Rating: 
Summary: Charming, gentle novel with women you won't forget
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. It was a quiet, gentle novel that didn't require too much thought--you just cuddle up and enjoy the ride. Yes, it is easy to predict the outcome of each individual story, but the pleaure of this book is watching the friendship between the women grow and develop, and watch how each women continues to care deeply for each of her friends while dealing with her own problems. It is a testament to true friendship, and the bonds that women can form across miles, race, and age. A perfect book to snuggle up with on a blustery afternoon. I can't wait for more from Chiaverini!
Rating:
Summary: Charming, gentle novel with women you won't forget
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. It was a quiet, gentle novel that didn't require too much thought--you just cuddle up and enjoy the ride. Yes, it is easy to predict the outcome of each individual story, but the pleaure of this book is watching the friendship between the women grow and develop, and watch how each women continues to care deeply for each of her friends while dealing with her own problems. It is a testament to true friendship, and the bonds that women can form across miles, race, and age. A perfect book to snuggle up with on a blustery afternoon. I can't wait for more from Chiaverini!
Rating: 
Summary: Happily surprised
Review: I was disappointed when I read the review of this book to find that it did not center around the original characters, but was pleasantly surprised to see how the new storyline tied in with the old. It was actually my new favorite until I read "The Runaway Quilt" (fourth in the series). I love the descriptions of the quilting in these books. They always inspire me to get back to work on my own projects! The storyline in this one made it hard to put down because I wanted to know how each quilter's dilemma was resolved. The Cross Country Quilters is a wonderful addition to this series.
Rating:
Summary: The Cross Country Quilters
Review: It was wonderful!! My sister, Susie, told me about the books by Jennifer Chiaverini, said they were so special. She was right! I have just finished the Quilters Apprentice and have just this minute ordered Round Robin!! I can't wait to get it and dive right in. I have been quilting for about 15 years and it was exciting to read a book that named a lot of the squares I have used in my own quilts. Keep the great books coming!! I will have them all for my own collection!
Rating:
Summary: Sewn with love......
Review: Jennifer Chiaverini has created in this book, as well as in the first two of this series, a heart-warming, homespun story about a diverse group of women who quilt or learn to quilt while solving their individual struggles. Each woman's tale is handled with an understanding of women's strenghths and their uniqueness. Your time will be well-spent with each of this author's books. Grab a cuppa and your favorite quilt or afghan and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Sewn with love......
Review: Jennifer Chiaverini has created in this book, as well as in the first two of this series, a heart-warming, homespun story about a diverse group of women who quilt or learn to quilt while solving their individual struggles. Each woman's tale is handled with an understanding of women's strenghths and their uniqueness. Your time will be well-spent with each of this author's books. Grab a cuppa and your favorite quilt or afghan and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The Cross-Country Quilters Elm creek
Review: Love the story line of quilt retreat and the friendships that grow from coming together for a quilt week. Can hardly wait for NEXT book! Had the chance to meet jennifer at local Quilt Show was very lovely young lady who is a Quilter.
Rating:
Summary: If you love to quilt, you'll love this book
Review: The Cross Country Quilters are 5 people who meet at Elm Creek quilt camp and become friends. Donna and Megan have been internet friends for a few years but this is their first time meeting in person. Julia is an actress who needs to learn how to quilt for an upcoming role in a feature film. Grace is an accomplished African-American quilter who has lost her muse due to a personal matter that she wishes to keep secret. My favorite character is Vinnie, an 82 year old quilter who celebrates her birthday at Elm Creek every year. Each character has a conflict in their life that they need to face. At the end of quilt camp, they decide to make a challenge quilt--each participant contributing one block. One restriction is that they can't start their block until they have dealt with their personal conflicts. They agree to stay in touch and to meet at quilt camp the following year to put together the blocks they have made. This plot is very similar to what we read in "Round Robin". The main differences being that we are introduced to 5 new characters facing new sets of personal problems and they are making a challenge quilt instead of a round robin quilt. My only complaints with this book are the proof reading and some minor inconsistencies. For example, I just get a little annoyed when I see things like "her Mother her Mother's". One of the inconsistencies is that Megan knows that Donna has a weight problem. But when they meet, Donna wonders if Megan thought she would be skinny. How can that be if Megan knew through their email that she fought with her weight for years. Overall, though, it was a really good book and I highly recommend it to all quilters.
Rating:
Summary: Friendship and Quilting
Review: The Cross Country Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini is the third book in the Elm Creek Quilts book. As I am a stickler for reading series in the order they're written, I did find after reading this book, that it can certainly be read alone. As I said in my review of Round Robin, The Cross Country Quilters is another title which is very reminiscent of How to Make an American Quilt.
Elm Creek Manor is now a quilt camp where primarily women from all over come to spend a week learning more about their interest in quilting. Offering lessons in all sorts of techniques, for some the camp also provides bonding and camaraderie. And in this book five very different women from different parts of the country meet and learn much more than quilting as they sort through their lives and in some cases eventually make life altering changes in their lives too. Pledging to meet a year later at quilt camp these women pledge to make a block for a quilt they will piece together the following year. And the block they construct and sew will have to reflect can only be started once they begin this change.
The end, while predictable as these people's lives fall into place, is sweet and reaffirms the power of friendship. I enjoyed the first two books and look forward to read the others in this series. And now I just hear that her newest book will be published in the spring of 2005. Not only that but I just met a quilter and am thinking of trying my hand at one. This book certainly inspired me to try something new. As I always say a book is like a friend or interest, just waiting to be found. And the Elm Creek Quilts books are certainly worthwhile reads which I do recommend to all who read this review.
Rating:
Summary: You don't have to be a quilter to appreciate this book
Review: The Cross Country Quilters is the first book by Jennifer Chiaverini I have read. I also know nothing about quilting. Quilting knowledge is not a prerequisit to reading and enjoying this book. Much like Julia, the newest quilter at Elm Creek Quilt Camp, I was slowly drawn into the world of material,color, and design. During a summer session of quilt camp a unlikely grouping of friends takes root, and they promise to continue their friendship through designing and completing their own block of a challange quilt. They plan to meet the following summer to piece the blocks together. The five women, Julia, Vinnie, Megan, Grace and Donna return home not only to face the challanges of the quilt blocks. They also must face the continuing challanges of their busy lives with work, family, careers, and illness. At times it seems that each woman has too much to deal with, without worrying about the planned meeting the following summer. Just as quilting combines materials which don't seem to have much in common, Jennifer Chiaverini, using the theme of quilting and friendship, intertwines these women's varied lives with warmth and believability. I look forward to reading the other books by this author.
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