Rich Fabric, the Anthology

I have been lucky enough to have 'met' Melinda McGuire, author of Josephine, Red Dirt & Whiskey and Nelson and Cora - the Beginning among other things, a while ago on the world's virtual friend maker - the internet. She is a talented author and last spring hatched the idea of an anthology combining the talents of many. 

Thus, Melinda become the editor and coordinator of Rich Fabric, the Anthology. Rich Fabric focuses on quilting, which has been a necessity, an art, a comfort and an identification for many mostly-rural communities in America. Quilts have the power to bring back a flood of memories, sharpen the quilter's artistic skills and keep one warm at night. Quilts have been woven into our collective lives for generations. I am honored to have contributed to this meaningful project and look forward to seeing our tribute to quilting in print and in ebook format! The paperback includes short stories, memoirs, historical facts and black and white photographs. The ebook will have all of that plus color photographs, video and music. All profits from the sales of Rich Fabric will be donated to The Twilight Wish Foundation.  

Rich Fabric, the Anthology will be available for purchase in paperback form beginning September 28, 2012 through Createspace at Rich Fabric - An Anthology and will be available through Amazon after the release date of 9/28/12 (Melinda tells me it can take a few weeks to show up on Amazon). The ebook format will be released in early December, 2012. 

I asked Melinda to pop over to my blog today to share some of her thoughts and more details about Rich Fabric.  Thank you, Melinda, and take it away!

TWO REASONS "RICH FABRIC" IS ALREADY A SUCCESS

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." --- Aristotle

Rich Fabric is an anthology that focuses on the culture, tradition and symbolism of quilting. Inside the book, you will find short stories, essays, historical tidbits, quotes, photographs, and memoirs about our history with quilts and our future with the craft.

How can I consider the book a success before I've even sold one copy of the anthology, Rich Fabric?

1. The profits from this project are going to the Twilight Wish Foundation. I think this is a fantastic organization. They grant wishes to Senior Citizens who are living below poverty level. So, every dollar of profit that goes to the Twilight Wish Foundation is going to help senior citizens get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. If you are interested in finding out what all the Twilight Wish Foundation is doing and how you can help, visit their website - Twilight Wish Foundation

2. Photographers and writers have joined together to create this beautiful, touching, informative anthology. Each person who has contributed has shared their creativity and done so generously. I am proud to be a part of the project, and I am delighted that this anthology showcases so many wonderful pieces. I hope that I have accomplished weaving these pieces together to create an anthology that fits the name "Rich Fabric", but most importantly, to me, I have enjoyed working with all of the people involved in the project, enjoyed seeing their talents, reading their words, following their stories and images. It has been my pleasure to edit this anthology. 

I am proud to list the following people as contributors to Rich Fabric and the titles of their works:

Quilted by Generations – Robyn Leatherman

Reap What You Sew – Lisamarie Lamb

The Real Magic – Kara Stewart

I’m Sew Happy – Rhonda Dennis

Piecing a Memory – Sarah Negovetich

An Exploration of Jacobean Applique - a conversation with Linda McDaniel

Why Do I Quilt – Crystal Vining.

Crystal passed away before the publication of this anthology. This was her first published piece. I am saddened by her passing, but thankful that I got to know her through her writing and through her passion for quilting.

Dear Mary Kennedy – Suzan McKenzie

Sans Famille – Ruth C. White

Always Warm – Tonya Rice

Lessons from Aunt Becky – Laura Ritchie

My Great-Grandmother’s Quilt – Claire Burson

Common Thread, The Quilts of Alice Shaddix

How the Quilters at the Cornett School House Connect the Present to the Past

A Brief History of the Bargello Pattern

Again, all profits from the anthology will go to the Twilight Wish Foundation.

Many, many thanks to Kara, not only for hosting me on her blog so that I could spread the word, but also for taking part in the anthology as both a photographer and writer. Her work, as always, is wonderful and enriched the project. I am proud to have her as a part of this.

Visit Melinda's author's page on Amazon: Melinda_McGuire

Smashwords author's page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/melindamcguire

Blog: http://www.melindamcguirewrites.wordpress.com/

        http://www.southernsugarbaby.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @melindamcguire

Sappony Art: Strength

I've been thinking about which images I will enter in the upcoming November show at the Kirby Gallery.  In honor of American Indian Heritage month in North Carolina, the Sappony have been invited to exhibit there throughout the month. The theme of the show is strength (title is Sappony Art: Strength).  Artists can interpret strength any way they feel suits their art, from the literal to the metaphorical. 

Pieces entered into the exhibit can be almost any kind of art including pottery, sculpture, painting, poetry, quilting, basketry, jewelry, carving, writing, music, drawing, carving and photography.

I am considering entering my Turtle, Red Tree and Zinnia Pop images.

Turtle by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

I photographed this male box turtle who was in the middle of our new walking trail when I was at the tribal center photographing the fabulous work that has been done on the driveway, parking lot and walking trail. I think of strength when I think of box turtles because of their steadfast, long lives. The average life span of box turtles, depending on the species and which website you read, is certainly between 20 and 50 years. And many have been known to live over 100 years. Their conservation status is vulnerable, due to their relative late age at maturity (7 years) and other factors (people taking them as pets). The oldest finds of fossilized box turtles date from about 15 million years ago. Box turtles have strength in their long lives and their collective long life on earth.

Red Tree by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

I think of strength in this Red Tree image in two ways. First, in the literal - the strong, vivid colors. Red and blue pop against the gray and black. Secondly, the strength of the tree itself. I like the mental imagery of a tree holding fast in strong gusts. Its branches may sway and bend, some of its leaves may be blown off and flutter away, but the tree itself abides rooted, fixed and firm.

Zinnia Pop by Kara Stewart, Art in Photography

Zinnia Pop says strength to me just based on the colors! You can't get much stronger in color than these, unless you burn your eyes out.

If you are in the Piedmont North Carolina area, please visit the Kirby Gallery to see the Sappony Art: Strength exhibit. The exhibit is open all through November, with an opening reception on Saturday, November 3rd at 2:00 p.m., which all are invited to attend. If you would like to keep updated on Sappony art happenings, visit our facebook page at Sappony Tribal Art Connection and 'like' us! 

Sappony Capital Campaign for Tribal Center Maintenance

I am a member of the Sappony tribe. The Sappony, a tribe of about 850 members whose home community straddles the border between Person County, North Carolina, and Halifax County, Virginia, have owned the tribal center for almost ten years. When the tribe initially purchased the center, we had no idea how much it would mean to our community. It has served us well as a place to gather and a source of pride for the whole community. Our tribe is blessed to have the opportunity to own such an investment. As with any property, it must be maintained in order to hold its value. Now, after ten years of use by the community, Council, youth, members and others, it needs repair and maintenance.

With the exciting completion of Phase 1 of the Sappony Trading Path in partnership with the VA Department of Transportation that includes paving of the Tribal Center driveway, parking lot and creation of a beautiful 10 foot wide walking trail from the Tribal Center to Christie Circle Road, it is even more important to maintain the integrity of the buildings.

                

The Tribal Council has approved a capital campaign to help raise funds for necessary maintenance to the main building and garage.  This includes roof replacement, exterior log cleaning and sealing, exterior wood repairs and landscaping around the main building.  The costs are expected to be approximately $32,000. We will complete projects as we raise the money.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation toward this campaign and help spread the word! Every contribution counts and anyone can contribute!

You can give at this online secure site:

https://www.wepay.com/donations/tribal-center-preservation

On this site, you can make a one-time tax-deductible donation or spread your donation out as you choose. Just click on the Suggested Donation box or fill in your own amount.

or

You can also give by check if you prefer:

                       

Send to:                                   Make Checks payable to:

Sappony                                  High Plains Indians Inc./Sappony

Post Office Box 3265            Memo:  Capital Campaign

Roxboro, NC  27573

Please consider making a tax deductible donation toward this campaign and help spread the word! Every contribution counts and anyone can contribute!

Thank you for your support!