My secret project revealed

At Ally Pally last year (2013) the commissioning editor of Search Press came to see me and asked if I would like to do a crochet blanket book for them.
We were very busy at the time and I'm afraid to admit I was a complete diva, I wasn't sure I wanted to do a book and very was demanding about this that and the other.
Later that evening back at the hotel I began to think I had made a huge mistake and blown my chances of fulfilling a life long dream.
So when we got home I sent a half apologetic e-mail to Katie, probably waffling, but still holding my ground about some of my demands.
I was very happily surprised when she replied saying that they'd still love to have me as an author.

Then came several months of dithering.
I was keen to do the book, but my life isn't my own and I needed to consider NDS and Phil and Daisy.
My designs sell our wool and our wool sales are all we have to live on, we have to pay 2 sets of rent and the rent for the business, feed ourselves and 2 dogs and a cat.
Both Phil and Daisy were really excited and confident that we could do it as a team, they would (will) take on the extra work that I won't have time to do anymore, which needs to be done while I am swanning about with a crochet hook and stolen yarn.
Also the original number of blankets talked about was 20 in 2 years, I don't think I could do it even if I crocheted for 7 days a week.
After lots of discussion and whimpering e-mails from me Katie agreed that 14 was fine.

In January I signed the contract, I was still not sure I was able to do what Search Press wanted, but Daisy and Phil had convinced me that between the 3 of us we could cope and that I needed to seize this chance as I might not get another one.
So for the past month I have been putting together a "sketchbook" of idea's and swatches, I even started one blanket and have solid plans for another two.

On monday morning after Unravel we travelled the extra miles to go and have a meeting with Katie.
I wasn't sure if any of my ideas and plans were good enough or if they were what Search Press wanted.
But I needn't have worried, she was happy with everything I am doing and put my mind to rest about some of my other worries.

I can't begin to express how happy and excited I am.
I get to do exactly what I want, just as long as it is not to complicated for you to do, which is something I am always concious about when I design.
All the motifs are simple ones, the blankets are more about colour arrangement and shape.
There will be 7 sections, each one containing 2 blankets, in each section there will be1 simple, 1 more complex, 1 bed sized, 1 smaller, 1 4 ply and 1 DK.

Along the way I will be blogging about my progress, telling you stories and even showing you tiny snippets of what I am doing.
If I seem a bit absent don't worry I'm still here beavering away on my sofa crocheting like mad and trying to restrain myself from making anything to difficult and complex to make.
2 years plus is a long time to wait for a book, I really hope you like it and that the wait is worthwhile.