Sue Bleiweiss

A book review

A lot of you probably know that I do a book review column in each issue of Fibre&Stitch but I thought that occasionally from time to time it would be nice to post a review here on my blog as well.  I've been getting a lot of books to review over the last several months and when this one came across my path I wanted to share it all with you because I know that a lot of you are interested in needle felting. 

Needle Felting Magic
Easy Machine Techniques and Projects
By Margo Duke
ISBN 9781564778123

I’ve lost track of how many new needle-felting books have come out in the last year but this one really stands out among them.  The first thing that tipped me off that there was some new and fun things inside its pages was the cover.   A beautiful mix of textures and color and I hadn’t even opened the book yet!   Margo does a nice job of walking the beginner needle felter through the basics but even an experienced felter will find plenty to be inspired by in these pages.   The book opens with a review of materials and includes a needle felting machine comparison chart.   There are five projects to get you started ranging from a bag, journal cover and scarf to a very new and unique way to display photographs.  My personal favorite is the fluff and fancy pin.  I can see making a lot of these to embellish everything from bags and hats to scarves and sweaters.  All of the projects are easy to understand with clearly written instructions and diagrams.   Although this book is only 32 pages there’s plenty in here to be inspired by. 

Art, Nature, Creativity, Life by Virginia Spiegel

Virginia Spiegel has a new ebook  called Art, Nature, Creativity, Life .  It's an online book of 19 chapters that is filled with Virginia's essays, art, haikus and some great behind the scenes photos of her studios. 

Reading this ebook is like sitting with a good friend on the back porch on a warm spring day.  Virginia's smooth writing style combined with her ability to illustrate her point with the perfect photograph amazes me.   Each "chapter" of her ebook is filled with inspiring images, haiku and of course her gorgeous artwork.  What a priviledge it is to be able to glimpse into her world to see what motivates and challenges this incredibly gifted artist.   I will visit the pages of this book again and again when I am in need of inspiration, motivation or just a moment of stillness.

All the proceeds from the sale of this book go to the American Cancer Society and Virginia's goal is to raise $30,000 for cancer research and education.  Click here to read more about the book and information on how to order.

I've been working non stop the last few days on assembling the kits for my Festival Sew it and Take it classes and my studio looks a bit like a cyclone has gone through it.  I'll be back in a day or two with some photos and maybe a new project or two depending on how long it takes me to find my worktable under all the mess I've created!