Excerpt from the book:

I firmly believe that God creates each of us with a special purpose in mind. I discovered that my purpose is making landscape quilts and sharing my techniques with others. Who would have thought that a freckle-faced adolescent struggling to pass "gathered skirts" in home economics would one day be traveling around the world teaching others to quilt? As a student of journalism, I figured I'd one day write smutty novels. But quilting books? What a hoot!

In my travels, I've noticed many students filled with anticipation, seeking more information and direction on how to make their magnificent landscape quilts shine with realism. Although my previous book about landscape quilting, Luscious Landscapes, provided the basics, Beautifully Embellished Landscapes dives into the really juicy stuff: the special effects and embellishments that make landscapes zing with realism. When it comes right down to it, creating realistic landscape quilts is more about problem solving than it is an artistic endeavor. I find myself asking, "How can I make a fence or barn look weathered or impart the mood of fog in the distance or create dancing sunbeams on the water?" Or "How can I transform or make the fabrics I have on hand mimic what I see in nature?"

Making Fabrics Your Own
Using my quilts and those of my students and peers as examples, I share insights with you on manipulating commercial fabrics, which I refer to as making the fabrics your own. Whether you transform fabrics using surface-design techniques, such as cutting, painting, machine embroidery, overlays, or shading, or you incorporate computer-generated clip art, the goal is the same: to recreate what you see in nature, using fabric as the medium.

There Are No Rules!
Traditional quilters often say that they find landscape quilting intimidating. As a quilter whose roots are steeped in traditionalism, I am here to tell you that creating landscape quilts is non-threatening, freeing, and downright fun!

There are few rules, no seam allowances, and no pesky edges to turn. You don't need an art degree or any quilting experience. Some of my best students are beginning quilters! My landscape quilts are created purely from a love of nature, not from a background in art. I have no formal art background. In fact, the only real disagreement my husband and I ever had occurred while we were playing Pictionary: My drawing was so darn bad that he couldn't tell what I drew, and we lost the game!

I hope you'll enjoy the techniques and tips, the gorgeous landscape quilts, and the exceptional scenic photography by Valori Wells. After you learn new techniques and tricks to create landscape quilts, perhaps you'll jump in and try one of the projects. My ultimate wish for you is that you will be able to create an original landscape that sings with special effects and embellishments and that brings joy and happiness first to you and then to others.

-- Joyce R. Becker from Beautifully Embellished Landscapes

Although she threatens to "settle down one of these days" and write a "spicy" novel, Joyce continues to travel around the globe, teaching and lecturing about landscape quiltmaking. Joyce enjoys teaching at large conferences, such as the annual International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas, and she continues to create award-winning landscape quilts. When she's not writing, teaching, traveling, or stitching, Joyce enjoys reading, taking walks with her husband, watching the birds gather at the feeders, and hanging out with her quilting friends.

ALSO AVAILABLE SEPARATELY
Joyce Becker Teaches You Landscape Quilting ON DVD

• Everything you need to know for gorgeous landscape quilts
• Share Joyce's best ideas - when and where it's convenient for YOU!
• Techniques and embellishments anyone can do-even beginners
• You'll love Joyce's friendly, encouraging style