When we woke up this morning, it was raining. There was a dampness that sets into one’s bones, in this kind of humid, not quite summer weather. All day, I’ve been putting my sweater on, and taking it off. I dragged around all morning, not in high energy mode. About noon time, I perked up. E-mails with page proofs for my next article had arrived in my mailbox. Hurriedly, I downloaded the files and printed them in color. The page layouts exceeded my expectations and the photo choices by my editor are absolutely superb.
This particular article will be available in July (in the September 2008 issue of The Quilter magazine). www.thequiltermag.com I am proud of the uniqueness of the topic and I am thrilled to be able to present one of New Hampshire’s earliest quilt historians.
The magazine article is five pages long. While it is absolutely terrific to be granted that many pages, I believe that anyone, who reads what I’ve written and sees the photos, will have a strong desire to learn more, and more there is!
For months now, I have been doing extensive research and so far, I’ve created a huge document of 50+ pages of text, and 200+ more pages that have full page photographs. Yet, my research work continues, and every day, I still have more to add!
In the course of the last six months, I have contacted people all over the country, and many times, they were able to answer a question or point me in the direction of someone who might know. Museum officials have taken time out of their busy schedules of setting up new exhibits, etc., and have returned phone calls and e-mails. I have a renewed faith in the willingness of people to extend themselves, when a good cause is at hand. Members of historical societies, libraries, and universities have gone out of their way to be helpful. The end result is an amazing accumulation of facts and information about the life and the work of one woman, as well as some guest essays.
As always, publication seems too far away. Today, I am just sharing my elation with you! More details will be forthcoming within the next month. In the meantime, I’m basking in the joy this article brings me, personally, and the anticipation of the happiness that reading it will bring to others. In fact, the feeling is like waiting to give someone a special present at holiday time.
When my research is complete, we hope that the museum will sell the CD we are going to make, as a fund raiser, with all of the proceeds going to the museum. The CD will contain many photographs, not just the objects they own, and all of my written work. In my opinion, this information is just too valuable to hoard.
Perhaps, sometime very soon, I’ll be able to announce further good news. I guarantee you one thing, this upcoming article in The Quilter will be well worth the wait!
Patricia Cummings
