Book Review: The Giving Quilt, by Jennifer Chiaverini

I recently had a giveaway provided by Plume Books, publishers of the Jennifer Chiaverini Elm Creek Quilts series.  I have given away The Giving Quilt to our winner Linda James, but they sent me an extra copy of the novel for a review.  Here is the review, and then the extra copy of the novel will go to Karen L for entering the drawing.

The Giving Quilt, by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Giving Quilt is the latest in the series of books about the quilters of Elm Creek Manor, an old estate that is the setting for weeklong quilt retreats.  The books in the series are always best-sellers.  This particular novel takes place during "Quiltsgiving" Week at the Manor.  The regular staff offer a week free of charge to quilters who will make quilts for Project Linus during their stay at the manor.  Let me just say, that offer sounds too good to be true.  Three fabulous meals a day, a free room, quilting supplies including sewing machines and a longarm!  I would take up that opportunity in a heartbeat!

My usual novels of choice are thrillers and mysteries, so I thought this novel began rather slowly.  I did not really need to hear about how they set up their registration materials on the tables, you know?  But the novel really becomes intriguing when you hear the stories of the participants in the quilt retreat.  There are chapters devoted to several of the quilters, and each has a compelling background story that is very related to today's societal issues.  Unemployment, budget cuts, death in the family, unfairness, even the typical frustrations of dealing with difficult members of a quilting group are all interwoven into the plot.  I enjoyed hearing how each quilter resolved their challenges and issues.

The Elm Creek Quilters offered a lesson in making a quilt top.  Instructions for the quilt are provided in narrative format as the quilters attend the daily lessons.  I personally would have liked for the quilt instructions and a photograph to be included, perhaps as an appendix at the end of the book. I only saw the paperback edition, so perhaps they are included in the hardcover edition.

If you enjoy quilting and enjoy Chiaverini's well-developed characters, you will like The Giving Quilt.

Blog Give-Away: The Giving Quilt novel by Jennifer Chiaverini

Sometimes I am contacted by publishers of quilt-related books to do book reviews or give-aways for my readers.  Today I have a chance for you to win a copy of Jennifer Chiaverini's latest Elm Creek Quilts novel.

 

Here is the information sent by the publisher.

 

 

Thanksgiving inspires generosity once a year, but what happens to the spirit of giving on the other 363 days?  In THE GIVING QUILT, now available from Plume, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini offers an affecting novel that imagines what good could come from practicing the holiday spirit year round

 

With numerous New York Times bestsellers, Chiaverini is undoubtedly one  of the masters of both modern and historical women's fiction.  In the last year alone, her Elm Creek Quilts novels have graced the bestseller list twice, first with The Wedding Quilt, a twenty-first century celebration of a treasured romantic tradition, and again with Sonoma Rose, a prohibition-era novel about one woman's courageous fight to save her family.

 

Year after year, Chiaverini takes a page from her own life to deliver an emotional and poignant story very close to her heart.  As a long-time member and advocate of Project Linus, an organization dedicated to providing handmade quilts and blankets to children in need, Jennifer decided to donate a very unique and special gift- a prime spot in one of her bestselling novels.

 

At Elm Creek Manor, the circle of quilters is hard a t work preparing for "Quiltsgiving."  Held annually the week after Thanksgiving, expert and novice quilters from near and far gather for a special winter session of quilt camp to make pieces for Project Linus.  As the week unfolds, the quilters respond to the question, "Why do you give?"  in ways as varied s the life experiences that drew them to Elm Creek Manor.  Each of the quilters, including a librarian, a teacher, a college student, and a quilt shop clerk, uses her unique talents to teach, inspire, and give back to her fellow campers.

 

Once a gain Chiaverini delivers the complex characters and rich descriptions of setting and mood that fans and critics have come to expect.  Featuring not only well-loved characters but intriguing newcomers, THE GIVING QUILT will remind us all that it is truly better to give than to receive.

 

And now for the give-away:

 

Leave a comment on this post telling about any charity quilts or blankets that you or your quilt group have made.  Do you participate in Project Linus?  Leave your comment (and be sure to include your e-mail) by Monday,  May 20 at 9:00 PM. 

 

The winner will receive a brand-new paperback copy of THE GIVING QUILT, along with three quilt pins symbolizing three of the Elm Creek Quilts novels.

 

 

 

I have some extra quilt pins to give away, too, so if you enter the drawing you might win a lovely quilt pin.

 

I am currently reading the novel, and will post a review within the next few days.

 

Good luck if you enter the drawing!



 

 



We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Lois McKoy, winner of the latest Elm Creek Quilt novel by Jennifer Chiaverini!  The publisher will be mailing Lois her copy of Sonoma Rose.  Thanks to everyone who visits my blog, and to The Penguin Group for offering this prize.

Another Elm Creek Novel Give-Away

Once, again, the publishers of Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilters series have offered my blog readers a chance to win a free copy of the latest book.  This one is titled Sonoma Rose, and will be on sale starting today, February 21.

The publisher provided this information about the book.  "Jennifer has always been praised for her ability to write historical and present-day fiction with equal skill. While her last novel was set in modern times, Sonoma Rose tells the story of a young mother's heroic journey in Prohibition-era America.

Rosa Diaz Barclay is touched by the criminality surrounding Prohibition when she discovers that her husband, John, has given over the duties of their Southern California rye farm in favor of bootlegging. Fearing the safety of her four children, Rosa flees, carrying only a case of John’s ill-begotten cash and her mother’s two quilts. Lars Jorgensen, her true love and the father of two of her children, aids in her escape, and together the six travel north to San Francisco. Under assumed names, they are hired to work at a Sonoma vineyard, where Rosa creates a personal and professional identity that she would never have dared imagine at the opening of her tale, and one that brings great honor-and beauty-to all who surround her."

If you would like to win a copy of this book, just leave a comment on this blog post.  Make sure that I am able to get your e-mail address in case you are the winner.  I will announce the winner of the book on Monday, February 27.  Good luck!

Many thanks to Dutton, Penguin Group U.S.A for making this offer available to readers of All Things Quilty.

Blog Give-Away Winner! The Wedding Quilt

It's time to announce the winner of The Wedding Quilt, the latest in the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini!

I used a Random Number Generator on the Internet, which picked the number 12.  The lucky winner is Linda Creech!  Here is Linda's comment about her quilting friendships.


Jeanne,



I have been a member of the Capital Quilters Guild and the Undercover Bee for at least 15 years but until 2010 I was just a group member. In 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the ladies who were just part of the group became true friends. They created a beautiful inspirational wall hanging and the many cards and hugs that I have received for the past almost two years now has really uplifted me to show me how supportive we all are to each other.


Linda


How perfect is that!  Congratulations, Linda, and thanks to everyone who shared the special relationships and friendships that quilting has brought to their lives.


While The Wedding Quilt is today's topic, I thought I would share the story of a wedding quilt that I made for my son Dave and daughter-in-law Emily.  Emily asked for a quilt in all whites.  Smart girl, because that is a quilt that could be used in any decor or style.


Only problem...I like to work with color, and get bored easily.  It took me over a year to finish this quilt.  I decided to make the quilt with squares of white, cream, ivory, and even beige in a variety of fabrics.  Cotton, satin, Fairy Frost...I collected many beautiful fabrics and got them stitched together in a queen-size top.


Still, I was not very interested in this project.


Then, I put it on the longarm, started to quilt...and the magic began to happen.  I used Nichole Webb's Floribunda Feathers, and by the time I was finished I could hardly stand to give this quilt away!

Almost one year after their wedding, the quilt was finished...but they had to wait until after the Capital Quilters Guild show to receive their gift!  I snagged a third place ribbon in the bed quilts category.

And then they finally got their wedding gift!  Emily looked pretty happy!

But that is not the end of the story.

Six months later, Dave and Emily were awakened from their sleep on a Sunday night by someone banging on their door to say that their apartment building was on fire.  They got out quickly without grabbing anything, even car keys or eyeglasses.  The next morning, this was their building.

The fire started on the third floor.  Dave and Emily's apartment was on the first floor.  It was not consumed with fire, but was totally damaged due to smoke and water.  Everything was covered with soot, broken glass, and water. They were able to retrieve most of their possessions the next day.

I started pulling out my white fabrics to start all over again...but a specialty cleaner saved the day.  The quilt that I thought had been totally damaged came out looking pretty darn good!  Only a small yellow stain remains to tell the tale of that horrible night.

Everyone in the building survived, Dave and Emily's marriage has survived, and the wedding quilt has suvived to tell its story.

God is good!

Blog Give-Away: Elm Creek Quilters Novel

Are you a fan of the Elk Creek Quilts series of novels by Jennifer Chiaverini?   There is a brand new one just released titled The Wedding Quilt.

Author Jennifer Chiaverini will be in Raleigh, North Carolina for a reading at Quail Ridge Books on Wednesday, November 10 at 7:30. 

Dutton, a branch of the Penguin Group, has offered to give a free copy of the novel to one of my blog readers.  (I have no affiliation with this company other than to accept their offer of a give-away.)

Here is a summary of The Wedding Quilt that the publisher provided.

THE WEDDING QUILT is a tribute to one of America’s most romantic and enduring traditions.


Effortlessly weaving together past, present, and future, THE WEDDING QUILT introduces Sarah’s long-awaited twins twenty-five years into the future. Just as Chiaverini longed for a wedding quilt of her own, Sarah’s daughter also dreams of one with which to begin her marriage. Enlisting the help of her fellow Elm Creek Quilters, Sarah collects signatures of the wedding guests in order to surprise her daughter with a quilt to represent all of her loved ones as she begins her new life. Readers will delight in new insight of past Elm Creek Manor brides as Sarah reflects back on her life and the many joyous experiences she’s had with her friends and family at Elm Creek Manor.

If you would like to win a free copy of the novel, just leave a comment on this post telling something about the friendships you have enjoyed because of your love of quilting.  Are you in a guild?  A quilt bee?  An online group?  Have you made new friends as you traveled to a quilt show or taken a quilting cruise?

Leave your comment by Sunday, November 13, and I will randomly select the winner of the novel the next day.  I must be able to contact you by e-mail, so do not post anonymously.  I am looking forward to hearing the stories of your quilting friendships.

Good luck!