Thursday, January 24, 2013

Quilters' Book Club Introduction





I love to quilt, and I love to read - so why not combine these two interests to form a Quilters' Book Club?  I invite you to join me.  Each month, we'll read a book, discuss it through the comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.  I'll research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And I'll find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.  I'll also make sure each book is available on Kindle since so many people use that format for reading.  
     
Now, what fabrics to use for my blocks?  I have long admired red and white quilts so decide to keep it simple and go with just two fabrics, Kona Snow and Kona Rich Red.  And I have a name for my quilt.  It will be called my "Curl Up with a Good Book Quilt."  Please feel free to choose whatever fabrics you'd like to use for your quilt.  We quilters are such creative people.  I can't wait to see what we all create! 

Our first book is The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas.  This will be our book to read and discuss during the month of February, 2013.   

"It is the 1930s, and hard times have hit Harveyville, Kansas, where the crops are burning up, and there's not a job to be found. For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a highlight of each week is the gathering of the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, exchanging gossip, and putting their quilting skills to good use. When a new member of the club stirs up a dark secret, the women must band together to support and protect one another. In her magical, memorable novel, Sandra Dallas explores the ties that unite women through good times and bad."

I have had the privilege of hearing Sandra speak three times.  The last time was by far the most special.  All those who bought a ticket to hear her speak were entered into a contest to get to eat dinner with her before her presentation.  I could hardly believe it when I received the phone call that I had won!  I had a lovely meal with Sandra and her husband in my wonderful local bookstore before she spoke.  Here is a link to her website:    http://sandradallas.com/ if you'd like to learn more about her and her books. 

Get a copy of The Persian Pickle Club from your local library and join us, if you'd like.  I love the idea of a book club made up of quilters around the world!  If you use fabrics from your stash, your quilt doesn't have to cost anything!  Just because I'm using only two fabrics, you certainly don't have to.  Feel free to use whatever fabrics you'd like. 

If you'd like to be part of the book club, please introduce yourself in the comment section below.  We'd love to have you!  And if you look on the right side of my blog under Labels, you will find "Quilters' Book Club."  If you click on that, you will be able to see every blog post related to the book club.

A tip I'd like to pass on from member Paula C.:  If you are reading my blog on an Iphone or Ipad, the links on the right will not show up.  Make sure you are reading the web version of my post. 

In the next Quilters' Book Club post, I'll give suggestions for quilt blocks related to the theme of friendship found in The Persian Pickle Club:

64 comments:

  1. I have that book but haven't started reading it yet. I am having two book giveaways on my blog you might be interested in.

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    1. I plan to start reading mine tonight after I get back from steak night at "The VUG".
      Cal

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    2. Crafts4others, I'm thrilled to have won your January book give-away. Thank you. I can't wait to get it!

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    3. Cal, I think you'll really enjoy The Persian Pickle Club. I'm so happy to have you part of the group!

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  2. This sounds interesting. I love to read and quilt. A block a month is do-able. I'm in.

    Sandy White

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    1. We're so happy to have you as part of the book club, Sandra!

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  3. Persian Pickle Club is one of my favorites and I've read it several times. Sandra Dallas is by far my favorite author also. Love your idea of blocks related to the book.

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    1. I agree 100%! It's a great book and got me hooked on this author.

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    2. I'm excited about this group. I love the idea of reading and discussing books and then making a block to go with each book. Audrey, this was the first book of Sandra's I read also and now read every one of hers that comes out.

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  4. I wondered where the name of that club came from. Wish I had access to the books because that sounds like so much fun. Maybe I should join the block-making and sew a button on each patch as I finally read the book. I'm sure there will be great reading suggestions.

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    1. Have now read the book. Love the book. Julie Persian pickle is another name for Paisley

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    2. I think Persian pickle is such a fun name for paisley!

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    3. Yes it is! I loved reading the book for the story and the things I learned from it...Persian pickle--paisley? Who knew.

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  5. Will you email us wi the block info or ? Count me in!

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    1. We're so glad to have you be part of the book club! I will post potential quilt block ideas to go with The Persian Pickle Club over the next month. I will suggest blocks to go with the book's theme of friendship as well as blocks to go with the setting, the main character, and the events in the book. You can choose whichever block or blocks you'd like to make. On the right hand side of my blog under Labels, you will see Quilters' Book Club. Click on that, and you'll see every post about the book club so far.

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  6. I am in! I have a kindle so hope that all your picks are going to be on Kindle. Should the quilt blocks all be the same 2 colors? I like the nae that you gave yours. I think that I will call mine "Fireside Reading Cuddler" quilt.

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    1. Shirley, all of our book picks should be found on Kindle. You do not have to use only two fabrics for your blocks. Throughout the month, I will give ideas for blocks to go with The Persian Pickle Club. You can choose which block you'd like to make and use whatever fabrics you want. I love "Fireside Reading Cuddler" as a name for your quilt. Wonderful!

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  7. I wrote a comment on Sandra Dallas' Facebook page, telling her about our Quilters' Book Club. She replied: What a nifty idea! Don't overlook "Aunt Jane of Kentucky," a 100-year-old book still in print. It was one of the reasons I wrote "Prayers for Sale."

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  8. Good morning. I don't know if I am doing this right. I am new to the blogging world. I would love to join the book club. When does the book need to be read by and how will we have the discussion..lol, newbie :-) I think this is a wonderful idea

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    1. Terry, you're in! We'll take a month on each book. In the first week, we'll discuss the themes and look at potential quilt blocks that go with the themes. The next week, we'll look at the setting. Then the characters, and finally the events of the story. We'll be discussing the book throughout the month, but hopefully nothing much will be given away until the end when we look at the events of the story. I'm thinking we'll discuss the book for three weeks and then leave a week for wrap-up and sewing of the block. We'll discuss through the comments section of each blog.

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  9. Sounds like fun! Send more info.

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    1. Laura, we would love to have you join us! I could not e-mail you because you are a no-reply blogger, and I have no e-mail address for you. We will be reading and discussing one book a month. I will post at least once a week and include a question or questions in that post. All discussion will take place in the comments section - whenever you feel like commenting. We will not be meeting on a specific day and time like an ordinary book club. In each week's blog post, I will also post links to quilt blocks that go with that book's theme, setting, characters, or events. You can choose to make whatever block/blocks you want to out of whatever fabric you want. Some people are only reading and discussing the books. Other people are only making the blocks. Most people, I think, are planning to do both. The book selection for February is The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. It should be available at your local library. You can see all blog posts so far in "Quilters' Book Club" under Labels on the right side of my blog.

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  10. I would like to join this Book Club. I read this book probably 20 years ago but have downloaded it on my Kindle to start reading again. This book is interesting for me as I live about 20-25 miles east of Harveyville so it seems like home. Thanks so much.

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    1. My mother grew up in Osage City, and my dad grew up in Lebo, Kansas. Both of these towns are very close to Harveyville, and that's added to the pleasure of this book for me.

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  11. I used the wrong profile so am sorry about that. My name is JoAnn Rodgers and I live in NE Kansas. Sorry about this.

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    1. JoAnn, I used to live in Roeland Park, Kansas, when I was growing up. Welcome to the group! We're so happy to have you.

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  12. Hi Susan-In answer to your e-mail, I'm a 50+ Lady living in Ventura, CA who loves to quilt & read! I think this is a great idea and I'm really looking forward to reading & discussing the book. I've just started a quilting & sewing blog of my own: http://www.TheSmilingCat.com Stop by if you have the time.

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    1. Carole, we're so happy to have you as part of the book club. I checked out your blog and am now a follower. I was impressed with your detailed tutorial. I know how much time those take!

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  13. Finished the book a few minutes ago. Sure hope that I will be able to keep up with some blocks as we go along. I came across two stacks of red and white and one stack of blue and white fat quarters the other day, so I think that I'll use one of those for my quilt. I've always loved two color quilts, and this will possibly give me the push I need to start one. Thank you for doing this! I'm new to blogs, so I don't know how my name will appear, possibly Granzan, my email address, which is short for Granny Zander. My name is actually Lynn Zander, and I live in central Texas.

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    1. Welcome, Lynn! Feel free to make several, one, or no blocks for each book we read. I'll give links to quilt patterns that go with the theme, the setting, the characters, and the events of each book. If you get behind, don't fret. This is meant to be fun. I lived in Dallas as a teen, went to school at The University of Texas and lived in Houston when I was first married.

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  14. I think I will have time to give this a go. I love to read but haven't found as much time lately and my quilting projects are overwhelming at times so just doing a block might be a good reprieve from a full on project. I'll have to see if my library has this book and get started. Great idea. I'm looking forward to it. I'm in Santa Barbara,CA.

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    1. Irelle, welcome to the group! This group is meant to be fun, not overwhelming. Always feel free to do what you are able to do that month - read, discuss, sew - all, some, or none. We'd just love to have you!

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  15. This sounds like great fun ! Please count me in. I just joined Stash Busters and found your blog this morning : ) How do I find out what the block is ? Joan in AZ

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    1. Welcome, Joan. We're happy to have you! I will give you several optional blocks for you to pick from to go with The Persian Pickle Club. Go to http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/01/theme-of-friendship-in-persian-pickle.html to see blocks to go with the theme of friendship in the book. Throughout the month I'll post blocks to go with the setting, characters, and events in the book. Hope this helps!

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  16. I love to read!! This book looks interesting and I gave never read this author! Will go out and acquire it this week!,

    Mary
    SW MO

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    1. Mary, welcome to another reading quilter! We're so happy to have you join us. I love The Persian Pickle Club and found it easily at my local library.

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  17. Another good place to buy books is dealoz.com - Just bought Sandra Dallas's book for .01 plus 3.99 shipping - buy many of my books there. Mary TX/NH

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary, for letting us know about this source!

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  18. Hi,
    I am excited to join the bookclub,and this first book sounds like it is right up my alley.Making quilt blocks to go along with the story will be interesting and fun.I have ordered the book from the librairy so I am waiting for it.
    Gail

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    1. Welcome, Gail! We'd love to have you join us! Feel free to tell us a little bit more about yourself, if you'd like!

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  19. I Love this book. I have all her books, but read this at least 2 times a year along with "Prayers for sale" another quilting adventure. A most amazing story. How wonderful you got to have lunch with her. Alene

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    1. Alene, I have read The Persian Pickle Club at least four times and enjoyed it every time! I just finished reading The Quilt Walk, which is Sandra's first chapter book for children and enjoyed it as well. And as you can guess, I was absolutely thrilled to have lunch with her!

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  20. Hello. My name is Bonnie Emmert. I would love to join the club. I am a retired librarian and an avid reader and love quilting. Can't wait to get started on this book. Thanks. Bonnie

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    1. Bonnie, we are thrilled to have you join us! We look forward to your input and comments.

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  21. I am a longarm quilter in Iowa and I'm getting a Kindle tomorrow! Think I will try to keep up with everyone. I only have time to read some at night in bed, but found it helps me get to sleep. Thus, the Kindle. :) This sounds like a fun project. And although I'm usually busy doing quilting for others, I can surely find the time to do a block a month. I hope. haha
    Trudy Smith

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    1. Trudy, we'd love to have you as part of the Quilters' Book Club! My longarmer is the same way - always doing other people's quilts. Maybe this group will encourage you to take a bit of time for yourself!

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  22. What a lovely idea - I love Sandra Dallas' books, what fun to meet her! I am a bit late, can I still join?

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    1. It is NEVER to late to join us. We'd love to have you! We'll be discussing The Persian Pickle Club next week but please look at all of the posts I've done so far about the book. Just click Quilters' Book Club under Labels on the right side of my blog to get caught up.

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  23. Just so you know, Mama T., you're definitely part of the book club. Welcome, and we're excited that you're part of the group!

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  24. I just found out about the book club from Julie of My Quilt Diary. I thought "oh I'll never be able to find the book". But I looked on-line in the library and they had it and it was available! It is meant to be I'd say. So then I tried to order it but my card was "blocked". It turned out that since I owed $6.44 in overdue fines I was on the "bad" list. But I went and paid them and I will hopefully get the book on Tuesday. That's when the library is next open.

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    1. Janet, how wonderful that you found us from Julie in Japan! Isn't she an amazing person? Welcome to the book club. We're excited to have you. While you're waiting for your book, look under Labels on the right of my blog and click "Quilters' Book Club." You can read all of the posts so far.

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  25. I would love to join the book club but I am not sure how? I am a book lover and grandmother who loves to quilt also. Living in PA where it is cold so quilts and books are great this time of year.

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    1. Welcome! You are now a member of the book club. If you want to be sure to read all Quilters' Book Club posts, either become a follower of my blog or follow by email. If you look on the right side of my blog, you can see where to do that. Then check the book out of your library and start reading. That's all there is to it! If you'd like, tell us a little about yourself in a comment.

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  26. Coming in at the end of the month...it's a good thing I've already read this book! Looking forward to getting on board in March. What a fun idea!

    Yvonne in Renton WA

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  27. Hi! This sounds like fun, not sure if I can keep up, but I'd love to give it a try. I live in Adelaide / Australia.

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  28. I would like to join your book club. I just finished reading the Persian Pickle Club and A Single Thread. Well, I listen to them in my car back and forth from work.

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  29. I would like to join your book club as well. I have posted your blog on my blog It's Quilting Time in Texas. I have not learned how to create the link - next on my learning list.

    I hope it is o'kay start in April, 3 months behind. I have read the Persian Pickle Club - awesome and fun book. I have also read The Apprentice. I guess I just need to catch up on the blocks for Jan - March. I hope I am understanding how this all works. Please tell me if I am not. You won't hurt my feelings.

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  30. would like joining our book club - sounds like a lot of fun
    Arleen

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  31. I wrote you on Stashbusters. I hope I am following your directions correctly. I have read most of/maybe all of Sandra's books. I like that if you pay attention there are clues/relationships to previous books although not really a series.

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  32. Hi I kind of stumbled upon your blog by accident and turns out now I think it was fate! Love to read books and I'm new to quilting but I love the blocks you've been making and would like to take part if possible. Do you need my email address? Sheila

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  33. Hello,
    My 2 passions are reading and quilting along with surfing the net. I would love to be a part of the book club. Are we reading a different book now since I am coming in late? My name is Candy Buria and I live in the prairieland of Illinois, actually Plainfield, IL, a far suburb of Chicago. My e-mail address is claudettehburia@yahoo.com.

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  34. Hello, Please add me to your Book Club. I like to read, sew, quilt and try new recipes - usually in that order. Nana

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I love hearing from readers. Your comments make my day!