Christmas in July with Nordic Holiday and Fabric Giveaway

Amanda Murphy's Nordic Holiday fabrics (by Benartex Fabrics) is refreshing, modern and appeals to just about any quilter. Snowflakes, reindeer, bears and a non-traditional holiday color palette combine to inspire all sorts of patterns.

Amanda included a lovely reindeer in her collection.

Nordic Holiday reindeer
I have a similar one I designed in 2004.

Reindeer from my Merry Merry quilt
I initially was going to bring out my Merry, Merry patterns from 2006. But then I thought "Lone Star."

Here are the set of fabrics Benartex sent me.
Nordic Holiday fabrics
I call this easy because I took out all the y-seams traditionally associated with a Lone Star quilt.

I selected two fabrics with good contrast for my star center. I cut two strips of each. Offset the red one as shown here and sewed with 1/4" seam, pressing toward the red print . Using the 45 degree line on my ruler, I lined it up with the seam as shown below. Slice off the side. (This pattern can be found in my Etsy store for $6.00!) This makes a whopping 29" Lone Star.

Seam and slice at 45 degree angle on left side 
Re-cut the wedges as shown. You are measuring from the CUT edge. Do NOT use the lines on your cutting mat for this. It's all in relation to your ruler.
Cut Two-Patch 45 degree wedges


Place the red diamonds at the pointed ends
Two wedges become a Diamond 4-Patch
 Sew together and press seam open.
Diamond 4-Patch, seam pressed open.
 Make 8 of these units
Make 8 Diamond 4-Patch units
Now we cut the setting triangles, large and small. Remember, there are no y-seams! I selected the wonderful gray scroll print.

Cut four small squares and four large squares. Recut each into two triangles each. You will now have 8 small and 8 large triangles.

Large and small setting triangles
It's important to audition your triangle placement before you sew. It's easy to get things mixed up. Sew the small triangle on first. Press toward the triangle. Then add the large triangle (which is slightly oversized). Again, press toward the triangle.

Make 4 of these units
Make 4 units that are the mirror image of the above unit. This is how they will look when sewn together.
These are mirror images of each other
Use your long ruler and the 45 degree line to help you slice off the excess large triangle. I also like to align the ruler markings for inches along one or more seam line. Sewing diagonal seams can be tricky!

Slicing excess fabric
Now, place the two units together and sew with 1/4" seam; press seam open. Make four.

Make 4 of these units
And what does it look like with all those seams pressed? Here is the 29" star from the back.
Seams pressed open make for a very flat quilt center
Now for the borders. I wanted to use the reindeer print, but I only had enough for 2 borders (without chopping off parts of the reindeer!) So, I took that awesome red snowflake print and used that for the sides. Who says your borders have to match?

I also wanted to introduce a green. Inner border was cut 1-1/2". Outer reindeer print was cut (VERY CAREFULLY) at 6-1/2". The snowflake print only allowed me to cut two 5-3/4" strips. Again, who says your quilt's borders have to be the same size?!

Here she is: Holiday Star, 41-1/2" x 43"


I also made some very quick, small projects using my new workshop pattern, Double Hexie Stars. Let me show you!

Double Hexie Star (16" x 18") using the Snowflake fabric for the center

I fussy cut this awesome reindeer for my next star
 I couldn't toss the remaining bits of the red reindeer print. I cut 5 hexagons, set with triangles and this was given a few months ago as a housewarming gift for a newly wed couple.

Small quilt using those reindeer fabrics!

Comments

  1. Amazing fabrics-colors & designs are so sweet-love your hexies! Thank you, Susan

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  2. I love your patterns you used.

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  3. Pretty stars made with this collection. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  4. Those hexies from the leftovers will make great candlestand mats for Christmas. Thanks for the lone star tutorial too, I'd love to make one someday soon and that looks quite doable.

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  5. I'm inspired to sew something for Christmas now, but no time before vacation. I'll have a Christmas in August sewing day.

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  6. Your method for avoiding those dreaded Y-seams is genius! I really love this pattern and the colors in this fabric collection are so pretty...a perfect combination!

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  7. Love your quilt Debby and your tutorial is great. These fabrics are really beautiful!

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  8. Love Christmas fabric and these colors are yummy.

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  9. Love the Christmas prints. The Lone Star and Double Hexi stars look great. I've printed the instructions for the lone Star and hope to makr one soon.

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  10. love the lone star quilt - very nice

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  11. Thanks for the large lonestar pattern. Love the idea and it could be used as the centre of a medallion quilt.

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  12. I really like your hexagon designs!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  13. Thanks for the Lone Star pattern. It looks great in the fabrics.

    Caryn
    caspharm@yahoo.com

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  14. Thanks for the Lone Star Block tutorial. I love the double hexie star too.

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  15. The Lone Star tutorial is just so cute! This fabric is awesome and so are the hexies. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

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  16. Thanks for those clear and very do-able instructions on the lone star. This line is very cute!

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  17. I love these fabrics. The reindeer is wonderful.

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  18. Love, love ,love these fussy cuts in the blocks!

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  19. I love these designs, I really have to make them.

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  20. Beautiful Christmas prints in this collection!!!

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  21. I love the double hexagons!! They make fussy cutting so fun.

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  22. Fantastic projects! I will definitely be making some of those! Thanks for the Holiday Star tutorial!

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  23. this fabric and your quilts and the hexagons are wonderful. thanks for sharing the tutorials and the reindeer quilt.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  24. Great fabrics, and I love the directions for the star and can't wait to see how you do the hexies. Great stuff!

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  25. I stopped here because the fabric is so beautiful. I had no idea you had such a special treat for us. This lone star quilt is genius. (Yep I said it!) I'm not afraid of y-seams but this is so much better. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes of winning the fabric.)

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  26. Love this fabric and wonderful project.

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  27. Love the reindeer! And so happy to be able to make something without those dreaded y-seams.

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  28. I love the reindeer in the hexagons. Thanks for the chance to win. Karen Carpenter. fkmsc@comcast.net

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  29. Thanks for the Lone Star tutorial. I also love your double hexie star.

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  30. Thanks for the great tutorial! I love lone star quilts but haven't made one yet. This may just be what I needed to push me to make one!

    Sandy A

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  31. The fabric is beautiful and the projects you design are fabulous! Thank you for all the great inspiration.

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  32. Oh how lovely! I
    love all the
    reindeer.
    Carla from Utah

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  33. Nice job with the fussy cutting! Your blocks are great. Thanks for sharing an awesome giveaway!

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  34. Thanks for the easy tutorial! I love the star and the fabrics! Your other blocks are nice, too.

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  35. Great blocks and fabric! The tutorial was quite helpful.
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  36. Thanks for the great tutorial!Love these Blocks! Thanks for sharing a great giveaway too! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  37. Love these fabrics and your Lonestar! They work beautiful together. The double hexie star is very nice also. Am happy to see colors, other than green and red in the Christmas lines in recent years. Thanks for sharing your tutorial!

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  38. Your Star Quilt and small projects are super; I like that you used up the fabrics in the hexie pieces. It is a beautiful collection of fabric.

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  39. LOVE your Holiday Star!! Beautiful!! Christmas is my favorite time of Winter... Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! :)

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  40. Popped by to see what you were up to! You're up to a lot as usual. Great blocks. The holiday star is lovely. :)

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  41. Pretty pretty pretty!!! I never remember that making a single block bigger can be just as cute as when they are smaller.

    Thank you for the giveaway!!!

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  42. Love the quilt you made with that gorgeous fabric.

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  43. Great use of this fabric collection, thank you for sharing!

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  44. I'm surprised at how much I'm attracted to Christmas fabrics matched with white backgrounds! This is a great project!

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  45. The double hexie star is wonderful.

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  46. Some beautiful fabric. Makes a lovely lone star.

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  47. I love how easy it is to do this star. One reason I haven't done the diamonds in a star is because I don't like the "y" seam. Thanks for making this easy!!

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  48. Thanks for the star pattern and tutorial. Love these Benartex fabrics. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

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  49. Your projects are gorgeous! Thanks for the great tutorial, love the construction method you used.

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  50. Love the reindeer design! Appreciate the lone star tutorial, i may finally try one!

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  51. Thank you for the lone star mini tutorial! I've marked it as a favorite and hope to work on it soon! 5 months till Christmas...doable!! Thanks for the chance!!

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  52. How cool! I love the starflakes.

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  53. Wonderful! Loving that fabric!!!!

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  54. thanks for chance to win this lovely fabric line

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  55. Lovely Christmas fabrics. Thank you for the great photos. I always follow your tutorials because of the photos. Thank you for the time you take posting all of them. I am sure you have helped a lot of people create.

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  56. No Y-seam Lone Star? I'm sold. The reindeer and so adorable. I really like the colors in this collection. Not the traditional dark reds and greens. Your quilt would make a great wall hanging.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  57. What amazing star blocks.. and the fabric is just beautiful.. would be a wonderful and amazing way to start making decorations for the holidays. dquilterguy48329 (at) prodigy (dot) net

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  58. Wonderful blocks - I love the Lone Star and the hexies are so beautiful and in Modern holiday fabrics too!

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  59. Your holiday star is wonderful. Thanks for the how-to!

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  60. Yay for no y-seams! All of your blocks are terrific.

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  61. Love that no y-seam lone star! I also really like your Hexie Star!










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  62. This is a wonderful use of these beautiful fabrics! I love this take on Christmas. One of my sisters just came back from a trip to Norway--I think I just decided on the perfect gift for her, with enough time to make it before Christmas arrives.

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  63. beautiful fabrics, would be stunning on any project!!thanks for the chance to win some!!!

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  64. Always wanted to do a lone star.
    Love the fabric

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  65. Christmas in Florida means non traditional colors. These would be so perfect for a tropical holiday. They are beautiful.

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  66. I love learning new techniques thanks for sharing. Love the Christmas fabric.

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  67. The Star Quilt is Stunning in those icy blues and Christmas red! Thank you for the tutorial, you've made it look like it was so simple to put together!

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  68. That is definitely the way to make a Lone Star! Thanks for all your great "shortcuts"!

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  69. Your tutorial is great, thanks! Really like Christmas fabric with blue in it and this one hit it just right.

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  70. I love Lone Star and this big one is wonderful. I will definitely be making this one.

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  71. Lovely fabrics, great projects! Love the double hexie stars and the simplified lone star.

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  72. Love the Christmas fabric! Love the colors! The tutorial was super great and very helpful! Thank you for this great giveaway!
    Have a super great day!

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  73. WOW - your work is beautiful as well as the fabric. thanks for the pattern.

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  74. WOW no Y-seams! LOVE it. Love the fabrics, and as a Scandinavian....(mostly Swedish and some Norwegian), would love to win the bundle. It's a gorgeous quilt.

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  75. Beautiful fabrics. Would be so fun to see with.

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  76. Beautiful fabrics and great projects. I love your star quilt!!

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  77. Great projects as always Debby! I've been loving the fresh modern Christmas lines...I love my traditionals as well, but would love to make something with this fabric. Thank you for the chance to win (I see the star in my future, and the hexies, and and)

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  78. Great minds, huh, on the reindeer?! Your quilt is beautiful. :-)

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  79. So many great ideas for these great fabrics.

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  80. Debby, I've never cut a Diamond shape much less make a Diamond 4 patch block. Thank you for your easy tutorial. I so appreciate the pics and the friendly tips on block construction. The reindeer does really make this collection feel Nordic:)

    bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  81. So, I see that turquoise and lime green are the Christmas colors for some designers this year! I try to get at least one fat quarter set each year of the favorite and make pot holders for Christmas--then my girls and I have a scrapbook of sorts of fabric favorites through the years.

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  82. the star is gorgeous and the table topper is a great way to use left overs.

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  83. Love the fabric and the pattern. I am inspired to try my hand at the lone star. Thanks!

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  84. Love the colors and the way they are put together. Once again, outstanding job.

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  85. Can't wait to make a star for Christmas! Thanks for sharing the pattern and tutorial.

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  86. Love the reindeer (yours and the fabric line!!). Your stars are amazing, great no Y-seams hint too!

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  87. Holly smokes you make that Lone Star look easy. I don't mind Y seams but I sure enjoy 'east' way more. Thanks for this one,

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  88. Such cute fabrics! Thanks for the ideas.

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  89. I love your fussy cut blocks!

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  90. Your Lone Star quilt is beautiful! Love the fabrics!

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  91. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.netJuly 28, 2017 at 5:19 PM

    Love that fabric and love your hexie stars!

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  92. Happy Christmas in July! Beautiful fabrics & beautiful quilt!

    Michigan address ready. :)

    Deborah
    Pink Scissors Design on Etsy
    pinscissorsdesign @ gmail. com

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  93. great lone star tutorial...you make it look so very easy...i will definitely have to give that one a try....i just love stars...and match them with christmas prints and you have a winner for sure. thanks for the generous give-a-way...janet
    jecagain@gmail.com

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  94. Hello Debby! I always love your tutorials! It has been such a long time since I have tried a Lone Star; the next time around, I will be using your tutorial. This fabric bundle you have chosen to use is such a delightful combination of bright colors that made me want to get a much closer look and do the touchy feely fabric thing I do when I really am excited about new fabrics! Alright, I know I am weird! Thank you for sharing your great tutorial and your special projects! Have a great day.

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  95. I love your Lone Star Quilt. I like the fussescut table runner. Those deer are so cute.

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  96. Hi Debby,
    Wow - so many comments today! I just love those fussy cuts reindeers in the center of those hexies. This is such a pretty collection of fabric. I would be thrilled to win it! Thank you for the opportunity. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  97. Reindeer are so much fun. Great tutorial. Thank you

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  98. Love, love, love this fabric!

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  99. I love this fabric. The colors are some of my favorites. I would like to make this quilt. Thanks

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  100. Thanks for a great tutorial. The large star really showcases these beautiful fabrics. mfhagopian@aol.com

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  101. Beautiful fabrics! Thanks for the tutorial.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  102. I've always loved lone star quilts but been intimidated by them. I will definitely have to give your method a try! Gorgeous fabrics, too!
    cathylouwilson@gmail.com

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  103. I love the lone star. Great tutorial, thank you.

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  104. Love those hexigons...and the fabric is just lovely....

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  105. I love these fabrics, and they look so good mixed together. You are an inspiration!

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  106. Your tutorial was wonderful. Awesome project.

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  107. I missed it, because I'm behind, but the reindeer is wonderful! I think I like him in the hexagons the best.

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  108. I'm probably too late for the giveaway. Just wanted to say your holiday star block is lovely.

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  109. These fabrics are so pretty!! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  110. Everything is lovely thanks so much for sharing. Drhodes9@cox.net

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Thanks for stopping by Debby Kratovil Quilts! If you had a question and don't get an answer from me, please feel free to email me at: kratovil@his.com