such an awesome kit! elita(dot)sharpe(at)live(dot)com

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  80. I've liked the post on Aurifil's FB page. Thanks for the opportunity to win such an awesome kit! elita(dot)sharpe(at)live(dot)com

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  81. I've liked the post on Aurifil's Instagram. Thanks for the opportunity to win such an awesome kit! elita(dot)sharpe(at)live(dot)com

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  82. I love the Subtle Tree, and the red bird is the finishing touch! You did an excellent job on the video. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  83. Beautiful work and tutorial, as always! Thanks
    GARVEY56@GMAIL.COM

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  84. You did a great job on this video tutorial! I really appreciate being able to pause it, jot down some of your very comprehensive instructions, and then move on. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into this.

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  85. I commented on the Aurifil blog post. I'm glad they drew attention to your outstanding video tutorial.

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  86. I do like the tutorial! The only thing I'd want to see different is a tip added for ways to combat the fabric bunching up around the edges of the tree, as I can picture that giving me problems.

    Thank you so much for the tutorial and giveaway!

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  87. Lovely tree. Definitely would like to try some thread painting. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  88. This is intriguing!! Want to make it!!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  89. I shared your post on Facebook!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  90. I reposted your Instagram!! Thank you!!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  91. I commented on Auribuzz blog! Thank you!!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  92. I shared the Aurifil post on Facebook!! Thank you!

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  93. I reposted Aurifil’s post on Instagram!! Thank you!
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  94. I commented on YouTube! It has so much energy I can't wait to do it! Marcia (tickles852@yahoo.com)

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  95. I went to Facebook and commented there! The more I think about it the more things I want to try with this! I think it would be great fun to have a special and unique one to show in each of the different seasons! Marcia :)(tickles852@yahoo.com)

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  96. Love this..I am going to try this..
    kjserg@gmail

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  97. Hi Karen,
    Love the project and love the way the video was put together. I started mine tonight and will be working on it all weekend! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  98. I liked the utune Video
    Tracyscottbrooks@me.com

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  99. Your tutorials are always expertly accomplished.
    On this style, however, i would have liked just a little longer time to read the texts. This cute little tree will be a fun challenge !

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  100. I left a comment on the YouTube presentation :)

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  101. Karen your tutorial was greatly throughly enjoyed the video. Stumbling across your hearts content pillow post a few years ago changed my life and inspired me to really dig into fmq. Thank you! Stacy__jamieson@hotmail.com

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  102. I love your tutorial I am learning so much from you and you made me get my feet wet instead of just look Nancy5217@aol.com

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  103. Love the Subtle Tree! This just might be the Christmas tree I need since I don't put up a big tree!! The tutorial was good. Hope to see more.

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  104. This is an interesting project. I'll be doing this one in a few weeks. Thanks for all the helpful hints.

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  105. A gorgeous project! The tutorial is very good, I would love to make this tree.

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  106. I left a comment on the Auribuzz blog.

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  107. I fell in love with this beautiful tree the first time that I saw it at your workshop. Someday...maybe I can accomplish this project. Thank you for sharing your expertise.


    cha16946san@gmail.com

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  108. Commented on your IG post...love those french knots on the wild goose chase on steriods!

    bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  109. Looking forward to giving thread painting a try. The colors you have incorporated are beautiful and your tutorials are always very informative.

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  110. What a sweet and different way to make something. I think it is beautiful. I want to try some thread painting too. charlottemaxwell57@gmail.com

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  111. Commented on your facebook page as well.

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  112. I have always been too intimidated to try thread painting, but I think I can make a go at this one. Thank you for the tutorial, and making it seem like something I can try!! It’s so beautiful! ashspitler@gmail.com

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  113. What a great tutorial! I have never done thread painting before but it seems very clear from the tute. Thank you so much, Karen, for another fabulous project and inspiration=) Beautiful thread collection and the possibilities are endless!

    imalyuko@yahoo.com

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  114. I love this!! The tree is beautiful and your work is amazing. The video was also really cool! It would be helpful if a little more Time was given on some slides to read and absorb all the information- I was distracted by the beautiful quilting work!! �� email: thestitchgirl@yahoo.com

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  115. Beautiful little quilt and great tutorial.One day I want to try some thread painting.

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  116. Great tutorial! Once I kept my finger over the pause button, I found my groove! Can't wait to get my hands on your subtle sampler and make this...after I make the Redbird and Berries mini :)

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  117. Lovely quilt and tutorial - another winner - your quilts are dynamite!!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  118. Great video tutorial. Easy to follow. Great job.

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  119. Commented on the Aurifil blog post! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  120. Very cool, want to try this out.

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  121. I haven't done much thread painting in a while. This looks like an interesting project to get started again. Love the threads and the pattern.

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  122. I rarely ever enter giveaways as I figure it's unlikely that I'll win. BUT - I would love to have one your thread boxes :-) so I'm making an exception. I think the video was super - the timing was just right; meaning, I wasn't finished reading and waiting for it to move on like I often am on videos. The music was cute, but it got to be a tad annoying - maybe something with a longer repeat? (It just now occurred to me that I could have turned the sound off - duh!) Actually watching you stitch out some of the thread painting would be helpful, although for this particular video, the way that you showed it was good enough. I always like to see things being stitched out, or at least drawn out in 'real time'
    I love your quilting and I am so happy to have found you and have the chance to learn from you (and the chance to win this set ;-)
    blessings ~ Tracy

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  123. Commented on Blog .... cshelleyqbq at gmail dot com.

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  124. Following on Red Bird Instagram. Cshelleyqbq at gmail dot com.

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  125. Liked, following and commented on your post in the Aurifilthread instagram site.

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  126. I love this project and I am eager to try it. I am comfortable with free motion quilting but haven't done much thread painting. This will be fun!

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  127. Liked, commented on you tube video, and subscribed to your you tube site.

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  128. I LOVE this technique!!! SEW on my list to try. I have a "vision" in my head of one of my favorite little birds, the chickadee, and a tree. Would love to make for my mom for Mother's Day with a bluebird! Our family just LOVES our "birdie birds". I would not change a thing on the video...very easy to understand and I also subscribed! My email is: jljustme615@yahoo.com and thank you for the opportunity to win!

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  129. You are SO CREATIVE!!!! Your techniques, your vision for FMQ, colors, and the love you share in our quilting community is MOST VALUABLE!!! I follow you on Fb, Instagram, and blog —- yikes I’m sounding like a stocker 😅😇. Thank you!!!!

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  130. I am looking forward to This tutorial because I love your work! Winning or not you are such a great teacher!!

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  131. As always your tutorials are inspiring. Love the thread painting!

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  132. Sorry, my email is heavenbound7860@gmail.com

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  133. I love your tutorials. You make is very easy to follow you. I have recently discovered Aurifil because of you. I love this thread and plan to get more of it. I would love to win so I could quickly I increase my stash of thread.
    No matter I will be using Aurifil for all my future projects. Thanks so much
    Marianna mfantigr@rochester.rr.com

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  134. Love your tutorials and Aurifil thread. Karen at kmoss813@gmail.com

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  135. This tutorial is outstanding! I can't believe how much I learned in 6 minutes. I had never seen the french knot addition to background quilting, or the points for hanging a quilt. I love the kind of fuzzy applique stitching around the tree that is so tree-like. The photography was excellent, the music made me happy, and I appreciated that you shared the exact products you used for each step. I also like the background quilting diagram with heavier ink to show where you go over previous stitching lines. Everything was perfectly clear and it's nice to have the option to pause the video and absorb each step. And of course the overall project is gorgeous. I have no suggestions. It's perfect! I'm inspired. I'm going to try it! Thanks so much for sharing this.

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  136. This collection of Aurifil thread is beautiful. What a great prize!! Karen, if I could do one tenth of your machine quilting work I would be ecstatic!

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  137. Your tutorial is a great help! Love The Subtle Tree!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  138. Your tutorial is great. Fantastic opportunity to win the Aurifil thread & practice on a tree of my own.

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  139. Even though I missed the giveaway, I wanted you to know, the tutorial was awesome!!! good job!!

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