What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Time for some book reviews and discussion of what we are all reading. I’m finally getting used to the blasted daylight saving time, and my morning reading time is once again enjoyable. I’ve had a bit more time to read lately as well, so we have more books than usual for a book chat day. The first book on the list was found at the 25-cent shelf at the library. I am such a fan of Masterpiece Theatre, I had to get it.

Making Masterpiece: 25 Years Behind the Scenes at Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! on PBS by ...

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 I shipped a lot of books back from the ALA Annual Conference.  Many are ARCs--advance reader copies, though quite a number have been published.  I'm pleased to report that I've finished five ARCs and one published book.  I've also read two others (one checked out of the library and the other a book-sale purchase).  

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I had so many green hsts that I have already made ten (eight pictured) in the larger size and have more prepped in the smaller size.
I see from this picture that some of the greens are SO light as to almost not be there but in person I did not notice that.  I wish there was more variety, but I am using whatever I have and not making more hst's if I do not need to. Linking up with Angela for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023!

 Here is a four star book I just reviewed.  "Exiles" by Jan ...

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 (This is the second catch-up book review post.  Look for BOTW to return later this month.)

A librarian friend In Massachusetts said that her library hosted a program with local author Peter Zheutlin talking about the biography and novel he wrote about his adventurous great-grandaunt.  I checked out both and read the novel first.  

"Spin" works two ways in this true-story novel.  Annie Kapchovsky did indeed take a spin around the world on a bicycle. That was back in 1894 and she did it to earn a $5000 prize. That would be enough to support her family (her Talmud scholar ...

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 Reading is like breathing:  if I cease to do it then I will no longer be alive.  I assure you that I am very much alive and thus I have indeed been reading.  I just haven't been composing blog posts with book reviews.  I *will* get back on track in 2023.

2022 was the Newbery centennial.  To mark that the ALA Retired Members Round Table book club chose Newbery winners as the prompt for our fifth Sunday Zoom meeting, which was October 31.   I chose The Door in the Wall by Marguerite DeAngeli (1950 winner).

 "Always remember to follow ...

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It has been a fun holiday weekend. Thursday was football and food, chatting with friends online and on the phone. Friday brought out the sappy little Christmas movies, leading off with Miracle on 34th Street as I packed up all the autumn and Thanksgiving decor, and brought out the Christmas boxes. I pulled my table toppers and quilts from the cedar chest, and began laying them on tables to decide what would go where. When I unpacked this stoneware Christmas set, I noticed something fun. I’ll show you the idea that came to mind on December 6 as I ...

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For your Labor Day enjoyment, I have a few book reviews from the past few weeks worth of reading. Two books in a row were just OK, not the stellar reads I thought they might be based on other reviews. Then, two books that were so good, they made up for the mediocre ones. One was beyond excellent, and I’ll save it for last. I had to go ahead and post with only four books because you have to know about the last one now. Links to Amazon provided for you to see the publisher’s synopsis if you ...

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Crafting with Digital Cutting Machines is a new book out by Libby Ashcraft.  It is ideal for crafters who use the ScanNCut, Silhouette and Cricut.

Filled with plenty of colorful photos and diagrams, you will find the following in this 96 page book:

• Introduction and overview of various cutting machines
• Glossary of common terms
• Section on suitable materials you can use with your machine
• Numerous must-know techniques
• Six step-by step craft projects

Throughout the various sections there are plenty of tips to help you out.

Libby, the author, has been crafting for over 20 years and is a certified Silhouette ...

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Patchwork Quilted Bags helps you create unique bags that put a little charm into your wardrobe.

Full-sized quilting patterns and step-by-step instructions for 19 different projects, along with techniques for assembling the perfect patch, make this quilting book ideal for novice and practiced crafters alike. Projects range in size from large totes to small pouches in a zakka vein.

With Patchwork Quilted Bags you can make:

• A bird-themed travel bag
• An elegant lace-rimmed bucket bag
• A colorful clasp purse
• A round bag/basket
• A fold-away eco bag
• A baby bag with bottle “cozy”
• Adorable animal-themed totes
• A Union-Jack themed pouch ...

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Quilted Bags & Gifts is a beautiful collection of bags, pouches, and accessories designed for quilters who love to create handmade gifts. All 36 projects use basic patchwork and appliqué techniques, so they can be made in a weekend. Readers will be inspired by Akemi Shibata’s unique “Elegant de Kawaii” style, which combines taupe fabrics with colorful prints.

With an astounding 36 projects to choose from, quilters will love this selection of tote bags, handbags, sewing cases, coin purses, tapestries, and more!

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Create scrap blocks like you’ve never seen in this quilting book, Sewing Scrap Blocks With Character

• The ultimate pattern book for quilters seeking fun, whimsical scrap block designs, all with loveable character and charm
• 64 patchwork blocks, each fresh and modern and based on the #365daysquiltscraps challenge
• Original designs include a baby dragon, cats, bunnies, penguins, Halloween decorations, Santa, and more
• Full-size patterns for each project, with easy-to-use gridded templates for enlargement and piecing

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Take any 6” quilt block and transform it into a delightful and functional mug rug mini quilt for your home. A mug rug mini quilt is the ideal gift to make for yourself or a friend, relative, teacher or colleague. They are small enough to create in an afternoon and will brighten any table or desk. Within the pages of this book you will find ten ‘side bar’ designs which can be paired with ANY 6” block to create a unique and fun mug rug.

The Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rugs

Perhaps you have some 6” blocks left over from ...

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It's been a while since I was at the lakefront to get a sunrise photo.  This was 7:23 on Saturday -- with the time change it would now be 6:23.  

My OMG for November is to quilt three flimsies.   Here's the first, quilted and bound.  The second is basted and under the needle.   

The back used up some long-in-the-stash fabrics.

There was an estate sale in town this weekend.  The website photos showed sewing machines, notions, patterns, and a lot of fabric. I went on Friday (opening day) to get an idea.  Apparently the woman made clothing ...

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Celebrate the season with the Moda All-Stars!

They’re back with 15+ handmade gifts to give or keep. Choose from speedy stockings, pincushions, and coasters to make in multiples. Or, pick a patchwork project: lap quilts, table runners, and other deck-the-halls designs abound. Complete most projects in a weekend or quicker–no need to fear the holiday time crunch! And just for fun, learn all about the favorite seasonal traditions of the All-Stars in a series of Q&As.

Royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

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Come join the fun as Pat Sloan takes you on a joyful journey through a year’s worth of celebrations. You’ll find easy patchwork and fusible-appliqué; projects for Valentine’s Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Pat Sloans Holiday Celebrations

Stitch welcoming lap quilts and table toppers, plump and pretty pillows, trick-or-treat totes, cozy Christmas stockings, and more. Keep your home decor looking fresh and cheery as the seasons change, and always have the perfect pattern on hand for a housewarming or holiday gift.

With inspiring photos, easy-to-follow instructions, and 17 terrific designs at your ...

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100 Any-Size Christmas Quilt Blocks by Rita Weiss and Linda Causee is a treasure trove for the quilter who loves making holiday projects. The accompanying CD provides templates or paper foundation patterns for each design in multiple sizes, so you can print all you need for a project. The appliqué and foundation-pieced patterns are given in five sizes each: 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 inch. The patchwork patterns are sized for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 inch blocks. With 550 options, you are sure to find just what you want!

To inspire you, sample projects include four ...

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Bring out your handmade holiday spirit! Use your favorite applique methods to create quilts, table decor, gifts and more. This book has something for everyone-projects range from classic to contemporary. Make it a Christmas that everyone wants to come home for!   This Book Christmas with possibilities is filled with 16 Quilted projects.

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Capture the personality of your pets by transforming your photos into creative fabric collage portrait quilts.

Fully illustrated (in color), Pet Portrait Art Quilts shows you how to create unique art quilt animal portraits using fused appliqué and free-motion stitch.

These fabric collage portrait quilts are easy to make, regardless of experience in art quilting, appliqué, free-motion stitching, or photography.

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Known for their exciting use of color in quick and easy quilts, sisters Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson present a value-packed collection of popular projects.  Simple Quilts 

• Select from 12 strikingly simple quilts and recharge your creative batteries
• Discover skill-building projects that move from squares and strips to designs featuring stitch-and-flip corners, half-square triangles, pinwheels, a Rail Fence layout, and more
• Enjoy patterns that are just right for quilt retreats and make-in-a weekend gifts

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