I Am A Writer

I watched a movie on netflix the other day called Shadows in the Sun. Now we do not have netfix at home and probably will not ever subscribe to it, but my daughter has it here in New Brunswick so I watched a few things. I can watch the same movie, if it is a good one in my opinion, over and over and not get tired of it. Like Pride and Prejudice or Little Women or The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or any of the Shrek movies . . . but not get too obsessive like my granddaughter putting 22 minutes of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on a loop for 4- 5 hours in the quilt room.

Shadows in the Sun is a story about a young city editor who is sent to the remote Tuscany countryside to convince his literary idol, a famous writer who hasn't written anything in years, to sign with their big publishing company. The logic is that his name alone would make a best seller and of course, lots of money for the publishers. As the story unfolds, we learn that the writer is not able to write because of fear resulting from unresolved grief. Now my psychology and counseling self is being drawn into the story. . . that and the lovely farm country and they steal back a cow. There was some great advice given to budding writers and I am going back to watch it again before packing my bags because I have a plane to catch. I am going home tonight . . . just long enough to get a massage and repack to catch another plane. This time  my Sweet Husband will be flying with me for 5 days to a cattle convention.

I have been researching self publishing and looking for one that would publish a couple of books I have been writing including my story about Denine my profoundly handicapped daughter.  So, I have been in dialogue with 2 different publishers in recent months and they both have been calling and are awaiting my return to talk to me. The one sent me an 11 page contract and the other a 5 page contract. I was advised to not sign anything until talking to my lawyer first. Well that may take a few days. Most of the self publishers I have checked out offer 3 similar packages. In essence, I pay them to publish my book and so they have my money and I have the agreed upon number of books printed with the option to sell more on line or in stores depending on how much money I give them . Do I want my book to be made into a movie? Do I want it featured in O Magazine? Decisions, decisions. It is almost as stressful as deciding what fabrics to buy to make a new quilt, after I design said new quilt which I am not very experienced at.  

I am a writer. It sounds good to say it. I am a writer. I write lists. I write research papers and book reports. I write in my journals. I write in my blog. I have mounds of scrap paper laying around with writings on them. My mind is often alive with words that long to be recorded. It's a left brain thing. I am a writer. If I tell myself enough times, I may start to believe it. And I will watch the movie again with pen in hand to write the advice given because, well . . . I . . . am . . . a writer.

Blessings,
Chris

CCCQ # 8

Looks like a pepper bush but it is complete.

CCCQ # 8

CCCQ # 22

Completed

CCCQ #22

Save - Attach - Send

These are three of the most beautiful words to those of us who are doing academic studies online. However, more important is proof - proof - proof. And just to make sure, proof it a couple more times.

I have been working on this course for my doctorate in christian counseling for about a year now. There are no due dates in this self paced program. This is good and bad. This is good because I have all the time I need to do the readings and do the writings. It is bad because I have all the time I need to do the readings and do the writings. I read the book twice then did the multiple choice exam and underlined every correct answer in the book, just to be on the safe side. I outline 4 chapters and typed out the  notes using Vista and formatting according to the guidelines given by the school. Okay so far.

Then, I was told to change the format and I did. Sort of. Then, when I finally got to the place last week of typing out the rest of the 14 chapters, do you think I could format it the same as before??? Something has changed in my program and it is driving me to eat potato chips, which I seldom ever do since I prefer sweets and there are were lots of chips in the pantry here at my daughter's and very few sweets, probably because I have eaten most of them.

So here is what I have been up to. I did homework many nights babysitting my 3 little girl grand babies over the past few months. I write all my notes by hand because I can think better with a pen in hand and I can add bits here and there and draw a line to move a sentence. I can lay out all the pages in front of me and see where I am. I had finished typing out all notes last night and even wrote up the 3 page personal summary of how this course spoke to  me personally. Good so far. Today, I proofed it, adjusted some spacing and then before emailing it in, I sent myself a copy to see how it would look. Scrolled down through the 54 pages and that is when I discovered that I had missed a chapter summary. No problems. I went back and added that, then found I had missed not just 1 summary but 2 and a whole page of notes. A few more spacing adjustments. This is when my daughter suggested since I did not have a deadline, proof it once more before sending it in . . . tomorrow. . . that means changing the date on the cover page. . .

I have decided to buy a new computer. Not an expensive one. A desk top. With a large screen. I have been having lots of issues with internet on  this laptop and have been told that it is probably because it is 5 years old. Technology changes quickly these days and we should be prepared to upgrade sooner rather than later.
But I am still not planning to get a cell phone in the near future.

2 down - 10 to go.
Blessings,
Chris

WIP's

I have been working on several blocks this week while away from home visiting my daughter who just had a baby 10 days ago.  This crossed laurel leaves block is quite simple to stitch up, once I got the leaves in the right place. I used the wrong registration marks the first try and started over. I could just sit and stitch on this but am saving it for later. After I get home next week my husband and I are flying out to Wisconsin for a cattle convention and I will work on it then.

BTCT # 2

I love collecting free patterns, but I did pay for whole Beyond the Cherry Trees pattern bundle. However, there are few instructions about which order to layer the pieces. I initially printed off the first 2 patterns the wrong size.  There really is a difference between 'fit' and 'actual' in the size on the print page. I had to remark all my placements. Still not sure how I am going to put the bottom leaves on those pineapples. We shall see.

BTCT # 3

This CCCQ block is one of those weird ones where you do not know how it is going to look until you cut away and start the needleturn stitching. It is working up nicely. I do need good light to see the blue markings

CCCQ # 22

This is take 2 of this block. I originally had it turned on point. It would have been extremely unbalanced with that top flower hanging off to the side. so, I restarted it. I purchased these blocks and am looking forward to the 3rd year of blocks from this reproduction of a unique 1852 wedding quilt.

CCCQ # 8

The CCCQ blocks finish 12 inches and the BTCT finish 16 inches. I have enjoyed working on the CCCQ blocks that have one piece for the design. This makes it simple for a take along project. But I am also looking forward to the challenge of doing the nearly 300 cherries and 200 grapes on BTCT . . . eventually.

Blessings,
Chris

CCCQ # 11

I really only had the 2 red leaves to complete. But it is complete  now.

CCCQ # 11

blessings,
Chris

Beyond The Cherry Trees

I officially started on Beyond The Cherry Trees from Sentimental Stitches.You can find the patterns here .
I started prepping 3 blocks before I came to my daughter's, but it is a good thing I brought an extra background square. I did not realize that I had placed all but the upper left  laurel leaves in the wrong place until I was apart way through stitching the top right ones. I did think they were a bit close to the corner but guess I was too distracted with thinking about my new grandson. Not looking forward to unstitching them.

 

BTCT # 2

So, I started all over, this time placing the green leaves first. Its a good thing that real leaves are all different. I am really enjoying the hand applique on these leaves. They are much easier to work around than the innies and outies of the Chester County Criswell Quilt blocks, which by the way, are smaller and have far fewer pieces.

BTCT # 2

Block # 4 seems to be going ok. Those large red leaves seem to be a bit off kilter, but there are more squiggly bits to go on them yet.

BTCT #4

It is interesting how you get a different perspective when you see the block in a photo.
I am loving working on the Kona snow cotton. Thanks to all who recommended it for hand applique. The plan right now is to eventually hand quilt this.

Blessings,
Chris

New Grand Baby

Baby Jonathan arrived yesterday morning weighing in at 7lb 10oz and 20 inches tall with a sparse head of blond hair. He is absolutely gorgeous. But even more gorgeous is his radiant mother who has waited 16 years for this special gift from God. I am so blessed to have been here with my daughter for the birth of her first baby. I will have just over 2 weeks to get to know this little one in person then we will grand parent by skype.
Blessings,
Gramma Kiss

Packing

Almost done packing to fly out to New Brunswick to be with my daughter as she is about to give birth to her first baby . . . So looking forward to meeting the new little one who is truly a miracle. I will post pictures.
But first, I still have to water all the house plants (its a standard tradition). Plant the 5 red blaze rose bushes bought last week to replace the pink Peace climber that mostly died over the long cold winter, and plant marigolds because we all need a bit of bright orange in our lives. They will be right there beside the dark pink geraniums that were over wintered on my quilt room window sills.
 

I have my project box ready with 3 CCCQ and 3 BTCT blocks . . . all hand work for the next 3 weeks.
And yes, my suitcase really is that bilious lime green . . . I want to SEE my bags on the airport carousel, but especially, I want to see them in the train stations of India. No one in their right mind would take something that colour, would they? It almost glows in the dark.
Oh, yes, I also packed some (but not much) homework.
Blessings,
Chris