Mary Etherington is a popular author and a cofounder, with Connie Tesene, of the famed Country Threads Quilt Shop. Although officially retired from the quilt-shop business, Mary and Connie stay in touch with former customers through the Country Threads Chicken Scratch blog, with farm news that includes quilting, gardening, homemaking, and pets. Mary keeps busy by caring for her animals, tending many houseplants and succulents, and playing piano at church.

Since closing the Country Threads quilt shop in 2014, Connie has enjoyed the luxury of time--time for gardening, babysitting, volunteering, traveling, reading, and of course, quiltmaking. She and her husband, Roy, still live in the home where they raised their three boys. It's a wonderful house with an extensive garden. Connie and Mary stay in touch with former customers through the Country Threads Chicken Scratch blog, with farm news that includes quilting, gardening, homemaking, and pets. Connie would like to be remembered as a maker of pies, quilts, gardens, art, fun, and a cozy home.