Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts

So for the first time in a long time yesterday, I bought a quilt book.

I chose Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts, by RaNae Merrill, which looks, well- amazing. It's a very detailed technique book, meaning that she's teaching a specific method of quilting, in this case piecing, which she then demonstrates through galleries and a couple of patterns.

Merrill takes the reader step by step from how to draw a spiral pattern to how to plan and execute a quilt, including how to estimate yardage. I couldn't put it down last night. The book comes with a compact disc with several templates, although mine was defective.

Spiral quilting seems to be an advanced version of paper piecing, although it is possible (and even advisable) according to Merrill to make some spirals via template piecing. She teaches paper piecing in her extensive instructions, but in my opinion if you are not already a competent paper piecer, you should think twice before attempting these projects! I'm no expert when it comes to paper piecing but I feel confident that I could at least try the simplest project in the book.

My only real complaint is the paucity of actual patterns. It always drives me a little nutty when there are loads of galleries in a quilt book and only a handful of patterns. I think with a technique book especially, readers want to know how some of those advanced things are put together! But the book can only be so long, I'm sure.

I'm kind of itchy to try something from Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts- and I'll keep you up to date when I do!

Merrill's website is at spiromaniacs.wordpress.com.

Books on Bookmooch, and an Update

Okay, all the new books on Bookmooch have been claimed. Yay!

Maybe I should cull a few more things. *Scuttles back to the sewing room.*

All this is part of an effort to clean out my sewing room, which is overflowing and which I hardly ever use anymore. I spent about 2 hours sorting, throwing out and rearranging today; I'm trying to pare down the number of books, fabric, stuff, patterns and just generally everything in there. When we first moved in to the house, my sewing room was a calm, peaceful space where I could work and relax; now it's chaos and makes me anxious to even look in. So things have to change.

And I have to remember that doing crafts relaxes me so the more I do, the better off I'll be both in terms of clutter and in terms of peace of mind.

Frustrated!

I'm on vacation this week and brought a small embroidery project to work on during downtime- and it's all downtime, you know?

Only problem? I forgot to bring an embroidery needle. And I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find one where I am. Certainly not today.

D'oh!

Does that ever happen to you?

Remember me?

Okay, so I've been really lax about my crafts lately but I'm trying really hard to get back into it.
Here's a picture of a quilt top I completed today-I'll probably quilt it by machine and then keep it around as a throw. Here's my next project:
I think it will be really pretty. It's going to be 48 inches square and I've heard these patterns- from the book called Celtic Pieced Illusions- are challenging so I'll just see how I do. I'll update when I can!

So much for Lent

Okay, so the thing about posting twice a week for Lent didn't work out so well. But here's what I've been working on for the last week and a half or so:

Paper piecing!

I'm making a quilt from the book Spellbinding Quilts, which is all about paper pieced wizards, fairies, witches, and yes- dragons.

So this has been fun. I made the red one first in about a week and change; the second took just three days. I made the wizard a long time ago and have been trying to find a cool quilt for him ever since.

I'm making two more dragons- one in yellows and one in either blues or purples- then adding some borders and such. I think it will be fun.

More Bookmooch inventory

I just added a bunch more craft booklets to my Bookmooch inventory, having had some luck trading some of the books I posted last week.

Today's batch includes mainly decorative painting booklets- two by Donna Dewberry and some others as well. Kitchenware, Christmas ornaments, garden accessories and other gewgaws can be found in the following:

Basic Bisque Book 2 (kitchenware),
Pocketful of Posies (garden accessories),
Merry Makers (Donna Dewberry Christmas patterns),
Gran's Gifts (beautiful floral decorative painting),
Patio Decorating (Donna Dewberry garden accessories), and
Classy Cards (cardmaking).

Again, mention my blog and I'll give you 2 for 1. My BM username is mariekat.

One of these days I might even start working on a project again!

Bookmooch!

For those of you who like quilting, crafting, Christmas crafts and stitching or embroidery, I added 6 pattern books to my Bookmooch inventory this morning. They include:

Rustic Winter, a collection of 9 ornament patterns,
Believe, by Mary Engelbreit, a collection of Christmas crafts,
Clearly Classy Painted Glass,
More Small and Pretty Projects, by Donna Dewberry,
One Art to Heart Books- A Harvest Melody, and
Welcome the Seasons, a Leisure Arts fall quilt/craft book.

If you request something and tell me you read about it on my blog, I'll give you another book for free. My BM username is mariekat.

Happy crafting!