Raija Salomaa of Quilter's Treasure Chest, is a fellow Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor.  Her new Island Batik Signature Collection, designed by Kathy Engle, is a collection of vibrant batiks - alive with playful dots, swirling colors, and wild Celtic knots, in a sea of vibrant greens and blues.  Limerick is a great name for it! Notwithstanding Limerick (the city) in Ireland, if I were inspired to think up a quick limerick (the poem), it might go something like this:
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| Snow Day! 
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There once was woman who sewed
Whose legs were so thoroughly bowed
She only could sit
Only moving a bit
And had nary a care if it snowed 
Okay, I admit it - I'm a much better quilter than I am a poet!
This snowy New England winter morning was the perfect time to start my Limerick project!
Which fabrics to choose?  
I didn't have to think too long.  
I chose one of the beautiful blue Irish knot prints 
and "Summer Blossoms," the Modern 180 pattern designed by Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor, Michelle Renee Hiatt. 
I decided to make a one-block "Summer Blossoms" sample.  I thought a small table topper or wall quilt would be just the thing.  I pulled out my Square Squared, Wing Clipper and Corner Pop - three of my favorite tools!   
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| The Center Diamond made with the Square Squared Tool 
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| Making the Flying Geese 
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The block worked up pretty quickly of course.  After all, it was only one block - and I had to get out and shovel! 
But after a few renditions, and tossing things around a bit...
I finally decided on an octagonal shape with two black borders and a flange.
Maybe working on "Summer Blossoms" will help melt the snow a little faster?  Or maybe not.  I could use another snow day to use all the rest of my Limerick batiks to make the rest of the quilt! And truth be told - I already cut it out and can't wait to start sewing.  This is a pattern I've wanted to make for a long time - and now I have found the perfect fabric! 
I hope you enjoyed this Blog Hop. Don't forget to visit our other amazing and talented Studio 180 Design CI bloggers:  
And don't forget to pick up your Limerick batiks at a shop near you!