Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Pillowcases, Serpentines and . . .

I dropped off 4 quilts for the GSQ show this weekend and it's all about the pillowcases! Each quilt needed its own pillowcase with a label and I must admit the ones I'd been using for years looked pretty sad. Then I had an aha moment and remembered some I made sitting on a shelf with my quilts. 


The ones I brought to quilt take-in were so admired that I thought you might like to see them, too.  


It's a fun way to use pre-printed panels.



That little white folded triangle on the right has the name of the matching quilt but I covered it with a label for the quilt I was entering in the show.



I'd make them a little larger if there's ever a second time around :)








Serpentine stars from last week's quiltalong. 

 


 


This week it's Excentric Prints. Hmmm . . .



Trilliums were blooming in the North Country this past weekend.


And Lady Slippers were just beginning.

 

My daughter and I always check out the Great Blue Heron nests. Here's one with mama sitting on her eggs. She was hunkered down and so still!  

 

A cropped version. 


We went for another great hike. The perfect ending to a wonderful weekend!




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Copyright 2015, Barbara Schaffer



Saturday, May 23, 2015

Serving Our Country

My husband's grandmother had three sons who fought in World War II. 


Johanna Hudson Franckevitch (1888-1958) was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England and emigrated to British Columbia where she married Casimir Franckevitch on 14 Oct 1911. The family moved to Seattle where they raised four daughters and four sons.


In 2006 we went to Seattle for a "cousin reunion" and I came home with a large envelope of family memorabilia. This World War II window flag belonged to Johanna. One star for each family member serving our country.


The eldest son, Kas (1912-1980) enlisted on 16 Jun 1942. 



Johanna with Joe taken June 6, 1943. Joe's plane was shot down northwest of Kobe, Japan in 1945. You can read his story on last year's blog here. Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of that post and read the moving comment left by his granddaughter, Kerrigan.  


Pete enlisted 7 July 1943 shortly after he graduated from high school. According to his obituary ". . . he trained as a heavy machine gunner and was qualified as an expert and combat infantryman marksman. He served in the Eastern Mandates in the Southern Philippines, Luzon and Ryukyus. . . he earned a Bronze Star, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal."  



His final resting place is Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. 

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One of the things I love about our town is Memorial Park with its war memorials.



 The men of Livingston Township 
who volunteered in the service
of their country 
in the Civil War 
1861-1865




In honor of the former pupils of the 
Livingston Township public schools
who served their country in
*The World War 1917-1918*
May their names be held in
lasting reverence. 




In memory of 
those who made the supreme
sacrifice in the defense of
their country. 

World War II
1941-1945 



To those who served our country in time of war. 
They gave their today for our tomorrow.  

(L) Korea
In memory of 54,236 fallen Americans
and to those still missing in action
where sacrifice and courage were common virtues. 
Dedicated Memorial Day 1987

(R) Vietnam
In memory of those who died 
In honor of those who served
We Remember
Dedicated Memorial Day 1987










(L) Combat Wounded Veterans
Military Order of the Purple Heart
1782  1932

(R) "The road to freedom
is often paved with blood"

The Purple Heart medal 
is bestowed upon those
brave men and women 
who shed their blood
for our country.

This monument is dedicated
to the memory of the
Purple Heart recipients 
who shed their blood
or gave their lives
so that freedom and
liberty may prevail.

In memory of those Livingston veterans
who have earned their Purple Heart. 



The Homecoming

This light will shine until that time
when all our servicemen and women
are safe at home and peace reigns
throughout the world.

Livingston Cares
November 11, 2007



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Copyright 2015, Barbara Schaffer


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

California Gold Stars and Crossroads Finished!

Last week I said I didn't think I had any California Gold fabric in my stash but actually found some that might work.   


They're all pretty close in color and value. 


Just enough of a scrap for the 3-1/2" center square.


A plaid sample from years ago when I worked for a sewing notions company.


Background fabric with a soft sheen finish. 



A Sturbridge Village repro. 



Crossroads is finally done! I started quilting it in January and sewed the label on Monday. My time to quilt is (almost) every night between 7:00 and 8:00. 


A close-up.



I did 1" chevrons in the stars and straight line quilting in the sashing.



Scotch Brand masking tape helped keep my lines straight. 



The back. A bargain at the local quilt shop--30% off if you finish the bolt, which I did when I bought 4-1/2 yds.


A detail. Love these birds!


The label. The binding is Antique Fair by Moda.

I love this time of year. Here are some pics of what's blooming in our yard :)

 Wisteria

 Mayapples

 Bluebells

Lily of the Valley

Columbines


Happy Wednesday!



__________
Copyright 2015, Barbara Schaffer



Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Another Four Patch--and More Stars!

I wanted to finish this little quilt because I just so happened to put a Conversation Print on the back which was also the topic of last week's Stars In A Time Warp quiltalong. 


Straight line quilting in the center and squiggleys in the border following the design.


The back.


Here's a detail.


Check out these bunnies in the only antique conversation print I own. Cute, huh?


Natalie had quite a collection. . . 


. . . and began making a reproduction of Florence Peto's Playmates. A few years ago I assembled the quilt but was not happy with some of the fabrics I used so I'll show it to you another time.   


I really enjoyed working with these fun fabrics.





Have you ever heard of California Gold in terms of fabric? Oh, my! It might be the first time I don't have anything in my stash to make this week's stars!


If you live in the tri-state area mark your calendars for The Garden State Quilter's Guild show on May 30-31 at Mennen Arena in Morristown, NJ. Lots of quilts--some for sale, a boutique, Little Wishes raffle, vendors, and so much more!  




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Copyright 2015, Barbara Schaffer