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. 😉
Thanks for the chance to win the book! If you haven’t read the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, you should – they are wonderfully complex with a twist at the end of each! (Do read them in order)
Good luck with your surgery. Other then vein surgery or my finger, the only surgery I’ve ever had was my tonsils out at age 19. I read or watched movies after each of those. Try the Aunt Dimity books. Make sure you read #1 first. It’s the best! (Aunt Dimity’s Death by Nancy Atherton)
What a fun book. I had surgery on my wrist four years ago. My best advice? Take care of yourself and take your pain meds. I hooked up my laptop by my bed and watched movies. I read a lot and I let others pamper me. And if you need therapy, decide it’s like a job. My therapist told me that the first time, and it really helped me wrap my mind around what I needed to do. I hope your surgery and recover goes well.
Gilmore Girls is great. I watched all seven seasons during those first few weeks street my twins were born and I was nursing pretty much all the time and I didn’t really have the energy to do anything else… That’s sort of like recovering from surgery right?
Good luck with your surgery. Read All the Light We Cannot See – wonderful book!
Wishing you a speedy recovery! My advice after surgery…lots of rest and sleep. Water and a good crockpot soup. Netflix binges (I a little weird) Stranger Things, Vampire Diaries (told you I was a little weird), The Paradise, Greys Anatomy. 🙂
Love the layout of your top and can’t wait to see it with the quilting magic. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
Beautiful quilt!
I had brain surgery a couple of years ago. My advice is resting, napping, and drinking plenty of water. And as your body and doctor allows, get moving. I started small by walking to the mail box and then around the yard. That helped me get back on my feet. Good luck with the surgery.
My advice is to make sure you have a comfy place to recover at home along with a quilt and plenty of quilt books and magazines to read. Best wishes to you.
I just started watching Narcos on Netflix and it’s got me interested. Hoping you have a speedy recovery!
Hug and kiss and spend some special time with your loved ones first. I know that’s a bit dramatic, but that’s my advice. =)
Handwork or a good book is how I would spend recovery time. Also I love, love, love Amazon Prime’s Poldark series by PBS. Season starts the 25th for me. Take care of yourself!
I can’t wait to see this book in person! Post-surgery tips: naps, let others help out, drink lots of fluids, (my last surgery I prepped crock-pot freezer meals ahead of time and they were amazing not just then!), and listen to your own body to set your recovery pace because everyone is different! 💐💐💐
looks like an awesome book!
my best post-op advice is enjoy mcdonald’s when you’re cleared for real food. after all the worry/prep/etc, something so bad for you is soooooooooo tasty. also, don’t push yourself. especially with how tiny incisions are these days, you need to remember you just had your insides messed with 🙂 good luck! hope it went well!
If you have never read Jane Austen, or watched the movies, now is the time! Also, Call the Midwife! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I do hope your surgery goes well… speedy recovery! I secretly love being sick because everyone leaves me alone and I can soak up as much t.v. as I want 😉
This book does look beautiful! crossing my fingers and my toes!
Please let others help as much as possible! How bout Friends?
Amy’s book sounds fabulous and you’ve sold me! The quilt layout that inspired you to used your blocks turned out so great too!
You got a lot of great post surgical tips… I hope and pray things went really well for you Angela! My tip is that it’s okay to let things go and not try to do everything to your usual high standards… be gentle and lenient and as understanding with yourself as you would be for a dearly loved one.
Good luck with your surgery. My advice is to just rest. It gets boring. Do it anyway.
Netflix – Vikings. Good luck on your surgery. Your quilt is stunning!!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Take it easy on yourself, and give yourself lots of time to heal + a week … and I suggest The Sopranos – it’s an oldy now but every episode feels like a movie …
I’m a big fan of trying new blocks and this book looks perfect for me! My best advice is to take your sweet time to recover and allow a loved one to wait on you hand and foot for as lon as possible! Enjoy the pampering, the daily back rubs, foot massages, gourmet meals brought to your bedside, fresh sheets daily, bouquets of exotic flowers, and endearing songs whispered in your ear while you drift off to sleep. It may take up to a year (or two) to fully recover, so take advantage of those who want to help. Take care!