Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

With the second book in her Crafty Chica series, Kathy Cano-Murillo returns to the list with the story of a woman who finds her life's true path by teaching others to stray outside the lines.

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

Kathy Cano-Murillo is a lifelong writer and artist. Her crafts have been carried by hundreds of retailers, including Bloomingdales, Target, and Hallmark. She is a former entertainment reporter for the Arizona Republic, and has authored seven books, including Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing. She is the founder of CraftyChica.com, a wildly popular web site to inspire women to brighten their lives with clever craft ideas. She has a web series on LifetimeTV.com, and can be seen on HGTV and DIY Network. She has been profiled in the New York Times, USA Today, and NPR, and now has an extensive Crafty Chica product line. Kathy lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is "Crafts, drama, and glitter".