Rhonda emailed me a few weeks ago about helping promote her new book and I of course said YES! anything to help quilting authors!!
I don’t have a copy of her book yet, but it’s on the way and she gave me bits to write about here, ALSO I decided to ask her a few questions to get to know her more 
Questions for author/ Rhonda Cratty
How long have you been a writer?
I have written all my life. However, I started writing articles when I was an elementary school teacher. They were parenting/education articles.
When did you decide you wanted to write?
After many years teaching and writing for education an idea for a book started brewing. My life supplied the inspiration. I developed the prologue and the epilogue. I also knew from beginning to end the journey I wanted to take the characters on.
What’s the name of the first book you wrote? And what is it about?
Learning at home a parent resource, filled with ideas to help children become the best they can be. Daily activities for family fun, that make subjects become more than pencil and paper, moving learning into everyday life. Learning at home gives parents an idea a week to challenge and motivate children. 48, four per month, educational learning ideas that can happen anytime. Around the kitchen table, in the backyard, on vacation, everyday within the comfort of family, using objects found around the home and books from any library. Filled with tips for family fun nights, holidays, trips and every day ideas to raise lifelong learners. Each idea can work with multiple ages and needs within a family. Tucked in are lists of family friendly books, recipes, homework help and games to extend learning.
Learning at Home taught me the process of writing a book. It helped me to know where I was going with. Our Family Quilt.
Our Family Quilt didn’t begin when I sat at my laptop. A tiny seed was planted in my writing soul when my mom, started me on my sewing journey. A box of scraps of material inspired my first try at putting bits and pieces together to create something new. A Christmas sewing basket with little scissors, thread, pins and buttons is still treasured. My grandma, gave me her sewing machine she used since the 1930’s. I remember the moment she gave me the machine and tried to weave it into my book. On my thirteenth birthday, my parents gave me a Sears Kenmore that went forward and reverse (which I took with me when I got married, sewed little-boy blankets, and used until it would sew no more). It was those memories I put into words.
Once I was married my husband became my creative sounding board, patiently listening as I created with words, pins and thread. Supporting me with many adventures to fill up pages.
While I was raising children, teaching, and writing articles an idea for a book started brewing. My life supplied the inspiration. I developed the prologue and the epilogue. I also knew from beginning to end the journey I wanted to take the characters on. I knew how to sew but not quilt -which was critical in the story.
How long have you been quilting?
I have been sewing since I was eight, but I only became a quilter five years ago.
Who taught you to quilt?
I walked into my friend’s office, who quilted, and asked her to give me enough information so I could write my book.
With a happy heart, she took me into my first quilting class and I was off on another adventure. I went to quilting shows learning everything I could. I joined a quilting guild, listening to all their inspiring speakers and meeting encouraging quilters. I bought quilting magazines and books. As we traveled we stopped at each quilting shop along the way. As I absorbed new experiences, I became inspired to add a different dimension to both my quilting and my book.
What’s your favorite quilt you’ve made? Have a picture of it?
My favorite quilt is always the one I am working on at the time. However, the one on the cover of Our Family Quilt was my first quilt and has a special place in my heart. I am attaching pictures of creating that quilt.
What’s your favorite quilting method? First, it was piecing log cabin blocks. However, I do like appliqué and I spent last year making applique wall hangings as Christmas gifts. I enjoyed the way I could make pictures out of fabric. This year I am rediscovering piecing, right now, I am working on a nine patch.
What’s your favorite quilt block? I don’t have one favorite. Each time I make a new block it just amazes me how it comes together. Like I said above right now I am working on nine patch. Today, I am cutting them apart and putting them back together creating a disappearing nine patch.
What’s your favorite color (for quilts) or color combination? I love the blue spectrum with a touch of red to give the pop.
Tell us a bit about where you live and your family
Living in Colorado I enjoy walking, hiking, and cross country skiing. When I am not writing, I enjoy traveling, quilting, crocheting, cooking, reading and painting.
Our Family Quilt began as a book idea. Then moved into research of quilting as an art form in America. The characters in this book evolved through quilting classes, quilting shows, museums, shops, the Columbine Quilt Guild, inspiring speakers, and encouraging quilters. Each experience inspired me to add a different dimension to both my quilting and writing.
https://www.acreativespin.com/home.html
And here’s what she wrote about the book
Our Family Quilt
The Fabric of Life
by
Rhonda Cratty
Join and experience creativity and nostalgia through Grace, a master quilter, -as she shares her creative gifts with her young granddaughter, Audrey. Together their lives unfold around their family quilt. The love between grandmother and granddaughter keep a family’s generations turning despite minor setbacks, disappointments and celebrations of life. As friends and family of this charming mountain town in Colorado come together for life’s moments. Creating an inspirational, heartwarming story to share with those you love.
Our Family Quilt immerses readers in:
-
Family Life
-
Contemporary Women
-
Quilting ideas
-
Creativity for everyday living
-
The secret world of Grandmothers and Granddaughters and the people they love…
it’s here on amazon or for your kindle!
There’s also a giveaway!
You can win your own copy of this book (us only) or an E-book (including international)
Answer below and enter the raffle copter
It will end a week from now
Looks like a good read.thanks for sharing a little insight about this new book.In stitchesAnnette
my favorite quilt block is the friendship star. thanks for the chance to win this great sounding book.
my favorite color combo is blue and yellow.
My favorite quilt block is subject to change at any moment, but right now Old Maid's Puzzle is on my mind! Looks like a wonderful book, definitely one to put on my reading list.
Either a star (almost any star block will work) or the churn dash. I like trying new blocks.
I love reds and blues.
That book sounds lovely! My favorite quilt block that has a name is Dutchman's Puzzle. I have been paper piecing minis of it and I have so much fun making them.
As for color combinations, I love anything bright with a good grey. Blue and Grey, Yellow and Grey, Orange and Grey!
I love pinwheel blocks
My favorite quilt block is a double friendship star.
I do love Log Cabin blocks but it's a Granny Square block that I really like.
I gravitate to blue all the time. Blue and green, blue and purple blue and anything as long as it's bright. I want my world to have color.
My favorite block is Rail Fence. It goes together quickly with strip piecing and has a lot of versatility. — soparkaveataoldotcom
Blues, purples, and turquoises with a touch of pink for spark is my favorite color combination. — soparkaveataoldotcom
Thanks for the info, and opportunity to win a copy. Is it a work of fiction? Lovely quilt to go with it, I had some of that same fabric, so I like it 🙂
Dayton Ohio, I'm single with no children, but I have some fantastic nieces and nephews from aged 30 down to 5, love them bunches!
Looks like a great book! I love purple and lime green together! Mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
My fav block is the New York Beauty! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite block varies… I can't pick just one!!
I really don't have a favorite quilt block. I do enjoy paper piecing and the fun things that can be make with that method. Right now I am working on a throw for a granddaughter who is a senior at the University of Alabama. The quilt features a big A using the log cabin block. I found I was more accurate if I drew up the block on paper and used the paper piecing method. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
I don't have a favorite color or color combinations, but then, I really enjoy scrap quilts which use all colors. Right now I am working on a quilt that is red, black, and white. I do have a redworks UFO. I am also working on an EPP quilt that is real scrappy. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
I'm not sure that I have a favorite quilt block. I'm a very traditional quilter, so there's a lot of blocks I like, but I also love EPP hexagons – do those count as a block? 🙂
I love red and white quilts (made one last year for a guild challenge) but I also like green and white. I have one that needs to be done – once I get rid of some UFO's!
My favorite quilt block is the log cabin in all its variations.
My favorite color combinations are rainbows.
I really like the dressdon blocks. Lots of various ways also. Good luck everyone in the giveaway!! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom
My favorite quilt blocks are star blocks.
My favorite color combinations are blues and purples.
I really like the Goose in the Pond Quilt Block!