Happy New Year!
If you are like me you are so very happy to have 2020 in the past. I am eager to see what 2021 has in store for me and am hopeful it will much better then 2020!!! I am following up on an idea that I started; writing an e-book. I thought I would take you along on the journey of my e-book. So far it has not been as expected but what big project ever is…LOL
The Beginning
Every project starts with an idea. I originally wanted to create a book using wool roving. Last year after completing my inventory I was overwhelmed with all the roving I still had on hand. What to do with it? So I did a search on Pinterest and other places to see what was out there. I was suddenly introduced to a modern way of weaving. That became my obsession for awhile.
Weaving and Macrame
As the year went on I dabbled in weaving and then macrame until I found something called Macra-weave. This technique combines weaving and macrame. Just type it into Pinterest and see this amazing art! I worked at this for awhile. I offered some classes for it and also sold some pieces I had in my Etsy store. It was fun and I made some pieces that I really liked.
Needle Felting
While it was fun to play with all my fibers and be super creative I felt like this just wasn’t me. What was me was needle felting. I had a call from a gift store wanting more of my wool paintings! That was something I hadn’t done since spring and now it was winter time. Maybe the journey of my e-book would be about needle felting! I had written a Wool Painting Guide. Maybe I could expand it into a larger book?
Making the winter scenes was a lot of fun and I was able to sell many of the pieces!
This still did not seem like the direction I was supposed to go. There were so many options for projects it was becoming increasingly difficult to narrow it down!!!
Taking a Step Back
By the beginning of December I was frustrated with the whole process and my business in general. I began reading a book by John Maxwell; Intentional Living. I was reminded of the power of journaling. I dug out an unused journal I had been given when I retired and began writing. The first day I wrote 10 pages!!!!
What did I write about? Everything!!! I started at the beginning of my life with where I was born, where I lived and who my siblings were. Each day I wrote pages and pages. Then something magical happened!
Christmas Stories
By this time we were really into the Christmas season. I found myself remembering things that happened during Christmas’s from my childhood. It seemed as soon as I got done writing one story another one popped in my head. It occurred to me these might be good things to share on Facebook.
I Found It!
The journey of my e-book idea was finally coming into focus. The response to my stories was overwhelming! So many people shared their own memories as well. Several people asked if I was writing a book and if not I should be writing a book…maybe one with projects.
Stories and Projects
That was it! The journey of my e-book would include my childhood Christmas stories and have projects associated with each one. I did not have to decide what type of fiber art project to include; I could include any. There could be weaving, felting, wool applique and more.
The Next Step
Now I thought this would be a relatively easy thing to complete; although not with some challenges. However, as usual I was wrong! There is much to publishing my e-book then I thought. Stay tuned as I share more next time about this journey of my e-book.
Happy Creating!
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