Do you ever find one of those books that you want to share with the world? That you think that literally everyone should own because it is so awesome?
Or a book that speaks to you in a way no other book has? It grabs you with it its words, its photography, its story, its very nature. It says what you have always been trying to say but you didn’t even know you were trying to say it. It explains who YOU are and how you see the world.
And is that EVER a QUILTING book? I’ve been moved by books before, but I’m not sure a quilting book has ever truly moved me the way that Amy Gibson’s latest book, The Quilt Block Cookbook, does.
When I first saw Amy’s book, I just gasped with delight. I might get a bit gushy here, but I say all of these things with TOTAL honesty. I did indeed gasp. First off, the size of the book…it’s square. But not one of those teeny tiny ones you can hardly read. The perfect size square. And it is a hard back book. That is pretty rare to find in quilting books and it is one of the reasons that this book is just so stunningly beautiful.
The photography inside is really just amazing. I adore the layout and the ease of finding information. Each picture makes my mouth water….and again…I’m not overstating my view. This is honestly what happens when I look through this book.
I can go on and on about the book, but I need to get to my project from it (yes, I even USED the book already! ANOTHER sign of a great book). Bottom line is this. BUY THIS BOOK. It is THE book to have in your home to hand to someone when they ask what you do and you answer “quilting”. When they look at this book, they will understand the beauty of what we do (and maybe not think we are such odd ducks for liking quillting…well at least it might help a bit!)
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On to my project! Sorry for the long post, but stick with me. I promise it’s worth it.
Amy’s book is on Sampler quilts. She gives 50 different blocks PLUS some fantastic layout ideas for using those blocks (plus lots of other info). And I really adore her layouts for the samplers. I’m not going to lie. I don’t really love samplers.
Yep. I said it. I’m a quilter and I don’t like Sampler quilts. Don’t get me wrong, I love the blocks, designing and making them. I can enjoy other people’s Sampler quilts. But they just don’t resonate with me all that often. So when I saw one particular layout Amy has called Celestial I was surprised at how much I loved it. And immediately I knew what blocks to use for it and that I could make this right away.
These blocks are a set of blocks that I made over 6 years ago for my very first publication in the book, 99 Modern Blocks. I had made all 11 of my blocks (plus an extra) in coordinating colors and fabrics as samples in addition to the ones published in the book. But here I am, years later, and I have had no inclination to do anything with these blocks. I had intended them to go into a quilt together…but nothing caught my eye. Until Amy’s layout.
The layout makes the quilt 80″ x 80″ or so. And I used a lavender solid for the background. I pieced this quilt on the upper deck of my friend’s beautiful lake house in Canada on a girl’s quilting weekend, so the quilt is FULL of happy memories for me.
There is a person on each side holding this quilt up!
I did end up piecing it slightly differently than Amy suggested but I’m not sure it worked any better…I was just trying to accommodate the little cutting area that I had.
Now it’s off to a long arm quilter for some quilting love and then back home for snuggles. Too bad I don’t have my own lake house to take it to. 😉
Your top looks great. I’m not one for great surgery advice. Just go easy on yourself as you take time to recover. And i wish you all the best. I enjoyed the PBS series Lark Rise to Candleford. It was good, clean fun.
I love your quilt. Really nice job. Surgery tips, go slow, it’s trauma to your body so it takes a lot of time to recover no matter what. I always say 6-8 weeks before you are back to full speed.
I love that layout!
Take your recovery as slow as you need to. Don’t worry about anything that “needs to get done”. Just take it one day at a time. I do love the layout and I agree with not being a huge lover of samplers this is probably more about me not have the patience for them haha. Take care
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. My best tip is to listen to the doctor and not rush doing too much too soon.
Sounds like an amazing book! Good luck with your surgery. You might try Call the Midwife if you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Keep your fluid intake up and it will help your body heal as well as help ward off constipation that can be caused by narcotic painkillers. Be patient with yourself, give your body enough time to heal before it’s back to business as usual. Have you seen the series Haven? It’s on Netflix.
I hope you’re soon on the mend. I don’t have any ideas on getting post surgery tips, other than rest, bump up your fluid intake and read quilting magazines. Love your quilt great colors. Thanks for the generous giveaway, I do love a square book! ;-> Toni Anne
Great review! Last time I had surgery, the worst part of the recovery was clearing the aenesthetic (totally spelled wrong) out of my body. Drink a lot. Going under made me nauseous post op. I found icy cold drinks/smoothies helped me want to drink (and helped clear the gunk out of my bod).
I have been having a lot of health issues and my two new Netflix buddies were Jane the virgin and stranger things. But often i like re watching old series when I’m sick.
Mint os a good anti nausea and ginger but i have real nausea prescription zofran is the best
Wishing you a speedy recovery (my tip: when you think you’re ready to get back into the full swing of things, give yourself another week!). I’m not a fan of sampler quilts either, so I am rather intrigued by the lovely comments you made about Amy’s book!
I’m very intrigued by your descriptions of Amy’s book!! I’m another who is not a fan of sampler quilts, but I do really like the layout you did! I’m also wishing you a speedy and easy recovery and sending healing thoughts. My tip is not to try to do too much too soon – even if you feel like you can! Re Netflix – have you watched Bloodline or Stranger Things???
I’m doing my first sampler with 100 days 100 blocks and I’m enjoying the process but to much of a beginner quilter yet to know whether samplers are for me or not. I’ve only made two quilts so far! My advice? Don’t feel guilty about taking the time to fully recover. Your family will thank you for it!
Angela I do have some advice about what NOT to do after surgery- Do not go shopping on the internet while on pain meds. I After my foot surgery a few years ago, I spent $200 ‘shopping’ on things I had absolutely no use for. Good luck with your surgery and recuperation!
I’m with you about samplers. I’ve never liked them but maybe this book would change my mind! Best wishes for a speedy recovery from your surgery. We loved Stranger Things! My daughter watches Netflix alot and she liked The Office, Criminal Minds and Sherlock. Check them out! As for books my FAVORITE go to author for light easy feel good reads is Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are light, fun and quick reads. Check out Spring Fever, Summer Rental, Beach Town and The Weekenders from her. Also I just read Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon which I liked. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert was cute too. That was a fun read to me because it takes place in Milwaukee and I could relate to the locations since I’m in SE WI. Thanks for the chance to win!
I will definitely check out this book. For surgery, my tip is to “stay ahead of the pain”. Don’t be shy about taking the pain meds, especially the first few days. It will help your recovery in the long run.
I love samplers, and this book sounds very very inspiring. Thanks for the chance to win. Another quilt book I love is the Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration by Denyse Schmidt. I also really love the book by Anna Graham from Noodlehead. Both include projects that I see myself making, which is a good thing for craft/quilt books :). If you are looking for a light read, however, I can really recommend the Harry Potter books. I’ve always set these aside as being childrens literature but you know what: they turn out to be clever and fun and enjoyable to adults too!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Love reading your blog. And your quilt layout is real different.
I just finished reading ” Mrs Grant and Madame Jule” by Jennifer Cheverini.
For your recovery I recommend getting up and walking frequently, even if it just a few steps. It helps everything start to get back to working!
I love your quilt top!!! Good luck in your surgery.. Rest more and think positively 🙂
Best wishes on your surgery. After my surgery in 2007, I enjoyed paging through the latest copies of quilting magazines. There are the Louise Penny mysteries, and if you enjoy YA lit, I highly endorse the Olympian series by Rick Riordan (10 books ) The Raven Boys series (4 books).
Relax and know that recuperation takes time. Can’t rush it.
I have never wanted to make a sampler. I will pick out the blocks I like and make an entire quilt instead. Good luck with your surgery and just take advantage of the time off and relax 😊
Get plenty of rest during your recovery. When you feel ready, get moving, but take it slow! Love your new quilt, a lovely layout.
Beautiful quilt! Sorry I can’t help on the post-surgery but I’m reading all the suggestions since I’ll be in the same boat in mid-October. I do plan to take advantage of Netflix and similar entertainments. I also plan to stock up on the easy to fix goodies that I know I will enjoy eating. Good luck!!
My advice is “don’t be too proud to allow people to help” because you won’t be able to do everything yourself. Healing wishes.
Rest, rest and more rest! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Good reads – Marie Bostwick Cobble Court series or any of her books. I’ve read them all
Protein – I learned that a higher amount of protein helps tissues heal faster…of course I’m no MD but it made sense and I recovered quickly.
Get well soon
I am with Amy M rest, rest, & drink plenty of water. My all time favorite from Netflix is Endeavour. If you can watch Luther on Amazon. Allrecipes.com is a favorite for recipes that have ratings. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.
Your quilt is beautiful! Can’t wait to see what your long-armer will do with the negative space! And good luck with your surgery. Don’t try to be productive. Sleep, ask for smoothies or milkshakes (whatever your body allows) and occasional hugs. 😘
Best wishes on surgery recovery. I’ve had a lot of surgeries and of the best things to do is rest, drink, manage pain and don’t over do it even if you start feeling like you can/want jump back into life. Favorite Netflix series is Longmire.
I love your color selection! As for recovering, be gentle with yourself and your expectations! Best wishes!
Thats a beautiful quilt!!! Time for you to binge watch some netflix!
Sleep is the answer to surgery!
WE will all be pulling for you, there are so many things to watch but one of the funniest is probably I love Lucy.
I love love those these block and the quilt turned out great, Of course I love purples any shade. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Binge watch an old series you wouldnt otherwise take time for. Like all the Ann of Green Gables movies. 🙂
i don’t think it’s actually the sampler quilt that I like but the fun of making a variety of blocks. The blocks you made look very interesting, and the colors you chose added to that interest. I was reading through the advise that people gave and can’t think of anything to add. It has been more than 20 years since I last had surgery, but my husband had surgery last May. It took him a long time to recover — longer than we thought it would. Yes, Call the Midwife is good. We are reading a book by Chris Favry. It is “The Promise of Jessy Woods.” We are about half way through it, and I am really enjoying it. Ron and I read a novel together when we go to bed at night. This one is hard to put down.
Love your quilt and this looks like a fantastic book. Surgery tips – “milk” it for as long as you can. This is the time when your should be waited on. On, a more serious note – don’t rush it. Your body needs time to heal, so take it easy and one step at a time.
Beautiful quilt! I really like that layout! Not surprising at all that Amy’s book is so amazing 🙂 Sending good thoughts for recovery from your surgery. My recommendations: Make sure that someone who loves you is there to do everything for you. I’m loving Grace and Frankie on Netflix! Catch up on your favorite blogs! Do some hand sewing 🙂 Sometimes I wish I would be sick enough to have to sit still (but not too sick) just to rest and relax.
Your block colors are beautiful, eye candy for sure! A copy of this book would be wonderful. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I recently had a surgery and found it was OK to accept help from anyone that offered, groceries etc. Also, if you have a pet..hug them a lot! Good luck with your recovery. This book looks great. Thanks for the contest.
Love that quilt. I did Amy’s first BOM, but with moving, renovating and moving again, I’m finally back to sewing/quilting. I have many things planned for the “new home look,” and a bridal shower for my nephew’s fiance (next Saturday), so I’ve been busy. So far finished several UFO’s(with more to go) a “Kirsten loves Joe,” reversible “Joe loves Kirsten” banner and now starting a wedge table runner.
I’ve never had surgery so I can’t give you any recommendations on that, but I am doing Moda’s Bee-tiful blocks (embroidery) at night. So you might want to get ready some embroidery to do while you recover, if you’re so inclined. I love embroidery and incorporated it into my teaching whenever I was able. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Rosemary
The best recovery aid is someone sympathetic enough to wait on you!
I love Amy and would love to win a copy of this book. Amy taught me to sew with her Craftsy BOM 2012. Good luck with your surgery and try X-files for a good Netflix binge. David Duchovny has great hair. 😂
I just finished Tin Man on Netflix, a fun Wizard of Oz miniseries
Don’t set any expectations for your recovery time! Listen to your body…. I just watched two movies on Netflix “the time traveller’s wife” and “Tallulah”
Am eager to win the house with the lovely quilt book in it. Wishing you a quick recovery.
Praying for a speedy recovery from your surgery. Just get lots of rest and don’t feel the need to do any housework!!! Let your family take care of you. As far as movies, the Downton Abbey series is a good one, or Murder She Wrote on Netflix. Also reading the Harry Potter books or the Amish Quilt Mysteries by Isabella Allen are good series. Thanks for the chance to win the sampler book, it looks great!
Sampler quilts are not really y thing either, in fact the very first quilt class I took we made a different block for each technique I ripped them all apart and made something else. I have had 12 yes 12 surgeries since 1997 my tip is a quiet space, lots of books to read, hand piecing projects and letting people wait on you. The hardest part, staying down as long as you need to
Lots of great binge shows on Netflix…….and hiring a maid, butler, cook and musician should help your recovery 😉