Pause Button

Sometimes life get so busy all you want to do is press the pause button.  That is where I am at right now.  

I don't have any big quilt projects going on, yet there is so much other "stuff" going on around us that it is a good thing, because I am not sure I would be able to focus much.  

Nothing too serious, just out of town doctor appointments, learning details of international wire transfers, figuring out tips and tricks to make the computer side of worship leadership less stressful, Dave monitoring the local water association water tank repair... Yes, it was week three of distractions and challenges.  Add in on that some excitement for getting ready for some time away to unplug and press a much needed reset button.  

Enough whining... Did I complete last week's Tuesday To-Do's?  I did! Mostly...

✔I have blocks selected for the various sites (one block per night that we stay) and I will be prepping "kits" for hand-sewing opportunities.  If things go well, I will have ten kits to grab and go.  I have seven kits prepped.  

✔I need to get the pattern test quilt finished and get a photo shoot done before September.  DONE!  

I used blue variegated embroidery floss for the big-stitch binding finish.  

Below is a sneak peek at the quilt and its backing.

Now all I need is a photo shoot, which may happen this weekend.  I keep thinking that I need a tiny baby to assist with that, but I don't currently have any little babies around me right now.  But I have an idea rolling around in my mind and I can only hope that it works out. 

Plans for the coming week??? 

☙Have some fun away with our daughters and grand-children and create some interesting "art" using balloons, paint, canvases and t-shirts and a pellet gun.  

☙Have a "play-date" with a friend to make some "UPCYCLED 4" X 6" MIXED MEDIA POSTCARDS" to participate in a postcard swap hosted by my friend Mark Montano.  

☙Finalize the next Pieces From The Past Sew Along post and block to be released on August 20th - Indian Star is the block.  It is a beginner friendly block and will be pieced in a short amount of time.

It is hard to believe that we have reached the half-way mark of the sew along.  

Some assembly instructions will be given with block #12 so there is still plenty of time to get caught up.  Also, I am opening up the link-ups on each of the posts again.  No prizes, no drawings.  But if you are participating and didn't meet the deadline to share your block now is your opportunity.  If you are participating outside of the US, now is your chance to share your blocks!  I want to see the variety of fabric choices and personal design choices, from traditional to modern.  If you don't have any social media accounts to link up, or feel technologically challenged, feel free to email the pictures to me at MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com and I will share with the rest of the world for you. 

Recently I have had an attraction to the big-stitch binding, which is definitely a modern look to my more traditional style.  It gives a fun flair to the quilt and offers an opportunity to slow the pace and enjoy the process of some slow stitching, which I find quite therapeutic.   A few years ago I shared some binding tips and various techniques. 

What is your favorite binding finish?   

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

Piece Happy!

Melva

Linking with:

What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney

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

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique

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

Turning To-Do In To Done

Last week was rough!  It seemed as though I faced a new challenge each day, though none of the obstacles were quilting related.  You know, just life stuff.  Issues with a major credit card company, technology issues that affected the latest release of the Pieces From The Past Pattern - Russian Sunflower, an update that were required on the church computer before being able to create the Sunday worship slides, and notifications that recent medical bills are not "covered" by our "non-insurance" provider.

Even with all that happened, I was still productive in the studio.  Woohoo!  The silver lining of the cloud, right?

Let's review what I hoped to complete...

❧  Clean and oil machines ✔  Boy, were they full of lint!

❧  Pull fabric for pattern test quilt✔

The stripe-y tie-dye fabric was the inspiration for the pull.  it is a flannel that my sweet SIL sent to me and will be used for the backing.

❧  Start piecing test quilt✔

Dave had a men's event he was attending so that meant that I had time for sewing, with no other cares in the world. 

I invited a friend over for Friday evening and we chatted as she watched me sew.  She is relatively new to quilting so she had plenty of questions and I was more than happy to answer them. 

❧  Piece and machine embroider sign blocks for my Postcard Camping Journal✔

You can see that I still need to clip threads and I have a few extra ready to go.  

One will be used for an upcoming camping weekend with our two daughters and all three grand-kids.  We are super excited about the time together.  We have a special "art project" that I'll share when it is done.

This brings me to plans for the next week...

❧I have blocks selected for the various sites (one block per night that we stay) and I will be prepping "kits" for hand-sewing opportunities.  If things go well, I will have ten kits to grab and go.

❧I need to finish the pattern test quilt finished and get a photo shoot done before September.

And since I have had two weeks of unplanned interruptions... I'll call my list good. 

Have you seen the social media challenge for quilters?  

Ten days, share 10 quilts that you have made.  You can offer a description... or not.  You can nominate another quilter to take up the challenge... or not.  The "rules" are pretty loose in my mind.  So, if you want to take up the challenge, consider yourself nominated!

I was nominated personally, but have been sharing my quilts on the Melva Loves Scraps facebook page.  When the fb challenge is over I will probably move over to instagram... 

Piece Happy!

Melva

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

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Home Sewn By Us

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique

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

Pieces From The Past - Russian Sunflower

Today's letter is from Alfred (last name unknown).

His handwriting is not of the best penmanship, and for that reason I have the transcribed the letter below.  Even though the writing on the envelope is much better... you'll notice that even the envelope makes the last name unreadable...

Munich

December 11, 1946

Dear Mr. Schleich,

I hope that you will remember of me because I left already the United States several months ago.  I am the former prisoner officer who has been working in your farm and at that time I gave you by leave the picture of the sunflower. 

Today I want to keep my promise to write to you as soon as I came home.  I have been discharged on the 20th of June, 1946 of the American captivity and since this time I am “a free citizen”.  As I am not able to return at present in my own country called Czechoslovakia thus I have taken a job in Munich and I found very soon a post in the Munich Military Community.  I am feeling quite well but I am often thinking of the United States of America.  It will always be a very nice memory of you, dear Mr. Schleich, your charming wife, your sons and Mr. Eckert.  

How many favors has your dear wife done for us when I am thinking about the good food and the very nice time by your family.  Then I feel pity that I had to leave all that and to live with our small ration.

From the other comrades who have been working with me I never heard anything.  Maybe that one or another has been writing to you.

I wish you and your nice family good luck.  When you should have time once I would be very glad to hear from you.  Many regards to you, your dear wife and your sons.  Just so to Mr. and Mrs. Eckert.

Sincerely yours,

Alfred ??chala

So, there was another artist in the group... actually, according to the book written by Kurt Landsberger - Prisoners of War at Camp Trinidad, Colorado - which includes personal diary entries and excepts of stories written by several of the prisoners, there were a fair number of them.

From the diary of Karlhorst Heil there was mention of the beauty of the landscape in and surrounding the area of Camp Trinidad...

"Undated:  When we wake up in the morning and go for breakfast there is an indescribable sunrise; many stop for a moment and some of the artists return quickly to the barracks in a hopeless attempt to quickly paint and catch the variety of colors."

"We saw the snow covered peaks of the mountain chain, around 4000 meters high (13,100 feet), with Fisher's Peak, Spanish Peeks or "Breasts of the Earth" as the Indians called the two latter mountains."

On June 11, 1944, the Kansas City Star headlined a feature story "Nazi Officers Keep Busy in Colorado Prison Camp."  Reporter Ted M. Metzger, wrote "Scientists, Teachers, Industrial Leaders, Doctors and Lawyers Paint Pictures, Give Concerts, Build Theatre and Stage Plays in Barracks Buildings."

Landsberger continued stating that The reporter was invited to an art exhibit where various portraits and scenic paintings were on display.

I wonder... How many of the paintings that had been created in the time of Camp Trinidad made their way to other local farmers?  How many of the paintings found their way back to Germany?  How many family members heard the stories of their time as POWs?  I suppose there is really no way to know... there were as many as 4,000 German soldiers held at the Camp -

That number is difficult for me to imagine, given the current population (2018 is as current as I can find) of Trinidad, CO is 8,211.  The population, according to the 1940 census, was 13,200+.  

So even if the art exhibit was for just one compound (the camp was designed with four compounds, each having their own mess hall) that housed 1,000 men.

Ok, so there was another artist in the group of men that worked at Phillip and Katie Schleich's farm... Alfred offered a picture of a sunflower.  When I asked Mom about this piece of art, she was unaware of it.  Perhaps it was a separate piece, perhaps it was a collaborative piece with Helmut Müller.

Alfred's letter contained no requests for help... yet you can sense the feeling of sentiment and appreciation for his time working at the Schleich farm... and remembering the art he gave to them.  


Is the reason for choosing the Russian Sunflower...

I compiled some tips and tricks in a document that you can download - 

Just a quick tip, when cutting out the flower petal templates, (I cut my pieces leaving the line on them and the circle of petals, when assembled was too large. Shown here in this picture…) 

You will want to cut the center circle leaving the line. 

Here is a look from the back after removing the center templates…  it looks to be a hot mess!  But, be patient.  DO NOT TOSS THE BLOCK ASIDE!  In the end, you will NOT be disappointed.

 This is the same block that was such a mess with all of the slight gathering, a little finessing and a bit of starch and ironing, know one would ever know!

Here is a second block that I did, trimming the templates for the petals just inside the lines... you can see that the flower lays flat.  It was at that time that I determined the size that the center needed to be.

One of my testers, Stacey, a beginning English Paper Piecer, shared with me pictures of her progress.  She did not follow the assembly instructions completely...   BUT she stuck with it and things improved...

Ta-da!

  

Not an EPP fan?  No worries... I've got you covered. 😊  You can opt for a beginner friendly block.  I don't actually know the "Kansas City Star Journal" name of this block because the templates were cut out and the only word on the pattern is "often".  This pattern is also over on payhip...

As an extra incentive, for those that accept the challenge of the EPP pattern and link up, you will earn an extra entry into the drawing for the free fat quarter.  Be sure to tag me on instagram and use #piecesfromthepastsewalong or share on my fb page - Melva Loves Scraps.  Show us all your sunflowers!

This year, 2020, has been a challenging year... we need to take a lesson from the sunflowers and share positive energy with each other.

Where do you turn to when you need a little support, help or energy?

Some may turn to an activity such as quilting, knitting or crocheting.  Others may turn to a more physical activity such as gardening, hiking or running.  And others still, like Alfred did, recall pleasant times and happy memories. 

I have a variety of areas and friends that I get support and help and draw energy...  camping is one of them.  It has been weeks since we last got away... and I am longing to get away to recharge my batteries.  How about you?  How do you re-charge?  Leave a comment... I love to hear from all of you.

Quilt Happy!

Melva

Interested in the other patterns from this sew along?  You will find links for all of them over on the Sew Along Announcement.

Linking with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique
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
BOMs Away at What A Hoot Quilts
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate
Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch
Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy
UFO Busting at Tish’s Wonderland
What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Tuesday To Do's

Somehow another week has passed and it is time to set up my list of my quilty priorities...

Last week, my unofficial list - because I only linked up my previous week's accomplishments...

❧ I was asked for a few more masks - Colorado sports team themed.

❧ Finish a quilt that a friend started.

 I did not include a plan for the week, but my unofficial list included pulling fabric for a pattern test and to make more "sign" blocks for my Camping Journal Quilt...  neither were completed but there was a very, very good reason for it.

You see there was a young lady that recently graduated from the local high school.  We sent her a gift certificate for a memory quilt... she only needed to provide the shirts she wanted to be included.  She contacted me and delivered the shirts on Tuesday morning... at which time I learned that not only was she leaving for college in St. Louis, but that the entire family (Mom and two siblings) were moving to Missouri... in just 10 days!

Well!  I needed to get on it quick!

As I cut the blocks in prepping for the fusible interfacing I noticed that some of the shirts were much larger than Brenna's typical shirts... and then I saw it.  There was a shirt that belonged to her Dad, who worked on the local Sheriff's Department.  Sadly, he suffered a heart attack in 2016 while on duty and did not survive.  He was young... just 44 years old.  

I started paying attention to the other shirts...  I believe (I will confirm when the quilt is delivered) that there are shirts from both her brother and sister and Mom.  What a unique memory quilt!  One that encompasses not only her high school memories, but those that have been her support and right by her side as they all waded through the grief together.

I had one space that really needed another shirt... or something.  When I asked if she had one more shirt to be included she replied with a firm no.  I decided that I would scan her graduation announcement and include it...

It is the perfect touch!  As they move to a new home and new life, I wish them all the best!  

And as I move forward with this week I have several things that I would like to get done...

❧  Clean and oil machines - a MUST after finishing the last two quilts. :)

❧  Pull fabric for pattern test quilt

❧  Start piecing test quilt

❧  Piece and machine embroider sign blocks for my Postcard Camping Journal

Barring any urgent interruptions, I hope to get all of these done, but who knows.  Sometimes life just comes at us fast and we go with the flow.

I find that it is helpful to make lists and prioritize as I go... How about you?

What do you do when you are thrown a curve ball and your plans suddenly change?  

Leave a comment... I love to hear ideas and suggestions from my friends!

Quilt happy!

Melva

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

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney

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

Throwback Thursday - Christmas in July

Hey everyone!  

Welcome to the first Throwback Thursday linky party!

And since it is July, let's go for "Christmas in July".  Feel free to link up any Christmas or winter themed photo or blog post that is more than one year old.

Here are two of my favorites...

This refurbished Christmas Tree Skirt has a sweet story with it...

Here is a fun gingerbread man mug rug tutorial

Now it is your turn... You can even link up social media posts like instagram or facebook.

Let's see what you have to share for a Throwback Christmas in July...  After you link up be sure to link back here or use #MLSThrowbackThursday

Quilt Happy!

Melva

Pieces From The Past - Dragon Fly Part II

The letter from Herbert Wenzel had a tiny PS at the end of the letter that I wanted to touch on...

A small experience of a friend of mine who is a watchmaker and is still in the old homeland: a Russian came to him with an alarm clock and asked him to use the alarm clock to him make a wristwatch.

I don't know about you, but when I think of vintage alarm clocks I envision something like this...  Large and bulky.

I know they made smaller travel clocks as well, something like this one...

In the Kurt Landberger's book, Prisoners Of War at Camp Trinidad, Colorado 1943-1946, a report of the various activities and classes in which the prisoners were able to partake was given by Captain Hamilton Gardner.  

"Approximately 275 courses are being given in at least 26 groups or subjects, classes total approximately 800 hours per week.  Approximately 282 instructors are utilized, which include university professors, college graduates, among them officers with Ph.D.s, school teachers and specialists in various fields... Detailed records are kept and final examinations given; and certificates presented with the expectation that credit will later be received in Germany.  There is a need to develop correspondence courses with 'sponsored' American universities or colleges.

"The books at the library were looked at and "censorship is understood to have been applied."  Some 600 books were on loan from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  'Due to the help of prisoner book binders, these are returned in better condition than when received." 

In addition to the men having the opportunity to further their education academically the men also had an opportunity to learn a new vocation, including the trade of watch repairs.  The following story is from Chapter 17 of the book - Von Wechner.  

Von Wechmar, a baron and Afrika Korps officer, known around camp as one of the horse riders and an amateur thespian, would go on to become Trinidad’s most illustrious alumnus. He was picking beets on a POW work detail in the fall of 1945 when he heard a radio report about the formation of the United Nations. Decades later, he would become the Federal Republic of Germany’s ambassador to the UN, and, in 1980, president of the General Assembly. (Italicized excerpt is from Westword)

"Once again the YMCA demonstrated its wonderful connections.  It provided us with an initial set of tools and spare parts, all for the transportation costs of $51.15 US dollars.  That expenditure was quickly repaid since we charged between .25 and .75 for each repaired watch.  And after a little time we had brought back to life several hundred watches.  Mutius (a fellow prisoner) took the tools and the remaining parts, well packaged in a specially built box, to Germany and keeps them to this day.  Originally, the two of us had planned to open a watch repair shop.  We had no idea of what to expect at home and we said to ourselves:  knowing a trade assures a solid future.  Already we had asked a fellow-prisoner to design a few small advertising posters.  "QUICK" was to be the name of the shop.  However, it did not happen since each of us found another profession.  But the client lists, in which we registered the name of the watch owners, the type of repairs and the price, still exists."

The above excerpt was written approximately 20 years ago... making the register, the tools and parts 50+ years old.  If the records still exist they would be 70+ years. I wonder... did the family members know the significance of them and the fact that they were part of a plan to prosper upon their return home?  

I wonder, too, if the request for the modification of the alarm clock was from a fellow former POW?  While it states that a Russian made the request, not all of the POWs were German and many of the of the men returned "home" to the Russian zone, the English zone, and Czechoslovakia.  The author of this letter, Alfred, had family that lived in an area that had been taken over by Poland.

So the request to modify an alarm clock to a wrist watch inspired my modification with the Dragon Fly Block (post) and I had a little fun with these two variations...  
One of my readers that is not a fan of foundation paper piecing asked if I would make her block.  I happen to know that she is a lover of applique so I suggested that she make the Dragon Fly block using her preferred technique.  And since I made the suggestion, I thought it would be best if I  transformed the Dragon Fly block (pattern) into applique.  

This is raw edge applique using light weight fusible adhesive...

I made a four-patch block and then fused piece #1 to them and bordered them with a running stitch near the raw edges to assist with keeping the pieces in place.

This particular block is reduced by 50% so it finishes at 6 inches square.









I wanted to reduce the size of the block even further so I printed the pattern out at 34%, making a finished block at 4-1/4".  



At the same time I wanted to play with three colors... Isn't it cute!  This one makes me think butterfly garden. 🦋


Speaking of gardens... How many of you are gardeners?

Once-upon-a-time I enjoyed gardening... and then I learned to quilt.  My garden areas have been left untended and un-cared for for a few summers and it is time to eliminate one of them.  Plus, the last few summers we have had drought conditions and restricted watering regulations.  

I could use some suggestions for flowers and plants that are low maintenance and drought hardy plants.  Ready?  Go!

Leave a comment... You know I love to hear from my readers.

Quilt Happy!

Melva

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

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

BOMs Away at What A Hoot Quilts

What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese
Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique
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
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate
Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

The Legacy

When I received a message from a friend about making a quilt to honor/reflect the life of his Dad I was touched and felt privileged that he had faith in me to design and create such a work of art. 

As we discussed design options we went back and forth.  I would toss out ideas and options and he would counter with modifications or suggestions.  Our design conversations began in March... When we finally reached common ground in May I think we both shouted . LOL.

Chris composed a beautiful letter to his Godson/Nephew, Luke and his girlfriend, Syriena...

The journey of this quilt started roughly March 13th, 2020 at the beginning of the COVID 19 lock-down.  There were reports that many people would lose their jobs and there would be many people in need.  I knew I was in a job that was safe for the time being, so I began to think of how I could help other people.  

Melva Nolan is a quilter who is from La Junta and now lives outside of Trinidad. CO where her husband worked as a professor at Trinidad State Jr. College.  She had made a quilt for me to give as a wedding present to Dr. Katheryn B. many years ago.   When I was helping Katheryn move into her new house in Denver, I noticed she still had it and it might have graced her master bedroom set.

So at the beginning, I saw this as a project to help to an extremely talented, generous, kind and caring local artist who has deep connections with La Junta and Trinidad.  This was perfect, because it reminded me of your late Nana and your late Grandfather Galen R. Baker and how they lived their lives and what was important to them.

You can see that Melva created a priceless work of art that reflects the beauty of our family and the essence of the beauty of Colorado.  

At first, I wanted this to be a tribute to your grandfather, Galen R. Baker, his life, his journey and his gifts to our family, which to me, have never really been talked about, appreciated, explored or remembered.  

Then I reflected upon the seriousness of your relationship with Syriena.  You more than hinted of your intent to marry her.  Both of you were with Nana when she left us on earth.  Such was a great testament to your loyalty, your spiritual maturity and your responsibilities to face difficult and sad events in your life.  This is so important to the maturation on becoming a man.  

So I started to think of this quilt as a wedding present for you and Syriena.  As such, it would be a reminder to both of you of the significant linage you share with your Mother (Jane), Nana, your uncles, as well as the physical location of the Colorado Plains and the Colorado Mountains. 

This quilt took the better part of four months to be designed and stitched together by hand.  As Melva collaborated with me on its design, my deepest intent was to give you something to remind you of your family ties.  


There is a dance the Koshares do to remind the young warrior that no matter where he goes, there will always be the family ties that call him home and to remind him of how important his actions are to the family as a whole.  It is called the “Belt Dance”.  It was likely taught by Plains Indians (Comanche, I think) to a Pueblo Indian group who in turn, taught it to the Koshares.  The dancers weave in and out with each other, braiding their belts with each other and then unbraiding them.  In the end, dancing as paired with the same person each dancer started with.  And so the family belt reminds the warrior of the family tradition and of family commitment; so too, I hope this quilt reminds you and Syriena of the same.   

So, this is your quilt Luke and Syriena.  It was made by hand and there is no other on earth quite like it.  

Just as it was almost completed, I was talking to Uncle Mike about it.  Uncle Mike asked me if it had any turquoise in it to remind you of Nana’s favorite color.  I in turn asked Melva and she had anticipated this and had several places where turquoise was in it.  

She showed me pictures of the Ponderosa Pine branch and Pine cone, also another part of the quilt.  But, she said, she could frame this all with turquoise.  Considering the significant impact Mom had in our lives, I thought this most appropriate.   

Notice outside of the turquoise from is a deep dark brown.  Brown was your Great Grandfather's (Ruben V. Inge (Papa)) favorite color.  Inside of the turquoise border are alternating green triangles.  These are called ‘Flying Geese’ by quilters and they also remind us of a time when Papa hunted geese in the fall.  


Inside of the log cabins is a red box inside a square.  That is called a “Log Cabin” by quilters.  This is to remind us of home and family. 

There is a scene of a bear below a silhouette of Fishers Peak that is made on hand dyed cloth.  Fishers Peak is a prominent landmark  associated with Trinidad, Colorado.  This is where your Grandfather taught archaeology, sociology and anthropology before moving his family to La Junta and teaching the same at Otero Jr. College.  Trinidad is also where your Uncle Mike was born.   

Who could also forget the bears that sometime frequented our backyard and the one that stole a watermelon from our porch while Aunt Sally was sitting inside the sliding glass door, just feet away from the event?

Bear claws are in the square just to the left and above this picture.

The bison scene is made upon the fabric that Melva hand dyed from flowers and other items from nature.  You can see one of the imprints of one of the flowers in the upper right hand part of this picture.  To the left is the symbol that is found on the New Mexico Flag.  It was presented by a Native American from Zia Pueblo who was also the artist that painted the beautiful murals inside the Round Room of the Kiva in La Junta.

Of course, the buffalo symbolizes the Plains of Colorado, the Plains Indians of Colorado, and Colorado University where your Grandfather got his Master’s Degree, Nana got her RN and I (by extension from UCCS) got my Master’s Degree.  But most importantly, it also symbolizes the die-hard CU football fans that your Uncle Mike, John and Stephen are.

The whole of this complicated and intricate design represents your Uncle Richard’s mind.  Detailed, meaningful and (like your Uncle Dave), deeply symbolic.

I hope you enjoy this piece of artwork, that has in it the spirit of our family journey.  May it help you remember your past, your ancestors and where you come from.  Most importantly, I hope it symbolizes the strength of character you have developed and will need to be a good father, husband and family leader.

With Love,

Uncle Chris

When I met Chris to deliver the quilt he asked me to explain the block choices and the meanings behind them...  He did a great job remembering the details... so much so, I didn't even feel the need to expand or correct for this post. 

This quilt was a privilege to create... a one-of-a-kind piece of art and I admitted to Chris that I was a little sad to see it leave.  But reading his letter to his Nephew and Niece-to-be I feel happy that I was able to create such a special gift and know that it is deeply appreciated.

What sort of blocks would you use in a a quilt to tell your family's story?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Quilt Happy!

Melva

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

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

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
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

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch