Have you ever read a book you didn’t want to finish? I’m not talking about ones you hate. I’m talking about a book that is so wonderful you can only devour in small bites, savoring each page. I bought this book after our Art Girl Getaway back in February. My roommate Connie was reading A Fine Romance and I just had to have this book for myself.
It’s a diary of her trip to England and it’s all handwritten with pictures and wonderful illustrations. It’s so cool. Here are just a couple of the pages. I read a few more pages today, getting closer to their return back home.
Another couple books that have been sources of inspiration for me this past year have been these from Natalie Chanin.
Awhile back a Facebook friend emailed me wanting me to look at the Alabama Chanin website. He lives near the company and thought I might be interested. I had never heard of this company.
After looking at the website, I had to buy these two books. I spent days drooling over them. If you aren’t familiar with this company, all of their clothing is hand-sewn, hand-embellished, and made out of 100% organic cotton jersey.
I posted a review last week about the Alabama Studio Sewing + Design book on the And Then We Set It On Fire blog. You can read it here. Here are a couple pages from that book.
The Alabama Stitch Book includes additional patterns and lots of information on their sewing techniques. Last week I decided to quit drooling and make this boa. It was made out of the bamboo jersey that was left over after Evi made our exhibit jackets.
This last book, Tie-Dye: Die It, Wear It, Share It by Shabd Simon-Alexander, is another take on tie dyeing. And it’s definitely not 60s tie dye! I love her color combos.
I especially liked this page where she showed the original t-shirt color and the resulting colors when over tie dyed.
All of the above books have yet to make it to my bookcase. They are still on the floor next to my recliner where from time-to-time I’ll grab one of them for some inspiration. What about you? Do you have a couple books that you refer for inspiration? I’d love to hear from you and maybe I’ll add them to my bookcase (or floor).
Besides reading, I’m working on a real special project. Here is the newly dyed fabric. I love Cerulean Blue!
And a peak at the process. I’m getting excited!
I’ll be posting soon about the current The Printed Fabric Bee challenge and giveaway, but just yesterday I received my new issue of Quilting Arts. Lynn Krawczyk wrote a wonderful article on our group started over a year ago by Lynn and Lisa Chin. In addition to showing some of our fabric, we are quoted in the article. I hope that this article will inspire others to try a similar challenge. For me it has really helped me to stretch my artistic muscles.
Hope you are having a creative week.
My friend Maria Lee introduced me to the Natalie Chanin book at our fiber retreat in New Harmony last spring with the gorgeous beaded project she was making. Awesome. Lynda, I think we are sisters separated at birth (at least in spirit, anyway) because I truly love everything you do and am so inspired by you.
Judy, You are so sweet! Yes, we are sisters. Looking forward to spending some creative time with you once you are retired next year. Won’t be long now!!
Really liked Susan Branch’s book – had just taken the trip and it was really fun to read the way Susan wrote it.
Love the Cerulean Blue fabric. Must get the book A Fine Romance…my kind of book. Love your blog. Thanks for posting.
Carol recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving
Carol, You will love the book. Thank you for dropping by and checking in. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Sue, Glad you liked the book. The illustrations were wonderful. Sure wish I could draw like that. Thanks for dropping by.
Love my Alabama Chanin book…so much inspiration! Here are a few more… Stitch Magic: Ideas and Interpretation by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn; The Art of Embroidery: Inspirational Stitches, Textures and Surfaces by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne and Patchwork Folk Art by Janet Bolton.
Great books, Lynda! I just love Susan Branch. Her cookbooks are just wonderful…good (realistic) recipes, all illustrated and hand-written by her. Great stories and ideas. You know how I feel about Alabama Chanin…I’m working on a beaded headband. Thought I’d start out small!
Teresa, Can’t wait to see your headband!
Julie, Wow! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m off to check them out.
Hi Lynda… Thanks so much for sharing and I now have a couple of new books for my Christmas list. I have loved the Alabama books for years. Happy Holidays to ALL of The Printed Fabric Bee team and I will email photos of my collection of small pieces won in a giveaway soon… still mounting on their 8″ frames. BEAUTIFUL!
Bethany
Hi Bethany, So glad to add to your book list! I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with our collection. Happy Holidays to you too!