Farmer's Daughter Quilt Mosaic - 64 Blocks

    

     Here are the 64 quilt blocks I have made so far for my Farmer's Daughter Quilt.  Of course, my blocks range in size from 6" to 12" and will not be in this order, but it's fun to see the blocks all together.  Which one is your favorite? 

You might also enjoy reading the introduction to my project:

 http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/08/farmers-daughter-quilt-introduction.html

Strawberry Basket Quilt Block

     I had fun making this little 6" Strawberry Basket block.  I found the pattern in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.  I used some strawberry fabric left from a picnic quilt I had made.  
    In these diary entries, Minerva is Hattie's oldest sister, with a family of her own.  Ted is her 14-year-old brother, and Charlie is a hired man.  The family farm is located close to the Marais des Cygnes River near Olivet, Kansas. 
 
Sunday, May 28, 1916 - written Monday
"As it was storming quite fiercely at bedtime last night, I put off writing until later.  It had been quite a nice Memorial Sunday.  We had a little shower just about noon, but it didn't amount to anything.  We went to Sunday School.  There was no church, so we had a little extra program.  I had to tell a story, and there were some special songs. 

"The folks were at Minerva's for dinner to eat fried chicken.  Just Ted and Charlie and I ate here.  The folks came back about 2:30, and we went up to the cemetery.  They didn't have any services, but there was quite a crowd at the cemetery."

Monday, May 29, 1916 -
"We had quite a bad storm in the night (although I slept too soundly to let it bother me), and the river has been more than bank-full all day.  But it has been clear, and the sun shone brightly, so I think the flood will not last long.

"It made a delightful washday, and the men have been mowing and fixing the yard."

Wednesday, May 31, 1916 -
"My, I'm so sleepy.  I thought I'd have a little nap this afternoon, but Mother wanted me to go to town.  I was just thinking about going, despite the wind, when Mrs. Peet's shrill voice was heard below.  She had 28 quarts of strawberries to sell, so we took them.  We canned 14-1/2 quarts and had the kitchen cleaned before 5:00.  She came about three.

"Then Papa came in and said we could have supper early, and he'd take me to town in the car.  I got me some shoes from Stubb and chased around with Alpha a bit and gossiped with Christie and May.  They informed me that Carrie was making her wedding dress in the Restaurant!

"We just had one eye to come home with, and it nearly went out.

"Mother and Anna are going to Topeka tomorrow, so I'll have my hands full for a few days, I think, but I'm glad they are going to go."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/shopping-spree-quilt-block.html

Shopping Spree Quilt Block

     I found this 12" Shopping Spree block in Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns.  Did you know there is a quilt block with that name?  I used Judy's templates to make the block. 
     As I post this, we have a foot of snow outside, so it's strange reading about a "truly summer day."  In these diary entries, Elmo is a hired man.  "William Ashley 'Billy' Sunday was an American athlete who, after being a popular outfielder in baseball's National League during the 1880s, became the most celebrated and influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th century.  Sunday was a strong supporter of Prohibition, and his preaching almost certainly played a significant role in the adoption of the 18th amendment in 1919." (Wikipedia)  http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/11/streak-of-lightning-quilt-block.html

Monday, May 22, 1916 -
"This has been a truly summer day - not too warm but quite pleasant.  Incidentally, it was a nice wash day.  Of course, we have been quite busy.  I had a little nap this afternoon and wrote a letter.  I was in hopes I'd get one in return tonight, but it seems that Elmo thinks he will keep the mail until morning.

"Papa and Mother may go to Kansas City in the morning, and if they do, that means no beauty sleep after five o'clock.  So I must pile in."

Tuesday, May 23, 1916 -
"The folks did go to Kansas City this A.M., and as we got up at five o'clock and it is after ten now, I'm just a little tired...

"Mr. Trapp brought us a mess of fish today, 35 in all, but some were quite small. We had 9 of the largest ones for supper."

Wednesday, May 24, 1916 -
"Of course, 5:30 came pretty early this A.M., and I have been quite busy all day.  I was determined to finish the ironing, and although it is a warm day, with Anna's help on the last few pieces, I finished it this P.M.

"The folks came home this evening; they were so rushed that they said they couldn't take time to go hear Billy Sunday.  They did do quite a bit of shopping.  Papa said he bought a nice, big hall clock, a sofa, and some other furniture, including a couple of sleeping porch cots - one for me and one for himself that is larger than the one he has now.  He said he could give his short one to Howard.  Ha!

"Mother brought me a pretty green silk (changeable) petticoat, a dainty organdy waist, a pair of white gloves, a pretty 'teddy bear,' a silk handkerchief, and a towel for my hope box.  O yes, and some candy.  I think I was indeed well remembered.  It pays to stay home and keep house and do the ironing."

You might also enjoy reading my previous block post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/waterwheel-quilt-block.html

Waterwheel Quilt Block

     This little 6" Waterwheel block was easy to make since it's nothing but squares and half square triangles.  I got the pattern from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird. 
     A fun fact : "On May 20, 1916, the first cover illustration by Norman Rockwell appears on the Saturday Evening Post, which will soon feature ten Rockwell covers a year.  Rockwell's idealized scenes of small-town American life strike a chord with Post subscribers, many of whom have recently moved to large cities from the country." from Scholastic Timelines: The United States in the 20th Century by David Rubel. 
     In these diary entries, Howell Lusk is her date for commencement.  (In the next generation, a Lusk does marry a Woodbury - but that doesn't happen in Hattie's generation.)  Ted is Hattie's 14-year-old brother.
 
Friday, May 19, 1916 -
"Howell just now brought me home from the commencement exercises, and although I didn't have as much downright excitement as we did last year, still it was very interesting, and I enjoyed it.  The ushers were not so clever about separating dates as we were a year ago.

"Today was the last day of school, and each room celebrated by having a picnic.  Of course, they chose the river for their 'stomping ground,' and we were 'bothered' all day with requests for can openers, tablecloths, buckets, water, etc.  Mr. Miller asked me to come down and have lunch with them, but Mother was about played out, and I didn't like to leave her to get the dinner alone.  Ted came up, soaked from head to foot, and said he had been in swimming.  I told him he was very modest, going in with his shoes and his watch in his pocket.  Papa took the car up to the garage this P.M., and I greatly improved its appearance by giving it a sponge bath before he started."

Saturday, May 20, 1916 -
"It seems very fond of raining on Saturday nights - is fairly pouring now.  'Course, just when we had planned on getting out in the car tomorrow!

"Although it isn't nine o'clock, I am dead tired and am going right to bed.  I worked very industriously today, and the rain makes me want to sleep."

You might also enjoy reading my previous post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/envelope-motif-quilt-block.html

Envelope Motif Quilt Block

     My grandmother wrote so many letters that I had to include this 12" Envelope Motif block in my quilt.  I found the pattern at http://www.quilterscache.com/E/EnvelopeMotifBlock.html 
     In these diary entries, Henrietta is a friend who has been visiting from Emporia.  Orvel is a hired man, close to Hattie's age.  Ruth is Hattie's sister, just two and a half years older.   
    
Tuesday, May 16, 1916 -
"I have sure felt the effects of my horseback ride today!  My back has been so stiff and sore, and we have had lots of work to do - washing, baking, and scrubbing, besides other things.  Henrietta was right - I am either sunburned or else her wonderful 'paint box' is working on me.  Mother said my nose was red like I had been on a 'toot.'

"I intended to go to bed real early.  Came up here about 8 o'clock and have been writing. Then Orvel brought the mail - a letter from Ruth and some candy. 

"It has been a lovely day and is one fine large night out.  Being as how it is 9:20, I am going to bed and try to get rid of this 'back.'"

Wednesday, May 17, 1916 -
"My 'back' is gone today, but I still feel somewhat 'spread out' as the result of that big saddle.  I have worked quite industriously today, ironing, churning, etc., but I am not nearly so tired as yesterday...

"I began a letter to Ruth, but I have so much to say I'll probably be writing it all week.  I did a very crazy thing today (to say the least).  I buried a certain little stick with some carving on it!  But I got tired of seeing it lay around." 

Thursday, May 18, 1916 -
"I have been writing some more on the letter to Ruth.  I don't know when I'll get it finished.

"Papa went to Emporia today, and I had to take him to the train.  I wasn't in the village long - there wasn't much doing.  Alpha was making herself a waist in their store, and when I went to McGregor's there were three Hattie's present - Hattie Reese, Mrs. Elmore, and myself - so I didn't stay there long...

"I put my geraniums out and fixed up the porch boxes this P.M., also made a cake while Mother went to town.  It has been a lovely day but is a little cloudy now."   

Aunt Annie's Chocolate Applesauce Cake

Cake:

1/2 cup shortening                                              Topping:

2 eggs                                                                  2 Tablespoons sugar

1-1/2 cups sugar                                                 1/2 cup chopped nuts

2 cups flour                                                          1 cup chocolate chips 

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda                               

3 Tablespoons cocoa                                         

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon                                        

1/2 teaspoon salt                                                

2 cups applesauce                                                  

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  For cake, beat together shortening, eggs, and sugar. 

3.  In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cocoa, cinnamon, and salt.

4.  To the sugar mixture, add dry ingredients alternately with applesauce.  Mix 2-3 minutes.

5.  Pour into greased and floured 9" x 13" pan.

6.  Mix together topping ingredients and spread evenly over cake.  Bake 45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.  
                from The Woodbury Larder: A Legacy, published by Phyllis Woodbury Bryant

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/farmers-fields-quilt-block.html

Farmer's Fields Quilt Block

     I found this Farmer's Fields quilt block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  Each of the blocks is drawn on a grid (think graph paper), so you can draft them to the size you want.  I made mine 8" square.  
     In this diary entry, Hattie's week-end party with friends from Emporia is over.  Mrs. Hile is a neighbor who helps with housework (before quitting).  Ted is Hattie's 14-year-old brother.  Orv is a hired man about Hattie's age.  The rest of the people mentioned are Hattie's friends from Emporia, Kansas, where she graduated from high school in 1914.  Fan Tan is a card game, also known as Sevens, Domino, or Parliament.     http://www.pagat.com/domino/sevens.html

Monday, May 15, 1916 -
"Well, the house party is all over.  I just got back from taking Hen and Bing to the train, and I think I'll go to bed right away for I am dead tired.  It is perfectly beautiful out - such a 'dear' night - and has been lovely all day so that we have been able to get out a little.  Charlie insisted on leaving this A.M., so after much deliberation and discussion, we decided the whole bunch of us would walk across the pastures and see him off.  We had lots of fun and spent a while in the village.  Bing tore his socks in crawling over a fence, and so we had to go into Stubbs and buy a new pair.  We also visited school about five minutes.

"Upon reaching home about 11 o'clock, I found out, much to my surprise, that Mrs. Hile had come and got her 'duds' and left a piece of her mind!  In a way, I'm sure glad she has gone, but, of course, we need someone to help us.

"We took some very 'artistic' pictures of Bing and Hen and myself boxing, played Fan Tan a while, then went horseback riding.  Hen rode Luke, Bing rode Duke, and I rode Rag.  I let Hen use the little saddle and, as a result, I am rather tender about sitting much.  But we had a fine ride - we went up north past Bill McCracken's and back past George Mann's and Mr. Edmans.  The scenery is certainly lovely from some of those hills.  Orv got home about five and took some more pictures.  Then I came up to help Mother with supper, and Hen and Bing went on with Papa and Ted after the cows.  Bing rode Ruby bareback!"

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/hill-and-valley-quilt-block.html

Hill and Valley Quilt Block

     This 12" Hill and Valley quilt block should not have been difficult to make, but I first used a different green and decided it was too bright so had to rip it out and redo it.  I found the pattern at: http://www.quilterscache.com/H/HillandValleyBlock.html
     In this diary entry, Hattie's week-end party with friends continues.  Ted is her 14-year-old brother, and Orv is a hired man about her age.  The other people mentioned are her friends visiting from Emporia.    

Sunday, May 14, 1916 -
"It stormed quite fiercely this A.M. just before we got up and, of course, the roads were too muddy to think of going to church.  We kids did the breakfast dishes; Bing and Charlie displayed some very keen dish-towel explosions.  I never heard anything like it before.  We fooled around all morning.  Hen slept a while, Lesta and I fixed the lettuce and radishes for dinner, and Ted took the boys boat riding.  We had a very nice dinner and after having a tussle over some Kodak pictures, we decided we would go for a walk.  It was partly cloudy but not raining.  For pure craziness, we donned rubber boots and overshoes.  Hen and I had on riding skirts, and the rest were in old clothes.  We walked up on top of the big hill up to the rock pile.  We took several pictures (Orv was very kind to loan us his Kodak), and I laughed until I ached over Hen and Bing playing ball.  We crossed several 'dear little streams' (according to Lesta).  Hen and Bing insisted on carrying me across one, and Hen forgot that her boot leaked until she was in the middle of the stream!  We each had a motor-cycle ride with Orvel through the alfalfa field before we came in.

"Lesta had to go home tonight, and as it looked very stormy and the roads were muddy, Bing took her in to the train and then came right back.  But it cleared away and is just beautiful out tonight.  We have been helping Ted with his algebra, eating candy, and listening to Hen's story.  She gave us a very detailed book review of a French play she is reading."  

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:   
 http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/11/wrench-quilt-block.html

Wrench Quilt Block

     This 6" Wrench block was one of the first ones that I made for this project, using the pattern from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.
     In this diary entry, Hattie has friends from Emporia coming by train for the week-end, but things don't go exactly as planned.  The Wrench block name will give you a clue to some of the difficulties she had.          

Saturday, May 13, 1916 -
"It's raining!

"O, I can't write.  Hen and Lesta are in bed talking, and it is almost twelve so I'll not write any more now.

"Things turned out so different from the way I had planned!  They always do.  I got a letter from the kids this morning saying that at least Bing and Hen would be here, possibly the others.  So I worked quite diligently until about three o'clock getting things ready.  Papa had promised to be here early to drive the car, but he didn't come until about 4:30, so we were late starting.  Orvel didn't have the car in perfect readiness as we thought, and we had to give it gasoline and water and a slight cleaning.  Finally, at five o'clock we were off and went along very nicely until we came to the Ely Hill.  Here we had to get out and crank as Papa kept killing the engine and then go a few feet and stop again.  During this time, the train arrived and still we sat on the hill!  Nearly desperate with cranking, Papa told me to go to Tyson's and phone to the garage.  I did and also phoned to Stub.  When he said my guests were wandering the streets, I told him to tell them what the trouble was and that I'd soon be there.  A strong south wind was blowing and made walking rather difficult, but I was just plowing along when I saw the whole bunch coming, piled in Mr. Rowland's old dirty truck.  I got in and came back to the Hill with them.  When they got the car started again, Papa picked us up and we were soon here.  We went for a little stroll down to my 'cozy nook' before supper.  After supper, we went for another one up as far as Emonds.  

"We came back and sat on the porch and danced and watched the clouds and lightning with hopes that it would not rain, but despite all hopes, it is fairly pouring."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/single-wedding-star-quilt-block.html

Single Wedding Star Quilt Block

     This 6" Single Wedding Star block was made using a pattern from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.
     In this diary entry, Hattie writes about attending both a funeral and a golden wedding anniversary party. 
    
Wednesday, May 10, 1916 -
"(It looks just twenty minutes of Thursday, however) so for this reason I'll leave the details until morning and hie me to bed.  So much of interest has happened that I couldn't do it and myself both justice tonight.  I certainly had one grand time at the Golden Wedding, though, and everything turned out lovely.  After Jesse (!!?!!) left me at the door I came up and, stopping at Papa's and Mother's door, we began talking and discussing things in general.  So Good Night!

"Papa wanted me to go to Mrs. Jessee's funeral, so to please him I finally consented although I hate to go to funerals.  Poor Lizzie May and the other children, I feel so sorry for them all. 

"We just got back from the cemetery when Fred Schroder, Grandpa Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Haddon, and their little girl stopped by for a few moments.  Then we ate a lunch and got ready to go.  (At the Golden Wedding) we saw a crowd and had a pleasant visit with the 'old folks' for a while, then I went out and helped with the serving.  We had lots of fun sampling each cake and hiding away the good ones and condemning the 'corn bread' and the one with 'onion filling.'  It was so cold that the guests nearly froze eating ice cream and cake out of doors.  There were over a hundred people present.  After the second table was served, Florence Mann, May, Olga, and I got Jesse to take us for a ride.  We came down to the bridge here where there are six boys camping.  We began talking to them, but as soon as they came up near, we tied our handkerchiefs over our faces so they couldn't identify us.  The joy ride was fun, and as we got back the folks were ready to come home so Lottie said for me to wait and come with them.  We ate our share of the 'hidden fruit' then.  I ate with Jesse although J. B. tried to get me to eat with Elmo.  Try our best, we could only get rid of about 9 of the 15 gallons of ice cream, but it was mighty good!  Jesse escorted me to the door and said he would like me to go with them to the Carnival at Osage Saturday night.  I told him it would be lovely, but I thought I would have company from Emporia!"

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
 http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/11/whirlpool-quilt-block.html     

Whirlpool Quilt Block

     This 8" Whirlpool block is nothing but half squares triangles so is an easy block to make.  (Maybe not so easy.  At first go-around, I sewed the entire right quarter of the quilt upside down and had to re-do and re-photograph!)  I used the pattern from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird but sized it up from 6" to 8" finished.   
     In this diary entry, the river that is mentioned is the Marais des Cygnes River, a 217 mile river located in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.  Marais des Cygnes means "Marsh of the Swans" in French, presumably in reference to the Trumpeter Swan.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marais_des_Cygnes_River  Alpha, Griffie, and Lizzie are friends of Hattie's.  Orv is a hired man close to Hattie's age, and Mrs. Hile is a neighbor who helps with housework.  This is another entry in which Frank George (along with his mother and sister, Fannie) are mentioned.  Frank is Hattie's future husband and my grandfather!
 
Sunday, May 7, 1916 -
"After not attempting to sleep until 2:10 this A.M., Alpha and I awoke at six o'clock.  We ate candy and took some 'morning after' pictures, then finally dressed in time for breakfast at 7:30.  We took a little stroll down by the river before Sunday School.  Everything was beautiful and fresh this A.M.  The water looked so inviting that we decided Alpha would come home again after church with me, and we'd go boat-riding.  Griffie wanted to come out, too, and although she phoned me this P.M. that she was coming out with Lizzie, she didn't appear.  I dressed all up in my white middy suit and hat, and we walked out to the bridge with our Kodaks to wait for her.  A party of Lebo people were coming down, and we came on up when they arrived.  There were Dr. and Mrs. Lusk, Mr. and Mrs. D.P. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Black and their two children, and Frank George, his mother, and Fannie.  After they left, we started for our boat ride.  Orv insisted on going with us, and we couldn't find any oars and the boat was locked and Orv broke it and then threw our padlock (the broken one) into the river!  We got stranded on a rock and slopped water into the boat and all over ourselves until we certainly were a sorry looking mess." 

Monday, May 8, 1916 -
"This has seemed like the longest day!  After having all sorts of queer dreams last night and having a sudden wind come up and nearly blow us out of bed, we awoke before six o'clock.  Alpha's father called and wanted her to come right home.  So immediately after breakfast before six-thirty, she started.  It was a lovely cool morning.  As it was wash day, I did the housework and Mother and Mrs. Hile were in the basement.  Mrs. Barrett phoned and told me that Mrs. Jessee had died last night and that was the reason Mrs. B. had phoned for Alpha.  

"About ten o'clock, I became so desperately sick I had to go to bed with the hot water bag and dope up on hot ginger.  I guess slopping around in that boat yesterday was not especially helpful to my welfare.  About noon, I finally fell asleep and slept until 3:30.  That's one reason why it seems like such a long time since morning.  

"I lounged around a while then wrote a letter to Howard.  Mother, and Papa, and I received invitations tonight to the Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Lovell for Wednesday evening.  I think it will be real nice.  Well, Papa will be at home tomorrow morning, and I'll be glad!"

You might also like to read my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/12/friendship-block-quilt-block.html

Friendship Square Quilt Block

     I really love this Little Apples fabric line by Aneela Hoey.  I thought it was perfect for this 8-1/2" Friendship Square block.  I found a 6" pattern for this block in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird but made it larger to accommodate the center fabric design.  

     In these diary entries, Ruth is Hattie's 23-year-old sister while George and Anna are 12-year-old twins in the family.  Mrs. Hile is a neighbor who helps with housework, and Orv is a hired man about Hattie's age.  The others mentioned are her friends. 

Friday, May 5, 1916 -
"I thought I'd go to bed early, but after I took my bath, I started a letter to Ruth and it is now after ten.

"Today has been lovely - even a little hot.  George and Anna had vacation today, and a bunch of the high school and 8th graders had a picnic down here this P.M. after school.  Mother and Mrs. Hile went to town, and I stayed home with the kids and washed my hair and did a little darning.  Then this evening just before supper, Anna and I went over in the woods and picked two immense bunches of violets.  They are lovely - so blue and long stemmed!  I sent Hen and Lesta each a bunch. . .

"We were favored with a nice mess of fish for dinner by Mr. Trapp."

Saturday, May 6, 1916 -
"After all my work, planning and hoping for Florine to come, she disappointed me - never even wrote me a letter.  It is such nice weather, too, I think it's a shame.  After I went to the train and she didn't come, Alpha told me to come to her house for supper and go to the show.  I phoned Mother and she said if Alpha would come home with me, it would be all right.  It was in the bargain that if I stayed, Stub would take care of my horse.  Ruby McCauley chaperoned and took us all in to the show.  There were Griffie, Alpha, Lela, Grace, and I in the 'string party' as Louie called it.  The movies were rather dim, but Alpha and I furnished peanuts and candy, and we had fun anyhow.  Orv took Alpha and me to the Restaurant afterward and we had a 'cold one.'  Then Orv came out with us, for which I was truly thankful - we didn't have to put away the horse.  As it is nearing midnight, we must pile in."   

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog entry:
 http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/11/night-and-day-quilt-block.html