Many years ago, my sister wrote a children’s book, Ravaging Rio and the Ghost in the Library. After waiting in vain for an illustrator, I realized I could bring it to life myself—through fabric. Each two-page spread became an individual quilt, and together they formed the illustrations for the published book, now available in paperback on Amazon and in hardcover on Lulu.
8″ x 10″ – The cover for Ravaging Rio and the Ghost in the Library.
17″ x 10″ – Rio and his owner Julie have just moved into a fixer-upper with little more in the kitchen than Rio’s bowl.
17″ x 10″ – The house does have a nice fireplace and a hearth where Rio plans to spend his time.
17″ x 10″ – Though it is in the drafty, creepy living room, Rio still sits on the couch when Julie is not home.
17″ x 10″ – Julie did paint the bookshelves in the living room a very cheerful red to try to warm up the room, which is the coldest in the house.
17″ x 10″ – Rio walks into the living room one afternoon and is instantly cold, the hairs on his back standing up. Without knowing how he knew it, he sensed that there was a ghost in the room.
17″ x 10″ – Julie didn’t feel safe either and left the room, but as Rio is leaving with Julie, he hears a cough and turns.
17″ x 10″ – Rio meets Robert, the ghost.
17″ x 10″ – Robert was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery at the bombing of Pearl Harbor. All he thought of on that day was his wife Sarah and the smell of the apple pies she made.
17″ x 10″ – Robert and Sarah retired to a house in the country and Robert forgot about his medal, walled behind the plaster in Julie’s house.
17″ x 10″ – Rio develops his plan.
17″ x 10″ – “Ravaging Rio Redecorates: Stage 1 – Destruction”
17″ x 10″ – Rio hides under the bed when Julie comes home, hoping she’ll figure out the reason for the mess he made before she comes looking for him.
17″ x 10″ – Julie finds the medal.
17″ x 10″ – Sarah cries at having the medal returned.
17″ x 10″ – Ravaging Rio conquers again and leaves in search of a sunny spot.
You can hear more about the creation of “Ravaging Rio” in my interview on the American Patchwork & Quilting Radio Show.
