Thursday, October 20, 2016

and the winner is...

Thank you all for participating in Cindy's book Artful Improve and taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I enjoyed reading how you all look at your quilting style.   

The lucky winner for this book is comment #18

 Mary Ellen wrote, " I would say that I am an intermediate level quilter. I have made traditional quilts but today I am more into the modern movement."

Congratulations Mary Ellen!

Please email me your snail mail address so I can forward that to Cindy for your book. 

I am off to visit my quilt group soon. Hope you are having a fun day too!
Sujata

Friday, October 14, 2016

Artful Improv by Cindy Grisdela - Review and Giveaway

Few months ago I went to C&T Publishing to drop off some quilts for an upcoming show. While I was there, I saw the wall of meeting room full of covers of soon to be released books. The one that caught my eye was Artful Improv by Cindy Grisdela.

I responded to the cover right away. No Surprise there! Colors! Colors! Colors!
After reviewing the book, I can tell you it is not just about the colors.

So what is it about?
Think design elements and process of making an improv quilt. There are no patterns but ideas to explore - Ideas on colors, making blocks, building blocks and adding textures with machine and hand quilting. 



It is a guide for beginning quilters as well as anyone who wants to let loose, try something different without a specific plan and make art quilts. 

There are lots on inspirational photographs of completed quilts by the author as well as her students.








Visit Cindy Grisdela on her website to learn more about her book as well as her many accomplishments.

You can win a copy of Cindy's book. I would love to know if you are a traditional quilter or a modern quilter, a beginning quilter or a pro. Leave a comment with an answer. I will pick a winner on 10/19/2016
 
For more than one chance to win, follow the blog tour!

October 10: C&T Publishing
October 11: Maria Shell
October 12: Rayna Gillman
October 13: Yvonne Fuchs
October 14: Sujata Shah
October 17: Heather Kojan
October 18: Generation Q Magazine
October 19: Cindy Grisdela 

You can purchase this book from Cindy’s website , at C&T Publishing, and Amazon .

Good Luck!

Monday, October 10, 2016

My Visit on the Beaver Island with Gwen Marston and Lynn Harris

Where was I?
Last time, almost two and a half months back I was here and somehow summer months took over. 

From Gwen's book and collection "37 Sketches"
Lynn Harris, a good friend of Gwen, a prolific quilt artist was kind to come along. Lynn has participated in Gwen's retreats since 1998 or so! Lucky Lynn! I am forever thankful for her generosity for taking the time out of her already busy life and agreeing to accompany me to the island.

We started our road trip the day after my second workshop at the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild. As we got closer to the lake Michigan, I found out Michigan is another state famous for producing cherries. The orchards were loaded with fruit. On our way to Charlevoix airport we had a great time talking quilts, families, books and being a first time author. Those of you who don't know, the only access to the island is a ferry or a flight. We decided the flight would be extra fun and will save time.


We were like kids in a candy store!

Our ride to the island
Gwen came to pick us up at the airport in her red truck! This picture alone tells how happy we all were to see each other.

Gwen and Lynn
Next two days we spent talking, sharing and more talking. Gwen was so generous to show us both her antique quilts, textiles from around the world and her own quilts from her numerous books. We spent time in her studio looking at her collections of antique blocks and many laughs.
 
Gwen's Liberated Log Cabin

She is all smiles!
One of my favorites!

Stack of Sketches

A Sunset to Remember!

Moments I will never forget!

The Cover Girl
Lynn and I slept in Gwen's guest house covered in quilts made by her. I am still in disbelief when I think of the time I spent on Beaver Island. Gwen is a gem. Not that we all don't already know it.

Those of you who have had chance to attend her workshops are fortunate. As Gwen wraps up her teaching years, I am going to continue studying liberated quilting through her books. I wonder what is next for Gwen. We often talk about - What next.. I sure hope she continues writing and inspired us all.

Speaking of which, Have you got Gwen's latest book A Common Thread? I highly recommend this book. It is a collection of quilts from many years, takes you on a journey through her entire quilting life. You must visit here to read more reviews of this book. 

   
There is a little bit of sewing going on my kitchen table inspired by this book. Hopefully there will be enough progress to post it here soon.

Hope you all are enjoying early days of fall. I am stitching away my Square in Square quilt from the book. It is an after thought I love very much!

Happy Stitching,
Sujata





 

 

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