Monday, February 18, 2013

Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery BOM

Hello Blog Hoppers!
I'm delighted to be one of the designers for Fat Quarter Shops' newest  Designer-Mystery-Block-of-the-Month featuring Fig Tree Quilt's Avalon fabric collection. It was so much fun to play with Joanna's lovely prints in bright shades of reds, greens and creams with navy accents to create a house block for a row along with fellow Moda designers Minick & Simpson and Primitive Gatherings.



Fat Quarter Shop's question to us was "Where is your dream house?" I am blessed to say I wouldn't want to live anywhere but in my little cabin by the pond.

My husband, Robert, and my sons built our 1200 sq. ft. getaway just 4 years ago. When we first bought the 2-story building for command central for Kansas Troubles in my hometown of Bennington, Kansas, we lived in a studio apartment in the back while hosting quilting retreats. Every year, we made plans to buy/build a real home, but our busy life kept getting in the way. After 7 years, we finally got our quiet escape a few miles from town on the edge of wheat fields and cow pastures, just up the hill from my favorite spot on earth, our family's pond. Many happy days were spent sunbathing, catching tadpoles and fishing in the pond when I was a kid, with picnics and fireworks, exploring and campfires throughout the year. It truly is my Happy Place.

Now, from my studio window (on the left), I look out onto the colors of the changing seasons and the assorted wildlife and birds that make their homes in our yard. It's a peaceful, inspiring place to work & live and I love every minute of it!  I hope all of you have a Happy Place to rejuvenate and recharge each day to make your life as wonderful as it can be.





Giveaway
Please visit my co-designers' blogs for stories about their dream homes and more on the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery Blog Hop. Comment here about your Happy Place for a chance to win a Loose Change book filled with pictures of the cabin and surrounding outdoor spaces.


117 comments:

  1. I don't get to my happy place very often as it's in Alaska where I grew up. Walking trails.

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  2. My happy place is going home to my mom's house in the country. No need for curtains!!

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  3. My happy place is sitting in front of my sewing machine by a window, pretty much anywhere!

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  4. My happy place growing up was the precious time spent at my Babcia's farm. Now it absolutely is my little sewing room!

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  5. My happy place is walking and exploring with my son, either a wooded trail or down by the beach, as long as we're together. ;-> Toni Anne

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  6. My happy place is anywhere we park our camper. My husband & I love camping and we go all that we can. I have a sewing machine that stays in the camper the whole camping season and love sewing in the morning before my husband wakes up. It is truly relaxing.

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  7. My happy place is home. Whether it's in sewing room, yard or kitchen, home truly is where my heart is!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  8. My happy place is a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland! I wish I could live there!

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  9. Just about anywhere in my own home - been here over 35 years and each room is filled with wonderful memories of my three children as they grew!

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  10. my happy place is my sewing room in the upstairs of our house. Beautiful fabrics and all the thigs I love surround me. I am so lucky!

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  11. My happy place is anywhere my family is. And of course with lots of quilts around me.
    Shawn

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  12. My happy place is my "front room" as my kids call is - sewing, music and crafting all in the one spot and my family's home. Your cabin is cute!

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  13. We recently flipped rooms--my sewing room went into our master bedroom and we moved our bed, etc., into the old sewing/guest room. I have so much more space and was able to move my HQ16 out of our dining room--so happy with my new space (and glad to have our dining room back)!

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  14. My happy place is our cottage in northern Canada on a little lake. I find I do my best quilting there.

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  15. My happy place is where ever I am, sitting in front of my sewing machine. I do have a new favorite and that is at my parent's "up north" house on the lake. Lots of windows facing the lake and it is very beautiful and peaceful there. Wish it was a little closer than 6 hours away as it is hard to take off of work and go there.

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  16. I'm a city girl, so my happy place is an urban loft.

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  17. My happy place is going to a retreat center in Montecito, CA with my girlfriends. It is so beautiful and peaceful. And we talk and laugh again and again throughout the four days we are away. We leave in 10 days for our annual trip!!!!

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  18. My happy place for all but two weeks of the year is my home here in small town Missouri. I was born in Louisburg, KS and lived in the city for 20 years but came back to a small town and haven't left since. I do HAVE to take a two week road trip back to New England every year so I can refresh from the energy of the ocean and seeing the beautiful fall leaves. If I wasn't such a born and breed flatlander I'd be living there six months out of the year.

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  19. My "Happy Place" would be wherever our children and grandchildren are with us. Nothing but happiness would fill my heart.

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  20. I would also be inspired by the view from your home! My happy place is along the coast of Washington--Oysterville. Quaint little town on the edge of a wildlife refuge for shore birds among other critters. And it's quiet--best place for a getaway.

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    Replies
    1. Sorcha girl, Congratulations! You're the winner of the Loose Change book. Please send your mailing address to: ktquilts2@twinvalley.net. We'll out of town this next week at Bernina training, so please be patient. I'll send it as soon as we return.
      Lynne

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  21. I have 2 happy places. The first is my "casita" - my small sewing studio located 20 feet from my front door. The second is our camper van - a small vehicle that has taken us on wonderful adventures.

    Charlotte S.

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  22. Kinda silly, but my favorite room is my bathroom! I love to look out the windows in there. It is a "bird blind" since there is a rose of sharon out one of the window. The birds love it and we usually have a nest in the spring. The other window has a nice view of the woods and the wetlands so it is the best place to see wildlife.

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  23. My happy place is a small rustic cabin on Moosehead Lake in Maine. So relaxing to sick on the dock with a good book or stitchery project. The scenery is breathtaking.

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  24. My happy place is my house - we live on 18 acres with pasture, woods, and a pond. We love it!

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  25. Every summer when I was in high school (a long time ago) I went with my best friend and her family for 2 weeks to a cabin in Maine that sat right on a lake. That continues to be a fond Happy Place in my memory. I hope to return someday.

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  26. My happy place is the Black Hills in South Dakota. I love this place so much. I still hope someday I can live there. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Mary

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  27. I find peace and tranquility on my back deck, here in Tennessee. Observing the play of the squirrels and many, colorful birds and enjoying the quiet and solitude is hard to beat. The view from your cabin must be so peaceful and inspiring to work with. Enjoying this blog...

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  28. My happy place is snuggling with my two week old!

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  29. What a nice place you have...peaceful and calming! One of my favorite places is my parents home on Tablerock Lake near Branson...peaceful, fun and beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  30. My Happy Spot is here on the farm especially when the Grandkids come. They all live in the city 1 hr. and 20 minutes away and they love the freedom of the country. This makes me very happy.

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  31. 14 years ago we retired to a smaller home. It's in a gated golf course community. We wanted gated for when we travel. We're really happy here.

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  32. Your Happy Place looks so charming and cozy. My Happy Place is on a beach ... and I've given up my dreams of spending our retirement years there. When we retired 4 years ago, we had grandchildren here in this area ... and I can't move away from them. ;-)

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  33. Home is my Happy Place too. Your home looks beautiful and peaceful.

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  34. My happy place is where my husband and I live. We live in the country in an old refurbished home outside of Baraboo, WI. My husband has added a workshop for his old car restoration, and part of the house has been dedicated to my quilting. We have a wild life refuge surronding our home, and a walk through it takes you down to the Wisconsin River. It is a lovely setting. Also, Baraboo is the home of the Ringling Bros Circus and about 10 miles away is the Wisconsin Dells (which brings you back to reality with the crowds). Thanks for the chance to win your great book

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  35. Since I'm dreaming I would have 2 houses...not that I'm greedy but I am dreaming, ...I would move back to south eastern TN. and winter in Chile. Both beautiful places...just to name a few... actually anywhere but here.

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  36. My happy place is where I go camping with my family every summer. A stunning campsite located on the sea shore in Ballylickey, West Cork in Ireland. There is nothing I love more than cuddling up at night listening to the waves lapping on the shore.

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  37. We don't have a "happy place" yet so I put all my ideas in the "some day" file. The island cottage that HGTV designer, Sarah Richardson, renovated a couple of seasons ago is the best example I can think of to dream about. Ahhh! Take me away!

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  38. My Happy place is currently my house! It is not on a lake or pond....although would the icing on the cake.

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  39. My happy place is my home for now but my friends have a beach house on the Washington Peninsula and it is just beautiful. That would be the icing on the cake to have one near them. And then have one in the Michigan area so our sons and their families would be with us.

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  40. As a military wife we lived all over the country but no place smells as good as the sweet grass of Kansas! My happy place is anywhere my grandchildren are!

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  41. My happy place is in my garden, whether I'm working in it or sitting and enjoying the flowers. I find gardening very relaxing. In the winter, my happy place is my sewing room.

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  42. My happy place is AK. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  43. My happy place is wherever we can get family together...usually at a cottage in New Brunswick, Canada overlooking the Northumberland Strait. Life is always happier with family!

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  44. Don't have a happy place anymore. Due to major life changes I had to move and have not yet found my happy place. I'm confident I will though!

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  45. My happy place is being home in my sewing room....doesn't get much better.

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  46. My Happy Place is making cards, or sewing and being with my family. Would love to win this book, love the look of your house.

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  47. My happy place is home. I don't even work. I am a stay at home mom and I love quilting and being outside doing yard work. Home is where I have my dogs, horse and kids and hubbie. I just love it

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  48. Home....and with family. When I finally get my fabric and sewing area(s) organized, it will be even happier.

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  49. I am blessed to live I the most beautiful spot I ever have lived in, at the edge of the woods, surrounded by farmland, wild critters, and both a lake view and the Swedish mountains in view beyond. However, I do dream sometimes of living somewhere tropical, because well, sometimes the grass is greener (than snow.) ;)

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  50. My happy place is also a cabin - in the mountains about 90 minutes from home. Yours is gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win your book!

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  51. My happy place is my cabin in the mountains. Unfortunately I don't get there as often as I like but it always makes me happy.

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  52. We are fortunate to have a cottage on a small all sports lake --- not too crowded, but swimming, boating and fishing are good. I love to watch the sunset over the water and spend much time with my quilting, staring out at the lake.
    quiltschon@att.net

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  53. My happy place is with my family at our small apartment :)

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  54. My happy place is Honululu Hawaii!! We visited there when I was a junior in high school - some 40 years ago now and I still remember it as it was yesterday! Someday I'll get back there!!

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  55. I think it is great that you live in your dream house.
    My happy place is on 6 acres with my house surrounded by woods.

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  56. I really love my little house in the mountains of N. Georgia. Whenever we'd go somewhere we always said lets go by Hiawassee on the way home. Truth is - it's not on the way to anything!! We camped here for quite awhile before building our house. I sew in loft, of which I call the nest. Your cabin also looks so calm.

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  57. My happy place is in my mind! (Especially whilst sewing in front of the sewing machine quilting)! Thank you for the chance. :)

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  58. My happy place is my own cottage style home.

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  59. My happy place is our home on 25 acres in the country. I have a sewing room and I love spending time there. Thanks for sharing your cabin.

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  60. My happy place is our cottage by a lake in northern wisconsin. I try to get there often and hope to retire there when the time is right.

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  61. My happy place is anywhere out in nature with trees, or when I am sewing. Thanks for giveaway.

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  62. 2 1/2 years ago we moved into our happy place. We had dreamed of building a home for over 30 years. It just never happened. And when we finally decided that we could afford to build, we found the perfect home and made an offer. It was turned down twice, so we thought it was the death of a vision. But on the third try, the owners took our offer. This home has been a perfect haven for our family.

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  63. Like you, my happy place is my own home surrounded by my family and pets and filled with love.

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  64. My happy place is sitting on the couch with my cats by my side. A quilt is nearby to keep me warm.

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  65. My happy place is in our newly built home. We look out on a beautiful pond and open fields. I love to sit inside the house and out on the patio when weather permits and stitch. I also have a dream studio in our house....almost complete. My loving husband and I have been doing all the work ourselves. It truly is a dream come true! I am truly blessed to have these spaces and to have such a calming desire to quilt.

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  66. I've had lots of happy places throughout the years, None of them were perfect, but we all learn to accept the bad and enjoy the good. One place my mind always goes back to is a cabin at the base of Mt Princeton in Colorado. I made some life long friends there and created lots hand embroidered goodies.

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  67. My happy place would be a house that didn't require work. That way I would have more time to quilt. The last three homes we owned including this one required a lot of work and when we never had time to enjoy them before moving on. 3bakergirlsgo@gmail

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  68. Well, my happy place is right where I live. I do love to get away each year with all our children and grandchildren and spend a week at the beach. I always take my sewing machine for those overcast or rainy days. :) Its good to go there but its always nice to come HOME too! :)

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  69. I am surely happy in this house we were able to purchase 2-1/2 years ago. Waited six months for our offer to be accepted. Have my very own room for all my quilty & sewy stuff. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  70. My "Happy Place" is the home we just moved into within the last year... It needs work, but that is part of what makes it "ours". Our last home was filled with bad memories of difficult times raising threes emotional special needs kids that we inherited unexpectedly before we were married. (DH's brother thought his needs were more important than his children's, so he left them with us) This house will be filled with memories of happier times, and beautiful quilts, and carvings that DH makes!

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  71. I'm delighted to say that we live in my Happy Place. Nine years ago we moved from the Southern Cal suburbs (a neighborhood and town I loved) to an old farm house in rural Oregon, to accommodate our dogs, cats, chickens, etc. Being out here in the country is a dream come true for me.

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  72. My happy place right now is anywhere I can spend time with my sweetie! Home really is where the heart is...

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  73. My happy place at home is my sewing room, newly converted from DD's bedroom (out happily testing the waters on her own now). I still miss her !
    My other happy place is a lovely bay house that we rent every year, with a big porch and fishing pier on the Texas Gulf coast.
    Thanks for sharing and the chance to win !!

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  74. About 18 months ago we moved from Portland, OR to the family farm in central Kansas. So right now this is my happy place. We have several building and to old homes on the place and I get the smaller house for my sewing studio.

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  75. The favorite part of our house is a big sunroom that we use for everything. It's like being outdoors but you are cozy inside. 2nd best place is sewing room.

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  76. I live on a 5 acre lot in the country. Watching the deer come and go in the backyard is wonderful. My two happy places are my sunroom and my sewing room.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  77. My happy place is the beach. I live only about a 10 minute drive from the beach here in rural South Australia, but I'd love to live right at the beach behind the dunes!

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  78. My happy place is what my husband & I call "Club-Lynch". It's relaxing (aka, vacationing :o} in our backyard with our golden retriever, Scout. My husband would be reading a book & I'd be stitching or napping just listening to the birds sing!

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  79. My happy place is anywhere I have a good book to read (including a good quilt book). I have a dentist's appointment this morning & will be bringing my latest library book with me, so that will become my happy place. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  80. My husband and I are in our Happy Place here in Lancaster County, PA. Just what we wanted in an old farmhouse that we could afford and close enough to get back to family and friends when we want. It also doesn't hurt to be surrounded by beautiful farmland and lots of fabric. Got to see your quilts at the Old Country Store last week. Beautiful!

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  81. My happy place is in my sewing room. I love
    to be surrounded by all my fabrics, wools and
    notions.

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  82. I have to say my home is my happy place. This is my 3rd home and Steve and I built it together in 1995. When we bought the land, it was because it had a hill on it and Steve held true to his promise to buy me a hill all my own. We have enjoyed 17 wonderful years here but alas we have decided it is time to downsize and really live the retired life. So we have a new place to build on down at one of our favorite lakes and we are definitely excited. Now to sell this huge home that just begs to be a quilt retreat.

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  83. My happy place is on a beach with my husband. Anywhere we can watch the waves crash is good to me.:) Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  84. My happy place is usually where ever I am. I love to spend time with my family, husband, kids and grandkids, working in my sewing room, out in my gardens, teaching my students at school, and rocking in my chair reading a good book or quilt magazine. Definitely a happy place visiting a quilt shop and looking at all the new fabrics. Of course Kansas Troubles is my favorite!

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  85. I love my fifth wheel camper. My happy place even if it is just parked in the yard. But I love to visit different places and camp. Nothing is more relaxing after a day of hiking the woods than sitting in front of a roaring camp fire.

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  86. My happy place is my yard. I live in a rural area and frequently see deer and other wildlife (hate the skunks, argh!). In summer the roses, lantana, rose moss and moonflowers are so beautiful! My after-work time spent tending the flowers is often the best part of my day!

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  87. My happy place is which ever home I am visiting of my children and their families if it is up north or midwest. I do have to confess I love NE. Needless to say 2nd is my sewing room. Thanks foir the opportunity to win

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  88. Home is my happy place. I'm here with my hubby who miraculously survived and recovers from a farm accident. I'm now retired and am a novice quilter and loving it.

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  89. My sunny backyard is my favorite place this time of year. We live in the SW and now it is perfect place for reading, gardening, relaxing with husband or playing with our granddaughter!

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  90. Home is my happy place...wish it was a little bigger but it will do. Can't wait for spring to get into the garden.

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  91. My sewing room is my happy space - Hubby built a cabinet for my machine and it has everything I need. Love it! Would love living by a pond

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  92. What a beautiful spot for inspiration and relaxation while you get to do something you truly love! My happy spot is usually cuddled up next to my kids at night time, talking and planning and seeing them drift off to sleep.

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  93. My happy place is in OK. that's where I'm from and I miss it (and my friends and family) very much.
    You have a beautiful cabin and view.

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  94. My happy place -- Besides my sewing room, it is any where I am with my family and friends. Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  95. The place that I have discovered I am consistently happiest is sitting at my sewing machine in my sewing room, piecing quilts. Thanks.

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  96. My happy place...that would involve mountains covered with pine trees, amazing vistas and a lake! Love your cabin!

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  97. My happy place is our sun room, especially in the fall when the leaves drift down like huge snow flakes. Thank you.

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  98. My happy place is spending time with my family and anytime you can enjoy the fall. And a close second is in my sewing room! Lana in East TN

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  99. I have to agree, Lynne...you cabin is a dream home! I dream of living in Kansas or South Dakota on a homestead. :) But I am very blessed to have a nice, modest red brick home in south Texas. I couldn't ask for more!!! (P.S.: Please do not pick me to win...I already won your book last year--thank you!)

    Have a blessed evening!

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  100. My happy place is where ever my husband is. Our house looks over a wooded ravine and we see many birds and wildlife and enjoy all four seasons.

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  101. My happy place is driving up North and going past the farmhouse that I was born in. When I am sad, I always tell by darling hubby "it's time to go home!"Just being there makes me happy although my gma and gpa don't own it anymore.

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  102. My happy place would be a farmhouse with beach house colors. I'm in love with the homesteading life, but I miss the ocean something fierce. So something that reminds me of both would be perfect.

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  103. My happy place our home on a half acre with 60 year old trees, squirrels and rabbits that play in our yard plus several varities of singing birds. Our home is in an old 1800's French settlement, Florissant, Mo. Florissant is French for "Valley of Flowers", which is what the first settlers saw when they arrived.

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  104. My dream home is in Colorado...and fortunately my dream came true in September....jmh

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  105. This summer I hope to visit my happy place a lot! It's a nearby river with small islands where we camp with a bunch of other crazy campers. We have to kayak several miles to reach the island before setting up camp. I take hand sewing projects along and "river sit" in a folding camp chair & stitch in the middle of the river!Lots of wildlife all around the river so I keep looking up from stitching. Sometimes I don't get much sewing done

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  106. I am lucky to live in my happy place! I have a huge craft room and our 7 acres is big enough for our son to enjoy many hobbies as well!

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  107. I would love to win any of the HGTV houses. They never pick me!!!

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  108. We have a 27 ft camper...even though it is not elegant, it brings great memories of camping with my husband and twin boys. Lisa in Texas

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  109. Anywhere I can find peace, quiet and contentment - which is where me, my husband and 4 little Shih Tzu are is indeed my happy place!

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  110. My favorite place is my own home.....we live 'in the woods' and get to enjoy all the birds and critters every day! It is so peaceful ;-)

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  111. Like the saying goes "Home is where the Heart is" :) - it's the place for me to be! We have large windows for lots of natural light and when I sew I can look out on my pretty gardens!

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  112. I love to spend time in the mountains, we have a cabin on a 100 acre lot - I guess it is not a lot but a parcel. It is a great getaway for our family and friends. We also have our fifth wheel and go as often as we can - and yes my sewing machine goes with me.

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  113. Hi Lynne, what a wonderful and warm description of your happy place. You are truly blessed. You have really made me think!! Hmmm, my happy place is where I am living currently, I look out my living room window to a huge landscape, open meadows and within a mile a forest with Mt Hood looming in the distance. Peaceful. Thank you for your giveaway, as I do love your fabric line. Blessings and smiles, Emilou

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  114. Wow! What a great place to live! My dream home would be a historic home down in Charleston, SC. My husband and I love to visit there!

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  115. My dream location would be in the San Luis Obispo area in California. My dream house would have a nice open family room/kitchen and a course a room for my sewing.

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  116. My dream location is anywhere by grandbabies are! I miss them so much. Thanks for the chance to win.

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