Accentuate the Negative
Trisch Price
Kansas Star City Quilts; $22.95

Trisch Price returned from QuiltCon 2013 inspired by the negative space she had studied in the quilts on display, some quilts with large expanses of negative space, some without. This led her to categorize negative space design into six techniques to explore: gradation, interruption, negative form, ghosting and piecing. Within each category Trisch offers instruction for three quilts to illustrate the technique. I was fascinated to see how she approached the negative space as a design option and what she chose to do. You will come away thinking about your negative space differently and with design ideas for approaching your next quilt.

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.

Longing for a Longarm: Should You Purchase a Longarm Machine?
Sue Allen Clayton
Manorville Press; $4.99 (Kindle)

I work with professional quilters, including many longarmers, as well as a lot of people who would like to have a successful quilt business. In this book, Sue takes a light-hearted and realistic look at owning a longarm, whether that is to start your business or to quilt your own quilts. From her own personal experiences, Sue shares the pleasures and pitfalls of owning a longarm. You will learn about physical and space requirements, the tools of the trade, and money matters – what your longarm costs and how much you will make. A plus is the good introduction to the emotional challenges that go along with running a longarm quilting business. Sue also shares her personal resource list. This should be your first read if you are serious about buying a longarm.

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.

A Curious Discovery
John S. Hendricks
Harper Collins; $28.99

This week I decided to review a non-fiction book I just finished, A Curious  Discovery. It’s a memoir by John Hendricks, the man who founded the Discovery  Network. He was inspired by documentaries he had seen, such as Walter Cronkite’s “Universe” series and Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos.” Once he shared this idea of a new cable network in February 1982 with his wife, Maureen, who is also an art quilter, there was no turning back, despite setbacks he encountered along the way. What  was compelling to me was not just the story of the creation and expansion of  the network, but how John focused on the “stations,” which he says all entrepreneurs pass through: curious observation; preparation; ignition of passion; idea; plan; people; brand. As I read his story, I thought about  other entrepreneurs I knew who shared the same characteristics and how important “curiosity” is to starting and growing a business. And, the lessons that he shared can be used by all of us in building our businesses.
Look for the book at your book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Pincushion Appeal
Cecile McPeak and Rachel Martin
Martingale; $16.99

If the cold weather has you staying inside and you are looking for a quick project, I thought these cute pincushions would be perfect. Designed by Cecile McPeak and Rachel Martin, mother-and-daughter team behind Just Another Button Company, the collection features eight whimsical pincushion designs. You will find a cactus, Santa, a snowman adorned with a bird on its head, a whale, and my favorite, a bird. The designs utilize buttons, felted work, embroidery floss, yarn and other craft materials. I know you will have a hard time picking which to start with first.

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

All-in-One Quilters Reference Tool 
Harriet Hargrave, Sharyn Craig, Alex Anderson, Liz Aneloski
C&T Publishing; $17.95

This handy guide to all measurements quilting has been updated with 40% more information. It’s filled with easy-to-follow charts, tables and illustrations to help you figure out yardage requirements or cutting instructions. Also includes cutting and piecing instructions. New is the addition of requirements for 20 popular traditional blocks. The book is also available as an ebook. This would make a great purchase to have on your ipad or phone for easy access at the quilt shop.

Your Best Year Yet!

Jenny Ditzler

Grand Central Publishing; $13.95

One of my favorite planning resources is Your Best Year Yet! by Jinny S. Ditzler. I have been using this little book for years and recommend it each year. It offers a framework to define your personal values, identify the various roles you play and create goals for those roles. Here are some of Jinny’s questions plus a couple of my own:

1. What did I accomplish?
2. What were my biggest disappointments?
3. What did I learn?
4. How do I limit myself and how can I stop?
5. What are my goals for next year?
6. Where do I need to find education or support to get there?
7. How can I make sure I achieve my top goals?

I find one of the most empowering aspects of Jinny’s system is the look at the successes of the year. It allows you focus on your successes and not get weighed down by what did not work. It also lets you get off the treadmill of working on your business to see if you really are on course.

Here is a quote from the book I particularly like: “We must prepare our soil before we’re ready to plant the seeds we want to grow in the new year.”

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to www.Amazon.com if you would like to learn more about the book.

Quotes Illustrated
Lesley Riley
Artist Success Press; $22.95

I love art, and I love quotes. Lesley Riley has celebrated both in this collection of 101 works of art inspired by quotes. The art – quilts, mixed-media, photography, watercolor, and more – is inspiring enough. I loved looking at the variety and detail in each work. Add to that the power of words, and you have a winning combination. It included many of my favorite quotes and some that were new to me. Just as soon as I had picked a favorite, I turned the page and found another. Treat yourself to this book; I picked it up as my Thanksgiving gift and use it as I planned to, opening it each morning randomly and letting it set the tone for my day.

Stacked & Stitched
Christine Morgan
AQS Publishing; $21.95

Using a layered and slashed technique similar to faux chenille, Christine Morgan creates “pelts,” five to seven layered fabrics stacked, sewn and cut on the bias in parallel rows and then slashed and washed. The pelts can now be cut into shapes using templates or rulers and reconstructed into pillows, decorative items, or art pieces. The book includes complete instructions for making the “pelts” and four projects. You really have endless possibilities to create with this technique.