Blog Hop

Welcome to the final day of the Marie Bostwick Ties That Bind blog hop, hosted by Michele of Quilting Gallery.  When Michele asked me if I was interested in participating in this blog hop I immediately agreed – I am always looking for a good book to read, and as it turns out…this was a great book to read.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the book:

“Christmas is fast approaching, and New Bern, Connecticut, is about to receive the gift of a new pastor, hired sight unseen to fill in while Reverend Tucker is on sabbatical. Meanwhile, Margot Matthews’ friend, Abigail, is trying to match-make even though Margot has all but given up on romance. She loves her job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and the life and friendships she’s made in New Bern; she just never thought she’d still be single on her fortieth birthday.

It’s a shock to the entire town when Phillip A. Clarkson turns out to be Philippa. Truth be told, not everyone is happy about having a female pastor. Yet despite a rocky start, Philippa begins to settle in—finding ways to ease the townspeople’s burdens, joining the quilting circle, and forging a fast friendship with Margot. When tragedy threatens to tear Margot’s family apart, that bond—and the help of her quilting sisterhood—will prove a saving grace. And as she untangles her feelings for another new arrival in town, Margot begins to realize that it is the surprising detours woven into life’s fabric that provide its richest hues and deepest meaning… ”

I didn’t read anything about the book before I opened it up, not even the synopsis. All I knew was that it was a novel with quilting as part of the main story line. I didn’t want to bias myself one way or another and I have to tell you I really did love it.

Here are a few fun questions that we were all asked to answer:

1. What drew you into the book? In the first few chapters of the book, one of the main characters, Margot, hand sews a binding on to the quilt and as Marie describes each individual stitch I could see Margot sitting and sewing. It was so vividly written, I was hooked.

2. Which character did you identify with? Give one reason as to why.  I identified with several characters, my favorite was Charlie – food is a main focus on his life (he owns a restaurant!) and the way his food is described I just wanted to eat it right off the pages!

3. If this is the first book of the series that you have read – will you be reading the rest now? This is the first book I have read in the series and I fully plan on finishing the series.

4. In 5 words or less state why someone NEEDS to read this novel.
It was a good laugh/cry!

5. Did you take a beginner quilting class when you first started out? What was it like and did it inspire you to continue quilting?
I’ve never taken a quilting class. I learned at my mom’s side, watching her for 20 years before taking the plunge and making my first quilt.

6. Phillipa signs up to make a baby quilt as her first quilt. Have you made a baby or toddler quilt? Share the photo and story if you like. (This is to be sent to me to post on the QG site)
My first quilt was for my niece – she turns 11 in September and I am making her a quilt to commemorate that occasion as well.  My first quilt was made out of all purple and pink calicos from JoAnns and back with some extra fabric we had from making dresses. My niece loved it to death…literally! She wore a hole straight through it.  The first quilt I ever designed by myself was for my daughter.

Read what the other members of the blog hop had to say about Marie’s quilt here:

Tuesday, April 24
Michele – Quilting Gallery – http://quiltinggallery.com/
Jackie – Canton Village Quilt Works – http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/
Wendy – Ivory Spring – http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, April 25
Jennifer – SewHooked – http://sewhooked.com/
Erin – One Piece at a Time – http://erinrussek.typepad.com/

Thursday, April 26
Victoria – Bumble Beans Inc. – http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
Sandi – A Legacy of Stitches – http://alegacyofstitches.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 27
Michele – With Heart and Hands – http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/
Melissa – Lilac Lane –  http://www.blog.melissastramel.com/

Saturday, April 28
Melissa – Sew Bitter Sweet Designs – https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/
Kim – Crafty Apple – http://kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com/

Do I still have your attention? Would you like to win a copy of Ties That Bind?

Leave me a comment telling me about the first project you ever sewed – it doesn’t have to be a quilt! That’s it – very easy! This giveaway will be open until May 2nd and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Good luck!

PS. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway from Fat Quarter Shop to win one of two Flock Fat Quarter Bundles!