February 19, 2019

Old Book Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the "Dust Off a Quilt Book Blog Hop" with Beaquilter! For this blog hop, participants were asked to find an old (or just "old" to us) quilt book and actually make something out of it. I love quilt books, and I'm lucky that my local library has a lot of great quilt books to choose from. After I've checked the same book out multiple time, I usually just end up buying it. 


I have a lot of quilt books to choose from and finally settled on making something from "Sunday Morning Quilts" by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkinson. I figured since I had bookmarked the "Splash" quilt at some point (as shown by the Marshalls tag), it made sense to actually make it. Here's the deal...I have a very difficult time making something from a pattern. The original quilt is aqua and orange. I decided improv panels in a mix of black and white prints were more my style. 


I couldn't decide on just one color for the contrasting panels, so I used all the colors in scrappy mix of polka dot fabrics. 


This is as far as I got on the quilt, and I don't know if it will end up as a quilt or something else. (Making it into a quilted tote bag is my current plan.) As I was making my improv panels and constantly referring back to the pattern for the specific sizes each panel needed to be, it was no longer fun for me. I realized I read and buy quilt books for the beautiful pictures and the insight into another quilter's thought process. I love quilt books (and Instagram and Facebook) for the inspiration provided. I had fun working on this project in little spurts of happy, improv piecing and enjoyed looking through my scraps and remembering the projects and people they came from. Too much in life is focused on the deadline, the completed project, or the final outcome. There is so much to learn and experience in the process of making. Starting last year, I have been more focused on the process instead of the final product, but surprisingly, 2018 was one of my most creative and productive years. I am notorious for starting far more projects than I ever complete, and I've decided I'm completely okay with that. My projects that make it from inception to completion are some of my favorite projects. Those projects that haven't been finished yet are not waste of time or resources but simply a part of my creative process. 

Ok...I'm getting off my soap box! Go make something!

Be sure to check out all the great projects for all the bloggers participating!

Monday Feb 18th
Turid at densyendehimmel
Pamela at Pamelaquilts
Selina at Selinaquilts
Kathleen at Kathleenmcmusing

Tuesday Feb 19th
Jennifer at curlicuecreations
Stephanie at stephjacobsondesigns
Kathy at Kathysquilts
Shasta at high road quilter
Carol at Tealeafquilts

Wednesday Feb 20th
Sharon at Vrooman’s quilts
Suzy at websterquilt
Nancy at patchworkbreeze
Brenda at songbirddesigns
Karrin at karrinscrazyworld
Denise at craftraditions

Thursday Feb 21st
Leanne at Devoted quilter
Jennifer at Dizzyquilter
 Lee Anne at Podunk Pretties
Lyndsey at Sew Many Yarns

Friday Feb 22nd
Bea at Beaquilter
Barbara at Bejweledquilts
Laura at sliceofpiequilts
                                                             Carol at   Just let me quilt
Marian at seams to be sew

17 comments:

  1. I love the multi-coloured block with all the black and white prints. I hope you decided to get back at it and make it into the front of a tote. It would get a lot of great comments as a shopping bag, I am certain.

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  2. I love it so far. I am not good at following patterns either. I say take what you have and make it your own. You have a great start.

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  3. these are lovely fabrics. It will make a very pretty tote. have fun with the pictures.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  4. So happy looking!
    That is one of my favourite books too!
    I made the pattern called "Up up and away" from that book!

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  5. I am so glad to hear there are others who struggle with patterns. I thought it was just me. Love the black and white!

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  6. Really cool quilt or bag. I think we all start things that we don't finish. I know I do! It's fun though! Enjoy your day! :-) angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  7. I so love Amanda Jean's stuff. Still mourning the fact that she pulled the plug on her linkup.

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  8. It is so interesting to hear the perspective of someone who can't follow a pattern and more loves the process than the finish. I think I am too type A to do that. I do love what I see of your interpretation of her quilt.

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  9. I have a really hard time following a pattern. I always think it needs a wider/narrower boarder or something different. But, I do love to look at patterns for inspiration. When it's not fun or inspiring, it really is time to set it aside. Deadlines push me to finish things, so for now they are good for me. I love black and white and think this will look great if you ever decide to go back to it.

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  10. I have a tough time with patterns too. I love your honesty and feel you completely. Sometimes it just isn't working out and it's supposed to be fun.

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  11. Love the splash of color in your pieces. Looking forward to seeing what your inspired to see it become.

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  12. Love a black and white color scheme. Yours is pretty with a pop of color. I agree about your on the quilting process. Even with the unfinished projects there is something to learn.

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  13. I hear you on the creative process and share your opinions. I hope you have fun with the IMPROV panel .that you have assembled. If not, move on to the next project! This one will still be waiting, if you have a change of heart. On another note, Must. Buy. That BOOK!!!

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  14. Oh! I love how you incorporated the number words from that IKEA print! I am hoarding a few yards of that stuff! Such a fantastic use of it here!

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  15. I know just what you are talking about. I liked patterns when I was learning to quilt. I now like to create my own patterns. I enjoy looking at books for color theme ideas and style. I think you will find something to make from your improv.

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  16. Scrappy is very nice - I fully understand not liking to follow patterns. I've decided that only a very few projects will be from patterns and I'm now having a lot more fun. Enjoy the process and good luck with finishing it eventually - or using the blocks to make something else!

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