7 INSPIRATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE BOOKS FOR SALE

SOLD OUT!!

These books are all in MINT CONDITION, with the exception of the paper covers, not torn just a bit scuffed up.  If you'd like a combo....I can fit any three into a $13.65 priority box....3 books for 1 shipping price. (And depending which three....maybe the Quilts of Virginia could fit too.)   I'll have to quote you a shipping price if they are purchased as a single, safest and fastest is priority @ $7.25.

#1 "The American Quilt Story - The How-To and Heritage of a Craft Tradition, by Susan Jenkinsand Linda Seward.  Hardcover - $10.00

#2. "Treasury of American Quilts" by Cyril I. Nelson and Carter Houck. Hardcover $10.00

#3. "The American Quilt" A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950 by Roderick Kiracofe.  Hardcover $10.00

#4.  "History From The Heart - Quilt Paths Across Illinois by E. Duane Elbert & Rachel Kamm Elbert, based on findings of the Illinois Quilt Research Project.   Hardcover - 10.00

#5. "Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899"  The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle.  - Virginia Consortium of Quilters, published by Schiffer.  Softcover $10.00

#6. "Quilts in a Material World, selections from the Winterthur Collection. Hardcover $10.00

#7.  American Quilts & Coverlets" - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Hardcover - List $47.50 - your price  $20

PayPal payment within 24 hrs. Ships via USPS flat rate priority, the next day if possible. Smoke free home. If you'd like to claim one or more, please email me using the right side bar link.  

US sales only.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Well.....what a suprise to be alerted about the following (found on C & T's blog) by my pal Nanette Zeller, a talented artist friend who frequently works as an editor for C & T Publishing. 

Stepping away from the quilt world as an active instructor/author only a year ago in many ways seems like a lifetime.  Younger folks now fill the roles many of us (hate to say it) 'mature' quilters had.....and oh my....how quickly we are forgotten.  

I always felt my style was ahead of the time.  My first embellishment book was published by AQS in 1994, followed by 7 more publications with two other publishers.  Interestingly, C & T published, "Embellishing With Felted Wool', in 2008.  Both beading and wool are now a huge craze.......who knew?!?  I did.....I can't get enough of either construction styles.

It's great to know that "All-In-One Beading Buddy" is now available as an ebook!!  Be sure to check out my gallery shop to view how my beading techniques are incorporated into my work.

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Beading is perennially popular, and no wonder–you can use it to embellish quilts, clothing, bags, home decor, and so much more! Today, Mary Stori, author of All-in-One Beading Buddy, shares two of her favorite 'lazy' stitches, great for creating patterns.

Lazy Stitch

Alternate bead color and direction for a herringbone pattern. Treat several beads as one to quickly create rows, fans, and other defined patterns.

1. Come up at A, string 4 seed beads, go down at B.

2. Come up at C, string 4 seed beads, go down at D. Repeat to make 4 rows.

3. Come up at I, string 4 seed beads, go down at J. 

4. Repeat to make 4 rows. Add additional units as desired.

Undulating Lazy Stitch

Use different bead combinations and spacing to create pathways and designs. 

1. Come up at A, string a seed bead, a bugle bead, and a seed bead, go down at B. Come up at C, string beads, go down at D.

2. Repeat to create desired effect. 

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

The Aug/Sept. issue of "Quilter's Home" magazine should be on your newstand any day now....or arriving at your mail box.

In it....you'll find an article by yours truly.........for the instructions/templates of this fun woolfelt wall hanging..... Enjoy!

HAND QUILTING

Recently I mentioned my blogging about my 'artist' piece now named "Alexandra", as an homage to Alexander Calder, would be on hold until it was complete. Because I'm now hand quilting it.....I'm thinking about just what a dyeing art hand quilting seems to have become.

What a shame......as much as I love to bead, I love hand quilting too. I've taught the subject for years and firmly believe that many quilters would indeed hand quilt more "IF" they were satisfied with their stitches. Of course not all projects call for hand quilting.....but perhaps those heirloom or special gifts might.

Quilting stitches should be equal in size AND the space between the stitches should be uniform as well. For those who feel it necessary to keep track, stitches are counted from the top only...... As a quilt show judge.....I don't feel it's necessary to 'count' stitches....I can tell by looking. For instance, if one had a lot of little stitches, mixed with big ones......their count may be high but the quality would not be.

I wrote an article, Perfect Your Hand Quilting Stitch, for Threads Magazine in 2008. It was to be featured online for only a short time......somehow it's still there. It may be helpful if you are interested in learning hand quilting tips. Visit here to read it.

In this photo, I'm wearing a Roxanne International thimble.....only because my thimble of choice, a leather one didn't allow a clean view of this closeup. Roxanne's thimbles are great, unfortunately, I can't use one because I'm allergic to metal.

I truly enjoy teaching hand quilting and sadly rarely have the opportunity these days. It seems it's ALL about machine quilting! I literally spend the first 45 mins. of my class explaining all the other aspects that contribute to getting good stitches.....which is good news to students when they realize success doesn't totally depend upon hand mechanics. The fabrics, size of needle, thread, and batting all contribute. As does even such a mundane thing as weather. It will be more difficult to pass the needle through cotton batting on a hot sticky day then on a dry one!

Perhaps this will encourage you to give it a try.......or holler.....and I'll come and lead a workshop for your group!

Oh....by the way.....thanks to Kay, a faithful reader/friend..... "Alexandra" is SOLD..... I'm so flattered to have someone (whose work I've always admired) love my design so much that she purchased it even before it's finished and agree to wait until after an exhibit that it's been promised for. Happy Day......

CARD BUILDINGS

Since my day moved along faster than I did.....the next step for my current project didn't reach the point of being able to do some hand stitching last night.

So, because 'the husband' controls the TV......I grabbed my lap top and did some long overdue checking into some of my favorite blogs.

C & T Publishing has been my publisher for my last 4 projects......so I enjoy reading the latest on their site. And....what do I see?? Well.....one of my quilts (Funky Rooster) which was featured in a C & T project titled: "Inspired! Creativity Cards".

Here the cards have been 'assembled' with the aid of Card Works.....a card building set....which uses connectors to attach cards to each other to enable various shapes to be built.

Check it out here.