from my studio...

Thanks for your nice words about yesterday's shop things! I'm so pleased to see my quilts and smocks headed to their new homes. Friday afternoon, I'll be taking down whatever is left in the shop at that point, so that I may focus on other things. I appreciate all of your support!

{letterpress beauty from Yes Press}

{tote by Good on Paper, from Edith & Edna}

Above are some random scenes from my studio this morning. The studio in which I now need to hole myself up in. I'm nearing my manuscript deadline - yes, I'll be done writing the second book before the first is published. (So goes the book world, I'm told.) After a summer of dedicated work on it, and a generally confident feeling of being 'right on track' up until this point, I've now hit the inevitable six-weeks-till-deadline freakout. (I remember this from last time. And I'm told it's normal. Hmnn...) Yesterday, I read Stephanie (a role model for me in so many ways) talk of her own very close manuscript deadline as thus: "I am alternately cackling that I am so close to the end, and sobbing that I still have so far to go". Yes, oh, yes. Though I could use a little more cackling. Let's hope for more cackling.

So, diving in, I now go and focus much of my attention and energy, allowing myself tunnel vision for a short period of time (Family, Book. family, book. Everything else must wait). Mostly I'll be plopped in this spot above, laptop on the lap (yellow shoes nearby. Equidistant to the Green & Blacks. Necessities, you know), finishing things up and writing a book that I am most excited about. When not in that spot, I'll be trying my best to keep our family life as close to normal as possible, and soaking up as much as fall has to offer us -all while cleaning out our freezer of stocked-up, frozen meals; ignoring the laundry piling up around me; and giving daily thanks to my Mama and Saint Stephen (a.k.a. SoulePapa). Oh, and trying to keep my wits about me. Oh my. Lofty goals.

I won't be gone from here the whole time, but I will, for a short time, now turn over the blog to my very favorite guest blogger (and if we're lucky, guest 'bloggers'). Yay!!!!

Be well!!

Comments

[Bluebirdbaby]

Good luck with everything! We'll miss you :)

[julia]

good luck- i can't wait to see the results (even though it'll be a little while). i'm sure it'll be wonderful and filled with beauty!

[Anne]

I am looking forward to hearing from Saint Steve. Good luck.

[jean]

a wise wise choice, SouleMama. xxoo

[Jen]

keep yourself healthy too, sickness has a way of sneaking up on one when deadlines approach!

[Ashley]

Nothing like some Kombucha and organic dark Green & Black to power you through! Best of luck in this home stretch...I'll be wishing you lots of cackling.

You'll be missed!!

[Grace]

amen to what jen (above) said.

i admit i'm pretty excited to hear from your guest blogger(s) again, though!

[melody]

Godspeed... I hope everything falls into place perfectly... look forward to hearing from Soulepapa.

[heather]

best of luck to you. i'm sooo glad to see you have a comfy chair this time. i remember the last time you were close to deadline that infamous photo of you sitting on the hard floor of the (pre makeover) studio. this is much cozier, and thus, hopefully promoting great productivity!

take care of yourself (good thinking about stocking that freezer), and be sure to get out there as much as time allows to enjoy autumn in new england, i know you will. be well.

[melody]

Godspeed... I hope everything falls into place perfectly... look forward to hearing from Soulepapa.

[Beth]

Wishing you the best during 'crunch time.' What an exciting time of your life :-)

[Veronica TM]

good luck, amanda! here is for more cackling.
i cannot wait to have both books in my hands.
enjoy your cozy spot.

[emily]

enjoy that cozy spot and this time of settling in (and cackling) to the home stretch. will be waiting, now, for books 1 and 2 with eager anticipation.

[Stefani]

It looks like a perfect spot for your magic to happen, Amanda. In the wee hours, and in the pauses where you search for just the right word, know that we are all rooting for you, and carrying thoughts of you with us.

[cloth.paper.string]

well wishes to you on this next part of your journey, amanda. you're surely provisioned up with meals, support, guest bloggers, a myriad of online cheerleaders, and of course the ever important chocolate! be well and take good care, sarah

[Jennifer]

Oh lucky us! I look forward very much to the guest blogging- although you *will* be greatly missed. Have fun!

[m]

I'm quite thrilled for you, a second book almost ready to put to bed. It's a crazy, hectic time, but good for you for keeping your priorities straight and bringing in the troups.

My first book came out this spring and I'm *nowhere* near completing my second. Although we work in different genres, I'm still blown away that you're so close to being done your second! Well done.

Also, just curious, why will you be taking down the unsold ones by the end of this week? Seems so quick!

[SOULEMAMA]

M - good question! I'd like to just get the shop things wrapped up and out so I can focus on other work things without disruption. I guess I think of the Etsy shop - for me - as a 'trunk show' with a beginning and end time. ;)

[betz]

Good luck in the homestretch! Did you read Alicia's (posey) description of finishing her book? She called it a steeplechase with dirt clods flying. Love that analogy.

[anna]

Best wishes Amanda!

[Sarah]

Good luck with the writing - and enjoy what look like the very cosy confines of that chair!

[Wendy]

Wow, I hope to see the day when I can put up my Etsy stuff and see it gone in three days. I've had things on there for months. (I'm not complaining, just new to all this.)

I didn't know you did it like a trunk show; that's a fantastic idea if you've got the traffic that you obviously do (and deserve).

Good luck with the book. That is so great! I've already got your first one on my wishlist (it comes out around my birthday).

[christina]

may these next weeks be filled with inspiration and peace. your place of rest looks amazing.

i am eagerly awaiting the arrival of your first book and look forward to the the reveal of the second.

[leilalu]

kombucha and chocolate is one of my favorite snacks too.
have fun.

[annette]

bring on the blogettes! or mini-b's...?

[amy]

oh how fun! I am sure it is stressful, but how exciting to be writing yet another book, no? Wishing you the best best best of luck and see you on the other side!

[Beth H]

I can't wait for the new book...really, can not wait!! But I guess we'll all have a little reward when the first comes out and just be that much more excited for the second.

Looking forward to guest bloggers too...who could they be? Bring back SoulePapa...and maybe a Wee Soule?

[Kim]

Good luck to you Amanda. I've been reading your blog for awhile & finally decided it was time to chime in - can't wait for your book(s)!

[celine]

Keep going, we are all looking forward to the books

[Julia]

I wish you many cackles. Thinking of you and yours. Take care.

[Cece Marie]

Hi Amanda, I just blogged about your book and posted a photo and than it just occured to me that perhaps I should of asked your permission first? I mean it in a really positive way but out of respect for you I wanted to tell you. If you don't like it or want me to erase it I totally understand. I'm new to blogland and am still figuring out the local customs and edicate. :)
Looking forward to your blog guests!
Hugs and best wishes! Cece

[Julie]

I think I'd like to have all those fabrics around me while I write my dissertation. Yes. I need better scenery. I need writing to be a bit romantic. There should be blueberry tea, excellent dark chocolate, gorgeous colors around me, and hey, a pair of yellow shoes wouldn't hurt.

And i should wear striped socks. Every time I write.

Best of luck with the writing.

[The Simple Family]

Always such an inspiration. I know the feeling of the writing needing to finish with my professional work. You'll be surprised what you can do if you get a "fire lit" under your butt.

And, as always, love the photos. Am planning on moving in with you.

[Stacey]

Good luck, I'm envious for the hours of writing you have a ahead of you.

[cyd]

what a warm cozy place to write! good luck, and will miss your adventures and stories

[Anna]

We'll miss you. But I eagerly look forward to your guests. They always have such interesting things to share (and show!)...Have a nice, CALM, break.

[Allison]

do i spy a green & blacks dark chocolate and ginger bar??? I literally just finished one about a minute before plopping in front of this computer! YUM. (for the record, I did not eat the whole thing at once...although it can be done). :)

Good luck writing!

[andi]

I love your new banner! And those polka-dot sheets- oh, so lovely. Were they a thrifted item or can you buy them somewhere?

And good luck finishing up your book! I am still so anxious to get my hands and the first one :) Hope that you are able to have a super productive break from blogging, although you will be very missed.

[dawna]

best of luck dear amanda... looking forward to your new book and to soulepapa's return.

[Courtney]

Here's to more cackling!

And may I say I am still diggin' those shoes. I may just have to buy myself a pair.

[ellen]

Best Wishes on your work ahead.

[geek+nerd]

Best of luck on finishing the manuscript!

[katie]

yes, enjoy finishing up. What an accompolishment!

[robin]

Go, Amanda, go!!!!! I'm rootin' for ya and looking forward with eager anticipation to seeing your second book (to say nothing of getting your first!!!) I will miss you but look greatly forward to reading Soulepapa (and perhaps Souleson?) Happy writing! <3