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Wanderlust Quilts Book Review + a Giveaway

November 15, 2015 35 Comments

Welcome to my stop on the Wanderlust Quilts blog hop! It is an honor to share this incredibly special book with you. I hope you enjoy my review. At the end, you'll have a chance to win your very own copy, courtesy of C&T and Stash Books.

Courtesy of Stash Books. Photo by Nissa Brehmer

I am not a world traveller. I've had many dreams of jetsetting around the world and visiting places like Greece, Rome and France. In high school and college, I studied French and came quite close to taking a magical trip to Paris. In college, I filled general education requirements with as many non-western civilation classes that my schedule would allow. Classical art, architecture and literature inspired and intrigued me. I found myself always wanting to know more about the stories of those that created such works. For one semester, I even considered changing my major to anthropology or archeology. Even though I didn't change my magor, my deep love for classical art and architecture remain.

Wanderlust Quilts by Amanda Leins reignited my love for the beauty and ingenuity classic art and architecture and how design principles like proportion and balance influence us all today. Amanda (whom I lovingly call Mandy) is a classically trained archeologist turned artist and quilter. In her book, she expertly translates her work with classical designs into fresh and exciting designs for quilters to create and enjoy. Plus, she passes on her technical knowledge as she guides quilters through each beautiful project. As a quilter and teacher, I know you'll enjoy and appreciate Mandy's attention to detail in her clear and thoughtful instructions.

Wanderlust Quilts is a not-to-be-missed. Through any of Mandy's inspiring 10 projects, you'll learn techniques and tips that will help you uncover the depth of your own quilting skills. You'll find techniques for joining Y-seams, turned-edge applique, improv quilting and much more. Mandy also includes wonderful images of the art and architecture that inspired her designs and shows how she translated them into her designs.

One of my favorite projects from Wanderlust Quilts is Aquaducts. The bright colors and the various scale of the arches bring this piece of ingenuity to life in a whole new way.

While I haven't traveled to far off lands, I do find inspiration from places that are very special to me. There are many, and you might find me taking random pictures of the floors, walls or small details that inspire my quilting. One of my favorite places is Disneyland. Besides being The Happiest Place on Earth, it is inspiring and has clearly been inspired by patterns, art and architecture from our collective past. For Mandy's blog hop, she asked that we incorporate her book in a picture of a place or quilt that inspires us. It may be no surprise that I chose the center of the Disneyland, where each magial land awaits you. From the simple herringbone design in the bricks, to the details of Sleeping Beauty's castle, it's clear that classical design has and always will guide and inspire us all. (photo note: all photos of Disneyland were taken by me)

This image of Sleeping Beauty's castle is perfection to me. The colors (aqua, pink and gray) make my heart smile. The shapes in the brick, and the scrolling iron on the castle wall are inspiring. I see so many ways to use the patterns and designs to create unique quilts and quilting designs.

It's a Small World is full of inspiration from the simple patterns and shapes, to the incorporation of subtle and bright color.

As I was looking for pictures to share with you, I found this one of Molly and Aaron as they prepare to battle Darth Vader in the Jedi Training Academy. The wall just beyond the sign for the Jedi Training Academy is a fabulous inspiration for a quilt! I think I need to pull out my graph paper and pencils and get to sketching! Plus that floor!! The floor is a quilt just waiting to happen.

I'd love to know what place, near or far, that inspires you. C&T and Stash Books, the publisher of Wanderlust Quilts, is giving away a copy to a lucky winner at each stop on the blog hop. To enter to win here, leave a comment telling me about a place that inspires you. I can't wait to hear about each one! Entries will end at midnight November 18th. I'll choose a winner on November 19th.

Be sure to visit all of the stops. Each one is inspiring!

November 2: Kickoff with Maddie Kertay at Bad Ass Quilters Society (official link available now!)
Mandy's podcast interview with Sandi of Crafty Planner (official link available now!)
November 3: Stephanie Palmer the Late Night Quilter
November 4: Christa Watson of Christa Quilts
November 5: Gen Q
November 6: Casey York Designs
November 7: Bill Volckening
November 8: Angela Walters
November 9: Kitty Wilkin, the Night Quilter
November 10: Lynn Harris of the Little Red Hen - you are here!
November 11: Latifah Saafir Studios
November 12: Rose Hughes
November 13: Rossie Hutchison of Rossie Crafts
November 14: Sam Hunter of Hunter’s Design Studio
November 15: Cristy Fincher of Purple Daisies Quilting
November 16: Wrap-up with Mandy Leins

If you'd like to purchase your own copy of Wanderlust Quilts, you can find it in my shop. Remember, you can always use the code Inspiring for 15% off any order. Mandy has autographed copies available {here}. If you'd like to shop local, ask your local quilt shop about carrying Wanderlust Quilts in their shop.

Thank you for joining me!

Happy Quilting!!
~Cristy

10 Responses

Limbania

November 16, 2015

Every where I look I can find inspiration. Shapes and color are everywhere but I would say that the most inspiring to me is the landscapes and colorful arts and crafts of my beloved México. From the talavera ceramics to the embroideries in the different regions of the country, to the bead work made by the Huichol people or the black pottery from Oaxaca… i could keep going on and on (;

Kathleen

November 16, 2015

What inspires me is sort of a place. It’s my son-in-law’s photography. He goes places and takes beautiful photographs, and I try to look for inspiration in them.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Kay Holm

November 16, 2015

Canterbury in England has a piece of my heart. It is magical, a bit of the medieval times captured in the modern background. I truly hope to get back there someday.

Mary O.

November 16, 2015

I am inspired by the vast horizons here in the flat part of Texas where I live.

Mary

November 16, 2015

There is a corner near my house with lovely old live oak trees. The branches and their curves intrigue me. One of these days I will decide how to use them in a quilt.

Beth Schnellenberger

November 16, 2015

I get a lot of inspiration from a place that is near. I LOVE my backyard in the winter—the huge snow-covered pine trees, the beautiful birds at the bird feeders, the peaceful/serene feel of the space. It definitely inspires me to make more “quiet” work.

MoeWest

November 16, 2015

I live in Calgary and we drive through the Rockies to get to Vancouver on vacations. It is amazingly beautiful! Two well known resorts that we’ve been to are Banff and Jasper and I highly recommend both of them. I would love to visit Greece one of these days.

MoeWest

November 16, 2015

Anne S

November 16, 2015

So intrigued by this book and what it has to offer. To be able to translate what the eye sees into a quilt is so rewarding and I love the modern touch. Going to look through my photos from England to see if there is an idea for a quilt there.

Nancy

November 16, 2015

The first quilt I made was inspired by a walk in the Maine woods in Fall. I plan one of the Grasslands, the central Plains of the US, and would like to do one inspired by Taos NM.

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10 Responses

Limbania

Kathleen

Kay Holm

Mary O.

Mary

Beth Schnellenberger

MoeWest

MoeWest

Anne S

Nancy

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