Thursday 1 November 2012

Dutch Love and a giveaway



Dutch love  arrives at Celticfusionfabrics. 
We  know that it is nowhere near valentine's day - but we have totally fallen in love with these  colourful prints designed by the uber - talented Susanne Firmenich. The collection combines greys and yellows, pinks and greens and  blues and oranges, each print  looks great on it's own or beautiful together with a graphic yet slightly retro feel. 

Photo courtsey of Susanne Firmenich

This collection is perfect for  clothing the cotton has a lovely feel and drape and very soft,  also  on a wider cotton of 150cm - even better for larger projects.


Photo courtsey of Susanne Firmenich

To celebrate the arrival of this gorgeousness we are having a little giveaway.

To enter all you have to do is answer this Question and leave a comment on my blog -

The Question - In designing her collection Susanne was obviously influenced by all things Dutch .. on designing your first collection - what  would be your biggest influence?

 
- The prize -9  fat quarters of gorgeous co-ordinating prints  including the new Dutch love (as pictured above)

-The competition is open to the UK and Europe and I will post to the winner

-The competition will run until Tuesday the 6th November 

- Please leave your comment on  my blog 

-I will notify the winner via this blog and Facebook .. so keep and eye on us.. 
Lots of Luck to everyone ...gwen

www.celticfusionfabrics.com







140 comments:

  1. Birds! I love birds and feathers - British of course!!

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  2. Thank you Gill.. I love swallows ...

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  3. Ooh lovely fabric! Hard to pick what I would use...I love geometric shapes in fabric prints so maybe that. Or books. Love books and think you could have a lovely fabric collection based on books :-)

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  4. For me at the moment, it would be windmills and clock towers and the iconic buildings in my village!
    Lovely give away x

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  5. If I designed a fabric, that would be on stick figures - a boy and a cute girl-.

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  6. I think I would base it on my donkey. He may only be 2D but he fits into any place we put him.

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  7. hmm I'm a big sci-fi and fantasy and a music fan, never without my own personal soundtrack, so maybe something alien influenced? Or maybe music playing aliens? - ooh I'm getting into this now, where's my paper and pencil...

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  8. My mind keeps wandering to buildings, bricks and stone. Lovely giveaway, thanks for the chance!

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  9. I'm big on stripes and dots and animals at the moment, in greeny bluey greyish tones, so I guess I'd start there! Thanks for the give away!

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  10. My influence would have to be my dandelions ;0)
    I would love to win this giveaway. Thanks for the chance xxxx

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  11. My two cats Mini and Merky I think! They are little rascals but really loveable and I'd love to get that across. Fingers crossed!

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  12. Fantastic fabric! And thanks for the giveaway :-) I'm quite obsessed with Japan so maybe lotus flowers, cherry blossoms, any thing geisha-related...

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  13. After chopping vegetables, I think there are lots of patterns to be found in the likes of red cabbages, broccoli and onions!

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  14. ooh that's a hard one! I think possibly victorian metal bridges - or more likely abstract patterns - I seem to have a thing for gemoetrics at the moment. I can't ever imagine designing a fabric though - let alone a whole range (so I have immense admiration for those talented designers who do)

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  15. The sky and maple leaves..... a wide blue sky any time of the year is so uplifting!

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  16. Geometric designs always draw my eye, with lots of white and blue - very fresh!

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  17. Living in beautiful North Yorkshire, I am surrounded by some of the most inspiring creations by Mother Nature Designer. Autumn is the season which shows the stunning countryside to it's full potential. So, my first collection would be inspired by the rich hues of Autumnal Yorkshire.

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  18. I live in Ireland, And I am blessed to be living in an amzing area. I love seeing the changes in seaons, the effect it has on the landscapes. Nature at its best!

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  19. These look stunning! For me, I would be inspired by nature: flowers and seedheads and leaves etc.

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  20. Beautiful fabric! What would be my inspiration? Probably bunnies.

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  21. Right now, I'd say I'd be inspired by all the different looks and feels of the great lakes.

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  22. Oooh, that is a hard question, it would be something based in the colours of nature and the outdoors, and by each season. Ange : )

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  23. living in france I'd love a patisserie inspired fabric range, the gorgeous cakes, the toppings are gorgeous, the boxes they pack them in

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  24. I'd have to be inspired by the sea and the beach.

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  25. Wow this is quite a lovely bundle. My first collection? probably inspired by the park at the end of the road, a place I love to go to clear my head!

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  26. I think for me it would be colour and geometric shapes inspired by art deco ceramics. The fabric is gorgeous, I've not seen it before now. Thank you for arranging the giveaway.

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  27. Gorgeous fabrics! It would be the countryside around me - sea, hills, woods, moors...gorgeous!

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  28. HI! LOVING THE LORD,I'D CHOOSE ALL THINGS FLORAL IN NATURE+FOLLOW ALONG THE BOTANICAL COLOR-LINES!
    THIS IS A NEAT COLLECTION ABOVE!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  29. No question; if I designed a line...it would be influenced by the beautiful scenery that surrounds me here in New Brunswick, Canada. Right now we have so many reds, oranges,yellows and golds as the leaves have changed..now blowing off the trees. Nature makes a great pallette.Thank you for this chance.

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  30. Spiky flowerheads like alliums, and cow parsley, mixed with geometric pattern such as tringles, hexies and colour! Yum!

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  31. I've long been dreaming about giving up the day job and becoming a fabric designer! My first line would be inspired by the beautiful birds and leaves in my garden. There would also have to be a cameo appearance from our dog... in fact, she could make a guest appearance on all my (fantasy) fabric lines!

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  32. The colours in my garden through the year are my inspiration, from the palest primrose and the whitest snowdrop through to the gaudy berries on my firethorn.

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  33. My inspiration would probably be nature, the sea, forests and small flowers.
    I love Susanne's fabric collections and it's great to see them here. Thank you for a great giveaway!

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  34. I LOVE her fabric! So pretty! If I were designing fabric, I'd take take inspiration from where I live... the South! :)

    Mrsrachelsbooth at gmail dot com

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  35. what a fantastic selection! Thank you for the chance ...

    inspiration? leaves, I think - spring, summer, autumn, winter

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  36. For me its all about graphic prints in fabulous colours, with a quirky scandanavian edge. I love purples, teal blues and orange. Love your fabric ranges, best on the net.

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  37. what gorgeous fabric, love those grey and yellows. Sunshine and happy things would inspire me

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  38. I love the greys and yellows - just the colours of my soon-to-be craft room! My inspiration would have to be the sea as I have a long family history of seafaring and still live by the sea now.


    Penny

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  39. My inspiration would be the autumn trees. Such a fantastic array of colours at our local arboretum at the moment - really breathtaking.

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  40. my inspiration would be 'Delfts blauw' (Delft blue), my all time favorite, give my anything in Delfts blauw and I'm over the moon :-)

    I can see why you call it Dutch Love, I see tulpis but for me, a Dutch girl, it is more Russian :-) Funny how people see things different. I do love the collection though!

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  41. Thank you for offering such a great giveaway. I think my collection would be based on the shapes of flower seed heads. Or possibly watch/clock parts!

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  42. I would choose flowers. Definitely. I love the Dutch line very much. Maybe because I'm Dutch......

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  43. The ocean - blue waves and swirls.

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  44. Mom of four boys, my influence would be all things feminine! Just the opposite of my household. So flowers and nature would be my influence

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  45. Hmm interesting question! I might explore my Native heritage with feathers, nature, and beads.

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  46. Things I love the most, for example flowers, butterflies. And of course some texts.
    I love the fabrics and I'll keep my fingers crossed to win:)

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  47. My influence would be the colours of nature. At the moment the glorious Autumn colours are filling my senses.

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  48. Whimsy would be my biggest influence. I love things that are slightly unrealistic.

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  49. maps have always interested me. some are really beautiful and all are fun to explore

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  50. My fabric range would definitely be kawaii inspired. I love Japanese style, the celtic fusion linen range is adorable.

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  51. British birds and wildlife. My other half and I spend a lot of time at a local nature reserve. We are always spotting birds that I've never seen else where. It's making me really appreciate the variety and beauty of local wildlife.

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  52. My perennial flower garden and the colors of the NW beaches.

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  53. Gorgeous fabrics!! My influence would be seasonal flowers. Tulips, lily of the valley and snow drops for example, as I don't think I have ever seen these flowers on any fabrics. Flowers from each season. Great giveawy!!

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  54. I'm in the US and know I cannot enter, but I want to say that I love the Dutch Love. It's interesting to read others comments to your question and I had to think hard about how I would answer that question. There's three things that I'm found of that might inspire me, trees, fishing and cute mice.

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  55. My inspiration would probably be botanical gardens!

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  56. My inspirations would be fruits and flowers.Thanks for the great giveaway!!

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  57. My inspiration would definitely be my children. They are energetic, imaginative and fun, and that is what my fabric would channel. There would be a bit of magic because seeing life through their eyes is definitely magical.

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  58. My inspiration would come from geometric shapes and the city's architecture!

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  59. Well I might be just slightly obsessed with Russian dolls, so I think any design would be based around them!
    Thanks for the fab giveaway - the fabrics are just scrummy :)

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  60. beautiful fabric and lovely colour combinations. If I designed a collection I think colours would be my inspiration, especially colours in nature and at the beach.

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  61. I have always loved nature of any kind: birds, animals, butterflies, so I would design a fabric with some type of creature.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  62. I'd be inspired by the view from my home. I'm across the bay from San Francisco, so I get to see bridges and redwood trees and water, and skyscrapters. If its peaceful, I see hummingbirds and racoons and deer. On glorious days, I see colorful sunsets. It would be a combination of nature/earthen and urban with the feelings of home.

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  63. Beautiful fabrics! I think my inspiration would be Scandinavian designs. I really love the clean feel they have. Much like these Dutch designs.

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  64. My inspiration would be elegant traditional tone on tone patterns. I love simple.

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  65. I have recently discovered an artist who lives and works in Scotland called Kevin Fleming. I really love the colours he uses and his style. I think that would be my inspiration.

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  66. My inspiration would have to come from my children and my home; both of which seem to take up all my time!

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  67. After much thought I think I would be drawn to using shades of blue and sand - colours of the shore - which I find so restful
    Loving this fabric line

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  68. This is such a lovelymfabric line! I think for me I would start with the line designs and doodling of quilting patterns and move onto,the patterns within stonemasonry and architecture. Colour is such an emotional thing, I'd have to see how I was feeling, but boy, do those greasy and lemon look fabulous together! Great bundle!

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  69. What a lovely line of fabrics!
    If I had to design my own first collection, I do think my greatest influence would be the city where I live, Barcelona, and the great Gaudi's architecture. It's really inspiring!!

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  70. I already use Spoonflower and design fabrics for there and I tend to like to draw animals mostly, and co-ordinates in a sort of sketchy style.

    (kerryATpenny-dog.co.uk)

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  71. My inspiration would come from flowers! Love the fabric selection you chose for your giveaway!! Pretty!!

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  72. What a wonderful range of fabrics, I love them!!
    My inspiration would come from the colours and shapes of nature, earthy tones, leaves, trees :)

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  73. Me, i would be lab equipment. Test tubes, Bunsen burners, leibig condensers, cell culture flasks, pipetters etc etc........

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  74. The Atlantic ocean...the pond between my two homes. :-)

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  75. I think I'd be inspired by sea glass and beaches and the sea...maybe with some pebbles thrown in!

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  76. I am guessing this is not open to the USA but I want my two cents in anyway. LOL My design would be mystic with owls, crows, clouds, darkness yes indeedy.

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  77. Gorgeous collection!!! I love all things modern and girly! So I'd love to try and combine the two somehow if I designed a collection!

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  78. I can see why you fellin love with it--very nice especiallyin the yellows and greys. I would do my own take on text prints!

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  79. I've often been inspired by the shapes and patterns on construction sites: the stack of rebar, the parallel lines of 2x4s. I would use that idea - but pretty it up!

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  80. My biggest influence would be America because I am an American living in England. But I think it would be quite patriotic if I ever were to design a range though I have to admit I just adore the yellows and greys and they aren't very patriotric at all but those two colors together are just totally yummy. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

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  81. I'd be inspired by all things Japanese as I went a few years back and fell in love with the place. Saving up now to go back! Thanks for the chance to win this yummy bundle.

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  82. my daughter- there is nothing like having someone to sew for!

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  83. Mine would be sunflowers, I just love the colors found in sunflowers. Sunflowers always remind me of my mother.

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  84. I would be inspired by the shapes and patterns found in the hedgerows and orchards of Herefordshire ~ where I live :)

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  86. I am in love with art nouveau fabrics so that would be it!

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  87. I would be inspired by places I have visited and have happy memories from.

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  88. Geek styles. To pander to the needs and wants of my 35 yr old Dragon loving Dungeon Master husband so I could make him many things that would make him smile.

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  89. I would base my designs on the sights and colors of the American southwest.

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  90. If I ever had the ability to design fabric I think I would find my inspiration from the time I spent working at sea. (I think!)

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  91. In designing my first collection i would be inspired by Love, Feelings, Beautiful Sensations, Beauty. I would like to win those beautiful fabrics.

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  92. Sorry I am not eligible for the wonderful prize but have signed on to get your blog. I love reading blogs from all over the states and overseas. I am not a blogger myself but a dedicated quilter from North Dakota. I also like to see what everyone else is doing in the quilting world.

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  93. I think I would use rainbows as my inspiration, so bright colours, raindrops, flowers in bloom, all that sort of thing :)

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  94. I just love these fabrics. My inspiration would be retro technology combined with gorgeous bright colours.

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  95. These fabrics are wonderful, especially the yellow and grey. I would be inspired by the colours and texture in my garden.

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  96. Beautiful! My inspiration would be the stunning forest that surrounds the town I live in, I would make a collection based on the seasons and ever changing colours of the trees and flora plus the various wildlife that lives within the forest, gorgeous! :)

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  97. I'd be influenced by the different stages of flowers, from the buds, the part opened blooms, petals, drooping flower to the seed heads and seeds.

    Angela M

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  98. Nature and graphic contrast I think...birds circles squares that would be fun!

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  99. What beautiful fabric, I think I would be influenced by spirals in nature and colour, thanks for the chance :)
    Sue

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  100. This line is truly lovely ... and dont know if you would send me some in Australia!
    If I could design fabric . . . my inspiration would come from Art Deco lines and colours. I live in a 40's house and have 30's and 40's Furniture.

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  101. What gorgeous fabrics. My inspiration would definitely be nature, flora and fauna in simple retro lines, all colours. Thanks for the chance :).

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  102. I am so GLAD I found your shop. Wow... So much stunning fabrics and then within Europe. I just had to go ahead and order me some fabrics and stunning buttons.

    If I was to design I would most likely be inspirered by the sea and everything nautical.

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  103. What a lovely giveaway. Years ago, at college doing C&G Patchwork (!) I did some work inspired by the beautiful lifeguard beach huts in Miami - fab 'ice cream' colours.I think I would enlarge on that idea for a retro fabric line.

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  104. In my fabric designer fantasy world(where I can draw beautifully!), I'd incorporate colours I love that I can never seem to find(dark blues particularly!) and mid century modern patterns!

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  105. Oh bother. Please note for the comment above I am not eligible as I live in Australia :(

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  106. Living in the mountains I see designs around me all the time - hues and textures and shapes and motion. So I would certainly incorporate that into my fabric designs.

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  107. That's definitely a question I've never thought about before. I love North Cornwall, so maybe something slately and ocean-y, with an old tin mine tower. Thanks for making me wonder - I only wish I could draw it!

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  108. definitely Art Nouveau and Charles Rennie MacIntosh!

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  109. I would definitely have to have something whimsical...and right now I would have lots of orange and green and everything fallish...really, anything colorful, vibrant and fun!

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  110. I really love the look and ageless feel of small Mediterranean coves, with their ancient buildings surrounded by cypress trees, overlooking a gently lapping ocean and bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Unfortunately I can't draw or paint, my only talent is sewing, but I would love to be able recreate the colours and texture in a range of fabrics for quilting.

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  111. Great giveaway! Glorious fabric

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  112. my influence would be art deco, there's so much to be inspired by in form, texture and colour, followed by butterflies.
    Hannah
    hkg1969@gmail.com

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  113. My influence would be the outdoors - trees, tents, flowers, lakes, animals etc. would be very busy fabric! lol

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  114. Sweets! Anything from licorice allsorts, dolly mixtures, smarties, candy shrimps or sherbert fountains.. Love all the colours and shapes. Happy childhood memories..

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  115. i just love this collection and thank you for the opportunity Gwen! My influence at the moment would be seedheads...seeing so many at this time of year!

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  116. What an extremely tricky question Gwen! My first collection would definitely be influenced by my son's brilliant drawings. :-) Fingers crossed. xx (P.S. giving this a mention in my fabric news today..).

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  117. I'm a photography student and whatever I'm photographing tends to influence my quilting/other forms of creativity! At the moment, it'd probably be geometric, as I'm working on cityscapes, in Autumnal colours!

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  118. My inspiration would be Mother. She was an amazing artist and her use of colour was quite extraordinary. I could only wish to me as awesome as she was!

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  119. I'm from Holland and I love this fabric so much! Would be wonderfull if I sbould win this. Thank you for the chance. And to answer the question: my boys would be my inspiration, the toys they like, the sports they do, etc.

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  120. Great collection!
    For me the inspiration would be portuguese tiles. I am living in Oporto at the moment and the patterns in old buildings are incredible. Check google to see what I mean!

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  121. I would be inspired by the seaside and the clear bright colours.

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  122. I love these fabrics! My inspiration would be things and shapes in read and white. Also my daughter's drawings. Thanks for the chance

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  123. Hello,

    I would like to play.
    I would be influenced my Hungarian motives.:)
    http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
    betikarauski@gmail.com

    All the best .:)
    Bernadett

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  124. If I were to design a collection it would be based on the shapes, colours and textures of British woodland, over the four season.
    Love your fabrics - persuaded me back to needlework!

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  125. What lovely inspirational fabric. I think I would be inspired by my "home" continent - AFRICA

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  126. It would be based on the seashore. Colours of a coral reef and the fantastic shapes they have. jennylarking@gmail.com

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  127. I'm always inspired by all things vintage!

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  128. Oh what a question, I don´t really know but it would be lovely to have an Argentinian themed collection, with all the colours and traditional designs. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  129. Hmm what an interesting question, and reading the other comments, people have some wonderful ideas! If I could draw, I would love to design a collection around weather, sunny skies, autumn bluster, winter frost and spring freshness!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  130. my collection would change all year round as it would be based on the canal next to which we stay. different colours each season, different outfits on the people using the canal path, lots of wildlife and birds, boats, bicycles, changing plants and trees. thanks for the giveaway x

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  131. my number one source of inspiration would be nature: there are so many great patterns and textures if you take a close look at flowers, trees, leaves, ... endless possibilities!
    Thank you for the chance to win! :)

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  132. What beutiful patterns and colours. I have to say that reading blogs is what inspires me to get started

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  133. Such a pretty line.. So inspiring too.. I'd probablu be inspired by the florals of the rainforest in my homecountry Malaysia.. Though I do love the floral here in my current resodential home too in Australia.. Wild floral are always my favourite..

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  134. I live on Salisbury Plain so plenty of tanks and army men. But seriously I would probably marry camouflage backgrounds with some of the wild flowers you see around you when walking in the area.

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  135. I am interested in the way in which culture is reflected in art. I love Chinese brush painting and Chinese ceramics like those of the Ming dynasty. Some of the ink and ink and colour scrolls of this period have graphic qualities which would translate well in a twenty first century context and would provide a very rich inspiration for a range of fabrics.

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  136. I think it would have to be creatures from the sea - urchins, jellyfish, octopus, plankton. All whirling around in the ocean

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  137. For me it would be the smell of rain, the sea in winter and the sound of an early morning.

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  138. My influence would be Lavender - I love the colour, the smell, even the feel of it

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  139. I would choose poppies and artichoke. Love this color combination!

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