Status of writing projects

I have been successfully free writing everyday. I write on my portable computer for about 20-30 minutes and one page of single space typing. It's about 1000 words. Once a week I gmail the journal post to myself.

I've been keeping up on the painting town blog. Pictures are going on Milwaukee Sketch Club blog. I am trying to gather material for a future book. Perhaps Milwaukee Sketch Club paints Milwaukee? or Waukesha? Except I haven't been taking pictures of the painters. I should start doing that. At least their backs. I could get everyone to sign artist release forms?

I have been keeping up on the crochet blog. I've been learning new stitches and thoroughly reviewing/analyzing crochet books by posting on the blog. One of my nieces prefers to do crafts rather than play outside. Like me when I was a kid! T too when she was a kid but she was born into a physically active family. Our family is very much into physical activity. My mom used to kick me outside to play when I was a kid. That was probably a good thing.

Anyway while I was working on a deeper plarn summer hat for A. J told me that his dad thought Md was strange because when he came over she like to cook by following a recipe while Mk and R played outside. I remember really enjoying doing that sort of thing. My things I really liked to do as a kid was bake, draw, crochet, and read. (As an adult I only allowed myself to read because I could lose too much time doing things I enjoyed.)

So Jer suggested Md would like to learn to crochet. I would think her grandma would have taught her how to do that already. So I would like to make a cheat sheet of the what Maddie would need to make a plarn rug. Maybe one sheet on making Plarn. Another sheet on making a chain, SC, increasing and tying off. I think I will start her off working in the round. You can make a till make a square or rectangular rug that way. In fact it would probably be easier than trying to work in the round. Sometimes making a rug in the round can get lopsided. So that's my goal this week. I want it done by July 4th weekend when we are meeting them up north. I just wrote a mind map in my notebook that I will tear out and work on this week.

status of writing projects and inspired by "Embroidery Made Simple"

Not sure how to title this blog so I will title it after I write this post.

I have been successfully free writing on the computer one page just about every day. I had switch to offline as my internet is too slow to do google documents, plus at times I don't have internet access. Free writing is a good thing because I am learning to type better on this travel computer keyboard, my mind comes up with good ideas for books and actually starts some writing in that direction. Plus it clear my mind. I type about 35-45 words per minute without too many mistakes despite this keyboard being needing to be tapped exactly write to type letters without missing them. (At times I type too light and the stroke doesn't register so I end up with skipped letters, Almost like typing on a manual typewriter except you don't jam the keys and have to return the carriage.) I had to take the remaining rubber foot off this computer because it was rocking too much as I typed. Somehow when I took this computer in to repair a software issue where the computer would turn on but not let me access programs on the computer, the technicians lost 3 rubber feet and could not or would not replace what they lost.

I have also been doing almost daily crochet posts by setting up a weeks worth of posts. Now I need to learn and photo some more stitches. Also need to finish 3 crocheted water bottle holders and remake A's hat so it is deeper. He likes wearing hat. L does too. D is not so much into wearing hats. They're leaving in about 2 weeks to go on vacation, camping in Yellowstone?

Wrote some posts in painting town blog. Would like to gather information, thoughts, observations as I go plein air painting, for possible future book. I do not want to do an all inclusive book like the facilitator wanted me to do at wonago weavers writer club. Too overwhelming. I do not yet know how to write and need to start with a smaller project or series of projects.

I played around a little bit with free mind but it is another thing to learn so will put that on the back burner for now. It's not that I couldn't learn it but that I like to manipulate actual physical objects.

I drew a mind map on a large piece of newsprint. Too much and too messy.

Now I'm trying index cards pinned to a bulletin board. Just did that this morning after being inspired by reading "Embroidery for Beginners."

I downloaded a free promotion book normally on sale for $2.99 called Embroidery for Beginners, The ultimate guide for learning the basics of embroidery. The cover is nice and bright and simple can easily read the Embroidery for beginners.

• One page in it has "Embroidery Made Simple, Making Art with Thread by Darlene Carlson." So is that an alternate title? It's a very short book, about 5 chapters. 
• 3rd page in is copyright page, 
• Then table of contents: historically speaking, what you need, basic stitches, some beginner projects, framing an embroidery project, conclusion with link to limited time bonus material
• Then introduction with small square of what looks like a drawing of light pink lace on medium blue background in a square in left hand corner of text. She thanks you for downloading book and talks about how each person finds their own way to create art in their lives, art with thread tradition, timeless art with patience, practice, and time. Feel free to share book. Please write short review on Amazon.
• Then she starts her chapters. Each has a small picture in square in left hand corner next to title. I wonder how she did that?
• Ch1 historically speaking; basic history to today, types of embroidery, 
• Ch 2 what you need: fabric, thread, needles, patterns, tracing materials, scissors, hoops, lamps & magnifiers, storage & organization (reminds me of ufo's), glue sticks and other sewing notions
• Ch 3 basic stitches; these are illustrated with one simple line drawing per stitch with words describing exactly how you do the stitch.
• Ch 4 some beginner projects listed but no patterns. pillow cases, throws & blankets, throw pillows, bath towel and other towel sets, scarves, tote bags, small pillow sachets for drawers, simple credit card ID wallet or cosmetic case, cell phone or iPod cover, apron, baby bib, small stuffed toy, Tea towel or dish towel (She thinks we all have dishwashers!) place mats, ornaments, jewelry, camping gear or items, laundry bags, flower bouquets, embroidery starter kits or gift kits
• Ch 5 framing an embroidery project
• Conclusion
• Link to bonus material if you sign up for her newsletter

See how simple this book is? It gives you the basics to start and doesn't overwhelm you with info. That is the kind of book I would like to write for my first writing project.