Star of Hope Quilt Block

     I found the pattern for this 6" Star of Hope block in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird but enlarged it to 7-1/2" so I could rotary cut it instead of using templates.
Here's a free 15" pattern online from the Quilters Cache.
     October 2 is Hattie's 21st birthday.  Ruth, Mary, and Eva are her older sisters living in Washington state.  Ted and Howard are two of her younger brothers.  Ted lives at home, and Howard is in Manhattan, attending the School of Agriculture as pre-enrollment to Kansas State College (now Kansas State University).  He is drilling in preparation for the possibility of the United States entering World War I.  Hattie is thrilled to get to attend the Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City with her beau, Frank.     

Monday, October 2, 1916 -
"I have been writing to Ruth and Mary until I'm weary of writing.  It is now ten o'clock.

"Well, I'm of age now.  But it doesn't seem as if I have any more privileges than I did 10 years ago.  O yes I do, I know.  But, of course, I can't do everything I want to.  I wouldn't want to.

"However, I do want to go to the Royal and to the wedding.  And, of course, get the clothes necessary.  But still there are lots other more vital and lasting things that I want, but I suppose the only way to obtain them is to work for them and trust in the Lord.

"Ted conferred a great honor upon me this morning by christening Ruby's latest offspring - and a mule at that - 'Hattie.'  I surely feel flattered.

"Mother gave me a nice, fine, white nightgown - to put in my hope box."

Tuesday, October 3, 1916 -
"I feel quite elated for Papa and Mother decided I could go to the Royal with Frank Thursday.  I am sure wild to go, and I think it is lovely of Frank to ask me and nicer still for Fannie to invite us there for, of course, I couldn't go if we had to go to a hotel.  

"This has sure been a windy day - it was wash day, and the clothes would have blown to pieces if we hadn't taken them down as soon as they were dry.

"Then this P.M., I went to the dentist.  I rode Bag as Mother was going to drive Luke to Club.  Dr. Jones nearly forced his instrument halfway to my eye, and Louraine Robinson sat there waiting to hear me scream.

"Mother had quite a time getting to town.  An auto whizzed past her and scared her worse than it did Luke.  Then her hat blew off and into the ditch on the Ely Hill.  But fortunately, Papa and Jesse Lovell appeared just then to rescue her and the hat.

"Had a letter from Howard today saying he was now a corporal in charge of 7 men.  Ted insists that he wouldn't salute if he was one of the squad." 

Wednesday, October 4, 1916 -
I got no mail tonight but was favored with two this morning - one from Eva and one from Ruth with a doily for my hope chest."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/05/turkey-tracks-quilt-block.html