Book Review Monday

 

The family that reads together...
photo by Rana O'Connor

Eric Woolf at Fons and Porter emailed today to ask if I would write a review of their Log Cabin Quilt e-book. Shortly, the book was in my inbox ready for download. My first impression was wow, beautiful pictures and great colors! The cover showcases three patterns. One is sure to grab your eye. Titled Build Your Best Log Cabin, the book features antique log cabin quilts from Sara Miller’s collection alongside modern quilt patterns for each of three log cabin block variations: Traditional, Courthouse Steps, and Chevron. There’s loads of technical information as well—cutting charts for each block style to take the guesswork out of designing your own quilt, side bars with tips and tricks, and instructions for special binding finishes. I would have liked a side bar on Sara Miller who collected the antique eye candy quilts pictured. Download the book just to see the antiques, even if you have no plans to make your own log cabin quilt—you might be inspired! Here’s the link: Build your Best Log Cabin

Over the Top

 Or perhaps over the backing? This is where I sometimes wonder about my own sanity. It's a back, right? Like won't really be seen. But as it hung on the design wall waiting for layering day I kept thinking, "Don't really like the leaves on the outside." (See Kahalu'u post below for comparison.) So tonight, knowing I will be layering Tuesday, I sat down with a seam ripper for my least favorite activity: frog stitch (rip-it, rip-it) I only had to take out and re-stitch 4 seams to get the effect I wanted. Worth it? Probably only to me, but it does make me happy. Now it is ready for quilting! Promise!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Press for Art Quilts!

Follow the link to a story in the Daily Bulldog about Art Quilt Maine's exhibit at Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers in Farmington! Time to celebrate! The show will travel to Saco in January, Waterville in March, then wind up at the Center for Maine Craft at the West Gardiner turnpike service plaza in June. Catch it if you can! Daily Bulldog Feature

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://webshots.com/assets#

And the back.......

The back of Kahalu'u Beach just flew together. I had leftover half square triangles pieced in long rows, so a strippy back seemed the way to go. Plus I wanted to showcase the Hawaiian pareo print I stumbled upon locally. Isn't this guy wild! Next up: Find a location big enough to spread everything out and layer, then get quilting! I bought some new variegated threads that I can't wait to use.


Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Kahalu'u Beach

I wish I had posted photos of this quilt in progress, but it wasn't until I started working with this beyond beautiful Hoffman leaf fabric that I thought of sharing it! Sorry! I was so thrilled to realize those leaves, bought on impulse at a guild sale in New York weren't going to linger in my stash for long! The quilt began as a collection of fabrics bought in Hawaii--the turtle print inspired the palette. Not what I had imagined, but Hawaii was surprising that way, so I went with it. Think of the center as coral reef colors and honu (turtles) of Kahalu'u. The waves breaking against the lava shoreline form inner borders framed by the lush forest leaf border. I cut fabrics--all the ones bought in Hawaii and whatever else my stash provided--into 4-inch squares. A marathon of chain stitching gave me piles of half-square triangles to arrange and rearrange, creating the pieced center. A daughter claimed it for her bed, thus requiring borders. Isn't that leaf fabric perfect! Now to piece the back.

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

At the Art Show

Vase, Scarlet Macaw Ara Macao,
and Being Alive is the Magic

Last night's Artist Reception at the Yarmouth Art Show was great fun. So well attended that the aisles were nearly impassable, it was great fun to run into people I knew and strike up conversations with other artists. I forgot my camera, but my friend Anne turned up with hers.  The fiber art--there were only two fiber artists there--really stood out from the paintings and photography. I wish I had brought a camera and taken pictures of the striking hand made paper bird collages by Dot Starkweather, but you can follow the link!

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Yarmouth Art Festival

Looking for something to do this week? Stop by St Bart's church on the road to Cousins Island and check out the 2012 Yarmouth Art Festival. I was pleased to have three pieces accepted for display. October 17 to 19, 10:00 to 7:00 and Oct 20 9:00 to 4:00. Artists reception Thursday, Oct. 18 5:30 to 8:00. Info is at www.yarmouthartfestival.com. Take a break and enjoy some fine art!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts