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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | Introduction Package |
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Hugs and Kisses Hugs and Kisses - Introduction
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| Available On: Instructions no longer available | Introduction Package |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Simple Crossed Leaves" Hugs and Kisses has a dozen appliqued blocks in it, surrounded by a ruffled swag border. Half of the blocks are crossed leaf sprays that employ applique motifs in the shape of an "X," and half of the blocks are wreaths that use applique motifs in the shape of an "O." The use of X's and O's in writing have come to symbolize hugs and kisses - but why? Early Christians used the X as an indication of a sworn oath; later, the X was used as a signature by persons who couldn't read or write, with the implication that it was also an indication of a sworn oath. Sometimes, the X was kissed, signifying its importance on a document. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest use of "XXX" for kisses was in a 1901 letter. On the other hand, the "O" used in the XOXO of "hugs and kisses," is an American tradition. The O reportedly represents the encircling arms of a hug. In truth, I'm not sure if any of these stories are based on fact. Nonetheless, the symbolism of X's and O's for hugs and kisses exists today, and through this quilt, I send everyone the joy of a warm and friendly hug and kiss! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Circle of Roses" This month, you will be making a wreath block. There are a lot of scallops on the flowers in the wreath. To make them well, be sure and clip the inside curve of each scallop and take small stitches to prevent "bumps and elbows" along the outside curves. |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Crossed Buds" This month, you will be making another set of crossed branches: a set of stems full of flower buds. I love flowers - and especially the delicate flower buds that show their faces in spring. Let's start sewing so that you, too, can enjoy these flower buds! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "The Blue Rose Wreath" This month, you will be making a wreath of roses. How many of you have heard or used the expression, "gather rosebuds, while you may"? It has always meant that one should enjoy life while you are able. The expression comes from an old poem written by Robert Herrick: Gather ye rose-buds while ye may; Old Time is still a flying; And this same flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow will be dying. The poem was entitled "To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time." Let's make the most of our time and start sewing! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | The little flowers on the tips of the stems in this month's crossed flower block look a little like tiny zinnias. In olden times, the zinnia was said to represent "thoughts of absent friends." Flora's Interpreter, an 1833 Victorian book of flowers and their meaning, contained this poem about zinnias: The Zinnia's solitary flower, which blooms in forests lone and deep, Are like the visions fair and bright, that faithful, absent hearts will keep. -- Anonymous While working on this month's block, think about friends you have not seen for a while. And sew away! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Baby Rose Wreath" Roses have graced all manners of art for centuries - and they can be found on some of the earliest quilts made in America. And why not? According to Flora's Lexicon (1869), "On the day that the beauty of the Rose is perfected, it begins to fade; but each succeeding Spring restores her to us fresh and new.... The emblem of every age; the interpreter of all our sentiments; the rose is mixed up with our festivals, with our joys and our sorrows.... She belongs to Venus, and even is the rival of her beauty; the Rose possesses, like her, charms more lovely than beauty." Let's start working on this month's wreath of roses. After all, every day is a great day to sew! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Crossed Leaves" At the center of this month's spray of crossed leaves is a yellow rose. In yesteryears, yellow roses were thought to symbolize unfaithfulness. The meaning probably arose from the yellow rose itself: it has no scent and does not flourish with either extreme care or neglect. The yellow rose has special meaning to the people of Texas. Legend has it that the "Yellow Rose," a young woman held prisoner by General Santa Ana, commander of the Mexican forces, seduced the General just prior to the battle of San Jacinto in 1836. Caught with his pants down, General Santa Ana could not lead his forces into battle. His adversary, General Sam Houston, won the Battle of San Jacinto, just outside of Houston, in short order: in 18 minutes, over 700 Mexican soldiers were killed, 730 were taken prisoner, and only 9 Texans died. The victory led to Texas' declaration of independence from Mexico and the establishment of The Republic of Texas as a sovereign nation. While the legend of the Yellow Rose has been generally debunked, it nonetheless makes for a great tale. But that's enough history for a while; let's make our own history and finish this block in short order! |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "The Scalloped Rose Wreath" The family of roses has over a hundred different species. This month's block has four big cabbage roses on it. Cabbage roses are multi-petal hybrid roses. Usually pink in color, they were bred by the Dutch, beginning in the 1600s. They are noted for their strong scent and are the source of many perfume oils. Cabbage roses are inclined to mutate and are the "parents" of many varieties of moss roses and miniature roses. Let's start making this month's block. |
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 | Available On: Instructions no longer available | "Classic Crossed Leaves" Crossed laurel leaf blocks may be found in many early album quilts but, oddly enough, they were not found in any published books, magazines, or newspaper articles until the twentieth century. They are lovely designs, and may be found in many red and green quilts of the mid-1800s. Let's put some of those classic leaves in our quilt; it's time to start sewing! |
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