Blocks are Finished...Happy Dance!

I am amazed that I have all the blocks pieced!! WooHoo!!  Now comes the final piecing of the sides, center and final borders.  I am thrilled beyond words!!  Two weeks ago I finished the log cabin inner border.  There were 3 logs with directional fabrics, what a challenge to keep them in the right direction.  I know I'm fussy, but it would bugg me if the prints on this large border were out-a-sync.

Here's what they look like all together and one separately.

The last week and a half I have been working on the ribbon blocks.  I wish I would have thought about them a little more, because I would have pieced them on the diagonal so the center blocks were one square, but because the prints are so busy, it won't matter as much!  I'm so glad these prints were not directional. 

There are four stars in each corner of the ribbon border.  It was an "ahhh moment" to piece these little stars.  These stars grow on ya after you've made 21 for this quilt :)

I'm working on piecing the borders this weekend.  We have sunshine & beautiful snow outside making everything look glorious!  I love the snow, unlike most Ohioans.  I will drive in it, walk in it, play in it, snow-blow it, and sit with a cup of tea to behold it!

I hope you are working on beautiful projects!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker





Center Medallion Block for Patriot Quilt - TaDa!

It is really finished - and it is a beauty!  It's hard to notice the beautiful lemony roses in the background fabric in the very outside of this block.  I love yellow roses!  There will be 4 large blocks (in this fabric) surrounding this center medallion block in the quilt.  The green is a directional fabric that took some fuss'in over before I could sew the entire block together.

This block honors Martha Washington, General Washington's wife.  I didn't realize she made several trips a year to see her husband and the troops.  She was a gracious celebrity during wartime.  She never refused to stay a little longer when she was invited to share at Ladies Teas.  She walked with her husband among the troops to offer words of encouragement and hope.  It is only fitting that this block should be named in her honor and stands out among the rest as 24 inches square compared to the others that are 10 inches square.

Well, it is on to the Log Cabin inner border! Last night, when I was studying the directions, I noticed 2 out 3 dark-side fabrics are directional prints.  Another inspiring challenge for these 20 blocks!  This quilt makes me chuckle as I often ask myself, "would I have taken this challenge if I knew there were so many directional fabrics?" - that is yet to be determined.

Let me know what you are working on!

Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Patriot in Petticoats 15 & 16

                    I woke up this morning determined to sew and not buy any more yarn or fabric until I finished some projects.  It was a beautiful day, high 40's and sunny, a good day to shop.  I had a great breakfast and promptly went downstairs to my sewing room.  Today, I completed all the individual blocks for my Patriot quilt and I'm in awe of 16 blocks.  Each one was just a little more challenging and block 16 was no exception.  I really tried to get each detail in line, but two little spots couldn't be helped.  I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have piecing them!

Here is Block 15 and 16...

Block 15 honors Mercy Otis Warren, an American writer and playwright.  She was America's first female playwright and wrote strong anti-British and anti-Loyalist propaganda plays.  I loved this quote taken from a letter to one of her friends, " America stands armed with resolution and virtue; but she still recoils at the idea of drawing the sword against the nation from whence she derived her origin.  Yet Britain, like an unnatural parent, is ready to plunge her dagger into the bosom of her affectionate offspring".  Wow, I love her word pictures!

Block 15 - Mercy Otis Warren

Block 16 honors Hannah Arnett, who is buried in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  In December, 1776, her husband and local friends were gathered in their home deciding between loyalty to Britain or America.  Hannah was so upset she burst into the room and started screaming "traitors and cowards"!  Her husband made her leave, but she would not stop!  She continued to berate them and assured them she would leave Isaac if he deserted the American cause.  Stung by her persistent passion, the men reconsidered and refused the British offer of "protection of life and property".  Now that's what I cause a persuasive woman! 

Block 16

These blocks have been a wonderful learning experience.  I have been challenged to re-think my piecing skills.  After previewing the center medallion block I'm anxious to jump in and start piecing.  It's a large block with an eight-pointed star in the center.  I looked at the log cabin blocks and don't you know,,,two of the fabrics are directional!  It's going to be quite a challenge to match the directional prints with the blocks going completely around the inside of the quilt.  I wish I were not such a perfectionist when it comes to piecing my work.

Late this afternoon, Leah and I went to visit an Alpaca Farm, "Stewart Heritage Farm", a few miles from our home.  The owner was very hospitable and allowed Leah to take pictures of her beautiful Alpaca's.  I couldn't resist buying some yarn to bring home.  When I told Brenda, the owner, I was a Quilter, she showed me "alpaca quilt batting for a full size and crib size quilt".  I was so impressed!!  She is going to send me price information.  Her yarn colors are beautiful and now I wish I had bought a skein of brown and a skein of cinnamon brown.  I have an incredibly hard time resisting local alpaca yarn.  When I was in high-school a German woman taught me how to do hairpin lace.  I made an afghan that I continue to sleep under every night.  Perhaps I should consider making a scarf with hairpin lace - I could do a two-color scarf with hairpin lace.  I wish I could find other interesting patterns in hairpin lace.  

What a blessing to be creative!  What a blessing to love the work of your hands!  What a joy to share it with others and to bless them!

Enjoy the work of your hands!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker