Sep
4
Thank you so much to everyone who left warm wonderful words about my new book. I’m kinda sorta thrilled about it and can’t wait to show it off. Now, on to our monthly feature!
In her new book, Cynthia Tomaszewski’s message is that paradise is not a place, or a destination, but really the journey.
Little pieces of paradise are right there in our daily lives (if we have the wisdom to recognize them), and quilts made from these spaces in our heads are quilts from paradise. The designs in this book will lead you to Cynthia’s personal idea of paradise… the magical spirit of a tropical isle.
Filled with hot tropical colors, this book takes you step-by-step through 12 different quilt projects. Names like Falling Water, Natural Beauties, Tequila Sunrise, and Tropical Whimsy will give you an idea.
Tropical Whimsy by Cynthia Tomaszewski
There’s also a cute Island Tote and a darling rounded purse called Romancing the Bag.
All the appliqué templates are given full-size, and besides placement guides and detailed instructions for each project, Cynthia includes quiltmaking basics and an introduction to appliqué. Here she covers fusible appliqué with hand embroidery stitches for finishing the edges, freezer-paper appliqué with the freezer paper on the back or on the front, needle-turn appliqué, bias stems and vines, and embellishments.
I’ve always found it so fascinating that Cynthia lives in Abu Dhabi. The bio in the back of the book says that she and her husband plan to relocate one day to some land they have in Fiji. Until then, these colorful tropical quilts will remind her (and us) of island paradise.
I have a copy of Quilts From Paradise to give away to a lucky reader of the blog, courtesy of That Patchwork Place. If you’d like to leave your hometown behind for awhile and immerse yourself in tropical quiltmaking, leave a comment by 7:00 p.m. California time on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. U.S. and Canada only due to the cost of shipping.
Until then,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Comments
34 Responses to “Quilts From Paradise”
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I love needleturn applique! And this book. Hope I win! Linda
I would love to get lost in some tropical applique now when fall and winter is coming to Norway. This book looks wonderful :)
I would love to win this book. It would give me the push to start on applique again. I haven’t done any in about a year. Thank you for this wonderfu give-away. Take care and God bless, Cory
Quilts from Paradise looks absolutely wonderful! Would love to win it! Love the colors! Thanks for a great giveaway!
What a gorgeous book…I could really use an escape to the islands.
The colours are gorgous….I would love to win this book
Kay, thank you for showing a page from the book. It does look like a journey and I would so love to own it. Thank you so much for the chance.
The book looks so fun. I’d love to win it and give it a whirl! Love those leaves around the quilt in the picture.
I do really like the way Cynthia played with hot wonderful color. I think she is right, the paradise is a journey not a destination. Let’s enjoy quilting and applique;)
My grandparents visited Fiji in the 50’s–so exotic!! I’m always looking for new applique ideas and would love to have Cynthia’s new book. Looking forward to your new book, too, Kay!
I look out on “tropical foliage” too, but I think it is Poison Ivy here in PA. Take me away to the tropics!!!
This book looks really great. The idea of creating our own paradise, what fun!!!
What I see of this book looks very different than the other applique books out there. I love different! Full of color. Applique is slowly but surely becoming a favorite for me.
Oh what beautiful colors. Just looking at them makes you feel like you are going to a tropical paradise!!
I love the tropical theme of this book, lots of happy colors. I would love to win this one, but if not I’m thinking this will have to be on my list of “needs”. Thanks so much!
I’ve always loved Hawaiian quilts and to me, this is taking a piece of paradise and tweeking it to a new level for us mainlanders to enjoy! Thank you for writing it!
Congratulations on the new book, Kay! Can’t wait to see it and add it to my collection. Also, thank you for reviewing Cynthia’s new book – so many ideas, so little time.
I’d love to win the book, it looks so tempting!
The book looks and sounds like fun. Now that I’ve retired I’ll have time to play with applique.
I would love to win this book! I love bright colors!
Congratulations on your new book! I also like reading your reviews of the books you do!
That looks like a wonderful book, I would love to escape into that tropical world! Thanks for the giveaway!
what a yummy fusion of colors !!!! I would love to win this book. thanks
what a wonderful giveaway- this has a `tropical feel’ for me kind of reminds me of a trip to Maui… What a super way to end the summer. I would LOVE LOVE to win the book & have the winter to read & figure out & make a tropical reminder of `my’ Maui that pretty much is my traveling in this economy……this is so much fun~~~love your contests
This books looks quite apt given all the hot weather we’ve had across the country this summer. And just in time for the cooler weather ! Thanks for all the giveaways you do.
My middle name should be “applique”, as each day finds me dreaming, eating, (while looking at an applique book or magazine) or actually working on an applique project. The book, QUILTS from Paradise, would take me on another adventure to applique paradise. I can only dream of being the winner!
I would love to win a copy of Quilts From Paradise! It’s been on my wish list for several months and every time I see it in a shop, I flip thru it and drool on the pictures! Congratulation on your new book and thanks for a chance to win!
Living in Florida I am alway looking for those special tropical looking projects. This really looks like it fills the bill. Beuiful colores.
I love applique but have never tried anything like this. This book has certainly grabbed my attention. Hopin’ I’m your winner.
Cynthia & her book sound interesting. I like some of the basic things she covers. fun.
I would love a chance to win
Thank you for offering such a lovely book
What beautiful flowers, looks like a wonderful book to have.
Debbie
What a wonderful photograph in the book you are giving away. The border is fantastic–what a fun quilt that would be to hand applique. Enjoy your news articles. Thank you.
OMG! What a beautiful book! Please enter me in the draw!
This is my favorite!