It’s been nearly two years since Heather Jones first contacted us about getting some batting for a new book she was working on. It’s always amazing to witness a book in progress — to see all of the pieces involved, the inspiration, the craftsmanship, the art. In Heather’s case, we knew we’d be wowed, but upon seeing the final publication, the wow-factor was even greater than anticipated.
Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday is filled with Heather’s genius, guiding us through her process, how to turn everyday scenes into works of art, how to pair colors for maximum impact, and her thoughts behind quilt design. The artwork is stunning, the insight inspiring and all that before even getting to the 40 (!) projects she includes.
I personally adore the stories that Heather shares about each quilt. She describes what inspired the design, the history behind the location and truly makes you feel as though you’ve become a part of the story. She empowers readers to take the designs and make them their own, as well as to find inspiration in their own surroundings. It’s not just a book about quilting, it’s a book about finding your voice and your art. We love it! Heather used Pellon Batting throughout and we couldn’t be more honored to be even a small part of such a beautiful collection.
While it’s tough to pick a favorite amongst so many works of art, my eye was immediately drawn to Indian Hill (pg. 146).
Heather describes a wooden dock at a family friend’s pond which made my think of my own childhood, growing up on a lake in a small country town. I’m more than familiar with the interlocking boards that make up a dock, weathered and full of stories of their own.
The story then led me to think about another favorite childhood spot — Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, ME. I spent many an adventurous Saturday there when I was little, jumping from rock to rock with my dad, exploring the pools, examining barnacles and other small sea life. The rocky coast partnered with the classic lighthouse embodies the spirit of coastal Maine, something that will forever be a part of who I am. I’m hopeful that Heather’s book will help me to someday create a small piece of quilted art using this stunning spot as inspiration!
I would strongly encourage you to take a closer look at Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday. Whether and experienced quilter, or a beginner, I guarantee you’ll be inspired!
THE GIVEAWAY
And just because we can’t help ourselves, a little batting giveaway to perk up your weekend a bit. We’ll be giving away a throw-sized package each of our Pellon Nature’s Touch Bamboo Blend Batting and Pellon Nature’s Touch 100% Natural Cotton Batting w/scrim. To enter-to-win, leave a comment telling us about a location near you that you find inspiring. Giveaway is open until 11:59pm on Thursday, October 22. We’ll draw a random winner (thank you random.org) on Friday, October 23. We’ll announce here and on Facebook! Due to shipping restrictions, this giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only. Good Luck!
QUILT MARKET BOOK SIGNINGS:
October 23; 7:00 PM: Quilt Works, 9431 Jones Road, Houston
October 24; 1:00 PM: Signing in the Checker Distributors Booth #1122, George R Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX
October 24; 5:00 PM: Signing in the Brewer Sewing Booth #2842 & #2843, George R Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX
THE BLOG TOUR
Don’t forget to take a peek at all of the other stops along the tour! Read about other inspiring locations, check out reader versions of the projects and more!
10/5: Creative Bug
10/6: STC Craft Blog
10/8: Robert Kaufman
10/9: Melanie Falick
10/10: Sew Mama Sew
10/12: Plaid Portico
10/14: Modern Sewciety
10/16: Pellon
10/19: The Tattooed Quilter
10/21: Amy’s Creative Side
10/23: Diary of a Quilter
10/26: Film in the Fridge
10/28: Tall Grass Prairie Studio
10/29: Okan Arts
10/30: Kara Sews
11/2: Crimson Tate
11/4: Dainty Time
11/6: Nap Time Quilter
11/9: Spoonflower
11/11: Aurifil
11/13: A Gathering of Stitches
ABOUT HEATHER JONES
Heather Jones is a quilt designer and teacher and is the founder and former president of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild. She has a BA and MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati. Her quilts have appeared in numerous books from Martingale and Stash and in magazines such as Martha Stewart Living and Modern Patchwork. She teaches online classes for CreativeBug.com, on Quilting Arts TV, and around the country with workshops. You can see her work at HeatherJonesStudio.com.
Pellon Projects -- the blog 
This book is amazing. Heather, between your classes (YES, I’m that fortunate), creative bug classes and your just wonderful new book — i think I MAY just be getting better at color selection. Math? still need your help. And, thanks also for sending me to the Pellon blog – picked up many great tutorials and OMG fusible vinyl?? love it.
Maine for sure! I live in Downeast Maine and about an hour and a half away is Schoodic Point–a separate and distant piece of Acadia National Park. There are beautiful views through trees, sunsets, sunrises to be inspired by. But my favorite place is where the black magma has burst up through the granite that covers the Point itself. Someday I will make a quilt of these stunning ledges 🙂
I love the forest. So much quiet beauty and inspiration.
The sky is one of my sources of inspirations. The cloud formations and sunsets especially during monsoon season are beautiful. Thank you!
I live in North Carolina and I love that I have both the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, and the beaches of the Outer Banks within a few hours’ drive from me. My inlaws live on Roanoke Island and on my next trip, I am planning to take some fun shots of my quilts at Bodie Island lighthouse!
There is a gorgeous waterfall near where my husband and I went to college. We still go back there sometimes — the hike through the woods to get there is wonderful and then there is the fabulous waterfall at the end. I am always inspired by nature.
Big Bend TX. TOTAL beauty in only ways a Texan can really understand.
A place near me that I find inspiring is Cleveland’s University Circle.
I love going for walks in the woods, especially at this time of year. There are also a few parks with lakes that are near by and very inspiring.
Traveling on 77 south in Virginia towards North Carolina, you see the overlook and it is absolutely gorgeous. The trees are just about to change. Going to go back in 2 weeks just to see the new colors.
Hello. We live in the Rocky Mts. Need I say more ! God has Blessed us with awesome surroundings for sure !
I’m always inspired when I ride my bike home from work, but really, when I remind myself to see what I’m looking at (rather than just passing by) I can find inspiration everywhere.
While it is not nearby, we just visited Yosemite and the view of Half Dome was just awe inspiring!
Lake Tahoe is an awesome inspiration. So fortunate to live so close!
In 2008 we moved to the Texas – Oklahoma area, “Texoma”. For five years we lived near Lake Texoma, a man made lake built to harness the power of the Red River. Not only is it teaming with wildlife and surrounded by a beautiful forest but it inspires me with awe at what man can build. It opens my imagination and reminds me that the only thing that limits me is me.
The colors of the trees and the chill in the air is inspiring for me this time of year. Yesterday, I went to a local nursery and the beautiful array of mums motivated me to purchase 10 of them for planting today. I love how they perk up the yard. One of these days, I am going to design a quilt based on the riot of color in the fall.
Venice beach…the ocean, the local artists and the tourists…people watching & quilt inspiration at its finest.
This time of year is so inspiring for me. I live in the country, the air is crisp, and everything is changing colors, in my own front yard.
I’d have to agree with coastal Maine being inspirational. I immediately recognized where those picture were from! Nothing compares to the colors at sunrise and sunset on the water!
I love just looking out my windows and seeing trees!
-I can’t wait to try the new fusible Flex foam…just waiting for stores to get it!
Just walking outside in the woods is inspirational!
I’m lucky enough to live on a lake (temporarily) and the different textures of the water are amazing.
garner state park here in texas inspires me. such beauty.
My front porch is my retreat and source of inspiration. I am lucky enough to have near my porch plwnty of wooded areas and neighbors fields and plenty of wildlife . If not just to “watch the grass grow”, I can begin life again with renewed inspiration.
I get my inspiration looking out at the beautiful Sunsets on the water
Love looking at the light play on the fields and hills around here for inspiration.
I have always been inspired and comforted by the ocean, and I am fortunate to live near a small, quiet beach on Long Island Sound. It is heaven on earth!