ELM CREEK QUILTS - QUILT PROJECGTS INSPIRED BY THE ELM CREEK QUILTS NOVELS

 

ELM CREEK QUILTS - QUILT PROJECTS BY THE ELM STREET CREEK QUILTS NOVEL  by Jennifer Chiaverini and Nancy Odom is the “workbook” that could accompany the first four Elm Street Quilt historical novels; The Quilters Apprentice, Round Robin, The Cross Country Quilter, and The Runaway Quilt. If you are not a quilter, this book will not interest you, if you are a quilter you will love this book. 

This book of projects includes a chapter for beginners, Quilting 101. Each chapter includes: a brief story behind the quilt, the templates and directions. I ordered the book because I am reading the series and for the pictures BUT, The Runaway Quilt is now on my list of potential projects. 

I purchased this book from THRIFT BOOKS, a used book store with great deals. I cannot imagine anyone letting go of such a book with such beautiful projects, there are 12 in all.  You do not have to read the series to appreciate this book but if you do I can see a quilter sewing along as he or she reads along! 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

MURDER ALL SEWN UP by Sheri Richey

 

Two things I must admit before I tell you how much I like this book: 1) kI did not read the SPICETOWN series, and 2) This is my first print book I have read in a lonnnnng time!  I have been reading ebooks and listening to audio-books.  

MURDER ALL SEWN UP by Sheri Richey, my first venture in reading it myself, is a very good read. I was attracted to the book because the title had my two favorite sources of entertainment: swing and watching murder mysteries. If these two topics interest you then you will love this book IF, and this is a big if, you don’t like blood and gore. In the beginning of the story you learn that a garment was made and someone died; I think I can also tell you the garment was owned by a woman who died 20 years ago.

Did I mention the puppy? He is on the cover of the book so that is not a spoiler! If nothing else you will have to read the book to learn more about the pup, including: What’s his name?

I enjoyed reading this book and will be reading TAILOR MADE TERROR BOOK #2 OF 4 IN THE Carom Seed Cozy series. It is an easy read, a gentle nonviolent 343 page book. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

THE QUILT by T Davis Bunn

 

THE QUILT by T. Davis Bunn, an audio book with my “name on it”. It was a few minutes short of 2 hours to listen to and every second was inspirational. The story reminded me of a book I read as a child: Stone Soup, there are many variations of this theme including woven (pun  intended) within this story. Stone Soup is a short story about someone one preparing a meal and places a stone in a big pot of boiling water, slowly but surely the neighbors came and added ingredients, in the end thre was enough soup to feed the entire village.

THE QUILT is a story of an old woman with severe arthritis who wants to make one last quilt because God told her to. 

The book is inspirational, motivational and full of faith. I needed to hear this story because I am facing challenges that I can overcome but I need to disregard what “they” say just like the main character in this novelette did. 

This book is about having faith in the process. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE CHRISTMAS QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

Jennifer Chiaverini  is skilled at presenting family dynamics that we all can relate to. In the historical fiction THE CHRISTMAS QUILT she takes the reader back, if you have been reading the books in order, to Christmases celebrated in the Bergstrom home. The Christmases covered the family coping with the depression, a war and an ongoing sibling rivalry; it also address death of various individuals.

The quilt; yes there is a quilt, a very unique one that is introduced at the beginning of the story and is created block by block during the Christmas holiday. The difficulties associated with completing the quilt represents the hopes and hindrances in maintaining family cohesiveness..

Each book in the Elm Street series has given me a glimpse into history through the lens of family. ISo far I am glad I am reading the books in order, the novel itself is a stand alone story line. When you read the first book: THE QUILTER’S APPRENTICE, you are introduced to the characters, with every book you get to know more about them. Like most relationships, the longer you know a person the more you know about that person. We learn more about Sylvia and Sarah in this novel.  

Note: Up to know I have been listening to the stories via audiobook. I am now changing to prin. I am waiting for CIRCLE OF QUILTERS to be delivered. In addition I anticipate reviewing Mrs. Chiaverini’s quilting projects book in the upcoming weeks as well. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT

 

My first impression a historical fiction novel the includes slavery. Jennifer Chiaverini already talked about the underground railroad in a previous novel but this had more. As I continued listening to THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini I thought: This is slavery from a White person’s perspective, not just a White person(s) but one(s) who were anti slavery. 

I have said on more than one of my reviews regarding the Elm Street Quilt series that the stories are cumulative. I also alluded to the idea that there were stories within the stories which is why the reader, or listener, must pay attention to the characters. THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT could be read out of sequence but it is best when read in order of release.

Have you ever researched your family tree? You have to go back in time, dig up the names, dates and places but the personalities, character traits of each individual you may not ever know. THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT, is different in that Sylvia and her team are not even born and racism was not politically incorrect. This is the story of Sylvia’s family. And how they dealt with slavery.

This is a much needed story because it not only discusses the pains of slavery but the sacrifices White people made in order to assist Black people. America needs to understand what non-Black people did to help others appreciate the bigger picture, beore the civil war.

The question you might ask: What about the quilt? There is a quilt, it is the catalyst that reveals the mindset of many people. 

Of course I recommend this book. 

I The Christmas Quilt, Circle of Quilters and a Quilt Project book by the same author

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE MASTER QUILTER by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

If you are following the Elm Street book series then you know that life is not all about quilts. (Did I, a quilter just write that!) THE MASTER QUILTER (2004) is about planning the unique gift for Sylvia and Andrew  but family drama may ruin everything. Do you remember the competition / animosity between a member of the Elm street group and the other group? Do you remember all the things there children were going through?  (That’s why we get print copies of books and not audio!) Oh and the financial drama! As I have said in previous reviews the book series is not just about making quilts.

The Elm Street Quilt series has very believable plot lines and with Jennifer Chiaverini the one story is the foundation for the next, you never know when a marriage is going to fail or succeed. You don’t know what is going to happen do the children and you, at least I am, curious as to how a quilt is going to get made with so many busy lives. 

The Master Quilt is almost like a family reunion, I am glad to know what happened to various individuals. 

I had not planned on writing book reviews on this series, I usually review non-fiction, thus I had to write back to back reviews so that I could start writing as I read.  This is the last of the books I listened to before I started writing the reviews and so I am all caught up. I am looking forward to telling you about THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT so I can tell you about THE CHRISTMAS QUILT Iwhen I am finished that one! 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

THE QUILTERS LEGACY by Jennifer Chiaverini

 

The Quilter's Legacy (2003)is book 5 of the 6 books I have listened to. By the time you read this I will probably be on book 8 or 9 since I just finished listening to book 6. Let’s take a quick peak at the author Jennifer Chiaverini before I tell you how awesome this book is! 

Jennifer Chiaverini is a best selling author of historical fiction, I discovered her through her Elm Street quilters series however she writes more. She is a college graduate (University of Notre Dame and University of Chicago) and has received rewards related to her writing. She is a wife and mother residing in Wisconsin. 

In my research I discovered she has written a novel about John Wilkes Booth: FATES AND TRAITORS; I am adding the book to my list but at this point my list of books by this particular author will have me reading  well into 2027! I also discovered her books on quilting patterns, there are 4 that I remember, I ordered one when I ordered the print copy of CIRCLE OF QUILTERS, the book I will be reading after listening to THE CHRISTMAS QUILT. 

THE QUILTERS LEGACY continues to bring the past into the present, as it relates to the time the characters are living, Sylvia wants to find “the quilt”. This story hit home because somewhere among one of my family members storage of stuff is a quilt made by my great grandmother, I just want to see it. In searching for the quilt, Sylvia learns more about her family history. 

But wait! There’s more! This book is why I am a strong supporter of reading the series in order because there are always stories developing within the story as the lives of the various women are presented. And of course a quilt is made. 

The one thing I want to say because I did finish reading  book 7; This book is part of a story line but it is foundational for what is to come. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd