Review By: Karen L R,   sew and sow life - January 27, 2009
"Such excitement!  Gretta (17, and our youngest daughter) and I found copies of this new book in a package in our mailbox this afternoon.  About a year ago, our friends and mentors, Jane Davila and Elin Waterston invited us to submit pieces for consideration for inclusion in the student gallery section of their new book.  We were honored and delighted!...Anyhow, this new book is visually beautiful and full of great ideas.  Check it out!"

Review   bethel's place - February 7, 2009
"...it's all I was expecting + more... I'm not a great reader so if a book has lots of 'how-to' photos I am as happy as...& this one does ... Girls you have done a wonderful job, as I knew you would, as I love your other book Art Quilt Workbook - I even got the DvD ... Now I've checked it over page by page, twice now so, now it's time to 'devour' it page by page [ like read all the print - not just the heaps & heaps of hints].The girls have a wonderful formula to their books ... they are not over cluttered, they are easy to read, they are easy to understand - yes there is a big difference to reading & understanding what you are reading], they are set-out exceptionally well & like I said before they have heaps of how-to photos... so if you were thinking about buying it - I'd say go for it it is well worth it ... & no I not affiliated, 'as they say', just a happy customer...Thankful... to people who will put, what they have learned, out there, to share with others ..."

Review   Quilting Arts Magazine - February 1, 2009
“…is packed with surface design techniques and ideas for collaborating with other artists. I like the organization of this book. Chapter One, Fabric Creation, covers everything from mixing color to nature printing to stamp making, resists, and discharging. Next, readers are immersed in 'Special Effects” with Paintsticks, gel medium, expandable paint, foil, glitter, and more. Subsequent chapters include a Student Gallery, Challenges, Collaborative Projects, Art to Trade (small items such as postcards and ATCs), Connections (online groups, the Internet, etc.), and a Collaborating Artist Gallery. You can always rely on this team to teach and inspire, and to make it all look so easy.”

Review By: Susan Knapp,   Blue Moon River - March 16, 2009
"Mixed-media and fiber artists Jane Dávila and Elin Waterston, the team that brought us Art Quilt Workbook in 2007, have another hit on their hands, I think. This book encourages quilters to explore new techniques, materials and processes. It offers straightforward directions, concise supply lists, numerous illustrations and ample encouragement for beginners as well as those who already have their feet wet. It’s an excellent introduction for beginners, or a handy reference for the more experienced.
Section 1 includes chapters on:
1. fabric creation (mixing color, fabric dyeing, simple screen printing, nature printing, found object printing, stamp making, fabric painting with water-based resists, bleach discharging, and images on fabric)
2. special effects (paintstiks, fabric inks, water soluble pastels, painted fusible web, gel medium, expandable paint medium, shrink film, metalic foil and leafing, PearlEx powders, art glitter, and Angelina heat-bondable fiber)
3. a student gallery.
I had already played with most of these materials and techniques, so I didn't really need the first section. But as a teacher of surface design techniques for quilters, this is definitely a book I'll recommend, and refer to in class. Those without formal art training will also appreciate the glossary.
The second part of the book is what takes this beyond a mere how-to or reference book. Here are fun and interesting ways to push yourself out of your box, share your work, learn from others, and collaborate with other artists in a group.
Section 2 includes chapters on:
1. challenges (subject challenges, word challenges, process challenges)
2. collaborative projects (fabric art journals, surprise package, exquisite corpse, mixed media art)
3. art to trade (artist trading cards, fiber art postcards, small art swaps)
4. connections (online groups and the Internet, small in-person groups, critique groups)
5. collaborating artists gallery.
All in all, this is a great book with lots of practical exercises, as well as loads of inspiration, encouragement and energy..."

Review   Quilters Home Magazine - April 1, 2009
“Their first book, Art Quilt Workbook, was an immediate hit for this art quilt duet. This, their second book, is a good sequel. Where Workbook directed the creative process, Play challenges the technical side of art quilts. With clear steps and excellent photos, Jane and Elin offer in-depth instruction on dyeing, printing, stamping and other special effects that bring texture, pattern or images to your fabrics. The results are one-of-a-kind materials you can play with. If you haven't stepped into the world of quilts as art, this is a fun place to start. This would be a great book to bring on a retreat. Spend a day working through the instructions to create original fabric works and then another day turning your work into finished masterpieces! All you need are the munchies to go with the basic supplies. Should you but it? Absolutely if you're ready to break out of your 9-ptach rut and try something new!”

Review   Martha Sielman Art Quilts - April 1, 2009
"I really like the emphasis on play in this book.  Too often I go into my studio and feel that I have to create something that's 'Art' with a capital A.  I reject idea after idea as 'not worthy' and end up accomplishing very little.  When I remind myself that it's okay to play, my artwork is much freer and actually better.  If you're looking for ideas and techniques to jumpstart your play date with your studio, this is a great source of inspiration.  There are basic instructions for dyeing, printing, screenprinting, and discharge, as well as how to use paint stiks, fusibles, gel medium, foiling and other fun extras.  The last part of the book lists various group play activ! ities - challenges, collaborations, and online groups - ways to take your play and stretch your horizons.  Playing is tremendous fun!"

Review   Creative Embelishments Newsletter - March 1, 2009
“…You will find 22 different techniques to create interesting surface designs in this book. Have you always wanted to try printing on fabric but were a bit intimidated by all the different techniques available? Most of the methods presented will require minimal supplies so you can start out small and experiment until you find what works for you. Some of the methods covered in this book include the following: color theory, fabric & thread dying, printing on fabric using stamps, screens, & objects, foiling and many more techniques. You will also be encouraged to stretch yourself artistically by connecting with other artists through online groups, art trades and challenges. Filled with plenty of photos and step-by-step instructions this book will help you expand your skills in small, manageable steps.”

Review   SirReadalot.com - March 1, 2009
"...Art Quilts at Play was developed for artists of all levels who want to try new things, experiments with art materials and artistic styles, and expand their visual repertoire. It includes twenty-two new ways to play with design techniques and materials, plus ideas for collaborating with other artists. Jane Davila and Elin Waterston, both artists, designed the volume to:
• Expand readers’ artistic horizons and learn new ways to play with surface design techniques and materials.
• Explore different techniques and creative design effects.
• Stretch themselves artistically by connecting with other artists through online groups, art trades, and challenges.
• Use photo galleries of work created by other artists to get inspired...
Davila and Waterston say they called the book Art Quilts at Play first to play with, explore, and experiment with surface design methods, techniques, art materials and products; and second, to get involved with groups and collaborate. They have included galleries with examples of products from both areas of play – art made by students from their surface design classes and art from colleagues who they invited to collaborate with them on various projects.
Art Quilts at Play includes instructions for a variety of surface design techniques and special effects, suggestions rather than rules and they present some ways to use some materials and techniques. Davila and Waterston encourage readers to try all the techniques and materials presented in Art Quilts at Play. Some will appeal, some won't, because nobody likes everything, and not every technique is appropriate for every project.
They encourage readers to partici?pate in collaborative art projects – whether it's an Artist Trading Card swap, a more complex project, or something they develop and host themselves. Any participation in projects with other artists can inspire, challenge and help readers find their place in the art world. They encourage readers to keep pushing themselves to learn.
Art Quilts at Play is an exciting, fun volume for artists, giving them permission to play, to experiment, to push through creative blocks by moving beyond their usual methods, and not worrying about the outcome while learning new things."