Thursday, June 16, 2011

Tempting Susan Gee Heino


hosted by Donna MacMeans

It's my pleasure to welcome my good friend, Susan Gee Heino, into the lair. Susan's latest Regency, TEMPTESS IN TRAINING, is set to release July 5th and is the third in her series that began with her debut, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. Romantic Times calls Temptress in Training: a spy thriller that has as many tangled threads as one of Sophie's garments. Welcome Susan!

Hi, Banditas! Donna, thanks so much for having me. I just love hanging here. And I'm really excited to get to see some of you all in just a couple weeks!

Yes, it's that time again—time to figure out what to wear to RWA Nationals. True, I should really put more effort into studying the workshop schedule, preparing for the two panels I'll be participating in, and thinking up intelligent stuff to discuss with my agent and editor, but seriously, this month is devoted to angsting over my wardrobe.

Anybody out there sew? I love it. I'm not fantastically good at it, and I think patterns are mostly just a suggestion, but I do love sewing. Especially fancy clothes. And costumes. And guess what? I get to wear both at National!

The biggest, fanciest event is the RITA/Golden Heart Awards ceremony. Also, I'm a member

of the Beau Monde Chapter which usually hosts a Soiree where we are invited to dance the night away in Regency-era costume. What could be more fun, right? I spend months dreaming about what I'll wear. I love selecting my patterns, fingering all the materials, choosing trimming, and basically being able to make the gowns exactly the way I want them. I feel so powerful!

Well, except for the hours while I'm actually making them. That's when I don't feel quite so powerful. I'm ripping seams, jamming the machine, poking myself with pins, and swearing next year I'm going to just wear something out of my closet. But eventually I'm done and I love my creation. I have the thrill of taking it out in public and feeling awesome. It's sort of like writing.

I don't know about other writers, but I go through pretty much the same stages in my writing. The thrill of brainstorming, planning my opening scene, and gathering characters that make me giddy with excitement. Then I actually have to write the book. Not as much fun. But then, eventually, it's done and my agent loves it and my editor loves it and I have the thrill of taking it out in public and introducing my creation to readers.

So not only will I finish my gowns for National and get to wear them to par-tay all night, but I also get to show my next book to readers. TEMPTRESS IN TRAINING comes out July 5th and I can't wait to introduce people to my latest heroine, Sophie Darshaw. And guess what? She's a seamstress! I found a way to incorporate my sewing interest into my writing. But OMG, some of the stuff

Sophie sews... woo baby, steaming hot! The cynical and secretive Lord Lindley gets a few surprises when he starts digging into Sophie's work.

Sorry, folks, I won't be modeling any of Sophie's remarkable creations. But I did get my daughter to model one of my Regency gowns. Isn't my sweet Joy just darling? She has to wait a few years before she's allowed to read my books, though.

So what gets your creative juices flowing? Are you a seamstress, or a fabulous cupcake maker? Tell me about your artsy/craftsy passions and I'll put your name in a drawing for a copy of TEMPTRESS IN TRAINING, hot off the presses. And if you'd like to read an excerpt of TEMPTRESS IN TRAINING, visit my blog at www.susangh.com.


79 comments:

Helen said...

Is he coming up the road

Have Fun
Helen

Helen said...

Send him back up the road Barbara he can look after me for a day LOL.

Susan
I hang my head in shame I have your first 2 books on my TBR pile I must move them up I am soo looking forward to reading them and I will be able to read them one after the other.

Love the dresses as well. I am not very good at sewing although I have made a few things over the years and I used to knit a lot once, lots of jumpers with patterns on them for my children when they were young I used to love looking for teddy bears and things to put on the jumpers and getting the kids to pick out what they wanted on them it was always so much fun until you put the wrong colour in the wrong place LOL but they always worked out in the end.

Susan congrats on the new release have a ball at the the conference maybe one day I will get over to The States and attend RWA. Donna thanks so much for inviting Susan back to spend the day with us

Have Fun
Helen

Lolarific said...

I'm know around here as being the baker. My neighbor is always getting treats sent down and she's my best taste tester!

I love the dresses from the regency era and wish I could sew. I've attempted a few times but it's just not a natural thing for me. Lots of talents in me, but sewing isn't anywhere in there. But I love hearing the descriptions of the dresses in the stories I read. They take me back and make me feel like a spectator in a fabulous ball. Watching the skirts swirl about as the band plays to that one couple that everyone is in awe of.

Lolarific said...

known*

Donna MacMeans said...

Congrats on nabbing the rooster, Helen!

I used to knit - a long, long time ago. Every now and then I see a pattern for a scarf or something and think I should dig out my knitting needles - and then I remember my deadline. One day, i'll give it a go again.

You definitely need to read Susan's books. They are so much fun!

lindsey hutchison @ United By Books said...

man ive been missing in action hope i wasnt missed too much around here. um lets see creative juices flowing....sometimes nothing and ill go off into daydream that sets the wheels in motion or a poem flowing. then there is my photography in my spare time.

congrats on your release. i am not too good at sewing but if i need to repair i will get it done. the extent of my sewing was in home ec class when i did a pillow lol. though i love just bought everything including the dresses of that era

Donna MacMeans said...

Lolarific - You know if ever you need a new taste tester - I'm generally available (grin).

When my kids were little, I used to sew. I always made their Halloween costumes, but made some other household type things as well. However, they've grown and I've lost the time and patience to layout, cut and mark the pieces. The actual sewing was cool and after a few seams you could see what the dress would look like - but I hated all the preparatory work. Don't know how Susan does it and does it so well.

Donna MacMeans said...

Lindsey - Those dresses were nice weren't they? Wow - you sound like one creative individual. Do you just take photographs or do you develop them as well? I used to have a darkroom set up in one of the bathrooms here - but I can only develop black & white. I love color so the enlarger eventually was sold in a garage sale. Now I just take digital pics - no need for chemicals!

Na said...

I really enjoy gardening and I found I'm pretty good at it. There's something about scoping out your land or pot of soil, choosing the flowers, plants and arranging them. It's a feast for the eyes, even if they only last a few months.

I really enjoyed this post, especially the part where fashions from a long-ago era is being modelled. I imagined I'd feel quite elegant back in those days.

Becke Davis said...

Hi Susan - It was great to see you at Lori Foster's event! (Great to see Donna there, too!)

lindsey hutchison @ United By Books said...

i just take digital but i got a awesome fancy 400 dollar camera for my birthday that will enable the pictures to be that much better. ive already been toying with it. im trying to capture the full moon tonight. but what i really want to do is head over to the marina that is 10 mins from me and shoot over as the sky is pretty seeing if i can capture the golden gate bridge in the background actually i think i mean the bay bridge grrr

Christine Wells said...

Yahoo! Susan's in the lair! Donna, thank you for luring Susan here today.

So great to see you back Susan, and with a new book to promote. Can't wait for this one--and I must tell you that gorgeous emerald green gown you wore lives in my memory. Just stunning! And those Regency gowns! I wish I could sew that well... or at all. I have to pay someone else to sew on a button.

I am not very good at anything creative except (I hope) at writing. I would love to learn to paint one day. Maybe when the children are grown.

Looking forward to seeing you in NYC!!

Mary Preston said...

I tend to be into crafts: I knit, sew, crochet & embroider. I always have a project on the go. Some become 'bigger than Ben Hur', but I see them through to the end.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

He teleported while I was out Helen LOL

Hi Susan ....congrats on your new book....I do a lot of sewing whether it be patchwork, dressmaking, machine embroidery and general crafty things.... i always have a few things on the go.... I am embroidering names on my GS's towels as he and his partner have just moved into their house

Minna said...

Well, I knit and crochet. And since I need only so many gloves, mittens and stuff -and I don't need the doll sized clothes at all- I put some of the things I've made for instance here (Halloween decorations and stuff for Barbie doll):
http://www.titletrader.com/profile.php?userid=1005087&show=inventory

I think I'll next try to make an amigurami.

Tik 'N' Tak - Upside Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcyZHlQ9O-g

Pave Maijanen - Lähtisitkö
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlNe6vyokI

Hector - NOSTALGIA osa 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4GElOMEBxc

Kristiina Wheeler - Sunny Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9dz9Cge1k

Unknown said...

I can sew but haven't done it for a while. It takes a lot of time and I have to be in the mood. I am more into reading then sewing right now.

Valerie Bowman said...

OMG. I *wish* I knew how to sew, Susan! I'm short and those hems are a killer. Your daughter's Regency dress is adorable and I cannot wait for Temptress in Training!

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Susan!

My mom was a great seamstress. Me? Hopeless! lol Photography, baking and chocolate making fuel my creative side and I'll be doing plenty of all three in the next few weeks.

Can't wait to pick up a copy of your new book!

Janie Mason said...

I used to sew. I almost pulled my hair out making a green velvet, off the shoulder dress with built in stays. I stick to simple things now or buy ready made. I also used to cross-stitch but I'd rather write or read in my free time these days. I won't have any trouble finding the time to read Temptress in Training!
Best wishes on the upcoming release, Susan.

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan! Isn't the lair a wonderful place to visit? I can't wait to read your new release! The thing I like to do the mostest (besides write) is collect antiques. Unfortunately, they're big so I've had to switch to collecting little old things. (there's a joke in there somewhere) Have fun at nationals. I'm sure you'll look grand *smile*
Lisa Cooke

Susan Gee Heino said...

I see the Rooster has got a new keeper for the day. Congrats, Helen! And hey, I'm just thrilled my books are in your TBR pile. I trust they'll get up there to the top someday. I know how those piles are, dark and looming and kind of intimidating.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Lolarific--yum! You can bake all you want. The world cannot have too much good stuff. And I agree, those 19th centurly balls must have been a sight to see with all the beautiful gowns and the flickering lights... sigh.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Donna--thanks again for the invite! You know, I see lots of folks here knit and that's one thing I cannot do. I've tried. It was ugly. But you also paint, don't you Donna? I've seem some of your wonderful work.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Lindsey--Ah, photography is so much fun! I'm terrible at it, but my daughter is showing some talent in that area. She's saving up for a fancy camera right now. Me, I'm just glad not to cut off people's head and get the flash set right. But what an awesome thing to capture a moment in time.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Na--ooooo, you mentioned gardening. That's another one of my loves. I've had to cut down on it the last couple years due to deadlines, but I still go a little crazy when springtime comes around and I get the urge to play in the dirt.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Becke--Hi back at ya! It was great to see you at Lori's event. Wasn't that a fun time? Hope we can cross paths again soon.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Christine--Hey there! Glad you hear you'll be in NYC and yes, we must definitely bump into each other. Can't wait! And I see you've got some fun new stuff coming up. Can't wait for that, either!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Marybelle--wow, you are crafty, aren't you? I do love crocheting, but the knitting and embroidery have defeated me. I'm so glad others have those talents.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Barb--you're another crafty one. And how awesome that you can use your talents to give special things to others. That's the best part about creating, sharing it, I think.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Minna--Hello! I'm so impressed by all the knitting that goes on. How do you all keep from getting completely tangled? But what a great skill to have. Nice to see you here again!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Virginia--I totally hear you about being more into reading than sewing. Those are two mutually exclusive things, aren't they? I keep saying I'm going to start getting audio books so I can be listening while I'm doing stuff--maybe I'll try that this week as I hit the sewing room. (Which is really just a corner in my dreary basement, but "sewing room" sounds better.)

Susan Gee Heino said...

Valerie--Need to hem, huh? Gosh, that's not something I've ever been able to relate to. I've always been an Amazon. But I'll bet you can wear awesome shoes and not trip over small children in them.

Susan Gee Heino said...

PJ--my Mom sewed, too, and so did my grandmother. I wish now that I'd saved some of the things they made. I'm having a blast teaching my daughter. But gosh, I'm jealous of the chocolate making! Makes me drool just thinking of it.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Janie--green velvet off the shoulder? Oooooo, sounds pretty! But yes, I can see that wouldn't be something you'd want to do every day. Easy is better. And I used to love cross-stitching! Sigh, when did I find the time?

Louisa Cornell said...

Good on you, Helen! He is beating a path between you and Barb, isn't he?

Hello My Darling Pixie Sister!!

Can't WAIT for your latest!!

And I do envy you your lovely gowns. You always look so gorgeous every year at Nationals.

This year I actually got ambitious enough to make my gown for the Soiree too. Picked my pattern, my fabric and even cut it out. Then life got crazy and it is now in the hands of a paid seamstress to finish! Maybe next year!

I used to sew, cross stitch and quilt, but I have little time for it these days as it seems all I do is work and write.

Than again, at work I have to be fairly creative in designing cakes for my faithful walmart minions to create. Our cheeseburger cake is very popular as is our red velvet armadillo cupcake critter.

Kat Sheridan said...

Susan, you write AND sew? Wow. I'm envious of anyone who can operate one of those infernal machine. My grandmother was a professional seamstress. Me? SO totally flunked out of home ec. Is it wrong that I hem things with a stapler and that iron-on gluey stuff?

The dresses you've made are stunning, and I adore your books! Wishing you continued success with your new release!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Lisa--collecting little old things, huh? LOL Oh, what fun you must have with that! And I'm glad that you do a little writing along with it.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Louisa--my Pixie Sister! How's that manwhore doing today? Congrats on mostly making your Beau Monde gown. Can't wait to see it. Sounds like you did all the hard parts. And let me just say RED VELVET ARMADILLO CUPCAKE CRITTERS. OMG. drool drool

Susan Gee Heino said...

Kat--you know, Princesses don't usually have to do their own sewing. And I think hemming with a stapler is a very creative thing, so there. Now go polish your tiara. lol

Paulette said...

Hi Susan!
Can hardly wait to get your next book!
I sew about 80% of my clothes, but I'm finding with the grands living with us its a bit hard to do. I like to spread things out to work on them which means the kitchen table. Also, trying to finish up my next two books puts a cramp in sewing how do you find the time with all you do?
Paulette

Natalie D Richards said...

I, for one, think your dresses are lovely. And I can't wait for this new release - which I am convinced has the best first page in the history of historical first pages. ;)

I have a sewing machine and a big tub full of fabric and patterns for things like curtains and blankets for my kids. Sometimes I like to go into the laundry room and look at the tub. Maybe touch it. That's about as close as I get to actually sewing. ;-)

Susan Gee Heino said...

Paulette--I've seen some of your workmanship and it's great! But yes, it takes lots of time and area to sew, doesn't it? Fortunately, my kids are old enough now that I can get away with it. And I have a really big basement with a loooong table to spread out on. That helps!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Natalie--you are so funny. I can just picture you taking 20 seconds out of your 36-hour day to go lovingly stroke your tub of fabric. lol Love you!

Joan said...

Good morning Susan!!!!

Welcome back to The Lair.

Your new book sounds great and can't wait to read it.

Man, I love that emerald green gown. I didn't even know who you were back when you wore that but you looked so striking in it it left an impression. I SWEAR I was told you made it...

I'm trying to figure out my wardrobe for the conference too. I have plenty of nice black dresses for the awards ceremony but....I found this really cool, kind of different one for this years..and it only cost $40!!! Win!!!

Looking forward to seeing you..

Wendy La Capra said...

Hi Susan! I Love the comparison between sewing & writing--the longer you put either off (sewing or writing), the more difficult finishing the project seems (or seams? *cough*)

Cant wait to see your Soiree gown and looking forward to the release of Temptress in Training (great title!)

Susan Gee Heino said...

Joan--it's great to be back here. Thanks. And now you've got me all anxious to get a glimpse of your fancy new (affordable!) dress for Nationals. Can't wait!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Wendy--love your clever "seems" and "seams" groaner. lol Can't wait to catch up again at the Soiree!

Angelina Barbin said...

I can't sew or bake. Can I still get published? This will be my first year at Nationals and I can't wait to meet so many of the wonderful ladies here at the soiree. Anxiously waiting you next book, Susan.

Beth Andrews said...

So good to have you with us again, Susan! Congrats on your upcoming release and thanks for sharing the pictures of the your beautiful creations *g*

I do enjoy sewing and made clothes for my kids when they were younger but I haven't sewed much since I started writing. My youngest is interested in learning to sew but first we'll have to buy a new sewing machine. Nothing is more frustrating than using an old clunker :-)

A few years ago I started making bead jewelry which I really enjoyed and now I'm looking into trying my hand at wire-working jewelry. We'll see how that goes *g*

Hellie Sinclair said...

For a time I used to scrapbook cards. Now I have a bunch of supplies and no motivation to make them.

This year I started to sew blocks for a quilt--a large quilt--using bright fabrics with Valentine's hearts themes...but that's been put aside a bit. I don't work on it all the time. It goes in short bursts.

And I costume. I love to costume, but usually only at Halloween. I bought a pattern at JoAnn's the other day (Simplicity was on sale) of a pattern that looked catching.

But my CURRENT project crafting while I write is painting. Now mind you, I haven't painted a blessed thing since 1993 when I had an art class in high school. And every day in art class I'd throw my paintbrushes because I'd be frustrated my paintings weren't turning out as awesome as say, Rubens.

But I want to paint a picture of the Fat Lady from Harry Potter to hang on my door for a party I'd like to have. And you can't enter Gryffindor's common room without seeing the fat lady. So I'm trying to paint a version of it. It's coming pretty decently. I don't mind that she doesn't look too lifelike. *LOL*

Margaret said...

Hey: hope you got great material for your dress(es). You know reading spurs me on. I get exciting reading such great stories others have crafted. Baking I used as a timing device. How many words can I get done in the 20 minutes it takes for the brownies to bake.

Take Care!

catslady said...

I use to be very crafty but I have to admit that this darn computer has taken a lot of my time lol. I taught myself to crochet and do needlepoint and cross stitch and the basics of knitting and embroidering. I made many Christmas ornaments and dabbled in scrapbooking. The one thing I've never given up is reading lol.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Angel--Yay! I'll get to dance with you at the Soiree, right? Can't wait to see you there. And yes, you can still publish. I said so. lol

Susan Gee Heino said...

Beth--I'm so glad to be back here. This group is so much fun. And ooooo, you make jewelry! Love the bling. I've tried a bit with beads, but I'm never quite happy with my results. And that wire working looks tough! You get kudos from me, for sure.

Susan Gee Heino said...

MsHellion--I love paper crafts, too. Handmade cards are so special. I've not yet tackled quilting, though. Good luck on finishing yours. And woo hoo for the Fat Lady! What a great idea. Paint away and soon you'll have your own secret entrance to Hogwarts! lol

Susan Gee Heino said...

Margaret--got the fabric and the pattern. Think... purple! And I love your method of double-tasking. Using baking as a timing device is inspired. You get work done on the wip, AND you get brownies! What could be better?

Susan Gee Heino said...

Catslady--I love the idea of making Christmas ornaments! My poor tree is always just buried under crazy ornaments, and my faves are the ones someone has made with their own two hands. Scrapbooking and needlepoint are also pretty cool. I'm way behind on my scrapbooks, as a matter of fact. Thanks for the reminder. lol

Susan Sey said...

Hello, Susan GH! This is Susan S, waving madly!

I love your question about creativity. It makes me wish I had a better, more creative answer. But the boring truth is that I get my inspiration from reading. Usually it's non-fiction I find most inspiring. And not high quality non-fiction, either. An article in Rolling Stone magazine inspired my first book. I still have it somewhere.

Just today I read an article about honeybees & think it'll fit beautifully into this idea I have cooking. The whole world is a rich stew of info when you're cooking an idea, isn't it?

But back to Sophie's story--I've been waiting and waiting for this one & can't wait to read it! July 5, you said? I'm preordering right now! (And it'll be on my Kindle, so if you're keeping track at home, tally that one up.) :-)

Sheri Adkins said...

Hey there Banditas! As the other one in the photo of Susan dancing the night away at the Beau Monde soiree, I had to pop on and say how much fun it is! If anyone's planning on attending this year in NYC, Susan and I will gladly add you to our dance card. My favorite part of getting Regencied-up for the ball is the headdress. You just have to feel wonderful wearing peacock feathers in your hair! We should bring that fashion back, I say. I'm certainly not the seamstress that Susan (or Sophie) is--my abilities allowed me to modify an existing dress into my Regency gown. Don't let Susan fool you... she's an amazing seamstress. She always shows up with a new dress that she whipped up the night before or something. Since I'm doing well to pack the night before, I have to fight the impulse to hit her with something. It's the same with her amazing writing. She can brainstorm an entire book in minutes while creating a new wardrobe from remnants, save countless stray animals, and have dinner on the table before taking her kids off to their games. If she wasn't the nicest person in the world, I'd have to hate her.

Sheri Adkins

Hellie Sinclair said...

I have to ask: what patterns are you sewing those Regency gowns from?

Susan Gee Heino said...

Susan S--waving madly back at you! Soooo, you get your best ideas from not-high-quality non-fiction, huh? You crazy person. I'll bring all my back issues of Rural Dirt Lovers to NYC for you. Go wild. lol I can't wait to see you and be a little wild myself!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Sheri--my dear, exaggerating friend. You did a spectacular job on your Soiree gown and I didn't mention it here because I'm tremendously jealous. I'm bringing a whole peacock for myself this year. We will have fun and you're welcome to make up stories about me anytime you want, as long as they are as flattering as the ones you are telling here. Mwwaah!

June M. said...

I love to crochet and work some with beads. I also have sewn in the past and am planning on getting back into that. My problem is that I would much rather read than do about anything. Guess I am going to have to switch to audio books so I can do both at the same time.

Susan Gee Heino said...

MsHellion--wellllll, I sort of deviate from patterns sometimes. I believe the dress Joy is wearing is a fairly close recreation of the Sense & Sensibility Regency Gown Pattern. The gown I'm wearing in the above photo (green overlay, white beneath) is from the Sense & Sensibility Elegant Lady's Closet pattern. But I cheated a lot on that and made some design changes just because it suited me better. The top gown (emerald green) is Regency style, but it is not a period gown and is from a McCalls wedding dress pattern that I have remodeled a couple times and LOVE.

You can find the Sense & Sensibility patterns online. Just google it and it should come up. Very interesting site, with some good info about period costume

Incidentally, lest anyone think I am too particular about period authenticity, I do use a sewing machine. I do use poly blends, when it suits me. I don't use zippers or velcro, although sometimes I am sorely tempted!

Susan Gee Heino said...

June--let me know how the audio book thing works out. I really want to try that so I can multi-task, but somehow it just seems that the books I want to read are probably best left silent. I mean, do I really want some narrator walking me through a very private love scene? How does this work for other? Anyone out there listen to steamy romance on audio?

jo robertson said...

Hi, Susan, welcome to the Lair. I so envy your sewing skills. I'm, at best, a mediocre one and I always envy those who can create such luscious gowns.

Can you tell us more about your hero and heroine in Temptess in Training?

Susan Gee Heino said...

Hi, Jo! I'm glad to talk about my hero and heroine. Sophie Darshaw is a young woman with a tough life. She's been orphaned and abandoned to look after herself as a seamstress in a brothel. Her dream is to someday own her own dress shop, but of course that's miles and miles out of her reach right now. To help save up a bit extra, she takes on some special projects, sewing some, er, unique items for Madame's more adventurous customers. Hoping to better herself, she takes a position as housemaid for one of these customers. He, of course, isn't after her for her sewing skills. Lord Lindley comes along and sort of rescues her, although he has his own agenda. He suspects Sophie is involved with a spy ring, the very people who murdered his family. He plans to use Sophie to bring them to justice, even if it will ruin her in the process.

Both of them have a lot to learn, about each other and about themselves. And of course, Sophie finds a way to use her sewing skills to save herself and the people she cares about. Along with all the spies and revenge and danger, there are plenty of light moments, too. Lord Lindley is just the sort of elegant smart-alec I love. Sophie seems pretty happy with him, too. In the end.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi all - I'm back in the lair. I was at an Accounting function today and guess who else shared the convention center - a knitting convention and a quilting convention. How apropos for Susan's blog!

Gotta say Susan - Joy is a real cutie in her Regency attire. Can't wait to see this year's creation!

Donna MacMeans said...

Susan - You're going to laugh at this. The Accounting seminar also had a silent auction to raise funds for their political action committee. My bid won....a metallic peacock! (Told my husband I had to offer for it - meant to be).

Yes, I used to paint but it's been a l-o-n-g time since I cracked open the tubes - they're probably sealed shut. One of these days, though, I'd like to paint again. If I could write faster I could do both, I suppose (grin).

Pat Cochran said...

Hello to Susan, Donna, and all!

I sew (my wedding dress), could hardly
keep my hands off school arts/crafts
projects, and looove to write haiku
(Japanese) poetry.

Congratulations on the upcoming book
release, Susan!

Congratulations, Helen, on having the
Golden One with you again!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Glad to have you back, Donna! You have some seriously talented folks here in the lair. I'm in awe. It's just one big virtual craft fair.

I'm so glad you had fun today at your accountant thingy. Did you sneak over to the knitting and quilting conventions? And hooray on bringing home the peacock. Not quite as exciting as a rooster, but almost!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Pat--How wonderful that you were able to make your own wedding dress. That's so special. And I love haiku! My son (age 10) discovered it this year and he's a good little poet, it turns out. We've had a lot of fun with it. Here's one of Jake's cheery poems:

The tigers are wild; you can not own a big one. If you do, you're dead.

Donna MacMeans said...

LOL on Jake's haiku. Love it!

Unfortunately, both the knitters and quilters had guards at their doors checking for credentials - guess you had to pay to get in, and I discovered them too late in the lunch break to take a good look. I did peek a little at the quilts.

I heard an economist talk at one of the sessions. He referred to the ladies up the hall as quilters - but made the motions with his fingers of knitting. He said women always sat in the audience quilting when he talked. Geez.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Donna--ah, men. Wonder if your confused presenter would know a haiku from a limmerick? Athough, in all fairness, he'd probably laugh at my grasp of economics. (I know my husband does. Well, actually he sort of cries about it...)

Barbara E. said...

I'm not too artsy craftsy, but I can crochet an afghan or a hat and scarf. I took some quilting classes with my sister for quite a while, but I moved across the country so the classes stopped. I know how to quilt, but I'm just not confident enough to go it alone so haven't been doing that any more. There's nothing like having that finished product though, the quilt on my bed is one I made and I love it.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Barbara--that quilting class sounds fun. I've always wanted to do that, but so far I've not taken that plunge. I love quilts and admire folks who can make them happen.

Jo's Daughter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
My crazy life said...

Susan,

I would love to be able to sew well enough to make a gown. I'm jealous. For now, I'll stick to basic things, until I get up the nerve to do more.

Enjoy!
Rita

Rose Maybud said...

Aw, so sorry I missed it! But I loved the blog. Best of luck with Temptress in Training, Susan! I can't wait to read it.

Saralee