But this weekend I'm OK with them. The one I received wasn't for fabric (which would have put me over the moon), but the next best thing: Border's. Somebody knows I'm a book junkie, and wisely provided me with my next fix for Christmas.
I love books just as much as I love fabric. Maybe a little more -- it's a tough call. Given I've had a lifelong obsession with reading (being an English major and working in a bookstore for two years and a 40% employee discount didn't help), I've amassed a library big enough to make any able-bodied mover cringe ("We call them 'gold' in this business because they weigh so damn much," one of the guys told me after they finished unloading the van the last time I moved. "YOU got a lotta gold.").
Sorry, I have a thing for hard covers -- paperbacks just don't do it for me.
The fabric thing is in its infancy by comparison, though the volume of books vs. fabric in my household is slowly shifting. At least my fabric takes up less room...for the moment. At least it's lighter!
Anyway, I braved Friday's negative-gazillion wind chill and headed for the Michigan Avenue store after work, knowing exactly what I was looking for -- I've been lusting after this book for at least a year. I made a bee-line for the crafts section, wasn't even in the store long enough to break a sweat in seventeen layers and my good-to-minus-35 down coat (I do not have enough words of praise for L.L. Bean this winter), and grabbed the only brand-spankin'-new shrink-wrapped copy of this:
Three hundred and twenty toe-curling images of improvisational bliss! The perfect companion to provide inspiration for a Project Improv piece!
What I didn't count on, though, was also finding this little baby tucked back in the shelves, which John at Quilt Dad blogged about way back in September. I've had my eye out for it ever since.
Today's photos courtesy of amazon.com
A few quick calculations in my head to stay within my budget, and this came with me as well. I rushed home, antsy with the prospect of spending an evening pouring over these pages.
This is where I wholeheartedly admit, if it's not already painfully obvious, to having never transcended geekdom like I'd prayed for as a teenager. Once a geek, always a geek; even the glasses make their inevitable return, as much as we try to mask it.
The two books couldn't be more different: the free-form, sew-as-you-go construction of the Gee's Bend quilts contrasted with the precise, methodical structure and subtle colors of the Japanese blocks. Gorgeous, both of them...absolutely gorgeous.
Excuse me while I pause to stem the drooling.
Each style has its place, though I'm looking forward to putting a little wonky spin on some of the Japanese blocks, and absorbing more about how the Gee's Bend quilts are put together. Good bedtime reading, and inspiration for my own work.
But the most wonderful part of this?
Gift Card + $10 Border's Rewards + 30% off coupon for responding to their online survey = $8.52!!!
Hot cocoa with steamed milk, a little Liz Story for background music, a quilt, and two new almost-free books.
It's been a really good weekend.
8 comments:
That is a perfect combo - the books themselves - and the reading locale.
Now, wouldn't it be fun to try a quilt with both as inspiration?
Great books! And I loved reading your post ... made me want to turn off all the lights except for the one next to a cozy chair, grab a warm blanket (or quilt!), make a cup of hot chocolate, and just read for a few hours. I was an English major too, by the way!
Oh my gosh!! A) I LOVE the Mich. Ave Borders. It's one of my favorites, and not just because there's the Ghirardelli ice cream place next door.
:-)
Books and Quilts are my two loves also. Enjoy!
Wow, you scored big this weekend! Good for you!
i have both of these too...love them both. the japanese one was so different from anything i've ever read...enjoy!!
Ohhh...I bought that Japanese Quilt Block book at the Chicago Quilt Show last year. Not a good idea to buy a bug and lug it around all day, but this one is so worth it!
I found you from Tommy's blog.
I have both these books and, Hello....bookaholic and English major here as well. The books are a perfect illustration of control and chaos-lovely.
By the way, I really love the batik squares quilt a few posts ago. It's stunning. I must re-visit my stash of batiks soon. Thanks for the fun!
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