"Ties That Bind" Book Blog Hop

The winner of Marie's book "Ties That Bind" is Anett at House of Mouse!

Welcome to my blog, one of two stops on today's blog hop for Marie*Bostwick's new book..............

"Ties That Bind"

When Michele at Quilting Gallery contacted me about the blog hop and the opportunity to read the book, I was thrilled. I knew by the title that I would love the book. And when I read the synopsis, I could hardly wait to receive the book! Here's what got me so excited.............

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.

The book arrived in my mailbox just two days before I was scheduled for a surgery (ovarian cyst). It was great to pack it in my bag and know that I could read it as I recovered. And I did! That first evening after the morning's surgery and my husband had returned home, I picked up the book and began to read. I only read one chapter that night but the next day, I read a little more. It helped keep my mind off the pain. By the third day, I had a hard time putting the book down! Ah, but I'm getting ahead of the questions!  ........ read on.........

    1. What drew you into the book? The title was the first thing that drew me in. I love the old hymn "Blest Be the Ties that Bind". It was the first thing I thought of when I read the title and recalled it was the hymn sung at our daughter Collette's wedding in 1995.  The book had a quilting theme so that was the second thing to draw me in and then........we have a female pastor at our church, Pastor Brigit. And before she began, our interim pastor was Pastor Kathy, and she was a quilter!! I could really relate to the women in this book!
    2. Which character did you identify with? I didn't really "identify" with any one character. All of the characters felt "real" to me if that makes any sense.
    3. If this is the first book of the series that you have read - will you be reading the rest now?   This was the first of Marie's books that I have read. I will definitely read all of her other books. :-)
    4. In 5 words or less state why someone NEEDS to read this novel. It will make you smile. 
    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 never took a beginning quilt class. My mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunts were all quilters and every one of them inspired me. I watched them and learned from them. I also checked out a lot of books from the library.......everyone that Georgia Bonesteel ever wrote.  :-)
    6. Phillipa signs up to make a baby quilt as her first quilt. Have you made a baby or toddler quilt?  Yes, my first quilt was made for our daughter, Collette, just about this time of year back in 1970.  My husband was in the Air Force and we were stationed near Tokyo, Japan. I was a new mom, a long way from home and knowing that it would be close to three years before I'd see family again. My husband traveled a lot so even though there was a new baby, I still had a lot of time to myself. I decided to make a big quilt for Collette and started cutting squares from old clothes that led to this very worn but still loved quilt.........

And while I was making that quilt/comforter, my mother was stitching this quilt...........

My mother always did a lot of embroidery and had a wonderful collection of patterns. The kitten designs make the quilt look like it was made in the 1930's but it was made in 1970. I found designs for the puppies in her pattern collection and made flannel baby blankets for Collette.

When our son, Devlin, was born in 1976, I made this bright quilt because it was a banner, patriotic year! He arrived on July 5th, one day late for the big 200 year celebration on July 4th, 1976!

I love to blanket stitch and made this big baby blanket with large cartoon characters that I appliqued on a cotton background.

As the years went by, I made a few baby quilts here and there and then in 1999, our grandson, Jacob was born. He needed a warm, snuggly quilt so I used lots of flannels, some I bought and some were scraps left from pajamas made for his mommy, Collette. The four center squares under Jacob's tummy are from a nightgown she wore when she was a little girl.

 He loved that quilt and here he is all snuggled up..............

and then "peek-a-boo"...........he's all smiles!!
Well, that's probably more than you wanted to know and now you might like to have a chance to win Marie's book. All you have to do is leave your name and your e-mail contact and tell me anything you'd like to share about a baby or kid's quilt!  That's all! The giveaway will end at midnight May 2nd. And you know me..........there will be a little fabric surprise for the winner. I have some cute baby-themed charm squares that will get one of you started on a baby quilt for you, a grandchild or for a friend. So, leave that comment and after that, you'll want to head on over to Victoria's blog for another chance to win Marie's book.

One more thing...........
Next week, this pattern for Marie's quilt "Hide and Seek" will be available at her site. Just go here and become a registered member of her site and the pattern is free!

That's all, folks! Best of luck in the book drawing!
Sandi