writing is fun

I have to say the Nanowrimo worked for me for a while, then we went on vacation and I fell off the writing wagon. At 3000 words, give or take, I still feel accomplished. I have a story going now that I can continue working on and even though I didn't get to the goal of 50,000 I still feel good about making the effort. It also got me used to typing the story on my laptop instead of longhand then transferring it. That right there is a good thing.
My latest entry was to write to the editor of the Tribune about the mamogram recommendation to suggest age 50 for the first one instead of 40. I was soooo mad. My sweet neice was just diagnosed with breast cancer and she is 40. If not for the suggestion to begin mamograms at 40, she might not be here. I intend on sending the same letter that was published in the Saturday Trib. to Lois Capps, our representative.

A Novel Idea

November is Novel Writing month, so says NaNoWriMo, a website I signed up with that gives prizes for writing 50,000 words in a month. This is my first try and so far I have written 842 words in two days. Writing is usually quite a lonely hobby, profession, but when there are people all over the world writing, it becomes more interesting. You should try it sometime. Even if it just means writing in a journal, or a diary, it still refreshes the soul, gives breath to the psyche. I would be lost without writing. But, of course I procrastinate, get ideas and then don't take the time to write them down. Its all about accountability and tricking myself into taking action. In the case of a writer, it's more like inaction, sitting down long enough to write!
So, I will write every day, not editing, not re-writing, just the bare bones. That in itself is more enjoyable. Wish me luck!

A finished project

I finished the basket I started a month or 2 ago. Sigh...it seems like there's so little time, so many fun projects. I am always jumping from one to another. But, it is still enjoyable for me to see each block on my quilt for Ella done, each page of her scrapbook completed ( I finished her birth, working on first month and she's almost 6 mos. old)

My writing has taken a back seat for the time being, altho I still meet with my writing bud, Sue, we mostly talk about our beautiful grandchildren and how they enrich our lives! It's all good material for future essays, memoirs. Meanwhile, I use my writing skills to update my blogs. It is a good outlet and maybe some day someone will read one and leave me a comment. hint, hint!!

I won!

It's kind of hard to see, but my name is really on this award. I entered the Lillian Dean contest at the Cuesta Writer's Conference this weekend and received first place in the nonfiction/memoir category.
The contest required us to create the first page of a novel. The idea is to get the readers to turn the page and keep reading. I've attended this conference for many years, entered this contest before, but never received any recognition like this. Winning this award gives me a feeling of great accomplishment. My Mother was the inspiration for this piece and as I read it to the captive conference audience, I was feeling my mother standing next to me saying, "I'm so proud of you, honey."
Thanks, Mom, I miss you.

Fall has fell...

The Fall weather usually brings a time for us to begin to nest for upcoming winter. Even though most will be seeing a cooler climate, for some reason we are having a heat wave. San Luis Obispo, usually mildly warm hit the 111 degree mark last week! Because its been so hot, I've been staying indoors working on my most recent projects.

Currently, I'm proud to say Ella's scrapbook is up to her birth (she's 4mos old now) and that's pretty darn good for me. Her quilt top is now almost finished and only needs a border. I will be hunting at Beverly's craft store for the perfect pink for that.

I needed (not really) something to do when I watch TV, so one of my Wacky friends taught us how to make baskets by covering rope with material scraps. It's time consuming but makes the commercials go by faster. When I'm not working on that, I'm putting some really old photos into books. I'm talking some when I was only about 8 yrs old up through my wedding (37 years ago!) I believe what my mother used to say, who has the time to be bored?

Summer Projects

It's been a while since I completed any projects. Slowly, but surely, I am working on my new Grandaughter, Ella Amberley's, scrapbook. She is 4 mos. old and I am going to try and get up to her birth in her book. So far, so good. It is so much fun looking at the photos and how much she has grown in such a few months. Above are her ultrasounds, then the couple's shower in March below.

I am also making a quilt for Ella. The class this summer is a Mystery Quilt so I don't know what it's going to look like. The neat part is that I am using some special material I have been saving for many years. The light pink is from dresses I made for my girls when they were little. The rest of the material is some I inherited from my Mom when she was into cleaning out her craft room some years back. I love that part of quilting.

Sewing with Jayden

My grandson, Jayden, thought sewing was just for girls, until he picked up the needle and thread at my house and patched up a stuffed toy for his little sister, Ella. Now he's got his own sewing kit at home and his Mom says he wants to fix the tear in the couch! We went to an art show and he wanted to buy a sock monkey made by my friend and co-quilting buddy, Janice. When we got home, he thought she needed a skirt, so we fixed her up. A little tulle and a lot of love. Voila' a special present for sissy. I am so proud of my boy. He isn't afraid to try new things, even if they are supposed to be for girls! Way to go future Metro-man!

Life is Good!

I finally finished the punch hook project my BFF, Karen, gave me. It is my first effort at this type of needle work and I enjoyed it enough to try it again. Now I will frame it and find a special place to hang it and add it to my "finished" projects. It feels good to have it completed and I have to admit most of the time I believe what it says.

Quilting 101

My first attempt at a new art form...Quilting! I'm currently taking a class taught by Bobbie Porter, who lives, breathes, and teaches quilting. I am hanging in there and determined to finish my first effort, the Medallion Quilt. I am learning a lot about sewing, something I thought I was already good at, but haven't done in a number of years. I have an original Bernina 707 I bought in 1971 and am giving it a re-birth. The class requires me to bring the little gem to learn the quilting techniques. Its like reconnecting with an old friend from high school.

I am enjoying this new art form that has been around for hundreds of years. I hope to finish this one and venture out making another for my new little grandaughter, Ella!!


This technique is called "paper piecing" and it is extremely time consuming. I have to do 36 of these before I can continue adding to the above quilt. Bon Chance!! I'm up for the challenge. Clearly, this 2nd quilt I am making is much more difficult than the tied one I made for Addison, but has less "love" inside. For the record, the Blues Clues quilt will always be special to me.

My first quilting project

My first attempt at quilting turned out successful, at least by my Addison's standards. It was my gift to him for his 3rd birthday. He fell asleep covered by it after his birthday party. My friend, Janice, helped me put it together. It took about 10 hrs, but was fun learning a new craft.

Coming up is a Couple's Baby Shower I am giving for Bridgett and Matt. Below are the invites I sent out. I got to use another toy, my Xyron 900 to back the paper with adhesive. Then, I used my Stamin' Up Coluzzle to cut the ovals to place on the cards. Hoping to have six couples attend, I think it will be fun for the "Dad's" to participate.

In my Mind's Eye

My creative juices have not been flowing, but I'm trying to squeeze them out. Having time on my hands doesn't mean the mood strikes me lately. I know all artists deal with this dilemma, I am not the first and won't be the last. I finally got some energy and began painting my little statues from the garden that represent my two daughters, Amber and Bridgett. I still have to find the perfect place for them, but glad to have them in good shape again. With all the rain we've had, all my flowers are blooming and need some company!

February is almost over, but the thrill of Valentines is still on my mind. I had so much fun creating cards for my boys, my girlfriends and my hubby. It gave me joy to see their faces when they opened them up. That's what card making is all about. I wanted to do more, but time ran out. There's always next year!

I have a new toy. It's called the Cuttlebug. I can emboss with it and make die cuts. Jayden and I have had fun trying different things. So far he has covered a mini notebook and I am making invitations for a baby shower for my Bridgett, who is due in May with our first Princess. Having a die cutter will help make my cards "pop" as well as the embossing. My next entry will be about quilting, I hope, as I am taking a quilting class in March. So many crafts, so little time!!