Gotta Go

On the farm near Lincoln, Illinois c. 1953

I am a real sucker for old photographs. My cousin sent me this recently because that is my Dad, posing with a family member. Well, that is nice but what I really enjoy are several other details in this photo.

1. The little girl was captured in the classic "gotta go" pose. You know the one, you notice kids doing that when they are playing and don't want to stop but they clearly need to stop and go to the bathroom ...

2. Notice the dog in the background with the leash extending up into space. Aha! I know from experience that leash is attached to a clothes line. Dad used to do that with a wild little pup we had when I was little.

Enjoy this week of Thanksgiving.

Who's Holding Up Those Quilts?

Welcome to the Blog Party for Optical Illusions, a newly released KC Star Quilts Modern book.

We shot the location photos for this book in the downtown alleys of my beloved hometown, Lawrence, Kansas. My husband and I scouted the scenes one summer evening, took photos of possible shot sites and ran them by our book team. They liked what they saw.

Look carefully just above the ladder - notice the feet? Surprise!
Larry Billings, the antique mall owner, opened the door as this shot happened.

Sara Kirpes 

The day of the photo shoot, we had some lovely surprises. Some locals came upon the shoot on their way to a nearby coffee shop, The Bourgeois Pig. They loved the quilts. We invited them to be in some shots - you'll find them on pages 28, 36, and 72. If you happen by the Pig, you might find Ryan and Alicia behind the counter ...

Old editors don't like to call too much attention to themselves but that is me holding up the quilt in the photo above (that shot is on page 22). I'm also holding up the quilt on page 66. How fun is that.

The other model - dare we call him the cover guy? - also lives in Lawrence now. Abe Dick is now a freshman at KU. He also holds up quilts on pages 16  and 50.

I'd just like to mention what total fun it was to work with this talented group of designers. Their energy and excitement are contagious. We are really enjoying putting together these collaboration books for modern audiences. When a book this fun happens, all you can think is LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

GIVEAWAYS!
Because this is on a blog tour, you can get a free book. Comment about Optical Illusions and I'll pick a winner. Runnerup wins a Moda Layer Cake of Union Blues, classic reproduction fabrics by Barbara Brackman (aka, the neighbor).
Comment away!

and be sure to follow all the fun of this blog tour, check out these posts in upcoming days (or peek now if you can't wait ...):

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Nov. 3

My Stars – Kick Off www.mystarsblog.com (book)

Deb Rowden www.debrowden.blogspot.com (BB FQ bundle)

Nov. 4

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Angela Walters www.quiltingismytherapy.com (Athena bundle)

Nov. 5

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Penny Layman www.sewtakeahike.typepad.com (book)

Nov. 6

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com  (book)

Melissa Corry www.happyquiltingmelissa.com (Oakshott FQ Bundle)

Lily’s Quilts www.lilysquilts.blogspot.com (3 - 5" Oakshott charm pack)

Fat Quarter Shop www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com (Naptime Bella FQ bundle)

Nov. 7

My Stars on behalf of Mary Kay Fosnacht/Karen Hansen www.mystarsblog.com (book AND Kona color card)

Nov. 10

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com (book)

Jamie David www.patchworkarchitect.blogspot.com (3 packs of charm squares from RK)

Nov. 11

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Tia Curtis www.tiacurtisquilts.blogspot.com (book)

Elizabeth Timmons www.andpins.wordpress.com (3 packs of skinny rolls from Robert Kaufman)

Tammie Schaffer www.craftytammie.com (book)

Nov. 12

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Katie Larson www.thecraftingshell.blogspot.com (book)

Nov. 13

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Jenifer Dick www.42quilts.com (book)

Trisch Price www.hadleystreetquilts.com (Kona color card)

Nov. 14

My Stars www.mystarsblog.com

Jessica Toye www.jesstoyequilts.wordpress.com/blog-2/  (book)

Jacquie Gering www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com (Kona color card)

Shea Henderson www.emptybobbinsewing.com  (A large and small Kaleido-Ruler set by Marti Michell)