Book Review - Embellish with Anything

I bought this book several months ago from Book Depository - Embellish with Anything  It sparked off all sorts of thoughts and whilst I have not made any of the projects exactly as laid out in the book, I have incorporated the techniques into my own projects.  All too often the requirements for projects in some books are not to hand, are expensive or have to be mail ordered as there are no craft outlets in my area but with this book I could find almost anything required from in and around the house and my craft stuff.

The first and most important thing to me which I learned from this book was how to get a much better satin stitch around the edge of my embellisher projects - postcards, ATCs etc.  It had been niggling me for some time that everyone else's always looked better than mine.  It was a really simple technique and it has made a big difference.  There are lots of other things I want to try, paper beads for one and there are some really neat ideas for using things I would never have dreamt of using to embellish with. 

Lots of good, up close illustations and well written advice make this book a keeper for me which I keep going back to and discovering new information each time.  Well worth asking the library for or treating youself.

Embellishing with Anything Fiber Art Techniques for Quilts - ATCs, Postcards, Wallhangings and More

Quilting The Complete Guide by Darlene Zimmerman

Before I consider the contents I have to say I like books which come hard bound and spiral so they will open and lay flat by the sewing machine or chair and you can look and work without continually losing your place when the book closes up of its own accord.

Of course you shouldn't judge a book by its cover - however it is clearly written and beautifully illustrated.  At the beginning there are Quick Reference Guides - standard sizes for batting, mattresses, bedspreads and so on.  Formulas for cutting shapes, setting and corner triangles, formulas for backing and binding.  I think these are extremely useful and I have used them to help me finish off quilts which have been started at workshops and I haven't been able to understand the finishing instructions.

The rest of this book contains a huge amount of information and gives a clear understanding of how to tackle many techniques, blocks, binding methods and embellishments such as applique.  Some good edge finishing including how to mark and bind a scalloped edge - the book is packed with info and I was delighted with it. 

Definitely a keeper which I will continue to dip in and out of.

Happy Christmas to You and......

Happy Birthday to me !!

Hope everyone has had the kind of day they were looking forward to.

My husband, children and I celebrated Christmas and my birthday with my parents and we all had a lovely, relaxing time.

There were lots of super presents for everyone - I won't go into detail but I did get some great quilting gifts I'll mention.

A Convertible Free Motion Quilting Foot Set from my husband - I chose this present a couple of days in advance of the big day, Not in stock at my LQS so a phone call to Jaycotts ensured it was here in time.  I was umming and ahhing about it in an earlier post as it is pricey and I was not sure I'd ever master this technique well enough to warrant buying the kit.  However, I've been practicing free motion for a while and it seems to be falling into place, not so many uneven stitches, wonky lines and broken threads now.  The foot which comes with my machine for free motion is fairly thick plastic and obscures the view of the needle somewhat, so these new feet should overcome that. 

That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2010 - was a lovely birthday surprise from my Mum and Dad.  Each month has an inspirational quilt and it includes a book containing patterns and directions for making all of them.

The Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques - super book from my friend Annette.  Not had chance to read it yet but at first glance it looks heavily illustrated which is excellent for people like me who can follow pictures more easily than words.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

My Easter Egg!!

I'm passing on the chocolate kind and this is my Easter gift to myself. The Complete Quilting Guide by Darlene Zimmerman It's a compact sized, hard backed, spiral bound book and it contains a lot of information. Clearly written with hints and tips on working out fabric quantities and formulae for calculating piece sizes and loads more. One of the best books I've bought recently.

Free On Line Magazine

Here's a rather good crafty on line magazine I came across. It's got a bit of all sorts, including some needlefelting.

http://tiny.cc/MKAQV