Kara Stewart, Art in Photography: 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.