Australian Spirit Book Review & M & S Textiles

Hold on to your seats because what I'm about to show you will either cause you to jump from your seat....or fall off...lol....depending your your personal style and taste.  I recently had a need to get some pattern inspiration to work on a project I'm in the process of finishing (more on that later).  It is a darn good thing Waldo had purchased, "Australian Spirit"and all these amazing great fabrics from M & S Textiles.

 

"Australian Spirit"  is the first quilt project book to showcase Australian Aboriginal designs. Aboriginal artists paint the rich heritage of their use of color, symbols and design to tell their prehistoric stories. Having their art printed onto fabric gives them another dimension to speak to the world. The designers featured in this book have brought together this ancient art on fabric to create quilts that harmonize the work of many Aboriginal artists. Each project shares a different melody both stirring and beautiful. 'Australian Spirit - Designer Projects to Quilt, Fuse and Sew'

M& S Textiles

There are a variety of designers who have their patterns included in this book including; Yolanda V. Fundora, Sara Miller-Moe, Momo Lohani, Susan Deal, Cheryl Phillips*, Jayme Crow, Terrie Kralik, Diane Ricks, and Barbara Campbell.  Click on each person's name to read more about them individually.  Very interesting and talented ladies.  I've had the great pleasure of meeting Cheryl Phillips so it was a great thrill to see her work in the book. 

Look at all these beautiful fabrics Waldo owns (isn't possession 9/10ths of the law?)

Here are some close ups....hang on tight....this is where it gets exciting.....just think of all this amazing creativity.

 

The patterns in this book are excellent even if you were not using the AU fabrics....they are interesting and a nice diversion from traditional patterns.  The one I used for inspiration is by Terrie Kralik and it is titled, "Sacred Orb."  I read the instructions which were written well and I understood the directions.  I did not use the pattern exactly and I'll share that with you more later.

It is rare that I like every pattern in a quilt book.  Typically I like one and if I'm lucky two or three.  I was surprised to say that each pattern appealed to me and not just for use with the Aboriginal Fabrics (although those are spectacular!!!) but for other fabrics as well. 

More about my quilt soon.

Smiles,
Kelly

Cheryl Phillips at Spring Quilt Market 2010

Chapter 2, The GOOD

Cheryl Phillips, Designer

Mr. Wonderful Husband and Partner to Cheryl, Gary Phillips.

If you did not read the previous post, you really need to at least read the first part about Cheryl and Gary Phillips.  

Mrs. Rosemary had returned from the Hospital and was sitting at a table when she met Cheryl and Gary Phillips.  As I mentioned previously, they had just flown in for Market.  The three of them were talking when I arrived at the table with Mrs. Rosemary's wheelchair. 

Have you ever been in the right place at the right time with all the right people?  This was one of those times.  Cheryl and Gary were tired from their travels and Mrs. Rosemary was exhausted (and on pain meds) and I was exhilarated and exhausted.  Cheryl and Gary had offered to meet Mrs. Rosemary at the door the following morning and accompany her -push her wheelchair so she could experience Quilt Market. They spent at least 2 days with Mrs. Rosemary while IHAN sprinted around Market getting the skinny on the latest and greatest to share with you.  (See how long it has taken me to get all of this written?  Yes, there is lots more....super duper karooper-looper speed rocket postings are needed to finish before Houston.)

Later in the weekend I had some time to sit and talk with Cheryl and Gary.  They are very interesting and outgoing people.  Cheryl was telling me that her rulers are based on Fibonacci Numbers.  Fib-In Whoski Numbers?  I had never heard this term and I studied lots of math in my college years.  She had my attention for sure.

Here are some of Cheryl's patterns:

Banded Agate

Moroccan Tile

                                                   

The Swirl

Quilts Without Corners Encore

Of course I was fascinated by Cheryl's patterns and her tools.  To see more click here.    I think Cheryl's designs are interesting and would be so much fun to do as a group project.  Wouldn't it be great to get together with a group of quilting friends and everyone make The Swirl out of different fabrics?  Especially since there is a group at one of my guilds who have been doing quite a bit of their own fabric dying. 

Cheryl's website is definitely worth the visit.  She also has some pattern updates to check out.

Not only did Cheryl and Gary share their experiences, energy-pushing Rosemary around for more than 2 days but they also shared several patterns for IHAN to give away here on the blog!!!!  Three cheers for Phillips Designs :)

If you would like to be one of the lucky ones, just leave a comment here on this post.  IHAN will be giving away one of each of the patterns above and an Autographed copy of Quilts Without Corners Encore!!!

Thank you Cheryl and Gary for being so kind and loving to Mrs. Rosemary.  Your kindness allowed me to run like a crazy person and keep working.  Mrs. Rosemary had such a wonderful time she is almost packed and ready to hit Houston on both feet....walking not running :)

Smiles,

Kelly

PS.  I will draw for winners on Monday Sept. 27, 2010....and if you don't see them posted....e-mail me please and remind me...LOL.