pieces from the past

Finding Pieces from the Past from Melva Loves Scraps

The old adage states that if we cannot learn from history, history will repeat itself...

For this reason, the past is important... yet we should never live IN THE PAST. It is a fine balance to achieve this. My interest in history, specifically my family's history, has extended to those that have participated in in my various sew along events.

Recently, I had a notification that one of the letters written to my Grandparents, Phillip & Katie Schleich had been written by the reader's grandfather. The comment that was left on the original story did not have an email ...

added by Melva 1 year, 7 months ago. under hand-sewn hello , pieces from the past

Pieces From The Past ~ Revisited Fabulous Finish from Melva Loves Scraps

Here I am sliding into the weekend with a FINISH! Woohoo!

The quilting design matches many of the same angles and points that the blocks have, as well as the secondary design the two blocks made when placed next to each other.

I had fun adding stitching lines and watching a new pattern reveal itself. I started with a printed photo of the blocks...

Once I had the initial lines sewn - the crossing lines in the reverse of the dragon fly blocks, I auditioned some other options using masking tape on the quilt. You can see them below...

The border ...

added by Melva 2 years, 6 months ago. under pieces from the past

Pieces From the Past ~ Revisited - May's OMG from Melva Loves Scraps

Recently, I have been revisiting the stories and patterns of the Pieces From the Past Sew Along by designing a quilt layout to feature two particular blocks from the series... Our Country and the Dragon Fly blocks.

This was at the request of wonderful person that I know through one of my cousins in the Schleich family. My cousin, Glenda, has a half-sister (they share the same Mom), so, in a sense, Kendra is my cousin... well, maybe half-cousin.. is that a thing? We first met when she was 16 and I was 14. Kendra was spending the summer of ...

added by Melva 2 years, 6 months ago. under one month goal , pieces from the past

Pieces From the Past - Special Sale Price from Melva Loves Scraps

My book, Pieces From the Past ~ A collection of Letters from Former Prisoners of War, is 20% off at Blurb.com! Just use code BLURBMADE at checkout from May 4-6.

Click on the image of the book below!

Follow this link to find the store!

I have been pleasantly surprised at the success of my blog series turned book, Pieces From the Past! Last fall when I ordered 100 copies of the book, I was fearful/worried/concerned that I would be sitting here with 70+ copies remaining after the various speaking engagements and book signing events.

This is not ...

added by Melva 2 years, 6 months ago. under pieces from the past

Flashback Friday from Melva Loves Scraps

I thought that since I am currently traveling, I would revisit with you a story from 2 years ago recounting our visit to Galveston, TX... the place of entrance to the United States for Phillip & Katie Schleich... and if all of our plans work out correctly, we will be on that island exploring again!

In Texas-sized Trip II I shared all of the pictures and details of our adventures as well as the research that I was able to do while there. Having the chance to retrace the footsteps of my grandparents was meaningful and I hope to continue with ...

added by Melva 2 years, 7 months ago. under pieces from the past

Pieces From The Past - Final Wrap Up from Melva Loves Scraps

WWII ended in 1945 and the German soldiers left Camp Trinidad in January 1946 ~ 75 years ago. The most fortunate ones returned to their homes. The less fortunate discovered that their home and family were no longer there, and the least fortunate were captured and held in Russian POW camps. In October 1946, the Army ordered an appraisal of the camp facilities. It was the opinion of the appraiser that none of the facilities, structures or buildings would be of much use at the current site. Rather, all of the material and equipment was very much needed in the vicinity ...

added by Melva 3 years, 7 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Pride of Ohio from Melva Loves Scraps

This letter from 1949 was written 3 years after the closure of Camp Trinidad. Three years! It is the last of the letters that Phillip and Katie received from the men that worked in their sugar beet fields.

Riesa, Jan 30, 1949

Very honored Mr. Schleich!

Please forgive if I allow myself to approach you with a very large request. It is well known to you that we do not lie on a bed of roses here, and in this way to tell you how pleased we would be and how much good it would be to our bellies, if ...

added by Melva 3 years, 8 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Blockade from Melva Loves Scraps

Willi Baruschke Berlin-Tempelhof Nov 10, 1948

Berlin-Tempelhof

Friedrick-Wilhelm Street 88

To: Schleich Family

Trinidad-Model (Colorado) USA

Very honored Schleich family:

Can you remember the group of German POW officers, who in the summer of 1945 worked on your sugar beet farm? It was the group who, at the end of the work, presented you a small picture as a Thank You and a memento. I am one of that group.

I have often thought back to the lovely days spent in your family circle. Unfortunately, only just now am I able to write to you, because then, as we left ...

added by Melva 3 years, 9 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

A Happily Ever After from Melva Loves Scraps

After the last few letters I have shared from former German POWs I have felt defeated, saddened and depressed for the appalling conditions that were described in them.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an international memorial day on January 27th that commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945. January 27th was chosen to commemorate the date that Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.

Yesterday as I scrolled through social media I found this story. Often times the longer stories get skipped over because people can have a very ...

added by Melva 3 years, 9 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - Double T Block from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is a second plea for help... a follow-up of Klaus Hesselbarth's letter that was published with the The Rolling Stone Block (#13).

Jan. 18, 1948

Dear honored Mr. Schleich:

You will be surprised at receiving a letter from Germany. I am the mother of one of the German POWs who worked for you in the Summer and Fall of 1945. You would remember my son, he felt, since you always called him Fritz. You were always good and kind to my son and for that I thank you with my whole heart.

Great need makes it ...

added by Melva 3 years, 9 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Double Cross Quilt from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is from C.M. Lankau, typewritten and easy to read...

As the year nears the end of 1947, just a few months short of 2 years from when Camp Trinidad was shut down, it would seem that those that that lived in the Russian Zone of Germany were among those that struggled the most. With the lack of housing and food and the harsh winters must have seemed unimaginable and mind-boggling! It also seems fortunate for Mr. Lankau that his wife had relocated OUT of the Russian Zone, yet times are still hard... and he doesn't ...

added by Melva 3 years, 10 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Mini Corner Star Ornament - Pieces From the Past Bonus from Melva Loves Scraps

As I wrote the first Corner Star post I kept looking at the pattern and I knew that I wanted to use 1/4 of the block at a reduced size to make an ornament. There were many other tasks that needed to be addressed before I could sit and play. When I finally did, it took a couple of tries, but finally found the proper sizes. And I have to say that I am pleased beyond measure with the finished block.

As I read the accounting of a Christmas celebration at Camp Trinidad for the German POWs and how ...

added by Melva 3 years, 10 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series , to-do tuesday

Pieces From The Past - The Corner Star from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is from Gotthart Hauswald... son of Mase Hasuwald, the Postal Inspector that wrote to Phillip & Katie with Block #14 (The Owl Block) inquiring of how his son's health and general mood were when he was held at Camp Trinidad.

Oberseifersdorf

15-11-1947

Dear Mister Schleich!

I don’t know if you can remember we worked on your farm in the sugar beets.

My name is Hauswald and I was an American prisoner in the camp of Trinidad.

It’s a long time, but I could not write you, because when I came back to Germany, the Russians ...

added by Melva 3 years, 11 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Maple Leaf from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is from Erich Vogel and he had much to say! His writing was quite small and he includes plenty of details. If you close your eyes, you can almost feel as though you were there with him.

Glauchau, 11 August 1947

Very honored Mr. Schleich!

In the assumption that you will be interested to hear the fate of one of the POWs who worked for you. I want to give you, your family and acquaintances (Eckart) a small report from the old homeland. At the time, I belonged to the Ruhr Group and I often think back ...

added by Melva 3 years, 11 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Owl Quilt from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is short and sweet...

Oberseifersdorf uber Zittau 2

January 12, 1947

Worthy Mr. Schleich!

As the father of Gotthart Hauswold, who worked for you two years ago, I would like to inform you that he has arrived back in Germany. Unfortunately, he did not reach his homeplace, since he is away again in a Russian prison camp. On account of that, it seems that he is unable to get any messages to you either. I would like to hear if you were happy with my son’s work effort, and how his health and general mood were ...

added by Melva 4 years ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Rolling Stone from Melva Loves Scraps

Klaus Hesselbarth

Gut Wierlauke

(21?) Soest Land

Westfalen

Germany

Dear honored Mr. Schleich!

You will surely be very surprised to receive a letter from me. I worked at your farm when I was in the POW camp in Trinidad. I belonged at that time to the Ruhr Group. As we left and said goodbye to you, you told us to write to you sometime. Especially if it went bad for us and we needed something, we should feel free to turn to you. If it would be possible, you would help us. I now come today with a question. If ...

added by Melva 4 years, 1 month ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - The Pine Burr Quilt Block from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is from Mr. Christian Fruehbuss, a mixture of both the English and German language was written on Easter Sunday of 1947 - April 7th. The same date as the previous letter from Rudolf Kasulke, whose letter was censored... yet, Mr. Fruehbuss' was not. Perhaps they were mailed from different "zones", such as the British Zone (as noted in the address above) and the Russian Zone as referred to in the Kasulke letter or the American Zone as noted in Alfred ??chala's letter. But then again, according to the postmark on the envelope the letter was not mailed ...

added by Melva 4 years, 1 month ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Indian Star Salsa - Pieces From The Past from Melva Loves Scraps

August draws forth memories of canning and freezing produce... from the young age of 5 (50 years ago! What???)... I recall my Aunt Clara teaching my Mom how to can peaches.

Mom was pretty much a novice in the world of canning since her Mom wasn't much of a domestic goddess, but Mom was willing (maybe urged) to learn.

I recall dragging a chair over to the counter to help with the preparation of the jars and the fruit - nibbling on the discarded peels of the peaches as they carefully cut the peaches in half and then dropped them ...

added by Melva 4 years, 2 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - Indian Star from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is dated April 6, 1947 - nearly a full year since the first letter was sent, dated May 6, 1946. Notice that they were still censoring letters. The letter is written in English. However, again, for ease of reading, I have typed it out. Mr. Kasulke makes a desperate plea. Take a look...

Rudolf Kasulke

Bergen bei Frankfurt/Main

Offenbadger Landstr. 7

April 6, 1947

Dear Mr. Schleich,

Perhaps you would be surprised to receive a letter from me, having met last time about 1-1/2 year ago. You remember, I have been a Prisoner of War in ...

added by Melva 4 years, 2 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

Pieces From The Past - Russian Sunflower from Melva Loves Scraps

Today's letter is from Alfred (last name unknown).

His handwriting is not of the best penmanship, and for that reason I have the transcribed the letter below. Even though the writing on the envelope is much better... you'll notice that even the envelope makes the last name unreadable...

Munich

December 11, 1946

Dear Mr. Schleich,

I hope that you will remember of me because I left already the United States several months ago. I am the former prisoner officer who has been working in your farm and at that time I gave you by leave the picture of ...

added by Melva 4 years, 3 months ago. under pieces from the past , pow series

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