QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
   I’m always on the lookout for books that relate to quilting, often those that are inspirational and evoke memories.  I discovered Quilts From Heaven , Finding Parables in the Patchwork of Life, by Lucinda Secrest McDowell at Penelope Anne’s Manic Bookworm’s Ballroom.
According to Penelope Anne, “This book was very rewarding, it shared numerous moments of truly touching personal affirmations that directly correlated to a quilt pattern in each chapter. “
Then Penelope Anne posted a poem from the book, Pieces of My Quilt, starting with “If quilts could talk…..”
Doesn’t that simply lure right into wanting to read the book? 
 Also, doesn’t it make …read more

 QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
   Civil War Era quilts provide fascination for quilters interested in history and needlework of prior eras. Much research has been done about quilts of those days and books written about them.
As I researched on this topic myself, I discovered Marcie’s Patchalot more blog and a post about the Civil War quilts she and a friend, Connie, have made…or are making.
I’m sure you’ll find Every Picture Tells a Story fascinating.  Perhaps it will provide you with ideas about a project you could undertake. 
 Stories about Civil War Quilts are somewhat related to my previous post, The Underground Quilt Controversy, since the events underlying all of them …read more

  Expansion of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores’ offerings includes the assistance of well-known quilter M’Liss Rae Hawley.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading national fabric and craft specialty retailer, has enlisted the expertise of M’Liss Rae Hawley, the internationally known leader in the field of quilting, to expand class and fabric offerings for quilters nationwide, according to their recent announcement.
M’Liss’s exclusive line of fabric designs include floral and travel themes.  Her classes will appeal to quilters of any level…beginners to experts.
Check out more details at the link above.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com 
   Do you have favorite books that have helped you with your quilting and fabric art? Perhaps they are instructional. Others may be inspirational.  Maybe they delve into quilting history.  Also, you may read some for pure enjoyment.
These also may change, depending on your current quilting needs and interests. Some of your favorites may be out of print, but if someone searches diligently, they probably can find with a copy.
I asked my daughter Beth (Meandering Threads) what her five favorite books currently are.  She actually came up with six, two by the same author.
1. The Painted Quilt by Linda & Laura Kempshall
2. Landscape in Contemporary …read more

 Decorating with quilts presents many possibilities.  The quilts may be old or new, pieces salvaged and framed, quilts repaired and reconstructed and many other quilted items that add interest and color to the room’s decor.
An interesting article at STLtoday.com’s lifestyle section, Family Heirlooms Make This House a Home, by Susan Fadem with photos by Laurie Skrivan, describes decorating with old quilts. 
 There’s a framed yo-yo quilt, made from flour sacks, by a great-grandmother.  This quilt originally was cut into three pieces so that each child could have a piece.  Then it was cut into thirds again before being framed.
Another inherited quilt is …read more

If you don’t want to miss any of Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilter’s novels, check out the latest…The New Year’s Quilt.  I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my “must read” list.   It’s also on my Christmas list!
Another novel, The Winding Ways Quilt, has not yet been released.  Although in some stores you can pre-order it.
What is your favorite Elm Creek Quilts novel?  I find it’s so difficult to choose just one. 

  Learning techniques from other businesses may act as a springboard for your quilting business, even if the others  don’t involve quilting, patchwork or fabric art.  I read about a fun home business recently and think you might learn from this family…at least how to “find a need and fill it.”
This is the Christiansen family in Utah, who developed an online business based on the sons’ need to learn how to tie their ties.  They decided to create a web site to disperse this information…and then sell ties and related items.
I’ve mentioned them at my Home Biz Notes blog, in the …read more

 I find it most enjoyable to share my quilts and quilting with groups in our community and further afield.  (This comes from someone who was petrified to give oral book reports in school.)  However, when you have something you enjoy, it’s much easier to display and share.One of my fond memories involves being guest speaker for our local historical society.  They wanted me to speak about quilts, quilt history and my involvement with this.   (My daughter and I had recently been named in Who’s Who in American Quilting and a press release appeared in the local paper.)
So I gathered together …read more

  Swapping fabric post cards has become a fascinating hobby for fabric artists and quilters.  Many different themes abound, with each group selecting something that strikes their fancy or has special meaning.
I discovered “Postcards from the 1930’s” at Kate’s Quilting (and other fiber arts) Blog.  This appears to be an ongoing swap and Kate has posted a few of these cards, along with others she sends and receives.
Since fabric postcards fascinate me…I see many my daughter makes and receives.  So I’m frequently browsing other web sites and blogs for them.
Two of Kate’s postcard posts:
Sunday: work done 
Postcards today
Here are some for …read more

Don’t let those fabric scraps go to waste.  Jen at Domestik Goddess has a great idea.  She mentioned it in the comments section to my post, Holiday Wreaths from Quilt Fabric Scraps.  However I thought it so interesting that I wanted to pass it along to anyone who might not check out every comment to every article.
Fabric scraps left over from quilting projects would be perfect for those Victorian scrap gift balls that I mentioned in passing, too[in Holiday Decorations]. Basically, it’s a ball of fabric strips, wound up the way you’d make a ball of yarn. At the center, you …read more