The photo shoot to end all photo shoots

Where to start...I have a new pattern called The Tempest, it was suppose to release in May, but due to many circumstances; it wasn't.  I needed to get a cover photo, and had been trying to get it done for several weeks, but again, it didn't happen.  Lizzy & Melissa are out town, my BFF is out of town; I obviously am in town, and decided to get it myself...never, never again (I swear Mom, I'll call you next time).  So I went to Lake Houston, to take a photo on the new pier over the lake.  The photo was okay, but the time of day was wrong, and the photo was too bright.  Brilliant thinker that I am, decided to go back closer to sunset.  I go back to the lake, down the pier, lay down my quilt trying for the perfect shot.  The problem was, I kept cutting off the corners of the quilt, if I could just back up a little more, I would have the PERFECT photo.  So I'm backing up, backing up, until I was backing up in the air, and straight into the water I went!  Do you know the first thought that went through my head, "Oh my gosh, I've fallen in the lake".  Nothing like stating the obvious, right!  The lake is really deep, and I haven't been swimming in years...holy crap, I have just fallen backwards into the water...what an idiot.  I swim to the pier, grab the edge which is about 2 feet above the water, and there is no way that I am going to be able to pull myself out.  Fortunately there are people at the restaurant that have witnessed this crazy event, and they come to see if they can help.  Someone says, "Hey, your blanket is blowing around up here".  I start screaming, "Grab that quilt, don't let it fall in the water!!!".  I have my priorities straight you can see.  Someone with a boat comes to see what all the commotion is about, they all determine the best way to get out of the lake is to climb into the boat, and climb onto the pier.  I have to swim under the pier to get to the boat - in case anyone is interested there is a large bird nest under the pier.  I get to the boat, scramble onto the boat, and onto the pier.  Then I realize that my keys are in the water, my glasses are in the water, and my camera is in the water...I just wanted to die.  Two heaven sent angles from the boat, started diving into the water, where I made my graceful entrance, and fished out my keys (thank heaven), my dead camera, and my glasses.  I have never been so grateful for two strangers. 

I thanked them, I thank the people whose dinner I interrupted, and I thank God that I hadn't drowned, and that my keys had been found, and then I started laughing...uncontrollable laughing.  I was so grateful to be alive, and grateful to be walking away.  If anyone had seen me (and I was hard to miss), a crazy, dripping wet women, carrying a purple quilt laughing her head off...I'm still dumbfounded by the whole event.  I was so grateful that the car keys still worked, that the camera card wasn't ruined, and most of all, I was grateful to be alive.

Here's the photo...worth it?

Next quilt pattern - maybe I'll tackle Lady of the Lake??? 

with lots of love, and a slightly bruised ego,

Cherri 

Comments

[Andrea]

Oh my gosh, this is such a funny story...I'm sure it wasn't funny when it was all happening, but you gave me such a good chuckle! I could totally picture every bit of it! ;-) I'm glad you can laugh at yourself - and the quilt is gorgeous, as always

[happy zombie]

Holy, holy, holy cow! So glad you're ok. Glad you got your keys. The camera?? Trade off for an amazing experience with the kindness of strangers? I'd take it - and I bet you do too. And that you have a great story to tell... that's gravy. And that you have an amazing back-story name for your next quilt (Lady IN the Lake?!)... that's a banana split with extra cherries on top.

Beautiful quilt and beautiful photo. I think you need to blow that one up and frame it!

[Marguerite Leahy]

That is so funny. Sounds like something I would do. I love that quilt by the way.

[Jamie in Louisiana]

I need to remember not to read your site while eating! Nearly chocked myself to death. If only someone could have caught you on tape -- I see a big winning on the Home Funny Videos!

[Mary Ann]

One of those wonderful pratfall stories! So glad you are safe and the quilt did take a lake bath!

[patty]

I am glad you are ok and did not get hurt. What a story you will alway have with this quilt! Thumbs up to all the people that helped you with this situation. By the way, the quilt rocks!

[Flaun]

Glad you're all right and that the picture was salvaged from the defunct camera. I think it's a lovely shot and is probably worth the dip you took.

[Sandra Davidson]

Well that was pretty scary, thank God that everything turned out okay, this story will be told over and over again. Take care and God Bless

[Cathi]

What a story!! Made me laugh -- sounds like something I'd do!
Lovely quilt though!

[Sheila]

Great story with a great ending , that quilt will always have a lot of meaning for you .Beautiful quilt ! Glad you are ok and a camera can always be replaced .
Sheila

[Susan]

Wow, what a story - like the saying - if it can go wrong, it will! Enjoyed this, thanks for sharing (found you through Cumberland Island Quilt Chick).

[The Cotton Wife]

So funny! I am surprised I haven't fallen into any water yet!

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

That is so scary and you are so lucky to be okay! Yes, you ARE Lady of the Lake!

[Vivian]

Sandra, the Cumberland Island chick, sent me over to check out your story.
Oh my gosh! What a way to get a photo of a quilt! I'm still laughing, and my stomach hurts from the honest belly laughs-- backing up in the air, the person yelling that your "blanket" was blowing around, and the idea of tackling a Lady of the Lake next.
Every time I settled down, you had another great line!

[Blogless me]

It's the most hilarious/heart-warming/precarious/"tempestuous" photo shoot I have heard of. Thank you for making us smile and I hope you are safe and dry now ;-)

[Cyndi Hoeller]

My, that has to be the funniest quilt story ever. Glad you are okay and that only the camera and your dignity suffered. Amazing that the stranger was able to find your car keys. how about "Adventurous Lake Quilts or Quilts by the Lake" for your next book! Glad you shared your lake story so we could laugh with you. Cyndi

[Winona]

Gorgeous quilt. I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your untimely dip. I am glad you are ok and can laugh about it now. Since I don't know how to swim, I would have drowned. Winona

[Nancy]

with that quilting...all wavy and such you could totally change the name to "Under the Water"... the light on the lake is amazing.. such a great photo..

[pat sloan]

Cherri ... Cherri .... Cherri... i feel for you... i can't swim either!!!

[Jenniffier]

Get story telling for an not so fun event. Sounds like something that would happen to me. The picture is worth it. Wonderful colors.

[AnnieO]

Great story to go along with a super quilt. Glad you were rescued and were able to laugh. Plus you got the picture! Amazing adventure sure to be retold endlessly :)