Three by Three Quilt Block

    
     I found the pattern for this 6" Three by Three quilt block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  It is also known by Roman Squares and Fence Posts.  It was simple to make, and I am ready for simple!
     In these diary entries, Hattie is busy crocheting and tatting gifts for Christmas.  Ted, Ruth, and George are her siblings , and Lester is her brother-in-law.  Rag is a horse! 
 
Thursday, December 7, 1916 -
"Oh dear, it seems as though it's as hard to go to bed as it is to get up.  It seems like ages since this morning when I got up and helped with breakfast so that Lester could get off early.

"I have crocheted and tatted almost constantly except for the few hasty minutes we took to do housework.  I crochet until my left hand aches, then tat until my right hand aches.

"Papa went to Quenemo on Rag today, so there were not many of us here.  Ted just returned from German Club, and Ruth and I sat up and waited for him to bring us some mail, but he didn't even go to the post office."

Friday, December 8, 1916 -
"It seemed rather queer but pleasant today to have only a family of three.  Everyone was gone but Mother, Ruth, and I, and we had lunch at 10:30.  We hadn't eaten much breakfast and had been cleaning so were hungry.  This made a nice, long afternoon to spend with our sewing and crocheting, etc."

Saturday, December 9, 1916 -
"I'm going to bed early tonight.  I am too sleepy to crochet.  I didn't get up until almost eight, and breakfast and the dishes were all done.

"Ruth and I went to town this afternoon and did a little shopping - towels, handkerchiefs, etc. for Christmas.  We also got the mail that George 'forgot' this morning.  Papa said we could go to Emporia, so I hope the weather stays pleasant and we can get off Monday."   

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/lost-and-found-quilt-block.html

Lost and Found Quilt Block



     I found the pattern for this Lost and Found block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  I thought it went perfectly with these diary entries!
     Eva and Mary are Hattie's sisters who have come from Washington state for the holidays.  George and Lester are her brothers-in-law. 
    
Monday, December 4, 1916 -
"Oh dear, I'm tired tonight and sort of downcast, too.  Something has mysteriously happened to my opal and diamond ring that Mother gave me.  I left them in the tray last night with my pendant and, being busy all morning, I didn't come up to put them away until afternoon.  Then I missed that one.  Mother was helping me search and found one of the opals on the floor.  That seems to prove that some of the chiledren got it and played with it rather roughly.  But they all deny having seen it.  Some way I feel as though I will find it.

"It's striking ten, and I was up at 5:30 - must retire!"

Wednesday, December 6, 1916 -
"I have done more crocheting than anything else today.  It's getting so near Christmas I have to 'make hay.'  (Oh, I didn't mean to rhyme.)

"Mary found my ring this morning, so I have felt a great deal better.  It was under a rug right here in the hall.  Of course, it had been stepped on, and the other opal was out but nothing broken, and I think a jeweler can fix it.

"It seems a little lonesome tonight.  Eva and George and their children left yesterday for Quenemo, and Mary and the children went to Minerva's this evening.  Lester will go to Missouri in the morning."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/07/card-trick-quilt-block.html