January 13, 2011

Last night Brown came and delivered the most beautiful book. I’m holding it in my hands, I see my name on the cover, and I can hardly believe it’s mine!

kays-inspired-by-tradition

It’s been just over a year since I was given the green light from That Patchwork Place for this new book. I’ve blogged about the process a little bit from time to time. (If you look at the Categories in the left-hand sidebar you can click on ‘A story of another book’ to read those posts if you like.)

Inspired by Tradition: 50 Appliqué Blocks in 5 Sizes is presented in the same format as Easy Appliqué Blocks, my first book from TPP… 50 blocks shown in a thumbnail library so you can choose your block, and a CD that you stick into your computer, choose any one of 5 sizes, and print right at home! No figuring of percentages or folding, copying, and matching back up crooked sections! We even give reversed versions of each pattern, since you need that for some forms of appliqué.

The designs in this new book are all vintage and old-timey in look and feel, hence the name Inspired by Tradition. The publishers did an amazing job on the pages within… graceful, colorful, and pretty, and so well suited for showing off these blocks with traditional appeal. I couldn’t be happier with how it looks.

In addition to the blocks, there’s a Little Gallery of Ideas to get you thinking. We’ve included the dimensions of all the blocks, sashing, borders, etc. in case you’d like to make something similar. There are also extensive illustrated instructions for back-basting hand appliqué and raw-edge fusible machine appliqué, and a section of appliqué questions and answers compiled from what quilters talk about when they come into my booth at shows.

What I have right now is my advance copy. The book ships to quilt shops March 7. It’s available for pre-order on Amazon now, and at a great price too. And, if you go look at it on Amazon and click on ‘see all product images,’ you can see all 50 of the blocks! That’s right, the publisher uploaded beautiful images of all 50 blocks, stitched by moi!

If you’d like to wait for a copy signed by me, I’ll have it on my website March 7 as well.

Thank you for taking a look at my new baby. I’m just a little bit excited. :)

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Comments

16 Responses to “Inspired by Tradition”

  1. Robin Gold on January 13th, 2011 10:14 am

    Oh, Kay, it’s lovely!!! I know I want a copy just from the cover!! I haven’t even gone to look at the inside yet, but I will.
    Congratulations!!!

  2. Kay on January 13th, 2011 10:19 am

    Oh thank you Robin!! Thanks for sharing in my happy day.

    Kay

  3. Cindy on January 13th, 2011 1:43 pm

    What a great idea for a book. I love that it has the option of 5 sizes. Perfect. I will be going to amazon as soon as I leave here.

  4. Ruth B on January 13th, 2011 2:17 pm

    It is a beautiful book! The white background for the blocks is very striking and the blocks are wonderful. Congrats Kay!!

  5. Debbie St.Germain on January 13th, 2011 7:44 pm

    I love that you have them in sizes. I seem to find some patterns too big or too small, so you have definitely come up with a wonderful idea.

    Debbie

  6. Maria Peagler, Willow Ridge Press on January 13th, 2011 9:14 pm

    Congratulations Kay! From a fellow author & publisher who knows how much love, sweat, and tears go into writing a book. You should be so proud. Celebrate!

  7. Marcia Kosturock on January 14th, 2011 6:00 am

    I can see why you are excited. I’m kinda excited about it myself. I’ve been searching for a book that has the blocks in it that are “just right” for me. I’m a beginner at applique, but I want something that will start me out, but be beautiful too, and keep me challenged going forward as well.. This looks WONDERFUL. Thanks for all your hard work!

  8. Linda & Monkey on January 14th, 2011 7:26 am

    Congratulations, Kay! I just looked at Amazon, and the blocks are absolutely gorgeous. You’ve come a long, long way from our first messages about publishing in 2002. Quilt Puppy must be proud of you too. Rock on!

  9. Sharon Lam on January 14th, 2011 10:28 am

    What a gorgeous book. I pre-ordered a copy from amazon. Can’t wait to get it in March. I will bring it to the PVQA meeting for you to sign it.

  10. Toddy on January 14th, 2011 11:10 am

    Congradulation!! It looks like a great book and I love the idea of being able to print out different sizes of blocks.

  11. Jen on January 14th, 2011 5:14 pm

    I saw that advertised in the Martingale catalogue and said: “Oh look, there’s Kay’s book!” I can’t wait to look at it, it looks gorgeous! Congratulations!

  12. anna lee on January 14th, 2011 11:17 pm

    What a thrill! HOW EXCITING !!! CAN YOU STAND IT ??? SNAPS TO YOU !!!!
    It looks totally wonderful..
    the best to you…

  13. Kay on January 17th, 2011 8:47 am

    Thank you so much all you guys!!!!!!!!

    Hugs,
    Kay

  14. Erin Russek on January 18th, 2011 5:56 am

    That’s terrific

  15. Paulette Voit on April 27th, 2011 4:33 am

    I recently purchased your new book and I must say that it is the best applique book I have ever seen. The patterns are wonderful and that fact that you can print them in different sizes is great. I recently have tried your new applique method and love it. Can’t wait to see if you come out with another book!

  16. Kay on April 27th, 2011 6:25 am

    Paulette, thank you so very much for your wonderful words!! You’ve made my day!