Let me pre-warn you --I'm a quilter. Now, get that picture out of your head of someone from the 1940s. I'm an experimental quilter. When I look at something I always think, "how can I use that in a quilt?"

For several years I've been saving a few select magazines subscriptions because I didn't have the heart to throw them away. These magazines in all of their glory have magnificent color, mesmerizing photos, and a multitude of textures! As I looked at these piles of magazines and while I took a quick flip through some of them again, it hit me! I could make a paper quilt! Usually I announce to everyone around me my next great idea. This time I wasn't so verbal, because I thought they would think, she's nuts. You see I have an entire wall unit filled with lovely fabric that I have collected for decades. I knew what they would think...why in the world would she resort to paper when she still hasn't used up all of this fabric? But all of you know, when an idea strikes you just have to go with it.

So I went with it!

There were pictures that would make great applique when I cut them out. I tore out pages and sorted colors. I got my paper cutter out...I was ready to go. I began cutting strips and wove them together in color combinations. Once woven I cut them into shapes. I matched "seams." Made sure my points matched and intersections were perfect. Then I made the borders. After all of this was done I started playing with the arrangement. For the quilt backing I used some recycled gift wrap. For the batting I recycled envelopes in which mail arrived.

Once I had the arrangement I wanted I glued the woven center and border to the batting and backing. I cut out the applique and placed each into position. I made the binding and mitered the corners. 

Now the fun part! I sewed the quilt together. Using my sewing machine and metallic thread I sewed all of the layers together. I even placed a piece of thread in the birds beak so that she could build a nest.

Not only have I saved some beautiful magazines from just going to the dump, but I have also created a beautiful, recycled quilt for my wall!