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September 23, 2013

Stitched Blooms - book review and giveaway!


Feeling Stitchy's old friend Carina from Polka and Bloom has a book coming out! Called Stitched Blooms, it has 300 floral, leaf and border motifs to embroider! We've been very lucky to have a sneak peak at it and I can say it is absolutely gorgeous! 


As well as a comprehensive embroidery introduction, there are 20 projects to make. Some of my favourite projects include a Mexican folk blouse, botanical art (I know what's going on my to-stitch list for my Christmas present giving this year), a Dala horse (check out Mollie's version when she reviewed the book) and a sweet dreams bedding set.


I think the highlight of the book though is the large collection of motifs at the back of the book. Looking through the pages of motifs is the embroidery pattern equivalent of being a kid in a candy store; the motifs range from borders to small to large-ish individual motifs which could be put on so many things, there isn't a pillowcase or item of clothing that is safe from me now! Although I am a big fan of large complicated patterns (that's where I'm personally at in my development as an embroiderer, as I've been embroidering for a fair few years now), there is so much to be said for smaller patterns, they're perfect for quick embroidery fixes where you can sit down, start something and finish it in one session, it's satisfyingly rewarding! And well, that big embroidery piece you spent months on, there's only so many things you can do with it, whereas with Carina's collection of motifs, in a blink of an eye you've got little leaves and flowers and cute Scandi borders appearing on everything! (And for those hankering after larger patterns, there's patterns such as the bedding set and the blouse as you can see.)



To prove no item of my clothing is now safe, I couldn't resist doing some alteration on an old plain white shirt of mine that had been sitting unloved in my wardrobe. It's still a work in progress, my plans got ahead of me, but this is what I've done so far.

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(The stitching around the collar is adapted from one of Stitched Bloom's patterns, I made it longer. Also I'm finding little hoops are really handy when trying to work round awkward bits of clothing.)

Now that I've hopefully tempted you all, how would you like to be in with a chance of winning a copy of the book and a bundle of seven different colours of floss that are favourites of Carina's?


To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave a comment below (and I'd love to know what item you've got sitting round the house you'd like to stitch a motif onto!) The giveaway will run till midnight UK time 30th September 2013 and is open internationally.

148 comments:

  1. entry comment.
    burlap is sitting with a hymn phrase waiting for a border and and to be stretched on a frame. it's amazing how far a project can get before it sits sits sits.

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  2. oh wow, i would buy cardigans and embroider them with those flowers!

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  3. I'd try out an old tee first then something more creative! x
    ohsogawjess at gmail dot com

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  4. Ooo! I've got some pillow cases I've been wanting to stitch a little something on .... Looks like there would be some good patterns in this book!

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  5. I love the blue work!! I would love something similar on a skirt!

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  6. I have some solid color t-shirts which could do with some spiffing up. :) These motifs look really cute. :)

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  7. I have some nice white dress shirts that I think need some jazzing up!

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  8. Tea towels! thriftstorecrafter at yahoo dot com

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  9. What a fabulous looking book! I have some plain fabric in contrasting colours to make some cushion covers out of, and a bit of stitching to add a dash of colour and tie them together would be a great winter project.

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  10. Ooh this looks like a great book! I would definitely spiff up some boring pillow cases I have, some friends have made me pillow cases with border stitching and those make me so happy to lay my head on!

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  11. I've been wanting to embroider a full skirt I have that's rather dull.

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  12. I would love this book! I would put the motifs on EVERYTHING! Shirts, pillowcases, bed linens, guest towels, bags, scarves, socks! EVERYTHING!
    :-)

    I love doing flowers and I have done pieces and framed them because I thought they were so pretty.

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  13. Oh, I have a lamp shade frame that needs to be adorned!

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  14. I too, have a no as loved as it could be shirt...white linen that could use a little color

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  15. My kitchen curtains could use a little jazzing up!

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  16. Oh wow such a wonderful book!! I've been searing for flower embroidery patterns for pillow cases and bath towels. Love Carina's designs. So excited :D <3

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  17. Hello,have a Redwork Raggedy Ann stitched on muslin and I'd love to add some writing now! Thanks for a neat giveaway!

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  18. I'd love to dress up some pillowcases with these little motifs...good luck everyone!

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  19. I've got some plain tote bags that could use a little bit of loving! Flowers would be perfect.

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  20. I'd love to add some embellishments to a few of my daughter's plain tshirts! So cute

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  21. I'd love to stitch some matching tea towels for my kitchen :)

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  22. That book looks yummy. I have two daughters and embroidery would look great on some canvas bags for them. Perhaps the denim shirt that I haven't worn in years would look better with some embroidery on it? I also think some baby onesies and/or bibs would great with some cute designs.

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  23. My bedroom curtains serve to hide the dreary outdoors in the winter...but plain white is not the most cheery! That's certainly what I'd start on.

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  24. I'd love to stitch on some plain hoodies!

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  25. I love the idea of stitching on a blouse. I have some dish towels I would like to do some motifs on.

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  26. I have an old small plain boring gray purse that is handy to throw in my cell, keys and some cash for a trip to the grocery store or some such errand. I would love to jazz it up with motifs from the book!

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  27. I have a few towels that need stitching!

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  28. A peasant top would look fabulous with some of those designs stitched on it . conn_and_vans_mom at yahoo dotcom

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  29. I have some plain sweaters that I have been dying to stitch something onto!

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  30. Pillowcases for me! I do love that blouse you're working on though.

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  31. I have some linen napkins that could use some stitchy love!

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  32. I'd like to add a few of those cute motifs to a linen zipper pouch! I have a couple of tea-towels waiting for the perfect design!

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  33. I have a couple of shirts that I would love to do this on.

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  34. I have a denim shirt that I have been waiting to stitch just the right design on. Your book looks wonderful!!!!

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  35. I want to stitch on some baby clothes!

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  36. Lots and lots of plain little boy clothes could use something extra :)

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  37. Thanks for the lovely give away..I would like to work on my daughter's dress..I bought many plane tops..so i would definitely use them

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  38. Sandie @ crazy'boutquiltsSeptember 23, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    I love to stitch! I would like to make my DGD some bibs with some cute stitching on them. Thanks for the chance!

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  39. That looks like a lot of beautiful flowers to stitch. Would be great on pillows or maybe my old blue jeans jacket.

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  40. I embroidered my jeans when I was in college 40 years ago. I'd like to do it again!

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  41. Well, this Christmas, funds are extremely tight, so I'm going pretty much handmade or hand-adorned all the way. I have several aprons I got really inexpensively at a Sidewalk Sale several years ago that have been just waiting to be prettied up and given to loved ones!

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  42. I've got some linens to adorn.

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  43. I'm thinking a pair of canvas tennis shoes! that would be fun

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  44. I've got a few dresses & shirts that need a little bit of jazzing up. The motifs I've seen in the so far seem to be just what I've been looking for.

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  45. My daughter has some pillows case dresses that need embelishing!

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  46. I have a purple linen dress that's always been too plain...

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  47. Right now I am looking to embroider bread bags for Christmas presents. I would do cute little floral designs on linen :)

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  48. I'd love to embroider my extremely plain tote bags!

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  49. I have a tote bag I use for knitting and crochet projects - it would be fun to dress it up with an embroidery motif

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  50. I would love to fancy up a few skirts with this beautiful embroidery!

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  51. I just got a new bed and it is just looking for some embroidered pillowcases to go with it.

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  52. I've been wanting to embroider a bag. Thanks for the chance to win this book.

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  53. I would absolutely love to have a copy of this. I have some flour sack tea towels that could use some dressing up.

    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

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  54. I've got a plain white skirt that I love the fit of, but I saw a picture of myself in it a year or so ago and couldn't believe how boring it looks when I'm wearing it- I've been thinking of sprucing it up with some embroidery, but haven't yet.

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  55. I've got a stain on a white blouse. It would be perfect for an embroidery project like this!

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  56. This looks a great book!
    I love your embroidery on your white shirt - I would love to do something similar on my blue shirt!

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  57. I have a couple of tea towels.

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  58. Ooh this book is on my wish lust - I have some little totes I want to make as Christmas presents and a touch of embroidery would be perfect on them..

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  59. Yay! Would love to win - am needing some inspiration for a project to get on with whilst waiting for baby no. 4 to appear (3 months to go still and I'm the size of a bus already!!) Thanks for the chance :-)

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  60. I'd like to embroider some of my jeans, I've not embroidered onto clothing before!

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  61. I am desperate for some hand stitched pillow cases for our bed- let me diy with this book, please!
    Freya
    thedressmakingdiaries.blogspot.com

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  62. I have some pillowcases I want to stitch!

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  63. First timer here - thinking of a neat little floral bouquet pattern on a drawstring pouch (like the jewelry pouch on last week's tutorial!) :)

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  64. pillowcases for my own bed - i run a B&B and so my bed is the neglected one! so fancy hand-embroidered pillowcases would give me that touch of luxury

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  65. I have a plain white duvet cover that I want to cover with embroidery. This will take a LONG time, but I like the idea of a long-term project like that. Pretty flowers would look just gorgeous on it!

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  66. I just made a red linen skirt ( as part of a learning to sew class), and was thinking a small embroidery design would be a good idea...
    And I am just finishing an embroidered tote for my mum, this may be Christmas/bday presents for a year or two

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  67. I have a tunic that I've been meaning to beautify for a while but haven't had a clue where to start motif wise, the cut and colour of the tunic is great but I removed some really ugly beads from it and it now needs some interest put back around the neckline so that I can wear it more often.

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  68. Thanks for offeringthis lovely book - I would be delighted to win it. I have just started a project called "Roses" by Di Van Niekirk.

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  69. I think I'll dress up my curtains. Thanks for a chance to win this book.

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  70. If I won this book would be for a young friend who is a natural whiz at embroidering. She stitches words & designs on small squares then sews them together & makes a pillow out of it. Thx for the chance at an awesome giveaway!

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  71. Thanks for the giveaway! I have Carina's tutorial ebooks and they are really nice! I would love to stitch some of her designs onto pillowcases :)!

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  72. I have some plain white bedding I want to spruce up a bit. I would love to stitch something flowery and colour unto them.

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  73. I would like to win this book to embroider some white pillowcases i bought. I also need some motivs (leaves or flowers) to frame some crafts. so for example i finished this owl (http://www.etsy.com/de/listing/59375931/kotori-owl-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_active) but it still needs a wonderful stitched frame :) greetings from germany :)

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  74. Virginia Sattler-ReimerSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Oh, this looks great! I have a skirt that needs *something*. I would certainly start there. Curtains would be another fun project! My fingers are crossed!

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  75. I'd love to embroider a table runner and I bet this book would have some fab ideas for it.

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  76. I'd love to make some little embroidered panels to go in the hutches on my daughter's bed

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  77. a little boring (at least in the embroidery world) but I have a stack of tea towels that need some embroidery :) The book is on my wishlist and Carina's favorite floss colors make my heart pitter-patter

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  78. I have a very ambitious project. Tablecloth and 12 napkins

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  79. What a gorgeous book. I have some curtains that I'm dying to embroider as well as a few pillowcases.

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  80. Wonderful giveaway! Looks like a great book and the colours of the floss are lovely.
    I have a tote bag that needs some embroidery.

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  81. I've got my heart set on that Mexican folk blouse. I have to make one! Hope I win, it looks like a fabulous book!!

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  82. I love Carina's embroidery! I think I would like to stitch on a skirt or two and I would love to make a beautiful blouse.
    .

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  83. What a great giveaway! I have some crisp white pillowcases I would love to embroider with some of the designs.

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  84. I've got a white shirt I'm sewing up right now (from Sew U) that I was hoping to find the perfect floral motif to embroider on the collars and cuffs. Looks like this book would have something perfect in it. :) Thanks for posting the review; Amazon keeps telling me I should get it and I was curious about what was inside.

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  85. I have a denim skirt that could stand to be "punched up" a bit. I really love Carina's new book and the motifs are really cute. I love the Mexican motif blouse.

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  86. I have a light cotton jacket I use for hiking when it's chilly out. I'd love to add a little flair to it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  87. I have a white beach shirt I've been wanting to stitch something on! Thanks!

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  88. What a perfect little book! I would love a chance! I would give it to my daughter in law who is just learning to embroider!! Thankyou!

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  89. This book seems so interesting and useful. Since I like to stitch so much, I would join happily to this giveaway. I think I would use it to stitch a nice picture on the wall of my school...

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  90. I would love to stitch a little sampler for my friend who's expecting her first baby!

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  91. What a great book. I am planing to embroider a wall calender and I still need some motifs.

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  92. I would love to win this book! Nothing in my house is ever safe from getting a little stitch and I would love some fresh inspiration.

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  93. I have a plain blue jacket that would benefit from some stitchy love

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  94. I'm embroidering my parents' horse onto a small banner and want to surround her with morning glories as her name was Glory (and named after the flower). What a wonderful looking book!

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  95. I can't wait to stitch a tiny purse with one of these motifs :)

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  96. I'd Love to use some of Carina's motifs for a table runner!!

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  97. The book sounds amazing - I've been stitching pillow covers as of late.

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  98. Hi, i like my shirt with a new embroderi butterfly.
    nice book.

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  99. I want to stitch a city landscape onto a pillowcase

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  100. I have a white linen blouse that could use some color

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  101. I am hoping to make a linen dress for my little grandaughter and decorate it with a neckline or bodice embroidery. I really like small projects which I can do in an evening.

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  102. The book looks right up my alley!
    I would love to try stitching on lampshades. :D

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  103. I'd love to embroider some napkins. I have some that my great-grandmother stitched and that really inspired me! The book looks beautiful - thanks for the chance!

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  104. I'd love to do some new pillowcases.

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  105. I think it would be pretty to stitch on the collar of my scrubs and make them a little more unique

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  106. Oh wow, I've just read some of the other comments. Such great ideas! I'm keen to do a pillowslip. Maybe a shirt, but definitely a cushion and a pincushion. A lampshade is a also a fabulous idea, but maybe not for a beginners project...

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  107. I have a wonderful vintage cotton/linen baby sheet that needs a vintage-looking motif stitched in vintage floss.

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  108. I have a cute little hessian bag that I bought for 50cents in a thrift store that is just begging for a motif to be added to it.

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  109. I just learned how to embroider and I am working on a quilted wallhanging, but I also have my eye on some plain pillowcases.

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  110. I keep wanting to add things to my daughters clothes!

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  111. These would be great to brighten up a fall jacket!

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  112. I would love to stitch a motif to my table cloth! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  113. one sister is doing a "deer-in-nature" series of both crossstich and embroidery... the other needs new pillowcases... i'm sure i could please both with one book!

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  114. I'd love to stitch onto my pillow cases as well as a sweater and enhance some t-shirts!! So much fun and love personalizing!! Thank you for the chance to win such an awesome book! Love her blog as well!! Thank you for the chance!

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  115. I'm a big fan of Polka & Bloom, I already have a bunch of Carina's patterns, so I'm very excited about having an entire book of her designs! My children's pillows and bedding would be on the hit list, as would some plain tops and cardigans of mine that could do with some blooms... Thank you!!! Chrissie x

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  116. oohhh.. thank you for a chance to win.. would love to win the lovely book. :D is filled with so many inspiration.

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  117. Oh my, those are some pretty patterns in that book! I would love to add some hand stitching to all the bags I make. And a beautiful decorative pillow for my bed to remind me of spring this long cold winter ahead!

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  118. Thank you! Wonderful book!

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  119. The blouse you embroidered the leaf design is beautiful! I've got a sweater that's in need of repair and a little design of something would make it even more special!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  120. Lauren P - Ambitious StitchesSeptember 25, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    Thanks for the chance to win! I have some cloth bags that are just begging for a little embroidery and these little flower designs would be lovely!

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  121. Thanks for the giveaway! I can ALWAYS use more embroidery thread! :)

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  122. I would love a chance to win this lovely book! I would like to embroider a design on a little wall hanging I am working on.

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  123. What a great giveaway! I could always use another sewing book. I have a lot of plain t-shirts that I have been eyeing and want to add something to them. Some pretty stitched flowers would be great.

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  124. Hi, I would stitch a cushion cover for my little daughter.

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  125. I'm a big fan of Polka and Bloom -- I've got several plain t-shirts I want to perk up with Carina's designs.

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  126. I have been thinking of virtually nothing lately but embroidering on clothing. I've never done it but the time is nigh. This book would give me a brilliant start! Thank you for sharing!

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  127. I'm a newbie to embroidery so this book looks both wonderful and daunting! I have botanicals embroidered down the side of a crisp white pillowcase dancing in my head. Hopefully not beyond me, but there's only one way to find out!

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  128. This would be wonderful as a mixed "bouquet" bed sheet! I love embroidered bed linen! This would also brighten up a plain cotton or canvis jacket. Hmmmm, now I have bunches of embroidery ideas.

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  129. Shannon Brown HawkyardSeptember 26, 2013 at 12:17 AM

    I have been embroidering since I was about age 7 (am now 44!) and am just getting back to it as a more full-time craft and past time. Would love this sweet book!

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  130. actually there is this white stretched canvas the I would like to decorate. I just need to find the right design.

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  131. What a wonderful giveaway. I am new to this world, but I am having such fun stitching and would love this fab book to add my growing collection. I think the first thing I would like to stitch on to is a pillowcase and then my little girls dresses. xoxo

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  132. This seems like a great book. I've been making some outfits for my grandson and it would be great to be able to add some fancy stitches to the clothes.

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  133. Hello, I'm a french stitcher and I'd love to stitch those gorgeous flowers on some homemade handbags. Love from France.

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  134. A few months ago I embellished an orange tee with a bleach pen. It still needs something though. Maybe an embroidered bird or acorn or leaves??

    Thanks for this chance!

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  135. Ooh lovely, I have some tshirts I'd love to give a bit of new life with some embroidery.

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  136. Please enter me in this contest (fingers crossed!) I would like to embroider a set of dining napkins. :)

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  137. I love Carina's work! I would probably stitch something onto a tote.

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  138. I´d LOVE to win this gorgeous book and embroider many ecobags and little purses (maybe for Christmas gifts already)! Thanks!!!!!

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  139. This book looks fabulous! I love the shirt you are working on. It's amazing how a few stitches transforms a piece. Love floral motifs, love to embroider, and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity. Happy stitching!

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  140. What a wonderful book/giveaway! I have all sorts of things to embroider, but I'd also like to use some of these patterns on greeting cards.

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  141. I would love to stitch on my tea towels! I would enjoy this book so much. Thank you.

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  142. I would love to have embroidered pillow covers. With access to these
    beautiful designs I'll be making some! Thank you.

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  143. Thank you for the contest! I have a "new" thrift shop skirt that would love some flowers...

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  144. I'm totally in love with this book! I added it to my Amazon wish list. I'd like to add embroidery to a white linen shirt I have.

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  145. Just starting to embroider again and I'm anxious to stitch some linen curtains. These motifs looks fabulous, would love to win and share the love.

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  146. I have a few pillowcases that are dying for some embroidery!!

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  147. Great giveaway! I can´t wait to stitch my new tea towels...

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