Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II
Eleanor Levie
Martingale & Co.; $26.99

If you liked Skinny Quilts and Table Runners, you’ll love Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II. This collection of 15 designs lets you try out a signature style from a collection of celebrated quilters. You’ll tackle “tops” and “tails,” Judy Hooworth’s method of creating two blocks from the same strip set; Sue Benner’s circular petal designs; Melinda Bula’s raw-edge appliqué; and Sue Spargo’s folk art inspired by an Asian rug, colors of the African bushveld and the rolling hills of England. The skinny quilts are a great way to do a test run of a new technique.

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

We are about to start a New Year. I’m excited about some of the things I have planned. I’m working with a coach to expand the business, and I have some new business programs planned for later in the year. As I look ahead, I can see that I have a lot to accomplish, and I need to stay focused to do that. A lot of you know one of my favorite planning resources is Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler, and following her process helps me focus. You can read some of the questions she asks on a previous blog post.

I wanted to share three and a half tips to keep in mind as you start the New Year.

1. Set time for yourself in your calendar. I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t take enough time for her or himself. This fall I had knee surgery and was sidelined from my yoga class. I plan to get back in class this winter. And, I want to also set aside time each afternoon for a little self care. It’s important to find a little time here and there to care for ourselves. We’ll feel happier and stronger inside and this will in turn make us happier and stronger business people. One good reference on self care is The Art of Extreme Self Care by Cheryl Richardson.

2. Remember to allow adequate time for marketing. For many, the production is the fun part and the marketing takes a back seat. I’ve had more than one person tell me that she spends two to four times as many hours marketing herself and her product as she does producing the product. Marketing is an ongoing process; you are always marketing. I love this quote from actress Carrie Fisher, “There is no point at which you can say, “Well, I’m successful now. I might as well take a nap.” This keeps me focused on marketing my product.

3. Keep on top of your financials. I know, most people do not enjoy bookkeeping, and if you can hire someone to take it over, that’s great. But watch your numbers. You need to know what’s coming in and what’s going out. What is your ROI (return on investment) for your activities? Your business can’t grow if you aren’t aware of the financials.

3.5 Remember why you got into business. For many of us, it was our love of quilting or fiber arts and wanting to share our gifts with other quilters. Sure, we work hard at it, and we are rewarded. When times get tough, step back and remember what got you in the business. Maybe use some of that self-care time to make something for yourself. Another quote I like is from Thomas A. Edison. “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”

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 here.

One-Yard Wonders
Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins
Storey Publishing; $20.95

This fall in Houston I met the authors of One-Yard Wonders at their book signing in the booth across from mine. Rebecca Yaker operates her design business, Hazel and Melvin’s Room, creating one-of-kind baby bedding and apparel in her Minneapolis design studio. Patricia Hoskins is the cofounder of Crafty Planet, a retail fabric and needlework store and craft workshop in Minneapolis. And, when my review copy arrived, I loved the clever marketing approach. The book had been wrapped in one yard of fabric, perfect for me to try out one of the projects in the book. To promote the book, the publisher is also sponsoring a contest to win a yard of fabric a month for a year.

On to the book. I loved the concept of starting with a yard of fabric – and who among us doesn’t have an extra yard – and making a variety of projects. The book includes 101 projects, ranging from a few you could figure out yourself (tacking fabric on a bulletin board or lining a bookcase) to those that require a pattern (a sundress). And, for those who think you might be able to figure out, for example, the grocery bag, it’s nice not to have to think about how to do it. You just cut and sew. For every project you’ll find either full-size pattern pieces and/or illustrations with step-by step instructions.

The book is divided into ten pattern sections based on use, including, Dwell Redux (patterns for the home), Household Affairs (aprons, casserole covers), Craft Organization (artist brushes case, notions box), On the Go (lunch bags, yoga bags), From Head to Toe (clothing), Carry It All (totes, grocery bags), Outfit Your Small Wonder (toddler clothes), Accessorize Your Little One (toddler’s art apron, bright patchwork blankie), Playtime (kites, stuffed animals) and Your Furry Friends (animal patterns). The patterns were solicited through a global online campaign.

The book also includes a section on sewing fundamentals, perfect for those new to sewing and nice for quilters who could use a refresher on regular sewing techniques. The book is hard bound with a concealed wire binding, making it perfect to open flat. I found several projects I’d like to try; unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll do much to diminish my stash!

Here’s a link to Amazon to learn more about the book.

Artful Bras: Hooters, Melons and Boobs, Oh My!
Quilters of South Carolina
Kansas City Star Books; $24.95

Art bras – bras that have been decorated – have become popular the last few years and this surge in popularity spurred the Quilters Guild of South Carolina to sponsor a statewide challenge to its 650-person membership. Their goal was to raise awareness of breast cancer, and 41 members took up the call creating 50 artful bras. Each art bra is showcased on a full page in this book and is accompanied by the artist’s summary of her inspiration and how she created her bra as well as any specific connection she might have to breast cancer. I had a blast looking at the bras and choosing a favorite is impossible. I laughed at Monkey Business (the bra decorated with the sock monkey), marveled at the ingenious application of boas and feathers and chuckled at the titles. Several of the bras went onto greater fame, including two that became cover girls for the American Journal of Nursing. The bras were exhibited throughout most of 2009 and are currently on auction. All proceeds from the exhibit, book and auction go to Second Chance Network, a South Carolina program that helps women without insurance pay for breast-cancer screening. Here’s a link to Amazon to learn more about the book  and a link to the Quilters of South Carolina if you are interested in bidding on an art bra.

The Best of Sew Simple Magazine: Over 50 Quick Projects
Leisure Arts; $18.95

I don’t know about you, but I often pick up Sew Simple on the newsstand. It either has a project I want to try or something that I think would be good for my nieces who are relatively new to sewing and quilting. This book includes projects ranging from totes to quilts to home dec with a few fun things included. I think the fabric drink umbrellas will be perfect for next summer’s barbeque, the funky pillowcase will be great for several on my holiday gift list, and the java jacket is bound to find its way into a stocking or two. If you’re looking for some quick and fun projects, this is a good source. And, a bonus for those new to sewing is the supplies and techniques section.

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

Valori Wells & Carolyn Spencer
C&T Publishing; $22.95

In keeping with my organizing theme of the month, Oh Sew Easy Life Style has some terrific ideas to help you organize your life and personalize your home. Several organizers feature a hanging background fabric with large pockets handy for storage. One is geared to recipes, one to office papers and one to kids. Baskets are popular for organizing and Valori Wells and Carolyn Spencer show you how to make basket liners for square, rectangular and round baskets. On the functional side, you’ll find sassy aprons and a picnic cloth. And what life style book would be complete without a few tote patterns? Valori and Carolyn include a diaper bag and a slumber party backpack. In total the book offers ideas and patterns for 20 fun and stylish projects, as well as basic sewing techniques. You’re sure to find something to make for yourself or give as a gift.

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

Quilt Challenge
Sharyn Craig and Pamela Mostek
Martingale & Co.; $21.95

Everyone loves a challenge, and that’s the premise that started Sharyn Craig and Pam Mostek on this book. Pam made a set of Wonky Log Cabin blocks and challenged Sharyn to see what she could do. And, the magic began. From there they set up eight challenges and each completed a block with specific design and color guidelines. They were joined by other quilters in each challenge. Some of the challenges include Black, White, and Red Allover, which uses black, white and red as the color and the basic Nine Patch as the block; and The Color Purple, which uses the same purple fabric in all the quilts and the Rail Fence block. The variety of quilts is wonderful. Pam and Sharyn also include tips and techniques.

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

Storm at Sea Quilts
Wendy Mathson
C&T Publishing; $24.95

I’ve always been drawn to the Storm at Sea block and the optical illusion of waves it creates. While the traditional coloration is most often blue, the block lends itself to endless design possibilities. Wendy Mathson offers her unique piecing technique to produce accurate units for the three pieced units used to create the Storm at Sea block: a diamond-in-a-rectangle unit; a large square-in-a-square unit and a small square-in-a-square unit. Wendy calls the square-in-a-square units Big SIS and Little SIS and has created a set of acrylic tools called Quilters’ TRIMplates (short for trimming templates) to accurately cut the units. While it is possible to cut and sew the units without using the templates, they offer advantages for producing accurate block units. The book includes six Storm at Sea projects, a gallery of inspiring quilts, options for border treatments and design grids to copy to work on your own designs. You’ll have fun creating your own designs.

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

Simple Stained Glass Quilts
Daphne Greig and Susan Purney Mark
Krause; $24.95

Daphne Greig and Susan Purney Mark began creating their Too Easy Stained Glass patterns in 2003, and they wrote this book as a result of customers wanting more of the duo’s stained glass quilts. Their concept is “too easy,” since you create the leading from a single piece of fabric and fusible web rather than creating yards of bias. The book includes 20 projects ranging from pillows to wall hangings to full-size bed quilts and includes full-size patterns for the leading. I was intrigued by many of the designs, particularly one that leaded half a tree and the Hillside House projects where the leading was the framing of a house.

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

Quilting Your Style
Leah Fehr
Martingale & Co.; $26.99

A prom dress adventure in a dressing room – you’ll have to read the book to learn the story – led to Leah Fehr’s understanding of trying out different sewing techniques and evaluating options. In Quilting With Style, she shares a variety of embellishing techniques, including ruffling, beading, yo-yos and couching, on five-inch blocks. You can use the individual blocks in a sampler quilt as she did in the “The Dressing-Room Sampler” or use the techniques in the nine included projects or a project of your own design.

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