Cross posted from the Community Quilt Project
The Daily Kos Community Quilt
My sister and I were so happy when Markos Moulitsas asked if we might do a community quilt to hang in the new Daily Kos offices. What a great idea! Many of you provided messages and we made a quilt with them, featuring blocks that we have used in prior community quilts. The quilt will be shipped next week -- but before it goes, I thought people might like a photo tour of it. I have pictures of the blocks to share and will post all the messages. This is a trip down memory lane, too -- pictures of the quilts in which these blocks and fabrics appeared will be posted, as well.
WARNING: Photo heavy diary!
By the by, the setting for this quilt is one we have used in many of our community quilts -- nine inch patchwork blocks checkerboarded with four patch blocks of the messages.
First, the back of the quilt -- believe it or not, we found a print of words from the preamble of the Constitution, in orange! What could be more appropriate?
Backing of the Daily Kos Community Quilt
The first messages:
"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Churchill
Thanks for giving us all a place to walk through hell...together. one bite at a time
Just like most people here: "Came for the politics, stayed for the community.
(And for the pooties and woozles)" TL & Casey “Woof” Casey
English: The good speech of an ass is better than the bad word of a prophet. Gaelic: Is fheàrr deagh chainnt na h-asail na droch fhacal fàidh. Otteray Scribe
To paraphrase John Hiatt, "I love the jerks." Crashing Vor
Crow's Nest block
Dreaming of Better Days' quilt
The first block pattern is called "Crow's Nest". We used it on Dreaming of Better Days' quilt. The blue fabric in this block was the backing fabric for moe99's quilt.
moe99's quilt
Next messages:
Thanks for giving me the community I feel at home in. Lorikeet
“It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” Hubert Humphrey Thank you, Daily Kos. blue jersey mom
I transcend your puny categorization. kjoftherock
Markos, Thank you for my wife! Best wishes, rfall
It may be someday
after I am long gone
and maybe you as well
but someday somewhen
greed and self-interest
will be defeated
by community
Robyn Elaine Serven
Attic Windows block pattern used in Otteray Scribe's quilt
Otteray Scribe's quilt
A number of block patterns are called "Attic Window" -- this one is from Otteray Scribe's quilt. The blue fabric in the center was the backing fabric for Ben Masel's quilt. We've been using that fabric in any number of quilts -- a little connection to Ben who is so sorely missed.
Ben Masel's quilt
More messages complete the top row of the quilt:
"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak" - Paul Wellstone meralda
The truth always matters. Texasmom
Where would we be without each other? May we always be mindful of our irreducibly unique experiences as well as our common humanity. {{{{{Kossacks}}}}} peregrine kate
Thank you for giving me a place for my voice. Lightbulb
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this and even blog on DKOS."
(anonymous) arizonablue
Block used in Jester the Marine's quilt
Jester's quilt
The block we used in Jester the Marine's quilt does not have a name that we know of. But it is a cool pattern that we thought suited his user name, Iron Scaled Serpent.
Messages:
"To the community that has kept me hopeful, sane, and which has helped me laugh through the tears, Thank You. Joan Brausch (govib)
[a smiley face with “eeff in it] eeff
Be humble and don't stumble. Chun Yang
"Hold fast to your dreams, for without them
life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."
~ Langston Hughes
Thank you Daily Kos for helping us hold on to our dreams.
~ JaxDem
Heart block
DaNang65's quilt
The heart block is a favorite of mine -- we used it first on DaNang65's quilt and also in the corners of Nurse Kelley's quilt. The blue sky fabric was used as the backing of peregrine kate's quilt.
Heart blocks for Nurse Kelley's quilt
Messages:
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Edward Everett Hale Operculum
Vegan food AGAIN?!?! Kaili Joy Gray
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. Nurse Kelley
DK: You bring joy, aggravation, wonder, solace, irritation, insight, laughter and tears--just like any real family does! srkp23
Eccentric Star block
luvsathoroughbred's quilt, Eccentric Star pattern
This block, Eccentric Star, was used in luvsathoroughbred's quilt. Here, the center fabric is a print of rain and rainbow, the same fabric that backed the first community quilt, Othniel's quilt.
This is me, holding Othniel's quilt
Messages beginning the third row of blocks:
That’s a wrap! ulookarmless
Thank you for everything you do to give us access to such an amazing community. It matters. It makes a difference. It's appreciated. Remember, Progress, not perfection. Ellinorianne
Am I still the only one with their User ID number tattooed on their wrist? -blueyedace2 (47832)
The world may sometimes seem cold
The road we travel is often hard
So we celebrate the community
That has grown in the heart of Daily Kos
With the colors and warmth of this quilt.
I lift my glass to those who work so hard
To bring hope and change
In politics, economics, education, health and the environment.
I salute those who write wonderful diaries.
I thank those who share their thoughts and who help us grow.
I hold in my heart all who are in pain.
Best wishes to you all!
from cfk in the Thumb of Michigan
Bear Paw block
ImpeachKingBushII's quilt
The bear paw block was used first in ImpeachKingBushII's quilt and again in Predictor's quilt. It is another favorite of mine.
Predictor's quilt
More messages:
Live long, Fight Hard, and Prosper. There is always hope. jlms qkw
Dailykos, my American village of true patriots. Couldn't have made it without you all. Thank you. mimi
It's about community
Together we are strong
navajo
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. GlowNZ
block we used for ZenTrainer's quilt
ZenTrainer's quilt
Again, I don't think this block has a name. ZenTrainer likes a minimalist style -- we made this minimalist block for her. For the Daily Kos quilt, we filled the block with a cheeseburger (hat tip to the Pootie People).
Last messages from the third row:
In the darkness of the night
Insomniacs stand vigil on the parapets of Castle Kossack,
armed with warrior skinks and loaded (don't ask with what).
Best wishes from the Venthooligans
"Don't tell me what you believe. Tell me what you do and I'll tell you what you believe. " Meteor Blades bubbanomics
This quilt is better than a bear hug.
No claws & no jaws
Yep.
Just the opposite of a blog. llbear
Vote Democrat! Betty Pinson
Markos, Thank you for my husband! Love, Oke
block pattern from mango's quilt
mango's quilt
Not sure of the name of this block (Friendship Star, maybe?) -- but we used it in mango's quilt in tropical colors.
Messages:
Daily Kos--came for the politics, stayed for the community
vgranucci
For taking care of each other and giving forward...
For seeing and bringing out the best in each other...
For celebration, consolation, orientation and inspiration...
For being an online home and family, Thank You Daily Kos Community! Bluesheep
Daily Kos, my community, my circle of friends, and to a surprising extent, my world. side pocket
A quilt for the office A place where the virtual space becomes real,
and a quilt in which virtual community becomes real. Sounds like a plan! ramara
block with a simple, appliqued circle
Juan's quilt
A simple, appliqueed circle -- with what else? Oranges! We used this block in Juan's quilt.
Messages completing the fourth row:
Cheers to the new Berkeley branch of Dunder Mifflin! BiPM & Michael
Making a difference, one square at a time. slksfca
Thank you to Markos and to all who work so hard to provide this unique community! Love, Ekaterin
Don't ask me how, but I think I survived eight years of George W. Bush.
And all I got was a four digit UID and TU. Christin
White House Steps block, a log cabin variation
Kitsap River's quilt
Charles CurtisStanley's quilt
We used the White House Steps block in two quilts, Kitsap River's and her husband's, Charles CurtisStanley. The two quilts were meant to be a set.
On to the fifth row...more messages:
My wish for the DailyKos community: "When our mind is truly free, we find a wealth of treasure: love, joy, and peace of mind." -Tarthang Tulku Ooooh
Thank you, Daily Kos community, for helping me keep going through the long years of the Bush administration and helping keep my hope alive through the long years of dialysis. I'm still here and fighting - 'nough said. Kitsap River
Our power is that we care about each other so we forgive, encourage, strengthen, and accept each other as we enjoy, build, and expand our community for common goals that might experience a few bumps along the road, but we also do pretty good job ironing out those bumps. Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse
Simply, thank you... shermanesq
Cheyenne block
Louisiana 1976's quilt
This is the Cheyenne block, as used in Louisiana 1976's quilt. It is a very pleasing pattern, to my thinking.
Messages:
Meteor Blades
In so many ways.... thank you. This Community has always been corner of sanity in a crazy world...for many years my day both begins and ends with a visit with to the Dailykos! Webgenie
The Daily Kos brings us together with our ideals...
But these quilts bring us together with our hearts DavidW
My favorite singer/songwriter, Justin Hayward, once wrote these lines –“ ...all we need is freedom, all we ask is peace
All we ask is no-one on their knees” Markos, thank you for giving us this space to weave together this community through the wires. In hard times it's good to know none of us face our troubles alone, that love and comfort are just a few keystrokes away, that we can keep each other from breaking in this time of sorrows. May we all find peace, healing, and strength here for many years to come. Love, Noor B
Darting Bird block
andsarahtoo's quilt
cskendrick's quilt
The Darting Bird block is one I love -- so we used it in two community quilts: andsarahtoo's and cskendrick's.
Messages:
I love Daily Kos …incredibly diverse and passionate, the spiritual and the profane, whether about a single issue or many, brought together by our Democratic values and a desire to make the world a better place for all... Thank you all... all the way from Kos to the commentors and everyone in between. Pandoras Box
((((((((((((((((((((Daily Kos))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you for giving me a place to help to change the world. Thank you for building a place of love and community. With gratitude and respect,
Hugs, Heather (Chacounne)
For all of these years...
of learning, of solace, of frustration, of growth,
of joy with new friends and grief over the loss of the wonderful ones...
Thank you, Markos. rubyr
Hard to add to what's been said BUT: See that lonely guy in orange waving a flag? Wrong. He is so not alone. mrsdbrown1
On to the sixth row! I love the next block... It is called "Rosebud".
Rosebud block
SarahLee's quilt
SarahLee lives on the Rosebud Rez so this block was chosen for her.
Messages:
DailyKos: Slaying "truthiness" since 2002 radical simplicity
To all at Daily Kos - You have taught me, made me laugh, and inspired me to work hard to elect better Democrats (as well as a President), but most importantly (to me, at least) you saved my sanity during the Bush years. I needed to know I wasn't alone in my horror and confusion and when I found this site, I was delighted to discovered I wasn't. Thank you so much – SadieSue
Thank you for helping me find my tribe. smileycreek
The membership of this orange place have made me think and learn, become a better writer, grit my teeth, roll my eyes, sob in empathy and laugh till I wet my pants, sometimes simultaneously. For all that I say thanks! cosmic debris
Cup and Saucer block
Granny Doc's quilt
I love the geometry of the Cup and Saucer block. We used this block in Granny Doc's quilt. The blue fabric in the Daily Kos version of the block was used to back Melody Townsel's quilt, seen here:
Messages:
We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way.-Anne Lamott I ♥ Daily Kos. Alicia
Walk in Beauty
Walk in Harmony
This is the path to healing Ojibwa
"Republicans are poor losers and worse winners." - escapee's grandmother, sometime in the early 1960s escapee
From a corner e-Bar to world famous e-tropolis.
Thanks for the ride, & the growth experience.
GOTV! x
Shoo Fly block
peregrine kate's quilt
This block is known by a number of names but one of the most well-known is "Shoo Fly". It looked lovely in peregrine kate's quilt, done in blues.
Last row! Messages:
Thank you Daily Kos for making this community possible. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” Maya Angelou joanbrooker
Ancora Imparo. ("I am still learning.") - Michelangelo, Age 87 Dreaming of Better Days
we are family. sometimes we fight, sometimes we cry, sometimes we laugh. but all the time... i have your back. birdbrain64
You've kept me sane in a maddening world. And I love you for it. Miss Blue
Attic Window block
DavidW's quilt
This is the second type of Attic Window block -- we used this one for DavidW's quilt. In the DKos version, the pootie fabric is the fabric we used for Bustergirl's quilt backing.
Bustergirl's quilt
Messages:
Daily Kos – a place for thinking people to find a voice – for this I am very thankful! Sara R
hacia adelante a gilas girl
Thank you to the Daily Kos Community for giving us all a place to be in hard times, and a dysfunctional family to belong to in all times. We are all in this together, appearances to the contrary notwithstanding. Dallasdoc
Daily Kos: Mo’ Betta Meta Here’s to a glorious future. Cali Scribe
The last block is called Birds in the Air...
Birds in the Air
Lorikeet's quilt
Rows of "Birds in the Air" for dadanation's quilt
The blue fabric in this last block backed Dr. Harrison's quilt:
Dr. Harrison's quilt
Last messages:
"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." ~Pablo Picasso boran2
What Daily Kos is all about and why I am part of this wonderful community: "I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant." H. L. Mencken maggiejean
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? . . . and respect the dignity of every human being. Wee Mama
DailyKos is my home away from home - that means an awful lot to a military wife. Thanks for being there. Angelajean
That completes our tour. I hope you enjoyed it!