Monday, June 3, 2013

Making a Splash - and Giveaway

Have you seen Olfa's newest addition to their rotary cutter family? 
Summer is here, and this new cutter is making a "Splash"!  
The folks at Olfa sent me one to try out and review for you.


It's got a great new color! 
It also features a quick-snap blade change.  Nice feature.
 
A rotary cutter can be downright dangerous with a dull blade (more pressure required to cut, more possibility of slipping and nicking an unsuspecting appendage), so this makes it easy to change your blade often! You should never have to saw through the fabric... just saying.

You can switch out the side the blade is on to make it comfy if you are a lefty.


And as always, be sure to get into the habit of closing the blade after EVERY use.  I love my 60mm Olfa rotary cutter with a shield/self-closing/locking mechanism, so I had to remind myself to "cut and shut" while testing this one.  Then I kinda went crazy with the cutting...

Riley Blake Design "Basics" (Solids, shades, tone on tone dots, ginghams, crimp, shuffle, etc)
Each time I teach a class to new quilters or kids, safety with the blade is the first lesson!  Cut and shut, cut and shut.  I joke (but I'm really serious) that there will be a $5 charge if I see a rotary cutter with the blade exposed.  And since I'm teaching summer Quilt Camp with 4-H kids this week (ages 10 to 13), we'll probably have that little chat in class. :)  But I digress...

In my opinion, this is a great little cutter for the price.  And it's cute, too!  Here's how you can win your own "Splash" rotary cutter PLUS a stack of leftover fabrics and other goodies and fun surprises from my recent trip with Riley Blake Designs to the International Spring Quilt Market in Portland.  Want to play along?

1)  Be/Become a follower here.  Not sure how long Google Friend Connect will remain, so now would be the time to subscribe via email or Bloglovin'.  

Cutting Corners with Riley Blake Designs

2)  See what I've been cutting up over at Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners today; come back and leave a comment.

3)  BONUS:  Make one of those little 3D projects from today's RBD tutorial, and send a picture to deonn@quiltscapesqs.com.  I'll enter your name TWICE more for the drawing.  (And if it's OK with you, I'll add it to my Flickr slideshow.)

Contest will end Friday, June 7th at 5pm MST and winners will be announced later that evening.  Meanwhile, check out Olfa's new Pinterest page.  Happy Quilting!

http://gifgifs.com
Update:  Contest is now closed and a winner chosen.  Thanks for playing along!

160 comments:

  1. you are invited to follow my blog

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  2. Like the hexagami idea! I will put that on my list. I'm a follower.

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  3. Pretty cool project! Wish it didn't involve hand sewing...I'm a failure there.

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  4. I was just part of an online conversation about cutting mats and blades and I think I'll upgrade to olfa next, when my mat wears out, I DO need to replace the blades in my fiskars cutter, I'm a stickler about open cutters too.

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  5. I have already switched over to follow you via Bloglovin. I agree that the sharp blades are much safer. Like you, I am obsessed about an open blade. Closing it is a great habit to get into right from the beginning.

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  6. Love the origami flowers. They look so complicated.

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  7. The Hexigami flowers are great, I could see using them on something for one of the princesses.

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  8. I love your hexigami! I don't have a hexi ruler but I do have a circle so I will be trying your second method!

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  9. Following along and loving it :)

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  10. I follow you via GFC and Bloglovin since their taking GFC away! *tear*

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  11. These Hexagamis are amazing! Thank you for sharing.
    I'll have to see how things go today and maybe I can get one made :)

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  12. Love the Hexigami flowers. I am a huge origami fan so the idea of doing it with fabric is really cool. I've got to think of something cool to make these for!

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  13. Hi!!!! Oh!!! So unique!!! Beautiful!!!!

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  14. Love your flowers from the tutorial. I hope to get time to give it a try this week.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for sending the picture of your adorable Hexagami flowers!

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    2. You've now got two more entries for the drawing - thanks for playing along and good luck in the drawing.

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  15. I think the 3D hexi would be a great barrett cover for my granddaughter.

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  16. I have been a follower of you.

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  17. I love your blog and have been following for a long time! Thanks for the chance to win your wonderful give away!
    Paulette

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  18. HAPPY TO FOLLOW >BLOG LOVIN'!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  19. HI! I REALLY LIKE THE FLOWERS!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  20. I am a follower via Bloglovin. And have been followin your blog for quiet a while now. Thank you for the chane to enter your giveaway.

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  21. I saw these at quilt market. Great mini demo, just fold and tack. So fun. I follow. Thanks.

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  22. Love the Hexagami project over at Cutting Corners. Those are way too cute and adorable.

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  23. I am a follower ... thanks for a chance at the cutter and my lqs teachers are just like you - are always saying "CLOSE your cutter". A really good habit to get into.

    Jacqueline

    jleibfried@aol.com

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  24. Follower. The Hexigami are interesting. Would make cute decoration for many projects.

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  25. Love the Hexagami project, although I dont know that I would have the patience to do it! It is on my list of trying though! Thank you for all the wonderful tutorials, I am learning so much!

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  26. I'm a follower - The Hexigami's are really cute - great instructions.

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  27. Okay, I am a follower and I went over to see what you were working on. But… I got a page not found error when I went. Am I the only one who doesn't seem to have access? The world wide web is sometimes a very weird place. :)

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  28. I am a follower via Bloglovin'.
    Please come over and visit me sometime at http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.ca/ or check out my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SewFreshQuilts

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  29. i'm following through reeder...

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  30. your link to your project wasn't working, but by clicking around, i found it. and even though i don't have a hexi ruler, i do have a bowl! i can't wait to try turning a circle into that beautiful hexi... what fun!

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  31. i had no problems it went right to the site

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  32. The origami flower are luscious,sure I will do some!

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  33. I'm a follower via the old reader. thanks for the chance!

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  34. I've been a follower for quite a while now. Thanks for the chance. My favorite rotary cutter broke, and the replacement just isn't the same. PS: I'm VERY careful to cover my blade. Ask me how I know to do this. I also check the screw, to make sure the blade is secure.

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  35. What cute little Hexigami's you've made. Adorable!

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  36. Oh wow! I've gotta make some of these! Your tutorial is very clear. Thank you!

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  37. I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect.

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  38. Love teh look of these new cutters - and I love your Hexagami shapes - these would be gorgeous Christmas ornaments!! I follow you already!

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  39. I have been following you via Bloglovin' - this rotary cutter looks very slick!! I would love one!! Thanks for chance!

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  40. OMG!! I love those fancy Hexagami shapes... I could see these as accents on pillow covers!

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  41. Great tutorial and very easy to follow. Thanks for the chance to win

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  42. I love your hexigami flowers. I am a follower of your delightfull blog.

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  43. Hexigamis! How cute. I love the circle one. I follow on Bloglovin. I want to add a Splash to my toolbox and dedicate my old yellow to a decorative blade!

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  44. I have subscribed to you via Feedly. Because I love this place!

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  45. That is so cool, I love the origami type work with fabric.

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  46. I'm following via BlogLovin! Thanks for the chance!

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  47. I saw the hexagami - I am IN AWE.

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  48. Hexagami - just when you think it has all been done!!!! How clever and so many uses!!!

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  49. I am a follower of your inspiring blog thru Bloglovin

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  50. Love both your projects! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  51. I really love your hexagami! That is so fun. I can't wait to try it and embellish some of me sweaters. I also love that little rotary cutter!

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  52. | follow on GFC which I have transferred over to Bloglovin'. My big problem is I don't seem to be able to get rid of any of the blogs I'm following (not trying to get rid of yours. :))

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  53. Those dimensional hexies are super cute! I couldn't follow the instructions without trying it and I don't have the right ruler....

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  54. I signed up to follow you by email- I already follow you on google friend connect.
    Your three dimensional hexies are amazing. They do look rather fun to make.
    The new rotary cutter is awesome but you are right about shutting the cutter. I have known people having to go get stitches because they didn't close their rotary cutters.
    Regards from Alberta,
    Anna

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  55. Here I am!!!!! Wow!!! I do love your hexagami.... and wanna try one! Once done I'll email you a picture! Meanwhile, I've become a follower and cross my fingers for the giveaway!!!!! Maybe this time the prize can come here in Sicily!!!! Many thanks for sharing all your tutorials. Do I have to write another comment for being a follower? Take care and keep on sewing, Clara.

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  56. Very impressed!!! Thanks for the chance to win!

    cathybhaney@gmail.com

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  57. I'm a follower via email. Thanks.

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  58. Love your Hexagami flowers. They'd make a neat addition to tote bags. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  59. I follow you via email. I would love this cheerful new rotary cutter - thanks for the chance!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  60. The origami hexies are great. They look complicated, but your tutorial is terrific and I think I could give them a try! Thanks for the inspiration!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  61. I follow by email. The cutter looks great!

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  62. Love the hexi flowers. They are great. I am an email follower. Thanks for sharing.
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  63. I love those fresh colors of the rotary cutter. I follow you in GFC and BlogLovin too. I don't think GFC is going away, just the reader.

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  64. I already follow you by e-mail.

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  65. Those flowers are awesome. I am going to try one tonight. Just what I need is another project to start. Thanks for sharing.

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  66. I am a follower by email.

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  67. Your hexagon flowers are wonderful! I'm thinking they would be great for making quilt show ribbons. Or maybe my granddaughters would like one for a hair ribbon. Thanks for a fun tutorial!

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  68. I follow you via Bloglovin. This pretty blue rotary cutter would look great in my pretty pink sewing room!

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  69. ooooh, I'm loving the Hexagami! And I already have Lori's circle rulers too. Wish I could have them all!

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  70. How cute are those! Already a follower. Thinking something cute for my granddaughter.

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  71. I already follow. I LOVE the left/right cutters! I cut with both hands and they make my life so much simpler!

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  72. I am a follower, love the hexigami. Looking forward to making lots of these in bright colours. Love the bright cutter color. I think I need some new tools.

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  73. I love the hexigamis. They remind me of the cootie catchers we made in elementary school! Love the color of the cutter!

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  74. I am a happy email follower
    I am need of a new rotary cutter.
    I love the colors on this one.
    And the fact that the blade just pops out
    instead of having to screw and unscrew.

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  75. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial on making heaxagami's. These are wonderful and really can be used for a lot of things.

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  76. Nice! I follow with Bloglovin.

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  77. Very interesting tutorial!

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  78. Back again to remember you I'm a follower! Enjoy your time, Clara.

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  79. I'm a follower, thanks for the fun giveaway!

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  80. Love your Hexagami Flowers tutorial, could be addicting!

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  81. The hexagami flower is sew cute! I have Lori's circles, now to get the hexi. Thank you for sharing the tutorial and the new Olfa cutter. Being a lefty, who cuts with both hands' it is wonderful to have one cutter that works for both.

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  82. I follow via email so I don't miss anything. Also GFC. Thank you for the great giveaway!

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  83. I'm a follower... super cute rotary cutter!

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  84. This is just to tell you that I'm a follower too.

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  85. How could anyone not love the new colors on that rotary cutter! I'm really going to have to try those hexagami flowers...too cute. I love following you around. :O)

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  86. I'm a follower.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  87. I I like the hexagons-not sure what I would do with them.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  88. I'm already a follower on Bloglovin.

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  89. Great hexi flower and tutorial.

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  90. Love the folded hexi's. I might try sometime soon! I follow by e-mail.

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  91. I am an email and Bloglovin follower! anglanouette(at)gmail(dot)com

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  92. Oh my.....two of my favorite things combined together...hexagons and origami!! They are wonderful! I must make some! anglanouette(at)gmail(dot)com

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  93. I'm a follower on bloglovin'

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  94. Love hexagons and love your hexagami, so cool!

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    Replies
    1. Mara, got your wonderful picture of your cool plaid hexigami!

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    2. Good luck in the drawing - that's two more chances for making one and sending the picture. Happy quilting, there in Greece!

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  95. I really love those hexies! They are a lot of fun!

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  96. I love the new rotary cutter color and I love the hexagami design! I made some in white and appliqued to a project for dimensional snowflakes-so cute! Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway!

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  97. I love the hexigami and the aqua cutter but I hate seeing the blade unsheathed.

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  98. sweet little fabric flowers!

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  99. I am a follower...your posts come direct to my email.

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  100. I am a follower and just love the hexigamis. Thanks for the chance to win in your giveaway.

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  101. Your Hexagamis are so cute and they look like they are fun to make.

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  102. hello,
    I just sent you an email with the photo

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    1. Crudis, thank you for sending the photo! It's just perfect. I've added it to the Flickr slideshow, and added two more chances in the drawing.

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    2. By the way, Happy Quilting in Sicily!!

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  103. I am following you through Bloglovin now.

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  104. Your Hexagamis would be a great embellishment for a zippered tote or a clutch - thanks for sharing (I am going to try to make one later in the day if possible).

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  105. That's adorable! I doubt I'd ever make one because of the hand sewing...I just have a hard time with that but I really wish I could!

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  106. thanks for the opportunity to win! Like RB & Olfa already on Facebook. Following you through google.

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  107. Hello from Minnesota! New follower with Bloglovin'

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  108. Love the little hexagami flowers, I'm going to have to give it a try. Thanks for the giveaway and I will be following your blog from now on.

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  109. That Hexagami at RBD is just the sort of little project I need to get started today...since I'm procrastinating my bigger quilts. ;)

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    1. Kristin! Thanks for sending pictures of your adorable hexagami flower pin! Love the colors you used, and have added it to my Flickr slideshow.

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    2. Oh, and I've entered your name another couple of times in the drawing.

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  110. I just became a follower by email.

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  111. Hexagami - you make it look so easy!

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  112. LOVE the Hexagamis! I think even a (GASP!!--non-sewer like me) could even make these. I am seeing them in paper as embellishments on my cards! Thanks for the idea for my next workshop!

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  113. I enjoyed the Hexagami post, but I can't see myself making more than a few of them. SO much work! I like Mary Beth's idea of applying the technique to paper and using them on cards!

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  114. mmm interesting hexagamies... not my cup of tea though...

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  115. that hexagami is just too clever!

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  116. I am a follower and I love the hexagami

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  117. I am now a follower - yes this little cutter looks great!

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  118. I am a follower and love the fabrics (want to try out cutting with a real cutter)

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  119. I am a follower. The hexagami flowers are so cute and I have a ton of colorful buttons I can use!

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  120. Im trying to figure out how to follow but I checked out your blog and |I adore both ideas the hexigami and the circle version. such cute ideas

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  121. I follow you on Bloglovin :-)

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  122. Need to figure out how to follow you.

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  123. What a great idea! love it!!

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  124. Amazing! My hands don't work well enough to try hand sewing right now...

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  125. I follow your blog, and I love the hexagons. You make it look so easy!

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  126. following! and it only took ONE time cutting myself to remember to always close when done cutting, it was aweful! Id LOVE to win one of those pretty new rotary cutters!! thanks!!

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  127. I am a follower of you blog and I would love to win that cute cutter!

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  128. What cute little hexies, they look so fun to make

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  129. I added you to my bloglovin.

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  130. Those hexagamis are adorable.

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  131. Wow - hexaqons - who would have thought! Love the tutorial.

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  132. Changing the blade is a click away. Love it! Thanks for the chance to win a Splash!

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  133. Those are some cute hexi's!

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  134. I follow by email. Love the Hexagami flowers. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  135. What a fun color for a rotary cutter! Love that the blade is easier to change. Would be great to have a new cutter. I'm a follower via email and BlogLovin.

    Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  136. Super cute hexigami flowers! Thank you for the wonderful photos of each step, so easy to follow.

    Thanks again for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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