12/31/2011

Kansas City Star publishes my book: A Bountiful Life

My book, A Bountiful Life, is now available for pre-order on the pickledish site!  A Bountiful Life is an adaptation pattern of the Bird of Paradise quilt top which as we all know is in the collection of the American Folk Art Museum.  It is one of my favorite quilts ever, one that I used to admire long, long before I ever began to quilt, back in the 70s in fact.  


Here is the cover!
And here is the quilt!


The quilt is 69x83, quite close to the original.  The blocks are square as the original blocks are (blocks are 14" square, borders are 6-1/2" wide).

Dear Readers, did I make this quilt all by my lonesome?  Nay, I did not.  I would have had a coronary in the attempt.  Eleven friends made blocks and borders (thirteen blocks and two borders); that leaves seven blocks and two borders by me :-).  If I counted right; I'm too excited to think straight :-).  

You may notice that Block Two, instead of being the (certainly delightful) floral display that is in the original, is the Bride's Suitor (since men are just as delightful if not more so than floral displays).  

I loved designing these blocks and borders and also loved working on the book.  I hope that you will also enjoy the book and the quilt patterns.

Wow, what a New Year's Eve 2011 turned out to be!  Happy New Year to us all and may we get lots of quilting done in 2012. 

26 comments:

Handmade by Joan said...

Congratulations on the book! I've quietly followed your blog for a little while and think your work is beautiful.

Janet said...

Your book looks wonderful! I love the quilt. I've been working on the Corliss Searcey version. I love how close to the original yours is. Your borders are fabulous - I love those racing horses. How exciting to have your book published! Congratulations!

KC Quilter said...

Congratulations!!!! So proud of you.

Darlene said...

Congratulations, Karen! This is exciting news! The quilt is beautiful.

Quilt Enthusiast said...

Beautiful book. I'm glad I enjoy applique. Can't wait
to get a copy.
Quite an accomplishment.
LuAnn

Sheila said...

what a wonderful New Year surprise . Congratulations a splendid achievement .

Karmen said...

That is awesome! I gotta get a copy of that book. Karmen

Pat / Silver Thimble Quilt Co. said...

Congratulations! The book looks fabulous! I'll be getting one for myself!!!

MARCIE said...

High five my friend! This is an awesome accomplishment! First the fabulous quilt, now the fabulous quilt! Luckily I dream in color because I will never achieve this in real life!

MARCIE said...

Oh, you know I meant fabulous book!

Meredith said...

Happy new Year! What an accomplishment! Whoo Hoo! Looks lovely

Taryn said...

Congratulations Karen!! What a wonderful accomplishment.

julieQ said...

What an amazing book!!! Congratulations!!

Lori said...

Congratulations! That is an amazing quilt and quite a challenge to reproduce it!! Way to go!

Jeanne said...

Congratulations!
Hehe, SOME men are more delightful than SOME flowers :)
Jeanne

Mary said...

Congratulations!!! The quilt is beautiful and I'm sure the book is excellent. I have to say it again - the quilt is beautiful!!!

Jan said...

Congratulations on your new publication; now, that is an exciting way to begin your year!

Carolyn said...

Congratulations, I'm so happy for you! It looks beautiful...what a wonderful way to start the new year!

Julie said...

This is wonderful! I am going to preorder one, even if I do doubt that I would ever actually make the quilt. How much help did you get from Rembrandt, my favorite cat?

Lucy said...

Congratulations Karen. It looks so good, beautiful quilt.

Libby said...

How exciting - for you and for me, too! Looking forward to adding this beauty to my library *s*

Lynn S said...

For Christmas, I received the CWB pattern from AU and fabric. So exciting...but I didn't hesitate one sec to order your book. Can't wait to study them both! I really like husband you added! This is on my 2012 start list!

Vicki said...

Karen - Woo Hoo for you!!! What a great start to your year! Guess my 'Happy New Year' salutation is a bit lackluster (giggle).

High Five!

Jeanne said...

How exciting! Congratulations, Karen. I'm so happy for you.

Betty said...

Congratulations on being a published author/artist!

Pat said...

Congratulations! I have my name on the waiting list!! I have admired the original and now I am admiring your version! Thank you for all of your hard work.