Using the old-fashioned graph paper and pencil, I was quickly set to go. The Colorado flag lends itself well for such a project...
We will have our flag on display in celebration of the day...
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A Walk in the Prairie Collection |
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"Big Dreams" |
This celebration is not just a weekend of BBQs, swimming and parties. Memorial Day became an official holiday in 1868. It commemorates the end of the Civil War. Freed slaves and Union troops held the earliest Memorial Day celebrations in May 1865 – just a few weeks after the fighting ended. Union war hero General John A. Logan organized the first Memorial Day and designated May 30, 1868, as the first official celebration. You can learn many other bits of information if you follow the link above which will take you to a post from 4 years ago.
I used a good amount of scraps and chunks of green fabrics this month on three quilted projects - a table topper (or a tummy time quilt) and two crib sized quilts... by my estimation, at least 8 or 9 yards between the tops and backs of all of them. :)
Fractured Emeralds is my favorite, but the Sweet Pea quilt is a strong rival. I continued using the tropical print squares in my first green RSC project - the smallest of the 3 quilts. So far, the tropical squares have been paired with pink, yellow, (teal) and red... and now green. Blue is the only monthly color choice they sat out on. They probably will not make an appearance with orange or purple but would play very well with browns. What color is on tap for June???
I made the executive decision to make it smaller and use some blocks on the back. To better incorporate several smaller blocks, I chose to applique them onto some of her "filler" blocks.
I will be playing hostess of this week's TGIFF party and plan to show it off in its full glory then. Be sure to come back!
In other "news"... I pulled out another vintage quilt from the cedar chest for use display on our guest bed. This Hearts & Flowers quilt was made by my Grandma T in the 1980s and quilted by a group of ladies in La Junta, CO. There is a "sister" quilt of this one is made in purple.
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The first is one (on the right) I had added a flower to hide a small hole that had started. It then got ripped on the knee... I plan to add a second flower to mask that really bad repair that I made.
They since have required a little more attention on the other leg. My repair was much neater, and I refuse to let them go just yet... They happen to be one of my most favorite pair of jeans. Some variegated embroidery thread with blues, purples and a little green will create a nice spiral.
The second pair is another favorite that I am adding a few patches to. The patches will serve to cover over two crease worn holes on the side seams and will be stitched down with a buttonhole stitch.
In addition to all the activities in my studio, I had a lovely and well overdue in-person visit with our youngest daughter and celebrated a few HS graduations for "kids" that we have enjoyed watching grow up and become some wonderful young adults. Both grads have been given a gift certificate for a personal memory quilt. Not all grads that we have given gift certificates to have redeemed them. I am hopeful that these two will follow through.
She had a second table runner ready for applique too. Maybe she will be sharing the progress of that one this week.
As Memorial Day weekend is celebrated remember to offer gratitude to the families of fallen soldiers... All gave some - Some gave ALL.
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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