And because I’m a quilter, the object of my affection is a piece of clear plastic.  I’m in the midst of designing a collection right now so sewing time is at a premium.  While at my local shop, I picked up a “Lazy Angle Ruler”.  It makes complex-looking blocks so quick and easy.  I took some Ambrosia scraps and made sets of 4 (6-1/2″) squares, and then sewed them together to make 12-1/2″ blocks.  They are addictive.  I chose  to make the finished blocks 12-1/2″ square, because then I can break it down into a 9-square and 16 square layout as well.  But look at the possibilities with just a simple 2-piece 4 square block…

I tried a couple 3-piece 4 square blocks as well.

I hope to sew a few blocks each week so that, by early next year I have enough to make an Ambrosia Sampler Quilt.  A simple, fun project.  If you see one of these rulers, be sure to pick it up! 

Happy sewing!
Amanda

I stand accused of making some “seriously girlie quilts” lately.  Have any of you ever been accused of so heinous a crime?

I can’t help it!  The flowers call to me!

My accuser, the young man pictured in the Uncle Sam hat a couple of posts ago (and who just turned 10 last week – be still my aching heart!), claims that I have made many more quilts appropriate for his sister’s room than for his. 

I am guilty as charged.

To rectify this I made a patriotic quilt for Uncle Sam.  Conventiently, it also functions as an office because Uncle Sam prefers to do all his schoolwork on the floor.  He actually would love to put the quilt under the table to create a “man-cave” but has given up trying to fight his sister’s and my feet for airspace.

I used a pattern called “Crazy Eights” by Bits ‘n Pieces, which I picked up at Cross Stitch Junction in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Don’t look too close – Sam’s quilt was sewn in record time because I’ve also been working on this…

My mom staking her claim on this one.  I may have to make two because I don’t know if I can let it go.

Have a good week, everyone!
Amanda

It’s Blogger’s Quilt Festival time, so head on over and share a quilt that you have made!

I am sharing “Springtime Garlands” . It is complimentary quilt that I designed for Robert Kaufman, and it is special to me becuase it showcases my first collection of fabrics, Ambrosia.  I incorporated fusible bias strips in a way I haven’t done before, but I will use so again!  Although it looks complex, the quilt is quite simple to make becuase there aren’t a lot of seams to match.  As for what I learned… well, I learned that what I really love about design (both textile and pattern design) are the unexpected surprises that result from the experimentation with scale and pattern.  Sometimes those surprises don’t work out that well, but many times they lead us to a more successful, inventive creations.

Thanks for letting me share.  Don’t forget to head on over to Blogger’s Quilt Festival time to see some amazing quilts!