Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Push Stitchery - Wow! What a Book






Loved this little book curated by Jamie Chalmers from first look and touch.
It is the perfect size to present work that is often somewhat diminutive, and fits the hand well for a long sit down and read. I read the book from cover to cover within the first 24 hours and loved every minute of it.

There are 30 top stitch artists in the book with a lovely spread of each one including lots of photos of work, insightful interview questions, and lovely details to bring the work up close and personal.
The first two photos are from a portrait done by Cayce Zavaglia from the USA. She has masterful use of space and thread color. As well done as any portrait in oil.

Yes, that is a shovel that has been drilled and cross stitched by Lithuanian Severija Incirauskaite-Kriaunevciene.

In Root Deep Meagan Ileana plays with the female form in just a touch of hand and feet with a strong sense of the goddess.


I want a pillow. Charlene Mullen of UK is best known for her blackwork embroidery of London landscapes. She has really pushed the envelop on taking "craft' at its most mundane level of both form and method and pushed it to art.

And the Lady in Red by Marloes Duyker, Netherlands, is a testament to what heights one can take free motion embroidery and a few bits of old lace.

This is a book that I will love and enjoy for many years to come.

Great News! Just got an email from Lark, that I can get a copy of the book to give away. Leave a message here, with your email address by November 10 and I will draw a random name to send the book to.

Nancy
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43 comments:

  1. Laura WasilowskiNovember 2, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Looks like a terric book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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  2. KarenNovember 2, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    I would love a copy of this book.

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  3. janice pdNovember 2, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    This looks like an interesting book. I love stitchery that goes beyond the expected. jpainedawes@live.com

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  4. KAMNovember 2, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    What a great book! Thanks for the review and glimpse at what lies inside for the reader.

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  5. GailNovember 2, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Wow. I can't believe someone would actually cross stitch on a shovel. Amazing! The first portrait is beautiful as are the other pieces. Thanks for sharing

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  6. GailNovember 2, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Wow! I can't believe the diversity and beauty of this work. The first portrait is amazing. And cross stitch on a drilled shovel? Who'd a thunk it?
    Gail

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  7. Karen S MusgraveNovember 2, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Nancy, Thanks for posting photos so I have a better understanding of what is inside. Thanks! Karen

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  8. CharlotteNovember 2, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Would love to read this book.
    Thanks for the informative review
    and chance to win it.

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  9. LouBirdNovember 2, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Thanks for the review and the chance to win this book!

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  10. cat in tassieNovember 2, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Okay, you had me at 'cross-stitched shovel'! This looks like a very interesting read.

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  11. ZenQuilterNovember 3, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    Nancy,
    Great review. This looks like a library must-have! Thanks for giving us a chance to win a copy

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  12. ZenQuilterNovember 3, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Nancy,
    Great review. This looks like a library must-have! Thanks for giving us a chance to win a copy

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  13. DelNovember 3, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    It is always interesting to see the new directions fiber artists are taking. Thanks for the review and the images. delqlts at aol.com

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  14. GlenysGNovember 3, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    What a great book, such inspiration.
    synelgg@aol.com

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  15. BethNovember 3, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    My art friend and I love using stitch. We would love an opportunity to own this book. Thanks to Lark for the offer

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  16. AnonymousNovember 3, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    The creativity is unlimited! Enjoyed visiting the NC group's blog--I grew up in NC!

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  17. helenekNovember 3, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    The exhibit sound fascinating. I plan on going to see it next week. Would love to win a copy of the book as a souvenir.
    Helene K

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  18. Vivian HelenaNovember 3, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    I would love a copy of the book also.. Lark is so generous with sharing information on blogs and motivating us to learn more.. I surely appreciate all they have done.
    And so glad that you are sharing with us.. I joined the Sketchbook Challenge also,,, but did not keep up,,, I have great intentions. another goal for 2012.. Hope to get a sketch in before the end of this year.. Thanks for continuing the challenge!

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  19. Suzanne SangerNovember 3, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    This books looks very interesting. I'd love to page through it!

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  20. Suzanne SangerNovember 3, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    This book looks very interesting. Thanks for an excellent review. I'd love to page through it for myself!

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  21. GMYRNovember 3, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I've been looking for a book like this. Thanks for the well written review. Make me the lucky one!
    gail@gailforces.com

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  22. WillaNovember 3, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    The book looks beautiful.
    Your review is excellent and makes me want to read this little volumne.

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  23. B BernsteinNovember 4, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Thanks for your review of the book. Looks very interesting and I would love to own it. Stiching, thread painting is my passion.

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  24. silkworks922November 4, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Looks like a wonderful little book! Thanks for the review.

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  25. Susan LenzNovember 4, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Thanks for this review ... beautiful stitching!
    Susan

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  26. Linda MNovember 4, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    This book is on my wish list, so I'd love to get a free copy! It looks very interesting.

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  27. Lynn K.November 4, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Someone else reviewed this book a couple weeks ago. It sounds fascinating and you have reminded me that I would love to have a copy! Thanks.
    Lynn Kunz

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  28. PeggieNovember 4, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    This looks wonderful. Thanks for the review.

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  29. Valerie W.November 4, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Nancy
    Thanks for your review of "Push Stichery". It looks like a great book.

    Valerie, v_wilson@mts.net

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  30. Valerie W.November 4, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Nancy

    Thank you for your review of "Push Stitchery". This book looks great.

    Valerie

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  31. SandraNovember 5, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this book and then sharing your good luck with the give away copy.

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  32. Quilter422November 7, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Looks like a really inspirational book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  33. Quilter422November 7, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Looks like a really inspirational book! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  34. Natalya Khorover AikensNovember 7, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    oooh! this looks like a book I can drool over!

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  35. LydiaNovember 7, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    The first quilt posted has my attention. Am in awe, it is fabulous. Would love to receive this book.

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  36. Liz RennerNovember 8, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Well, I'd just love to win a copy of the book. In any case, it's great to get a sneek peek into it's pages. Thanks.

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  37. LotusburgerNovember 8, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    WOW looks like a great book!

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  38. JulaineNovember 8, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Yes! Push those boundaries of hand stitching...

    I'm looking at junk metal in a whole new light! The shovel is fabulous!

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  39. Purl ButtonsNovember 8, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Another contest. Well, the random number generator hasn't picked me yet, so I'm due, yes?

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  40. NancyNovember 8, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    PUrl Buttons, I know what you mean. Winning is not my strong suit either.

    Good luck to you all.
    Nancy

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  41. HilaryNovember 10, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    It is so good to see contemporary stitchery being promoted and taken seriously.

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  42. NancyNovember 12, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    And the Winner is Liz Renner!

    Liz send me your address and the book will speed on its way to you. I have now read the book cover to cover twice - once to review it, and once to just slow down and savor it. Yummy!! And some lucky folks in New York can actually go see some of the work in person.

    Thanks all for entering.

    Nancy

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  43. NancyDecember 6, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Lyn Kunz, please send your address to me at ngcook1@bellsouth. net
    (no spaces)

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