Friday, May 30, 2014

in LOVE {AMB blog tour :: Indiana}

I have to say, I was pretty ecstatic to get Candice's invitation to participate in the American Made blog tour the other month.  My mind immediately started off in a million directions.  (...One might even say it was racing.)

At one point I was considering jampacking all-things-Indiana into a checkerboard layout; as in, sixteen snippets of Indiana-isms, each in its own 1.5" square package.  (I do have an affinity for tiny piecing, after all!)  Because really, there's so much to choose from!  Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home, Hoosiers and basketball, home to Raggedy Anne, James Dean, and the publisher of The Saturday Evening Post; a small town in Indiana even stakes a claim to the former "Circus Capital of America."  What's not to love about all that?

But at the end of the day, I decided on something a little more, shall we say, straightforward...  simply in LOVE:


Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE symbol embossed on a checkered flag (a nod to the ever-popular Indy 500, which just celebrated its 98th running this past weekend).  A big shout out to my friend Amanda who encouraged me to use our state's abbreviation rather than the full name ;o)  To mix things up, I jotted it down in lowercase cursive, and then used a gray perle cotton that my friend Heather gave me.  (Aren't creative friends the best?)


And because I couldn't make just one, I also started a little red, white and blue tribute...


American LOVElies.  Which are soon to be joined by the full spectrum of colors, as I couldn't resist cutting into all 50 hues that AMB sent my way!


Want to make one, too?  Great!  The only special items you'll need are template plastic, your paper-backed adhesive of choice (I used Therm O Web HeatnBond Ultra), and the 5.5" LOVE template, which I will upload soon, so check back in over the weekend for that :o) Just remember to print at 100%!

Here you can see my various stages of progress:  
reverse LOVE template (bottom right) | traced+pressed LOVE emblems (left) | (partially) cut out LOVE (top right)  

The quick (as can be) and dirty for a 6" block:
Using 2" squares, piece two sixteen patches, pressing seams open as you go.  One of these will be for the LOVE lettering, and the other for the background.  Then, after creating a plastic template of the LOVE symbol, use it to trace the *mirrored* lettering onto the paper side of the adhesive.  Loosely trim around the symbol, leaving a little room beyond the letter lines (you'll cut more precisely once it's fully bonded to the fabric).  Next, center the adhesive on the *wrong side* of the sixteen patch (the one you made specifically for the lettering), and press according to the setting instructions.  Once it's secure, carefully cut out the symbol and then remove the paper.  Finally, overlay and line up the checkered LOVE symbol on the background block, press to secure, and channel your inner Casey York and finish the applique in your method of choice!

The block will finish at 6" x 12"
And if you're lucky, you just might be able to get started on your own American Made love... because the AMB folks are giving away a pack of eight fat quarters!  (And not just Indiana, but one for every state in the whole U.S. of A., so go check out the other states'  plates!) 

To win here, just leave a comment on this post :o)  Easy peasy!  A winner will be announced June 3.


Edited to add:  Congrats to No. 63 Carmen N.!  


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217 comments:

  1. All those checks are really cute. Great job!

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  2. Love the checkerboard on checkerboard idea. Very cute.

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  3. Your checkboard plate is so fun! I lived in Indiana as a kid - Peru, Ft. Wayne, and Plymouth.

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  4. These fabrics are so lovely, as is your block!

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  5. I love your block! And I looked through your blog - following you now. Had never heard of Massdrop, so I'm looking into it.

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  6. The block is so cool!! Thanks!

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  7. Very clever design! Sneaky way to fit in the Indy 500 as well as the state abbreviation!

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  8. I love this block!

    Beth

    oneoldgoat1962 at gmail dot com

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  9. Let's go racing! Your checkplate license plate is so clever and cute. Thank you for being a part of the AMB Blog Tour and the chance to whose those fat quarters. Yes, we all want and we all need fabric.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  10. Love the colors you chose - and the design. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Love your block. Thanks for sharing & thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. As a Purdue University All American Marching Band Alum, the Indianapolis 500 is near and dear to my heart. Will miss hearing Jim Nabors singing Back Home Again in Indiana next year. Your checkerboard reminds me of the street painted on the parade route.

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  13. very nice and clever block...was wondering how you might incorporate the indy 500 in your square....love it!

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  14. Really interesting way to pay tribute to Indiana, I really love it.
    Thanks for the chance to win fabric and for your creativeness.


    nroot@lycos.com

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  15. My brother graduated from IU in Bloomington, where he met his wife! I have very fond memories traveling there to see them and taking my brother back and forth to college! His wife is crazy about the Indy 500. The flag is perfect!! Thanks for sharing! tsvande@gmail.com

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  16. Awesome block, Sarah! I love all the design possibilities in addition to license plates :-) Hugs from Texas!

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  17. This is adorable! I love how you played with the transparency! You've got my mind racing now ;)

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  18. I am "in LOVE" with the finished block! Turned out so cute, way to represent!

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  19. Just watched the race this last weekend so your plate is fitting!

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  20. I'm enjoying this blog hop. The plates are so diverse and I love hearing about the history of the states.

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  21. I love this block! The transparency effect is so neat!

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  22. I like your checkered flag block. I am having fun with the hop.

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  23. I really like your block. The LOVE sets it off!

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  24. So cute and creative! I was born and raised in Indiana (although I now live in GA) and my family still lives there! I'll be back next weekend actually! :)

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  25. Very clever use of symbol for your state.

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  26. i love solids. i also like how you filtered your idea down to a straightforward take on our lovely state.

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  27. That's cool how you made the love look so gauzy and see through. At first I thought it was really just a thin fabric overlay. Nice work.

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  28. Oh that is just too cute. I love your license plate and all the other color ways too. Can't wait for the template. :-)

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  29. Your creativity shines with this block design. Looks great!

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  30. I love the checkered flag design and the use of the abbreviation. Very creative!

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  31. Soooooooo Cooooool!!! I love the grey over the black and white. It looks like the background is peeking through.

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  32. Soooooooo Cooooool!!! I love the grey over the black and white. It looks like the background is peeking through.

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  33. Nice checkerboard. 24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

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  34. I really like your block. fun!

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  35. I absolutely LOVE that the AMB folks picked one blogger from each state. And that ya'll are giving us a little history lesson on each state. I was never much of a history buff but I am LOVING these so far.
    I LOVE your blog too.

    paula

    paulacox7198@yahoo.com

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  36. Oh I love the simplicity of this, I knew right away what the checkerboard and love represented! Thanks!

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  37. About two years ago we purchased some photography of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture and have them displayed in our living room. I think a mini quilt using these blocks would be the perfect addition for our space, thanks for the tutorial!

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  38. I love your Block!! Sometimes plain & simple says it all! I think it says it Perfectly!! Great job!!!
    Looove the lil blocks you did too....love colors!! thease fabrics are all so Gorgeous!!!

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  39. Oh, this is so cool! I love it!

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  40. I love your block and the lower case in.

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  41. Love how the words shadow the squares!

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  42. I like that too how the letters look transparent. Very pretty. Dora G. @ ladyhawk201@hotmail.com

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  43. Loving those colors! Your block is great--creative and sweet.

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  44. Very clever block! I'll be back for the Love this weekend. Thanks.

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  45. Love it! These solid fabrics look wonderful, thanks for the chance to win!

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  46. Oooh, that transparency effect is brilliant! Awesome work, as always! :D <3

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  47. Great block/plate whatever you want to call it and I can't wait to see it when you have it all finished.

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  48. The transparency illusion is amazing, along with your concept.

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  49. Family who have moved to Indiana have loved it, and I love visiting them. Love your checkered design.

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  50. Wonderful block! I also like the other colors as well. Thanks
    dragonfly9716 at yahoo at com

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  51. thanks for the upcoming LOVE template - love it!

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  52. Thank you for the 'LOVE' idea. You could coordinate the colors for birthdays and holidays: neat idea.

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    1. forgot to add my email. maryellen1304@hotmail.com

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  53. What a great transparency effect! Great Indiana references too.

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  54. What fun! I love your block and the Indy 500 theme

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  55. Nice play on "Indiana!" Great fabric line!

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  56. What a sharp design! Thank you for sharing.

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  57. I learned something new through your blog post....Robert Indiana and his art / love.

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  58. Very nice quilt block!! Thanks for the giveaway. info {at} cocoplumbeachhouse {dot} com.

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  59. Love your block and its 'see through' effect!

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  60. Your block is great. LOVE it. Thanks for the chance to win some of these beautiful fabrics.

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  61. Your block is very cool. And I love Raggedy Anne. I donated a Christmas ornament that I had made to your museum, my DH and I were doing the covered bridge tour. Had a lot of fun!!
    meandyou1974@sbcglobal.net.

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  62. Wow, very clever! I lived in Illinois for two years so I have stopped off in Indiana many times.

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  63. Iowa here - a very unique idea on your block

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  64. Such a cute technique, the way you've layered the applique in the next color. I love it!

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  65. The transparency effect you have going is very nice.

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  66. Very cute and creative! I have to come back and get your LOVE download. Thanks. Stargal714@yahoo.com

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  67. "Love" your block. My BFF is from Terre Haute, and will love this when I show it to him. Thank you for sharing.

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  68. The colors are amazing and I love your design.

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  69. I love your design. It looks great in all the colors!

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  70. Such a cute block! Thanks for the giveaway!

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

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  71. Your block is SO creative! I have had a lot of coffee but not enough sleep, I can't help staring at the LOVE over the checkerboard and the shading, it's really playing an optical illusion. Bravo!

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  72. Your checkerboard idea was "spot on" and the LOVE is certainly a well-known symbol. I like your enthusiasm and I understand the desire to cut into all those lovely AMB colors; I felt the same way! QuilterinMotion (Vermont)
    marsha(dot)hodgkins@yahoo.com

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  73. Your block is the best one yet! I can't wait for the template. :) Thanks!!

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  74. What a cute and fun block. I love all the states so far on this blog hop.

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  75. This is so cute! Not surprised though because I love everything you make!

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  76. Your checkerboard Love block is so cute! Great idea. Thanks for sharing. Cyndy Knapp cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net

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  77. I've not spent much time in Indiana but know about the 500. Your license plate is most appropriate!

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  78. Yes, I will be coming back for that LOVE block :) Love it!

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  79. A race flag...quite unique. It has been fun seeing what comes out of each state!
    cheri
    quiltingnanny at yahoo dot com

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  80. Definitely fits your state. I've been to Indianapolis several times, although not lately. Even found a quilt store on one of my visits.

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  81. Great idea - love the tiny squares!

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  82. Will be watching for the LOVE Block :) Checkered flag was a great idea!

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  83. Great idea for your block. A neat way to showcase your state.

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  84. Never knew the origin ove the LOVE block. Traveling from Wisconsin to Florida, I know Indiana is one of the l o n g e s t states.

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  85. Sarah, Thanks for the art history lesson. So funny to think a guy my dad's age designed the iconic LOVE sculpture. I LOVE how you incorporated it into your Indiana license plate. Very fun! Thanks so much for participating in the tour!

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  86. I love the block. Did you use a die cut machine for the letters?

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  87. Nice letters. Better than I can make.

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  88. Love Indiana with all the farms. Would love to win .

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  89. Love the checkered flag look of your blog along with the LOVE, it looks great.

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  90. That's a beautiful and creative block. Nice job. Thanks for your state's info, too; very interesting.

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  91. Okay, this is genius! That you would think of a checkerboard on checkerboard idea is genius! I'm pretty impressed and now I want to try this technique on other things besides a checkerboard. Can you tell that I love your creative design?

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  92. The block is so cool. You can use it anywhere.

    suebennett1975@gmail.com

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  93. Clever block. They look awesome :)

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  94. The love is so different and special. I can think of a lots of ways to use it even in scrapbooking. Thanks

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  95. What a cool block! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  96. Oh this is WONDERFUL! So simple yet so fun - this would be a great throw pillow as well!!! Thanks!!!

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  97. This is the loveliest block on the tour so far! What a fabulous idea you had!

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  98. "Love" your block! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  99. Love your plate. Can't wait to see my state.

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  100. These fabrics are wonderful looking. I've not ever seen them in person. Your block is great. Takes me back to the late 60s/70s when I was growing up.

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  101. Your block was created by thinking out of the box. Way to go!!

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  102. It's fun learning about the various states.

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  103. What a cute block!!! Love the LOVE. :)

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  104. I've been to Indiana many times - spent a lot of summers there in my youth (a long time ago - ha ha!).

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  105. Cute block! I love the checkered background in all of the colors. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  106. I love it! Thanks for the tutorial too.

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  107. What a clever block! Thanks for the great tutorial, too.

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  108. I was waiting for your stop on the tour. I knew your block would be creative. I "love" it! Thanks for sharing.

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  109. I love the way you made the word Lovehas a transparent quality... Can't think of a more accurate description.

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  110. I really love the way you made these. Thanks for sharing

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  111. I "Love" how creative your checkerboard block is. I have never been to Indiana, but have ancestors from there. I follow on bloglovin. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  112. Would love to try their fabric, thanks! wonderlandbyalyce(at)gmail(dot)com

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  113. Your block is fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org

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  114. Great block. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  115. Love your cute block. Went to Indianapolis for a conference once. It was downtown & we thoroughly enjoyed the city & the people. Got to see the fabulous children's museum!

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  116. I had never thought of doing this. Thanks for the great idea

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  117. Very creative block and thanks for the giveaway!!

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  118. I love your Nascar /Indy 500 inspired block, can't wait for your pattern to be uploaded.

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  119. Indiana is also home to a great glass factory.

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  120. Your block is great. I love the idea and it will look fantastic with all the other blocks in the final quilt.

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  121. Here's my comment - LOVE your license plate!

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  122. I Love your block too-I grew up in Mishawaka In-near notre dame

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  123. How fun! My mother was born in Indiana, and my nephew spent 8 months there doing work experience. I love the block!

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  124. Your block is great - love it!

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  125. Your block is great! thank you!

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  126. Love your block, great idea! Great way to use solids

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  127. I'm from Indiana and you're right.... there is a lot going on here! Love the IN license plate.... it's so creative and visually pleasing. Wonderful job! And thanks so much for the great giveaway!

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  128. Love! And the "in" is a great touch.

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  129. Love the "Love" block. Can't wait to see these cottons, up close and personal. Hoping one of our LQS's will carry them!

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  130. Clever idea! I really like the two tone checkerboard. svonfumetti at yahoo dot com

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  131. Your block made square will be a sweet center for a medallion quilt, that's my plan

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  132. It's fun to see all the color variations you did!

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  133. i love your design, i think it is my fav so far and i plan to make it very soon. thanks for the giveaway amb

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  134. Ooh, what a neat block. I think I am going to make one in orange. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with us.

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  135. LOVE your plate! Great to see it in all the other colors too. Thanks!

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  136. Nice block. Thanks for the chance.

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  137. Great license plate.we have the love sign in Philadelphia so it would be fun to make one for here too.

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  138. Oh, that is a cute block! The solids are just perfect for the look of a sheer overlay. Until I started looking at the directions, I thought it was done with a sheer overlay.

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  139. Great block, and a super fun blog tour!

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  140. didn't know where the love symbol had come from- very cool! and love the checkerboard!

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  141. Love the checkerboard for the racing flag.

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  142. Nice license plate block! I especially like your idea for American LOVElies :)
    I was wondering about the HeatnBond Ultra. Is that the heavy stuff or can you stitch through that with your sewing machine?

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  143. Your block is adorable! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  144. I LOVE your love :) what a great license plate/

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  145. in Love is a wonderful license plate block !! thanks for sharing :)

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  146. I have relatives in Indiana and was there recently for a wedding. Love the checkerboard license plate

    Luann716@hotmail.com

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  147. I enjoyed your graphics so much I have returned several times!

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  148. What an awesome block! Love it and looking forward to getting the template.

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  149. Oh that's great! Thanks for sharing.

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  150. Beautiful block. Thanks.
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  151. What an awesome block! Very creative.

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  152. Wooo! Go checkered flags! My hubby loves NASCAR, which is different than Indy of course, but racing is still in our home. Before that, I really didn't know anything about racing.
    Cute logo and pun! Congrats!
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  153. Love checkboards! I love AMB too....wonderful color selection! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  154. I love how you did the LOVE letters in pieced fabric, too. Very interesting look, and fun effect. Thanks! I went through Indiana on a train once. Fun!

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  155. Love the checkerboard design.

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  156. Start your engines, vroom vroom :) I've driven through Indiana lots of times, going from here to there. It would be great if someday I could slow down and wander the back roads.

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  157. Cute block! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  158. Great idea for your Indiana block!
    from your neighbor in Ohio...

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  159. "Love" your Indiana block. I have family living in Indiana, and I can remember driving to a suburb of Indianpolis to "listen" - yes, listen - to the Indy 500 on the big ole radio in the living room! Am I giving away my age? ☺

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  160. I love your block! It's so creative!!

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  161. Great Block, thanks for sharing!

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  162. Love your block. I can't wait to try the checkerboard applique effect. So creative. Ü
    Andrea.mccoleman@gmail.com

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  163. Very nice. I've never been to Indiana.

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  164. Ah…I have such wonderful memories of Indiana. Went to college there …a beautiful state. Looks like you enjoy it too!

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  165. Great block! I would love to win! Thanks

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  166. I love this! I would love to give it a try. Thanks!

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  167. Love your block!
    seamstress2@roadrunner.com

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  168. Thank you for explaining your block! Have been to Indiana (I'm from Ohio), so I should have figured it out...but duh! Senior moment! :) Love you block and your blog! And love having creative friends!
    tweetyb936@aol.com

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  169. this is so cute! love it! ;-)

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