"Too Much" -- that is the name of the fictional town in Texas where Mary Dell Templeton lives.  That is "where the women are strong-willed and the men are handsome yet shiftless"  (to quote the inside cover of the book).  With a description like that, you have got to be curious!  This book was hard to put down.  It was full of giggles, and tender moments.  I had never been a cowboy fan, but I might just have to change my mind.  Marie has written about Mary Dell in her Cobbled Court Quilt series, but this is a stand-alone book.  Enjoy!

 This is the second in the series exploring art quilts.  This book features profiles of 21 accomplished artists with photos of their quilts as well as essays about their creative processes and signature techniques.  Gallery images of works from more than 100 other talented members of the art quilt community are also included.  Thank you, Linda Morand, for suggesting this for our library.  

Quoting from the Introduction, "Gone are English paper piecing and plastic templates!  Gone is that dreaded basting step!  With a few folds and a few stitches, a circle of fabric becomes the perfect hexie."  Grab a very high-tech template (anything from a jar lid to a dinner plate, depending on the size you desire) and have some fun.  This is a great take-along project to work on while waiting for whoever or whatever, and before you know it you will have enough hexagons to turn into a basket of flowers wall quilt, or a traditional or contemporary Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  Helpful charts are included to take the guesswork out of how many hexies you will need for various sized projects.

You know Sue Nickels' name as an internationally famous quilt instruction  winner of many ribbons, including Best of Show at Paducah; and as an author, of  which, of course, we have all of her books.   Here I quote the back of the book:  "If facing a blank quilt sends you running for the security of a boring allover quilting pattern, this book will cure you.  Sue comprehensively addresses supplies for designing, marking, basting, and free-motion quilting.  Then she covers designing and quilting several types of feathers:  simple feathers, feathers to fit borders, feathers with curved spies, motif-style feathers, and feathers for wholecloth.  After discussing fillers such as stippling, she describes how to machine quilt on a home machine and concludes with practice exercises and nine projects to built skills and experience. "  Thanks, Diana Roberts, for suggesting this book for our library.

In this skinny little book filled with lots of ideas, we are reminded that quilting is like doodling with thread instead of a pencil.  The author has us starting with a line,  adding a shape, and  then repeating for a continuous pattern.  Practice that, then add variations, change directions,  and have fun!  Included are instructions to make such shapes as fishes, leaves, hearts, flowers, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, a Jacobean meander, plus all-over meanders using triangles, lattice, and even happy clams.  I am glad that Judy Dieter took the time to pass me a note requesting this book for our library.  

Helen Squire is a well-known, much admired, long-time authority on quilting designs.  We have many of her valuable books in our library.  Here is a skinny little book that is filled with designs and hints for hand or machine quilting.  Besides circles, there are also patterns for hearts, Wedding Ring Hearts, Greek Keys, feathered plumes, cupids's wings, wreaths, plus grids.  

 Here I quote the back of the book:  "Create the illusion of curves without difficult piecing or tedious applique - instead, sew straight seams using two remarkable triangle shapes!"  Kaleidoscopes are just one of the many fascinating patterns that can be made with this technique.  Here you will also find patterns for pinwheels, stars, hearts, clamshells, a Christmas wreath, a wild rose, and other posies.  

Modern?  Just think of it as a style of traditional with a contemporary twist utilizing lots of large-scale prints and solids.  Here you will find quilt patterns, plus an apron, tablecloth, bags, pillows, camera case,  and wall pockets.  Be sure to tell Marilyn Altenbach "thank you" for purchasing this brand new book for our library!

 Yes, you should be scared of the rotary cutter as it is a dangerous tool that can cut skin in a flash -- but it is also a wonderful, fast, easy, accurate way to cut fabrics.  Once you become proficient you can put your scissors away.  This book is a must for quilters new to this technique, but is also a good book for those who know their way around the rotary cutter as the patterns there are many patterns included, such as round the twist  (one of my favorites), bow tie, pinwheels, trees, maple leaves, flying geese, stars, and more.  A very nice donation for our library.

 Here is the fifth in the Cobbled Court Quilt novels series.  Be sure to read them in order as the characters are built  upon.  New Bern, Connecticut is the setting for these stories.  

I really like the way that the author writes and wish I could meet her as I think she is really cool and fun!  Her quilts and projects fit right into the new "Modern" category of designs. Thanks, Marilyn Altenbach, for suggesting this new book for our collection. When hunting for this book, until I re-organize the library shelves, it will be living in the "Contemporary" section.  Included are instructions for making an old-fashioned shadow portrait, easy corner triangles, and her scrappy fusing technique, which I can totally relate to.  Besides quilts and wallhangings there are patterns for a shower curtain, pillows, shams, a lamp shade, a sketchbook cover,  a sleeping mask, and a body pillowcase (don't know what that is?  you might just need one!).

 T-shirt quilts are such fun to make, and this book takes us outside of the box of the usual settings.  By studying your collection of T-shirts it will be easy to put the pieces of the puzzle together with the help of the gridded layouts that are included.  The key to a successful T-Shirt quilt starts with FUSIBLE interfacing to tame that slippery shirt fabric.  

 Here are 17 Feathered Star patterns, which are very difficult to construct,  that are made manageable with the help of paper (foundation) piecing.  

Here are not only pieced and appliqued blocks that can be used singly or combined for a sampler, but also short biographies of a few of our Presidents' wives, and a bit of our nation's history.  As with all of Eleanor's books, very helpful photos are included every step of the way in teaching how to make the blocks.  I especially like that she shows multiple ways of appliqueing pieces.  Numerous photographed quilts in various color combinations with different borders make it easy to choose which direction you should take for your project.  Thanks, Jim Jensen, for suggesting this book for our library.

 Radiant = learn how to use light,  tiling = think impressionist and pointillist painters, inspiration,  design, composition, simplify, balance, emphasis, harmony, contrast, visual movement, texture, depth, perspective, color (intensity, temperature),  selecting fabrics, even painting on fabrics; then constructing the background, foreground highlights, trees, buildings, bridges, houses, boats, water, reflections, gates; finishing techniques; even patterns for specific projects -- and all illustrated with beautiful photographs taken the world over.  This book is packed with SEW many great things.  And yes, we have her other super books in our library, too.

For the past eighteen years American Quilter's Society has  put out a challenge to create a quilt from a chosen traditional quilt pattern.  The winners are included in a book that always amazes me.  Not only do we see the quilts, but we also get to know the makers,  learn how they were inspired, and are given some of their tips.  We have the entire collection of the challenges (including such patterns as Seven Sisters, Monkey Wrench, Feathered Star) filed in our cupboards under NEW QUILTS FROM AN OLD FAVORITE.  

 You will be scratching your head wondering why I would file this with our Foundation Piecing BOOKS, but because the size if similar to a book, I thought it would be easier to locate on the shelves rather than tucked in with the CDs and DVDs.  Here are patterns for more than 100 birds, insects, animals, trees, and even Noah and his wife, and a farmer and his wife.  Here you will find the "common" critters such as bears, beaver, butterfly, cat, dog, cow, parrot, donkey, dolphin, duck, goat, ladybug, lion, kangaroo, monkey, ostrich, owls, panda,  fox, frog, horse, hummingbird, moose and mouse, skunk, raccoon, squirrel, turtle, zebra, hens and chicks, rabbits, chipmunk,elephants, deer, camel, walrus,  sheep, walrus, emu, pelican, penguin, pig, and even a peacock (and more).  Five different dinosaurs are represented.  And then there are those "down under guys such as:  duckbill platypus, koala, kangaroos, kookaburra, wombat, frill-necked lizard,  and echidna (no idea!).

 Sewing beads onto quilt projects by hand is extremely slow and tedious.  Have you ever thought about attaching them on with the help of your sewing machine?  Well, here's the book to teach you how.  I warn you though that for some applications the presser foot is removed and only the ankle is used.  This thought of this scares me silly, so if you try this, PLEASE be very careful!.  I will be so curious what comes out of Rollin' Rhonda's sewing room after she reads this book!

 Our March 21, 2013, speaker, my good friend Cathie Hoover from Moo-desto, dragged me kicking and screaming (do you believe that!?!?) to Beverly's after our meeting. When we arrived our former guild member, Denise Raney, could be heard throughout the store greeting me by name, and then crushed me with a huge hug.  Cathie commented that "her" Beverly's employees were not as friendly and helpful, and that their fabrics were nothing compared to what Santa Rosa's store had to offer, and another reason to love Sonoma County. I pushed the cart for Cathie as she filled it to overflowing with "Modern" fabrics. Cathie recommended this book to me to get our guild into the "Modern" era.  I was waffling until Carroll Hirsch surprised me with a 40% off coupon to use!  The purpose of the book is to bring attention to women's personal heart health and the potential for heart disease.  In this book you will learn more about what makes projects "Modern."  Here is a collection of designs from such people  as Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Nancy Zieman, Ty Pennington, and Valori Wells.  Projects include:  a necklace, pillow, bags, purses, skirts, Kimono-sleeve tunic, placemat, backpack,  dresses, belt, cowl, jewelry case, and of course quilts -- plus heart-healthy recipes -- something for everyone!  

I am not into ghosts, but this novel still kept my attention as I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  It is an easy, no-brainer, quick read.  But you MUST read the first book in the Colebridge Community Series (THE BASEMENT QUILT) before starting this novel or you will be totally lost.  Her third book comes out this summer.   

 The sub-title of this book is "More Really Hard Blocks That Take a Long Time to Make."  The first paragraph in the Introduction asks "Are you ready to make Feathered Stars?  If the answer is yes, it means that:  You are an experienced quiltmaker with good piecing skills; You are not afraid of tiny pieces; Once you have a block made, you can design a quilt to go around it; You are not in a hurry and are ready for a challenge."  If you are not scared off by this, then this is the perfect book to teach the drafting and piecing of these beautiful stars!  I can't wait to see what Linda Morand has in mind!

 When I saw the author on Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims' Quilt Show  DVD (season 10 - we have it in our library) I knew I had to purchase the book for our library and give her techniques a try. Many of her projects start out with hand-dyed fabric as a base.  I searched my stash and found a piece that I had painted in a SRQG workshop taught by Phil Beaver in June 2005.  My husband says our walls are "padded," so you get the idea there is not a lot of room for another quilt to hang, so the idea of a vest was born.  Not only did I learn hints for couching such items as yarns and rick rack onto fabric, but tried out every embroidery stitch on my sewing machine.  She suggests hand stitching to fill up areas, so out came flosses and threads of many colors.  Then some buttons and beads were applied. One of the nicest things about her art is that there are no mistakes -- and if you THINK you have made a mistake, ways to fix it.  I am not saying this vest was quick, but it sure was fun to make.   Study the gallery in the book for ideas for clothing, purses, pillows, quilts, bracelets and other jewelry, checkbook covers, , and even shoes! Check out her website www.CarolAnnWaugh.com for more ideas.  

 Since we have all of Jennifer Chiaverini's books in our library, when I saw that she had a new novel I immediately purchased it.  Imagine my surprise when I started reading it and found that it had nothing to do with her Elm Creek Quilts series!  I discovered that this is called her first "stand-alone historical novel."  At first I was disappointed, then I realized that this was a very sneaky way for me to learn more about the history of our Civil War era.  The more I read, the more I wanted to learn.  We are seeing history through the eyes of a woman born into slavery in 1818, who buys her freedom, and eventually becomes the dressmaker for our 16th president's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as many other ladies in the elite "Washington City" society.  There is much controversy over how much of Mrs. Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley's story is true, some even dispute whether or not she ever lived, but there is much evidence that she did.  The screenwriter of Stephen Spielberg's movie LINCOLN, Tony Kushner, stated that "in many ways she was the cornerstone of the film" (even though she plays a limited role, but steals a pivotal scene).  A quilt that is "believed" to have been made by Elizabeth Keckley from the scraps of Mrs. Lincoln's dresses resides at the Kent State University Museum in Ohio.  You may go to their website to view photos of the quilt that Jennifer describes in this fascinating novel that has made me want to read more about the Civil War.  I have typed up my notes and adhered them to the inside front cover of the book as Jennifer had me consulting the dictionary numerous times.  

Sally does all of the math for ten patterns in four different sizes each so all you have to do is cut and sew.  Learn about how she chooses scraps for her projects (the coordinated-block method, the fabric-menu, or the brown-bag), or grab a jelly roll, layer cake, honey bun, or lollipop (and I am not talking about the kind with calories).  I like her thought about the shape of bed quilts:  "I do not make them to include a pillow tuck.  Since they are meant to be slept under, I found that having the quilt cover the pillow meant that I had to fight with the extra layer of the quilt that is folded back at night.  I prefer to have the quilt fit just under the pillow.  This meant that the pillowcases that came with my sheets didn't work on top of the quilt.  Now whenever I make a large quilt, I also make a set of shams and a set of pillowcases to go with it."  Check out her website (www.SallySchneider.com) for directions and ideas for pillow shams.   

When I looked up "shot" in the dictionary I was amazed by how many ways there are to use this little word.  In this case, "shot" refers to a weaving technique in which the warp threads are one color and the weft is another color.  This can give a shimmery or iridescent look to a fabric.  Learn more about "shots" in Kaffe's newest book, which is once again, filled with colorful photography taken world-wide, as well as very interesting color combinations for his quilts.  On page 90 I found that one block was inserted into the tablerunner incorrectly!  A couple of the quilts look absolutely impossible to construct, but are actually extremely easy.  

 Our thanks to Diana Roberts for spotting this book for our collection.  Develop a theme; create a motif; read about various techniques from rock carving to resists; visit the stitch gallery;  and enjoy page after page of embellished fabric (or even paper).  

You know the author as having spoken at our guild twice.  Learn about centuries of Asian culture through her designs that can be incorporated into contemporary crafts.  Three of her quilts were inspired by castle tiles and roof tiles, and combined with Log Cabin blocks and Penny Rugs, creating harmony between East and West.  I am most taken by her three-dimensional fabric folded coats that she used in a wall hanging.  Anyone up to figuring these out and doing a TSW?! 

 Sew strips of fabric to make sets, then choose from a variety of ways to cut and sew them back together to turn scraps into treasures.  This method is easy and fun -- great for Community Quilts!  

Start with a background (interesting ideas presented in the book).  Then learn techniques to fill your "bag of tools" for using  fabrics, fusible Angelina fibers, felt, paper, beads, buttons, threads, yarn, pipe cleaners (now called "chenille stems"),  etc., to embellish wall quilts. I really liked the "recipe" for making air-dry clay beads without having to use a special kiln.  

Here I quote from the back cover of the book:   "One of the oldest known quilt patterns, the Variable Star first appeared in America in the late 18th century, but its design history dates back to at least to ancient Roman and Arabic sources."  "With this workbook, you can recreate any of the 12 Variable Star quilt designs included, or make up Variable Star designs of your own."  A nice donation to our "Star" category in our guild library.

 It used to be pretty easy to divide quilts into two categories:  traditional or contemporary.  Now we have a third category:  modern.  This book helps to explain the differences.  Basically, a modern quilt is a traditional quilt pattern using more modern, vibrant color combinations, and sometimes with a twist.  Thanks to Elizabeth Marrs for pointing out "modern" to me.  For the time being, "modern" books will be filed with the "contemporary" books (that is, until someone volunteers to "stay after school" and help me sort out the books and make the proper computer changes!).  

 Cheryl Ogle pointed this book out to me.  Yes, we DO have many, many applique books in our library, but I think this is one of the best!  The techniques that are so clearly illustrated cover both hand AND machine applique.  With these directions every one of us will be able to make perfect grapes just like Jan Andrews does!   There is even a CD included featuring full-size template patterns.  Beginning on page 116 is a method for adding letters to quilts that I had never encountered before -- check it out!  

What an honor for Gwen to have won a fourth place at the 2012 New York Book Show for this book in the category of Special Trade General Books Under $75!  These 37 small quilts (from only about  9 to 11 inches wide, and 10.5 to 13.25 inches tall) are experiments in color and design, as a painter would approach a canvas.  Read the artist's thoughts about composition, each set in very unique ways on the page,  as you study the quilts.   You will want to view this book over and over again, and will be inspired to start "sketching" your own masterpieces.

If you are wondering what to do with a jelly roll (or just happen to have some fabric pieces in your collection), here are a dozen patterns based on antique quilts.  Patterns range from a very simple nine-patch, a sixteen patch, a variation of an Irish Chain, a log cabin,  to bow ties, one with  simple half-square triangles, an Ocean Waves, another with pyramid triangles, a school house block, a star surrounded by  various scrappy borders, and a gorgeous Tumbling Blocks made in an "easier" way.  The photographs are beautiful, the directions easy-to-follow.  

Got scraps?  Of course, we do. Aren't we lucky!  The author, Gayle Bong  shares her tips for organizing, cutting, and making quilts.  Scared of math?  Don't be.  She shows the secrets of measuring for easily cut triangles (and trapezoids!).  Thanks, Gail Alford, for suggesting this book for our library.  Autographed April 18, 2013, when she spoke at our guild.

 This title reminds me of the television series of yesteryear ~ maybe I need to put it on my Netflix list. But then it would take away from quilting!  Anyway, the author (guild speaker April 18, 2013) was taught "sandwich piecing" years ago.  To quote her:  "It's a simple concept where two strips are sewn together along both long edges.  Triangles are then cut from the strip set.  The result is pairs of triangles already sewn together along one edge."  The two-triangle-units look like Twin Peaks, so she changed the name as she never figured out why they were called "sandwich piecing" in the first place.  I tried this technique and used it to make pinwheels in my Valentine quilt.  Another fun tool in my belt!  Sure glad that someone put this book on our Silent Auction Table ~ now we can all benefit from it!   Autographed.

 What a hoot these two authors were on Alex and Ricky's Season 10 DVD!  One is "left-brained," the other "right-brained."  They are as different as night and day, yet best of friends.  Between the two of them they have designed close to 500 mystery quilts. This is a unique book explaining how each of them goes about designing.  One loves math, one hates it.  One is very precise, the other is carefree.  And all of their quilts are terrific!

 We can thank Fran Threewit for finding this book for us.  Besides patterns for block letters, cursive, and Spencerian (and that is a new term for me ~ they are pretty script letters) alphabets, there are instructions for a variety of quilts for adults as well as kids.  One alphabet has beautiful flowers entwined  ("S" is for Sunflower, "F" for Fuschia). The Gallery shows ideas for pillows and children's fabric books, too.  Don't forget:  if the letters are not the size you desire, enlarge or reduce them with the assistance of a copier.  

 To quote the book:  "Books on quilt history have, to date, included only a few photos of quilts.  This is the largest collection under one cover of vintage photographs containing a quilt.  In the past ten years, a fascination with quilts and the women who made them, combined with her love for photography, resulted in the author collecting over 1,000 photographic images, each containing a quilt.  The more than 325 images selected from the author's collection, with a few exceptions, have never been seen before.  This century of quilt photographs date from 1855 to 1955.  Each vivid image provides commentary on quilting specifics, photography, costume, and American cultural history."  Our thanks go to Angie Kiker for spotting this new book.

 It was so exciting for me to see this author on Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims' DVD (Season 10, Disk 1) that I knew we had to have her newest book for our library (we also have her  first book SIMPLY AMAZING SPIRAL book).  To quote the back of the book:  this "bring you even more spiral possibilities.  From bold, kaleidoscopic stars bursting with color to delicate ribbons swirling around a lacy mandala, you can use RaNae's instructions to foundation piece the quilt of your dreams."  A DVD of templates is included in an envelope in the back cover of the book.  These amazing quilts look difficult to make, but are very do-able.  

 Joy McGoran requested this book that includes designs for beautiful daffodils, iris, a swan, tulip, hosta, campanulas, dahlias, ivy, and petunias.  Patterns include wallhangings, totebags, carrying cases, a neck-roll pillow, placemats, table runner, cushion, zippered case, and an eyeglass/rotary cutter/cell phone case.  

 If you had fun making the red and white curved log cabin December Block of the Month you will want to check this book out to learn more about what those blocks can do.  It is magic -- the look of curves without actual curves!  An oldie-but-goodie donation.

Even though this newly donated book was published in 1995 it still has a fresh look.  Learn how easy it is to replicate these interesting quilts.  

 WHERE does Jennifer come up with here ideas?  WHERE does she find time to write?  This was so hard to put down -- maybe one of my favorites of hers.  Don't read the cover first, just dig in and read.  

As with all of Jennifer Chiaverini's novels, I suggest starting with the first and reading in order.  There is a list of her novels taped to the end of the rolling library cart .

You might recognize the name GLORIA HANSEN as she is the person who owns the company that our guild employs to manage (is that the correct term?) our SRQG website.  Because of that connection I have faithfully followed Gloria's work and am constantly surprised and pleased with what she produces.  She is definitely a pioneer in uniting the quilt maker and the computer and has been called the "diva of digital."  Of all of the photos in this book, the ones I admire most are of her work spaces.  Even though they are well-organized and clean for the photographs I appreciate that she did not feel they had to be perfectly presented.  These spaces tell me that someone really does use them and she is not afraid of what we will think if everything is not lined up precisely.  Maybe that is the key to having time to create!  There is not enough space here to tell you all of the things I enjoyed about this book -- please check it out and read it!

 Yes, we have many books in our library teaching us to machine quilt, and although this book does not address HOW to machine quilt, but does teach us to DOODLE. Go back to being a five-year-old and don't worry that you are not a trained "artist."  Take the time to try her exercises.  I really like how she uses the word THINK as she coaches us to draw simple shapes to combine into designs to fill spaces in a quilt.  If you start at the beginning, by the time you get to feathers they will be easy to handle.  

If you only have room for one book about art quilting in your collection, I would suggest this one.  It has a little bit of everything to inspire, from work spaces, to various techniques, to hundreds of photographs.  The "Crossing Borders River Project" starting on page 206, reminded me of The Pointless Sisters' group quilt.   

 What a decision I had as to where to file this book in our SRQG library~ Basics, Contemporary, Embellishing ~ but I finally decided on Color as that was part of the title!  This was a hard book for me to give up as I have looked at it over and over and over again, each time finding more and more things to interest me.  A year-long class could be set up according to the dozen workshops included. 

After reading this book you will never throw away another scrap!  I have making "made-fabric" for years and now can put a name to it.  This technique is definitely not a new one -- our great-great grandmothers made quilts in this manner out of necessity, but these quilts have a contemporary look to them.  Learn how to set aside just 15 minutes a day to PLAY.  

 The star quilt with the pieced border on the cover sold me on this book -- the rest of the beautiful patterns are frosting and sprinkles on this cake of many delicious layers.  Start out with strips, scraps, and triangles (excellent step-by-step techniques included) and end up with such  pieced and/or appliqued patterns as:  house, tree, lily, bird, baskets,  posies, log cabin, various stars, a take-off on a Burgoyne Surrounded (another favorite of mine in this book), and many more . . . presented as quilts in sizes from doll to bed, and a charming, unique sewing box. The colors are magnificent - the photography and settings wonderful.  

See author on #802 of Alex and Ricky's DVDs.