Thursday, October 6, 2011

Guest blogger and Give away!

Clare O'Donohue has a new book out, So I asked her if she'd write a guest post about her quilting life and her writing life. Her new book is ''THE DEVIL'S PUZZLE.
....When people find out I write a murder mystery series featuring a group of quilters, the first question I’m asked is, “Do you quilt?” While there are a few non-quilting novelists who write about quilters, I’m not one of them. I’ve been quilting for nearly twenty years – and there are still hundreds of patterns, and fabrics out there, calling my name. I tend toward more traditional quilts, like log cabin and flying geese, but I also try my hand at designing small quilts. I made twelve inch square quilts for all the holidays, I’m currently working on an autumn leaves quilt that started off simple but has gotten quite complicated.

I quilt as a way to relax, to have my own unique works of art, to give hand-made gifts -but also to replenish my creative juices. There’s nothing like an afternoon in my small quilting space, going through my fabrics, and working on my projects to bust through whatever writing block I may be feeling. It’s creativity for the sake of it – with no deadlines or editors or critics to worry about. I can indulge my ideas and enjoy the process – which inevitably reminds me of what I love about writing.  I find I get my best ideas for my novels while I quilt – and just like the hundreds of quilts that are still in my imagination, waiting to become real, there are hundreds of novels waiting to be written. So I guess I’ll be writing (and quilting) for a long time to come. --Clare O'Donohue


Thanks Clare! 
Your quilts are beautiful!  I am about to dive into your novel!
fun!

If you'd like a chance to win Clare's new book, please leave a comment here 
and tell me what was the last quilt you made or the last book you read.
I will draw a winner Tuesday 9 a.m.

53 comments:

  1. Hi, Thanks for as chance to win Clare's new book. The last quilt I made is a pink baby quilt, made 15 minute crumb style.

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  2. Such a coincidence! The last book I read is Devil's Puzzle by Clare O'Donohue. Started it on the train home from New York yesterday and stayed up late to finish it. No need to add me to the giveaway but tell Clare it's my favorite one she's written so far.

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  3. The last quilt I made was a maple leaf wall-hanging for my entryway. As for books, I usually listen to them while I'm quilting. Right now, I'm working on the 5th book of the "Game of Thrones" series, called 'A Dance with Dragons'.

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  4. I just finished reading "The Help". But I just picked up the new Elm Creek Quilter's novel and can't wait to get started reading it. I've never heard of Clare...so I've got her on my list to check out when I head to the library next week.

    Thanks! I'm always looking for new reading material.

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  5. The last quilt I made I call "Funky Flamingos" because I used a large, flamingo novelty print. The last book I read was "The Florabama Ladies' Auxilary and Sewing Circle" by Lois Battle.

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  6. I've never read any of her books and would love to! I'm currently reading a murder mystery by Margaret Truman-she has some good ones. Just finished a girly quilt that'll be a Christmas gift for my granddaughter.

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  7. I would love to win her new book! The quilt I am currently working on is a small community quilt (charity quilt) for my local quilt guild.

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  8. Right now I am reading Unbroken. The last quilt I made was a cute little pink and yellow nine patch with stars.

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  9. I am currently making a baby blue and white mini-windmill quilt. I just finished "The Cold Light of Mourning" set in Wales and before that the quilting related mystrey "Quilt As You Go".
    Thanks for the oportunity - I enjoy Clare's books!

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  10. I just finished a book that I found at the thrift store, "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger. It said it was a national best seller, so I thought it was worth the chance to give it a read. It turned out to be good enough, that I never wanted it to end! Many, many twists and turns...
    I am ready for a new books, so pick me! LOL! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. I just finished reading The Lovely Bones the other day. My most recent quilt finish was my row quilt for doll quilt swap 11, and I finished a pink/green/Nicey Jane rose baby quilt top today, in improv log cabin style. Can't wait to quilt it!

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  12. Thanks for the chance to win this book. My last completed quilt was the little mini quilt I posted on 15 mins play recently.
    I am at present reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield which is our Book Club book for the month.

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  13. That is too funny that you have Clare blogging and you are giving away her book! Guess what the last book I read was? Can't guess... It was Clare's last book in her series, The Double Cross! And I have read the first two in the series. Loved the read and would love the fourth in the series. So definitely pick me! If you don't pick me, would you mind sharing yours when you are done. I can personally pick it up! ;)

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  14. Thanks for sharing your quilts--they're beautiful. I've read all your books as I love mysteries and I was born and raised in that part of the a Hudson River valley where your books are set. Your books bring back a lot of memories of living there--I'm in the Seattle area now.

    I just finished piecing Carrie Nelson's Route 44 in queen size while listening to Brad Thor's latest, "Full Black".

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  15. Last book I read was The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs. I enjoy books about quilts and I like mysteries. Seems like Clare's books have it all!

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  16. i have read clare's books, and if i'm not mistaken the last book i read was The Double Cross. just finished my room-size crumb quilt, ready to bind, wash and then cold weather!! :>)

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  17. The last quilt I made was strictly utilitarian, made from pretty napkins and it live in my car. I never remember book titles. Hey! What's the quilt in your last picture? Pretty!

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  18. Hmm...I am working on too many quilts at one time to pick one! lol The last book I read was River's Edge by Marie Bostwick. Can't get enough of her books!

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  19. I'm currently finishing a quilt for a friend with cancer and just finished "Little Bee" last night.

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  20. In July I finished a baby quilt, Warm Wishes pattern, for my newest great nephew. Right now I'm doing a little hand embroidery on another baby quilt for MR's Aunt's newest grand child.
    I don't remember the last book I held in my hands and read that was a novel. I don't usually buy novels, but borrow audio books from the library over the internet without leaving home (LOVE that)! I'm currently listening to Malace Perpeense by Kate Wilhelm. It's a mystery series and the main character is a female lawyer, who works with her father. Good book! I prefer mysteries.

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  21. The last book I read was Planting Dandelions by Kyran Pittman. It is a nonfiction book describing the life of a mom of three boys. I am also a mom of three boys and I absolutely LOVED it! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  22. The last quilt I finished is a birthday gift for a friend - I don't have a name for the pattern. I love to read - hope I win.

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  23. I didn't realize her new book was out already. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  24. I am currently working on a quilt based on Clare's first book in this series, The Lover's Knot. I really enjoy her characters. The book I am reading right now is Worksong by Ivan Doig. The last quilt I finished was a wedding present that got presented on Sunday. I hope I win this book.

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  25. This book looks excellent! I love mysteries! I am reading S is for Silence right now. Great book!

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  26. I love reading quilt novels. The last book I read was The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I loved it. I have about 10 quilts in the works. I know....I need to get to work. LOL!! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  27. I'm hand quilting a Halloween table runner. I'm also (almost) finished reading the book by Audie Murphy, 'To Hell and Back' about his time in WWII. It's good. Ok, to be 'official' the last quilt I FINISHED is a baby quilt that is waiting to be mailed.

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  28. I am currently working on a paper pieced table runner. I've not heard of Clare's books before. I like murder mysteries, add in the quilting ladies and I'm ready to read! I'm off to go check the books out now. Thanks for the opportunity to win her latest book.

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  29. The last quilt I made was a Disappearing 4 Patch out of camo fabric from pants from the Goodwill mixed with batiks from my stash. The last book I read was The Girl Who Played With Fire.

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  30. The last quilt I made was last week for my dance partner who was getting surgery. It's a disappearing 9 patch in batiks.

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  31. I just made the twister quilt in pink for charity. I would love this book!

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  32. The last book I read was a while ago. Some unmemorable murder mystery. But I'd love to read this book!

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  33. I have recently finishe One Day and am half way through Eat Pray Love.

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  34. Last book was The End of the Wasp Season by Denise Mina, mystery sent in Scotland. Last quilt, commission quilt, 1830's eagle quilt.

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  35. I read every night before I go to sleep and have done so for ever, so there have been quite a few books over the years. The last one I finished was "The truth about Melody Browne" which I could not put down. I am always in search of a good book, so thanks for the chance to win one!

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  36. The last book I read was The Union Quilters. The most recent quilt finish was for BASICS. Thanks for an interesting interview.

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  37. The last book I read was Back on Blossom Street. And the most recent quilt I have finished was the binding for the Stack 'n Whack for the Rising Star Quilt Guild Show 10/15 & 10/16 in Lexington, MA.

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  38. My last book was a re-read: Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich, very fun mystery series. Can't wait to try Clare's books - I was unware of them, just reserved one at my local library. Last quilt was a t-shirt quilt that my daughter and I made for her college roommie.

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  39. I just finished a quilt for an "ugly" fabric challenge. It was from the Livin Large book. My son has claimed it for himself and his college roommates. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  40. The last book I read was "Cutting for Stone". Thanks for the chance!

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  41. The last book I can remember reading was The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. Thanks for counting me in, Victoria!

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  42. I just finished a Halloween Spiderweb quilt (for myself!). Have not read Clare's books, but I may have t check them out!

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  43. The last quilt I finished is blue & white fabrics in a tumbler pattern.
    I think I'd enjoy this book!

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  44. I love mysteries-this sounds like a great book. I listen to books while I quilt-will have to check to see if this comes out in audio.

    I am working on a Halloween quilt now and reading 'Hard to Kill"

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  45. Actually, I have never read a quilt mystery book. I would love the chance to start with this one!! I love a good mystery. I love quilting what a great combination.

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  46. Totally misread your question the last book I read was One Day. Last quilt I made was a scrappy mystery.

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  47. Sounds intriguing...

    The last quilt I made was a baby quilt for a colleague made from a Patisserie charm pack.

    The last book I read was The Antagonist by Lynn Coady, a Nova Scotia author who now lives in Edmonton (where I live). I attended the launch of the novel a few weeks ago, met the author, and had my book signed. Awesome!

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  48. The last quilt top that I made was a string quilt using all recycled fabric. the last book that I read was Animal Vegatable Miracle. by Barbara Kingsolver. I think I couls get into a book about quilters. Thanks for the chance

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  49. The last quilt i made was for my friend Bruce. He used to woek with my husband when we lived in CT. He now has cancer so i made him a quilt to cheer him up. He loves the Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys so I had to source appropriate fabrics (not available in OZ) and made a quilt with lots of paper pieced five point stars and the words "No Worries Bruce" on the back - that is a common saying in their household. At least I could do something for him.

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  50. The last quilt I made was a Spooktacular Spy Halloween quilt which I finished a couple of days ago. The last book I read was The Woefield Poultry Collective by Susan Juby (A Canadian) Hilarious book! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  51. My last quilt finished was for my new grand daughter; it was irregular squares sewn on top of each other, using 30s repro fabrics...so it had a real vintage feel to it when washed. The book I just finished was called "A Dog's Purpose"...a touching look at life from the viewpoint of a dog.

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  52. I'm so glad I'm finally feeling well enough to visit my blogging friends again! What great timing! I've been doing a LOT of reading lately. (It doesn't require as much energy as quilt making.) Let's see, the last one I finished... well, it wasn't one of my favorites. I'm rereading The city of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers and Venetia by Georgette Heyer. I'm also part way through Dark Currents by Lindsay Buroker. But that's more than you wanted to know!

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  53. thank you for the chance to win Claire's book. I haven't read any of her books yet and would love the chance. I am currently reading a J. R. Ward series of books that a friend shared and have put the binding on a couple of art quilts.

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