Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Home Circle Quilt Block and a Family of Friends in A Thread of Truth

 
Home Circle Quilt Block

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 represent that book.  I research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And 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.    


Our book to read and discuss during April 2014 is A Thread of Truth by Marie Bostwick.  It's the second book of her Cobbled Court Quilts series. 
In the book, the quilters and employees of Cobbled Court Quilts are like a family, embracing Ivy and her children and helping them get a fresh start.

If you'd like to create a block that represents this creation of family among friends expressed in the book, here are some ideas to get you started:

Eight Hands Round Quilt Block shown below in a slightly different color arrangement

Home Circle Quilt Block shown above

New Home Quilt Block - you will need to adjust the color arrangement as shown below to make it a New Home block


 
Eight Hands Round Quilt Block
 
 
New Home Quilt Block

Evelyn set out to New Bern, Connecticut, all on her own from Texas, but when it came to opening Cobbled Court Quilts --- and keeping it open --- she had the support of a wonderful circle of women. Some of these women work for her; some are simply fellow quilters.  Yet all pitched in to help in a way once seen only in families.  What one thing had to happen before these women could come together?  How have you gone about building such a foundation of friendship in your own life?  Inquiring minds want to know!  By commenting, you'll be entering this month's give-away of Marie Bostwick's newest book APART AT THE SEAMS, just out!  Three lucky people will each win a copy, courtesy of Kensington Publishing!  If you are reading this via email, you must click on the title of my blog post to be able to comment and read the comments of others.  The winner will be announced on May 1.

Looking ahead to the May Book Selection: These Is My Words: the Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy Turner, Historical Fiction based on the life of the author's great-grandmother, set in Arizona Territory, 1881-1901
 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Stitcher's Square Quilt Block and the Serenity of Working with One's Hands.

5 comments:

  1. That is a very interesting question because none of those women had a great deal in common other than the interest in quilting. It seemed to be a challenge of cancer in the first book and the danger of an abusive relationship in the second book that brought those women together, combining their strengths to overcome the situation.
    Perhaps since each of them had experienced some problems in the past, they were more aware and thus more caring?
    I think relationships like that are less likely to happen in a big city. There might be a sense of community among church members, quilting and scouting friends or neighbors but it is difficult to maintain where people are coming in and our every two or three years. It wouldn't happen at all if someone didn't reach out to make those connections.
    I am hooked on Marie Bostwick's books. She really pulls the reader into the story. Even if I don't win her book, I know I will read it sooner or later.

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  2. They had to have a need for others and the willingness to let others into their lives. They also had the need to be creative.

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  3. As with any relationships it is hard work maintaining friendships. One has to stay in touch - not always so easy in our busy world - and put oneself out there. Invite friends to do something with you, agree to the things they suggest, be a listening ear when they need one, let them know you care. It is interesting what Julie says about the difficulties in a big city. Having lived for many years in a small town I find two challenges. 1. it is sometimes hard to find friends who are true soulmates. 2. Often you put a lot of work into making a friend and they move away. I guess these things could be truths anywhere and are part of life. I have ordered this month's book from the library, as miraculously they have it!

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  4. Having a need...ANY need...is what pulls us together. It is one way we can see who are true friends our. It doesn't matter if we can do something about it but because even being there to listen to the person and be a support that way can be wonderful. It is why I consider my online quilter friends Friends. They are there whenever I need them be it to vent or get advice. True friendship doesn't have boundaries. I can still keep in touch with them. It's harder in a larger city (I grew up in a small town of 250) but the internet is wonderful for that.

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  5. Needs can't be met, if no one knows there is a need. Needs either draw people together, or, drive them off. If it's the latter, then, they weren't ever going to be a good friend. Good relationships take effort from both parties, and, is well worth the effort that is put into it.

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