SEW embellished! Blog Hop & Giveaway

You may remember when SewCalGal shared insights about first time quilt book authors and also shared insights on Quilt Fiesta, published by Martingale/Home of That Patchwork Place, the first quilt book by Cheryl Lynch.  Quilt Fiesta is a very creative and fun quilting book, that if you haven't yet had a chance to check out I hope you will soon. 


When I heard Cheryl was working on her 2nd book I was excited and confident it too would be a wonderful book.  Thus, I was absolutely delighted when she asked me to be part of a blog hop to celebrate the introduction of her new book SEW embellished!, also published by Martingale/Home of That Patchwork Place.


 



There are 8 plus projects in this book, each with easy to follow instructions and great visuals.  Each project is beautifully embellished  and the instructions include tips that will help you make these projects, as well as build skills to help you create spectacular embellished art quilts, table toppers, clothing and other projects in the future.  To clarify, while this book doesn't just focus on these projects, but techniques that will apply to a variety of projects that will be more spectacular with embellishment and quilting tips that Cheryl shares in this amazing book!

You'll quickly notice that these projects have more impact than a visual square of quilted fabric.  Cheryl shares insights on how to create beauty and depth with curved sides, artistic tassels, points and more.    



This book starts off with a section on EMBELLISHING with beads, buttons, and other beautiful things.  Tips are shared for to sew on beads in a variety of ways, as well as how to use trims and other items. 



For many that want to embellish they are also challenged finding interesting items, as well as finding items that are of the right size, color, texture.  Cheryl's section on POLYMER-CLAY embellishment is an excellent resource for ways to create your own buttons and beads to use for embellishment on your projects.   

Likewise her section for THREAD as a design element is also packed full of insights on specialty threads and how each can work for embellishment.  She also shares insights on stitches that will help you show off this beautiful thread on your projects.  


Words are powerful and can have an impact when WordArt is incorporated to your quilts, as well as quilt labels!  Her section on EXPRESSING yourself with words shares helpful insights on writing with pens and markers, stitching words with thread, printing digitally, applique' letters, stamping words with ink, stamping words with polymer clay, as well as attaching ready-made letters.

The section dressing up EDGES is certainly appropriate for this book, but also applies to quilts in general.  She shares insights creating "Crowns", "Jewels", and how to use Rickrack, beaded trim, ribbons, decorative threads, and more.  


She also has a helpful section on FABRIC options that shares insights to help you select appropriate fabrics for embellishing that incorporate the size of the project, project focus, etc..  



Lastly, her insights on incorporating photos into our quilts, in the section called SUBJECT matter is excellent.  Books have been written on this topic, but what Cheryl incorporated into this section shares excellent tips and has great visuals.  I love the gallery of quilts shared in this section too!


Can you tell I'm in love with this book?  Wonderful book and SewCalGal definitely views this book is a "must have" book for anyone interested in Art Quilts and a great book to have for those looking for tips to inspire and provide insights that can help them apply insights from this book on their quilts, to help make them more visually stimulating.   This book is loaded with insights for fun embellishment!  



There are two more stops in the blog hop to celebrate this book, where you can get another chance to win a copy of this book.  But, you can also visit the blogs that participated in this hop to hear their insights on this book.  Many of the participants are art quilters and some are quilters and they all "love" SEW embellished!  And, I'm confident you will too!

April 30: Cheryl Lynch (Cheryl Lynch Quilts)

May 7 Kelly Meanix (Pinkadot Quilts)

May 14 Bea Lee (Beaquilter)

May 21 Lisa Quintana (Michigoose’s Gander at Quilts and Life)

May 28 Margarita (Marga’s Crafts)

June 4 That Patchwork Place (Stitch This)

June 11 Debbie (Jerusalem Notes: Fiberwork by Debbie)

June 18 Diane (sooner or later, everyone will be blogging)

June 25 Kathy Loomis (Art With A Needle)  

July 5 SewCalGal (where you are now....LOL! )

July 9 Karen Musgrave www.connectionsbyKaren.blogspot.com

July 16 Cheryl Sleboda www.muppin.com

note:  Stitch This also shared Cheryl's ten favorite tips for embellishing quilts.  I highly encourage you to pop on over to check out these great insights.  






You can get more information on this book, as well as order a copy online at Martingale's store.  Plus, when you order it online from Martingale you automatically get a free e:book copy, which I certainly enjoy.  Or, you can order a "signed" copy directly from Cheryl's etsy shop.


Cheryl also has wonderful Trunk Shows that are perfect for Quilt Shops and Quilt Guilds to share. You can email her directly for scheduling information.

You can also find Cheryl at:
www.CherylLynchQuilts.com 
http://cheryllynchquilts.blogspot.com/



Did I mention a Giveaway?


Cheryl is generously giving away a copy of her new book to a follower of SewCalGal.  And, she has provided a kit to allow the lucky winner to make the cute WEARABLE adornment, show below with the bird and bird nest.  

This kit has all of the items you need to embellish the cute WEARABLE adornment for the cute pin with the bird nest, shown in the above picture.

 If you would like to enter to win a copy of this book, simply leave a comment and let me know if your experience with embellishment and art quilts.  It is ok to be completely new at it, as this book is perfect for any level!


Want an extra entry?  


Become a follower of Cheryl Lynch Quilts and leave a comment underneath her post about this blog hop.  Come back here and leave a 2nd comment to claim this extra entry.


A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, July 13th.  Be sure I have a way to contact you if you enter. If you have never won a giveaway from a blog, I highly recommend you check my post on "WANTED: Quilters that never win a giveaway" and be sure to scroll down and read the tips to check your google account settings. Sadly, many have them at the default status which results in them not being able to be contacted if they leave a comment (enter) a giveaway).