Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop

     I've heard of a quilt shop hop, but I've never heard of a "quilt blog hop".  Check this out!  New quilting patterns by well-known quilt designers, everyday, beginning September 27th through October 6th.  Leave a message on each blog on the day that the project posts, and be eligible for prizes, (not to mention that this is a great way to get your blog out there for others to find).  Enjoy!  And good luck. . .

What Does "NaNoWriMo" Mean?

     Is this some strange new language or is this in fact English?  It is, in fact, English.  "NaNoWriMo" stands for "National Novel Writing Month". (Check out the link in "links of note").  During the month of November, people all over the world attempt something that is nearly impossible, maddening, and highly stressful.  They try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month.  Not a complete manuscript by any means, but a roughly rough draft.  This year I am attempting to do the same.  I am going to join with a group at the library and we are all going to attempt this feat of modern novel-dom.  (I do believe that novel-dom should be right up there with "truthiness".  If Stephen Colbert can create words, than so shall I!)
     To get ready for my attempt at "NaNoWriMo" I completed a project that I called "30 poems in 30 days".  I wrote a poem a day for 30 days during the month of July.  I had a general theme and diligently wrote a poem every single day for 30 days.  I enjoyed it so much and my momentum was such that I did not want the project to end.  I currently am revising and editing these poems and I hope to publish them.  Several exceptional poems came out of this writing frenzy that don't fit the theme of the book, so I am going to send those off for publication as individual poems.  What's interesting about the ones that I'm going to publish outside the book, is that they more or less arrived complete and have required little or no editing.
     By the end of year, I will be editing my novel (if all goes well during "NaNoWriMo"), editing my book of poetry, and the other night I happened upon a children's book that I wrote several years ago.  I entered it in a contest years ago.  It didn't win, but I think with some work it could become something great.  (Or not, who knows) 
     I'm glad that you checked in with me today. . .leave me a comment. . .tell me a story . . let me know you're out there. . .

Links of Note

     There are several new additions to my blog today.  I've added a "Links of Note" box.  I'll keep adding, subtracting, and updating links in this area.  So keep watching for new links as I rotate out the old ones and new ones take their place.
     The Silver Needles Quilt Guild link goes directly to the newsletter section.  I've been the newsletter editor for two years now.  I really enjoy it.  I believe I'll continue in this capacity for at least another year.  Maybe longer.  (I'm also serving as the President-Elect = vice president, this year, which means I'm the President next year.  I'll see how that goes)
     The Sunrise Presbyterian Church link goes directly to the church's newsletter section.  I've been the newsletter editor for the church's newsletter since August of 2009.
     Check out the other links, when you have time.  They are quite diverse, as my interests are quite diverse.  You might see something that you didn't know that you were looking for.  That's all for now. . .

Potpourri-a mixture. . .a medley or miscellany

     Have you seen my first ever You Tube video?  If not, check out my archive for July.  I attended an art fair in June and the video features art installations from this nationally juried art fair.  The video is fun, has a musical score, and it's brief.  I don't know how many more of these I'll be creating in the near future, but I do have one planned  for October/November 2010.
     This new video will be from a quilt show.  Silver Needles is a quilt guild that I'm involved with and in October we put on a "quilter's trio" event.  It's a luncheon, quilt show and auction. The tables are decorated, the table hostesses give handmade gifts to their table mates, lots of food, fantastic quilts to view, and unique handmade gifts are auctioned off to the highest bidder.  I almost forgot the most important part.  Every year there is an "opportunity quilt" a bed-size quilt that we sell chances on.  I always buy chances but never win.  I'm hoping I win this year. (The winner of the "opportunity quilt" was Maryglyn Garwood.)  The quilt is not in "my colors" and I think if I had it on my bed it would take me in decorating directions that I haven't previously traveled in.  Did I mention that this is our big fundraiser for the year?  The video should be available in early November.  Be sure and watch for it.
     I have been involved in a year long "mystery quilt" project.  At the next class, the instructor will unveil the finished quilt which I've worked so hard to complete, block by block. I'll be sharing the journey with you, block by block, as well as the additional quilt that I made using the same patterns but a different color scheme.  Watch for additional posts, where I will reveal more information about "The Mystery Quilt Project".
     Until then. . .enjoy life!  Autumn is here!