Have you met Heather Jones? I, as a fellow Heather, am so incredibly proud of my dear friend HBJ (Heather Braunlin Jones) as she created one of the most delightfully inspired collections of quilts in her new book titled Quilt Local : Finding Inspiration in the Everyday. Her cohesive, minimal, recognizable style takes courage and design skill. I, as a former high school art teacher, always admire art that is minimal and leaves breathing room for the viewer to fall into the work. Heather Jones creates the most beautiful breathing room in her premiere book Quilt Local.
We were fortunate enough to have HBJ at Crimson Tate recently for a book signing and a full day workshop instructed by Heather in our fabric store Downtown Indianapolis. 
We are never lack of conversation (as an aside riding together in the car for a weekend trip that lasted 9+ hours both directions and we were both hoarse by the time it was over), Heather and I, and that evening of nacho bar and buckets of beer was no exception. I love that Heather is a delightful combination of studious and goofy, all at once. I guess what I’m trying to say is that she’s real. She’s a real girl doing exceptional work. Her approach to writing this book gives the viewer multiple ways to look at the projects. One quilt is rendered in solids and the next it’s peppered with printed fabrics. How brilliant?! And to think that Heather created each of those patterns twice, taking on the monumental task of not only piecing, quilting, and finishing them on her own but also fully inspiring all of us to take a closer look at our surroundings in a more authentically inspired way. We as quilters GET IT. It’s a monumental task. She gets it. She’s good.
It was a pleasure and an honor to get periodical phone calls from my friend during her process of writing the book. Finding inspiration in everyday is a creed I have adhered to as a life philosophy, myself. But to step into Heather Jones’s inspiration leaves me with wonderment. And the first time she saw the photos I happened to be with her at an event where we all stood around the laptop and cried because the photography of her creations truly captured the beauty of her. And of her work.
When I knew that Heather Jones and I could be friends was when she started playing with color using Josef Albers theories on color. She’s a girl after my own heart. Eureka! This thing is brilliant. And then here is her quilt in a repetitive fashion.
Heather encourages us to take note of our surroundings. For instance, I am inspired by the beautiful architecture of this Coca-Cola plant that is found right across the street from Crimson Tate.
I also suuuuuuuuper find inspiration when I am standing in front Lake Superior as I visit my family in northern Minnesota. 
Wouldn’t this Parson Gray bundle be a great jumping point to compliment Gitchi-Gami?
So tell me, where do you feel inspired? Leave a note, and one lucky person will receive an autographed copy of Heather Jones’s beautiful book. I can’t wait to hear what inspires you. And a big ol’ congratulations to HBJ on a job well done. xoxo. Drawing will take place at end of blog tour November 13, 2015. Each stop is offering a free book.
Heather Givans 
Living on a small lake in northern Minnesota offers daily inspiration- colors, shapes, values, textures. Also when I venture away from home, I find myself checking out patterns in floors- most recently the old kitchen linoleum uncovered in a recent remodel of my daughter’s 1929 home in Duluth. I’m quite sure it’s the same pattern that was in my home growing up!
I love this!!
My inspiration comes from my seven year old grandson. Dylon, He is fearless with his colors and thread art. I love to watch him sew, then I use his enthusiasm in my quilts. Together we have created some incredible masterpieces!
I am inspired by flowers – from bud to blossom to withering dried remains. And I am inspired by faces – especially eyes. Lastly, like you, architecture from a run-down cottage to a modernistic high rise inspires me to explore angular geometric shapes.
I find inspiration everywhere! People are quick to dismiss the everyday scenes…but beauty and inspiration can be found any (and every) where!❤️
Brandie!!! You won, sister! Thanks so much for playing along. Please send your name and mailing address along to heather@crimsontate.com. Wahoooooo!
I find inspiration everywhere!
Look around you – look up, look down – there’s always something to inspire me – from basic shapes to colors!
I love to get out of town and take in the hills and dales of Pennsylvania. There is such beauty in the small things you’ll see on a walk through the woods.
I feel inspired at different places– home, botanical garden, art museum….
I am inspired by the docks on the coast where I live. I know they are meant to be a quilt one day.
I find inspiration in many things: architecture, nature, pretty patterns I see somewhere. My problem is that I don’t *always* see it, so I’m hoping this book will help me develop my observational/inspirational skills!
I find inspiration in the leaves and trees in every season.
I find inspiration in the city skyline, the mountains, the seasons, and even in my quilting studio.
We just returned from Tuscany in Italy and also N. Ireland Heather – I’ve taken SEW many inspiring pictures and the fabric with rich colors would sure make colorful doors, etc.
I find my inspiration from the flowers and classes take from creativebug from various amazing instructors. I first took heather classes about improvisational patchwork for beginners and was really interested in quilting and made one traditional and improvisational quilt. It was fun and more motivating.
I live near the mountains, and I love them! But I’m also really inspired by architecture, particularly in Europe. I recently designed a quilt based on a fresco I saw in Siena. 🙂
I am inspired in my garden. The zinnias this year did the trick.
I am most inspired when I wake up in the middle of the night with IDEAS and cannot get back to sleep! Kinda werid. Very nice book, thanks for offering one up!
I’m inspired anywhere there’s color. I feel it so profoundly it’s like an extra sense. Stuff just goes. I used to watch What Not To Wear all the time and Clinton Kelly always said it doesn’t have to match it just has to “go”. So, not very profound, but so true right?
I’m inspired in the company of other quilters! I love guild meetings, sew-ins, meet-ups, quilt shows and retreats – they all get my creative juices flowing … Thank you for the giveaway!
I find inspiration in my photographs. So, basically anywhere I have been. Beautiful giveaway!
I am constantly inspired by my Mom. She is an amazing mother to me and so patient and loving with my three children. She gives me so much inspiration every day to be a better mother, wife, person and crafter! Wow I’m a lucky gal!
I’m inspired by the outdoors for appliqué (flowers!), and the indoors for piecing (geometric stuff).
The other day while walking with my kids, I was inspired by the imprints left in a concrete sidewalk. I loved the geometric regularity of the concrete squares juxtaposed with dainty footprints left behind by a bird some years ago.
I find a lot of inspiration while I am reading; I am a “word” (read “verbal”–just ask my DH!!) gal for sure. Certain phrasing brings ideas to mind…a turn of phrase will send a picture into my mind. I am just hesitant to try to sketch or abstract it as I have no art training at all…but am always changing patterns somehow…would love this book thanks for the great chance hugs, Julierose
I have no one source for inspiration – when I’m open to it, I can find it in all sorts of places – a walk in the woods, a wander through a thrift store or in everyday items in my home. I love that! Thanks for the introduction (and teaser ;o) to Heather’s book.
I find inspiration everywhere! Now that fall is in full glory, the reds, oranges, and golds are making me want to make a quilt in those colors!
Inspiration is everywhere but I especially love the clouds and sky. I’ve been following this hop and get more inspired with each review. I ordered the book and can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I get inspired when I run, this fall had been grand with all the golds and reds , running is a bit boring so I spend that time creating quilts in my head
The book looks just great. I’m often picturing quilts I would make, if I made quilts by the score, based on things I see. I did some sketches of the windows of the hospital where I was born when I was in the right city a few years ago…we’ll see if I ever get the fabric off the ground 🙂
I feel inspired by looking at centuries old buildings – the strength and simple lines that endure.
I’m inspired by my local beach- Venice beach. The mix of the artists and tourists and the bursts of color always make for good people watching. It seems like anything is possible.
usually I am inspired by reading blogs and trolling pinterest but, I always think how could I make that totally different! truth is right now I am inspired (or not ) by my nephews love of pokeman. I will just have to suck it up to make him a quilt that He loves.
I am inspired by the river that runs through our community. And the farmland. And the historical architecture in our rural town. And the displays at our local farmer’s market. And on and on!
I’m like Heather in that I never know what will inspire me in the world around me. I have started carrying a little sketchbook because otherwise I forget all the things I think I will remember.
For me inspiration comes from various places – things I see, other quilters work, photographs, fabric – something just starts percolating in my brain….I love the photos in this book , ones like the truck loaded up with boxes or wooden pallets – it’s amazing what can inspire you!
It is so easy for me to find inspiration just about everywhere I look. The graphics in a newspaper ad for patio furniture seen from the side and “cropped” by layers of paper on top of it stunned me one morning. I stared at that image for days, refusing to move the papers for fear of losing the image. I love the idea of finding inspiration in the things around us — quilting locally, as Heather calls it. Her quilts are a fascinating interpretation of things that many of us would overlook. Thanks for participating in her blog hop!
The colors of nature inspire me lately – the trees here in Nova Scotia were amazing these last few weeks. What a contrast to the gray and white that are to come!
I find inspiration from the country and the city, tall trees from the country and tall buildings from the city.
Sometimes I just let the fabrics themselves inspire me. I frequently start projects with no end in sight and let them evolve. I’ve heard it referred to as letting the quilt speak.
Tile floors and intricate decorations on old buildings can inspire me.
Inspiration seems to be everywhere. It’s funny How I can look at something simple in nature and wonder what it would be like to make a quilt out of it.
I live in the oldest city in Iowa and it is filled with history. The architecture, especially, inspires me and the cobblestone walkways and streets are wonderful for creative minds! duchick at gmail dot com
Can’t wait to read the book, it looks awesome. I find inspiration for sewing in nature, art, architecture, and of course other quilts and quilters!
I live in a little town on a rural property in the Pacific Northwest. I feel inspired when I’m walking around outside, amazed that I am surrounded by so much beauty–so far away from the sunny beach town where I grew up, so far from the crowds who were everywhere, all the time. The open spaces, the deep colors, the many, many shades of green: all of those things inspire me.
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Trees, flowers, birds, bugs, tiles in a hardware store, museums, bloggers. Butter swirling in a skillet. All I have to do is open my eyes and my mind wanders to a quilt.
My inspiration comes from being out walking, visiting friends, books, magazines, blogs, talking to like minded people. X
the fabric seems to speak to me as to what I will do with it. What a great looking book…..thank you
Oh boy… Having just come back from Quilt festival in Houston I am so full of ideas that I could pop! Two things that really stick in my beannie are:
1. The archetectur of the George Brown convention center… How cool it looks when you stand in the arches looking at (I’m pretty sure it’s millions) vendors with their… looks like Marrakech wares… Did someone say ATM?… And then on the opposite side you see the amazing buildings of downtown Houston though the exposed ductwork and escalators.
2. The interstate & highways of Houston. WHAT?!? Ima gonna fer sure be makin a 290’d up in Houston highway quilt!
Living in Central Illinois leaves me with little inspiration. I would have to use imagination which I also have little of.
I find inspiration from the fabric and from my kids.
Beautiful looking book – I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s reviews online, and it is a great reminder to see the little things around us