Sometimes you don’t know what it is that you’re wanting until you see it. That’s kind of how I feel after reading Cheryl Arkison’s new book, which I read cover to cover and past my bedtime (not the original plan) on the day I got it a few weeks ago. I was totally sucked in, in a very good way. Cheryl is a friend, so it’s not a surprise that I like her book, BUT what was a surprise was how much she was able to touch on things that I really wanted to be seeing in a (quilt) book.
Cheryl is a fantastic writer and storyteller. She has an incredible knack for emitting her own personality through her writing, and this book is certainly a testament to that. While I was reading, it was almost like I was peeking in on her life. She marries big ideas of family, friends, food and quilts by including personal essays and recipes along with the patterns. I love that quilting to her is exactly what quilting is to me (and I think to so many of us). That is that quilting–or cooking, reading, living, whatever–is not a segmented part of our lives, but rather an integrated act that we are completely mindful of doing. She pulls all of these things together and delivers something with fantastic depth and warmth.
No surprise, but the projects and technical stuff (emphasis on low-volume deliciousness) are fantastic too. There are definitely several quilts–and a bag–in there that I’ve got my eye on. Although I should probably get the one I started from her other book (with Amanda Jean Nyberg) finished first…
well done, sister. you done good.
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