I finished the first 8 blocks for the Beothuk Star QAL sponsored by Sandra at mmm!quilts. There is a linky party this week with prizes (ending midnight, May 21) so you could still get going and make the first 8 blocks! It is called the Beothuk Star because of a tragic story, but one that is now forever in my memory too. OOPs, almost forgot to mention that these blues were hand dyed by Becca @ Pretty Piney. They are really gorgeous and I am thrilled to be using them.
We need to be reminded of these stories and women like Shanawdithit, the last survivor of the now extinct Beothuk or red indians. You can find out more about them in the Canadian encylopedia or Wikepedia. The name red indian came from their use of powdered red ochre, with which they painted their canoes, household items and themselves. I feel that I will need a red version of this one day to honor their memory and their obsession with the color red. Furthermore, I am intrigued by their possible connection to the Mi’kmaq, prevelant in Maine, and that there may still be blood lines from the intermarriage of this tribe. I hope it is true, that there is some remnant left in their ancestors that live today.
Back to the QAL. There were maybe 96 HST in this section! I have to confess, however, that I am not afraid when there are HST to work with. If I can’t use my Accuquilt or Sizzix dies – which is my preference – then I know I can use these two tools. First up is the Clearly Perfect Angles*. NEVER again do I draw a line on a HST. That means, I can get right down to sewing! HOORAY.
Half square triangles are even more fun with this tool, Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmerss. It is the way I trim all triangles. I love this tool as there are 2 rulers that can trim every size between 1 1/2″ to 6 1/2″. It is so fast to trim and then press those perfect pieces.
This is my May 2019 Monthly Color Challenge from Jen’s blog. I did lime in the first one, so I made this one a little more on the green side. I love the animals and can’t wait to see how I wind up putting it together.[Side note – in my haste to do this block, I did one from memory with 4 HST that finished at 4″ – doesn’t work does it! I will do something with them at the end of the project]
I am on the road today, and will be in Pennsylvania for a few days. My aunt is having surgery and I am there to help. Fortunately for me, I was able to bring a new to me featherweight so I could have something to sew on. More on this sweet machine later.
There will be one more blog entry this week on – one of my quilts for Hands2Help and then they will be off in the mail. I’m not sure what my time will be like but I have either writing or sewing to do, so I am set.
Coming Up:
Baby Charm Quilt
Washing the Bosal batting
Sewing machine names – SS Tabitha and Boo (Beulah)
Design to a quilt – how do I do it
Linking Up:
Main Crush Monday
What I Made Monday
Clever Chameleon Inspiration Party
Put Your Foot Down
May Color Challenge Link-up
Affiliate Links
Your star blocks look wonderful! I really like the colors you’re working with!
Thank you, Diann. It’s a fun quilt. Great for babies and suited to small pieces. Are you making one?
Hi Kathleen! Becca makes hand-died fabrics and sells them?! Wow – I didn’t know that. She is multi-talented isn’t she?! I feel the need to make a red version of this quilt as well. In fact, I would have set aside the original bundle had I researched the tribe more in depth. I’m glad you made it safely to PA, and I’m sending good wishes, vibes and healing thoughts for your aunt. You’re a good egg! Did I say I love your blocks?? I do, and those points sure did line up perfectly. ~smile~ Roseanne
I don’t know if Becca sells it, as I won it, but I do love them. She is very talented! Thanks for your good wishes – today is a down day – the real work starts tomorrow. Computerwork on Tuesday and Wednesday during waiting times and then maybe some sewing Thursday – keeping my fingers crossed!
Oh, those lime colors are gorgeous and so is that hand-dyed fabric from Becca! I’m waiting to hear about the 8″ thing, though . . .
I forgot about those blocks. So, in my hast to do the blocks I did it from memory – 4 half square triangle blocks the wrong size! I may add a few more to finish at 12 if I need another block….so silly! I added a little note in the blog about it. Thanks for the reminder!
SQUUUEEEEEEEEE I’m so excited to see you’re using the hand-dyed! For those who’re asking, I don’t sell the fabric, but sometimes I have giveaways on the blog.
Your blocks look beautiful!!!!!!
I am so excited too!!! They are beautiful and so much fun to work with. What a nice hand and knowing they are works from your own hands is even better!
Oh how I just LOVE those blues Kathleen!! Hand dyed gorgeousness galore. The centre navy pop is going to be fab! I read that about the possible relation/intermarriage with the Mi’kmaq (we have a huge natural park/reserve in Windsor named after them), and wouldn’t that be cool to have that extra connection, and legacy. I also read that much of what we do know is tainted by the 1800’s prejudices among Europeans towards indigenous peoples being inferior (why is that still prevalent amongst the European descendants who now call North America their home…..) but Shanawdithit’s legacy helped educate us so much about her people. I agree about making a red one! That very thought popped in my head when I red about the red. Her block is red in my Canadian Women quilt. 🙂 Thanks for quilting along again and for spreading the history as well.
Thank you for this lovely QAL. I am loving the way it turned out and the surprising way it went together! Well, maybe we can just do a quiet one someday for those of us who want and find a charity related to the indigenous people….
I love the blues in your Beothuk Star— they’re like the sky. (Thanks for the history lesson, too. Are there hand dyed reds available? That would be awesome for the block, too, considering the history.) I’ll have to take a closer look at those HST tools. I’m still making my HSTs in many old ways. Need to keep up with the times!
It is truly sad to see a dying race and I am like you, I do hope there is a blood line out there. Such an interesting story. I have a fetich for rulers….. love your blocks
Thanks, Barbara. Ruler fetishes are a real thing, but I do love both of these tools! I am sewing today on a new to me machine and wishing I brought the angle one with me – but a 1/4” foot will work for what I have to do today!
Those blues are gorgeous. Great post I will have to visit google to read more about the Beothuk people, I love history. Sending prayers for your aunt and a quick recovery. Thank you so much for linking up with me.
Love to link up! My aunt did really well and she is one of the reasons I love history & its stories. I do hope we learn from our mistakes and our ancestors mistakes when we hear them.
Interesting tools, thanks for the reviews. 🙂 Lovely fabrics from Becca, and all the best for your trip to your Aunt’s… best wishes to her for a good outcome and swift recovery.
My Aunt did really well and I am finally finishing catching up on comments/emails. Boy, did I get behind! I love those tools – they are a big time saver!