Well, for some good news! Was recently contacted by a shop that wants to hang about 10 quilts (kind of a one woman show) for a month prior to a book signing. Yes, only 2 weeks to go till the book comes out! Only problem is, I was lax and didn't put hanging sleeves or labels on any of the quilts!
So here I am, sewing my little heart out...12 sleeves and 12 labels. One could make the case for doing it as you go along, rather than having to play 'catch up' later. And, in fact, that's what I should have done!
I think all of us know the importance of putting labels on; it's a great way to document the quilt...when it was made, who made it, even who it was for and why it was created! I know that, I've always known that! Yet here I am, trying to get done what should have already been done!
So in the future, I vow to make sure I finish the whole quilt and nothing but the whole quilt! Do I hear an "Amen"?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Progress
Been a good week, at least I think so. Did get a chance to get in my sewing room, put the borders on my "Blooming Tree of Life" and "Bears Paw with Claws" and have been diligently working on the trapunto design for the center space in the Tree of Life quilt. Pretty good for a gal who can't draw a straight line with a ruler!
Now...if I can translate that sketch into the actual quilting?!? But, hey, that's the fun part, right? At least it's always a surprise. Sometimes we start on one direction, and wind up in another. That's part of what I love about quilting; you do have the creative freedom to go in the direction that it leads.
I remember one quilt I designed years ago, a "Truly Feathered Feathered Star". I had made all the blocks, just had to sew them together. Well, my daughter was supposed to be taking a nap, but when I went to check on her, she was in my sewing room, cutting my blocks apart! Yikes!!!!! Without enough fabric to re-make the blocks, I drew a peacock (a feathered star in his own right) and made him the center focal point of the quilt. See, start in one direction, and end in another! That's where creative freedom can be a true blessing!
So, we'll see...where will this quilt take me? I guess we'll find out once the stitching begins!
Now...if I can translate that sketch into the actual quilting?!? But, hey, that's the fun part, right? At least it's always a surprise. Sometimes we start on one direction, and wind up in another. That's part of what I love about quilting; you do have the creative freedom to go in the direction that it leads.
I remember one quilt I designed years ago, a "Truly Feathered Feathered Star". I had made all the blocks, just had to sew them together. Well, my daughter was supposed to be taking a nap, but when I went to check on her, she was in my sewing room, cutting my blocks apart! Yikes!!!!! Without enough fabric to re-make the blocks, I drew a peacock (a feathered star in his own right) and made him the center focal point of the quilt. See, start in one direction, and end in another! That's where creative freedom can be a true blessing!
So, we'll see...where will this quilt take me? I guess we'll find out once the stitching begins!
Monday, January 11, 2010
"Sew In"
Sometimes there's just nothing better than getting together with other quilters for a "Sew In". Our guild had one the other day, and I have to say that I'm so glad I went. It had been a tough week, like many others this cold...brrr...winter, I found myself 'laid up' for a few days.
But, tired as I was, still not feeling great, I decided to go. And the funny thing is, it made me feel better! I guess it's just being able to 'connect' with others, that shared passion for the art of quilting, and the inspiration that always seems to be there. I love seeing what everyone is working on; sitting, sewing, chatting, laughing; it's all there, in one little room!
Thanks Ladies, I had a great time, got some work done, and enjoyed being with you all. Next time I need a boost, Calgon won't be taking me away, a "Sew In" will!
But, tired as I was, still not feeling great, I decided to go. And the funny thing is, it made me feel better! I guess it's just being able to 'connect' with others, that shared passion for the art of quilting, and the inspiration that always seems to be there. I love seeing what everyone is working on; sitting, sewing, chatting, laughing; it's all there, in one little room!
Thanks Ladies, I had a great time, got some work done, and enjoyed being with you all. Next time I need a boost, Calgon won't be taking me away, a "Sew In" will!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year All!
Been awhile since I posted; I suppose that's why those New Years Resolutions come in so handy! Along with all the other life stlyle changes I need to make, posting regularly and connecting with other quilters is one that's at the top of the list!
So...what's new??? Still working full time, still a wife and mother (Thank God!) and anxiously awaiting the release of the book in February! Just before Christmas, Martingale sent me an advance copy of the book and a really gorgeous floral arrangement. You know, it all seems like a dream, that is until you hold it in your hand!
That's when the hope and the fear truly sets in! Hope that the book does well, and fear that it won't! With that said, I can at least say that my husband and kids are proud....and that's the BEST feeling of all! They presented me with a framed copy of the cover on Christmas, and YES! I admit, I cried like a baby! They had written an inscription that reads as follows:
If you can believe it, you can achieve it. You're living proof that dreams really do come true. We're extremely proud of you Mom!
Now, well.., thru all the blood, sweat and tears, I realize I'd do it all again, just to know I made my family proud!
Karen
Been awhile since I posted; I suppose that's why those New Years Resolutions come in so handy! Along with all the other life stlyle changes I need to make, posting regularly and connecting with other quilters is one that's at the top of the list!
So...what's new??? Still working full time, still a wife and mother (Thank God!) and anxiously awaiting the release of the book in February! Just before Christmas, Martingale sent me an advance copy of the book and a really gorgeous floral arrangement. You know, it all seems like a dream, that is until you hold it in your hand!
That's when the hope and the fear truly sets in! Hope that the book does well, and fear that it won't! With that said, I can at least say that my husband and kids are proud....and that's the BEST feeling of all! They presented me with a framed copy of the cover on Christmas, and YES! I admit, I cried like a baby! They had written an inscription that reads as follows:
If you can believe it, you can achieve it. You're living proof that dreams really do come true. We're extremely proud of you Mom!
Now, well.., thru all the blood, sweat and tears, I realize I'd do it all again, just to know I made my family proud!
Karen
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Page Proofs Here
Ok, So this was pretty exciting! The "page proofs" from Martingale arrived as promised. Upon opening the package and leafing through them, I was so struck...almost made me cry! It's surreal, to say the least, to see your hard work, in color, in what will soon be a book! I suppose it made it "real" for me, in a way it hasn't been before!
I owe such a huge THANK YOU! to my husband, Vince. Without his belief, love and support, this would never have happened! It's funny how one person can see things in you that you can't see in yourself. It makes me hope that somehow, some way, I can similiarly inspire someone else, that maybe I see something they can't, that I inspire them to "try"! After all, it worked for me!
I owe such a huge THANK YOU! to my husband, Vince. Without his belief, love and support, this would never have happened! It's funny how one person can see things in you that you can't see in yourself. It makes me hope that somehow, some way, I can similiarly inspire someone else, that maybe I see something they can't, that I inspire them to "try"! After all, it worked for me!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What a Week
Hi All!
What a week it's been. Vince and I celebrated our 24th anniversary. Don't laugh, we went to Denny's for breakfast! Had to work that day, so we couldn't go out to dinner, so we opted for breakfast! We got a few laughs out of it as we were sitting in the booth eating our eggs!
But, later in the week he sure surprised me. Bought me a new car! It's a beaut, and I love it. And truly, I was so surprised! We're not the "big present" kind of people, we just never could do that kind of thing. But the kids are growing, yikes, scary thought that! Wayne 18, Shannah 16 this summer, and Travis 14 this summer. So the need for another vehicle is certainly there.
Anyhow, guess my message is...Life is good. Am married to the greatest guy, would marry him again in a heartbeat, kids are wonderful (well, most of the time...they are kids afterall!), am sewing and having fun, and am Blessed with the best of friends! Life IS good, and I can't wait to see what happens each new day!
What a week it's been. Vince and I celebrated our 24th anniversary. Don't laugh, we went to Denny's for breakfast! Had to work that day, so we couldn't go out to dinner, so we opted for breakfast! We got a few laughs out of it as we were sitting in the booth eating our eggs!
But, later in the week he sure surprised me. Bought me a new car! It's a beaut, and I love it. And truly, I was so surprised! We're not the "big present" kind of people, we just never could do that kind of thing. But the kids are growing, yikes, scary thought that! Wayne 18, Shannah 16 this summer, and Travis 14 this summer. So the need for another vehicle is certainly there.
Anyhow, guess my message is...Life is good. Am married to the greatest guy, would marry him again in a heartbeat, kids are wonderful (well, most of the time...they are kids afterall!), am sewing and having fun, and am Blessed with the best of friends! Life IS good, and I can't wait to see what happens each new day!
Monday, May 18, 2009
First Edit
Received first edit of book on Friday! Have to give it up to my editors, Laurie Baker and Sheila Ryan! They sure know what they're doing! I have to go through everything and return, then in August I get the first page proofs. The way I understand it...that's when it really starts looking like a book.
In the meantime, have almost finished the revised Bears Paw with Claws, utilizing a newly designed template. Can't wait to get it done and post pics as it is truly amazing! Visions of prairie points are dancing in my head. So, guess I best get going, lots to get done this week. Amen!
In the meantime, have almost finished the revised Bears Paw with Claws, utilizing a newly designed template. Can't wait to get it done and post pics as it is truly amazing! Visions of prairie points are dancing in my head. So, guess I best get going, lots to get done this week. Amen!
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