I’m very pleased to announce the publication of my thirteenth Elm Creek Quilts book, The Quilter’s Kitchen, a collection of 100 delicious recipes stitched together with a little story about friendship and celebrating traditions, old and new.
For the Elm Creek Quilters, sharing recipes and dishes is a natural extension of the fellowship of their craft. Yet even the fondest of traditions can benefit from innovation, so Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson endeavors to “clear out the old and make way for the new” in Elm Creek Manor’s kitchen, which hasn’t been renovated for decades. At her side is Chef Anna, one of the newest members of the circle of quilters, who has accepted the position on the condition of the kitchen upgrade. She’s hoping to elevate her own status, too, from colleague to trusted friend.
Please click on the “Events” link to see if my book tour will bring me to a town near you.
Remember, today is the last day to join in my publisher's special promotion for Elm Creek Readers!
"Celebrate the launch of the newest Elm Creek Quilts Novel, The Winding Ways Quilt, by entering to win a book plate signed by Jennifer Chiaverini. Just buy your copy of the novel, at any bookstore, on any day from April 1 through April 7. Then send an email to elmcreekquilts@simonandschuster.com. You must include your name, your mailing address, the name of the store where you purchased your book, and your date of purchase. If you’ve already pre-ordered a copy at your favorite online retailer, you’re still eligible to win—just convince a friend to purchase a book, email both sets of contact and purchase information, and you’ll each receive a book plate. So mark your calendars for April 1, and don’t wait to enter—quantities of these beautiful, signed book plates are limited."
I'm pleased to announce that my publisher is sponsoring a special promotion for Elm Creek Readers!
"Celebrate the launch of the newest Elm Creek Quilts Novel, The Winding Ways Quilt, by entering to win a book plate signed by Jennifer Chiaverini. Just buy your copy of the novel, at any bookstore, on any day from April 1 through April 7. Then send an email to elmcreekquilts@simonandschuster.com. You must include your name, your mailing address, the name of the store where you purchased your book, and your date of purchase. If you’ve already pre-ordered a copy at your favorite online retailer, you’re still eligible to win—just convince a friend to purchase a book, email both sets of contact and purchase information, and you’ll each receive a book plate. So mark your calendars for April 1, and don’t wait to enter—quantities of these beautiful, signed book plates are limited."
If you are a Hawaiian quilter (someone who actually lives or used to live in Hawaii, not just someone who makes Hawaiian-style quilts) and wouldn't mind helping me with a project, would you please drop me a line?
If you aren't a Hawaiian quilter but know one, would you please put her/him in touch with me?
Check your mailbox or your favorite quilt shop for the September 2007 issue of Quilters Newsletter Magazine for the first installment of my three-part story, "The Fabric Diary," introducing a new character who will appear in The New Year's Quilt in November. In this QNM exclusive, quilter Adele Crosier buys a Manhattan bed-and-breakfast and inherits the mysteries of the quilts discovered within.
Please note that my book signings at the American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, KY this weekend have been cancelled. I apologize for the inconvenience and hope that I will meet those Elm Creek Readers elsewhere on my travels.
I'm thrilled to announce that my new novel, The Quilter's Homecoming, has reached #19 on The New York Times bestsellers list! I am very grateful to my loyal readers who made this possible by sharing their love for the Elm Creek Quilts series with their friends. Thanks for spreading the word about my books, for sending me such encouraging letters and emails, and for inspiring me with your love for Sylvia and friends. Thanks to your ongoing support, we can look forward to many return visits to the world of Elm Creek Quilts in the years to come.
A limited number of autographed copies of The Quilter's Homecoming are on sale now from one of my favorite bookstores, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop. Click here to order online.
The finalists for the Elm Creek Quilts Block Design Contest have been chosen. It was very difficult to select only 10 of the 36 beautiful entries that were received, but the judges finally achieved a consensus after evaluating the blocks on their creativity, artistry, technical merit, and best expression of contest theme. The quilters' names were NOT associated with the blocks at any point during the evaluation process.
Now it is up to the Elm Creek Readers to choose the winner! Please view all 10 finalist blocks and vote for the design you think best represents Elm Creek Quilts. The winning block design will become the new symbol for Elm Creek Quilts.
Please click here to see the 10 finalists and vote for your favorite.
Thanks to all who participated! Look for more contests on the Elm Creek Quilts website soon.
Good news from Simon & Schuster! The German rights for The Christmas Quilt have sold to Welbild. They will publish a German translation of the novel in the fall.
Exclusive Quilt Block Pattern Available From Barnes & Noble.com
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
To celebrate the publication of Circle of Quilters, Barnes & Noble is offering one of my original quilt block designs as a free, exclusive download on their website. The block, Mill Girls, appears in the antique quilt made by Harriet Findley Birch, an abandoned treasure that inspires Maggie Flynn to investigate the quiltmaker's past -- and to become a quilter herself.
Click here to visit the Circle of Quilters page on the Barnes & Noble website. Look in the navigation column on the left (under the "of interest" headline) to download the Mill Girls block pattern.
Update: No more blocks needed! Thanks to everyone who pitched in.
As frequent visitors to the Elm Creek Readers' Circle already know, C&T has agreed to publish a third Elm Creek Quilts pattern book! One of the projects included in the book will be a reproduction of the Chimneys and Cornerstone quilt Great-Aunt Lucinda sews for Sylvia's cousin, Elizabeth, upon the occasion of her marriage and move to a ranch in southern California.
Would you like to help me make this quilt? I need 80 kind, generous, and able quilters to assist me by making a block for a Chimneys and Cornerstones quilt. Here are the requirements:
(1) Piece a 7" finished (7.5" unfinished) Chimneys and Cornerstones block using prewashed green and blue fabrics for the dark "logs," cream, off-white, or light beige for the light logs, and solid red fabric for the small squares. The logs are cut 1.5" wide for a finished width of 1". The length of the logs varies. (Please see illustrations below.)
(2) There are two variations of the Chimneys and Cornerstones block included in the quilt:
Variation #1: 48 blocks needed.Update:No more blocks needed.
Variation #2: 32 blocks needed.Update:No more blocks needed.
(Blocks are not pictured actual size.)
(3) Please sign a 2.5" plain background fabric square with your name, city, state/province, and country. Please use permanent ink and take care to avoid writing in the .25" seam allowance. These signature squares will appear on the back of the quilt.
(4) Mail your block and signature square to: Elm Creek Quilts, PO Box 620824, Middleton, WI 53562 USA
(5) Please note:
* Since the blocks will be sewn into one quilt, your block cannot be returned to you.
* A photo of the quilt will appear in my third pattern book from C&T Publishing, not in an Elm Creek Quilts novel.
* If you want to participate, you will need to sign a release form for publication.
* Be sure to let me know if you do not want to be identified on this web site and/or in the book as a contributor to the quilt.
* If I receive more than 80 blocks, 80 will be chosen at random for the quilt top. Any remaining blocks will appear on the back with the signature squares, but all will be included as long as they meet the requirements.
* Blocks that do not meet the pattern, fabric, or size requirements, or that arrive too late after the deadline to be included in the quilt, will be used for charitable purposes to be determined later.
(6) Please write to me by using the Contact form on my website to let me know you're participating. Please let me know which variation of the Chimneys and Cornerstones block you plan to make.
Deadline for blocks to arrive at Elm Creek Quilts is August 1, 2006 -- or until enough blocks are received. Thanks in advance for your help!
Warning for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Quilters: Although they are presented in the same style, these patterns are not interchangeable with the patterns for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. The Chimneys and Cornerstones block in Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is 6", while Elizabeth's Chimneys and Cornerstones quilt uses 7" blocks.
I have some bad news. Due to blizzards in Minneapolis and bad weather elsewhere, I won't be able to get in to San Diego for my visit to the Friendship Quilters. I'm very disappointed to cancel the trip, but the airline couldn't reroute me so that I would make it to San Diego in time.
If you were planning to meet me, please accept my apologies. I'm just as disappointed as you are!
I can't believe I overlooked Kimberly Camou's January 3rd comment in the Readers' Circle until now. Kimberly reports:
I found an online store that will have the new fabric collection in March.
Jennifer, I can’t wait until you post pics of all the swatches, but so far, from what I’ve seen, they look just beautiful! Thanks again for all you do!
I have posted the remaining swatches in the Gallery since then, but Kimberly, here's a belated thank you for keeping me informed. What would I do without my readers?
Due to an ongong problem with my email and my web hosting service's refusal to address the problem or respond to the tickets I've been submitting for almost two months, I will be switching web hosting services sometime within the next two weeks. During the time we are switiching over, the website -- and my email -- might be down for as much as 48 hours. I'll keep you posted.
I just updated the "Events" section of the website with more information about the upcoming book tour. Why not check it out and see if I'm coming to a bookstore near you?
My newest fabric line, "Elm Creek Quilts: The Christmas Quilt Collection" is now online. Click on the "Gallery" link above to see swatches.
I'm afraid that I do not have a list of quilt shops that will be carrying the fabric line, just as I do not receive a list of book stores that carry my novels. (I wish I did!) Your best bet is to call your favorite quilt shop and ask them to carry it.
Yesterday I received my author copies of the paperback edition of The Sugar Camp Quilt:
In the past, the paperback edition of the previous year's Elm Creek Quilts novel has been released at the same time as the current year's new hardcover, but the paperback edition of The Sugar Camp Quilt is coming out early this year, on January 10th. As a special bonus, Simon & Schuster has included an excerpt from Circle of Quilters, which will be published in April.
If you would like to order an autographed copy of The Christmas Quilt for yourself or as a gift for a favorite quilting friend, the Harry Schwartz Bookshop in Brookfield, WI has offered to take your order through the internet and ship the book to you. Place your order before my appearance there on Thursday, November 17th, and I will be able to personalize it as you wish.
If you need a little Christmas right this very minute, I have good news... Today is the official publication date of The Christmas Quilt! If your local bookstore isn't carrying it, demand that they order some copies. Go ahead. Make a scene!
Welcome to your new and improved Elm Creek Quilts online! I hope you enjoy the new look of my site, courtesy of Joelle Reeder at Moxie Design Studios. To celebrate the launch of my new site, the first ten people who register as Elm Creek Readers will win a fat quarter bundle from my new fabric line, Elm Creek Quilts: The Christmas Quilt Collection.
Feel free to explore the features of my new site. Enjoy!
UPDATE: The first ten official Elm Creek Readers have already registered, but you can still join the Readers' Circle and enjoy the special features available to members only
The December issue of Country Marketplace magazine includes an interview with me about my writing and quilting. They provide a quilt pattern designed by Laura Blanchard in my Gerda's Collection from Red Rooster Fabrics, and they also offer an address where you can send a SASE for a second pattern. Following the article is an ad for a drawing for all sorts of Elm Creek Quilts books and fabrics.
If the article doesn't satisfy your curiosity about the world of Elm Creek Quilts, remember to send in your questions to Elm Creek Quilts Radio at radio AT elmcreek DOT net.
As part of an upcoming design overhaul of this website, I am toying with the idea of starting a weekly podcast. I would like to include reader questions as a part of the program, so if you want to satisfy your curiosity about all things Elm Creek, please email your questions to radio AT elmcreek DOT net. If I read your question on the air, I will send you an Elm Creek Quilts pin.
I'm very happy to report that Library Journal has given THE CHRISTMAS QUILT a starred review! Among other lovely things, they write, "Even readers unfamiliar with the series will enjoy this charming story of love and family."
I have spent most of the last three days enjoying the Wisconsin Quilt Expo here in my beautiful hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, courtesy of Wisconsin Public Television and Nancy's Notions. It was a wonderful show and here's hoping it becomes an annual event.
I apologize for not taking more photos and for the poor quality of those I do have. I can't explain why the ones my husband took are so blurry. Did the lighting interfere with the autofocus? Did the camera feel unworthy of the dazzling beauty of the quilts so it trembled in awe? Your guess is as good as mine. Now, on to the photos:
This is my dear friend Anne Spurgeon in the Capital Candlelighters booth selling raffle tickets for the Authors' Album quilt. She is also displaying some of the panels from the Wisconsin Childhood Cancer Awareness Quilt. Go, Anne! You're my hero.
Here I am on the second day of the show signing books on the main stage. Yes, I am trying to grow out my hair again but no, it doesn't always look this bad. There is a story behind this involving a stylist who forgot the appointment and a 40-minute wait at the salon and a fifteen-minute haircut because I was late for a meeting, but I won't bore you with it.
This is me again, very blurry, on stage while Anne's husband and a show volunteer hang the quilt. I'm making a last minute appeal for folks to buy tickets!
The moment we've been waiting for has arrived. Anne helps Nicholas draw the winning entry.
We have a winner! I announce the lucky winner of the Authors' Album quilt.
And the winner is...
Jennifer Hermann of Ventura, CA!
Congratulations, Jennifer -- and my heartfelt thanks to you and to everyone who participated for supporting Capital Candlelighters and the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from quilters worldwide, the Quilters Comfort America project has received more than enough quilts to place with evacuees. If you were planning on sending us a quilt but have not yet, we urge you to find use for it to help those within your own community. Thank you for your efforts.
For a summary of the project, including photos, please visit the Quilts, Inc. website.
I'm very proud that so many Elm Creek Readers helped make Quilters Comfort America such an overwhelming success. I also second Karey's suggestion to seek out other opportunities to share your quilting talents and other resources with those in need in your own community.
As evacuees are finding temporary residences in communities across the country, local groups have been organizing efforts to furnish housing for them. If you donate quilts to a relief effort in your own town instead, you are eligible for the Elm Creek Quilts giveaways, too.
When you write in to tell me about your participation, please let me know which book and/or Elm Creek Quilts fat quarter you would like, and where I should send them.
I am sending you photos of my "Sarah's Sampler". It is 100% hand pieced and I plan to hand quilt it as well. Our LQS has a book club and we have read all your books and made this quilt as part of our meetings. We are currently doing a swap quilt of Sylvia's Wedding Quilt. Needless to say, we are anxious for the next book to come out.
Hope you like my effort
Daniece Clark
Arlington Texas
I like your effort very much, Daniece! Thanks for sharing your photos.
I am thrilled that so many Elm Creek Readers have responded to the calls for quilts for Quilters Comfort America and funds for the American Red Cross! Based upon some of the emails I've received, though, I did want to make one important point: I did not organize Quilters Comfort America. Karey Patterson Bresenhan and the generous people at International Quilt Festival did. I was simply passing along their announcement.
The boys are napping, so I'm going to put some finishing touches on a few quilts of my own to donate.
How Quilters Can Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Thursday, September 01, 2005
This comes to us from Karey Patterson Bresenhan, director of the International Quilt Festival:
QUILTERS COMFORT AMERICA
A Cooperative Project
To Comfort Victims of Hurricane Katrina
To quilters everywhere:
The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast is beyond belief. Here in Houston our hearts are heavy with sorrow for all the horrible losses, and we are preparing to welcome the thousands of refugees that are being bussed to us because they have lost their homes or have no access to whatever is left of their homes. Like so many other people, we want to help. Knowing quilters, we think you want to help, too, because there are no more generous, giving, open-hearted people than quilters.
Therefore, we are launching a two-part drive for Hurricane Katrina relief, and we urge you to join us in this project. We're calling it QUILTERS COMFORT AMERICA.
PART 1: Urgent Donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
We will match EVERY donation made by quilters to the American Red Cross, up to a maximum of $10,000, on a dollar for dollar basis. In other words, if you make a $25 donation, we'll match that with another $25 donation. If you make a $100 donation, we'll match that with another $100 donation, right up to the maximum. To avoid delays in your donations reaching the Red Cross, and because we have trusted quilters for more than 30 years now, just email us with the amount of your donation that you sent to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Every penny of every donation--up to $10,000--will be matched by International Quilt Festival. You have my word on that. Please use this email address: exec5@quilts.com and use the subject line: RED CROSS DONATION.
PART 2: QUILTS FOR COMFORT
Many thousands of the Katrina refugees are being sent to Houston RIGHT NOW, and no one knows how long they will have to be here. Most of them escaped the hurricane's fury with only the clothes on their backs--nothing more--and they may have absolutely nothing to go home to. They don't even know. The Astrodome is ready as temporary housing, but there is a serious shortage of bedding. Part 2 of QUILTERS COMFORT AMERICA is the collection of quilts of all kinds to be distributed to the refugees here in Houston so that they have something soft to sleep on instead of the hard concrete floors of the temporary shelters and something warm to cover up with against the chill of otherwise welcome air-conditioning (we've been in the 90s and 100s for weeks now).
Many of us have unfinished projects filling our closets and cupboards. Get out one of those projects--twin size preferred but
no smaller than baby quilt size, please--and finish it up for this. Use lightweight batting--do whatever binding is the quickest, even a close zigzag stitch. You don't have to quilt it--tie it! If you have only small projects, add borders. Think about a mother lying on the floor cradling her baby--that's the size quilt we need to provide. These quilts are not meant to be heirlooms, although they will probably be treasured for many years as a symbol of the caring of strangers. Tie them, machine quilt them, work in a group with your friends and finish several on an assembly line, do whatever it takes to get these finished quickly. THE NEED FOR THESE QUILTS IS RIGHT NOW! If you already have some finished pieces that you don't have plans for, send them too, as long as they are no smaller than baby quilt size. If you are a professional, you may have sample quilts that have become shop-worn or faded but are still clean and very usable in an emergency--send them!--we are IN an emergency! Be sure to put a label on the back of your quilt or sign it with a kind thought and your name and date. Every piece will go to a refugee family driven from their homes by the hurricane.
To participate in QUILTERS COMFORT AMERICA, send an email to exec5@quilts.com (subject line: COMFORT AMERICA) to let us know how many quilts you are sending. That will help us help the Red Cross in its planning. Please do not expect a confirmation that your quilt has been received or any kind of nice thank-you. Sometimes we just have to do things because they are the RIGHT things to do--this is one of those times. People need help...the kind of help WE can give.
Use this address to send your quilt/s: COMFORT AMERICA PROJECT
c/o International Festival
7660 Woodway, Suite 550
Houston, TX 77063
Please note: for security, do NOT use the word 'quilt' ANYWHERE in your address label!
Many of us have also amassed linen closets full of old but completely usable sheets--perhaps a size you no longer use, or juvenile prints that your college age kids don't like anymore. Clean sheets and blankets are also most welcome to QUILTERS COMFORT AMERICA. Naturally, everything should be clean and fresh. These folks have lived with enough mud and dirt to last them the rest of their lives--let's give them a clean bed to rest in. Please note that we cannot use fabric, patterns, scraps, etc.
Quilt Festival will serve as the collection point for these quilts, and we will deliver them DAILY to the American Red Cross staffing the refugee centers in Houston, where they will be distributed by the Red Cross volunteers. Because we are right here in Houston where more than 25,000 of the refugees will be, we can make a difference RIGHT NOW...if you'll help.
Time is critical--the need is NOW! People are arriving by the hour, children are bedding down on the cold concrete, bedding is needed by people of all ages who have lost everything in this horrible storm. Please help if you can. If you live in or
