Thursday, June 12, 2008

Gwen Marston Rocks

Did ya'all hear me yelling and jumping up and down yesterday? I got a letter from Gwen Marston!!! Woohoo doesn't even begin to describe it. She included two postcards featuring some of her recent work in solid fabrics. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.

If I understand Gwen's letter correctly she's working on a little book featuring her quilts made in solids and it will be available on her webpage in August. I will definitely keep checking on that and I'll let you know when I learn more. The next Collaborative Quilting book with Freddy Moran won't be out until July 2009. Wish it were sooner, but happy all the same.

I wrote to Gwen last month to tell her about the book I'm writing (with a partner - you'll hear more about that one of these days) on the letters etc. I wanted to make sure she was okay with it since it's going to be full of techniques that I learned from her. I promised we'd give her lots of credit and were certainly going to use our own words, illustrations and quilts.

Well what a wonderful, sweet, positive letter I got in return. She's okay with the book and is happy to have people teaching and writing Liberated techniques so long as we say where we got the inspiration. Well I definitely got all mine from Gwen - I hope I've made that clear over the years.

I couldn't sleep last night I was so excited. I called Bonnie and read the letter to her - I just had to share with someone who could manage more than a "that's nice, honey." I am thrilled. I was so nervous to write to Gwen, but turned out I didn't need to be. What a sweetie. My husband wants to know if I'm going to frame the letter. You know what, I just might!

27 comments:

Kristin L said...

How cool is that?! I'd be excited too. I wish you all The best with your book project too.

Clare said...

Ohhhh - happy dance time!

I love the log cabin, but the one on the right is just sooooo - Gwen Marston!

Looking forward to reading more about "The Book".

Wooo hooo - hot hot sun!!!

Hedgehog said...

Very cool!!! I'd have been jumping up and down, too!

Millie said...

Woo hoo! I'd be excited too! That's awesome!

Kucki68 said...

How cool! I love Gwen's stuff, especially the liberated quiltmaking.

Diane said...

Good for you!!

sewkalico said...

That's awesome!!! I'm only just learning about her, but I'd be just so darn pleased if I were you and knew that someone like her was supporting me!
You go girl!

jude said...

maybe you should make it into a quilt!

jovaliquilts said...

Whoo-hoo!!! That's awesome!

kimberlym said...

How awesome!It's nice to know "famous" people are real people too- I can't wait to see your book-that's awesome too! We will hear more about it soon?

Donna said...

maybe excerpts from the letter, done in wonky letters, could border one of your quilts? :-)

Joyce said...

Wonderful! I am a big fan of Gwen and Freddy too. And I am excited to hear that you are doing a book too. Can't wait to see it.

Holly said...

Whoo-hooo Tonya! That is so awesome. Glad the knee is feeling better.

Quiltdivajulie said...

That is so unbelievably, totally, awesomely cool... I would have telling anyone and everyone within earshot (and a lot of others long distance)... I am SO excited for you! I understand your nervousness in asking, I feel like that a lot ~ but once you manage to "ask" all kinds of wonderful things can happen.

YOU GO!!!

Kristin Shields said...

How exciting! Wow, a new book from Gwen and one from you too. Could a girl have a better morning? I've been really wanting to play with free piecing solids, especially after Gwen was here last November doing a workshop on it. I was incredibly disappointed I couldn't attend (what with the chemo). Now I look forward to taking her class when she comes next year.

Kristin Shields said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancy said...

That's fabulous! I heard about Gwen through your blog and love what I've seen so far. Can't wait to hear more about your book. Keep us posted!

Katie said...

I wondered what that noise was I heard that sounded like it was coming from way across the pond. :)Big, big, big congrat from MI.

Lori said...

That's so cool! Best of luck on your book too. I've always thought your pieced letters were really neat and I'm so glad to hear you're doing a book!

Ms. Jan said...

WOW--congratulations! I finally got my copy of Liberated Quiltmaking from Ebay and didn't have to take out a 2nd mortgage for it. Thanks for introducing me to this style of quilting--someday I may actually explore it more.

Carol E. said...

WooHoo! Your excitement comes through loud and clear! I fully understand the need to share with someone who will say something other than "that's nice, honey." WTG!! We're all excited with you, and I am very eager to get your book, whenever that may be.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Tonya! How wonderful! I told you she was so nice!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Very Cool! I've had the odd email from some of the "big" names and it does send you to cloud nine! Can't wait to hear more details about the book...Soon you'll be the "big" name ;o)

Juliann in WA said...

I love to hear things like this - quilters encouraging quilters. What a cool thing and I cannot wait until you write your book!

Laura said...

How awesome is that!!! I can't wait to see her book on solids. I picked up a neat pattern from Kona cottons last year that she did in her Liberated form. I definately can't wait for your book, glad you found someone to co-author with you. That has to make it a more enjoyable process.

MJinMichigan said...

I'm really thrilled to hear that you are doing a book. I absolutely love your quilts and learned a lot from your first online class. Gwen will teach us how to work with solids at her retreat this fall and I'm glad that she will be doing a book on it. She is a wonderful person and I highly recommend her classes/retreats to everyone. If you ever decide to go to one Tanya, let me know and you can ride with me from the Detroit area.
We have a blast and learn a lot.

jmb_craftypickle said...

How did I miss this post??? That is so great! I think quilt the letter...or frame it... Treasure it... and Sign me up for your book!