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Saturday, March 5, 2011

"Stack The Deck Revisited" by Karla Alexander Book Review and Giveaway


Karla Alexander, Saginaw Street Quilt Company,  published another book with Martingale Publishing / That Patchwork Place in 2010.  The title is, Stack The Deck Revisited and I have the good fortune to review the book and also offer it as a giveaway on my blog :) 

I had the pleasure of meeting Karla at Checker Distributor's 62nd Anniversary Open House last year.  If you are a IHAN blog follower you may remember my post.  Karla has several beautiful quilt patterns as well as being a designer for Creative Grids Rulers.

Before I get into her latest book, Stack The Deck Revisited, I just want to take a minute to show you some of her work that I also love:



I know these have absolutely nothing to do with Stack The Deck Revisited, but I figured if you are anything like me you might want to see some of the author's work and other creations along the way.) 

For some reason the photos of Karla's book don't look as bright on the Internet as it does in my hands so I took my own photo of it for you to see.

Karla has updated her patterns from Stack the Deck, her first book.  I like Karla's style of writing and the photos that accompany the patterns clearly explain the process she is following to complete the quilts successfully.  Karla also goes into a discussion about fabric choices, finishing your quilt and variations on block designs. 

This one is "Going Green" and I thought it was a great example of a variation because the initial blocks were shuffled and combined to make an interesting pattern and then it was changed by adding the black inner squares.  So much more interesting and balanced ....don't you think?
I have really enjoyed reading Stack The Deck Revisited and I'm going to hate to see it leave however, I know it will be equally enjoyed by one lucky IHAN blog reader!  To have an opportunity to win Stack The Deck Revisited, please leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever made on of Karla's patterns or used one of her Creative Grids Rulers.  If not, just let me know what intrigues you about the book and your name will go into the drawing.  A winner will be selected on Wednesday March 9th.

Smiles,
Kelly

62 comments:

  1. I have the original Stack The Deck book! Pure love! I am curious to know what the differences are between this old one and the revisited one.

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  2. I love the idea of cutting and shuffling to come up with different blocks! I'm curious though...do the patterns require the Creative Grids rulers?

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  3. "Windfall" looks so fascinating, but I haven't made any of Karla's patterns yet. I'd love to win the book, the technique intrigues me.

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  4. I haven't seen Karla's work before. It looks intriguing. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  5. OMG!!! Pick me to win that book! I love Karla's designs. I actually made one of the designs out of her Stack the Deck book. Here is a link to it on my blog.
    http://patchesandpieces.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-i-have-been-working-on.html
    As far as Creative Grids rulers, that is all I use!

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  6. I've never tried Stack the Deck but I'm intrigued enough to want to have a go!!!
    Thanks

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  7. I have never made any of Karla's patterns or used Creative Grids rulers. The pattern that really intrigues me is the cover pattern. Looks so complicated, but I'm sure Karla would make it easy!

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  8. First here which is not so good in the draw factor!!. I did not realise Karla had updated her book. I have the first one and would so love the Revisited version.

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  9. I have Karla's Stack the Deck book...haven't made a quilt from it yet. I have two Creative Grid rulers and they are my favorites!

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  10. My Creative Grids 8" 45 degree Triangle ruler is one of the first rulers I bought after my basic rectangle ruler and it is so versatile. I use it all the time.

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  11. Have a couple of her rulers and love them! I have not tried any of her quilts but love the way the colors all come together.

    Rosemary
    Cntryways@att.net

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  12. I'm always up for a new interesting book! *S*

    I don't think I've used any of her rulers, but I have so many around here - who really knows?

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  13. I have her New Cuts for New Quilts book and love her use of color! Please pick me. :) Thanks for the chance!

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  14. I have her first book, which is waiting patiently for me to get to it. I'd love to have her followup book to make a completely wonderful choice of which pattern to sew!

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  15. I have never made one of Karla's Patterns nor have I had the opportunity to use one of her rulers.

    If I win, I can change at least part of that!

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  16. No, I have never heard of her until now, you are so educating me....is there a fee?

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  17. I love the randomness of that front cover quilt. It looks like somebody chopped up fabric and made a quilt. Very different and I would love a chance to make it bright rainbow colors.

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  18. Never made a pattern of Karla's nor used her rulers. I was very intrigued by the "Going Green" quilt you showed. I got really intrigued when I followed Rhonda P.'s comment to the quilt she made. I loved Rhonda's quilt!

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  19. I like to the idea of shuffling fabric and Karla is the master. I would love her new book.
    Thanks

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  20. There are so many different techniques out there, I'm always learning something new. I've heard of Stack the Deck, but havent' tried it yet. Maybe winning woudl make me try something out of my comfort level.
    thanks for a chance to win.

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  21. I have Karla's Color Shuffle and love it. The woman is a genius. I will be happy to give a new home to another of her books. I've never tried her rulers though. Thanks Kelly.

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  22. I've never tried any of Karla's patterns, but I won't use anything BUT Creative Grid rulers! They're the best! Thanks for the chance to win this book - it looks really interesting!

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  23. I have the earlier book, but haven't made anything from it yet (as is the case with most of the books I own!), and I think I may have one creative grids ruler upstairs...a 60 degree. I bought it recently to make the hexagon quilts from Sizzlin' Sixties by Heather Mulder Peterson, and it has worked just fine.

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  24. I haven't made anything but i love surprises and this book wreaks of it. please pick me=)

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  25. Beautiful quilts and beautiful cover photo. I would be thrilled to have the book.

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  26. I have never used the Creative grids rulers or seen Karla's book but it sound very interesting and fun.

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  27. I have never tried stack the Deck so it would be fun to win the book and try, looks interesting.

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  28. I have been intrigued by the concept of Stack the Deck. If I should win the book, I will definitely do one. Thanks. Kathlene

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  29. I haven't tried one of her patterns. But just the name intrigues me... reminds me of playing cards. Poker! :) But just the pictures you showed, I am interested in seeing what other quilts are in there!

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  30. Hi Karen, thanks for making this possible. The colours of the book intrigue me; I love Autumn (Fall) colours and it seems, so does Karla. It looks very unusual and I would very much like to try out some of the patterns. regards Sam sdownes@oceanbroadband.net

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  31. I was always intrigued by Karla's first book. I remember seeing her on Simply Quilts and loving her technique. So glad to hear that she has updated her book. Great news!

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  32. I have not done any of her quilts but have always wanted to try them. I'd love to win this book!

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  33. Acutally, I'd never heard of Stack the Deck before - is it anything like Stack 'n Whack? I'm always up for learning new techniques and more about balance & color! Glad to have you back with us & glad you had a good trip!

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  34. I have made bowls from her Bowlies pattern, I have Arboretum but haven't made it yet. I made the cover quilt on the Color Shuffle book. Great techniques, like trying new things.

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  35. I've not tried Karla's products yet have been intrigued by stack the deck as a concept for a quilt. Would enjoy this book for sure. Thanks for the market giveaway.

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  36. Oh nice! I have my eye on Going Green. I think I have the perfect Batik for that baby. Nice review too.

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  37. Thanks, Kelly, for another great giveaway. I have the 6 1/2" x 24" Creative Grids ruler and got it when they first came out. I love the fact that they are MADE IN THE USA, and they have the "built-in" grippers to them.
    I would love to try her Stack the Deck ideas.

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  38. I haven't made any of her quilts yet, but I love the Peace quilt.

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  39. Her style of piecing looks fun! very free!

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  40. Please consider me for Karen's new book, as I would love to try one of the stack and whack revisited patterns!
    Suzanne Burke <sburke2004@aol.com

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  41. I haven't made any of her patterns nor have I used her rulers, but this book looks like lots of fun.

    count me in.

    billie`

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  42. Creative Grids rulers are the best in the business in my mind. I recommend them when I teach my accuracy classes...

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  43. I've never had the opportunity to do one of her patterns or use one of the rulers. This book intriques me and I would love the opportunity to win. Thanks!

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  44. I hope the deck is stacked in my favor!! I would love to win!!

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  45. I'd love to win the book - sounds like it could involve timesaving measures, and that's always a good thing! I'm new to quilting, and know nothing about Karla's method. :)

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  46. I have made Karla's Red Onion quilt pattern. It was my first try at curves and was very fun to make!

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  47. I love Karla's work. I made one of her patterns once using her technique where you stack, cut and shuffle. Such fun! And it's one of my favorite quilts -- all animal prints and blacks and neutrals. I haven't seen her rulers -- might have to look for those. I'd love to have her new book. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  48. I've never tried one of these quilts, but the idea of "shuffling" stacks of cut fabric to create new combinations is really interesting. I saw on her site, one quilt called Funky Curvy Rail; that looks intriguing, too. Those rulers look like cool tools!
    Thanks for hosting a giveaway!
    Jacque in SC
    quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  49. Never used the rulers or any of he patterns. The books look interesting, never heard of Stack the Deck. Would love to try the patterns

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  50. I love the first of those other pieces that she's done. Is that in some other book of hers?

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  51. I have not used her books and I just bought a 60 degree creative grids ruler a couple months ago but I haven't used it yet. I would love to win, thanks for a chance
    debbie

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  52. I have never used either the book or the rulers but if the ruler will improve accuracy then I am all for it.

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  53. I have never made one of her patterns. I have only made one quit where you stack and cut them. I think I like the designs that appear when you put the exact cut together in one block.

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  54. I have never used her patterns or rulers, but the cover of this book just draws a person in. That is one amazing looking quilt that I would like to have a chance at.

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  55. Sad to say, I read the first book - but no time to try any of the intriguing projects - maybe if I had the new book, I could change all that!

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  56. I have never used the rulers or made a quilt from her stack the deck methods, but I've seen many quilts made by women in one of by sewing groups and have loved the simplicity of the complicated looking pattern. That simplicity is what intrigues me about the new book. The cover quilt looks complicated but she must have simplified it in her stack the deck way.

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  57. My friend bought this book on our Shop Hop this February in Southeast NC. I love it. I would love to make all of the patterns.
    I used to live in Toledo so I was excited to see you on Stash Manicure.

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  58. I have never tried the book or the rulers. In fact, I will tell you a secret. I have never "stacked and whacked"! It is a concept that scares me silly! Maybe winning a copy of this book would give me the courage and guidance I need to get off the fence finally!

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  59. I happen to have Karla's first book, but have never made any of the exact patterns. I've used her technique, though! I didn't know she also designed rulers. I love the quilt on the cover of her new book!

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  60. I love never being 100% sure what you're going to end up with! I would love to be entered into the draw :-D

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  61. I've never seen Karla's work, but I'm just starting my first quilt - so I'm a newbie to the quilt world. I really like the Going Green Blocks Quilt, it is the style of quilt I would like to try. Thanks for a chance to win this neat quilting book! :)

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  62. I have not made one of her quilts yet, but the idea sounds very interesting. Would love a copy of the book.

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Thank you for reading the IHAN Blog. I love getting and reading every comment that is left here; however I may not be able to respond to all comments left during giveaways. There are times when I am juggling many tasks at one time and may not reply to all comments. Please e-mail me at quiltnotions@gmail.com if you need a reply quickly. I thank you for your understanding and-
More Later-Beth

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