Last weekend was so very busy but there was something I was doing in every spare minute.....even in the car on the way to my grandson's birthday party. :-) I was reading The Threadbear Heart by Jennie Nash. It was such a good book that I have to tell you about it!
First, though, I must share how I found out about it. The truth is that Jennie and the book found me.......A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from Jennie that offered a free copy of her book to the first five people to reply to her e-mail. I was on the computer when her e-mail popped in so I sent off a reply right away........and I won an advanced reading copy! It was even signed by Jenny. :-) In the e-mail she sent there was a photo of the cover and these quotes about the book........
"Sometimes fabric speaks louder than words. Just in time for Mother’s Day, a story about love and loss, mothers and daughters, and the redemptive power of fabric. The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash is exquisite. I was riveted to the many hairpin turns in her lovely prose, and having just finished reading, feel both the trauma and comfort of a deeply felt and written novel.” --Luanne Rice
“Jennie Nash gets all the details right: the quirky obsession of fabric hoarders who dream of the possibilities woven into a piece of cloth, the smell and panic of southern California brush fire season, and the roller coaster ride we call marriage. You know her characters - or you wish you did. The Threadbare Heart may do more than Project Runway to bring sewing machines out of storage.” Kitty Felde, KPCC/NPR Reporter
After reading those quotes, I could hardly wait to receive the book. And then when it arrived, I was so busy there was almost no time to read......... but I made time! I was hooked on the book from the first sentence when I read the name of the main character, Lily. That was my great grandma's name. I've already mentioned that she was a quilter but what I haven't mentioned is that almost all of her quilts that she had made and kept were lost in a fire a number of years ago. They had been passed to my cousin Charlotte ( I always think of her as my aunt but I got to thinking that she is my dad's first cousin so she can't be my aunt) and she treasured them, then mourned them when their home burned to the ground. I cannot imagine how awful that would be to know that there were no photos, no mementos, no threads of anything left........just ashes. And that thought compelled me to read this book, knowing that the main character Lily was going to suffer such a loss. The story is also about Lily's marriage, her relationship with her mother, and her sons, too. And, of course, it shares her love of sewing and her treasured stash. I don't want to tell you anymore except to say that it was so hard to put this book down once I started reading it. The characters seemed so "real" and when the book ended, I wanted to know more about them. I really hope there is a sequel to this book.
You can purchase the book or you could request it from your local library, but how about a chance to win a copy of the book "The Threadbare Heart"? Jennie has two copies of her book that she has sent me and I will mail them to two winners who leave a comment on this blog post (and only comments left on this post will be entered in the drawing). Just leave your name and make sure that you include your e-mail link in your comment if it is not posted in your profile. Without a way to contact you, I can't notify you if you are the winner! If you'd like to, please tell me about a most treasured item that you lost and what it meant to you. My "Random Number Man" will draw two winner's names on Thursday evening, May 20th at 10:00 p.m. CST. The winner's names will be posted on my blog on Friday morning, May 21st. :-)
Now, after you leave a comment, you might want to check out Jennie's website and then you might want to visit her group called The*Story*of*My*Stash . And to further entice you......... Keepsake*Quilting is sponsoring a special challenge contest so you'll want to check it all out here.
Okay, that's all for today. I'm going to be enjoying some Minnesota sunshine and 70-degree weather! It's been a pretty rainy, dreary week so I am ready for a sweet weather change!
Have a good weekend. See you on Monday!
Sandi
48 comments:
Ooooh looks like I might be the first....the most precious thing I have lost (besides my mum last September)is my mind! I'm not sure where or when, but it's lost all the same, as for what it meant to me....sanity! Hugs Naomi
One of the most precious things I have lost was my 'baby' bracelet that my Grandma had given me when I was born, or very young. I lost it when I was in primary school, and have missed having it many times.
I always feel so bad when I hear of people losing things in fires, floods, storms, etc. This book sounds like a wonderful one and, of course, I would love to win it!!! Please put my name in the "hat", too.
I am sure that I have lost many "things" along the way in life, but the most treasured thing that I have lost is my BFF. She was the best friend that I had ever had. We were friends for 20 years, and when she passed away, it has left a huge hole in my heart. The book sounds like it will be a great one to read. Thanks for entering me in your little giveaway.
Dear Sandi,
Thanks for the chance to win this book - it sounds like a fabulous read!
The most treasured things I have lost are the people and pets I have loved. Items, no matter how valued, can be replaced. The people and pets you cherish cannot.
Hugs
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com
When my kids were growing up we lost everything in a fire. Although I mourned the loss of the photos and little things that they had made me and treasures we had purchased as momentos of trips I quickly realized that they were just things and the precious "things" in my life were spared. My kids lives.My son was the youngest at the time and his turtle quilt was spared only to be lost years later in a fire in an apartment he lived in. The first thing he said when he talked to me afterwards was "Mom...can you make me another one?"
Oh MY, A story I would love to read.
the most precious thing I have lost was myself when I lost my mom. It was the worst part of my life. But, Thanks to God, I'm back with renewed love and appreciation with what I do have in life.
Carolyn- cncsmith2@yahoo.com
the most precous thing I have lost was my Dad. I miss him everyday. If you have special people in your life tell them and hug them every chance you get.
One of the most precious things I have lost is a gold cross necklace my father gave me before he left for France during WWII. I always loved it and still miss it. I would love to win "The Threadbare Heart"! Synthia (spnquilt2@gmail.com)
Thanks for the chance for the book giveaway. Sounds like a wonderful read. The most precious thing that I have lost (or am about to lose) is my only child's childhood...he graduates from high school in three weeks and will be off to college in the fall. All I have left of his childhood are wonderful memories.
It sounds like a wonderful book and I would love to read it.
Debbie NY email mskepim@aol.com
The book The Threadbare Heart sounds like a wonderful book to read. Please put my name in the hat for the drawing as well. One of the most precious things I have lost is my mother. I lost her when I was 16 and have missed her every day since !!
i lOVE TO READ, RIGHT NOW i am enjoying all the books in the Elm Street quilts series/ I will definate try to get The Threadbare Heart. Thanks for telling us about it
It sounds like a delightful book. I'll have to check it out.
Sandi,
I miss reading for enjoyment so much. Seems most of the reading I do lately is technical reading for work...not that I don't enjoy it, but it's not the same. I guess you could say this is the thing I've lost that I would love to find again.
Thank you for sharing abou the book with us!! :-) Kelly
I have been dying to find a book to read on the plane when I leave in 9 days.....soundds like a good one.
We had a dog...my husband wanted to give him a blanket, he takes a quilt that my great aunt made...not knowing how important that quilt was to me and well...the dog just tore it up royally before I could retrieve it. I still think about that quilt but have forgiven my husband.
One of the things I most regret is not taking all the quilts at mom's house when she sold off everything. I was but a newly married kid, and grabbed the best one shape wise. I left double wedding rings and other more 'used' ones....I was not a quilter and had no idea of the sentimental value those quilts would have held for me today. My dad's mom made them; she died when I was 7 so I hardly knew her..but that tangable connection we women can share with needle and thread or recipes calls to me today....that is a great regret!
shelley
freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net
Oh Sandi, you have me hooked on this book already! Please put my name in for your giveaway,lucky you for winning a copy. Can't share what I lost - too sad. We should cherish those God blesses us with everyday, friend and family alike.
http://sideroadstitcher.blogspot.com/
Like most of the others, loosing someone you love is devestating. But as for what thing I regret loosing, was not recieving anything from my grandmothers when they passed on to remind me of them. But I do have my memories of them both. I hope and pray I won't lose that.
The Threadbare Heart sounds like a great read. I like to read as much as I do stitch. Thanks Sandi for the give-way.
My most precious thing that was lost was the first quilt I made ...it ment a lot to me and I still haven't gotten over its lost...I gave it to my oldest son...seems he didn't think much of it at all it was gone in a short time and he has no idea what happen to it. Trish
The most precious thing that I have lost is my original wedding and engagement ring set. I gained weight so that the rings did not fit, and money was too scarce to have them resized. It has been almost thirty years, we have had a second child, we have moved ninety miles, and I do have a plain wedding band now. Against the odds, I have hope of someday finding my rings and having them resized so that I can wear them again.
I would love to enter your giveaway.
I miss having good health-have rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years.
I would love a chance to win a book! This one sounds like real page-turner, too! I lost a lot of fabric - mostly scraps - and an old coverlet from my paternal grandmother's side of the family. These were stored in our basement, and were ruined by moisture from a leaky washing machine. I wish I'd tried harder to save the coverlet. Not much of this grandmother's belongings have survived the years.
I would love to read that book, I have read all of Cindy WOodsmall books, and they tear at your heart. Please enter me in the contest, Thanks, Jeanne
Losing my parents and brother to cancer was the most precious people I have lost. Having my mom here to sew with was the most precious thing I lost. Helen in ID
Sounds like an interesting book. Would love to read it.
What did I lose? My self respect. I stayed in an abusive marriage for over 20 years because I felt I didn't deserve any better. My children and I are now free and enjoying life.
snuginmyden@yahoo.com
I am amazed to find that I can't think of something I have lost that I really miss. I miss my family members and friends who have passed away, but in terms of things...either I haven't had many big losses or my memory is too short!
Sounds like a terrific book!
Hi I had a very special leather handbag made by a friend who had cancer who subsequently died. One day it was stolen out of my car and never recovered even though I searched roadsides and dust bins for weeks afterwards.
I would love to win this book Thanks Sharyn
Wow this sounds like a wonderful book! Let's see, there are so many wonderful things that I have lost, it is hard to pick one. The most recent is my Scottie, Mitzi. I lost her 4 years ago and haven't been able to get another puppy since. I hope one day to get another Scottie, but it just isn't int he cards right now. :(
Sandy A
Sounds like a wonderful book, thanks for having the giveaway Sandi.
I think the most precious thing I ever lost was all the photo's and cards from my Dad, he passed away when I was 17 and so it was all I had from him, the cards were the worse as he used to send me cards all the time, he traveled for his work so he wasn't home very much but he always sent me cards for everything I ever did, swimming meets, etc. I did get some of the phot's back because mom had copies so that helped.
Huggs,
Cleary k.
I've been trying to find this book! Next to sewing/stitching/quilting READing is my salvation. I do miss my mind ,too!
The book sounds fantastic. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance!
The most precious thing that I lost is my dad...I played the song Memories when I found out he died. That was a no brainer for me.
Micki
I need a great book to read for a good cry :)
I lost a good friend (MY fault) but then I was lucky enough to get her back..... MANY years later
Thanks for the give away
SheilaC
The most precious thing I lost was my daughters' baby quilts that were made by my grandmother. They were lost during a move when they were little girls.
Hello, first off congrats on winning that book and enjoying it so much. The first quilt I ever made for my eldest daughter was lost. I made it for her 17th birthday, her boyfriend now husband took it on a working trip and left it in a hotel room. Even though it had her name on the back we have never found it. That was 12 years ago now. I have made many more quilts since but would love to know where that one is. Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Absolutely sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the opportunity to win. jks4665@willinet.net
Looks like a definitely must read.
The most precious thing I've ever lost and still mourn the loss was a baby boy when I was 7 months along. My heart was forever wounded.
Please please please Sandi, could you kindly put my name? You're so kind not, kindest and thoughtful heart to offer lovelies for us.
The most treasured thing I've lost is Lucy, my Maltese terrier pet. Maybe I am not correct, because I had to give her to a dear friend of me because of my apartment was not giving her the best living. You know dogs like to grow and run in gardens. My friend lives in a huge mansion on the seaside w/big garden, so I thought Lucy would be happily merrily living than living at my digital apartment among many cables and electronic devices:)
So I miss her a lot since I gave to my friend. Sometimes I go to visit her, and cry a lot when I am about to end my visiting.
Oh,love your quilts and am requesting that book at our library. Have a great day.
Maggey
I've lost one of my own baby shoes. :( I *know* they both used to be around here, but now one is lost.
My gramma handmade them from white felt with blue French knots for decoration.
Would love this book, sounds wonderful! (I am having our library order.)
I lost the old Singer portable machine I had inheritated from my great-aunt, it was from 1926, weighed a ton, but was pretty and sewed well.
Dorothy S, Sterling, CO
gramsbear80721@yahoo.com
Sounds like a wonderful thing - the most precious thing I have lost is my mother. Life without her is very empty.
I have lost many things that are dear to me- family, friends, pets. But I think the most beloved "thing" that I lost was a lamp that was shaped like a crinoline lady. The light was under her skirt and in the lampshade over her head. It was always in my Grandma Angie's spare bedroom and it was my most favorite thing. When she died, most of her things went to auction, and my dad told me I could bid on it (I was only 13). I got into a bidding war with this other lady, and I was afraid the price was too high so I backed out. Afterwards my dad told me he would have paid any price for that lamp. I still miss that lamp and I sure miss Grandma too.
This book sounds wonderful. I remember as a child loosing a birthstone ring that belonged to my Mother. I looked for it day after day in my neighbor's yard, because that is where I last remembered having the ring. I still wonder if anyone ever found that ring. If they did find it did they wonder about who owned the ring and how it ended up where they found it.
I wish I could find it today and share it with my Mom one more time before I loose her.
oh lala, I would love to have a copy of this book, then I could pass it onto my mom to read, as we often pass books back and forth.
I would love to win the book.
I have lost family members
that I loved too.
When I was a child I had
a pet that was given poison
from a neighbor.
It is something you dont forget
put cherish the time you had
with her.
I hope you add my name too.
Debbie E
One of the most precious things
indian classified site
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