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!

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

 

 

Trip to Ann Arbor - Part One

The Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild contacted me early last year in May. The guild program director Lottie Parker did a great job staying in touch throughout the year and made sure my stay there was comfortable.

I taught two classes - Windmill class was scheduled the day before the guild meeting and Peppermint Pinwheels was scheduled on the day after the meeting. Here are some of the pictures of guild members' work from the Windmills class..

Speaking of Winmills, I also have some pictures from class at Sisters to share.

Jodena's quilt top is stunning. You can find her work on Instagram @jodenab

And this is the picture of one of my favorite students from Sisters. She is 12 years old, a terrific quilter already. You can follow her work on Instagram @mycraftyclub

Sue Nikiel wanted pop of colors on the walls of her log cabin house. I think she got that pop!

It was so nice to finally meet Lori from Humble Quilts.
She worked her magic in the class and had her top ready before even leaving the class.

As I was setting up my quilts on the stage and catching my breath before the talk (as I always do since my first experience) people were trickling in the auditorium.

I spotted those two members with Julie Sefton's book, Build A Barn!
I was thrilled to see it and had to take this picture.

 Sunday's Peppermint Pinwheel class was also as much fun and as colorful as ever.  

We had some very prolific group of quilters! They all ended up making at least four or more blocks on the day of the class. I loved the variety of fabrics in the class.

Thank you Sonya, Lottie, Judy, Carol and everyone at Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild for your warm hospitality. You made my experience memorable!

After the classes I visited a dear friend on Beaver island. I can't wait to share the story about that in a day or two. Stay tuned!

Sujata

Amy Butler's Piece Keeping Giveaway Winners

It is 25th July and as promised, I have picked three lucky winners today. If you are just finding my blog today, check out previous post about Amy Butler's new book. I made a Charming Garland and now have decided I need to make another one with different fabrics.

 

Winner # 1 is Jamie Lee Cooley

Winner #2 is Rachaeldaisy  

Winner # 3 is Judy

Congratulations to all three of you. Please send me your mailing information so I can forward it to Chronicle books for your winnings.

Thank you all for participating in the blog tour, reading the post and leaving those wonderful comments.

Have a great week!
Sujata

Amy Butler's Blog Tour and Giveaway

Amy Butler's Piece Keeping

20 Stylish Projects that Celebrate Patchwork

I am thrilled that San Francisco based Chronicle Books invited me to host the blog tour for Amy Butler's new book - Piece Keeping. During our recent trip to India I had first hand experienced her passion for crafts and attention to details. Needless to say I was curious to see the projects in the book and try my hand at making one or two myself.

In her book Amy explores two classic patchwork motifs - Log Cabin and Triangles. She shares 20 projects finished with hand applique, beadwork, embroidery and hand quilting for any style and design enthusiastic.

Choose sewing and patchwork projects or design your home with  headboards,  pillows or a lamp shades. For those of you who are into personal styling, there are projects including patchwork dress and scarves or statement jewelry like belt, necklace or appliqued tribal hand cuffs.

Each chapter is filled with in depth instructions, full patterns for every project and detailed information about themes and techniques that inspired the projects.

As soon as I saw the pictures of Charming Garland, I knew I had to make it. Once I started selecting fabrics and making those circles, I didn't want to stop!

Step by step instructions made it easy to follow the pattern and execute the design.  

It's all in the details! How fun are these tassels?

And here are my niece's charming six months old twins! I think the garland will look perfect in their nursery.

Check out this video on my Instagram to see it swirl. What a clever design! They will be certainly entertained by it.

Now you can make one too!

Chronicle Books is giving away a copy of the book. Also, you have a chance to win  Amy’s fabrics from FreeSpirit, and ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons. I am going to pick three winners on 25th July.  All you have to do is leave a comment in the comment section.

And that's not all! You can have multiple chances to win any of the three items in the giveaway.

Visit the blogs below to learn new ways to use your scrap fabric - also, each blog post will offer a chance for you to win a copy of the book, Amy’s fabrics from FreeSpirit, and ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons.
   

July 12, 2016 – The Root Connection

Project: Charming Garland

July 13, 2016 – Suzy Quilts

Project: Pyramid Pillows

July 14, 2016 – Rock Paper Scissors

Project: Dreamweaver Wall Art

July 15, 2016 – 100 Billion Stars

Project: Statement Necklaces

July 16, 2016 – Carrie Bloomston

Project: Talisman Necklace

July 17, 2016 – Late Night Quilter

Project: Tribal Cuffs

July 18, 2016 – Crimson Tate

July 19, 2016 – A Gathering of Stitches

Project: Embellished Infinity Scarf

July 20 – Heather Jones Studio

Project: Improv Pillows

July 21 – Make It In Design

Project: Illumined Lamp Shades

 GOOD LUCK!

Quilter's Affair and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

What a week it has been! My brain is saturated with colors and inspiration and filled with best of the best memories.

My classes were filled with individuals wanting to try something new. I learned so much from watching them work on freeform blocks, try different combinations of colors and share their stories and thought process as they worked each day.

Here are some collages of their work.

Students' Work - Crossroads

Students' Work - Organized Chaos

Students' Work - Hourglass Twist

Students' Work - Windmills

On the day of the show I woke up early to watch the firemen hang the quilts on the walls of The Stitching Post. It was an experience not to be missed!

On Friday, storm clouds brought a lot of rain and winds which forced the picnic to be moved to the to Sisters' high school instead of the park. Some clouds decided to linger around on Saturday to watch the hanging of the quilts too. Early morning Sun started to warm us all up and colors and textures of the quilts all around town took care of the rest.

Photo by Valori Wells

We were ready to check out every single quilt in the show. I have been posting the pictures on my facebook page since the first day in Sisters. Click on the link to see them.
www.facebook.com/TheRootConnection 

After seeing everyone working so passionately, I am eager to get back to my design wall. So happy and thankful to have experienced being part of the teaching staff at Quilter's Affair. I am specially thankful for those who signed up for my classes. I met many fb friends, teachers and artists I have  admired for many years in person for the first time.

What an amazing experience! Thank you Jean and Valori Wells!

   




   

Playing catch up and pattern for Organized Chaos

I am not even sure where I had left off. Almost three months after coming back from India, I have started sewing and I can say, that is a clear sign of being settling down. 

Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild asked if I could send them the samples for my upcoming workshops in July. Since I needed the original quilt for couple of presentations and workshops between now and July, I decided to make a new sample.

I pulled first box of fabrics out and it happened to be full of red and orange fabrics and so began the Marigold quilt. Needless to say, I got a bit carried away. There was no way I was going to finish another large quilt in time so I make a smaller sample and sent it it.

While I was working on the sample, I decided to make a smaller version of Rail Fence quilt too.. Just in case, I need another sample!

Yes, that's a shower curtain as a temporary design wall. These days, anything goes as long as I can continue working.

Gwen's baskets are in the making on the side too. I will come back with this post later because it deserves a post by itself.

Meanwhile there is a lot of work, social/family events and just plain old goofing around going on.
I presented at Stitch Modern event back in April, hosted by East Bay Modern Quilt Guild.
I also visited Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and Baltimore Heritage quilt guild early in May. It was the best time I had on the east coast since I moved out.

I am looking forward to everyone's finished projects from both of those workshops.

Amy showed her finished Hourglass Twist quilt she made at my MAQ 2015workshop in Maryland.

Here are some pictures of wild life my backyard.

 

Oh and back to quilting for a very important news!

You can order Organized Chaos quilt pattern from my etsy shop.  Click on the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Rangolidesigns?ref=l2-shopheader-name 

It sure feels like I am back to sewing whenever time permits. I will be at Santa Clara Quilt guild in June and at Sisters, Orgeon and Ann Arbor, MI in July. I hope to see some of you there! 

Have a great week!

Sujata