Almost finished! What's left???? I know you are dying to know. Well, I have 2 more quilts to finish the binding on....not too shabby! Then, I get to take pictures of the quilts, and I am good to go. Of course, I am sure there will be another "read through," and I might find some more "odds and ends" things....but I am feeling lighter (okay, you know that has to be figurative, because each day I am growing larger and getting heavier, but I digress).

Seriously, what a relief.

Fabric-The RULE!

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I have tried to explain to friends and family the importance of mixing up your fabrics a bit. It has been so nice having Jelly Rolls, Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, Honey Buns, etc... on the market. However, quilts need a little dash of something to make them sing.

I was reading this blog today, and it was defined much better. The 80/20 rule. If you are using a fabric line, use 80% of one line, but throw in at least 20% of something else that matches, but will certainly have a deeper or lighter...more importantly a different value than what is included in the designers line. I love to use a "line" of fabric, but I always like to throw in a little something different and fun to make the quilt interesting and to make it pop.

In happy book writing news...I think I am almost done. The list keeps getting shorter, and the manuscript is finally all written. Can you believe it?

So here's the to do:

_____I need to actually finish all the quilts...still working on hand sewing 9 quilts bindings...only 4 more quilts to go.

_____Make sample blocks of for three more quilts

_____Take pictures and print 2 copies of each quilt/project

_____Get photo labels ready

_____Photoshop the author picture

_____Dedication and Acknowledgments

_____I am sure there is something else???? Maybe not

The list doesn't make me cry! Isn't that great? I have been so blessed to have such a supportive family through all of this. My mother in law has helped so much by taking the kids once a week so I can work my fanny until it is certainly glued to my office chair. My husband has supported me so much, I love his guts more I can express. And, sweet Mitchell brags about me to anyone he can, he encourages me every day to finish up, and he prays I will do a great job.

I really hope I have done a good job on the book. I still don't know if I am the best technical writer in the world, and I am so grateful I will have editors screening my manuscript. I just pray this book can help some soul fall in love with quilting, just like I did.

Lovin' the mess

This is my life lately.  Messy.  My desk is stacked with papers, rulers, tape measures, pens, peanut m&m's, dove chocolate, checks I should have cashed already, cups of water (half full, of course), templates, and little tokens of love from the kids.  Cleaning day at our house is every Friday, but this little corner of our home is ignored.  This is organized chaos.  I wouldn't want to lose my place, or a small template piece.  I certainly have tried to stay organized, and be Martha perfect.  Alas, I am not Martha.  I do the best I can, I write portions of the book whenever I have a free moment, and then I am pulled away to cure cuts, kiss cheeks, clean up spills, fix lunches, do laundry, make dinner,  and to tear apart fighting little munchkins.   

My favorite part is that I have about 5 different spiral notebooks filled with random thoughts, measurements, and directions.  Hmmm, I must really love sifting through all my writings.  But, we're getting closer.  I just finished my 11th pattern.  One more pattern to go!!!!!!!!  After that, there is still tons of work to do, but I am on the path.  At the start of this journey I could barely see how in the world I could accomplish all the tasks that lay at my feet.  I am so grateful for everyone who has prayed for me (my sweet kids pray for me and my book almost every night), or has babysat for me, or who has happily been neglected by me....  I might actually accomplish this goal!