Home Sewn Celebrations
Teri Henderson Tope
American Quilter’s Society; $21.95

I am a celebrator, and so is Teri Henderson Tope, the author of the new book Home Sewn Celebrations. Teri is from a large, loud Italian/German/American family, and while shes says she does not create gourmet meals in the kitchen, she wants to look great there. Most of the 21 projects are food and celebration focused, such as the table runner, the aprons or casserole covers. If you are looking for some fun ways to incorporate your love of sewing or quilting into how you celebrate the kitchen and the memories you make there, you will find some fun ideas in this book.

Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Crafting Calm 
Maggie Oman Shannon
Viva Editions; $16.95

I think we all need a bit more calm in our lives, and since most of us are “crafters” we already know the health benefits, whether that is quilting, knitting or any other art. I loved that this book offered lots of ideas for making handicrafts and at the same time connecting with your spirit. The author, Maggie Oman Shannon, is the spiritual director of a Unity Church and has found enormous benefits, physical, spiritual and emotional, from her own lifelong practice of crafts and creativity. She shares 40 different projects that she or those she knows have done. If you are looking for calm, you might try her spiritual wisdom wallhangings; if you are looking for clarity, you might try her personal prayer flags; and if you are looking for connection with spirit, you might try her prayer pot. You are free to use the materials suggested or take the idea and venture to your own favorite media. After all, the author does admit to being textilely-challenged. In addition to the projects, Maggie offers “Inner Inquiries for Journaling and Reflection” to accompany each project. If you are looking to add a more stillness and/or spiritual connection in your life, this is a great place to start the process. Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer.

Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Beyond Neutral: Quilts Inspired by Nature’s Elements 
John Q. Adams
Martingale; $24.99

For long-time quilters, neutral meant muslin, off-white, cream or white fabric. Maybe you might venture to a light gray. At some point, quilters used black as a background. Neutral did not mean a color. In Beyond Neutral, John Q. Adams created 16 original quilt where he used the colors of nature as his inspiration for his neutral – no cream or white here. He organized his quilts around the themes of wind; earth; water; leaves and grass; and lava, coral, and stone. I loved the movement and freshness of his quilts. Some of my favorites: Canyonlands, inspired by a flock of starlings in flight with a peachy tan as a neutral; Katmai, which had its roots in a traditional block that kept growing; and Pacific Crest, with its image of flying birds on a navy background. You’ll find lots of inspiration in the book and you will look at neutrals differently, whether that is in using John’s patterns or your own creation. 

Quilting … Just a Little Bit Crazy
Allie Aller & Valerie Bothell
C&T Publishing; $29.95

Both harboring a love of Victorian crazy quilts, Allie Aller and Val Bothell joined forces to create this resource for traditional and innovated crazy-quilting skills. The book includes 30 techniques giving you a variety of options. One of their major goals was to show that crazy quilts could be functional, and they succeeded at that. More than half the 10 projects are lap-size or bed-size quilts. I liked looking at two different approaches to the same concept. If you would like to try your hand at a crazy quilt, either using your stash or new fabrics, you will find ideas here.

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Stack, Shuffle and Slide
Karla Alexander
Martingale; $24.95

In her latest book utilizing her “stack-cut-and-shuffle”plan, Karla Alexander introduces the “Slip ‘n’ Slide.” This technique gives you more control over different values and colors in each block. While you are free to set off on your own creative adventure with Karla’s technique, she includes patterns for 15 quilts, which appeal to both modern and traditional quilters. I was particularly taken with Shattered and its mosaic feel and Paint Chips, which is featured on the cover. I love Karla’s suggestion of a WRAP when you’ve finished a project: “wonder” about how the quilt might have been different; “reflect” on what you have learned; “appreciate” what you have accomplished; and “plan” your next step.

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Bargello Quilts in Motion
Ruth Ann Berry
C&T Publishing; $19.95

I love when older techniques are revived and refreshed, and that is the case with the Bargello quilt. I remember making my first one and marveling at how much easier it was than it looked. That quilt hangs in my cousin’s home today. Ruth Ann Berry looked at ways that she could separate the moving parts in the design from the static background. She came up with four different solutions to do this: what she calls a scribble on a solid background; a scribble on a background of busy prints; the scribble and background made from different, contrasting color runs; and a solid-color splash across a series of plaids or a background of stripes. I never would have thought of plaids years past. I loved the energy that the quilts reflect. In addition to the eight patterns she includes, Ruth Ann also teaches you how to draft your own original design on graph paper. Our partners – write my essay for cheap. the best student papers, essays, coursework and diplomas. We are trusted by thousands of students. We are recommended and respected!

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Uncommonly Courdudoy
Stephanie Dunphy
Martingale; $27.99

Many of us think of using something besides quilting cottons in our work, but have you thought about corduroy? I hadn’t, so I was surprised when this book crossed my desk. After all, we mix cotton and wool, or heavier decorator weights with dressmaker weight, so why not corduroy? Stephanie Dunphy includes 17 different projects ranging from bags and a scarf to quilts in varying sizes. The projects use corduroy alone or combines it with quilting cottons, cotton flannels, or wool. I loved the polka dotted corduroy.

Essential Sewing Reference Tool
Carla Hegeman Crim
Stash Books; $17.95

I have always had a “go to” sewing reference, and I use it when I need to know something
like how to do a Hong Kong finish or how to make a round table cloth. What I love
about this reference is it’s compact and includes all the essentials. The author,
Carla Hegeman Crim, is the founder of Scientific Seamstress LLC. A molecular biologist
turned patternmaker, she is well known for complete easy-to-follow instructions
and detailed illustrations. You will find it handy for sewing terms and techniques
as well as quilting terms, ranging from batting types and their advantages and disadvantages
to a materials discussion of fabrics and interfacing. I think this compact resource
could become your “go to” reference.

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

475 Tax Deductions for Businesses and Self-Employed Individuals
Bernard B. Kamoroff, CPA
Taylor Trade; $18.95

This book in its previous edition as 422 Tax Deductions has been one of my annual favorite resources when it come time to do my taxes. Sure I use an accountant, but I have to pull the information together for him. I expect him to understand tax law; I can’t expect him to understand all the nuances of my business. This book helps me be sure that I have got all the deductions I am entitled to use. Topics are listed in A-to-Z order and I review them each year. The author also has a sense of humor. Just check out his list of emergency rations to deduct. One of the bonuses of the book is that it is updated annually to keep up with tax law changes, and you can get a free update through the book’s website. Plus, the book’s cost is tax deductible.

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.