Snowy days often are quilting and project days, especially when school is cancelled and the grandkids and I are home.  (I do substitute teaching so likely as not head off to school with the youngsters.)
Snowy days in March also remind me of a saying in our home when I was growing up, “Remember the Blizzard of ‘88.”  My grandparents lived during the unforgettable blizzard that paralized the east coast area starting March 11, 1888.  Grandpa’s stories of this time were fascinating to me as a child.
If you’d like to learn more about this period in our history, check out my …read more

As I was writing an article for my Country Kitchen blog, Food Memories in Community Cookbooks, I was swamped with memories of Mother in her pre-Alzheimer’s years. Actually I have two cookbooks published by the church we attended when I was a child, one from my mother-in-law’s church, and another published by the nursing home where Mother resided.
These cookbooks represent different eras in my life and those of my family. They bring back memories of neighbors, Sunday school teachers, family members and several at the nursing home. I recall occasions when many of the recipes were served.
If you have any …read more

Quilting and Patchwork blogger, Mary Emma Allen has stories featured in the new release, Eternally Yours, an anthology of poetry, light essays, devotions and meditations, edited by Mary Ellen Grisham and published by Xulon Press.
 
Featuring some of the best Christian writers on the Internet, this book represents work that has appeared in the Eternal Ink E-zine since it’s inception in 1999. 
 
In addition, Mary gives presentations and teaches workshops at schools, libraries, writers’ conferences, and for other groups.  Some of her talks include topics such as Alzheimer’s and caregiving, quilt history and quiltmaking, New Hampshire history, and writing.

I was pleased when Ms. …read more

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

Even though the snow is still deep here in New Hampshire, the air is warmer, ice is melting and days are getting longer. Spring is on it’s way so thoughts of gardening become frequent. In fact, you can’t find snow shovels and ice melt in most of the stores. They’re stocking their garden supplies.
Gardening is a stress reliever for many people and quilters are no exception.  Some find this a creative outlet for their energies as well as quilting and fabric art.  I know my daughter does.  Also, gardens often serve as inspiration for quilters and play a role in …read more

Asian fabrics have a distinctive appeal…colorful with swirling designs, often utilizing native flowers, apple blossoms and Oriental figures.  Kona Bay offers many of these appealing fabrics, as well as other information for quilters.
Also, here in the US, we don’t come across so many magazines that give us first hand information about quilting and fabric art in the Hawaiian Islands and other points of the Far East.  Asian Fabric Magazine offers insight into quilting and quilters of that part of the world.
You also can sign up for the free e-mail Kona Bay Quilters Newsletter, as I’ve done, to keep in touch with Hawaiian …read more

Throughout the ceremonies surrounding the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President, we began to hear more about Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.  Some people may have wondered what the connection was as:

*Obama followed Lincoln’s route as he came to Washington for the weekend of festivities. 
He used  Mr. Lincoln’s Bible for his swearing in.

As we hear more about Abraham Lincoln, we may want to refresh our knowledge about the Civil War, his Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves, and his famous Gettysburg Address.  Our children may begin asking questions, and you find they might not have full …read more

Along with quilt fabrics featuring Obama, you’ll find many books these days, already published and those coming up, to enlighten us about his life and the Presidency.  Whether one agrees with the way the election went, it behoves us to keep informed and teach our children about America past and present.
Over at One Book Two Book, I’ve posted a list of books about the Obamas and the United States Presidency, Childen’s Books About Obama & the Presidency.
Perhaps you’ve discovered some you consider helpful.

Quiltmaker’s Gift Quilts

As I researched The Quiltmaker’s Gift, in order to answer a question from one of my readers, I discovered there were follow-up books involving quilts and quiltmaking instructions.  These are Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift and More Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift. 
These books also received rave reviews for being well done and providing easy to understand instuctions and illustrations.
So these books may answer a question from the reader who wanted magazines about quilting for her Czech friend.  I’ve e-mailed her and suggested she check the books out to see if they might be what she’s looking for.  …read more

The Quiltmaker’s Gift
After reading my post, 5 Favorite Posts Regarding Story Books, Carmen commented,
I am trying to find the fabric for “The Quiltmakers Gift” or any other children’s story…where to I go about finding the fabric….it’s been quite challenging. Your assitance is greatly appreicated..
Does anyone know where to find fabrics that represent story book characters? 
 Have you made quilts from story books?  Perhaps you’ll share your experience with us or point us to a link on your blog where you explain this.