Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Monaluna Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway!


Yeap, you read it right, I am hosting a giveaway for monaluna today!! Not only that, she agreed to do an interview with me for my readers. I know she is one busy person, thank you so much for your generosity Jennifer!

Before we start, let me tell you a little bit about her and her design...

Back in May I was at an International Quilt Market and met so many designers that I admire... Can you picture me being so happy and overwhelmed at the same time? Anyways, back in to the main subject... all of them that I talk to are so nice. One of the people that left an impression on me is Jennifer.


She is the talented designer and owner of monaluna. After the market we did some emailing back and forth and she has been so nice and sweet, I have this feeling anyone who meets her will want to become friends with her.

Her design is modern and fresh. I love her color pallet and hint of nature in the design. My favorite collections are;
marin

and monaco


I wish I had a little baby boy at home, so I can use fabrics from Monaco to make a special quilt for him. They are just so adorable!

Are you ready to get to know Jennifer? Here is the fun part!

1. Have you been sewing and designing for a long time? When did you decide to become a textile designer?

I have been sewing for a long time, though I had a bit of a rough start with it. I loved hand sewing as a kid, but my first few attempts at machine sewing were really frustrating and I swore off it for years. Then, I decided to sew some pillows for my apartment, and I fell in love with being able to create unique designs for myself. After that, I tried all kinds of things, with varying levels of success. A couple years ago, I even sewed my own wedding dress, using 26 yards of dupioni silk – quite a project!

As for textile design, that happened almost by accident. I had worked in various aspects of design, including surface design for children’s clothing, and I’d also done a fair amount of artwork for print houses, which supply the artwork for apparel and accessories companies. In 2007 I was working as a freelance designer when things really started to slow down. With time on my hands and a number of sewing projects in my head, I started to think about using some of my prints for textiles. I got in touch with a number of fabric companies, and was able to license a number of my designs to Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

After designing several successful collections for Robert Kaufman, I felt determined to pursue my long-time goal of printing my designs on organic cotton. I had missed being involved in the whole product development process, and after a lot of thought and consideration, I decided to branch out on my own and start my organic fabric business.

2. Work and family life, how do you manage them all? Is there any secret you would like to share?

Ah, it’s a constant struggle! Some days, it doesn’t seem like I’m managing at all. My first collection of fabrics arrived about 3 weeks after my daughter was born, so the last year has been full of some steep learning curves. There was this beautiful time until she was 7 months old where she wasn’t moving around much, and I actually felt like I could really work and watch her at the same time. Now that she’s crawling and walking, all bets are off. It’s probably time to get childcare and really focus on the business, but I’ve been enjoying getting to spend this time with her. If there’s one secret, I would say it’s to do work that you really enjoy. That way, you resent it less when you’re up at midnight finishing something you didn’t get to that afternoon. I almost always look forward to my work, and that’s a wonderful feeling.

3. Where do you get inspirations for your design?

All over! I feel most inspired by nature, and my favorite way of inspiring myself is to go for a long walk or hike and really LOOK at things. There’s so much that we don’t see in our everyday life, and I like to be able to really focus and notice the patterns and beauty around me. One of the best ways for me to do this is to travel to new places. When I’m out of my usual environment, whether it’s another country, another city or just a new hiking trail, I notice my surroundings more keenly and clearly than I do at home. Even the smells and the light and sounds of a new place are clearer and special.

4. What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you since you started your company?

Well, it’s always very exciting when new shipments of fabric come in, but I think my favorite thing is seeing how the fabric is used by other designers and sewists. I love seeing the things that etsy designers have made, or when people send me photos of things they’ve sewn with the fabric. I also really love shipping it out to other countries. Last Friday, I shipped fabric to Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and Australia, and I prepared fabric swatches to send to Chile. If I can’t travel to those places right now, at least my fabric can!

5. Where do you think you and your business will be 10 years from now?

That’s a very good question! The usual idea is that you want to grow and expand, but I really love the size of my business right now. I am able to have a connection with my customers, and it feels really personal. I know it needs to grow, but I think it will be gradual. I would love to use my prints on different products, like stationery or wall art, but for now I’m still getting the hang of fabric. It will be very interesting to see where the organic market is in 10 years – I hope by that time it’s more the norm than the exception!

6. What are your favorite activities when you have any free time (if you have any at all!)?

Lately, I haven’t had much of what I think of as “free time”, but when I’m not working, I’ve been landscaping the yard of the 100-year-old house that my husband and I bought a year and a half ago. I love to garden, and have always wanted a big yard to work on, but now I’m realizing just how much work it can be! I’m hoping to build a chicken coop in the next couple of weeks – I’ve been wanting to get chickens for years, and now I finally can! I also really love to hike, dance, cook, entertain… but admittedly haven’t been doing as much of that as I’d like this past year.

7. Do you have a favorite quote to live by?

I have a friend who uses the Gandhi quote “You must be the change you wish to see in this world” as her signature. This one always rings true to me, and I really like the sentiment.

As I read the interview answers, I became a bigger fan of her and her creations. Again, thank you so much for your inspirations Jennifer. I hope you enjoy the interview too. :)

Here are the giveaway rules;

1. Visit her shop first and come back here to let me know which one was your most favorite collection. (1st entry)

2. Become a follower on my main page. (2nd entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway, tweet, become fan on Facebook. (3rd entry)

I will run the giveaway until midnight of the 30th and post the winner on 31st.
Good luck!

317 comments :

  1. I like Monaco but I'd love to win anything!

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  2. ow have I not known about this designer! I LOVE the monaco pink collection!

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  3. Oooh, it's difficult to choose! For me, it's a tie between Anika and Monaco. Lovely work Monaluna!

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  4. My first choice would be Anika in FQ's.Love it!

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  5. I am a follower of your blog already!Thanks so much!

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  6. I love Anika. The little fox print is fabulous!

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  7. ohhh, I LOVE the marin! So many possibilities for it!

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  8. I've been a follower for a long time now!

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  9. It is very hard to choose but I think Monaco is my favourite!

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  10. Tweeted the news here :- https://twitter.com/hueisei/status/106607800146345984

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  11. I love the Monaco collection.

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  12. I didn't know this shop. Love her fabric. Perhaps i prefer AniKa collection.
    Stefy

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  13. I am a follower! Of course :) I love TRH

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  14. I didn't know this shop.
    Beautiful fabric. I prefer Anika collection.
    Stefy

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  15. I put a link on side bar of my blog.
    Stefy

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  16. My favorites are Marin and Monaco Pink!

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  17. I am already a follower of your blog :)

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  18. I also follow your blogs, because your refashions are AWESOME!!!!

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  19. My most favorite collection is 'monaco'.

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  20. I've been a follower of your blog!

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  21. that was a really tough one. I think I'll go for Monaco, but Anika is a very close second!

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  22. Gosh, what a fabulous giveaway!
    I'd love to win either the anika or monaco! This was chosen with a heavy heart since all her fabric is fantastic!
    Thank you for hosting Sachiko!

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  23. I am always drawn to pink, green and brown, so Monaco Pink is my favorite collection although I love them all!

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  24. Oh, and I am already a follower of your blog :)

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  25. Love Anika - especially the hens, foxes and forest prints!

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  26. I like the swedish forest! And I have a link to your blog on my blog!

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  27. I love the Marin, but all of them are gorgeous.

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  28. I love the Anika collection (actually all of them!). ~EL~

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  29. I am a follower of your blog, also! ~EL~

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  30. I LOVE the Monaco Pink collection and I LOVE that it is organic cotton! It's beautiful!

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  31. I love the Monaco pink! So cute!

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  32. I heart the Anika collection. That foxprint makes me want to giggle!

    I'm also a follower :)

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  33. Oh wow...Anika is my all out favorite!

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  34. I like anika. I'am a follower of your blog. I'm also a facebook fan.
    Lovely work Monaluna.
    :)
    Núria.

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  35. I love the Anika collection, Monaco is a close 2nd though with it's modern feel. Nice interview!

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  36. I'm a GFC Follower of yours, as well as Google Reader subscriber. I love your tutorials. I feel a headband coming on...

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  37. They are all gorgeous, but I especially love Monaco Pink

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  38. Anika, though I think that if I could see Taali I would like it.

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  39. I love the monaco pink. It would be great for my granddaughter!
    I am also a follower of your blog!

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  40. My favorite collection is Marin, my second would be Anika. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    Brigid

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  41. I am a follower of your blog.
    Brigid

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  42. Hi Sachiko, I love both Monaco collections! I have a boy and a girl sharing a bedroom and think matching patterns in gender-specific colors would make some really cute, cool bedding for them! So, I'm really excited to learn about these fabrics...thanks for the giveaway! BTW: I made your famous "ruffle shirt" in green and receive compliments every time I wear it. Thank you!!

    mynoodlecaboodle@ymail.com

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  43. I love the taali. The sheep remind me of a lovely farm in Northern Virginia where dear friends live. I'd love to give them a gift with this fabric! It didn't appear to be available to purchase at this time. I'll check back!

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  44. I've been following you for more than a year and still get excited about your Wednesday link parties! Thanks!

    mynoodlecaboodle@ymail.com

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  45. Not only did I "Like" on facebook, I accidentally "liked" for my husband. I didn't realize he was logged on :)

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  46. ... And I already follow your blog

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  47. I really like the Anika collection of prints, please enter me in the draw and thanks!

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  48. I posted about this giveaway.
    Brigid

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  49. Definitely the Monaco is my favourite colour combination.

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  50. I am also a follower of your blog. :)

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  51. I absolutely ADORE the Monaco....what great "boy" fabric!!!

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  52. I'm definitely liking the Monaco Pink as my favorite!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  53. i love the monaco pink and anika!

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  54. Definitely the Marin collection! I hve a daughter and this would make great fall clothes.

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  55. i became a follower -- cute blog!

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  56. I love the Monaco collection. How lovely!!

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  57. I love the Monaco collection. I agree with you, it's perfect for boys!

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  58. I like the Marin collection... but there's a few out of the other collections that I think are lovely too!

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  59. I posted about the giveaway on facebook.

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  60. Wow-great fabrics! We live out in the country and I just may be redecorating with the Anika fabrics. Love them!

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  61. My fave is the manaco pink the bold patterns and color match ups is great.

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  62. I really like the "Monaco" line. Thanks much for the chance to win!

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  63. I have been a subscriber for a while now. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  64. i love the anika collection! i can see some "serious" grandchildren clothes coming from it.

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  65. I totally love Monaco! Those little turquoise and green scooters are amazing!

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  66. ...and I'm a follower of your blog and a fan on FB!!!!

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  67. Is one of everything the correct answer?? If I had to pick just one, it would be Anika for the darling little graphics. Thanks for the give-away!

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  68. I follow on Reader AND on your main page! Great blog!

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  69. I love the Anika line. Those little foxes are just so cute!

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  70. Hi,

    I like the Marin and Monaco lines. They're both beautiful. I'm also signing up to follow you.

    Ann

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  71. I love the Monaco Pink collection!

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  72. I'm a follower of your blog!

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  73. Hi! I like Anika...but it was very hard to pick one.

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  74. I put Monaluna on facebook for all to see.

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  75. I can't choose! The freshness of Monaco, the colors of Marin - i love both. VermontPines@aol.com

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  76. Love Monaluna fabrics! All of them! But I'm especially interested in Anika and Monaco in pink!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  77. I'm already a follower of your blog. :)

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  78. Oh, and I am a follower of your blog. Love your ideas and check in to see whats new.

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  79. Monaco Pink is my favorite. Although it all is awesome.

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  80. I love the Monaco Pink collection!

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  81. I love the Marin collection, but they're all lovely. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  82. I follow your blog with Google Reader.

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  83. HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!
    HAPPY QUILTING!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  84. LOVE THESE FABRICS,ESPECIALLY THE PINK MONACO COLLECTION!THANKS FOR SHARING!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  85. my favorite collection is monaco. what great colors and prints!

    gretchen.kingsley@hotmail(dot)com

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  86. i'm a follower of your blog.

    gretchen.kingsley@hotmail(dot)com

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  87. I really love the Monaco collection! So cute!

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  88. I am a follower of your blog! :)

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  89. Hi Sachiko! Thanks so much for the interview with Jennifer--it's always great to glimpse into a designer's life.

    I really like the anika collection, but I think the monaco is my favorite! Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  90. Also, I am already a follower of your wonderful blog :)

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  91. Actually I love love love the taali collection that is coming soon. I couldn't find the fabric in her shop, but I saw it on her blog.

    Hands down FAVORITE! :)

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  92. Monaco!!

    oshnpashn (at) gmail (dot) com

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  93. I am a happy follower of your blog.

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  94. I like the Monaco collection! So cute!

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  95. I love the Monaco Pink collection! So cute!

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  96. I am also a follower of your blog :)

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  97. Blogged here:
    www.oshnpashn.wordpress.com

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  98. I absolutely love all of the collections, but if I had to pick, it would be the monaco pink one.

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  99. I have always been checking in on your blog, but now am an official follower!

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  100. I'd have to agree with you, Monaco is my fave. I'm needing a new grandson....:)

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  101. I love the Monaco fabric... heck, I love them all.

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  102. I'm also a follower!
    Thanks for the chance.

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  103. Lovely prints! I like Anika the best.
    maryjowyse(at)yahoo.com

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  104. I'm a follower! Love Tea Rose Home!!
    maryjowyse(at)yahoo.com

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  105. I love the monaco pink!! They are all great designs and colors!

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  106. Anika is my favorite!

    mjwebhome (at) yahoo (d0t) com

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  107. I am a follower of your blog!

    mjwebhome (at) yahoo (d0t) com

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  108. I'd be very interested in this beautiful fabric. I visited her site and love the taali collection.

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  109. Wow! Hard to pick a fav, but I have to go with Monaco. The little scooters are the cutest!

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  110. I love the Monaco collection, especially the scooters.

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  111. I tweeted about this giveaway. @nalaxu

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  112. I really like the Marin and the Monaco pink! :)

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  113. Love Monaco. Perfect for a little boys room.

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  114. I love Marin! I can think of so many gifts to make with that. Nice Interview. I enjoyed it.

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  115. i love taali ..i guess the knitter in me loves the sheep!

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  116. i subscribed to your blog via email ..raineoc@yahoo.com

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  117. I really like the Monaco Pink - but being a mother of boys, the Monaco really appeals to me too!
    ltenhage@gmail.com

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  118. I love Anika!

    krispiks (at) aol (dot) com

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  119. I love Monaco Pink - lovely colors!

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  120. I'm a follower of your blog :)

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  121. LOVE the Marin collection! Perfect color scheme for our kitchen's "retro jungle" theme. :)

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  122. I already follow your blog! Count me in for wanting the Marin collection. :)

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  123. Posting a Facebook link right now! Love the Marin!

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  124. I LOVE Monaco Pink, so sweet - by girls would love something made from this collection.

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  125. So pretty! I love the Monaco Pink.

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

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  126. I am already a follower. Thanks for the chances to win!

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

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  127. I like the Marin -- my new favorite colors!

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  128. I am a follower of your blog.

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  129. I love the monaco pink! Thanks for introducing Jennifer!

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  130. LOVE the Anika collection! Thanks for the chance to win!

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