Greetings from the shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere! If you’re like me, you’re less focused on the winter solstice and more on your long to-do list. The holidays came on fast this year!

I’m pleased to announce that this year’s Friendship Album Christmas story is now available via the Quilt Fiction podcast! This year’s story, “Winter Stars,” finds Florence Grangerfield working on a Christmas quilt for sister-in-law Emmeline. When an unexpected Christmas card arrives, she’s taken back to 1916, the year she was 10 and committed a crime she’s never forgiven herself for. 

When you’re a child (as Florence is in 1916), it’s easy to envy a friend whose family seems so much happier than your own. “Winter Stars” is a story about discovering that other people’s lives are as layered as our own. It’s also a story about forgiveness — both being forgiven and forgiving yourself for past transgressions. This is a good time of year to lean into that. As I’m doing my Christmas baking this weekend, I’ll be watching “A Christmas Carol” (my favorite version stars George C. Scott as Scrooge). If Ebenezer Scrooge can be redeemed, maybe — just maybe — so can I.

I’m very pleased to report that my dear friend Patty Dudek of Elm Street Quilts has designed a beautiful “Winter Stars” block pattern for Quilt Fiction listeners. Just go to quiltfiction.com to claim your copy!

I hope you enjoy this year’s story. If you want more quilt fiction in your life, please explore the website. There’s lots of free content available, and if that’s not enough, you can always subscribe to the Quilt Fiction Story Guild and get stories in your inbox nearly every week. 

Thanks as always for listening!  I’m wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons.

xoFrances