Monday, July 06, 2009

Very exciting news

Well I think it is exciting, and I hope some of you will agree. As you know I've been helping out a couple of friends with their new book Cancertown. I was really impressed when they asked a well known comics writer to write them a foreword and he did. In fact he wrote the a stunning foreword. I've joked all along that I was chasing them and learning from what they did, to assist in getting my book out. The foreword seemed like a particularly good idea, I like reading them, and I suspect I am not the only one.

The question was who to ask? I knew what sort of person I was looking for, but they are few and far between. It needed to be a quilter, who did both traditional and way out work. They needed to be technically great, but not afraid to break the rules. I pondered it for some time and wasn't coming up with an answer. When it did dawn on me, I didn't think I had a hope of getting the person to agree, they were just too perfect for the job and way too big in the quilting world to bother with my little book. I plucked up the courage to ask and knock me down with a feather they agreed! I still can't quite believe that Ricky Tims took time out to do this for me, especially as at the moment he is busy working not only on The Quilt Show, but also on his next music CD. Without further ado let me share with you what he has to say about "Ferreting Around".
Every now and again, a new talent emerges in the quilt world that transcends the ordinary and is instantly unforgettable. I witnessed this first hand at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in August of 2008 when an emerging artist's name was announced again and again as a winner. Not only were her quilts fresh and exciting, but so was the artist who stepped on stage to receive the awards. It was a thrill to see a young talent making her mark in the quilting kingdom. It is obvious to quilters worldwide that the general quilting demographic is of a ‘certain’ age. It is therefore exceptional to me when someone from a younger generation latches on to this timeless art/craft and puts a fresh spin on it. To this I say, “Hear, hear!” However, I have discovered that Ferret enjoys creating her work using a variety of quilting techniques, many of which are rooted in tradition. She does not fly in the face of traditional quilting, but rather she embraces it and includes it into her extraordinary ‘quilting toolbox’.

Ferret is young and talented. But being young and talented are not the qualities that I most have come to admire in Ferret. It is her enthusiasm and heartfelt desire to share her passion with others. Many artists have a selfish side—or at least they hoard a few secrets to themselves in fear that someone else might rise above them. Not so with Ferret. She has not chosen to write a book about shocking and unorthodox techniques. Instead she polled individuals to find out what they most wanted to learn. In turn she has authored her first book with you in mind. The techniques included here range from simple to complex, but in every aspect it is written with easy-to-understand language and presented with excellent illustrations.

I am honored that Ferret asked me to write a foreword for her first book (thank you, Ferret). I hope she will pursue quilting and fiber arts as a lifelong career. If she does, you are no doubt holding in your hand a collector's item for it will always and forever be—Ferret's first book!

20 comments:

Stephen Downey said...

Congrats :)

Thats an awesome foreward!

Beverly said...

Congratulations, that is just awesome. What's your publication date?

By the way, I think your dragon is awesome, too- although I'm sure it is even better in person. Hope I get to see a picture of the entire quilt.

ravenrigan said...

That is positively glowing. Go you!

Anonymous said...

I look forward to your book because I honestly have no idea what you could even write a book on.

Angela said...

Wow...how wonderful :o) He's right though, your work is stunning! I have just made a Rhapsody Quilt and he took the time to send me two messages about it - he's a lovely man.
Angela

Merete said...

Congratulations!!!! Your work is stunning and I'm really looking forward to see this book:-)

Stitchinscience said...

Wow Ferret - fantastic foreword. Really looking forward to your talk to us on Monday next week.

Ramona-quilter said...

That's fabulous, Ferret. That certainly is a wonderful kick-off for your book. I hope it comes to American stores. Congratulations, again.

Wendy Janssen said...

Congratulations Ferret! I'm so looking forward to your book.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your book, and thank you for sharing the forward. It is truly heartwarming!
Your work is fantastic and speaks for itself!!
Sue K.

Renee said...

WOW congratulations!! You must be soooo excited. As Ricky would say Woo hooo!

Sharon S said...

Congratulations! You go girl! Can't wait to get the book. Ricky said it all.

Jo Hopwood said...

Can't wait to see your show at FOQ, just wish I could make your workshop - maybe next year!

Cy Dethan said...

Outstanding! Consider this plugged on my blog this week.

Auntie Pami said...

How touching! Tears in my eyes. Can't wait to see the finished book. Congratulations! Who's publishing it?

Yvonne Morgan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yvonne Morgan said...

What a great foreword! I'm so looking forward to your space in Birmingham this year!
(sorry mis spelled everything in my first comment and made a complete hash of what I tried to say!)

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

Very, very cool!

Sandra Wyman said...

A really good foreword - and well deserved, especially the bit about generosity (haven't forgotten your encouraging words after FOQ last year!

Dormouse said...

That is just wonderful! I'm thrilled for you. You do deserve it though. :D