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!

94 comments:

  1. I have been quilting for over 50 years so I am a little bit of everything. Heinz 57 as we used to say.

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  2. I am a traditionnal quilter, but beginner in modern quilting.

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  3. Modern quilter for about two years!

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  4. I have just bought your book, and this one is now next on my list! I am a modern quilter, but still learning lots of skills and improv piecing and quilting is definitely on my list of things to learn.

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  5. I am a modern quilter. Been quilting for about 4 years now.

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  6. I can't cut or sew a straight line, so it's free form /improv for me.

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  7. This book will be a good friend of your book in my sewing room :-)

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  8. Traditional/art quilter, I've been quilting for almost 40 years. :) Love the looks/ideas shown here!

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  9. I've been quilting for at least 25 years and am based in tradition but lean more modern these days. LOVE improv!

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  10. I am a quilter for many years and have evolved into a modern quilter with a traditional flair

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  11. I am a quilter, what I am NOT is an ARTist. Not a beginner or a pro. What I am is interested in this book....hope you pick me.

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  12. I a 'middle of the road' quilter! Not totally modern, although I love the look of some of the fun stuff coming out, but I appreciate and enjoy more traditional quilts. Same with my skill level, not a beginner, but not a pro either. I do have to say though, my liberal leanings do tend to more modern quilts.

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  13. I cannot classify myself as one or the other--some days Iu will do a "modern-looking" quilt and other times I will want to go to a tradional-type of piece.
    I have been quilting on and off for many years now--depending on the project I am still a beginner (aren't we all??) or a seasoned quilter repeating a loved pattern.
    I love the look of the quilting on the first pictured quilt here...thanks for the chance hugs, Julierose

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  14. I am an eclectic, liberated, color-loving scrappy quilter.in love with the process itself. I have been watching and waiting for this book's release .... Thank you for a chance to win a copy!!!

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  15. I think I Would love this book. I pin her quilts often on Pinterest but never thought to find her blog.

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  16. Modern for me. But love an old wuilt.

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  17. I would say that I am an intermediate level quilter. I have made traditional quilts but today I am more into the modern movement.

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  18. I guess I would have to call myself a traditional quilter, although I've tried a few more modern style quilts, especially when making quilts for my grandkids. I love the symmetry of the traditional quilts, which I guess goes along with my love of early architecture from the 18th and early 19th century.

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  19. I guess I am about as traditional a quilter as you can get. I do love some of the wonderful modern quilts that are being produced today, but each time I try to step out of my comfort zone, I get sucked back into the traditional (historical actually) vortex! I made my first quilt at the age of 9 (51 short years ago) and I haven't stopped yet. My true love is to reproduce antique quilts that I have encountered over the years. I love your Blog. Keep up the good work!

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  20. I have done more improv quilting and art quilts than traditional, and am very intrigued by the pictures you posted from Cindy's book... would love to win a copy!

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  21. Probably 50-50, traditional and modern. Both are fun and rewarding!

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  22. I love Cindy's quilts so I'm going to say I'm a wanna be modern quilter!!!

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  23. I love to make traditional quilts in bright modern fabrics. But... I am very drawn to improv and aspire to go in that direction.

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  24. I lean to the modern, although I do traditional quilts. Definitely. It a beginner, but not at the pro level. Been quilting for 25+ years.

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  25. Hmm, I consider myself to be a beginner quilter, but an experienced sewist. I appreciate the traditional patterns and fabrics, but love the modern colors and quilts. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  26. I am a do your own thing quilter which includes improv piecing.

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  27. I am both a traditional and modern quilter.

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  28. I am a beginning quilter and I like improv-style quilting: Making things perfect is just not enjoyable for me. I am interested in the techniques shown in this book.

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  29. Willing to try almost any technique as I search for my own style; the intuitive, improv with a plan and openness to surprises works best for me.

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  30. Always ready to try something new

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  31. Still trying to figure it out! I love it ALL!!

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  32. Intermediate modern quilter :)

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  33. I consider myself an Art Quilter with flair!

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  34. I do mostly traditional patterns but with modern fabrics, they look fresh and updated.

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  35. I do mostly traditional patterns, but with modern fabrics, they look fresh and updated.

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  36. I was a traditional quilter, but now I make modern and art quilts most of the time. I've just started experimenting with improvisational piecing, and would like to learn more.

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  37. I love modern quilts and have a done a few myself. I also love qrt quilts. Cindy's work marries the two concepts.

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  38. I have a toe in modern quilting and a foot in traditional....although sliding into more modern!!!
    mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. I am an experienced quilter but a beginning Modern quilter. Cindy's book looks incredibly appealing

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  40. Modern quilter with traditional roots!

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  41. Ha, I'm a quilter beginning to be modern...completely drawn to the ability to improv!
    Caltexgal@aol.com

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  42. I am a traditional quilter but am open to trying new ideas and would live to win the book.

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  43. Hmm, I am a beginner quilter I suppose according the time I have been making quilts. But my ambition is to learn more and more. I like to see the traditional quilts they are so beautiful but I love to make quilts from your book, I love that "free style" so I don't know actually what I am I just love everything around the quilts! Anneli

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  44. I think I'm a little of both but maybe leaning toward modern

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  45. Looks like a wonderfully inspiring book! I'm a colour loving, scrappy kinda quilter, and seem to bounce back & forth between traditional & modern!

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  46. I make both traditional and modern quilts. I am an advanced beginner/intermediate quilter. mfhagopian@aol.com

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  47. i am not a beginning quilter and I enjoy quilting with no rules. thanks for a chance!

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  48. I am both traditional and non-traditional. I love traditional quilts but I have made so many over the years (I've been a quilter for 40 years) that I am now mainly focused on improv/liberated/wonky styles. Sometimes I think it's because I've become tired and perhaps lazy - but mostly it's because I love the freedom of non-traditional.

    This looks like an excellent book!

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  49. I was very excited to see your name on the blog tour. I own and love your Cultural Fusions book, and I am becoming bolder in my improvisational quilting. Thank you for the opportunity to win Cindy's book.

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  50. Thanks for the chance to win this new book; it looks like a great one and I would love to win it!
    BTW, I own your book and think it is great.
    jlpfeffer at gmail dot com

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  51. I love making improvisational quilts!

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  52. I love making improvisational quilts!

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  53. I think o know when you saw her quilt, Sujata. This sounds like a great book for study. I'll be making a purchase this week. We need to keep good authors working for us.

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  54. I'm a "try it all" kind of quilter. There is something new to learn everyday, and I hope I will be the lucky winner of this book. Thank-you for offering this opportunity.
    Diane

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  55. I am a modern traditionalist and love improve. I used to have your book, I lost everything in the flood in August. This would begin building a new st of books to love! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  56. I would say I'm an intermediate quilter.... Been sewing all my life, but quilts have been a deep interest for just the past decade.
    My first few quilts were more traditional, but I've definitely gone into a more modern, contemporary design direction... *Love* color!! My own designs are modern/contemporary, and I want to move into improv piecing... But, it's been so hard for me to leave my rulers alone! (That just means I have to do more improv!)
    I really need to see Cindy's book!... The colors and designs are calling to me!
    Thank you!

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  57. I am a Modern Quilter with roots in Tradition. I have been quilting for almost 20 years.

    silverthimble@shaw.ca

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  58. I like to think of myself as a modern quilter. I love everything about it with its bold colors, sharp edges, curved piecing, improv blocks, artsy look. This is what gets me excited about quilting!

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  59. I've been quilting for several years and always enjoy a new challlenge. I'm an avid reader of quilting books from the library and I've come to the conclusion that almost all that's new/modern has roots in the past.

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  60. I'm a traditional quilter but have started learning to be a bit more modern!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  61. Quilting for 25 yrs--still learning.

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  62. I have been making quilts for awhile - more large quilts in the past 10 years or so. I make traditional and modern quilts; both can be challenging and fun!

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  63. Improv quilter - I start with an idea and see where it leads. Sometimes they end up like the original plan, and sometimes not so much!

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  64. Quilting, embroidery, stitching....my style is governed by the inspiration and the journey from there and not always to a finished item.

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  65. Traditional learning about and trying modern.... Quilting for thirty years with a break in the middle, raising three small children. Length of time quilting does not a "pro" make!!

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  66. I think of myself as a traditional quilter, but with a little tiny bit of modern influence.:) Recently I have been dipping my toes into improv. (your book has been a huge help) and then pairing it with my traditional leanings, but whimsical style. LOVE it so much! This book looks like a great one. Would love to win it!

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  67. I think I'm a hodge podge of modern and traditional. I'd put myself in the intermediate range.

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  68. The cover photo is stunning! What a joy to learn about this freestyle quilting process.

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  69. Intermediate for me. I started out as a traditional quilter. Now I do my own thing. Don't think I'd call it traditional or modern. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  70. Hi, Sujata! Thanks for joining the blog hop. I am traditional with touches of modern. I want to work on improv. I'm waiting to see if I win Cindy's book. If I don't, I'll buy it!

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  71. I don't like to put a title on what I do! I love traditional, modern, contemporary, improv. Sometimes I'll mix it up! I guess I would say I'm trying to reach the pro level on every quilt!

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  72. I've been a quilter for close to fifty years and I do everything but traditional.

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  73. I do both traditional and modern, but currently tend to the modern. Also enjoy creating art quilts with lots of texture. I have alot of experience, but am far from an expert. As a wise friend says "practice makes progress".

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  74. I am a traditional quilter but am sure being lured toward the modern quilts. I have been quilting for many years.

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  75. I'm somewhere in the middle if modern and traditional and one step above beginner. I would love to play with some improv!

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  76. I really love it all, but a more traditional loving modern right now! I could really use the help with improv!

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  77. I am a beginner quilter and like the traditional quilting but I am willing to try modern.

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  78. I've made quilts off and on for years but got more serious about it more recently. I don't have one style preference, but I do enjoy working slowly and imperfectly. you know what I do! :-)

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  79. I've made a lot of traditional quilts over the years and still do some traditional quilts occasionally, but I'm in love with improv quilts, liberated quilts (a la Gwen Marston) and Modern quilts. I think they're so exciting! I'd love to learn about Cindy's techniques with improv, because I still feel uncertain about what I'm doing.

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  80. I love the idea of traditional quilts and that is what I usually do but every now and then I just burst out of my traditional box and have fun putting colours together, add a hint of mad embroidery and go crazy. I would love to win your book, Cindy. It will encourage me to think outside the square.

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  81. I think that I am a traditional quilter that is transitioning to modern quilting. I still love a scrappy quilt with repeated traditional blocks, but the modern fabrics, designers and aesthetic really appeal to me.

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  82. I love improv quilts. They aren't as easy as they look, because each decision creates many choices for the next. Can't wait to check out this book!

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  83. I'm and art quilter that also plays around with modern styles. I'd love to learn more about Cindy's style.

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  84. I love quilts, traditional and modern. I would like to identify as a "quilter" but I am far from satisfied with my quilts, the colors, stitching, and have never attempted free motion quilting.

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  85. I mostly make traditional quilts, but I am trying to do more and more impro. I would consider myself to have intermediate quilting skills.

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  86. I am somewhere between traditional and modern. I have good piecing skills and I'm working to improve my quilting skills.

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  87. I am an intermediate quilter. I love modern quilts but i have difficulty letting go of the ruler. This book looks like it would help me do that. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  88. I'm a self-taught quilter,20 years, began traditional and now, sometimes modern...new trends are my goal!!!
    Thank you.
    kcummings71@gmail.com

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  89. Im still a beginner as i am not consistent with sewing. I lean toward modern and liberated with scraps! Thanks for the chance!

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  90. I'm sometimes modern, sometimes traditional. Just bought your book for our modern quilt guild library and would love to add this to the library too. Thanks for the chance.

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  91. I'm a modern quilter, over 20 years but still consider myself intermediate. Would love to have this book.

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  92. I'm a bit of a mutt: trad and modern, neither beginner nor pro. I often feel like an "only", but I see many others commenting who are in the same region of my Venn diagram.

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I appreciate you taking the time to read my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

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