So far I have talked about the emotional, mental, and logistical trials of writing the book; but I have yet to talk about the very best day by far! It was the day I shipped my quilts to C&T; May 16th to be exact. Two days before the quilts had to be shipped, I still had 11 quilts to bind...can you believe it? It wasn't a matter of procrastination, it was just a matter or not having enough time. So each night I stayed up until about 2 in the morning sewing on bindings - is that terrible? I've gotten very good at it. At first I was horrified with the thought of sewn bindings, but I'll tell you what - I got over it quick! Sewing on bindings is still a time consuming event, and I will never know how I got it all done. I told my Mom that I thought sewing angels were helping me along the way. She is convinced that it was all of my dearly departed sewing grandmothers were coming to my aid. Either way, miraculously it got done.
On the morning of the 16th my Mom arrived early, bring breakfast (thank you Mom), along with little scissors for snipping last minute threads and lint roller brushes. I had cleared the living room of the furniture, and made sure the carpet was freshly vacuumed, laid down a clean sheet for extra protection, I threw the cats outside (gently), and banished Mickey to his little bed. Even on the morning of the 16th I still had the last quilt to bind; that quilt is called City Play - I can't wait to show it to you, but it is definitely the pièce de résistance so I don't want to spoil the surprise. By this time I was so brain dead I couldn't decide which color binding to use, so I let my Mom decide.
As I brought each quilt downstairs, it went through the process of being gone over with the roller brush, and checked for loose threads...isn't it amazing, no matter how many times you check, you still miss threads? As each quilt was finished it was laid in the center of the room. Soon the process began of labeling, numbering and measuring each quilt. As soon as this was done, each quilt was added to a master packing list for C&T's receiving process. My best friend, Rich soon joined us in this packing task. The two people I love best in the world (besides my children) were by my side, helping to make this dream a reality. As I sat printing out photos, forms, packing lists, and everything else required, I looked up to see everyone working so hard on my behalf, and I was filled with gratitude, and pride for what had been accomplished. Soon the quilts were being bagged, and packed into a huge cardboard box. It was so big, we had to measure the car to make sure it would fit. Soon we were on our way to FedEx to send this labor of love on it's way to California. Rich wouldn't let me drive, he thought I was too giddy, and too sleep deprived to be trusted. What an incredible relief it was to hand off those quilts. I was beside myself for days after that...all I could think was, "I did it, it's done!". What had seemed an enormous, impossible task, was now done. In reality it was far from being done, there was still a long way to go before it was finished; actually it's still not quite finished - but close.
It was such a good day, the best day ever I'm sure, until I actually get a copy of my book - I can't even imagine how that will feel.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me now, it was so hard to not be able to talk about the process, during the process; but I'm glad to be able to share it now!
This is bit of City Lot!
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Your accounts of bringing your book to life have been so much fun to read. WHEN I get a copy of your book, I will appreciate it that much more knowing the work that went into it. You should be very proud!
Jennifer :)
PS: City Aviation will be my first quilt to make out of your book! My husband is in aviation and he will love the quilt design.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 11, 2010 at 04:33 PM
CANNOT WAIT TO SEE IT.
Posted by: pam | January 11, 2010 at 07:43 PM
oh I love love love the colors there in City Block! Can't wait to see the whole book
Posted by: Ellyn | January 11, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Congratulations! I can't wait to see your book!
Posted by: Andee in aZ | January 11, 2010 at 11:05 PM
What a triumph! Thank-you so much for sharing these snippets of the process now.
Posted by: Cheryl Arkison | January 12, 2010 at 09:14 AM
What a wonderful moment that I'm sure you'll always remember! Your City Lot quilt is so striking. I can't wait to see your book! As a future book-purchasing customer, I'd like to thank you for all of your hard work!
Posted by: Andy | January 12, 2010 at 09:35 AM
Hello, this is Fedex Lina. We appreciate your business. Have a great day!
Posted by: FedexLina | January 12, 2010 at 02:05 PM
I'm excited to see the book!
Posted by: Bronwyn | January 13, 2010 at 03:03 PM
I hear you Cherri! Writing a book is the most all consuming thing, it takes over every corner of your life. I'm glad to hear that someone else is still sewing binding on at the last second! I think I was still sewing one on at a photo shoot for Material Obsession 1!! Your book looks AMAZING and I can't wait to see it. I feel a Cherri House author interview for Sewn in the works... :)
Posted by: Sarah | January 13, 2010 at 03:04 PM
Hi Cherri! Congratulations on everything. I cannot believe you have a full time job, too! Thank you for sharing your experience and for being an inspiration. I have a big project I'm working on, too!
Posted by: Tina in Boston | January 13, 2010 at 07:54 PM
Hearing your account of writing a book is both inspiring and eye opening. It makes me realize how time and effort goes into the process above and beyond the creative process.
Posted by: Patty | January 16, 2010 at 01:08 PM
thanks for sharing... you are very lucky to have a great support system... & i know your binding experience all too well from right before market.. but one way or another it all seems to get done!
Posted by: jaybird | January 17, 2010 at 07:20 PM
What a labor of love! Sounds and looks like the hard work really paid off and I can't wait to see the book.
Posted by: Janet | January 18, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Can't wait to see the book, buy the book, and blab about the book. Congratsulations!
Posted by: Amy | January 20, 2010 at 09:30 AM
Congratulations, I mean. (I got so excited- hee hee)
Posted by: Amy | January 20, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Already loving this quilt... can't wait for your book!
Posted by: Lauren Hawley | January 27, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Hello Cherri, I loved reading about your adventures getting your quilts ready. Can;t wait to see the book. Happy days.
Posted by: Bev C | January 27, 2010 at 07:21 PM
It will feel fabulous! Ask me how I know. C&T is great to work with, as you already know. I see you are now designing fabrics for Andover.
Cool!
Wishing you great success with your book - I have no doubt it will be a hit with all the Modern Quilters out there!
Rayna
http://studio78notes.blogspot.com
http://www.studio78.net
Posted by: Rayna Gillman | February 05, 2010 at 10:24 PM