Kansas Quilt Trail-Fences/ThursdayDoors

Posted on September 12, 2019 by slfinnell

Well the title tells enough–but I’m still giving you more details this week as I continue on the quilt trail through south-central Kansas. This may well be another instance of dividing up the photos so I don’t drown you with them all at once. I rather like the soaking up of a small number at a time. And with blog challenges, most folks are trying to read several leaving little time for long, laborious posts.

And btw, lesson learned on captioning. It needs to show on the photo or directly underneath it. It just isn’t enough to click a photo to read the caption on a separate page. At least that has become my experience with readers. And again, I get it. Busy people require ease of reading. Let us hope WordPress ‘gets it’ pretty soon. I mean, how many times has the newspaper format changed?! Enhanced reader appeal still needs the basics. Don’t worry, this is my last rant on the topic. I doubt this little spiel will change a darn thing.

Native stone home. New windows and roof keep it going another century I hope.

Roadside Info Kiosk
No More Open Range
Wabaunsee County History

This was just past the town of Alma a few miles. Lots of rolling hills and then this roadside touristy spot.

I’ve read a fair amount on the Dust Bowl years and I’d venture to say this fence saw a lot of change over the last 100+ years. So thankful that tragedy is long gone and this part of history was preserved. Kind of surprised it wasn’t mentioned in the reading above though. Some close-up pics next.

Generations of Ranchers
Little Bluestem,Brome and Switch Grass for hay baling.
6-8 acres per cow/calf pair needed

Ranching is not for the faint of heart. Weather events, ample hay/grass and water are just the tip of the iceburg in success or failure. They have my complete regard!

And with a view like this every morning, I’d be spellbound for sure. Just spectacular!

Picturesque View
Miles of Stone Fence
Perfect Selfie Background
Quilt Block Alert!!

So, can’t get enough of Thursday Doors? Head on over to Norm 2.0 for more entries from around the world. He’s happy to direct your path!

Kansas Quilt Trail Part.3 –ThursdayDoors

Posted on September 5, 2019 by slfinnell

When I told a fellow quilt admirer about the Kansas Quilt Trail, they thought it was a fabric store hop. No, I informed them. It’s a trail of painted wooden quilt blocks that are hung on barns, homes, businesses or fences along highways and streets in Kansas. The map is given online–but it’s just a general guideline to finding them. You may drive past a few undetected, trust me.

Just so you know, the portion we drove past and photographed is just a small portion. I have quite a few in my stash I’m happy to say, so please understand I’ll be sharing these for awhile on the Thursday Doors posts–along with the doors discovered along the way, respectively.

Downtown Alma, you won our hearts with your Heart-of-America feel.

These curtains were pretty whimsical and I didn’t notice until we were parked. Made me chuckle and of course they Had to be inserted this week. Thanks Alma for the smiles.

We loved happening onto this set of historical buildings. Other than the signage, I didn’t find any extra information on them. But I dearly love the oval window in the millinery shop! Not sure how original it is to the building but it fits perfectly in my opinion.

I wonder if they trade out blocks for holidays? This one is clearly in place for the July 4th weekend. Garage door included here. Looks like someone spends time grilling under that shade tree. Does a grill door count?

Clearly the caution tape is to prevent trespassing. I’d like to think they just got a new driveway entrance poured; but needless to say I didn’t plan on inquiring.

I hope you’ll come back next week for more quilt blocks and Thursday Doors. Also, please take time to visit our leader, Norm 2.0 for many more wonderful doors from all over!

Kansas Quilt Trail/ThursdayDoors

Posted on August 15, 2019 by slfinnell

July 4th weekend we decided to meet up at the eldest daughter’s place for some home-cooked vittles before starting out on a long day trip.

Out the window we caught a glimpse of this rainbow. Bye Bye rain!

We enjoyed eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast—not to mention some ‘pour-over’ coffee. You know, I do believe she payed attention to my cooking tips. 😉 Click on photos to see ‘Captions”.

About the drive…..we headed off after this supercharge breakfast on the Kansas Quilt Trail. Here’s a portion of the map.

Starting point for us was Lawrence, Kansas

As beginners, we learned that there are no warnings of quilt blocks coming up. The map is just a general reference and you must be on the lookout for them. GPS markers would really help if anyone has the ambition to enter them(clears throat). In the next few Thursday Doors, I’ll be sharing our experience. To start here is a little taste of western Kansas.

And for my finale, an official door to make this a proper Thursday Doors entry. Hope everyone takes a little time out to visit Norm 2.0 where there are so many more beautiful doors. He’ll direct your path.

Tree Toad Tongue Twister/Inez’s Clippings

Posted on July 7, 2019 by slfinnell

Though faded with age, I have my grandmother’s handwriting in this example of her saved pieces.

It’s pretty hard to read even with the filter possibilities I tried…so here’s a clearer version.

Tree Toad Tongue Twister

A tree toad loved a she toad
That lived up in a tree.
She was a 3-toed tree toad
But a 2-toed toad was he.
The 2-toed tree toad tried to win
The she toad's friendly nod;
For the 2-toed tree toad loved the ground 
that the 3-toed tree toad trod.
But vainly the 2-toed tree toad tried
He couldn't please her whim;
In her tree toad bower
with her V-toe power
the she toad V-toed him.

In the poem, it described a ‘She Toad’ who loved her sanctuary, as most women do. And she didn’t want to be bothered with the ‘He Toad’. Where is Your happy place?? Here’s Mine in pictures. Crazy Anne II quilt is ready for binding….

Crazy Anne II only needs binding
Back view in the hoop
Last section to quilt
Hand quilting
Reference

Another KC Star quilt for the books. Note: Some call this pattern Wheel of Fortune but I’m referencing the 1949 version as you can see in the photo from The Kansas City Star Quilts Sampler by Barbara Brackman. And just think, this quilt top came from Facebook marketplace in a tub of scraps for $15. About as good as it gets!! Yep, time spend quilting is synonymous with me in my sanctuary.

Letter P for Pinwheels/AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 18, 2019 by slfinnell

The April A to Z Challenge is in its tenth year, I’ve now participated for 6 of those years, and this year will be my 3rd quilt theme. It’s my first quilt using only patterns from the Kansas City Star newspaper archives. Welcome to my blog!

Pinwheels Redraft Options fro Star Quilts
KC Star Pinwheel 1930

As the book states, “Simplicity recommends this quilt block”, you can’t go wrong with a pinwheel block. Lots of options for layouts as you can see in the redraft version to the left. The Kansas City Star first published the pattern on April 19, 1930. Pretty good staying power after 89 years I’d say.

Checking right sides are correct
Fabric Choices
Pinwheels Layout

Be sure to keep right sides and wrong sides flipped accordingly or you’ll have a ‘dull’ spot in your quilt blocks. There’s nothing that stands out more than the wrong side of a fabric in one little area. This is why I lay my blocks out beforehand. Just saves me from spending time with that seam ripper.

Also known as Flutter Wheels, these Pinwheels make a quilt cheerful. Hope you’ll recognize them next time you see them in an old quilt.

Did You Know?

Remember the Our Gang and Little Rascals Movies? The classic films with Alfalfa, Darla, Spanky, Buckwheat, Stymie, Porky and more?? Our small town of Sedalia, Missouri is birthplace to an actress, Grace Ivadell Carter. Her birthdate is January 7, 1914 and she did parts in 3 of these different short movies (or shorts) in 1923 and 1924. Her appearances in these shorts totaled 8. Saluting yet another Missourian in the A to Z Challenge this year.

Come back here tomorrow for another quilt block for the A to Z Challenge! Also be sure to visit the home of the A to Z here and see other entrants challenge posts. There are excellent writers participating every year with topics in whatever you’re interested in

Letter M for Milky Way/AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 15, 2019 by slfinnell

Vintage MIlky Way quilt from Star Quilts
Milky Way as in KC Star 1930

If you’re making a whole quilt of this block you may notice that you need to alternate the middle block or ‘star’ from lights to darks to get the desired results. But for this challenge, I needed only to create the one block.

Above you’ll see the yellow and white half-square triangle. In whole quilts that would need to alternate as a blue and white color scheme. (refer to quilt picture above)

Last Seam
Milky Way Layout

Essentially, you have a 9-patch block here. Sewn in 3 rows and finally attached with 2 long seams.

Did You Know?

In keeping with the era of the 1930’s I’m sharing with you about an astronomer, Robert Julius Trumpler today. He revealed that the size of the Milky Way Galaxy was off. And give us the ‘real’ map of stars and clusters, a way was needed to get a view through that dust. The tool itself wasn’t invented until the 1950’s but, “Thank You!” Trumpler for paving the way!!

Letter L for Maple Leaf/AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 13, 2019 by slfinnell

From Star Quilts- a vintage Maple Leaf block quilt

From Star Quilts - Kansas City Star 1930 version

In 1930, the Kansas City Star said ‘green makes a pretty maple leaf quilt’ That may be, but the maple leaf’s splendor is the colorful display it makes in the fall. Everyone knows that right?? Well if not, look it up.

The colors in this block won’t necessarily reflect the colorful scenes of a forest full of maple trees. But it is going to make a nice addition to the quilt top. Even if I did have to adjust nearly every solid colored square by trimming away 1/4 inch on 2 sides of them. I’m not complaining. But I have to say I never saw this coming when I planned a Kansas City Star quilt project. I wonder what the quilters of days past would have said about these measurement issues? Did they not make samplers??

Ok I am complaining.

Just a little adjusting goin’ on around here. If you sew quilts, you’ll see the number this block has played on me by not being correctly published. But it is the way of the A to Z right? Adjust your schedule, time, photos, etc. You get the idea. So maybe this is a life lesson for me. Let me continue to the end. It did work out ok, just shy of an inch.

Measuring 11 inches, I present the Maple Leaf block. I will forever remember the trimming and holding my breath til the very end. I salute you quilt professionals out there.

Did You Know?

The Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin, was published in Sedalia, Missouri in 1899 by a local music store owner, Joh Stark. It became a classic model for ragtime tunes and Sedalians are pretty proud as it holds the annual Scott Joplin Festival each year during the first weekend of June.

Letter K for Flying Kite/AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 12, 2019 by slfinnell

In 1937 Flying was a pretty big part of the news with Amelia Earhart, the Hindenburgh and Jacqueline Cochran (who set a national speed record for women). Why not create a quilt block called Flying Kite?!

Flying Kite Layout
The chosen colors

Confession time…I went shopping with mom and in a big way. A local store (fabric store) went out of business after the owner passed away and a couple fabrics you see here were fat quarters, not scraps. Sigh. Couldn’t help it. Sometimes a girl has to go for the bargains.

And who can pass up a great sale?

If you like pinwheels, this is a spinner variety you should love.

Did You Know?

So on the topic of sales, in 1937 I thought I’d share the cost of living for some things.

New House $4,100
Yearly wages average $1780
Gallon of gas 10 cents
Loaf of bread 9 cents
New car $760

Letter J for Jacob’s Ladder/ AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 11, 2019 by slfinnell

1928 Kansas City Star Version of Jacob's Ladder in Star Quilts.

I’ve made this quilt block before but not for the A to Z Challenge. My own quilt made with multiple Jacob’s Ladder blocks is here. Scroll to the bottom of my Completed Creations page and you’ll see Patriotic Jacobs Ladder.

Using a good mix of dark, medium and light colors will give you the desired effect in creating the whole quilt or the single block.

Jacob's Ladder completed — Jacob’s Ladder completed

Did You Know?

Considered one of the most tragic Explosion Disasters of the year 1928 was in West Plains, Missouri. A gas explosion at a dance hall killed 36 where there had been 40 couples dancing. The dance floor during the explosion was lifted to the ceiling and dropped. It’s believed that when the garage door opened in the floor below, the explosion occurred due to gasoline stored there.

Letter I for Jack ‘I’n the Box/ AtoZ 2019

Posted on April 10, 2019 by slfinnell

1929 Kansas City Star 'Jack in the Box' — 1929 Kansas City Star ‘Jack in the Box’

I chose this block for Letter I instead of the Irish Chain. It was one I hadn’t made before and even though it’s not technically an ‘I’ block, I am pulling the It’s my blog card. So here we go…..

Jack in the Box Variations
Before and after ironing
Lines drawn and ready to sew
More Lines drawn for sewing
Last seams

A lot of movement goin’ on with the direction of this block. It was important to have a layout first and a picture reference or it would have been easy to turn one piece the wrong way.

Vintage materials can make a one of a kind quilt block. In a sampler, it’s just plain fun to use up those fabrics you love but can’t find any other use for.

Did You Know?

Speaking of Vintage, I found a little gem from 1929 that not too many of my hometown folks may know of. Let me introduce Jack Bland. I chose to talk about him both because he was born in Sedalia, Missouri and he happened to be a successful American jazz banjoist and guitarist in the Midwest and Chicago. For me personally, the banjo part is close to my heart. My close friends and family know my banjo connection. I play 5-string 🙂

Special Thanks to YouTube

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Katy Trail Creations

I Quilt, Crochet and Sew as well as care for children in my day job. Never a dull moment!

Tag Archives: Quilt Blocks

Kansas Quilt Trail-Fences/ThursdayDoors

Kansas Quilt Trail Part.3 –ThursdayDoors

Kansas Quilt Trail/ThursdayDoors

Tree Toad Tongue Twister/Inez’s Clippings

Tree Toad Tongue Twister

Letter P for Pinwheels/AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

Letter M for Milky Way/AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

Letter L for Maple Leaf/AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

Letter K for Flying Kite/AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

Letter J for Jacob’s Ladder/ AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

Letter I for Jack ‘I’n the Box/ AtoZ 2019

Did You Know?

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