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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Cathedral Stars on a Fairbanks Sunday!

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Here are some happy girls spending the day cutting up the scraps, making four patches, half square triangles, and tri recs star points like crazy!

It seems forever ago that I walked from my hotel in Fairbanks, the short “few blocks” distance to the Elks lodge where our workshops were held.

Great space!  And plenty of lighting as you can see..the room is banked by windows on two sides, and the river flows right by so we could watch rafters floating on by, enjoying the nearly 90 degree temps.

It was HOT!  I never expected Fairbanks to be so hot when just a few short days before I was wrapped up in my puffy down jacket, and had to purchase a HAT to keep my head warm!

We had just a great time!

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Hello, Marilyn!

A sweet moment…usually we showcase those who have come the FARTHEST for participation in our workshops, but Marilyn gets the prize of being the CLOSEST!  She literally lives across the street from the Elks Lodge and didn’t have far to travel to get to us.

Her daughter Suzanne Wenzlick of  owns Suzanne's Art House in Escondido, California! If you know Suzanne please tell her how delightful her mother is!  I’m sure she already knows, but I had a great time meeting this sweet lady.

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We all got SO MUCH DONE!

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The wild ones are all in the back!

See the windows?  The river was right below…inflatable rafts with summer lovin’ holiday weekend relaxin’ folks floating by!

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Oooh, this is going to be great!

Click the image below if you are unable to view the slide show on your mobile device.  You’ll be taken to the photo album for viewing.

Cethedral Stars, Fairbanks AK 2015



Today is my first real day HOME.  Yesterday doesn’t count..I was half in it, half out of it and didn’t really know what day it was!

This week I have given myself permission to go at just HALF SPEED. Whatever that is for me. Suitcases need to be emptied, book orders need to go out.  I’ve got a TON of writing to start doing!

Some of you may remember my posting --months ago --about an ominous upheaval in my life. In January I received notice that Kansas City Star was closing its doors. I faced the real possibility of all 5 of my titles going out of print at the same time.
 
Months went by with no answers, no solutions -- just more waiting. And it was confidential, so you can imagine how excruciating this is, and what it does to the creative process when you are trying to figure out how to continue making a living at something you love.
 
Miracle of Miracles --C&T publishing has stepped in and has acquired Kansas City Star, a brand I have loved for as long as I have been a quilter, and I will continue to be published by C&T, under the Kansas City Star imprint.
 
This ordeal has caused many sleepless nights, many tear filled days, and I am happy to say I see a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. The biggest issue has been the closing of the warehouse until the deal was sealed. My books have been unavailable to distributors since March. Shops haven't carried my books since March. 3 of my most popular titles are out of print --and though I bought all of the stock my finances could afford --these all have to go through the long process of being reprinted, put back into distribution and get into the hands of the shops and the people that need them.
 
I have enough stock to see me through the re-printing, but they better hurry!
 
This 5 month hiccup will cause a 6 month delay in the publication of my next book which is now slated for Fall of 2016, instead of Spring 2016. I think this is okay. During the 5 months of chaos I wasn't really in the mindset of book writing anyway and am just that bit behind myself.
 
This gives me time to catch up, to breathe, and to look toward a brighter future as a C&T author.
 
And I know this is long -- but maybe this gives you a glimpse of what it is like behind the scenes here at Quiltville. No matter how smooth it looks on the surface, I've been paddling like mad beneath the water.
 



 Oh, and tonight I’m drawing the winner of our Improv Handbook Giveaway!  If you haven’t entered yet, head on over to THAT POST to leave your comment there.

Good luck everyone!


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19 comments:

  1. I love the Cathedral Stars blocks. What a rainbow of scrappiness. I'm happy you will be able to get your Books re-printed by C & T. I look forward to the new one in 2016. After a Monday Holiday it takes me a bit of time to ease back into my routine. Take it slow as you need to get back to your Speed.

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  2. You apparently are not alone in being blind-sided by KCS closing. C&T is a class act and I think they will do you proud.

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  3. I'm sure it's been a stressful time for you & I'm glad it's all coming back together in a good way! I look forward to your next book, whenever it comes out.

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  4. WOW!! So glad your publishing problem has been sorted out! Must have been a terrible worry!
    That Cathedral Stars quilt, I love it every time I see it! It's on my bucket list!

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  5. Anonymous12:31 PM EDT

    I am happy that your publishing scramble has been solved! In looking at the Cathedral Stars, I must say that the blue and yellow is stunning even though a number of the more scrappy ones have that stained glass window appeal. bella.harriger@yahoo

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  6. OH BONNIE... you must have been in such an upheaval! I am surprised you could carry on with the class schedule and trips you had planned.

    Happiness for you especially, but for us also. Kansas City has been a mainstay for so many of we quilters for such a long time. I can wait some additional time for your book. Hang in, trust The Lord that He will see you through all of this.

    NOW PLEASE, sit down without sewing, put your feet up and chill ... Sadie probably will be able to help you with this....

    Smiles, JulieinTN

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  7. Anonymous12:54 PM EDT

    Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. Try not to worry about life... Remember the song - Don't worry, be happy.

    Bonnie, you are an amazing and talented woman. You will always figure out life.

    So glad it all worked out for you.

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  8. Yeah, yeah, lovely quilts, fun class, but let's get to the important stuff--Planters Salted Caramel Peanuts!!? I haven't seen them before! Must find them soon. LOL! Really, though, Bonnie, I am glad all worked out with C&T.

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  9. Do hope you stick to your decision to take things a little more easily for a while. Your jet-speed life makes me breathless and must leave you exhausted . So pleased you managed to sort out the publisher problem which must have hit you like a ton of bricks. Your faithful fans - like me - would never have known you were paddling so hard. Enjoy a ( slightly) less hectic pace of life.

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  10. I am happy for you that everything is working out for you...I usually find in hindsight that things workout for the best in the long run.

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  11. Anonymous4:07 PM EDT

    I need to try "modern". Diann Smith kyquiltymama@hotmail.com

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  12. Bonnie, very glad you will be reprinted and have a publisher again. I read your blog every day and am currently working on Tropical Twist.

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  13. Whoo hoo, Bonnie is going to relax a little? I sure do hope so! I Love all your pretty pictures of the workshops, thanks!

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  14. I've bought all your titles to date and am glad others will have access to them in the future. C & T is a great company and I know they will do well for you. Keep up the good work and I'll look forward to the next book. Meanwhile I'll keep making my Wild and Goosey blocks.

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  15. Love this quilt. Great job ladies! :o)

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  16. Holy cow, what an upheaval! I'm so glad it has finally worked out with C & T. They do seem to be consistent and very well connected with marketing and so on. I clicked over here from my mail, and I must say that it's really neat that the link brought me right to where I had been reading, instead of starting over at the top. Working on the Grand Illusion and loving it.

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  17. Holy cow, what an upheaval! I'm so glad it has finally worked out with C & T. They do seem to be consistent and very well connected with marketing and so on. I clicked over here from my mail, and I must say that it's really neat that the link brought me right to where I had been reading, instead of starting over at the top. Working on the Grand Illusion and loving it.

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  18. Wow! the most difficult part of all that drama for me would have been to keep mute about it. Now sure I could have done that. Seems like you were held hostage as well as the other authors. Hope C & T will do better by you. You amaze me yet again.

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  19. I'm so relieved that your books won't be going out of print! That would be a terrible loss to the quilting world! I bought several of your titles during your cyber Monday sale last year, but I have a few more to go. Glad I will still have the opportunity!

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