I am so happy to have been asked to join in on the blog tour for Optical Illusions! This is a beautiful book, I could spend plenty of time just looking at the pictures – but knowing the designers at Kansas City Star, that doesn’t surprise me! Other than the gorgeous photographs, I like that this book is pretty representative of what I see in Modern Quilting today – a wide range of modern-traditionalism to an all-out Modern aesthetic. But all of the quilts follow my definition of Modern design – simple lines with a strong design.
On the more modern-traditionalism end of the spectrum there are the block-based quilts. Melissa Corry‘s Old Dutch is reminiscent of a traditional windmill block which any quilter would love. Tia Curtis‘ Tropical Storm reminds me of an Ocean Waves block. I love that she added a few surprises in the quilt – if only I could stand to make that many half-square triangles! Then there is Jessica Toye‘s Water Ripples, a modern take on a snowball block. I love her well-planned color placement.
Tropical Storm by Tia Curtis
Moving further into the modern spectrum, there is Katie Larson‘s Curvilinear with its strong lines and very modern appeal kind of reminds me of a Storm at Sea quilt in the way that it moves and fools your eye into seeing circles. Karen Hansen‘s Surfs Up brings to mind a Drunkard’s Path – updated in both the approach and setting.
Curvilinear by Katie Larson
Next we move to the quilts that remind me of classic Victor Vasarely art work. There is the very Op-Art inspired Blurred Vision by Penny Layman. 3-D Diamonds by Jenifer Dick is very modern in its simple, bold lines – but not a simple design. Then there is Mary Kay Fosnacht‘s Tangerine Tumbler – I love her layout and modern take on the classic Tumbling Block.
3-D Diamonds by Jenifer Dick
The last quilt on this spectrum – in my opinion – is Jamie David‘s Aura. Inspired by the Modern artist Josef Alber, it has a very modern appeal.
Aura by Jamie David
It think this book will appeal to a wide range of quilters – from traditional to someone wanting to add a little modern influence to their quilts to someone who has a very modern aesthetic and is looking for a little inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration! I have a giveaway to take care of! I am giving away a Kona Color Card. I have my own card sitting next to me for another project that I’m working on. I find that card to be invaluable! It’s great to have access to a library of colors that are actually rendered in fabric. Just leave a comment about how you get your inspiration and I’ll randomly choose a winner at the end of the tour!
Jenifer Dick is also blogging about this book today … and has a different giveaway! The rest of the tour finishes up tomorrow:
Jenifer Dick, http://www.42quilts.com
Nov. 14 Jessica Toye, http://www.jesstoyequilts.wordpress.com/blog-2/
Jacquie Gering, http://www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com
Shea Henderson, http://www.emptybobbinsewing.com
Thanks for stopping by!
I get my inspiration by looking at your books and your quilts! 🙂
I love illusion quilts. I see such a huge range here and would love a chance at this book.
This book is so awesome. I don’t know where to start.
I’d love to win a Kona color card! I get my inspiration from all the talented bloggers on the net and from nature.
I get my inspiration from many places – a theme, a color, a certain vibe from a person, abstract art, and interior design.
I get my inspiration from looking at blogs and websites as well as from books. This book looks to be a wonderful source! Thanks for the chance to win the color card!
I get my inspiration from just about anything. Buildings, nature, art, color. They all serve as my inspiration.
I get my inspiration from the beautiful creations of nature.
Thanks for the review – it’s nice to read an assessment of the book from someone who is not immediately involved.
And thanks for the giveaway too!
I love Aura !
I get inspiration from the blogs I read and the beautiful countryside I live in!
My inspiration comes from quilters on blogs that I follow, Pinterest, magazines, books, other quilters etc.
My biggest inspirations come from reading quilt blogs. Thanks to you and others for sharing your talents!
Love the effect optical illusions have.
This looks like a great book! I get inspiration from many places — books, magazines, blogs, nature, fabric. If I just had time to channel all the inspiration into actual projects! I would so love to have a color card! I don’t have many places locally to actually see many Kona colors.
Apologies if this is a duplicate comment. I tried earlier and it didn’t seem to work.
Hi Trisch, I get my inspiration from bloggers many times over. Your energy is contagious:) Thank you for introducing Op Art, it’s powerful.
The opportunity for a Kona color card is fantastic. Thanks for the chance.
P.S. I did win the Optical Illusions book on the first day of this blog tour so if I’m not eligible for the Kona color card I Understand.
I’m inspired by looking at quilting magazines, reading quilting blogs, and going to quilt shows.
I get a lot of my color inspiration from nature. My designs often from traditional quilts, blocks and pattens. Would love a color card to see the color possibilities and availability when working on a project. Thanks for the review and the chance to win.
HI, some of my inspiration comes from books, but most from other neat quilters! Thanks for sharing a great giveaway (always wanted a Kona Color Card) !
this sounds like a book I’d love to win thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
The ore I see of this book the more inspired I become. What a great looking book.
I drool I mean read a lot of quilting books and sometimes the fabric just sings to me.
I love the Optical Illusions Hop. It’s so interesting to visit everyone’s blog and read about projects that they are working on. I mostly get my inspiration from nature.
I get my inspiration from several different sources. I use blogs, books, the web, outdoors, structures, clothing patterns.
Between IG, Pinterest, and IG-bloggers like you, I am usually on inspiration overload! Mostly the inspiration makes me frustrated that I can’t accomplish more! Thanks for the chance to win your nice giveaway.
I love this book! I get my inspiration from reading blogs mostly.
Often the inspiration for the quilt is the person for whom it is intended. That can cause me to make quilts unlike those I would make for myself, which is fun.
I get inspiration from so many places, but mostly from the people who are the eventual recipients of my finished quilts.
I get inspired by nature and trying my hand at improv piecing!
I mostly get inspiration, sadly, from Pinterest. Wish I were more creative myself!
I would love to have a kona card. It would make it easier to embrace using just solids. I love to look at them, but scared to do them.
I am insired by the colors outside.
I’m learning more and more to find inspiration in the natural world around me. For example, this week a snowstorm with bent birches, tracks in the snow, peace and quiet in the long days and nights without power.