One day I walked into the quilt shop in my little town. I do this once in a while, just because I love the atmosphere. It's a happy place, a place where I feel completely at home. One day while browsing the sale table, I spied this book. That was probably a year ago, but I still remember that feeling of excitement. As though this world of modern quilting that before that had only been what I could see on a flat computer screen, had come alive and was reaching a friendly hand towards me in real, touchable, booky paper.
I don't remember if I made a sound, there may have been a tiny squeal. I grabbed it and hugged it close to me. It came home with me. It was such a good feeling, this book that I'd been eyeing online, pondering, and then to find it in real life right there in my little local town... yes, you can laugh, but that was a thrill for me!!
So this book is small but mighty. It shows you how to free piece every letter of the alphabet in the easiest way. But more than that, (since I still just tend to wing it, rather than read the diagram or instructions) I love the inspiration quilts in here. There are a LOT of cool wordy quilts packed into this book. So many that I could spend next year just making quilts with quotes and words on them.
So as my current 'slow' project, I am making a word quilt. It's all about words that make me happy, words I love. I think I'll do my kid's names, and some of my hobbies, and just whatever randomness I happen to think of. Each word will have different fabrics and backgrounds and there won't be any cohesion between them, (as you can see already!) I'll just put together what inspires me at the moment.
The other thing I love about this book is that it's written by a nice, down-to-earth, fellow quilt blogger. She's even commented on my blog! Which for some reason just makes it seem a little more special.
And I just wanted to insert in here that if you don't have this book and wish you did, then you would be wise to comment on this post :)
So this isn't quite a book review, but maybe just a friendly little nudge. Because pieced words in a quilt can take it from wow, to KaPow!
I love putting words in my quilts, but I usually do it with the quilting rather than by piecing it in. I'd love to give the piecing method a try!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try a word quilt. One with our favorite song lyrics would be cool..
ReplyDeleteLove your blot and your work is exquisite...
I've never tried piecing words- this looks exciting and I would love to give it a try!:)
ReplyDeleteWords look so difficult to piece, but the end result is awesome!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so fun! I love your prints with the solid background. now I'm getting the word bug...
ReplyDeleteI too have had my eye on this book. Unfortunately, my LQS isn't nearly hip enough to carry such a book. Your words look great and I really like your fabric combos.
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's always so fun when people you admire or whose work you follow, comment on your blog. It always makes me kind of awestruck! I have yet to tackle word blocks, but I've seen so many that I like, that I'd love to try!
ReplyDeleteLovely! Your blog posts are always so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteyour post makes me want to run out (i mean go on amazon) and buy the book right away. I've seen it before but never had too much interest in putting words on quilts until you made it seem like such fun. thanks for the great ideas!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of making a quilt with all the words that make you happy. That's a quilt that would make you smile every time you crawled under it!
ReplyDeleteOoooohhhhh.wow.inspiration! All my grandchildren's names on a quilt along with words they say that make me happy!!!!! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's AWESOME! I'm doing a very small word quilt right now using Denyse Schmidt's Proverbial Quilt pattern and it's a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to doing more! I like how some of yours are lower case, in the Denyse Schmidt booklet they are all uppercase.
ReplyDeleteI love how your words are coming out, especially SUMMER!
ReplyDeleteThe possibilities are endless! I love how yours have turned out so far.
ReplyDeleteI've totally been eyeing that book for awhile and just may buy it now...thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this book before, but it sounds like a great read and awesome reference. Your blocks already look awesome - I can't wait to see how they all come together! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are several mini quilts I want to make with words. I had no clue about this book so I'm glad you wrote this post :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Not sure if i love this post because i love words (Scrabble is my favorite!) or because it is about something that inspires you, or because I can totally relate. I live in a small town and do not have a quilt shop that sells modern fabric. When i find myself in a fabric store that sells modern fabric (rare) i feel so giddy and have to look at and touch every bolt. The on screen experience just can't compare to real life!! A word quilt would be so fun to make!
ReplyDeleteI missed your posts during your hiatus - glad you're back! And I love your "summer" word block.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea for a quilt! Love your words!
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm is contagious! I am going to have to seek that book out.
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I haven't done anything with words, but would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome book! Can't wait to see your finished quilt!
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking I could figure out these letters on my own, but it would probably be easier to have her book!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of making a quilt with words that mean something personal to you . It's almost like a slice of your own history . What a great idea.
ReplyDeletei love this book too! i used my library's copy to make my son a personalized pillowcase. so much possiblity!
ReplyDeleteI just checked out Tonya's blog. Wow! what fantastic projects. I have just wishlishted the book on Amazon. I'm a beginner quilter, but these are so inspiring. Would love to have the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks and have a great day.
Suzanne Mooney
momma.mooney@gmail.com
Words are such a great thing to incorporate into a quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book! I headed over to Amazon to see some of the pages inside and the technique looks very doable! I love your idea of just piecing a bunch of words that inspire you without worrying about the cohesion. I love that kind of attitude with quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of doing a special words quilt! I am going to track this book down and get to work (after I finish the 3 quilts I have started and the other 4 that need to be done by Christmas - Ugh - typing that seems so overwhelming!!)
ReplyDeleteThey look great, I've one on my someday list. I love that clock too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't quit thinking about your "LOVE" quilt since you posted it. I day dream about making letters into my blocks! I would love a book that would just tell em how to do it!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for this book to arrive at my library. They say it's on order but it hasn't shown up yet--I need my own copy I think! loving your words!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean--I have this book and love it! I like your idea of making random words in random fabrics. It is going to be a special special quilt.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the Proverbial Quilt quilt-along with Poppyprint because I have been wanting to make that quilt forever! Words....love them.
I love your words!! The book is fabulous and I used it to make an anniversary present for hubbie:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.charmaboutyou.com/2012/02/johnny-cash-quilt.html
don't think I would have finished without it!!
Ohhh, I need this book! I'm making a quilt for my Mam-maw (well, it's still my head, I haven't actually started! :o) I want it to have all that words that describe her. This sounds like a great way to do it! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWow, definitely intrigued with the idea of piecing words. Would make a beautiful addition to a quilt. I know my kids would go bananas if I added their names to a quilt. Interested to see how your non-cohesive words will end up. You do nothing but beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks amazing! I love your word blocks! They are fantastic! I'll have to look into this book. :)
ReplyDeleteWow...I have a 15 year old daughter....she would absolutely love a word quilt on her bed...and mom would love to make her one!!
ReplyDeleteAnn M
ammattingly@windstream.net
I just bought that book at our local shop. I was inspired after seeing a word quilt along. I could, however, always use another ; ) thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the "Summer" block as well - great use of solids to break up the business of the prints :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to spell out Listen. I think we do more talking than listening and it would be a great reminder...
ReplyDeletei am new to quilting and this looks like so much fun!! i have all kinds of words i would love to quilt running through my head right now!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of word quilts! or word journal covers, word placemats, I love words!
ReplyDeleteI love your words. I have a friend that is making her grown son (an eagle scout) a quilt with the words of the boy scout oath- or something like that. I have three girls and don't know a lot about the boy scouts!
ReplyDeleteHELLO! This sounds so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love to personalize my quilts with lettering,words,script,etc!
Thank you for sharing your experience+a neat book!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
I have looked and looked at this book, because I love adding words to my quilt. Just haven't quite made the purchase yet.:)
ReplyDeleteThese are great. I really like your fabric choices. I've been wanting to try a word quilt, but just can't figure out the sentiment I want to portray in fabric.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book! I cant wait to check it out....thinking of quilty words already!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the way your words look! I've looked at this book a bunch but never bought it because I don't know what I'd use it for. I love what you're making, what a great quilt that will be! Your fabric choices are so great. Love the combinations you pick!
ReplyDeleteI love the background fabric you've chosen for "summer" - it's just so .....summery!
ReplyDeleteThat is inspiring. I am a beginner quilter that tackles any project that catches my eye, hard or easy. I guess I'm learning on the go because they don't all turn out. That is part of my journey, my joy. I was thinking that these words might be my way of labeling my quilts. My husband loves it when I do something 'outside the box' on the back. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try these "word" quilts....imagine the possibilities!!! Love what you are doing with your "conversation"....thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI love these word quilts- I haven't found this book in my quilt store. Wishing...
ReplyDeleteI have seen these quilts and always wanted to make one. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI came across this book once, too...so unique! Your take on the blocks look great!
ReplyDeleteWoohooo!!!!!! so glad you enjoyed the book! your words are fabulous and I LOVE the plan behind it. of course my version would have to have Diet Dr Pepper instead of the Pepsi.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea for your wordy quilt - totally inspiring.
ReplyDeletehaha, i actually added this book to my amazon wishlist last week. thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm excited to see your word quilt!! Your fabric choices so far are so much fun. My sister would love something like that... maybe I'll have a slow project to work on as well.
ReplyDeleteI love this book....and, yes, everyone would want it on their book shelf! I've been following Tonya's blog for quite awhile...she's so talented!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your word quilt idea...and your words so far...
ReplyDeleteI'll bite! I've never done words and would really love to!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I need to make a qult for my kids that says "Cuddle me!"
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! I have wanted to try something like this but was not quite sure how, but now I might try it with this book.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking of making a quilt with words! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, these blocks look great, Jolene. What fun!
ReplyDeleteI've only appliqued letters before. Learning how to piece them would be an interesting challenge. I also love your collage idea of your favorite words :) Guaranteed happiness!
ReplyDeleteLove the blocks you are making. Now I need to put this book on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to learn to piece words! I thought it would be such a cool way to title a quilt, or insert the name of the recipient. I would love to try it by using all one color fabric and hand quilting it in bright colors!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm going to have to go track down that book now!
ReplyDeleteI love words and i collect quotes. have been for years. I am familiar with this book and have often thought of making a quilt with a favorite quote! I like what you've made so far. Your fabric choices are fabulous as usual. I'm sure your quilt will be a wonderful patchwork of words!
ReplyDeleteWords seem so daunting, I have never tried! But I love your Pepsi block.
ReplyDeleteOh I have been looking for someway to piece letters/words! I would love to try this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your squeal of delight. I have had those moments myself ;)
ReplyDeleteI just bought this book a couple months ago! I read it cover to cover and love it!
ReplyDeleteLove what you've done and I love the look of this book!
ReplyDeleteI bought the book last year and it really changed my view of how I quilt now! LOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour words look awesome!
Again I want to tell you-so glad you are back and energized!!!
I'm hooked...gotta try this!
ReplyDelete