step-by-step Texture Quilting :: A Book Review AND a Birthday Giveaway!

For the last couple of weeks Tuesday has been a news day around here and today's no exception.  The news to share with you today is that it's my birthday!!  I am having a wonderful day so far and in the spirit of celebrating I am having a giveaway ..... but first the review - you'll want to know what's up for grabs in the giveaway won't you?!

So anyone who has read any of my posts in the past will know of my love for quilting.  Whilst computer assisted quilting has taken up much of my time over the last 6 month my first love is free motion quilting.  And you'll also know I love books so imagine how happy a book about quilting would make me!!

My latest book to review from Search Press is step-by-step Texture Quilting by Christina Cameli.  This was released last year by stash books, an inprint of C&T Publishing, and is available in the UK and Europe from here.  This book covers both free motion and walking foot designs and is a really good addition to any library.

What do I like the most about this book?  Hands down it is the photography.  Quilting is such a visual art and to see great photos of the designs, and also comparisons of the design with just a little tweak, is what really sold this book to me.

The book is divided into three main sections:  Organic Textures, Geometric Textures and Textural Fusion.  Each design within these sections has been photographed in real life and there is also a line drawing showing the stitch path.  I find both of these so helpful in learning a new design.  You can also use them for finger tracing a design that is new to you to start building up that all important muscle memory.

Aswell as a standard, written contents list at the front of the book, there is also a great page opposite that shows the designs in the book and gives the page number they are on.

And, instead of a standard index at the back of the book, there is a photo index - genius!

About the author:

Christina Cameli is an enthusiastic quilting teacher and nurse-midwife.  After being introduced to quilting by her grandmother, she learned free-motion quilting and over the next decade began teaching classes and writing books.  She lives with her children in Portland, Oregon.

So onto the giveaway ..... when I requested this book it was out of stock but I was too impatient to wait so I ordered it myself.  Whilst we were away in New Zealand it arrived at our house so I thought a giveaway for the extra copy would be perfect ..... and I get to share a fantastic book with another quilter.  The giveaway is being held over on Instgram so if you want a chance of getting your hands on this lovely little book head on over and enter.  Good luck!

ZAKKA from the heart :: A Book Review

Now this gorgeous little book arrived just before we headed off on our travels to New Zealand and it has sat on my desk waiting patiently ever since.  

ZAKKA from the heart by Minki Kim

When it arrived, a couple of days before departure, I had a quick look through it and, in my alternate world where I have lots of spare time, I thought I could make one or two of the projects for our trip.  I hastened out to the studio, picked fabric, found my Annie's stabiliser and even got some zips ready.  Alas it was not to be, and I admitted to myself that it was merely a diversionary tactic from actually having to pack!

That being said I would love to plan to make several items from this book.  I love it when books have an at-a-glance photo page of all the projects in the book ....

So much eye candy but so many useful, as well as beautiful items.  Well that is a loose definition of zakka - beauty in the mundane or as Wiki puts it "everything and anything that improves one's home, life and appearance."  As such you would expect the styling and photography in the book to be nice and it really is.

There are a couple of projects that could top my list of makes.  They are the Roll Cake Pencil Case ....

and the Small Dome Purse ....

Each project comes with a detailed set of written instructions and, more importantly for me, a series of photos.  Whilst I love reading when it comes to making I am a visual learner - one picture really does say a 100 words for me so these are invaluable.  And just look at that cute patchworked sewing machine - what's not to love?!

The other big bonus of this book is a set of full size pattern templates in the back ...... that actually came out along the perforated line neatly, instead of tearing into the pattern!  That aside, I do like to have access to full sized patterns rather than having to print out and stick together.

This book is published by stash books, an inprint of C&T Publishing, and available from Search Press in the UK and Europe - click here to take a look!

I had not heard of the author before so it was nice to read more about her in the author's bio at the back of the book and you can find Minki on IG @zeriano

The Quilter's Negative Space Handbook :: A Book Review

It is always exciting to have a new book to review, but this time it's even more exciting because I 'know' the author.  OK well know is a relative term, but it feels like I know her after having various online conversations with her through Stash Bee involvement and then also longarm chat after she became a Handi Quilter owner.  One day hopefully I will know her in real life but I reckon I have to get over to the States for a chance of that!

So the book is The Quilter's Negative Space Handbook and the author is Sylvia Schaefer from Flying Parrot Quilts.  It is published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, and is available in the UK through Search Press.

My first impression was how it was so full of colour - oh that's got to bode well hasn't it?!

I actually received and read it through from start to finish in one day.  It is so much more than a book of patterns and contains such useful information for anyone interested in making modern quilts - either from a pattern or by designing their own.

 

In each chapter there is information on techniques to make quilts modern, for example taking a traditional block quilt and removing elements, varying sizes and inverting colours to name a few.  I really liked how Sylvia talks you through each process and gives examples along the way.  Some of these are computer generated images but there are so many lovely photos of real quilts that just make you want to touch them.

If you don't want to design yourself, each chapter has a pattern with full instructions for you to make the quilt.  I have to say I now have more quilts added to my ever-growing, or is that never-ending, to do list.

The quilt below features in the book as an example of disintegration but it isn't a pattern in the book -  I just included it here because I happen to love it!

All in all I think this is a fantastic book and a wonderful resource for quilters both modern quilters and those looking to explore modern route more.  Watch this space for upcoming quilts that will be made using some of these techniques.

create your own improv quilts - A Book Review

Wow - what a book!  I have to say I sat and read this whole book over a weekend and am including in my book tally for 2018 because of that.  I do mean read - this is much more than a pattern book and is the first time I have read such a book from cover to cover.  You could also dip in and out of it but I think you may want to read it all.

I have been drawn to the improv quilting style over the last couple of years but have still to relinquish control and go for it!  It is hard coming from an engineering background and loving the perfection of perfect points to let go of the rulers and measuring and to not match seams!  I also thought that improv should surely be improv - you don't get it from a book do you?  Well I was wrong and, as I said, this is much more than a how to book.  

The subtitle is Modern Quilting with No Rules and No Rulers which is just perfect.  Rayna explores some of those 'rules' that have sprung up around Modern Quilting, such as no batiks are to be used in a  modern quilt, the use of highly patterned fabric over all solids and even improv paper piecing - a contradiction in terms surely?!

There are several technique sections which talk you through the process and give you exercises to do to get you improv quilting.  As a newcomer to this technique, I think they would prove very useful and the great thing about this is that a whole group of people could be given the same fabric and technique and the resulting pieces would all be unique.

There are lots of quilts to look at, both Rayna's and other quilters and towards the back there is a gallery containing information on others such as Catherine Whall Smith, Cindy Griselda and Debbie Anderson to name a few.  Rayna talks about her inspiration and as I am someone who sees quilts in almost every thing I see I totally get that.  I have not yet translated these thoughts or visions to fabric but this book has really sparked something in me.

In fact, before I even finished reading the book, I went and searched through my drawers of scrap fabrics and found some scrappy improv pieced blocks which were, one day in the very distant future, destined to a scrap vortex quilt.  However, I now realised I could do something different with them and taking huge inspiration from this piece of Rayna's, I set to with putting them on my design board and then started to fill around the edges with white Kona.

I had a most enjoyable few hours over a couple of day and LOVED the process - then real life and prior deadlines called and it has been at this stage ever since.

create your own improv quilts by Rayna Gillman is published by C&T Publishing and is available from Search Press or Amazon and if you haven't realised by reading this review I would DEFINITELY recommend it for anyone who may be interested in improv quilting or who is looking for some inspiration for their next quilt.

Stitched Textiles: Nature - A Book Review

Well it certainly has been a long time since I have been here - where does the time go?  I have not been sitting idle it's just most of the day to day things get posted to Instagram and then I run out of hours in the day to write a blog post .... sound familiar? 

A recent fun day out was to the Handmade Fair at Ragley Hall.  I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie Redfern and seeing her gorgeous work and so I am delighted to have got my hands on her book Stitched Textiles: Nature, which was released in April by Search Press.

The book covers the materials Stephanie uses in her work, which she describes as textile- and mixed-media-based, design and inspiration and process and practice.  Having been drawn into her stand at the Fair by her wonderful appliqued art it has been great to read about how she goes about the process of creating a piece.  I do not come from an art background and so I am always interested in how other people create especially with paints and printing.

The chapter Themes contains more inspiration ideas and design advice and step by step projects.  I haven't had the time to get started on one of these yet but have decided that it will be a summer project with my daughter once the summer holidays have started.

In summary, I think this book has a great balance between detailed how to and more general design  information which could lead you down your own path to creating truly unique textile art.  I have been really inspired to seek out natural images from when we lived in New Zealand and to begin to use them in some art pieces.  It may be some time before they appear so don't hold your breath!

If you are interested in finding out more about Stephanie's work she is running a two day workshop at the RBSA in Birmingham at the end of August - sadly I am already busy that weekend otherwise I would have signed up straight away!

July that was ... and my OMG

July was a month that I would rather not dwell on .... so apart from my Bee Blocks:

a quatrefoil block for Patty in the Stash Bee - this is the third time I have made this block this year but I love it ... this quilt in the colours she chose is going to be sensational!

a double star block for Kirsty in the Bee Hive, actually this was for August but because of holidays we were given instructions early and I got to it because .....

 the July Queen in the Bee Hive had also chosen this block!!!

This block was designed by Christa Quilts and the tutorial can be found here.  Contrary to what you may think this block comes together easily and pretty quickly.  I was really surprised but it uses the fast flying geese method which I had never used before and it's great!

and my books (top left - easy read picked from a book swap shelf, top right recommendation from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner which made it onto my book worm list, bottom left seen on a friend's IG feed, bottom right booked picked for initial book club meeting):

I am going to move swiftly on to August!!

To that end I am going to state my OMG intention and link it up to Red Letter Quilts:

My OMG for August is to make 5 blocks for my Summer Sampler quilt.

It was only because I had linked up for the first time in July that my first block was made. Admittedly it was just under the wire but I would never have sat up that late and done it otherwise and it's got me eager to get some more made!

Bring on August - more sunny days, family staying and lots of sewing!! x

June in review

It's July already ..... wow!  I just looked back at my May round up post and it states:

There were definite signs of Spring and a few days of glorious sunshine, which could have fooled us into thinking the weather was improving, she says typing this looking out a cold, grey, wet first day of June!

which is somewhat ironic because today is the second day of July and it is a cold, grey wet day aswell - oh the joys of a English summer!!

Yesterday I posted about my Quarter 2 finishes which goes a good way to seeing what I have been up to in June.

Bee News

Annah in The Bee Hive, Swam Anneliese, requested Wanta Fanta blocks in blues and white and so I made her these ....

The mini bee for Siblings Together has now finished in terms of monthly block making but I did manage to get my blocks pieced into a lovely top.  This is now near the top of the pile for quilting and sending on to Nicky.

I was Queen Bee in the Stash Bee, Hive 5, and was very excited to choose this block.  Checking the post throughout the month has been such a wonderful thing and what lovely blocks landed on my door mat in June.  I am soooo in love with this!!  It is definitely not going to languish on the shelf and I hope to be sitting underneath it when we light our first fire of the season!

Making News

The damson gin made last September was almost finished ....

whilst this year's elderflower cordial was made!

I took part in the Rainbow Rose QAL ....

and now have to consider how I am going to finish and quilt this ....

In Home Ed news we have:

:: visited a Hindu temple - which was amazing and so colourful

:: meditated with a Buddhist monk at a Hermitage - which was the most at peace I have felt in a very long time

:: visited the National Trust property at Packwood House - which was cold that day!

:: continued with piano lessons - which the girls are loving and it is wonderful to hear them play

:: saw an Oddsocks production of Much Ado About Nothing - which was fantastic and very funny

:: learnt about the history of the EU - which was fascinating (and did an old jigsaw of Europe!)

It was my turn on the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop aswell which was great.  There's still another 2 weeks to come so keep an eye out and try to get to meet some of these lovely new bloggers.  I asked people for their book/author recommendations and got loads ...... I compiled a list and yesterday started reading the first of many from this list.  Which leads on to the books I have read in June ....

 

July, yet again, will be busy.  As well as the usual things we get up to we will also receive our shipping that's been heading over the seas from New Zealand.  It's supposed to dock in Tilbury tomorrow but quite when we can expect to see it I am not sure.  It's going to be wonderful to see all our things from NZ but quite where it's all going to go I'm not sure .......

I have also signed up for another mini swap and a round robin style travelling quilt bee which should be great fun.  I am in the middle of compiling my new Finish Along list too which will hopefully be up tomorrow.  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and to those of you in the States enjoy your Independence Day celebrations! x

Any bookworms amongst you?!

As you may well know it was my stop on the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop last week and I asked people to let me know their favourite book or author.  Thank you so much for all the book/author recommendations.  As so many people seem to enjoy reading I thought I would collate that list here in case you are looking for some new reading material and/or some new blogs to go and visit!

Books

All Souls Trilogy / Deborah Harkness from Velda at Granny can Quilt

The Kitchen House / Kathleen Grisson from Heide at Heide's Quilt Hugs

Mudbound  / Hillary Jordan from Heide at Heide's Quilt Hugs

Gone with the Wind / Margaret Mitchell recommended by Needled Mom

Rosemary Rogers recommended by Anna Brown

The Graveyard Book / Neil Gaiman from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

Outlander series / Diana Gabaldon from Kate at Smiles from Kate

World Without End / Ken Follett from Kate at Smiles from Kate

Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow / Orson Scott Card from Yvonne at Quilting Jet Girl

Cutting Stone / Janet Burroway from Rilene

Armand Gamache Series / Louise Penny from Ann Petersen

The Passage Series / Justin Cronin from Ann Petersen

The Grapes of Wrath / John Steinbeck from Stephanie at quilt'n party

Outlander Series / Diana Gabaldon from Amista at Hilltop Custom Designs

The Heritage / John Grisham from Rosa at Rosa Patch - the love of sewing

The Lightning Thief / Rick Riordan from Sandra at mmm! quilts

A Man Called Ove / Fredrik Backman from Sandra at mmm! quilts

My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises / Fredrik Backman from Sandra at mmm! quilts

Vintage Kitchen Mysteries / Victoria Hamilton from Holly at Lighthouse Lane Designs

All The Light We Cannot See /  Anthony Doerr from Lisa at Sunlight In Winter Quilts

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children / Ransom Riggs from Sharon at Yellow Cat Quilt Designs

A Prayer for Owen Meany / John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Cider House Rules / John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Authors

Ursula le Guin from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

John Scalzi from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

James Patterson from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Lee Child from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Dana Stabenow from Jennifer at RV Quilting

Margaret Attwood from Amanda at This Mom Quilts

JK Rowling from Laurel at Quilts By Laurel

JD Robb from Quilter

Jeffrey Archer from Sue at Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Bernard Cornwell from Sarah at 123 Quilt

John Irving from Diana at Red Delicious Life

Picture Books from Emily at The Darling Dogwood

Wide Mouthed Frog / Keith Falkner

Caps for Sale / Esphyr Slobodkina

The First Tulips in Holland / Phyllis Krasilovsky

Click, Clack, Moo / Doreen Cronin

Obviously I could not have a post without any pictures so these are pics of a mini quilt I made yesterday.  It's currently on the frame being quilted and will hopefully be finished in the next couple of days. x