The quieter you become the more you can hear ~ Ram Dass



Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Alphabe-Thursday Q


People I must admit the letter Q almost defeated me but I finally came up with something.  It's a series of books I've been reading for many years called The Elm Tree Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini 

The first book I read was called The Quilter's Apprentice. A young couple moves to a small town and Sarah takes a part time job to help an older woman to get her estate ready for sale.  The older woman is a master quilter.  Naturally, there are problems and other woman become involved in the story and a lot is brought about because of the quilting.  I think its a really good womens friendship book.  If you like those kinds of books like I do.

After reading it, I then found out it was a series of books.  So far I've read 8 and I've got another 3 here.  When I looked on Jennifer's web site now there are 19 in the series.  YIkes, am I ever behind LOL.

She also has a couple of books to make quilts from the different ones she mentions in the books.  

I would love to know how to quilt.  I think they are beautiful but to buy them they are very expensive especially the handmade ones. 

My husband's grandmother's house upstairs had a big quilting room.  Oh how much fun it would have been to be in that room when there was quilting being done.  After reading some of the Elm Tree series, I just imagine the goings on and the tales that were told when she had people over to quilt.  

Oops, I trailed off there LOL. 

 If you like women's friendships books you might want to try The Quilter's Apprentice.  You may or may not get hooked like me.  

I'm really anxious to go check out the other Q posts at Jenny's.  I'm just quivering with excitement.  Why not  take a peek http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday

45 comments:

Steph said...

These books sound really interesting. Thanks for introducing them. I am fascinated with quilts too. They are such works of art.

Unknown said...

The books sound awesome! It don't dare start a series right now.

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

OOOOH! Thank you for sharing these! I love quilts and would love to read a series revolving around them. And I especially like stories that are in a series...

Hm... a few months off of work would be pretty tempting :o) ...a little blog reading, book reading, quilting, crafting, drawing, traveling, lounging, cooking, organizing...

Blessings & Aloha!

Amanda Lee said...

I may have to stay away from those books! When it comes to series books, I won't get a thing done until I've read every book! So hubby might not get dinner or clean socks for a while!

My name is Riet said...

GReat Q post. I am hooked on her books too.

Vicki/Jake said...

Great Q! My Grandma quilted also and made each of her grand kids a quilt when they got married. Mine was one with the little Bonnet Babies.
Have fun reading your series (o:

Jo said...

I do love quilting ... the books sound interesting, i have never heard of them before ...

Natasha in Oz said...

I am learning so many things today-this Q post has been quite educational!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Jackie said...

:q your post was quite quick and queriful :P I will not be reading those books though. I am not very crafty .

Annesphamily said...

Thank you for sharing! These books sound so interesting and quilt was a good post for the letter Q! Stop by soon! Anne

GardenOfDaisies said...

I read one of her other books. I'll have to look for this one!

Tracy said...

MM might have to see if I can locate them over here I would love to be able to quilt properly I am not patient enough

Unknown said...

A first I thought that you were going to show pictures of quilts!!
But a review of a book about quilters is also interesting! Something to look into and read.
I love quilts, and am sorry that I did not have time to show more quilts on this post.

Thanks for sharing!
Happy Qs to you!
Anna

http://annasadornments.blogspot.com/2010/05/q-as-in-quilts-quartz-abc-wednesday.html

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

The books are new to me; quilts are something I surround myself with. Nice job!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

I'm heading to the library for these books as soon as it opens. Sounds very interesting, and I love women relationship. They strengthen each other's spirit.

Jenny said...

These are wonderful book. I haven't read any past book five and I need to re-visit her writing.

Do you know she has a chatroom AND she actually comments on it?

Or she used to. And I think there are actually Elm Street Quilt cruises now as well!

Thanks for the great reminded of a wonderful author!

A+

Debbiedoos said...

Well for a gal who could not come up with something, you sure did!~ Those books sound great, they sound like a good gift too for a friend. I am always thinking of some different birthday gift ideas....thanks:) And thank you for your input on my Question, it is good to know there are a lot of fine young responsible adults these days....I think it is all due to the good parenting!

Unknown said...

very cool...
thank you so much for sharing..

Mine is here
Happy Sensational Thursday!
hugs
shakira

Cheryl said...

My mom quilts and my aunt is a quilter extraordinaire. Great job finding your Q niche with this.

A 2 Z said...

Hi Viki,

You did really well on your Q post. Its not always easy coming up with something at the last minute. Your post was informative and fun. Thanks for sharing and I'm your new follower. Merci.

Anne-Marie with a dash

laterg8r said...

i am going to have to try these books :D

Jessica said...

Q is a tough one I admit for me too! But you did a lovely job describing this book series. I would love to get back into some kind of series...Maybe I will check these out. I also love handmade quilts. My mother made a quilt for my daughter when she was a baby:) She also made me one when I was a baby...I still have it and so does my daughter. These are more than blankets...so much time and love is woven into the stitches:) It was an important thing for her to carry on the tradition when my daughter was born, it really meant a lot to me! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to next week!

Birgit said...

Hi there,

Since you like quilts and books about women's friendships, you might want to give Sandra Dallas's "Prayers For Sale" a try. I have a feeling that you will love it. :)

Thanks for visiting my blog -- it has been a pleasure to meet you!

Smiles,
Birgit

Amy said...

Aaccckkk!!! I love these books!! I've only read the first 4 though...so I really need to get busy!

Great post!

Beth Zimmerman said...

Those do sound like good books. I may have to look them up. Always on the lookout for new books. I read an Amish series recently that was centered on a quilt too. It's an interesting story device as quilts are made of scraps and bits and pieces making up a beautiful whole.

H said...

I am so useless with a needle and thread, but quilting is something I would love to be able to do!

Jacque said...

Hello Viki,

I agree, I would love to quilt but am not really good at hand sewing. I do cross-stitch pretty good, go figure!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse today! I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Unknown said...

19 of them? i've read two or three.

paige said...

My grandmother and her two daughters (my dad's sisters) have quilted all their lives. They have sold and tracked the quilts so they know where in the US they are - and they are all over.

This is an excellent Q post!

Angie said...

Oooooh I am always looking for a good read. i will check these books out! Thank for the recommendation!

Mary said...

Thanks for sharing this series, I'll have to look these books up:-)

Christy said...

I just love quilts, but don't know how to make them either. What a lovely time it must have been to sit and quilt with your friends.

Kat said...

Oh the last thing I need right now is a new series of books to read lol. I love quilts, when I lived in northern Indiana I used to be amazed at the Amish quilts that were available. They are just gorgeous. Kathy

Brenda said...

I have read quite a few of those books and you are right they are very good. Good choice for Q!

Terra said...

ok, I know I want to get these books for my mom. Maybe me too!!

Unknown said...

i have never heard of those books..but they sound wonderful. i made 1 quilt..for my good friend's first baby...and i swore i would never do it again...it was really difficult for me, because i did it all by hand...but it is so beautiful. i'm going to check out this book series from the library!

mrs. c said...

I have made 2 quilts in my life, one for my grand daughter and one for my mom. It would be so much fun to quilt like they used to! I think it is a wonderful way to share with other women. I am going to have to check out these books! Thanks for the info!

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I've made a few quilts, but it's just not my thing. Maybe if it were more of a social event, like it used to be, it would be more fun.

Unknown said...

Since I quilt and do other crafts, I don't have much time to read. LOL But this series sounds very interesting. My MIL likes to read. I might have to find one of these books for her.

Pondside said...

Right after I comment I'll go online to my library and reserve the first of these books - thanks for the recommendation.

Unknown said...

it is never to late to learn....i taught myself to sew five years ago and I love to make quilts.....just jump on in.......Melinda

jen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. And I'm always glad to get a tip on new books. This sounds like a perfect series for my mom, who loves to read almost as much as she loves to quilt!
Thanks, and I'll be back!

lissa said...

quilting is a beautiful art, shame I could do it either

thanks for your visit

RNSANE said...

At 65, Viki, I am not starting any more series! I have so many books here yet to read - and I am such a fan of forensic novels ( after 21 years as a forensic nurse. I don't think I can ever finish what I have before my eyesight goes ( I probably shouldn't have started blogging! ). I have about 20 unfinished kits from my old needlework days - I think as I'm getting ready to downsize and move to a small apartment because of my job loss 15 months ago in San Francisco's massive budget cuts, they'll go up on Craig's list! My house is full of so much!

easternsparkle said...

I'd love to be able to quilt - maybe in time!