My Creative Leave of Absence and Exciting News

It's gone quiet over here for longer than ever in the history of my eight years of blogging! While it's been an intense year with more changes behind the scenes than ever before, it's also held some really exciting gifts. 

Let's back it up to three or so years ago when I made a list of the three biggest dreams I had at the moment. These have been dreams of mine for much longer than that as I've wandered through my creative journey and discovered how necessary it was for me to give time and attention to the things that made me feel most satisfied and alive. I was working on an art-journaling eCourse with A Beautiful Mess and one of the prompts was to document three dreams or goals. In no necessary order I listed them - have another baby, write a book, buy a house. 

Soon after I submitted a proposal for a topic I'd been wanting to write an eCourse about but thought it might work as a book. I worked with an agent to see if it might turn into something and it was rejected. That same lovely agent helped me test the waters for another topic I might turn my attention to and I started developing projects to submit a real proposal. Two months later we found out Brett was deploying and I started doubting my ability to pursue a book deal while being a single parent. The day after he shipped out I got a plus sign on a pregnancy test. 

Dream one of three, check. I set aside my book proposal and shifted my focus to what was being brought into our lives and was so, so grateful. I was reaching for something, putting in the effort, doing the work. It wasn't time. I was okay with that. 

Fast forward to April 2015 and we're in the midst of our most challenging season yet and no clear idea of what the future holds for our family. An e-mail shows up offering me the chance to make a second dream come to life. It was the same feeling I got when that plus sign showed up on that pregnancy test. I was being offered a book deal! I called that same agent, she worked the magic agents do, and I was signing a contract a few weeks later. 

My book will be a beginner's guide to learning to weave on a frame loom and will be on bookstands this time next year! I'm over halfway through writing it and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to focus so much attention to one big project. My studio is covered in skeins of beautiful fibers from some lovely companies that are providing yarn support and with each finished chapter, it feels so much more thrilling!

I have been so eager to share this news and want to thank everyone that has been along for different parts of this journey leading to this point. This creative space has been a big platform for sharing my work as I've written eCourses, offered up DIY projects, and experimented with different styles in a variety of mediums. This community is one of the reasons I get to enjoy this dream coming true and I'm so thankful for it. For you. 

I can't wait to share more when the time comes. It's going to be a busy rest of the year as I work to meet my big deadline and still work on various other freelance jobs. I'm really excited to share a little more about a weekend work trip to San Diego I took recently and the big project I get to be a part of with a fabulous group of talented women! Let's just say it's a great way to learn a few new mediums without the overwhelming hassle of doing it the hard way. If you're not already following @thecraftersbox on Instagram, do that first. Then sign up for their newsletter so you don't miss out on their launch! 

What's been a big dream of yours that has been on your list for longer than you remember? Don't forget it's there. Don't give up on it. 

-Rachel

 

 

Comments

[Susan M]

How exciting! Hopefully you will do a book tour/class in SoCal soon!!! I would be the first in line!

[Brooke Knipp]

Congratulations on dreams coming true! Can't wait to see the finished product!

[Christine]

congratulations!!!! So well deserved!

[Kristin]

Congratulations! That is super exciting for you! Can't wait to see the book! You are one of the big inspirations that helped me try out weaving! It is such a beautiful and fun artwork!

[Christina]

Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I've been thinking about dreams a bit, too--and yes, being a mom makes it seem unrealistic, but look at you!!

[Tammy]

So so exciting! Big CONGRATS Rachel! Can't wait to check out the book!

[jen geigley]

DUDE, I'm so excited for you! I can relate to your story so very much – I just self-published a knitting book in September. (I had tried working on it years before, but the timing just wasn't right.) It's the year of the books! Huge congrats to you and best of luck – I know your book will be fantastic! xoxo.

[Michelle Clement]

Ah! Congrats, Rachel. :) I'm just getting back to reading blogs, and it's such exciting news to pop in to! I can't wait to see it! I've been dying to learn how to weave!

[Melissa H]

Exciting news. Thanks for sharing!

[Sarah M]

So exciting!! I was hoping it was going to be a book about weaving!! Congrats. :)
Sarah M

[racheldenbow]

Yes! I just listened to your podcast with Elise about your book last weekend! Woohoo! Well done, friend. Learning to knit is still on my bucket list. I need to make that happen next year. Congrats to you, too!

[racheldenbow]

Michelle,

Thanks so much, lady! Gosh, visiting with you and Jen Geigley in the same blog post is taking me back to those early scrapbooking days!

[racheldenbow]

Thank you! xo

[racheldenbow]

Thank you, Tammy! I'm so excited for the day it'll actually be in book form, too!

[racheldenbow]

I love thinking that things that are meant for us won't pass us by if we're aiming for them! Also, I think being a mom is probably teaching us a few things we need to know to tackle those dreams well. At least, that's what I'm telling myself! xo

[racheldenbow]

Kristin,

Thank you so much! That means a lot!

[racheldenbow]

Thank you, Christine!

[racheldenbow]

Me, too!

[racheldenbow]

Oh, wouldn't that be fun!

[racheldenbow]

Thanks, Melissa!

[Deanne]

thats fabulous news x

[Becky]

So awesome! There are some good weaving resources out there, but yours are the very best for beginners. It will be so fun to have it all together in a book. Yay for dreams coming true!

[AngelaS]

How exciting! Congratulations! I'm working on some dreams too. Here's to hard work making dreams come true!

[mandie]

How fun! Congratulations!!

[Robin Stedem]

Very happy for you rachel, and I will be a purchaser of said book as soon as it hits the shelves. You are an amazing juggler with all that life has hit you with and I continue to love following you and Brett and those beautiful children as ALL of you continue to grow!

[Morgan Gifford]

That is so exciting! Congratulations on making your dream come true!
The Rad Wife

[Sara]

Congrats Rachael!! I know we will all be anxiously waiting for its release!!

[kristin]

Ohhh super exciting!! Congratulations!! If you come to Portland to promote it, I will definitely be there (Powells!). Best of luck wrapping up the book, that always seems like such a crazy process.

[Sarah]

Hi Rachel! I've been reading your blog for a while as well as snooping on your projects at ABM. I work for a yarn shop in London, let me know if I could send any materials that you could use for the book! We specialise in unusual things like paper, wire and raffias as well as wool silk etc - Handweavers studio and gallery, google it if your interested! X

[pamgarrison.typepad.com]

Super excited for you! (And well deserved!) Wishing you all good things, xo