Inspired to Sew!

  So have you heard of Bari J? No? Really?? Ok well let me introduce you to this fabulous and talented lady for those few who have missed out on her. And I mean lady. She's just wonderful, creative and feminine. And one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.

Bari is a textile artist. What this woman can do with fabric is amazing.  She has such an eclectic style it's really hard to just sum it up in a few sentences. Bari is such a creative lady and she has her elegant fingers in so many pies you just have to go and discover it all. Inspired to Sew has so many funky, modern, elegant, and just down right beautiful projects, everything from purses, to pillows, to a gorgeous garden tunic. And yes, I know I'm getting heavy on the adjectives but this is what this book did to me!

I got to know Bari over on twitter, I had admired her fabrics, from Lecien so you know they're funky yet elegant, but didn't really know her until a few months ago. When I found out about her book, Inspired to Sew, from Stash Books I was incredibly excited. When I found out about the blog tour I begged, and I mean begged, to be included. And Bari did her magic and here we are!

  This book is so full of eye candy, incredibly gorgeous project ideas and absolutely wonderful, "keeping it real" tips you will read it cover to cover, at least twice. And everything is explain in a way that demystifies so many of sewing's great mysteries.

Then you will be inspired to go to your stash, the local quilt/sewing shop and online. Then you will be absolutely on edge to make some of these gorgeous projects.
Don't believe me?
Look at these.Warning you may drool on your keyboard. You have been warned.

Mmmhmm. Told you so. They're amazing. Gorgeous. And not nearly as difficult as they appear. And you all know how much I love easy, difficult looking stuff!

So now you are all wanting to know where you can get this awesome and amazing book. Well, I just may have a copy to giveaway. Yes, you can actually win a copy of Inspired to Sew. But that's a bit later.

  First I wanted to share with you why I'm inspired to sew. As most of you know, or can deduce from my blog title, I quilt. A lot. I do a little bit of garment sewing for Little Bit, and make occasional pillows and what not but most of what I do is quilting.
 Quilting for me is a huge release. It's relaxing and exciting at the same time. I'm often inspired by the fabrics themselves, which make wonderful designers like Bari my muse. The fabric often "speak" to me. No not literally. But the colours, patterns, and feel lead me in my designing of patterns.
  My quilts are expressions of me. My mood, my life experiences and my hopes for the future. I hope a few last long after I'm gone, and if they've been used to the point of being worn out I hope the memories of them continue. My quilting is a way for me to wrap my arms around people I don't get to see, or some I never even know. They let me send my love into the world.
   I'm inspired to sew by the whole process of creating. I always feel like if I can create a bit more it may balance the amount of destruction in my and the entire world in general.
   My mom wasn't a quilter but she did sew clothes and costumes. It was her way of expressing her love, which she didn't find easy to do. But when I look back at some of the crazy and elaborate costumes we had for Halloween and school plays I know she does.
   So another big reason I'm inspired to sew is to follow that tradition of using sewing to express my love. My love for the person who will receive my item, my love for colour and fabrics, my love for the whole process of creating.


 So know to tell you how to win a copy of Inspired to Sew for your very own! It's really easy I promise.
 Leave me comment telling me how or what inspires you to create. It doesn't have to be sewing. Whatever you create. And don't try to tell me you don't create because we all do it everyday, even if it's only creating an outfit or dinner.
What are you waiting for? Get commenting!