Monday, January 27, 2014

Blog Hop Featuring Michelle Ward's All New StencilGirl Designs

Today's blog hop is really exciting...the creative team at StencilGirl is creating with brand new stencil designs by Michelle Ward.  These stencils are just being made available to you for the first time today and we've been asked to keep them a secret until today's reveal!

Ta da!  Here they are...you can click on the images for links if you want to start shopping right now...(I'm thinking all 4 of them would work so well together in some surface design for art quilting!), but... 





maybe you'd like to see how I used 'RIPPLES' first (that's the second one in the top row, with the wonderful concentric circles).

I started with a piece of rust dyed fabric that I made several months ago and I traced the entire stencil onto the fabric using pencil. I often 'take stencils apart' and only use bits here and there in my design, but for what I'm planning Michelle's composition is perfect just as it is!
I outlined the pencil lines using three strands of blue DMC floss and a simple running stitch.  A finer variegated taupe/blue thread was used to outline the background areas in the same manner. 
I filled the background areas using French knots and seed stitches. I switched back to the DMC, this time using a single strand and began filling the circles in with straight stitches. A single strand of a rust coloured floss was used to add additional stitches in the areas between the 'rings'. 



Here are a couple of close ups of the stitching:
  
 
I'll back on Wednesday to show you how I used this little six inch piece of stitching. Until then, enjoy the rest of the hop!




Great news...StencilGirl has a giveaway! 

All comments left on the hop are eligible for the giveaway so 
the more blogs you comment on, the more chances you will have to win. 
Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

The giveaway will close on Friday, January 31th at 11:59PM Central Time. 
Please note:  I have discovered that blogger will only allow/show 200 comments, including my relpies so as much as I love to leave personal thank yous to each of you, I have stopped replying to make sure your comment shows up and therefore gets entered in the draw.  Please know I appreciate all of your thoughtful words!

Blog Hop Order
Linda Kittmer-You are here!
Julie Snidle - Hop to see Julie next please...

195 comments:

  1. This is an awesome way to use the stencil. I love surface embroidery myself!

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  2. TOTALLY totally inspiring project Linda!!! WOW!

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    1. Thanks Maria. I'm thrilled with the final results!

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  3. That stitching looks so cool!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks Janis. The stencil provided such a fun pattern within which to stitch!

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  4. Wow- my jaw is dropped. I haven't done embroidery since I was a little girl and this is an amazing and at least to me a novel way of incorporating stencils. Wow. I'm bonn have to let this one sink in longer. Amazing.

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  5. I am totally excited by what you did with the fabric piece. My sister is a excellent quilter and she has recently expressed an interest in stencils. I sent her your URL so she could see how amazing your work is. Just smashing!

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm truly flattered and hope that your sister enjoys my work.

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  6. I love this idea! I've just started to add embroidery to my various projects - using the stencil like this is such a good idea - thanks! And of course, thanks for the chance to win :)

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  7. all four stencils look appealing but I am sure the one you used will become my favourite. It is already on my wish list. I had never thought of using a stencil in this manner but is now in my little bag of tricks.

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    1. Thanks Dianne. I'm so glad to have inspired you to add this to your bag of tricks! Good luck in the draw...maybe you'll win all four designs.

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  8. Love the stititching and the rusted fabric. WHat a fabulous idea to use the stencil as the quilting guide

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    1. Thank you Bernice. It's always fun to try something different!

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  9. Love the combo of colors you used with the fantastic stencils! Lissag123@verizon.net

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    1. Thanks so much. I've always loved turquoise and rust/orange together.

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  10. Linda you are always giving me new ideas to push myself to expand. Thank you. I love these stencils because they give you more opportunities to be creative with the open spaces. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Sharon. I'm so glad I can provide some inspiration. I agree they are fabulous open ended stencil designs!

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  11. Nice stitching. i am sure it will show up in a marvelous piece....xox

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    1. Thanks Corrine! I'm thrilled with how the final project came together...better than I had initially envisioned. Check back Wednesday if you'd like to see it...

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  12. As a textile bod my self it's great to see stencils combined with fabric and thread. Very inspirational and I'm pleased to have been introduced to your work.

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    1. Thanks Kate. I'm always figuring out new ways to incorporate stencils in my fibre art...it's sometimes fun to have a starting point and then have to figure out where to take it from there...a good challenge.

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  13. Hola. Estoy encantada con el trabajo creativo que realizas. Muchas gracias por esta versión tan particular con una plantilla Un saludo y agradecimientos.

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  14. I LOVE the look of your textured stitches, using one of the awesome new stencil designs by Michelle. I'm still learning all the many ways stencils can be used. Thanks for the inspiration, and the chance to win :)

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    1. Thank you. Even though I'm part of the StencilGirl Creative Team, I'm still exploring, and discovering new ideas all the time. The possibilities for stencil use are endless!

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  15. Linda, What a great way to use stencils! Love your stitching.

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    1. Thanks Lynda. Have a great week and good luck in the draw!

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  16. Fabulous...I would never think to use the stencil for stitching...great!!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. I'm glad to have inspired you with a new idea.

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  17. Wow! I can't actually think of what else I could say besides Wow!

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  18. I love the rust dyed fabric, its so rich, an awesome way to use the stencil too!

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    1. Thanks! I love rust dying fabric...it can be a bit tricky to stitch, but the look is so worth it!

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  19. GENIUS!!! Who would have thought to create something like this!? Love.

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    1. Thanks so much Kirsten. I hope you'll come back Wednesday to see how I used it.

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  20. Beautiful stitching and I love your colors too. xo

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    1. Thanks Jessica. I love turquoise and rust/ orange together.

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  21. Wow. I would have never thought of using stencils this way. Love it!

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. There are so many fabulous ways to use stencils...it seems the possibilities are endless!

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  22. Beautiful. I have lots of rusted fabric and love to stitch...

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    1. Thanks Candy. Have fun with it. Rust dyed fabric is a beautiful start to any stitched piece!

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  23. I so enjoy seeing how you use the stencils for your fiber art work... amazing creativity !!

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    1. Thanks so much Dee! Have a fabulous week! Say hi to Linda for me if she's still there with you.

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  24. Those stencils are really cool! :)

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  25. Interesting way to use a stencil. It makes me want to get the needle and thread out again, it's been a while since I embroidered. Thanks for the motivation.

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    1. Thanks Renee. I'm glad to have inspired you. Have fun with it!

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  26. Rusted to perfection :) and that stitching completely rocks it.

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    1. Thank you MaryBeth! I love these stencils Michelle designed!

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  27. Seriously, Linda? OMG.. this is fantastic. You work your sewing machine with magic.

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    1. Thanks Judy, but in this case it's all hand stitching.

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  28. Wow, Linda! Those are my kind of colors! That rust and blue and copper are divine! Wish I could take a stitching workshop from you! :)

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    1. Thanks Mary...I love those colours together too! When we all get together as we've been talking about on FB, I'd be happy to do some stitching with everyone!

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  29. So inspired by how you painted with thread and stitches!

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    1. Thank you Carolyn. I love my paint brushes and markers, but needle and thread is pretty awesome too!

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  30. OMG! I love what you did with the stencil!! Thanks for the inspiration

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    1. Thanks Helen. Aren't these stencil designs perfect for this?

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  31. Beautiful piece of stitching. I got into needlepoint so I would have a point A and a point B to lead me to straight, neat stitches. Your form of stitching would be so freeing. If my stitches weren't perfect nobody but me would know it. They would add to the design. Thanks for helping me relax with my stitching.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I'm a very free, intuitive artist. Something like needlepoint would make me crazy! ;o)

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  32. What a great idea Linda to incorporate hand embroidery with stencil and hand dyed fabric too!

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    1. Thanks you! I love to play with my own fabrics and this sort of intuitive stitching.

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  33. Orange is one of my all time favorites. Love what you did with it.

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    1. Thanks Ann. And the addition of turquoise to the orange/rust colours...my happy place!

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  34. Love what you did with the new stencils! I work with fiber a lot too and it's fun to let our passions overlap!

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    1. Thanks Maryanne. You're so right...I love to bring my fibre art into my journalling, my photography into my fibre art, etc. So much fun!

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  35. Love how you used the stencil, great stitching.

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  36. I've never even tried using stencils on fabric, but this looks like such fun. I must try it. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It is a lot of fun. With the right stencil the possibilities are endless!

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  37. WOW - this piece is gorgeous. I love the hand stitches - a great inspiration for my next piece!

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  38. Linda, I love your use of this stencil! Great textures!

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    1. Thank you Holly. I love the texture you can achieve with a little hand stitching!

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  39. Absolutely love what you have done with the stencils....... The colours you have used are beautiful..........

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    1. Thanks so much Melva. I love that combination of rust and turquoise.

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  40. This is lovely--I really like the soft blue and rust color combination and the texture added by the thread. I can't wait to see what you come up with on Wednesday!

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    1. Thanks so much Robin. I've always loved those colours together. See you Wednesday!

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  41. Your use of the stencils for stick thing looks great. I wonder how it would look with layered fabric shapes.

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    1. Thanks Dawn. I think doing a layered applique piece with these stencils would look fabulous too!

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  42. love your embroidery - what an inspiration!

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    1. Thank you Thea. I'm glad I could inspire you with this idea.

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  43. OMG! Linda this is very handsome and so clever. You are so talented with the thread and it has been a thrill to see how you've used the stencil. This hopping is fun....off to the next one.

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    1. Thanks Michelle. I just love these stencil designs and I'm thrilled to be a part of this hop!

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  44. Oh my...this embroidered piece is to die for. Love the patterns these stencils create...very versatile.

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  45. Love how you've used the stencil! It turned out beautifully!! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much Barb. I'm certainly pleased with how it turned out.

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  46. I really like the idea of using the stencil as a design for surface embroidery. Hmmm, I wonder how you'll use this piece.......

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    1. Thank you. Stencils are so very versatile! See you Wednesday for the reveal of the finished project.

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  47. The texture is amazing! The detail of the stitching just pulls you right in. I want to touch it and eye every stitch.

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    1. Thank you EmmaJane. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

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  48. Wow!!! wish I was a sewing person this is great!!!

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  49. I hadnot thought that you could combine the stencils with needlepoint ...so thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Gerrina. Stencils can be incredibly versatile!

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  50. Cool idea to use the stencil as an embroidery pattern. thanks for the idea.

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  51. Wow! This reminds me of some stuff I've experimented with! Can't wait to see what you did with it! ♥

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  52. My GOSH! I want to touch it!!! You can drawl & paint AND SEW fiber ART? EXTREMELY talented. I still have a Halloween costume stuck in my simple ONE needle sewing machine.

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    1. Thanks so much Beth. I'm blushing! Talk about being prepared...Halloween is still months away! LOL

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  53. That stenciled fabric is just wonderful - I love to see all the different takes on using the stencils

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    1. Thanks. That's the fun of stencils...the possibilities are endless!

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  54. a great stencil to add stitching to!

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    1. Thanks Elle. It is a great stencil design for stitching.

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  55. I am pleasantly surprised by how you can use a stencil in this artwork! I want to try this soon! Thank you for inspiring me!

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    1. Thank you Jackie. I'm glad I've inspired you to try something like this. Have fun with it.

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  56. OMG this is so beautiful What a unique way to use these stencils. Wow...I'm speechless. Thank you.

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  57. I think this is by far my favorite use of the stencils. I have yet to venture into textile/ mixed media art. My husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago and I still don't know how that contraption works. An online sewing class is just what I need.

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    1. Wow Maggie...thanks so much! Any chance the place you got the machine from offers classes on how to use the new machine?

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  58. Wow Linda! Your stitching is beautiful. Almost too good for your rusted material background ;-) Super cool by the way I have seen material rusted befor but not tried myself. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this panel. Barbara x

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    1. Thanks Barbara. I'll see you Wednesday with the final reveal.

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  59. would love to be able to do fabric art. so lovely.

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  60. Ooooooh that rust dyed fabric! I've been dying to try that on heavy paper, yours looks gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Julia! I love your idea of rusting heavy paper.

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  61. Love how you used the stencils!

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  62. These stencils are soooo versatile! Love what you did!

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    1. Thanks Saranne. Michelle's designs are great aren't they!?

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  63. Linda, I always enjoy seeing your stitches! Terrific stencils for this project. I'd love to win them:)

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    1. Thanks so much, and good luck with the draw. They are fabulous designs!

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  64. this is absolutely amazing. love all the handwork.

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  65. great work-much more patience than i have :) love seeing all the different interpretations of the stencils!

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    1. Thanks Donna. Once you start hand stitching it becomes a bit addictive and Zen-like.

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  66. Fabulous Linda! I always love to see how you use the stencils and fibers! and loving your new header!

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  67. Love the stitching on fabric!
    C Pertuit

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  68. Your use of Michelle's new stencils are great. Everyone on the hop is using them in different ways which makes the hop so exciting. I would love to win a set of Michelle's new stencils. thanks.

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  69. love what you did, the stitches are awesome and I so want to touch and hold it.

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  70. Awe-SOME! Love the way you've used the stencils.. 3 snaps!
    textilerecycler (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  71. Great stencil! I LOVE how you used it!

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    1. Thanks Raine. It's a perfect design for stitching!

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  72. Wow, and more, I always paint with my stencils or create textures but never sew yet, I will need to try it!

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    1. Thank you Ruth. And yes, give it a try...it's lots of fun!

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  73. Delighted to have discovered your blog and your art!! we love many of the same things! Terrific idea to add the stenciled patterns over your rust work and then add the dimension of the stitch in blue!! Brilliant!!!

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth. I'm so glad you've stopped by.

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  74. Great hop through some fantastic blogs, Linda. As always, insirational.

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    1. Thank you Lori. I'm glad you found some inspiration!

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  75. Like all the other viewers, you have inspired me to use my stencils in an un-thought-of creative way... sewing!!! I just want to touch it over and over again! Thank you for your inspiration.

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad to have inspired you with a new idea.

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  76. Love seeing these stencils used on fabrics. I have not visited your blog before and now I'm very glad Stencil Girl pointed the way!

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    1. Thank you Susan and I'm happy to welcome you to my blog.

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  77. Your Blog is wonderful - I love what you've done with the stencils on fabric!

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you like this piece and my blog. I hope to see you back again.

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  78. this is a great quilt stencil. too bad my sawing machine is buried under all my art journal stuff, and my ufo is in the closet. I hate the quilting part of making quilts.

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    1. Thanks Susan. Consider doing some hand stitching...it's very relaxing!

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  79. Love your use of the rust dyed fabric and embrodiery based on the new stencils

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  80. Great stitching Linda!
    I love seeing your daily/weekly stitching!!

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    1. Thank you Gill. I'm so glad you enjoy visiting the blog.

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  81. I may have to go back to embroidering. Cool design!

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  82. I love the stencils with circles. Thanks for sharing how you used them.

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  83. Have never thought of using my stencils for quilting. Love it

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    1. Thanks Jona. These stencils are wonderfully versatile!

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  84. is an awesome job, you leave me gobsmacked

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    1. Thanks so much. BTW, that expression always makes me smile...gobsmacked! The first time I heard it was when I was working with a gal from England many years ago. Now every time I hear it I think of her with fond memories!

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  85. thank you so much for such great inspiration. love what you did with the stencils. love stencils girls. hoping my hopping heads the stencils home to me. xoxo

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  86. New to using fabric in my work, I would never have thought to use stencils on fabric and with stitching. Wonderful idea and one to "copy" soon.
    Love the different designs, makes one think that is for sure, lots of ideas working in the small brain..... thanks for showing us something new.

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    1. Thanks! I'm so glad you've been inspired with a new idea. Have fun with it!

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  87. What a fantastic idea: using stitch to fill the stencil shape. I love it.

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    1. Thank you Leslie! It's been another great hop working with all of you!

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  88. nice twist! this blog hop is fantastic!

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  89. I love blog hops as they are such a great way to find new inspiration and discover artists and products that you may not have been familiar with. I would never have thought of using these stencils for stitchery, what a wonderful idea!

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  90. I'm loving these stencils from Michelle!

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  91. Your use for stencils is amazing. Love this!

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  92. I love this--fiber is my first medium (art quilting) so I am really inspired by your combination of the stencil and stitch not to mention the color and rusted fabric--very, very nice!

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  93. As always, I love seeing your work and direction you go in a blog hop. I did look ahead to the end result of this project. Simply love it.

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  94. WOW, Linda! Beautiful work you've done with the stencil! You went beyond the typical and truly made something unique and it looks amazing. I can tell you put much effort into what you do :) The color combinations are vibrant and full of energy. I am curious to learn how you rusted your fabric?

    Thank you for sharing your vision! It was inspirational to say the least.

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  95. You have just given me an aha moment. In my mind stencils = paint. I love how you have "painted" your lovely rusted fabric with thread using the stencil design. I started doing embroidery forever ago and now I am into paper and paint. You have shown me how I can combine the two mediums. Thank you

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  96. {{jaw dropping}} An amazing little piece of art! Can't wait to see what you did with it!

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  97. Wonderful job. I just adore the stitching.
    Your eye for color is super.

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  98. I absolutely love how you did needlework over the rust dye. The layering allows the beauty of the under layer to show through so nicely. The stencil design partnered with the embroidery is reminiscent of zentangle….thanks for a beautiful and original contribution!

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  99. Wow. Your technique is really cool and unusual. =)

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  100. what a unique use of these stencils! love your work!

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  101. Such a wonderful plethora of items created with this one stencil...it amazes me!! Wonderful job!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  102. I love your sewing. It is so wonderful. Love the stencils.

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I love to hear what you think . Thanks for your comment .

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Linda

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