To-Do is Done Plus

Last week's list is complete and done!  I do love a productive week, though getting through it can sometimes be difficult with distractions all along the way. 

✔Complete the quilting on the poppies table runner

This was FUN!  The matchstick quilting offers texture and I had fun using a variety of colors from my Aurifil thread collection.  

Using more scraps from the improv poppies I made the binding and did big-stitches with orange embroidery floss to add to the modern look of the table runner.

✔Choose a quilt pattern for a giraffe quilt for the new grand-daughter that is due to arrive in early May.  

This little guy will be the quilt for our little Hanna, but in pinks and greys. 💗🖤

✔Continue participating in the #31dayswithcottoncuts on instagram - Each day, post a picture related to the date's number. You can see all of my pictures by following the link above.

Here's a peek at what I have shared so far...

The "plus" item that I created was this little journal.  Using the same chapel picture that I used last week, I made this one with more of a "winter" setting.

I was giggling while digging in the piles of scraps that I sorted over the weekend.  But don't worry... they are still sorted and still in abundance!  You can see the whole story of why I sorted by following the link on the word "weekend" above.

Oh, BTW, do YOU need any scraps that would be perfect for string-piecing scrappy blocks?  

I have lots!    

Here's the deal... You can choose the color/s that you want - all you have to do is pay for shipping ($10 to cover the cost of priority mail postage and to print a label to US addresses - $35 for international).  If you are interested send me an email at MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com with your color choice/s and I will give you my paypal or venmo account info.  Once I receive payment I will stuff the priority mail envelope full, slap a label on it and send it off to you.

I have had requests for the yellow X'd piles but awaiting actual payment... first money gets the deal!

Our travel plans ran into a bit of an issue, so this is what I resorted to... sorting. **sigh** but I will stop my pouting and move forward because a friend so gently reminded me - "You don't know what God is protecting you from."  Okay, okay, okay...

So what sort of projects do I have in mind for the coming week?  Hmmmm... nothing too exciting.

❧  Some necessary research for the wrap up of the Pieces From The Past Sew Along Series and the beginning of the Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail.  The fabric I selected for the blocks will be arriving this week. YAY! Because Marion Sloan Russell made her first journey on the trail in 1852, I selected some Civil War reproduction fabrics.  

❧  Perhaps another Chapel postcard or journal?

❧  Purchase fabric for Hanna's giraffe quilt

We have snow predicted for over night and for most of tomorrow (Tuesday).  I love to watch the snow fall outside the window in my studio.  I MUST do something in there while I have the crockpot going with one of my No Guilt::Go Quilt recipes.  Enjoy!

Before you go though... Leave a comment telling me ~

Where is your favorite place to watch snow coming down outside?

Have a great week!

Stay Piece-ful,

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us

Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Scraps Gone Crazy

So, here's the deal... My scrap bin had become unmanageable and I couldn't stand it any longer.

I started sorting by color, basically because I had been asked by someone "What's your plan for the 2021 Rainbow Scrap Challenge?"  I didn't have a plan, to be honest.  

I have shoved the left-over bits and pieces of completed quilts and projects into this bin and have drug it out whenever I wanted to do some tiny quilts.  And when I first started shoving the bits and pieces into the bin I did have a plan to "someday" make a string-pieced quilt.

As I sorted by colors it was like an archeological dig through the years as I recalled the various quilts that the scraps came from.  Fond memories... *sigh*  But I kept asking myself "Why are you doing this?  What are your plans for these?  Why are you holding onto them?"  

It was at that point that I decided I would part with most of them.  

Here's the deal... You can choose the color/s that you want - all you have to do is pay for shipping ($10 to cover the cost of priority mail postage and to print a label).  If you are interested send me an email at MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com with your color choice/s and I will give you my paypal or venmo account info.  Once I receive payment I will stuff the priority mail envelope full, slap a label on it and send it off to you.

UPDATE::  I have had requests for the yellow X'd piles but am awaiting actual payment... first money gets the deal!

It is a win-win deal.  You have a new supply of scraps and I have an emptier bin.

I feel better already!  

Now tell me... what's your flavor?  

Or maybe you have an idea or suggestion for a really cool string quilt that I just HAVE to make?

Leave a comment... I love to hear from you.

Stay Pieceful,

Melva

Melva Loves Scraps - Home of the Pieces From The Past Sew Along

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

UFO Busting at Tish’s Wonderland

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Pieces From The Past - Double T Block

Today's letter is a second plea for help... a follow-up of Klaus Hesselbarth's letter that was published with the The Rolling Stone Block (#13).

Jan. 18, 1948

Dear honored Mr. Schleich:

You will be surprised at receiving a letter from Germany.  I am the mother of one of the German POWs who worked for you in the Summer and Fall of 1945.  You would remember my son, he felt, since you always called him Fritz.  You were always good and kind to my son and for that I thank you with my whole heart.  

Great need makes it necessary for me to write to you today.  We were driven out of East Prussia, have lost everything and now we live in Muhlenhagen in the Russian Zone of Germany.  My son works for a farmer in the West and because of the borders between the zones, we cannot be together with him.  We would be so grateful to you if it would be possible for you to supply us with a packet of warm things.  We need everything and anything would be welcome.  Hopefully this letter reaches you.  My son has already written to you, but unfortunately received no response.  

With heartfelt regards,

Mrs. Margarete Hesselbarth

This mother's heartbreak and concern for her son is evident.  The request for "warm things" makes me wonder if she was requesting one of the CARE packages...

The first CARE Packages contained:

one pound (450 g) of beef in broth

one pound (450 g) of steak and kidneys

8 ounces (230 g) of liver loaf

8 ounces (230 g) of corned beef

12 ounces (340 g) of luncheon loaf (like Spam)

8 ounces (230 g) of bacon

two pounds (910 g) of margarine

one pound (450 g) of lard

one pound (450 g) of fruit preserves

one pound (450 g) of honey

one pound (450 g) of raisins

one pound (450 g) of chocolate

two pounds (910 g) of sugar

8 ounces (230 g) of powdered eggs

two pounds (910 g) of whole-milk powder

two pounds (910 g) of coffee

Or, was she requesting clothing, socks, scarves, gloves, hats, etc.?  She does state that they were in need of everything and anything would be welcome.

I have not given up hope of hearing from Mr. Hesselbarth's family... Remember, one of my reader's located an obituary from 2012 for him that included an address for the family.  I sent a letter to them but, sadly, have not had a response.  It is still somewhat encouraging that the letter has not been returned to me either.  Perhaps the family is still trying to determine how to respond...

So, as we await a response from them let's focus on the Double T Block.  As I researched the history of this block there is some belief that the 'T' stood for Temperance, as explained here...

A "T" For Temperance or Teetotaler?

Women's Temperance Movement: Temperance Quilt

The word "temperance" implies use in moderation and indeed those who pledged temperance could still drink wine and beer. On the other hand a "teetotaler" forswore all alcohol.  

There were stories told of the POWs making beer and wine while at Camp Trinidad.  After the discovery of the escape tunnel the American soldiers "entered the compound in full force and searched every nook and cranny."  They found stills for fermenting alcohol, a crude short-wave sending and receiving unit, a makeshift printing press with forged documents and other items that were considered illicit.

And let's not forget about the conversation that I shared with the Friendship Block when my Dad talked about his brother Leroy telling one of the guards to leave a prisoner alone stating, "I was the one who gave him that beer."

My cousin, Glenda, shared a recipe for homemade beer from her Dad.  When I showed it to Dave he was less than impressed since he and a friend made beer on a regular basis for several years.  Every step of the process took two hours and sampling and taste tests of other beer were required.  LOL!  🤣  Also, I'm not sure of the amount of malt required.  Hmmmm... 1/2 cup?  1/2 gallon?  It doesn't much matter... When I asked my cousins if they had any memory of beer making, the oldest of my cousins (Howard) stated "Yes. my dad and Bill made this type of beer. Horrible!!!!!"

Jump over to Payhip to download the free pattern now.  But before you go, tell me something...

I have some preliminary ideas for another Block of the Month/Sew Along featuring history of the Santa Fe Trail and an ancestor that made the journey multiple times in her life.  

Would you prefer a 9-block BOM?

Or 12 blocks - continuing with the familiar timing of this sew along - a new block every three weeks?

Either way I would wrap it all up by the end of the year... Leave a comment with your input.  

Don't forget to come back and link up for the opportunity to win a free fat quarter.  Be sure to use the hashtag #PiecesFromThePastSewAlong and tag me on IG - @MelvaLovesScraps or on fb at Melva Loves Scraps.  I love seeing all of your blocks!

Happy Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

BOMs Away at What A Hoot Quilts

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

DrEAMIs and To-Dos

It has been weeks since I have spent any significant amount of time in my studio... not that I haven't been doing plenty with quilty projects.  The bulk of my time has been on the computer writing and researching for the last few stories for the Pieces From The Past Sew Along.

I had been stalled for three or four days and then last Tuesday the floodgates opened and my fingers flew over the keyboard.  The ideas flowed and I felt good about it... I hope that all of you will feel the same about what is to come.  

There are only three more blocks in the sew along.  How are you doing with them?  I saw that several quilters were catching up between Christmas and New Years.  Here are a few new ones. :)  I hope that you, like me, appreciate how unique and diverse the blocks are with the varied color selections, values and fabric styles.  My excitement grows with each block that I see and my anticipation of the finished quilts is ever-growing.  I think that my Grandma Schleich would feel the same...

On Saturday I realized that while I had been doing quilty "stuff" on the computer, my creativity was waning.  I pulled out a couple of improv poppies that I had started in November and considered what I could do with them.  

I drug out my overflowing scrap bin and found a variety of greens to create background fillers for the poppies, combined the 12 inch blocks with the giant poppy print that inspired these blocks, added a border and created a table runner. 

The plan is to do some match-stick quilting on this runner and then a scrappy border with oranges and red-oranges like I included in the poppies.  I'll add a pop of green and a tiny bit of purple like the giant print fabric has.

That was my plan... but before I could implement said plan I was distracted with a DrEAMI project.  You know... Drop Everything And Make It.  I was scrolling through social media and came across this post... 

"from a dad rocking his baby and thinking about the crazy things that have happened in our country".  And I was quickly reminded of a painting of a little white chapel I had seen last year.

Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be. God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they’re in. Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident.

Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God. Train them up in the authority of His Word. Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control. Empower them to know they can change the world. Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan. He knew Daniel could handle the lions den. He knew David could handle Goliath. He knew Esther could handle Haman. He knew Peter could handle persecution. He knows that your child can handle whatever challenge they face in their life if they trust in Him. He created them specifically for it!

This was where, again, the ideas started flowing!  I NEEDED to recreate this painting in fabric...

In just a few hours this sweet, tiny (5"x7") hand-sewn hello postcard quilt was done.  After practicing for so many years to have accurate and straight seams, trying to create a rustic look with the black stitching was probably the most challenging thing about this DrEAMI project. LOL!  I thought that a more rustic look to the binding would be appropriate. 

Here's a peek at how I did it...  I cut the backing piece a little larger than the postcard, sewed it into place, and then folded in the raw edge.

I then folded it over and stitched it down.

I think it would be a great little "series" of postcards from different angles or seasons.  There happens to be a small chapel down the road that would be a great "model" for the project!

I'll have to consider this... but for now on to my To Do List.

❧  Complete the quilting on the poppies table runner

❧  Choose a quilt pattern for a giraffe quilt for the new grand-daughter that is due to arrive in early May.  

❧  Continue participating in the #31dayswithcottoncuts on instagram - Each day, post a picture related to the date's number. You can see all of my pictures by following the link above.

I'll be doing a little more research and writing to wrap up the current sew along, Pieces From The Past, but I'll probably be jotting down ideas for a new sew along featuring the Santa Fe Trail and stories from one of my ancestors, Marion Sloan Russell.  She traveled the trail numerous times, from Missouri to Santa Fe, in her life.  Her first was in 1852 at the age of 7.

Any suggestions for a name for the new sew along?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Piece Out,

Melva

Melva Loves Scraps - Home of the Pieces From The Past Sew Along

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us

Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch

Planning for 2021

With a new year before us, and an opportunity to begin anew and fresh I can't help but think we cannot forget the lessons learned in the past.

Lesson 1... Balance is necessary.  Life can sometimes be like a teeter-totter.  You can sense the ups and downs and sometimes you have to counter-balance to get the thing to go back and forth at a steady, smooth pace.

Lesson 2... Hosting a Sew Along can be challenging... and yet SO rewarding.  While my first sew along is not finished, it is nearing the end.  And I have to say that I am hooked!  I have loved all of the historical research I have done (much more time consuming than I had ever anticipated) along with the transformation of the Kansas City Star quilt blocks from templates to the modern quilting/cutting style.  

With that being said, I come to the first goal for 2021 ~ Wrap up the Pieces from the Past Sew Along.  I have three more blocks and stories to be released.

Goal #2 - Using all that I have learned to date with my current Sew Along, I am looking forward to developing a new sew along that will begin in April.  

This sew along will feature blocks and stories connected to the Santa Fe Trail.  Watch for the details to come because, well, even I don't know all of them myself.  LOL!

Goal #3 - I have had a desire to do another whole-cloth quilt.  My first whole-cloth quilt was made in 2013.  

Goal #4 - I would like to try some Quilt As You Go quilting.  Perhaps with the Santa Fe Trail blocks.  But then again, I could use some of the orphan blocks/test blocks from the Pieces From The Past.  I have plenty!  

I think these blocks would be compact and easy projects to transport and stitch while we enjoy our camping trips... which means hand-quilting.  As long as my hands can endure, I think it will be perfect.

Goal #5 - Continue with our Camping Journal Quilt. I wonder what amazing adventures we have before us?  I can't wait until February when we will begin planning our escape to warmer weather!

On a personal note... I have selected the word "peace" as my focus word and John 14:27 (from The Message) will remind me of this peace...

I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

I recently enjoyed a cup of afternoon tea and this quote was on the teabag...

"Peace of mind comes piece by piece."

When the teeter-totter seems out of balance... you will find me seeking peace, piece by piece.  Because, well, quilting IS my therapy. 🙂

What are some of your goals for 2021?  

Leave a comment... you know I love to hear from you.

Piece Out,

Melva

Linking with:

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting

To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Stitch Sew & Show at Life in the Scrap Patch

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Best Of and Year-End Review

 As I have prepared for this post and reviewed the activities of the year I am filled with joy and gratitude... despite of the strangeness of the year with unrest and division of "camps" with the political, social, medical and financial ups and downs, twists and turns and unknowns.

I think I have mentioned previously that a friend told me years ago that I was an optimistic pessimist... all because I plan for the worst, but hope for the best.  Life is far too short to dwell on the hardships of life... when life gives you scraps, make QUILTS!  

I believe with all my heart that I am not the only quilter that lives by this quote!  So many of us dove into our stash to make masks earlier in the year... creating more scraps for even more quilts!  

As I recalled the various quilts I made this year (20 in total all in varying sizes from postcard to King-sized) by looking through my digital photo albums I thought of each recipient that was on the receiving end of them.  Words cannot express the joy I felt when I saw or heard of their reactions when they saw their memories recreated into a quilt for the first time.  Several of them were t-shirt memory quilts, one was a quilt that told the story of a family's legacy, and one that made me feel as though I was crawling up into the lap of my Grandma Schleich -  the Pieces From The Past Sew Along Quilt.

Top Five?  In order of popularity???  Aside from the obvious Pieces From the Past Posts, (and the 500th Post celebration with a give away) it is as follows:

5)    Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness featuring an improv pieced 5"x7" mini-quilt mug rug

4)    Live Love Laugh ~ another mini-quilt using half-hexies and free-motion to replicate the sound waves of laughter

3)    A Time For All Seasons ~  The finish of the Block of the month hosted by Sew Incredibly Crazy & Friends

2)    Masks from Fishes & Loaves ~ When I thought I had reached the end of my elastic supply there was more to be found... I also found some much needed inspiration and creativity.

1)    Feeling Ambitious ~ When I felt as though I was stuck in a rut, with the help of Roseanne and Sue over at Home Sewn By Us, and their linky party for weekly planning, I had overcame that rut, but then just bit off more than I could handle.  There is just something about "announcing" a plan for the coming week that can help to keep moving forward.  Though it is important to remember that sometimes life happens and the plan doesn't go as well as you thought, but you can pick up where you left off and move forward... and there are still friends that offer encouraging words and pats on the back to get you going again.

As part of the year-end review it is customary to review the goals that had been determined... What were they?  

1)  Host the Pieces From the Past Sew Along

2)  Finish Scrap Dance Minuet Mystery Quilt and 2019 BOMs

3)  Further experimentation with Eco-Printing

4)  Continue with my Camping Journal Quilt

Did I successfully accomplish them???

The Pieces From the Past Sew Along had its kick-off in January.  To date, I have published 17 of the 20 blocks.  There is still time to join the fun.  With permission from C&T Publishing, the patterns are free and released every three weeks.  The blocks vary in sizes and techniques as well as skill levels, from beginner friendly to more challenging.  No need to be afraid of the most difficult blocks because I have included alternative blocks that can used as an option.  Most of the blocks take about an hour to piece, some a little longer... but there is still lots of time before the wrap-up in March.

To date, I have had 322 participants download patterns from 19 different countries.  And I have loved seeing the variety of blocks that have been linked up on the blog for the fat-quarter give away with each post.  From the traditional 1930s fabrics to modern, bright & brilliant colors and prints.  Each one is so unique and I look forward to seeing the finished quilts.  

I did successfully complete the scrap dance minuet, the 2019 color challenge and the Time For All Seasons quilts...

I did not get to experiment with the Eco-Printing.  😥  This was something that I had wanted to continue with my friend Kayleen and the timing just never worked out.  I did, however, use some of the amazing fabric we dyed in The Legacy Quilt - the commissioned, king-sized quilt for my friend's God-son.  You can read the entire story, the meanings of blocks and the reason for selecting them, colors and more details by following the high-lighted link above.

The Camping Journal grew by 37 blocks this year!  I continued using some of the blocks from Fiona Sandwich, but designed a few of my own as well.  We camped 25 nights at 12 different locations between February and November.  We enjoyed hiking and biking, just the two of us and a few times with friends.  Memories made every. single. time!

The year end reviews from instagram are always fun to look at... here are my top 9 and annual color analysis...

I just love the bubbles of color!  So me! Mostly calm and mellow colors with small, bright colors that pop.  And the top 9 pics reveal my sense of humor and love for Mrs. Bobbins as well as my quiet moments of meditation and encouragement.

Now that I have reviewed my year I need to begin looking forward to a new start with a new calendar year.  Aside from 2013 when Dave made a career change from college professor to being self-employed,  and the loss of my Dad, 2020 has  been one of the harder years we have faced together... and we are excited to see what 2021 has to hold for us.  

One thing for certain... well, two, but one is we cannot contain our joy about welcoming an new grand-daughter in May!

Who knew 6 years ago when I made these little shirts for our first grand-daughter, Emma, that we would end up with three little ladies to love???

The other thing we know?  Whatever may come our way, God will good from it.

What are YOU looking forward to in 2021?

Leave a comment... you know I love to hear from all of you!

As I sign off I share the wisdom from a yogi tea tag... "Peace of mind comes piece by piece."

I'll be working on that piece by piece... Happy New Year!

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us

Best of 2020 at Meadow Mist Designs

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Christmas Blessings To You

 Because quilters are some of the most generous and kind people on this earth...

A Quilter's Night Before Christmas

(author unknown)

'Twas the night before Christmas,

And the quilts were not made.

The threads were all tangled, the cookies delayed.

The stocking weren't hung, the pantry was bare.

The poor weary Quilter, was tearing her hair.

Stacks of fat quarters, tipped over in streams.

Visions of Log Cabins, had turned into dreams.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,

But a bus full of quilters with all of their gear.

They went straight to work with just a few mutters,

Sorting and stitching and brandishing cutters.

The patterns emerged from all of the clutter,

Like magic the fabrics arranged in a flutter.

Log Cabins, Lone Stars, Flying Geese & Bear Tracks

Each quilt was a beauty-even the backs.

Her house how it twinkled, her quilts how they glowed.

The cookies were baking, the stockings were sewed.

Their work was all done, so they folded their frames,

And packed up their needles, without giving their names.

They boarded the bus, and checked the next address.

More quilts to be made, another quilter in distress.

She heard one voice echo, as they drove out of sight,

Happy quilting to all and to all a good night!

In case you missed it... I released Block #17 - Double Cross - of the Pieces From The Past Sew Along on December 23rd... an early gift to you!  

I know that the holiday season is typically very busy and you may have had to set aside the blocks for this sew along.  But I want to let you know that I have extended the link-up deadline for Block #16 - The Corner Star Block - to January 1.  

And... if you are late in joining the fun, it is NOT TOO LATE!

All of the letters, stories and blocks are still available by selecting the tab at the top of the page for the Pieces From The Past Sew Along.

There are just three more blocks to be made before the sew along wraps up in March.  Where has the time gone?  

May your day be blessed and joyful,

Merry Christmas!

Melva