Tuesday 18 July 2017

'Joy' it's Christmas in July

I now have a pillow for my Christmas decorating, I know shocking right. It took this blog hop to accomplish something I've been meaning to do for the past few years...ugh yes I said years. But it is done and best of  all you can add some 'Joy' to your holidays too as the pattern is free. Thanks to Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting the '12 Days of Christmas in July' blog hop and giving me the push to finally make a Christmas pillow or maybe it's a wall hanging.

'Joy' wall hanging

pillow cover nice and crinkly after a wash 

The hop runs from July 14th to the 25th. Make sure to visit all the blogs participating the schedule is at the end of this post. Make sure to leave a comment as Sarah is counting them for an extra special giveaway, you can read more about it on her blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

The pattern is for the pillow front or a wall hanging if you prefer. Either way have fun and add a little 'Joy' to your Christmas decorating. As you can see in the above photo I used three different greys for the background.

pillow front

Makes an 18'' x 18'' finished pillow front or wall hanging.

Fabric Requirements

Chevrons:
1/4 yard of each a light, light medium and medium grey.

Snowman:
A variety of larger scrap pieces work well.
The snowman can be made from a 10'' square, the letters from (2) 8'' squares.

Cutting for the chevrons/ flying geese:
Traditional Method:
A(light) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once
B( lt medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once
C(medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once

A(light)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once
B( lt. medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once
C(medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once

The Snowman Applique pieces are cut using the templates supplied. If you are doing turned edge applique remember to add a 1/4'' to the template pieces before cutting them out. The pieces are reversed and can be downloaded in the PDF on Craftsy

Background:

Use a 1/4'' seam allowance.

Traditional Method
Step 1:



Sew one small triangle (B) to one diagonal edge of the large triangle (A); press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.

diagram 1
 Sew the second small triangle (B) to the other diagonal edge of the large triangle (A) to make a flying-goose unit; press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.
This makes one 3 1/2'' x 6 1/2'' goose. Make (6) BA units.

Step 2:
Repeat using small triangle (C) and large triangle (B). Make (6) CB units.
Repeat using small triangle (A) and large triangle (C). Make (6) AC units.

Step 3:
Join 3 BA units, see diagram 2. Make 2.

diagram 2

 Repeat using 3 CB units. Make 2.
Repeat using 3 AC units. Make 2.

Step 4:
Join as per diagram 3.

diagram 3

This completes the background.

Applique Snowman:

Use your favourite method for applique. Instructions follow for fused machine stitched applique.

Fusible Applique Method:

Step 1:
I like Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 because it leaves less weight in the finished product and it's a double sided fusible. Trace your pattern on the side of the paper where the fusible adheres to the paper more strongly (usually one side of the paper releases more easily than the other - trace on the side that does not release easily).
On the larger pieces, less fusible is needed making the finished center more pliable.
To do this, take your original tracing, and cut from the inside, approx 1/4" inside the traced line. Rough cut beyond the traced line on the outside of the fusible. See diagram 4 as an example of the letter 'J'.

diagram 4

Step 2:
Adhere to fabric as per package directions.
Cut on the traced lines.

Step 3:
Align the pieces using the placement guide. A light box or window help for proper placement.
Press to fuse as per your package instructions.

Step 4:
Machine stitch using your preferred stitch and settings. I like the buttonhole stitch myself.

I quilted a 1/4'' on each side of the chevrons and around all the elements in the snowman. 



Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

Friday, July 14th


Saturday, July 15th


Sunday, July 16th


Monday, July 17th


Tuesday, July 18th


Wednesday, July 19th


Thursday, July 20th


Friday, July 21st


Saturday, July 22nd













173 comments :

  1. Love this idea. I find too that unless I set deadlines, I don't get things done. I made a holiday pillow cover last year because I was doing a demo for a LQS and needed a project. I have 6 pillows on my couch, so I'm going to add this project for another cover. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. The hop has given me a much needed boost to get an early start on Christmas too. Great snowman cushion, I love snowmen. Thank you

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  3. Frosty is so cute, and to use him in the centre of JOY, beautiful, the chevrons add so much to each part of the sewing. I am on day 9, and have it almost all done, Whew, a deadline makes me work harder too.

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  4. What a cute pillow! I'm going to look up some fabrics to make this one for sure!
    ekmvalencia@gmail.com

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  5. ABSOLUTELY loving geese right now... what a great idea to applique over the top! Thank you for the inspiration. xo

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  6. Your snowman is so cute! Everybody loves Frosty!

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  7. Thank you for being part of the blog hop. I look forward to being a subscriber to your blog.

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  8. I've never made a flying 'goose' and keep meaning to have a go as it doesn't appear to be difficult to sew - thanks for the tutorial - love visiting all these new blogs daily :)

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  9. Adorable pillow - the grays are just perfect - who doesn't love snowmen!

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  10. Love the snowman and how his scarf is blowing in the breeze! Great tutorial!

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  11. I love snowmen and your pillow is just adorable! Thanks so much for the tutorial.

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  12. What a cute pattern! Glad that you were able to get a UFO done.

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  13. Adorable snowman! Thank you for the excellent tutorial. I find My writing / teaching technique must improve after finding all of these excellent tutorials in the hop!

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  14. Your creative and cute pattern will be a great addition to all holiday decorations. I am thinking that it would also be a great panel for a bag. Thanks for sharing. D. Weeks (aka Momma Llama)

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  15. Cute pillow--thanks for sharing!

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  16. What a darling pillow! I love snowman for Christmas because I can leave them out for the month of January. Thank you for sharing!

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  17. Great pillow, I like snowmen at Christmas because they can hang out in January also.

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  18. Oooh! That is so adorable!!! Thanks for sharing a great tutorial too!!!

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  19. I love snowmen. Thanks for the pattern and tutorial

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  20. Your snowman pillow is adorable. Thanks for the tutorial. mfhagopian@aol.com

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  21. Karb328@aol.com18 July 2017 at 04:44

    Cuteness unlimited. Thanks.

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  22. Thank you for a cute pattern!
    I really like the flying geese/chevron background!
    (When I downloaded the pattern, I found all the other wonderful patterns you offer!!... *Thank you!*. I've wanted to make a star in a star medallion, and your directions are great!)
    I'm following you now!
    Thank you, again!
    Pat T.

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  23. I love it!! I would make a wall hanging--good for the winter season, no just Christmas!
    Thanks!

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  24. Cindy, I adore this snowman. I already downloaded it. Thanks for sharing your talents with us blog hoppers.

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  25. Joyful! Thanks. Janice.snell@gmail.com

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  26. You can't go wrong with a snowman! Thanks for sharing such a cute pattern.

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  27. The pillow is adorable. I love snowmen.

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  28. That pillow is so cute! I love how the snowman becomes the letter O!!!

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  29. I love snowmen and your pillow is really cute!!

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    1. Thanks Nancy! Did you know you are a no-reply blogger?

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  30. Great pillows...it's now on my list! Thanx

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  31. Very fun, creative, and cute project! Thanks for sharing!

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  32. Congratulations on the finish. Great job. Thanks for sharing the pattern with us for this terrific pillow.

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  33. Glad this project got you started on something you wanted to do. Thank you for sharing each step so it's easy to follow. momoftana at yahoo dot com

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  34. thanks for sharing , so many things to try for xmas gift giving . hjrogers@sympatico.ca

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  35. Love the idea. Thanks for posting.

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  36. I tested this project, but I'm not finished with the stitching of the applique yet. I thought it was perfect for my Mom - Joy. It will hang on her door at the nursing home come Christmas.

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  37. Oh...what a cute snowman (can they really be called cute?)! Thank you so much for the pattern.
    Debbie
    ollieami@aol.com

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  38. This is adorable! I love the snowman, and the chevron background is perfect! Love the "Joy". Thanks for sharing a wonderful pattern!

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  39. Great pattern. I have a friend, who's family motto is 'Joy'. This will be perfect! Thanks!

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  40. I love your design and it is so sweet of you to have it as a free pattern on Craftsy.

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  41. Thanks for sharing your very cute pillow.

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  42. Such an adorable project, and I especially like that gray background.

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  43. Beautiful pillow! It is so festive! Perfect for the Christmas season.

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  44. Snowmen are my favorites and this is an adorable project. I would make it into a pillow...can't have too many pillows.

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  45. A special touch for the holidays

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  46. I have been meaning to make a pillow for the holiday also. Now I have the pattern, so I will get one done this year. Thanks for the cute pillow.

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  47. What a fun pillow - I love that idea

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  48. The pillow is adorable. Nicely done.

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  49. I love your pillow! It's darling. Thank you for the pattern.

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  50. I just love snowmen and your pattern is too clever, using the little guy as the "O" in JOY. Thank you for sharing.

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  51. I like the snowman on the zigzag background.

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  52. This is so cute! Thank you for the pattern and the tute and the inspiration!

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  53. very cute and a great idea for gifts.

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  54. This looks like a fun way to spread a little joy around the house. And one can leave them lying around longer than just Christmas time. kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

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  55. Really such a cute design! I don't do pillows but this will make an awesome wall hanging!

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  56. So sweet-wouldn't he be pretty in Christmas blues! Thank you for sharing, Susan

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  57. Oh I love the way his tummy makes the "O"

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  58. Thank you for the cute pattern. I hope it doesn't take me years to make...but it may not get done this year.

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  59. This pillow is adorable! Thank you for the pattern.

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  60. Who can resist a snowman? Pillows are so much fun to whip up.
    tvonzalez at gmail dot com

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  61. Cute idea. Lots of possibilities there!

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  62. He is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  63. Great idea and finishes to a lovely pillow,, or a bag or a table topper , etc.....
    Thanks for sharing.
    ejaneemerson@yahoo.com

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  64. Thanks for the great tutorial. These will be on my bed this Christmas.

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  65. Beautiful pillow! I'm tagging this to come back to soon!

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  66. Great pattern, I'd like to do a wall hanging!

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  67. That is really cute. Thanks for sharing the pattern.

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  68. That is such a cute pillow!! Definitely on my 'to do' list.

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  69. your pillow is so wonderful. thank you for sharing the pattern and tutorial. guess what will be on our couch this Christmas?
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  70. The snowman is lovely! Now let's see, a pillow or a wallhanging? Both so cute. Would make a great gift too.

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  71. Being a snowman lover I fell in love with him! Thanks for the pattern and tute on it, pinning for later on.

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  72. What a cute Snowman.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  73. I love how the word "JOY" envelopes the snowman!

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  74. Darling pillow, thanks for sharing with us.
    Swoot@att.net

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  75. Very cute pattern--and will last past Christmas!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  76. What a great pattern. I think I would use it as a wall hanging

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  77. Love the expression on that snowman's face. Very cute project. Now on my todo list!

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  78. Love this! Snowmen are a favorite of mine. Thanks!

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  79. Love the Snowman! Thanks for sharing!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  80. Very cute pillow and wall hanging. Thank you for the tutorial. On my blog left sidebar is an Email image link to my contact form.

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  81. Love snowmen, thanks for the tutorial!
    patsystitch@gvtc.com

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  82. Nice snowman! I particularly like the cushion - spmehow a snowman needs to be plump not flat.

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  83. Always like making pillow covers. One pillow many covers but I especially love snowmen.

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  84. Love the chevron with the Joy snowman pillow - thank you for the tutorial and pattern.

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  85. Love those chevrons. Subtle, but effective. Nice work.

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  86. Great tutorial. Anything with snowmen is right up my alley. Thank you and I love the chevrons.

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  87. I love your snowman pillow. I'm working on making a wall hanging every month for my mom's room in the nursing home. I think that will be my January block. Thanks for sharing.

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  88. What an adorable snowman....Thank you for the pattern. I could make something for the grands with this!

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  89. What a wonderful snowman and joy is one of my favorite Christmas word. Thanks so much.

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  90. What a darling pillow! I love snowmen, so this is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing!

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  91. Very cute pillow! I know just what you mean when you kind of plan something but don't get it done. Like my 4 th of July project and some of those ideas for Christmas...... have the patterns, fabric but it just doesn't get done....

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  92. I want to make this pillow. Thanks.

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  93. Your beautiful appliqué never fails to wow me Cindy. Your chevrons make me think of mountains behind the snowman. Beautiful double dose of inspiration you have today!

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  94. Love the joy overlay on this pillow. Great tutorial as well - thank you!

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  95. That's great, as a pillow or as a little wallhanging. Thank you so much for the pattern and the directions. dezertsuz at gmail

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  96. This is so cute! maryc76904 at yahoo dot com

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  97. I haven't make pillow for several years. Thanks for the inspiration. I think it is high time to make some,

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  98. Love snowmen. Will do this for my daughter!

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  99. Cute pillow. I would like this as a mini for my sewing room wall.

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  100. Very cute snowman - thanks for sharing.

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  101. I can totally relate - it usually takes my guild's quilt show to get me to completely finish my quilts! Love the little snowman - thanks for sharing!

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  102. This is adorable! I'm so glad you were given the push and you accepted it. Thanks for sharing this!

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  103. Nice had to save this one love snow men tyty for the fun idea. . happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  104. That's a cute idea - using the snowman's belly for the O in JOY!

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  105. An absolutely adorable pillow. So cute.

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  106. What a great design! So glad you decided to join the blog hop.

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  107. I love using the word "JOY" when decorating for Christmas, so this pillow is a definite to do (and I think I will make a couple of extras for gifts). I just love it. thank you so much for sharing.

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  108. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net18 July 2017 at 19:09

    that is so cute!

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  109. Snowmen are a favorite of mine and living in Iowa, we have many of them in the neighborhood! I would enjoy this as a wall-hanging in my home to bring joy all season long!

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  110. Thanks for making a project just for me!! I'm really enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. Off to the next stop!

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  111. How can anyone not like a snowman who's full of JOY! So creative!

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  112. Your pillow is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  113. Love the snowman wall hanging! So cute!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  114. That is so cute! Love the shadowing on the letters.

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  115. Awe. What a darling, joyful snowman. Thanks for the instructions.

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  116. Way cool design. Thanks for sharing it.

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  117. Love the snowman, and it's beautifully done. Thanks!

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  118. Congratulations on getting the pillow done, it looks great!

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  119. Your snowman looks so cute!

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  120. Thanks for this tutorial. Your pillow is darling. And it's funny how it sometimes takes an outside event (blog hop, the arrival of company, etc.) to get us to do something you'd think we would have done a long time ago.

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  121. A very neat pattern!!! Thank you.
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  122. I love snowmen, just made 6 sets of 4 to sell at our quilt show. Thanks for the pattern. Jmikebalou(at) aol (dot)c0m

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  123. This pillow is perfect. Love the colors and the snowman.

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  124. I would love to make this for my granddaughter. Her middle name is Joy. I'm not very well versed in applique. How did you get the J and the Y to have that shadow look?

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  125. I love the zig zag background--fun!

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  126. Wonderful little snowman, but the zigzag background is brilliant! thanks! Cotten.gloria@gmail.com

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  127. Your snowman is a real joy. Nicely done and better late than never. :) Thank you for the tutorial.

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  128. Thank you for the wonderful snowman pattern -- especially for the wonderful directions available as a PDF. He is a great snowman and I especially like his grey background zigzags.

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  129. This is really fun , I love having special Christmas cushions. x

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  130. such an adorable snowman- great tute

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  131. What a cute pillow! Thanks for the tutorial. I find that I always accomplish more when I have a deadline, even though I don't like deadlines.

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  132. I LOVE YOUR PILLOW IT IS VERY FESTIVE. READINGTIRZAH AT YAHOO.COM

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  133. What an adorable pillow. A great addition to everyone's Christmas and winter decorations.

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    1. Snowmen are my favorite. This is a really cute idea. Thanks for participating.
      Pat

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  134. Love the chevrons in the background! I also really like the shadowed effect on your lettering, it adds so much to the design.

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  135. Love the gray fabric choices, what a great background for a snowman. Thanks!

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  136. I love this pillow! Snowmen are one of my favorite Christmas things. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  137. Your snowman is the cutest!
    Jeri Oldtisme@aol.com

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  138. Love snowman what an awesome pattern🎄

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  139. I enjoy making pillows as gifts for Christmas and this will be one I add to my list. The snowman is so cute! Thanks!

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  140. Adorable!!! The tutorial is clear and easy to follow. Thank you, Cindy!!!

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  141. Thank you for such a cute idea! I love snowmen! This is definitely on my "Must Make" list!

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  142. What a great pillow idea - and great that you got that idea out of your head and into the real world. You'll enjoy it for Christmases to come!

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  143. This pillow is just adorable - so JOYful!!! Thanks for helping make the hop a success!!!

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  144. What a cute design!! Thanks for sharing.

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  145. Great work. The pillow is to cute for words! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  146. Great work. The pillow is to cute for words! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  147. I love it! The snowman is so adorable :)

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  148. I'm late to the party but just wanted to let you know that I LOVE this pillow pattern. It is absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much.

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  149. very nice Cindy. I love the zig zag background, and the snowman joy made me smile

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  150. I like the flying geese background!
    Shahann@yahoo.com

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  151. What a c.u.t.e. pillow! I have to make this for my niece - she collects all things snowman. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  152. Your snowman is too cute! Love it!

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  153. Very cute! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  154. I love decorating with snowmen because I can leave them out a bit longer than Christmas decorations, and they're cute :)

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  155. A cute idea for a pillow! Thank you for sharing.

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  156. So cute--I love anything with a snowman on it!!

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  157. Wow! Your snowman cushion is super cute. You sure came up with a great idea! So generous of you to share this beautiful tutorial!

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