Do you love to quilt AND love to read? I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club. Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to go with the book. I 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.
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.
Our book to read and discuss during December 2013 is The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. It's a quick, fun read. Get the book from your local library or bookstore and join us!
In the book, the Bergstrom family has a tradition of the newlyweds choosing the Christmas tree. If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this tradition, here are some wonderful, free patterns for you to check out:
Christmas Tree Quilt Block shown above
Christmas Tree and Presents Quilt Block
Southern Pine Quilt Block
Striped Tree Quilt Block Pattern
Super Easy Paper-Pieced Tree in 4 Sizes
The Quilters' Book Club selection for January is The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling. Get the book from your local library or bookstore and plan to join us!
First of all I have to say that I love all of Jennifer Chiaverini's books. They are easy and enjoyable reads. Second, thank you for writing such a delightful blog and book club. Christmas tree traditions are fun and a little different. My dad died when I was in sixth grade so I don't remember a lot about the Christmas tree tradition. I do remember decorating it and picking up pine needles off our carpet for most of the next year. Then after dad died mom turned to artificial trees. Much easier to put up and she loved the silver alum. kind. Yes we had one of those multi colored wheels that spun around to turn your tree red, green, blue, yellow. Come to think of it...where they made by Dr. Suess? I don't think I've ever seen a Christmas tree those colors. LOL. Later on she straightened out and went with green trees.
ReplyDeleteWe cut down our tree each year. This year it's a blue spruce. It's a fun tradition, but almost aways a very cold one!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of fabric for this block!!!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't put up a tree this year as we won't be home for Christmas, but we normally have a live tree which we cut from the forest. We live in an area where we are surrounded by National Forests and for a nominal fee can cut our own tree.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up and when my children were young we always had a real tree, I love the balsam and pine smell. I have an 18" tree that I collect miniature ornaments for. I have used that for the last several years. Also I was given a 4' artificial tree this year, So I dried orange slices, strung popcorn and cranberries to decorate it. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLive trees are hard to get in Tokyo and can be very expensive. When my kids were growing up, the school used to get trees for the classrooms. On the last day, I would drive out and bring a tree home to use. They came from Canada and were cut rather early to make it to Tokyo before the holidays so I also recall the sound of falling needles as people passed or dogs wagged their tails. THEN, someone made complaints at school. No trees anymore. The big fund raiser went from "Holiday Happening" to "Winterfest",.. Christmas was a big no-no.
ReplyDeleteThe army, air force, bases have trees for sale but after 9/11 no base access. We opted for a one meter fake tree, and just as well because it can sit on the coffee table (no floor space in out rabbit hutch). As long as we don't add too many new ornaments, it works.
We now have an artificial tree which needs to be replaced, but once you get ornaments on, it looks nice. When our sons were young, we went to a tree farm and cut our own. When a was growing up, my Dad got the first tree at the grocery store and set it up the day after Thanksgiving and took it down on the 12th night. It was short needled and I loved the smell.
ReplyDeleteFor us it's an artificial "pencil" tree. I can tuck it into a small space and it is really quite festive once the lights and ornaments are in place.
ReplyDeleteWe always have a fake tree. I like the ease of putting it up and storage.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has a real tree. It really does smell lovely and fresh.
Ever since I left home, the Christmas tree has always been my thing. We always used to have a real tree, but about 8 years ago we bought a really realistic fake tree. I now prefer it as it is so much easier to decorate. I now have two trees, one in the lounge that is red, green and gold and another that is placed either in the hall or kitchen. The main tree is full of decorations that have been collected over the years and are full of memories. The second tree changes in theme, this year it has a vintage theme.
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