The Trixie blocks. This project needs a little background. When I was young, Trixie Belden was my favorite book character. I think she still is. She and her friends were members of The Bobwhites of the Glen. I read and reread the 39 mystery books in the series. You can see a list of the books here on Wikipedia.
In the summers of 2003 and 2004, I joined other Trixie fans, all adults, to attend “Trixie Camp”. The camps were held somewhere the books were set and were planned by group members, going to places and doing things the Bobwhites did in the books. I only attended twice, but it was held other years too.
Someone had the idea to make quilts. Each participant was to make multiples of the same block which had some connection to Trixie, and send them to a coordinator of the project, who would divide them up and send them out, so each participant would have one of each block. I received 14 blocks, plus two extra of mine. I think two people must have dropped out before making their blocks. The blocks were supposed to be 8.5 inches square, so they would finish at 8 inches. None of them, including mine, are the proper size. Mine is the blue and gray block in the lower left of the picture. It represents The Mystery of the Blinking Eye, which took place in New York City.
I haven’t known what to do with them, so I did nothing. Now I think I will even them all at 8 inches square. I hate to cut off the points of the two star blocks, but I think it can’t be helped. I briefly thought about adding a little border around each one, but decided that would be a nightmare. Many are made with odd materials, two have some kind of iron-on plastic stuff, one has little pompoms, one has beads, one has velour and suede. You get the idea. Maybe I will have something more to show soon…
I had no idea there was a Trixie Camp! I would have gone in a heartbeat. I love that project. So many possibilities. You could break them into a series of placemats (16x8) with some coasters; a long wall hanging or two, I love it!
I'm getting ready to post my July books read and one of them is a Trixie B. I was amazed at how well it stood up over time, considering it was written in the 1960s. But apart from a bit of tech changes over time, everything held up really well. And they were educational too!
What a fun project, and it turns out the Trixie Camps are still happening, so maybe I have something to look forward to for next year. I loved Trixie growing up!
Now that's what I call a challenge! I will be following your progress with interest.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. I love the different blocks based on the Trixie books.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there was a Trixie Camp! I would have gone in a heartbeat. I love that project. So many possibilities. You could break them into a series of placemats (16x8) with some coasters; a long wall hanging or two, I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to post my July books read and one of them is a Trixie B. I was amazed at how well it stood up over time, considering it was written in the 1960s. But apart from a bit of tech changes over time, everything held up really well. And they were educational too!
I remember Trixie fondly. She and Nancy Drew were my heroes. Look forward to seeing the finished product.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pamela: The quilt blocks are lovely, I am looking forward to seeing what you do with them.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
What a fun project, and it turns out the Trixie Camps are still happening, so maybe I have something to look forward to for next year. I loved Trixie growing up!
ReplyDelete