Saturday, August 31, 2013

Baptism, May 24, 1863


Cora writes about Sunday school and her lessons. Then she writes about a baptism she goes to in the evening...

"... Emma did not want to be baptized, but she submitted with a good grace... The ceremony was a lovely one, performed at sun set and by Mr. Wells. Oh I wish that I was good enough to be a member of a church and cold have Mr. Wells to baptized me if I was baptized when a baby...."

Cora also writes about being 15 in a month and writes about that's a long time to live. Average life expectancy during this time period was about 40 years old. With that in mind turning 15 was a 'long time'. I read in one article if a person lived past their childhood years then they had a good chance of living up to be 70-80 years old. Cora lived until 1939, she was 90 when she passed away.

'Baptism' is the last block of the fifth row.... 55 blocks done! Woot hoot!

I picked out purple and black fabric from by Civil War stash for the block.

Here I have the 'rows' done. They are all ready to be trimmed up
and then sewn together.

'Sewing on the line'... I'm using Carol Doak's foundation paper.
Using the companion CD for EQ I printed up my patterns on the
foundation paper. It's a little thinner then printer paper and tears away
pretty easily.

'Baptism'
May 24, 1863

Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'Hand Grenade' out of Rosemary's book. It's labor day weekend and the official end of summer. I have been enjoying the cucumbers and tomatoes from my garden. Thinking about maybe making some pickles, or make a batch of salsa... hope that you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Visit To Town


Today's block is called, 'Visit To Town'. Cora wrote a pretty detailed diary entry as to everyone she ran into and saw on her way to town. It is dated May 23, 1863. This block is one of my favorites, it's constructed all in one piece. The center strip reminds me of railroad tracks.
I picked out similar fabrics... 

This block went together so quick and easy, it was done
all in one piece. One of my favorites!

My 6 1/2" square ruler makes trimming my Civil War
Diary blocks a breeze to trim up.

'Visit To Town'
May 23, 1863

 Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'Baptism' out of Rosemary's book. Today is my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Mom! I'm looking forward to eating some cake and celebrating August birthdays on Sunday with my family. It's also my 'last' weekend of summer vacation, I'm back to work next week at school. I'm a little nervous, new school, new staff, similar position. A lot to learn... heavy sigh.... summer is over for me.

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I'm a Hexie Queen!

Hexies, hexies, so much fun to make! Thank you Madamm Samm and Debby for a wonderful hop! I was on vacation when I started my hexies... vacation is when I usually work on a hexie project, it's the perfect project for traveling! I usually work on my hexie quilt every year. (Several years ago I completed my first hexie quilt, I've since started a new one) I only pull my hexie bin out to go to the lake. But this year, I started a new project for the 'Be a Hexie Queen Blog Hop'. I ran to the local quilt shop in Fergus Falls and picked up some supplies... paper hexie paper, pins, fat quarters.

So while the kids were out doing this... this is baby girl, Lola's first canoe ride.

I was sitting on the deck gathering my supplies to work on my hexies... pins, fabric
papers, thread
.

I decided to try smaller hexies than I'm used to working with...

I use little applique pins to attach my fabric to my hexie paper instead
of basting the fabric on... I really hate pulling basting thread out...
stitching away on vacation....

One hexie flower done, so pretty. I wonder how many 
I will need for my project?

The lake and a Lime-a-rita were calling my name.
I didn't do anymore hexies on vacation... everything got
put away until I got home.
I made two fabric 'sheets' of hexies... when I returned home.
Then I layered them with some batting, backing and an accent fabric strip...
 I cut them down to size... 8" squares. I added some
decorative stitching along the hexies on the top edge.
I made a purse! I really cute little bag for when I don't want to lug
around my big purse!
Here's my 'vacation' hexie quilt that I made a few years ago.
Another one has been started but isn't done yet... maybe next year.
A blog hop isn't complete without a giveaway!!!
This giveaway is now closed...

I have a set of three Christmas fat quarters for a giveaway! Leave me a lovely comment for a chance to win. For some extra chances be a follower too and leave a comment that you are. For another chance to win, visit my Etsy or Craftsy shops and let me know what your fav is. Don't forget, if you are a no-reply blogger, you need to leave me your email address! Wilson and I will pick a winner at the end of the hop on the 29th.

I get to share today with these Hexie Queens!


Happy quilting!


Saturday, August 17, 2013

Misfortune, April 15, 1863

It's Civil War Saturday! For today's block I worked on 'Misfortune' out of Rosemary's book. Cora writes about how Mr. Moss' home was burned down. She felt that it was burned down because he was a Negro trader. Cora writes "...Pa says that his farm is one of the finest in Kentucky. It was thought to have been burned by a Negro or some of the Yankees for it was said that they had some spite at Captain Moss. I believe that this misfortune has befallen him because he was a Negro trader..."  

Here is how I completed the block...

My fabric choices are similar to Rosemary's, I used a light and a dark
fabric so that I had a nice contrast. In this phot you can also see the
foundation paper that I printed up from the companion CD.

I have the four strips completed here, ready to be pieced together.
As you can see, my block 'spins' the opposite way from Rosemary's.

"Misfortune'
April 15, 1863

Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'Visit To Town' out of Rosemary's book. I'm busy getting ready for quilt camp at Cozy Home Quilt Retreat! I've been packing up kits, patterns and supplies for the campers along with my notes for the tutorials I'll be teaching. It's going to be so much fun! The campers will be working on a 'Mystery' quilt that I designed for them. There'll be some free sewing time so I packed my Civil War Diary Quilt and Red and White quilt to work on. I'm hoping to come back with all sorts of fun things to share with you!

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

August's Giveaway!

I can believe that it's already August! Wow the summer is sure flying by! I hope that you are still having fun with the block of the month club so far. I know that for many of you last month's block was a challenge. If you really hate paper piecing and haven't gotten your block done yet, I'm giving you permission to skip doing this block and substitute it with a different block. But I will encourage you to give last month's block a try, remember, I'm only an email away! I promise it's the only paper pieced block in the whole quilt.... 



Keep posting those August Log Cabin blocks to the Flickr Group! Seeing everyone's progress on the quilt is so much fun.  I have a wonderful giveaway for this month's block. Ellen from Clever Craft Tools has sent me a 'Grip and Stitch' quilting tool to give away! What a generous donation!  I got a set too. Can't wait  to try them  out! They look easy to use and what I like, no gloves! Remember you need to post your blocks to the flickr group for a chance to win! I will be picking a winner on September 1st! Keep posting your blocks!

Grip & Stitch Quilting Disks
Several videos can be viewed here to check out this awesome product.

Along with the Grip and Stitch I am also including a baggie of fabric swatches that I received in the mail. They are fun and bright colors and would be fun to use in any scrappy quilt project.
Bright and colorful!


Here are some of this month's 'Log Cabin Blocks'
block #8Quilt DoodleLog CabinimageDSCN5041August Log Cabin

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

August Quilt Retreat

Arriving to Cozy Home.... love the drive in!
Just got back from quilt retreat and it's the first quilt retreat that I felt like I really didn't get anything accomplished. Don't get me wrong... I sewed and sewed and made progress on a couple of projects, but I really don't have anything to show for it.  Poor mom was stuck in pinwheel hell all weekend. Her project was beautiful... it was made with a ka-zillion pinwheels in bright spring colors, very cheerful. She tucked her quilt top away before I could take a picture! (Insert big frown here)  Laura had the most to show for her time and she had a baby with! She got two lovely quilts done, a pink 'Trip Around the World' (with side trips) and a cute Noah's Ark quilt for David. Again.... I wasn't very good at taking pictures... (I will have to be better at taking pictures next time!) Kim left retreat early since her husband lured her away with a plane ticket to Wyoming to join him on a business trip. It's their wedding anniversary this week, he must have something fun to surprise her with. 



I did get ten blocks done on my Civil War Quilt and will be sharing them over the next few weeks for Civil War Saturday. I also worked on the Quilt Doodle BOM project. I have all of the blocks completed. 

 Colleen and Ann spoiled us like normal... my goodness, the meals were fabulous! The snacks were decadent..... I'm sure I gained ten pounds, with that said I have decided to stay away from the scale and eat salads this week, or at least try to eat salads.... 

I spent some time holding my little nephew, David. He was such a little
sweetie at quilt retreat. He was so good! 

I took some breaks and admired the gardens....

The weather was beautiful... one of the gals even set up her sewing
machine outside and quilted one afternoon in the cool breeze.

I did a lot of paper piecing....

Mom and I were usually the first one's up every morning!

Tessa has gotten soooo big!

I worked on a cute small project for quilt camp to go with the 'picnic' theme.

It's the only project I completed, from start to finish!

I love the embroidered antennae! 

Going home... can't wait until retreat in March 2014! My calendar is marked!
Happy Quilting,