Bright Hopes Quilt Block

    
     This 6" Bright Hopes block is one of my very favorite quilt blocks because of its title.  It reminds me of the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," which includes the phrase, "Strength for today and bright hopes for tomorrow."  This block contains partial piecing, which is explained very clearly in the directions (for a 12" block) found here:  http://quilting.about.com/od/piecingtechniques/ss/partial_seams.htm
     In her last diary entry for 1916, Hattie writes about what it has been like to keep a diary for an entire year.  Ruth is Hattie's older sister who lives in Washington state.  Mary is another older sister, also from Washington, who has been visiting for the holidays with her husband Lester and their two little girls.  The entire 22-member Woodbury family, including nine children, spouses, and grandchildren, have had an extended reunion, celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas together.  Hester is a friend.  Frank is Hattie's beau.  He asked her to marry him over two months ago, but she has not given him an answer yet!  "League" refers to "Epworth League," a Methodist young adult association.

Sunday, December 31, 1916 -
"This is the last entry I shall make in this diary, and since I am not planning on keeping a record of the 'House proceedings' next year, I shall probably get to bed earlier during the year 1917 than I have in the past.  I am really surprised that I have kept this up so well.  I didn't dream I would when I began it a year ago tonight.  It has been a little hard the last few weeks since the girls came home, and I have had to live in so many rooms with no regularity at all.  But I am glad I have kept a record of the past three hundred and sixty six days.  Some of them have been blue, but many of them have been very bright indeed.  Many acts of the past year I would correct but many I would gladly live over again.  Oh, I hope that I may fill this coming year with happiness and joy, not only for myself but for many others.  We talked about New Year's resolutions in the League and church tonight, and there were a large number of good thoughts expressed. 

"It has been a cloudy, foggy day for the most part but has been a lovely day for all that.  Ruth and I went to church this morning - we had communion service.  Hester came out home with us and went back with Frank and me this evening.  There were twenty-three here for dinner - just our family and Hester.  We had a lovely turkey dinner, and they set two tables, so we all ate at once.  Hester took some pictures of us afterward, out on the front porch.  I hope they're good.

"Mary and Lester and their babies leave early in the morning.  My!  I sure hate to see them go.  I will certainly miss those dear children.  We had quite a time with the bunch of them here this afternoon.

"I don't know what to think about Frank tonight.  Perhaps he is trying out another method.  At any rate, I'll confess he didn't do what I expected.  He wouldn't come in to get anything to eat.  After chatting a moment upon various subjects, he went, saying goodnight when he was about halfway down the steps.  When I wished him a 'Happy New Year,' he didn't say a word - just went on.  But perhaps it is just as well.  I might have been tempted to tell him something tonight.

"Well, I am wishing for everything to turn out bright in the year 1917, which is less than an hour away."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/frolic-variation-quilt-block.html