A Challenging Sunday Ahead

This week has been quiet week in my sewing corner...
because I have still little bit flu and on Wednesday I had a terrible headache AGAIN. Then I couldn't do anything than rest in the dark. So I might have migraine....

BUT I have or should I say I HAD atleast two goals for this week:

1. I must sew Hands All Around block (Sylvia's Bridal Sampler)
2. I must sew Feeding the Rebels block on 1st of November (Civil War Diary)

Unfortunately my working day was today so long and hard that I have no chance to finish SBS block tonight. My eyes are sleepy already, and early wakening tomorrow morning too.
So there is challengies enough for Sunday

... and if I'll succeed, we will meet again tomorrow;)))

Ps. I can't show you this month OPAMs yet , because they are Stitcher's Angel projects, but maybe on the next weekend... when Kay has received them...

This won't happen often...

...I mean, two tales at the same day...
But I have to tell you.
I just finished my Stitcher's Angel projects!!!

But I can't show you them yet...

Have a nice and hopefully warm week!!!

Sugar Cane

Before I begin with my story about the next CWD block,
I want to thank Anne Ida for her help hunting the fabric from previous post.

TACK för dej, Anne Ida...

... my SBS quilt will become 'just perfect' now!!
I'm HAPPY;))))

Mary Austin Adelia Wallace wrote in autumn 1862

Oct. 22 - I cut and topped a load of sugar cane and took it to Mr. Watterman's mill. -

Oct. 24 - I came home and loaded the remainder of the sugar cane. I took it to the mill. I got my molasses, over 17 gal. and paid him four dollars for making it. Coming home I stopped to mother Kyes and got two letters dated 13th and 17th from Bruce. -
Oct. 25 - I unloaded my molasses, loaded up seven banks of chess and two bushels of wheat for flour. I went to the union with my grist. -

Mary was 24 years old when she wrote her diary in the autumn 1862 (began in August and continued through December) Her husband Bruce left to fight in the war and she was at home with two children, the one 2 years and the other only 6 months old. So she had a lot of responsibilities. (all quotes from the Civil War Diary Quilt book written by R. Youngs)

The block 110. Sugar Cane was easy one. This time also the picking up the fabrics was easy. In advance I was little suspicious with red fabric. It's always difficult to me to find the right red ones. I don't know why? But this time it was SO easy, because I saw Elin's Sugar cane -block and I have the same red fabric in the stash. So that will be my red too;))) Unfortunately I don't know the name of the red fabric... but I guess it could be designed by Judie Rothermel??? But Elin might know it...
I cut
from the blue fabric (Itsy Bits by Renee Nanneman)
- 6 2"*2" squares and 4 2 3/4"* 2 3/4" squares
from the red
- 4 2 3/4"* 2 3/4" squares
from the white
- 2 2"*2" squares

Then I sewed 8 red and blue quick-pieced triangle-square units pairing the 2 3/4"* 2 3/4" squares together. I usually cut those single squares a little bigger and trim them later - this time I trimmed them to the 2"*2" squares.

If you have followed my tales, I think, you already wonder where's Fenix?
Is it possible to take a photo without him?
Normally it isn't, but today...

...he was quite busy
with the flying flocks of the waxwings.
They are eating the rowan-berries
at the parking area near by us.

So he also let me finish my block in peace...

.. but now he is getting more and more nervous. It's obvious he is requiring me to play with him, because I promised earlier to give him some time, when I get the block ready.

So I must go and play now...

PS. Yesterday evening I started one new and BIG project.

I know!!!!
I have too many (=dozens) of unfinished projects, but this Civil War Bride Quilt fascinates me too much right now.

And I'm supposing...
THE same urging feeling
is familiar to you too sometimes;)))


PS2: If you want to see all my finished CWD blocks, you'll find them here.

I NEED HELP!!!

Does anyone know the name of (=line or manufacturer) this cream fabric???

I would be so, so happy,
if someone could help me to find this fabric.
I would like to use it more in my SBS (Sylvia's Bridal Sampler) quilt.

If I remember right, I bought it from the FabricShack few years ago. I found it there from the tone on tone fabrics. Of course I didn't write down the name of the fabric:((( And there is nothing on the selvages.

Yesterday the postman brought me this HUGE letter from USA.

It's a gift from my dear ANGEL Nana.

Although Fenix is anxious to open it, I have decided to keep it closed until I have finished my own gift for my secret partner. Finally I got the fabrics and I'm planning to post my parcel on the next week.

Have a creative and funny weekend!

I'll try to get rid of this flu, which I got last week by relaxing and drinking something HOT...

Temptations from Australia

Let me show you Anni Downs' newest book! I got it from Hatched and Patched last week. And I have been so thrilled... opening it again and again!!!

It's full of temptive projects for boys of all ages.
If you liked her Angel's Story book, this is what you'll love too;)

Today I finally laid it down for a moment or two
and made this week block to my SBS quilt.

Hmm... I'm quite pleased with Grandmother's Fan block...

Have a creative weekend!!!

PS. My Angel Nana has posted some flying goodies to me. I'm waiting...
I haven't yet received the fabrics for my own last Stitcher's Angel project. But I'm not concerned yet; there is some time to the deadline...

Updating Jule-sy-mysterium

Stitcheries finished (hopefully) tonight...

Jule-sy-Mysterium

I tried to resist this new Norwegian mystery,
I survived two first days quite well, but last night it happened!

Look, what I have done...

... this morning I joined seriously to this fun made by 9na HERE.
Now I should find some red and white fabrics;)

Have a SUNNY weekend
and enjoy your RED stitchings!!!

Hiring Help with Some Bartering

October 8, 1862 Mary Austin Adelia Wallace wrote in her diary

My folks and myself went to the fair to Coldwater. Mr. Kyes paid $.15 for me to go in the tent and see the trick pony as they all went in. He said he would pay but I might pay him sometime when I got home. Pa borrowed one dollar of me. (quote from Rosemary Youngs' Civil War Diary Quilt book)

Mary's diary entries are usually short and she liked to write about her chores (Do you still remember block 104. Everyday Chores?), like cutting the corn, getting wood, taking care of the farm animals and writing down the amount of money paid for purchases.

This time I picked up following fabrics:
light lavender is again Quilt Gate's Mary Rose Coll., pink is - again;) - Paula Barnes' Bonnie Blue Basics and dark lilac is Nancy Gere's Civil War VI Coll.

Next time we will meet Mary again.
Then I'll sew block 110.

Greenfield and Stockton

October 7, 1863 Rachel Young King Anderson wrote in her diary

Another stormy excitement is up. Tis reported that 5,000 rebels have taken Greenfield and Stockton. --- Mr. Anderson is at Springfield went to the Government sale and I am so distressed. Night of 7th Mr. Anderson returned from town - bought three C.U.S. horses. The 5,000 rebels has come down to 1,000. They burned the courthouses in Greenfield and Stockton and have gone on I don't know where. --- Reports are conflicting as to where they are or what their aim. Our hearts cry out to God for protection. --- (quote from Civil War Diary Quilt written by R. Youngs)

Block 11. Greenfield and Stockton

The block was EASY... It was much more difficult to choose the pleasing (me) fabrics. Finally I ended up and started to cut 1 1/8" width stripes from these fabrics: grey and red are Bonnie Blue Basics by Paula Barnes and cream is Quilt Gate's Mary Rose Collection.

Hmm... Maybe I should 'hiring some help' for my next... Oh, I have already choosed the fabrics! Ok, That was only a hint for the next block and

I'll sew it tomorrow;)))

Life between CWD Blocks

The latest Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks

The latest My Dear Jane blocks
still behind Anina's That Quilt -group - if telling the truth, more and more behind after recent weeks:(


A Crow Came to Visit - block 7 from Autumn House quilt


and lovely letters from Norway;)


and... of course...
Stitcher's Angel projects;))

The rose in the picture is called Sweet Surprise. It's one of the 32 varieties, which we are growing...

Today - forenoon at 11 o'clock - heavy showers of rain
(luckily no snow, yet...)

It's so dark, although it's almost midday! Well, winter is coming...
(with this photo from my kitchen window I send greetings and hugs to my Angel Nana;)
... so I opened my DJ book


THIS was a short review of MY quilting life between CWD blocks!!!
I'll continue with the Civil War Diary blocks on the next week... on Wednesday and on Thursday evening.
See YOU soon!!

"You know, it's sometimes really exhausting to be a quilter's best helper."