This book addresses a country style of decorating, using quilts as the common denominator. There are fourteen projects, not just quilts, but tote bags, table toppers, wall hangings, even framed quilted pictures. The patterns include appliqué as well as piecing, with a nice combination of both in several projects. To give you ideas of where your quilt work can be displayed besides on your bed, in your cupboards, or at unappreciative relatives’ homes, there are pictures showing homes decorated with quilts. One of my favorite quilts in the book is a log cabin with simple appliquéd characters and motifs in the light half of the blocks and a striking, but easily made, border using 4½” squares with two flip-and-sew corners making a “ribbon” border. Check it out!

Instant Fabric
by Livia McRee

I am quite surprised no one has check out this book, which was purchased last year. For this computer generation of quilters, this book shows fresh, interesting ways to print out your own fabric for showcase blocks. In one instance Livia uses real leaves and prints them onto fabric so you have a photo of a real leaf with which you can work. Directions for doing this are clear and the necessary computer skills are minimal. You just need a scanner and a printer or a place to go which will do it for you. One of the projects uses a ceramic tile as the basis for the design: scan, print onto fabric, and use to decorate placements and napkins. Another project is a soft wall sconce to actually hold dried flowers. The author goes way beyond photo transfers to fabric for ways to create your own fabric designs. For those interested in music there is a beautiful table runner using scanned sheets of music and the quilted picture frames pattern is wonderful. Check it out!

Folk Art Quilts, A Fresh Look
by Sandy Bonsib

As is often the case, the cover caught my attention. It is a delightful use of scraps of all colors, yet organized, using an off-sided log cabin block with random plain blocks with a lopsided star appliqué. In other words: quick, easy, and get rid of scraps – my kind of quilt! There is also a quilt using random blocks in neutral colors, none darker than sand, with one lone folk artsy appliqué on it. In other words: the random blocks are a background, not the primary focus. It is very interesting, and a great inspirational piece. Even with my limited design mind, I can see all sorts of possibilities for using this idea to make an unique quilt. And, of course, my favorite item, Tip Blocks, throughout the book. Check it out!