Past Week Had It's Moments...

Good evening my dear friends...
and
welcome to share moments of our past week!!!
And if you have time to read this posting till the end, you'll find out
what happened to 'Mon ami'. Is it A DISASTER or...???

Can you believe, I found my both Dear Janes last weekend...
and sewed these blocks!
I must now express myself---- WOW!!!!
I think the biggest THANK YOUs goes to...

IRMA - she has lately struggled with her babyJanes. And I think she is doing very well, although she is considering to giveup. But the seeing of her beautiful blocks gave me THE inspiration.

ROBIN - she pieced her GORGEOUS green babyJanes together and it looks AMAZING. THAT gave me MORE inspiration. I have now 126 blocks of 169!!!

ANINA - tutor of myDJ journey, is also piecing her DJ top... Oh, a LOT of more inspiration!

KAREN - I have ADMIRED her talent to use print fabrics in her DJ -blocks, especially her fussy cuts are sometimes ADORABLE! So I also decided to try that... in one block for BlueJane. Hm... NICE;)

One of my struggles was these Barbara's Civil War blocks. I considered long about 7 Sisters block. Shall I do it or not? Then I got the idea! The design would be perfect for my Christmas related colours - red/tan/brown - and here in Finland we have 7 Brothers, which is book written by Aleksis Kivi. That book is the first significant novel in Finnish language. So no hesitation anymore... let's just sew it, Satu! If you noticed, I pieced the background for it. But the real struggle was appliqueing those stars and THOSE sharpen points! It took the whole Tuesday evening and I admit it wasn't a success... and I won't do it again... atleast in a near future... atleast not as a needleturn applique! TG, it's over...

After such exhausted evening...

it was relaxing
to applique some easy pieces for block 1 of 'The Night before Christmas'
and
to walk and enjoy these winterscenes at the Langinkoski. It's one of the historic places here in Kotka. It's famous, because there Alexander III of Russia had a log house built between the branches of the Kymi river. The log house is now a museum. You'll find more info here
or here.

and after relaxing day...
I had energy to sew BOW for SBS
G-8 Crown of Thorns.
(there is also last week BOW)

ARE YOU STILL with me??? Hopefully you are not bored...

Moments of Thursday and
Tadaa!!!!!!
on Friday evening...

Wait, I won't show you IT yet...

... although we hop over Friday to Saturday.
And finish one more block for Cheryl's 1880's Sampler quilt.
I choosed fabrics of J. Hendricksen's Miniatures range, but something disturbs me on colours... Maybe I did a wrong choice, when I picked up that particular pink for the background...
Luckily I have THE experienced assistant;)

Ok, I won't tease you anymore... but I'm showing you...

'MON AMI'

Yes;) it's not a alley of broken dreams, but REAL mon ami;)
It fits perfectly for the summertable!!!
...so after all...
this quilttale has happy ending!

I'm glad that you shared my story...
AND
we wish you all happy sunday!!!

Friday Night Sew in... Broken Dreams?

I was well prepared for this Friday Night Sew-In.

THE Plan:
finish 'Mon Ami' (Le Petit -project in Jan).
It would be a tablecloth for the summertable, and there would be 16 Friendship star blocks (4x4).

What a h...! Can't be true!!!

I sewed all the blocks and started happily to piece...
... noticed I haven't think at all...
of great importance of position the HST's!!!
I saw my dream broken:(

What shall I do? I WANT 'Mon Ami'!!!

I thought and thought...
'Mon Ami' began to look more and more of
'The Alley of the Broken Dreams'
Yes, I realised I should rip two seams and turn those pieces around... a lot of boring work!
No way... not tonight!
I searched one of my box of treasures and found very pretty lace.
Should that be an answer?

It surely looks pretty;)

I must think of this resolution more...
While thinking
I sewed few of these triangles

What a h...!!!! NO MORE mistakes tonight, Satu!!!!!

So my thoughts were somewhere else...
and I decided to leave the sewing room.

THIS WAS my FRIDAY Night Sew-IN
21st January!

HOPEfully more LUCK on SATUrday!!!

CWD: Great Bazaar

Jan. 18, 1864 Emma Florence Le Conte Furman wrote in her diary

Well, our great bazaar opened last night, and such a jam! I was at the State house helping to arrange the tables until four o'clock so I was thoroughly tired... The tables or booths are tastefully draped with damask and lace curtains, and elaborately decorated with evergreens. To go in there one would scarce believe it was war times. (quote from R. Young's Civil War Diary Quilt book)

I started my CWDQ -note today by searching fabric - I mean fabric, which I can fussy cut.

Could it be this one? It's Jo Morton's... I'm not sure about the collection... I'll try, if I can cut the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2 " squares... neatly...

OK! Here I go again... sewing the next CWD block;)))

Well, it seems, it was... the right fabric for this block!

Perhaps you have already missed Fenix...
and wondered where has he been lately...

Well, he has been busy with my sewing chairs
- both of them -
when he has conquered the other one,
I may sit on the other one;)

Well, anyway... HERE...

Block 67. Great Bazaar

...IS my LAST CWD block in January 2011.

There is only earlier dates left. So I will sew those four blocks in January 2012.
(Wow, sounds very distant!)

After finishing Great Bazaar I planned / scheduled my February blocks.
I wrote to CWDQ -diary:

- sew blocks 68 -76 and 102. It's TEN BLOCKS in FEBRUARY!!! It also means that on the week number 7, I'll sew one block - almost - on each day. HUH! such a jam! So definitely one of the Fixed Stars in February 2011 will be the Civil War Diary Quilt's blocks - here in Quilttales' Corner.

- why I made this kind of decision? Because there is only one block in March, which I haven't yet done... and plenty of undone blocks in February. So there will be almost a block break in March...

THE sewing week with CWD block is beginning 14th February and ending 22nd Feb.
But, please, don't yell at me,
if I can't do them all.

Well, now I'm going to leave and
go to look Elin's newest blocks.

Will you come with me?

"Garden Party" in the Middle of the Winter

Gardener's Journal top is FINISHED!!!!
HURREI;)
And FIRST of "fixed stars" in January done!

Now I'm waiting for more backing fabric...
and then in February I'll start to quilt it...
but I don't know yet, how will I do that???
Any suggestions??????

See you again tomorrow!

Blocks and ... a new BOM....

I spent today hours (I don't even know, how many) with Cheryl's 1880's Sampler and block 15. When I first saw that block... I thought "Holy thud! I can't do that!" There is 72 pieces and the block size should be 5 1/2".

But I was brave and started to cut fabrics.
Deep purple is Bonnie Blue Basics from P. Barnes and pink J. Hendricksen's Miniatures.
The smallest squares were 3/4", the largest 1 3/8".

Without Cheryl's precise instructions and photos I had never done it - atleast this well. Especially this good hint helped me a lot! "When sewing the 4-patch together, the seam allowance on top will be facing away from you and the one on the bottom will be facing down. This helps the seam intersection lock together." First I didn't believe it, but it really worked. From now on I will always use it;)
Thanks Cheryl!

As a snack I prepared my new BOM
(I know I have too many projects and this is not on my January Fixed stars -list.
But When I ordered it in 2010, I decided to do it at once it comes.
It arrived yesterday;)



Anne has also a new free BOM here.
That Le Petite Ecole range is just so... inspiring...!!!

Here is BOW of Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.

Block D-4 Rambler.







and there...
one more stitchery for Life is Beautiful

Beautiful and Happy Sunday
to you all!!!

CWD: Dan Littlefield

January 12, 1864. Rebecca Lorraine Richmond wrote this note to her diary book

While we were awaiting the arrival of the sleigh we entered into general conversation. One of the party remarked; "how unexpected were the tidings of Dan Littlefield's death!" Why, the remark was a perfect shock to me! Dan Littlefield's dead! Of whom I heard only four days since as preparing to come home! It seems that the intelligence arrived here yesterday by a letter to his mother, Mrs. Littlefield, written by a nurse in the hospital where our lamented friend passed his last days. He was attacked by smallbox, and though the crisis was favorably passed, his system, enfeebled by previous illness, could not rally and he survived but a few days. He died on the fourth instant. Poor Dan! He was a noble, brave, energetic, faithful soldier and a true, kindhearted fellow! We shall miss him much in our social circle and all who knew him will remember him kindly, for he ever had a kind word and a smile for all. Dan is the eighth of my friends who have been laid in soldiers grave's. His age was 26. Poor Clara Calkins, his betrothed, is nearly brokenhearted. She was entirely prostrated and unconscious for a time. (quote from Civil Was Diary Quilt written by Rosemary Youngs)

Block 94. Dan Littlefield

I wrote to my CWD journal...
dissappointment! despite the fabrics...
The seams are not so accurate as I wanted them to be...
I didn't feel well, when I was sewing.
maybe that was the reason...

I'll try to do better block in the next week
it's block nro 67.

PS. Elin, how is your Dan Littlefield?

Civil War Quilts: North Star

Besides I was sewing Friendship stars for Mon ami, I made second block for Barbara's CW quilt. Barbara is telling very interesting stories on her blog - I just love to read it! For example this block has been published under many names, including Aunt Eliza’s Star, Variable Star or Sawtooth star.

When I first met this star, it was translated to finnish Kannuksenpyörä (the Rowel). I read about it from the book Tilkkutöitä ja tikkauksia (in english Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!) written by Diana Mcclun and Laura Nownes in 1988. I bought it early years of 1990's and it was my FIRST quilt book!

HAPPY sewing SUNDAY!
Greetings from Fenix too;)
- he is relaxing on my... hm... OUR bed -

Am I Block-olic OR Sampler-olic?

I just couldn't resist Barbara's first Civil War Quilt block.
And again one new sampler quilt is beginning here at Quilttales...

1. Catch Me if You Can

... and two more blocks for Cheryl's 1880's Sampler quilt.

Shall I ever finish anything......

CWD: Knitting and Reading

January 6, 1864 Emma Florence Le Conte Furman (17 years old) wrote in her diary

A horrid day. Rain, rain, rain. I have been sitting over the fire knitting and reading. Mother sitting opposite with her knitting asked me such endless questions in regard to her stocking that I put down my book impatiently and am trying to write. I feel awfully cross and out of sorts, and can't understand how so simple an affair as knitting a stocking should appear an insoluble problem. Mother can't conquer the mystery of "turning the heel" - there it is again - "Emma, how many times did you say I must knit plain?" - I think I shall put my pen down and run away - (quote from CWD quilt book, written by Rosemary Youngs)

Block 66. Knitting and Reading

I and my mother (who was visiting us) have sewing day today. Although my mother just wanted to sit, relax and look, while I was sewing. Block 66 appeared to be complicated block, because it was easy to sew those HST pieces upside down... unless you don't concentrate...

I also sewed first SBS block in 2011.

C-9 Grandmother's Pride(44 weeks and all SBS blocks are done)
My Epiphany was easy-going...
what about yours?

PS. The next CWD block in January 12 - nro 94.

Reaching out for Stars?

I already decided not to make any crafty resolutions in this New Year - I feel they are causing too much pressure. BUT somehow I MUST pull myself up! Because myOPAM list was ALL TOO SHORT in 2010... and I'm really ashamed of it!!

My UFO -list is so LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG... should I join this challenge - “Sew It’s Finished” 2011 UFO Challenge OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG... that it will never end!!!

Ok, I have to do something to get my quilty pride back!

In this year
I'm aiming for the stars, not avoiding UFOs,
... I know I always start a new project before finishing the old...

by focusing on my monthly projects, which I'll announce here at my blog
and
which I'll call FIXED STARS!

1. Sew borders for Gardener's Journal. I'm thinking of doing pieced backing...
2. Sew and finish Le Petit 'Mon Ami'
3. Stitch block eight for Butterfly Garden (finished block 7 yesterday)
4. Sew along Cheryl 1880's Sampler blocks
5. Sew three CWD blocks, January 6, 12 and 18
6. Sew four SBS blocks
7. Stitch some Life is Beautiful -stitcheries
8. Knit woollen socks

... did I forget something...

THIS year 2011 is
here in QUILTTALES' corner
a year of FIXED STARS;)))

Let 's them shine brightly...albeit till the end of the year!

CWD: Present Deplorable State and Special Blessings

January 1, 1862 (22 years old) Rebecca Loraine Richmond wrote in her diary

Mother, Father and I have passed a very quiet day at home. Time occupied in sewing, writing and reading. I devoted an hour to guitar music this evening. I was invited to receive calls today with Sarah Nelson, and also with Mrs. Peter Pierce, but, having previously decided for various reasons, not to receive calls today I declined both invitations. The present deplorable state of our beloved country seems to me to call rather for prayer and fasting than the mirth, jollity and feasting commonly indulged on the first day of the New Year.

Block 87. Present Deplorable State

Few notes from my CWD journal:
I planned to paperpiece the whole block, but at the last minute I changed the plan. I paperpieced only the shapes of arrows. For the striped triangles (in the middle of the block) I sewed 1" wide stripes together, cutted four triangles with the template and finally sewed arrows and triangles together. The finished block is quite good... actually much better than I thought!

The second block of the day is...

Block 6. Special Blessings

One year later in 1863 Rachel Young King Anderson wrote in her diary

A new year dawns on us gloomily, tho I have very many thanks recorded on my heart for special mercies and blessings that we as a family have been favored with during the stormy times that have been and still are raging around since the war began in 1861 and that is now raging. Hundreds of thousands of mothers, wives and sisters have been bereft of sons, husbands and brothers, but thank God my husband and son are still with me and I hope my brothers may spared to us and theirs.
(both diarynotes are from Civil War Diary Quilt book by R. Youngs)

It's 150 years since the Civil War began.

I can't imagine what it really means... but those quilts and stories behind them fascinates me. I don't know how much the movie Gone With the Wind... Scarlett and Rhett... influences my interests.... Atleast it's the movie, which I will never forget.

I took this photo at one evening in last September. It reminds me of one action from Gone With the Wind.

In the spirit of CW I will follow these two blog regularly in 2011

1. 1880's Sampler quilt

Cheryl is sewing a quilt,
which is inspired by the sampler quilt made by Barbara Bucher Synder in the 1880's.

2. Civil War Quilts

On Barbara's new blog
she commemorate the start of the Civil War by posting 52 block patterns with the story of CW.

I'll sew the next CWD block on next Thursday.

Now it's time to go to sleeeeeeeeeeep......Kroooooh!!