Just in case you are unaware, let me tell you that Karen Mowery's book, A Bountiful Life, is arriving in quilt shops and bookstores right about now! Karen is a very dear friend of mine and I have been following her closely over the past year or so as she has secretly been preparing this book for publication, and making the quilt as well. I am so in awe of her and her talent!
The book is published by Kansas City Star. It is a collection of patterns from the famous Bird of Paradise quilt that is in the American Folk Art Museum. Karen has painstakingly drawn out the pattern for each block and for the extensive applique contained on the borders as well. Karen's adaptation of this quilt closely resembles the original, the exception being that Karen created the block for the missing man. The original artist drew up the block, but then decided to leave that block out for reasons we may never know. But it is truly adorable!
“In the ongoing effort to preserve our ties to the past, Karen’s book, A Bountiful Life, recreates this fabulous piece of American Folk Art. Like the antique quilt top, it is not quilted but is backed, tied and used as a summer spread or wall hanging. I’m so pleased that the designs are full-size and ready to use; no trips to the copy center to enlarge them. Get ready to begin stitching!” — Jo Morton
I am very excited about this book. It is a masterpiece that I want in my library just for the pictures! And because it is written by my good friend and yours, Karen Mowery!
6 comments:
It looks like a great book. I love that she has drawn up the borders so like the original. I adore the horses racing down the right side border :0) I hope you'll share you bird block - I'd like to see it!
I have mine already, and in fact have signed up for a BOM for this quilt!! fun, fun...and I hope Karen is feeling better soon!
Marcie! I just woke up to find your wonderful post. Thank you so much for writing about the book. I still can't do much so this is that much more of a gift. I can tell you, I am so glad we are still BFFs even though your block did not make it in. You know how awful I feel about that! Like Janet above, I dearly love the large racehorses in the border. It's a wonderful quilt.
It's a stunning quilt and I will be on the lookout for the book now. Personally, I am a fan of fat vines, I think they're more earthy!
How absolutely fabulous! Karen deserves all of the accolades in the world for such a lovely and ambitious project. Way to go, Karen!
WOW, (I don't think your vines are too fat, so there) :) what a daunting project to undertake---and execute it so beautifully! I love that you have a block in the quilt. :)
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