Book Review - Home Quilt Home by Janet Clare

Hi everyone:

Home Quilt Home by Janet Clare

It's another Telecast Thursday and today I'm sticking close to home - well, actually the book is about homes. Home Quilt Home by Janet Clare is full of quilt projects all with the same theme: home. The book is divided into 3 parts: Town, Country and Coast and each section contains multiple projects.

You can watch the review below or on my Youtube channel. 

Check out the other book reviews on my Youtube channel.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Book Review - Sew & Stitch Embroidery by Alyssa Thomas

Hi everyone:

Sew and Stitch Embroidery by Alyssa Thomas

It's time for another Telecast Thursday and this week I'll be reviewing Sew and Stitch Embroidery by Alyssa Thomas. This is a stitchery book with lots of cute patterns. I like the variety of projects in this book - everything from mini pets to a shower curtain. Alyssa always has delightful designs and puts an up-to-date twist on hand embroidery.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

Check out the other book reviews on my Youtube channel.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Book Review: Creative Thursday by Marisa Anne Cummings

Hi everyone:

Creative Thursday by Marisa Anne Cummings

On this week's Telecast Thursday I'll be reviewing Creative Thursday by Marisa Anne Cummings. This is one of my favourite books and the one I go to for inspiration sources and just to feel happy. You can't help but smile reading this book as Marisa Anne's designs are so cheerful and upbeat. Take a peek inside Creative Thursday in the video below.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

Check out the other book reviews on my Youtube channel.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Book Review - Doodle Stitching: The Holiday Motif Collection by Aimee Ray

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! This week I'm reviewing Doodle Stitching: The Holiday Motif Collection by Aimee Ray.  

Doodle Stitching: The Holiday Motif Collection by Aimee Ray

I'm a bit prejudiced with this review as I have all of Aimee's other books and love, love, love them. I'm a sucker for cute and whimsical and Aimee's books are always full of those type of designs. This book is no exception and is chockfull of great designs for holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day. The best part - well, you'll have to watch the video to find out.

You can watch the review below or on my Youtube channel. 

Check out the other book reviews on my Youtube channel.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Book Review - Necktie Quilts Reinvented by Christine Copenhaver

Hi everyone:

Necktie Quilts Reinvented by Christine Copenhaver

This week I'm reviewing one of the quilt books that I recently acquired. I love to source out fabric from old clothing, so Necktie Quilts Reinvented by Christine Copenhaver is a perfect addition to my library. Christine has lots of information about how to deconstruct neckties and prepare them for inclusion in quilt, pillow and other projects. 

You can watch my review in the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

Check out this video to see some of the ties that I've picked up and how I source the fabric from them.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Book review: Here Comes Winter by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks

Hi everyone:

With the recent cooler weather and even some snow (shudder!), I've been thinking of more wintery projects. If you're looking for fast, whimsical quilt designs, "Here Comes Winter" by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks is a book you'll want to get.

In this, their fourth book with Martingale, Jeanne and Shelley continue their design trend of creating cute projects and this book contains a variety of them from table runners to pillows to quilts. There are 19 patterns in all.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

I have enjoyed all of Shelley and Jeanne's books and just love their country design sense, which is not really primitive, but more on the cute and charming side.

Here are a sampling of the projects that you'll find inside.

The Snowstorm series includes a throw pillow (and while you're at it you might as well make several of these), a lap quilt and a table runner. The pieced background on the quilt and table runner add interest and really make those snowflakes pop. I think that my Scan n Cut would be perfect to cut out these snowflakes, making the edges perfect.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

I think the little doggie is perfect with these projects, don't you?

I really like the Run, Run Rudolph projects: a lap quilt and a table topper to match. If you think this design would be perfect as a tree skirt, you're in luck as instructions are included in the book on how to do just that.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

It's Cold Outside is a square quilt that includes simple piecing and fun appliqué. I love this use of rick rack - both as mitten strings and as a decorative element in the design.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

There are many more charming designs in Here Comes Winter including pine trees and snowmen as well as several traditional pieced quilts. Great gifts and many designs that I want to make just for me!

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane (photographer)

Book Review - Christmas is Coming

Hi everyone:

I promised I'd tell you about the other Christmas/holiday/seasonal book that I added to my library this year. Here it is: Christmas is Coming: Appliqué Quilt Patterns to Celebrate the Season by Cheryl Almgren Taylor. 

While I didn't actually meet Cheryl at International Quilt Market, I did see her signing copies of this book at the Martingale booth. I've always been a fan of Cheryl's designs and find her style instantly recognizable. I don't know how she does it, but Cheryl makes even holly and Christmas ornaments her own.

Christmas is Coming by Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Photo courtesy of Martingale

There are 13 projects in the book and it is divided into 3 sections: Home for the Holidays, Celebrate the Season and Rejoice and Be Glad! The projects in the book are for fusible web appliqué, so the designs are already reversed for you. Cheryl includes basic quilt making instructions for piecing, fusible web appliqué and foundation piecing. Christmas is Coming includes a variety of designs great for gift giving from quick table runners to more elaborate wall hangings and even a bed runner, if you don't have time to create an entire quilt.

Welcome Wall Hanging from Christmas is Coming

The Welcome Wall Hanging reminds of Christmas Eve service with its traditional church appliqué and the snow-covered fir trees. 

Christmas Bouquet Wall Hanging from Christmas is Coming

For something which would take a little more time to create, but would be treasured forever, Cheryl has included the Christmas Bouquet Wall Hanging. At 36 ½" square, it would also be lovely as a table topper. I think I would add some hot-fix crystals to this project for some holiday bling.

Home for Christmas Bed Runner from Christmas is Coming

If you want to add some holiday cheer to your bedroom, the Home for Christmas Bed Runner is perfect. You could change the fabric on one of these houses to mimic your own home. 

Christmas Pageant Wall Hanging from Christmas is Coming

I love the touch of whimsy in the Christmas Pageant Wall Hanging! As Cheryl describes it, "This small wall hanging brings back memories of holiday plays at school and Christmas pageants at church." You could use fabric from your children's clothing or even your own to personalize this delightful project. 

I added Christmas is Coming to my quilting library as I liked the variety of designs and the "traditional" feel of the book, and of course, fusible web appliqué is my favourite technique!

Do you have holiday or Christmas quilting books in your library? Leave me a comment to tell me which book is your favourite.

Book Review - Modern Holiday

Hi everyone:

Can you believe that we're already in December? I think that the holiday season creeps up quicker each year and every year I'm determined to create at least one new Christmas quilted item. I'm not talking about a whole quilt, mind you; a table runner or a pillow would be just fine. 

I have many Christmas quilting books and magazines and enjoy adding to my collection. This year I have added two new books to my quilting library, one of which I'll be reviewing today: Modern Holiday : Deck the Halls with 18 Sewing Projects - Quilts, Stockings, Decorations and More by Amanda Murphy.

I met Amanda Murphy at International Quilt Festival in Houston this year and she was kind enough to spend some time talking to myself and Lee of Lala's Lovelys. I had recently acquired her Modern Holiday book so was especially pleased to talk with her. 

Modern Holiday by Amanda Murphy
Photo courtesy of C & T Publishing

There's a project for everyone in Amanda's book. She uses fresh, modern fabrics for the designs in Modern Holiday, which range from full-size quilts to wall hangings and table decorations. 

I love Advent calendars - we have two in our house that we put up every year - so I was pleased to see one in Modern Holiday. While we fill our Advent calendars with chocolate treats, I think I prefer the presents in Amanda's version. The yo-yo bows on the gifts are a nice embellishment which adds texture to the project.

Countdown to Christmas from Modern Holiday

Snowfall is a full-size pieced quilt which uses the connector corner technique to create an intricate design. I enjoy projects that use simple techniques to create complex designs and Snowfall "falls" into this category. The contemporary fabrics against the white background give this quilt a fresh, crisp appeal.

Snowfall from Modern Holiday
 

If you don't have the time to make a quilt, how about some seasonal pillows? These Snowflake Pillows are only one of the pillow patterns in Modern Holiday that can be used to decorate your home during the winter season. Amanda uses fusible web appliqué to create these quick designs.

Snowflake Pillows from Modern Holiday

One of the more complex patterns in Modern Holiday is Trimming the Tree with its quilty ornaments. I appreciate the fact that the ornaments were pieced and did not require specialty fabric to achieve their look. While this project might take a little longer to make, the result would definitely be worth it.

Trimming the Tree by Amanda Murphy

I liked the use of traditional blocks, such as Flying Geese and Hexagons, to create fresh new holiday designs. Complete instructions, colourful photos and a great variety of projects make Modern Holiday a "must buy" for your Christmas quilting library.

In my next post, I'll be reviewing the other holiday book that I had to add to my collection. 

Book Review - Fresh from the Prairies

Hi everyone:

I'm really excited about Fresh from the Prairies 12 Quilts That Capture the Spirit of the West as I've been waiting for its release since I met the authors, Devon Lavigne and Sharon Smith at a quilt show a year ago. I finally managed to get a copy of their first book from Sharon and Devon at the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts. It was definitely worth the wait!

Fresh from the Prairies by Devon Lavigne and Sharon Smith
Photo courtesy of www.pickledish.com

Inspired by the Alberta prairies (yup, these are Alberta gals), Devon and Sharon have created 12 quilts using traditional blocks with fresh colours. While the samples might use reproduction prints and florals - fairly traditional fabrics - Devon and Sharon throw in unexpected bursts of colour to give their designs a fresh, modern look. 

Wagons West from Fresh from the Prairies
Photo courtesy of www.pickledish.com

The patterns in the book are mostly pieced, with a few foundation pieced designs and range from beginner to intermediate in difficulty. They are scrappy in nature, but a controlled scrappy so that the block designs are evident. What makes these designs "work" is the use of variety, value and rest that Devon and Sharon use in each project and that they explain at the beginning of the book. Each project also has helpful tips and information pertinent to constructing that particular quilt. 

Detail from Fresh from the Prairies
Photo courtesy of www.pickledish.com

I appreciated the diagrams and detailed instructions included in the book and enjoyed the quilt names, such as "Cowboy Up" and "Showdown". I also liked that the table of contents included the quilt photos with the names, along with the difficulty level, so I could see all the projects at a glance. Detailed photos of each of the quilts are included in the pattern instructions, which allowed me to see the fabrics as well as the quilting details. Of course the wonderful prairie photographs added the final touch to the book. 

If you enjoy scrappy quilts with a modern twist, you'll enjoy Fresh from the Prairies. For more of Devon and Sharon's work, "like" their Facebook page.

Book Review - Stitched for Fun

Hi everyone:

March is here and I'm not sure if it arrived like a lamb or a lion here in Calgary. How do you go from +6 celsius one day to below zero temperatures and a foot of snow two days later? That's life in Calgary, always switching from one extreme to another, and the reason why the weather is always a topic of conversation. 

Much like the weather, I've been switching back and forth between embroidery and quilting this month. Some of the work is for upcoming patterns and some is just for pure enjoyment. I'm finding lots of sources of fun embroidery designs in my extensive collection of needlecraft books.

I am currently stitching up a design from Darcy Ashton's Papercut Valentines book (this is for pure enjoyment!). It is actually an appliqué design, but I traced it on pink linen (perfect for heartsy designs) and am embroidering it using a backstitch. 

Design from Papercut Valentines by Darcy Ashton

Another book in my collection is Stitched for Fun: 35 Easy and Adorable Embroidery Projects by Fiona Goble from Martingale & Company . 

Stitched for Fun by Fiona Goble
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

I think they had me at "easy and adorable". I'm always looking for quick and easy patterns that I can whip up before I become distracted by another idea or project. I also enjoy whimsical designs and this book had me hooked from the first page which features a little "beastie" - definitely my type of design.

If you haven't tried hand embroidery before, don't worry, Fiona has information on everything from the supplies you'll need to how to transfer the designs to your fabric. She also includes great instructions on how to achieve the simple stitches used in the projects. Each project includes a detailed material list and complete instructions as well as clear photos of the project. The patterns are for a variety of fabrics, such as fleece, cotton and felt, as well as paper (cards and tags).

Cool Robot from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

There are a variety of projects in the book and it is broken into sections, such as Eat, Sleep, Play, Celebrate, etc. Each section includes several different types of patterns, such as a pencil case, a baby's bib or an embroidered lampshade, to name just a few.

Sweetest Little Baby Face from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

I love the whimsical nature of these patterns and appreciate the practicality of the projects. If you're looking for a quick gift for a baby shower, you'll find several ideas in Stitched for Fun. Need a card for a birthday or a gift tag? You'll find patterns for these in the book too.

The Long and Short of it from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

One of the things that I look for in a collection of designs is to see how transferable they are: that is, could I use these designs in other ways, in other projects. I would definitely be able to use Fiona's designs on other projects, such as stitched onto a jacket or on the collar of a blouse or even on placemats or a table runner (always looking for a quilting angle). 

Wise Old Owl from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

These sweet and charming patterns would be perfect for gifts for children and babies. Even teens would enjoy adding these designs to a card or pencil case - or they could make the cell phone case design included in the book. 

Quick to make, appealing and practical, Stitched for Fun has it all.

Book Review - Cuddle Me Quick by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson

Hi everyone:

Recently I've found myself looking at books on baby quilts. No, there is no new addition coming into our family, but one of my best quilting buds has a new grandbaby, so maybe that's why. In any case, these are the type of quilt books that I'm been looking at lately. 

Photo courtesy of That Patchwork Place/Martingale

Martingale recently released a book full of cute baby quilts by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson. Cuddle Me Quick has 11 baby-size projects in it, combining both pieced and appliqué blankies. In addition to the cuddly patterns, Christine and Darra give you lots of helpful information for constructing and completing the projects, with many project specific tips. 

Comin' Down the Tracks from Cuddle Me Quick
Photo courtesy of That Patchwork Place/Martingale

One of the many things that I liked about the book, in addition to the projects themselves, was that information was given about how to quilt each project. Close-up photos of each quilt were given with a description as to the quilting motif, as well as the thread and thread colour used. I've never been a fan of "quilt as desired", so I appreciated this extra content. Since baby quilts are a good project for a new quilter, who may not have much experience choosing a quilting design, providing that information is very helpful. 

Rubber Duckies from Cuddle Me Quick
Photo courtesy of That Patchwork Place/Martingale

The designs themselves are simple enough for most beginner quilters, with some being a bit more advanced. Again, great projects for a novice quilter. These are also quilts that I could see actually being used and washed and used again. Some patterns for baby quilts seem more of the heirloom variety and I couldn't imagine using them, especially knowing how often they'll be washed. Not so with these designs: they're just the type of quilt that you'd want to wrap around a little one, and cuddle him/her up. 

It Takes a Village from Cuddle Me Quick
Photo courtesy of That Patchwork Place/Martingale

These quilts are not just for babies either. Again, some patterns are too baby-ish and would be outgrown by the time a child is 4 or 5. These quilts will grow with the child and are large enough to wrap around an older child. Most of the patterns would be suitable for both boys and girls, with a few being more specifically for either a girl or boy.

If you're looking for a great book with lots of patterns for babies and toddlers, I would definitely add this to your library. 

Book review - Simple Charm by Kim Diehl

Hi everyone:

I've been cocooning more with the cooler weather. You know, staying at home and reading my quilting books in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea. In your dreams! It's more like rush off to work, get home, eat and then try to work on as many pattern designs as I can before the kids arrive home. Somewhere in between, usually while I'm grabbing a bit to eat, I have the opportunity to review some of the books that I've recently purchased or that I've received as review copies (thank you, Martingale!). I recently received one of Kim Diehl's books, Simple Charm - 12 Scrappy Patchwork and Appliqué Quilt Patterns. 

Photo courtesy of Martingale

Okay, first let me say that this review will be a bit prejudiced as I love all of Kim's designs (and we share the same name, how great is that?!). I have all of her books and have even made some of her patterns. If you know me, you'll know how rare it is that I actually make a pattern from a book as the project I'm working on is usually a new pattern design for Chatterbox Quilts. I don't know if it's the combination of her fabric or the designs themselves, but Kim's books always appeal to me (or it could be that same name thing again).

Four and Twenty Blackbirds from Simple Charm by Kim Diehl
Photo courtesy of Martingale

In this book, Kim uses scrap fabrics in her designs, using what I would call a controlled approach. The fabric in her scrappy quilts all blend together very well due to her recognition that "regardless of their specific hue, there are basically two categories that colors fall into: clear and bright, or muted and muddy. Making this distinction as you consider your fabric selections will make it possible for you to blend nearly any prints together into a single quilt..." This makes sense: just choose clear, bright colors and they'll work together or choose muted shades, but don't mix the two fabric types together. Maybe I'll  have to start sorting my scraps into bright, clear fabrics and muted, muddy tones and then I can just choose from the appropriate pile when making scrap quilts. Learned something new already. But back to the book...

Short and Sweet from Simple Charm by Kim Diehl
Photo courtesy of Martingale

The projects in this book are mostly large wall hangings with a few smaller and larger projects. I would call Kim's designs traditional, but she uses a more modern fabric palette to give her patterns a unique look. The designs are simple, yet elegant, with the appliqués evoking a contemporary primitive look. These projects work very well with scraps and Kim even uses these in her binding and in a small pillow project. 

Gathering Garden from Simple Charm by Kim Diehl
Photo courtesy of Martingale

In addition to the wonderful patterns, Kim includes detailed information on assembling the quilt top and creating the appliqués in cotton and in wool. Kim likes to use invisible machine appliqué in her books and includes instructions on how to do this technique. Kim's "Pin Points" offer extra information to help you achieve success in creating her designs. I especially enjoy the fact that she includes information on finishing the quilt top, from quilting suggestions to binding information. 

Snow in Summer from Simple Charm by Kim Diehl
Photo courtesy of Martingale

If you enjoyed Kim's previous books, you will definitely want to add Simple Charm to your collection.