Kudos for Patchwork and Ornament

Patchwork and Ornament was named a finalist in the Texas Writers' League 2009 manuscript contest, Memoir category (under the name Pentimento).

Here's a full review by Feathered Quill:

Feathered Quill Book Reviews
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Patchwork & Ornament: A Woman's Journey of Life, Love, and Art
By: Jeanette Feldman and Nadine Galinsky Feldman (editor)
Publisher: Gal In Sky Publishing Company
Publication Date: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0967441610
Reviewed by: Lynette Latzko
Review Date: December 28, 2009

The unique collection of art that goes behind such creations as patchworks, mosaics and
collages really set them apart by joining an assortment of unique individual ideas or
pieces together to work collaboratively to make an entire work of art. This is exactly like
the stories, journals, letters, poems and drawings that make up Patchwork & Ornament: A
Woman's Journey of Life, Love, and Art. Collected by Nadine Galinsky Feldman (and
her family), the editor and daughter-in-law of the author, Jeanette Feldman, the writings
in this book work together to create a complete recollection of a life well lived. Now, one
may believe that selecting a few important stories from Jeanette's life would be sufficient,
but to do that would not do her life the honored justice that it deserves. Instead Jeanette's
daughter-in-law breathed life into many varied works and displays them together in one
book for all to enjoy.

Although Jeanette Feldman's life was not an easy one, as she grew up in the Depression
Era in the South Bronx, NY, a poor daughter of an immigrant mother and disabled father,
Jeanette's struggles did not get in the way of her artistic passions. Studying art at Cooper
Union School of Art, she was able to surmount her difficult life and bring beauty into her
world through not only the written word, but works of painted art, which have been
proudly displayed in galleries in New York, New Jersey and Texas, and are also included
in full-color in this collection. The following is a wonderful example of poetry written by
Jeanette, taken from the pages of Patchwork & Ornament:

The trees, the flowers grow
and bloom and fruit
because they must,
because they're alive.
I do what I do because I must,
because my being says I must,
and because I'm alive. (p. 128)

Patchwork & Ornament is simply an extraordinary collection of writings that not only
honors the life of an artistic woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, but truly has
the power to inspire the creativity in us all. Despite a not so perfect life, and a career in
the art world that was sometimes wobbly, Jeanette persevered, and she has left us an
everlasting legacy of her creations.

Quill says: This work is a touching celebration and tribute of life in all its glory, from
love, to family and children, to the heartaches of death and all other life struggles. No one
should miss reading this book, and should consider it a privilege to be able to get a glance
into the complex life of such a remarkably creative person.

 

Kudos for When a Grandchild Dies: What to Do, What to Say, How to Cope

“This is a solid, thoughtful book with extremely useful information and an obvious, clearly delineated audience…The advice provided is sound, clear, and helpful. The writing is strong, with a focus on providing practical, useful information, rather than falling into a sentimental feel-good message.  Finally, the reference materials in the back were well researched and very impressive.”

—Writer’s Digest 2001 Self-Published Book Awards

“Galinsky writes with a tender touch and a sweet spirit.”

 —The Lutheran Journal, Spring/Summer 2000

 “Anyone, grandparent or not, whose life has been shattered by the death of someone they love dearly would do well to read this book.”

—Liguorian, November 2000

Also visit Amazon.com for additional reviews. When a Grandchild Dies has 4+ stars on Amazon.com!