The New Year's Quilt


Book Description

As each holiday season approaches, some revel in welcoming the New Year ahead; others quietly mourn the passing of time gone by. "We can't hold on to the past," says Master Quilter Sylvia Compson, "but we can keep the best part of 'Auld Lang Syne' in our hearts and in our memories, and we can look forward to the future with hope and resolve." As Sylvia, a late-in-life newlywed, has discovered, love can enter our lives at any age. Yet before she can truly delight in her present happiness, she must face the sorrow hidden in her past -- her own role in the tragic circumstances that left her estranged from her sister, Claudia, until it was too late to make amends. Vowing not to repeat the mistake with her new daughter-in-law, Amy, who opposed Sylvia's marriage to her father, Andrew, Sylvia must convince Amy that family is more precious than pride. As Sylvia takes up a quilt for the season, begun and abandoned over six years, she recalls the New Year's Eve festivities of her youth at Elm Creek Manor as a member of the Bergstrom family. She titles the quilt "New Year's Reflections," after her belief that year-end reflections precede resolutions. The quilt blocks she chooses commemorate the wisdom that no one can ever be truly alone if she keeps the memory of those she loved and those who loved her alive in her heart. The New Year's Quilt is a novel to enjoy today and to treasure anew each holiday season.




Debbie Mumm's 25 Years of Quilts


Book Description

"My 25 favorites-- new looks and better than ever!"--Cover.




The Christmas Quilt / The New Year's Quilt


Book Description

Master quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson helps her friend Sarah McClure uncover the story of an unfinished Christmas quilt and works on a new quilt for her reluctant daughter-in-law that depicts holiday memories of Elm Creek Manor.




More Elm Creek Quilts


Book Description

Timeless Quilts Inspired by the New York Times Best-Selling Novels. 11 traditional quilts for all skill levels, featuring more than 30 traditional blocks. Read about your favorite Elm Creek novels: The Sugar Camp Quilt, The Christmas Quilt, Circle of Quilters, The Quilter's Homecoming, and The New Year's Quilt. Complete instructions and full-sized patterns for each quilt, plus a chapter on quilting basics. Jennifer Chiaverini is back with another collection of beautiful quilts from Elm Creek Quilts. The projects include Jennifer's original designs, plus a sampler quilt made from the top 10 blocks in the Elm Creek Quilts design contest, and a quilt created from Chimneys and Cornerstones blocks contributed by Elm Creek readers. Every chapter includes excerpts and favorite character sketches from the Elm Creek Quilts novels. You loved the stories-now make more of the quilts they inspired!




The Hawthorne: A Christmas and New Years Present


Book Description

In the heart of 19th-century American literature, 'The Hawthorne: A Christmas and New Years Present' stands as a captivating anthology, showcasing a remarkable diversity in themes, narrative styles, and literary context. Serving as a treasure trove of short stories and essays, this collection highlights the significant contribution of female authors to the literary world, offering insights into domestic life, social norms, and the nuanced challenges of their time. The anthology is notable for its inclusion of works that range from heartfelt Christmas stories to reflective New Years musings, each piece echoing the periods rich literary tradition while also paving the way for future explorations of genre and theme. The authors Eliza Leslie, Mrs. Hughs, Mrs. Childs, and Mrs. Sigourney were prominent figures who played pivotal roles in shaping 19th-century American literature, particularly in the domain of womens writing. Coming from diverse backgrounds, these authors collectively bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives, enriching the anthologys exploration of themes such as family, tradition, and societal expectations. Their contributions reflect the broader historical and cultural movements of their time, offering readers a window into the complexities and beauties of early American life. 'The Hawthorne: A Christmas and New Years Present' is an essential read for those who cherish the depth and diversity of literary expression. It provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the work of pioneering female authors whose voices contribute to our understanding of 19th-century American society. This anthology not only celebrates the festive season but also encourages readers to reflect on the societal norms of the past, inviting a dialogue between the historical context of the authors works and the contemporary readers perspective. It is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts of American literature, offering a rich tapestry of stories that resonate with timeless themes and human experiences.




The Christmas Quilt


Book Description

A heartwarming rendition of how Christmas traditions at Elm Creek Manor were created—and embellished—over generations. When Christmas Eve comes to Elm Creek Manor, the tenor of the holiday is far from certain. Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, the Master Quilter, has her own reasons for preferring a quiet, even subdued, Christmas. Her young friend Sarah McClure, however, takes the opposite view and decides to deck the halls brightly. As she explores the trunks packed with Bergstrom family decorations that haven't been touched in more than fifty years, Sarah discovers a curious Christmas quilt. Begun in seasonal fabrics and patterns, the quilt remains unfinished. Sylvia reveals that the handiwork spans several generations and a quartet of Bergstrom quilters—her great aunt, her mother, her sister, and herself. As she examines the array of quilt blocks each family member contributed but never completed, memories of Christmases past emerge. At Elm Creek Manor, Christmas began as a celebration of simple virtues—joy and hope buoyed by the spirit of giving. As each successive generation of Bergstroms lived through its unique trials—the antebellum era, the Great Depression, World War II—tradition offered sustenance even during the most difficult times. For Sylvia, who is coping with the modern problem of family dispersed, estranged, or even forgotten, reconciliation with her personal history may prove as elusive as piecing the Christmas Quilt. Elm Creek Manor is full of secrets, from a Christmas tree with unusual properties to the sublime Bergstrom strudel recipe. Sylvia's tales at first seem to inform her family legacy but ultimately illuminate far more, from the importance of women's art to its place in commemorating our shared experience, at Christmastime and in every season.




Prize-Winning Quilts


Book Description

Every two years, the International Quilt Association presents the largest and most esteemed quilting competition in the world. The show brings together professional and home quilters alike, all entering their finest pieces. Anyone who wins a prize has true talent, creativity, and skill-- and here, for the very first time, are all the quilts that emerged victorious in all the specialty areas. There are variations on traditional patterns, such as log cabin or Amish Star, as well as exquisite examples of Japanese quilting, Trapunto, and other more unusual forms. While no instructions accompany the eye-opening images, the projects can be reproduced, and the artists offer helpful background on each piece. Quilters will treasure this collection-- and eagerly await new ones to come.




An Elm Creek Quilts Companion


Book Description

Offers a guided tour to Elm Creek Manor, which features prominently in the book series, including a detailed look at the Bergstrom family tree, biographies of each character, illustrations of quilt blocks, and a short story.




Challenges in Relationship Marketing


Book Description