Quilt Improv Blog Tour

Today I'm very excited to share with you a new book by designer and author Lucie Summers,

Quilt Improv: Incredible Quilts from Everyday Inspirations

. Many of you probably know Lucie through

. I have a fair share of them in my stash and I'm constantly reaching for them when working on scrappy projects.

When I first opened Quilt Improv, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the photography. I have a very large library of quilting books. (Sort of a quilt book addict.) I think I can easily say, these are the most beautifully photographed quilts in my entire collection.

Seriously. If I could spell out what would make a perfect setting for quilt photos, I would probably say rustic barns...

fields...

historic looking stone walls...

And what is this? A truck full of flower bulbs? (LOVE!!)

I want to move into every picture! I honestly feel like this could be a coffee table book. Drool worthy.

Quilt Improv has directions for several improvisational techniques, referred to as The Building Blocks: Applique Circle, Basket Weave, Chain Pieced Strips, Chevrons, Crazy Triangles, Half Square Triangles, Log Cabins, Pieced Squares, Portholes, Quarter Circles, String Blocks and X Blocks; as well as 12 Quilts. Is is absolutely packed with information.

I decided to make a little project out of the book, and in the spirit of one of my New Year's Resolutions, include one of my kids in the fun. I showed my 4 year old the project - Chain-Pieced Strips. I let him dig through my scrap tubs and lay out all the fabrics.

Quilt Improv ~ Chain-Pieced Strips : Fresh Lemons Quilts

I trimmed them to size and sewed them together. It was actually a really fun project to work on together. He was so excited, he kept saying "I can't believe I'm making my very own quilt!!"