I’m going to let you in on a little secret. . .  Shhh. . .  Come closer.  You can make a quilt.  Yep, YOU.  Okay, so you’ve never done it before.  Well, everybody had to start somewhere, right?  And I’ve got just the place for you to begin.  One block a month.  That’s all you have to do.  Two a month if you’re feeling perky and want to make the larger version.  More than that?  Sure, why not?  This is a simple quilt, as forgiving as a grandmother.  You can make a million mistakes, and it will still be delightful.

Intrigued?  I hope so.  Here’s the story.

Talented quilt designer Pat Sloan and I are offering a block of the month pattern, just for the folks who visit our websites.  You can read the whole story here of how we met, how we conceived the project–the photo is us at Macy’s after a working lunch–and how it relates to Sister’s Choice, my July 2008 novel from Mira Books.

Suffice it to say that we are sure this is something you’ll have fun with, or we wouldn’t have bothered.  There’s lots of room for creativity as well as mistakes.  And there will be a community of quilters to help you and to share photos of your quilt with.

The year long project is called A Season of Grace, after Grace Cashel, the woman who designed a similar quilt in Sister’s Choice.  Okay, okay, if you’re too busy to go to my quilt studio and read more, I’ll tell you this much.  A Season of Grace is an Advent quilt.  You’ll have the
choice of making twenty-five blocks, or just twelve.  You also have the choice of doing the quilt two different ways.  The larger version–first two stockings shown here–has removable stockings that you can fill, so that the child in your life has something to do in December while she or he waits for Santa Claus. 

Or that special man. . .  Or your houseguests. . .  The possibilities are endless. 

So come and join us.  You know where my quilt studio is.  You’ll find Pat’s here.  Pat and I will take turns offering the blocks.  She begins with our February block pattern, and in March, you’ll find the next pattern on my website.  Guess why?  Of course.  We want you to visit both our websites, so please don’t print and share with your guild.  Ask your quilter friends to visit us, too.  Pat’s website is a treasure trove of fun.  Lots of quilting tips and patterns, gorgeous fabric she’s designed, and lots of how-to books.  Mine?  Well, hopefully you know all about mine.  If not, dig in.

Pat’s set up for lots of comments, but you are welcome to comment here on this or any of my blog posts, or you can email me directly from my website.  You may have to wait a bit for an answer, because I’m going to Guatemala, to walk in the footsteps of Elisa Kinkade from Endless Chain.  But as soon as I’m back, I’ll help if I can. 

I am quilter, hear me roar!  Let’s hear you, too!