I remember when Heather Jones did her talk at QuiltCon on finding inspiration for quilts in everyday things. Heather has now brilliantly translated that concept into her new book, Quilt Local from STC Craft, an imprint of Abrams Books. I agree with Heather, inspiration is all around us, but we need to train ourselves to notice and to see. Heather shares four habits that she has adopted that help her observe, record and translate the inspiration around her. Heather's Third Street quilt was one of many favorites in the book. It was inspired by a grid on the back on an abandoned building. I love the lines (of course) and the asymmetry makes me so happy. Simple surely is beautiful. Each quilt in the book is paired with its inspiration and is done in two colorways for additional inspiration for the reader. The Third Street Quilt Photography by Jenny Hallengren Heather asked that we share something in our local area that inspires us. I live in the Westside neighborhood which is a small neighborhood right on the edge of downtown and the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City. This amazing building, the Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts is just a few blocks from my house. I walk by it all the time. It's an awe inspiring building. I love so much about it. The simple sweeping curves and the spaces and shadows that are created are lovely. I think about those sweeping curves all the time. As I've been working with the activating space concept, I've kept the Kaufmann Center in mind. I'm sure this won't be the only quilt inspired by that building. The love how the curves come together to create other shapes. Even the one block on the back keeps the concept alive. As you can see I'm kind of hooked on this one. Be sure to follow along with the rest of the Quilt Local blog tour to see more of Heather's quilts and more local inspiration from lots of talented folks. If you'd like to win a copy, (and you know you do!!) just leave a comment and I'll draw a winner on Halloween at 5:00 central time. Even better, get one for yourself right away and start being inspired by Quilting Local! The winner chosen by the good ole random number generator is Wanda of Exuberant Color. Send me your contact info and Abrams will send you your copy of the book. Congratulations!! 10/6: STC Craft Blog 10/8: Robert Kaufman 10/9: Melanie Falick 10/10: Sew Mama Sew 10/11: Creative Bug 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