I sure hope everyone is feeling healthy and energetic today. I've been sick for the past few days and even though I have not felt well....I've had some joy, smiles and some gratitude. That's not to say I haven't also had a few moments of ........!!! LOL....Why? Because I have the absolute pleasure of reviewing Creative Quilting with Beads ..... but I have previously agreed to give it away. What is wrong with me anyway? My true colors are showing now....I feel greedy and want to keep the book....but I am a woman of my word so....here we go! :)
Valerie has done an incredible job of showing us how to add some pizazz to our art quilts. She has put together over two dozen projects by some wonderful artists and has showcased them in Creative Quilting with Beads.I'm not kidding when I say I could easily take a photo of every page and show you.....I need a bonus point for restraint here folks....
"Reach For The Stars" designed by Sue Spurlock
Valerie takes us through the choosing of beads, threads, tools, quilting methods, fusible applique as well as hand sewing techniques. She also covers quilt assembly techniques...binding and making the hanging sleeve. I am absolutely certain that if you can hold a needle and do some basic stitching....there isn't a one of us who can't make any one of these beautiful projects. The projects include purses, a pillow, table runner, fridge magnets, art quilts and a card.
I would be proud to have this handbag when I go out. Veronica has taken some plain fabrics and given them life with her beautiful stitching and beads. Seriously...look back at the photo of the "Tagalong Handbag"....just focus on the fabric and imagine it without the beads and stitches.....another amazing transformation!
You know "Love Letters" by Deborah Boschert grabbed my attention. She used Marcia Derse Fabrics and I'm a fan of Marsha Derse Fabrics. I have some fabric left from my Derse Purse so now I have a great idea for using those scraps....thanks Deborah! I took this photo on my iphone and it pales in comparison to the photo in the book....this is a beautiful art quilt.
Do you remember when Jim Carey said, "Somebody Stop Me", in the movie Mask? That's exactly how I feel right now....like I just can't stop myself from showing more photos....I'm so bad. (I'll put a link to the clip of Jim Carey at the end of this post just in case you don't remember or didn't see it....and need a good laugh today)
The winner of Creative Quilting with Beads will be announced on Thursday March 1st.....so you need to start to think about how many chances you want to win this wonderful book. There is a total of 4 chances available.
Smiles,
Kelly
If you need a good laugh...you can watch Jim Carey translate how I was feeling when writing this post :)
"Tagalong Handbag" designed by Veronica Hofman Ortega
You know "Love Letters" by Deborah Boschert grabbed my attention. She used Marcia Derse Fabrics and I'm a fan of Marsha Derse Fabrics. I have some fabric left from my Derse Purse so now I have a great idea for using those scraps....thanks Deborah! I took this photo on my iphone and it pales in comparison to the photo in the book....this is a beautiful art quilt.
Do you remember when Jim Carey said, "Somebody Stop Me", in the movie Mask? That's exactly how I feel right now....like I just can't stop myself from showing more photos....I'm so bad. (I'll put a link to the clip of Jim Carey at the end of this post just in case you don't remember or didn't see it....and need a good laugh today)
" Jewels Of Our Past" designed by Larkin Jean Van Horn
I'm going to leave you hanging here.....aren't I just terrible? By the way....this is not a button....it is a beaded applique....and I know you will love the rest of the piece when you win this book.
In the back of Creative Quilting with Beads, Valerie has included 12 Gallery pages.
Queen of Heaven II by Patti Shaw is a piece shown on one of the Gallery pages. This was made with commercial cotton fabric, photo transferred, hand quilted seed beads and sequins. The 12 pages in the Gallery are full of more photos as beautiful and amazing as this one.
Creative Quilting with Beads is a must have for anyone who loves to stitch and wants to add some pizazz to anything they create and lots of things they haven't created. Sixteen different artists have contributed to the book ....there is something here for everyone.
So....I ask.....Who would like to win a copy of Creative Quilting with Beads....other than me? I'm going to make you work for this one....it is going to take a little more than a simple, "count me in" to get this book out of my hands :)
If you are an IHAN blog follower....you will need to leave a comment on this post before Thursday March 1st telling me why you need this book more than I do.
Is one chance not enough for you? If you are jones'in to have this book and will agree to participate in a future IHAN challenge inspired by Creative Quilting with Beads I'll give you 3 extra entries. You say you want informed consent? My readers are no dummies. The challenge will be announced as soon as I know who wants to participate and the project can be any size....seriously....you can make an inchie and qualify....so go ahead and plunge head first into my devious plans to get all of you to make something beautiful.
The winner of Creative Quilting with Beads will be announced on Thursday March 1st.....so you need to start to think about how many chances you want to win this wonderful book. There is a total of 4 chances available.
Smiles,
Kelly
If you need a good laugh...you can watch Jim Carey translate how I was feeling when writing this post :)