Hey!
   If you're on Goodreads, would you mind stopping by and voting up my books on this list? The higher they are the more people will see them, and that's what Goodreads is all about!!
 
     As the author I'm not allowed to vote for them... though I've already voted for the books I have read and liked.

Foundation Layers: catch-up update. Chemise #2

  In the pursuit of chemise perfection, my second attempt was a "Squares" or actually Rectangles... which I call my "Viking style" (as per Pinterest. But I can't find my references at the moment!!)

The idea with this was to have a rectangles for the upper/shoulder area, and the sleeves, and then the lower part is fuller and gather on to the upper part rectangle.

   A pair of triangles go in the bottom of the sleeves, as gussets. This renders the sleeve attachment nice and roomy enough for ease of movement, in spite of a rather small overall armscye.

That worked out great, except that I miscalculated the needed shoulder width, so I had to have add smaller rectangles on the side, then the sleeves onto that.

 Also, I wasn't sure how to finish off the collar area, so it's still just an open seam at the top, with a slit down the front to make it wide enough for a head to go through.




 I like to wear my new garments a bit to make sure they feel all right... and this one has already made it into two photoshoots.


 One was for author friend Caitie (C. R.) Hedgcock visiting from England last month... we put a hastily concocted cravat on it to cover the unfinished collar, and used it under the boned "ladies waistcoat" we custom made for her while she was here.
 

 Caitie's look has the sleeve ends tucked in for a more polished appearance, whereas when Abi-sis and I did a shoot for my short cape (think Tudor style!) I opted to leave the ends open.
   In retrospect it seems that for me, the sleeve rectangles might have also been cut too short for my arms... so next time I might consider making all the upper rectangles longer.
    But it still works!

Foundation Layers: catch-up update. Chemise #1

So, I've been sort of holding the idea in my head for some time, of the "Just Do IT" nature concerning my "dream costumes"... and with RM being in St. Louis, etc. this past winter I started tentative steps forward. 

  Chemises are the base layer, and made of muslin which is a fairly "non-panicky fabric" for me, so I started there.

  Chemise #1:

 I tried a bit of contour in the body, with a simple ruffle neck line in a sort of scoop (which turned out to be a bit too open, for my proportions, so I'll have to see if this actually gets used for Realmies.)

 I've always loved super fluffy sleeves, (on other people, I've never been brave enough to try them myself) so I went with a really "angel wing" fullness in a sort of three quarter length.

   This turned out to be way too much poof for my figure, and I realized that for my first try I've overshot the mark.

  I undid the sleeve at the shoulder, cut the fullness down by about half, and re-sewed to the body. This resulted in the final sleeve, at right.

 
 I also found that the contour I had cut the body at was too tight at the waist for the rest of me to fit through (although it looked very nicely fitted once I got in, but only if I had help to struggle into it!)

   This was not acceptable... I needed more room to get in, as well as simply more room up top. So I sliced it up the front and added a panel for extra width. I did not want extra room in the neckline, so I pleated aggressively where it joined the neckline.

   This loosened it up all over quite a bit, but chemises are usually loose so that's par for the course.

 I had a vague idea of using this as a chemise for a Belle outfit, so as an added touch I stitched a heart, white on white, on top of the pleating. (You can barely see it, but it's the little details that make garments fun.)

  The sleeve pieces that remained were way too use-able to just discard...  (all that ruffling was still on them! That was hard work!)
   So, I put them aside to become sleeves in their own right on what turned out to be Chemise #3.

#6costumes2months, Starting Post!

As I had hoped, prompting from a friend (thanks, Camilla!) has re-ignited my focus on this project! (So keep those pokes and prods coming, dear Reminders, whenever you feel I haven't reported in a while!)

   To start it off, I want to quickly outline some of the ideas that are on the board... these are not fully formed, and I reserve the right to swap out at any time for something else that strikes my fancy more, or looks easier. ;-)

  There must be a Tardis dress, some where, in some fashion. (Because I splurged on the fabric for it years ago, and have never gotten up my courage to actually cut into them!!!)

 There will be a Belle. (Because that look is simple, and fits right in with my go to color scheme anyway. I'm a blue-&-white sort of complexion!)

 And there will be what I'm calling a "faux-Burdundian" or what may turn out looking like an "old German" gown... fake-fur trim and all!  (Sketches on the right, above.)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71002131610006410/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71002131610233886/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71002131597939617/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71002131609385249/

 There is also planned to be a "Blue China Shepherdess", or "Little Bo-Peep" or  "18th Century Shepherdess", with side puff skirts over side hoops. (Because we have the perfect print for that, and the side hoops are addictingly fun!!!)

  I also wanted to do a "fem!Beast" or a "fem!Gaston" ... because I have a fawn skirt that reminds me of that era of breeches. So it seemed like low hanging fruit that oughtn't to be passed up. But we may end up just accessorizing it to be "fem!Huntsman" instead.  (Short Cape has been made, almost completed!)

  These I either have the fabric for, and need the impetus to cut into it; or I have parts already in my closet; or I've made pieces already, so that's a guarantee to use them.
   The remaining number of outfits are not nailed down yet, and I work best when there's built-in room to change my mind if something comes up.

  So... that's the line-up so far... and now I'll introduce the pieces that are already created. (Or started.)

6 Costumes, 2 Months challenge; Accountability Request!

All right! So... in case anyone hadn't heard, I'm confirmed to attend Realm Makers this year, in July, in St. Louis! I'll be going up with friends, meeting more friends, making new friends, and rooming with friends... so for this INFJ there's going to be a whole lot of "EXTRA-verting" going on.
 (It'll be exhausting, I know it! But afterward, sooo many great memories, am I right? )


To bolster me through this Big Thing, I've resolved to have awesome (or at least slightly awesome) garb to wear each and every day of it. (Because it's easier to be brave when wearing a great costume!)

 So... that means I've got to make all the things (or at least 6 days worth of them!)

  I've had a list of "dream wear" for decades, but I never actually get them made. (Or in some cases, the fabric even snipped! Though I do have it, in some cases. {Tardis dress, hello. Yes, I see you. Yes, I'm sorry...})

  So, this will be my "reason to Just Do It",  (a la here, if you haven't seen that Shia LaBeouf motivational clip, go see it!!! Hilarious... and true.)


 So in order to make sure I follow through I am asking for public accountability. Internet counts, right? ;-)

   Spring/summer is a busy season on any farm or ranch, and with us still getting the place 'on it's feet' it's even more hectic. I really want to find the time, though, and this will force me to get creative and strain every minute into usefulness, if I'm properly motivated.

  So, I'm going to use this blog to make updates on my projects, (hashtag "6costumes2months") and spread the word! (FB, Twitter...) I know a lot of you great people will be too busy to comment, like or in other ways spur me on at each and every step, but I figure if I collect a big enough group together then it'll guarantee that someone is "watching" at all times, and my progress updates will receive the rewarding encouragement, my "non-progress" will receive pestery prods.
 And all of this will move us as a group in the right direction, toward the accomplishing of this goal.

 I have until July.

   Are you with me?
 
Let me know on FB, Twitter, or however you'd like to stay in touch, that you're up for the team of Reminders!!! :-)

Camp NaNo wrap-up: + #6costumes2months Intro!

Made it through another 30k for Camp NaNo!!! Am really glad to have that month over. ;-) And it went fast, so that's good! But... cram packed and kind of stressed!

So... new problems to conquer!! This month I plan to do my usual 20k word count, hopefully do a lot of author presence upkeep stuff, and also I need to start on #6costumes2months My online accountability project to complete FULLY at least 6 costumes to wear to #RealmMakers in July.
So... who wants to keep me accountable to my sewing goals with that??? :-) 

    Let me know!!

Or maybe I should put it this way:

 "Want to be nosy for a purpose? Pester me for my own good? Be in on the sewing of fun costumes, which I need people to pester me about, so I complete them?
Let me know!!!   "<3 span="">

Review: Story Peddler, by Lindsay A. Franklin

 Over all, one of the best books I've read in the past year, I think!


 The Story Peddler is a sumptuously presented book, from its gorgeous, gorgeous cover, to it's detailed interior formatting, it is a visual delight.
The publishing house did a great job with packaging.

  The concept of stories that become colorful strands and then can be seen and stand apart from the teller, is a unique plot device.

  Unfortunately, the Main Character didn't click with me at all at first. I failed to relate to the (what seemed "wanderlust/star-struck") girl who preferred to be treated terribly by the miserly, 'master storyteller', while chronically failing to live up to the teacher's expectations; roaming about a kingdom where everyone is so poor because the taxes are oppressive.
  Contrast that life choice with the 'secure' option to be a farmer's wife, with a boy she's known forever and who loves her desperately... however, this too struck a wrong note with me. Her love interest is too poor to pay for ale he drinks on credit, but also avows that they'd be totally financially secure ("I'd take care of you!") if only the MC would give up the road and marry him.

   Again, those blighted taxes are to blame.

  As someone who has dabbled in brewing one's one refreshing beverages, (it is not that hard!) one wonders why this poverty stricken swain darkens the door of a tavern when he's so penny-pinched, and hard at work dreaming of a financially secure married life.

 I realize that this is "stock plot syndrome"... there must be a "odious farm" as an option; oppressive taxes are long since cliche; and there must be a tavern in which to "exposition", guzzle a pint, and order a stew, (in reality, if times are hard, and if one has local friends, one drops in on them for dinner and does not pay commercial prices!  :) )

    Since the MC longs for the palace, of course she'll turn out to be a long lost princess, or something, and marry the prince.
     So... as a long and embittered veteran of the fantasy genre (don't get me wrong, I love fantasy,  :) just sometimes "new" would be nice,)  I was feeling a bit jaded only a few chapters in.

   But that cover is really pretty!  :)

Once she got with the actual main side characters, things started heating up. I liked the novel twist on the requisite hiding place, and the ‘band if misfits’ were well drawn and likable.

Franklin did a good job with her artist’s ‘abilities’, and the dark side to their use was an unexpected twist. Kudos to the author on that... and the resulting ‘story thread’ (if you’ll pardon the pun!) which leads into book  2 is deeply compelling. I must say, I want to read book 2 now, more desperately than I felt about book 1 the whole time! If done right, I could see this series escalating nicely into a “must read” and a “can’t put it down” experience.

The ‘one in the dark’ was a good touch, and I heartily approve of those sort of plot devices. They are not used nearly enough in storytelling, I maintain, and they are very satisfactory threads to see weave back in once the reader has reached the ending.

What elements of “romance” woven here, were respectfully handled with a realistic measuring and lots of confusion, and relatable awkwardness. Nicely done! Real life love interests are about like that, and this can be really fresh and new as well as enjoyable when handled right.

The tension only grows as the story progresses, and I can see the suspense continuing throughout the series... while still avoiding the over-used cliché of triangles.

Congrats to the author on that, as well!!

   In short, this is a very unique, fun tale that while it got off to a rocky start with me, definitely grew on me and the characters and their world came alive as the book progressed. I would dearly love to know what happens to them next, and how they all react to it!!!
   Tanwen turned out to be a likable protagonist after all, and not as “trope-ish” as my ‘plot-convenience’ suspicions instantly suspected.

I hope the author will continue in the way that she has started, and hold the lives of her characters in high regard... while danger is one thing, and very necessary for suspense, there is one character (you’ll know who I’m talking about as soon as you finish the book) who life should 100% BETTER BE SPARED. Or Else.

  So there.

In all, if you’re looking for a fun, fresh take on fantasy literature, I’d highly recommend the Story Peddler.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 24^th

-        Book Spotlight – Tabitha Caplinger

-        Review – Jane Maree Author

-        Review – E. Kaiser Writes-A-Blog

Wednesday, April 25^th

-        Interview – Quills and Inkblotts

-        Interview – H.L. Burke Author

Thursday, April 26^th

-        Review & Interview – Reality Reflected

-        Review – Lands Uncharted

-        Review –Scriblerians

Friday, April 27^th

-        Review – Ralene Burke

-        Book Spotlight – Morgan L. Busse, Author

Saturday, April 28^th

-        Interview – Liv K. Fisher

-        Review – C O Bonham

-        Visual Post – Jebraun Clifford

-        Review – Pages and Pekoe

Monday, April 30^th

-        Book Spotlight – New Authors Fellowship

-        Interview – Unicorn Quester

-        Interview – Singh with Books

Tuesday, May 1^st

-        Review – i am not a bookworm!

-        Review –Worthy2Read

-        Review – Lori’s Book Loft

-        The Story Peddler and Unbreakable Facebook Launch Party

Wednesday, May 2^nd

-        Blog Tour Wrap-Up –  Unicorn Quester

Purchase Links

Amazon — Barnes & Noble — Books-A-Million — ChristianBook.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36327140-the-story-peddler

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin.

Email list sign-up link: http://eepurl.com/bwF64j

If you had the power to wish into being just one book, (that isn't written yet, of course)

  ...What book would that be?
 
  (Get as crazy random or as specific as you like!!! )

3 Anthology stories, and how they grew!

Hello lovely peoples!
  I've been pretty busy this whole spring, but managed to write 3 stories for the VintageJane Austen story anthology, which released just shortly ago.
 I have also been maintaining my monthly goals, (20k base goal, with Camp NaNos of 30k and Nov. at 50)  in spite of a lot of stress in real life, so I've been feeling good about that.

 One of the reasons I wrote 3 tales to submit for the anthology was I felt stuck on the WIPs I *should* be working on, and so found the idea of hopping though genres with an Austen template a fun one. ;-)

    I started out to set a P&P in the 50's, but that turned into a different Austen, and I was fine with that. The switch-a-roo added a little flair to it, and I think it turned out cute.

Female Cardinal on Pinterest: This it what she looked like! SO Cute!

  Then the problem loomed large in my mind... how to set an Austen in space? Sci-fi is greatly under represented in Austen retellings! J 
   After cogitating on that for a bit an answer leapt to mind, and I had a great fun time slapping that one down. (I was a bit under the gun with the last 2 tales, to finish in time and add their word count to my monthly goal!)

  Thirdly, I looked out the window of the new build and noted a bird perched rather un-movingly on the edge of the dog's water trough, so I went out to investigate. It turned out to be a female cardinal, who acted alarmingly unresponsive to approach.
Since the dog's water trough is a highly unsafe place for a bird of that size to hang out unresponsively, I carefully scooped her up and walked away back into the pasture, where there is a massive brush pile where dozer-work cleared the overgrown brush and trees to get it back to growing grass.

Anyway, on the walk up there I admired the remarkable little lady, and feel quite enchanted of her perfect turn of feather, the way her muted tones looked like burning flames of orange and red were glowing through the brown of her more subtle coat. (Compared to her flamboyant male counterpart.) Since we'd lived in the west where cardinals never seemed to be, I have been very excited to spot the red males flashing about... but I'd never given the girls their due respect.
 That walk made an indelible impression on me, and when I carefully set her on the highest gnarled root I could reach in the brush pile, she flitted calmly even further up, and I knew she was safe. But I was forever changed.
  I wanted to write something with a cardinal in it, and I wanted the cardinal to be a pet.
  I know real wild cardinals make terrible pets because they're simply not wired that way, and to try to force them into that would just be cruel. But in my imagination... how much fun would that be???

  Oodles of fun, and the only place something can happen that can't happen in RL... is my favorite place; fantasy worlds!!!
    The idea seeped in my head, I turned it over and over like rubbing a creek pebble between your fingers... and then the time had come to writ. I painted it vividly, creating a sort of technicolor bright, classic fantasy setting, wherein the cardinal got to be our heroine's pet and companion, as the characters went about their Austen-inspired tale.

   This story turned out the longest by far, and ended up being placed near the end of the anthology; so if you pick it up and read through be sure NOT to quit before you get there, because I want to hear what you thought of the incorporated lady cardinal!!! :-)

   (My only regret is I did not have enough time to work up a cute little sketch of the cardinal for inclusion in the anthology. I'd have loved to share the understated elegance she embodied.)

  So!!! Have you read it? What did you think of all the stories... And what did you think about mine? (You know I want to hear it!!!! :-) )

  And what did you think about the cardinal??

We Want To Read The Rest Of It!

Hello. I'm E. Kaiser Writes, and I have a troubling incapability to write a short story that stays a short story... or at least, the readers think ought to remain one.
  Even on my greatest triumphs... I emerge dusty and victorious from the writing lair, gripping tightly to a short work of fiction that truly is short, and holding it aloft with the pride of a jungle warrior brandishing proof of bravery and competence amongst the tribe...

  *sigh*

  I give it to readers... and they A) tell me "this is not a short story, this is clearly an exert." (Crumpling defeat, I retreat to my lair and glare at offending short, which is not somehow "completely

short" enough...)

Sci-fi on Pinterest

...or... B) "I loved it! Where's the rest of it? I want it to go on!!!"

 *sigh*

 The truth is, I sometimes feel a little trapped by long fiction. I write long all the time, it's in my blood and bones, (it would seem) and I can't escape it.

 But sometimes I just want to dabble a little in a brand new sparkly world, and I want that dabble to last no longer than perhaps a day or two.
 And then I want to return to the lengthy behemoths that are consuming my weeks, months and years.

 (Because I truly do want to finish them!!!!)

So I dash off a small handful of scenes that illustrate a glimpse of a scene or a plot-line, a pivotal moment in a character arc, or a unique event. And then readers go "We Want To Read More About This!!!"

    And I feel a little trapped by that! Because I want readers to be happy, I want to let their feedback guide me toward my best work that will resonate on a deep level..
 and yet, I can't go in all the directions I feel I'm being pulled.

 Absolutely honestly, if enough readers clamored for a certain story to be developed more and explored... I would probably do it.
 Because I want to resonate with people!!! That is why I write! :-)

    But sometimes I'm not sure how to respond when people say things like that... should I ignore the urge to open those boxes back up? I'd dipped in already, and been happy to shut the lid again... but does that mean that I'm consigning  a brilliant-potential-series back into the dust and cobwebs of never existing?
 Am I denying the bright light reflected back from reading eyes, which is supposed to lead me on to my greatest summits of authorly creation?
 And if I turn away from this sort of feedback, am I being a "selfish, self-absorbed author" who only "writes for themselves?"

   (P.S. I'm not earning NEARLY enough to be writing for anyone else, at this point, but still... ;-) )

  So, tell me what you think!!!

   Also, if you read the Second Impressions anthology, part of the Vintage Jane Austen, let me know what you think of the story "The Mansfield"?  I've had reports that story deserves to be expanded.... the idea is tantalizing, but what do you think?

Procrastination Help... ;-)

Fairytale plot generator! This is so much fun... be warned, if you think you don't have enough stories in progress, this might very well fix that for you!!!

When Not Writing: 100 Things Quilt List

  They say you should have 3 hobbies that don't include a screen... and I think that's good advice in general!
 I've got lots of diverse interests (could count in the place of hobbies!) that are off-screen, so to speak, but one of those is quilting.

 I don't adore the piecing process... it's tricky and finicky, and my in-exactitude shows in small ways, which causes my sister to point them out and weep in despair.

 But I DO adore the actual quilting, putting the three layers of top, batting and backing together with stitches... hand stitches especially.
 And I love drawing picture designs with those stitches, which makes it just that much more fun!!!

  I like to create something as a project for gifts to give to special people, instead of giving something less personal. (Of course, I'm aware that not everyone prefers to receive something like this, so I only do this for those who I'm sure would feel special from it! :-) )

  So, with that in mind, I was intrigued when I ran across a list of

100 Things Every Quilter Should Do Before She Dies

over on the Quiltmaker.com blogs.

 So, I thought "Hm, how do I score?"
  I have no intention of passing on, but I like to feel like I'm an over-achiever in any place I possibly can without incurring much extra effort.
 (Oh, come on! You know you've fallen for that, too!!!)

 So here's the list, and I've bolded everything that I have done sometime in my short years so far.
 And if you want to check your own score, leave me a link so I can take a look!!! :-)

1. Visit a quilt shop.
2. Make a Nine Patch.  (My first block was a nine patch! Mom was fresh off of quilting classes,

   

   Our first "big quilt" ended up with quite a few nine-patches.

   and set nine-year-old me up with hand stitching a nine patch. Still have that patch... it never made it into anything!)
3. Make a Log Cabin.
4. Label a quilt.
5. Figure yardage for a quilt.
6. Learn about warp and weft.
7. Use a rotary cutter.
8. Use templates.
9. Paper piece a quilt block.
10. Hand applique a quilt block.
11. Make a yo-yo.
12. Embellish a quilt.
13. Try free motion quilting.
14. Stitch in the ditch.
15. Try hand quilting.
16. Bind a quilt.
17. Miter the corners of quilt binding.
18. Join the ends of quilt binding.
19. Sew diagonal seams.
20. Use a walking foot.
21. Attend a guild meeting.
22. Visit Houston for International Quilt Festival.  (Probably never.)
23. Have a quilt appraised.
24. Visit a quilt museum.
25. Go on a quilt retreat.  (Probably never.)
26. Try curved piecing.  ( I am leery of this one... but probably something I'll have to try eventually!)
27. Miter the borders.  (My sister instigated doing this "shadowbox style" for one we were

    

    Mitered corners, "shadow box" effect.

    making for another sister... I still have the heeby-jeebies from the experience, but she fell madly in love with mitering!!)
28. Learn to do blanket stitch by hand.
29. See a local quilt show. 
30. Put your quilt in a local quilt show.  (I hope to do this one sometime soon, though!)
31. Sell raffle tickets on a quilt.
32. Take a road trip with quilt friends.
33. Create a Pinterest board with quilts.   (Are you Kidding Me? Of Course I've done this!!!)
34. Make a 3-D quilt block.
35. Donate a quilt to a good cause.
36. Make a sampler quilt.
37. Make an art quilt.
38. Try bobbin work.
39. Learn to maintain your sewing machine. (Yes, I've recently learned to clean and oil, and I love my lovely vintage Singer! She sings like a lark, and makes such perfectly pretty stitches.)
40. Add rickrack to a quilt.  (Probably never. I don't like rick-rack, though Mom loves it...)
41. Design a quilt. (Remember, you don’t necessarily have to make the quilt!)    (Yep! ;-) Scrap quilter here...)

    

    Anniversary quilt, friendship style.

42. Change/tweak/alter a pattern to make it your own.    (Yep.)
43. Make a color wheel with fabric swatches.
44. Chat about quilting with a stranger.                           (Yep.)
45. Go on a blog tour.   
46. Give a quilt as a wedding/graduation/retirement gift.    (Yep! ;-) See right! -> )
47. Visit Paducah during the AQS Show.               (Probably never.)
48. Take a class with a nationally known teacher.              (Probably never.)
49. Use some fabric you dislike.   (I have often done this! ;-) A lot of my projects borrow heavily from Mom's stash, since she's a fabric-aholic and has no hope of actually using it all. So I try to help her by using some of it up, but our tastes differ... it's a different experience from picking fabric out at the store! ;-) )
50. Participate in Show & Tell.
51. Volunteer for a job in a quilt group.
52. Use a color you detest.
53. Make a quilt inspired by nature.
54. Get up early to quilt or stay up late to quilt.      (Ha!!! Are you Kidding Me? Midnight, two o'clock... it's happened.)
55. Make a scrap quilt.  (Every single one! I generally end up incorporating some new fabric, but I always start out trying to use scraps from other places!)
56. Make a tote bag.                                        (Probably never.)
57. Make a postcard quilt.                               (Probably never.)
58. Make a baby quilt and gift it to a newborn.
59. Understand the basics of caring for quilts.
60. Borrow a quilting book from the public library.
61. Teach someone else to quilt.
62. Creatively piece a backing for one of your quilts.  (I am definitely going to have to do this... backing is such a great swath of fabric, and as stated earlier, I'm a "use scraps up" type quilter.)
63. Apply a piped binding, or some variation of it.
64. Post quilt pics to Facebook.
65. Install quilty wallpaper on your computer.                 (Probably never.)
66. Put a quilty bumper sticker on your car.                     (Probably never.)
67. Cuss mildly -Be exasperated- when you realize you’ve been sewing air (because you ran out of bobbin thread)
68. Read your sewing machine manual cover to cover.
69. Learn to thread baste.
70. Learn to pin baste.
71. Use basting spray.
72. Help a friend make a quilt.
73. Make a quilt for a special child.
74. Make a quilt for a spouse or partner.
75. Make a quilt for a friend.
76. Include your quilts in your will (i.e. who gets them).
77. Determine your favorite thread for piecing.
78. Understand the concept of value.
79. Understand the mathematics of quilt blocks.
80. Apply a bias binding.
81. Take a guild speaker to dinner.
82. Comment on a quilt-related blog post. 
83. Make a mystery quilt.
84. Take part in a block exchange.
85. Write how-to instructions for making a quilt block.
86. Watch a quilting video.
87. Know the difference between lengthwise and crosswise grain.
88. Know the parts of a sewing machine needle and why they matter.
89. Organize your stash.
90. Know the names of hand sewing needles used for different tasks.
91. Finish a UFO.
92. Purchase fabric on impulse.
93. Try sewing with precuts.
94. Trade fabrics with quilt friends.
95. Identify your ancestors who quilted.
96. Visit a quilt shop while on vacation.
97. Sew on a treadle for old time’s sake. (I learned on a treadle! The house we lived at the time had no electricity, so....)
98. Subscribe to a quilting magazine.
99. Become a regular reader of a quilting blog.
100. Go on a Shop Hop.

 Final score: 57, with 10 Probably Nevers that I don't foresee ever doing.
 So that leaves me with a lot of ones I may yet explore!

  How about you?