Quilting a Patch of Home...Paducah, KY

I was thrilled to return to my hometown, Paducah, Kentucky, April 23-26 for the annual quilt show. For those who don't know, Paducah's the quilt capitol of the world, and the American Quilter's Society's show attracts people from as far away as Japan.

I arrived Tuesday evening, and Wednesday started a whirlwind of activities. At 7:30 a.m. a morning show reporter from WPSD-TV met with me at the Expo Center for an interview. As the crowd swelled outside the doors, I got a sneak peek at some of the quilts. The doors swung open at 9:00 a.m., and throngs of excited people came through. The quilts were truly breathtaking. The best of show winner forfeited her $20,000 prize to keep her quilt. It was beautiful, a reproduction of her grandmother's handkerchief.


Bob and Betty of Quilt Books Unlimited graciously shared their jam-packed booth on the main floor of the Expo Center with me. So many people came through. I heard someone say up to 35,000 people come to Paducah for the show. We had a great time.

Contrary to the photo bottom left, I did wear shoes on Wednesday when I sang and spoke at Northside Church of God. The good people of the congregation opened their doors to the community and outdid themselves on the refreshments and Southern hospitality. It was such a treat to have my mother and two sisters at the event.

Each day from 11:00 to 3:00 I spent at the Expo Center signing books. On Thursday afternoon, the local Christian radio station, WGCF, asked me in for an interview. Glen and the staff were great.

A big thanks goes out to my sister and professional photographer, Tina Harper, for following me around with her camera so I can share the happenings with you.

CIA Girls, I'm Coming Your Way

Hey, young ladies in the CIA (that's Christians in Action at Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills), I'm looking forward to being with you again Wednesday, April 30. The young men have a special speaker coming in, and GIRL TALK is the order of the day for us.

I have an important message for you -- one that could change your life forever! I hope to see you there, and don't forget to invite your friends for "Inspire" week.

Thumbs Up!

If you live outside Michigan, you might not get the play on words, but it was a "thumbs up" time in the thumb area of the "mitten" that is Michigan this weekend.





Saturday, March 29, the Corner Store in Harbor Beach hosted a book signing and talk as the inaugural event for their new work/special events room. It was a lovely time and I enjoyed sharing the inspiring message of "Quilting Patches of Life" with a room full of avid quilters (and two husbands). Thank you, Pam and the staff of The Corner Store, for all your hard work and making me feel so welcome. You all outdid yourselves on the refreshments, too.



To my delight, Maria Taormina, one of the contributing authors to the project, was in the area and able to attend, as well. Her story, "Pig's Tail," is one of my favorites--a touching story that makes you smile and consider the importance of faith and family.

Sunday was a whirlwind. I spoke at the morning services of the two First United Methodist Churches in the area: one in Harbor Beach and one in Port Hope. Thank you, Rev. Paula Timm, for your invitation and hospitality...and definitely your guidance to our next stop.

After a great lunch at The Pasta House with Rev. Paula, my husband Bill and I traveled to the First United Pentecostal Church in Bay City. Pastor and Sister Mike Wood welcomed us into their service. What a beautiful presence of the Lord we experienced there and a great time of fellowship afterwards. Oh, yeah, Cracker Barrel and fried okra afterwards. Yum!

You may have noticed a pattern here: talk, eat, on to the next place; talk, eat, on to the next place. Well, it's the way it happened, and it was all good. I forgot to mention that I tried frog legs for the first time. They tasted ok, but just the thought of eating those hopping critters from the pond was enough to make me skip on over to the other side of the buffet table to the BBQ ribs.

Thanks again to all who made the trip possible. I pray all who purchased "Quilting Patches of Life," "Gates & Fences: Straight Talk in a Crooked World," and "Gateway of the Sun" will be entertained, educated and encouraged as they read.

"Gateway of the Sun" is in stock!

Yeah! The long awaited first shipment finally arrived. Pre-orders have been mailed, and new orders are welcome.

This historical fiction book is targeted to upper middle school/young adult readers. It's really chock-full of fascinating information and a storyline that will surprise readers as it twists and turns like a knotty pumpkin vine on a Peruvian terrace.

The picture at right is my hero, Huallpa, a thirteen-year-old Quechuan boy, drawn by my illustrator, Noelle Wagner-Kalajian (my baby girl).

To read more about this unforgetable story immersed in the culture and conflict of the Inca Empire, click here.

Shipshewana Sunshine

The sun was shining in Shipshe March 12-14. Thank you, Chris at Lolly's, for hosting a Quilting Patches of Life booksigning. You made me feel very welcome, and as always, it's a pleasure to meet new people.

And the big cheezy smile I'm wearing in the picture at right is due to the "Grandma's Fan" quilt behind me...a lovely design and also the title of Chapter 11, my own submission about my grandma. The story tells how my grandma's influence provided stability to me as a struggling youth and her acts of kindness continue to fan out through time and generations even after her passing. It's guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. I still do when I read it. And I remember the lessons Grandma imparted to me.

Several other Shipshewana stores purchased inventory of Quilting Patches of Life, and I have a strong feeling I'll be back in the area again soon. The book and its lessons are a perfect fit for the Amish/Mennonite community and those drawn there to experience simple life lessons of faith, family and friends.

A Jam-Packed Saturday

What a great time in Frankenmuth at the ALJC ladies conference! Thank you, PPH, for the inviting me to share my books. And Sis. Shepherd was such a treat.

From Frankenmuth, I headed to a Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) Networks Night where I met and mingled with other children's authors and illustrators. What a wonderful opportunity to connect with others working in the same genre. Which brings me to my next point . . .

The proof of Gateway of the Sun is now complete and orders should be shipped within two weeks. The pre-release feedback for this historical fiction for upper middle school/young adult readers has been excellent. Click on the link to read reviews or order.

Northside Church of God - April 23, 2008

Northside Church of God in Paducah, Kentucky, has posted information on their website about my upcoming speaking engagement in April. I'll be in Paducah for the quilt show and look forward to speaking to their ladies on the subject of Quilting Patches of Life.