A young contemporary quilt artist receives an extraordinary gift passed down to her through four generations: her great-great-grandmother Hannah's antique treadle sewing machine, a treasured quilt that Hannah had made, a manuscript dictated "in her own words" shortly before her death, and a fragile collection of Hannah's original quilt designs. Riveted by her ancestor's fascinating memoir, Becca learns that Hannah Applegate Benson Stone weathered many personal storms in her life. Orphaned during the tumultuous years of the Civil War, and raised by a caring aunt in a small 19th Century New England farming community, she grew from a frightened child to a confident and successful quilt designer. At a time when women had few opportunities available to them, she witnessed and participated in many changes as her limited world expanded. After the Storm shares the unforgettable story of a quilter's journey through some of the most challenging times in American history. It is a poignant tale of love, loss, and resilience. Now Becca must find a way to honor her great-great-grandmother's life, spirit, and creative gifts. They are Becca's legacy. "... This tender portrayal of love, loss, and resilience and the potential healing power of family, friends, and community, invite you to ponder the gifts and challenges of your own ancestry." --Edie Hartshorne, MSW, musician, artist, and author of Light in Blue Shadows "...A lovely story of a young ... quilter ... and her life in rural nineteenth century New Hampshire ..." --Morna McEver Golletz, Founder/CEO International Association of Creative Arts Professionals and Creative Arts Business Summit