On this day in 1775

Do you know who was born 236 years ago today?

Hint: It is a truth universally acknowledged that she is my favorite writer.

We always have 3 birthday candles in our family (except for little children)—one for yesterday, one for today, and one for tomorrow.

Monkey is humming the birthday song (very quietly) before he blows out the candles.  (I missed that shot.)

“There was no preventing a laugh.” (Emma, Ch 51, 54)

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

If you leave a comment about Jane Austen on this post between now and Sunday night at midnight (Eastern Time), you could win in our draw!

“Oh! This is beautiful indeed! this is the very thing. (Mansfield Park, Ch 27)

There are three prizes!

  • the china thimble—purchased at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton!
  • Jane Austen Writing Quilts DVD/CD
    The pattern is pre-Inklingo but the DVD lesson is a perfect introduction to hand piecing.
  • three birthday candles, blown out by Monkey

We will number the comments and choose the winners using random.org. It is open to everyone because we can mail anywhere in the world.

“It was a plan to promote the happiness of all.” (Emma, Ch 5)

We always write on the blog on Jane Austen’s Birthday.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen, maybe you will celebrate her birthday by reading (or re-reading) other messages about Jane Austen and the Jane Austen Patchwork in the archives. These are a few of my favorites:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

Good luck to you in the draw!

Linda & Monkey

New to Inklingo? Order and download free shapes and start sewing in the next few minutes. Quick Start (Always FREE.) There are triangles, diamonds, and squares in the free collection—great for dozens of different blocks.

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Tilde’s 15 Minute Challenge

39 thoughts on “On this day in 1775”

  1. I got to visit England myself in 2008 and made a special point to go to Chawton and Jane’s dear home there. What a memorable experience! Thanks, Linda, for introducing me to the joys of her books. Happy Birthday, Jane!

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  2. “‘You are in a melancholy humour and fancy that anyone unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience; or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.'” Sense & Sensibility, Ch. 19. Jane is my favorite author. Didn’t know until today we share the same birthday! I have just ordered this week (for my birthday present) the Inklingo book. Quilting has become an unbridled passion of mine. “Know your own happiness” Looking forward to receiving the book. Love the gorgeous quilts so many have made using the Inklingo method.

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  3. dear linda, I still have the project to make a quilt like jane austen’s one. and it is due to you because when you visit the house in 2001 you showed us photos of the georgous quilt with diamonds, what a simple ans wonderful quilt!
    Maybe one day with your inklingo patterns, who knows ?
    Marie (france)
    it is time to tell you merry christmas!

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  4. Sorry I couldn’t get here yesterday! But the good news is I am going to Chawton in Sept 2012 as part of the Pilgrims Stitchers annual seminar Can’t wait it will be great fun.

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  5. I’ve not read Jane Austin either…I keep meaning to but never get around to it. I do love the dresses of that era from watching the Jane Austin program on PBS though. Does a cake come with the candles? lol

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  6. I too must admit that I have never read Jane Austin. I actually have not read many books, especially in the last few years. Just haven’t had the time, and there hasn’t been anything that really strikes my fancy out there. Maybe that will change now? lol I read your post The History of England by Jane Austin, and if I have a moment this weekend I might just have to visit the British library. Thank you Linda & Monkey!

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  7. I love, love , love, janes books! I started reading them in the 4th grade.. and have reread them all, some many times over… i find i always learn something new everytime i reread one… your prizes are wonderful…. thx to you and monkey for doing this!! i’m quite sure jane is giving this her approval nod!!
    love and hugs
    Sherri Thompson

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  8. I will admit to only having read P&P since many years have passed. I sometimes wish to have lived in the JA time with the lovely manners and elegant style but then I remember all the lovely modern conveniences and decide that I am better off enjoying her time from the perspective of my time. LOL
    But I still have a weakness for Mr Darcy as played by Colin Firth…ahhh that all heroes could be so hunky in real life! LOL

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  9. Happy Birthday Betty Bunny (Jane Austin) on your Birthday day!
    How did Jane get all of that writing done? Life was so hard and just getting from morning to night took so much effort!

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  10. Both I and my DH are great Jane Austen fans. I’ve read most of her books and we often watch the movies. For the past few weeks I’ve been downloading her books in audio format for free, so that I can listen to them on my iPod.

    What a great idea you had to celebrate her birthday, and Monkey is so cute doing it :-).

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  11. News Break as of 4:01 ET today a story in the BBC states:

    Remains of Jane Austen’s Steventon home unearthed.
    Can read about it here.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-16002088

    Also on December 5, 2011 A British author claims to have unearthed a never before seen portrait of Jane Austen.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16027710

    I thought I had read everything by Jane Austen, but have discovered a novel called Lady Susan that is unlike her other works. I will have to see if I can locate it.
    Charlsey

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  12. Just love your photos about Monkey. That alone would be a full time job. I think Jane Austin would be very pleased with the promotion of her work with Inklingo.

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  13. What a lovely idea. Three candles one for yesterday, one for today and one for tomorrow. I shall remember that! Certainly beats trying to find enough for my “years” and then trying to blow them all out!!!
    Hugs and a blessed Holiday to one and all.
    Diane 🙂

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  14. Happy Birthday Jane, what would my life be like without you, I think I will be watching Pride and Prejudice this afternoon.

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  15. Love Jane Austen´s novels.
    I have already Linda´s lessons on hand piecing and would appreciate winning the thimble.
    Now birthday candles blown out by Monkey is such an unique collectible ! Got love the mind behind Inklingo.

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  16. I just wish our contemporary romance writers would learn restraint from our classic Jane. Nothing is quite as disheartening as getting a few pages into a book and finding it should have been XXX rated.

    Maybe you’ll join me for tea? With cakes for Monkey..

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  17. I am going out on a limb here……………………….could it be Jane Austen? Because of you I am reading her on my Nook. Happy Birthday Jane and Merry Christmas everyone.

    Cindy L

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  18. I love Jane Austen’s novels. Although I use an eReader now, when I want to re-read a Jane Austen novel I get out one of the real books on the bookshelf. Somehow reading Jane Austen on an eReader just isn’t the same. If I’m going somewhere where I know there will be a wait, I take one of the little hardback versions of her books with me. The elegance of her writing makes it an absolute joy to re-read the novels countless times.

    Happy Birthday, Jane!

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  19. I just last week put all of the Jane Austen movies on the Netflix account to re-watch or listen to as I’m stitching during these next few weeks/months. I have no idea long it’ll take to go thru all of the different versions again, the good ones and the not-so-good ones. I own all of her books–hardcovers (haven’t converted to digital books yet; I’m awfully fond of the printed PAGE). I never tire of re-reading them.

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  20. I was inspired to read Pride and Prejudice while stitching quilted diamonds and then went on to read the rest of Jane Austen’s books. I have recently been gifted a Kindle and have downloaded them on that so will be able to read them wherever I go.

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  21. I never knew Jane Austin, until I learned more about you. I’ve asked Santa for a Kindle (I think I’ve been real good this year). We’ll see if his elves can make a point to make one for me. If so I may just read one of her books and see what I think.

    Thanks for the chance to win a prize

    Rae

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  22. Happy Birthday to Jane! She is without a doubt my favorite author, and “Birthday Buddy” (well, mine is tomorrow, but I was born at 4 am, so I was pretty close to today!!).

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  23. When I received my Kindle, some of the first books I downloaded were Jane Austen novels, so I could re-read them anywhere. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  24. I have a new Ipad 2 and Jane Austins books will be downloaded as soon as my class is over on Dec. 20th. Although I have listened to many of her books while quilting, it will be neat to have them to read.

    Happy Birthday, Jane Austin !

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  25. Jane Austen is also my favorite author. I have your JA quilt patterns, and hope to make a small quilt soon. I am listening to P&P right now on my iPod. I always do when I’m in my studio. No matter how many times I listen to her books (I have them all) I always get a new insight (or several) and something new to think about. She was a master at layering meanings and plots. Thank you for this opportunity to share a love of Jane.

    Reply

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