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 page, More About the Blizzards of 1888 & Other Storms. (There also was an earlier severe blizzard in the West in 1888.)

Post from: Blisstree

Snowy Days are Quilting Days

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 of these community cookbooks in which your family members participated, treasure them.  Perhaps some of the cookbooks even have quilters represented.  Or they might be a cookbook compiled and published by a quilting group.  My daughter Beth and I have some of those.  We didn’t contribute, but friends did.

They bring back memories and often quilting stories.  I also need (Ah! to find the time!) to go through these cookbooks and jot down memories of the recipes and the various people who played a role in my life during those eras.

Do you have community or quilting cookbooks in your life?

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters’ & Community Cookbooks Provide Great Memories

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. Grisham selected some of my stories for inclusion in this anthology.  It’s exciting to encourage and inspire others with my writing.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork’s Mary Emma Allen published in Eternally Yours Anthology

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 our lives.  My daughter is surrounded by quilting books for ideas and information.

What other types of books are we reading in our family?  Mysteries, fantasy, sci-fi, quilting and fabric art, inspirational and Biblical.  I’m reviewing picture books, quilting mysteries and those on Alzheimer’s for my blogs.

What are you reading…and quilting…this winter?

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting and Reading on a Snowy Day

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 their designs.  (For instance, think of Grandmother’s Flower Garden, an old-fashioned pattern.)

I grew up on a farm where a large garden was necessary to feed children, hired help and other family members. Throughout the years, Jim and I’ve had gardens in several of the many places where we’ve lived.

I even wrote a gardening column for a magazine for awhile. So…I’ve begun a gardening blog and thought it would be fun to explore this realm of writing once again.

If you’re a gardening fanatic, or simply would like some more information, memories, and fun reading, join me at Gardens Green & Glorious.

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Thoughts of Gardening & a Garden Blog

Asian fabrics have a distinctive appeal

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 and Asian quilting.

Why don’t you share your Asian quilting experiences with us, whether you’ve been to the Far East and experienced quilting and fabric art there or you simply enjoy the designs and fabrics to try at home here?

(Kona Bay fabric Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Asian Quilting Fabrics Are Distinctive, Especially at Kona Bay

• *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 knowledge from studies at school.

I’ve compiled a list of Resources About Abraham Lincoln at my blog, One Book Two Book that you may find helpful.

Quilting Resources:

Barbara Brackman Designs Obama Fabric You Can Print

Obama Quilts

(Welsh image at Amazon)

Post from: Blisstree

Obama Quilts, Fabric & Association with Abe Lincoln

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.

Post from: Blisstree

Obama Books for Children & Adults

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.  Even though not written in Czech, the illustrations might provide directions that the quilter can follow.

My daughter also suggested she browse through a magazine rack in a supermarket, department store or bookstore to see what the lady can find for her friend.  It’s very unlikely she’ll find magazines in the Czech language.

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Follow-up Books for 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.

Post from: Blisstree

Fabric to Represent Story Books, Particularly “The Quiltmaker’s Gift”