Give-away! "37 Sketches" by Gwen Marston

As you know, Christine, Carol and I recently went to Gwen Marston's "Beaver Island Quilt Retreat" at White Birch Lodge in Elk Rapids, Michigan. You can see my previous posts about the retreat here. We had a wonderful time and I am still "basking in the afterglow" of my 5 days of sewing non-stop!

While at the retreat, I purchased a copy of Gwen's latest book, "37 Sketches".  I have read it and re-read it several times and everytime, I am inspired by Gwen's colour combinations, use of shapes and small pieces that I never would have tried before attending the workshop.

Here is what Gwen has to say about her book:

"37 Sketches is both an artfully designed and beautifully made book. It shows my new work built on the idea of exploring the elements of design by constructing small studies, which I quickly began to think of as sketches. I began to see these sketches in much the same way as a painter does in using sketches to explore technique and to work out color and composition ideas. These pieces are abstract compositions, worked primarily in solids. Constructing these 37 sketches provided me with a valuable and expedient way to explore new technique, color, and composition. I explain my process for making these small studies using my liberated, improvisational methods, of which many of you are very familiar, and discuss how the experience of making this series of sketches was like taking a crash course in design."

Gwen showed off her book at the "Show and Tell" evening during the retreat. She explained the process of making the book, picking the paper, the binding, taking the pictures, etc. She is rightfully very proud of her book!

It contains pictures of each of her 37 sketches as well as detail shots and short descriptions of each sketch and the inspirations behind them.



Gwen's sketches will be on display at the Taupo Museum in Taupo, New Zealand in July of 2013. She will also be teaching at the National Quilt Symposium in Taupo.

Now, the give-away!  If you would like to win an autographed copy of "37 Sketches", please leave a comment on this post by Friday, November 25th, at 7pm (Eastern Standard Time). I will draw a name out of a hat at that time and will contact the winner by e-mail so make sure I know how to get in touch with you!

If you would like to purchase a copy "37 Sketches", you can do that here. I am sure that Gwen would be happy to sign your book for you! This book would make a great Christmas gift!