My Creative Journey

Hi, this is Barbara Emodi, author of two sewing reference books SEW The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge and Stress-free Sewing Solutions, and also the author of the crafty Gasper’s Cove mystery series. 

Let’s talk about the process that moved me from writing about sewing to writing stories about people who make things. I have a question for you: Have you ever participated in a sewing, quilting, or craft class where no one talked? 

Ha! Neither have I. And I have taken, and taught, classes for the last 35 years. Get a group of creative women together and there is a lot to discuss—the project, materials, tips, techniques, and mistakes (would you mind passing me that seam ripper?), not to mention family, friends, pets, and feelings.

Over the years I have listened. I have come to two conclusions: 

1. There is nothing ordinary about ordinary women. 
2. Life is full of stories, and those that most unbelievable are the ones that have actually, or almost happened.

My Gasper’s Cove Mysteries are where I share all of this with you. Gasper’s Cove looks like this, taken not too far from where I live:

I see it in my mind when I write. The name Gasper’s came from a group of elderly men I knew who had a lunch club that they named after themselves, the last gaspers. I asked and borrowed the name.

Nova Scotia is a quirky place, where people like to make things themselves. At first,I thought who wants to read about somewhere not many people have been to? It turns out quite a few do. Cozy places are a home for us all.

The series continues.

The first book, Crafting for Murder, introduces Valerie Rankin, a middle-aged sewing teacher who comes back to Gasper’s after her children grow up and leave the city where she raised them. It describes her ambition to establish a crafter’s co-op in the community and her first encounter with a murder. 

The second book, Crafting Deception, is based on the real-life, and quite incredible story of how Churchill sent the entire wealth of the British Treasury, by ship, across the Atlantic to dock in Nova Scotia in WWII. Of course, that was a long time ago, but is it possible that some of that treasure lost and later found along the coast? 

The third book Crafting with Slander puts the crafters in the middle of the intrigue and danger of a municipal election. Of course, they have better things to do, like quilting, sewing and knitting, but since one of their own is running for mayor, they have no choice but to jump in and show the local power brokers how it’s done.

I enjoy writing these books so much. My hope is that they can add some chuckles, lightness and fun to your day. We are celebrating the launch of the third book in the series with some of my readers and reviewers. 

Return to the C&T Blog on Monday, May 6th for the Announcement of the Book Tour with all of the participants! Interact with each participant's post on social media or their blog and enter for a chance to win a free e-book copy of Crafting with Slander. See you on the tour!

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Barbara Emodi is a published sewing author with 30+ years of experience as a sewing instructor. She has taught sewing classes in Australia, Canada, the United States, and online and has been a journalist, professor, and radio commentator in another life. Barbara sews, writes, and teaches in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. babsemodi.com