This photo is NOT one of my family. In fact, it’s not even my photo. I got it at Jane Kirkpatrick’s blog. It is a photo of her grandmother. Do you love it?! I cannot stop looking at it! Her grandmother worked at a photography studio in Minnesota in 1911. How cool is that? Look at her dress, her necklace, her hat, the glasses and her watch. LOVE IT.
Kirkpatrick was inspired by this picture to write her new book, A Flickering Light. It’s a coming of age story of a young girl that wants nothing more than to be a photographer. But at the turn of the century, photography (as with most careers) was male dominated. And apparently the book is based on her grandmother’s life. I love it!!
Waterbrook Press asked me to review this book and I immediately said yes because I’ve always loved Jane Kirkpatrick. But when I realized what the book was about and started reading it, I got excited! The reason I post black and white pictures every week is because I am so intrigued by the story behind the picture. A Flickering Light is like a a dream come true for me—an actual story behind a mysterious black and white picture!
Here’s a cool video about the book from Kirkpatrick’s blog…which is totally interesting in and of itself…
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NOW. The fun part! I’ve got a book to giveaway! No, it’s not a Flickering Light. I kept that one. (Sorry.) But I do have a special Jane Kirkpatrick book, Aurora: An American Experience in Quilt, Community, and Craft
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Here’s the official overview:
Wrap yourself in a fantastic journey, a remarkable commitment, and a spare and splendid story. Master storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick extols the beautiful treasures, unknown to a wider public, rediscovered in the Old Aurora Colony of Oregon ’s lush Willamette Valley.
The people and legacy of Aurora, a utopian community founded in the mid-1800s, will stir your imagination, hopes, and dreams; and remind you that every life matters—that our lives are the stories other people read first.
Featuring~ Unique and treasured quilt pattern variations, more than 100 photographs, many never-before published, from 1850 to today. Cherished stories from Aurora descendants, rich images of fine crafts from the Aurora Colony and private collections, an introduction by renowned American artist John Houser.
Aurora is about the difference every ordinary life can make—and a beautiful celebration of a time and place in which people expressed their most cherished beliefs through the work of their imagination and hands.
I wrote about Kirkpatrick’s fictional series set in the actual city of Aurora. It’s one of my favorite series ever. This new book is essentially the black-and-white picture to the fiction books.
If you’d like to win this beautiful hard-cover gift book you must leave me a comment! If you’d like an additional entry just tweet, facebook, blog, stumble, kirtsy, smoke signal or carrier pigeon about the contest. Then leave me an additional comment for every extra step you took.
I’ll announce a winner (who lives in the US or Canada and has a valid email address) on Saturday.
ps–I received both of these books for FREE to review. I am giving away one of them because I just like giving my readers free stuff. I will be paying for the shipping out of my own little purse. Yes, this is a snarky postscript response to the conversation about full disclosure going around the blogosphere right now.




It is an amazing photo, I love the details, especially the lace. Here’s my WW
What a beautiful old photo!
I love old photographs of women…..mainly because I love the clothes!
It is probably a good thing I wasn’t born back then because I look ridiculous in hats.
I love black and white photos because they are timeless. I also LOVE quilt books!
yes i’d love to win thank-you
such a terrific series
I love quilting, which is sadly a dying art – expecially in the 27 year old community! lol
I was going to try the smoke signal, but since a building just burnt down at my apt complex I tweeted instead!! http://twitter.com/crownthequeen/status/1864339608
I would love to read this book. I have done 2 quilts and am working on my third.
such a beautiful photo
What detail in all the lace on her dress! I am currently making baby quilts…so many showers to go to this summer!
Very inspiring.
I love all the old photos you post. And how cool there’s a story about a mystery photo! Our family seems to have a lot of mystery photos, sigh….
Girl! You know I need this book just for the quilt patterns, if nothing else! 😉
Patterns and a great Story great combination
This sounds like a very interesting book
I’d like the book, but the vintage photo is beautiful!
Beautiful photo.
I love looking at vintage photo’s.It’s history.A time that once was and held in the present by photo’s.
This book looks charming, and I would love to give it to my beloved Mom, who has made me many amazing quilts.
Please include me in your drawing. I love her dress. Can you imagine the time that must have gone into making that dress?
rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com
I love working with my photos what a great giveaway that picture is just priceless
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
I love old photos.
mercsmercado at yahoo dot com
I love old photos as well as old houses. My favorite thing about this photo is the beautiful dress & hat the lady is wearing. The book sounds very good! wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com
enter me
I’d love to get that book for my Aunt, she would adore it!
What an inspiring book! I treasure the quilts I have inherited from my Aunt! They are beautiful and I had enough to share with my daughters! I have a quilt top that I need to quilt…this book will remind me to complete this task! Thank you for the opportunity!
Do you think future generations will admire our look and clothes as much as we admire this generation. Let’s hope so.
lu.safe@comcast.net
I love that picture and I would love to win this book!!!
Thanks.
What a lovely photograph. It sure is a teaser for the book. Please include me in the drawing!
It is a beautiful photograph. It reminds me of some photos that were in my grandparents’ home.
I would like to win this book for my next door neighbor. She loves to quilt and made my son a beautiful duckie quilt when he was born. It would be a nice repayment of sorts for her. She would love to read this book.
TWEET http://twitter.com/MACMOMof3/status/1890071406
The photographs captured my attention! I Love everything Quilt! I’m wanting to read both books now!
judy7885 at gmail dot com
my momquilts and is teaching me this wuld be great thanks
swps646@aol.com
tennrosewin a`quilt book http://bit.ly/1bdmCX
heres my tweet
Sunds like a great book. I am a crafter so this book would be a wonderful read.
I love old photos. This book sounds really interesting.
I have some old photos like these of family members..I don’t know who they R. I just hang on to them
I would love to win this very interesting book. I enjoy looking at photos of the past. They are so interesting.
Looks like an inspirational book in ways. Brings a different view on things.
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in 🙂
What a lovely, serene and strong woman.
I love the photo. I have a photo of my great great grandfather and grandmother. It’s one of my most prized possessions.
Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks great! =)
This looks intriguing!! I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance, and happy memorial day weekend!
Cassie
Please enter me 🙂