Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Spare a tree, save the world CONTEST!

Copyright 2010 Cheryl Coville
Everyone’s going green these days…and that’s a good thing. More and more people are trying to do their part whether that’s by recycling or re-using or even going paperless altogether. It seems to me the more we can do away with unnecessary paper the better off we’ll be. I don’t know about you but in my studio there’s an awful lot of paper sitting around as magazines and patterns.

The knitting world has been out there in the forefront for a while now eliminating paper  with a couple of successful online magazines like Knitty and Knitchmagazine and Knitcircus.  Lately, even the big knitting magazines are going digital with the option to purchase digital subscriptions.

Ravelry is an extremely successful social networking site for knitters. They recently celebrated their one millionth member! Ravelry not only allows independent designers to sell digital downloads of their designs on its site but has actually provided the platform for those sales. Everybody wins in that equation.

In the quilting world, CQMagazine Online  has been around for a while but its focus is Crazy Quilting only. I used to enjoy Cotton Spice but it seems to have gone now. So, why has the quilting world been so slow to jump on the digital bandwagon?

Are we less tech savvy? Are we older? Less educated? All that seems doubtful.  Is there something about quilting patterns that make them so different from knitting designs? Well, I suppose there’s the fact that quilting patterns often involve templates but  .PDF’s are accurate and traditional quilting magazines are pretty much limited to the same page size as home printers. Why, Burda Sewing Patterns (which by definition are usually larger than 8-1/2” x 11”) are successfully sold by digital download for heaven’s sake … so what gives?

Could it just be that that’s the way it’s always been done?  Well, Grandma Coco says it’s time for a change. Here at Grandma Coco’s Designs we’ve gone completely digital. If you like one of our designs, you don’t have to search for it in the shops or wait for it to come in the mail. Oh, you may have to wait until Grandma Coco wakes up from her nap and gets to her email but that’s never more than a few hours. :)

And Grandma Coco is also happy to see that she’s not alone in this digital revolution. There’s a new online quilt magazine about to make its debut.  The Quilt Pattern Magazine  will be an online only ezine. It promises monthly issues with no fewer than 5 patterns per issue and a couple of interesting articles as well. All that for only about a dollar a month! Because that’s the thing, you see, not only is it better for the environment to go digital,  it’s also cheaper. They’ve got a sample preview up HERE so you can see how well it works.

The editors of The Quilt Pattern Magazine have given me a FREE year’s subscription to give to one lucky reader of this blog. If you’d like the chance to win it, just leave me a comment. Tell me what you think about digital downloads (good or bad).  I’ll draw the winner at random at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and that lucky quilter will be notified during the first week of January 2011.

Just remember that even if you don’t win the year’s subscription, by going digital, we all win.

129 comments:

  1. that's wonderful and nothing better than have all the referenfces you want and need just at the click of a mouse!
    Ihave 2 Magazine e-subscription and also a couple of e-books where I get all the patterns and information that I may need!
    Gina

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  2. count me in! : )
    thanks Cheryl
    ~Monika in Saskatoon

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  3. I don't mind digital magazines , you can always print out a pattern from it & the magazine remains on the website not taking up space on your shelf !!
    Sandra in Ont Canada

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  4. Sounds interesting! I'm not sure I could completely give up paper, but I do love digital sources. Congrats on getting published!!!

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  5. I think I will always love the printed page....I like all the mags and books that I can snuggle up in bed with.
    The click here to preview QPM didn't work for me....came up as an error.
    I do love a new addition to our resources so Good luck with your new venture.
    Evie
    New Zealand

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  6. I like the idea of digital magazines but don't subscribe to any because I'm on dial-up. And I really do get comfort from sitting in my chair with a paper book in my hands.

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  7. I think digital is great - the less paper wasted, the better! (pick me! :)

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  8. Congratulations on having a pattern in this new magazine!

    AnneMarie @ Gen X Quilters

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  9. I LOVE digital downloads. But then again, I am an instant gratification kind of person!

    knittingsuek on Ravelry

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  10. l_morochove@yahoo.com says...I like the idea of ezines. Previously, I have ordered digital downloads of magazines that are out-of-print, printed the pattern I wanted, and saved the rest of the magazine on my computer for later use.

    Happy and Safe Holidays to All!

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  11. Count me in as well! I've been busy comparing quilts, to see which one makes my butt look big!
    rofl
    carolyn (myladyquilter)

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  12. My favorite Dr. Seuss book is the Lorax - who will speak for the trees?! I get a quilt magazine from Australia in pdf - love it! Also have purchased several crochet patterns in pdf direct from designer. SUPER process - easy and fast.

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  13. I can see the use for digital magazines, you can print what you want and have the rest for reference! There are times when having a paper magazine in your hand feels right also.
    Thanks for a great giveaway.

    hummm should I make my chances of winning smaller by putting it on my blog and a couple of lists? Sure I can do that!

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  14. I always like to see new resources on line. Winning a new resource would be terrific!

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  15. Any publication that can be made electronic and save a tree is a good thing! Si much better to be able to pick and choose what you want to print when you will actually use it. Great idea!

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  16. How nice to "click and find" instead of trying to remember where the print copy is, or if I even still have the print copy! Sounds great to me!

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  17. Congratualtions on your inclusion in this new project, and thanks for offering a subscription to us, your loyal readers.
    Have fun!

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  18. I like the idea of a digital magazine. It is easier to store on my computer than on my book shelf. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  19. I'm pretty excited about this new magazine. I think it'll be great.

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  20. I also like the idea of a digital magazine. A lot easier to store and retrieve information, especially when you are short on storage space...and struggle with clutter!!
    hugs

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  21. I probably should go all digital, since I am very organized with my computer files and terribly un-organized with paper. But, I still enjoy relaxing on the couch with a good magazine or book better than reading online.

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  22. I both like and dislike digital magazines, patterns, etc., because while they may be instantly available (no watching the mailbox), the download process and time involved can be frustrating. And some digital formats cannot be used on any but the latest computers.
    I find that digital magazines are handy as a reference, but I rarely read the full publication or peruse the ads as I do with a printed magazine.

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  23. Hmm....always love researching on the computer for patterns. Much easier to store on the memory stick that sitting and collecting dust in my sewing room :)

    Pick me!!!

    Sandy
    Headingley MB

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  24. That sounds great... thanks for the invite!

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  25. Hi,
    Thanks for the chance to win the magazine.
    I like electronic sources of info because you can zoom in and get a close look and they don't clutter up the house. However, It isn't easy to read on the go and I do like being able to do that. There is room for both in my world.
    indyqltr@hotmail.com

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  26. Digital is the wave of the future, Saves trees, you can print any parts you want, and before you know it we will even be able to do it on our phones - maybe even already. As an allergy sufferer, I like not having lots of old magazines to aggrivate the breathing too!! COngratulations on being published this way.

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  27. Haven't checked out the electronic format but my daughter would cheer as she tells me that I have TOO many quilting magazines!! Cynthia
    quilticat@yahoo.com

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  28. I love the idea of digital magazines! No storage issues, no towering stacks about to topple! The only drawback to digital magazines is I often like to leaf through a quilting magazine before I fall asleep. Hmn -- guess an iPad is making more and more sense!

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  29. Would love to receiver the free yr to the online mag. I love to go back through my mags and often take one to Dr. office, etc. but would be very open to saving more of our resources.

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  30. I already subscribe to a couple of online digital magazine. Love it, if I see something I like to print I do, the rest are there for future reference.

    Eva
    Bedford, Nova Scotia

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  31. I'm still on the fence about digital magazines. I love holding the book/magazine in my hands and turning the pages. But, saving the resources it takes to publish these books appeals to me also. I could always print out the articles I want and archive the rest. OK, I'm willing to give it a try.

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  32. I'm the same as Carol - still sitting on the fence with this subject. I love the idea that a digital mag is 'instant' and saves on the postage (to Oz), but I also love the idea of taking a book/mag to bed. Guess I could print what I wanted and take that to bed to read.....

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  33. such a great idea. I"ve shared your links with several people. =)

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  34. Bethany Garner here from Kingston, ON and I love the ebook format.It travels well, and allows me to take the opportunity to read, study, dream and be inspired to design whenever and wherever I choose to be. This is an exciting chance for all of us to experience what your vision is and take the lead you provide one step farther. I had a peek and the ezine looks terrific. Thanks for the offer of a year long subscription, how great is that for the winner.

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  35. I love, love, love e-books and digital magazines! I carry my Kindle everywhere and having quilt mags as near as my keyboard is awesome. I read and re-read and print off patterns that I like. Sure saves on the storage!

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  36. I would love to win this. Thanks, Cheryl

    Colleen

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  37. I have not had a lot of exposure to digital downloads. I think they have some good qualities and some that may be lacking. If you want to keep a pattern, that means printing your own. But the digital keeps it all together in one spot that can be easily found :-)

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  38. Congratulations on being published and thank you for sharing with the give-away.

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  39. I love the fact that magazines are going digital! I try to purge my old ones, but it is so time consuming. If I could access them online it would be great!

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  40. I agree that digital downloads are the way to go. I also design patterns and offer mine in both a digital and paper format. The best thing about digital patterns - instant gratification and, from a designer's point of view, my pattern can be in someone's hands across the ocean in a matter of minutes! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  41. I'm totally in favor of digital. Moving my magazines from stacks on the end table to files on my computer keeps me organized and reduces clutter - what could be better than that?

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  42. I think this is a great thing! You only use paper to print the patterns you are interested in doing. Thanks for the giveaway! Crossing my fingers that I am the lucky winner!=)

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  43. digitals - i love. purchase they are right there! save it and print only what you want and use.
    http://patchworkposse.com/blog

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  44. I love the idea of a digital magazine! I just book a Nook (an e-reader), and am really trying to go as paper-free as possible. Estela

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  45. Digital publications are good in small doses, but I wouldn't want everything to go that way. There's something to be said for armchair browsing...

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  46. I love digital because it means I can print and save only what I want, my mother had bookcases full of quilting magazines that she gave me that I promptly went through to cut out and save what I liked in binders and filing cabinets and recycled the rest. There isn't enough room for paper magazines in my life. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail.com

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  47. I like digital - sure saves on the paper floating around the house. Flyers, envelopes, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, etc..... sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in it...

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  48. Am so anxious for this magazine to come out next month. I really like that it's digital and won't add to my magazine pile!

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  49. I'm waiting for the first issue. Can't get here soon enough.

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  50. Looking forward to the first issue of "The Quilt Pattern Magazine."

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  51. I like to keep the back copies of magazines, but I hate that they can take up so much room on the bookshelf. I have begun scanning my issues for my personal use and storing the hard copies in the attic after I am finished reading them. Boy will it be nice to have a magazine already in e-format!

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  52. Cindy has outdone herslef this time. great idea....an on-line quilt mag. so excited

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  53. I'm a big fan of Ravelry and all the online knitting patterns :) This sounds like a wonderful idea for quilters :)

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  54. I think going digital is a wonderful idea. You don't have to worry about miss placing the magazine it is just a click away! HHorseLover
    Don't know which thing to pick? Don't have an account with all the choices.

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  55. I think going digital is a great idea. I have made some pretty quilts using patterns I have received digitally.

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  56. Congratulations! I think this is a great thing and hope someday to be able to submit my own designs. You are a pioneer! Thanks for paving the way for the rest of us.

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  57. Mixed feelings - I really do love to open up a shiny new magazine ... but digital saves trees and space ... Thank you!

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  58. A digital magazine will be great. Can't walk now for the paper magazines and fabric stash!! Will be great to read online and not waste trees. Very good idea! Thanks.

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  59. I do like the feel of reading a printed mag, but realize it's no good for the trees. i love the idea of digital patterns because I get to start on a project right away.

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  60. online downloads are a boon for. Otherwise, shipping costs to India will over take the item's cost for me! :-) Thanks for a chance to win the subscription. My ravelry username is knottygal

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  61. I would really like the chance to have "eye candy" without the magazine to pile on the other magazines I have, lol.

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  62. I love the idea of a digital magazine! I used to get many subscriptions mailed to me because I loved to have them as quick as I could. Then I started to see some of them in the stores for a week or two ahead of mine in the mail. There was a delay for the Canadian customers. I didn't like that. I also always wonder if there is that nice little bonus for the person buying from the store, why wouldn't the subscribers (who support the magazine on a regular basis) get it too.

    Love the digital...everyone gets it at the same time and the same content!

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  63. Congratuations on getting published. I like Ezines alot better than printed magazines now. So much less clutter, but we still have all the goodies :)

    Steph

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  64. I am really looking forward to including the Quilt Pattern Magazine on my hard drive. Thanks for the opportunity to save a few tress and many dollars.

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  65. I see you have a calico kitty, I have one too. Thanks for sharing. Yes going green is very exciting.

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  66. I'd like to say I love digital downloads, but I don't own a printer. I know it would be nice to be abel to save .pdf files of favorite patterns, but I've gone through a laptop and a desktop over the past six years. My laptop died on me about 5 months ago, and it was really, really nasty worm and I lost everything because I had not been doing back-ups. I know, bad me. The concept sounds really good. If I could just find some 'virtual' location to save things so when my darn laptop or desktop die on me I haven't lost everything.

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  67. This type of magazine sounds interesting. When I'm not buying fabric, choosing patterns, or quilting, then I'm on my computer. I'd love to win the subscription to this online quilt magazine. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  68. Wow! How did you manage to get a FREE subscription for the E-zine? Lucky us, thanks!

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  69. Dear Grandma Coco,
    First of all, I love your name!
    I have mixed feelings, like some of the other comments, but am willing to try it out. I know, after years of subscribing to quilt magazines, that patterns are repeated a lot. With an online magazine, I could only use paper to print out the ones I like.
    LaDonna

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  70. Digital is great but I end up printing the entire edition anyway as all the patterns are beautiful.

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  71. I'm excited about the new online magazine. Looking forward to seeing it soon.

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  72. Love the online format - much easier to use for me and less paper being used = more trees!!!

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  73. Brilliant. Now I can feed my addiction without having to buy a new bookcase.

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  74. Digital downloads are great. So quick and easy to get.

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  75. I love the instant gratification of downloads, plus it helps save space in my tiny apartment. :D More space for fabric! :)

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  76. I think online magazines are great. If there is only one or two patterns I like, I can print them and not worry about what to do with the rest of a magazine.

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  77. Digital downloads are good...except when there is no ink in the printer.

    I'm participating in the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day! I hope you have time to stop over and enter my giveaway at homemakerhoney.com

    Merry Christmas!

    Deborah
    Homemaker Honey
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

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  78. I will try my luck :) Thanks for th giveaway!
    I think digital downloads are a great idea :) If you need, you can print whatever you need, not having a stock of magazines getting dusty on the shelves :) And so much paper is saved...

    Best regards
    Kirie
    http://shape-moth.blogspot.com/
    kirie83 (at) yahoo . de

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  79. I do like digital magazines, and understand the green concept behind them, but I need to figure out a way to save them off to a file so I can refer to them whenever I want to... hmmm.. perhaps a separate USB reader/card just for magazines? I like them, just need to be more organized to feel like the information and patterns really belong to ME.

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  80. I would love to be included in your wonderful giveaway!

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  81. Please count me in too. I'm so new at quilting it hurts!!!

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  82. I think digital downloads are great. They are so easy to sort into folders and to tag. I find I am much more likely to use a digital pattern I can find than a hard copy one I can't!!

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  83. I would love it!! Easy to access an saving some trees at the same time! Thanks

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  84. I like digital downloads a lot except when the item is really big and has to be taped together.

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  85. This is a great way to reach so many of us who don't get out much. Wonderful idea and I love it....

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  86. I would love to win a subscription! I hope they will have a few crazy quilting patterns or articles in future issues!

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  87. Very excited about the new online magazine!!!!!

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  88. Going to be a fun time every month a new magazine to browse.

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  89. Would love to win, Cheryl. I like the idea of making a collection of the patterns on my computer.

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  90. I will be making a special folder just for the patterns I will use. Such a novel idea, Online is the only way to go.

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  91. Digital magazines sound a great idea - especially for overseas readers!

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  92. Love the magazine's format. Obviously a lot of care and thought has gone into it's design. If that care is also taken on the content...I expect this will be one successful endeavor!!

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  93. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  94. I'm all about the computer. If I could store everything there it would be great

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  95. At first I didn't like the idea of digital downloads but since I am running out of room in my bookcase, I think the idea of storing patterns on the computer is a good one. I also like the block of the month in the magazine as I always have fun with them.

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  96. Oh I loooove the idea, apart from being a "greenie" at heart and loving the idea of no paper, I have run out of bookshelf room and it's just so much better for my wallet.

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  97. I am looking forward to the new magazine and some fresh ideas. It will be great to see something different besides cold, wind and snow!

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  98. Woohoo! Can't wait. This sounds great!

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  99. I am looking forward to the new emagazine. I would love to win a subscription.

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  100. I can say that I am not too old for computers! At 25, I should think I'm young enough to be able to work well with an eZine! Here's to the next generation of quilters!

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  101. Wonderful idea. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  102. I love digital downloads. A giveaway I entered had a download as a prize and it was fantastic because I got the prize the day I won. I love eZines because it's so easy to store and I only need to print the parts of the pattern that I need. These days they download so fast too. You can store them on external drives if you don't want it all on your laptop - listen to me! I sound like a salesperson for them - but I truly think it's the way quilting and computing will go!

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  103. I love getting digital patterns. So far I have only ordered knitting patterns. But at 1 in the morning, it is great to get what you want so quickly and effortlessly. I am excited to learn about this too..would love it. Thanks

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  104. I love digital patterns! I can download them and store them on my external hard drive with far better organization than I have ever achieved with traditional paper copies. I can then print on demand, which is awesome, because I tend to collect patterns more for inspiration than to actually make.

    Thank you for the chance to win a subscription to this digital magazine!

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  105. I can't wait to see the 1st months. I think its a good idea. I don't need any more paper laying around.

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  106. I prefer digital downloads - it's hard enough storing fabric.

    http://averagequilter.blogspot.com/

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  107. YOu've got to love the digital revolution for sure.

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  108. This is so much better than thumbing through old dusty magazines that end up losing their color over time, spending hours just trying to find that one pattern or picture you think you remember seeing somewhere. Not only saving trees but saving sanity! I love it! I also love your mittens = )

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  109. digitial downloads are my preferred way to find crafting patterns. The only drawback is that you can't preview the ones you pay for (as you can in a store with paper patterns)

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  110. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the drawing for this digital magazine subscription. My past experience with an online quilting magazine was mixed, yet am willing to try once more.

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  111. I like it, thanks for the opportunity.

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  112. I would love to win a subscription to this magazine. I like the idea that it is online and I keep what I want or copy it to a disk for future rerference.

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  113. What a great idea to be able to read and pick out the sections of the e-magazine I want to keep on file. Thanks! I love computers!!

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  114. Great idea that I can be more green with my patchwork. Lovely patterns and easy accessibility to only those I want to keep.

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  115. I don't know if I would like a digital download magazine. I don't have a lap top to use when I am cutting or sewing, so I would still need to print the pattern. I do use the clean side of printed paper on my printer, so I'm trying to be green. I'd like to try the magazine to see if I like it.

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  116. I don't mind digital magazines. I keep a lot of patterns on my computer already. It will free up more shelf space for fabric!

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  117. I love the idea of having an online quilting magazine. I already like ereaders and am trying to cut down on the paper around my house. Count me in!

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  118. Great giveaway! I think an online quilting magazine is very handy.
    nicolesender@yahoo.com

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  119. They are handy whenyou have all theelements in your favor, but if you don't have ink in the printer or your battery dies, those are some inconveniences.
    superqthillatgmaildotcom

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  120. I like the new quilt pattern magazine

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  121. I love the idea of the online magazine. Great green way to start 2011! I love the idea of just printing out what I need.Thank you for participating in the blog tour!

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  122. Placing my subscription now!

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