Paradise Stitched
Sylvia Pippen
C&T Publishing; $29.95

Sylvia Pippen was introduced to Sashiko, the art form practiced in Japan for centuries, by her mother, who was raised in China. Shasiko, which means “little stabs” in Japanese is a running stitch done in white thread on indigo fabric. Today Sylvia uses Shasiko and adds appliqué designs to complement the traditional designs. In this book she suggests using a variety of applique techniques, including her favorite, which is the press-over heat-resistant Mylar method that allows her to form crisp intricate pieces. Once you’ve learned both the appliqué and Sashiko technique, Sylvia offers six projects that combine the two plus embroidery.The book includes a nice gallery of work and full-size pull-out patterns. A plus is Sylvia’s discussion on choosing fabric; she includes photos of a variety of fabrics and shows you exactly where to cut to get the right shading and light for your pieces.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Stephen A. Covey, in his book  7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says “Sharpen the Saw” is Habit 7 and shares the story of a man who has worked for more than five hours to saw down a tree. When asked why he doesn’t take a break and sharpen the saw, sure to speed his work along, the man replies, “I don’t have time to sharpen the saw. I’m too busy sawing!”

Covey goes on  to define sharpen the saw as “preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have – you.” It’s about renewing yourself, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially/emotionally. This requires a proactive investment in ourselves.  And it takes time, something we all seem to find in short supply. I’ll be the first in line to say it’s easy to get caught up in my daily activities and neglect sharpening my saw. Gosh, it’s hard enough to find time for my handling the day-to-day activities of my business, particularly with my current travel schedule, where am I going to find time to “sharpen the saw”? For me, it’s about making it a priority – and honoring that priority.

Here are some ideas for sharpening your saw:

1. Visit a museum.
2. Try a new technique or class.
3. Educate yourself (read something new, go to a seminar, listen to one of our teleclasses).
4. Journal.
5. Organize your studio.
6. Review and update your goals.
7. Take time to exercise or try yoga.
8. Enjoy natural surroundings.

Covey also explains his “Upward Spiral” concept of renewal that allows us to grow and change. To do this, we must consciously learn, commit and do; learn, commit and do; continuously. This will keep your blade sharp. Where are your blades dull and what are you doing to sharpen them?

The International Association of Professional Quilters offers resources and networking opportunities for you to create a success from your quilting business.

Learn about all the benefits of IAPQ membership and join here.

By Kim Schaefer
C&T Publishing; $19.95

This collection of 23 easy, pieced contemporary quilts, table runners and placemats is designed to make a dent in your stash. The blocks, all squares and strips, feature quick rotary cutting and straight-line piecing, perfect for the beginning quilter. While the blocks are really simple, the results do look more complicated and have a wonderful visual impact. The color palettes used also would be great if you are looking for a project for a man. I plan to hit my stash and piece a couple of tops.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Quilt This!
Lynda Smith
American Quilter’s Society; $24.95

We’ve come a long way since the days of “quilt as desired” with no idea for patterns. In this wide format book, Lynda Smith offers more than 80 quilting motifs suitable for both machine and hand quilting. The designs are sorted into four categories: gardens and woods; swirls and curls, motifs and other stuff; and children and playtime. You’ll find patterns that range from elegant swirls to whimsical ducks in waves. The designs can be used as is or as a starting point to enlarge or reduce, combine and adapt.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Pretty Little Mini Quilts
ed. Ray Hemachandra
Lark Books; $17.95

Part of Lark’s Pretty Little series, Pretty Little Mini Quilts features 31 projects made by 25 artists. (You’ll recognize lots of the names, including Sarah Ann Smith, Jamie Fingal and Andi Stern.) The projects range from machine and hand quilting to embroidery and trapunto to fusing and embellishment to piecing and painted surfaces. You’ll find traditional and contemporary pieces, none larger than three feet. I like books that introduce a variety of techniques, and you’re sure to find a new technique to add to your toolbox.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Intuitive Color & Design
Jean Wells
C&T Publishing; $27.95

After quilting, teaching and running a shop for more than 33 years, Jean Wells decided she wanted to work more intuitively and create abstract designs. Her initial work with Nancy Crow started her on a wonderful path of exploration that she now shares with others. If you’ve not a class from Jean, this book is your chance to learn from her. To start with she suggests you really learn to see what’s around you and keep a journal. She includes a variety of exercises to help you develop your use of color, design and piecing with such assignments as intuitive angle piecing, proportion, and color and value. Doing the exercises will make you a better quilter, whether you stick with traditional quilts or make art quilts.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

A Bird in Hand: Folk Art Projects
Inspired by Our Feathered Friends
Renée Plains
Kansas City Star Quilts; $26.95

This book title caught my eye since I will be in Bird in Hand, Pa., teaching this weekend. Renée has put together a varied collection of folk art projects all featuring birds. You’ll find nine quilts varying from lap size to wall pieces; eight sewing “needfuls,” such as pinkeeps and roll-ups for small projects on the go; and four accent pieces, including a pillow, hooked rug and notebook cover. My favorite accent piece is the pair of jeans that became a tote accented by a bird on a vine with leaves and berries. The book is also filled with fun quotes, such as the following Chinese proverb: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Greetings from Tucsadelphia:
Travel-Inspired Projects from Lizzie B Cre8ive
Liz and Beth Hawkins
Kansas City Star Quilts; $26.95

Liz and Beth Hawkins, the duo behind the design team Lizzie B Cre8ive, have put together a fun collection of whimsical travel-inspired projects. (For those not familiar with Liz and Beth, they are sisters-in-law and share the same name, Elizabeth Hawkins, as well as a passion for quilting.) The books title plays homage to Tuscadelphia, a special place they they created for themselves; in reality Liz lives outside Philadelphia and Beth lives in Tucson. The book features stories of travel adventures of Liz and Beth along with 10 quilts and projects, ranging from luggage tags and a travel pillow to a backpack and a quilt inspired by travel postcards. The book is filled with personality, and fans of Lizzie B Cre8ive won’t be disappointed.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Crush It: Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion
Gary Vaynerchuk
HarperStudio; $19.95

Gary Vaynerchuk wrote this book for anyone who has a hobby and wants to make a living at it. (Sounds like a lot of quilters and fiber artists I know!) Using the power of the Internet, Gary turned his passion for wine into his personal brand. Here are just four of the many lessons from the book: 1. Identify and live your passion. (OK, quilters and fiber artists have this one down.) 2. Create a system for using all the social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. 3. Be transparent and live your passion. 4. Be willing to adapt and change. This is an easy read and you’ll come away with several ideas that you can put to use to grow your business today.

If you’d like to add this to your library or purchase it as a gift, here’s a link.