Thursday, November 02, 2006

Love, Love, Love the Library

One of my favorite features of my local library is the ability to request books online--don't even have to get out of my jammies. I have been wanting to preview this Gwen Marston/Freddy Moran book before investing in it. Apparently there was only one copy in the whole several-county-wide system! But yesterday I got the email that it was MINE! Well, for four weeks anyway. I pored over it last night and loved the tips on color and design, as well as peeks into each designer's workspace. I have long been a fan of Gwen Marston and own several of her books. But I wasn't too sure about Freddy Moran's bold, red-is-a-neutral style. Have to admit, her work
is growing on me!!! Their styles seem so different, and yet so much alike--if that makes sense. They both seem to work with such great abandon--a goal I need to set for myself. I just may have to purchase this book. Thank you, Public Library.

Yet ANOTHER shot of my Birds of a Feather (sorry 'bout that) but I wanted to show the first ten months of blocks in the order they will appear in the quilt. Still have a couple of months' worth to go, but I am liking it. I think it would make a nice Christmas quilt. Or, if kept this size with smallish borders, a great wallhanging. A decision for later..... Posted by Picasa

22 comments:

Kim West said...

I must admit I love the library for previewing books also.

By the way, I tried to respond to your email - but it bounced back. Please email me at kim at peachquilting dot com

Deb Hardman said...

Your BOAF are/is (not sure which is right!) Wonderful!

I don't know Freddie at all, but love Gwen Marston. I took her liberated piecing class before the book came out, years ago, & feel that she really did liberate me! Since her class I've been a liberated quilter!

Libby said...

The more I read about this book, the more I become intrigued. I may have to check my own library to see if it's available.

Hedgehog said...

Your BOAF is just gorgeous.

Big library fan here!

Darlene said...

Your BOAF blocks are beautiful - please continue to show all the blocks as you finish a new block.

Quilts And Pieces said...

It is gorgeous!

Mary Johnson said...

I do need to check that book out - I haven't seen it yet. I am very much out of the habit of checking books out of the library - I tend to just buy them all. However, I do make a habit of visiting libraries when I'm traveling and looking at their book collections.

Unknown said...

the birds of a feather quilt is looking really good and very festive - with all those birds it could almost be a twelve days of Christmas quilt :o)

Susan said...

That's coming together very nicely. I like it more each time you add more blocks.

Tonya Ricucci said...

Glad you got to look at the book - definitely a fun read. Love the colors in the blocks.

Gail said...

I'll have to see if our library system has that book, I definitely need liberating! Also, please continue to show your BOAF blocks, they are stunning, and I'm eager to see the finished project.

Sue Seibert said...

Thanks for the book preview! And your quilt...I love, love, love it!!

Marlublu said...

I love your applique blocks, they are just beautiful.Applique is something I really enjoying working on myself and now that I have seen yours I am getting the book.It would make a beautiful Christmas quilt. How do you do your applique?

Ali Honey said...

Hi Vera,
I now own that book. It is bright and packed with colour. I did enjoy reading where and how they both worked but doubt that I would want to make any of their quilts. ( who knows )Red is my favourite colour but "a neutral".....I guess it goes with most other colours.
I will reread it again sometime soon and see if I have changed my opinion. My ideas are rather liberated as far as colour goes already. I was amused to see the fabric I had to use in my groups " fabric challenge," used in several of their quilts.
I wonder if you'll decide to buy that book.

Finn said...

Hi Vera, yes, isn't it great that we can borrow books from almost anywhere now and get them in the mail even??
I rather like the new Marsten book and I do see that the two gals really make an awesome combination. I think Freddy was a traditional quilter at first and then followed her heart.
I know Gwen was very, very traditional. I've always liked her because she and hubby actually quilted their own quilts by hand. That get rarer and rarer these days.
I did order the book and am really happy with it. And by the way, your BOAF is looking just grand! can hardly wait to see it all together. Hugs, Finn

Pam said...

wow!!! beautiful work! something to be proud of for sure!

Jenni said...

I bought the book a few weeks back and I'm glad I did. It isn't something I would normally buy, but it is growing on me. I have suddenly found myself buying lots of lime green, and I made a long strip of black and white HSTs the other day. I was very casual with the seams!

Clare said...

I am trying to find a copy of Liberated Quiltmaking that isn't going to break the bank. The last search produced one on Amazon that was well over $100! I am still searching!

Anonymous said...

Freddy is my hero: she didn't start quilting until she was 60! I'm new to quilting myself so, as Ruth Gordon said many years ago after winning the Oscar at age 70- or 80-something, "This is so encouraging!" Plus, I've been a red girl all my life and I love Freddy's philosophy of reds. I have a couple of posts on my blog about the book and about my recent visit to the Museum of the AQS in Paducah to see the Collaborative Quilting exhibition. There is nothing in the world like seeing the real deals in person. Their quilts made me laugh out loud a couple of times. Isn't that a wonderful thing to be able to do?

Anonymous said...

My library has the same set up, and i also use it to preview books. It's wonderful- and sometimes it can be like Christmas when you wait for many weeks for a book- and forget that you requested it... And then it appears!

Hanne said...

Your applique blocks are lovely.

Anonymous said...

Waow ! your blocks are beautiful !soon finished ! Can't wait to see that !I've just received my copy of the book and I love it. I would like to try the dark version.. but when ? I've started too much things !