Mastering the Art of McTavishing, 2nd Edition

One of my favorite free motion quilting designs is McTavishing. Quilter extraordinaire, and design creator, Karen McTavish has updated and expanded her original book on her namesake design.

free motion quilting design McTavishing

When I was planning the first Free Motion Monday series which featured McTavishing, I learned from Karen that this book was nearing release but wouldn't be ready for my series.


She and her publishers were nice enough to send me a review copy when it became available and it's fabulous!


In addition to a lot  of material from the first edition and the original DVD, there's quite a lot of new information, including an all new DVD (featuring my unrequited love, George) and a new swirly version! Here's information from the publisher's website:

The author's namesake stitch makes a quilt look and feel as if it has motion and texture. The inspiration for this style of quilting comes from Art Nouveau artist, Alfonse Mucha. Author, Karen McTavish, adapted Mucha's curvy, stylized art form into a free-hand background filler quilting design. The effect was electric on the quilting community and in judged competition.
Mastering the Art of McTavishing instructs the quilter on adding this technique to any quilt or garment, from traditional wholecloth to contemporary art quilts, for use by hand, domestic machine, or longarm quilters.
Lessons from the author combined with interviews of accomplished hand and domestic machine quilters on the DVDs* give the reader an unparalleled view of the quilting process. Every aspect of how to use McTavishing is compiled in the book and in the accompanying DVDs*.
The book is softcover, full color, 128 pages, includes TWO DVDs, and retails for $27.95.

McTavishing- Free Motion Quilting design

After working on my McTavishing sampler above during the series, I can't wait to work on the swirly version! You can see the rest of my McTavishing series posts on my Free Motion Mondays- A Quilting Adventure page.

Mastering the Art of McTavishing, 2nd Edition is full of beautiful quilts by Karen and many of her students. There are plenty of pictures and instruction for her namesake design plus several other designs. It's a must have book if you don't have the first edition, and has enough new material to justifying adding the newest version to to your bookshelf next to the original too.

You can order it at On-Word Bound Books.

Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered for a drawing to win my copy. Name to be drawn Saturday, June 28th.

Edited to add- This giveaway is now closed. We have a winner!

123 comments:

  1. Absolutely an awesome book and packed with inspiration to whet the creative 'juices' of all who enjoy doing (or would like to enjoy doing!!!) FMQ!!!! Karen's comments highlight and give added insights into each photo!!!

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  2. I really like Art Nouveau art and I do like machine quilting so this is a real winning combination! I am still doing catch up on all your blog posts but so appreciate all your tutorials and sharing. thanks

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  3. I could certainly use this book since I never mastered the art of McTavishing....
    thanks!!!

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  4. I really would like to have this book. This is one quilting technique that I have yet to learn and I had been looking for a used copy that was reasonably priced. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  5. I just heard about the second edition earlier this week. It is on my must purchase list. Hopefully I can buy a copy in August of course that is if I'm not selected in the drawing. I'm still working on my large quilt, 95" square. I'm trying lots of different designs, some work and some don't but overall I'm very happy with the quilting. I can sure see an improvement with my quilting.

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  6. Woohoo! Looks like a fantastic book Amy... Thanks for the sweet review and for sharing your copy... Just love Karen's style and flair!

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  7. Thank you for your generousity! Karen is an awesome quilter and teacher. Would so love to win this book, but, good luck to all.

    Kind regards, Dianne

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  8. Thank you for your generousity! Karen is an awesome quilter and teacher. Would so love to win this book, but, good luck to all.

    Kind regards, Dianne

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  9. I began as a very traditional quilter, but have ventured into every new idea and aspect of quilting thru the years........am struggling with machine quilting but the McTavishing , has really helped. Would love to have the New edition : )
    Enjoy following you and all the help you have given to the quilting community!

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  10. I would love to win this! Looks like an amazing book!

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  11. Oh, thank you for the chance to win this amazing quilters' new book. Good luck to all.
    Enjoying your Monday series of and can't wait to try some more advanced FMQ on my home machine.

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  12. Great review! Thank you, for yet again, convincing me that I need to step outside my stipple-comfort zone :-)

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  13. I would simply love to have this book and be able to try my hand at her swirly version of McTavishing! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  14. So lovely of you to share.... I am slowly coming to terms with mctavishing ... it seems such a great filler in for gaps...
    Hugz

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  15. This has got to be the best resource for machine quilting. It would be absolutely a dream to have a copy.

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  16. Love the tattoo. That is taking dedication to your craft to a high level.

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  17. I have book 1 and would love to have more of her books. This one would be fabulous to have!

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  18. I'm still fighting with making her methods my own. Would love to have her second book to help. Thanks for the chance.

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  20. I would love to have this book Amy. Thanks for the chance. And thanks for all your great learning FMQ- alongs.

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  21. This would be a wonderful book to add to my collection. I'm fairly new to longarm quilting and can use all the help I can get.

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  22. I have really enjoyed your blog and your philosophy on machine quilting

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  23. Fantastic book. Would love to win a copy so I could improve my FMQ skills. Thanks Amy.

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  24. I met Karen in the early '90's when she was just starting out and was developing this method. I was intrigued at that time but was doing very little quilting. Fast forward to now that is about all I do! I finished a quilt late last year and practiced an all-over type of design using her methods. It is my favorite quilt. I still need much, much practice but I can't help but notice that so many newer quilt-pro's works use her designs and others have expanded and modified it to make it their own. I would love to have the book. But I am sure that who ever gets it will be thrilled. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  25. I love McTavishing but have never tried it--this book is sure to give such much needed encouragement and inspiration!

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  26. I love your McTavishing series, Amy, and would love to win this book!

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  27. Karen's first book is on my "To Buy" list after following you and seeing/hearing about Karen and McTavishing. Wow, this new book sounds upwards of fantastic!! Please add my name to the giveaway; thanks for the chance to win.

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  28. Thanks Amy! I love your Monday series. In fact I ordered the rulers to use on my dm. Still learning...and practicing. I also love Karen McTavish....so, so talented.

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  29. I love the look of McTavishing! I know I need to practice to get better, but I wish mine looked like your sample!

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  30. I am fairly new to longarm quilting....but have loved McTavishing style for a long time...I would love to have her book!

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  31. This is something I can't wait to try! Love your series too Amy!

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  32. Your series was great and I want this book and DVDs! Hope I win but if I don't, I will be ordering it! Thanks for all the great videos!

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  33. Love the look of McTavishing so would put this book to good use. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  34. like Linda in AZ, I never mastered the art of McTavishing. So I would love to win this book too. Thanks for the chance.

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  35. I really like the look of McTavishing and could really use this book and DVDs.

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  36. Karen is one of my inspirations and someday I know I'll be able to do beautiful stitching just like her!! At least I can dream...right?? I have the first book and it's pretty awesome so the2nd edition is probably really AWESOME!!

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  37. I would love the opportunity to improve my free motion quilting with the new book. Thanks for all the tutorials - they are so helpful.

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  38. I am just starting out learning free motion quilting and love the look of McTavishing. would love a copy of this! Thanks for the opportunity, and I can't wait to start working through your tuturials as well.

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  39. I'm anxious awaiting the arrival of my book!

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  40. I love like free motion quilting and would love the opportunity to learn McTavishing from this book.

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  41. It would be great to win this book! I've been practicing FMQ and would like to try McTavishing.

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  42. I would so love to win this book.

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  43. I would so love to win this book>

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  44. Thanks for the opportunity! Love Karen's quilting!

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  45. Would love to have the new version!

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  46. Another great book from the McTavishing guru herself! Yes, please!

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  47. I have been practicing machine quilting

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  48. Love her books. Very inspiring!

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  49. Wonderful. I would love to add this book to my library. Thanks for sharing.

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  50. I'd be beyond thrilled to be the lucky winner of this awesome book! Thanks for the chance! :-D

    my nana maree @ yahoo . com

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  51. I would love to win this awesome book! Thank you for giving me a chance to do so :-)

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  52. awesome giveaway!! thanks so much for your generosity!

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  53. Love Karen's way of quilting. Would be great to win this book!!

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  54. I've dinked around with my own version of this, but can't wait to try more. I only have one good arm right now, but it could be Interestingto see what I can do one armed.

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  55. Karen is one very talented lady. Her books are as amazing as she is! Count me in.

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  56. I'm sure this revision will be even better than her first book--if that's possible. Love her work!

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  57. Looking forward to learning even more from the master!

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  58. I would love to be able to do this style of quilting. I'm going to check out your tutorials, but this book and DVD "from the horse's mouth", as it were, would be fabulous. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  59. I don't have the first copy, so I would love to win this one...I learned so much during this particular stitch a long...and this is my new favorite stitch...please add my name into the draw and thank you for being so generous in giving away your copy...

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  60. This book looks amazing I would love to learn the Art of McTavishing.

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  61. This book looks so great! Would love to learn more about this great technique!

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  62. I've been looking forward to this book, but haven't ordered yet, luckily, so I can enter your contest :)

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  63. Wow what a great giveaway! I have wanted to learn McTavishing!

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  64. I am curious. If you are giving your copy away, does that mean you mastered the art of McTavishing??? You are both good, if her book taught you so fast, and you caught on that quickly! lol Seriously, Karen is an artist and shares her talents with us. Very nice, very very nice.

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  65. I loved her first edition of McTavishing and have briefly flipped through the pages of a friend's copy of the 2nd edition. Love it!!

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  66. Thanks so much for all your tutorials, and the chance to win Karen's new book. I have the first one and would love to have the new one too!

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  67. Wonderful series and great book! Would love to win!

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  68. I love your quilting and the way you aren't afraid to share it with other quilters. Thank you. Love your new book. May have to count pennies for it if I don't win!

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  69. Karen's new book looks amazing! Having the DVDs would be so helpful since I learn so much from watching quilters work. I would love to win this book!!

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  70. I'm new to free motion quilting and I can't wait to learn this technique

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  71. My dream is to be able to Mctavish! I recently got a sit-down longarm and I am practicing dutifully. This book would sure be an asset!

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  72. Would be great to have this book. I only ever borrowed the other one from the library and the DVD was gone.

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  73. I have everyone of her books. She is such a fantastic quilter and unselfish person. Would love to add this to my collection.

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  74. such a cool book, I would love to win it. trying to learn on my own ... not going well :-)

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  75. I have all of Karen's books except this one and love them. I was thrilled to meet her at the MQ Quilt show in St. Cloud MN and would love to win the newest book.

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  76. This looks like a book that needs to join my reference library. My book stash is larger than my fabric stash.

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  77. Would love to win a copy, I've heard nothing but good reviews so even if I don't win, I gotta get it for sure!

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  78. I read your posts and am learning so much from you, Amy! I am not very computer savvy so you don't hear from me a lot but I am soaking up your skills! Thanks for telling us about the McTavishing book. I loved your series and have been anticipating the release of the new book!

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  79. Loved the first book and this book looks awesome!

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  80. Wow! I love McTavishing! I have tried it once or twice. This book would be such a great addition to my collection and would be a big help to learn how to master this technique. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

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  81. What a lovely giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  82. I would love to read this and watch the video.

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  83. would so love this book!!! I am just venturing out of my safety zone of stippling and having fun!!! I'm 100% sure this would take me way out of the box!!

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  84. I would love to be able to do this, or at least watch someone else do it if I can't

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  85. Love to free motion quilt and need some inspiration! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  86. Dying to try my had at this concept even though I only have a domestic Bernina!

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  87. Would love to add this to my library, her technique is so amazing!

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  88. I don't have the first edition and am a beginner longarmer. Would love to learn McTavishing!

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  89. Oh my. I'm hooked on you and Karen McTavish. As a longarmer I am always looking for new and fun designs. I would love to have a chance to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  90. I have her other books. Would love to add this to my collection!

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  91. So intrigued, thanx for the chance on a wonderful piece of quilting literature!

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  92. He oído hablar y he visto muchas cosas de Karen pero no tengo el gusto de tener ningún libro ni DVD de ella. Me gustaría ganarlo y seguro que le sacaría un gran provecho.

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  93. So looking forward to this book !! Something I really need to PPP :)

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  94. I'd love to add Karen's latest book to my McTavishing library! Thanks sew much for this chance to win a copy.

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  95. I love the flow and movement of Karen's McTavishing, it's soft and curveous!! I hope to practice enough to accomplish the style...I'm a curve and swirl kinda girl! This book would be great for my quilt book library!! Thank you Amy!

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  96. I'm so looking forward to seeing this book. I'm ordering it. If I win a copy I will gift it to our guild.

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  97. Trying to get the courage to try this on a real quilt.

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  98. Fabulous, I would love to use this book.... Whenever I am finally done with getting my appartment ready fir sale. I have seen enough paints for awhile... I want my fabrics back, LOL!
    Esther

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  99. I would love to win, however how can you give up your copy? I don't understand! You are one generous lady!

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  100. This looks like a fantastic book, such a lovely giveaway, thank you for the chance to win!!

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  101. I would love to win this!!!!! Thanks for the chance.

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  102. What a great resource. I would love to add this book to my library. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  103. now this is another great title to add to my inspiration shelf! thanks for the opportunity to win, Amy!

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  104. I certainly could use some reinforcement to perfect my rather crude McTavishing. Mine never looks as good as Karen's but I'm willing to work on it.

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  105. I'm still trying to get my curved lines to flow - they have some points in them. Practise will make perfect, and then my McTavishing might look a little less like lightening bolts...lol.

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  106. I would love to win this book! I have still never master the McTavish look!

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  107. I have the first book. Would love to have the 2nd. I use McTavishing in my quilting but not quite like Karen, I guess you could say my own way, but I love it and the texture it gives a quilt.

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  108. I would love to win as I have dabbled in McTavishing but still have a lot to learn. Thank you and Karen and her publishers for the chance to win this wonderful book. Take care and God bless, Cory

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  110. I was trying to leave a comment with Goggle Chrome Browser for several days and it would not allow me. Finally tried on Fox Fire and it worked.

    Amy, you have been such an inspiration to us to keep us in the loop with all the new products and information on Free-motion Quilting techniques. Thank you for all the tutorials you bring us. I love all your wonderful work and how you take the time to video many of your tutorials for us to view. Keep up the great work. Please enter me into your McTavish book give away.

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  111. Your work is lovely! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.

    sew4given AT aol DOT com

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  112. I would love to win this book. I have watched your tutorials but have not had the nerve to try to McTavish. This book would be a wonderful resource.

    Blindsay1947@yahoo.com

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  113. Would love to win this book. I really enjoy following your blog!
    marsha.ryan@verizon.net

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  114. Would love to win this book! It looks amazing.

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