May 26, 2011

American Patchwork and Quilting















I'm published! Or rather one of my Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative quilts has been published. And that is so very much better. I could not be prouder to be a part of this amazing organization!

You could have knocked me over with a feather and blown me away in the wind! A friend from my quilt guild emailed me yesterday and said:

"Hi Michele,
After being at guild this morning my August 2011 issue {American Patchwork & Quilting} was in the mailbox and there on page 1 was an article about the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and a picture of your art quilt. What fun to see your name and quilt in the magazine. Congratulations on your personal effort and all those involved.
Karen

What? I didn't know a thing about it and my subscription ended when I was in Alaska ..and of course the August 2011 issue isn't even on the newstands yet!

I rushed all over town in my cozy lounging pants and my egg gathering from the back yard shoes, with only a pencil holding my waist long hair up in a huge messy bun....hoping no one would recognize me in public..now that I'm famous and all ;) and of course, I realized...August 2011? It's still May so its a subscriber's only earlybird issue so July/August, perhaps? 

And there is no way, I'd find one. Emailed her back and asked her to photo the page and send the pic to me and bless her heart, she did!

But I have to say, there's isn't anything better in the whole world to be 'published for' than one of my AAQI art quilts! They mean the world to me because they represent "the depth and breadth my heart can take" when it comes to the gigantic heartstrings connection I carry at all times between my mother and myself and the incredibly devastating knowledge of my 15 family member lineage of my Alzheimer's Disease DNA!

And what means even more.. this quilt is not only part of the "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope traveling exhibit finding its way around the U.S. from 2011- 2015, but was made last year in between 4 care giving visits to Alaska with my mom, a severely broken wrist and the first surgery of my life, and my father's heart attacks, congestive heart failure and death. 

That was one heck of a year and somehow I made this quilt and 10 more for AAQI in 2010!

So, this bit of fun is a real hoot and a holler for me. Thanks Ami and photo selectors for including me with the other two amazing quilts!

Such fun! Now, someday maybe I'll have my own copy ;)

Michele M. Bilyeu
Salem, OR USA

Please share with me how and why I made this quilt as I did:
Mama's Brain Got Tangles....But Mama's Still Inside ...my original post on this quilt

American Patchwork & Quilting :August 2011 issue 111 page 1

Quilts by Mona Follis, Julie Parker, and Michele Bilyeu are featured in a full page article about the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative called "Quilting Changes Everything" on page 1 in the August 2011 edition of American Patchwork & Quilting. These small 9" x 12" quilts are part of the AAQI's traveling exhibit, "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope."

25 comments:

Betty Lou said...

Congratulations------your published.

Susan said...

Congratulations! It's a GREAT article and overall a fantastic issue, isn't it? I have several blog friends with quilts in this magazine! I'm starting to think that I need to send it around for autographs!

Roxanne said...

How awesome to get published! Congratulations.

Sue said...

Absolutely wonderful! Perfect in fact, that you get to be part of the face for the cure of this dreadful disease. Sue in mi

Scrappy quilter said...

Congratulations and well deserved. You've done so much through quilting and blogging about this horrific disease. You're a treasure!! Hugs

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS! Yours is a really gorgeous quilt...
'Wish you continued blessings on your journey....

hugz

quiltmom anna said...

Congratulations on being officially published Michele. You have contributed much to help bring awareness of Alzheimer's. You are a talented quilter and one very classy lady. You share your gifts so generously with other quilters. To me, I had the good fortune to discover your blog- and it is one terrific blog. I am going to look for the issue and smile as I read about your wonderful quilt and others like it.
I am proud to call you a friend of the heart.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Pat said...

I just got my copy today and saw your quilt...wonderful job and I always am touched by the Alzheimer's quilts and the stories surrounding them. Congratulations on being published.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Congratulations just aren't enough. To be published is a thrill, but spreading the word about your Cause through the article...well, I am sure your heart is just about ready to burst.
xx
Carol

Lynne said...

Congratulations - what a thrill!

Sujata Shah said...

Congratulations, Michele!
How wonderful!

Michele said...

You were already famous in my book. Now I have to share you with the rest of the world! Congratulations and thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement.

Peggy said...

Oh Michele, I am so happy for you, congratulations on "being published"

Barbara said...

Congratulations, Michele. I make quilts for the AAQI too, and I've seen your quilts at auction. Very nice for you.

Clare said...

Congratulations. You deserve it after your unfailing support for this wonderful cause.

Hugs
xxxx

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Wow, wow! I can see why they picked your quilt--it's a work of art.

Angie said...

Woooo Hoooo!!! No one is more deserving than you, woman!!! Huge hugs of congratulations! :D

Unknown said...

Fame at last - well done Michelle - you deserve it - its a brilliant quilt x

Quiltdivajulie said...

How wonderful to see your artwork this way ... and I am SO happy to see AAQI included in the magazine.

WOO HOO!!!!!!

jovaliquilts said...

Congratulations! It's a great quilt, and wonderful that so many will now get a chance to see it.

Sharon said...

Congratulations!! You're worthy of such an honor, with all you do to promote this cause. Big hugs to you!

Quiltsmiles said...

Congratulations! Even though your 2010 was a challenging one, I believe that it's our craft that helps us stay balanced through out all the craziness. LOve the title.

Jane

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Congratulations on being published Michele! You're right, it is a great thing to be published for.

Tonya Ricucci said...

woohoo!!!!! congrats!

Michele Bilyeu@ With Heart and Hands said...

Thank you all for the lovely comments and all the fun! My blog is under reconstruction, so forgive any errors or temporary malfunctions. Apparently, too much laughter may be good for us but not for blog settings ;)