Friday, July 6, 2012

Farmer's Wife Friday--A Garden Paradise

Almost exactly one year ago, (June 24, 2011) Cindy and I began creating the 6 inch blocks that accompany each of the 56 letters published in Laurie Hird's book, The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. If you recall, Cindy begged me to do this with her....and I'm so glad that I said yes for lots of reasons, not the least of which: the bond of friendship it has created between us.
Today marks the last letter and very last of the 111 blocks! (I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream topped with fresh raspberries...my all time fav dessert!)  I was thinking today of all that has gone one in my life over the last year and wishing that I had kept a journal in the book as I went along. But, I didn't.  Oh, well. 
The final block is called "Star of Hope".  It's one of those blocks that would be interesting to see put side by side...just one doesn't look much like a star (maybe just the 'hope' of a star!) 
The last farm wife author, from Polk County, Wisconsin, wants her daughter to marry a farmer "because she is a farm girl" and because of "the peace and tranquility that comes as a reward and a benediction to those who follow God's plan to make a paradise in a garden".
I wondered if my own farmer's wife mother wished that her four daughters had married farmers. None of us did. I honestly don't think that it bothered her at all. Her life was hard.
It's been over 100 degrees here in Missouri, with no rain for weeks. Marble and I found a shady spot under a tree to photograph all of my colorful blocks. Marble was less than cooperative. Must have been the heat... Ya. Right.
It was a lot of fun to sort through all of my blocks, remembering the ones that I love as well as the ones that I wonder why anyone would ever think was enjoyable to make. It would be hard for me to choose my number one favorite, but the one with the sunlight beaming on it like a spotlight would probably be a top contender!
I'm certain that Cindy's last block is a stunner as always in her solid pallet. We will post our progress as we add sashings to each little block and put them all together into a quilt over the next few months. For me, I have my name on a list with a machine quilter for September, so have a deadline to get these pretties made into a quilt top. 
As you know, I work best when under a deadline! Thank you for all of your encouragement over the last year. It has honestly kept me going many times. 

13 comments:

  1. Wow! Congratulations on making it to the last block. Have fun putting it together.

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  2. I agree, that sunlit block is lovely! And today's is very pretty too! It is going to be so exciting finally seeing this become a quilt- a family heirloom, I expect!

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  3. Congrats on finishing up, can't wait to see it all put together!

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  4. They all look so amazing!! It's been such a great journey and I love hearing what you and Cindy thought about each block - can you find something else to work on 'together'?!! I will miss these blocks! I'm excited to see them both finished up though :)

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  5. I just read Cindy's post, and I'm so impressed with both of you for completing this amazing project! How nice to have a friend to do it with! Love your fabric choices! Congratulations.

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  6. I am so glad to have seen yours and Cindy's blocks along the way and look forward to the finished quilt.

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  7. I'm at a loss for words. You and Cindy both get five-star ratings for persevering through this long project. Yes, for your sake, it would have been good to journal along with the weekly blog postings. Maybe you can do that for your next project! Glad to know you have a deadline for finishing the top, otherwise like me, you'd still be looking at those pretty piles next year. My heartiest congratulations on your perfectly beautiful accomplishment.

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  8. Congratulations! What an achievement!
    I've still got the book in front of me and haven't started off yet...

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  9. Your blocks are just beautiful. It has been amazing doing this project with you--especially spending real time together--the best part of the entire project.

    Sooooo.... What should we do next ??

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  10. wow! your blocks are so beautiful! there are a lot of them.

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  11. Your fabric choices are so wonderful! Beautiful work!

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