It's only been a couple of weeks since we started this amazing quilt. To get us on a "1st of the month schedule" I'm posting the second set of blocks today. I've decided to leave the first four blocks available for free until May 1st so everyone who wants to join us has time to jump in and get started.

Do you remember my comments about all the donut blocks? I have been giving them a great deal of thought since I was bolted out of a sound sleep with one of those epiphanies that leave you sitting there shaking your head wondering why you didn't see something before that moment.

In my search for some wild and deep meaning for the donut blocks I overlooked the obvious symbolism of a simple circle. A circle has no beginning or end. It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be.  For anyone stitching a friendship block for a treasured friend or family member, the circle shape really says it all!

I'm now looking at these blocks with a new perspective and remember just how important symbolism was to quilters making quilts in the 1850s and how important it can still be today.  I haven't stitched a donut block yet, but today as I mourn the passing of a very special friend, I'll be picking out fabrics to make one in her honor. She saw the Dear Daughter quilt a couple of weeks ago when we started and exclaimed - I could do that, they're just circles. Always hopeful, enthusiastic for life and an amazingly talented quilter - I wasn't surprised when I heard that.  I hope you'll want to add your own little touches to the donut blocks reflecting things that have special meaning to you.

Block 5

Jonathan and Sarah Ann Dunham

Ill 1850

For the broderie perse on this block, leaf clusters were appliqued in the corners and a flower bud was appliqued on each side.

Block 6

Jane H Clawson

Search thy Scriptures

Marlborough NJ 1852

Sweet red diamonds were appliqued on the four sides of this block. I found it interesting that Marlborough was only established as a township in 1848, just two years before this block was made. It is now called Marlboro.

Block 7

Julia Ann Randolph

Ill

I'm in love with the smaller applique circles in the corners and fussy cut flowers appliqued on the sides of the block.

Block 8

Sarah M Randolph

Ill

More darling little applique circles and leaf clusters on the sides. Take note of this green fabric. It's used in several places in the quilt and even fussy cut at times. It looks one we should be able to find a reproduction to match. I'll be keeping my eyes open. I'm finding the same fabrics in blocks made in the two different parts of the country. It makes me wonder if someone handed out fabrics or they met and worked on the blocks together. Hmm............

That's our 4 blocks for the month of April. All you need to do is head over to the 5dollarbom.com web site, add those blocks to your shopping cart and checkout. Their price is $0.00. When you get to the end of the checkout process there will be a link on the last page to download the patterns. You'll also receive a follow up email with a link to download them too. If you ever lose any of your pattern files, you can log in and download them again.

Dear Daughter Blocks 5-6-7-8 - CLICK HERE