Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Setting for State Fair: a Benni Harper Mystery and Road to California Quilt Block

Road to California Quilt Block

This month, the Quilters' Book Club is reading State Fair: a Benni Harper Mystery by Earlene Fowler.  Do you love to quilt AND love to read?  Then I invite you to join us.  Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.

To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post.  To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email.  It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.  Grab the book from your nearest library or bookstore and begin reading!


State Fair is set in the imaginary town of San Celina, California.  (San Celina is based on the actual town of San Luis Obispo.)  The story takes place during the month of August, 1997.  If you'd like to create a quilt block to represent the setting of the book, check out these blocks.  Click on the block name to go to the free, online pattern:

California:
California Quilt Block

Road to California Quilt Block

Rocky Road to California Quilt Block

The block shown above is also known as Road to California.  The pattern can be found in Eleanor Burns' Egg Money Quilts.  Here's a video from Eleanor Burns on the Road to California block.  A free online pattern is available here in a two-color version.  (Thanks to member Jo for finding this link for us!)

State Fair:
Carnival Time Quilt Block (paper pieced)

County Fair Quilt Block

Ribbon Star Quilt Block

Ribbons and Stars Quilt Block

State Fair Variation Quilt Block

The Ribbon Star Quilt Block

Woven Ribbons Quilt Block

What is your favorite carnival ride at the State Fair?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.  By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop!  The more times you comment throughout the month, the greater your chances of winning!  A big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop for this wonderful giveaway!

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

12 comments:

  1. I love any rides which are low to the ground. I'm afraid that heights and I don't always agree. The other reason I love low to the ground rides is because they were the only rides my dad would take me and my sister on. He thought that raising children was "women's work" but each summer we would have a Sunday picnic and go to our local State Fair. He would watch the tractor pulls and demolition derby, mom would pack the fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie picnic and then before we left dad would go on ONE ride with us. One and only one. It was always a low to the ground ride that wove in and out of the other cars in the ride. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the Ferris Wheel. I love to stop at the top and look out over the fair grounds with all the lights and sounds. I am fortunate enough to live close to our North Carolina State Fair Grounds and a trip there each October is a much anticipated event.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bumper cars are my favorite ride at the fair. I do not tolerate the fast rides at all!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'll take the carousel. Anything that comes with music has to be fun. (Tokyo Disney Land has a "Small World" that is grand child friendly too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It would have to be the ferris wheel for me. Blessings and smiles, Emilou

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://socrafty.squidoo.com/sewing/road-to-california-quilt-block

    Here is a link for the pattern for the pictured " road to California" block.

    I like the dodgem cars

    ReplyDelete
  7. I haven't been to a State Fair in years! Love your block selection-especially "Carnival Ride".

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I go to the State Fair, I go to see the exhibits. I don't ride anything.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not a fan of rides, either. Most of my time at the fair this year was spent eating, checking out the exhibits and competitions.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The rides were NOT the big point of our State Fair visits. I liked the womens building best, then the animals and the salt water taffy building. When I rode a ride, it was usually the roller coaster. I love wooden roller coasters.

    ReplyDelete

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