A TECHNIQUE DRIVEN Blog dedicated to mastery of surface design techniques. First we dye, overdye, paint, stitch, resist, tie, fold, silk screen, stamp, thermofax, batik, bejewel, stretch, shrink, sprinkle, Smooch, fuse, slice, dice, AND then we set it on fire using a variety of heat tools.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Day 1 Bookreview and Give away

A double bookreview of two of my favourite books in 2012, and a give away of each book!!!
The first book is a ´all-in-one´ masterclass for creating textile art with your own signature:

Textile Adventures of Mirjam Pet-Jacobs

(english, german and french in one copy!)



This book starts with some information on general basic art theory followed by means to work with personal themes. The practical side consists of many assignments and workshops that you can do by yourself (or with friends ;-).
To clarify the process of making a piece of art, several of Mirjam´s pieces-in-process are discussed. And finally, there is attention paid to the finishing touch of a piece of art, like photographing and writing artist statements.

This book really covers it all, from starting a design to entering it professionally in a show.
Mirjam about her book: ´With this book you can start your individual quest and make your personal art. All you need is curiosity, an open mind and some courage to step through the door into an unknown world and follow an unknown path: your own path. Wishing you an interesting journey!´

Click here to see two previewpages of the book

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The second book is brandnew as it was just available from the 15th of November.

Textile is alive! - Ellen Bakker




Textile is alive! is a large, colorful book full of inspiring textile art and remarkable handiwork from the Netherlands and Belgium. Over 250 artists, designers and handiwork specialists with a passion for textile present their pieces of art, jewels, interior design objects, clothing (accessories), experiments and other textile expressions and give a short outline about themselves and their work.
An inspiring book where all sorts of techniques are addressed, including embroidering, knitting, crocheting, painting/printing, felting, knotting, sewing, punching, weaving, (art)quilting, mixed media and other (new) techniques.



Two pieces of my snowdyed fabric were also featured in this book!

Click here to see sample pages of the book

PS. If you like handfelting, Felting for me is ... is the first book of Ellen Bakker, featuring 93 felt makers from the Netherlands. Very colourful and inspiring and one of my favourite books for 2011.
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So now it´s your turn. Tell us which book inspired you last year. Or just tell me which book you prefer to win. Each reaction will be included in a lottery on Dec 8. Don´t forget to leave your emailadress if your profile is anonymous. We look forward to hear from you!

Tomorrow it´s Karens turn, and she will also review a book and give away something precious! So don´t forget to return tomorrow, and the days after, until Dec. 8!

66 comments:

  1. I love both of these books. I just received Textile is alive and spent a VERY long time looking at the photos. I have had Mirjam's book for about six months and I find it a great way to get started on your journey. The concepts and exercises are a great way to learn the principles of design. Plus Mirjam is an amazing artist. Thanks Nienke for your reveiws.

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  2. I think I'd like some help getting started on the journey so Textile Adventures sounds great!

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  3. The book that most inspired me this year was 1001 paintings you must see before you die - its amazing the amount of art I've been missing out on! Either book would be a blessing!

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  4. Almost every book inspires me to start something.These two books are both wonderful.

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  5. I love the work of Pet-Jacobs and having the book Textile Adventures would be such a treat. Mary Ann

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  6. I finally read "Wishcraft" by Barbara Sher this year. It's not in any way a new book, or even an art book, but still very relevant to working towards your dreams. I would prefer Textile Adventures, I believe.

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  7. Both sound interesting but I think I'd prefer Textile Adventures.
    Thanks for the reviews and a chance to win.
    indyqltr@hotmail.com

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  8. One of my favorites for inspiration with wonderful colors and textures is "the Colors of India"..mostly photography. Would love either book.

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  9. I love the Internet just for this....the ability to see a review and books or other items that we would not be able to see in our own smaller, circumscribed worlds. thanks so much for sharing!

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  10. I am fascinated by both of these books. I find that the European fiber artists have a whole different approach to their art. They seem to explore and expand possibilities in a different way from other artists.

    I am looking forward with great anticipation to devouring both of these books!

    Michele in Tulsa

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  11. My favorite book this year is Exploring Dimensional Quilt Arts by C June Barnes. So many great ideas to choose from :-)

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  12. I love Mirjam Pet-Jacobs work and would choose that book if I won. Thanks for the chance.

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  13. both beautiful books! textile adventures looks like my cup of tea though, i think i could really learn from it. thank you for hosting the giveaway

    mcquilts@hotmail.com

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  14. These both look great books!
    My favourite book this year is 'The Painted Quilt' - I know it's not new but what a great read!

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  15. Mirjam wrote in the book " The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things,but their inward significance" ( Aristotle)Mirjam's work is FABULOUS

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  16. Both books are wonderful, I know, I have them both allready. So no need to win for me.

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  17. These books look great -- but you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see what my favorite two books are...

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  18. 'Textile is Alive', a gorgeous feast for the eyes I would love to devour.

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  19. Thanks for the reviews. Both books look great, but I think
    I prefer Mirjam's book a little bit more.

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  20. Le livre qui m'a le plus interpellé cet année c'est le livre de Rayna Gillman create your free form quilts , et je suis un peu plus attirée par le livre de Mirjam car le texte est aussi en français

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  21. There are so many books that have I enjoyed this year. I have never heard of these two books. both look interesting. I would never turn down a new book! But I think I like Textile Adventures the best!
    Thanks for the reviews!

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  22. Textile Adventures sounds just like the type of 'push' I need to get started on my art quest, would love to win! Thank you for the giveaways. Ani (playdoll2 @ gmail.com - close the spaces)

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  23. I have a slight preference for Textile adventures but as someone who does various crafts either would be a fantastic addition to my. Library.

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  24. I would prefer to win "Textile Adventures", sounds exactly like the book i need! The books of Rayna Gilman inspired me much this year. And of course this blog is kind of an endless inspiration, thank you!

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  25. Textile Adventures sounds like a great book to win! :)

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  26. Textiles adventures sounds great. I would love to have a copy of the book.

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  27. I should like the book of Mirjam Pet, the other book looks as a great inspirationbook with all the foto's in it.So both books are great but if I should win (??????) then I choose for the Mirjam Pet book. greetings from Liesbeth

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  28. Would love to see the new Textile is alive book ! But my longtime favourite is Mirjam Pet ! I've been to some of her workshops and her work inspires me since I first saw it many many years ago !

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  29. I realy would like to win one of these books, they both look great but I think I would like the textile adventures the most!

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  30. I would prefer to win the book "Textile Adventures" though the other book seems great too.

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  31. My favorite inspiration this year has been "Drawn To Stitch". I'd love either book for my 2013 inspiration!

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  32. Both the books are on my list.

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  33. I would love the first one.
    I once stood in front of Miriam's pieces and was spellbound. QN 05, I remember it well.

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  34. The work of Mirjam Pet Jacobs is an example for me because with her simple images she is very telling.

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  35. These are glorious books and I have peeked into each, with very high interest in Textile Adventures of Mirjam Pet-Jacobs. Mirjam's work is breathtaking and would enjoy learning more about her take on design and her approach to creating her beautiful work. THANK you for doing the books reviews - I have a Textile Design Diploma Program at St. Lawrence College and would add a book to our college Library.
    Bethany Garner

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  36. I would love to win Textile is Alive!

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  37. It's wonderful to be exposed to artists' work from around the world! Textile is Alive is the book that speaks to me!! Looks great!

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  38. wonderful books!!

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  39. I've never seen either of these books before and now I want both!

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  40. I would love to have either of these books!
    thanks for sharing them!

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  41. I love all of Maggie Grey's books. Her work is really inspiring to me.

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  42. Both books are fastastisch. The book by Mirjam Pet-Jacobs is a good preparation for her exhibition in Breda next year. And the book "Textile is alive" is a must because there are so many good Dutch and Flemish artists in it. And both books are more than welcome ...

    Christel

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  43. I would love to have Mirjam's book
    I already purchased THE other two!

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  44. One can never have to many sources of inspiration and the Textile Adventures book looks like it would fill that need nicely.

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  45. I didn't know that Mirjam had a book published!!! Wow!! The book that changed my life this year was Melanie Testa's "Dreaming from the Journal Page". I have wanted to learn to draw, paint, and journal and then translate my journal page to cloth. Melly's book is so wonderful in that it told me how to use the supplies I see in art supply shops. I am forever grateful for this book as it caused a dramatic change in me. Woo Hoo!!!

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  46. Wonderful books! I just put both titles on my holiday wish list and would be over the moon to win one of them in this drawing.
    Kristin F.

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  47. Both books sound really interesting. I enjoy reading books by artists from other countries.
    I think Textile Adventures is the book I'd like a chance to win.

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  48. Thanks for your review, Nienke. Both books have been on my wish list. I'd prefer Mirjam Pet-Jacobs book because I think I could learn the most from that one.

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  49. Both books sounds wonderful to me. Mirjam Pet would be wonderful to start on a new journey in textile art and Textile alive would be such a beautiful overview from Dutch and Flemish artists.

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  50. I'd love to win either the "Textile Is Alive" or "Textile Adventures" as they both look so yummy! I've never heard of either of them so I'm very interested now...if I don't win, I just might put them on my Christmas list. Thanks for the review!

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  51. I am not sure I could choose as they both look wonderful. Thanks -

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  52. Textile Adventure sounds like quite an interesiting read!

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  53. Both books are on my list.

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  54. Meanwhile I have the book of textile ink seen. What a wonderful book this became. Much nicer than I expected. That book is high on my wish list.

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  55. what a lovely giveaway - these books sound wonderful! I'd love the chance to win Textile Is Alive!

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  56. Of course textile is alive... never been dead. I would love to get your giveaway

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  57. I love seeing what kind of Fiber Art books other countries are producing. It is apparent that while our language is different, we are all on the same diverse page when it comes to surface design!

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  58. Books both look really interesting. I have had a life long love affair with textiles with a fling along the way with watercolor painting. Visited Belgium during the watercolor years and one of my favorite painters is from the Netherlands.

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  59. I purchased more books this past year than I have in previous years, so I definitely have several favorites. The one that I peruse most often, however, is 'Create your own hand-printed cloth' by Rayna Gillman.

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  60. The Textile Adventures of Mirjam Pet-Jacobs book would be of great help to me.... I have been dealing with many creative blocks that have kept me out of the studio more than In it.... I could definitely use some more Textile Adventures in the coming year :)

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  61. They both sound wonderful. I think Textile Adventures would pull me toward it first! shop(at)betoncat(dot com)

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  62. Thanks for the review. I didn't know that the textile is alive book is also available in English, I already have the dutch version (because I am in it).

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  63. Both books look great but I am very interested in Textile is Alive. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  64. I would love to win the book 'Textile is alive, or, in Dutch 'Textiel leeft!'

    My mother and grandmother both were born with fabric scissors in their hands. I made my first dress when I was eight years old. Somehow I thought I wouldn't be able to make a living as an artist, so kind of gave up on fabric. It took me almost four decades to really start creating myself, using textile. So glad to find joy in it. I want to create art quilts that really are my own, instead of a copy of something I saw. Inspiration never hurts, though. :-) Thank you for the reviews and the give-away,
    Esther (the Netherlands)

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  65. I love the textile artworks from Mirjam Pet, so I would love to win that book..... thanks for a wonderful give-away!

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  66. Textile Is Alive looks like a really inspiring book!

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