Modeling for Cover of Bonnet Strings

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There are rapid developments in the publishing of my second memoir (including the title) now called Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds. Herald Press, of MennoMedia, has a wonderful team of professionals, who are capably shepherding this project towards completion.This past weekend, David and I traveled to Ohio, where we met up with Wayne Gehman and Amy Gingerich from MennoMedia, to create a book trailer and to capture an image for the cover. One of my beautiful nieces, Leanna Mast, agreed to model for us. And what a model she is! Here are several images I captured of her:

Twirling in Amish Clothing

 

Miss Gorgeous

 

and Miss Beautiful

 

Funny thing is… she looks more Amish than the Amish young women I saw this past weekend. My seamstress and I made her clothing from an altered pattern of mine from years ago, and so she is dressed in the era of when I was young. It seems the Amish “styles” have changed since then.

In case you are wondering, Leanna is as beautiful inside as she is out. And smart, too. And she has a great sense of humor. She is a nurse by profession and just a wonderful person to know. I am very honored that she agreed to model for the book and the trailer.

Bonnet Strings will be released early next year, around the same time as the second PBS documentary will air on American Experience. This one will be about leaving the Amish, and both Anna and I will be in it, as will Naomi Kramer and Katie Troyer and several others still unknown to me.

My next few months will likely be filled with a flurry of pre-publication projects, but I will try to keep you all posted. Thank you for being such loyal readers, even though I’ve not been posting regularly.

I have a question for you, the reader. While I was gone, I noticed that my post on Amish rugs has suddenly risen to the popular posts section of my blog. Do you have any idea why?

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6 Comments

  1. Joanne on October 16, 2013 at 12:10 am

    She is very pretty! I’m wondering….what are the differences between what you wore and the clothing now?
    Blessings, Joanne

  2. Katie Troyer on October 16, 2013 at 1:02 am

    Leanna is beautiful and like you said, she looks more Amish than the Amish do.

  3. ShirleyHS on October 16, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    I can imagine how much fun all of you creative people had together in Ohio, Saloma. And I can’t wait to read your new book. I know you are pouring your heart and soul into it and that Herald Press is backing you up with a great team.

    You are right. Your niece is beautiful.

    I think your book title is perfect. Every bonnet has two strings, and your story is one of choosing one. As long as we have memory, however, we are never fully severed from the other. That’s the power of memoir!

  4. Aleta Schrock Ellsworth on October 20, 2013 at 4:23 am

    I love the title and I look forward to reading the book.

  5. michelle Driver on January 12, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    I would love tho own this Amish outfit, where can I get one?

  6. Saloma Furlong on January 12, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Hello Michelle,

    My seamstress and I made the dress. Now that she knows how to make them, she may be willing to make you one (for a fee, of course). If you want me to put the two of you in touch, please let me know.

    As for the covering, we bought it at a local store in Middlefield, Ohio. That is also where we bought the socks and shoes.

    Please send me your email address if you are interested in having a dress made.

    Saloma

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