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Thursday, January 20, 2011

The World's Longest Ongoing Quilt Project

Okay, here's the deal.  I started this painstakingly intricate child sized quilt top seventeen years ago.  No kidding.  I can't believe I'm telling it but...there you have it. 



It's been in my shed.  I'm not kidding about that either.  I held my breath when I opened the box it was in, hoping it was still in one piece.  I designed the paper doll and all her clothes on notebook paper and had stored the sketches with the quilt top.  Even though it had been years everything was fine.  I know, I can hardly believe it myself.



























  













I have to wonder why I stopped working on it.  I really don't remember.  I had put so much time into it -- planning every detail, hand dying some of the fabrics, making those tiny (microscopic) buttons.


 



I'd written a little poem I wanted to embroidery in that blank space I have left to fill.  I'm no writer (you know) but it was sort of cute...


Little girl with paper friends,
Quietly in a corner pretends.
Tales of childhood dreams are told,
Cutting out memories as they unfold.





So, here's the plan.  I'm posting about my half finished quilt and hopefully you'll leave sweet comments (because you guys always leave the best comments) and I'll feel encouraged to finish it.   





The world's longest ongoing quilt project.  I feel better already. 


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98 comments:

  1. You did a beautiful job designing the doll and all of her clothes, what a lot of work! I'm guessing maybe you didn't finish it because you got to this point and were just plain tired. :) Can't wait to see it all done!

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  2. Lindy, are you kidding? That is the cutest thing ever, girl. You must finish it. You are so gifted.

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  3. Oh my gosh Lindy! This is so beautiful! It is an heirloom! You better get to gett'in and finish this beauty!! You can hand it down someday....

    Gorgeous!

    Lou Cinda

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  4. That is the cutest quilt ever! I love it!

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  5. That is darling...and INSPIRED quilt if I ever saw one. Now, I do have to tell you that I had one daughter that would have taken scissors and CUT OUT everthing to see if it would WORK as a "doll with clothes". lol I think you should finish it and then either frame it somehow or hang it on strechers. Wouldn't this be a great gift to pass to a granddaughter someday? Oh.I.Love.It! Yes.I.Do. Hugs- Diana

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  6. Oy, I hear you on the longest quilt ever! I embroidered 20 quilt squares, all of little fairy girls surrounded in by flowers. I started when I was pregnant with the first and didn't finally finish it until he was 15 and my mom made me finally put it all together!!

    It looks fab, you better finish it! I can't imagine how many hours you already put into it!!

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  7. Oh my goodness!!!!! What a stunning quilt -- look at all that work you put into the details! I love it! PLEASE finish it! Wow!

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  8. What an adorable quilt! You put a lot of work into making that quilt. I grew up playing with paper dolls, and drawing their clothes. Now days most little girls give you a "glazed over" look if you mention paper dolls. :D
    Enjoy your evening.
    Glenda

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  9. Wow, Lindy. What a beautifully done applique! I am in awe. Get it done, girl!

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  10. That is super cute! I come from a long line of quilters (it somehow skipped a generation with me) but I still love quilts. So cool that you designed that - it's just perfect! I will share with my mom and she may want to be a copycat!

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  11. Lindy, I love it!! The details is unbelievable! I LOVED playing with paper dolls when I was growing up and this brings back so many memories. I had a Mary Poppins paper doll set and the little girls' clothes looked a lot like the ones you designed. You are very talented. Finish it. You will know what to do with when you are done. Wonderful stuff.
    Hugs, Mandy
    ps: I have kept all of my Home Companion/ Mary Engelbreit magazines and for a while she created a paper doll with accessories and clothes to cut out on a removable page within the magazine...I still have them!

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  12. This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. If I had done this much work I would have had to put it away for seventeen years just to recover. Anyway it is adorable and what little girl wouldn't love it.

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  13. Hi Lindy,
    Your quilt is super-awesome!! Yes, by all means finish it. Even if it is just 15 minutes a day. I just know you will have such a since of accomplishment. Of course, I'm one to be talking...I guess I might have the worlds longest ongoing cross stich pattern. I started a cross stich of my husbands branch of military service as a gift for our first anniversary many years ago...he retires this year after 30 years of service and no it is not completed!! Maybe I could/should finish it as a retirement gift???
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  14. @Ann

    Okay, I think Ann may just have me beat but I am for sure a close second! What encouraging comments - just what I needed!

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  15. The applique and detail are amazing. You did an excellent job. You need to finish this. I have a few projects that are as old. You're not alone in the UFO category. You need to complete this.
    Hugs~ Amanda

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  16. Wow, Lindy, I am amazed at all the details! It really would be a shame if you didn't finish it...:)

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  17. Well, I'll help you finish it! It looks AMAZING. I'm so impressed with your attention to the details! They're DARLING. I've never seen a quilt like this before! You have to finish it so it can be adored all over the world!

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  18. Lindy, I am so happy your master-piece was in one piece! If you feel you do not have time to finish what your first design was; go to the fabric store, get a print that would match the paper doll print, batting, and sew a back on it and you have a finished piece of art or quilt. Do not feel bad, I am not good at sewing. My oldest daughter is 43 yrs. old and I kept a 1/2 sewn blouse I tried to make for years. She either kept it or I threw it out. Your quilt as it is with a backing would look great in a bedroom as a wall hanging. Thanks for being brave and getting it out of the box!

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  19. Wow! I loved paper dolls. You have done an wonderful job...It needs to be loved and treasured.

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  20. I do hope you finish it...quilting is such a fabulous artform...in Paducah, Ky, there is a quilt museum...If you're ever close---visit it--it will change what you think a quilt is...art that is awesome!!!

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  21. This is amazing, Lindy. You have to finish it! I can't believe you designed all of this. Fantastic! So glad it wasn't messed up.

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  22. Lindy, this is soooo cute..I am doing one with just little smocked dresses...there is so much work in each dress. I love the paper dolls as I remember playing paper dolls when I was young. You are so close to finishing it and are lucky that it is still in such good condition. I think you should publish a book on these pieces and I would be first in line to buy a copy. I just became a follower of your blog and I am so glad I found it.. thanks for sharing this with us..vera

    www.vlauterbach1@hotmail.com

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  23. This is the sweetest quilt I have ever seen. My grandmother used to be the manager of a five and dime store and the biggest thrill my little sister and I had was going down to her store and picking out books of paper dolls. My grandmother has passed away now but I can't see a paperdoll without thinking of her. This quilt is very precious and hope you feel inspired to finish it. I feel inspired to start one! Thank you for sharing this.
    Becca Robinson
    www.cookieandclaire.blogspot.com

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  24. This is adorable, I have been contemplating making a quilt, but don't like the traditional styles. This has inspired me to find my own topic and do something totally different, like u have. Thanks!

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  25. I can't believe how darn cute that is. You seem like you're almost done! Just a little bit more, you can do it :)

    I have an embroidery project that has been sitting for 17 yrs too! It was supposed to have my son's birth info on it. Somehow bunnies won't really go in his room anymore.

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  26. omg..wow..Lindy..that is so beautiful!...Beautiful isn't even a good enough word!!..that's a lot of work! It's ok that you didn't finish it yet,lol..it just wasn't ready to be fully born yet. I'm reallyyyy looking forward to the finished quilt- I wish you much luck and happiness with it!

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  27. It is so amazing. Thank you for sharing it and your drawings. I am staying tuned to see the end result. Beautiful

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  28. Very cute...I love paper dolls I have saved most of my old issues of Mary Engelbreit's magazines just for the paper dolls she always included.(-:

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  29. This quilt is so amazing. I wish I had the time to do such a wonderful quilt. I hope you will finish it, it's gorgeous

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  30. I have never seen anything like your precious quilt. The detail is so amazing! So glad you're going to finish it.

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  31. My mom has you beat. She started a bicentenial quilt (This was 1976 for those who don't remember) but never finished it. All the squares are finished and most are sewn on the quilt top. Yet for all these years, that thing has sat in the attic with nobody touching it.

    Now you don't want that to be you so finish it already! All kidding aside it really is cute and it would be a shame not to finish after all the time you put into it.

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  32. Darling, adorable and absolutely amazing quilt! You HAVE to finish it!! It is just too precious and has too many memories for you. It is an absolute treasure! And your poem is adorable too.
    Good luck and we all can hardly wait to see the finished project.
    Best wishes,
    Chris

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  33. That is the best! I am about to become an aunt for the first time- on both sides of the family- both girls and my head is spinning with how beautiful this is. First off, I totally understand how you can put something away for years. I actually threw out an ill conceived quilt attempt because it had been years and it literally haunted me. I hope you do finish this because I would love to see it again!

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  34. Please finish it. That is the cutest quilt I have ever seen. I sent the link to my quilting friends.

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  35. Hi Lindy! I have a quilt that has been left unfinished for many years too. Since you have now inspired me to finish mine ~ you must finish yours. That is such an adorable quilt and your attention to detail is amazing. I'll be checking up on you, so get busy!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  36. That is so adorable! you did a wonderful job. Love everything about it.

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  37. That is so adorable!!! My favorites have to be the teddy bear and the beach outfit. What an eye for detail you have! I can't wait to see the finished product, it is quite extraordinary!

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  38. What an amazing talent you have. The quilt is just beautiful. I can understand how life happens, and other things become a priority, causing you to set this aside to finish "later". It happens to us all....

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  39. You should finish this and enter it in quilt contests...This is amazing and the detail is superb! I have never seen anything like this and it is just sooo precious! Please don't put it back, this is a work of art!

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  40. WOW--this is so unique. I have never seen any quilt so cute!!! THERE IS HOPE for me I guess, I have about 6 projects going at once. And my kids are 41 and 37 and I'm still working on re-creating scrapbooks of their childhoods for them. Please continue and finish.
    Ann

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  41. What a sweet idea & so much detail!

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  42. Oh my goodness... what a MASTERPIECE!!! I love it!!!! Any little girl (or woman) would be thrilled to snuggle with that precious quilt. Please, please, please finish it... can't wait to see it all done!

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  43. What a great quilt idea! I'm always amazed at the amount of talent you have in so many areas. I had a knitted lace shawl that I had started and put away for 2 years; a Victorian lampshade that I was making - put it away for 5 years. I finished both and the feeling of accomplishment afterward was great (not to mention getting rid of the guilt too). :o]

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  44. OH Miss Lindy

    I just love that little quilt!!!!!!!I would hang that on my studio wall and play paper dolls all day.

    You must get that in the house someplace on a wall or in my house on MY wall.

    That is a work of art for sure. Thanks for showing it that sure perked up my day

    You win The BEST IN SHOW today

    Janice

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  45. This quilt is just gorgeous. The detail is amazing. I love that you still have the drawn plans for it as well. Oh, you have to finish it now. I would actually love to make it myself. Why not finish it and save all of your patterns and put in a book. I would buy it. It is really beautiful!
    Careyann

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  46. P.S. I just signed up to follow you so I can witness the finished quilt.
    Careyann

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  47. My goodness! How precious! You better get this out of the shed and finish it up! :) That's an order!

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  48. Reinds me of my childhood and playing with those paperdolls. This is so fabulous you must finish and post it! It is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time! Too much hard work not to finish now go do it!

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  49. That has to be just about the most adorable quilt I have ever seen! The detail is amazing and I'm just beyond impressed at your skills!
    I had to laugh at the fact that you have had it for 17 years because I just found a cross stich pillow sitting in my fabric bin that I started in the 6th grade and never finished...that was 23 years ago so I got you beat! :-) I won't be showing it anytime soon though!
    Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the party!
    Vanessa

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  50. I'm visiting your blog from Today's Creative Blog because she showed some pretty cool projects you had done over there, but WOW....this one is AMAZING! I can't believe your luck in having it all intact. If that were me, the thing would have been full of holes from mice or moths or something! :)

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  51. What? This has been in a shed? You. Must. Finish. This. Project.
    We will cheer for you from the sidelines....

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  52. This is an adorable quilt! You HAVE to finish it!! Can't wait to see the finished project...

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  53. Wow. Absolutely wow. An actual quilt that I would purchase — that is a feat! My mom would freak out over this thing.

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  54. Wowwwwwwwww Lindy, such a detailed and unique thing,, its out of my imagination that how much you worked on it... so lovely Linda, really dedication.. truly amazing... YOU HAVE TO FINISH IT... We all are waiting for it... I think I should start countdown:)... Buck up Lindy
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  55. when my son was born, almost 32 years ago, I made a crewel stocking for him. When my daughter was born, almost 26 years ago, I made a needlepoint stocking for her and never stretched and cut it out. How about I finish her stocking and you put your poem on that lovely quilt?

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  56. I'm a new reader, but YOU REALLY HAVE to FINISH this!!! As a mama to little girls, I guess I really have a soft spot for something like this, but honestly, it's SO BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE finish it,and then post the after pics on so I can DROOL all over my keyboard!!! :) (I'm not really joking...I will drool.. ;) )

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  57. I am a new follower and I must say that I love paperdolls also. So many memories. I am also a potter and I have used "paperdolls" on many of my pieces. There is nothing so grand as looking at a completed project. melin54@sbcglobal.net

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  58. this is GORGEOUS! It must have taken forever!! If you have a chance come link up to handmade tuesdays @ ladybug blessings. www.ladybug-blessings.com

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  59. Please finish it...for every little girl who ever loved a paper doll. It's beautiful.

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  60. This is just beautiful...I think I covet it...Looks done to me :)

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  61. That is beautiful! You've done amazing work. Please keep going! :)

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  62. I love it, every detailed little bit of it! I keep looking at the pictures and every time I look, I see something I didn't see before... a button, a bow, teddy's little arm. Amazing detail! Please finish her soon! <3

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  63. OMG, this is beautiful. It is very charming, and I do hope you finish it. Even in it's current state, hang it up somewhere to display, you can put it on a rod until it's completed. Give you an idea of where you want it to be, and an incentive to finish it more quickly. Love it!

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  64. PS, you should think of entering it in a craft fair, at the county fair, etc. It's a real show piece.

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  65. That quilt is adorable... especially the little paper doll girl! Aww. I would just love to see how the quilt would look completed... (hint, hint)

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  66. I love everything about that quilt. I have never seen anything like it, and it deserves to be finished, and you deserve to have it displayed somewhere in your home - if only for you. Please show a picture of it when you are finished.

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  67. Oh you have to finish the quilt for all of us women that are still little girls inside. I love every detail of it and your sketches are amazing!
    Lacy

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  68. How darling. I agree, you have to finish it! Finding it in such perfect condition (I cannot believe it was in the shed!) is a sign! Dropping by from Met Monday.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  69. Lindy, I'm glad you pulled this back out to finish. I idea of the little poem is a nice touch. I played with paper dolls as a child, so this quilt really speaks to me as do the words of your little poem. You've already put an amazing amount of time and effort into this quilt. You have to finish it! Glad you found it in good condition! ~ Sarah

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  70. This is absolutley terrific! What little girl would not want this very fun quilt. Keep going you can do it!

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  71. This is the most darling quilt I've ever seen! I can tell all of the work you've put into it. Love the detail on the little paper doll and all of those precious little dresses.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  72. YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!! I used to play with paper dolls and so this idea quite intrigues me. My two daughters (ages 6 and 9) however never have played with theirs quite like I remember playing with mine and my twin's. We spent HOURS making clothes,etc... This is great! I hope you have some special plans for it.

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  73. This quilt really touched a note with me. My life was paper dolls as a child and now that I'm grown..well..I'm still playing. I make paper art dolls, sculptures, faces and anything remotely involving dolls.

    This quilt is spectacular! Please finish it. It cries to be finished. I am going to become a follower immediately, especially so I can see the progress!

    Thanks so very much for sharing this spectacular quilt.

    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  74. Hello, don't return that beautiful paper doll quilt to the shed again! It is so pretty and the design is so carefully thought out and the fabrics are wonderful. Please finish it and if you don't want it , I will treat it as a beloved family member!
    Stella B.

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  75. OH my! How wonderfully creative! You've got to finish this! I have never seen anything like it!
    You Go Girl!
    Kathy

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  76. Hi there!
    I headed over here after seeing your quilt on "Crap I've Made". It's just beautiful! Keep going! I can't wait to see the finished product!

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  77. OMG!!! It's gorgeous and you are so talented and if you don't finish it I'm going to have to come and pick it up and finish it for you!! (Did it work?) Sincerely -- it's wonderful!! I can't wait to see it finished!!

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  78. This is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! I just don't even know what to say--WOW! Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see it when it is finished!

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  79. What an amazing quilt. The concept, the designs, the painstakingly delicate work, the poem; all of it is so wonderful. Thank you for bringing it out of the shed so that we could all see it.

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  80. This is such a sweet project. I hope we see the end result soon. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  81. I've always loved paper dolls., and this is just adorable!

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  82. Hi! I stumbled upon your site and I happened to see this paper doll quilt and was quite impressed - you really do need to finish it! Each little dress is so cute! This past year I bought fabric and a panel of Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls from the Blue Hill collection - to make a quilt. I haven't started it yet - but they have some cute fabric that would be great for backing and trim etc on your quilt. Is this a coincindence that your name is Lindy too? That also intrigued me. LOL Good Luck and I will be watching your site now to see how this goes.

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  83. I think it's beautiful and I love the little poem, too. You are very talented.

    Found you through Tip Me Tuesday.

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  84. Wow! That is a beautiful quilt! Such a cool/unique idea.
    I'd love for you to link up to my new linky party, Tute {Yourself} Tuesday!
    LittleEme.blogspot.com
    It will remain open until Wednesday Evening.

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  85. It is a beautiful quilt and I hope you finish it soon. I have a better story for length of time to finish a quilt. My mother-in-law gave me a partially finished quilt that she had started for my husband when he was a baby. I finished it for our third child. That made about 30 years from start to finish.

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  86. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!! That's the only word I can say. It's simply unbelieveably beautiful, I can't wait to c it done.

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  87. Saw this at a link party... it's beautiful!! I hope you finish it and share with us the final outcome :)

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  88. That is absolutely one of the cutest quilts I've ever seen, Lindy. I'm so glad it weathered being in storage for seventeen years. You sound like me - projects everywhere in need of completion. ;)

    Thanks for linking to the party.

    Have a great weekend!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  89. I'm adding my admiration of your quilt to this list 'cause it would be nice to give you at least a hundred reasons (comments) to complete your fun, colorful, original design! Thanks for sharing.

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  90. Saw this on Under the Table . . . and it caught my eye as I've never gotten over my love of paper dolls. I rarely comment on blogs, but this quilt is truly gorgeous and the attention to detail and your design is exquisite. It would be a sin not to finish this historical heirloom.

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  91. Found you while blog-hopping. I absolutely adore this quilt! It is the most awesome thing I have seen in a long time. I have loved paper dolls my whole life. This is a perfect tribute to them and their magic.

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  92. Ahhh... que coisa mais lindaaaaa!!!!!...

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  93. I also have a "couple" of UFO'S....This is so unique. You need to finish it up and have it ready to hang it in your home only when some special grandchildren or nieces to play with so that you can appreciate it as well. I know I wouldn't want to part with it if it were mine ! YOu will have incentive to finish it too then...have fun !

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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.