Passing the Days: Day 31

Some blocks really make me wonder where the name came from.  Such is today's block, Swamp Angel.  I am rather pleased with my photoshop skill joining two photos together as for some reason my search for "angel in swamp" did not turn up anything.   If you know the story behind this block I would love to hear.  

My experience of swamps is somewhat limited but they have been lovely places full of life. Though coming across my first alligator was a wee bit alarming.  I never got used to that.

I found a fabric that had a bit of sparkle like water and bright flowers too which reminded me of the swamps we had visited.  And of course I added green, because well, swamps.  I wish I had an angel print to have used in the center-that would have been perfect.  

It has been a while since I showed how I keep track of my pieces after cutting them out...yep...old Scrabble tiles.

For this block making hourglass blocks works well-and by combining three different fabrics we get a whole new look.

I love how quickly these come together with this method which I have shared in my General Instruction sheet.

Sewing the two Half-square Triangles together...once again I will mention that I sew with the seam facing up towards my needle so that it helps to push those two locking seams together perfectly.

Remember when trimming these to lay the diagonal line of your ruler on the main seam line.  You want the 1 1/4" mark to fall right at the intersection of all of those seams. 

The second step for cutting is much simpler as you can now line up the 2 1/2" lines with the trimmed sides of the Hourglass.  Keep the diagonal line lined up with the seam as well with that 1 1/4" mark still at the intersection.   Proper trimming will keep our points sharp when we sew these into the block.

I just love how bright and cheery this one came out-it feels rather tropical.  Which is making me smile as I think of our son in Colorado who has had a good bit of snow today.

Click on the link for my Passing the Days   page to download a pdf version of this block.

May your day be cheery and bright.
Happy Quilting!!