When I was a young child, my mother would often take me to visit her aunt. Aunt Hi lived in a house that was full of figurines, dishes, pictures, and other things that made it no place for a child. Fortunately for me, I was awed by many of these things, and loved to quietly look at them. (I knew that if I touched anything, I wouldn't live to tell about it. Neither would my mother!) The thing that always caught my attention and sparked my imagination the most, was a picture of a civil war soldier. He was in full uniform, standing straight and tall in the unsmiling posture popular at the time. I always asked who he was, and I was told each and every time, "Let's see. Now I think he would be a great uncle to you."
I don't know where that picture is now, but it still haunts me. Over the years, it's inspired an interest in the Civil War. What was it like to live in those times? What was it like to be a women during the war? It must have been incredibly difficult. A woman couldn't fight in the war, although some disguised themselves and did. She was limited to the home and the hospital, for the most part, while the men she loved were dying in staggering numbers.
My interest in the Civil War has naturally led me to want to make a Civil War reproduction quilt. I'm not a great quilter, as a matter of fact, nothing ever lines up right in my quilts, no matter how careful I am. But when Craftsy offered a free class to first timers, and a class that involved making a Civil War reproduction quilt was on the list, I decided to go for it. After all, imperfect quilt blocks are not exactly the end of the world! Let's keep some perspective here, right? Don bought me some reproduction fabrics, and I was off.
The first block is "Remember Me". If I can track down my relative's name, I may write it in the center of the block.
The next block is called "Sherman's March". It has a whole lot of other names too.
"Birds in the Air" comes next. I love this block.
Yesterday I finished the "Barbara Fritchie" block. This one was tough!
There are more blocks to go. I'll keep you posted on progress, if you promise to ignore all the spots that don't match!
Sometimes we get to use it. Sometimes we have to go upstairs. CATS!
Occasionally we get to use it. Mostly it's a cat bed. Who says cats hate water?
Of course Professor Fibber Mcgee has a new group of recruits for his Glasses Club. They'll have to wear their glasses in order to see all the cool animals.
And here is the demo in progress. Go Don!
Most of the walls are done. Tomorrow he'll finish that off, and then it's on to the ceiling and floor. Ugh!
In my defense, I'd like to make it clear that, since the incident involving the kitchen sink, the sprayer, a bottle of shampoo, and my fur, I have not touched a single knitting needle, nor have I encouraged or inspired any other cat to touch any knitting needle. Heck, I wouldn't wish that bath on a dog!
Of course I don't! It was all Mikey's idea! I'm innocent. Really! I am!!!!
I'll never touch another one!
The color is called Tropic, and I bought it at Webs long ago. (Let's not talk about the length of time some things have been in my stash.)
Jenna is the only bear Duncan will sleep with. He absolutely loves her, and will even hold paws with her at times. Duncan is a one bear cat!
Isn't he adorable? Doesn't look like the sweetest, most innocent thing you've ever seen?
Good thing he's cute.
