We’re digging out from a blizzard that left 12-16 inches of snow, depending on whether it drifted or not.  Along with show shoveling tasks, reading is on the agenda today.  Also, my daughter, who is home after working the early morning shift, turns to her quiltmaking.
We are a family of readers in our multi-generational home (grandfather, granny, mom, dad and the two children).  Books abound around the house, the library is a fun place to visit, bookstores (new and used) hold a fascination, and online bookstores are enjoyable to access.
However, books about quilts and quiltmaking  find a prominent place in …read more

Bird Quilts
Just as I’m focusing on birds and bird quilt patterns this week, brought about by National Bird Day this past Monday, I came across these books.  Perhaps you’ve made quilts or fabric art related to our feathered friends or maybe you’d like to.
Feathered Friends: 18 Paper-Pieced Blocks for Bird Lovers by Jette Norregaard Neilsen
Backyard Bird Quilts: 18 Paper-Pieced Projects by Jodie Davis
Applique Takes Wings: Exquisite Designs for Birds, Butterflies and More by Jane Townswick
Exotic Birds Critter Works Applique Quilting Pattern
Memories of a Lifetime: Birds and Butterflies: Artwork for Scrapbooks and Fabric-Transfer Crafts by Nancy Rosin
Do you have any favorite …read more

Do you ever find you have too many quilt books?  Even though you love to accumulate quilt and needlework books for fun, for learning, for new techniques, and for inspiration, there comes a time when you may decide you can’t keep them all.
This has happened to my daughter and me.  We have placed some in our yard sales over the years.  But with snow on the ground in New Hampshire, where we live, it’s no longer yard sale weather.  So we’re finding other ways to share our list of books.
Some quilters list their books on eBay or establish a shop at …read more

Quilting/Fabric Art Books
As a resource for you’ve I’ve compiled a short list of some Fascinating Quilting/Fabric Art Books in my Pages on the right side of this page.  I think you’ll find them of interest.
Some you may have or possibly read.  If not, you may find them good resources for future projects.  Like most quilters, you probably collect quilt books as you do quilting fabric and are developing a “book stash.”
What are your favorite quilting/fabric art books?

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
It’s fun to see how excited the youngsters become when it’s Book Fair Time at school.  Yesterday I was substitute teaching and took children to the area in the library where the books were displayed.
Even though there were few books for adults, unless you were looking for teacher instruction and activity books, it also was fun to browse with the youngsters.  This reminded me of the lure of bookstores, whether I’m searching for fiction or quilt books, adult or children’s books.
I also was pleased to discover that there were many fewer gimmicks and gadgets for the youngsters to buy …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
Since this is the last day of July and the end of the Christmas in July theme I’ve been participating in, I’ll mention a few quilting books that have possible projects for your holiday gift giving and decorating.  One also is an Elm Creek Quilts novel.
                        
Enjoy!
(Amazon images)
Sandy Mitchell also has been featuring Christmas in July throughout the month at All Holiday Cafe.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
Your response to my giveaways (Bloggy Giveaway at Quilting & Patchwork , ends 8/1 and Another Giveaway at Quilting & Patchwork, ends 7/31) has been wonderful.  I’m pleased so many of you wanted to share your involvement with  quilting whether you are a quilter/fabric artist or simply appreciate quilts.
I enjoyed hearing about your quiltmaking, your quilting heritage, and the stories of heirloom quilts.  I plan to share some of those stories in posts so more people will get inspired about quilting.  What wonderful stories you’ve shared!
Perhaps we can start a dialogue among Quilting and Patchwork readers.
By sharing, you can help one another find encouragement and …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

If you’ve thought about writing and publishing books, even newspaper and magazine articles, about your quilting experiences (as Doreen Speckmann did) or describing original patterns, you may enjoy the series of posts Yvonne Russell and I are writing (along with guest posts) at Home Biz Notes throughout July.
I shall be writing a series on self-publishing, including my experiences with my book, The Magic of Patchwork. There will be posts on all types of writing including fiction and non-fiction, commercial writing, newsletters, and e-books.
Come join us throughout the month to learn about writing and publishing from home. Share with us and ask questions, too.
(Amazon …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
 Many quilters entering the drawing that recently ended, with Dina McNulty as winner of the quilt booklet and Susan Cahill of the puzzle postcard, named their favorite quilt book.  I thought you’d find it interesting to see what these books are. 
Perhaps you have them in your library.  Or perhaps you’ll want to acquire them.

Just Can’t Cut It by Pamela Mostek (Dina McNulty)
Quilter’s Compete Guide by Fons and Porter (Susan Cahill)
Joen Wolfram’s Color Books
Traditional Quilts for Kids to Make by Barbara J. Eihmeier
New Ways to Applique by House of White Birches
Scrap Quilt Sensations by Katherine Guerrier
Handy Patterns for Knitters        

Do you …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
 Periodically I go through my Quilting and Patchwork posts and come across some that are favorites. 
Here are five quilting posts that caught my attention tonight.
The Rag Quilt by  Lauren Mills
The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
The Lure of Sunbnnet Sue
Quilting With Grandma (a poem)
Can You Write a Quilting Story?
Do you have some favorite posts here at Quilting And Patchwork?  I’d enjoy having you tell me what they are!
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen