While we’re on the topic of Harry Potter (see the post about Susan Gunelius and her book on the Harry Potter global phenomenon), why not take a look at a related book by J.R. Rowling?  If you and your quilting family are Harry Potter fans, you’re probably intrigued by any reference to a new book.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.R. Rowling, is a book of fairy tales written to supplement the Harry Potter series.  It will be published in two new editions, the Standard and Collector’s, on December 4, 2008.   (However, it’s available for pre-order now at the above links.)

Collector’s Edition

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Don’t miss out on this GIVEAWAY!

Author Susan Gunelius visits Home Biz Notes for an interview and a giveaway of her book,  Harry Potter, The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon.  This is in celebration of the release of her book in the United States today, August 19.

To participate in the giveaway and read the interview, check out:

Giveaway of the Harry Potter Phenomenon Book by Susan Gunelius

Susan Gunelius: Exploring the Harry Potter Phenomenon

(Amazon image; click here for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Even though the summer is drawing closer and children are going back to school, the Arts Bloggers still have many interesting ideas for you.  These might be fun to consider if your schedule slows down after the youngsters are in school.  Some of the ideas are “green,” made from recycled materials.
Cool Journal Tool
Try this fun tool to create art for your journal, or just to play

Cotton Monsters! The Work of Jennifer Strunge
See some of Strunge’s amazing and fun soft sculptures made from recycled clothing and linens.

Eco crafts- Credit card bobbins
How to recycle old credit cards into bobbins for embroidery floss, crochet cotton or, threads or yarn.
Homecoming Mum Season Alert
If you live in Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the South and are in junior high or high school (or know anyone who is ;-), it’s time to get started on your homecoming mums. Go team! 

Layers Upon Layers
June Campbell, one of the most generous mixed media artists I know, has written a profile for Layers Upon Layers. Come meet this extraordinary woman! 

Make your needlework patterns go further
Did you know that lots of cross-stitch and needlepoint patterns are interchangable?

Walking Through the Time Warp of Your Quilting World
Mary Emma, at Quilting and Patchwork, explores the timelessness of quilts and how they bring generations together.

Enjoy!

(Amazon image; click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Are you and your children Harry Potter fans?  Do you ever wonder how Harry Potter became such a popular series and more?

Susan Gunelius, author of Harry Potter, The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon, will visit Home Biz Notes, on Tuesday, August 19, the day her book is launched in the United States.

You won’t want to miss this upcoming interview with Susan, also a b5 blogger at Brand Curve and Play Library.  We learn how and why she wrote the story concerning the phenomenal marketing strategy that made Harry Potter a brand name and fantastic success. 

We shall be featuring a giveaway of the book later in the day of August 19.  (Susan’s book also is available for pre-order at the above link.)

So…..Keep Tuned!

(Amazon image; click on book for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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With Michael Phelps setting Olympics’ records, swimming will be taking a “front seat” in sports as it has been in Olympic viewing.  Have you been thinking of quilt and fabric art designs that incorporate this sport?

 Has your family taken a greater interest in this sport during the Olympic games this year?   More youngsters likely will want to become involved in swimming lessons and events.  As a family, you may want to read and learn more about this sport. 

What are there in the way of books about swimming for entertainment and instruction for you and for your youngsters?  I haven’t found a book connected with quilting and the Olympics or swimming?  Do you know of any?

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Swim

Sergio Makes a Splash

Learn to Swim

Adam Sharp, Swimming with Sharks (a mystery)

Freestyle Made Easy

Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion

Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin Fought Back

(Amazon image;click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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The premise that quilts contained symbols and secret messages for slaves escaping along the Underground Railroad of the pre-Civil War and Civil War era is met with differing opinions.  However, research continues with some saying there definitely were quilts that aided and others who maintain it’s all a folk tale.

Diane Grenier is a quilter who spent two years researching Underground Railroad quilts and has created a reproduction.  Learn about her own fascinating journey in Heidi Kratzke’s story, “Underground Railroad Quilt” threads way to freedom.

Other stories relating to this topic:

Hidden in Plain View - A Favorite Quilt Book

The Runaway Quilt (An Undergound Railroad Novel)

The Underground Quilt Controversy

Quilters Celebrate Black History Month

Student Makes Quilt Depicting Slavery & the Underground Railroad

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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The names of quilting groups and guilds fascinate me…this bonding together of friends with a common interest. Some names are so imaginative; others have historic reference; still more reflect the area of the country where they’re located.

Here are 13 I’ve come across: 

1. Flying Needles Quilt Guild
2. Friendsville Memorial Guild
3. Patchwork Piecers
4. Heritage Quilt Guild
5. Walnut Valley Quilers Guild
6. Prairie Quilters
7. Emma Creek Quilt Guild
8. Friendship Quilters Guild
9. Teakettle Quilters Guild
10. Scraps & Threads Quilt Guild
11. Heirloom Quilters
12. Belknap Mill Quilters Guild
13. The Material Quilters

There are so many more quilting guilds, clubs and organizations and the names are fascinating.  Why don’t you tell me the name of yours…and a little about it?  It would be fun to feature quilt guilds here.

(Amazon image; click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Our theme for Promo Day at the Lifestyles Channel is “The Dog Days of Summer,” a time in July and August, when the weather often is steamy, humid and lazy.  A warning I recall from childhood was,  ”Be careful around the dogs because they can get irritable during this weather.”  I don’t know how true it is, but it seemed best to heed it. In ancient times, this also was considered the time of the “dog star.”

However, let’s see about quilting that “goes to the dogs.”  Are there quilt patterns out there with dog and pet designs?  These would be wonderful for pet lovers, for children with a favorite puppy pet.

Here are ideas for quilts with dog/puppy designs.  You could alternate different dogs in various size blocks.  Depending on the size quilt you want you add multiple borders.

Also, look for fabrics that have dog/pet designs printed on them.  These make delightful crib or lap quilts, whereby the top (and back, too) consists of the printed fabric.

What have you designed using dog/puppy/pet designs?

(Amazon images; click on them for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Tea time was a sign of hospitality in my family.  My grandmother, with whom I did my first quilting, always had a cup of tea at 3 PM in the afternooon.  Whenever I visited my mom, we’d enjoy tea and catch up on family affairs before we took care of any business.

Later when Mother, afflicted with Alzheimer’s, resided in a nursing home, my grandchildren and I enjoyed tea parties with her.  Even after she no longer could participate, she seemed to enjoy our company and the occasion.  These parties also created memories for the children.

So, I’m starting a Tea Time here at Quilting and Patchwork, when we can share our stories, our accomplishments, our hopes and dreams.  I’ll start by sharing some of your delightful comments when you entered the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival for the copy of the quilting novel.

So many mentioned their quilting heritage and projects they’re currently working on. 

Jean Marie said:

I love to quilt and have many of my own, although I give away most of them. I like to do everything by hand. We have my husband’s grandmother’s quilt, which is very special to us.

[Isn’t it special to have quilts that have been made by someone in the family and handed down through the generations?]

Renee G:

I’m not a quilter yet. However, I just keep buying fabric, pattern books, etc. I’m just a little intimidated about starting a project– but I love to shop :)
We have quilts in my family that were my grandmother and grandfather’s families. I’d love to be able to make at least 2 (one for each of my children.)

[You have the habits of a quilter…you’re intrigued by fabrics and keep buying them!  Start with a simple quilt, random 5-inch or 7-inch squares from various fabrics and sew them together in strips.  How nice, too, that you have quilts from your families.]

If you’d like to share in future Tea Time occasions at Quilting and Patchwork, leave your comments below.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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As I browsed through my articles here at Quilting and Patchwork, I discovered one about quilting and China, The Early History of Quilting in Eqypt and China.  It refers to an item in Kaye Woods’ newsletter that mentions:

 “The earliest recorded
quilted garment was found on a carved, ivory figure of a pharaoh, dated to
be from around 3400 BC!”   

(Since the above post was written nearly two years ago, the link to Kaye’s newsletter for that week isn’t available.  Apparently they aren’t archived that far back.)

However, if you have any information about quilting in early China or even present day China, you’re welcome to share it here. 

 Is there quilting connecting China and the Olympics originating in China?

(Amazon image; click to learn more)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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