Customer Reviews

Quilted Memories: Journaling, Scrapbooking & Creating Keepsakes with Fabric

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of those books that you may want to buy two copies of just in case something happens to one of them. It is absolutely full of Lesley's ideas and instructions for making truly remarkable mixed-media quilts that combine the best of art quilting, scrapbooking, and altered books. She gives permission to ignore all the traditional rules about making quilts (like using only 100% cotton and making sure all edges are perfectly even). Her quilts are quirky and yet lovely. And she shows readers how to make their own.

The book is jammed with useful information about finding and/or painting great fabrics, making all kinds of image transfers, coloring and bleaching, using design principles, how to add instant age, and finishing. Then there are detailed looks at memory quilts by various artists, not so much telling how to reproduce them exactly, but explaining the artists' techniques. (I really appreciate that a lot. Too many books tell you how to reproduce their examples exactly, but don't go into general techniques that you can adapt to your own needs. The worst is when they insist you use a certain brand name and don't tell you why!) The showcased quilts cover a range of styles, from sentimental to edgy. It will have you haunting thrift shops and estate sales, hoarding old laces and teatowels, and eyeing the buttons on your children's clothes.

What a joy of a book.

I started out being a doll artist and I have moved on to mixed media. Whether you are a scrapbooker, altered book artist or a dollmaker, you will find something in Leslie's book that will help you to become more creative in your art form. Leslie not only writes from her heart, she writes from her experiences. Out of all the books I have on quilting, dollmaking and other forms of fiber art, I will treasure Quilted Memories over and above them all.

Leslie allows the reader to experiment safely and without fear of doing something wrong in their quests to be unique. The beginning of the book describes in great detail how an artist creates and then an in depth study of color follows.

The instructions are easy to understand and the pictures help tremendously. I spend many precious moments reading this book and am excited about trying to incorporate these techniques in my dolls, altered books and wallhangings.

I do not even own a sewing machine, but this book still jump started my creativity in ways I never expected. Lesley offers guidance for creativity blocks and how to get around "never having enough time for art" tips that really work!

The instructions are clear and the photographs are beautiful! This book has a permanent place on my night stand so I can look at it again and again!

- claudine hellmuth
author, Collage Discovery Workshop and Collage Discovery Workshop:Beyond the Unexpected

I was a quilter before I was a scrapbooker and I have longed to mix the two. Lesley Riley has written the perfect book to combine my two loves. The colorful magic that she weaves between the covers of this book is everything I hoped it would be and more. There are so many amazing techniques to try and create my own unique personal style, that I can't wait to get started. However, just holding this beautiful book in my hands and turning the gorgeous pages makes me happy enough. Soon, the magic will leave the pages of this book and fill me with inspiration to create my own Quilted Memories. You will NOT be disappointed with this amazing and inspiring book!

I love to sew, collage, journal and have many books on all of these art forms. Lesley Riley's Quilted Memories is unique in this genre because she has gone a very important step beyond the instruction of techniques and examines the use of good design.

There are many technique books out today, but this one is inspirational and reminds us to consider "how" elements work together. Then the techniques are examined and the projects are showcased.

A great book.

Donna

Not only are the projects spelled out in an easy to follow format, visually they are simply elegant and continue to catch your eye page after page.

I appreciate that Lesliey is so willing to share how she works and what she has learned in her journey as an artist and a quilter. This is a must have, you can easily create one of a kind fragements using her hints and techniques.

I received my copy of Quilting Memories and promptly read through it about three times by the next morning! It's a really nice
balance of techniques, thought-provoking discussion, and inspiring samples of artwork. Although I have a lot of books in my 'library' and knew many of the techniques already, I still found that it had alot to offer. Actually, I came away so inspired by it that I was able to overcome some obstacles and complete a project that had been hounding me for weeks. I defy anyone to read through this and not want to run into their studio and create something with fabric!

I particulary enjoyed the parts about 'storytelling' and developing your personal style--and the discussion about composition as well. For the newcomer, there are also detailed instructions on different techniques, including transferring photos to fabric--something that Lesley is now well-known for.

I also enjoyed the gallery artwork that makes up the second half of the book, with favorites like Claudine Hellmuth, Karen Michel, Rayna Gillman, Lynne Perella, Lisa Engelbrecht...the list goes on! What I liked was that Lesley chose a diverse group of artists, some of whom we don't necessarily associate with fabric. So it was interesting to see how they expressed themselves in this medium, and to hear some of the thought processes that went into the work.

I think this book would appeal to both the experienced and the novice alike. And I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering venturing into fabric, but hasn't quite taken the leap. In her friendly, open manner, Lesley has taken the fear out of fabric--and shown us that it can play a major role in our artwork!

This delightful book by LESLEY RILEY is FULL, and I mean FULL of creative ideas and actual instruction. NON-QUILTERS as well as fiber artists of all types will be INSPIRED by every page. When mine arrived a few days ago, I couldn't put it down! What impresses me most about the book is that beyond the GORGEOUS PHOTOS, there is so much real instruction. Every book that I own of this type, (and believe me I have quite a few!)are nice to look at for the visual stimulation, but that's about as far as it goes. Lesley's book actually takes the reader through some easy-to-understand "theory" on design principles with great examples. This is the type of book I have been searching for because I personally do not have "formal" art training. The section called "Learning to see like an artist" has really helped me to stretch my ideas and think in a whole new way. Experienced artists will also benefit by Lesley's unique talents.
Thanks to Lesley for creating a PROFESSIONAL teaching tool for all of us trying to find our muse. It is among my most treasured books!

I recently received the book and have only had time to look at photos and skim the WIDE range of topics covered, but, I am certain that it will become a favorite. While I am familiar with many of the techniques covered, this book - which inspires and instructs - puts in one place topics addressed in several of the books that I've acquired.

As a bona fide bibliophile, I have to mention being impressed - right out of the box - that the book was hardback,that there was a dust jacket, and that there was a full color cover under the dust jacket. That's rare these days in a sensibly priced book.

I commend Lesley Riley for this resource treat which is first class - inside and out!! You won't regret purchasing this one.

This book is a really good read AND a useful tutorial. I look forward to enjoying many evenings to come, reading and learning from Lesley Riley's well-written, beautifully photographed book, sitting in my front porch swing. I expect this book will have a place very near my sewing room table, too.