Wednesday, October 12, 2016

I just read a delicious new book!!


Nope - it's not a cookbook-- it's a gorgeous book on improv quilting that I've already read twice. Cindy Grisdela's new book is hitting the shelves any day now, and if you want a yummy new read with loads of information on how to work improvisationally -- here it is.
(and you can WIN a copy if you leave a comment on my blog!) 
  
After I read the book, I told Cindy that we must have been separated at birth.  We both work improvisationally, both stockpile leftover units and building blocks to pick up and create with when the mood strikes. We both use color intuitively, and there are lots of other commonalities.

BUT our work is so different  -- having started in a similar place, we've each taken a different road. That's that's the beauty of working improvisationally.  If you are new to working without a pattern, Artful Improv is a great way to get started. Even though I've always worked this way, I have already learned some new things from this book! I don't work with curves, but Cindy has tempted me.

And I especially liked her Five Techniques to add to your Improv Toolbox and her clear, beautifully illustrated section on design principles. 

I've loved Cindy's work for a long time. I always looked forward to seeing her (and her  artwork) at the elegant Palm Beach craft show -- her pieces are so gorgeously quilted,so coloful, and so beautifully presented.  Yum.  
But you'll have to see the book for yourself.  The blog hop continues elsewhere, so check out these blogs, leave a comment, and you'll have extra chances to win this book.  Here is the rest of the schedule.  Enjoy yourselves.  And oh,if you don't win, you can find Cindy's book on the C&T website or on Cindy's own website.  

October 13: Yvonne Fuchs http://quiltingjetgirl.com/

October 14: Sujata Shah http://therootconnection.blogspot.com/

October 17: Heather Kojan http://www.heatherkojan.com/

October 18: Generation Q Magazine http://generationqmagazine.com/

October 19: Cindy Grisdela https://cindygrisdela.com/blog/

Good luck!

110 comments:

Lisa Chin said...

Looks like a fun read. I love improv piecing, and curves are awesome! Thanks for sharing!

DeborahGun said...

I love the idea of 'picking up and creating when the mood strikes' and would love to learn how to do this better :-)

Susan Egge Haftel said...

Hey Rayna! I am an improv piecer too and have been influenced by you in so many ways (home-made gel plate printing, for example). I can't wait to see what Cindy has published. She is one tireless artist! Belated happy holidays. <3

beckypb said...

This looks like a must have! Something I've learned from improv quilting is that the answer to a question or curiosity I've had just seems to bubble up when I'm working in this way. I need to work this way more often and I think this book would be a great place to start so I can learn and get better at improv quilting.

Kathleen C said...

I'm a fan of Gwen Marston's liberated techniques and would love to learn more new techniques. This book looks just the thing to get me experimenting more and stretching my creativity.
I always enjoy your work on your blog-thanks very much.

Cathy Bargar said...

I can hardly wait!

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

Sounds like a great read, and especially with your recommendation! I have soooo much fabric stash that would benefit from being put to use! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Cindy's book!

Karen Amelia Brown said...

I think this might be the book I have been waiting for. It looks and sounds great.

deanna7trees said...

looks very inspiring.

Sue Erdreich said...

I love improv, and I love to see other artist's methods.

Anonymous said...

I love improv and using bright colors. It would be great to add this book to my library. mfhagopian@aol.com

Denise said...

I would love a copy of this book!

patty a. said...

I always like to see how other improv artists do their thing. I definitely will have to see this book.

judi said...

Thank you for sharing. Looks like fun!

Lynda said...

Looks like a great book.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the book. Having taken a class with Rayna, I'm curious to see how Cindy's techniques differ.

Anonymous said...

Rayna's book on free form quilting is the one I pull from my bookshelf time and time again. I love it! The more inspiration, the better!

Linda M said...

Looks like a terrific book, a great addition my library.

Kathy said...

Our style of quiltmaking is getting more and more popular and this sounds like a well-crafted presentation. Can't wait to see it! Oh, and of course I'd love to win a copy!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I am SO looking forward to having a copy of this book in my hands - I've admired Cindy's work for a long time. Thanks for entering me in the drawing!

Claire said...

Those are certainly a couple of yummy quilts. Hadn't heard of this book but would love to own it.

jackie said...


This book looks fun! would love to add it to my library.

Lois said...

Can't wait to read this book. Love cindys work.

ma40422 said...

Love the asymmetrical look of her quilts.

Diane said...

Ilove Improvisational quilting and have been a fan of both you and Cindy for a long time.

Donna W said...

Thanks for sharing this new book with us.

gjeneve said...

Sounds like a good jumpstarter, which is just what I need these days.

cynthia said...

I need to start making improv quilts: they have so much energy!

mumbird3 said...

I love the look of these quilts and the quilting is gorgeous!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

Marianne said...

J'ai toujours aimé le coté improvisation et je me réjouis déjà de vous voir dans moins de 15 jours.

Jeanne Marklin said...

I'd love to read about her quilting patterns. They add so much to her work!

Debbie said...

I can't wait to check out Cindy's book! I love working with Improv... and Rayna, one of my fav mini's is a quilt I started in a class with you :) Thanks for being part of the bloghop!

Cindy said...

I've loved learning from and reading your books. If this one is half as good as yours it should be very interesting to read!

badmomgoodmom said...

That looks like a wonderful book.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

The book looks very inspiring! I find improv a challenge, but keep drfting back time & time again to give it another go!

LynneP said...

I would love to win this book! I have your improv book and a few others and yet, I learn something new from each one. Thanks for the chance to win.
jlpfeffer at gmail dot com

Nann said...

I love looking at improv quilts -- I hope some day to loosen my style sufficiently to make one. Or more. Meanwhile, I will read blogs and books -- yours among them, and now Cindy's! I appreciate the chance to win a copy.

linda schiffer said...

I love doing improv piecing and quilting ... and am always looking for a way to expand my repretoire of tricks ... plus supporting like-minded makers. :) Looks like a must-buy for me (but would love to win it, too! :)

:) Linda (lindaschiffer at me dot com)

RenaM said...

What a great book to add to my library. Love improv piecing & always looking for tips on construction techniques and how to organize the ever growing fabric/scrap stash! Thank you Rayna for the info on this book......

MariQuilts said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book as well. I love reading how other quilters approach improv type quilting.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a very interesting book.

Nancy said...

I do love improv quilting, thanks to your introduction, Rayna. The book sounds intriguing.
nancysopp@gmail.com

Cathy said...

Hi Rayna, so excited about this book coming out!

Hilda said...

Looks like a great book...and I would love to try improvisation with curves. Thanks for the giveaway!

Cathy said...

Hi Rayna, so excited about this book coming out!

Kathy E. said...

I like everything you've said about this book and now want my own copy! I admire improv, modern quilts and everything about them...they are full of creativity!

Anonymous said...


I am looking forward to seeing this book and reading it. Thanks for the recommendation! You ROCK Rayna!!!

Alice geertsen said...

Really can't wait to get this book! Right up my alley!

GranChris said...

Would love to win this book. Looks like a great one!

Kathie K said...

I like the way you compare he technique to your own. It's always interesting to see how two people take different paths.

debby said...

Love her work,and I'd love to win the book!

Mary said...

I would love to win this book. I just took a workshop with Mike McNamara last Sunday. We learned several new ways of making our fabric really ours. I want to keep working in this way to see what occurs as I put these pieces together. Thanks for doing the raffle.

Zimbogirl said...

Oh my I would love this book especially as it is recommended by Rayna.....
So many ideas for new quilts already rushing through my mind after seeing a few examples of Cindy's work.
Thanks for the "win" about this book .....

peggymcd said...

I've learned so much from you, thank you as this is my preferred style. Got to get this book. Thanks so much

Meredith said...

What a great looking book! I pin Cindy's work for inspiration often, so look forward to reading more of her process and learning!

rosemaryschild said...

As a beginner quilter, I still have a lot to learn. I like the idea of learning to sort my stash, and actually use the pieces to create some sort of order (or not) out of the madness, it intrigues me!

queenopearls said...

Oh, what a fun improve "cook book". :) Isn't it wonderful how each person makes something their own? :) Good to "see" you in my inbox more often.
~ Christina in FL

Quiltsmiles said...

Looks like a great book. I've never seen any of her work before but what's shared so far is fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

Diane said...

Looks like a great book by a great artist.

Cindy Grisdela said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful review of Artful Improv, Rayna! And thanks to everyone who commented--I hope those of you who are already into improv will find something new to explore, and those who are new to the technique will be encouraged to give it a try! It's a fun "no rules, no pattern" exercise.

Jayne said...

Gorgeous quilts and gorgeous work! I would love to learn more improv!

Anna H said...

I have been wanting to start doing some of this type of quilting, this book just might be the kickstart I need. Thanks for the chance.

Monica said...

sounds like a fun book.

Rayna said...

Wow! I should post book reviews more often: look at all these comments! Thanks for all the nice things you've said about my own last book, too. I wish I could respond to all of you individually, but:

1) I am packing to leave for Switzerland this weekend where I will be teaching.

2) Not everybody has left an email contact, so if you are the lucky winner, you're plum out of luck because I have no way to contact you.

cheers!

Miriam said...

I want to do more improv piecing. This looks like exactly what I need for inspiration and education.

Sandy in CA said...

Would love to win this book. Fabulous pictures.

Deb said...

I especially like the quilt with the curvy border. Spectacular!

Marla said...

I do mostly improv work myself and I am looking forward to reading this book and taking a look at Cindy's process.

Marie said...

I love Cindy's use of color and negative space. Love this book and looking forward to reading more of it.

Kat Scott said...

Love the looks of this new book! Now if I only had time to bring all of that inspiration to life! Thanks for a chance in the giveaway..

Gill said...

This looks a great book - I'd love to try this!

Catskill Quilter said...

This new book looks inspiring!

Noreen T said...

I'd love to learn Cindy's Five Techniques to improve my improv quilting!

pajtr said...

Love the use of Color!!
This looks like a book I have to get my hands on!
I need to work on my improv curved piecing... and I really want to learn about Cindy's techniques!
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love the bright use of Cindy's wall art quilts and that it is the similar yet different to your work Rayna,
Thank you both for the inspiration!
Ruth Ann in London, Ontario

Kathy said...

Would love to learn more about improv quilting, looks like a great book.

Sharon said...

Cindy's book looks so exciting! I can't wait to get my own copy. Thanks for the chance to win!

kay said...

I've been looking forward to this book's release. I've started doing a bit of improv and could use some guidance.

KrisR said...

Pick me! PIck me!

Looks like a delightful book and with your strong recommendation, it is surely a book to have. (You got me started on this improv path, you know?!)

Diane said...

I'm always up for a good read. Thank-you for offering this give away.

Jean said...

What a fun review of this book. I would love to win this book. The pictures are stunning!

Serena said...

Thanks for your sharing your thoughts, it looks like a wonderful book!

la tulipe said...

A book I would like to have to play more and more with fabrics and quilting...

christine said...

I know I would love this book! I've been pinning her work for quite a while.

Diane said...

I'd love to win this book! It looks fabulous! I've followed Cindy online for awhile.

Elaine Millar said...

I love this qulting as well. Thanks for using some images in your critique. Looks like a nice new book.

Camille said...

I would love to win the book. This is an untried concept and technique for me.

Marsha Cochrane said...

I am a newer improv quilter and could use all the help I can get. I have your fabulous books Rayna and Cindy's book would be a great addition to my library. Thank you for all of your inspiration Rayna!

sjzak said...

I love reading a review of this neat book, it sounds great!

Cathy C said...

I would love to win this book and learn some of the improv design tips!

Silverthimble said...

I love the quilts featured in this book!

silverthimble@shaw.ca

beth s said...

This book sounds like so much fun!

Kaja said...

I hadn't come across her before, but I like these quilts a lot. Thanks for the recommendation.

Karaquilts said...

Great review with delightful pictures! I love your quilts, Rayna and these look just as fun. I'm still very much a novice with Improv, though I have completed several pieces. I would LOVE the book and know I will learn a lot from it. Thank you for sharing. karaquilts@gmail.com

audrey said...

This looks like such a great book! I really need to learn more about Improv. Such a novice!

Jane said...

I love doing improv piecing, you are truly an inspiration! Freeform is the way of the future for me in a big way!

Ellee said...

Gotta read this book so I can break loose with improv. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

Laura said...

This looks like a very useful and inspirational book. It's been fun learning about it from several points of view.

chris said...

Like everyone else I'd love to win the book - but I guess I'll have to run out & by it when it becomes available here in Australia. Looks great.

Paige said...

Would love to read about Cindy's improv methods! Thanks!

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

This book looks very interesting.

janequiltsslowly said...

This looks like an exciting new book! I enjoy improv piecing so this would be a welcome addition to my library!

Jaynie Himsl said...

I also admire Cindy's work. I'd love to read her book to learn more.

carol said...

Freedom to quilt this way sounds wonderful. Looks like an interesting book.

Anita said...

Looks like a wonderful book!

Lisa England said...

The quilts from this book are so, so gorgeous!

pennylanequilts said...

I love Cindy's work and I'd love to learn more about her techniques and process!

Tamie said...

I can't wait to see this book in person. Maybe it will help me come out of my comfort zone.

Beth said...

I love these quilts--the designs and the colors and so invigorating! I know I could learn a lot from this book.

Linda said...

I read your book regularly. Have been tracking Cindys work since I first saw a show in Ashland, Oregon, maybe 10 years ago. Glooming forward to learning more about her five techniques.

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