Garden Mist in QUILTER’S WORLD (Summer 2013)

Hello Friends, I am happy to share with you that little quilt at the corner of the cover of Quilter’s World‘s Summer 2013 Issue is designed and made by yours truly – it’s my Garden Mist quilt!

This small wallhanging / table topper was a fun one to make because of the various techniques involved – regular piecing, my “faux” curve-piecing, fusible applique, and three dimensional yoyo flowers.  It was designed with “trying out techniques” in mind so that one can have experience in attempting the different techniques without having to make a big ol’ bed spread size quilt.

My ‘faux” curve-piecing technique was achieved by applique-ing the orange peel pieces onto square blocks.  You can see the white I used is sheer, causing the background fabric to peek through the white, and thus giving the overall look a “misty” effect.  Click here and here for my previous posts on machine fusible applique.

And here you see the yoyo three-dimensional flowers.  I just love these flowers made using Clover’s yoyo makers.  Click here and here to see the particular ones used to make the flowers.

I also decided to use “other than green” fabrics for the leaves and stems.  I quite like the visual effect of using prints for stems.

The fabrics used for this quilt are from Art Gallery Fabrics.  They have a nice selection of floral prints with a contemporary flair!  Check them out if you haven’t already.  The design of this quilt is meant for quilters to freely choose the fabrics they like to suit their own palette of choice.

Now about the quilting – except for the straight line quilting, everything else is unmarked free-motion quilting.  As usual, the supplies used are Aurifil Mako 50 cotton thread over Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting.

You can see the quilting is a mixture of pebbles and swirls, mixed in with a bit of McTavishing.  I covered the former two techniques individually in my online “Learn to Machine Quilt” class, and I combined both the motifs in quilting Garden Mist.  [Incidentally, I just checked and saw that Annie's is still offering the class at 50% off regular price.]

This following shot was taken right when the sun was rising – you can see the sun rays peeking through in the top left corner.  I was able to sneak out for a little walk before my little family woke up.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have enjoyed my Garden Mist quilt.  Do tell me what you think of it.  Meanwhile, I am going back to work.  I have eight quilts to ship out in the near future.  I am on my second one….

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My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Garden Mist” – click on project names for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Annie’s Sweet Layer Cakes Book (April 2013): Sunburst Melody

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Curious Cats

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

QUILT (June/July 2013): Color Burst

QUILT (June/July 2013): Pattern Play

Quilt-it…today (July/August 2013): Yay Day

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013): 2 Wishes

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  Watercolor Sketches

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

Simple Quilts & Sewing (Spring 2013):  Stained Glass

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Flora Linda/Catalina

Lecien Free Pattern, Lynette Anderson (April 2013):  Forest Floor/Wildflower Wood

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

RJR Fabrics Free Pattern (May 2013): Nature’s Harmony/Silent Harmony

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Geraldene’s Tango!

Hello Friends, I hope you are doing well.  You might recall from earlier this year my Tango quilt made cover of Quilt Trends‘ Winter 2013 issue.

Earlier this week, I was “over the moon” excited when Geraldene sent me a picture of her Tango quilt, upsized to a King from my original throw size design.   WOW!  What an accomplishment!  I have never made a King size quilt – the thought of making a quilt that size is quite daunting to me.  So, kudos to Geraldene for attempting such an enormously impressive project, after having to rework the calculations to transition the design from throw to king size!

This is what Geraldene wrote of Tango: “I decided to make this as soon as I saw it in the magazine. It is breathtaking.  After finding the fabrics, I just needed to figure out how to size it for a king size.  So I played around till I got it to work out. Thank you for designing such a beautiful quilt and fabric. I plan on making another one as well.”

Congrats to Geraldene, and thanks for sharing your work with us and making my week.   Seeing quilts made from my designs definitely make those long nights worthwhile!!!  Speaking of long nights, I will be working late tonight…

Meanwhile, have a lovely weekend, Dear Friends!  I shall catch up with you next week.

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Yay Day in Quilt-it… today (July/August 2013)

Hello Friends!  It’s good to have you visit again.  I am not sure if you are familiar with Quilt-it… today magazine.  This magazine is only recently introduced to the market, and sold at an affordable price.  I am sharing with you my YAY DAY quilt that is featured in the July/August 2013 issue of Quilt- it… Today.

[image source:  Quilt-it...today]

This is a horizontal strip quilt using organic cotton prints from Birch’s Yay Day Collection.  Click on fabric collection name to view the full range of fabrics.  Click here to purchase the fabrics from Fabric Worm.

Here are a few shots of the quilt where you can see the horizontal strip layout a little better:

The pieced blocks in this quilt are framed blocks that are super easy to construct.

Quilting was done to match the horizontal strip layout of the quilt using straight line and machine “fly” stitching.  Quilting was done using Aurifil Mako 50 cotton threads over Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting.

This is what the back looks like.  Incidentally, the backing fabric is my favorite from the collection.

I hope you enjoyed my Yay Day quilt.  If you like the quilt, I am curious what you liked about it – fabrics, designs, quilting, anything!

Have a lovely rest of the day, and great week ahead!

***

My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Yay Day” – click on project names for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Annie’s Sweet Layer Cakes Book (April 2013): Sunburst Melody

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Curious Cats

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

QUILT (June/July 2013): Color Burst

QUILT (June/July 2013): Pattern Play

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013): 2 Wishes

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  Watercolor Sketches

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World (Summer 2013): Garden Mist, to be posted

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

Simple Quilts & Sewing (Spring 2013):  Stained Glass

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Flora Linda/Catalina

Lecien Free Pattern, Lynette Anderson (April 2013):  Forest Floor/Wildflower Wood

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

RJR Fabrics Free Pattern (May 2013): Nature’s Harmony/Silent Harmony

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FREE PATTERN: Nature’s Harmony

Hello Friends, I hope you are doing well.  I am having another “less 24 hours to ship out a project” episode, so I didn’t have time to take pictures of my recently featured magazine quilts to share with you.  But I do have a new free pattern to share with you that uses flying geese units!  SO, if flying geese are your thing to do….

Quilter’s Cache documents here the different ways in making flying geese units.  Which is your method of choice?

My Nature’s Harmony design uses fabrics from RJR’s Silent Harmony Collection.  Click here to view the full range of fabrics.

Click here to download the free pattern instructions for Nature’s Harmony!

Thanks for stopping by.  I shall catch up with you tomorrow!

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Pattern Play in QUILT (June/July 2013)

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  I am excited to share with you today my Pattern Play quilt that is featured in QUILT‘s latest June/July 2013 issue.

This quilt was a most fun quilt to make.

The fabrics used (Mediterranean Dream by Quilting Treasures) invoke the feel of Mediterranean mosaic tile floors, but with a more contemporary interpretation in the colors.

This is one of my favorite shots because the shade of the new tender spring grass in the background matches the greens in the quilt perfectly.

And of course, none of my designs seem complete unless they have tiny pieces, or in this case, narrow sashings, ha!  I am telling you, I have a disease!!  That green sashing is 1/4″ wide.

Quilting was done with Aurifil Mako 50 Cotton threads, over Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting.  The motif is an allover swirly flower motif that is an embellishment of my swirly vine motif.  I have posted about the schematic of the motif here.

Hopefully, you can sort of see how the motif plays out on the quilt in this next photo.

I also made three accompanying pillows for the photo shoot.  The pattern of that front pillow is available for download on QUILT’s website here.

[Image Source:  QUILT magazine]

Before I forget, kits to make this quilt are available for purchase from Quilting Connection (phone: 540-334-5146).  Click here to order the kits online.

You might recall I had also designed another quilt using the same fabrics for Quilting Treasures where the pattern instructions are available for free download.  Click here for details.

Thanks for stopping by.  Here is to a lovely rest of the week!  Hugs to you all.

***

My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Pattern Play” – click on project names for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Annie’s Sweet Layer Cakes Book (April 2013): Sunburst Melody

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Curious Cats

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

QUILT (June/July 2013): Color Burst

Quilt-it…today (July/August 2013): Yay Day, to be posted

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013): 2 Wishes

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  Watercolor Sketches

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World (Summer 2013): Garden Mist, to be posted

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

Simple Quilts & Sewing (Spring 2013):  Stained Glass

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Flora Linda/Catalina

Lecien Free Pattern, Lynette Anderson (April 2013):  Forest Floor/Wildflower Wood

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

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Sunburst Melody in SWEET LAYER CAKES by Annie’s

Quick public announcements before I proceed with today’s post…

#1.  Annie’s is having a 50% sale on online classes.  Just thought I would share that with you in case you are thinking about signing up for my “Learn to Machine Quilt” online class.

#2.  A special note to dear reader Kathy Buicks — my emails to you keep bouncing back!!  Do you have a new email address I can use?

***

Hello Friends!  It’s wonderful to have you visit again!  Today I am sharing with you my Sunburst Melody quilt that is featured in Annie’s recently released Sweet Layer Cakes book.  I thought a little bit of sunburst is in order since we have been having rain for the last few days, and we are supposed to have rain the rest of the week.

This is a happy quilt, to be sure!  It was fun making the blocks in different happy colors!  I incorporated a few black/gray blocks as contrast to the other happy colored blocks, and as a reflection of how my life is.  The presence of the occasional dark moments in my life makes me appreciative of the sweeter and happier moments.

More importantly, I know my life is refined by those “sanctioned by God” dark moments mixed in with the happier moments.

This quilt uses Riley Blake’s Shades 10″ Stackers, and Riley Blake yardages from Good Life, and Hello Sunshine collection.  Click on the names to see the full range of fabrics.  Incidentally, Riley Blake’s Shades fabrics are some of my favorite solid/mottled fabrics!

The construction of my sunburst blocks involves paper-piecing (sunburst part) and curve piecing (quarter circle part).  I found that with that many seams on the sunburst part, it was easier to curve piece the quarter circles by hand.  I seem to have more control that way.  Just thought I would throw that in for those who will be attempting the project.

This quilted is pieced and quilted entirely using Aurifil‘s Mako 50 Cotton threads.  The batting I used is Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting.  Quilting was kept to quilting in the ditches because I felt like quilting on the sunbursts would prove to be a little distracting.  I just wanted the sunbursts to pop as they are.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you liked my Sunburst Melody — and here is to sunburst wherever you are!

I will catch up with you later!

***

My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Sunburst Melody” – click on project names for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Curious Cats

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

QUILT (June/July 2013): Color Burst

QUILT (June/July 2013): Pattern Play, to be posted

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013): 2 Wishes

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  Watercolor Sketches

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World (Summer 2013): Garden Mist, to be posted

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

Simple Quilts & Sewing (Spring 2013):  Stained Glass

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Flora Linda/Catalina

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

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Virtual Trunk Show #10: Spring 2013

Hello Friends, I was so happy about getting some warm weather a couple of weeks ago.   But apparently, the cold weather isn’t quite ready to leave us for the year…. and so, we are back to the colder temperatures again!  I heard on the news some of you might even get some snow today… yikes!

Nonetheless, mentally I am forcing myself to think that we are in spring through some of my springy quilts.  I hope you will enjoy the “virtual Spring” I am sharing with you today. Feel free to click on the quilt names to view detailed pictures of the quilts.

1.  Stained Glass, Simple Quilts & Sewing Spring 2013 – this is probably my favorite Spring 2013 quilt!

2.  New Life, Quilter’s World February 2013

3.  Not Too Square, The Quilter December 2012/January 2013

4.  Lollipop Spring, Jump-start Your Quilting

5.  Garden Maze, Quilter’s World’s Quick & Easy Quilts Spring 2013

6.  In the Meadow, The Quilter April/May 2013

7.  Watercolor Sketches, Quilts and More Spring 2013

8.  A Sprinkle of Spring, Fons and Porter Love of Quilting May/June 2012

9.  Flower Duet, American Patchwork & Quilting June 2012

10.  Out of the Nest, The Quilter August/September 2012

Which of these Spring Quilts caught your fancy?

Thanks for stopping by.  I’d better get to the sewing machine and work today as the second half of the day will be spent running errands.  Hugs to you all!

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Curious Cats in Fons and Porter’s EASY QUILTS (Summer 2013)

Hello Friends!  I hope you are well.  Have you seen the latest Summer 2013 Fons and Porter‘s Easy Quilt issue?  I want to say “Thank You” to those who wrote to tell me you saw my Curious Cats quilt in the magazine issue, way before I received my copy!  You see, oftentimes I have several quilts waiting to be placed at Fons and Porter, and I normally don’t know what gets placed where, until a magazine issue is officially out.

Back to Curious Cats… here is another behind-the-scenes snippet to share.  There were many an email exchanged between the editorial team and myself while we were finalizing the design.  I think the design went through like eight revisions before I received the final green light.  I said all that to share with you magazine editors are very serious about featuring in their magazines what they think as the best and most helpful to their readers.  When you think of it, drop a line and thank the editors of the magazines you receive.  You will encourage them greatly.

This design majors in versatility in that it uses two of the easiest and most common blocks to highlight the fabrics in Benartex’s Ziggy Cat collection.

This easy to put together, weekend project sort of quilt makes a quick gift, or a quilt that’s meant to be used.  I call our “meant to be used” quilts car quilts because I always take them with me on my way out to the car to bundle Miss Baby in the cold months.

Quilting was done using Aurifil Mako 50 Cotton thread over Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting.  Looking at the overall look, I think you would agree with me feathers won’t probably feel at home.  So I opted for straight line quilting, with a bit of a twist to the grid.

Click here to purchase the quilt kits.  You may also click here to access the material lists if you want to make the quilt in twin or queen sizes.

I hope you liked seeing my Curious Cats.  Now, curious mind wants to know what fabrics you will use in the designs if the cats aren’t your thing!  Keep the ideas coming – you might help a fellow reader decide just the fabrics to use in a design like my Curious Cats quilt!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fantastic day.

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My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Curious Cat” – click on the links for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome, to be posted

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  Watercolor Sketches

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  2 Wishes, to be posted

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

Simple Quilts and Sewing (Spring 2013): Stained Glass

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Flora Linda/Catalina

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

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FREE PATTERN: Flora Linda

Happy Monday, Friends – especially all the Linda’s out there who expressed a liking a few weeks ago for a sample I was making named Flora Linda.

The fabrics are from Benartex’s Catalina collection.  Click here to view the full range of fabrics — check out the fabrics in the very pretty chartreuse colorway too!  Fabrics are slated to arrive at shops in April.

I can finally do the big reveal –

Click here to download the instructions to make this quilt.  I hope you will enjoy making Flora Linda.  Do send me pictures of your finished quilts.

Have a great week ahead!  Blessings to you all.

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Watercolor Sketches in QUILTS and MORE (Spring 2013)

[image source: Meredith Corporation]

Hello Friends,  I hope you are well.  I am happy to share with you my Watercolor Sketches quilt, featured in the Spring 2013 issue of Quilts and More.  And oh, more importantly, I was able to photograph the quilt outdoors.  I was more than happy about that, until I heard that we are supposed to get snow again this weekend.  Brrr and Grrr…

This quilt focuses on the visual effect of playing with block orientations.  I find the the simpler the blocks, the more pronounced the effect.

[image source:  Meredith Corporation]

Oh, and the freshness portrayed by the fabrics…. aren’t you just feeling the spring vibe coming through, especially if you feel like you have lived in a freezer in the last few weeks, like I do?

The fabrics are from Pat Bravo’s Paradise Collection, produced by Art Gallery Fabrics.

I am absolutely in love with the foxgloves on the focal fabric.  [Footnote:I am partial to foxgloves because they are historical, and were grown in gardens of historic homes like Mount Vernon and Monticello.  I found this fascinating article on colonial revival gardens.]

Quilting is done with Aurifil Mako 50 threads over Hobbs Tuscany silk batt. If you haven’t read about my thoughts on Aurifil threads and Hobbs Tuscany silk batt, click here and here to read.  The quilting motif is my allover Jester’s Hat.  Click here, here, and here to read about Jester’s Hat.

It’s always exciting to have something featured in Quilts and More.  I am doubly excited this time because I actually have two projects featured in the same issue.  Stay tuned for when I share about the other project.  I shall end my rambling with this last picture.  Thanks for stopping by – till tomorrow.  God bless!

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My 2013 lineup thus far besides “Watercolor Sketches” – click on the links for more information:

Annie’s Love Those Precuts Book (January 2013):  Apple of My Eye

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Spring 2013): Baubles, Baubles

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Curious Cats, to be posted

Fons and Porter Easy Quilts (Summer 2013): Fabrique Foursome, to be posted

Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting (March/April 2013):  Now I know my ABC’s

Machine Quilting Unlimited (March/April 2013): Quilting Curvy Feathers

Quilt Trends (Winter 2013, Cover Quilt): Tango

Quilts and More (Spring 2013):  2 Wishes, to be posted

Quilter’s World (February 2013): New Life

Quilter’s World (April 2013): Monkey Around

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): In & Out

Quilter’s World QUICK & EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013): Garden Maze

The Quilter (December 2012/January 2013): Not Too Square

The Quilter (April/May 2013):  In the Meadow

Benartex Free Pattern (March 2013): Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Fauna

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (January 2013): Mediterranean Dream

Quilting Treasures Free Pattern (February 2013): Butterfly Kisses

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