Starlight-Starbright & Framed Fancy

Since the holidays came around the quilting got put on hold. I was doing good with staying on track but now I'm a little worried about finishing all 13 blocks by the end of the month. Then tonight I sat down and got 2 blocks done!!! WOW I got one finished and thought I'd start basting another and finish it tomorrow but I just kept sewing and got it finished! Now I only have 3 blocks to finish. Which leaves me still at a block a day to get them finished. 

The first block I did was A-13. It was probably the easiest I had left.

Then the second block i finished was A-12. More little tiny triangles......

The one good thing is I have 5 days off in a row! So I'm planning on spending them sewing away!!!

Which Points West? and One-Two Buckle My Shoe

I tackled another "tough" one this week! I'm finding that the more I do the easier they become. I started A-2 on Sunday afternoon and was finished Monday. I think it's a beautiful block. Plus I love she shade of orange!

The next block I got done today was A-10. It's named Which Point's West which I think is fun and kind of goes with the theme of my quilt. Effie and her husband Fred traveled way out West and made a life for themselves. I'm sure it was a grand adventure. 

Dear Effie, 

What made you and your husband chose to travel west to Wyoming to live? I'm sure it was hard leaving your families back in Iowa. Today we are able to easily communicate with people long distances away i'm sure it was difficult only being able to communicate with letters and postcards. What was life like at the time you moved? How did you live while you were building your house? From visiting your homestead I remember being able to look out across the prairie and being able to see for miles. It was breathtaking. I'm sure you fell in love with that same view. 

Love

Erin

Courtney's Stethoscope

Since I'm a nurse and use a stethoscope frequently I'm thinking this block should be called Erin's Stethoscope!! I got my second block finished and it was block A4 named Courtney's Stethoscope.

My first 2 blocks A6 on the left and A4 on the right. 

I purchased these cork boards at Walmart recently and hung them on my sewing room wall to hang my blocks on! I can't wait to fill them up. 

I'm also close to being finished with this block A5. I have the center cross section sewed together but have 3 of the 4 corner squares to sew on. I was hoping to have it finished yesterday but it kind of grew and some of the squares aren't fitting. So i stuck it in a bag and went on to another block  so I can think about how to fix it! ''

Dear Effie, 

Did you sew? I'm sure you did as a necessity. I've seen many photos of you dressed in very beautiful dresses, did you make them? Did you have a favorite spot in your house to sew? I have a sewing room which is where I keep most of my supplies and where I do my machine quilting. When I hand sew I sit on my couch. It's my favorite place to sew. The weather is turning cold here. I'm sure those Wyoming winters were brutal. What did you do to prepare for winter. 

Love, 

Erin 

Uncle Homer

I started basting pieces last night! I started with A1 and got about have the triangles basted. Boy are they tricky! I am a beginning quilter and haven't done many EPP projects so this is definitely a learning experience!! So after basting a few triangles I switched to something a little easier and got block A6 done. It's squares and rectangles that are not to tiny. I think I'm going to have to go to YouTube for some hints on doing those smaller pieces.

First I glued the papers to the fabric. 

Then I cut the pieces out. I used my rotery cutter. It makes things go faster. 

Proof I actually basted some!! They aren't as pretty as some I see on the FB group! 

My First Completed block!!!! 

Off to a Rocky Start

So it's day one of Dear Jane Goes EPP and I didn't get the start I'd like. According to several people gluing the pieces was the key to doing the tiny shapes. So I ordered my glue pens and they are set to arrive tomorrow! So tonight I sorted through my fabric and paired some with the first 6 blocks.

Organized Chaos....

So since I don't have any blocks finished yet I'll share a little about my inspiration for this project, Effie. She was born in Kansas but grew up in southern Iowa. She was born in the late 1800's To a large family. She was the sister to my great grandfather. From what I've gathered from the post cards I've read of hers, she and her husband were neighbors and good friends who fell in love. They were married and then traveled across the country to homestead in Wyoming. They built a home and started their life together there. Unfortunately they were unable to have children. Effie gave birth to 5 or 6 babies all dying at birth or shortly after. I couldn't imagine. Then in 1923 at the age of 34 Effie died tragically in a car accident. She and her husband were traveling from Cheyenne Wyoming when a heavy storm covered the road with water causing their car to be swept away. Her husband survived but he was unable to save his wife. Her final resting place is in Iowa. A place where I've visited many times. She had to be a strong woman to survive not only the harsh Wyoming prairie but the loss of all of her children. I wish often that I could speak with her and ask her about her life. This is why I'm dedicating this to her because I want her story and legacy to live on through me.

This is Effie!