Once I Was a Bookworm

So did you know it was National Book Lover's Day? One of my favorite pastimes is reading. Growing up I remember reading and reading lots. At one point in my life I was always reading a book...or two...or three at a time. I also was against seeing a movie based on a book before reading it for myself. Sadly, I can't say that of myself at this point in time.

The other day I was in my sewing room and found myself straightening up my bookcase. I glanced at my well-loved books and so many memories came to mind. While I flipped through my tattered copy of Jane Eyre, I remembered my summer in England. Then I flipped through Ella Enchanted and I got giddy with anticipation at the thought of one day reading this beloved book with my girls. Then my stack of Harry Potter books. Oh fun memories there. The summer the Order of the Phoenix came out, I was at BYU and working like a crazy woman. Life just about stopped until I finished reading it. Then the book when to Hong Kong with one of my roommates. Then I came upon the first quilting book I purchased...

No surprise that it is Simplify by Camille Rosekelly. Yes, a quilting book isn't what most people think as a book to 'read'. However, when I got this I had a newborn and a two-year old. So needless to say my sit-down-and-enjoy-a-good-book-time was limited.  I loved looking at the pretty quilts that were so beautiful and that stayed done! (Other moms out there know what I mean.)  It took me awhile before I made a quilt from the book, because of my sweet newborn and two-year old, but it went everywhere with me and I had great plans for a few of the quilts.

After a few months, I began to sneak more quilting into my daily life and of course I went right to this book for my projects. To date, I've made three of the featured quilts, Little Man (made twice), Happy-Go-Lucky, and Coming Home, and I have plans to make Sugar Rush one day.

little man version 1

little man version 2

happy-go-lucky

coming home

I truly can say this is the book that made me love quilting. (It also taught me a loads, like how to properly add a border!) So while this book may not be the next book everyone is reading and talking about, for me it holds a lot of memories. It makes me remember being mom to my little misses and loving every minute of it, but also anticipating some mommy-time to make and do something that stayed done.

So it may be no surprise to you what my new favorite book is.

Yep. Simply Retro. Again, no projects from it yet but I've got big plans. My current fav from the book is the cute house quilt, dwell.

I am thinking appliqueing the state abbreviations for the eight states we've lived in on some of the houses. Just for fun.

What is your current favorite book? Do you have a favorite sewing or quilting book that you just love?

In honor of National Book Lover's day, head over to the Moda Cutting Table and read about other favorite quilting books. Plus, you have a chance to win six NEW quilting books.

Happy Book Lover's Day!