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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

Donna W

November 16, 2015

I live in the country with a nature center around us. So, just looking around outdoors inspires me.

Mary Kolb

November 16, 2015

The North Shore of Lake Superior inspires me!

Judi B

November 16, 2015

I love to go to rural areas and see our ranch lands with windmills, cattle, horses barns, etc. Beautiful and very inspiring.

Carol

November 16, 2015

This book needs to live in my sewing room. The ancient building of Rome are inspiring – quilting designs and to boggle the mind that they were able to do this work and it still is there for us to view today!!

Connie German

November 16, 2015

Cactus, mountains and the scenery in my own backyard is very inspiring for my someday “works of art”.

Toni Leli

November 16, 2015

I live in Central Florida and the Ocala National Forest is a mine field of nature and inspiration!

Maggie Amis

November 16, 2015

My inspiration comes from my home. We recently finished renovating an 1850’s schoolhouse out in the country…. And in that house, is my family….. Grandchildren are an amazing inspiration! I am also heavily inspired by my local sewing store….Sewing Concepts, in Woodstock, Illinois…. The owner and her sister design the most incredible machine quilts, and they have inspired me to do several of those!
Thank you for the opportunity to share, and win a book….you can never have too many books!

Jackie

November 16, 2015

I’ve been to Ireland and absolutely loved visiting there. Green is one of my favourite colours and being surrounded by all the different green colours and the ocean blues ahhh I’d go back anytime if only someone would pay for it. lol Thanks for the chance.

Lynley

November 16, 2015

I have been most fortunate to see some amazing places while travelling with my Dad. Every time I saw yet another mosaic floor of the magnificent cathedrals throughout UK and Europe I’m was almost itching to get out my rotary cutter and start cutting. The gorgeous Cosmati Mosaic floor in Westminster Abbey had me drooling – and anxious to try and get a really decent picture to start planning a quilt – a monumental effort if I every chose to try – the pieces are tiny!

JillB

November 15, 2015

It’s a hard choice to make, there are so many places full of inspiration! I’d have to say Europe, though, with so many different architectural styles and sites! Thanks for the giveaway!

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Wanderlust Quilts Book Review + a Giveaway

10 Responses

Donna W

Mary Kolb

Judi B

Carol

Connie German

Toni Leli

Maggie Amis

Jackie

Lynley

JillB

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