Mail today!

Look what came in the mail today! 

When the mail man rang the bell I had a feeling it was something wonderful! It was, there was the return address label from Barbara Brackman! Yipee!!!! I couldn't get it open fast enough :0) It's her new book Civil War Sampler all about the Block of the Week Barbara posted on a the blog she set up for this quilt. Lots of quilters participated from all over the world. Search with Barbara's name and you will find lots of my posts about the project we did last year for the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Barbara included some of the blocks made by participants in her new book, including three of mine! Can you feel me grinning from ear to ear! Also included are blocks from Ellen of American Homestead, here is her post yesterday. More blocks made by fellow bloggers ~ Liesbeth Wessels in Holland, Donna of Quilting Bear Gal in Texas, Ann Champion, plus Becky Brown who made all the sample blocks for Barbara, and from Dustin, our wonderful friend and fellow quilter who set up the Flickr site. The civil War quilt pictured on the cover and inside is made by Becky.

Link here to Barbara's Civil War Blog. There are also pics of completed tops made by quilters that followed along. The book is wonderful and contains all the blocks that we made and more new blocks as well as how the blocks represent the history of the Civil War. 
These are my blocks in the book

Louisiana pg 28

Barbara Frietchie Star pg 12

Grapes of Wrath pg 84

Also pictured in the book is the Civil War quilt presented to Barbara at Christmas last year as a thank you from blocks made by the Circle of Friends. It's a wonderful project and allot of us are participating again for the Grandmother's Choice quilt started this year by Barbara. Lots to catch up on as I have not posted for more than a month now... just way too much on my plate these daze.

I am off to order another copy so I can keep this autographed book in good condition. It's already gone with me to see Beckie and Donna today to get new glasses for my mom :0) 

Mom is 97 today!

Today is my Mom's birthday, she is 97! Amazing. So far it's been a very good day :0) Birthday cupcakes and cookies. What's not to like!

Thursday was the last block of the month workshop at Cathy's/Honeyrun Quilters. Kathy T finished 2 quilt tops and Claudia was wrapping her's up at the end of our meeting. Kudos to 2 of our group that finished their quilt tops! This is Kathy's second top:

She was finishing that last block and I did not get a picture of it! Below is the first one we put up on the design wall last month. It is now finished and again we didn't get it up on the wall for a picture.

Claudia's quilt top is as the sample I made for this BOM.

Theresa at Honeyrun had a new book she showed me that same day that would be fun to do as the next Block of the Month program at the shop. The book/quilt is called Green Tea and Sweet Beans by Jen Kingwell, an Australian quilter/author. It was done as an online block of the month a year or so ago and just came out in book form. More on that later.

Also very excited to hear progress about Barbara Brackman's book Civil War Sampler coming out in December. It can be pre-ordered now. I found it on Amazon where you can see a few of the pages including the index and guess what... there's my name! (Three of my blocks are in her book) I can't wait to get my hands on it. Click here to see her post about the book. American Homestead (Ellen) got to see the galleys for the book at Quilt Market in Houston. She says the book looks great!

This is too funny :0) Just looked at Barbara's last post on the Civil War Blog about a new product. Microfiber cloths with an image of Becky's Civil War quilt! Check it out here!

Mid 19th Century?

This post has two of the quilts that Gail brought over yesterday with more pics:

Check out Barbara Brackman's post on her Civil War blog this morning about quilting designs. Look at the sampler quilt, second picture down that has an appliqué design very similar to this one. The quilt she has pictured is dated to the mid 19th Century... could this quilt be that old? I think it could. It is completely hand made with cotton batting.

The large appliqué blocks are set on point. Here is a picture of one of the corner setting triangles with a corner of the border. I neglected to get a picture of one of the full setting triangles. I hope to get a chance to get more pics when the weather is better and we can lay out the quilts for photos of the entire quilt.

Here you can see some wear on the center flower of a full block. This quilt had some stains and some of the hand stitching is missing.

The Tree of Life Quilt looks to be made by the same person? The cotton batting feels the same and thread and the stitch length of the hand quilting is very similar. The quilting design is different. This quilt has a more distinct quilting design. It's also in better shape. It had some wear and stains along one of the folds and the binding was also worn. Other than that, in excellent shape.

The blocks are all hand pieced, hand quilted and the binding is attached and sewn down by hand... a completely hand made quilt.

In the alternate blocks there are quilted feather wreaths. Odd was that not all of the wreaths were in the center of the block and some were... here is a close up

There is a star in the center of each of the wreaths.

There were small pinwheels in the corners of the quilt. The original binding was pieced with both the tan and red fabrics. Again, I hope I get a chance to take full pictures of Gail's quilts. We were so excited and there were so many quilts to look at I missed getting pictures of all the details.

Next post I will show all the pictures of the Redwork quilt. Gail would love to find out more about her quilts and is busy trying to get more info from her family. Click on my first post to see a picture of each of Gail's quilts.

We are getting more rain today. Another good day for quilting :0)

3 of my CW blocks to be published!

Block 12 ~ Louisiana

Block 26 ~ Barbara Frietchie Star

Block 50 ~ Grapes of Wrath

I am so excited!!! I received an email from Barbara Brackman asking to include 3 of my Civil War blocks in her upcoming book!!! 

 The three blocks above are the ones Barbara selected. 

She is including blocks from several quilters in our Circle of Friends. 

Two examples of color and fabrics per block pattern.

This absolutely made my day, week... possibly my year! American Homestead and Quilting Bear Gal both posted that they too have blocks selected so I know I'm not dreaming!!! lol pinch! pinch! I imagine a couple of the Australian girls were included, especially Kookaburra calling. Her blocks all included flowers and were gorgeous. Everyone that participated came up with beautiful blocks!

Update: quiltminstrel also has blocks chosen! So modest she doesn't mention it until the very end of her post along with pics of her CW blocks. Lots of eye candy before you get there! Congratulations Merilyn!  Well deserved

I returned my permission form. The biggest decision was whether to use my real name or moonbear. I choose my real name but no one will know it's me! lol

Now it's going to be forever before the book comes out in 2013!!! The book's title will be "Civil War Blocks" by Barbara Brackman. 

Circle of Friends Civil War Quilt

Circle of Friends

This quilt was made for Barbara Brackman as a thank you by quilters participating in her Civil War BOW. The block I made is Calico Puzzle, fourth row down, first on the left. 

Becky Brown pieced together our blocks and added a mitred border 

Quilted by Deb Jacobs

Big thank you to Dustin and Becky for setting up and maintaining the Flickr site

Becky also made each week's block posted on the Civil War blog
Click here for a link to Barbara's post about this quilt

Being a part of this project in 2011 has been so amazing. I've "met" some wonderful talented quilters from all over the world. Started my first blog. Spending way too much time blog hopping but enjoying every minute of it getting inspired!

This project led to the 1880s Sampler BOW with Cheryl Miller. 

Love the precision piecing and challenge of making both of these quilts this year.

Looking forward to some new UFO and FMQ challenges in 2012!

Getting these two and other quilts I am working on completed.

Improve my FMQ skills and try to keep up with all of you! 

Wishing you all a Happy and Pieceful New Year!

Christmas Star

Here is the most recent Civil War block that I finished this morning. 

Block 52 Christmas Star posted on Civil War blog on Christmas Eve.

52 ~ Christmas Star

Four of the fabrics I used to make this block are from 8 inch Civil War charms I swapped in 2004 with members of AAQMB. They were left over pieces as I used some of them in a previous block. I kept waiting for the right block to use them and this was the perfect one! The background fabric in the corners is a new fabric that I brought in since I did not have enough to make the entire block. There was also not enough fabric to fussy cut either but I am happy with this block. 

This coming Saturday will be the last block posted on the CW blog!

I also finished last weeks block 51 New York

51 ~ New York

In place of a four inch square of blue star fabric I pieced a Tri Recs star. Others quilters did the same and I like the look. I also used the same red and cream fabrics to make block 30 ~ Peterson's Stars and Stripes.

30 ~ Peterson's Stars and Stripes

This block was posted on the Civil War blog on July 23, 2011. This is one of a few blocks I have not completed as I was deciding on whether or not to hand appliqué.  As you can see I went with the not and machine appliquéd the star with a variegated blue thread ;0) and now it's done!

I haven't said much about Christmas as it was a challenge with my Mom. I keep it pretty low key as she is extremely uncomfortable with people she does not know. Recently her dementia has progressed that there are times she does not know who I am. Needless to say, it took the wind out of my sails...thank goodness for quilting... it's the best therapy!

CW block ~ Union

Finished #44 block ~ Union ~ for my Civil War Quilt.

Union

I have a few more blocks to catch up on, less than 10. This block was posted on October 29 on Barbara Brachman's Civil War blog. The block has five fabrics, which is always a challenge to pick fabrics and colors for these blocks. That and fussy cutting are but two of my favorite parts of making this quilt.

Saturday will be block #51, then just two more Saturdays until the end of the year and we will be at the end of this Block of the Week. The last block for the 1880s Sampler was posted last week and the setting triangles will be posted after the holidays. So sad that both of these BOWs are coming to an end.

There are lots of pictures now of quilters that have started setting their CW blocks. Many different ideas and versions. Some set on point, some with sashing, some with alternate blocks. Lots of choices. I have not made a decision for my quilt yet. Many of the blocks look great set on point and yet others look best straight set. There was a post with a version drawn up on software with straight set blocks AND blocks set on point in the center medallion style. So many choices, all are gorgeous.

Barbara Brachman is working on a book that will be about this project that will be published in 2012. Rosemary Youngs made her version of this quilt and it will be in the book. A picture of her finished quilt is posted on The Civil War blog. We have a sneak preview of the last 3 blocks!

I have a busy day today. Embroidery to finish on a stocking and baste the sample quilt for my Quilting 101 class. I decided to baste it on the longarm and then do FMQ on my faithful Bernina. Take mom to a doctor appointment this afternoon, vegan cooking to do for tonight to celebrate my son's birthday and have a nice evening with my son Chris, his girlfriend Christie, mom, Michael and I. 

Enjoy your holidays!

Grapes of Wrath

Block #50 ~ Grapes of Wrath ~ Civil War Quilt

Newest posting today on Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOW blog. I followed the suggested colors for this block. It was a perfect fit for this gold fabric and it's wine colored leaves.

This block is a modification of a traditional block called Grape Basket. 

BlockBase #712.

The grape basket represents the history of the lyrics of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Written by Julia War Howe, the poem was published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862. "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He trampled out the vintage where the grapes of wrath were stored." 

Click on the Civil War link on my sidebar to read more...  

Also finished a block for the 1880s Sampler that Cheryl Miller posted yesterday.

Elaborate Ohio Star

Snowball and QSTs are unfinished at 2 inches. The block finishes at 5 inches square.

Original quilt made by Barbara Snyder in the 1880s was made in different colors than the browns and pinks that a couple of us are doing, this block would be black and pink.

Click the link on my sidebar to find out more about this quilt.
(For some reason I can't get embedded text links to work)

Back to more quilting...

Two more blocks for the 1880s Sampler Quilt completed this evening:
This block was allot of fun to build. 

New Album Variation

Love stars and HST so this was a fun fast block. Seams were a little bulky.
I may make this one again with Y seams.

LeMoyne Star

Not too many stars outside with the full moon. It's clear and frosty cold.
The lunar eclipse this morning was beautiful despite a hard freeze.
We are in for another freeze tonight. Good night

Yankee Puzzle and 1880s Sampler

Yankee Puzzle ~ Today's block posted on Barbara Brackman's Civil War blog

This is my version of the block...

Block 49 Yankee Puzzle

Also made a few of the 1880s Sampler blocks...

Roman Cross was posted on Cheryl's 1880s Sampler blog on Friday  

1880s Sampler ~ Roman Cross

1880s Sampler ~ Square in a Square Variation

1880s Sampler ~ Courthouse Steps

Elaborate Shoofly attempt!

Should have quit while I was ahead! lol Even with Cheryl's warning that this block tends to "grow on you", mine did! There are more pieces to this block but I stopped here. Will make another attempt at it but not tonight! Happy with what I accomplished today...

Michael started a native plant project last year for Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance. With volunteers, we hike and harvest seeds in the fall, start seeds in the spring, re pot into bigger pots in the summer with volunteers that take the plants home over the summer to tend and water them and then we plant them at the beginning of winter so they will get watered by the winter rain. Today was planting day and with the help of volunteers, 65 native plants and trees were planted in Bidwell Park today, along Big Chico Creek in Chico, CA. Michael and I also volunteer as team leaders through out the year for the Bidwell Park Volunteer program to remove invasive plants in the park. It's nice to be able to replant the same areas. Lise, the volunteer coordinator treated everyone with pizza.

Checked in with mom (she is having a really hard time with Christmas again this year)...and worked on blocks. Not too bad for a Saturday.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Jo

Not so Dreadful Y Seams

48 ~ West Virginia

More Y seams in the newest Civil War BOW. Posted on Barbara Brackman's Civil War Blog on Saturday, November 26. Glad to have just made some in a previous block, they were not as dreadful this time. Actually not unlike doing mitered corners. Pretty happy with this newest block as well as three more I finished today...

42 ~ H is for Hospital

H is for Hospital was posted on the Civil War Blog on October 15. Easy except I changed the yellow from the first block I started. Fussy cutting is so much fun and I spend allot of time selecting fabrics for each block.

34 ~ Rosebud

I chose some Poison Greens for Rosebud. Altho not rose colors, I like the block and the fabrics. The Rosebud block was posted on August 20. 

29 ~ Railroad Crossing

Railroad Crossing was posted back on July 16, the first Civil War block I stopped at. It's hard to believe I haven't worked on them since then. I made pretty good headway this holiday weekend. 12 blocks. There are a few more left, pulled and partially cut. A couple of them are applique so they may be an evening project after I get bindings finished.

Next is the 1880s Sampler Quilt.  I plan to work on them in the evenings during the week as I don't have as many different fabrics and colors in that quilt. My worktable is completely covered with my Civil War fabrics right now, all in different little piles sorted by colors. lol Will have to put them away tomorrow morning before I can use my worktable for work/jobs. This week went by way too fast :0(

Post Pig Out Day

47 Dixie Tea

46 Apple Tree

45 Port and Starboard

37 Confederate Rose

What is it about turkey that makes one sleep so well! Instead of joining in on Black Friday, I dislike shopping even under the best of circumstances, I spent Post Pig Out Day working on my Civil War quilt.

Four more blocks done! Block 47 is the most recent block posted on Barbara Brackman's blog Saturday Nov. 19. Tomorrow will be a new one. Not that I am caught up, I still have more blocks to get to. Dixie Tea represents the tea leaf mixtures made when coffee and tea were not available during the Civil War. Love the history that goes along with each block. Check out more details on Barbara Brackman's Civil War BOW blog. Link is at the top of my sidebar.

Block 46 Apple Tree was an easy one. Check out the falling apples under the tree! 45 Port and Starboard was a fav as I love HSTs. Crusin' right along until I started block 37 Confederate Rose. There are a few blocks with odd pieces that I skipped over because of templates or applique. This is one of them. Printed out the templates. Looked at the shapes and then... oh no!!!... The Dreaded Y Seam!!! It's been a long time since I've done them. Headed over to Flicker to see how other quilters handled the block. Not only did most of them do the Y seams, there are quite a few that did the BlockBase version of Confederate Rose with even more Y seams! Truely Amazing Group of Quilters!

I could have changed the block and modified it to a square in a square version. Even set it up to be paper pieced. But the bar was set! Cut out my fabrics and worked out the Y seams. It's not the flatest block lol, but I am happy that I it is square and the correct size of 8 1/2 inches. Yipee! note: it looks pretty good in the picture because the scanner squashes is down. ;0)

Time for leftovers... and more blocks

Back in the Saddle Again!

Ohio Star ~ Block 38



Star of the West ~ Block 35

Kentucky Crossroads ~ Block 36

Hovering Hawks ~ Block 39

Finished 4 of my Civil War blocks today. Yipee!!! It's so nice to get back to them. It took a few blocks to get back in the groove.  Skipping around a bit until I get caught up and will fill in with the missing blocks.

Also have the 1880s sampler pulled out and ready to get going on that quilt too. Will see how many I can get done tomorrow in between cooking and sewing. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wishing everyone here in the states a wonderful holiday. For those that are planning to travel, I hope everyone stays safe and warm in what may be some yucky weather. We have rain forcast. The plants will be happy. We will try and send some on to Texas ;0)

Lots to be thankful for

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, it's always nice to reflect on the things we are thankful for. The past six years have brought many changes into my life. I am thankful to be back in the North Valley altho I miss the mountains terribly as well as family that have passed, my husband, his parents and my father. I am thankful to live close to my son and that I get to see and talk to my mom every day since I moved her here after dad died. I am thankful that I met a wonderful man who helps make my life happy again. My friends in Tahoe, internet quilting friends and new family and friends in Texas :0)

I am especially thankful to have the opportunity and the means to be a quilter. To to able to share my love of quilting with others thru teaching and the guild. To give the gift of quilts to family, friends and those in need. 

Thank you to Dan, Cathy, Nancy and Jeni at Cathy's Sew and Vac for the classroom to teach quilting. My Quilting 101 series of classes are completed. With 2 returning and 2 new attendees, we had a lot of fun making a two color two block quilt. My new Binding Workshop last week was full and went well. The BOM is ongoing with a fun group of ladies. I am thankful for new quilting friends and to share my love of quilting with you all!

This week I am taking off for... a quilting vacation at home! lol Over the weekend I got caught up on my Civil War and 1880s sampler BOWs prep work and am ready to start sewing! Am I ever Thankful to get back to my quilts and am looking forward to a week of sewing, cooking and eating! Yippee and Yum!

Civil War BOW ~ Next Door Neighbor

Block #28 Next Door Neighbor

After changing two fabrics, I am very happy with this block. Part of the fun of this quilt is playing with colors and values. Fabric selection takes more time than sewing the block and now I have a rather large pile of cut triangles! lol

Back to work...

Civil War BOW ~ 2 blocks

Completed 2 blocks earlier today (actually Saturday, it's after midnight now so this will post as Sunday).

Block 26 ~ Barbara Frietchi Star

This is last weeks block #26. ALL HSTs which is OK with me. I enjoy making them. I cut oversize and then square to size. Takes a little extra time but I find it's worth it to get nice points and a good 1/4 inch seam allowance.

The light is Nineteenth Century Backgrounds II for the collection of Judie Rothermel for Marcus Bros and the blue in the pinwheel is Windham Fabric Presents Miniatures c.1886 by Nancy Gere Pattern #25856. The remaining fabrics were cut from 8 inch squares swapped in 2004. I've been collecting repros since then so allot of them are older. I am running out of madders so... it's time for some retail therapy!

Block 27 ~ Irish Chain

Block #27 is an easy block. I love how everyone on the Flickr group challenge one another. Even a simple block becomes a challenge with fussy cutting! Becky makes her interpretation on Barbara Brackman's blog. Sometimes I follow her lead, sometimes not. I liked how she changed the direction of the rectangles on her block. She also set the center block with a central design which everyone began doing back with the first blocks in some very creative ways. I chose my fabrics with that intent except I did not have a nice large print that would work for the center. Like I mentioned... retail therapy is in order! Especially if it involves a new line that Kathie Holland posted about... Crossroads to Texas. Gorgeous!

I reversed the lights and darks. Gives a whole different look which I am not quite sure works for an Irish Chain. I do like how the dark green fabric has the look of a chain. I didn't see it until I looked at the photo. Always interesting to see how fabrics play with each other in a photograph.

Center fabric is from Documentaries by Benartex and the dark green is Pockets and Housewives by Sturbridge for Kent Avery. The light green is cut from an 8 inch square and unknown to me.

I also cut out some fabrics for the 1880s sampler but that will be tomorrows project. Maybe a second Irish Chain block? What do you think? Until tomorrow... or should I say... later today! lol

Little Blue Basket

Took it easy today, still trying to shake this cold. First thing this morning I cut out one of the blocks I skipped over, Block #13 Little Blue Basket from the Civil War BOW. It was posted on Barbara Brackman's blog in March. Didn't want to do this block without a handle, but also did not want to applique one, so I set it aside. After seeing two quilters in the flickr group piece their handle, I decided to do the same with HSTs and am very happy with it. After getting some work accomplished, I finished the block this afternoon.

Little Blue Basket

I cut from several different blue 8 inch squares to get a scrappier look. The background fabric is a blue and white shirting ~ Nineteenth Century Backgrounds II from the Collection of Judie Rothermel for Marcus Bros. Now that it's done... WHAT was I thinking using a stripe in a background with triangles and HSTs! It was a good lesson in patience. AND it's OK that it's not perfect! lol

The 8 inch squares are all from a swap with a group from AAQMB in 2004. Marlene was one of the group and some of these fabrics are from her. She loved to make basket blocks/quilts so this reminds me of her. I sure do miss her.

Also in the swap was Vicky who I recently found through another blog, Inspired by Antique Quilts. Many of Vicky's fabrics are in my Civil War Quilt. I am so glad that I found her blog as well!  Life is good!

Posting this block was also a test to see if the set from flickr would update when I added blocks, but it doesn't. There has to be a way to get a slideshow to work and stays at the top of the page. Will have to work on that again... another day.