January 10, 2011

Scrap-Basket Sensations

Even though months have passed, it seems like such a short time ago that I told you I was working on a new book.  I'm thrilled to tell you that Scrap-Basket Sensations, published by Martingale & Company, will be released on January 11!  Tomorrow!


Scrap-Basket Sensations includes instructions for 18 quilts using 2 1/2" strips.  You can use Jelly Rolls, Bali Pops, scraps, or stash fabrics.  The quilts are made from a wide variety of fabric styles, so there's something for everyone.  

A blog book tour tour is in the works, so look for details soon.  You'll have many opportunities to win your very own copy!  In the meantime, though, I'd like to tell you a little about a few wonderful people who helped in so many ways to make this book a possibility.  They all host blogs of their own, and have agreed to post today and share a few photos of the quilts they made.

Karen and I have been friends for many years, and have worked on so many quilting projects together.  We worked in the same office for about twelve years, and spent our lunch hours piecing, quilting, basting, sewing on binding, and planning our next quilts.  We "borrowed" an empty office in the building and set up a studio complete with two sewing machines, a design wall, cutting area, ironing station, and even a small stash of fabric.  When I told Karen I would be working on a new book, she immediately asked which quilts she would be making.  She ended up making four of the quilts and hand-sewing lots of binding.  You can see the quilts that Karen made here

Mary and I became friends through blogging.  We discovered that we love the same fabric designers, the same fabrics, and the same patterns.  I often ask her if she thinks she might be able to talk her husband into moving to the Gulf Coast.  He hasn't agreed to it yet, but I'm still working on it.  If you're a regular visitor of Mary's blog, you know that she does amazing longarm quilting.  If not, go by and look at some of her work and you'll know why I'm so excited that she made two quilts for the new book.  You can see Mary's quilts here

Darlene and I developed a friendship through blogging as well.  I'm an admirer of Darlene's work, and I'm always amazed by how much she accomplishes in such a short time.  I'm convinced that she quilts in her sleep.  Darlene also made two quilts for the new book -- one was made from a Jelly Roll, and the other was made from scraps left over from lots of her other quilts.  Looking at the scrappy quilt she made is like taking a stroll through time.  I recognize so many of the fabrics she used, and many of them had been in my own stash until I used the last little bits.  To see Darlene's quilts, click here.

Having the work of these talented quilters included in my book is a real honor for me.  And without their help, I certainly wouldn't have finished in time.  I'm so grateful to them for contributing so much of their time and talent. 

I'm very excited about the upcoming release of Scrap-Basket Sensations.  I hope you'll like it as much as I do!

Kim